EBE Chapter 435
Chapter 435
"Third Prince, is it? Our Lannuo Kingdom is a nation of etiquette. Since you are here, we will naturally treat you with courtesy. As for the matter of a political marriage, how about we discuss it at a later date?" Xu Heming stared fixedly at Shangguan Mu. Given his temper, he just wanted to snap the neck of the man standing before him.However, this man was the Third Prince of the Qinling Kingdom. If he really snapped his neck, it would trigger a war between the two nations. Although they did not fear the Qinling Kingdom, they were not willing to go to war lightly.
Furthermore, if the two countries fought, it would only be the common people of both nations who would suffer and toil.
Besides, he wanted a political marriage?
He would gladly grant him that wish.
However, daring to covet his Princess Consort...
Just let him wait!
"Haha, Prince An, is it? My younger sister admires you greatly." The Third Prince naturally heard the evasiveness in Xu Heming's words, but so what? Whether it was Xu Heming or Li Zhiwei, they were both people that the Qinling Kingdom wanted.
Since they had set their sights on someone, there was no reason they couldn't get their hands on them.
"Yes, yes, yes! We will discuss it later!" Zhu Jingchen quickly chimed in, following Xu Heming's lead. He had no desire to sign any hundred-year treaty.
"Your Majesty, we came with sincerity. After all, the person I brought is the legitimate princess of our Qinling Kingdom." Shangguan Mu noticed that the people of the Lannuo Kingdom did not seem very enthusiastic.
He quickly pointed out that his sister was a princess born of the empress.
These people of the Lannuo Kingdom didn't know what was good for them. Instead of trying to curry favor, they actually wanted to make excuses.
"Third Prince, we naturally also hope to establish a hundred-year friendly relationship with your esteemed nation," Zhu Jingchen said with a laughing, dismissive tone.
Shangguan Mu's expression was rather ugly. He had originally thought that as soon as he brought it up, the people of the Lannuo Kingdom would agree. He never expected this kind of reaction.
As Shangguan Mu left the imperial palace, his eyes were filled with hostility.
The people of the Lannuo Kingdom were truly detestable.
Meanwhile, in the imperial study, it was a completely different scene.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject believes that a political marriage is the most convenient way for our two countries to foster good relations." Grand Preceptor Cheng stepped forward and spoke with a serious expression.
"Are you certain that the Qinling Kingdom won't demand tribute from us after the marriage?" Grand Tutor Wei said, expressing his disagreement.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject believes that since we plan to stand in opposition to the Qinling Kingdom, why waste a girl from our Lannuo Kingdom by marrying her off there? Furthermore, Miss Li is about to marry Prince An. This humble subject thinks that the Third Prince of the Qinling Kingdom has no real intention of a political marriage; he clearly just wants to slap our Lannuo Kingdom in the face." At this point, Grand Tutor Wei glanced at Xu Heming, whose expression was quite grim.
He let out a sigh.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject does not agree to marry the princess of the Qinling Kingdom, nor do I agree to let my Princess Consort marry that so-called Third Prince." Xu Heming stood up straight and spoke with a look of utter dissatisfaction.
"Alright, I haven't said I would agree. But if we don't agree, we need to think of a countermeasure," Zhu Jingchen said, feeling a headache coming on.
Why did every single one of them look as if disaster was imminent?
"Your Majesty, if we truly go up against the Qinling Kingdom, I'm afraid..." Grand Preceptor Cheng looked at Zhu Jingchen with a troubled expression.
"Enough, I will make my own decision on this matter." Zhu Jingchen waved his hand, looking as if he didn't want to discuss it any further.
Grand Preceptor Cheng sighed, thinking he would need to have a good talk with the Empress.
After all, this was not a private matter between the Emperor and Prince An; it concerned the entire Lannuo Kingdom. If a problem could be solved with one woman without losing a single soldier, why not do it?
Grand Preceptor Cheng felt that he was considering the big picture.
He didn't understand why that old fellow, Grand Tutor Wei, didn't see it the same way.
And the Emperor wasn't willing either?
Wasn't it just a woman?
Who was Prince An? Why would he ever worry about not having a wife?
And as for that Miss Li, if using her alone could buy a hundred years of peace for the Lannuo Kingdom, she ought to sacrifice herself for the country.
Thinking of this, Grand Preceptor Cheng shook his head and looked at Grand Tutor Wei and Xu Heming, thinking to himself that the ministers of the Lannuo Kingdom were still so selfish in their thinking.
They didn't even consider the current situation.
Meanwhile, at the Li residence.
For some reason, Li Zhiwei felt a sense of unease.
"Weiwei, don't worry. Father will absolutely not let you go for a political marriage."
Li Tianyou patted the table lightly, though he actually felt quite uncertain in his heart.
After all, if the Qinling Kingdom truly demanded his daughter for a political marriage, he would be powerless to stop it.
Presumably, when comparing the suffering of the entire Lannuo Kingdom's populace with the sacrifice of one daughter for a political marriage, it was highly likely that his daughter would be the one sacrificed.
"Boohoo... why is our Weiwei's fate so bitter?"
Lady Yao felt immense sorrow in her heart. Her daughter was finally about to get married, only to run into this so-called Third Prince.
Besides, her daughter's wedding date was already set; why did he have to come and cause trouble?
"Mother, it's fine. Isn't it still undecided? Perhaps it won't happen?" Li Zhiwei also felt stifled in her heart, but at this moment, she could only force herself to stay calm and comfort her mother.
Otherwise, she really wouldn't know what to say.
She would absolutely not marry that Third Prince.
However, she had to consider the possibility: what if she had no choice in the matter?
Thinking of this, Li Zhiwei sighed.
If it really came to that, she would have to arrange for her parents' future livelihood.
The Li family's wealth could rival a nation's. Even though they had donated a lot, many people still eyed them covetously.
After all, the Li family only had her as their daughter and no other children. Now, it was too late for her parents to have another child.
Thinking of this, Li Zhiwei looked at her parents with a troubled expression, pondering whether she could have them adopt a child.
After all, the laws of the Lannuo Kingdom stipulated that an adopted son also had inheritance rights.
However, whether that person would treat her parents well was another question.
"Boohoo, why are my children all so ill-fated!" Lady Yao cried, her words becoming incoherent.
Li Zhiwei, however, froze. Had she misheard?
Why did she hear her mother say "children"?
As far as her memories from two lifetimes went, hadn't her parents only given birth to her?
"Madam, do not speak nonsense." Hearing this, Li Tianyou quickly covered his wife's mouth, terrified that Lady Yao might say something shocking.
Li Zhiwei looked at the two of them with suspicion.
"Father, Mother, are you hiding something from me?" Li Zhiwei looked at Li Tianyou and Lady Yao in astonishment.
A seed of doubt was planted in her heart.
"No, Weiwei, don't overthink it. Rest assured about this matter; Father will absolutely not let you marry into the Qinling Kingdom," Li Tianyou hurriedly said to Li Zhiwei.
In his heart, he was indeed uncertain. After all, they had kept that secret for many years.
Over the years, they had never revealed even a fraction of it in front of Li Zhiwei.
Even among the servants in the manor, very few knew about it.
If possible, they hoped this matter could be kept hidden forever.
He also felt deeply sorrowful. They had spent their entire lives constantly doing good deeds, all for the sake of accumulating merit for their children. But why was it that none of their children could have a good end?