The Li family regarded the arrival of people from the Night King's manor with great apprehension.
Moments later,
Upon hearing Steward Wang's purpose, Minister Li's legs went weak.
His head spun.
The Night King fancied his daughter?!
"Does the Night King truly favor my eldest daughter?" Minister Li once again confirmed.
Although the Night King was now crippled, he still held military and political power, and many in the capital wished to curry favor with him.
However, they would rather have their daughter betrothed to the Regent King.
After all, the Regent King's influence was currently surging.
Furthermore, the Regent King was not crippled.
For a time, Minister Li was caught in a dilemma.
Steward Wang, seeing Minister Li's predicament, said nothing further but directly stated, "Minister Li may take his time to consider. The betrothal gifts can be left here for now. If Minister Li disagrees, the Night King's manor can always retrieve them at a later date."
With that, Steward Wang rose and left.
As he departed, he couldn't help but wonder.
Why had their lord taken a liking to the eldest daughter of the Li family?
He had encountered this eldest daughter once before at a jewelry store; she was hardly a virtuous wife.
However, this was his master's affair.
Perhaps the eldest daughter possessed some unique quality that attracted the Night King, making it love at first sight.
Men and women, wasn't it all about that? As long as they were compatible.
It was just that this Minister Li didn't seem like a reasonable person.
This marriage of the Night King might not proceed smoothly.
Immediately after Steward Wang left, Li Yuexian rushed in.
Her face glowed, her eyes filled with shy adoration.
"Father, is it truly the Night King who wishes to marry me? As his principal wife?" Li Yuexian anxiously confirmed.
She had seen the betrothal gifts in the courtyard.
She had even opened a few boxes just moments ago.
Each chest contained exquisite jewelry, as well as various land deeds and gold ingots.
Such a substantial betrothal gift was rarely seen for any other woman in the capital!
She never imagined that after entering the palace yesterday, she would catch the Night King's eye!
"Yes, the Night King does wish to marry you, but, given that the Night King will be unable to stand for the rest of his life, I am somewhat hesitant," Minister Li said, his expression somber, his brow furrowed into a deep '川' shape.
Li Yuexian quickly replied, "Father, whether the Night King can stand or not is not important!"
"Oh? Why do you say that?" Minister Li questioned, his brow still furrowed.
Li Yuexian, overjoyed, beamed and said, "Even if the Night King can never stand again, it doesn't matter. Does he not still hold military and political power? That belongs to the Night King, and no one can take it away! Besides, no one has said the Night King can never stand again. The world is vast and full of wonders; perhaps a divine physician will appear!"
The more she spoke, the more she felt that the Night King would surely be able to stand again!
Marrying the Night King was something she had dreamed of doing every day years ago!
It was only in recent years, after the Night King's sudden injury and crippling, that she had buried this thought deep in her heart. However, the recent marriage arrangements her family had been making for her were all unsatisfactory; she felt those men were not worthy of her, that she deserved better!
She had only dared to fantasize about becoming the Night King's concubine!
She never expected that overnight, the Night King would fall for her to such an extent that he wanted to marry her as his principal wife?
She would seize this opportunity no matter what!
Minister Li found his daughter's words quite reasonable.
"However... I had intended to marry you to the Regent King."
Li Yuexian gasped, "The Regent King?"
"Given the current situation, the Regent King's future path will be brighter than the Night King's. If you marry the Regent King, perhaps you will one day become... the future Empress," Minister Li lowered his voice slightly when speaking the last five words, but his ambition in his eyes was undiminished.
The current young emperor was sickly and frail, and might die at any moment. At that time, the Regent King would be the most likely person to seize the throne!
Li Yuexian was stunned again, and took a large step back, "Father, you..."
"I desire more. Do you not want our Li family to become the foremost aristocratic family in the capital in the future? If our Li family had sufficient backing, your sister's recent mistreatment by Yun Shu would not have been so easily dismissed! Otherwise, I would certainly demand an explanation from General Yun." Minister Li gritted his teeth, his heart filled with hatred for Yun Changfeng.
Compared to Minister Li's ambition, Li Yuexian's thoughts were much clearer. "With my looks, I can't compare to Yun Yueyin. It is said that the Regent King is extremely fond of Yun Yueyin. Moreover, my sister has always been close to Yun Yueyin, perhaps there will be an opportunity to approach the Regent King."
Minister Li's eyes lit up, "How could I forget about your sister! Very well, I agree to this marriage. You can rest assured and await your marriage to the Night King!"
Li Yuexian, overjoyed, performed a kowtow to Minister Li, "Thank you, Father!"
Wonderful, she was going to prepare to marry the Night King!
As for the current young heir of the Night King's manor, he posed no threat to her whatsoever.
No one knew who the young heir's mother was. How could she compare? She was now the apple of the Night King's eye, and in the future, the Night King would only love the children she bore!
And after a hundred years, the Night King would hand over the Night King's manor to their son!
Thinking of this, Li Yuexian felt a surge of happiness.
...
The news spread quickly, instantaneously throughout the capital.
Zhan Xiaoli was practicing calligraphy in his small study.
After writing a few sheets of paper, he suddenly heard people talking outside.
It seemed they were discussing marrying a consort.
He put down his brush and went to the door.
He overheard Steward Wang and others conversing outside.
"Make all the preparations. It won't be long before the manor has a main mistress."
"Should we inform the young heir?"
"Alas, given the young heir's temperament, he might be very unhappy."
"The young heir has always wished for a mother. Now that the King is marrying a consort, shouldn't the young heir be very happy? Once the Princess Consort marries in, the young heir won't be crying for a mother anymore, nor will he try to run away from home. From my perspective, this is double happiness!"
Steward Wang sighed and shook his head gently, "The young heir wants his biological mother!"
"But..."
Hearing this, Zhan Xiaoli covered his ears and crouched to the side.
His star-like eyes were red.
Daddy was getting married!
Not to his mother!
He sniffled, holding back his tears, and his small gaze was resolute. He clenched his tiny fists, determined to go and protest to his father!
He pushed open the door.
Steward Wang and the others who were conversing in hushed tones nearby looked surprised to see Zhan Xiaoli emerge.
"Young heir?"
Zhan Xiaoli only replied with two words, "I want to see Father!"
Steward Wang quickly followed, "His Highness is currently busy in his study. What matter does the young heir have with His Highness?"
Zhan Xiaoli remained silent.
His short legs hurried towards Zhan Tianye's study.