Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 858 - 20: The Crown Prince Wants to Meet the Nanyue Princess

However, Ling Yuezi’s people, after all, are foreigners, and without acquaintances to assist, finding someone in the vast sea of people in the Capital is not easy.

By the time evening came that day, there was still no news at all.

"Eldest Princess, what should we do? We haven’t found Pingchang Princess." The maid Ziying returned to report, feeling dejected.

Tomorrow, we need to attend a banquet at Zhao Country’s Imperial Palace, and now she is missing. How can we explain this?

Ling Yuezi frowned slightly, "Keep sending people to search, tomorrow, I’ll go to the palace alone first."

"If the Zhao Country Emperor asks about Pingchang Princess, how should the Eldest Princess respond?" Ziying asked worriedly.

Besides Ah Qing and Ah Lan, her two most capable assistants, Ziying was the third-ranking maid by Ling Yuezi’s side.

Ah Lan remained at Pearl City on the Nanyue border, continuing to oversee the war, while Ah Qing stayed in the palace to watch over the Little Emperor Ling Xingyun on Ling Yuezi’s behalf.

Ziying had grown up alongside Ling Yuezi, knowing her as well as Ah Qing and Ah Lan.

Ling Yuezi pursed her lips, without panicking, "I’ve thought of an excuse, just say Pingchang Princess is unaccustomed to the climate and is unwell, resting in bed and unable to meet anyone. But she’ll be fine in a few days. In the meantime, let’s make the most of these days to find her."

Ziying further said, "What if the Zhao Country Emperor says they want to invite their doctors to treat Pingchang Princess?"

Ling Yuezi rubbed her forehead, "Decline them, if absolutely necessary..." She looked at Ziying, sizing her up.

Ziying turned pale with fright, waving her hands nervously, "Eldest Princess, I can’t do it, I’m far less beautiful than Pingchang Princess."

"You heard what I said to Pingchang, the purpose of diplomatic marriage is to establish friendly relations between the two countries, personal matters must be set aside, the Zhao Country Emperor is certainly not lacking in beauties by his side, when you enter the palace, you only need to behave courteously and represent the interests of Nanyue." Ling Yuezi continued, "Of course, if Pingchang Princess is found, you wouldn’t need to replace her."

Ziying responded with a grim face, "Yes."

"As a member of the Imperial Family, how can personal happiness be cared for?" Ling Yuezi gazed at the yellow leaves falling outside the window, the Zhao Country is much colder than Nanyue, it was Ling Yuezi’s first time wearing a heavy fox fur cloak.

The white fox fur collar made her face seem even more like snow and jade, glowing as beautiful as a flower.

Since having her child, her thin and sharp face had transformed into an oval face, losing its former aloofness and gaining a peaceful soft beauty.

The words she muttered seemed both as if she was talking to herself and addressing Ziying.

Ziying looked at her breathtaking beauty, thinking how she was still all alone, unable to refute her words.

Ling Yuezi is the most beautiful and highest-ranked woman in Nanyue, able to sacrifice for the country, what could she say?

...

The next day, Ling Yuezi played with her two children for a while, watched the wet nurse feed them, instructed the maid Ziying to take good care of the children, then dressed in splendid attire and, accompanied only by Ministry of Rites officials and a few attendants, left the inn towards Zhao Country’s Imperial Palace.

Zhao Country Ministry of Rites officials, who had received word, were already waiting early at the palace gates to welcome her.

Even though Nanyue Country had sent a diplomatic letter hoping for marriage to Li Can, Li Can had passed away, since the Nanyue Envoy had come from afar, they could not simply let them return just like that. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

If the marriage doesn’t proceed, friendship remains, first host them, then discuss further.

Perhaps the Emperor would even grant the Princess to the Crown Prince—who can say?

The Crown Prince Palace has no Crown Princess Consort yet, which might be convenient for the Princess of Heqin.

Recently, the Crown Prince Li Xingsheng, who was making a fuss and wanted to run away from home due to the selection of the consort, should have been with the Ministry of Rites officials to welcome the Nanyue Princess and Princess of Heqin today, but he threw a tantrum and refused to come.

This was peculiar, ever since being chosen as Crown Prince, he had changed from his previous genteel self, giving cold stares and remarks to everyone he met.

Moreover, he was not only eloquent but also skilled in both literature and martial arts, unmatched by anyone.

The court ministers, fearful of the new Crown Prince, avoided him whenever they could.

Because he did not come to greet the Nanyue Envoy, the Ministry of Rites officials all breathed a sigh of relief.

Ling Yuezi’s carriage convoy stopped in front of Zhao Country’s Imperial Palace gates.

The maid helped her down from the carriage.

The Zhao Country Ministry of Rites officials saw her and inwardly exclaimed in admiration.

This was the Nanyue Eldest Princess, dignified and graceful, with a posture like a willow, her beauty comparable to a painting, suggesting that perhaps the little Princess of Heqin would be similar.

They thought that the Crown Prince, who was notoriously picky about a woman’s appearance, would likely agree to the marriage, wouldn’t he?

The Minister of Rites stepped forward, saluting and greeting Ling Yuezi, "Eldest Princess, it has been a hard journey."

Someone came forward to introduce Ling Yuezi to the officials present and their identities and names.