Amorous Eyes
On the way back, Zhao Youyi sat in the carriage, unable to help but recall the look Chu Chanyin had given her just now.
What kind of eyes were those? They contained grief and indignation over her brother's departure, as well as a trace of pity for her.
Such a pair of affectionate eyes.
What a pity...
Zhao Youyi shook his head, putting these distracting thoughts aside. The important thing now was to figure out how to leave Beijing smoothly.
Once Zhao Youli's funeral was over, it was no longer appropriate for Chu Chanyin to stay at the General's Mansion. If a man and a woman were seen together and word got out, it would damage Zhao Youyi's reputation. However, he was also worried about Zhao Youyi being alone, fearing that she, a young woman, might be bullied. Just then, he received a letter informing him that the prince was coming to the capital.
The two parted ways not far from the city gate. Zhao Youyi lifted the curtain and asked, "Cousin Cong, aren't you coming into the city with us?"
Chu Chanyin nodded and explained, "I just received a letter from the vassal king about his arrival in the capital. I will find an inn outside the city to rest for a day or two before entering the palace, so as not to be discovered."
Zhao Youyi knew this was a foolproof plan, but she still couldn't help worrying whether Chu Chanyin would keep his promise.
"Once I enter the palace, I will present the imperial decree and ask the emperor to grant us our marriage. I promised Brother Nianling that I would protect you for life, so cousin, you don't need to worry." Chu Chan knew she was cautious and had doubts. He had promised Zhao Youli that he would protect his sister for life. When they arrived in Fuzhou, whether he adopted her as his sworn sister, whether she didn't want to marry, he could support her for life, whether she wanted to find a good family to live a peaceful life, whether she wanted to avenge her brother, or whether she wanted to become his rightful Princess of Chu, he would protect her for life.
He didn't care whether she would have a wife and children in the future. If she wanted to be his sister and didn't want to get married, he would support her for life. If she lived a peaceful life, he would choose a good man for her who could love and protect her. If she wanted revenge, he would hand her a knife and protect her. If she wanted to be his wife...
Chu Chanyin suddenly couldn't think straight anymore.
If she wanted to be his wife, would he still remain steadfast in his heart?
Zhao Youyi had no idea what he had been thinking in that instant, but after hearing what he said, she still couldn't help but ask, "Cousin, why are you helping me like this?"
If it were just for a promise from her brother, it would have been enough. She used the name of the Prince of Chu to guide public opinion. The emperor would no longer take her as a concubine, and the empress dowager would not dare to make a move on her. Later, she could fake her death by feigning heart failure due to excessive grief over her brother's passing. Although it would be troublesome, involve some suffering, and take some time, it would not be impossible for her to do it alone.
She didn't believe Chu Chanyin couldn't see it.
This is the King of Chu, who ascended the throne at the age of fifteen. How could he be a simpleton after years of fighting on the battlefield?
Chu Chanyin glanced at her sideways and remained silent for a long time.
King Chu rarely did anything so impolite, staring at a woman. Zhao Youyi remained silent, meeting his gaze.
It wasn't until Chu Chan couldn't bear it any longer and looked away that Zhao Youyi noticed the King of Chu's ears had turned red.
Tsk, she was wrong. This King of Chu was only eighteen years old and quite innocent in some ways.
"Because I promised Brother Nianling," Chu Chanyin replied.
Zhao Youyi didn't believe him, but suddenly didn't want to press him for an answer.
What if I anger the little white rabbit and it bites her?
"Cousin, did you hire Liu Er?" Chu Chanyin asked quickly when the atmosphere became silent.
Zhao Youyi nodded. "My cousin is wise. That person was indeed someone I found."
Why not use your connections? Anyway, what you said is true. It's a pity we didn't get to see the dog emperor get smashed to pieces. What a shame!
“It’s my cousin who is resourceful,” Chu Chanyin said, seeing the regret on her face. He knew she was disappointed because she hadn’t seen the scene. He beckoned Ying Liu over and asked him to describe the scene to Zhao Youyi.
Ying Liu was eloquent and described the scene vividly, making Zhao Youyi laugh heartily.
Chu Chanyin also laughed, "This is the first time I've seen you laugh in all these days."
Zhao Youyi was stunned. She unconsciously touched the corner of her mouth, sensing her inner emotions. She had been crying and thinking of solutions these past few days, and indeed, she couldn't smile. "Thank you, cousin, and thank you for your bodyguards."
“He is Shadow Six, you can call him whatever you like.” Chu Chanyin’s gaze softened.
"Cousin's bodyguards wouldn't be Shadow One, Two, Three, Four... like that, would they?" Zhao Youyi couldn't help but ask.
Chu Chanyin nodded naturally. It was easier to remember that way. He had two teams of bodyguards who did not interfere with each other. One team used "Shadow" as their generation name, and the other used "Hidden" as their generation name. The "Shadow" generation mainly focused on reconnaissance and assassination, while the "Hidden" generation was responsible for close protection. Otherwise, how could he remember so many people? However, he knew that the Zhao family would also raise bodyguards for their children. He wondered what kind of names his cousin, who was so intelligent, would give to the bodyguards.
He thought this way and then asked it.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Youyi was also taken aback for a moment. "Alright, my female bodyguards are of the junior generation, and my male bodyguards are of the martial generation, one, two, three, four, five, and so on."
"Then wouldn't it mean that there's a brother who should be called... Wu Wu?" It's similar to Wu Wu. Chu Chanyin couldn't help but wonder if this brother would be teased by the other guards.
Zhao Youyi clearly thought the same thing as him, "It seems so, let's find some time to change their names."
Seeing that she had calmed down, Chu Chanyin said, "My cousin said I would help you, but I couldn't help you much. You are very capable, and I believe that you could have escaped unscathed even without my intervention."
Zhao Youyi smiled frankly. Indeed, but she felt more relaxed with Chu Chanyin's presence. "But I still thank my cousin. I will remember this kindness of your long journey."
Hearing an unfamiliar name suddenly come from her lips, Chu Chanyin was a little taken aback. "Is this my cousin's courtesy name?"
Zhao Youyi fell silent. She suddenly remembered that the two of them had never formally introduced themselves. No wonder Chu Chanyin kept calling her "cousin"; it turned out he didn't even know her name.
This is normal, though. Zhao Youli would never tell a man outside his sister’s name, even if he were a close friend. Chu Chanyin had heard Zhao Youli call her Niao Niao when he was young, but calling her by her nickname was too intimate and not suitable for the two of them. So he always called her Cousin Zhao. Too many things happened at that time, and the two of them didn’t have the leisure to do a fancy self-introduction.
Thinking of this, Chu Chanyin smiled, took a step back, and bowed respectfully: "I am Chu Chanyin, the second son of the King of Chu, courtesy name Huai Cong. May I ask your name, cousin?"
Seeing him bow formally, Zhao Youyi couldn't help but laugh and jump off the carriage to return the greeting: "Thank you for your inquiry, cousin. My name is Youyi, courtesy name Nianwan. I hope you will give me your guidance."
"It's good that you're smiling." Chu Chanyin smiled faintly. "Cousin Nianwan, take good care of yourself these next two days and wait for me."
Zhao Youyi nodded and watched him leave.
Once the people had gone far away, Zhao Youyi's smile faded. She got into the carriage and took out the general's command token from her bosom.
Her fingers unconsciously traced the character "Zhao" on the general's token. Should she exchange the token for Chu Chanyin's promise? For example, a guarantee that she could participate in the war to overthrow the tyrant. She wondered if Chu Chanyin would agree.
Zhao Youyi put away the general's order and ordered the coachman to drive the carriage into the city.
Inside the palace, the emperor changed the water in three pools but still couldn't wash away the stench from his body. He wanted nothing more than to execute those unruly commoners! And that squad leader! How dare he mock him!
The emperor stormed into Cining Palace, waving the palace servant who had come to report him away. "Mother, your nephews are truly arrogant! How dare they disrespect me in the street!"
When the emperor saw that Princess Fu'an was also there, he couldn't help but want to roll his eyes at her.
Princess Fu'an was delighted to see him, probably because she was young and naive. "Greetings, Your Majesty! Your Majesty's arrival is just in time. I have a favor to ask of you!"
The Emperor narrowed his eyes and looked at Fu'an. This little princess was used to being unruly, but why did she have to come to him for help when the Empress Dowager and the Song family couldn't solve the problem? He glanced at the Empress Dowager with interest, and before she could stop Fu'an, he said, "What do you need my help with, my sister? Tell me."
As he spoke, he sat down on the couch, picked up a cup of hot tea, and took a sip.
Fu'an knelt on the ground, her expression innocent and excited: "Your Majesty, I am in love with Liu Feng'an, the second son of the Liu family, and I humbly request that you grant me this marriage!"
The emperor was so startled that he spat out the tea he had just drunk. "What did you say?" He looked at the Empress Dowager with considerable surprise, truly unable to understand how a shrewd woman could give birth to such an... naive and innocent daughter.
Fu'an pouted: "Royal brother, I want Liu Feng'an to marry me."
The emperor couldn't help but burst into laughter. The Liu family's daughter was to be sent to marry in place of the princess, but the princess wanted to marry her brother! They were just catching the Liu family in the crossfire.
However, he has always been carefree; if his silly sister wants to get married, then let her get married.
Once he becomes the emperor's son-in-law, he can no longer hold an official position. The Liu family must hate Fu'an to death.
Since the Song family and the Empress Dowager wouldn't let him have an easy time, he wouldn't let Fu'an have an easy time either.
"Alright, Your Majesty agrees." The Emperor smiled at her, but the Empress Dowager beside him said sternly, "Your Majesty, you mustn't!"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor simply smiled and turned to the Empress Dowager, "Mother, if Fu'an likes it, let her marry. Can you bear to see Fu'an grow thinner and thinner because she can't marry the one she loves?"
Princess Fu'an straightened her back after the emperor agreed, stood up and said, "Your Majesty is right. I like him, so I want him. Why won't Mother grant my wish?"
The Empress Dowager was so angry she lost her mind. "Nonsense! Fu'an, go back to your palace and reflect on your actions!"
Princess Fu'an stormed off upon hearing this, but before leaving, she gave the emperor a meaningful look—remember to grant her the marriage!
The emperor smiled and nodded. After Fu'an left, the room became quiet.
"Does the Empress Dowager not want Fu'an to marry a member of the Liu family?" The Emperor's meaningful gaze fell on the Empress Dowager, and he placed his hand over hers, smiling without saying a word.
In the afternoon, two imperial edicts were issued from the palace. The first edict bestowed the title of Princess Li'an upon the eldest daughter of the Liu family, ordering her to marry a southern barbarian in three months. The second edict bestowed a marriage between Princess Fu'an and Liu Feng'an, the eldest son of the Liu family, with an auspicious day to be chosen for the wedding.
Although the Liu family had long known that their daughter would be made a princess and married into a foreign land, Lord Liu had been petitioning the emperor to spare his daughter for the past few days. He was so angry that he fell ill but did not stop. However, the Liu family did not expect that the royal family would be so shameless. Not only did they want their daughter to marry in place of the princess, but they also wanted their son to marry a princess!
Liu Mingyi was so angry that he spat out a mouthful of blood. "How could Your Majesty do such a thing?!"
The Liu family has been loyal to the emperor for generations, so why has it come to this end? The eldest daughter was married off to a southern barbarian, and the eldest son was married to a princess and was forbidden from holding office. What will become of the next generation of the Liu family?
He should have thought of this long ago... He should have thought of it when the emperor poisoned the former King of Chu! Once the millstone is used up, the donkey is discarded; once the birds are gone, the bow is put away! For his own selfish desires, the emperor could even poison a general with great military achievements, so how could he let go of the Liu family, who were the heads of the civil officials?
It's pitiful that his daughter is to be married to the prince of the enemy country. The Jin Kingdom and the Southern Barbarians have a long-standing feud, with a blood feud between them. What will become of his daughter for the rest of her life?
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