Chapter 46: The pre-determined ally, Zhangsun Wuji

"This second piece of news is also about the princess."

Li Er feigned mystery, scanned the room, and said leisurely: "I have already decided to marry Princess Changle to Zhangsun Chong, the heir of Duke Zhao." The hall fell silent.

Everyone was surprised at first, and then cast envious glances at Duke Zhao, Zhangsun Wuji.

Who didn't know?

Princess Changle was the apple of Li Er and Zhangsun Wugou's eye!

Whoever could marry her would surely rise in rank and importance.

More importantly, Changle was not yet old, but she was already a budding beauty.

Given time, she would surely be a beauty who could topple cities and countries!

Whoever married Princess Changle would be blessed by their ancestors.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your heavenly grace. Even if this old subject were to die, it would be hard to repay a ten-thousandth of Your Majesty's kindness!" Zhangsun Wuji bowed respectfully to Li Er, his hands trembling with excitement. Hahaha!

I have finally achieved my wish!

My sister is the Empress, and my daughter-in-law is a princess.

This is truly reaching the peak of being a subject!

The officials and nobles in the hall were jealous, but there was nothing they could do.

After all, Zhangsun Chong's merit was there for all to see!

If they wanted to blame someone, they could only blame their own sons for not being up to the task.

"Congratulations, congratulations!"

"Duke Zhao is truly the head of the hundred officials, the favorite in front of His Majesty."

"Don't forget to invite us to drink the wedding wine!"

A moment later, the faces of the crowd were once again filled with joy, and they congratulated Zhangsun Wuji one after another.

Only Changle, who had remained silent, had pale cheeks and bitten lips, wishing she could rush out of the hall, rush out of the Imperial Palace, and never return.

Before they knew it, the banquet was coming to an end.

The envoys, full of food and wine, also left the Imperial Palace swaying.

Gar Tongtsen tightly clutched the three problems in his sleeve and prepared to leave.

I must hurry back to the post station to tell His Majesty about this!

"Tibetan envoy, please stay!"

Just then, Zhangsun Wuji's voice came from behind.

"So it is Duke Zhao. May I ask what business you have?"

Seeing Zhangsun Wuji, a cold light flashed in Gar Tongtsen's eyes.

He knew that this old fox before him had an irreconcilable hatred with his Emperor, Qin Mu.

However, Gar Tongtsen himself didn't know exactly what the hatred was.

In any case.

This old thief definitely had no good intentions!

"Envoy, please step aside to talk."

Zhangsun Wuji smiled mysteriously and quickly left the hall with Gar Tongtsen.

The night was like water.

The Chang'an post station was silent.

In the private room, shadows flickered.

Gar Tongtsen stood respectfully before Qin Mu and recounted everything that had happened at the banquet from beginning to end.

Besides this.

Gar Tongtsen dared not hide anything from Qin Mu regarding the content of Zhangsun Wuji's conversation with him.

It turned out.

Zhangsun Wuji sought out Gar Tongtsen for two purposes.

The first purpose was instructed by Li Er.

Li Er ordered Zhangsun Wuji to contact the Tibetan envoy and tell him the answers to the problems.

In fact.

This bestowal of marriage to the envoys was fair and just in name, but in reality, Li Er had already pre-determined his ally.

Countries like Yuezhi, the Arabian Empire, and Tuyuhun were small and weak; even if they were bestowed in marriage, they couldn't help the Great Tang, at most just flattering more.

Only Tibet truly had the strength and qualifications to become an ally of the Great Tang.

The second purpose was Zhangsun Wuji's personal request.

That was to inquire about Qin Mu's whereabouts from Gar Tongtsen.

However, Zhangsun Wuji only said that he had the answers to the three problems in his hands and would exchange them for news of Qin Mu.

As for whether this was instructed by Li Er, Zhangsun Wuji did not tell Gar Tongtsen the truth.

"Then did you tell him my whereabouts?"

Qin Mu tapped the table rhythmically with his fingertips, his tone light and breezy, as if he didn't care about these things at all.

But hearing this, Gar Tongtsen knelt on the ground with a thud, sweating profusely, and hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, even if I had ten thousand guts, I would not dare to leak Your Majesty's whereabouts to that old thief!"

"No need to be so nervous, I was just joking." Qin Mu smiled and continued: "I think since you didn't tell him about my whereabouts, I guess that old fox won't give up."

"Your Majesty is wise, that is indeed the case." Gar Tongtsen continued: "This old fox is extremely deep; hearing there was no news of Your Majesty, he wanted to make another deal with this humble subject."

"What deal?"

"To exchange the answers to the three problems for Tibet to continue to inquire about Your Majesty's news for him."

"Old fox, truly a good calculation."