The sky was already completely bright.
It's a day off today, so Ling Shumo doesn't have to attend the morning court.
She had just been flirting with Lu Jin for a while.
Shi Qi came to tell her that the eldest princess Ling Shujiao had arrived and wanted to invite her to go horse racing in the suburbs.
Ling Shumo was not interested and was about to refuse.
Ling Shujiao said nothing and dragged her away forcefully, "Today is the party organized by the Third Princess. All the princesses and princes who can come are here. The men in the harem have been bored for too long. We can take them out together today. We women will ride horses while they can chat about family matters.
The Third Princess specifically said that I must take you there no matter what. If you don't go, you'll be giving both of us face."
Ling Shumo still didn't want to go, but she couldn't stand Ling Shujiao's nagging, so she finally agreed.
Ling Shumo ordered Shi Qi to quickly prepare things, but Ling Shujiao stopped Shi Qi and said, "Your Highness will get on my carriage in a moment. Just take care of the men in the Eastern Palace. I'll have my attendant give you the address now."
Shi Qi looked at Ling Shumo with an inquiring look.
Seeing Ling Shumo nodded, she went downstairs immediately.
The eldest princess' carriage was parked at the west side gate of the East Palace. Unlike the East Palace's carriages, which were simple and elegant, the princess's carriage was so luxurious that one could tell at a glance that it was high-profile.
The gold-inlaid hollow carvings in front of the carriage door are dazzling, and decorative pink and gold lanterns are hung on both sides. The silk gauze curtains hanging around the interior of the carriage are all carefully outlined with gold and silver threads.
As soon as Ling Shumo sat down, she asked curiously, "Why did the Third Princess suddenly think of organizing a horse race with us? I remember that she didn't like riding and shooting at all. I thought she would only organize us to go to her mansion to appreciate her collection of antique calligraphy and paintings."
Ling Shujiao's face became a little distorted.
The third princess Ling Shulan Ling Shujiao is a very elegant person. She likes to collect calligraphy and paintings by famous artists. Her hobby is nothing special, but what Ling Shujiao can't stand is that Ling Shulan always likes to pull her royal sisters to appreciate the treasures she has collected together.
For Ling Shujiao, who had no artistic talent, this was no different from torture.
Ling Shujiao forced herself to block out these not-so-pleasant memories from her mind. She leaned back casually, "Do you know Shangguan Ran, the Sixth Princess of the Xuanyou Empire? The Xuanyou Emperor has yet to appoint a crown prince, so she's the most likely princess to become the Crown Princess."
She just arrived in the capital late last night. On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor Xuanyou, she requested to marry a prince as a concubine."
Ling Shujiao said this, straightening her back seriously, "Shangguan Ran's brother, the Seventh Prince Shangguan Xu, also wants to choose a wife from among us princesses.
These two siblings are very interesting. They must marry the person with the best riding and archery skills.
However, this is not a formal meeting, Third Sister, the purpose of this group we organized today is to let everyone get to know each other.
At the beginning of next month, the Queen Mother will invite the two distinguished guests from afar to go to the royal hunting ground together.
When that time comes, the Queen Mother will personally arrange a marriage for them."
Ling Shumo smiled somewhat helplessly and said, "The Xuanyou Empire's national style is bold and unrestrained, but the men of our Chisha are all quiet and dignified. If Shangguan Ran wants to find a concubine who is skilled on horseback, she's afraid she won't be able to marry the husband she wants."
Ling Shujiao shrugged, "Then we can only ask her to find someone to marry. I just don't know which of my royal brothers would be so pitiful as to have to marry far away to a place like Xuanyou."
Ling Shumo also sighed softly.
In the territory of Yisha, as long as the princes have chosen their wives, they can leave the palace and set up their own prince's mansion. It is so carefree and happy.
But if she is unlucky enough to be chosen by Shangguan Ran, not only will she have to marry far away in another country, but she will also have to be a concubine.
After all, the bloodline of the royal family of Xuanyou Empire cannot be confused.
Similarly, if Shangguan Xu married into the royal family, she could only be a concubine. The royal family's orthodox bloodline could not be diluted by the bloodline of other countries.
Ling Shujiao hadn't known when she'd pulled out a piece of grass and was holding it in her mouth. Her words were a little unclear, "Shangguan Xu is marrying me this time, and the Xuanyou Empire will send a thousand fine horses as a dowry. Our Zhongdu region suffered a disaster this time, so they'll also provide a batch of grain as a support."
Ling Shumo then recalled the recent friction between the Xuanyou Empire and the Dongqi Empire to the southeast. She asked, "So, the Emperor of the Xuanyou Empire sent them here to borrow troops from Yisha on the basis of an alliance?"
Ling Shujiao chewed the grass root in her mouth, swallowed the bitter-sweet juice, and nodded. "Yes. His Majesty the Emperor of Xuanyou wants to form an alliance with us to counterattack Dongqi together. The Queen Mother tacitly approved of the Third Princess's plan, so the borrowing of troops is 99% likely to succeed."
Ling Shujiao spat out the rotten grass in her mouth when she said this. "Third Princess may pretend to be elegant all the time, but her fighting ability is truly undeniable. This time, the Seventh Prince of Xuanyou Empire will probably choose between her and the Fifth Princess to marry."
Ling Shujiao looked out the window with a rather sad look on her face. "Why does the prince of the Xuanyou Empire have to like riding and shooting? Otherwise, I could have tried my best to win his heart. But now, it seems that we can only serve as background figures together."
Ling Shumo took a sip of tea and smiled, "Don't be discouraged, Big Sister. Everything is possible."
After Ling Shumo finished speaking, her gaze shifted to the scenery rolling outside the window.
No wonder Ling Shujiao looked so heartbroken.
Anyone who can marry Shangguan Xu of the Xuanyou Empire will be connected with Shangguan Ran.
It would also provide an additional bargaining chip in future fights for the throne.
Ling Shujiao was still admiring the scenery outside the window.
Ling Shumo and the others' eyes fell on Ling Shujiao's back.
The friendship between the original owner and Ling Shujiao was based on the premise that the original owner was a fool.
But if she crushes the third and fifth princesses in terms of military strength, the relationship between her and Ling Shujiao, and even with other royal sisters, will become more delicate.
Ling Shumo returned to Beijing from Zhongdu with disaster relief and was highly praised by the emperor.
Her purpose of making amends has been achieved.
So, should she bide her time or give it her all?
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