Yan Liu smiled, entered the room with Zuo Wuji, and took the cup of "Yi Zui Bai Nian" that Zuo Wuji had handed over, placing it aside. His expression then turned grave.
"I have come today hoping that the Yan family can form a matrimonial alliance with the Marquis of Zhenbei! The Marquis of Zhenbei has two daughters. One has already been betrothed to the Marquis of Anguo, and the other is unmarried..."
Zuo Wuji smiled on the surface, but roared internally, "They've both been taken by Liang Xiao, what do you take me for?"
His two daughters were the last thing Zuo Wuji wanted to mention now, yet Yan Liu insisted on rubbing salt in his wounds.
Considering Yan Liu's status, Zuo Wuji patiently sighed, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Prime Minister Zuo! However, my second daughter abhors evil and has the spirit of the Northern King within her. She is known nationwide for easily harming others. For the safety of your son, it is better to abandon this matter."
Yan Liu quickly said, "That is precisely why I am considering the interests of the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Yue family! The Marquis of Zhenbei has no sons. His eldest daughter is betrothed to the Marquis of Anguo and is destined to become a Great Qian subject. Now, his second daughter is dared not to be married by anyone. As the saying goes, if I do not go to hell, who will? After my beloved son and she have children, they can be sent to the Marquis of Zhenbei for upbringing, ensuring the Yue family has descendants!"
Seeing Zuo Wuji listening attentively, Yan Liu added, "Even if they cannot have children, your daughter will still be given a formal status. At least no one will dare to provoke the Yue family in the future!"
Zuo Wuji was taken aback and re-examined Yan Liu before him.
According to his understanding, the Yan Liu of the past disdained to curry favor with him, yet now he was so eager to grovel...
Thinking about how he had provided the movable type printing technology, causing these aristocratic families to lose millions of taels, Zuo Wuji's back broke out in a cold sweat.
What if they discovered he was the culprit...
After much deliberation, Zuo Wuji decided to appease Yan Liu for now and said, "This matter, this Marquis will consider carefully, but it is unlikely to be accomplished in the short term. After all, this Marquis needs to avoid suspicion!"
Yan Liu seized the opportunity and said earnestly, "In fact, the key is not the alliance between our two families, but rather that we can be on good terms. The Marquis of Zhenbei wisely preserves himself and does not participate in courtly struggles; I have observed this. However, His Majesty's bestowal of marriage, disregarding whether you have heirs or not, is somewhat..."
Zuo Wuji's heart sank, and he remained silent.
Yan Liu continued, "His Majesty's health is not good. When the new emperor ascends the throne, he will need the court officials to express their stance. My family fully supports the Third Prince; you are aware of this."
"Please, Prime Minister Yan, get straight to the point," Zuo Wuji said with a smile.
Yan Liu then explained, "Qin Feng has always been boastful and arrogant, and relies on imperial favor. This is the path to disaster. This man controls military power and is deeply loved by the people; he must have treacherous intentions. In the future, we must recommend a new military leader, and naturally, it will be the Marquis of Zhenbei, whose military achievements are outstanding."
Zuo Wuji asked tentatively, "So what do you need this Marquis to do?"
Yan Liu said in a low voice, "It is simple: temporarily assist us in restraining Qin Feng. It would be best if the military power of the Zhenbei Army could be handed over to the Third Prince. Once he ascends to the throne, the Marquis of Zhenbei will have the merit of supporting the dragon, and his prosperity will be boundless!"
Upon hearing this, Zuo Wuji still smiled and said, "This matter, this Marquis will also consider carefully. His Majesty is still alive. How can this Marquis dare to casually delegate power? I fear that at that time, I will not pass His Majesty's scrutiny, and even you, Prime Minister Zuo, will be implicated!"
Yan Liu frowned and reminded him, "The merit of supporting the dragon should be as early as possible. The Third Prince does not need icing on the cake, but rather help in times of need!"
"This Marquis understands, but please give me some time. After all, Yue Hongxiu is still in the Yue residence..." Zuo Wuji feigned difficulty.
Yan Liu understood and cupped his fists, "I understand. I only hope that the Marquis of Zhenbei has a discerning eye and makes plans early!"
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and Yan Liu left in a hurry.
"Crack!"
The table bore the brunt of Zuo Wuji's palm, and cracks spread from the center of his palm across the entire surface.
"Damn it, they still want me to hand over my military power? Do they really think I'm a three-year-old child? Not a chance!"
Yue Hongxiu emerged from the side hall and said, "They dare to come to the Yue residence to win you over, and even fear neither me nor His Majesty knowing about this, which shows they are emboldened. What do you plan to do?"
Zuo Wuji said grimly, "The military power of the Zhenbei Army must not fall into their hands, otherwise I will surely die without a burial place! Since they do not want me to preserve myself, so be it!"
As he spoke, Zuo Wuji stood up abruptly, about to leave, but was stopped by Yue Hongxiu.
"Why did you marry my sister back then? Was it only to repay a debt of gratitude? It doesn't fit your character; you could have repaid her with wealth."
Zuo Wuji paused, his sword-like eyebrows raised.
"Back then, for the great cause spoken of by my father and brother, I toiled day and night and was seriously injured by accident. It was your father and sister who saved me. Later, my sister and I fell in love, but for their great cause, we had to reluctantly part ways and forget each other in the martial world!"
"Later, I met Lin'er's mother when I was thirty and finally got married. However, her mother died because of that beast's great cause. I abandoned the great cause and went to Daliang. When I saw your sister again, it was to fulfill my youthful wish. But that beast came to me again to talk about the great cause. I was soft-hearted and agreed, but he gave up halfway and even involved my daughter!"
After speaking, Zuo Wuji glanced back at Yue Hongxiu and grinned sinisterly, "Do you think I look like a clown?"
Yue Hongxiu responded in astonishment, "Then you should return Liang Xiao's child to him. The child is innocent, and Liang Xiao will definitely compensate you."
"Wishful thinking! They are my descendants!" Zuo Wuji interrupted Yue Hongxiu roughly and left indignantly.
Yue Hongxiu, helpless, immediately summoned a Northern King's guard...
At the Court of Diplomatic Relations, Liang Xiao, who was discussing matters with Zhuo Zifang, suddenly received news from Yue Hongxiu.
"The commander only said to help the Marquis of Anguo find the child as soon as possible."
Liang Xiao was stunned and hurriedly requested, "Quickly, have her come to see me!"
Late at night, Qin Feng's mansion also welcomed an uninvited guest.
"Marquis of Zhenbei visiting late at night, I presume there is an urgent matter."
In the grand hall, Qin Feng looked at Zuo Wuji in the guest seat with confusion.
Zuo Wuji looked around and, seeing only Xuan Wei present, finally spoke truthfully, "Then I will be blunt. Prime Minister Zuo wants to win me over and intends for me to hand over military power to the Third Prince. This shows that even preserving myself is a luxury."
Qin Feng frowned, "It seems they want to use one tiger to fight another, to support you and oppose me."
Zuo Wuji nodded repeatedly, his tone sincere, "Marquis of Zhenguo, I understand clearly that among all the civil and military officials, only you are a true gentleman, more reliable than these old foxes! I wish to cooperate with you! If the military power of the Zhenbei Army must be handed over, it should be returned to His Majesty, or transferred to you with His Majesty's consent!"
Qin Feng cupped his fists, "The Marquis of Zhenbei's loyalty to His Majesty is evident to all. How dare I covet the military power of the Zhenbei Army? However, to ensure the safety of the Yue residence, the Marquis of Zhenbei should still listen to His Majesty's opinion."
Zuo Wuji looked wronged, "I am so loyal; if I have no merit, I have at least labored hard. Since His Majesty knows that I am at odds with Liang Xiao, yet insists on bestowing this marriage, why go through all this trouble..."
Qin Feng explained, "His Majesty is merely worried that he will not live to be a hundred. If the situation turns for the worse, with you holding military power and having the marital connection with the Marquis of Anguo, even if the Marquis of Anguo is at odds with you, he will surely protect you for the sake of your daughter. Even if a new emperor ascends the throne, before you are stripped of your military power, you will have enough time to seek refuge with the Marquis of Anguo with your entire family."
Seeing Zuo Wuji unperturbed, Qin Feng said sternly, "As for what I can do for you, it is to make the worst-case scenario plans and send your family to the Marquis of Anguo."