Murong Jin Yun stated frankly, drawing gasps from the assembled crowd. Many voices accused the princess of shamelessness for proposing to choose her own husband.
Emperor Xuanwen was also momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected Murong Jin Yun to be so direct. Cornered by her words, Emperor Xuanwen could only agree, "The letter indeed stated that the matter of choosing a husband would be left to the princess's discretion."
Was the Emperor of Xi Liang truly seeking peace by sending such a princess for a political marriage, or had he deliberately sent a great troublemaker?
"Princess..." Baili Xi whispered a reminder. Even if she were allowed to choose her husband, she shouldn't propose it on such an occasion.
Chu Yan Xi, unable to contain himself, said, "If the princess has a candidate in mind, please inform Father Emperor, and he will arrange it for you."
"No need for the Third Prince's concern. This princess has no interest in you."
Murong Jin Yun's bluntness left Chu Yan Xi standing awkwardly, his lips twitching. He slumped back down, thinking how arrogant she was, not even as worthy as a servant in his own manor.
Feng Jin glanced at Gu Bei Chen's chagrin and couldn't help but stifle a giggle. This Xi Liang princess was truly direct, silencing the hypocritical Chu Yan Xi with just a few words. It was truly satisfying to watch.
"Princess, your arrival in Dong Chu and the matter of choosing a husband cannot be rushed. Enjoy yourselves for a few days first. If there is a suitable person,朕 will grant you a marriage."
Emperor Xuanwen spoke to ease the atmosphere, wanting to move past the topic of choosing a husband.
"Your Majesty, as long as I fancy someone, Your Majesty will grant the marriage."
"Naturally."
A slight smile touched Murong Jin Yun's lips. She stood up and replied, "I already have a chosen candidate."
"Who is it?"
Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats, awaiting Murong Jin Yun's announcement. Chu Yan Xi, in particular, was more anxious than anyone, hoping the chosen one was Chu Chen Yi.
Lin Yu Wei also held her breath, her gaze flitting between Chu Chen Yi and Murong Jin Yun.
"The person I fancy is your country's Young General Ling." As she spoke, Murong Jin Yun's eyes lingered on Ling Mo Han.
All eyes in the hall turned to the man himself, Ling Mo Han.
Feng Jin's eyes flickered to Ling Mo Han, and she struggled to suppress the urge to curse him out.
Ling Mo Han, as the person in question, was clearly stunned. He looked at Feng Jin beside him, and upon meeting her murderous gaze, his heart skipped a beat.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject is already married and has sworn never to take another wife. Princess, please seek a more suitable match."
Ling Mo Han's refusal was firm, his expression chilling, as if bearing the words "stay away" on his face.
As for a subject's marriage, even Emperor Xuanwen found it difficult to interfere. Moreover, the Ling family had served Dong Chu wholeheartedly. Without the Ling family guarding the borders, he could not have remained safe in the capital.
Ling Mo Han was also married with children, and he could not bring himself to break up a loving couple.
"Princess, Young General Ling is already married with a family. Our Dong Chu has many fine men. It would be better to find a more suitable match," Emperor Xuanwen advised kindly.
Being directly rejected, Murong Jin Yun bit her gums tightly, her eyes filled with unwillingness. She had pleaded with her father for a long time to allow her to travel to Dong Chu. Her entire journey was for him. Now that the person she yearned for daily was right before her, how could she give up?
Even though he was already married with children, she was determined to try: "Young General Ling, three years ago, in the cave of Mount Weiyi, you promised me your lifelong devotion. Does this oath no longer count?"
Murong Jin Yun's words exploded like a bomb among the crowd.
Ling Mo Han's face was filled with confusion. A lifelong promise? When was this? He had no recollection of it.
"I apologize, but I know nothing of what you speak of, Princess. Perhaps you have mistaken me for someone else."
Years of cultivation allowed Ling Mo Han to maintain a gentle tone even amidst jealousy and anger.
"You don't know..." Murong Jin Yun murmured, tears welling in her eyes. After a pause, she said, "Then do you recognize this?"
Murong Jin Yun took out half of a broken token from her sleeve. "You personally gave me this half-token, calling it a token of love, and saying you would come to find me after you returned."
Ling Mo Han recognized the half-token in Murong Jin Yun's hand as the one he had lost years ago, but he wondered why only half remained.
"How did the token get into your hands? Where is the other half?"
Emperor Xuanwen was also bewildered by their entanglement. "What exactly is going on? Ling Mo Han, explain."
"Your Majesty, this humble subject can swear with his life that he has never made any promises to the Xi Liang Princess. This humble subject has never even met her. However, the token in her hand does indeed belong to my Ling family. But it was lost three years ago. I do not know how this token came to be in the Princess's possession."
These events were too extraordinary. Ling Mo Han was still in a haze, even doubting if he had suffered a severe injury and lost his memory, otherwise, how could he have no recollection at all?
With both sides holding their ground, Emperor Xuanwen found himself in a difficult position. At this moment, Chu Yan Xi jumped in, "Young General Ling, after all, the Princess is of royal blood. How could you reject her so openly? You should at least..."
"Since the Third Prince is so compassionate and protective, why not have the Third Prince divorce his wife and marry the Xi Liang Princess? It would be a beautiful tale."
Ling Mo Han retorted unceremoniously, deliberately provoking him.
"I..." Chu Yan Xi was so stunned by the retort that he didn't know what to say.
"You scoundrel! Ling Mo Han, how dare you disrespect the Prince! Do you know your crime!"
The Empress, seeing her beloved son insulted and even being urged to marry the Xi Liang Princess, could no longer sit still and immediately found fault.
"Enough! Be silent. Someone escort the Empress back to her palace to rest."
Knowing the Empress's temperament, Emperor Xuanwen directly ordered her to be sent back to the palace.
"Your Majesty!" the Empress cried out softly. As usual, Emperor Xuanwen would have indulged her, but this time he remained unmoved.
Eunuch Fu, who had been by Emperor Xuanwen's side for many years, immediately reacted. He stepped forward to the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, you still need to attend to the Empress Dowager's medicinal soup. The Empress Dowager's health is of utmost importance. You should return first."
The Empress's expression softened slightly. "Return to the palace."
The Emperor allowing Eunuch Fu to persuade her to return was a great gesture and the last chance given to her.
If she left now, nothing would happen. If she lingered, the situation would be difficult to resolve.
Consort Gui watched with a smile as the Empress was escorted away. Her mood was exceptionally good. She quickly rose and said, "This consort bids the Empress farewell."