"Prince He, the matter of my elder sister is something none of us expected; it caught us all off guard. However, the marriage alliance between Southern Zhou and Great Jing will not be interrupted because of this."
Yuan Xiu's expression softened slightly. Although he was also dissatisfied with the outcome, it was still better than Yuan Yun marrying into the Southern Zhou. Therefore, he still had to prioritize the overall situation and smooth things over with the marriage alliance.
"I have decided that, for the sake of peace between the people of our two countries, I will select two princesses of suitable age to marry into the Southern Zhou."
Zhou Jinghuan nodded. Yuan Xiu's offering of two princesses was a way of giving him a way out. At least the marriage alliance was settled, and he could report back home.
Zhou Jinghuan bowed and thanked him, saying, "Emperor Jing is very righteous. After I return and report to my brother, I will send someone to discuss the specific details of the marriage alliance with the Great Jing."
Yuan Xiu raised his hand and gestured, "Please, Prince He, continue eating and drinking. We won't leave until we're completely drunk!"
Seeing Zhou Jinghuan return to his seat, Yuan Yun took Zhao Cheng's hand and said, "Your Majesty, I need to borrow Zhao Cheng for a moment and take him for a stroll around the palace."
Yuan Xiu gave Zhao Cheng a meaningful look, then adjusted his expression and smiled at Yuan Yun, "Go ahead, Your Majesty, whatever makes you happy!"
Yuan Yun knew her younger brother well and knew that he was angry when he said those words, so she didn't linger and pulled Zhao Cheng away.
Zhao Cheng bowed slightly to Yuan Xiu and was led away by Yuan Yun in full view of everyone.
The marriage controversy at the state banquet finally came to an end, and the banquet was peaceful once again, with the atmosphere quickly becoming lively as people drank.
However, when they moved into Yongshou Palace that evening, neither the emperor nor the left prime minister were there.
"Outrageous! This is utterly outrageous!!"
Inside the Left Prime Minister's residence, Wen Hu slammed his fist against the wall, furious.
Wen Tai sat in the main seat drinking tea, while Yu Changsi stood behind Wen Hu, comforting him.
"Uncle Sha, don't get too upset. This is something no one expected."
“That’s right.” Wen Tai put down his teacup and said, “Judging from His Majesty’s appearance at the time, he was also kept in the dark. No matter how angry you are, it’s useless. This is not a matter of His Majesty going back on his word.”
"What makes Zhao Cheng so special?" Wen Hu roared. "I really underestimated this kid before. I should have gotten rid of him sooner!"
Yu Changsi said, "This matter... is strange from the inside out. How did Zhao Cheng get involved with the Princess?"
Wen Hu said, "Some people say that Zhao Cheng got together with the Princess five years ago when he was in Changsui."
"That's impossible."
Wen Tai said, "Last time, when the Eldest Princess and Chen Changyun returned from Yanchuan City, she cursed Zhao Cheng as a rogue and asked His Majesty to create an opportunity for her to take revenge..."
At this point, Wen Tai's eyes lit up, and he suddenly said, "I understand!"
Yu Changsi understood and said, "Does the Left Prime Minister mean that Zhao Cheng met with the Princess when he attended the state banquet?"
Wen Tai nodded and said, "Do you remember on the first day of the state banquet, His Majesty called Zhao Cheng away? If I'm not mistaken, His Majesty was probably creating an opportunity for the Eldest Princess to take revenge on Zhao Cheng."
Yu Changsi continued, "So Zhao Cheng's first attitude towards the marriage alliance was not to marry, but the second time he changed his mind and said he would marry because he had already been punished by the Eldest Princess and wanted to take revenge on her."
Wen Hu asked, puzzled, "If it's revenge, why did you two become friends?"
"It's all just a matter between men and women," Wen Tai sighed. "Hu'er, you were ultimately too late..."
Wen Hu glared angrily and punched the wall again.
Yu Changsi smiled slightly.
Wen Hu asked, somewhat displeased, "Mr. Yu, what are you laughing at?"
Yu Changsi said, "Actually, there's no need to be so discouraged. This is not a good thing for us, but it's definitely a bad thing for the Right Prime Minister's Office!"
Wen Hu asked doubtfully, "What do you mean by that, sir?"
"Think about it, His Majesty has always been wary of the Right Chancellor, fearing his growing power and even his potential for merit. Therefore, when Zhao Cheng destroyed the Southern Zhou spy network in the thirteen cities of Jingdong, His Majesty did not reward him for any of his achievements."
Yu Changsi paced back and forth in the room, stroking his beard as he said, "And what's the situation now? Zhao Cheng is about to become the imperial son-in-law! What do you think His Majesty will think? And what will he do?"
"Now I actually hope that His Majesty will agree to make Zhao Cheng his son-in-law. If that happens, the Right Chancellor's Mansion will be doomed."
“Mr. Yu’s words are truly insightful!” Wen Tai laughed. In fact, he had also thought of this point, but he was still pondering it in his heart. After listening to Yu Changsi’s analysis, he was convinced.
Wen Hu nodded, his complexion finally improving, and said, "I see."
Wen Tai asked, "Is Mr. Yu worried that His Majesty will not agree?"
Yu Changsi turned around and looked at Wen Tai, saying, "His Majesty will definitely not agree. It all depends on whether the Eldest Princess really can't do without Zhao Cheng. If so, I estimate that His Majesty can't persuade the Eldest Princess."
Wen Tai slowly stood up and said, "At a crucial moment, I can add fuel to the fire."
"Excellent!" Yu Changsi said with a smile, "Let us all wish the Princess and her husband well!"
Wen Hu's eyes darkened, and he said, "Even so, I still can't swallow this insult."
Wen Tai instructed, "Hu'er, you must not act on your own; you must prioritize the overall situation."
"I see."
Wen Hu nodded and said in a low voice, "I won't interfere in this matter, but after this, I will definitely not let Zhao Cheng get away with it!"
...
"You bastard! You're infuriating me!!"
Inside the imperial study, Yuan Xiu reached out and pulled everything off the dragon desk, then picked up something and smashed it on the ground.
Lu Lu and Wei You stood on either side, holding their breath and remaining silent.
Heng Wenhao knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe.
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