Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 166: Marriage Proposal Turmoil
Su Juan’s eyes almost stuck to that pill, [Beauty and rejuvenation... who wouldn’t be fascinated, who wouldn’t like it?]
The imperial concubine wholeheartedly agreed with Su Juan’s words. That’s exactly right!
The officials and the Old Emperor couldn’t understand, it’s just a face, even if one took the elixir, could they become immortal?
Seeing Su Juan’s reaction, Chu Guang was extremely satisfied.
The Old Emperor coughed, "Your country’s intentions are appreciated."
The envoy from the Southern Country glanced at the Eldest Prince and smiled, "This is just a small gift; there are greater gifts. We hope for a marriage alliance between Southern Country and Da Jin to ensure a century-long friendship at our borders."
Hearing this, the court officials were astonished.
Does the Southern Country mean... a marriage alliance?
The Old Emperor frowned; the Southern Country was always so arrogant. Why propose a marriage alliance suddenly, what is their true intention?
"May I ask what your country intends?"
At this moment, Chu Guang stood up and said, "I, Prince Chu Guang of the Southern Country, wish to marry the female official with the surname Su from your country. We are willing to offer three thousand horses, thirty thousand sable furs, and three chests of jewels, hoping Your Majesty will grant permission."
His gaze was determined and confident, as if success was inevitable.
The officials were shocked; the Southern Country was indeed offering a grand gesture!
A female official with the surname Su—there’s only one in all of Da Jin, and the Prince of the Southern Country has taken a liking to her!
The Old Emperor’s face turned dark. This Southern Country trickster! I graciously entertained them, didn’t blame them for making trouble, and now they dare to set their sights on an official of Da Jin.
Both the Empress and Duke Ping’s faces changed. Why would the Prince of the Southern Country suddenly request to marry Su Juan?
Could it be that he discovered something?
At this moment, Su Juan was still staring at the three pills, pondering...
[Since they’ve been gifted, they won’t take them back. Besides, the Old Emperor has no use for these... maybe I should sneak into the palace tonight and swipe two?]
Old Emperor: ?
The court officials covered their foreheads: Why are you still fixated on those pills? They’re offering them to trade for you!
[After all, they were gifted to the Old Emperor, I just want two, leaving one for him.]
The Old Emperor’s face turned black: Should I thank you then?
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites, being friends with Duke Ping and having received a ’reminder’ from Su Juan to completely sever his daughter’s relationship with that playboy, whispered a reminder to Su Juan, "Vice Director, Vice Director..."
Su Juan turned to him, "Mr. Zhuang, is there something you need?"
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites coughed lightly, "The Prince of the Southern Country is seeking to marry an official with the surname Su from our court."
Su Juan rolled her eyes, [So he’s seeking marriage, what does that have to do with me?]
Minister of the Ministry of Rites: "..."
The officials: "..."
Old Emperor: "..."
The Vice Director is smart, but sometimes she truly doesn’t get it.
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites had to bite the bullet and remind her again, "An official with the surname Su, Vice Director, Su."
He emphasized the ’Su’ in his remark.
Su Juan waved her hand, "Understood, understood, an official with the surname Su, Su...?"
Su Juan: ???
[No way! Is he crazy!? Does he have too much time and energy on his hands to seek a marriage proposal with me?]
The court officials all wiped off a cold sweat for Su Juan; she finally got it. Otherwise, when she’s about to be sold off, she might still be counting the silver for them.
By now, Su Juan had already cursed the eighteen ancestors of the Southern Country in her heart, and the Southern envoy once again proposed the idea of a marriage alliance.
The Old Emperor remained silent, looking at Su Juan, their eyes meeting.
The Empress on one side clutched her sleeve tightly and whispered to the Old Emperor, "Your Majesty, this cannot be..."
At this moment, she even considered revealing Su Juan’s background to the Old Emperor, "Su Juan, this child is..."
But before she could finish, she was interrupted by the Southern envoy.
The Empress just caught Duke Ping signaling her with his eyes, prompting her to hold back her words.
Duke Ping meant not to say too much, that this wasn’t the right time to talk about such matters, and not to panic unless it was the last moment.
Seeing the Jin men hesitating, Chu Guang added 300 bows, and several hundred mystical iron weapons.
Su Juan’s mouth twitched; she almost cursed out loud, [I didn’t know I was worth so much!]
She suddenly looked at the Old Emperor, [This old fool won’t be tempted, will he? He wouldn’t really send me off to the Southern Country, would he!?]
The court officials also looked towards the Emperor; their monarch was obviously a bit tempted... With the gifts from the Southern Country, it’s not just the Emperor, even the courtiers were tempted.
Temptation aside, Su Juan absolutely cannot be married off to the Southern Country!
One Su Juan could reveal countless secrets and key information about Da Jin that no amount of horses or jewels could replace.
Duke Ping was the first to speak, "Your Majesty, this old servant believes that since the Vice Director is a court official, she has rendered many significant services for the court in recent years; a marriage alliance may not be appropriate."
Nearby, Marquis Ping hastily concurred, "Your Majesty, I agree with what the Duke has said."
These two stepped forward to speak up for Su Juan, opposing the marriage alliance, which moved Su Juan to tears.
At this moment, the Chiefs of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice also stepped up, "Your Majesty, this old servant also believes that the Duke’s words make sense."
However, the Minister of War contradicted, "Your Majesty, I believe that a marriage alliance is a significant matter for establishing peace between two countries. Since the Vice Director is a Da Jin official, receiving the Emperor’s salary, she should act loyally for the Emperor. It is her blessing to contribute to a century-long peace between Jin and the Southern Country through marriage."
Su Juan rolled her eyes, [Fine, fine! Yes, yes! Such a great blessing of a marriage alliance should be yours! You should pair up with the Southern Prince and how blessed that would be!]
[A blessing that many cannot earn even in several lifetimes!]
Someone almost laughed out loud, but clearly, this was not the right time, and they forcefully held it in.
Just then, Minister Wu of the Ministry of Rites stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I believe a marriage alliance is indeed a major state affair and a good thing..."
Everyone’s eyes blazed with anger; who allowed Minister Wu to speak at this moment?!
Quickly, shut his mouth!
Pairs of eyes stared angrily at Minister Wu of the Ministry of Rites; isn’t he too old to be causing trouble?!
[If it’s a good thing, why don’t you go?!]
Exactly! You should go!
Just as Wu was about to continue, he changed his tone, "But our court has never had a precedent of sending officials for marriage alliances. The late emperor also said that those who have toiled for the nation and people should be treated well..."
[Oh, misunderstood, misunderstood, turns out he’s on our side!]
Everyone was stunned: An ally?
Everyone: Put away the knives!
Minister Wu spoke solemnly, "I believe that since the Vice Director comes from a merchant background and her status is humble, we should choose a girl from the Imperial Family instead, conferring the title of Princess, to show how much importance our court places on this matter."
As soon as he said this, those from the Imperial Family were outraged: You’re amazing, so impressive, why don’t you offer up your own daughter to be titled a princess and sent off to the Southern Country!
Everyone shook their heads repeatedly: This knife can’t be taken back, we’ll bury him with honors.
The courtiers argued fiercely, forgetting that there was still the foreign envoy present.
Chu Guang showed dissatisfaction, giving the envoy a look, prompting him to speak, "Your Majesty, my country’s marriage proposal is solely for the female official with the surname Su from your nation."
The implication was clear: no substitutes would do.
