Chapter 115: The Demon Lord Princess's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 115: Yan An Yu Refuses

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Yan An Yu's expression was resolute, her vermilion lips parting slightly as she said: "Let others judge as they will; mouths belong to others, and your daughter truly cannot control them. If there truly comes a day when I can no longer endure these rampant rumors and slander, then your daughter will simply shave her head and become a nun, keeping company with ancient lamps and Buddhas, and spend the rest of my life that way."

Seeing this situation, the Emperor no longer spoke further, merely saying blandly: "Enough, We understand. Your marriage, you decide for yourself." Hearing these words, a warm current instantly surged in Yan An Yu's heart; she hurriedly knelt and kowtowed in thanks: "Many thanks, Imperial Father!"

You must understand, in this imperial palace deep as the sea, familial affection is often the scarcest thing. Throughout the dynasties, how many foreign monarchs, to stabilize their own rivers and mountains, did not hesitate to treat their own daughters as chips in political transactions, using their marriages to exchange for foreign support or achieve some alliance agreement.

Yet today, her own Imperial Father so enlightenedly allowed her to decide her own marriage; this paternal love is truly rare and precious. Yan An Yu secretly vowed that henceforth, no matter what, she would doubly honor and serve Imperial Father, to repay this great kindness and virtue.

The Emperor lightly waved his hand, signaling Yan An Yu to withdraw. After she left, only the Emperor remained in the vast Imperial Study; he sat quietly on the Dragon Throne, eyes slightly closed, as if pondering some important matter.

A moment later, the Emperor slowly opened his eyes, then turned to Eunuch Sun attending at his side and instructed: "Hurry and summon the people of Xishang and Dongying to come for an audience; additionally, summon An Wang as well."

Eunuch Sun received the order and left; before long, all who should arrive had gathered in the Imperial Study. Everyone performed the great bow to the Emperor, then stood with hands lowered at both sides, quietly awaiting the Emperor's words. At this time, the Emperor's gaze swept across the hall, finally settling on Crown Prince Ouyang from Xishang.

He spoke bluntly: "Ouyang Crown Prince, regarding the marriage alliance between our two countries mentioned previously, We have already asked An Yu's opinion. She clearly expressed unwillingness to marry far away in a foreign land; therefore this matter ends here." Upon hearing this, Ouyang Qianqiu felt a deep disappointment surge in his heart, as if a dark cloud shrouded his mind.

However, Ouyang Qianyu did not give up; she still unwillingly said: "Your Majesty, this marriage alliance is of great significance for the friendly relations between our two countries; you might as well persuade Sixth Princess to reconsider."

The Emperor slightly furrowed his brows, but his tone remained gentle: "We have always respected An Yu's personal wishes; since she is unwilling to form a marriage alliance, how could We force her?"

Ouyang Qianyu was about to continue arguing, but suddenly felt her sleeve tugged lightly. She turned her head and saw her own elder brother Ouyang Qianqiu signaling her with his eyes, indicating she should not speak further for now. Thus Ouyang Qianyu could only swallow the words at her lips and stand silently to the side without another sound.

At this moment, the Emperor turned his gaze toward the Shangguan siblings from Dongying Guo, and asked in a measured voice: "I wonder if the two of you have any desired marriage alliance partners?"

Shangguan Xingyan replied without hesitation: "Replying to Your Majesty, my younger sister and I currently have no such intention, and we have already planned to set off and return to our country the day after tomorrow." The Emperor nodded, expressing understanding: "Originally so; then We will not forcibly detain you. Please convey Our greetings to your Imperial Father on Our behalf; if you find leisure in the future, you are welcome to visit again."

"Many thanks, Your Majesty!" Shangguan Xingyan cupped his fists with both hands and respectfully performed a salute. And Shangguan Xingyu also bowed and performed a salute, saying softly: "Many thanks, Your Majesty." Afterward, the Emperor slightly turned his head, casting his gaze toward An Wang, and said in a measured voice: "Old Seven, they will depart the day after tomorrow; at that time you shall go and see them off."

An Wang heard this and hurriedly cupped his hands in reply: "Understood, Imperial Elder Brother." His voice was loud and forceful, showing reverence and obedience to the imperial command.

At this moment, Ouyang Qianqiu standing to the side stepped forward, saluted the Emperor and said: "Your Majesty, since Sixth Princess is unwilling at heart, my sister and I also plan to set off on our return journey the day after tomorrow.

Merely, at this moment of departure, this Crown Prince boldly begs Your Majesty's grace: may I be allowed to see Sixth Princess once more? There are some words in my heart I wish to pour out to her face to face; if I cannot speak them clearly, I fear I will regret it for the rest of my life!"

The Emperor listened, pondered briefly for a moment, as if weighing the gains and losses. After a short while, he nodded and said: "Very well; later We will have Eunuch Sun go summon An Yu to the Imperial Garden. You two siblings may go there directly later; whatever words you have, speak them face to face." Ouyang Qianqiu heard this and was overjoyed; he hurriedly bowed again in thanks: "Many thanks, Your Majesty, for granting this!"

After speaking, the Emperor waved his hand, signaling everyone to withdraw. After everyone took their leave, the Emperor immediately instructed Eunuch Sun at his side to quickly send someone to invite Sixth Princess to the Imperial Garden for a meeting. Eunuch Sun received the decree and left; the entire palace hall momentarily returned to tranquility, leaving only the faint sound of the breeze lightly brushing past the window lattice.

Ouyang Qianyu pouted her little mouth, her face full of indignation as she shouted: "Elder Brother, why didn't you let me speak!" Ouyang Qianqiu furrowed his brows and countered: "What exactly did you want to say?"

Ouyang Qianyu raised her chin, revealing a crafty smile, and said proudly: "Hmph, I naturally intended to threaten the Dachang Emperor! If he refuses to agree to our demands, then in the future we'll find a way to form marriage alliances with other countries and together send troops to attack Dachang! That way, see if for the sake of peace between the two countries he dares not agree!" Finishing, she set her hands on her hips, as if she had already seen victory in sight.

However, Ouyang Qianqiu helplessly shook his head, glaring at his younger sister with a look of hating iron for not becoming steel, and sighed: "Dachang is such an enormous country; how could it be easily threatened by you? Besides, don't look at how this Dachang Emperor appears easy to talk to on the surface, but one who can ascend the throne — how could he truly be as weak as he appears?

Moreover, there is still that far-renowned An Wang sitting in command here, his purpose being to deter us. Dachang's ability to become the number one strongest nation under heaven relies entirely on An Wang's sweeping across battlefields and fighting bloodily to establish illustrious military achievements. A figure like him — how could he care about a mere marriage alliance?"

Hearing her elder brother's words, Ouyang Qianyu couldn't help but feel somewhat deflated, grumbling: "If that's the case, then what are we still coming to this Imperial Garden for?"

Ouyang Qianqiu smiled slightly and explained patiently: "The Emperor has already shown his attitude: he will respect Sixth Princess's own wishes. Therefore, our only recourse now is to start with Sixth Princess. As long as we can make Sixth Princess nod and agree, then the Dachang Emperor will certainly also agree to this marriage." So when Sixth Princess comes later, you know what to say — don't threaten her, speak some soft words, understand?" Ouyang Qianyu replied that she understood.