Chapter 1757: Chapter 1757
"Consort Liu indeed overstepped just now, I hope Crown Prince Helian doesn’t take offense."
The Old Emperor finally spoke, saying this to He Lienuo, and then directly looked at Consort Liu: "Tonight’s royal banquet, it seems my beloved consort drank quite a lot, so much that even her mind is muddled. Someone, carefully escort Consort Liu back to the palace to rest!"
Letting Consort Liu return to the palace to rest before the banquet’s conclusion was an even more embarrassing punishment than a tangible one!
Consort Liu’s face turned white then red, but her last thread of reason told her she couldn’t speak again; she could only go along with the Old Emperor’s suggestion that she was drunk, or else what awaited her wouldn’t be just a simple return to the palace!
"Yes, I am indeed a bit dizzy, so I will take my leave."
Consort Liu hung her head low, and though she was extremely unwilling in her heart, she had no choice but to be the first to leave the hall.
However, as she passed by Yan Ruchun, she still gave a hateful glare to her disobedient niece, as if she wanted to vent all the humiliation she had suffered today onto her.
Yan Ruchun accepted her glare calmly and even raised her eyebrows smugly, giving her a brilliant smile, which indeed almost infuriated Consort Liu beyond measure.
Consort Liu left, but the mess she caused still had to be cleaned up by the Old Emperor.
The Old Emperor took a deep breath and looked toward He Lienuo, but apologizing to a crown prince of another country was indeed too embarrassing for him.
Coincidentally, Third Prince Zhao Hongde stood up at the right moment and clasped his fists, smiling as he said, "Crown Prince Helian, it was just a misunderstanding. Please forgive us. Dayong despises war the most, and I believe the Crown Prince of Xiliang feels the same. The people being able to live and work in peace and contentment is more important than any military achievement."
From their first meeting, He Lienuo had a great impression of Zhao Hongde, and having stayed in the Dayong Capital City for so long, his understanding of Zhao Hongde deepened. Naturally, He Lienuo wanted to give some face to this gentlemanly Third Prince.
"His Highness Third Prince speaks rightly, the people’s peace and contentment should indeed be the priority for us rulers."
In other words, it meant he wouldn’t pursue the previous matter.
The Old Emperor laughed heartily and spoke a few more grandiose words, and He Lienuo naturally returned to his previous carefree demeanor.
Meanwhile, the pair of miserable lovers, one kneeling and the other standing in the hall, were still eagerly waiting for the Old Emperor to speak!
Lin Yuan supported Yan Ruchun’s arm, but her own arm was nearly being dug into by Yan Ruchun’s fingers.
"You’d better let go of me, any more scratching and my arm will be ruined!"
After softly complaining, she watched as Yan Ruchun embarrassingly withdrew her hand and quietly apologized several times.
Lin Yuan chuckled and patted the back of her hand, laughing loudly: "Your Majesty, Crown Prince Helian is a gentleman; gentlemen do not take away what others cherish. Since Ru Chun and Young Master Wei are in love with each other, please, Your Majesty, make the decision to grant them marriage!" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ nοvelfire.net
Just as Lin Yuan finished speaking, Yan Ruchun hurriedly stopped her, biting her lip and kneeling down, saying, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, ’the command of the parents and the words of the matchmaker’. Regarding marriage, I still want to consult my father’s opinion first. My father is indeed aged, and I don’t want him to worry about me."
Indeed, Yan Ruchun was a very filial woman. Even though she was already in love with Wei Boyu, she wouldn’t agree with asking His Majesty for a marriage grant unless Yan Xiangkai gave his consent.
Listening to Yan Ruchun, many parents present nodded silently in approval, and the two elder members of the Wei family looked more and more satisfied with this prospective daughter-in-law.
The Old Emperor, being a father himself, naturally understood how it felt to have one’s daughter married off quietly, so he laughed and agreed to Yan Ruchun’s request.
However, at the end, he specifically reminded that once the two got married, he, as an uncle, would certainly send a wedding gift.
Receiving a wedding gift personally sent by the Emperor was an honor not just anyone could have; Wei Boyu and Yan Ruchun exchanged a smile and expressed their gratitude repeatedly.
Yet another potential candidate for an alliance marriage was crossed off, rekindling hope among those officials eagerly wishing to send their daughters off for diplomatic marriages.
The Old Emperor glanced at He Lienuo, smiling: "Since we’ve already brought up the matter of diplomatic marriage, why not take this opportunity to decide the candidate? Does Crown Prince Helian have someone in mind?"
As soon as this was mentioned, the light in He Lienuo’s eyes grew richer, seductively curling his lips: "To be honest with Your Majesty, I have indeed had my eye on an official’s daughter for my fourth brother, though I don’t know if this young lady is already betrothed. If she is, we might again face disappointment."
The ears of everyone present perked up immediately, and the daughters of officials present all became nervous, fearing they might be the ones chosen to marry into Xiliang for an alliance!