arranged marriage
As Sheng Yang personally lifted the red cloth, the object covered by the red cloth was finally revealed to everyone. It turned out to be a map of the grassland territory.
Suddenly, the place fell silent. But a quarter of an hour later, the ministers present began to discuss in low voices.
Although most people in this grassland are nomadic and migrate all year round, there are still fixed cities that serve as places for garrisoning troops and recuperation.
However, the grasslands are vast, and despite extensive research, Shengguo only knows about four of the ten cities. Despite frequent battles between the two countries over the years, they have never been able to make further progress.
If it weren't for the internal turmoil in the grassland tribes, and the bravery and fighting skills of the army led by Luan Zhengya, who had repeatedly defeated the grassland armies, the grassland tribes would have stopped harassing and invading the cities where Sheng State was located.
Now Princess Shengyang had actually come to the court with a map of the grassland tribes, and her intentions were obvious. However, this matter came so suddenly that although the ministers understood, they did not dare to believe it easily.
"I can't see this map clearly, but is it real?" A minister sitting at the back whispered, and the minister next to him nodded with curiosity.
Qin Ziwen, who was sitting on the upper left, looked at the silent Left Prime Minister Zhang Wenhe with surprise, only to see that the other party had an indifferent expression, as if he was very familiar with the situation.
But according to this old fox's mindset, even if he didn't know, he would pretend to be confident. He would never let outsiders see any clues. Qin Ziwen gave up and only focused his eyes on Qilian Jingyao at the top.
Gradually, everyone's attention focused on the high-ranking Emperor of Sheng, Qilian Jingyao. The ministers wanted to see how their own emperor would decide. Meanwhile, everyone in the grassland tribes, save for Princess Shengyang and the ambassador responsible for the trip to the capital, was surprised.
Seeing that everything around her had fallen silent, Princess Shengyang observed the scene with an unchanging expression, a hint of a smile on her face. "Before coming to Sheng Country, my father personally handed this map to me. He wanted a better outcome. Previously, we had only agreed to a ten-year truce."
Hearing about the ten-year truce, the two generals sitting nearby nodded. They subconsciously glanced at Luan Zhengya, who appeared to be unperturbed.
The urge to congratulate them was put to rest. Since their boss hadn't spoken yet, it was better for them, the subordinates, to say less.
Qilian Jingyao lowered his eyelids and placed the wine glass on the table. He clapped his hands and said loudly, "Excellent! This is very good. The scenery on the grassland is beautiful. It is comparable to the many mountains and rivers in Shengguo. Fewer battles will be a great benefit to the local people."
This was a 'map' of surrender, a gesture Qilian Jingyao was overjoyed. He was still young, and couldn't fully control the court. Temporarily stabilizing this foreign threat was a win-win for him.
Furthermore, during his reign, there would be fewer wars. This was also a good thing for him in terms of the people. Young and able-bodied men could be demobilized and returned to the countryside as needed, and some soldiers and generals stationed in border areas year-round could be rotated frequently.
Feeling delighted, Qilian Jingyao smiled and said, "Princess Shengyang is truly sincere and kind-hearted for personally delivering this treasure. I heard that the princess is unmarried and there are many talented young men at this palace banquet. I wonder if any of them are suitable for you?"
In an instant, many young officials at the palace banquet could not help but sit up straight and try their best to show their most handsome side.
Qin Yuyao blinked. She hadn't expected this palace banquet to turn into a scene where a princess from a grassland tribe was selecting a husband. Things suddenly became interesting. The originally solemn scene became lively because of the warm expression of the person on the podium.
"Princess, is the purpose of this trip to find a husband?" Qin Yuyao tilted her head and asked softly in Luan Zhengya's ear.
But soon, Qin Yuyao thought of the priceless map. The grassland tribe offered this as a token of sincerity and sent their princess to marry. It seemed that they truly wanted to submit to the Sheng Kingdom. Even if they couldn't be fully trusted, they were hoping for greater benefits.
Somehow, Qin Yuyao soon noticed that more and more people were focusing their attention on them. After a pause, Qin Yuyao straightened her body, trying her best to appear to be in accordance with the rules.
Seeing her like this, Luan Zhengya's eyes flashed with some tenderness and a smile. He felt itchy in his heart and was about to go over to talk to her.
Suddenly, Princess Shengyang, who was being led to a seat in front of her, spoke up: "Shengyang does want to find a suitable consort in Sheng State. Does Your Majesty have any candidates?"
Princess Shengyang's voice seemed to be deliberately raised a few notches so that everyone present could hear. Many people immediately looked towards Qilian Jingyao on the podium. If His Majesty spoke, it would mean a marriage was granted.
Some young officials who were just starting their official careers, and even officials with outstanding children at home, could not help but restrain their expressions and try their best to minimize their presence.
Upon hearing this, Qilian Jingyao's eyes were unclear, but he glanced around visibly before speaking, "If I were to say this, Princess, I'm afraid it would be hard for you to accept. So, Princess, please take a look. If you find someone you like, I'll arrange a marriage for you. Now that the grassland tribes are sincere enough, I will grant you marriage with the same treatment as the Princess of Sheng."
This was because he didn't want to be the bad guy, but also wanted to do a favor to Princess Shengyang.
Following Qilian Jingyao's words, Sheng Yang also looked around. Finally, his eyes stopped at the table where Luan Zhengya was sitting, but the next second he looked at Qin Yuyao.
A trace of regret flashed across her eyes, and then she raised her chin slightly and said, "Your Majesty, what if I said I would marry Prince Zhen'an?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the lively atmosphere at the palace banquet instantly dropped to a freezing point. Everyone fell silent at the same time, their eyes brightly turning towards Luan Zhengya.
It was a rare opportunity to see this person's joke, so they naturally didn't want to miss it. In the past, this Prince Zhen'an was a ferocious and tyrannical man who ran rampant in Shengjing, and some of the nobles' children were even more afraid of him.
Now that the princess of the grassland tribe has personally spoken, Prince Zhen'an, considering the friendly relationship between the two countries, certainly cannot directly reject this marriage proposal.
However, I heard that Prince Zhen'an was very fond of his new wife. Now that the princess took the initiative to speak, wouldn't she be abandoned like a pawn?
Some people who had always been at odds with Luan Zhengya couldn't help but think darkly. It would be best if His Majesty could personally approve the marriage. If Luan Zhengya refused, it would just alienate His Majesty from him.
If Luan Zhengya accepted this marriage, he, as the son-in-law of the grassland tribe, would naturally have no way to interfere in future court affairs.
Some people's thoughts were almost written on their faces. Qin Ziwen was happy at first, but then he thought that if this marriage went through, it would be his eldest daughter who was abandoned, and he himself would be ashamed.
Thinking of this, his originally happy face suddenly twisted, causing Mrs. Lin beside him to frown. She lowered her head slightly to hide her joy and her attitude of watching the fun.
Originally treating this palace banquet as an ordinary one, Qin Yuyao felt a chill in her heart, but it was not because the person next to her had not spoken yet.
It was because of the current situation. If Luan Zhengya refused, His Majesty would probably blame her. Qin Yuyao couldn't help but look at Qilian Jingyao, who was at the top and hadn't spoken yet.
Initially, her marriage to Luan Zhengya was also granted by this emperor. Now, if Princess Shengyang wants to, I'm afraid the second imperial decree granting marriage will be issued soon.
Qin Yuyao felt a complex feeling in her heart when she suddenly felt the back of her hand, which was resting on her knee, feel warm. It turned out that Luan Zhengya was sitting at the table and gently covered her palm with it.
In full view of everyone, the two of them held hands tightly under the table, and Luan Zhengya even had the mind to deliberately stroke the back of her hand a few times.
Qin Yuyao's hand trembled, and her breathing became tense for a moment. With this attitude, others would think she was worried about her identity.
Qilian Jingyao's expression was serious, his thoughts unrecognizable, but he was actually sighing in frustration. This Princess Shengyang had truly grasped the point, actually using Luan Zhengya as a pretext to embarrass him.
However, he knew that before Princess Shengyang set out, Luan Zhengya was the patron saint of Sheng State who had defeated the grassland tribes many times in the past.
If Sheng Yang became Luan Zhengya's wife, it would further demonstrate the friendship between the two countries for the grassland tribes. However, due to a series of coincidences, it was only a month later.
Now, after a year of recuperation, Luan Zhengya actually told him directly that she had someone she loved. It was the Right Prime Minister's eldest daughter, Qin Yuyao.
I still remember that time in the study, Qilian Jingyao dismissed everyone. Thinking I had misheard, I asked Luan Zhengya again, "Is what my cousin said true? Don't joke with Jingyao."
Those who were supposed to go to the border ended up recuperating in a small village. Qilian Jingyao thought he was being abandoned. After all, the stability of the court still needed this person's help.
He sent letters and messengers several times to urge him to come. Besides receiving the message that he should wait a little longer, he also learned that his cousin, the war god of Sheng State, was actually going to "retire from the army" for a country girl.
It was difficult to get him back, but because there were too many people secretly trying to assassinate him, he had to return to Beijing first, but more importantly, it was to protect Qin Yuyao.
Qilian Jingyao cleared his throat and said, "If it's for Prince Zhen'an, the princess will probably be disappointed. Prince Zhen'an and the princess are currently in love, and their love story is widely circulated. If the princess were to marry him, it would be difficult for her to find a willing partner."
After saying that, Qilian Jingyao smiled and pointed at a young man on the other side. "I do have a good suggestion. This is Xiao Chengjing, the second son of the Xiao family. He is now a deputy general. He has also fought against the grassland people in the past."
Although it was somewhat inappropriate to bring up the war again, Princess Shengyang, who had originally looked indifferent, immediately followed Qilian Jingyao's finger and looked over.
Xiao Chengjing, who had been called out, stood up as Qilian Jingyao called out his name. He still looked a little confused, as his position was quite insignificant.
If His Majesty had not pointed it out by name, he would have almost finished the second pot of wine.
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