Chapter 607: Publicly Selecting a Husband

The entire hall was in an uproar, followed by an unstoppable wave of whispering.

A princess with a fief!

They had always known that Xie Tianyao was very fond of this daughter who had been living in the Western Regions, partly because of Zhai Qing'er. On the other hand, it was mainly because Xie Chan had demonstrated her outstanding talent during the conquest of the Western Regions.

She had personally led the troops, effectively "forcing" her own father, the Emperor, and mother, the Empress, to jump down from that Dayuan Imperial Palace.

Strictly speaking.

It was she who destroyed Dayuan and unified the Western Regions.

Then, added to that were the various forms of support from Liangzhou.

Therefore, no one felt there was anything wrong with giving her a title of princess starting with the character "Long".

But now...

A princess with a fief?

Everyone was dumbfounded.

According to the laws of the Longyan Dynasty, princesses could not marry outside the family unless it was for the sake of a political marriage. The Imperial Son-in-law was undoubtedly a matrilocal husband, and he had to stay in Jinghua; the couple could just be carefree royals together. If they wanted to leave Jinghua, they had to "ask for leave" and obtain approval. This was to prevent Imperial Sons-in-law, as relatives by marriage, from causing any trouble by relying on their own military strength.

Thus, the only princess with a fief in history was naturally that legendary Female Emperor of the Longyan Dynasty.

She was enfeoffed in Jiangdong.

Her Imperial Son-in-law was also from a Powerful Clan in Jiangdong, and both were dragons and phoenixes among men. It happened that the emperor in power at the time was incompetent, so the Female Emperor and her Imperial Son-in-law rose up and sent troops, reaching the moat of Jinghua in seven days, becoming the only Female Emperor in the history of the Longyan Dynasty.

Many fitting historical conditions created this Female Emperor who has been talked about for ages. But after the Female Emperor ascended the throne, she worked diligently and led the Longyan Dynasty toward a golden age.

So...

What is this move by Xie Tianyao now...

The Crown Prince, Xie Fang, had already turned pale.

Dong Guifei and her faction were also looking at each other in dismay.

People like Zhu Zhen were even more shocked.

The Prince Xie Zhao and a group of Nobles were also unable to understand this move by Xie Tianyao.

Not only is she a princess with a fief...

And the fief is the Western Regions!

This means that the old Emperor, Xie Tianyao, wants to marry off Longyang Princess? And looking at the implication, it means he wants to marry her directly to the Governor of Liangzhou?

A princess marrying outside!

Everyone in the hall was struck by lightning.

"Impossible, this is impossible!"

Xie Fang was naturally the most hurt; although he tried his best to endure it, he almost roared out. What does Father mean by this? If Xie Chan marries Liu Zheng, then what is the point of him being the Crown Prince? The Governor of Liangzhou is already powerful enough; if he gets the support of a princess on top of that, who will be able to control Liangzhou in the future!

The others naturally had the same thought!

This shouldn't be!

Xie Tianyao really shouldn't have done this!

This is inviting a wolf into the house!

The Governor of Liangzhou is that wolf!

Only the Empress Zheng Fu was extremely excited in her heart; could it be that she had bet correctly this time?

"This..."

"Your Majesty..."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Finally, someone could not take it anymore and knelt down to shout in unison.

The Grand Eunuch said sternly: "What, is there anyone who wants to defy the Emperor's will?"

The entire hall fell silent.

The Grand Eunuch then continued to chant: "The ancients taught, in the 'Book of Rites: Marriage Rites of the Scholars', it is said: When a woman is promised in marriage, she is given a hairpin and a sweet wine ceremony, and a courtesy name is bestowed. My daughter Chan, at twenty, is capped, and today her courtesy name is Longyang, yet she remains in the boudoir. The children of the Xie Clan should be dragons and phoenixes... By the order of the parents and the words of the matchmaker..."

Hearing this long and eloquent passage, everyone in the hall immediately pricked up their ears.

This is...

Just became a princess with a fief, and now she is to be betrothed?

"Therefore..."

The Grand Eunuch paused, then smiled: "On the occasion of my birthday, my heart is joyful, and taking advantage of this grand ceremony, I shall publicly select a husband for Longyang Princess!"

This shock.

It was shock following shock.

Just became a princess with a fief, and now publicly selecting a husband?

The Imperial City could not help but be in an uproar again.

Publicly selecting a husband?

It is not a royal decree or an arranged marriage?

What does the old Emperor want to do?

"Publicly selecting a husband?"

When Liu Zheng heard that Xie Chan was enfeoffed in the Western Regions, he thought that his affair with her was settled, but hearing Xie Tianyao's public selection of a husband, he was also dumbfounded.

It seems this old Emperor wants to play a big game?

"How does one publicly select a husband?"

Tie Mu'cheng's eyes gleamed as he asked loudly.

Others also looked over with curiosity.

Xie Chan also knitted her dark brows.

A public selection of a husband?

She would not!

She only wanted to marry Liu Zheng!

However...

Since ancient times, matters of marriage have always been decided by the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers.

If Xie Tianyao truly betrothed her to someone else, she would have no Method—of course, she had long since prepared herself; if such a thing were to happen, she would not care to be this Princess anymore! She would turn around and elope with Liu Zheng to the Western Regions!

Grand Eunuch Zhou chuckled and announced loudly: "The vast Longyan Dynasty embraces all rivers like the sea. Since ancient times, there have been precedents of intermarriage and alliances with various vassal states and dependencies to promote an era of peace, demonstrate the magnanimity of the Celestial Empire, and create a prosperous Longyan age to benefit all people. We subdue the Four Barbarians and bring the teachings of ritual to a thousand nations. We shall seek for our beloved daughter a husband who is skilled in both civil and military arts, a peerless man of the world! Therefore, this selection of a husband will not be restricted by national borders or ethnicity; as long as the age is appropriate, the background is noble, and the social status is well-matched, it shall suffice!"

"Respect this!"

The reading of the Imperial Edict was finished.

The entire venue remained silent, so quiet that a falling needle could be heard.

Everyone was stunned once again.

A public selection of a husband?

Regardless of ethnicity?

This meant... the old Emperor intended, during the period of his birthday, not only to find a husband for Xie Chan, but that this husband would not be limited to the Longyan Dynasty. Any Prince or high official from these Eighteen Envoys, as long as they met the requirements, could take her away?

This old Emperor was playing an increasingly dangerous game!

The entire venue erupted in an uproar.

"This... the Emperor, he..."

"What on earth is he trying to do?"

"Old Ritual Official, Old Ritual Official, hurry and advise the Emperor!"

"This... this matter must not be, absolutely must not be!"

A group of elderly ministers followed, their faces full of anxiety. They were not joking. This was Longyang Princess, a Princess with a fief! If she were to be married off to these barbarians this time, would that not be a heavy slap to the face of the Longyan Dynasty? Where would the dignity of the Celestial Empire be, where would its face be!

Xie Chan was also completely bewildered at this moment.

A public selection of a husband?

Regardless of ethnicity?

Her gaze slowly turned cold; she just raised her head like that and looked coldly at Xie Tianyao.

"Your Highness, Your Highness..."

The palace maids beside her were terrified.

Xie Tianyao also sensed Xie Chan's knife-like gaze and looked over with interest, chuckling.

This temper!

It was just right!

Yes, that was it! She had always been this stubborn.

Xie Chan's heart was already filled with soaring rage.

She was Xie Chan!

She was a Princess!

She would marry whoever she wanted to marry! It was like that when she was in Dayuan, and it remained the same upon returning to Longyan!

Even if you are the Longyan Emperor, you cannot force me!

So infuriating!

She was so angry she wanted to tear off her phoenix crown and take off her ceremonial robes!

Xie Tianyao had already burst into loud laughter and asked: "What, Chan'er, do you have so little confidence in the husband you have chosen yourself?"

Hearing this, Xie Chan was stunned for a moment.

She tilted her head.

It seemed that was indeed the case...