Five years later.Princess Lingchen touched her head as she felt a headache. The two officers in front of her brought two different reports, and both were two troubling matters for her. The Crown Princess lifted her head and saw that the two ministers bowed their head even more.
"Your Majesty," the first minister spoke up. "I received reports that Eastern Zhou has allowed the Qian Rong"s army to use their land. The two countries are definitely working together to attack us."
"Your Majesty," the second minister spoke up. "This matter could be resolved if you agree to marry Prince Huo Yuan of Western Zhou to the Crown Princess. Western Zhou has promised to offer their military help to fight against the two other countries.
Princess Lingchen let out a chuckle as she thought about Prince Huo Yuan. The Prince definitely left an impression to her as he would speak flirty words to her during the Spring Hunt years ago.
The Crown Princess turned to look at her father, who sat at the dragon throne. Although the ministers and officials been discussing the matters for half an hour, the Emperor of Da Cheng did not say anything. In the end, the ministers and officials were divided into two. One that supported the idea for her to marry the Prince, and one who did not think it was a good idea.
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Truthfully, Princess Lingchen was on the other side. However, it looked like the group that supported her to marry would win. The Princess" gaze went towards the person who was leading the motion for her to marry. It was Chancellor Chen.
Although the chancellor"s power in court weakened due to her granddaughter"s scandal a few years ago, it was not easy to suppress his power. The old man was too wicked. Although Princess Lingchen and the Emperor had tried many ways to lessen his power in court, it was not an easy task. Many ministers and officials dare not to go against him.
After a long silence, the Emperor slapped his palm on the table. Suddenly, the hall turned quiet.
"Enough," the Emperor spoke weakly. "I understood what my ministers tried to convey. However, this matter is not something that I can decide immediately."
"Your Majesty," an official stepped forward. "If we did not act quickly-"
"I will think of this matter before I can make a decision," the Emperor interjected before the official could finish. The Emperor stood up and waved his hand. "This meeting is adjourned."
Soon, everyone in the room bowed as the Emperor began to leave the hall. Seeing that there was nothing she could do, Princess Lingchen too left the hall and headed towards her palace. When she arrived, a maidservant came and announced that her mother, the Empress, has been waiting for her inside.
Princess Lingchen went inside and bowed as she greeted her mother. "Greetings Imperial Mother. May you live long and prosper."
The Empress smiled and told her daughter to take a seat next to her. "I heard that the ministers have been pushing you to marry the Prince of Western Zhou."
"The situation between Da Cheng, Qian Rong and Eastern Zhou is not good right now," Princess Lingchen said. "Da Cheng could win a war if we were against Qian Rong. However, the two countries decided to work together. Da Cheng"s military is not powerful enough to fight them both. The ministers think that if I marry the Prince of Western Zhou, then, with Western Zhou"s military power and ours, the others will not dare to go against us."
In the past two years, Qian Rong had suddenly started to provoke Da Cheng. The situation between them has gotten worst as Qian Rong accused Da Cheng of imprisoning and murdering Prince Lu Wei during his stay in Da Cheng a few years ago.
The prince has stayed and left Da Cheng a few years ago, and it was until recently that Qian Rong wanted to pursue the matter. Of course, his intention was questionable.
Through his men, Jiang Xiao Tian found out that the political scene in Qian Rong was not too good. The Emperor of Qian Rong was seen as a weak ruler among his ministers and officials. Moreover, gossip that the Emperor killed his father and his brothers to gain the throne spread among the citizen. In the end, his retainer suggested to initiate war and shift the rumor to Da Cheng. This move was to let the rumor die and to build up his reputation in court.
"Then," the Empress spoke, "What do you think about this matter?"
Princess Lingchen looked at her mother and smiled. She could guess that her father, the Emperor, had sent her mother over to ask for her opinion on this matter. "Of course, I would be happy if Da Cheng could win the war without depending on the others. However, I also know that as a member of the imperial family, I know that my marriage will not come with love. If I can help to stop our people from suffering through this marriage, then, I have no objection."
The Empress gaze softened as she heard her daughter"s words. She had married her husband for love, and that thought made her feel so lucky. As a mother, of course, she wanted her daughter to be happy too. The Empress held the Princess" hand and patted it softly.
"Regarding your marriage, I have nothing to say," the Empress said as she stared into her daughter"s eyes. "Although marriage in the Imperial family rarely comes with love, as long as you can live with someone who respects you and treat you with kindness, that is enough."
Princess Lingchen could only reply to her mother"s words with a smile. The mother and daughter had a brief chat for a while longer before the Empress left the Princess" quarter.
After the Empress left, the Crown Princess turned to her maidservant, Ah Zhen. "Have you prepared everything?"
Ah Zhen nodded. "Your Highness, don"t worry. I have prepared everything as your instruction. The Second Master Jiang is here to escort you."