Chapter 570 - 277: Marriage Alliance of the Two Nations (3)

Chapter 570: Chapter 277: Marriage Alliance of the Two Nations (3)

’Or maybe this was just a spur-of-the-moment decision by the Great Emperor?’

’Impossible. Those golden mandarin ducks mean the Great Emperor has wanted to pair me up with her for a long time.’

Zheng Xiu felt like he had ants in his pants, unable to sit still. His gaze swept across the faces of the three Princes. For a minor nation, it wouldn’t matter. They could just find some minister’s godson to marry off, establish a connection, and be done with it. But the Northern Barbarians were incredibly important to Daqian. Leaving others aside, the three Princes, who had just recently been fighting tooth and nail over the succession, would never just stand by and watch Zheng Xiu become the Prince Consort.

’To be able to marry the Princess of the Northern Kingdom... even if she were hideous, at least you’d gain that kind of status.’

’So why aren’t the three Princes fighting for it?’

Zheng Xiu’s gaze swept over the three Princes’ faces. The Eldest Prince was calm and composed, the Second Prince’s expression was sullen, and the Third Prince wore a playful smile, his eyes darting about.

’Too bad I don’t have a Miracle Technique like Jiang Gaoyi. I can’t read anything from their faces.’

Just then, the Great Emperor brought up the "Xiaoyao Square case" again, praising Jiang Gaoyi. But just as Jiang Gaoyi was bowing in humble trepidation, the Great Emperor looked at Zheng Xiu and asked for his opinion.

’This question was rather pointed. Who in the Court didn’t know that Jiang Gaoyi, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, was one of the Red King’s men? Jiang Gaoyi blatantly worked overtime day and night at the Disaster Prevention Bureau—did the Great Emperor really not know? By asking this, he was basically telling me, ’I’ve given you face again. I’ve already said everything else that needs to be said in the Holy Decree. You’d better not play dumb.’’

Zheng Xiu went with the flow and offered some praise for Jiang Gaoyi, who fought to hold back a laugh, his mouth twisting into a crooked grin. Just then, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites stirred, as if about to boldly step forward and say something, when the Third Prince murmured, "That Princess is a divine beauty with an exotic allure. Paired with the Red King, they are a talented man and a beautiful woman—a match made in Heaven. If this marriage alliance succeeds, our two nations can establish diplomatic ties and end all warfare. It would be a joyous event of heavenly proportions for both Daqian and my Father Emperor!"

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites shuddered, pulled back the foot he had just put forward, and lowered his head, saying nothing.

It is unknown who started it, but soon all the officials were chanting, "May Heaven bless Daqian! Congratulations, Holy Emperor! Congratulations, Red King!"

"May Heaven bless Daqian! Congratulations, Holy Emperor! Congratulations, Red King!"

"May Heaven bless Daqian! Congratulations, Holy Emperor! Congratulations, Red King!"

Zheng Xiu remained seated just like that until the court session was dismissed.

The officials filed out of the great hall in an orderly manner. Zheng Xiu hurried out, descended the steps, and spotted Jiang Gaoyi in the distance. Zheng Xiu’s expression darkened. He took a few quick strides, hooked a strong arm around Jiang Gaoyi’s neck in a headlock, and dragged him off to a corner of the Imperial Palace.

To onlookers, it was a display of camaraderie that would make countless people envious. But Jiang Gaoyi saw the killing intent on the Red King’s face and said with a woeful expression, "Your Highness, please don’t misunderstand!"

"Talk! Which son of a bitch suggested I be the Prince Consort?"

Jiang Gaoyi hemmed and hawed as he recounted the political affairs discussed during morning court over the past month.

For the past month, the morning court sessions had almost all revolved around the matter of the Northern Barbarians.

When the Northern Barbarians took the initiative to show goodwill, the court split into three factions: the hawks, the doves, and the do-nothings.

The hawks advocated: ’The Northern Barbarians are showing goodwill, so something must be amiss. If we don’t strike now, when will we?’

The doves advocated: ’The Northern Barbarians are showing goodwill, so we must seize this opportunity. By signing a treaty and using the marriage alliance to foster good relations, we can establish non-aggression and guarantee decades of peace for Daqian.’

The do-nothings were much simpler: they expressed no opinion and made no refusals, just wanting to avoid getting caught up in anything major.

Jiang Gaoyi was clearly one of the do-nothings, a stance that was partly due to Zheng Xiu’s own attitude. Since Zheng Xiu had never shown any interest in the matter, Jiang Gaoyi hadn’t picked a side, choosing to lie low. As a result, he hadn’t paid the issue much mind all month.

"The faction advocating for peace with the Northern Barbarians is also split into several groups," Jiang Gaoyi said, lowering his voice. "Among them, the Third Prince actually had the most support. Many Ministers submitted memorials suggesting that since the Third Prince has such a lively and amiable personality, he would get along well with the Princess of Beiman and should therefore be the Prince Consort for this alliance."

"Lord Dou, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, put in a lot of effort to support him."

"I also thought it was a done deal for the Third Prince. And if it was, it was; what could I do about it? So I paid it no mind."

"But who would have known that today the Holy Emperor would suddenly summon Your Highness to court? I was completely dumbfounded."

"I can’t figure it out! The mind of an Emperor is truly inscrutable!"

Jiang Gaoyi looked dejected, sighing with lament.