Chapter 643: Way to Save Expenses

The Great King heard that the other side was professional at cleaning up, so he knew this matter would be hard to investigate; he could only hope that the survivor would prove useful.

Thinking that this would be hard to investigate, he suddenly had a good idea.

"Order the Marquis of Dingbei to fully pursue and recover the weapons, capture the culprit, and give the Wusun an explanation!"

Dong Fu, who had been stationed in Youzhou all along, didn't quite understand this arrangement; there were a few usable people in Chang'an, but certainly not this Marquis of Dingbei. The Great King revealed a mysterious smile: "You can't really count on him; this matter still requires the Grand Marshal and Zhang Tu to put in extra effort. I merely heard the shocking news of a loss of 100,000 taels, and thinking there's still a wallflower drawing a marquis's salary, it's time to remove him to save expenses for the new dynasty."

Dong Fu: ……So, it's just added a stumbling block, right?

Zhang Tu: ……I'm used to it.

After the Great King had been busy for a while and checked the time, the flower-viewing party was almost over; today's persona had collapsed into ruins, and he couldn't be bothered to go back, so he would wait until evening to ask his sister's opinion, and if that didn't work, organize a second one.

After dinner, this guy rushed excitedly to the rear palace, "Sister, Aunt, have you seen Xie Tu? How is he? Isn't he the most handsome eligible young man in Youzhou City~"

The Grand Consort nodded with a satisfied expression, and together with the Great King looked expectantly at Baili Zhao. Being stared at by the two people closest to her, the Elder Princess had to yield. "... I saw him."

Just three short words, the Great King sensed something odd.

No, too calm, too aloof!

The Great King exploded on the spot, "You didn't even take a liking to Xie Tu?! It's over! Aunt, she won't be able to marry!"

The Grand Consort raised her handkerchief to wipe her eyes, but Ningguo hurriedly explained, waving her hands frantically: "No, no, Xie Tu is fine!"

The Great King's favorite all-purpose secretary, upon hearing this evaluation, felt it was extremely perfunctory.

"Young Master Xie, he is a person whose appearance is like the bright moon, and whose demeanor is like frost and snow..."

Upon hearing this, the Great King and the Grand Consort's eyes lit up. This talk finally sounded somewhat interesting~

They weren't happy for long before Ningguo added: "... He's suitable as an object of admiration for myriad women, but not as a husband. Whenever I imagine marrying someone like him, I feel the latter half of my life would be a bit tiresome, because I'd constantly remind myself to be worthy of the Lord of the Clear Wind and Bright Moon, Master Xie—standing like that all the time is too exhausting, and the pressure is great."

The Great King objected, "You are the Elder Princess, a beautiful Elder Princess! What is there not to match?!"

"Compared to Master Xie, that Lu Xiu from the Lu family is actually more suitable. I prefer someone who unconditionally stands by his brother's side."

The Great King felt touched, but he didn't want to marry his sister off to his brainless fans!

The Great King couldn't accept it at once; his white jade cabbage insisted on throwing itself into the pigsty—still okay!

He felt anguished: "Although Lu Xiu's looks are passable... if you take a liking to him, my eldest nephew surely isn't very bright! How can you only think of yourself, not consider more for your eldest nephew? I always feel Lu Xiu's mental circuits have a problem..."

Ningguo was speechless: ……Where is your eldest nephew then!

Only the Grand Consort remained happily pleased: "The Fanyang Lu clan's pedigree is no worse than the Xie clan's; that Lu Xiu kid looks rather promising." She then turned to advise the Great King: "As long as Xiao Wu likes him, let's just focus on observing this person."

The Great King was displeased: "What kind of complimentary word is 'promising'? No good person from the Fanyang Lu clan could be praised as 'promising'! This shows there's really nothing praiseworthy about him!"

Ningguo hesitated: "... That's how you used to praise me when I was little, Aunt. Every time I went to pay respects at the Empress's palace and saw you, you'd come back praising me the same way."

Grand Consort: ……

Great King: ……

The Great King left the room with his head held high and lips pursed, bringing his entourage of fierce attendants back to Suiyu Hall; upon returning, he ordered Ling Yin to summon the person in charge of the intelligence bureau in Youzhou.

Zhu Ti had gone to Mount Heng, so the Great King could only find her subordinates.

When the person arrived, he hurriedly instructed: "You personally lead people to investigate that Lu Xiu of the Lu clan, checking every detail from his childhood up, even whether his parents are easy to get along with!" Whatever bit of dark history is uncovered, he will use it to confront his sister!

After learning the full story, Wei Shen actually did not support the Great King either, firmly standing by the title 'Lady of Wei State' based on that person; he felt Lu Xiu lacked the sour, pedantic air of aristocratic clans. The Great King could do nothing but blame the damned bandits, letting his plan two go down the drain; meanwhile he lamented with a heavy heart, sighing repeatedly, "Xie Tu really disappoints me~!"

Wei Shen nodded along, "If we don't assign six months of homework, this matter can't be finished~"

Great King: ……

Well, you guys, it looks like today's grudge ledger needs a new notebook.

At the banquet, after Xie Shu was summoned by the Grand Consort for a friendly chat, he realized—this was a matchmaking banquet? Combining that with the family's recent attitude, the elder uncle frequently coming down the mountain… Xie Shu could be said to be the second person of this generation besides Xie Tu; being not stupid, he easily guessed that the Elder Princess's consort might have taken a liking to Xie Tu, and had already greeted the Xie family.

On the way back, he asked Xie Tu, but Xie Tu refused to admit it, saying there was nothing of the sort.

Upon returning home, indeed Xie Che was also there, and he became all the more certain that it was true.

Surrounded by his parents and uncle, Xie Tu imitated the Great King by spreading his hands, "I guess the Elder Princess didn't take a liking to me."

The three elders all showed puzzled expressions; Xie Tu had no choice but to explain his inaction and Lu Xiu's 'excellent performance' once over. After the meeting ended, Xie Yuan still had doubts, so he kept Xie Tu alone; this talented one thought a moment and moved Xie Yuan with the simplest of sentences.

"Princess Ningguo is still young, like a little sister… and she resembles His Majesty by six parts; her eyes can be said to be exactly the same."

Xie Yuan imagined a little, and found the reason for not exerting effort?