nashuaworldcup Chapter 270 Late Night Meeting
Chapter 270 Late Night Meeting
As soon as Ulihan said this, everyone present, including Feng Zhao who was told "no," looked in the direction he was pointing, wanting to see who was unlucky enough to be chosen by this big guy.
Upon closer inspection, it was astonishing! It was Lin Shu.
Those present didn't know whether to envy her or pity her!
"No." Before Lin Shu could speak, the Northern Wilderness delegation was the first to voice their opposition.
It turned out to be the eighteenth princess of the Northern Wilderness. She raised her hand and placed it on the thick forearm of the one that Wulihan was pointing at Lin Shu, and tried her best to lower her voice, making it sound like a thin line: "Nineteenth brother, do not forget the mother's instructions."
Upon hearing this, Ulihan's resolute expression softened slightly. His gaze then darted back and forth between Lin Shu and Feng Zhao, comparing them. Finally, he pursed his full lips, pushed away Qige's hand, and pointed at Lin Shu, saying decisively:
"I want to marry her."
"Ulihan!" A shadow crossed Qiqige's pale and sickly face. Even the way he addressed her changed. His tone was extremely stern and, upon closer listening, carried a hint of threat.
Ulihan refused to back down.
Feng Han, sitting high above, was speechless. Did these two siblings really think that the daughters of Fengming were free for them to choose from in the Northern Wilderness?
"Since there are disagreements in the Northern Wilderness, let's put this matter aside for now and discuss it again later." Feng Han's words were already a veiled rejection of the marriage alliance.
Qiqige was about to say something when Feng Han raised her hand to interrupt her. She rubbed her temples and said wearily to the crowd in the training ground:
"I am tired. The banquet will end here tonight. Everyone, please rest now and show your talents in the grand competition tomorrow."
After saying this, Feng Han got up and, with the help of her imperial aunt, returned to her own tent.
Upon returning to her tent and dismissing the palace attendants, Feng Han immediately became radiant and instructed her imperial aunt:
"By my decree, the Crown Princess, the Grand Tutor, and Lin Shu shall come to see me in secret."
"Yes, I'll go right away." The lady-in-waiting replied and then left.
"Oh, right, also call the Prince of Dingbei over," Feng Han added before her imperial aunt was about to leave.
Lin Shu's side.
After Su Mu and Ji Heng finished washing up, they lay side by side on the innermost side. Then, Lin Shu gently placed the sleeping Xiao Ansi next to Su Mu, got up and walked to the candlelight by the tent curtain, removed the lampshade, and gently blew on it, plunging the tent into darkness.
Just as she extinguished the candle, footsteps sounded outside. Lin Shu glanced back at her husband and child on the bed, slowly put the lampshade back, and whispered:
"I'm going out to take a look. You guys go to sleep first, don't wait for me."
Outside the tent.
Looking at the dark tent before her, the imperial aunt hesitated about how to call Lin Shu out, when she saw Lin Shu lift the tent flap and come out: "Aunt, has Your Majesty come here? What are your orders?"
The Imperial Aunt didn't bother with pleasantries. Lin Shu was the furthest away, and the others had already gone over, so she quickly explained her purpose:
"His Majesty has ordered Lord Lin to go to the main tent to discuss important matters."
"Okay, thank you for your trouble, Aunt." Lin Shu nodded to the other party and then they headed together towards the main tent where Feng Han was.
When they arrived, the atmosphere inside the tent was eerie.
Feng Han sat upright in the main seat, looking slightly embarrassed, while Feng Zhao stood side by side with the Grand Tutor, seemingly avoiding Ling at all costs.
As for Ling, who was already getting impatient, he stared at the entrance of the tent with a gloomy expression. When he saw that it was Lin Shu who came in, his expression softened slightly, but he still said in a cold tone, "So slow, wasting my time."
Lin Shu quickly glanced around the tent, ignored him, and bowed to Feng Han, saying, "Your subject Lin Shu greets Your Majesty."
Feng Han waved her hand, signaling her to get up.
Once everyone had arrived, she said in a deep voice, "Regarding today's marriage alliance in the Northern Wilderness, what are your thoughts, my esteemed ministers?"
After speaking, she first looked at Feng Zhao.
Feng Zhao frowned and pondered for a moment. Although she mostly chatted and laughed with Lin Shu during the meal, she did not ignore the puzzling attitude from the Northern Wilderness:
"Your subject believes that there must be ulterior motives behind this. Judging from Qiqige's demeanor, it seems that she is determined to form a marriage alliance with your subject."
“Your Highness is absolutely right. Moreover, that Qiqige must be no ordinary person! But why have I never heard of such a person in the Northern Wilderness before?” Grand Tutor Ji said, following Feng Zhao’s words.
Feng Han nodded. Indeed, Qiqige should not be unknown!
After that, silence fell over the tent.
After a long while, Feng Han finally turned her gaze to Lin Shu and her daughter, who had been silent all along, and suddenly realized: she had almost forgotten about Ling Huanan. The reason she had summoned her was precisely because she knew the situation in the Northern Wilderness best!
Thinking of this, she asked Ling Huanan, "Does the Prince of Dingbei understand the reason behind this?"
Ling Huanan nodded, and when the conversation turned to business, his expression immediately became solemn:
"The Empress of the Northern Wilderness has had thirty-seven children, including eighteen princesses and nineteen princes. The children of the Northern Wilderness royal family are ranked according to their birth order. The two who have come here today are the youngest."
He paused briefly, as if considering his words, before continuing:
"This eighteenth princess, Qiqige, was said to be frail and sickly from a young age, so she was raised in the deep palace by the empress."
Her biological father was of low status. Over the years, the Northern Wilderness Empress had shown her some favor because of her unassuming nature, but it was nothing compared to the great favor shown to her by the Northern Wilderness King and Queen.
Moreover, the Empress of the Northern Wilderness usually doted on her eldest daughter, Naoribu, born to her queen, and her younger brother, Ulihan, so the court and the harem paid little attention to this father and daughter.
After listening to Ling Huanan's words, Feng Zhao first raised a question: "According to this, Qiqige is just an unfavored princess. Why did the delegation use her this time?"
Ling Huanan frowned, his tone carrying a deeper meaning:
"This is something I have no way of knowing."
However, it is said that the Queen of the Northern Wilderness passed away in the first half of the year. Her daughter, Naoribu, was so shocked by this that she went insane and killed seven or eight of her sisters, all of whom were princesses from powerful families.
Currently, the Naorbu family is locked in a secret struggle with those people.
"I see! But... this still doesn't reveal the intentions of the Northern Wilderness!" Feng Zhao frowned worriedly, looked at Lin Shu who had been listening silently, and asked, "Does A-Shu have any insights?"
Lin Shu nodded. After listening to Ling Huanan's words, she already had some guesses in her mind:
"If I'm not mistaken, the Northern Wilderness not only intends to marry the sixteenth prince to the Crown Princess, but also will not allow him to leave Fengming alive."
A hint of surprise flashed across Feng Han's eyes, and she asked, "Why do you make that deduction?"
Seeing this, Lin Shu continued:
"The one who is truly favored by the Northern Wilderness Empress is probably this eighteenth princess, Qiqige!"
The eldest princess, Naoribu, was likely trying to attract attention and shield Qiqige from trouble.
Otherwise, it would be truly strange that a sickly princess from an obscure family could not only grow up safely but also be more well-mannered and virtuous than the favored eldest daughter.
Having said that, seeing the varied expressions on everyone's faces, Lin Shu pursed her lips, looked up into the distance with deep eyes, and said in a low voice:
"Furthermore, regarding Nauribu's madness, even in her madness, she was able to accurately kill several of her most powerful sisters. Such paving the way for others is already obvious!"
Currently, the one with the best chance of ascending the throne in the Northern Wilderness is probably none other than this eighteenth princess. Therefore, the Northern Wilderness Empress is trying to build momentum for her by taking advantage of this year's grand court assembly!
If their most beloved prince were to die mysteriously after marrying our Crown Princess, Fengming would surely be criticized...
"That's why Qiqige has been keeping his eyes fixed on me. After all, I am the Crown Prince, representing the royal family and even the entire Fengming." Feng Zhao suddenly realized this.
What Feng Zhao could understand, Feng Han naturally understood as well. She looked at the four people below her and asked, "Do you have a solution?"
Ling Huanan, unusually, spoke first this time: "Fu Naoribu has taken the position."
Lin Shu nodded in agreement and continued, "It is indeed a good idea. Although Nauribu is arrogant and conceited, he is stupid enough and easy to control."
Feng Han pondered for a while and was quite satisfied. The key was that Naoribu seemed to be afraid of Ling Huanan. As long as she was there, the other party probably wouldn't dare to cross Shuomen Pass.
"Then let's leave this matter to... uh... Minister Lin and the Crown Princess." Feng Han originally wanted to casually suggest that Ling Huanan handle it, but when she saw the other party's expression that seemed ready to change at any moment, she changed the subject.
"Yes."
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