Liu Yunzhou seemed relieved and immediately stepped back.
Xie Lingqin, however, felt that since the Emperor had specifically summoned her to the palace, and in this very council hall, it was impossible for her to leave unscathed.
Previously, he had ordered his Thunder Guards to break into her boudoir and assassinate her, nearly killing her. With such a good opportunity, it would be unlike him not to do something.
Moreover, Li Qingyu and the Holy Maiden were also by his side.
"However, your affair with the Crown Prince..."
Sure enough, the Emperor got to the point.
Xie Lingqin's heart skipped a beat.
"Now, rumors are flying everywhere, which is detrimental to both the Crown Prince and you."
The Emperor's direct statement effectively rejected the proposal. He looked at Xie Lingqin with a smile and said, "Furthermore, I will be grant you a marriage in a month. Tell me, how should we handle this?"
The heart of an emperor is unfathomable, and the majesty of an emperor cannot be avoided.
The slightly heavy tone and the sudden, overwhelming force sent a chill down Xie Lingqin's spine.
The Emperor was pressuring her, in front of Qin Xun, Liu Yunzhou, Wang Renyi, the Prefect of the Capital, Li Qingyu, and the Holy Maiden, to deny her affair with the Crown Prince and to promise that she would have no further dealings with him.
However, once she denies it, things will truly be difficult for him and the Crown Prince from now on.
Liu Yunzhou and Qin Xun naturally saw through this dilemma.
Even the Prefect of the Capital, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but show a hint of worry on his face.
Xie Lingqin, ever since the Emperor ordered the investigation, has been dedicated to her work, and her intelligence and conduct have greatly pleased him.
He was neither ostentatious nor arrogant; on the contrary, he was not ashamed to ask questions and diligently sought knowledge. In any one of these aspects, his daughter, who had been spoiled since childhood, could not compare.
Leaving aside her daughter, even Li Qingyu, whom everyone praises, he felt that after several encounters, she was clearly inferior to Xie Lingqin.
However, Wang Renyi, standing to the side, remained a bystander, clearly watching the show. Although he had some interest in Xie Lingqin, who was so beautiful, he was more interested in keeping his official position.
Saintess and Li Qingyu looked at Xie Lingqin's lowered head, their eyes filled with satisfaction.
Li Qingyu hates Xie Lingqin and wishes she were dead, so in this situation, what kind of trouble can you possibly cause?
"fair play."
After a long silence in the hall, Xie Lingqin's clear and steady voice rang out.
The surrounding area trembled.
Li Qingyu's pupils contracted slightly.
The Emperor's sharp eyes darkened. "Fair competition?"
Xie Lingqin smiled faintly, trying her best to appear as harmless as possible. "Your Majesty knows that because of my mother's past contributions to Beirong, he favors me greatly and wants me to have a better choice. After all, the Crown Prince is cold-hearted and lacks romance. However, the Crown Prince is fond of me, and I also have feelings for him. But who can say for sure what the future holds? Since Your Majesty is so willing, why not have a fair competition in a month? Whoever truly wants to marry me can have a contest, and the winner will be my husband. Is that alright?"
After Xie Lingqin said "Is that alright?", she fell silent and looked at the Emperor with a tender gaze.
At first glance, these words seemed inappropriate, yet they expressed her love for the Crown Prince and her refusal to let go for the time being. They also pleased the Emperor and inexplicably increased her social standing.
She is the daughter of a general. In this world, anyone who loves fame, fortune, and power, or has any status, would covet the secret she possesses. Even those who dislike her would fight tooth and nail to propose to her.
Since the Emperor wants everyone in the world to come to Beirong, then she will follow his wishes. However, whether it will bring blessings or sorrow will depend on what happens in a month.
The Emperor looked at Xie Lingqin, a thoughtful smile on his face, and remained silent for a long time.
Li Qingyu's face froze.
fair play?
Who does Xie Lingqin take her for?
"Don't be impatient."
Beside her, the Holy Maiden secretly pressed down Li Qingyu's hand, "This is not our main purpose today."
Upon hearing this, Li Qingyu's beautiful eyes hardened, and she suppressed her anger.
Yes, Xie Lingqin, this isn't all that's coming to you. Whether you'll even live to see a month from now is still uncertain.
"My son is no worse than anyone else."
The Emperor finally slapped his thigh, seemingly delighted, and said, "Very well, I also want to see if my Crown Prince has the ability to win the heart of this beauty."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
Xie Lingqin kowtowed.
The Emperor raised his hand. "Rise." Then he paused, his smile fading. "However, in the next month, I imagine that the nations that have received the news will all send envoys ahead of time, and we will certainly need to make preparations to welcome them, Eunuch Ni..."
"This old servant is here."
"Go to the Prince Xian's residence and convey my decree to lift the Prince Xian's curfew. Also, tell him not to cause any more trouble and to behave well."
"Yes, we'll go right away."
The council chamber was extremely quiet.
No one spoke, yet each was lost in thought.
"Lingqin, you won't blame me for doing this, will you?"
"thump--"
Xie Lingqin knelt heavily on the ground. "Your Majesty is the heavens, and I am but a mere ant in the mortal world. How can I blame Your Majesty? Everything Your Majesty does must have its purpose. I dare not presume to guess His Majesty's intentions."
"Hahaha……"
The emperor suddenly burst into loud laughter, which seemed to shake the entire council hall.
It appears pleasant, but in reality, it is a cause for serious concern.
It's like Xie Lingqin barely managed to maintain her balance on a dangerous tightrope while the Emperor was putting psychological pressure on her.
In conclusion, she won this round by a narrow margin, so it doesn't count as a victory.
After all, Yuwen Xian benefited, and it was only a matter of time before the Emperor released him.
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