As soon as he finished speaking, another letter was delivered.
After reading it, He Mingyuan sat in his chair, lost in thought for a long time.
Unaware of the letter's contents, Gong Linjue could only stand where he was and wait.
Three consecutive letters. It seemed the diplomatic marriage envoy had encountered quite a few incidents in the capital.
He Mingyuan spoke, "I remember that Prince Chuan recently brought back a young daughter from the common folk, and her mother was a brothel woman."
Gong Linjue paused for a second before reacting and replying, "That is indeed true. The girl's name is He Shuwan, and she is fifteen this year."
Aloeswood incense curled upward within the hall, creating a heavy, suffocating atmosphere.
He Mingyuan asked faintly, "Has anyone seen her?"
Gong Linjue shook his head, a suspicion forming in his mind.
"Prince Chuan finds it disgraceful. Ever since he brought her back, she has been locked up in the manor and has never stepped outside."
He Mingyuan's next words confirmed his guess.
"Since no one has seen her, then we shall swap her out. Lianyan is about the same age. I leave this matter to you. Tell Prince Chuan that an imperial decree will arrive at his manor in a few days. The one marrying into the Dongzhao Kingdom will be his youngest daughter, He Shuwan."
"Rather than sending her to the imperial palace to be a noble consort, I believe Prince Ying's manor is a much more suitable place."
Gong Linjue completely understood He Mingyuan's intentions.
Lianyan was a hidden spy trained by the Thousand Mechanisms Guard. Sending her to the Dongzhao Kingdom meant she would be far more than just a simple princess bride.
"This subject will see to it immediately."
In less than three days, the carriage carrying the princess bride departed from Yandu.
On the very day Wang Nie received the imperial decree, he immediately went to seek an audience with Xiao Chengjing.
In the grand hall, Wang Nie stood tall with his chest out, speaking with righteous conviction, "Respected Emperor of the Dongzhao Kingdom, my Emperor was deeply disappointed to hear that the County Princess Linghui is unwilling to enter this marriage. However, for the sake of harmony between our two nations, we are willing to marry Princess Shuwan to your esteemed country's Second Prince as his consort, thereby forging a lasting bond between our nations."
The civil and military officials all turned to look at Wang Nie in unison, their eyes filled with astonishment.
The Shuobei Kingdom actually agreed to marry a princess over? They had assumed the other party would choose a girl from the imperial clan.
Xiao Chengjing frowned in confusion. "Your country's Third Princess does not seem to be Princess Shuwan."
Wang Nie calmly curled his lips into a smile.
"Princess Shuwan is the youngest daughter of my Shuobei Kingdom's Prince Chuan. Her surname is He, and her name is Shuwan. My Emperor specially bestowed upon her the title of Princess Shuwan. Her Highness's carriage is already on its way as we speak."
Everyone suddenly understood.
So she was actually a commandery princess.
Seeing that Dongfang Shaoting and the others remained silent, as if silently agreeing to the matter, Xiao Rongyan hastily stepped forward.
"Imperial Father, your son already has a primary consort. I am afraid I cannot marry Princess Shuwan."
Taking an enemy nation's princess as a primary consort would be equivalent to telling the whole world that he could never become the emperor.
Xiao Chengjing narrowed his eyes at Wang Nie.
"Our Dongzhao Kingdom does not have the custom of having two primary consorts of equal standing. If Princess Shuwan wishes to marry him, I am afraid she can only be a secondary consort."
Choosing Prince Ying over himself—was this because they thought he was too old?
To everyone's surprise, Wang Nie agreed without hesitation.
"As long as our two nations can forge an eternal alliance, a secondary consort is fine as well."
"..."
For a moment, no one spoke a word.
The Shuobei Kingdom had repeatedly made concessions, and suddenly, no one could find a reason to refuse.
Xiao Rongyan furrowed his brows tightly, looking at the Emperor with a pleading expression.
He truly did not want to marry her.
Even as a secondary consort, she was still an enemy nation's princess. He wouldn't be able to hit or scold her; marrying her would be incredibly troublesome.
Xiao Chengjing acted as if he didn't see Xiao Rongyan's pleading gaze, agreeing to the matter without much consideration.
"As long as your Shuobei Kingdom does not feel wronged, I could ask for nothing more."
"Draft an imperial decree: Today, Princess Shuwan of the Shuobei Kingdom comes from afar to foster peace and secure diplomatic relations between our two nations. We are exceedingly pleased, and hereby bestow this woman in marriage to Prince Ying, Xiao Rongyan, as his secondary consort. They are to be married immediately upon the princess's arrival in the capital. The Ministry of Rites shall prepare all related matters without error!"
The civil and military officials all knelt and shouted loudly, "We obey the decree! Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live!"
"Your son obeys the decree and thanks Imperial Father for the marriage bestowal," Xiao Rongyan knelt on the ground expressionlessly, as if his heart had died.
Wang Nie swept his gaze over everyone present. In the moment he lowered his eyes, he couldn't help but secretly curl his lips into a smirk.
Once they found out that Princess Shuwan's biological mother was a brothel woman, he wondered if they would still be able to smile.
