The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

After Gu Li issued the decree, he looked at Ma Baoguo, who was in a daze with his hands in his pockets.

"What are you planning, my dear?"

Ma Baoguo grinned.

"I'm wondering, which prince should I let marry the Princess of Yue? His Royal Highness Prince Cheng definitely can't do it, as he already has a wife. How about His Royal Highness Prince Zhen?"

Gu Li pointed at Ma Baoguo and laughed, "Look at how petty you are! I never intended to let your precious son-in-law take on this matter! You should just put your mind at ease!"

Yang Liuming said worriedly, "Your Majesty, I don't think His Royal Highness the True King is suitable either. He has a large family of beautiful women in his mansion, and it's not easy for anyone to keep them under control. If the Princess of Yue gets into trouble in his mansion, it would be difficult to explain to the Kingdom of Yue, but I'm afraid it would ruin Your Majesty's plan to repel the Rong and Di peoples!"

Ma Baoguo spread his hands.

"Then there's nothing we can do. The only one left is the Fifth Prince."

Gu Li pondered for a while and gritted his teeth.

"In this emergency, I will make the necessary arrangements. I will immediately confer the title of Virtuous King on Hua'er. I will then secure the Princess sent by the Kingdom of Yue! Prime Minister, you will be responsible for drafting the marriage agreement. This must be done quickly! We must not let the Kingdom of Yue learn of the intense war situation in the north!"

"I will obey His Majesty's will!"

Ma Baoguo gloated, his hands folded, "Fighting among themselves! When has the Yue Kingdom ever been at peace? Sooner or later, the fate of the country will be destroyed by these fighting!"

The Yue Kingdom Palace.

In a side hall of Mingxia Palace, Tian Shiliu was sitting by the bed, stroking the bright red wedding dress spread out on the bed. However, there was no joy on her face, but a layer of melancholy and sadness. She didn't even notice Tian Shang walking in.

"Little pomegranate!"

Upon hearing this, Tian Shiliu suddenly raised her head and saw Tian Shang. A hint of surprise flashed across her face, and she stood up and threw herself into Tian Shang's arms.

"Ninth Brother!"

Tian Shang stroked Tian Shiliu's hair.

"You're about to get married, but why are you still so unhappy? Wouldn't it be better to leave that damn place called Ye Ting?"

"Okay..." Tian Shiliu looked up at Tian Shang, "It's just that the Xia Kingdom's capital, Liyang, is too far away. I can't bear to leave the queen, and I can't bear to leave my ninth brother... I don't know when we can meet again... Ninth brother, I'm a little scared..."

Tian Shang took Tian Shiliu's hand, walked to the bed and sat down.

"Little Pomegranate, listen to Brother Nine. This is the best arrangement I can think of for you right now. The king of Xia State who wants to marry you is said to be gentle and kind. Even if he doesn't like you, he will still treat you well. After all, you are a legitimate princess of Yue State. This is better than suffering every day in the palace! Little Pomegranate, you must believe Brother Nine. Brother Nine will not harm you."

Tian Shiliu's body suddenly trembled, and she subconsciously covered her left arm.

Seeing this, Tian Shang hurriedly lifted Tian Shiliu's sleeves and saw that Tian Shiliu's arms were covered with bruises from being tied up with ropes. Tian Shang hugged Tian Shiliu.

"Those bastards will never dare to bully you again! You are Princess Tian Shiliu of Yue! You are Princess Tian Shiliu of Xia! Even if war breaks out between Yue and Xia in the future, Brother Nine will find a way to bring you back first!"

Tian Shiliu kept nodding in Tian Shang's arms.

"I will listen to my ninth brother. After I go to Xia Country, I will do my best to be a princess and not let my ninth brother worry."

Tian Shang let go of Tian Shiliu, took Tian Shiliu's hand and walked to the window. Looking at the sky outside the window, it was almost dusk, and Tian Shang sighed softly.

"Back then, Ninth Brother's life wasn't much better than yours. Mother wasn't favored by Father. What's the difference between Mingxia Palace and the cold palace? If Mother had given birth to a prince like me, what would have happened if it were a princess..."

Tian Shang said this, smiled bitterly, and then continued.

"You've long been abandoned... Although Ninth Brother often went to the palace to look after you on behalf of Mother, his influence was insignificant after all. It wasn't until thirteen years ago that Ninth Brother finally begged Father to find a sinecure in the Ministry of Revenue. Over the years, Ninth Brother has been scheming and deceiving each other step by step! It took a lot of effort to get the current position of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. It's really harder than climbing to the sky! But even so, Ninth Brother couldn't always take care of Little Pomegranate who was trapped in the deep palace. But now, Little Pomegranate, your good days are coming! To be honest, I'm a little envious of the princes of the Xia Kingdom. The Xia Emperor has only three princes, and the brothers have always been harmonious. Unlike my brothers, each of them is full of suspicion!"

At this point, Tian Shang saw Tian Shiliu looking at him in confusion, and couldn't help but laugh: "Why are you talking about this to you again, Brother Jiu..."

Tian Shiliu nodded obediently: "I understand. Brother Jiu is very tired."

Tian Shiliu suddenly started coughing as he spoke.

Tian Shang hurriedly asked, "Have you consulted the imperial physician?"

Tian Shiliu covered his chest and took a few deep breaths before he managed to hold back his cough.

"Don't worry, Brother Jiu... I'm fine... I'll be fine in a while."

Tian Shang hurriedly poured a glass of water for Tian Shiliu and handed it to Tian Shiliu.

"Little Pomegranate is already twenty years old. Brother Nine has finally found a relatively stable home for you! Although you are two years older than that wise king, I believe that Little Pomegranate will definitely be happy! At least happier than you are now!"

Tian Shiliu also smiled: "I believe in Brother Jiu. In this world, only Brother Jiu and the Queen truly love Little Shiliu."

Tian Shang took out a jade hairpin from his bosom and handed it to Tian Shiliu.

"This jade hairpin was specially made by my ninth brother a few days ago. The jade is a specialty of Yue State, and the pearls inlaid on it were bought from merchants in Song State. Each one is round and smooth. It can be regarded as a wedding gift from my ninth brother to Little Pomegranate!"

Tian Shiliu happily took the jade hairpin and held it in her hand as if it were a treasure.

"Thank you, Brother Nine! Little Pomegranate will definitely treasure it!"

Tian Shang smiled gently, "What are you cherishing? Wear it on your wedding day. It will be worthy of the little pomegranate! It's a pity that Brother Nine can't personally pin it on your wedding day... Remember, you must take good care of yourself and wait for Brother Nine to take you home one day!"

Tian Shiliu playfully handed the jade hairpin to Tian Shang and pointed to her own bun. Tian Shang understood and carefully inserted the jade hairpin into Tian Shiliu's bun.

"How beautiful! My little pomegranate will definitely be the most beautiful bride in the world!"

Tian Shiliu walked to the dressing table and sat down. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled happily.

Tian Shang walked to Tian Shiliu, squatted down and held Tian Shiliu's hand.

"Little Pomegranate, Brother Nine is leaving soon."

"So fast?"

"Ninth Brother came to see you secretly. For your future safety, apart from my mother, do not let anyone know about the relationship between you and me, especially the Crown Prince. Just pretend that you have never known me, and there is no Ninth Brother like me in this world. Do you understand?"

Tian Shiliu nodded solemnly.

Tian Shang stood up and gently held Tian Shiliu in his arms again.

"This is also the last time Brother Nine will come to see you. It's a long way to Xia Country, so you must take good care of yourself."

Tian Shiliu leaned in Tian Shang's arms, and the melancholy and depression in her heart finally dissipated slowly. She nodded vigorously.

"Okay, I promised Brother Jiu that I would take good care of myself!"