"Xiahou Jing, what does this mean?"
On the last day of June, Situ Luoyun returned to the Prime Minister's Mansion from the palace right after the court session. Looking at the 128 loads of precious betrothal gifts filling the flower hall in his front yard, he asked the uninvited guest sitting at the top in confusion.
"Situ Luoyun, I'm here today to propose marriage to your daughter and your son."
Xia Houjing, seated at the head of the table, was dressed in a red and orange Pingxi Dynasty robe, exuding an air of authority. She slowly sipped her tea, glanced at the person entering, and then unhurriedly placed her teacup on the table beside her.
"Since the engagement was made, your family has been delaying the wedding for three years, using the excuse that the young master was unwell and had to be sent out of the capital to recuperate."
Although Xiahou Jing is nearly forty years old and has lived a life of luxury for many years since being named a king of a different surname by the emperor, the majesty of the once awe-inspiring General Pingxi still remains, and his words reveal an oppressive pressure.
"My poor, infatuated daughter of mine has fallen head over heels for your young master, and has wasted her youth waiting for him. Now that my unfilial daughter has reached the age of 15, your family still refuses to fulfill the engagement. I would like to ask the Prime Minister, what are your intentions?"
"engagement?"
"hehe……"
Situ Luoyun, who hadn't even had time to change out of his prime minister's court robes, scoffed at the words and stepped forward. Seeing his prime minister's wife return, Yuwen Tianqi quickly stood up to offer her his seat, moving to the side to take a lower seat. Situ Luoyun and Xiahou Jing sat in the same row, one on each side at the top, separated only by a table.
"May I ask, King Pingxi, do you have the marriage contract as proof?"
"Humph! This marriage was arranged by Situ Guijun, are you trying to deny it?"
"My mother and father ordered it, and the matchmaker said it. How come I don't remember ever agreeing to this marriage?"
Situ Luoyun, dressed in a colorful brocade palace dress embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns, was also very impressive. As the head of the civil officials, Prime Minister Situ Luoyun was no less imposing than Pingxi King Xiahou Jing.
"Since it was Situ Guijun who agreed to your marriage, please go to Situ Guijun and ask him to marry his son to your daughter."
"you……"
Upon hearing this, Xiahou Jing was furious. Situ Guijun's son was a prince; could he simply marry him? Furthermore, marrying the prince would spell the end of Xiahou Yu's career. She didn't want her only legitimate daughter to inherit an empty title and become an idle, idler. Most importantly, her military power would be revoked, something she absolutely couldn't allow.
It was unknown what her rebellious daughter had taken a liking to in the old woman's son. He was tall and strong, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and his skin wasn't fair. He didn't have the slightest bit of masculine beauty. She didn't want to marry this old fox-like Situ Luoyun at all, but Xiahou Yu insisted on marrying her son, which really pissed her off.
"Although Lord Situ was my younger brother before he got married, the moment he married into the Heavenly Family, he already belonged to the Heavenly Family. There is absolutely no reason for him to meddle in the affairs of our Situ Family."
Situ Luoyun's pair of shrewd eyes met Xiahou Jing's sharp and cold gaze directly, and the two of them immediately started to fight with swords and sparks.
"Hmph! Situ Luoyun, you old bitch! This marriage was agreed upon by Lord Situ and your husband, and you're going back on your word. Aren't you afraid that I'll report you to the Emperor?"
"The ruler is the leader of his subjects, the mother is the leader of her children, and the wife is the leader of her husband. Your family is very prestigious, and my son's mediocre appearance may not be a good match. Your humble husband's words are not worth listening to, after all, I have never agreed to this marriage.
If the Prince of Pingxi had the Emperor's blessing or an imperial decree, I would have tied my son up with ropes and put him in the bridal sedan. If not, Prince of Pingxi, please do not mention this matter again from now on, and do not destroy my son's reputation for no reason.
Although I am of little influence, I am not one to be trifled with. Even at the cost of my life, I will not allow myself to be bullied. Your Excellency, the Prince of Pingxi, is busy. If you have nothing else to do, please return."
While Situ Luoyun was speaking, he had already turned sideways and made a "please" gesture to the person next to him.
"Hmph! You're such a good fellow, Situ Luoyun! I won't let you go!"
Xiahou Jing was so angry that she was about to leave, but was stopped by someone behind her.
"Wait a minute, Prince Pingxi. Did you forget to take your things with you?"
Situ Luoyun pointed at the pile of betrothal gifts tied with red silk that filled up his flower hall. His deep eyes met Xia Hou Jing's angry and murderous eyes without any fear.
"Someone, carry it away!"
Looking at Xiahou Jing's back as she walked away with a group of armored guards moving all the things, Yuwen Tianqi was extremely worried.
"Prime Minister, is it inappropriate to let the Prince of Pingxi leave like this..."
"Hmph, you ignorant, housewife, this is all your fault! You actually dared to accept the marriage without telling me. Do you think it's that easy to get into the Prince of Pingxi's Palace? With your son's character, aren't you afraid that he'll be eaten alive if he marries in?"
Situ Luoyun didn't want to bother with this ignorant and nosy husband at all. As a royalist, she didn't want to get involved in the fight for the throne among the princesses.
Ever since Empress Feng passed away, the Emperor had not appointed a new Empress, much less a Crown Princess. For years, undercurrents had been surging within the harem, and the various palace masters were restless, each vying for the throne of their father, while the princesses themselves were eager to compete for the throne.
The reason why her good brother acted as a matchmaker for her son and Xiahou Yu was simply because he was attracted by the 200,000 troops in Xiahou Jing's hands, so that his daughter, the current third princess Nalan Qiudi, would have more bargaining chips in the fight for the throne.
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