Whether you believe it or not.
As Yuwen Xian spoke, he took a step back and then returned to his seat.
The hall was silent for a moment before the atmosphere eased.
"Father, you haven't bestowed a marriage upon me yet?"
Yuwen Yao gave everyone no time to think, looking directly at the emperor at the head of the table.
At this point, it would be unreasonable for the emperor not to grant a marriage.
The emperor's eyes darkened, then he clapped his legs and laughed loudly, "Good, good... I will issue the decree now."
As the Emperor spoke, he announced loudly, "Today I issue an edict, decreeing that Xie Lingqin of the General's Mansion, a descendant of a meritorious official, virtuous and capable, is a suitable candidate for Crown Prince's consort, and is hereby betrothed to Crown Prince Yuwen Yao..."
The Emperor's voice drifted over, as if the dust had finally settled.
Xie Lingqin hardly needed to listen to what the Emperor said next; she felt as if a heavy stone that had been pressing on her heart had finally been released.
but……
"What have you done to make the Emperor so agreeable today?"
Xie Lingqin gave a signal with her eyes.
The emperor, who least wanted Xie Lingqin to marry the crown prince and enter the royal family, actually agreed to it. Xie Lingqin couldn't believe it, so Yuwen Yao must have done something behind the scenes.
"Hmm." Yuwen Yao nodded slightly, his voice echoing in Xie Lingqin's mind, "It just so happens that I've confirmed that His Majesty wants something, so I'll use that as an exchange."
"What does the Emperor want? Is it in your hands?" Xie Lingqin's eyes widened slightly.
Yuwen Yao smiled and glanced at Xie Lingqin, "I said, the imperial decree has been issued regarding the whereabouts of the 50,000 soldiers..."
"I understand." Xie Lingqin nodded. "You really are heartless and cruel. It's a pity I never knew about that fifty thousand..."
"Shh!"
Yuwen Yao gestured for her to be quiet, his eyes darkening. "We'll keep it to ourselves." Xie Lingqin nodded, understanding without saying a word.
That's right. What the Emperor wants most is the whereabouts of the 50,000 troops that Yun Yishang summoned back then. For that reason, on that day in Consort Shu's palace, just one item from her mother's past was enough to make the Emperor and the Holy Maiden take action. Why didn't she think of this earlier?
"Yuwen Yao, you're too cunning. But you'll have to figure out how to deal with the Emperor later."
"The marriage decree has been issued. Now that our marriage is a fait accompli, you are the Crown Princess, and no one can change that."
"You're just cheating."
Xie Lingqin sighed endlessly, wondering how she could have chosen such a cunning man.
And he's so handsome.
When Xie Lingqin looked at the Emperor's slightly darkened face again, she felt extremely satisfied.
With the imperial decree granting the marriage, the wedding banquet was truly settled.
No more expectations; glasses clinked, laughter echoed.
Halfway through the meal, Xie Lingqin instructed Tridacna to keep a close watch on things while she went out for some fresh air.
Of course, it wasn't really about going out for some fresh air.
An Shangning also took the opportunity to slip away.
"Don't think about doing anything, just trust me this once."
In a pavilion bathed in sunlight, visible from a hundred meters away, a gentle evening breeze blew. Xie Lingqin, draped in a cloak, looked at An Shangning with a serious expression.
An Shangning's expression darkened. "I believe you, but you believe in the Crown Prince."
"Once Yuwen Yao becomes emperor, he will eventually clear the name of the Marquis of Anping and vindicate you and An Shangyu."
“Sister Lingqin, I’ve said it before, I don’t trust the people of Beirong. Even if it was indeed under the Crown Prince’s protection that Shang Yu and I were able to survive, I still don’t believe it.”
An Shangning shook his head.
“I know that since you were able to come to the capital with Zhuidamu, you must have made thorough preparations. Even if you don’t kill the emperor, you will make the Northern Rong royal family restless. Or, you may try to sow discord between the emperor and the crown prince, causing trouble and speeding up the process to get the result you want.”
Xie Lingqin spoke each word very softly and slowly. She looked at An Shangning and said, "But, Shangning, I am not afraid that you will make things difficult for the Crown Prince. Even if you have prepared assassins, I believe that the Crown Prince will have his own way of dealing with it. I am worried about you."
An Shangning frowned. "Worried about me?"
“Aren’t you tired of clashing with Zhuidamu every day?” Xie Lingqin’s starry eyes flickered as she breathed out a sigh of relief. “I don’t want you to suffer or get hurt. You’re thinking of using Zhuidamu, but have you ever considered that Zhuidamu also wants to use you?”
"Sister Lingqin".
An Shangning looked up, interrupting Xie Lingqin's conversation, "Don't try to persuade me anymore. I've said it before, I have no other choice, but..." An Shangning's expression softened for a moment, "Regardless, I still congratulate you. Today, Chuidamu and I weren't exactly helping the Prince Xian, and we kept the oath we made in the carriage that day. Don't worry, as long as the Crown Prince doesn't interfere with us, we won't lay a hand on him. You and the Crown Prince, stay safe." An Shangning turned around after speaking, "I've been out for too long, I'll be going now."
Under the moonlight, the glazed tiles in the distance shimmered with a gentle luster, while under the eaves, the girl's figure was slender yet exceptionally stubborn.
Xie Lingqin lowered her brows slightly, and after a moment, she moved her feet and followed.
"Hurry up, don't panic. It will be our Prince Qing's turn soon. Everyone needs to know where to stand and what to take. We must not make a mess of it."
Just then, a group of neatly dressed maids emerged from a flower-lined path nearby.
This is……
"Greetings, Miss Xie."
The old woman who had spoken earlier quickly bowed to Xie Lingqin.
What happened?
"Thank you, Miss. At the end of the banquet, the various princely and marquisate families will come forward to offer a toast as a gesture of farewell. So, we servants are making preparations."
Xie Lingqin nodded. Yes, Bei Rong has this custom. No matter what kind of banquet it is, as long as it is held in the palace, the emperor will preside over it. This is always done at the end of the banquet, supposedly to show the friendship of the officials. However, Xie Lingqin felt that the emperor was constantly reminding them who the ruler and who the subjects were in the Bei Rong royal family.
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