Chapter 1004: Chapter 999: Becoming a Son-in-Law
“The ambition of the Yan Kingdom and that of the Zhou is to unify the world. Now the Yan Kingdom stands among the powerful nations, although there is still a gap in strength compared to the Zhou, the ambition remains undiminished. I wonder… Ninth Prince of Yan, do you intend to fight the Zhou, or ally with them?”
“The Empress has said that the winner should be decided based on the strength of the two countries, yet I, Xiao Rongyan, dare not agree.” Xiao Rongyan nodded slightly toward Bai Qingyan, “The foundation of the Murong family’s several generations was hard-won, and I, Xiao Rongyan, would never hand it over willingly…”
“So it seems, Ninth Prince is uncertain that the national policy of Yan can surpass the Zhou!” Bai Qingyan tapped the table with his fingers intermittently, “Therefore… Ninth Prince leans more towards deciding the outcome through military strength.”
Bai Qingyan was not without insight into the governance strategy of Yan. Yan’s state policy was based on its original laws, adjusted to favor the Imperial Family according to the rules of Empress Ji, a notion that even Xiao Rongyan realized but was unwilling to amend.
Xiao Rongyan aimed for peace and a unified world, while Bai Qingyan hoped for a unified world followed by the prosperity of the people, believing that a strong populace meant a strong nation.
Xiao Rongyan did not hide his intentions, yet neither did he wish to admit them, stating only: “The Zhou can strive for the throne, and so can the Yan. After all… no one knows where the deer will fall until the very end.”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “Since the Ninth Prince disagrees with my proposal to judge the outcome based on national policy, from today, let it be each to his own skill!”
Bai Qingyan erred in never having studied the Art of the Emperor, in thinking he was of one mind with Xiao Rongyan… forgetting Xiao Rongyan’s Imperial Family origin.
But all this does not matter, fortunately… Bai Qingyan awakened quickly enough.
“Your Majesty…” Chun Tao called from outside the hall.
“Enter…”
Hearing the voice, Chun Tao pushed the door open slightly, looking up to see Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan each seated in their places, with Xiao Rongyan sitting more properly, at which she felt relieved, stepping lightly to Bai Qingyan’s side, covering her mouth with one hand, speaking softly: “The ghost-faced Prince of Rong requests an audience, Master Wei has invited him to the side hall for tea.”
Chun Tao still did not know the identity of the ghost-faced prince, finding it hard not to fear the facial features of the ghostly mask.
Though Chun Tao was unclear why Wei Zhong would escort a prince of an enemy nation to the back hall, she knew that Wei Zhong must have had his reasons for doing so.
A Yu should have heard of Li Zhijie’s visit to the palace, and so she hurriedly came, conveniently having words to say to Wei Zhong as well.
“You say, Wei Zhong took him to the side hall?” Bai Qingyan was somewhat surprised, it seemed Wei Zhong might know something about A Yu’s identity.
“Yes!” Chun Tao nodded.
Bai Qingyan glanced at Xiao Rongyan, saying: “Go and invite him in…”
“Alright!” Chun Tao bowed before tiptoeing towards the side hall.
Soon after, Bai Qingyu, wearing a ghost mask with blue face and fangs, was respectfully invited into the main hall by Wei Zhong. Seeing Xiao Rongyan also in the hall, seated below his elder sister, Bai Qingyu’s surprised expression was hidden beneath the mask. Lifting the long robe with dark cloud patterns, he entered the hall and saluted Bai Qingyan.
“Prince need not stand on ceremony, be seated…” Bai Qingyan’s brows softened into a gentle smile upon seeing the prideful A Yu.
Bai Qingyu nodded with an aloof demeanor, not sparing a glance at Xiao Rongyan, taking a seat on the other side of Bai Qingyan.
“I wonder if the Prince comes to the palace for any specific reason?” Bai Qingyan asked Bai Qingyu with a smile.
Bai Qingyu glanced at Xiao Rongyan with his profound eyes and said in a deep voice: “My king sent someone with a message, the Xiliang army’s movements are unclear, ordering this official to return to Rong to prepare for battle. I have especially come to bid farewell to Your Majesty…”
After speaking, Bai Qingyu looked once again earnestly at Xiao Rongyan: “Unexpectedly, this great merchant of Wei… Yan is here.”
“Today seems a coincidence as well; let me reintroduce this world’s greatest merchant, Mr. Xiao, to the Prince.” Bai Qingyan turned his gaze to Xiao Rongyan, “This is the Ninth Prince of Yan… Murong Yan.”
Bai Qingyu’s brow twitched, his palm subconsciously gripping his coat’s hem.
Could it be… his elder sister truly admitted to being betrothed to Xiao Rongyan knowing full well he was the Ninth Prince of Yan, does she indeed have feelings for him?
Or… did this Ninth Prince of Yan deliberately deceive his elder sister.
“I once had the fortune of meeting the ghost-faced Prince at Xiangliang, where we established an agreement that Yan Kingdom would not set eyes on Xiliang for three years; we can be considered old acquaintances.” Xiao Rongyan’s smile deepened, sitting upright, and bowed to Bai Qingyu, curious about the true identity of this ghost-faced Prince of Rong, “Since today we reveal our identities, may I ask… which general of the Bai family might the ghost-faced Prince be, so I can have a clear idea?”
Back then, this Ninth Prince of Yan had risked his life to save the Yan’s betrothal princess at the border of Dengzhou and Rong, finding clues behind enemy arrangements was no wonder.
Later meeting at Xiangliang… When signing the agreement, the Ninth Prince of Yan had told him… to consider it for the sake of his elder sister, leading him to believe the Ninth Prince knew his identity. Evidently, he had overestimated him.
Bai Qingyu’s hand gripping his garment slowly relaxed, confident that even if his elder sister developed feelings for the Ninth Prince of Yan, she would never voluntarily disclose his name, assuming the Ninth Prince merely thought him to be a member of the Bai family.
Bai Qingyu replied leisurely: “Ninth Prince overestimates me; I am merely one of the Bai family army…”
This was not exactly untrue, for Bai Qingyu had belonged to the Bai family army since birth.
Xiao Rongyan turned to look at Bai Qingyan, observing Bai Qingyan sipping tea, recalling Bai Qingqi’s words upon returning… While still having doubts about Bai Qingyu’s identity, he refrained from pressing further.
After all, considering Xiao Rongyan’s understanding of Bai Qingyan, if he were merely a regular Bai family soldier, why would Bai Qingyan have behaved so uncharacteristically in Dengzhou that day… when inquiring about the details of the duel encounter with the ghostly-faced general?
Xiao Rongyan decided against delving deeper, nodding slightly.
“Since this is the case…” Bai Qingyu pressed his thin lips together, looking steadily at Xiao Rongyan, “As members of the Bai family army, we can be considered kin to Young General Bai. I dare ask the Ninth Prince, with Yan Kingdom’s grand ambition of unifying the world, if one day Yan and the Zhou stand opposed, how might the Ninth Prince choose? Is it war, or peace?”
“Yan… can never submit to another country.” Xiao Rongyan then turned to Bai Qingyan, “But, I… can marry into other land.”
“Is this the Ninth Prince’s offer?” Bai Qingyu’s hoarse voice let out a snicker, elegantly adjusting his posture with a hint of pride, “Your Yan Kingdom has the determination to unify the world, and my Zhou… also has the ambition to pacify it! Moreover, my Zhou has already grasped Rong in its hand, ready to incorporate it into Zhou territory at any moment!”