Free Web NovelChapter 461: Why Worry About the Nation’s Future?
"You were the one who directed Ye Qianning to the Drunken Immortal?" ’So she didn’t go on her own?’
"Yes, Your Majesty. Please forgive me." Mr. Li was terrified.
The Beili Emperor lowered his gaze. ’Was it truly just a coincidence?’
"Father, this matter is worthy of a reward! You have no idea how brave Ye Qianning was. She has the exact same temperament as Xiang Minghou. For Beili to have children like her is a great fortune for our nation’s future," Sang Yan praised effusively.
"What did she do?" The Beili Emperor had never seen his son praise a child so highly.
"It was Ye Qianning who sent someone to find me. By the time I arrived, the atmosphere inside the Drunken Immortal was already tense enough that swords were about to be drawn. That child was arguing with the Princess of East Shu on the spot because East Shu hadn’t invited Beili to their banquet..." Sang Yan then recounted to him the scene he had walked into at the Drunken Immortal and the cause of the conflict, which he had learned about later.
His praise grew more effusive the more he spoke, especially when he repeated her line: ’As the daughter of a general, of course I have a duty to protect Beili.’ His praise was even more effusive then.
The Beili Emperor also grew stirred as he listened, finding it hard to believe that child would go to such lengths for Beili. Even with no other countrymen present, she had dared to argue publicly with the envoys when they slighted Beili, righteously indignant and protective of her nation.
’Truly, such devotion is worth far more than that of the court officials who are always paying lip service to their loyalty.’
’She’s also worth far more than the heirs of the great families in the Capital City. The Capital is full of children from noble and distinguished clans, but he was certain that had any of them encountered the incident at the Drunken Immortal, not a single one would have dared to step forward.’
’A single fierce look from someone would probably send them screaming for their parents.’
Mr. Li was also stunned. Miss Xiang was notoriously headstrong in the Imperial Palace, but he had always assumed it was only because she had her father, the General, to back her up.
He never expected the child could be so headstrong all on her own, without relying on anyone. And to think she even took on the envoys of three nations...
’What incredible nerve.’
’It’s a good thing the little girl didn’t cause any real trouble. Otherwise, this head of his might have rolled.’
"Your Majesty, although Ye Qianning is just a child, she understands what it means to defend the nation, to protect her own country. A child like this deserves to be handsomely rewarded." Sang Yan’s voice was impassioned. "If our nation’s children were all like her, what would we have to fear for the future?"
The Beili Emperor nodded. "A reward, yes. She must be handsomely rewarded."
’Comparing the three nations to people... that was certainly a child’s way of thinking. Though the girl was being willfully difficult, her mind worked with incredible speed, allowing her to instantly seize upon her opponent’s weak points.’
"However, I still can’t figure out what Princess East Shu is truly after." ’Emperor East Shu wouldn’t entrust a matter of great importance to a princess.’
"She is cunning and deceitful. The political marriage of Princess Consort Zhen was her doing. It took me years to realize I had fallen into her trap." The Beili Emperor’s loathing for Chu Yue was plain to see.
Chu Yue was the one who was supposed to be sent for the political marriage from East Shu back then. But at the last minute, she pushed Princess Consort Zhen forward instead.
The mention of East Shu reminded him of the shame of being tricked all those years ago. He had been made to marry a woman who was colorblind and considered an ill omen.
By marrying an ill omen into the Imperial Family, wasn’t East Shu’s intention to bring misfortune to Beili?
The upheaval with the Qian family back then was also secretly plotted by East Shu. The officials recorded in the ledgers were also found to have been corresponding with Chu Yue.
This time, Chu Yue may seem to be just accompanying the East Shu delegation, but in reality, she holds the true power. East Shu’s Fifth Prince is merely a figurehead.
"But what could they possibly be plotting with Nanyuan and Xi Yan?" Sang Yan thought back over all of East Shu’s actions since entering the Imperial City, but he couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary.
"Regardless of the reason, you must keep a close watch on them. We absolutely cannot allow East Shu to make secret contact with Xi Yan and Nanyuan. East Shu has submitted a formal request to take their leave. I will grant them permission to depart the capital in seven days. Tomorrow, during the morning court session, I will give you East Shu’s travel permits, and you will deliver them personally to the East Shu posthouse."
