The captain's forehead was covered with cold sweat. He was racking his brains for a countermeasure when he suddenly heard a cold voice coming from outside the crowd.
"Meng Lie, step back!"
Everyone turned around and saw a young man in a dark brocade robe walking in. He had a stern face and eyes like knives.
It was Li Linyuan.
Seeing this, Meng Lie immediately suppressed his anger and saluted, "Major General!"
Li Linyuan looked at Meng Lie deeply, then swept his eyes across the crowd, finally landing on the captain, and said lightly:
"The people of our Great Qin delegation will be taught the rules by our people, so there is no need for your country to worry about it."
The captain, as if granted amnesty, quickly bowed and said, "General, you are right...but these people..."
He pointed at the injured people around him.
Li Linyuan glanced at Meng Lie, who understood and gritted his teeth, pulled out a purse from his sleeve and threw it to the captain.
"These are just the medical expenses for your injuries."
The captain took the heavy purse and smiled, "You're welcome, General."
"However." Li Linyuan glanced at the scholars with unfriendly eyes and several middle-aged men dressed as merchants in the crowd, and said meaningfully.
"If this general hears anyone slandering the eldest grandson of the Qin Emperor again, it will not be resolved with a few taels of silver."
The captain felt a chill on his back and quickly assured, "Yes, yes, I will discipline them strictly and will never let them talk nonsense again."
The storm seemed to be resolved temporarily, but everyone knew that the matter had been exposed.
Next, how Chu Qingluan would respond has become the focus of everyone's attention.
In the court, some ministers quickly got wind of the news and used what happened in Sifang Pavilion to impeach.
Left Censor Chen Xuanling was the first to step out and report to the Emperor of Chu:
"Your Majesty, early this morning, a brawl broke out at the Sifang Pavilion. Qin warriors publicly assaulted scholars and merchants from the Chu Kingdom, and their words were full of disrespect. Such actions are a true disrespect to the dignity of the Chu Kingdom!"
As soon as the words fell, another minister came out and echoed:
"Your Highness Chen is absolutely right. The Great Qin warriors dared to act so presumptuously in our capital. Someone must have been behind the scenes encouraging them. I believe this is likely related to His Highness Qin. As the eldest grandson of the Great Qin Emperor, he has failed to effectively control his subordinates in our dynasty. It's hard to believe his sincerity in the marriage proposal!"
There was a sudden buzz of discussion in the court. Many ministers agreed, while many others frowned, obviously holding other opinions on the matter.
Chu Hong stood in the queue, with an imperceptible curve at the corner of his mouth.
He winked at the Minister of Revenue beside him, who immediately stepped out and said:
"Your Majesty, I have heard that the incident at the Sifang Pavilion was caused by some people discussing the princess's marriage to Qin Yuan, suggesting that Qin Yuan would marry into the family and that Great Qin would annex Chu. In my opinion, while these remarks are inappropriate, they also reflect the will of the people. However, the fact that the Great Qin warriors resorted to violence over this shows their narrow-mindedness. If the marriage were to take place, it would be detrimental to Great Chu."
The Emperor of Chu's eyes darkened slightly, and before he could speak, he saw Chu Hong speak first, pointing his finger at the Minister of Revenue.
"Oh? Then, according to Lord Fang, how should this matter be 'severely punished'?"
The Minister of Revenue frowned and said, "Your Highness, this matter concerns the national system and cannot be ignored!"
"In my opinion, it is best for the princess to make her choice as soon as possible."
Chu Hong slowly walked to the center of the hall, his eyes swept over everyone, and finally said to Emperor Chu, "Father, I think this matter may not be without a chance of turning around."
A hint of deep meaning flashed in the eyes of the Chu Emperor: "What do you want to say?"
Chu Hong said, "I think we should ask the Qin envoys why they reacted so strongly to the term 'marrying into the wife'. Could it be..."
He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping across the courtiers: "The Qin envoys came here with ulterior motives. If they truly intended to form a marriage alliance, why would they care about these empty names?"
This statement seemed to be a compromise, but in fact it was a conspiracy to Qin Yuan.
If you want to marry into a family, you must accept the marriage.
But Chu Hong knew that this was absolutely impossible to happen.
Even if Qin Yuan agreed, the officials of the Qin court behind him and the Qin Emperor would never agree to let their crown prince marry into the family.
Unless the Qin Dynasty changes its crown prince.
But Chu Hong learned that the only ones qualified to succeed to the throne of the Qin Dynasty were the second prince Qin Xuan and the third prince Qin Chuan.
Both are useless idiots.
As Chu Hong finished speaking, there was an uproar in the hall again, and the ministers whispered to each other and discussed the matter.
"Yes, if you are sincere in asking for marriage, there is nothing wrong with marrying into the family..."
Chu Hong looked at the situation with satisfaction, and suddenly said seriously, "Father, since Daqin cares so much about reputation, why not let them express their position clearly?"
"Either you marry into the family according to the rules of our Great Chu, or... let this marriage go!"
The King of Chu stared at him for a long time, and finally said, "Alright, I will inform Zhaoyang about this matter and let her make a choice as soon as possible."
After saying this, he stood up and left the throne.
After Yao Jinzhong understood, he immediately announced loudly that he would adjourn the court.
After the court session, the King of Chu immediately ordered Yao Jinzhong to quickly invite the princess into the palace to discuss countermeasures.
After receiving the order, Yao Jinzhong quickly left the palace in person.
However, not long after, Yao Jinzhong returned.
He came back alone.
The expression on his face was quite meaningful.
"I asked you to go and invite Zhaoyang, why did you come back by yourself? Where is the princess?"
"Your Majesty!" Yao Jinzhong bowed and saluted, smiling with an unfathomable look on his face.
"I did go to the princess's residence just now, but... the princess was not there."
The King of Chu raised an eyebrow: "Not at home? Then where is she?"
"In..." Yao Jinzhong paused, then moved closer, lowered his voice, and whispered a few words in the ear of Emperor Chu.
The next second, Emperor Chu's eyes suddenly lit up.
"really?"
"Your Majesty, I've confirmed it. It couldn't be more true. When I came back, I even made a special detour to the Pei Mansion to take a look. Guess what?"
Emperor Chu was also full of excitement and gossip: "Oh?"
"Haha, I heard from the servants of Pei Mansion that the princess and His Royal Highness Qin..." He imitated Little Leo's previous actions, stretched out two index fingers, and poked them in the air.
"I'm still resting..."
Finally, he added: "It is said that he asked for water six times last night."
When the King of Chu heard this, he was instantly delighted.
"Ha ha ha ha……"
"good!"
"My Zhaoyang has finally come to her senses and is willing to accept Qin Yuan!"
This is really great! The King of Chu stroked his beard and smiled meaningfully.
——
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
