Chapter 66: One Family Has a Daughter, Hundreds of Families Seek
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall.
A barely perceptible fluctuation flashed across Xiao Fuguang's eyes, and his gaze fell on Huyan Qing.
Mrs. Xiao held Xiao Fuguang's hand worriedly and spoke in a low voice.
"Fu Guang."
Lin Qingwan also looked at Xiao Fuguang with a worried look.
Xiao Fuguang reached out and patted the back of his mother's hand.
"Don't panic, mother. Let's wait and see."
Emperor Xuanyuan looked around the hall with a deep gaze and looked at the location of the Xiao family.
"Your Highness, this is a very good idea. However, marriage is a matter of great importance. It concerns the future of both countries, as well as the happiness of a woman. I need to ask Miss Xiao for her opinion."
Emperor Xuanyuan spoke in a calm tone and did not agree immediately. Instead, he cleverly delayed time, obviously weighing the pros and cons.
Hu Yanqing seemed to have expected this and said with a smile.
"Your Majesty is absolutely right. Marriage is a matter of great caution. Our princess is willing to stay here temporarily so that our two countries can deepen their understanding. As for the Protector of the Nation, we can discuss matters slowly. I believe that with the princess's wisdom and courage, she will surely become a bridge to promote peace between our two countries."
At this moment, Xuanyuan Jing, who had been silent all the time, suddenly spoke in a cold voice.
"My lord, the princess who protects the country has made great military achievements for Xuanyuan. Her marriage should be decided by her. I'm afraid that my lord wants to choose someone else for this marriage."
Upon hearing this, Hu Yanqing's smile remained unchanged, but it became more profound.
"The Regent's marriage is also part of politics. I believe that the princess is very knowledgeable and will understand the painstaking efforts of both countries."
"After the Protector of the Country Princess arrives in my Beipan, this prince will definitely take good care of her..."
Xuanyuan Jing's gaze became increasingly cold, and even his entire body exuded a chill.
"My great prince, I think you are mistaken. I, Xuanyuan, do not need a woman to marry to stabilize the government."
The minister who was a little closer to him couldn't help but straighten his official robe.
It's strange. It's already February, why is it still so cold?
The atmosphere at the banquet became tense because of this sudden marriage proposal.
The guests were either whispering or exchanging glances, trying to guess what each party was thinking.
Xiao Fuguang gently squeezed the handkerchief in his hand, glanced at Xuanyuan Jing, and felt mixed emotions.
Although she did not have much desire for marriage, Bei Pan's proposal undoubtedly pushed her to the forefront.
Moreover, Xuanyuan Jing has rarely been in the spotlight. Now that he and Huyan Qing have just risen to prominence, he is likely to attract attention.
Sure enough, Xiao Fuguang noticed that Emperor Xuanyuan had already turned his gaze to Xuanyuan Jing.
"It's rare for the Regent to interfere in worldly affairs today."
"But this matter is related to Miss Xiao, so why don't we listen to what Miss Xiao has to say."
Even if he didn't want to talk, he had to talk. Xiao Fuguang stood up and bowed to Emperor Xuanyuan.
"Thanks to the Emperor's great grace, I am honored to do my bit for Xuanyuan. If the marriage can truly promote friendship between the two countries, I will be obliged to help."
Hearing her words, the wine glass in Xuanyuan Jing's hand shattered with a snap, and he looked at Xiao Fuguang with burning eyes.
Just listen to Xiao Fuguang's words and the situation takes a sudden turn.
"But my father and brother died in battle, and my mother has been in poor health. Fuguang's ability is limited, so I wish to stay by her side and serve her. I also want to raise my brother's child. I beg Your Majesty to fulfill Fuguang's filial piety."
Xuanyuan Jing took the handkerchief handed to him by Jiang Yuan and wiped his hands, acting as if nothing had happened.
When Emperor Xuanyuan saw this scene, an ambiguous look flashed in his eyes.
The fifth prince looked at Xuanyuan Jing who was drinking with his head down. The reaction of his uncle was quite interesting.
The Queen exchanged a look with the Prince.
The prince stood up and bowed.
"Your Majesty, Marquis Zhongyong and General Xiao have devoted their entire lives to Xuanyuan. The Xiao family is now sparsely populated, and it is indeed unsuitable for the Protector of the Country to marry far away. As the Crown Prince, I also want to follow the example of a loyal minister's family. Today, I would like to ask Your Majesty to grant me a marriage, and let the Protector of the Country Princess be my concubine."
The moment these words were spoken, the hall was stirred once again. The Crown Prince's sudden proposal undoubtedly added a new dimension to the already complex marriage arrangement.
Everyone's eyes turned to the prince, and then to Xiao Fuguang, speculating on the deeper meaning behind this political marriage.
Xiao Fuguang was slightly stunned, and when he thought of what the queen said yesterday, his brows slightly frowned.
Xuanyuan Jing's gaze fell on the prince. He had never been so active when dealing with official business on weekdays.
The prince looked at Emperor Xuanyuan, still with his head lowered in a pleading posture. It was strange, why did he always feel that someone was looking at him with ill intentions?
Seeing this, the queen smiled and spoke.
"Your Majesty, this is an excellent match. The princess doesn't want to marry far away, and the prince is in the imperial city. Even if we get married in the future, the princess can always return to her parents' home for a short stay."
At this time, Concubine Yao and Prince Rong exchanged glances.
Prince Rong stood up and knelt down.
"Father, I have something to ask you."
Emperor Xuanyuan raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at Prince Rong, and said.
"Oh? What's the matter, Prince Rong?"
Prince Rong knelt straight, his eyes determined, and said.
"Father, I fell in love with the princess at first sight today. I had originally planned to ask for your permission to marry me after the banquet, but I didn't expect someone else to get there first."
"Beipan asked to marry the princess for the sake of the friendship between the two countries. The marriage would be with anyone. The Crown Prince asked to marry the princess so that she would have someone to rely on. However, I am sincere to the princess, so I ask your Majesty to grant my wish."
After saying this, he kowtowed heavily.
Xiao Fuguang's mouth twitched, thinking that this group of people might have some serious illness.
Giving someone a support and falling in love at first sight, without even asking whether the person is willing?
With a "pop", the wine glass in Xuanyuan Jing's hand shattered again. The sound of the wine glass breaking was particularly prominent in the hall, which already had a weird atmosphere.
The fifth prince spoke with concern.
"Is the emperor's uncle okay?"
Xuanyuan Jing took the handkerchief handed to him by Jiang Yuan with a calm look and slowly wiped his fingers.
"Doesn't the quality of the cups in this palace seem to be very poor?"
Emperor Xuanyuan withdrew his gaze from Xuanyuan Jing. Could it be that Xuanyuan Jing had taken a fancy to Princess Huguo?
But since you like her, why don’t you just ask for marriage?
Didn’t I ask him two days ago if he had someone he liked?
Hu Yanqing looked at Prince Xuanyuan and Prince Rong with an embarrassed look on his face. Isn’t she just a woman with some abilities?
Why are both the Crown Prince of Xuanyuan and Prince Rong vying for her hand in marriage?
The fifth prince looked at Xuanyuan Jing's calm expression, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. When a daughter comes from one family, hundreds of families will seek her out. This Princess Protector of the Country really lived up to this saying today.
Then he slowly stood up, walked forward and knelt beside Prince Rong.
"Father, I have something to ask of you."
Emperor Xuanyuan frowned.
"You won't also ask to marry the Protector of the Country Princess, will you?"
Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince glanced at Xiao Fuguang, then spoke respectfully to Emperor Xuanyuan.
"Your Majesty is wise. I usually write poetry and paint, but today, when I saw the Princess Protector of the Country, I felt that she was heroic and valiant, and her spirit was no less than that of a man. I think the Princess Protector of the Country is very special and I admire her deeply. I ask Your Majesty to grant the Princess Protector of the Country to me as the Crown Princess."
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