When a friend came from afar, Emperor Tiansheng specially held a grand banquet to welcome the Crown Prince of the Southern Kingdom.
The South is renowned for its jewels and beautiful women, and these two qualities are certainly present in this gift.
An Yuan'er was also invited to the banquet, but it seemed that she had a bad day with the carriage. When she was leaving, the carriage wheel suddenly got stuck halfway, which delayed her. By the time she arrived at the banquet, it was already halfway through.
She quietly took her seat, and the Crown Prince of the Southern Kingdom, who was sitting in the seat of honor, smiled when he saw the little girl finally arrive.
He suddenly raised his cup and stood up in full view of everyone, saying, "The Southern Kingdom and Shengjing have always been on good terms. In order to deepen the friendship between the two countries, Xiu Bai has come here this time with another matter that he would like to ask the Emperor for permission."
The beauties sent from the Southern Kingdom served Emperor Tiansheng on either side of him. The middle-aged Emperor Tiansheng was becoming increasingly senile and lustful. However, the Crown Prince of the Southern Kingdom, Nan Xiubai, seemed to have long understood the Emperor Tiansheng's temperament. Halfway through the banquet, he made the Emperor happy, and at that moment, the Emperor Tiansheng would probably grant him whatever he asked for.
As expected, Emperor Tiansheng readily agreed: "Whatever the Crown Prince desires, please speak freely, and I will do my best to fulfill your wish."
"What Xiu Bai seeks is nothing more than a marriage; please grant it, Your Majesty."
Nan Xiubai spoke sincerely, and Emperor Tiansheng laughed heartily: "Marriage between men and women is a natural law. Tiansheng and Nanguo are already related by marriage. Now that we are even closer, I am naturally pleased. I wonder which of my princesses the Crown Prince has taken a fancy to? Please speak freely."
Several princesses of marriageable age sat in their seats, their faces showing anticipation. The Southern Kingdom was wealthy, and a man could only marry one woman. It was said that the men of the Southern Kingdom were very romantic, and the prince was so handsome. Marrying into the Southern Kingdom would obviously be a good choice.
As if by telepathy, the moment An Yuan'er looked up, Nan Xiubai also happened to be looking at her, smiling foolishly at her.
"Although Xiu Bai is not a princess, she is more precious to him than a princess. The woman Xiu Bai wants to marry is the daughter of Lord An, Princess Wushuang, An Yuan'er."
One stone stirs up a thousand waves.
The people sitting below the stage had various expressions.
Crown Prince Yi Chenqi glanced silently at Nan Xiubai, then drank one cup of wine after another in silence.
Lan Jingtang seemed to have known all along, and remained relatively calm.
The most agitated of all was Gu Chuzhi, who jumped up and down in a panic and blurted out, "No way!"
Emperor Tiansheng frowned: "Does Lord Gu have any objections?"
Judging from Emperor Tiansheng's intentions, it seems that he wants to facilitate this marriage. After all, An Yuan'er is just the daughter of a minister, but to be able to bring about a marriage alliance is a win-win situation for the monarch no matter what.
Gu Chuzhi stepped forward, bowed, and knelt down, saying, "Two years ago, I asked Your Majesty for permission to marry Miss An. I have long admired Miss An, and according to the order of requests, it should be my turn."
Nan Xiubai said unhappily, "What good is requesting an imperial decree? In the end, I still didn't really marry you."
"That's because Miss An was out at the time, so I..." Gu Chuzhi hadn't finished speaking when Emperor Tiansheng gave him a warning look.
Emperor Tiansheng was clearly biased, but he still pretended to say, "Miss An is a graceful and virtuous lady, so it is normal that many gentlemen would want to marry her. I wonder what you gentlemen think?"
The ministers were all shrewd and understood the emperor's meaning perfectly. So they gave the emperor a way out and said, "Today, the people in the streets are saying that the heir apparent and the county princess fell in love at first sight and are a match made in heaven. Such a fate is indeed rare and is also what the people want."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com