Chapter 201: Chapter 201

Everything that needed to be sent had been sent, after three rounds of drinks.

Emperor Anqing, his face flushed with drink, smiled and asked, "I’ve heard that the Monarch of Nanwang Country intends to form a marriage alliance with our Great Chao Country?"

Nan Guili, with a rosy complexion, candidly said, "Indeed, my imperial brother has this intention. After all, he has been a new ruler for only a few years and hopes to establish ties with Great Chao Country for mutual help and support."

"But I don’t have any princesses of suitable age under my care." Emperor Anqing hesitated.

"The people of the world are all Your Majesty’s children." Nan Guili smiled gently. For origınal chapters go to NoveIꜰire.net

"What a phrase, ’the people of the world are all my children’."

Emperor Anqing’s eyes became somewhat clearer. He looked at Nan Guili meaningfully and smiled as he said, "Then while you’re in our Great Chao Country, take the opportunity to select a candidate. There are countless noble daughters, and I could recognize one as an adopted daughter or sister, if need be."

With these words, the minds of the noble families at the banquet began to churn.

Wasn’t Emperor Anqing addressing them with these words?

"You’ve been here a few days, wandering around the palace. Why don’t I have someone accompany you around other parts of Shangjing?"

Emperor Anqing waved his hand grandly, "Which companion would the Sixth Prince like?"

Nan Guili pursed his lips, instinctively looking at Yu Nianzhao, and warmly spoke, "Miss Yu!"

The banquet fell into silence!

Everyone was afraid to speak.

They didn’t even dare to breathe!

"Cough, cough, cough, who?"

Emperor Anqing choked on his drink, his eyes wide in disbelief as he asked.

"Yu Nianzhao, Miss Yu!" Nan Guili smiled and repeated, seeming unaffected by Xie Jiuxiao’s murderous gaze, and even asked, "Is that not acceptable?"

Even Emperor Anqing glanced cautiously at Xie Jiuxiao. Seeing his brother’s increased aura of hostility, he forced a smile, "Zhaozhao is Princess Consort Su’s fiancée, Sixth Prince asked this quite suddenly, perhaps it’s best to ask her directly."

He passed this thorny issue to Yu Nianzhao.

Yu Nianzhao, uninterested, took a sip of tea, met Xie Jiuxiao’s chilly gaze fearlessly, and replied, "Sure, since I have nothing to do anyway, why not act as a guide and take the Sixth Prince for a stroll."

The cup in Xie Jiuxiao’s hand shattered, and everyone quietly shrank their necks, afraid they might be the next to be caught in the aftermath and crushed like the cup.

"Zhaozhao, you want to take him?" Xie Jiuxiao’s voice sounded as if squeezed through his teeth.

Yu Nianzhao looked up at him innocently, "Why not?"

Xie Jiuxiao’s gaze was dark, "He is a prince of a neighboring country, you are the future Princess Consort Su, it truly is not quite appropriate."

He genuinely hoped she could hear the underlying meaning in his words.

Yu Nianzhao spread her hands, "I thought that if I truly become Princess Consort Su in the future, this would be part of my duties."

With one sentence, Xie Jiuxiao’s resentment and anger dissipated instantly.

The corners of his lips couldn’t help but turn up slightly, Xie Jiuxiao’s tone became much lighter, "If Zhaozhao wishes to assist me, that is possible, then I’ll assign Mu Hongxuan to you to ensure your safety."

Emperor Anqing covered his face, unable to bear his own cold and emotionless brother’s undignified expression.

The Empress shook her head and laughed, "It seems Zhaozhao has completely won over Prince Su, truly remarkable."

Emperor Anqing muttered, "What’s so good about that, my high and cold brother’s demeanor has vanished completely."

The Empress said, "Having someone close by, what’s the need for that high and cold demeanor?"

Emperor Anqing, "..."

Forget it, let them be.

Nan Guili slightly furrowed his brow and spoke faintly, "Then I shall trouble Miss Yu."

The smile at the corner of Xie Jiuxiao’s lips faded a bit, his sinister gaze fell on Nan Guili, coldly saying, "Rest assured, if I have time, I will certainly accompany you, so the Sixth Prince won’t feel bored and lonely."

Nan Guili ignored the warning in his eyes and chuckled, "Naturally, that would be good."

When the banquet concluded, the Empress, feeling weary, retired early to rest.

Yu Nianzhao was pondering whether to visit the Empress’ chambers when Pei Yuanzheng quietly approached, "Zhaozhao, the Emperor has already decreed, why not move back tomorrow?"

After his imprisonment, Pei Yuanzheng’s once proud spirit had been considerably suppressed.

He also realized that as long as Yu Nianzhao married Prince Su, regardless of whether Prince Su lived past twenty-six, Emperor Anqing would not treat Yu Nianzhao poorly.

In the face of benefits, Pei Yunzhi, the daughter rejected by Prince An Nan’s Heir, seemed insignificant.

He put aside broken ties, hoping to mend what little remained of their relationship with Yu Nianzhao.

"Do you have medicine?" Yu Nianzhao glanced at him.

"Huh?" Pei Yuanzheng was confused, unable to follow Yu Nianzhao’s thoughts.

"Do I look sick? Are you a doctor? That I’d go with you to the mansion?" Yu Nianzhao sneered.

"But it was the Emperor who said..."

"That’s a month before the wedding!" Yu Nianzhao smiled meaningfully, "Mr. Pei, you truly look forward to me living at the mansion? Just don’t regret it then!"

With her temperament, even if forcibly made to live in the mansion for a month, she’d make them as frantic as chickens and dogs, afraid to see her.

Pei Yuanzheng shivered slightly without knowing why, and forced a smile, "Naturally, your father has kept your original room intact."

"That small room with a small courtyard, I’m not interested."

Yu Nianzhao arrogantly declared, "And rightfully so, have the main courtyard in the east prepared for me during this period. I intend to live there, with osmanthus trees planted in the yard, just in time for them to blossom."

"The main courtyard in the east?"

Pei Yuanzheng was somewhat hesitant; indeed, there was an unused main courtyard in the east, planned for Pei Yunqing after marriage since he would inherit the title of marquis.

After a moment of hesitation, Pei Yuanzheng gritted his teeth and agreed, "Alright, your father promises you."

"But you should also consider Yunzhi’s marriage; she has been left by Mr. Xie. She can’t remain single forever, can she?" Pei Yuanzheng shamelessly sought her help, "I hear you have a good relationship with Mr. Song’s grandson, could it be..."

Xie Yunzhe would be the best choice, but if it had to be someone else, he wouldn’t consider someone of too low a status.

The Song Family was prominent in Shangjing, and although Song Jiling was a bit of a dandy, his family’s standing couldn’t be denied.

Yu Nianzhao squinted her eyes, "What’s it got to do with me? Mr. Pei, don’t overstep, Pei Yunzhi’s matters have nothing to do with me. Besides, your daughter has her own opinions, and the match you find might not even meet her standards, so don’t dwell on it."

"Ah? Yunzhi, she..." Pei Yuanzheng remained somewhat bewildered.

Yu Nianzhao no longer wanted to engage with him. Noting the late hour, she decided against disturbing the Empress and planned to return to the princely residence to rest, observing the unfolding situation.

Pei Yunzhi gazed fixedly at Yu Nianzhao’s departure, her eyes filled with jealousy and unwillingness.

Ms Lien sensed her daughter’s mood and gently sighed, "Yunzhi, tomorrow I will personally visit Princess An Nan to see if there’s any chance of reversal."

Pei Yunzhi, delighted, said, "Really? Then please, mother."