Chapter 207: Asking for Marriage in the Hall

Asking for Marriage in the Hall

Huo Lian's expression was extremely strange. At this moment, Emperor Shuncheng, who had been watching him, narrowed his eyes slightly, then followed his gaze, and his eyes narrowed.

"Alright, it's rare for me to be so happy today. I understand Senior Minister Nie's intentions, and I will consider it."

Emperor Shuncheng spoke to break the silence. Hearing this, Huo Lian finally snapped back to his senses, bowed to Emperor Shuncheng, and then walked back to his seat.

Senior Minister Nie couldn't say anything more, but he looked at Huo Lian with a gloomy gaze and then sat down.

The small disturbance passed just like that. At this moment, Nie Jinxuan, who was sitting in her seat, glanced at Huo Lian, and a faint light flashed in her eyes.

After the disturbance, the banquet returned to its previous joy. The daughters of several ministers performed songs and dances, and several princes and young masters also took the stage to recite poems, which was very lively.

But just at this joyful moment, Yin Fengzhan, who had been sitting in his seat, raised his eyes to look at Nie Jinxuan, then suddenly turned to look at Emperor Shuncheng, who was sitting in the upper seat, and stood up on his own.

"Your Majesty, your son..."

Yin Fengzhan's voice was low and powerful. It instantly attracted everyone's attention. But just then, before Yin Fengzhan could finish his sentence, he saw Emperor Shuncheng wave his hand at Yin Fengzhan and said on his own,

"Fourth, wait a moment, I have something to say!"

A sentence interrupted Yin Fengzhan. Subsequently, Emperor Shuncheng didn't care about Yin Fengzhan and raised his head, then said loudly,

"My dear ministers, today is a flower-viewing banquet, and I am in a good mood. But actually, there is something that I haven't said before, so taking advantage of this beautiful scenery today, I want to say it in front of all my ministers..."

Emperor Shuncheng spoke. Hearing this, everyone put down their wine cups and listened quietly.

"Back then, Minister Jin was framed and had been suffering from grievances for many years. It wasn't until recently that he was cleared of his grievances. To tell the truth, I feel guilty towards Minister Jin! But the dead are gone, and I can do nothing about it. And what I want to say today is that the reason Minister Jin's case could be cleared of grievances after more than three years was not because I discovered the clues, but because it should be attributed to Nie Jinxuan, the third daughter of the Nie family!"

As he spoke, Emperor Shuncheng's gaze turned and fell on Nie Jinxuan, who was sitting beside Senior Minister Nie. Everyone present followed Emperor Shuncheng's gaze and looked over. In an instant, Nie Jinxuan became the focus of the entire audience!

At this moment, being named by Emperor Shuncheng in public, Nie Jinxuan was stunned for a moment, but then immediately stood up and saluted.

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. Jinxuan just discovered the clues by accident. It is thanks to your keen observation, Your Majesty, that you did not mind that Jinxuan had no official position and was a woman, and sent capable officials to investigate, so that Minister Jin could be cleared of his grievances. So if we are talking about credit, Jinxuan dare not take it!"

The matter of Nie Jinhui was a secret. So Nie Jinxuan naturally wouldn't mention it. And Nie Jinxuan was not someone who liked to take credit, so she naturally wouldn't say much.

But even if it was flattery, it required skill. And clearly, Nie Jinxuan's humble attitude immediately won the favor of Emperor Shuncheng and everyone present.

So, after Nie Jinxuan's words fell, Emperor Shuncheng immediately smiled.

"Hehe~, you girl, you are being humble with me. Don't worry, I know what's going on. I know clearly who has merit and who has faults, and those who have merit should be rewarded, and those who have faults should be punished! Besides, the account book that proved the buying and selling of official positions was handed over by you. Just for this, this merit is deserved!"

As he spoke, Emperor Shuncheng turned his eyes to look at Gao Caiyong beside him. At this moment, Gao Caiyong stepped forward, took out an imperial edict from his bosom, and held it high.

"Nie Jinxuan, receive the edict!"

Once the imperial edict was out, everyone immediately stood up and knelt down. Subsequently, Gao Caiyong glanced at Nie Jinxuan in front of him, spread out the imperial edict in his hand with one hand,

"By the order of the Emperor, the edict says: Nie Jinxuan, the third daughter of the Nie family, is intelligent and polite, upright and unyielding, truly a heroine of the world. She has fought for the truth many times, solved the serial blood cases in the capital, and reopened the old case of Jin Qi, allowing the Jin family to be cleared of their grievances. I am very pleased, and hereby reward her with ten thousand taels of gold, fifty bolts of brocade, confer the title of Princess Anguo, and grant her one hundred households. This is the edict!"

Gao Caiyong's voice was loud and clear. But at this moment, after his words fell, everyone present was shocked, and Nie Jinxuan widened her eyes, unable to say a word!

Gold and brocade were small matters, but why would the Emperor confer the title of Princess Anguo on her?!

What did the Emperor mean? And once she became a Princess, then Yin Fengzhan...

Thinking of this, Nie Jinxuan raised her head and looked at Yin Fengzhan not far away, and at this moment, she saw that Yin Fengzhan was also shocked!

For a time, the large banquet was silent, and no one dared to speak, but everyone looked at Nie Jinxuan in surprise, stunned.

At this moment, seeing that Nie Jinxuan hadn't reacted for a long time, Gao Caiyong pressed his lips together, closed the imperial edict in his hand, and reminded her in a low voice,

"Third Miss, receive the edict!"

Gao Caiyong's expression was somewhat complicated. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan finally snapped back to her senses, moved her lips tremblingly, and raised her head to look at Emperor Shuncheng.

At this moment, Emperor Shuncheng's face still had a smile, but his eyes were faintly revealing a trace of depth. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan was about to speak, but she could only press her cherry lips together and lower her head again.

"Subject Nie Jinxuan receives the edict, long live, long live, long live!"

As she spoke, Nie Jinxuan stretched out her hands, took the imperial edict from Gao Caiyong's hand, and stood up silently.

No one expected that Emperor Shuncheng would make such an arrangement on such an occasion today. Subsequently, after the imperial edict was issued, everyone took their seats again, and Emperor Shuncheng laughed loudly, looked at Nie Jinxuan, who had returned to her seat, and said,

"Nie girl, I value you very much. It's a pity that you are a woman. If you were a man, I would definitely use you well! However, now that I have conferred the title of Princess Anguo on you, I hope that you can use your talents to serve the country in the future. Even if you are a woman, I don't want you to be buried!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, Anguo will definitely do her best not to live up to your expectations!"

Things had come to this, and the imperial edict had already been received, so Nie Jinxuan had no choice but to accept it. Hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng nodded with a smile, but then looked at Nie Jinxuan quietly and changed the subject.

"That's good! However, Anguo, you are not young anymore. You and the Fourth have been together and apart before, causing a lot of trouble. Now that you are a Princess, it's not good to continue like this. After all, men should marry and women should marry, so I will naturally keep your marriage in mind... So, in my opinion..."

Emperor Shuncheng still had a smile on his face, but speaking of this, his gaze turned, and he glanced at the people below, and finally cast his gaze on a corner.

"Minister Mo, is the one sitting next to you your second son who works in the Ministry of Punishments?"

Emperor Shuncheng's voice was calm. But hearing this, Nie Jinxuan was stunned, and at this moment, the General of the Town, Mo Yuancheng, who was pointed out by Emperor Shuncheng, couldn't help but move his eyebrows, but then responded respectfully,

"Returning to Your Majesty, it is indeed my second son, Yujue!"

"Hmm, then I didn't see it wrong. I heard from Minister Zuo earlier that Mo's second son is talented, and now the major cases in the Ministry of Punishments are all handled by him, and he is skilled in martial arts... I wonder if this second son of Minister Mo is married?"

"Uh... not yet..."

Bowing his head, at this moment, sweat was already oozing from the head of the old general, Mo Yuancheng. Hearing that Mo Yujue was not married, Emperor Shuncheng's eyes flashed, and he said without thinking,

"Then do you think Princess Anguo is suitable?"

One sentence after another, Emperor Shuncheng didn't give anyone a chance to interrupt. At this moment, after Emperor Shuncheng's words fell, everyone widened their eyes at the same time!

And Nie Jinxuan was dumbfounded, and even her brain became blank in an instant!

Time seemed to have stopped. Subsequently, after a long while, Nie Jinxuan turned her eyes mechanically to look at Mo Yujue not far away, but then met his ink-black eyes.

Clearly, Mo Yujue was also surprised at this moment. But just then, seeing Nie Jinxuan's lost expression, Mo Yujue gritted his teeth and stood up without thinking, saying loudly,

"Your Majesty, please show mercy and pardon this marriage!"

Mo Yujue was a tough man. At this moment, his clear words were loud and clear. But hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng's face darkened instantly.

"What? Do you think Princess Anguo is not good enough for you?"

Emperor Shuncheng's words turned cold. A trace of anger also appeared on his face. But hearing this, Mo Yujue didn't show any fear and was about to respond, but was pulled by Mo Yuancheng beside him.

Mo Yuancheng knew his son's temperament. With this pull, he interrupted what Mo Yujue was about to say. Subsequently, he heard Mo Yuancheng say in a deep voice,

"Returning to Your Majesty, Princess Anguo is intelligent and extraordinary, how could she not be good enough for my son?! It's just that Princess Anguo is a Princess, and your subject... your subject is afraid that my son is climbing high..."

The Emperor's will could not be disobeyed, so Mo Yuancheng had to say what he could to see if he could change Emperor Shuncheng's mind. But hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng raised his eyebrows and said with a smile that was not a smile,

"Climbing high? If I remember correctly, the eldest daughter of the Nie family married into your Mo family as the eldest daughter-in-law, so why is Princess Anguo climbing high now?"

"Uh... your subject..."

"Alright, Minister Mo, if you really don't agree to this marriage, just say it directly!"

Emperor Shuncheng was straightforward, as if he were very magnanimous, but his words clearly carried a threat. So after these words fell, Mo Yuancheng couldn't help but frown, but before Mo Yuancheng could speak, he heard a woman's voice interrupt him.

"Your Majesty, Anguo does not agree!"

The one who spoke was naturally Nie Jinxuan. Hearing this, everyone present turned to look over again, their expressions showing surprise. But Emperor Shuncheng's expression darkened, and he stared coldly at Nie Jinxuan, who had stood up.

"Anguo, what do you mean by this?"

"Your Majesty, Anguo does not agree!"

"Why?"

"Because Anguo feels that she is not good enough for Brother Mo!"

As she spoke, Nie Jinxuan didn't care how ugly Emperor Shuncheng's face was, turned to look at Mo Yujue, whose expression was complicated, and said in a low voice,

"Your Majesty, Brother Mo is talented and outstanding, and is highly regarded in the Ministry of Punishments. Moreover, Brother Mo is upright and is a rare great man. But Anguo is a woman who has been divorced. I don't need to say what my reputation is, I think Your Majesty knows it in your heart. So, Anguo believes that she is not good enough for Brother Mo, please consider it, Your Majesty!"

Nie Jinxuan knew that this was her last chance. If she didn't speak now, this marriage would be set in stone. But it would have been better if she hadn't spoken. Nie Jinxuan said this, and Emperor Shuncheng, who was already displeased, became even more furious.

"Then who among the talents in the court do you think is good enough for you?"

"Your Majesty, Anguo..."

"Your Majesty, your son is willing to marry her!"

Nie Jinxuan was forced to speak, but just then, she was interrupted by a powerful voice. In an instant, a flash of light appeared in Emperor Shuncheng's eyes, and he looked over.

"Fourth, what did you just say? Say it again?"

The person who spoke was Yin Fengzhan. At this very moment, Emperor Shuncheng's expression could be described as 'the mountain rain is coming and the wind is filling the building'. But facing Emperor Shuncheng's gloomy and angry eyes, Yin Fengzhan took a big step out of the banquet table, lifted his brocade robe with one hand, and knelt on both knees.

"Your son is willing to marry her!"

In the large Imperial Garden, it was silent. Everyone's eyes were on Yin Fengzhan, without blinking. And Emperor Shuncheng was instantly furious, then slapped the table in front of him.

'Clap—'

Suddenly, a loud noise surprised everyone. Then, Emperor Shuncheng stared at Yin Fengzhan and said,

"Before you were making a fuss about separating, and now you are trying every means to marry her in... Fourth, do you really think my marriage grant back then was a joke?! My good intentions, it seems they were all fed to the dogs! Good, very good..."

Saying word by word, Emperor Shuncheng slowly stood up from his seat, looked at Nie Jinxuan, who was standing on the side, with cold eyes, and then cast his gaze back to Yin Fengzhan.

"But Fourth, remember this. I only give things once, and once you lose it, you will never have another chance! And now, I have decided on the marriage between Anguo and Mo's second son, and I will not allow you to change it!"

After speaking, Emperor Shuncheng didn't wait for Yin Fengzhan and Nie Jinxuan to react, and walked away directly!

Emperor Shuncheng left, leaving behind the ministers and officials in the garden. Looking at Emperor Shuncheng's departing back, Nie Jinxuan felt that her eyes went black, and she fainted instantly...

When Nie Jinxuan woke up, it was already late at night.

Opening her eyes, looking at the exquisitely crafted palace lanterns in front of her, and the beautiful yet familiar room, Nie Jinxuan knew that she had been sent to the Yongxin Palace.

At this moment, seeing Nie Jinxuan wake up, a palace maid guarding the side had her eyes light up, and then hurriedly said to her companion who was dozing off,

"The Princess has woken up, notify the Noble Consort quickly!"

"Oh... oh, I'll go right away."

The little palace maid on the side heard the sound, stopped dozing, and ran out. Subsequently, a moment later, Noble Consort Zhang walked in quickly.

Noble Consort Zhang's face was full of worry. As soon as she entered, she came

"Your Ladyship..."

"That is enough, lie down."

Interrupting Nie Jinxuan, Noble Consort Zhang quickly stepped forward and grabbed Nie Jinxuan's hand. Nie Jinxuan struggled to sit up, and at that moment, Noble Consort Zhang ordered someone to pour a cup of water and handed it to Nie Jinxuan.

"Alright, stop talking for now. Drink some water to soothe your throat."

"Thank you, Your Ladyship..."

She said this softly, then Nie Jinxuan took a sip, but immediately placed the cup on the table beside her.

"Your Ladyship, has the flower-viewing banquet ended?"

Nie Jinxuan knew she had fainted and was naturally unaware of what happened afterward. Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Zhang could not help but sigh.

"Sigh, as soon as the Emperor left, it ended."

As she spoke, Noble Consort Zhang dismissed the palace maids nearby. Once they were gone, she sat sideways on the edge of the bed and asked in a low voice.

"Jinxuan, tell me, what exactly is going on here?"

"Your Ladyship, actually... actually, I do not know either..."

Compared to Noble Consort Zhang's confusion, Nie Jinxuan was even more bewildered. But she still whispered.

"Your Ladyship, in truth, after I was attacked while delivering the account books to the palace last time, Fengzhan and I reconciled. After all, he was willing to risk his life for me; I naturally understand such deep affection. Whether it was our previous stubbornness or our arguments, matters of the heart always require some smoothing over..."

"That is why, when we went to Jinshui Town, Fengzhan told me that once we returned, he would speak to the Emperor about this. The flower-viewing banquet happened to be a rare opportunity. But neither Fengzhan nor I ever expected that the Emperor would..."

At this point, Nie Jinxuan could not continue. Seeing her conflicted, pale little face, Noble Consort Zhang could not help but feel a pang of heartache as she squeezed her hand, her gaze narrowing slightly.

"Jinxuan, have you not realized it yet? The Emperor calculated today that Zhan'er would bring up your marriage, so he struck first to gain the advantage by betrothing you to the second son of the Mo family!"

Having served Emperor Shuncheng for over twenty years, Noble Consort Zhang naturally understood his mind better than Nie Jinxuan did.

"The Emperor is no ordinary person; sometimes, the more you want to do something, the less he wants you to do it. Your affair with Zhan'er already infuriated the Emperor, so naturally, he will not watch the two of you stay together now! Furthermore, there is something you might not know, Jinxuan..."

"Your Ladyship... are you saying..."

Sensing the hidden meaning in Noble Consort Zhang's words, Nie Jinxuan could not help but frown. Meeting her eyes, Noble Consort Zhang nodded.

"It seems you have guessed it, Jinxuan. Correct, that is exactly how it is... Currently, there are only two major factions in the imperial court: one is the Crown Prince, and the other is Zhan'er. Although the Crown Prince lacks the ability of Zhan'er and is criticized in court, he has Empress Duan and the Duke of Auxiliary State's mansion backing him, as well as the Zhen family of the Crown Princess as his support, so his influence is naturally extraordinary."

"But as for Zhan'er, you know my situation, Jinxuan. Although I am glorious in the palace, I have no family to rely on, so I cannot provide Zhan'er with any help. Fortunately, Zhan'er is steady and outstanding, winning the unanimous support of the court, which is why he can stand on equal footing with the Crown Prince. When you married into the Chen Wangfu, it actually meant that Zhan'er had the Nie family as his backing. For Zhan'er, this was like adding wings to a tiger!"

"After all, your Nie family not only has the highly respected Senior Minister Nie, but because your eldest sister married into the Mo family, you are considered one family. So when Zhan'er married you, he directly found a formidable backing. The Nie family has scholars, and the Mo family has warriors; in this way, even if the Duan family and Empress Duan have great influence, they must weigh the consequences. The Emperor's arrangement back then was also to find a balance; after all, the Emperor is the one sitting at the very top, and balancing politics is the essence of the imperial art. The Emperor naturally would not say anything! But the current situation has changed..."

At this point, Noble Consort Zhang pursed her lips, looked up at Nie Jinxuan, and continued.

"And what has changed is you, Jinxuan! Jinxuan, now that no one is around, I will tell you the truth. Back then, everyone in Dongling knew what you were like, and you caused countless troubles, so the Emperor naturally did not care. But now, it is as if you have awakened from a dream; Nie Jinxuan, you are extremely intelligent and your abilities are no less than a man's, so do you really think the Emperor would not mind? And Zhan'er is also exceptionally capable; if you are placed by his side, what will happen in the future?"

"Furthermore, I have heard that you have been very close to the people of the Duke of Qi's mansion recently. But do you know who the Duke of Qi is? In the current court, the Duke of Auxiliary State's mansion, the Town-Protecting General's mansion, and the Duke of Qi's mansion hold the most military power. You come from the Nie family, and you have ties to the Duke of Qi's mansion, plus your own abilities—so think about it, if you and Zhan'er reconcile, can the Crown Prince's side still suppress you?"

"So Jinxuan, to put it simply, in the Emperor's heart, he does not want the Crown Prince and the Duan family to be too powerful, but at the same time, he does not want Zhan'er to surpass them! Moreover, last time Zhan'er beat the Crown Prince in the palace; on the surface, the Emperor did not do anything to Zhan'er, but think about it, Jinxuan, has the Emperor really forgotten this? No, he has not. Although the Emperor said nothing on the surface and even scolded the Crown Prince, in reality, Zhan'er's actions have alerted the Emperor—that Zhan'er's edge is too sharp. If he dares to hit people in the palace, will he not do something even more excessive in the future if his heart is not satisfied?!"

Noble Consort Zhang spoke somewhat tactfully here, but Nie Jinxuan understood clearly: to put it bluntly, Emperor Shuncheng had already realized that a beast lived in Yin Fengzhan's heart, and once his bottom line was touched, he would dare to poke a hole in the very sky!

See you tomorrow!