Shen Weian came to the Cui family. Now he is the new top scholar. In addition, he is the favorite student of Cui Shiyin's grandfather and father. There is no reason for the Cui family to refuse.
What's more, the marriage was arranged by Prince Yi and Princess Yi themselves, and both families were very happy to discuss the marriage.
It was just because Shen Weian's grandmother, Old Madam Shen, had just passed away, and as a grandson, Shen Weian had to observe mourning for his grandmother for a year, so the Shen and Cui families agreed to set the wedding date for next spring, and as soon as Shen Weian's mourning period was over, they would marry the girl from the Cui family.
The marriage was settled, and Shen Liyue finally felt relieved.
At this time, good news came from the northern border again.
After Wang Wentian returned to the northern border, he led his troops to fight without stopping, and captured two cities of the Jin Kingdom in one go. The Jin Kingdom was defeated and finally took the initiative to make peace with the Great Chu.
The emperor was very happy to hear that the Jin Kingdom wanted to make peace.
Although it is only a matter of time before Great Chu regains the northern border given its current national strength, any war would inevitably be costly and require a large amount of manpower and materials. Now that the Kingdom of Jin has taken the initiative to propose peace, it is the best thing for Great Chu.
The emperor immediately agreed to the Jin Kingdom's request and asked Wang Wentian to represent the Great Chu to negotiate with the Jin Kingdom.
Wang Wentian quickly brought back the news that the Jin Kingdom was willing to return the seven cities in the northern border, but they had only one condition: they wanted to marry Princess Anle of the Great Chu.
The Jin Kingdom’s conditions were very clear, specifically requiring him to marry Princess Anle, not just any princess.
The Princess Anle of the Great Chu was none other than Lu Yun.
Wei Rusu was also surprised when he heard the news from Wang Wentian.
"Why would Jin Guo want to marry Yun'er?" Wei Rushu couldn't figure it out for a moment.
Lu Yun usually acts very low-key. The queen raised her very well. She has lacked nothing since she was a child, and she has never acted arrogantly outside by relying on her status as a princess.
Besides, apart from Chen Liyue and the others, Lu Yun rarely left the palace. So why did the Kingdom of Jin come up with the idea of asking to marry Princess Anle?
Wang Wentian frowned deeply and uttered only four words: "It is a crime to possess a treasure."
Wei Rushu was just confused because of her concern, but after Wang Wentian said that, she understood.
Lu Yun is the only legitimate daughter of the current queen and the emperor's most beloved daughter.
The Northern Frontier borders the Jin Kingdom. Although the Jin Kingdom agreed to return the cities in the Northern Frontier, the power of the Chu State is now so strong that it is hard to say that the Chu State will not continue to send troops to attack the Jin State.
If the Jin Dynasty gave up its northern border, it was also giving up a line of defense for the Jin Dynasty, and the Jin Dynasty had to be on guard against the Great Chu.
Exchanging seven cities for a princess was the greatest sincerity the Jin Kingdom could offer.
Wang Wentian and Wei Rushu could understand this principle, and naturally Lu Xingzhou and Shen Liyue could too.
When the news reached Wangjing City, Emperor Jingkang was furious.
The Northern Frontier itself is the territory of the Great Chu. The Jin Kingdom has occupied it for many years. Now that the Great Chu is willing to return it and not ask them for compensation, it has already been the most benevolent of the Great Chu. How dare they make such an unreasonable demand.
The Imperial Study held an emergency meeting. Lu Xingzhou entered the palace as soon as he received the news. Shen Liyue put on the clothes of a princess and went into the palace to meet the queen.
When they arrived at the Auspicious Palace, Wan Gugu, who was beside the Queen Mother, immediately came out to greet them.
"How is mother now?" Shen Liyue asked anxiously.
Aunt Wan wiped away her tears and said, "The Queen fainted after hearing the news that the Kingdom of Jin wanted to marry Princess Anle. She is awake now, but still lying in bed and unable to get up. Princess, please go and check on her."
Shen Liyue walked quickly to the queen's bedroom, and sure enough, she saw the queen lying on the bed, crying secretly.
Seeing Shen Liyue, the queen grabbed her hand.
"Mother." Shen Liyue called softly.
The Queen held Chen Liyue's hand, tears welling in her eyes: "Yue'er...what should I do? I only have two children, Xingzhou and Yun'er. They are my life..."
Chen Liyue softly comforted her, "Mother, things are still uncertain, and Father hasn't made a decision yet. Mother, don't worry too much. You should take care of yourself."
The Queen closed her eyes and shook her head. "Trading a princess for seven cities. Reclaiming the northern border is your father's lifelong wish. I'm not sure what he will choose."
Chen Liyue sighed: "Mother, let alone the fact that things haven't been finalized yet, even if they have, Mother can't fall down like this. Mother, have you ever thought about this? Even if you can't accept this matter, what about Yun'er? Wouldn't Yun'er be even more unacceptable?"
Lu Yun is only fourteen this year. His father is busy with government affairs and his mother is ill. What should Lu Yun do?
After hearing what Shen Liyue said, the queen calmed down.
Shen Liyue was right, she still had Yun'er. If she collapsed just thinking about her own sadness, what would happen to her Yun'er?
The queen forced herself to sit up and said, "Tell someone to wash and dress me up. Let's go see Yun'er."
In the imperial study.
The two groups were arguing over their different views.
The conservatives, led by Grand Tutor Qin, believed that the request of the Kingdom of Jin should be agreed to. As a princess, she already had responsibilities on her shoulders. Using a princess to exchange for peace in the Great Chu was also Lu Yun's obligation as a princess.
But Lu Xingzhou didn't see it that way. He loudly questioned, "The Jin Kingdom is seeking a princess in marriage today. If they were seeking the daughter of the Grand Tutor, would the Grand Tutor agree to it so casually as he is now?"
Qin Taishi was annoyed by Lu Xingzhou's criticism, but he still said with his neck straight, "If you want to marry my daughter, I will say no. It is her blessing to sacrifice for the Great Chu."
Lu Xingzhou sneered, "Alright, then I'll write a letter to the Jin envoy right now, offering to exchange the daughters of everyone present for a princess from Great Chu. Let's see if the Jin agrees!"
"Nonsense!" Emperor Jingkang threw the cup in anger.
Lu Yun was his most beloved daughter. He and the queen had a deep affection for each other and were childhood sweethearts. Before the queen entered the palace, he did not have many children. After the queen entered the palace, he had no more children with other concubines. Among the emperors of all dynasties, he had the fewest children.
Now that the Jin Kingdom wanted to marry his most beloved daughter, Emperor Jingkang was naturally reluctant.
Although Emperor Jingkang smashed the cup, he also had this idea in his mind. These ministers kept saying that they were doing it for the stability of the Great Chu, and they all praised a fourteen-year-old princess. But if the same thing happened to them, how many of them would be able to say such bland words?
The situation in the imperial study was at a stalemate. Emperor Jingkang was upset and waved his hand to ask them to leave.
However, during the morning court session the next day, some officials still submitted memorials, asking Emperor Jingkang to agree to the Jin Kingdom's request and marry Princess Anle to the Jin Kingdom in order to maintain the stability of the Great Chu.
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