Chapter 865 - 767: Knowing Too Much_2

Chapter 865: Chapter 767: Knowing Too Much_2

"Yes!"

All around fell silent, the Third Prince put down his pen, returning to the table where the dishes were still warm and the wine still delightful. He poured himself a cup and drank slowly.

Just a moment ago, he enjoyed the company of a beauty, yet immediately turned ruthless, without a hint of regret.

A glint of killing intent flashed in his eyes as he muttered to himself, "The legitimate eldest son can’t be a hostage? Wants to be Crown Prince? Later to become Emperor? Where is there such a good thing in the world? Hmph!"

News that the Third Prince agreed to swap and marry someone else quickly returned to the East Tang Envoy staying at the Nanxia Royal Post.

Looking at the letter returned in just three days, the corners of the East Tang Envoy’s mouth twitched. Jifeng Tower was fast and reliable at delivering letters and small packages, but naturally, the fees varied based on the time.

From East Tang to Nanxia, a distance of several thousand miles, even on a fast horse with an express of 800 miles a day, it would take seven or eight days. So when they sent a message back, it was just a scroll without any embellishments and a letter with less than a hundred words, taking seven days at a cost of five hundred gold taels.

For the Imperial Family, five hundred taels wasn’t much money, but for a typical family of four, where one tael of silver could comfortably support them for a month, this fee was indeed high.

Now, returning in just three days, it must have cost at least three thousand taels of silver, truly turning time into bundles of silver.

No one knows exactly how Jifeng Tower managed to send the letter from East Tang to Nanxia so quickly.

However, now is not the time to marvel at Jifeng Tower’s efficiency and knack for making money. He was thinking about how to persuade the Emperor of Nanxia to agree to a princess marriage alliance.

Nanxia had only one suitable Seventeenth Princess, while the other two were young girls of six or seven, which was not suitable at all. What should be done now?

The Third Prince’s actions were bewildering and unpredictable.

If this job was not done well, they would be flayed alive upon returning, so the envoys from East Tang worried themselves into premature gray hair.

After allowing East Tang’s Imperial Physician to treat the Seventeenth Princess’s sickness, the Emperor guessed that East Tang would likely back off, as he initially planned to decide on the Crown Prince after his birthday.

However, with the East Tang envoys still residing here and the Seventeenth Princess in her condition.

Nanxia had already deposed two Crown Princes, and the contest for the throne by the sons was not a pleasant tale, though East Tang was not entirely tranquil either. Still, family scandals need a cover, so the Emperor did not wish to hastily establish a Crown Prince at this critical juncture.

The Emperor estimated that after learning of the Princess’s condition, the East Tang envoys should have made a decision. Sure enough, they submitted a request to enter the palace.

The Emperor summoned the East Tang envoys to Wuji Hall.

The East Tang envoys had a humble demeanor, full of sincerity, still wishing to propose a marriage alliance.

Seeing that they had not changed their minds, the Emperor did not reject this time and agreed directly.

East Tang did wish to marry a princess, but knowing the Seventeenth Princess’s condition and still wanting to marry meant naturally not her. Although there was no other age-appropriate princess currently, the Emperor had nieces and grandnieces, and could easily bestow one the title of princess and marry her off.

The East Tang envoys received confirmation, greatly pleased.

This matter thus had to be handled promptly.

The next day, the Emperor arranged a family banquet in the palace and summoned his sons and grandsons.

All the Vassal Kings had returned to the Capital City, except for Prince Cheng, who had gone to Jinzhou; they all sat below. The Heir of King Liang, Prince Lu’s son, and Prince Xin’s son were naturally present.

Prince Li’s eldest son had requested the title of Crown Prince earlier this year, but still hadn’t returned from the Vassal Land.

Prince Li was a shrewd person, though he desired his son to early settle in the Capital City, rooting the family there rather than being sent to Vassal Land as a Vassal King, he continued to endure the pain of separation from his son.

He understood well that as the youngest son favored by the Emperor, early anointed as King but always remaining in the Capital City beside the Emperor, those elder brothers long harbored animosity towards him.

Over the years, he faced numerous overt and covert attacks.

A favored prince, without a confirmed Crown Prince, inevitably became a thorn in the side of his elder brothers. Even Prince Liang, who loved nothing but eating, drinking, and merrymaking, showed him no kindness.

One dish after another was brought out, with palace maids on hand to serve wine and dishes. After several drinks, the Emperor casually mentioned the marriage alliance with East Tang, stating the matter was settled but the candidate undecided, suggesting that with everyone present, they should discuss and determine the most suitable choice.

With the Seventeenth Princess gravely ill, an imperial edict had already been issued to summon physicians, and everyone understood it would not be her anymore.

At this moment, as the Emperor raised the question, Prince Xin wanted to speak, but the Emperor’s gaze swept through the hall and said, "Yanlong, why don’t you give your opinion!"