Chapter 291 Presenting the Princess
The ancestral worship ceremony finally came to a solemn end. Huo Lin dragged his tired body back to the palace. Before he could even rest for a few days, an urgent report came from the border that the Northern Di had a new Khan and had sent an envoy to pay homage.
On this day, the atmosphere in the Golden Palace was solemn.
Huo Lingao sat on the dragon throne, his black dragon robe highlighting his cold and stern face, exuding an imposing aura even without anger.
Below, a delegation of more than ten people from the Northern Di tribes was led by Huyan Lie, a trusted general of the Di king.
This man was tall and strong, with a rugged face, exuding the fierce spirit unique to nomadic peoples of the grasslands.
Huyan Lie stepped forward, placed his right hand on his chest, and performed a Northern Di salute in a loud voice.
"Your Majesty the Emperor of Great Liang, my king has just ascended the throne. Grateful for the diplomatic relations between our two countries, he has specially dispatched his subjects to pay homage and present a small gift to express his sincerity!"
After saying that, he waved his hand, and his attendants carried up several heavy boxes. When they opened them, they were full of local specialties from the grasslands.
The finest furs, precious medicinal herbs, and gold and silver utensils of the highest quality.
Huo Lin nodded slightly, his tone calm: "The King of the Northern Di is kind. I also wish for harmony between the two countries and peace on the border."
Huyan Lie grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, but a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.
"His Majesty the Emperor is magnanimous. To show my king's sincerity, aside from these mundane items, my king has also specially presented my most beautiful princess from the Northern Barbarian tribe, Tia!"
As he spoke, a young girl dressed in the finest Northern Di attire entered the hall.
She was tall and slender, with healthy wheat-colored skin, deep and bright features, and her eyes boldly stared at Huo Lin on the dragon throne, carrying the wildness unique to the children of the grasslands.
She curtsied slightly, her voice clear and crisp: "Tia greets His Majesty the Emperor."
A slight commotion arose in the hall. The officials exchanged glances, and many of them subconsciously looked towards Jiang Huan.
Jiang Huan: ……
Why are you all looking at her? Are you all eager to see the drama of the wife meeting the mistress, a clash of titans?
The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the marriage of princesses is a political maneuver. She comes from modern times, doesn't understand it, but respects it.
But the current situation clearly indicates that someone is trying to force a sale. They're so cunning; they're definitely not someone to mess with.
Her mind was racing, but she maintained a polite smile, though her eyes turned slightly cold.
Huo Lin sat upright on the dragon throne, his face calm and expressionless, showing no emotion.
[Offering a princess? A political marriage?]
[Are you planning to force a woman upon me to lower my guard?]
Do you think I'm some greenhorn who's just ascended the throne?
Besides, with her around, who would even look at these ordinary, common women!
Before he could speak, Huyan Lie spoke first, his tone somewhat forceful.
"Princess Tia is my king's most beloved younger sister. She is of noble birth and has an unparalleled beauty. She admires the Emperor of Liang the most. My king wishes to offer the princess to you to serve by your side, so as to establish a friendly alliance between our two countries. I hope you will accept her offer!"
These words caused an uproar in the hall.
In his words, he completely disregarded the feelings of Consort Zhuang, who was currently enjoying the Emperor's favor.
Huo Lin's hand, resting on the armrest of the dragon throne, tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white.
He glanced at Huyan Lie's seemingly respectful but actually arrogant face, then swept over the assembled officials with their varied expressions, and finally landed on Princess Tia.
The princess boldly returned his gaze, her eyes carrying a hint of defiance.
[Admiring my wisdom and might? More likely, it's admiration for the wealth and prosperity of the Great Liang!]
Want to slip some eyeliner in? Dream on!
Huo Lin sneered inwardly, his voice low: "I appreciate the goodwill of the new king of the Northern Di, but the matter of marriage is a matter of national decorum between the two countries and is no child's play. Princess, you are of noble birth and have come from afar. Please stay at the post station to rest."
This is a polite way of declining.
Hu Yanlie's expression changed, clearly not expecting Huo Lin to be so decisive.
A flash of anger crossed his eyes, and his voice turned cold.
"Emperor of Great Liang, my king is offering his most beloved sister with utmost sincerity, yet you refuse her so readily. Do you look down on my Northern Di? Or do you think my Northern Di princess is unworthy of the Emperor of Great Liang's harem?"
This was extremely rude and carried a clear threat.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly plummeted to freezing point; the ministers fell silent, even their breathing became soft.
Just then, the Empress Dowager, who was sitting below Huo Lin, slowly spoke.
With a kind smile on her face, her voice clearly echoed throughout the hall: "Your Majesty, the new King of the Northern Di has taken the initiative to show goodwill by offering a princess, which is a very kind gesture."
"Marriage alliances between the two countries have existed since ancient times and can indeed promote diplomatic relations and stabilize the borders. In my opinion, it would be better to bring the princess into the palace first as a sign of favor."
The Empress Dowager's words, seemingly meant to persuade, were actually putting pressure on Huo Lin and completely ignoring Jiang Huan's presence.
Huo Lin's eyes sharpened, and he was about to retort when Xie Yunzhi, who had been standing not far from him, took the opportunity of going forward to add tea to quickly approach.
He whispered, "Your Majesty, the new king of the Northern Di is not on an unstable throne, and several major tribes in the country are restless. This time, the princess is offered as a gift, ostensibly for a marriage alliance, but in reality, it is a way to divert trouble eastward, hoping to use the power of the Great Liang to restrain the internal opposition forces, while also planting spies."
Xie Yunzhi's voice was soft, but every word was clear.
A cold glint flashed in Huo Lin's eyes. He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, producing a muffled thud that silenced the entire hall.
He stood up and looked down at Huyan Lie.
"Envoy Huyan!"
Hu Yanlie was startled by the sudden burst of power he exuded and subconsciously took a half step back.
"I respect the King of the Northern Di as the ruler of a neighboring country, and therefore treat him with courtesy. However, you, a mere envoy, dare to question my decisions and inquire about my preferences in the imperial palace? Who gave you the audacity!"
His voice wasn't loud, but every word struck like a hammer blow to everyone's heart.
"My harem is my family matter! Whether or not I take concubines, and who I take as my concubines, is my own decision. It is not for you, an outsider, to interfere, much less for you, a Northern Barbarian, to make decisions for me!"
His gaze was like lightning, sweeping over Huyan Lie, whose face was ashen, and Princess Tia, whose expression had changed slightly.
"Princess Tia is a guest from afar, and I will treat her with courtesy and make proper arrangements for her at the guesthouse. As for the matter of entering the palace, do not mention it again. If you dare to speak recklessly again, do not blame me for disregarding the friendship between our two countries!"
The last sentence is a blatant warning.
Hu Yanlie was so choked by Huo Lin's merciless rebuke that his face turned red and white. As a general of the Northern Barbarians, he had never been so humiliated.
But seeing Huo Lin's cold eyes and the unfriendly gazes of the Liang officials around him, he finally dared not confront him again and could only suppress his raging anger.
"Yes, I misspoke."
Princess Tia's defiant expression froze. Looking at the imposing young emperor on the dragon throne, she felt fear for the first time.
She bit her lower lip, but ultimately said nothing more.
Huo Lin coldly surveyed the entire room, his voice returning to its usual calm.
"Ministry of Rites, make proper arrangements for the Northern Barbarian delegation and the princess; do not neglect them!"
Having said that, he looked away from everyone, turned around with a flick of his sleeve, and strode away from the Golden Palace.
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