Emperor Qizhen considered the suggestion Imperial Consort Xiao had proposed.

But he neither nodded nor shook his head!

Soon, he issued an edict summoning the ministers for deliberation.

The princes and ministers entered the palace one by one.

However, Imperial Consort Xiao did not leave but waited outside the hall for news. She even summoned a young eunuch.

She instructed, “Go inside and listen carefully. If His Majesty makes any decision, come inform this consort immediately!”

“Yes!”

The young eunuch shuffled inside.

In the hall!

They stood in three rows. Crown Prince Jinghua, Prince Jing Yi, and Prince Jingrong stood at the front, while behind them were the various court officials.

Emperor Qizhen was filled with doubt and hesitation. He only asked, “This marriage alliance between our two nations troubles me greatly. Do you have any good solutions?”

Jinghua had his own schemes. Casting a sideways glance at Jing Yi, he stepped forward leisurely.

“Father Emperor, since ancient times, princesses marrying far away has been a tale of excellence. Jing Xuan is our Great Lin’s Princess Imperial. Marrying into Qujiang is perfectly appropriate.”

How could Jing Yi not refute this statement?

After all, Jing Xuan was his own younger sister!

So he immediately objected, “Though Jing Xuan is the Princess Imperial, her temperament is ultimately somewhat rash. She’s unsuitable for a distant marriage. The Crown Prince’s words are truly inappropriate.”

“But only Jing Xuan is suitable. Moreover, the other party is the Prince of Qujiang—naturally he won’t mistreat Jing Xuan. As her elder brother, shouldn’t you be happy, Jing Yi?” Jinghua’s tone carried clear mockery.

Yes, shouldn’t you be happy, Jing Yi?

With that old Prince of Qujiang as your brother-in-law, your power would surely increase greatly. You should be secretly delighted, shouldn’t you?

By all logic, it should indeed be so!

But the thoughts of a fool remain the thoughts of a fool.

Clever people have other ideas.

Jing Yi suppressed his anger and said calmly to Emperor Qizhen, “Father Emperor, the Prince of Qujiang’s marriage proposal is certainly highly suspicious. Although Qujiang and Great Lin appear harmonious on the surface, if one day the two nations cross swords, with Jing Xuan in Qujiang, if she’s used to make a great fuss, where will Great Lin’s dignity be?”

“Mm, Jing Yi speaks correctly.” Emperor Qizhen nodded.

“Therefore, your son humbly begs Father Emperor to make another decision.”

Emperor Qizhen’s thoughts were in turmoil. Suddenly, thinking of Imperial Consort Xiao’s suggestion, those sharp eyes swept across everyone present.

He asked, “What about Kong Yu?”

At the mention of this name, the ministers looked at each other!

And Jingrong, who had always remained silent, suddenly showed a grave expression.

After a moment, a court minister bowed his head, clasped his hands, and said, “The Kong family is the natal family of Empress Xuanshu. That young lady Kong Yu is as gentle and refined as jade. If she were to replace Princess Jing Xuan in marrying to Qujiang, nothing could be more suitable.”

The other ministers echoed in succession.

“Yes, the Kong family is also renowned. Having a Kong family young lady go for the marriage alliance couldn’t be more appropriate.”

“Indeed!”

…

Seeing the situation about to be decided, Jingrong immediately stepped forward, furrowing his brow in earnest appeal.

“This son humbly asks Father Emperor to reconsider.”

Over the years, during deliberations, unless the emperor asked Jingrong to speak, he always stood in court playing the role of an invisible person.

Neither answering nor objecting!

Now suddenly objecting, it caught everyone by surprise!

Emperor Qizhen looked at him, puzzled.

“Why do you ask me to reconsider?”

“Though the Kong family is prestigious, the matter of a distant marriage is critically important. Moreover, among the Kong family’s younger generation, there is only young lady Kong Yu. Father Emperor once taught your son: do not impose on others what you would not desire for yourself. Therefore, your son humbly begs Father Emperor to reconsider.”

Smack—

Emperor Qizhen’s expression changed with fury.

“Insolent!” His rebuke came like a flood. “Though I taught you not to impose on others what you would not desire for yourself, I also taught you that the foundation of bamboo and trees is loyalty first.”

Jingrong lowered his brow, his manner composed yet carrying a stubborn air.

Unafraid, he said, “Your son’s words carry no intention to offend Father Emperor. I only hope Father Emperor will consider carefully. The Kong family…”

Before the words were finished, Jing Yi forcibly cut him off.

“Jingrong, you have an excellent relationship with Kong Yu. You’ve grown up together since childhood. The feelings between you are known to all. But you must not forget—this concerns friendly relations between two nations. As a prince, you should be able to distinguish what is important and what is not, shouldn’t you?”

What a despicable appearance!

At the corners of his mouth, there was even a subtle, mocking smile.

This statement pushed Jingrong into a deep pit.

Emperor Qizhen was already angry. If he insisted on objecting further, it would undoubtedly be digging his own grave!

But Jinghua was iron-willed in opposing Jing Yi.

You won’t send your own younger sister, but you want my cousin to go?

In your dreams!

So he first looked at his father emperor. Seeing his anger gradually receding, he raised his chin, his brow carrying barbs, and said to Jing Yi, “Jing Yi, all your words amount to nothing more than not wanting Jing Xuan to go for the marriage alliance.”

He hit the nail on the head!

Turning, he then said to his father emperor, “Father Emperor, the Prince of Qujiang sent people to propose marriage this time. If we send Jing Xuan, nothing could be more appropriate. Whether the two nations will cross swords in the future is still unknown. If in the future Jing Xuan can become Qujiang’s queen, Father Emperor, think about it—wouldn’t this Qujiang be like a chess piece in Great Lin’s hand? Moreover, Jingrong is right—among the Kong family’s younger generation, there is only Kong Yu. I believe if Mother Empress were alive, she would oppose this matter just as Jingrong does.”

Bringing out his deceased mother empress, gambling on just how deep Emperor Qizhen’s love for Empress Xuanshu truly was!

Emperor Qizhen’s face darkened. He sighed!

His brow furrowed tightly.

Jing Yi shot Jinghua a fierce look.

And Jinghua rolled his eyes, completely ignoring it.

Fortunately, Jing Yi was a composed person. He organized his thoughts and appealed to the emperor, “Father Emperor, Jing Xuan is still young and has no cunning in her heart. If you have her marry far away to Qujiang, it would be equivalent to clipping her wings. Moreover, all the ministers also feel that having Kong Yu substitute would be most appropriate. To have the fortune to marry into Qujiang would be an honor for the Kong family. Why not…”

Emperor Qizhen raised his hand, cutting him off!

His head throbbed with a buzzing pain!

Had he known, he should have just closed the door and figured this out by himself.

Now with everyone speaking left and right, each making sense.

So annoying!

So annoying!

“Everyone, withdraw!”

The ministers dared not offend the currently irritable Emperor Qizhen and could only bow low and all withdraw.

Jingrong was the last person to exit the main hall.

Just as he reached the entrance outside the hall, he was stopped by Jinghua.

With a tone dripping with sarcasm, Jinghua patted Jingrong’s shoulder and said proudly, “How about that? This Crown Prince showed enough loyalty just now, didn’t I? Knowing you and Kong Yu are mutually in love, I did my utmost to help you.”

Mm, yes, I should thank you!

Get lost! Will you?

Jingrong couldn’t be bothered to exchange words with him and responded with silence.

“You don’t need to be too distressed. Father Emperor hasn’t issued an edict yet. Everything is still variable. These next few days, I’ll help you make a few more trips, plead with Father Emperor more. Father Emperor won’t recklessly break up a loving couple.”

“Crown Prince…”

“Alright, alright, no need to thank me. Kong Yu is my cousin. I know she has feelings for you.”

An expression of “I know everything”!

He continued, “Although previously regarding the border matter, you sided with Jing Yi, this Crown Prince is magnanimous and won’t hold it against you.”

This Crown Prince has a prime minister’s capacity for tolerance!

Jingrong was now completely exasperated. He simply bowed slightly. “Many thanks, Crown Prince. I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.”

“What matters?”

Jingrong thought: None of your damn business!

However, he swallowed these four words back down.

He only said, “Matters at the residence. I’m rushing back to handle them.”

“Oh!” Jinghua responded, then curiously pulled at Jingrong and asked, “By the way, that Teacher Ji you brought back—I saw her once at Imperial Consort Xiao’s birthday banquet. I didn’t expect this person to be so capable, even solving the disappearance case. When you have time, could you introduce her to this Crown Prince?”

“The teacher is aloof. It would be better if the Crown Prince doesn’t meet her.”

“What? Such a clever person—are you, Jingrong, planning to keep her hidden for your own use?”

Jinghua complained.

Jingrong shook his head, sighed, gave a vague response or two, and left.

Behind him, Jinghua stood completely bewildered!