On the contrary, he wanted to use this move to demonstrate the magnanimity and tolerance of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
"Prince Nurhadu," Li Longze said calmly, "Your candor today demonstrates your sincerity. The Great Zhou is renowned for its rites and propriety. How could I possibly argue with you over such a trivial matter? It is your courage and honesty that I admire even more."
The eunuch carefully brought two exquisite golden cups on a tray, which were filled with mellow wine. Li Longze and Nurha each picked up a golden cup, saluted each other solemnly, and then drank together.
The wine goes down the throat with a hint of sweetness and strong warmth, as if it also symbolizes the friendly diplomatic relations between Xirong and Da Zhou.
Following a solemn sound of stringed instruments, the guard of honor slowly retreated, and a carriage carved with a phoenix pattern slowly drove over. It was the phoenix carriage of the newly-crowned Princess Xianning, Li Yunting.
The carriage was spacious and luxurious. Two strictly trained palace maids, one on each side, held Li Yunting with just the right amount of force to ensure that she would not make any noise on this important occasion and thus lose the dignity of the royal family.
"Prince Nurhadu, you have worked hard this time to escort Princess Xianning back to Xirong, so that you can marry your father, King Zuoxian, and create a lasting marriage." Li Longze looked deeply at the gorgeous carriage and said slowly.
Upon hearing this, Nurhadu bowed deeply and responded in a steady voice, "As you command, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to ensure the princess's safe journey and her safe arrival in Xirong."
However, a hint of sarcasm inadvertently appeared on his face. Everyone knew that his father, who was over 60 years old, was saying "a happy marriage for a hundred years" was just a nice-looking phrase for the occasion.
He raised his head and met Li Longze's gaze, while his sharp eyes swept over the civil and military officials who accompanied him.
After years of galloping across the vast grassland, he had already trained his eyes to catch prey in an instant.
At this moment, it was a piece of cake for him to find the blue-robed official he met in front of the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion that day.
When his eyes locked on Xue Zhongfu in the crowd, a smug smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, as if a hunter had finally captured the prey he was aiming for.
"Your Majesty," he said in a resonant voice, "I have heard a saying in the Great Zhou that 'good things come in pairs.' Since Princess Xianning is about to marry my father, I wonder if Your Majesty would also be willing to make my marriage a success? So that I too can enjoy the blessing of the Great Zhou Emperor and share the same honor and glory as the princess?"
Li Longze was slightly stunned. He didn't expect Nurha to make such a request at this moment. He looked at the Western Rong prince deeply, and quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
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