"My Imperial Brother jokes. His Majesty sent me for a marriage alliance, how could I, due to my longing for His Majesty and my country, disobey His Majesty's decree and return on my own accord."
Seeing that Hui'an had not fallen into his trap, Yu Chengxuan was not angered. He simply nodded and quickly changed the subject, "Imperial Sister, you have been in Lin Yuan for so long, have you found someone you fancy?"
Hui'an gave a bitter smile, "Although I have been here for a long time, I have been living in the Regent's Mansion since Lord Qin's incident. Where would I find someone I fancy?"
Her words implied that if she were able to interact with Lin Yuan's elite, she would indeed choose a good husband and settle down.
"Oh? So that means Imperial Sister sees Ji Jinmo often?" Yu Chengxuan's eyes lit up as he asked.
Hui'an shook her head, "Although I live in the Regent's Mansion, I rarely leave my courtyard, so I don't get to see Ji Jinmo."
"Is that so!" Yu Chengxuan was somewhat disappointed, "If Imperial Sister could form a marriage with Ji Jinmo, it would not be in vain for Imperial Sister's arduous journey for this marriage alliance."
"No, Ji Jinmo's hands are stained with the blood of my Dali people. Even if I were to marry a common laborer, I would not wish to marry the renowned Ji Jinmo." Hui'an suddenly raised her voice, perhaps to make her words more convincing or to ensure her voice carried further.
Yu Chengxuan clapped his hands in admiration, "Imperial Sister truly has great ambition!"
Hui'an pursed her lips, her expression somewhat melancholic. Without revealing her thoughts, she steered the conversation away, "I feel very guilty about Lord Qin's death and know that I have failed my father's expectations. I came today only to tell you about the events that have transpired in Lin Yuan during this period, so that you and the ministers can be prepared!"
Yu Chengxuan nodded slightly, unconcerned with any other hidden intentions Hui'an might have. He called out to Ji Fei outside the door, "Summon the ministers!"
...
Early in the morning, the palace was bustling with activity.
In the plaza before the main hall, the carved dragon stone tablet left by the ancestors had been repaired by skilled craftsmen, showing no trace of its previous breakage.
Today, Ji Hong was hosting a banquet for the Dali delegation, and officials, along with their families, had already gathered at the palace gates early on.
Hui'an, dressed in a brightly colored gown today, was escorted by the Dali envoys and boarded the carriage prepared by the Prince's Mansion. Nan Shiying, attended by Lu Wan, changed into a first-rank consort's ceremonial robe made of flowing, dark-patterned cloud brocade. She wore a golden phoenix hairpin and her face, with minimal makeup, was still captivating.
Her attire today was formal, and her hair felt as heavy as wearing a cauldron. Nan Shiying leaned back slightly, resting her head against the carriage. Ji Jinmo raised his hand and placed it between her neck and the carriage, acting as a neck pillow.
Her hairstyle today made it impossible for her to lean on his shoulder.
Ji Jinmo wore court attire in the same color as Nan Shiying's, with five-clawed golden dragons embroidered with gold thread on his chest and sleeves. The Regent of Lin Yuan held supervisory powers, ranking equivalent to an emperor, thus he could wear dragon-embroidered court robes.
Although it was still early, Nan Shiying was not drowsy. Despite her spiritual power being somewhat depleted yesterday, after a night of rest, the medicinal properties of the Futih Lian remaining in her body had already replenished her spiritual energy. Feeling the warmth of Ji Jinmo's palm, Nan Shiying tilted her head slightly to look at him.
In his hand, he seemed to be holding a map of a strategic military location.
Seeing Nan Shiying looking over, Ji Jinmo handed her the map, "I plan to build a military base around Yuzhou Prefecture."
Was he planning to directly lead troops to suppress them?
Nan Shiying flipped through the map and discussed with Ji Jinmo about areas needing improvement and those that did not require construction. Time passed quickly as the carriage gradually slowed and finally came to a halt.
The crowd outside the palace gates had already seen the Regent's Mansion's carriage. After the carriage stopped at the palace gates for a few moments, the gates were opened from within. Everyone could only watch as the carriage entered the imperial city.
"Sister Yuan'er, do you regret it?"
Among the officials' families, there were those who were not on good terms with Nan Yuan'er. Seeing the way Nan Yuan'er looked at the Prince's Mansion's carriage, a woman covered her mouth and giggled, "If you hadn't been 'knocked unconscious' by the Princess Consort earlier, you would be sitting in that carriage now, looking up to us."
That girl deliberately emphasized the words 'knocked unconscious'. By now, everyone knew that Nan Shiying had been stuffed into the sedan chair and sent to the Prince's Mansion by Prime Minister Nan and Nan Yuan'er. If not for that, Nan Shiying would not have achieved such wealth and status. In their opinion, Nan Yuan'er was truly a benevolent Bodhisattva who helped others.
Nan Yuan'er, her face like a peach blossom, turned and smiled, "Sister, what are you saying? Could it be that Sister is envious and wants to attach herself, offering herself?"
"You..."
The girl's face turned pale with anger. She had never expected Nan Yuan'er to say such insulting words in public. Both angry and annoyed, she wished she could pounce on Nan Yuan'er and scratch her face.
"Alright, alright, I was just joking. Why is Sister getting so angry? If Sister is so narrow-minded, I dare not joke with Sister again." Nan Yuan'er said with a smile.
"Look at me..."
"Enough!"
The person next to the girl pulled her hand. Today was a state banquet for the Dali envoys. In front of the neighboring country, losing composure would mean further disgracing Lin Yuan. This matter, while not major, was not trivial either. If it were to reach the Emperor, with Nan Yuan'er's glib tongue, it would be a loss of both face and substance if only her friend were punished for their shared mistake. Even her family might be implicated. Moreover, how good was this person's reputation before? 'The Capital's Number One Talented Woman,' 'The Gentle and Noble First Lady,' 'The Heavenly Maiden with Noble Destiny,' whatever high praise they heaped upon her. But look at her reputation over the past half-year.
A perfect white lotus in a prosperous age, a top-tier green tea, a face like a Bodhisattva with a heart like a venomous snake.
In any case, everyone had secretly given her a new nickname: 'Two-Faced Doll.' Given her temperament, why provoke her unnecessarily? Although the Emperor had no intention of marrying her yet, with the increasingly tense relationship between the Emperor and the Regent, perhaps the Emperor would marry her to consolidate his imperial power and throne.
It was simply inviting trouble for herself.
The girl snorted indignantly and did not say anything further.
Nan Yuan'er did not utter any more harsh words. She considered them mere fools who only knew how to fight for favor and jealousy. She felt her intellect would be lowered by speaking another word to them.
The Dali Princess and the delegation did not accompany them to the imperial palace. After leaving the Prince's Mansion, the procession headed directly to the post station. After meeting up with Yu Chengxuan and the others, Hui'an and the group alighted from the carriage, boarded a Dali carriage, and then proceeded together to the imperial city.