Someone's ceremonial tablet dropped to the ground, the sudden clatter making those nearby jolt in shock.
The civil and military officials stared at Song Qiming in disbelief.
How did he dare to suggest that the Emperor of Shuobei marry into the bride's family? What was he thinking?
Song Jinzhao's lips curled up slightly; along with her amusement, she couldn't help but feel a trace of gratification.
The fact that he could say such a thing meant his mindset had finally changed.
Xiao Chengjing's mouth hung open in astonishment, his heart beating a little faster.
Was this the top-tier scholar he had personally appointed? He didn't seem like this a few years ago.
The most shocked of all was Wang Nie. His vision went dark, and he nearly lost his footing and collapsed.
Hadn't they said the civil officials of the Dongzhao Kingdom were all timid cowards who feared war like tigers? How could this young official be so audacious?
Pointing an angry finger right at Song Qiming's nose, he began to curse.
"Insolent! How dare a petty official like you speak so disrespectfully and insult the Emperor of our Shuobei Kingdom? Do you have any regard for our nation at all?"
"I have come by imperial decree to propose marriage, not solely to ask for the County Princess's hand, but to secure peace for the people of the world. Not only do you lack sincerity, but you also spout such arrogant nonsense. Are you trying to start a war?"
Song Qiming covered his mouth, feigning ignorance.
"I was just stating the facts. If he doesn't want to marry into her family, then forget it."
Wang Nie stood with his mouth half-open. A breath caught in his throat, he couldn't swallow it down, nor could he spit it out, making him feel terribly stifled.
Seeing this, the Minister of Rites, Kang Zhibo, stepped forward once again.
"A marriage alliance between our two nations is indeed beneficial for the people of the world. Our nation has plenty of fine women, and in my opinion, a daughter of the imperial clan would be more suitable to marry your esteemed Emperor. If she could give birth to a prince carrying the royal bloodlines of both nations, that would truly be adding close ties to close ties."
Wang Nie's pupils dilated.
What use did they have for a woman of the imperial clan? The one they wanted was Song Jinzhao.
Dongfang Shaoting bowed to Xiao Chengjing with hands clasped.
"The best candidate for a marriage alliance is a princess, as only she would be worthy of a monarch. Since our Dongzhao Kingdom has no princesses of marriageable age, in this humble subject's opinion, we can simply have Shuobei marry one of their princesses over to us."
In the crowd, Chu Liuyun couldn't help but frown.
Thank goodness Princess Yongjia was already married to him. Otherwise, the burden of this marriage alliance might really have fallen on her, which would have been far too dangerous.
Wang Nie was speechless.
Failing to bring back Song Jinzhao and having to give away a princess instead, not even a ghost would agree to such a losing deal.
He had threatened war, so why weren't they afraid?
Logically speaking, shouldn't they have immediately agreed to marry off Song Jinzhao?
Sitting on his high throne, Xiao Chengjing furrowed his brows in confusion.
Although the actions of Kang Zhibo and Dongfang Shaoting were arranged by him yesterday, he still felt that something was off.
Was it a bit too aggressive?
They were quite old, yet their acting was quite convincing.
"I also think this is an excellent idea. I have heard that your esteemed nation's Third Princess is not yet married; I am willing to confer upon her the title of Noble Consort."
Wang Nie bent over, clutching his chest as his heart cramped with pain.
The Third Princess was only sixteen, and you are over fifty!
What was the use of being a Noble Consort? To become a widow when you die?
"Our Emperor admires County Princess Linghui, which is why he sent me thousands of miles to propose. If the bride is not her, I fear His Majesty will be greatly disappointed."
Song Jinzhao gave a light chuckle and asked in return, "It seems your Emperor has never even met me. I wonder where this so-called admiration comes from?"
Wang Nie replied, "After Prince Wei returned to Yandu, he recounted the County Princess's heroic bearing to His Majesty. Our Emperor was filled with admiration and thus ordered me to come and propose."
The civil and military officials collectively rolled their eyes.
Filled with admiration?
More like filled with dread.
That was why he couldn't wait to send you over to take her back.
Once she arrived in Shuobei, whether she could even keep her life would be another matter entirely.
Song Jinzhao nodded, putting on a show of understanding.
"I see. To fall in love and send someone to propose based solely on the words of others, isn't your Emperor a bit too frivolous and casual?"
Wang Nie stumbled back two steps. Perhaps because he had spent the entire previous night vomiting, his chest was not only aching, but his head was also starting to spin.
Song Jinzhao continued, "There are hundreds, if not thousands, of women like me in the storybooks of the capital. If your Emperor were to read them, wouldn't he fall in love with mere paper characters?"
Thud! Under the amused gazes of the crowd, Wang Nie's head spun and his vision blurred. His body swayed slightly before he collapsed backward.
If it hadn't been for the carpets covering the floor, blood would likely have been drawn.
No one expected him to faint, and for a moment, everyone froze.
Recovering his wits, Xiao Chengjing hastily stood up and shouted to Zhao Yande, "Summon the imperial physician, quickly!"
Song Jinzhao could not be married off, but nothing could be allowed to happen to Shuobei's chief envoy either.
If he really died here, even if it didn't spark a war, it would still cost them dearly.
With a single glance, Song Jinzhao could tell that Wang Nie had fainted from dehydration. An ordinary person wouldn't be able to recover from the pill he took yesterday for at least three days.
