Princess Guli walked up to Chu Yi.

She tilted her head, her voice soft and sweet: “I heard people say you haven’t married a princess consort yet. Is that true?”

Chu Yi nodded: “That is indeed the case.”

Princess Guli broke into a smile: “In our Hongnan Kingdom, eighteen-year-old men are already married. Why are you still alone at twenty-five or twenty-six?”

“Just waiting for the right person.” Chu Yi’s voice was indifferent. “Does the Princess have other matters?”

The young woman took out a cloth bundle from her waist, opened it and retrieved a powder-pink, sparkling candy: “This is crystal candy unique to our Hongnan Kingdom. Would Your Highness like to try it and see if you like it?”

Prince Gongxi, standing not far away, saw Chu Yi accept the candy.

A mocking smile floated across his lips.

This third brother of his had rejected the Tan family and the Fang family for the sake of his beloved, yet now when a princess came offering herself, he accepted.

So it turned out it wasn’t because he loved his beloved too much, but rather that the Tan and Fang families’ capabilities hadn’t been enough to move his heart.

Prince Gongxi gave a cold snort and raised his voice: “Third Brother, Father Emperor wants us to go to the Imperial Study.”

With that, he turned and left.

As soon as he left, Chu Yi’s face became covered with a layer of frost. Holding the crystal candy in his hand, his voice was bone-chillingly cold: “My apologies, Princess. I don’t eat sweets. Please find someone else.”

With a clink, the hard candy dropped to the ground.

Chu Yi turned around and strode toward the Imperial Study.

Princess Guli’s eyes immediately reddened as she crouched down and picked up the candy.

The Emperor had summoned several sons to the Imperial Study. At the same time, some female family members from the rear palace were also present, mainly to discuss matters regarding receiving foreign envoys.

The Empress and Empress Dowager would receive the female guests, while several princes would lead the others on a tour around the capital.

After finishing with official business, the Empress Dowager finally spoke: “This dowager observed from afar that Yi’er and Princess Guli were conversing quite happily. Why not arrange a good match?”

The Empress looked utterly astonished. The Empress Dowager and Chu Yi had previously had a falling out, their relationship incompatible as fire and water. Why would she now voluntarily offer to seek a marriage with a foreign princess for the Third Prince?

The Empress Dowager casually sipped her tea.

She truly couldn’t tolerate the Third Prince, which was exactly why she was seeking marriage with Princess Guyue for him.

The Third Prince originally had no backing, but after marrying the Princess, the entire Hongnan Kingdom would become his power base.

Would the Empress and Crown Prince panic?

Would the Second Prince, Chu Mo, become vigilant?

Making the Third Prince become a thorn in everyone’s side—wasn’t that much better than acting herself?

“What the Empress Dowager says is absolutely right.” Noble Consort Yin couldn’t help but speak up. “Among all the princes, only Yi’er would be suitable to marry the Princess. Yi’er…”

She looked at Chu Yi, earnestly persuading: “Marrying Princess Guli would be forming friendly relations between two nations. You absolutely must not act on impulse.”

This son of hers had rejected all the noble ladies of the capital for the sake of that peasant girl. She could only elevate the marriage to a matter of national importance to force her son to comply.

“Father Emperor, this son believes that marriage alliances are not only about establishing good relations between two nations, but also about creating a good union.” Prince Gongxi cupped his hands. “Third Brother currently has someone he loves. For her sake, he would rather give up everything. If we force Third Brother to marry the Princess, he will certainly neglect and disappoint her. In that case, the many years of friendship between Hongnan Kingdom and our Great Jin would be destroyed in an instant.”

“That is indeed the case.” The Empress nodded, saying gently: “Mutual affection makes a beautiful thing.”

Noble Consort Yin clutched her handkerchief tightly.

The Crown Prince’s primary consort and secondary consorts were all noble ladies, and Prince Gongxi’s primary consort was also a legitimate daughter from a First Rank Grand Scholar’s household, yet her Yi’er had nothing.

Finally there was a suitable marriage right in front of them, yet the Empress and Prince Gongxi spoke out to obstruct it. This was truly going too far.

The Empress Dowager took in everyone’s expressions, secretly smiling to herself.

With just one sentence, she had made these three parties fight amongst themselves. Sitting on the mountain watching tigers fight, reaping the fisherman’s profit.

The Emperor spoke slowly: “Yi’er, what are your thoughts?”

“This son’s princess consort position is reserved for the one in my heart, but—” Chu Yi raised his head. “If marrying the Hongnan Kingdom’s princess can establish a hundred years of friendship between our two nations, this son is willing to set aside personal feelings and will certainly not disappoint the friendship between our two nations.”

Prince Gongxi’s face darkened.

Third Brother truly had great ambitions!

Noble Consort Yin could hardly believe it. Fearing any further changes, she immediately said: “Your Majesty, Yi’er is willing to marry Princess Guli. Please grant this marriage, Your Majesty!”

“Yi’er is willing, but on Princess Guli’s side, this palace must personally ask.” The Empress’s face was full of smiles. “If Princess Guli also agrees, this matter will be settled.”

The Emperor nodded: “As long as both parties agree, I will immediately grant the marriage.”

He also hoped the Third Prince would quickly find a princess consort and settle down, rather than having people constantly worried about his lifelong matters.

Noble Consort Yin let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Earlier at the banquet, she had seen very clearly that Princess Guli kept secretly observing Yi’er. She must have taken a liking to him.

In her view, this marriage was already set in stone.

Coming out from the Imperial Study, Prince Gongxi looked at Chu Yi: “Congratulations, Third Brother. Soon you’ll have a beauty in your arms.”

The corners of Chu Yi’s lips curved upward: “Tomorrow the Court of State Ceremonial is organizing a cuju tournament for the envoys. I ask Second Imperial Brother to help out extensively, to uphold the reputation of our warriors.”

Having said this, he cupped his hands and departed, his retreating figure looking spirited and confident.

Prince Gongxi’s expression was gloomy as water.

Women of Hongnan Kingdom liked martial warriors. Third Brother completely fit the image of Princess Guli’s ideal man. This marriage likely wouldn’t have any complications.

He pondered this as he left the palace.

Upon reaching Prince Gongxi’s mansion, he summoned his strategist and spoke coldly: “…Just like that, do as this prince says.”

In this world, there was no woman who could refuse a hero’s rescue.

Princess Guli was also just an ordinary woman. While she normally had guards when going out, having come to Great Jin, there would naturally be times when protection was inadequate.

If he descended from the heavens at the princess’s moment of peril, he would naturally be able to make the princess change her mind.

Furthermore, Chu Yi’s woman must also be exposed before the princess, letting the princess know exactly how much Chu Yi cared for that beloved of his.

With a two-pronged approach, he refused to believe this marriage could still succeed.

Prince Gongxi smiled, saying to his personal hidden guard: “You must act carefully. Immediately go follow Chu Yi. Since he agreed to marry the princess, tonight he will certainly go find his beloved to explain things clearly. I really want to know exactly where he’s hidden his beloved.”

“Yes!”

A dark shadow disappeared into the darkness.

Chu Yi spoke with Noble Consort Yin for a while before leaving the palace. Just as he walked outside the palace gates, he sensed an extra tail behind him.

Chengxu’s hand moved to his sword: “Your Highness, let this subordinate go meet him.”

“It’s Chu Mo’s person.” Chu Yi spoke. “Second Imperial Brother truly lived up to my expectations, making his move this quickly.”

He smiled lightly: “Let’s go, back to the prince’s mansion.”

Chengxu was startled: “Back to the prince’s mansion for what?”

Chu Yi mounted his horse, the blood-sweating steed galloping along the main road. Halfway there, he bought some pastries, finally stopping at the entrance to Prince Pingxi’s mansion.

The mansion still had many servants, as well as mansion soldiers who had once been sent away but were now sent back by the Emperor. At first glance, it still retained some of its former liveliness.

“Greetings to Your Highness!”

The guards and soldiers at the entrance saw the prince return. First they froze, then quickly knelt to pay their respects.