Xiao Yun did not return to the Ding'an Prince's mansion, but went to Dali Temple halfway to find Fang Zheng.
The envoy from Dongling Kingdom arrived suspiciously.
The Emperor, for Xiao Yun's safety, did not allow him to enter the palace. He had to ask Fang Zheng to gather some information.
As a result, he learned at Dali Temple that Fang Zheng had also been summoned to the palace by the Emperor. Not only Fang Zheng, but Zeng Huai, Wang Zijin, and Tian Yu, several members of the cabinet, had all been summoned to the palace.
It seemed the Emperor intended to formally unveil the cabinet.
Originally, it was not intended to be called "cabinet." It was one time when Xiao Yun heard Wang Qingyao mention it casually to the Emperor, and the Emperor found it very fitting, so he gave it that name.
The cabinet of Da Sheng was actually different from the cabinet Wang Qingyao knew.
The members of the Da Sheng cabinet all held real power, not just as attendants and advisors. Moreover, except for Wang Zijin and Zeng Huai, the others were not from the Hanlin Academy.
The others did not know that the Emperor had secretly built his own team, thinking that the Emperor favored these individuals and often summoned them to the palace for audiences.
Speaking of which, this was the first time they were all together.
He wondered why Dongling Kingdom had come to Da Sheng?
He rode his horse around the palace gate a few times. In fact, even if he rushed in like this, the Emperor might not punish him.
However, remembering Shun Feng, who always wanted to kill him, Xiao Yun felt it was better not to defy the imperial decree.
Returning to the Ding'an Prince's mansion, Wang Qingyao told him about He Rufang's matter.
Very good, everything was proceeding as planned.
Wang Qingyao had never heard of Dongling Kingdom, so Xiao Yun educated her.
"Are they going to war?" Wang Qingyao exclaimed.
War was too distant for Wang Qingyao. She came from a time of great peace and only wished to continue living in it.
Xiao Yun rubbed her head, "Don't overthink it, it won't happen. Where would there be a war? And they would send an envoy first?"
That made sense.
Looking at Dongling Kingdom's posture, were they coming for a marriage alliance?
He wondered if they were sending a princess or asking a princess of Da Sheng to marry into their kingdom.
Either way, it had nothing to do with the Ding'an Prince's mansion.
It was just that Mu Jin County Princess and the Seventh Prince were not yet married. There was no need to summon her when Dongling Kingdom's envoy visited.
Did the Emperor want Mu Jin County Princess to go for a marriage alliance?
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun exchanged glances.
Xiao Yun: "The Emperor wouldn't be so foolish."
They then talked about Wei Yu.
"The most infuriating one must be Wei Yu," Wang Qingyao said. "The plan was forced to be interrupted. I don't know if she'll ever find such a suitable opportunity to strike again."
Xiao Yun's eyes turned cold: "The Wei family has provoked us repeatedly and will certainly not give up. This time, I must nail Wei Yu."
Wang Qingyao nodded in agreement and said fiercely, "If a tiger doesn't show its might, do they think we're Hello Kitty!"
"What's 'kitty'?"
Wang Qingyao laughed and waved her hand: "It's not important."
The two chatted and laughed for a while, then went to play with Ping'an and An'an.
In the evening, news came from the palace.
It turned out that the envoy from Dongling Kingdom this time was none other than the second and third sons of Prince Xin, who was known as the God of War.
They were here to acknowledge kinship.
According to them, Mu Jin County Princess of Da Sheng was their younger sister, the only daughter of Prince Xin.
This involved a past event from more than a decade ago. In short, Prince Xin's daughter was abducted by villains, wandered around, and ended up in Da Sheng, where she was adopted by the Mu family.
Moreover, the birthmark and token on Mu Jin County Princess's body, after verification, had confirmed that she was indeed the daughter Prince Xin had lost back then.
Madam Mu also confirmed that Mu Jin County Princess was not Mu family's biological daughter, but one she had found.
In the grand hall, Mu Jin County Princess had already acknowledged her kinship with the two sons of Prince Xin. After discussion, she would soon depart with the two sons of the Yun family to visit Prince Xin and Princess Xin in Dongling Kingdom.
However, she was grateful for Madam Mu's nurturing grace. After visiting Prince Xin and Princess Xin, she would still return to Da Sheng to accompany Madam Mu.
Now, the news that Mu Jin County Princess was the legitimate daughter of Prince Xin of Dongling Kingdom had spread throughout Duanjing.
Speaking of which, Mu Jin County Princess's luck had soared since she broke off her engagement with the then Prince Wu, who was now the Crown Prince.
First, she was favored by Consort Chen and bestowed a marriage to Prince Yue.
Then, she was recognized by Prince Xin.
It was known that Prince Xin held significant military power and was second only to the Emperor in Dongling Kingdom.
Mu Jin County Princess was his only daughter. After Mu Jin County Princess married Prince Yue, it would be as if Dongling Kingdom stood behind Prince Yue.
If Prince Yue decided to contend for the throne, it was truly hard to say who would win.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun were stunned when they heard the news.
This news was too surprising.
However, it was good news.
Wang Qingyao smiled: "The Crown Prince is going to have a headache."
"Indeed."
The Crown Prince was indeed having a headache, more so than Wang Qingyao had imagined, and he was full of regret.
If he had not broken off his engagement with Mu Jin County Princess back then, Dongling Kingdom would now be his most powerful support. Prince Xin alone, with his iron cavalry, would be enough to deter other princes from coveting the throne.
As for Wei Yu...
The Wei family was his maternal grandfather's family, his mother's family. This was something no one could change.
Even if he did not marry Wei Yu, even if Wei Yu could not be the Crown Princess, as long as Prince Rong and Prince Qi were both deposed, who else could the Wei family support besides him?
The Crown Prince was filled with regret.