Chapter 79: Agreement to Not Interfere
After a brief moment of uproar, it became completely silent again.
Xu Weiran and Baili Mo were reacting differently, but they were both panicking, worried that Hua Ruxue would agree to this request. Jasper Flower Banquet had already gone on for a hundred thousand years, but this was the first time someone made this request.
This Xiao Susu was truly different from the ma.s.ses.
No one could seem to read her.
Of course, Baili Mo was panicking the most. He had already missed this opportunity once, he didn"t want to lose it again.
However, he couldn"t very well take back the fact that he had broken off the engagement in front of the n.o.bility of all three nations. Not only would that completely destroy his reputation, it would also cause Unyielding Clouds Nation to lose face.
So he could only looked on anxiously, helplessly.
Meanwhile, Nangong Mo just looked on calmly at the woman in white that was kneeling with dignity.
In reality, Xiao Susu"s request wasn"t excessive. It was just that no one had made such a request before, so it was difficult for the people present to accept it.
Xiao Mi"s face filled with heartache as she looked towards her granddaughter. She understood what Xiao Susu was thinking as well.
She cupped her fist and stepped forward, then swept her skirt back and knelt down. “This old subject earnestly requests that, Your Majesty, please show understanding for this girl"s situation.”
Everyone understood the meaning of this.
At the same time that Xiao Susu"s fame spread, the fact that the ninth prince of Unyielding Clouds Nation broke off their engagement had also spread through the world.
However, no one laughed at the Xiao family. Instead, they mocked Baili Mo for his evident blindness and ignorance.
This situation was exactly what Hua Ruxue wanted. She had just been waiting for everyone present to calm down before she gave her nod.
However, the fact that Xiao Mi knelt down as well was a perfect opportunity for her to gain the Xiao family"s goodwill again. These past years, the imperial household had been oppressing the Xiao family a lot. To gain their goodwill again would be extremely difficult, so this was a perfect opportunity.
“Alright, we will allow the young miss of the Xiao family, Xiao Susu, freedom to decide her own marriage. The imperial household will not get involved.”
Hua Ruxue"s voice rang out and everyone present was able to hear the words clearly.
A commotion immediately came from below the stage again.
Xiao Susu and Xiao Mi once again bowed before slowly getting up. “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”
They shared a glance, then recollected their emotions.
Although Hua Ruxue"s actions benefited the Xiao family to a certain degree, Hua Ruxue got the greater benefit. She didn"t want Hundred Flowers Nation to fall into danger because of Xiao Susu.
By giving her freedom, Unyielding Clouds Nation and Serene Chaste Nation had no reason to target the imperial household of Hundred Flowers Nation.
All the difficulties were thrown to the Xiao family.
What made Hua Ruxue"s head hurt more was her son, Hua Qianzi. He was normally a very shrewd person that never revealed his emotions.
This was something she had always required of him.
Over the years, Hua Qianzi had always met all of Hua Ruxue"s requirements and had never let her down.
However, his behavior this time angered her. He had actually shown his feelings due to a woman! Even Lei Yufeng had been able to see his desire.
All her years of effort and investment had truly gone to waste.
How could someone who would go on to accomplish great things be concerned about something as pointless as love?
What did it matter if she was an outstanding woman? She could only be a stepping stone for him to unite the country.
No one knew Hua Ruxue"s ambitions. No one knew that everything she had done these past years was for a single hidden motive.
The uproar below the stage only calmed slightly after Xiao Susu walked away. However, there were still a lot of n.o.blemen that were indignant. They thought that they would be able to take home the flower champion this time, but unexpectedly, not only did it turn out to be a woman from Hundred Flowers Nation so they couldn"t take her as bride, the imperial household of Hundred Flowers Nation actually agreed to her request and gave her marriage freedom!
Then this meant that they had really come all this way for nothing but to watch a show.
The leading second among the women was Hua Qianzi. She was a daughter of the imperial household and the future successor, so even less people would dare to try to have intentions towards her.
Hence, they were very angry but couldn"t very well do anything about it.
So below the stage, there was a constant buzz of dissent.
Xiao Susu furrowed her brows slightly. She was a little unhappy so she walked quickly towards where the Xiao family was.
Xiao En hastily walked up to support her with a smile. “Congratulations, Little Sis, you got your wish.”
Xiao Susu was of course happy, but she didn"t show it and just gave a faint smile before sitting down. Her magnanimous manner was very free and easy.
She knew that Hua Ruxue had only agreed so easily not because of Xiao Mi stepping out, but because Hua Ruxue had been planning to use her in the first place.
However, freedom was what she wanted. In this lifetime, she was going to control her own fate. Hua Ruxue had wanted to shake off the pressure from the two nations, but that didn"t mean her Xiao family had to deal with that pressure.
In any case, she"d make plans as things come.
She couldn"t help but want to laugh loudly when she saw that look on Baili Mo"s face. No one that bullied her would be able to get away without suffering the price!
She had already seen his look of regret.
“Baili Mo probably won"t dare to be so overbearing anymore.” Xiao Yan also looked refreshed. She shot a glare filled with disdain towards where the people of the Unyielding Clouds Nation were sitting. Humph. That day they had strolled into the Xiao residence so rudely and looked down on everyone. That arrogant manner truly made people"s teeth itch from fury.
And now it was Baili Mo"s turn to feel the ache.
“Susu, nicely done!” Xiao Zhu also walked up to pat Xiao Susu"s shoulder.
As of now, everything of the past had already been thrown to the back of their heads. The Xiao family was united like never before.
Xiao Susu"s heart warmed again when she saw this harmonic atmosphere and the smile on her face brightened.
She really liked this current moment. She felt no fear even though they would have to face Unyielding Clouds Nation and Serene Chaste Nation, because the Xiao family would be right with her.
It was no longer like the past. She wasn"t alone.
When that thought occurred to her, she lifted her head and looked towards Lei Yufeng, only to see that he was also looking towards her. They simultaneously shifted their eyes away.
At the same time, they started making their own plans.
After what happened just now, Lei Yufeng was no longer just interested in Xiao Susu.
Xiao Susu had quickly shifted her gaze away because she was worried that her emotions would show.
The appearance of Lei Yufeng and Hua Qianzi forced her to recall Mo Wenchen.
That man who she loved and hated.
She wanted to let it go, but she couldn"t.
Hua Qianzi was also looking at Xiao Susu. Her gaze seemed calm, but actually, the depths of her eyes were raging. In great Yan, the existence of Su Qiqi had threatened her everything. She hadn"t even managed to get her last wish.
She thought that everything would change once she returned to Hundred Flowers Nation, but unexpectedly, there was a Xiao Susu here.
That calm indifference was seriously too similar to that woman"s. She couldn"t help but feel fear.
However, after she calmed down, she could see that Xiao Susu wasn"t Su Qiqi.
After all, she had seen that sword enter Su Qiqi"s chest with her own eyes. And after that, Su Qiqi had jumped into the abyss.
However, the uneasy feeling in her heart wouldn"t go away.
The messy situation in Hundred Flowers Nation also made her feel powerless. It turned out that her return was nothing but a pretense. She was also smart, so she naturally knew what Hua Ruxue was planning.
She could see Hua Qianye"s capability as well. Even if she worked hard her entire life, she wouldn"t be able to compare.
She finally understood why Hua Ruxue hadn"t revealed her ident.i.ty to the ministers.
She was just a chess piece to divert the ministers" attention.
Although she wasn"t willing to accept this ident.i.ty, she couldn"t do anything about it.
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Credits: Translated by Chiyomira
[Chiyomira"s Corner]
Enjoy~