Chen Junyu spoke, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this old minister believes it is best to plan carefully. The current situation, due to the assassins from Da Tu Kingdom, has caused widespread panic!"
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand slightly, "Prime Minister, what you say is not entirely correct. Precisely because people are in a panic, the Emperor's bestowing a marriage upon my younger sister will bring them some joy and boost morale."
"If everyone's thoughts turn to this, they naturally won't dwell on the matter of assassins."
Upon hearing this, Chen Junyu pondered for a moment and found it to hold some truth.
After all, the search within Wannian City had already been conducted several times with no results. Perhaps the Black Wolf Guards had indeed fled.
"Your Highness, it is permissible to bestow a marriage upon the princess. However, this old minister still believes it is inappropriate for the princess to marry Chen Xiaobei!"
Before he could finish, Xiao Jingyun interrupted him, "I know you are about to say that Chen Xiaobei is already married to more than one wife, am I correct?"
His words choked Chen Junyu, who could only nod in resignation.
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince, you are correct. According to the ancestral system of our Da Cang Kingdom, a married person is not permitted to marry a princess."
"Alright, don't mention the system anymore. The Emperor did not make that clear in the first place," Xiao Jingyun said, shaking his head.
"But Your Highness the Crown Prince, if the ancestral system is broken, how can we gain the trust of the world in the future?"
"Alas, you are mistaken. Only by betrothing my younger sister to Chen Xiaobei can the Emperor gain the trust of the world. Very well, it is settled. Tomorrow morning, gather a few more ministers and accompany me to the palace to persuade the Emperor!" Su Dan Novel Network
Xiao Jingyun did as he said. The next morning, he gathered some civil and military officials and, along with Chen Junyu, went to seek an audience with his father.
Emperor Xiao An heard that the Crown Prince had arrived with others. He immediately understood that they had come to persuade him.
"Good, good, Xiao Jingyun. It seems you will not rest until this matter is agreed upon."
However, upon reflection, his son's request was not entirely without merit. After all, he had already made a promise.
Therefore, Xiao An decided to formally receive these ministers in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
After Xiao Jingyun and the others entered and paid their respects, everything appeared to be proceeding according to protocol.
Once their greetings were finished, Xiao An spoke first, "Jingyun, have I not already appointed you to oversee state affairs? Why have you brought so many people to see me?"
Seeing his father's directness, Xiao Jingyun bowed and replied, "Reporting to Father Emperor, today there is a matter of great importance to the dignity of our royal family..."
Xiao An smiled, "Oh, it concerns my dignity? Then tell me about it."
"It is already rumored throughout the city, Father Emperor, that Chen Xiaobei made the greatest contribution in resisting Da Tu Kingdom. He is the most qualified to marry my younger sister."
Upon hearing this, Xiao An couldn't help but chuckle. People always sought excuses, no matter how baseless, to justify their actions. Xiao An certainly didn't believe Xiao Jingyun's excuse.
The citizens of the city might be discussing this matter, but Xiao An would never go and ask a citizen. Thus, it was like having no concrete evidence, yet it sounded plausible.
Xiao An vaguely replied, "Oh, you mean this matter has already spread widely?"
Xiao Jingyun nodded and gave a signal to Chen Junyu and the others beside him.
Chen Junyu immediately bowed and followed Xiao Jingyun's lead, "Reporting to Your Majesty, we have heard some rumors!"
"This old minister does not know whether they are true or false, so I have come to seek clarification from Your Majesty."
Hearing Chen Junyu's words, Xiao An inwardly found it amusing. "Good, Chen Junyu, you are playing both sides here!"
But as he looked up and saw Chen Junyu's hesitant expression, Xiao An suddenly understood something.
He grasped a crucial point: Chen Junyu had advised him earlier to drag this matter out.
Yet now, Chen Junyu had come with the others to seek clarification.
Such a significant change in attitude could not be due to his own volition, meaning only one thing: it had to be Xiao Jingyun.
Yes, he must have been forced by Xiao Jingyun to see him.
Having figured this out, Xiao An instantly had a plan.
"Jingyun, what you say has merit. I have never said that Jingfeng would not be betrothed to Chen Xiaobei. But as you know, the shadow of the assassins from Da Tu Kingdom still lingers, and we haven't apprehended a single one.
"As long as these Da Tu assassins are not eliminated, my heart will not be at peace."
Xiao Jingyun certainly understood that his father was setting conditions. You want me to arrange the marriage between Jingfeng and Chen Xiaobei? Then go and catch the Da Tu assassins, otherwise this matter will not be approved.
Chen Junyu, who was beside them, understood Xiao An's implied meaning. He turned to Xiao Jingyun and said, "Your Highness, in this old minister's opinion, His Majesty's words are reasonable. Should we perhaps..."
Xiao Jingyun was so angry he wanted to curse. A true opportunist, he had already switched sides again. But how could he miss this hard-won opportunity? Furthermore, Chen Xiaobei had saved his life, and helping him marry the princess was his undeniable responsibility.
With this thought, Xiao Jingyun clasped his hands again, "Father Emperor, your words are also reasonable. To guard against the secret machinations of Da Tu Kingdom, I will immediately order Zhou Quan to thoroughly search the city."
Hearing this, Xiao An nodded, "Good, good. Go make the arrangements."
Xiao Jingyun turned and left. Only then did Xiao An breathe a sigh of relief. This hurdle had, at least, been passed for today.
As Xiao Jingyun walked out of the palace, he immediately made arrangements for Zhou Quan to lead his men in another search of the city. Meanwhile, he himself went to see Chen Xiaobei. When he arrived at Liu Xiangnan's residence and inquired, he learned that Chen Xiaobei had already moved into an inn.
What kind of explanation was this?
Xiao Jingyun was somewhat baffled. Seeing this, Liu Xiangnan quickly explained, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, it is not that I drove him away. It is just that due to the rampant assassins in the past few days, I feared he might be inadvertently injured, so I asked him to stay elsewhere for safety."
Xiao Jingyun remained silent regarding this reason. Did it hold water? It did.
Did it lack reason? It also lacked reason.
Chen Xiaobei had the absolute masters, the Lotus Cult leader and Shen Ziyan, by his side. Liu Xiangnan's residence also had masters like Liu Tie and Liu Ce. The assassins from Da Tu Kingdom had not gained any advantage the last time they came. Why was Chen Xiaobei specifically sent away?
Of course, for Xiao Jingyun, these were not the most important issues. The urgent matter was to find Chen Xiaobei quickly.
Chen Xiaobei was sleeping soundly in the inn. He had absolutely nothing to do there, spending his days eating and sleeping.
After staying for several days, his anxious emotions gradually subsided. He also realized that whether Liu Rumei would return was not something he could decide. The current interstate relations were complex, and her return depended entirely on Liu Rumei's own luck and destiny.