No! She doesn't want to go on this political marriage!
"Big sister, oh, what should we do? Qiaoqiao doesn't want to go to the marriage alliance..." Just now, Lianqiao, who was stubborn and mischievous, was now like a frightened kitten, cowering on Lianxiang's shoulder.
"Royal sister, I don't want to leave yet..." Lianqiao cried out in a mournful voice, but no tears fell.
Lianxiang didn't speak, but gently patted Lianqiao's head.
As a princess of the royal family, she enjoyed wealth and luxury from birth, but all of this naturally came at a price.
To outsiders, it all seems glamorous, but only those who have experienced it truly know the hardships involved.
Lianxiang knew her fate as a royal daughter from the beginning, so she was prepared to accept it calmly. Without too much expectation, she would not be disappointed.
"Lianxiang, don't scare them." A boy's voice came from behind them, deep and pleasant.
"Big brother?!" Lianqiao turned around and called out to the person who had come.
The boy standing in front of them was Lian Jiucheng, the only prince of Shu. He was handsome, tall and upright, with an imposing presence and the unique aura of a royal nobleman.
"You don't need to worry too much. Even if it's a marriage alliance, they can't let you leave right now. It's just a marriage between children," Lian Jiucheng comforted his two younger sisters.
"Big brother, I know it's a marriage between children, but... but I don't want to leave Shu, sob sob sob..."
Lianxiang looked at Lian Jiucheng's unrestrained manner and couldn't stand it. She retorted coldly, "Hmph, don't talk nonsense here. Since Father Emperor plans to take the route of marriage alliance, you can't escape it either."
"What do you mean by that, eldest sister?" Lianrong asked, puzzled.
“Since Father Emperor does not want war and wants to maintain peace on the border, then naturally he should establish a marriage alliance with the neighboring countries.”
"My father's plan is to marry off one of our Shu princesses to Beiliang, and then have one of our Shu princes marry a princess from Nanyang, all without firing a single shot," Lianxiang explained.
“It’s not about losing a single soldier, but it’s about losing our children, Father! Is Father willing to do that?!” Lianqiao cried, her face full of grief.
"What's there to be reluctant about? Father has many children; when he gets old, there will naturally be people to serve him," Lianxiang said softly.
"So, big brother, the little princess of Nanyang you're going to marry is Duoduo?!" Lianrong was more concerned about who Lian Jiucheng would marry.
"Duoduo, I like Duoduo." Lianrong smiled and looked into the distance, seemingly reminiscing about her time in Nanyang.
"The little girl is very cute and smart!" Lianrong said.
"Hmm, if it's Duoduo, that would be good too. That girl is very clever and interesting." Lian Jiucheng raised an eyebrow, the corners of his lips slightly upturned, his deep, dark eyes revealing something he was thinking.
...
In the Shouchang Palace of the Nanyang royal family, Yun Beiye had breakfast with Empress Dowager Nangong Rui.
He helped his mother take a walk in the courtyard.
"Your Majesty, I have hired a renowned tutor for Duoduo to teach her to read." Yun Beiye waved away the palace servants following behind him and walked and talked with the Empress Dowager alone.
"Yes, Duoduo is getting older, it's time for her to start school." The Empress Dowager nodded, glancing at the sky; the weather was lovely today.
"You came up with this idea in a good time."
Hearing his mother praise him, Yun Beiye was very happy and his face lit up with joy.
"However, it's rather boring for Duoduo to study alone. We'll find a few young ladies of similar age from well-to-do families and scholarly backgrounds to keep her company while she studies."
"It doesn't have to be all girls. I think Sun Ren's son, Huo Huo, has been practicing martial arts with Duo Duo for two years. He's a well-behaved child. Let Huo Huo go and study with her too."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I have already instructed the Imperial Study to make the arrangements."
"The Imperial Study?"
The Empress Dowager suddenly stopped in her tracks, her expression changing drastically from kind and gentle to one of disbelief and sternness. "How could you let the Imperial Study arrange such an important matter?"
"I have to say something to you. The person who accompanies Duoduo to study must be a child of good character, from a family with a long tradition of scholarship."
"You become like those you associate with, don't you understand this principle? You have to choose the people yourself. Can you really trust someone else to choose them?!" The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and glared at Yun Beiye.
"You're such a grown man, yet you still make me worry about you."
"Yes, yes, Mother is right, I will remember it." Yun Beiye nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Yun Beiye pondered for a moment and said, "When it comes to choosing a suitable study companion, one must be talented, from a good family, and of good character."
The Empress Dowager nodded.
"I remember that the granddaughter of the Grand Secretary is about four or five years old this year, which is just right to keep Duoduo company."
"Hmm, Grand Secretary Guan's granddaughter, that's acceptable. It just depends on whether Grand Secretary Guan is willing; that old fellow is very stubborn." The Empress Dowager looked into the distance, seemingly reminiscing about the past.
[Grand Secretary Guan is as stubborn as a mule.]
“When the late emperor was still alive, I met Grand Secretary Guan. He was no ordinary old man. He was meticulous and shrewd. Even though you are the ruler of a country, you must be careful in dealing with him.”
"If we can get along well with the grandson of Elder Guan, we can follow the clues and get involved in the future of the Guan family, which would be a great help to Duoduo!"
"I understand." Yun Beiye's eyes gradually became deep and bright. As the saying goes, parents who love their children plan far ahead for them. Although Duoduo is the Princess of Nanyang, she will eventually have to walk her own path in the future.
"I must remind you, the Guan family is a scholarly family and has never been fond of money. You should be careful," the Empress Dowager said, patting Yun Beiye's hand.
"Yes, yes, I remember, Mother is right." Yun Beiye nodded repeatedly, indicating that he understood.
“One companion is never enough. A princess of the royal family can’t be lacking in style. You need to find more.”
"The number of civil and military officials should be more balanced. After all, it would be a very prestigious thing to be able to serve as a princess's companion."
"Yes, I understand."
"However, it seems that there aren't many grandchildren of similar age among the ministers in the court." Yun Beiye's smile gradually faded, revealing a thoughtful expression.
"It doesn't matter if they are older; even teenagers can come to the palace to listen to lectures."
"Making more friends will be good for Duoduo."
"Also, the supplies and such can be prepared by the Imperial Study. My granddaughter's supplies must all be the best."
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