The next day, Li Nuo sent someone to report, "Yesterday, Prince Ye was assassinated at Wanzhen Auction House. The assassin is suspected to be a member of the Wu Clan, and the entire army was wiped out."
Wei Wangqing listened but didn't take it to heart. After all, she saw herself as a carefree princess and didn't intend to concern herself with such important matters; these were things the Empress and the Crown Princess should worry about. Wei Wangqing expressed that she didn't want to age prematurely.
Wei Wangqing was only worried about the tough battle that was to come that night.
Inside the main hall, as far as the eye could see, there were high-ranking officials, nobles, and imperial relatives. It appeared to be a harmonious scene, with smiles on everyone's faces.
His Majesty also sat high above, occasionally speaking to the Empress, appearing deeply affectionate. It would be better to simply ignore the attendants beside him.
Until, “the envoy from the Southern Dynasty arrived.”
"Announce."
And so, the banquet for tonight officially began.
The Southern Dynasty envoy presented his gifts, and seeing the Empress smile as she accepted them, he said, "Your Majesty has sent us here solely to forge an alliance with the Northern Emperor, to maintain friendly relations between our two nations, and to jointly eliminate the Witch Clan. For years, the Witch Clan has used witchcraft to harm countless innocent people, turning them into poisonous beings, and their witchcraft poisons have caused immense suffering. We should join hands to fight this enemy and are willing to work with the Northern Emperor to rid the people of this scourge."
The Empress seemed deeply moved, and stood up abruptly, raising her wine cup. "I have received the Southern Emperor's wishes. The alliance between the Northern and Southern Dynasties will surely defeat the Witch Clan." With that, she drank the cup dry.
The courtiers below hurriedly rose and raised their cups in unison, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The banquet atmosphere seemed to reach its climax as the envoy took his seat. A series of songs and dances then began, and to cater to the tastes of the Southern Dynasty, some women were specially chosen. However, the women of this matriarchal society were ultimately different from those of the Southern Dynasty, and the performance looked somewhat incongruous.
The envoy from the Southern Dynasty seemed to ponder for a moment before stepping forward, glancing furtively at King Ye. “Your Majesty, we have another mission here. To solidify the treaty between our two countries, King Ye wishes to marry your princess. However, considering the different national circumstances, King Ye promises to marry only one person. We hope Your Majesty will grant our request.”
King Ye's eyes immediately flashed like sharp blades as he glared at the envoy.
The envoy was also quite helpless. When the kings of hell fight, the little devils suffer! What could he do about His Majesty's decree?
Wei Wangqing's heart skipped a beat. It's here.
The crowd gasped in disbelief. Neither side nor they seemed willing to marry someone who didn't uphold marital fidelity. Furthermore, the ways men and women in these two countries had different birth laws; how could such a marriage produce offspring? If each side only married one person… wouldn't the lineage die out?
The Empress laughed heartily, "What's so difficult about that, Sixth Prince?"
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Princess breathed a sigh of relief. Better to sacrifice a friend than herself! She certainly didn't want to abandon her three thousand beauties to marry just one. Perhaps she'd even have to marry him; that would be too undignified.
"Your subject is here."
"Would you be willing to contribute to the alliance between our two countries?" Although it was a question, how could one refuse?
"Your son..."
"I refuse," King Ye said coldly as he stood up.
"What did you say?" The Queen's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
The Crown Princess seemed somewhat familiar with this tactic.
"I say I am unwilling. I have long heard of your sixth princess, who frequents brothels and is fond of handsome men. I have also heard that she has a male favorite in her household. I know I am not worthy of her. Besides, I already have someone I love."
The envoy beside him was truly taken aback! This guy really doesn't play by the rules; how is he going to explain this to His Majesty?
Although Wei Wangqing tacitly acknowledged the rumor, he was still somewhat annoyed. If you have someone you like, just say so directly. Why drag me into this?
Chen Zhiyan, who came as a member of the family of the Minister of Revenue, looked over and realized that she had done it on purpose.
The Empress glared at Wei Wangqing, suppressing her anger as she asked, "Oh? Who is it that has captured Prince Ye's heart?"
“Nan Xiangyue, the daughter of Prince An”.
Nan Xiangrong's feelings were complicated. Just moments ago, she was heartbroken that the Sixth Princess was to be married off, but now the chosen one was her own sister. Moreover, how could Xiangyue go to the Southern Dynasty?
"I was fortunate enough to be saved by the young lady yesterday, and I fell in love with her at first sight." If I had to get married, I would rather choose Nan Xiangyue.
Nan Xiangyue said, "It's not a matter of rescuing you; I was just passing by yesterday. Besides, even without me, the prince's guards could have retreated safely." This was her refusal.
"But it's a fact that you helped me, and it's also a fact that I'm in love with you."
The Crown Prince's daughter had nothing to say. After all, this marriage was never her decision; it was merely a transaction. And the parties involved in this transaction were... the emperors of the two countries.
During the stalemate, someone stepped forward.
"Since neither the Sixth Princess nor Lady Anshi can marry into the royal family, I, your humble servant, am willing to act as their representative and contribute my share to both nations," Yang Yurong said smugly. Everyone else was making excuses, but she had resolutely stepped forward, gaining both the Empress's favor and a handsome man.
But she overlooked the most important thing in this era—identity.
The Prime Minister regretted his decision too late. Yang Yurong, as a concubine's daughter, shouldn't have been qualified to come, but the property she offered to the household had truly tempted him. He had thought bringing one more person wouldn't hurt, but this had caused a great deal of trouble. The Prime Minister secretly resolved that this woman could not be allowed to live. Last time had already turned out this way; he shouldn't have shown any mercy.
"Whose family are you?" The Empress did not reveal any expression.
The Prime Minister quickly stepped forward to claim her, lest Yang Yurong speak recklessly again. "This is my fifth daughter, Yang Yurong."
"Yang Yurong, the fifth daughter? I remember you only have a second young lady in your household."
"This..." The Prime Minister gritted his teeth: "This is my illegitimate daughter."
"A concubine's daughter?" The Southern Dynasty envoy's expression also turned sour. Their country wasn't so bad as to marry a prince to a concubine's daughter.
Yang Yurong looked at the sarcastic voices around her. So what if she was a concubine's daughter? She was no less capable than anyone else. But if she didn't speak up soon, she might miss her chance.
So, she said, "I was also there yesterday, and I was saved by Prince Ye." Then, she revealed a girlish charm: "I am in love with Prince Ye."
The Prime Minister nearly fainted from anger.
Wei Wangqing, however, felt that this was something she was capable of doing.
Chen Zhiyan: The Sixth Princess seems to know Miss Yang very well.
Prince An and the princess, however, thought this woman was utterly shameless. The incident at the Prime Minister's birthday banquet was still fresh in their minds!
Prince Ye was even more disgusted by her persistent pestering. After thinking for a long time, he finally remembered when he had saved her. He realized that his push had just helped her avoid the assassin's knife.
"Miss Yang, do you think I would choose the incompetent person I saved, or the ambitious person who saved me?" These words were practically a direct rejection.
Yang Yurong looked extremely embarrassed.
The Empress finally spoke, "Yang Yurong of the Prime Minister's residence has behaved improperly before the Emperor. She shall be given twenty strokes of the cane and taken away."
Yang Yurong seemed dazed, muttering to herself as she was dragged away, "How could this happen? It shouldn't be like this, it can't be..."
"As for the marriage alliance, we can discuss it later. Prince An, come with me." With that, he left.
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