Chapter 136 But Actually

But in reality, among the officials and aristocratic families of Chun Nan, how many truly understood the importance of mutual benefit and complementarity between Chun Nan and Dongping? Luo Qin, and later Song Yu who came to Danyang, probably represented that dismissive class in Chun Nan. In fact, many discussions centered on the idea that the greatest significance of this marriage was to marry off Princess Bailian, the most annoying and atmosphere-ruining person in Yuhang's social circle. This ill-tempered and spoiled princess was truly unlikeable. Even her celestial beauty couldn't offset the unpleasant arrogance and prejudice she constantly displayed.

Perhaps the Chun Nan ruler was more concerned with finding a relatively good home for his spoiled daughter. Dongping's ruler, Tan Xiaopei, had governed for over a decade, and Dongping's strength was steadily increasing. He was known for his tolerance and generosity in dealing with people, and his character was exemplary. To the point that the Dongping royal family was the only one among the nations that had neither a tradition of fratricide nor a current state of power struggles within the family. Perhaps Chun Nan's ruler, Chang Xinquan, hoped that his daughter could learn something in such an environment.

However, from the perspective of the marriage between the two countries, bringing such a princess was not a good thing. Originally, Chang Hongquan had suggested the nineteen-year-old Princess Jiaping, Chang Shu. Chang Shu's personality was the polar opposite of her sister's. She was gentle and docile, and she loved needlework and cuisine. Although she completely lacked the airs of a princess, appearing more like a domestic little woman, she was deeply loved by the Chun Nan ruler. However, Chang Hongquan's proposal was rejected on the grounds of a large age gap, a reason that was never valid in royal marriages.

Chang Hongquan was also very curious about Ye Tao, this newly emerged anomaly. However, Ye Tao was currently a proofreader in the Princess's residence, while also being the chief designer and construction supervisor of the "Iron Citadel" military camp being built in the west of the city. His Yizhan Building, Tiansuo Clock Shop, and other businesses were thriving. It was said that the Ye Clan Workshop's armaments workshop had already been designated as the sole supplier of defensive armaments for the Danyang garrison and the troops stationed at the Iron Citadel in the future. Furthermore, the original armaments workshop directly under the Dongping royal family might be acquired by the Ye Clan… Combining this series of news, Ye Tao had undoubtedly become a trusted craftsman and merchant in Dongping, with various connections to the Dongping royal family, and a very busy man. As the head of the delegation, there was really no reason to arrange a meeting with him.

"Your Highness, the Dongping ruler is in disguise at Fenshui Hall, inviting you for tea..." After sending away Luo Qin and Song Yu, a servant hurriedly came to report. That afternoon, most of the Chun Nan delegation was extremely busy, but Chang Hongquan, as the head of the delegation, had little to do. Although this meeting in an informal setting might not have been what Chang Hongquan had envisioned, it was a good opportunity. They could exchange ideas privately, then go through the necessary procedures more smoothly on the surface without any misunderstandings. In this regard, this informal meeting was more effective than a direct audience in the palace hall or an exchange and negotiation in front of the ministers and officials of the two countries.

Changing out of his formal robes befitting a prince, he quickly put on plain clothes, brought a few guards, and summoned his young daughter, Princess Yaning, Chang Huaiyin, who was bored in her room. Accompanied by the servant who had already inquired about the route, they arrived at Fenshui Hall.

On the second floor of Fenshui Hall, there were several private rooms by the window, while the central area remained filled with seats of various sizes, suitable for scholars and refined men to sit and rest, discussing books and affairs. However, now, the connected private rooms were occupied by people who seemed slightly out of place in the environment of Fenshui Hall. The lowered curtains couldn't completely conceal the vigilance of the guards hidden within. In the innermost private room, a middle-aged man wearing a celadon robe was Tan Xiaopei.

Tan Xiaopei's attire was so simple and unadorned that he didn't resemble the ruler of a powerful nation. The celadon robe was meticulously sewn from double-layered fine cotton cloth. Although it was immediately apparent that this fine cotton cloth was vastly different from the materials that ordinary people bought to make clothes and the materials for the uniforms of soldiers in the army, his simple and approachable style was already evident. The only slightly luxurious item on Tan Xiaopei's body was a dragon-patterned jade pendant hanging from a bright yellow silk sash around his waist.

Whether intentionally bringing a child to add a touch of familial warmth, or just a coincidence, Tan Xiaopei had also brought Tan Weishi with him. In this slightly serious environment, Tan Weishi, dressed in a moon-white dress, was not very comfortable, squirming in her chair. But when she saw someone arrive, she immediately sat up straight, her lively eyes fixed on Chang Huaiyin, who was as beautiful and adorable as herself, and of a similar age.

"Greetings, Ruler," since the ancient enfeoffment system was still in use, Prince Juxian, Chang Hongquan, and Tan Xiaopei could nominally be considered equals. The bow and cupped fist salute made the two men meeting in disguise appear even more like ordinary people. The entire floor was under control, and as long as they didn't speak loudly, there was no need to worry about what could or couldn't be said.

"Your Highness has led the delegation all the way from Chun Nan, bringing me a beautiful bride, truly a great effort." After Tan Xiaopei and Chang Hongquan exchanged pleasantries for a while, Chang Hongquan understood that saying the spoiled Princess Bailian was a beautiful bride was not sarcasm. Perhaps there was some politeness, some affirmation of the qualities that the princesses nurtured by Chun Nan's flourishing culture and education would inevitably possess, and also a bit of hope that Princess Bailian could recognize her position, but it was not the sarcasm he would have expected after learning about Princess Bailian's various exaggerations along the way.

Chang Hongquan found an opportunity and said cautiously, "Princess Bailian was born into a noble family, pampered with fine clothes and delicacies since childhood, and blessed with beauty. Everyone has been somewhat indulgent towards her. In reality, the princess's heart is not bad. With time, one can discover that the princess actually has a very interesting personality."

Tan Xiaopei remained noncommittal, instead asking about the various opinions within Chun Nan regarding the marriage between the two countries. In this regard, Chang Hongquan felt that it was better to tell the truth. As they were speaking, a guard suddenly rushed in, interrupting their conversation and reporting, "Your Majesty, something has happened at Jingu Garden… Princess Zhaohua has already gone…"

Tan Xiaopei and Chang Hongquan looked at each other, face to face. Tan Xiaopei then ordered, "Let's go to Jingu Garden."

The matter was not complicated. Princess Bailian had grown tired of being repeatedly reminded along the way to "keep a low profile in Dongping" or various other reminders to restrain her personality. And she had always been accustomed to showing that she was different from others. Arriving exhausted at the scenic Jingu Garden, she naturally wanted to wash up and have a good meal. However, the maids and attendants who had followed her were busy settling her enormous luggage, and had not yet had time to fully take over the kitchen and fire room from the few Dongping nationals stationed in Jingu Garden. Bathwater that was not warm enough, a linen bath towel with fibers that seemed rather coarse, and then pastries with flavors that were not to her liking and of very ordinary quality, all intertwined to fuel her already unpleasant mood, and she immediately flared up.

A show of force! She had been wondering when to start establishing her authority, but she didn't expect such an opportunity to arise so quickly. She actually ordered the servants who had prepared the food and drawn the bathwater to be dragged out and each given ten military baton strikes…

Although these servants were humble, they were well aware of the Dongping rule that military law did not apply to civilians. Their statement of this rule, which amounted to resisting the order, gave the soldiers from Chun Nan who had no intention of causing trouble a way out, but it also caused Princess Bailian's temper to explode completely.