69. The Princess Arrives

In the afternoon, within the Imperial Garden of the palace, Xuanyuan Ren summoned Zhao Chengxian, Yue'er, Feishu, Haiyang, and Haiming. The kingdom of Linyan, wishing to express its gratitude for their assistance in resolving the border crisis and uncovering the masterminds behind the treason, had sent Monarch Pulit, accompanied by his younger sister, Princess Yunqing, to visit the Jiaoyang Kingdom. Traditionally, when a foreign monarch brought a princess on a diplomatic visit, it was for a matrimonial alliance, and Pulit was surely no exception. However, a princess was rarely married off as a secondary consort to another country. Furthermore, Xuanyuan Ren had no intention of deposing his empress merely to curry favor with Linyan. Setting aside a minor state like Linyan, even with the Xueyu Kingdom—a rival that could contend with Jiaoyang on equal footing—Xuanyuan Ren would never consider setting aside his empress to take a foreign princess. A sovereign must honor his word.

Pulit and his entourage would arrive shortly. Since the five of them had resolved the matter in the first place, it was only fitting that they handle the aftermath. That was why Xuanyuan Ren had summoned them to the palace. Deep down, Xuanyuan Ren sincerely hoped that this occasion might help Zhao Chengxian find a good wife, which would solve his own diplomatic dilemma while allowing Zhao Chengxian to finally put the events of two years ago behind him. What better outcome could there be? Seated in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, Xuanyuan Ren waited for them.

Before long, everyone had gathered. After paying their respects with the customary prostrations, Xuanyuan Ren bade them be seated and said with a smile, "Yesterday, I received a letter from Monarch Pulit of the Linyan Kingdom, stating that in gratitude for our nation's help in uncovering the traitors, he is personally escorting Princess Yunqing to visit our realm. Princess Yunqing is the biological daughter of the Linyan Queen Dowager and is immensely cherished in her homeland. Bringing her here can only mean he intends to propose a political marriage. Since you were the ones who achieved this great merit, I leave it to you to resolve this affair for Us!"

It was simply a matter of finding someone to take his place in the matrimonial alliance. Xuanyuan Ren gazed at Yue'er, his expression inscrutable. He still harbored a degree of suspicion toward Yue'er; yet, on the one hand, his uncle had vouched for her unconditionally, and on the other hand, Yang Wentai genuinely possessed extraordinary talent. It was precisely for this reason that Xuanyuan Ren had dismissed his doubts, appointed Yang Wentai as the top scholar, and subsequently entrusted him with greater responsibilities upon witnessing his administrative competence.

Everyone understood Xuanyuan Ren's implication and turned their gaze toward Zhao Chengxian. Since Zhao Chengxian had shouldered the primary responsibility for the case and claimed the greatest share of the credit, this opportunity naturally belonged to him. Yue'er, too, looked at Zhao Chengxian. Her eyes lacked the envy shown by Haiyang, as well as the sympathy displayed by Feishu and Haiming; she merely looked at him with profound calmness and composure, knowing full well that Zhao Chengxian would never agree to such a proposal.

Zhao Chengxian took a sip of tea, raised his head, smiled as he swept his gaze across those staring at him, and finally fixed his eyes on Xuanyuan Ren. "Your Majesty," he said, "this matter rightfully falls under Your Majesty's purview, yet you shift it onto your subjects. Still, perhaps this is for the best—it can help the Prince of Qing settle his lifelong affairs. That would be a splendid outcome indeed!" He skillfully tossed the difficult problem over to Feishu. Matters of matrimonial alliance demanded someone of elevated status, and a prince stood only a step below the emperor.

Feishu hurriedly declined, saying, "Spare me, spare me! This vassal has already had a taste of that willful and domineering princess. I am no match for her temperament; I could never keep her in check. Only capable individuals like Your Imperial Majesty and Brother Chengxian could possibly handle her!" Little did Feishu know that the princess had taken a peculiar liking to him precisely. When fate arrives, no one can bar its path; even if one wished to refuse, there was no escaping it.

Haiming pondered for a moment, looked at Feishu, and laughed. "Perhaps Princess Yunqing came here specifically for you, Prince of Qing! Do you remember? You left a profound impression on her that one time. It is entirely possible that she developed extraordinary feelings for you and thus came all the way to Jiaoyang to seek a marital alliance!" Back then, he had already suspected that the princess's unusual behavior was entirely on account of Feishu.

Xuanyuan Ren looked at his younger brother and asked with an amused smile, "Is it true, Feishu, that you once crossed paths with Princess Yunqing?" If so, the problem became much simpler. They could simply push Feishu forward. Surely Princess Yunqing could not be so unappealing as to wrong his own younger brother!

Watching Feishu wear an expression that suggested he was about to choke with fury, Yue'er smiled and said, "Prince of Qing, this is truly a predestined romance spanning a thousand miles, united by a single thread. This subject offers early congratulations on your winning the fair lady!" She was completely pouring oil on the flames. *As long as it's not him, everything is fine!* she thought. By "him," she naturally meant Zhao Chengxian. With her spirits soaring, she entirely disregarded Feishu's distress.

Unable to direct his anger at Xuanyuan Ren or Zhao Chengxian, Feishu could only vent his frustration on Yue'er. He barked at her, "If you want her so badly, you marry her! It's easy to talk when you're standing on the sidelines. Who on earth could endure such an arrogant princess?"

Yue'er did not retort; she merely cast a sympathetic glance in Feishu's direction.

Zhao Chengxian patted Feishu on the shoulder and comforted him, "We are merely brainstorming contingency plans in advance. For all we know, Princess Yunqing might insist on becoming an imperial consort, in which case none of us will have to worry about it. Do not fret so; after all, the matter has yet to unfold."

Upon hearing Zhao Chengxian's words, Feishu calmed down considerably. He bowed to Xuanyuan Ren and took his leave. Xuanyuan Ren harbored no blame toward Feishu; he understood his brother well enough to know that Feishu had no ambition to accomplish grand deeds for the country and the people. Feishu merely desired to live a carefree and joyful life. To suddenly force him to take a haughty girl he originally detested as his wife—naturally, he found it unbearable.

With Feishu's departure, the meeting came to an end. Yue'er and Zhao Chengxian walked behind Haiming and Haiyang. Zhao Chengxian glanced at Yue'er and asked, "I heard the Minister of Punishments has been injured? Assistant Minister Yang must be quite busy these days!" His tone was formal and courteous—so much so that no one could possibly discern any special bond between them. For Zhao Chengxian, maintaining such a detached facade toward Yue'er was an excruciatingly agonizing ordeal.

Yue'er looked into the distance, smiled faintly, and replied, "Not particularly. All the subordinates are capable of managing their duties well, so this official has nothing to worry about." Anxious to bring this awkward encounter to a swift close, she quickened her pace. Before long, they each boarded their respective sedan chairs and departed.

How shall the tale of this unyielding prince and this willful princess unfold? Turn the page to find out in the chapters to follow!