Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Youlan Courtyard

Su Qianrou had just woken up and was washing up.

Chunzhu, who was serving her, said, "Miss, I heard that an envoy from the Western Regions has arrived in the capital."

"What are they doing here when it's neither a holiday nor a festival?"

"I heard that the two countries are going to form a marriage alliance."

"A marriage alliance? With whom? His Majesty is only nine years old. Could it be the Regent?"

"No, they're here to propose marriage on behalf of their Prince Blue."

"Asking for marriage, who should we marry? Aren't all the princesses of marriageable age in Yunyue already married? The remaining two princesses are only eight years old this year, and the youngest princess is not even five years old. Are we going to send them to marry foreign rulers?"

"This servant does not know."

"Never mind, it's none of our business anyway. Let's hurry up and get ready for class, or we'll be late."

"Yes".

Fengtian Hall

Qi Heng, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the envoy from the Western Regions arrived in the capital yesterday and is currently waiting to be summoned outside the palace."

"pass".

"Summon the envoy from the Western Regions to the palace."

A moment later, Luerqi strode in, "Luerqi, the envoy from the Western Regions, pays his respects to Your Majesty Yunyue."

No need for formalities.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"The envoy has come today to discuss the matter of a marriage alliance."

"Yes".

"I wonder who Prince Blue wants to marry."

Princess Ping Le.

"What did you say? You said Prince Blue wants to marry Princess Ping Le?" Mu Zexuan stood up excitedly.

"Yes, our prince was attracted by Princess Ping Le's talent and beauty. After returning home, he couldn't stop thinking about her, and even fell ill from longing. Therefore, our king specially sent us to ask for Princess Ping Le's hand in marriage on behalf of Prince Bru."

"Impossible, I absolutely disagree."

"We are willing to offer Lanzhou and Liangzhou as betrothal gifts, in addition to thousands of cattle, sheep and horses."

These words sparked a great deal of discussion among the ministers.

“Lanzhou and Liangzhou belong to us. You are using our cities as betrothal gifts. Your intentions are despicable.”

"that is".

"It used to be yours, but don't forget, you were defeated three years ago and we took it away. Now, it is our territory in the Western Regions."

"You're seizing our city, and you still think you're right?"

"You're not as skilled as others, so who can you blame?"

"You...you've gone too far."

"Now we are giving you this opportunity to take back the two cities without lifting a finger. You should be happy."

"How dare you! This is Yunyue, not your Western Regions. You have no right to spout such nonsense here!" Su Jing'an said sternly.

"What, people aren't allowed to tell the truth? One woman in exchange for two cities, you Yunyue should be secretly laughing."

"Ruhrchi, don't go too far."

"Am I wrong?"

“That’s enough. Yunyue will definitely take back Lanzhou and Liangzhou, but it will never be through marriage alliances,” Mu Jinchen said.

"Indeed, today, you Western Regions have humiliated my Yunyue in this way. In the future, I will make you pay back double."

"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to reclaim Lanzhou and Liangzhou. I hope Your Majesty and the Prince will grant my request," Yang Wenchang stepped forward and said.

Yang Lin also said, "I am also willing to go on the expedition and vow to take back Lanzhou and Liangzhou at all costs."

Upon hearing this, Luerqi did not take it to heart, because he felt that no one would be foolish enough to give up such a great opportunity and then go through the trouble of sending troops to attack their Western Regions. Therefore, he was not flustered at all, and even provoked, "Opportunity knocks but once. I advise you all to think carefully and not to do anything stupid."

“You…” Yang Wenchang was furious.

"Enough. A marriage alliance is absolutely impossible. Guards, escort the envoys back to their lodgings to rest," Mu Jinchen said firmly.

Rulchi didn't pay any attention and strode out.

After he left, the ministers chattered incessantly, but their discussions all revolved around the issue of a marriage alliance, differing only in whether they agreed or disagreed.

Most people still sided with the marriage alliance, because they felt that sacrificing a woman to gain two cities was a great deal.

Su Jing'an, Yang Wenchang, and others strongly opposed it.

Therefore, the hall was extremely noisy, comparable to a vegetable market.

"Enough. I have said that a marriage alliance is absolutely impossible. There is no need to discuss this matter further. Court is adjourned." With that, he stood up.

Seeing this, Mu Zexuan also stood up and then walked down first.

Mu Jinchen followed behind him.

The ministers wanted to say something more, but since the regent had already left, they could only say, "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty and the Regent."

Saint Ming Academy

Su Qianrou was still in class when Li An rushed in, saw Chunzhu standing at the classroom door, and immediately ran over and asked, "Chunzhu, how much longer until Miss finishes class?"

"It should be almost done, what's wrong?"

Something terrible has happened.

"What happened?"

Just as Ang Lee was about to speak, he heard the bell ring.

Immediately afterwards, Su Qianrou's voice came from the classroom, "get out of class dismissed."

Then, the children ran out.

A moment later, Su Qianrou also came out. She was somewhat surprised to see Li An there and asked, "Why are you here?"

"Miss, something terrible has happened."

"What happened?"

"Prince Bru of the Western Regions wishes to marry you and offers two cities as a dowry."

"What did you say? How is this possible?" Chunzhu looked incredulous.

"You mean that the Western Regions are proposing a marriage alliance with me this time?"

"right".

"Have His Majesty and the Regent agreed?"

"No, the Regent strongly disagrees, but the ministers hope that you will go for the marriage alliance."

"Has my father returned home?"

"Not yet, they're still in the palace."

"Go back right away."

"Yes".

Su Qianrou didn't care about anything else and immediately returned to her residence.

Meiran-in

Upon learning of this, Lin Rong was extremely anxious and restless, constantly asking, "Has Master returned?" The answer was always, "No."

At this moment, she was sitting on the couch, thinking of a solution, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't come up with a good one, which made her even more anxious.

At this moment, Su Qianrou walked in.

When Qinghui saw her, she bowed and said, "Miss."

Su Qianrou walked up to Lin Rong and called out, "Mother."

"You already know."

"Ok".

Lin Rong held her hand and said solemnly, "Don't worry, Mother will never let you marry into the Western Regions."

"Mother, don't worry, the Regent didn't agree, did he?"

"He hasn't agreed yet, but the ministers are all persuading him, so there's no guarantee he won't agree... In that case, I'll choose a family for you right away and get engaged first. They can't force you to break off the engagement and then marry someone else, can they?"

"Mother, at this critical juncture, who do you think would dare to marry me?"

Lin Rong knew it would be difficult, but she couldn't bear to watch her daughter marry into the Western Regions. Therefore, even if there was only a sliver of hope, she had to try. "Maybe there really is someone who isn't afraid of powerful people. Alright, you go back first. I will discuss this matter with your father. Don't worry, we will never let you marry into the Western Regions."

"mother".

"Go back home. Your mother will take care of everything. Don't worry."

"Then I'll go back first. Mother, don't worry too much. Maybe things aren't as bad as we think."

"Ok".

Then, Su Qianrou went out.

Lin Rong looked at her, feeling heartache and reluctance.