Chapter 144 My elder brother hopes I will go on a marriage alliance?
After the banquet, Yan Jinyue learned that Chu Yunjin and Yan Cang had left, and she was furious. She immediately ordered someone to prepare a carriage to go to the Prince of Yan's residence.
The carriage arrived at the Prince of Yan's residence. She hurried inside and asked where His Highness the Prince of Yan was.
The servant replied, "The Prince is eating at Frost and Snow Courtyard—"
Yan Jinyue walked towards Shuangxue Courtyard without looking back.
Yan Cang and Chu Yunjin were having a meal.
Yan Jinyue stepped into the room and asked coldly, "Is it because Princess Zhaoyang's residence failed to provide adequate hospitality, leaving my brother and sister-in-law without a full meal?"
Chu Yunjin turned her head and looked at Yan Jinyue in surprise: "Jinyue, weren't you entertaining guests at the manor? How come you have time to come over?"
"The housewarming party is over." Yan Jinyue walked over and sat down, saying with dissatisfaction, "Why did you leave early?"
Chu Yunjin turned to look at the sky outside. They had indeed left a bit too early and forgot to tell Yan Jinyue.
However, the housewarming party ended a little too soon.
Chu Yunjin said earnestly, "Today is your big day moving into the new mansion. You should stay at the princess's mansion and entertain the guests by taking them for a stroll in the garden, admiring the flowers, feeding the fish, and chatting together. How pleasant that would be."
Yan Jinyue looked at her expressionlessly.
She's never had a housewarming party, and what could she possibly talk about with people she didn't know well?
Whether the princess's garden is big or beautiful, she will see for herself in the future; there is no need for others to spoil the scenery.
"Royal brother," Yan Jinyue turned to look at Yan Cang, "what exactly is Ling Yumo's identity?"
Yan Cang glanced at her: "Didn't he tell you?"
Yan Jinyue frowned: "His mouth is like a clam shell."
Yan Cang lowered his eyes and ate without saying a word.
Yan Jinyue ordered someone to add another set of chopsticks and a bowl. Looking at the six dishes on the table, a mix of meat and vegetables, she suddenly felt envious of Chu Yunjin.
"Do you two eat together every day?" Yan Jinyue looked at Chu Yunjin with a hint of jealousy. "Why should I have to eat alone?"
Chu Yunjin: "..." Because you're not married yet?
Although it was her housewarming day, Yan Jinyue didn't seem to be in a very high mood.
"Would you like a couple more dishes?" Chu Yunjin put down her chopsticks. "What do you like to eat? I'll have the kitchen make it for you."
Yan Jinyue shook her head: "No need to trouble yourself. I'll just eat something simple."
She didn't come here for a meal; she had something to ask her brother, the Emperor.
Yan Jinyue looked up at Yan Cang: "Brother, don't leave after you've finished eating. I need to talk to you."
Chu Yunjin: "..." This tone sounds really familiar, very much like the catchphrase of some chuunibyou teenagers back in school: Don't leave after school, I want to talk to you.
Yan Cang did not leave as expected.
He got up, walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and exuded a natural and awe-inspiring aura.
Yan Jinyue's momentum immediately weakened.
After a moment of silence, Yan Cang asked, "Jin Yue, if you were asked to marry into another country, would you be willing?"
Other countries?
Yan Jinyue was stunned: "I..."
“Ling Yumo is the prince of Xiling, the next emperor.” Yan Cang no longer hid anything. “He likes you and promised to only like you for the rest of his life. Even after he ascends the throne, there will be no one else in his harem.”
Yan Jinyue was completely stunned: "How...how could he be the prince of Xiling?"
The Prince of Xiling went to serve as a bodyguard to his elder brother.
Is this possible?
Could Ling Yumo be a spy?
Yan Cang seemed to see through her thoughts and said calmly, "He didn't have any ulterior motives. He was just being chased when he was young... It's a long story. You can talk to him about it when you get back tonight."
Yan Jinyue pouted: "He simply doesn't want to talk to me."
“I’m willing,” Yan Cang said. “Ask me a few more times.”
Yan Jinyue bit her lip and suddenly asked, "If I don't like him, will my brother force me to marry him?"
Yan Cang turned his head and glanced at her: "What do you think?"
“Although I don’t think you would do it, Ling Yumo is a man. My brother made him stay by my side as a guard, and even said that he has liked me for a long time… If I don’t like him, doesn’t my brother think it’s inappropriate to openly put a man by my side as a guard?” Yan Jinyue frowned slightly. “What if Ling Yumo is unrequited and does something to hurt me? Will my brother be able to save me in time?”
Chu Yunjin listened, her expression somewhat subtle.
She felt that Yan Jinyue's concerns were not unfounded, but at this moment, her tone was more of an accusation, tinged with dissatisfaction.
“I did not think things through.” Yan Cang did not refute, but nodded and admitted his mistake. “It is Ling Yumo’s business that he likes you. I will give him a chance. He is staying by your side as a secret guard to protect you. Even if you do not like him, he will not do anything to hurt you. In fact, as long as you and your servants do not say anything, others will not know that he is by your side.”
Women are often more sensitive and thoughtful, and tend to overthink things.
Yan Jinyue was no exception.
She paused for a moment, then asked, "Does my brother wish for me to be married off to a foreign land?"
Yan Cang remained silent for a moment: "It doesn't count as a marriage alliance."
Yan Jinyue looked at him without saying a word.
"I have always helped Ling Yumo ascend the throne. If Xiling and Yong could form a marriage alliance, the northern desert would be much more peaceful for the next few decades. Yong would not have to fight year after year and could focus on developing its people's livelihood."
"Secondly, you can become the Empress of Xiling, the mother of the nation, which is the most noble status a woman can have after marriage—if Ling Yumo changes his mind one day, your brother can bring you back at any time."
He paused, then added, "Furthermore, all of this is on the premise that you are willing. If you are not willing, I will never force you."
Yan Jinyue originally wanted to ask, "Isn't marrying someone from another country considered a political marriage?"
But upon hearing the last sentence, all her questions caught in her throat and she slowly swallowed them back.
She didn't like being kept in the dark at all.
She also disliked the idea of marrying into another country from afar, as it was no different from a political marriage.
But Yan Jinyue thought about it rationally.
My brother is right.
She didn't like marrying a foreigner from afar, but she loved being the empress, high above all others.
If she stays in Yong, no matter who she marries, her family will gradually fade out of the royal and aristocratic circle after three generations. When her brother ascends the throne, her sons and daughters can continue to enjoy half a lifetime of glory, but what about her grandchildren?
The princess's daughters did not have titles. Unless they were very favored, they could be granted the title of heir apparent or princess, but the treatment of heir apparent and princess was much worse than that of princess.
Once the heir apparent and the princess get married, their children will lose all their titles.
Being the Empress of Xiling is a different story.
With his elder brother, the Emperor, around, Ling Yumo can at least guarantee that he won't change his mind in the short term. If his promise can last longer, perhaps he won't change his mind for ten or twenty years.
In this way, she could secure her position as empress, and her son could become the next emperor of Xiling.
Personally speaking, the blood of hers will flow through the veins of the Xiling royal family for generations to come.
From a broader perspective, the marriage alliance between Yong and Xiling can at least maintain peace for thirty to fifty years.
It has only advantages and no disadvantages.
But Yan Jinyue still felt somewhat resentful.
“If you are unwilling, I will not force you.” Yan Cang patted her head. “Ling Yumo’s time in Yong Kingdom is already limited. He will stay for a few more days at most before returning to Xiling. From then on, just pretend that he never came and that you never knew him.”
“I…” Yan Jinyue stammered, “I didn’t say I was unwilling.”
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