Chapter 828 - 755: Heqin (Political Marriage)

Chapter 828: Chapter 755: Heqin (Political Marriage)

The Emperor’s face was expressionless as he discreetly surveyed Huangfu Jingchen.

Huangfu Yuxuan’s machinations frustrated him greatly, and if Huangfu Jingchen was similar, he would need to consider whether all of his grandsons thought he had grown old and dared to use him as a pawn.

Huangfu Jingchen’s gaze was clear and bright, as pure as lake water, with a hint of innocence and an expression that seemed simple and harmless.

He seemed like a straightforward youth, guided by a passion, who spoke his mind without concern about the consequences from others.

The Emperor squinted his eyes slightly, then glanced at Prince Cheng.

Prince Cheng, more carefree, had a smile tugging at his lips, but his gaze at Huangfu Jingchen held a hint of "this foolish boy doesn’t measure up to his father."

The Emperor shifted his focus to Lu Qianxue.

He shook his head inwardly, looking at Huangfu Jingchen with a hint of regret.

This child, taught by Prince Cheng and his wife, didn’t resemble a member of the Royal Family at all.

Bright and clear like the moon? Noble virtues? Magnanimous and pure-hearted? Righteous and upright? Childlike innocence? Chivalry? Fighting for justice?

Nonsense! Such things belong to the Jianghu, useless and laughable; Old Fifth, this vile man, doesn’t even realize how to educate his own son. Jingchen’s nature must have been learned from his unruly and thoughtless mother, who only knows bravery and fights recklessly!

His brow twitched, recalling the words from two years ago spoken by Gu Hanmo, the Dean of Wenbo Academy: this child has talent and intelligence, yet is misled by these foolish people!

He hasn’t learned the Art of Manipulating People that Royal Family scions should; this meddling in others’ affairs, this nature to forcibly stand out, will leave him devoured until not even his bones remain!

He gazed dispassionately at Prince Cheng and his wife, said to Huangfu Jingchen: "Don’t let your imagination run wild. You are my grandson; if royal descendants in the Capital City, this land under the Emperor’s feet, must worry about losing their lives, then the imperial guard, Capital Guard, and Capital Governor might as well pack up and return to their hometowns!"

The Emperor usually hid his emotions, yet his words today bore a rare hint of irritation, suggesting that despite Huangfu Jingchen’s tactless remarks, the Emperor wasn’t truly angry.

Could it be that this tone even held a trace of indulgence?

The Emperor didn’t bring up the answer from the Shadow Pavilion again; evidently, the matter was being laid to rest.

By now, the dancers had taken the stage, the music started playing, and the beautiful women in dance skirts began to twirl gracefully. The tense atmosphere from earlier dissipated amidst the music and dance!

Upon hearing those two words, Huangfu Yuxuan’s heart trembled intensely, enough to lose his composure.

At this moment, he dared not stick his neck out further. He saw Huangfu Jingchen’s gaze, that gaze was transparently clear yet inscrutably deep, bearing an insight into human nature.

He was convinced that if he continued to entangle himself, Huangfu Jingchen would say even more shocking things, making him increasingly taken aback!

Agitated, he lifted the cup in front of him and drained it in one gulp.

He also realized today was rushed, and with Prince Ning’s desertion, Huangfu Jingchen’s sudden intervention, the originally favored plan, which had a seventy percent chance of success, now failed outright!

He felt unwilling, at such a ripe opportunity failing to bring down King Kang; the Patrol Team still out of his control; all subsequent plans needing re-adjustment.

And then there was Mr. Gongyang; he initially wanted Mr. Gongyang to calculate some fortune, yet for days now, out of nowhere, Mr. Gongyang had taken ill and been bedridden, making calculations impossible. Left with no choice, he acted directly.

Many things seemed eerie; could it be that the so-called fate had changed?

Why else would everything be going awry?

Although the hall was filled with continuous laughter and hearty singing, the Emperor drinking, Prince Lu, Prince Xin, and Prince Li smiling broadly, Prince Zhuang and Prince Liang being sidelined, and Prince Cheng seemingly unconcerned, deep in their hearts, none of them were likely tranquil.

The evening banquet was livelier than the midday gathering.

During the evening feast, the East Tang Envoy presented a national letter, requesting a marriage between an East Tang Prince and a Nanxia Princess.

The only princess of suitable age in court was the Seventeenth Princess, and the Seventeenth Princess hadn’t appeared all day. Though absent, the ministers of Nanxia felt a pause in their breaths; although the East Tang Envoy spoke earnestly, asking for marriage on behalf of their Prince, the Princess marrying to another country meant forging alliances.

Nanxia’s national strength was equal to East Tang’s.

Such alliances for marriage, ultimately wouldn’t be terribly pleasant.