Chapter 613

“What could possibly be unusual?” Shangguan Mu said dismissively.

As far as he was concerned, the Kingdom of Lannuo simply did not know how to behave.

If it were up to him, they would obediently pay tribute to the Kingdom of Qinling.

“Third Prince, you have been in the Kingdom of Lannuo for some time now. They were unwilling to sign the century-long pact before, and they were unwilling to agree to a marriage alliance as well?” Yan Zhaohe looked at his carefree expression, growing even more dissatisfied.

If the Third Prince had reported Lannuo’s attitude sooner, he would not have started with courtesy. Instead, he would have led the army straight to Lannuo’s borders.

By then, even if Lannuo was unwilling, they would have had no other choice.

They would not be in such a passive position as they were now.

He was already in the Kingdom of Lannuo, and for the moment, there was truly nothing he could do to them.

Even if he sent word back, it would take time.

At the thought of this, Yan Zhaohe could not shake the feeling that something was wrong.

After all, Lannuo had actually dared to refuse to marry their Ninth Princess Consort. In Yan Zhaohe’s eyes, that was entirely unacceptable.

“Lord Yan, what do you mean by that? Are you doubting me?” Shangguan Mu glared at Yan Zhaohe, displeased. He thought, This old man must have forgotten that I am the prince—and the one in charge of this mission to Lannuo.

“This humble official would not dare. It’s just that, Your Highness, if we fail to handle this mission properly, it will be difficult to answer to His Majesty,” Yan Zhaohe said with a frown.

What he was really worried about was that if they lost the contest against Lannuo, the reputation of the Kingdom of Qinling would be ruined as well.

“Lord Yan, rest assured. Dealing with a tiny kingdom like Lannuo will be as easy as picking something out of my hand. Why make such a fuss?” Shangguan Mu felt that Yan Zhaohe was making a mountain out of a molehill.

“This official merely finds it strange that Lannuo would openly refuse to accept the Ninth Princess Consort as a bride in a marriage alliance,” Yan Zhaohe said, his brows furrowing.

He felt that Lannuo’s actions were completely unreasonable.

“Lord Yan, if you must blame someone, blame Little Nine for being unlikeable. There’s no need to keep doubting yourself,” Shangguan Mu said dismissively.

After hearing this, Yan Zhaohe’s frown deepened.

After all, the Ninth Princess Consort was the most beautiful princess in the Kingdom of Qinling. If even a woman like her failed to attract the men of Lannuo, could it be that Lannuo was filled with celestial beauties even more gorgeous than her?

“Does the Third Prince have a lady in mind?” Yan Zhaohe asked, looking at Shangguan Mu uncertainly.

“As for women… naturally, there is one,” Shangguan Mu said, casting an ambiguous glance into the distance.

What he was thinking about, however, was how Li Zhiwei had been so presumptuous as to refuse him and marry someone else.

“May I ask which family the young lady is from? I can speak with Lannuo’s emperor later and ask him to arrange for her to marry Your Highness,” Yan Zhaohe said.

He had not even considered whether the woman would be willing to marry their prince.

As far as he was concerned, once their prince had taken a fancy to her, the matter was settled.

“We’ll discuss it later.” Thinking of how Li Zhiwei had married someone else, Shangguan Mu felt annoyed. Then he remembered that Cheng Qingli, whom he had chosen afterward, had also become engaged.

This made Shangguan Mu feel as if he had been looked down upon, and it left a bitter taste in his heart.

Still, he had no intention of telling Yan Zhaohe something so humiliating.

“Very well. If there is a young lady you prefer, Your Highness, be sure to tell this official,” Yan Zhaohe said. He did not consider that the lady might not think highly of Shangguan Mu.

He ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‍simply assumed that Shangguan Mu wanted a better choice.

“Lord Yan, have the participants for the contest the day after tomorrow been arranged?” Shangguan Mu asked, looking at Yan Zhaohe solemnly. He did not want to be outdone by him.

“Your Highness, rest assured. We have brought Zhao Jiugao this time. He is the number-one warrior of our Kingdom of Qinling. With the weapon our kingdom has recently developed, defeating a mere warrior from Lannuo will be effortless,” Yan Zhaohe said with complete confidence.

“Since that is the case, I can rest easy. When the time comes, I’ll add a little something to the stakes. I’ll make sure Lannuo loses a great deal,” Shangguan Mu said smugly.

“Your Highness is absolutely right.” Yan Zhaohe did not doubt him in the slightest. In his eyes, Lannuo was nothing more than a defeated opponent waiting to be crushed.

When Xu Heming returned to the Li residence, Li Zhiwei had already finished drinking some thin porridge, and her complexion looked much better.

“Are you feeling better?” Xu Heming asked gently, his eyes filled with concern.

“Much better. Are you finished with your work, Prince?” Li Zhiwei asked with a smile.

She had not expected Xu Heming to return so quickly.

These past few days, Xu Heming had stayed by her side the entire time. Li Zhiwei knew that he must have had countless matters to attend to.

“Yes, I’m finished.” Xu Heming sat down beside her and very naturally took her hand, his heart aching for her.

“Prince, The Old Princess asked you to return to the residence.”

Just as Li Zhiwei was about to speak, Qingsong’s voice came from outside the door.

“Prince, please apologize to your mother-in-law on my behalf. I’ll return to the residence in a few days.”

Thinking that she had stayed at the Li residence ever since returning to the capital, Li Zhiwei was worried that The Old Princess might resent her, so she hurriedly explained.

“Get some proper rest. I’ll go back for a while and then return.” Xu Heming fell silent for a moment. He had not returned to the Prince of An’s residence since coming back to the capital. In terms of both reason and propriety, he should go back and pay his mother a visit.

Otherwise, she would surely be worried.

He also remembered that the emperor had previously ordered people to seal off the Prince of An’s residence. His mother and that little rascal, Xu Qingshi, must have been terrified.

After considering everything, Xu Heming hurried toward the Prince of An’s residence.

“I thought I saw the prince come back just now.” Lady Yao entered Banyue Pavilion, but did not see Xu Heming, and for a moment wondered whether she had imagined it.

“Mother, the prince has returned to the residence for now,” Li Zhiwei quickly explained.

“Heming has been staying at the Li residence these past few days. The Old Princess must be worried about him.” Afraid that Li Zhiwei might misunderstand, Lady Yao hurried to explain.

“Mother, I am now the Princess Consort of An. I was thinking of returning to the Prince of An’s residence tomorrow,” Li Zhiwei said cautiously as she looked at Lady Yao.

After all, Lady Yao and Li Tianyou had been taking care of her all these days. But Li Zhiwei felt that she was married now, and if she continued staying at the Li residence, she was worried The Old Princess might have objections.

“Now that you’ve woken up and the physicians have all examined you, saying there’s nothing seriously wrong, you should indeed return,” Lady Yao said. Though she was reluctant to part with her daughter, she understood that if she wanted her daughter to live well, she had to let her go back.

“Thank you, Mother.” Li Zhiwei took Lady Yao’s hand and rested her head against her shoulder, deeply moved. She knew that Lady Yao had made this concession entirely for her sake.

“Mother, while I’m away, let my younger sister keep you company. Once I’m feeling better, I’ll come back to stay with you as well,” Li Zhiwei said carefully.

“You silly child. You’re pregnant now, so you shouldn’t be running around during the first three months. I have Ya’er with me, so you don’t need to worry. If I miss you, I’ll have Ya’er accompany me to visit you at the Prince of An’s residence.”