Just as Lady Hou thought, there were indeed no promising children in the palace. The three princes had great ambitions but no real abilities, while the princesses...
Although she had the title of princess, she was raised by the Empress Dowager to be like a quail, and had no princess demeanor at all.
"You need to put more effort into the marriage alliance, Zitong. Recently, the Empress Dowager has not been feeling well, so the task of choosing a spouse has fallen to you."
Today is the fifteenth, and Yuwen Xuanhong came to the Empress's palace and said to her.
He already knew that Da'an wanted to form a marriage alliance. The Da'an royal family did not have any princesses of marriageable age, only princes, so they wanted Da Yan to marry one of them to them.
Whether it's a princess or a noblewoman, they're just hostages. In exchange, Da'an will send a prince to marry into the royal family and settle in the capital of Da Yan.
"Even if we win the war, do we still have to agree to their marriage alliance?"
Huo Xiaolong, questioning the meaning of life, said to Sun Zixi.
Xiao Lanyi won, so why does he still have to agree to a marriage alliance? Isn't this something only the loser would do?
"It's not a marriage alliance, but an exchange of hostages. Da'an's point is that a prince is more important than a princess. Since we've sent a prince as a hostage, you should give us some face. Two marriage alliances in exchange for a century of peace between the two countries is a worthwhile deal, so His Majesty won't refuse."
"Those princesses of ours? Which one of them is fit to be a hostage? Which one of them can live like a human being in Da'an!"
Huo Xiaolong felt his blood boil. They were all his own children, how could the emperor be so willing to abandon them?
Long'er had met those princesses a few times when she entered the palace before. Each time, those young girls would hide far away, watching her from behind the trees. As soon as Long'er turned around, they would immediately lead the palace maids to lift their skirts and run away.
With a personality like that, if a girl marries into a place where she knows no one, she'll be bullied to death.
“So, we still have a princess, and that’s the one the Emperor really wants to marry off,” Sun Zixi said earnestly to Huo Xiaolong.
Long'er slowly sat down. She never expected that the Emperor would dare to target Princess Yuwen Helan. It was true that the Princess had power, but she did not have any soldiers. Her private army was far away in the capital. Therefore, this was the reason why the Emperor dared to target her.
He believed that Yuwen Helan would not refuse when it came to matters of national importance.
"The only person he wants to marry is someone who could threaten his throne. Sister, think about it, besides the princesses in the harem, who else in the court has enough status to marry as a hostage?"
“One Prince of Zhenbei, and one Princess.”
“He wouldn’t dare touch Huo Xiaolong even if he had a hundred lives, so there’s only one person he wants to marry: the Eldest Princess.”
After receiving the Emperor's decree, Consort Wei summoned Xiao Lanhua to discuss the matter together. The assertive woman sat to the side, analyzing the situation for the Empress point by point.
"The eldest princess will not agree."
"What if the safety of the people of Dongyu is used as leverage?"
"And those...those noble sons around the Princess, they wouldn't...wouldn't agree!"
The empress wrapped the handkerchief around her fingers, tying it into a tight knot. The woman frowned, unable to think of a way to break the deadlock.
“They are not imperial sons-in-law, but male concubines; their status is illegitimate,” Xiao Lanhua stated succinctly.
This matter should be addressed by the Empress. Yuwen Xuanhong's actions are intended to make the Empress the villain; he doesn't even want to push the Empress Dowager forward.
"This is not the first time he has used the safety of the people as a threat, Your Majesty, you should know that."
Wei Shuyi slumped into her chair. Yes, she knew, but she never expected to force someone to submit in this way.
Before the envoy from Da'an could openly propose marriage in the main hall, and before the prince of Da'an could arrive, Yuwen Xuanhong had already chosen his target, eager to send away the thorn in his side.
This is really...
Just as shameless as they were back then!
"I'll send someone to deliver a message to the Eldest Princess. Whether we can buy some time depends on Her Majesty the Empress."
Xiao Lanhua bowed to the Empress and then left Fengyi Palace.
Lan Tingche was also busy tonight, as Li Yi had invited him to a secluded place, also because of the matter concerning the Eldest Princess.
"You also know that the Emperor will most likely marry off the Eldest Princess?"
As always, the refined young master was unhurried and reached out to light a stick of incense. It was Long'er's favorite scent, a new blend by Sister Fen'e, and it smelled wonderful.
“Helan is a thorn in his side, and the Emperor will definitely not let go of such a good opportunity.”
"We've won, so we're in a position to negotiate. Maybe we can put in some effort in the imperial court. With the power of you ladies in my backyard, can't we make it happen?"
"It can't be done."
Li Yi looked up at Lan Tingche and revealed the secrets of military strategy.
"A spy from Da'an has reported that if this marriage alliance fails, they will break ties with Da Yan. Do you remember who killed General Xiao?"
"Commander-in-Chief of Da'an, Huang Ranhu."
"Yes, that's him."
What does Da'an mean?
This is a pointless falling out. There is no deep-seated hatred between the two countries now. Wouldn't it be better to live peacefully like this?
“This time, Xiao Lanyi killed his brother, and he came here for revenge.”
"What does his younger brother look like?"
Ruyi has explained everything about Fuzhong to everyone in the manor. They need to know who he killed and how he killed them, otherwise they won't be able to match the facts. That bearded general is rather insignificant in the army. Xiao Lanyi has investigated his background for a long time but still hasn't figured it out.
"portrait."
Looking at the portrait in front of him, Lan Tingche raised an eyebrow. Oh, it matches up now. No wonder he couldn't find out. His elder brother is extremely powerful in Da'an. If he wanted to hide his younger brother, it would be a piece of cake.
"Therefore, Helan has no way to refuse this time."
Lan Tingche looked at Li Yi and asked the question for today's topic.
"So, how can I help you?"
"The Prince of Zhenbei has many capable soldiers and generals under his command. If... Helan really... really has to marry, please, Prince of Zhenbei, lend her your assistance!"
—Click
The tea tray on the table was swept to the ground by Lan Tingche with a flick of his sleeve.
"Just because your beloved is going to marry into a foreign power, you ordered the prince to lead her trusted confidants to risk their lives?"
“Li Yi, even if you have helped us, it is not a debt of gratitude that we should repay with our lives. I cannot help you with this matter. You should find someone more capable.”
After saying that, Lan Tingche walked out of the room without looking back.
"Why not ask Xiao Lanyi for help?" The eldest princess slowly walked out from behind the screen.
This woman also harbored ambitions for the throne, but she was mostly powerless to change her fate.
She had witnessed the golden age of her father and brother's reigns, so she harbored deep resentment towards the current emperor. However, if it could bring peace between the two countries, she was willing to give up some things.
As a royal princess, how can she act according to her own selfish desires?
What she was after was not love or romance; what she cared about was the well-being of the people of Great Yan.
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