"Congratulations, your progress bar has moved a tiny bit!" The little system was delighted; its host had finally figured it out.
Listening to the system's monologue, Su Lixia couldn't help but roll her eyes and mutter to herself, "Maybe it's just that you, the male lead, are petty and easily angered. I didn't do anything!"
Meanwhile, Yi Zexuan, who was walking back, had a slight smile on his lips. He liked the interesting people and things, and he knew there would be plenty of fun to come.
The next morning, all the ministers waited outside the palace for the court session, while the emperor was still changing his clothes.
"I don't know if Xiao Wu will object to this helpless move, but seeing her attitude yesterday, I'm afraid she'll just feel wronged and keep it all bottled up inside."
Eunuch Zhang stepped forward and said, "The princess is the legitimate princess, and also the eldest legitimate princess. She was born with such a mission. The princess is of great understanding and will surely understand His Majesty's good intentions."
The emperor straightened his belt and teased, "Since Xiao Wu has grown up and become increasingly unruly, this is the first time I've heard you praise her."
Eunuch Zhang gave an awkward smile, said nothing, and then followed the emperor to court.
The main point of what the emperor discussed was the marriage alliance.
"What?!" This was Su Lixia's first reaction upon hearing the final result.
The emperor said, "The eldest princess, Su Lixia, went to Jincheng as a hostage for a year, and then married into the Regent's Palace as a concubine."
At that time, Yi Zexuan went in to discuss with the emperor, saying, "If the Fifth Princess has fallen for Young Master Lin, it would be fine for her to marry him. As long as Your Majesty says it is a bestowed marriage, that's fine. If the princess is not interested but does not want to marry me, then she can be a hostage first. However, she will still have to marry in the future. As for the reason, Your Majesty is aware of it."
The emperor frowned and grunted, saying, "The situation is tense. We should avoid war if possible. I have no great vision; I only hope that the people can live in peace and prosperity. I understand this. In that case, let's listen to the Regent."
Thus, the emperor had a heart-to-heart talk with Su Lixia in the palace, which ultimately led to this outcome.
“Princess, you heard right. It was His Majesty himself who said it in court: after you serve as a hostage for a year, you will still be married off to that black-faced regent!” Lian’er became more and more excited as she spoke.
Su Lixia was stunned: "So the plot is still going in that direction! How could I possibly marry him a year later? Won't he be fighting for the throne a year later? How could I possibly steal the lead actress's position and become the queen?"
"Princess, what are you saying? What do you mean by fighting for the throne?" Lian'er asked in surprise.
Su Lixia shook her head and said, "It's nothing. I didn't say that. You must have misheard me."
Lian'er scratched her head: "Really?"
When the news spread, everyone was surprised. Both sides had clearly expressed their refusal at the banquet, and the emperor did not want to marry off his daughter. So why was this the case?
Upon hearing the news, Lin Ziwen felt a pang of disappointment. He slowly lowered the black chess piece he was holding, then patted his face and said, "It's just a pretty girl, it has nothing to do with you anyway, why think so much about it!"
When Yi Zexuan saw Lin Ziwen slapping his face repeatedly from outside, he couldn't help but chuckle.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ziwen glanced at him, then picked up a white chess piece and casually placed it on the chessboard, saying sarcastically, "Congratulations, Your Highness, on the birth of your princess."
Yi Zexuan sat cross-legged opposite Lin Ziwen and said, "Why do you look so disappointed? Have you changed your mind after only a few days?"
"Tch! This young master has traveled far and wide, and encountered all sorts of beautiful women, but I have never had any feelings for any of them, let alone a princess."
"I did not specify who it was, so why are you so agitated?"
"You've already made your intentions clear, why do you want to expose them directly?" Lin Ziwen rolled his eyes at him.
Yi Zexuan chuckled and said, "Anyway, she's going to be a hostage. Your residence is not far from mine. If you really like it, just come to the palace more often. If the princess is willing to marry you a year later, the Emperor will agree."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ziwen stopped what he was doing, raised his eyes and said, "I didn't mean that. I'm just angry because you tricked me before."
Yi Zexuan stood up, straightened his clothes, and said, "No matter what you think, I will say this. Besides, Su Lixia may not be qualified for the position of Princess Consort."
After saying that, Yi Zexuan strode away.
Looking at Yi Zexuan's figure, Lin Ziwen shook his head and said, "If I give up on your man, don't even think about taking the one in front of me."
Lin Ziwen wasn't in love with Su Lixia, but having someone fun and compatible was better than constantly longing for someone else's.
At this moment, Su Lixia was lying on the rocking chair, swaying back and forth. According to the script, as long as she didn't bother the male and female leads, everything would be fine. Su Lixia had read the novel, so she was able to think things through and was quite relaxed at the moment.
"I wonder how generous my dowry and bride price will be."
Lian'er was fanning Su Lixia and said, "The princess can forget about the betrothal gifts. The prince brought many things with him when he came to the capital. Maybe they were the princess's betrothal gifts. They are all with the emperor."
Upon hearing this, Su Lixia chuckled and said, "I will only get married a year later. What he is giving now is probably just tribute. They are very wealthy, and I believe they will offer a generous dowry later."
However... Su Lixia was simply daydreaming.
That ten million in gold and ten million in silver alone is no small sum.
"By the way, did you say when we're leaving?"
"Princess, cherish this time. There are only ten days left before we set off."
Su Lixia hummed in agreement. It was all the same no matter where she was. She was all alone, and besides eating, drinking, and spending money, there was nothing else to do.
Once the marriage alliance was arranged, a banquet was to be held in the palace. Yi Zexuan did not want to stay any longer, but he still chose to comply with the customs of the Central Plains.
"I've been sitting at banquets for two days in a row, and I'm getting so bored! The songs and dances are all the same, and there's nothing new about them!"
Su Lixia couldn't sit still any longer, so she took Lian'er and slipped away to the Imperial Garden.
"Yes, yes, it's fine inside the palace, but today we're outside. Princess, look, you've gotten quite a tan."
Su Lixia glanced at the spot where Lian'er had rolled up her sleeves and said dismissively, "It's alright, it's alright."
Then he turned around and kept walking...
"Oh!" Some people never watch where they're going and bump into each other.
Xiao Lian, who was rolling up her sleeves behind her, didn't notice and bumped into Su Lixia's back. When she looked up, she was speechless.
"Although the princess is the future queen, she doesn't need to throw herself into my arms now."
Su Lixia rubbed her forehead, pouted, glared, and looked up at Yi Zexuan.
She said indignantly, "The prince didn't even catch his breath. Today, he changed out of his usual black attire and wore white. I thought he was a ray of sunshine."
"Hmph, I don't know if the princess is praising or belittling me."
"Your Highness is so wise; you figured it out as soon as you thought it through. I must hurry back, or Father will send people everywhere to search for me again."
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