Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 434 Extra Story 3: The Passing Years Should Render Good Times and Beautiful Scenery in Vain (2)
"The Crown Prince has traveled a thousand miles to come here just to pay tribute to our Da Wei. It’s a sign of his thoughtfulness. I offer you a glass of modest wine and wish you a smooth journey."
Although the words "pay tribute" were truthful, they sounded in the ears of the Crown Prince of Da Jin like submission.
Instantly, he became displeased.
But the wine had already been lifted from the table, so even if he was reluctant, he had to drink.
After all, this was still the territory of the Marquis of Northwest, and the Crown Prince of Da Jin didn’t wish to stir trouble here.
With the wine down, the Crown Prince of Da Jin began to "chat" and probe.
"The Marquis of Northwest is too kind. Now that the new emperor of Da Wei has ascended to the throne, I hear he’s just a child of a few years. I imagine the Marquis will have even more matters to worry about. I wonder if the people of the Marquis Mansion will reside in the northwest or move to Shengjing City in the future?"
The Crown Prince of Da Jin was already a man in his twenties.
Naturally, he looked down upon the situation of Da Wei’s young emperor ascending the throne.
Thus, he entered Shengjing City under the guise of paying tribute, wanting to see if Da Jin had any ambitions there!
This, the Marquis of Northwest knew very well.
And so did Sikong Liang, the scout placed beside the Da Jin royal family.
Thus, before he could respond, the Marquis of Northwest replied.
"You worry too much, Crown Prince. I’m accustomed to the northwest and naturally won’t move recklessly. Moreover, when the late Emperor passed, he appointed four Assistant Ministers to govern. Add to that Empress Dowager Zhang’s guidance by the side, it shouldn’t take many days before the new Emperor can handle state affairs well."
The Crown Prince of Da Jin smiled faintly, and there was a bit of mockery in that smile.
A young emperor on the throne, the Empress Dowager overseeing from behind the curtain.
Assistant Ministers overseeing the nation, yet restraining each other.
How you hear it, it all sounds like a theater playing out.
This made the Crown Prince of Da Jin feel the opportunity was coming.
Before he could utter the next words, someone walked in from outside.
Clearly just a child of six or seven years, yet with an impressively flamboyant demeanor.
The arrogance radiating from her made Sikong Liang feel she had a timeless look.
"Grandfather."
The title was addressed directly to the Marquis of Northwest.
This person, then, must be the widely known legitimate Miss of the Northwest Marquis Mansion—Liu Xu’er.
Sikong Liang couldn’t have imagined that the legitimate Miss, born on that rainy night at the Northwest Marquis Mansion, would grow into a fiery personality, like a vixen.
Fiery as the sun, flourishing like a brocade.
A touch of rebelliousness in her elegance.
Even if she doesn’t possess beauty like a flower.
Yet in Sikong Liang’s eyes, she feels exceptionally lively and enchanting.
A child a whole ten years younger than him, yet now appearing to him like a celestial maiden.
Naturally, this stirred some youthful feelings in Sikong Liang.
"Xu’er has come, quickly, greet the Crown Prince of Da Jin."
The Miss of the Northwest Marquis Mansion was famous outside.
It’s been heard that the usually stern Marquis of Northwest really dotes on her.
Thus, there’s nowhere in the Northwest she can’t go.
She approached, without greeting the Crown Prince of Da Jin.
Instead, she spoke directly.
"Grandfather, granddaughter has a question."
"Speak."
On such an occasion, the Marquis of Northwest didn’t stop Liu Xu’er from speaking.
This shows how much she is loved at home.
After all, in the entire Marquis Mansion, full of sons and grandsons, there’s just this one little girl, naturally cherished highly.
And Liu Xu’er is one to speak boldly without reservation.
She opened her mouth and said.
"Our Emperor is just a few years old and can firmly sit on the throne. Why is Da Jin’s Crown Prince, already in his thirties, still just a Crown Prince?"
As expected, facing the Crown Prince of Da Jin, she showed no fear despite her young age.
Though a child’s voice, it was also reasonable.
Her demeanor reveals her nature, and it seems this Miss Liu is also not easy to deal with.
Contrary to her name.
Everyone at the Marquis Mansion present felt satisfied.
Through the voice of a girl, it was particularly satisfying.
Making the Crown Prince of Da Jin both angry and difficult to argue.
He could only awkwardly laugh twice, then easing said.
"The Marquis’s granddaughter is indeed a dragon among people, having such insight at a young age, that’s truly impressive."
In the territory of the Marquis of Northwest, even if the Crown Prince of Da Jin was angry, he could only endure it.
"My granddaughter hasn’t learned her manners well, sorry for letting the Crown Prince see this."
"No problem, no problem."
The two lifted their cups and then shifted the topic.
Entirely forgetting the momentary awkwardness earlier.
Chunyu Shangyun (Sikong Liang) gazed at Liu Xu’er in fiery red, the admiration in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.
And this expression was just seen by Liu Xu’er.
She glanced at him sideways, the meaning all too clear.
Just a mere opportunist, dreaming of gaining favor with this lady?
Such an arrogant attitude, yet didn’t make Chunyu Shangyun (Sikong Liang) retreat, instead, it piqued his interest further.
But with his current identity, trying to achieve anything is as hard as climbing the heavens.
Fortunately, Liu Xu’er is still young, many days until she comes of age.
He still has a chance to plan for this.
After the undercover mission at Da Jin ends, he will definitely come to ask for her hand!
This seed planted in his heart, soon grew roots and sprouted.
Sadly, at this moment, he hadn’t understood one principle.
In families of high-ranking officials, sometimes even family members can’t decide marriage matters.
Now the Emperor is young, but if the Emperor were to take over governance?
Then Liu Xu’er is bound to enter the palace.
Love can cloud one’s judgment and cause lovesickness.
This hope probably made Chunyu Shangyun impatient to return to Da Wei to claim his true name.
At that time, the struggle for the throne was intense in Da Jin.
All forces rose to attack, even the Crown Prince of Da Jin found it hard to cope.
And right at such a crucial moment, Chunyu Shangyun made a careless move and revealed his identity.
His identity as Da Wei’s scout thus fell into the hands of the Crown Prince of Da Jin.
Anger, fury, being cheated and played arose in him.
Immediately he ordered.
"Chase him down! Make sure to bring Sikong Liang back to me; I want him to be unable to live or die!"
On a similarly rainy night, on a mountaintop ten miles from Da Wei’s border town, Sikong Liang was seriously injured yet still fighting back.
A mouthful of blood spewed from his mouth, and his consciousness started to fade.
But in his heart, he still thought of that fiery silhouette.
With his last breath, he continued to fight against the pursuing Da Jin Guards.
"Traitor, you should have realized the consequences earlier! The Crown Prince treated you well, why commit such an act!"
"Ridiculous, I am a Da Wei man, loyal to Da Wei is the true nature of Da Wei’s men. Da Jin with its wild ambitions, a mere small nation dreams of attacking Da Wei, utter nonsense!"
