Murong Jinyun said frankly, provoking gasps from everyone present. Many voices blamed Murong Jinyun, a princess, for being so shameless as to propose choosing her own husband in public.
Emperor Xuanwen was also slightly taken aback. He had not expected Murong Jinyun to speak so directly. Backed into a corner by her words, Emperor Xuanwen could only echo, "The letter indeed stated clearly that the matter of choosing a husband would be left entirely to the princess's discretion."
Was the Emperor of Xiliang sending such a princess for a marriage alliance to seek peace, or was he deliberately sending a big trouble?
"Princess..." Baili Xi whispered a reminder. Even if the princess was allowed to choose her own husband, it shouldn't be brought up in such a setting.
Chu Yanxi, unable to contain himself, said, "I wonder if the princess has anyone in mind. Just tell Father Emperor, and he will make the decision for you."
"No need for the Third Prince's concern. This princess has no interest in you."
Murong Jinyun's directness left Chu Yanxi instantly embarrassed, his lips twitching twice before he slumped back down. He truly thought he was so noble, not even comparable to a maid in his own princely mansion.
Feng Jin glanced at Gu Beichen's crestfallen expression and couldn't help but stifle a laugh. This Xiliang princess was indeed straightforward, silencing the hypocritical Chu Yanxi in a few words. It was truly satisfying to watch.
"Princess, you've only just arrived in Dongchu. Don't rush the matter of choosing a husband. Enjoy yourself for a few days first. If there is a suitable person, I will bestow the marriage upon you."
Emperor Xuanwen spoke to ease the atmosphere, wanting to steer away from the topic of choosing a husband.
"Your Majesty, as long as it is someone I fancy, Your Majesty will bestow the marriage."
"That goes without saying."
A smile flickered across Murong Jinyun's lips. She stood up and replied, "I already have someone in mind."
"Who is it?"
Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats, waiting for Murong Jinyun to name her choice. Chu Yanxi was more nervous than anyone, desperately hoping the chosen one was Chu Chenyi.
Lin Yuwei also held her breath, her gaze darting back and forth between Chu Chenyi and Murong Jinyun.
"The person I have my eye on is your country's Young General Ling." As Murong Jinyun spoke, her gaze, filled with longing, remained fixed on Ling Mohan.
All eyes turned in unison to the man himself, Ling Mohan.
Feng Jin's eyes flickered to Ling Mohan, trying desperately to suppress the urge to curse him out loud.
Ling Mohan, as the person in question, was clearly stunned. His first instinct was to look at Feng Jin beside him. Upon meeting Feng Jin's murderous gaze, his heart skipped a beat.
"Your Majesty, this subject is already married and has vowed never to take another wife. Princess, please seek another suitable match."
Ling Mohan's refusal was resolute, his face radiating a chilling aura. The words "stay away" were almost etched onto his face.
The Emperor, unable to interfere in his subject's marriage, especially one as distinguished as Ling Mohan, whose family had served Dongchu with utmost loyalty and whose military prowess guarded the borders, allowing the Emperor to live in peace in the capital. Furthermore, Ling Mohan was already married with children. The Emperor could not bring himself to forcibly separate a couple.
"Princess, Young General Ling is already married with children. Dongchu has no shortage of fine men. Perhaps you could find another suitable match," Emperor Xuanwen advised kindly.
Having been rejected so directly, Murong Jinyun clenched her jaw, her eyes filled with resentment. She had pleaded with her father for a long time to allow her to travel to Dongchu. Her entire journey was for him. Now that the man she yearned for daily was before her, how could she be willing to give up?
Even though he was married with children, she would still try her best to win him over. "Young General Ling, three years ago, in the cave on Mount Weiyi, you promised me your lifelong devotion. Does this vow no longer count?"
Murong Jinyun's words were like a bomb exploding among the crowd.
Ling Mohan's face was full of confusion. A lifelong promise? When was this? He had no recollection of it at all.
"I apologize, but I know nothing of what you speak of. Princess, you must have mistaken me for someone else."
Years of cultivation allowed Ling Mohan to maintain a gentle tone despite his anger and jealousy.
"You don't know..." Murong Jinyun murmured, tears welling up in her eyes. After a pause, she said, "Then do you recognize this?"
Murong Jinyun produced half of a broken token from her sleeve. "You personally gave me this half of a token, saying it was a token of our love, and that you would return for me."
Ling Mohan immediately recognized the half-token in Murong Jinyun's hand as one he had lost years ago. But how did it only remain as half?
"How did the token end up in your hands? Where is the other half?"
Emperor Xuanwen, utterly bewildered by the entanglement between the two, asked, "What exactly is going on? Ling Mohan, tell me."
"Your Majesty, this subject can guarantee with his life that he has never made any promises to the Xiliang Princess. This subject has never even met her. However, the token in her hand does indeed belong to the Ling family. It was lost three years ago, and I do not know how it came into the Princess's possession."
These events were too bizarre. Ling Mohan was still in a daze, even beginning to doubt if he had been severely injured and lost his memory, otherwise, why would he have no recollection of it?
With both sides holding firm to their claims, Emperor Xuanwen found himself in a difficult position. At this moment, Chu Yanxi interjected, "Young General Ling, regardless, the Princess is of noble birth. How could you reject her so directly? You should at least..."
"Since the Third Prince is so compassionate, why not have the Third Prince divorce his wife and marry the Xiliang Princess? It would be a beautiful tale."
Ling Mohan retorted unceremoniously, deliberately provoking Chu Yanxi.
"I..." Chu Yanxi was left speechless, not knowing what to say.
"You scoundrel! Ling Mohan, how dare you disrespect the prince! Do you know your crime!"
The Empress, seeing her beloved son insulted and even being incited to marry the Xiliang Princess, could no longer sit still and began to find fault.
"Enough! Be silent! Someone escort the Empress back to her palace to rest."
Knowing the Empress's temperament well, Emperor Xuanwen directly ordered her to be sent back to the palace.
"Your Majesty!" the Empress cried out delicately. In the past, Emperor Xuanwen would always indulge her, but this time he remained unmoved.
Eunuch Fu, having served Emperor Xuanwen for many years, immediately reacted. He approached the Empress and said, "Empress Dowager, you still need to attend to the Empress Dowager's medication. The Empress Dowager's health is of utmost importance, so you should return."
The Empress's expression softened slightly. "Return to the palace."
The Emperor permitting Eunuch Fu to persuade her to leave was enough respect and his last chance. If she left now, everything would be fine. If she continued to linger, it would be difficult to resolve.
The Imperial Noble Consort watched the Empress being escorted away with a smile. Her mood was excellent. She quickly rose and said, "This consort bids the Empress farewell."