Both worlds are like dreams

In the autumn of the 780th year of Liuyun calendar, Dongchu sent envoys to Beiling, and the two countries formally proposed a marriage alliance. The eldest princess of Dongchu chose a husband in the capital of Beiling as the princess of marriage.

To show their respect, the Emperor of Beiling issued a decree that all men of appropriate age in the court could be chosen by Princess Dongchu. No matter their identity or status, as long as they were favored by the princess, they could compete for her.

As soon as this imperial decree came out, countless princes and nobles were excited. Although some of them had already belonged to different camps in the court and had no qualifications to participate in the election, those who were not sober still gathered in front of the Wei Mansion to watch the excitement.

Even if she didn't have the identity of Princess Dongchu, Xuehuang was still the princess of Beiling, the descendant of Guigu, and an extremely beautiful woman who could captivate the whole country. Countless men in Shangyang City admired her, and even if they couldn't marry her, it would be a pleasure to be able to meet her once.

Therefore, as soon as the imperial edict was issued, the gate of the Wei Mansion was very busy. Some princes and nobles in the court also sent visiting cards one after another, hoping to see Princess Changle.

According to the cutscene, Xue Huang should meet these people, but she was too lazy to deal with them. She and Mo Xingyue were sitting on the swing, enjoying the Rouge Drunk.

Until Yun Qing came to tell her that there were guests visiting.

"Is it Brother Lan?" Mo Xingyue asked with a smile.

Yun Qing nodded, "Of course, Prince Gu is here, but the three princes, the prince of Ruyang Marquis, and the son of Shen Congfeng are also here."

Xue Huang's expression remained the same, she was not surprised. Bei Ling's court was divided into three forces, so naturally the most representative one would come.

Therefore, today's meeting should be more direct. However, Shen Congfeng's son also came, which surprised Xue Huang.

"Where are they now?"

"He's already in the main hall. The Prince Regent of Dong Chu is also here."

Xue Huang stood up from the swing and said, "Let's go and meet them."

Mo Xingyue held her back, "Why do I feel like you're about to get angry?"

"Don't worry," Xue Huang smiled, "I will definitely not kill you."

"Are you really planning to do it?" Mo Xingyue said helplessly.

"Then it depends on what they say," Xue Huang raised an eyebrow, "Don't go in, just eavesdrop from the back."

Mo Xingyue nodded and followed her all the way to the main hall.

Xue Huang walked out alone and saw that everyone had already taken their seats on both sides of the hall. On the left were the three princes in order of age, and on the right were Ye Yin, Shen Shaohui, and Gu Qinglan, corresponding to their respective camps.

Su Linjin was in the host seat, but he sat on the right.

Seeing her walk out, everyone except Su Linjin stood up and greeted her with Bei Ling etiquette.

Xue Huang felt troubled and looked at Gu Qinglan and Mo Ruilin unconsciously. Wasn't this acting too much? They were actually following suit.

But after all, it was a two-country alliance, so she could only reply, "You're welcome, everyone. We're all acquaintances. There's no need to be so formal. Please take a seat."

The second prince spoke first, "I heard that the princess was injured before, I wonder how she is doing now?"

"I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

The Third Prince continued, "The weather is getting colder, Princess, you should take care of yourself."

Xue Huang did not respond.

Su Linjin said, "We all know why you are here, so please speak frankly."

Xue Huang didn't want to waste time, so she said, "I'm pretty familiar with you all, but you can talk."

Seeing this, Mo Zhenyu asked, "I wonder if I can talk to the princess alone?"

Hearing this, Mo Yiming quickly said, "That's what I was thinking."

Xue Huang looked at Mo Ruilin and teased him deliberately, "What about you?"

Mo Ruilin shrugged his shoulders and said, "You guys are welcome to do whatever you want. I'm just stopping by."

Xue Huang glanced at Gu Qinglan, "What about Master Gu?"

Gu Qinglan stood up and said, "Qinglan does have something to say to the princess, there is no need to talk alone."

Mo Zhenyu also stood up, "Princess, I hope you can give me a chance first. This matter is very important. Please listen to me first."

Mo Yiming immediately showed dissatisfaction, "I came here today for important matters, Second Brother, don't be anxious."

Su Linjin looked at Xue Huang and gave her a wink.

Xue Huang understood what he meant, and said, "You all came here with sincerity. My uncle and I know this, so today, we will be frank with you. There is an order of seniority, and the Second Prince will go first."

Mo Zhenyu nodded, and followed her and Su Linjin out of the main hall and came to the pavilion in the middle of the lake at the back door.

Yun Qing closed the back door and sent everyone around away.

Xue Huang poured them a cup of tea and said, "Second Prince, please speak directly if you want to say anything."

"In that case," Mo Zhenyu said seriously, "I'll be frank. It's true that the regent is going to Beiling to form an alliance between the two countries, but the original candidate should not be Princess Changle."

Su Linjin nodded, "Yes. The alliance is real, and to promote the alliance, such a reason is needed."

"The court of Beiling is complicated, Your Highness should have heard of it."

Su Linjin smiled and said, "The fact that the three of you are here together today has already explained the problem."

"I know that Princess Changle and Prince Jingguo are in love with each other and have already made a decision in their hearts, but I still want to ask the princess to reconsider."

"What are you considering?" Xue Huang asked.

"Since the princess shoulders the responsibility of the alliance between the two countries, she should choose the one with the most advantages, because the alliance is not only about making friends with the two countries, but also about bringing direct benefits to Dongchu."

Su Linjin raised his eyebrows, "So the Second Prince wants to make a deal?"

"This is a matter of great importance. Please consider it carefully."

Su Linjin played with the teacup and asked with a half-smile, "Or let me ask more directly, Second Prince, do you want to ask for Changle's hand in marriage for yourself or for your best friend today?"

Mo Zhenyu was silent for a while. He already knew what Xue Huang said at the Li Fei's gathering. He used to feel very sorry and puzzled. Obviously, Mo Ruilin was the least advantaged prince at that time, but both uncle and nephew chose to help him. He thought that Mo Ruilin promised them enough benefits, but he gradually realized that they were never linked together by interests, but by the precious sincerity.

So he lost from the start.

He looked at Xue Huang, "I have married the Princess of Ruyang Marquis as my consort, so I cannot let her down. But I still don't want to give up the princess, so today I brought the Prince of Ruyang Marquis here to ask for the princess in his hand. If the princess can marry him, Zhenyu hereby promises that he will do his best to win the position of Crown Prince and establish an alliance with Dongchu forever."

Before Xue Huang opened her mouth, Su Linjin's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. "Second Prince, a stable alliance cannot be maintained by sacrificing a princess. If Changle cannot marry the person she wants to marry, this marriage can be annulled, but I believe that the emperor of your country is still willing to form this alliance."

Mo Zhenyu was naturally aware of Emperor Ling's plan, and he also knew that Emperor Ling had always wanted Mo Ruilin to marry Xue Huang. Otherwise, he would not have arranged a marriage for Mo Xingyue and Gu Qinglan even though he knew that Xue Huang and Gu Qinglan were in love with each other.

But Emperor Ling also understood that if Xue Huang's choice was not made willingly, then no one could force her. So in the current situation, it would be better to show goodwill to Xue Huang and fulfill her wish in exchange for her help to Mo Ruilin.

His father, the emperor, had already sided with Murilin without him knowing when.

And he hadn't expected that Dong Chu would actually pin such an important matter as the alliance on Xue Huang alone, letting her choose according to her preferences.

"Your Highness," Mo Zhenyu said, "I am not trying to measure this by a deal, but this is a matter of state, and even the slightest pros and cons could affect the overall situation. So I am just stating the facts."

Xue Huang and Su Linjin looked at each other. They also knew that what Mo Zhenyu said made sense. After all, it was a matter of relations between the two countries, and it was impossible that no interests were involved.

"Since ancient times, marriage has been an exchange of interests," Xue Huang said calmly, "Besides, since everyone is here today, it's just a matter of seeing who has the bigger trump card."

"The princess is very familiar with the court of Beiling. I think I have more advantages than my fifth brother, so it is a good choice for the princess to marry Ye Yin and cooperate with me. Moreover, Ye Yin has actually been in love with the princess for a long time, but because of my fifth brother and Master Gu, he has never expressed his feelings to the princess. If he can win the princess's favor, he may not be a bad man. Isn't it just right to kill two birds with one stone?"

Xue Huang smiled faintly, "I admit that the Second Prince does have more advantages than the Fifth Prince. It was like this three years ago, and it will be the same three years later."

Mo Zhenyu is actually the most embarrassed one among these three forces.

First of all, he has already married a wife, so it is impossible for him to ask for the position of prince's consort. In fact, he has too few bargaining chips in his hand for exchange. The third prince Mo Yiming not only has the position of principal wife, but also has the support of Shen Congfeng and Mo Yunchen. If he marries with Dongchu again, the position of crown prince will definitely be his. This is his bargaining chip.

As for Mo Ruilin, although he has the least advantage, he has what Mo Zhenyu and Mo Yiming can never do. He has been exchanging sincerity for sincerity from beginning to end, which is his bargaining chip.

So no matter who Mo Zhenyu competes with, he can't beat him. He can only take advantage of this loophole from the perspective of Dong Chu and the interests of the two countries. But objectively speaking, his promise is not enough to impress Su Linjin, let alone Xue Huang.

After hearing what she said, Mo Zhenyu knew that it was impossible for him to succeed. He understood what she meant. Three years ago, Mo Ruilin was not as good as she is now, but she still helped him without hesitation. Three years later, it was no different.

He sighed helplessly, "I understand."

"Second Prince," Xue Huang said, "This marriage is only about the alliance between the two countries, not about any one of you. It has nothing to do with your struggle for imperial power. Please don't think too much about it."

Mo Zhenyu did not answer. He knew that his bargaining chips could not impress Xue Huang at all. He had expected such a result. But he could not help but feel unwilling and sighed that he was one step late.

After a moment of silence, he spoke again, "In that case, I hope the princess will get what she wants. I'll take my leave now."

"Your Highness, take care." Xue Huang and Su Linjin stood up and watched him leave.