"Selected?"
Nan Shiying was somewhat surprised. She had thought the matter of the two countries' marriage alliance would drag on until next year. She hadn't expected Ji Hong to act so swiftly and make a decision so soon.
"Yes, Your Majesty. It has been decided. The palace banquet is set for the eighth of this month, and the Emperor will announce the details of the alliance during the banquet."
Lü Wan said to Nan Shiying while tidying a jewelry box.
Nan Shiying hummed and didn't ask further. She was only wondering if the Marquis of Xunyang had truly pledged allegiance to the Prince.
...
The Imperial Palace.
"Your Majesty, why did you choose Zhang Silang?"
Nan Chaoyin asked, puzzled. This matter had not been discussed with Ji Hong. He hadn't heard any whispers before Ji Hong issued the decree, which made Nan Chaoyin feel a faint sense of unease.
Ji Hong glanced at Nan Chaoyin indifferently and asked with a smile, "What, Prime Minister, are you upset that I didn't consult you?"
Although Ji Hong was smiling, his eyes held no warmth. The Emperor's might emanated from him. How could Nan Chaoyin dare to admit it? He knelt on the ground in fear, "This humble subject dares not."
He continued, "This humble subject merely doesn't understand why it's Zhang Silang. Could it be... that the Marquis of Xunyang has truly defected to Ji Jinmo?" Nan Chaoyin asked tentatively, his head bowed.
Ji Hong looked deeply at Nan Chaoyin, then raised his hand, signaling him to rise and speak.
Facing Nan Chaoyin's inquiry, Ji Hong replied nonchalantly, "Prime Minister, there's no need to overthink it. Zhang Silang was chosen because he is the most suitable!"
Is that truly the case?
Nan Chaoyin was skeptical but dared not ask further. He could only say, "It is this humble subject who is being overly worried."
Seeing that Nan Chaoyin did not take his leave, Ji Hong asked again, "Prime Minister, is there anything else?"
"Your Majesty, my daughter..."
Nan Chaoyin found it difficult to speak. Because of Yuan'er's exceptionally noble empress destiny, the people of Lin Yuan had long regarded Yuan'er as the Emperor's woman. Now that she had reached marriageable age, the Emperor had no intention of marrying her. Others dared not propose marriage to the Nan household. If this continued, Yuan'er would pass the prime age for marriage.
Nan Yuan'er...
Ji Hong pondered for a moment. He lowered his head, looking at Nan Chaoyin, who had always assisted him. A subtle sigh flickered in his eyes. He put down the memorial and earnestly promised Nan Chaoyin, "Your esteemed minister need not worry. I will attend to the matter between Yuan'er and myself. However, for now... as you know, my 'good uncle' harbors ambitious intentions. Appointing an Empress at this time is not a good choice. Let us wait a little longer. The day I make Yuan'er Empress will not be far off."
Nan Chaoyin's expression shifted slightly, but he didn't know why the Emperor was so certain. Having received the answer he wanted, Nan Chaoyin knew when to advance and retreat and said no more, instead expressing his gratitude and taking his leave.
After Nan Chaoyin left, a cold laugh suddenly echoed in the empty imperial study, "How about it, did you figure anything out?"
Hearing this sudden voice, Ji Hong did not panic. Recalling Nan Chaoyin's intention in coming to the palace, he merely said, "He merely has his own little thoughts."
The cold laugh sounded again, "Are they little thoughts or wolfish ambitions? This old fellow's hidden depths are indeed worth scrutinizing."
However, seeing that Ji Hong was unwilling to believe, the voice shifted its tone and sighed, "But if you don't believe me, I won't force you. Let's wait and see!"
"Mm!"
Ji Hong responded with a faint hum. But compared to Nan Chaoyin's affairs, he harbored the same question in his heart: "Why Zhang Silang?"
Clearly, the one who truly chose Zhang Silang was not Ji Hong, but this mysterious person hidden behind Ji Hong.
"Doesn't everyone say that the Marquis of Xunyang has defected to Ji Jinmo?"
"Just a test."
Ji Hong's expression suddenly turned somewhat strange. He moved his lips and couldn't help but retort, "If you don't want to say, then don't. Why speak such nonsense?"
The person simply chuckled and said no more.
...
Marquis of Xunyang's Residence.
Zhang Silang held the imperial decree and read it for a long time. Servants and maids stood outside the door with food, neither daring to enter nor to leave, only hoping that their young master would not be too heartbroken and harm his health.
Zhang Silang had just participated in the imperial examinations this year and was at the top of the list. He was on the verge of embarking on his official career. With the patronage of the Marquis of Xunyang, he was destined for the Hanlin Academy or to be assigned to the Ministry of Rites or the Ministry of Revenue. Now, this single imperial decree had annihilated all of it.
How could he not resent, not hate!
His hand clenched the imperial decree, as if he wanted to crumple it into a ball and throw it away. But in the end, he sighed, his body feeling as if it had lost all support, and slumped down.
A mouthful of blood gushed from his mouth, the spray reaching far.
"Young master!"
Amidst the servants' exclamations, Zhang Silang's vision gradually blurred.
When he awoke, it was already midnight.
Exhausted, Madam Zhang slumped by the bedside, her breathing shallow as she slept. Hearing the movement on the bed, Zhang Silang's mother instantly woke up. Seeing that he had regained consciousness, she was relieved, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"This son is unfilial, causing Mother to worry."
Zhang Silang struggled to sit up. His handsome face was still pale, but his eyes were tinged with self-reproach.
Madam Zhang shook her head. Looking at her son in this state, hatred surged within her like a beast released from its cage, roaring. She looked at Zhang Silang and gently comforted him, "It's alright, Silang. His Majesty has only issued the decree, and there is still plenty of time before the wedding. If any changes occur during this period, it won't be our Zhang family defying the decree."
Sensing the coldness in his mother's voice, Zhang Silang's heart skipped a beat. He quickly grabbed his mother's hand, stopping her from harboring such dangerous thoughts, "Mother, no, the Great Li princess cannot have an accident in our Lin Yuan. If something happens, even if Great Li is wary of Ji Jinmo, they will never let our Lin Yuan off the hook."
"Then the border civilians will bear the brunt of the consequences. I cannot disregard the lives of Lin Yuan's people for my own future and destiny. I cannot, absolutely cannot."
If he were to plunge the world into chaos just for himself, then he, Zhang Silang, would be the greatest sinner in the kingdom of Lin Yuan.
Madam Zhang patted Zhang Silang's hand and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. She said somewhat helplessly, "Your mother is just a woman confined to the inner chambers. How could I have such abilities? I was merely hoping to pray to the gods and Buddhas for the Great Li princess to find someone else herself."
Zhang Silang forced a smile, "I was overthinking it."
"But Mother, the Great Li princess must not die!"
Madam Zhang smiled and nodded.