Her marriage arrangements were naturally not something they could interfere with. Moreover, the Emperor was very concerned about this matter, and had already instructed the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites to begin preparations for the arrival of the Xiliang envoys some time ago.
If it were truly the Xiliang princess who fancied him, it would indeed be troublesome. It wasn't that he worried about being forced to divorce his wife and remarry; besides, he didn't even like Liu Meng Han. He was only concerned that the Xiliang princess might not tolerate Feng Ruo Yan.
"That absolutely won't do. You absolutely cannot marry that Xiliang princess."
After finally getting Chu Yan Xi to obediently marry a daughter of the Liu family, if he were to marry the Xiliang princess, wouldn't her plans be ruined? What would become of the Liu family's future?
"Whether he marries or not, it's not up to us to say," Chu Yan Xi said coldly. He understood his father; national affairs were always his top priority. Furthermore, the national treasury was currently empty, and with the Cangnan Kingdom coveting their lands from without, the best course of action was to make peace with Xiliang so they could focus on dealing with Cangnan. Therefore, no matter what demands the Xiliang princess made, his father would find ways to satisfy her.
"I will go and plead with your father immediately. He will surely agree." The Empress's heart fluttered with panic. She quickly got up, ready to beg Emperor Xuan Wen. They had been childhood sweethearts and shared youthful affections.
For this reason, no matter how much Emperor Xuan Wen doted on the Imperial Noble Consort over the years, she had always been the highest esteemed in the harem. Even the late Consort Jing Yi could not contend with her.
As long as she tearfully pleaded her case, Emperor Xuan Wen would surely soften and agree.
"Mother, you don't need to go. This time is different from before. National affairs are paramount. We can only fend for ourselves. Once the Xiliang envoys arrive in the capital, you only need to find a way to recommend someone. Let other princes go to welcome the Xiliang princess." He hoped the Xiliang princess would fancy one of the other princes soon, thus saving him from constant worry.
"I will go and plead with your father. But which prince would be suitable to recommend?"
"Chu Chen Yi," Chu Yan Xi uttered the name faintly from his thin lips.
"Chu Chen Yi? That cripple? The Xiliang princess would fancy him?" The Empress's face was filled with disdain. Although Chu Chen Yi's legs appeared no different from those of a normal person, only she knew the extent of his internal weakness. This was also the primary reason why all the renowned physicians had failed to treat him.
As early as when Chu Chen Yi had broken his leg, she had ordered the imperial physicians to add a large amount of cold-natured Aristolochia to his medicine. Even if Chu Chen Yi's legs were healed, he would constantly suffer from unbearable pain, eventually making even walking difficult.
"Whether she fancies him or not, you can see the affection between Prince Jing and his wife. After all, Princess Jing is the only daughter of Marquis Pingyang, and the Marquis Pingyang's influence cannot be underestimated." Among his brothers, the only one who could truly contend with him now was Chu Chen Yi. Before Chu Chen Yi's leg injury, he had overshadowed all of them. It was only after Chu Chen Yi's injury that he had the opportunity to display his talents. However, since Chu Chen Yi's legs had healed, he had felt a strong sense of crisis, especially since Chu Chen Yi's father-in-law was Marquis Pingyang.
The Marquis Pingyang's household was deeply rooted and deeply trusted by the Emperor. Furthermore, the old madam of Marquis Pingyang's household had a close relationship with the Empress Dowager, and this marriage was personally bestowed by the Empress Dowager. He had to surpass Chu Chen Yi in everything, but only in this matter did he fall below Chu Chen Yi. The Liu family had no real power in the capital. Although Feng Yuan Ping held the position of Prime Minister, he was ultimately a scholar from humble beginnings who had risen through the ranks. While he appeared glorious now, in terms of true strength, how could he compare to the Marquis Pingyang's household, which had been established for a hundred years?
In recent days, Feng Yuan Ping had been repeatedly reprimanded by the Emperor, and ministers had constantly impeached him. Many impeachment memorials had been suppressed. If he made even the slightest mistake, Feng Yuan Ping might not even be able to keep his official hat. He had to take precautions to avoid being helpless one day.
"Mother, you must do your best to persuade Father. If possible, also let Ling Mo Han accompany him. Under the cover of night, your son must leave the palace." Chu Yan Xi gave a few lingering instructions before withdrawing.
After Chu Yan Xi left, the Empress immediately went to find Emperor Xuan Wen. Through her impassioned and tearful pleas...
She finally persuaded Emperor Xuan Wen to agree to let Chu Chen Yi go to welcome the Xiliang envoys, with Ling Mo Han accompanying him.
...
"You sighing and looking so deeply troubled will scare the guests away." From the moment the shop opened until now, Lin Yu Wei had been sitting there in a daze, constantly sighing. She hadn't reacted at all even when customers entered. Feng Jin couldn't stand it any longer and asked,
"Sister Feng Jin, I just feel so stifled." It was as if a surge of anger was trapped inside her, unable to go up or down, making her feel utterly uncomfortable.
"I'll prescribe some medicine to open your chest and soothe your breathing. You can't let yourself get sick." Feng Jin wrote a prescription with bold strokes and sent someone to the medical hall to fetch the medicine.
"Sister, do you know about the Xiliang princess coming to Dong Chu?"
"Ling Mo Han told me last night. Isn't she coming for a marriage alliance? You need to keep a close eye on Chu Chen Yi and don't let the Xiliang princess take a fancy to him and take him away as a prince consort."
Lin Yu Wei became even more indignant. "It would be best if he were taken away, so he wouldn't be hovering around my eyes for no reason. I can't wait to divorce him and find someone else." A divorce was fine; the next one would be better. Lin Yu Wei took deep breaths, venting her anger.
"Did you have a fight?" Feng Jin asked tentatively.
"Chu Chen Yi wants to marry the Xiliang princess."
"Ah!" Feng Jin exclaimed in surprise, "Really?"
Lin Yu Wei nodded. "I heard it with my own ears. He said that even if the Xiliang princess wanted to marry him, he was worried the Xiliang Emperor wouldn't agree. Isn't this just him wanting to marry the Xiliang princess? Then I'll grant his wish and divorce him so he can marry the Xiliang princess without any worries."
Feng Jin covered her mouth and chuckled. A woman in love was uncontrollable; her words said she didn't care, but the anger on her face completely betrayed her.
"I think it's for the best. Chu Chen Yi is poor and insignificant, not worthy of you at all. After divorcing him, with your conditions, you can easily find someone much better than Chu Chen Yi." Dong Chu's restrictions on women were quite lenient. Women could propose divorce, and after divorcing, women could remarry.
"Leave this matter to me. I'll write a divorce letter for you and send it to Prince Jing's manor." With that, Feng Jin stood up, grabbed a brush, and was about to start writing.
"Wait..." Lin Yu Wei quickly called out, her expression full of turmoil.
"What is it? Are you reluctant to divorce him?" Lin Yu Wei sighed and lowered her head. She didn't know why, but if she were to actually divorce Chu Chen Yi, she felt a pang of sadness and an inexplicable reluctance.