Chapter 314: Allow a Married Woman to Join a Marriage Alliance

Upon hearing this, the New Emperor's eyes flashed with sharpness once again.

"What exactly do you want to say?"

"The cities have indeed been passed, but such a win-win marriage alliance, I'm sure the Majesty of Great Zhou won't refuse, right?" said the Infant Void Emperor.

"It's quite obvious that what just happened was merely casting a brick to attract jade."

"Oh? Which maiden does His Majesty the Infant Void Emperor wish to marry?"

"To find a beautiful concubine for this king." The Infant Void Emperor, under the New Emperor's gaze, spoke the remaining three words: "Mu Yuanzhi."

The New Emperor laughed out loud, "Your Majesty is muddle-headed; the Guardian State Princess is already married and will soon become a mother."

"Is that important?" the Infant Void Emperor retorted.

The New Emperor furrowed his brows.

"One woman can bring friendship between the two states and peace under heaven; it's quite a bargain," said the Infant Void Emperor.

"How come, you're so fond of married women?" the New Emperor sneered, "Before, it wasn't noticeable."

"You won't reject this king over a single woman, will you?" the Infant Void Emperor said with a mocking smile, "Don't forget, you have too many weaknesses in this king's hands."

"Your so-called leverage is utterly meaningless; if you want to provoke our Great Zhou, I'll accompany you at any time." The New Emperor composed himself, "I'll treat your earlier words as drunk talk."

The Infant Void Emperor raised an eyebrow, "It seems you care deeply for the Guardian State Princess."

"I appointed her as Guardian State Princess; by name, she protects the princess of Great Zhou—how could she be allowed to be trampled upon at will?"

The New Emperor flicked his sleeves and left, no longer saying another word to the Infant Void Emperor.

He walked a stretch, then said to the shadows behind him, "Come out."

In the shadows, the slender youth no longer hid.

"I heard your earlier words, Father Emperor; you really won't send away Elder Sister Mu, will you?" Pei Di asked anxiously, clenching his fists.

The New Emperor turned, gazing at his son, "Di'er, you're speaking a bit rashly to Father Emperor today."

Pei Di realized his attitude was problematic; for Mu Yuanzhi's sake, he also had to speak gently to Father Emperor.

"I, your subject, was merely anxious for a moment; Father Emperor, please forgive me." Pei Di had to say with lowered eyes.

"It's fine; between father and son, what crime is there?" The New Emperor rubbed Pei Di's head, "Rest assured, I'm not a dim-witted ruler—how could I force a married woman into a marriage alliance?"

Pei Di listened, still uneasy in his heart, "But that Qin... the Infant Void Emperor has taken a liking to Elder Sister Mu; can he just let it go?!"

"Is that what you think?" the New Emperor countered.

After listening, Pei Di thought seriously, then said uncertainly, "It seems... I can't tell if he likes Elder Sister Mu."

At the banquet, he also kept an eye on all sides, but didn't notice the Infant Void Emperor paying special attention to Elder Sister Mu.

"Could it be that he merely wants to put Father Emperor in a difficult position?" Pei Di suddenly realized.

The New Emperor remained silent, largely agreeing with Pei Di's view.

"What will Father Emperor do?" Pei Di asked cautiously.

"Nothing will be done." The New Emperor said, "It's windy here; not suitable to linger. Let's return with Father Emperor."

Pei Di pursed his lips and finally nodded.

Wait until tomorrow, then find a time to tell Elder Sister Mu.

The next day, Mu Yuanzhi sent someone to summon Yun Jinglou to explain the situation.

The tea-drinking Jinglou's eyes suddenly brightened, "Since the Princess has entrusted me, I naturally cannot shirk my duty!"

Last night, after watching those two spar, he was already quite interested.

As it turned out, just as he had guessed, Xiao Yichen had trained specifically to counter Gu Rongjin.

With Mu Yuanzhi backing him, he no longer feared causing trouble.

"Don't give me away, okay?" Mu Yuanzhi reminded him.

"Rest assured, Princess." He would definitely give her up!

"How's the escort bureau doing lately?" After discussing official matters, Mu Yuanzhi began chatting about personal affairs.

Yun Jinglou: "Princess, you can rest easy; with me in the escort bureau, what could go wrong? Prosperous and thriving!"

"Then that's fine, thank you, Master Yun."

"You're welcome!"

After Yun Jinglou left, Pei Di arrived.

Originally intending to visit the Grand General's mansion to see how the renovations were going, Mu Yuanzhi had to first receive this Crown Prince.

"Elder Sister Mu!" Upon arriving, Pei Di had Mu Yuanzhi dismiss the attendants.

Mu Yuanzhi: "What's wrong? What happened?"

"A major matter!" Pei Di said nervously, recounting last night's events in full to Mu Yuanzhi.

After hearing it, Mu Yuanzhi felt completely bewildered.

"How could this involve me?" she couldn't understand.

"Because Elder Sister Mu, you're connected to too many important figures—pull one thread and the whole body moves—so the Infant Void Emperor directs his hostility at you!"

Mu Yuanzhi frowned, "What kind of person is this exactly?"

"I'm not familiar with him, having met only a few times; perhaps my father emperor knows him well, but I can't ask him, and even if I did, I wouldn't get anything out of it." Pei Di said.

"There's another person who might be close to him." Mu Yuanzhi said.

"You mean the Nine Thousand Years Old?"

"Yes."

Pei Di's expression was torn: "I don't want to seek him."

"I understand your predicament; I'll go find him." Mu Yuanzhi said.

Since it concerns herself, she cannot help but pay attention.

It's like sitting at home and having a pot drop from the sky!

"Let's go together!" Pei Di said, feeling uneasy.

"Okay."

The envoy of Yingxu was arranged to stay in the temporary palace, and Pei Di, in his own name, invited the Nine Thousand Years to meet; the meeting place was set at a certain teahouse.

Mu Yuanzhi and Pei Di arrived first; the teahouse was bustling, but the second floor was still relatively quiet. They hadn't waited long before the Nine Thousand Years arrived.

He wore a red outfit that was very eye-catching.

"Can't you change your clothes?"

The whole second floor turned to look; surely someone had recognized them.

"I'm used to not worrying about trivialities; Young Master and Princess, please forgive me." The Nine Thousand Years sat down; his every move showed he didn't know what being low-key meant, as if not drawing attention made him uncomfortable all over.

Mu Yuanzhi: "It's fine."

Pei Di, who was asking for a favor, could only let it go.

"Young Master still has such a youthful nature; clearly an heir apparent, yet just like the Qilin Prince."

Pei Di knew the Nine Thousand Years was mocking him, and he became even angrier.

But it's undeniable that this false eunuch is right; he indeed lacks experience in handling affairs, let alone comparing to the Father Emperor, even compared to the former Crown Prince he falls far short.

Of course, he is indeed the true heir apparent; his older brother is the one the Father Emperor has destined as successor, so what difference does it make if he remains calm amid changes?

Better to just be himself!

Thinking this way, Pei Di relaxed again.

To keep Pei Di from saying something else that would anger the Nine Thousand Years, Mu Yuanzhi opened the topic: "I previously asked the Nine Thousand Years about the Prince Qin matter, but you didn't speak; this time, no matter what, I hope you can tell us."

"Princess, you no longer call Eunuch Yao?" the Nine Thousand Years asked with a smile.

"……" Mu Yuanzhi cleared his throat a little embarrassedly.

Before was before; now I'm asking for a favor.