What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 335 - 331: The Tang Family’s Second Daughter Willing to Marry the Turkic Khanate
"I, Xue, do not support Second Miss going to Tuyuhun for the peace marriage—"
Xue Shaojian went straight to the point as he spoke.
"So, today’s matter, is it Your Majesty’s own decision?" Tang Jiaojiao asked.
As the topic involved the palace, Xue Shaojian did not answer and continued: "Speaking of noblewomen in the Capital City, the one most fitting to be Queen of Tuyuhun is none other than Second Miss—"
Tang Xiaobai lowered her head, coughing lightly, a bit embarrassed.
But... she actually thought the same...
If Xue Shaojian truly suggested that she go for the peace marriage, it must be because she is the most suitable person.
It is only her, bearing the surname Tang, familiar with the provinces of Longyou, and having personally visited the Northwest, adapting to the local environment.
She herself is confident that she can firmly control Tuyuhun for the Court, serving as the first line of offense and defense against the Western Tibet.
From a strategic point of view, no one is more suitable than her.
But this matter cannot only be viewed from the strategic significance.
——
"However, during the journey to Liangzhou, I, Xue, also traveled with Second Miss, and both sentimentally and rationally, I do not wish for Second Miss to marry far away to Tuyuhun;"
——
This "sentimentally and rationally" spoke of something somewhat subtle.
Tang Xiaobai felt she had no "sentiment" with Xue Shaojian, nor did the Duke Yan Mansion have any sentiment with the Xue Family.
Even the Xue Family is not close to the Eastern Palace.
So, it’s mainly a matter of "rationale."
She can be the most suitable candidate, but also the most unsuitable.
If the Duke Yan Mansion can use her to control Tuyuhun and then unite with the power in Liangzhou, it would be difficult not to make certain people uneasy.
Xue Shaojian does not wish to see this situation, so why would the Emperor wish for it?
——
"As long as Second Miss has not agreed, there is still plenty of room for negotiation in this matter."
Second Miss Tang blinked innocently and regrettably: "But I’ve already agreed—"
...
"The second daughter of the Tang Family, grateful for the Emperor’s grace, desires to repay by willingly marrying to Tuyuhun!"
The lofty hall echoed with Empress Yuan’s faint voice.
The attendant serving beside the throne, Pei Xuan, suddenly looked up, failing momentarily to hide his full eyes of shock and faint anger.
The Emperor also lifted his head at the same moment, staring closely at Empress Yuan, yet his gaze was profound, unable to discern joy or anger.
"Your Majesty?" Empress Yuan’s uplifted face showed a hint of longing for praise.
But the Emperor lowered his gaze, saying calmly: "Her youthful spirit is commendable, but for military and state affairs, we must discuss thoroughly."
Empress Yuan’s expression stiffened.
"The Empress also has labored hard, it’s best for her to return first." The Emperor gestured with his hand, no longer looking at her.
"Your Majesty—"
"I still have government affairs to handle, Empress, please leave!" The Emperor interrupted her words.
Empress Yuan finally closed her mouth, rose, and exited Liangyi Palace.
The sun cast long shadows on the steps, elongating the silhouette descending them.
After walking down the steps in front of Liangyi Palace, Empress Yuan quietly asked: "Where is the Princess?"
When the Empress asks for the Princess, it must be the sole legitimate Princess, Princess Guangling.
"In reply to Madam, the Princess is meeting with a pipa master in her courtyard this afternoon, practicing the pipa!"
Empress Yuan tugged at the corners of her mouth.
Ever since Princess Runan, Li Huan, regained favor from the Emperor with a half-skilled pipa performance at the palace banquet at the end of last year, the women in the palace have been imitating it.
It’s one thing for others to imitate, but what’s laughable is that her daughter, the most noble Legitimate Princess, is also imitating!
That little cousin Tang said it right.
Without trying, she wouldn’t give up.
Initially, she waited in Lizheng Hall, expecting the Emperor to ask for the result.
But she did not wait long.
The Emperor rarely enters the harem during the day.
Even though the Empress’s Lizheng Hall stands independent of the other harem concubines’ halls, closer to the court, the Emperor has hardly ever visited it during the day.
Only yesterday, he came.
The imperial carriage came within fifty steps outside Lizheng Hall, then turned to visit Liangyi Palace without coming in to ask for the result.
He passed by specifically, just for a Tang Jiaojiao.
Today, he hasn’t come.
Because to him, the result never matters.
Indeed, even if she manages it, there will be no accolades.
And, the Emperor is displeased.
He does not genuinely want the Tang Sisters to go for the peace marriage, merely wishes to grasp a beauty, and failing that, to grasp the beauty’s sister.
Only to force Tang Jiaojiao into submission.
He uses any means to obtain a beauty, yet wishes to push his wife to the forefront—
"Tell the Princess to stop practicing!" Empress Yuan said.
...
After Empress Yuan left, those inside Liangyi Palace did not return to quiet.
Memoranda spread out on the imperial desk, the Emperor’s gaze lingered for a long time.
"Summon the attendants!"
"Your Majesty?"
"Reward the second daughter of Duke Yan!"
...
The second daughter of Duke Yan was first summoned by the Empress, then received rewards from the Emperor after leaving the palace.
Considering the matter of marrying to Tuyuhun, rumors swirled among the people.
For a time, it seemed that Second Miss Tang was indeed chosen for the peace marriage.
On the first day of September, in the morning meeting.
Duke Yan, Tang Shigong, stepped forward and bowed, saying: "Thanks to Your Majesty’s trust, though I am unworthy to serve, I have children who should worry for the ruler. My young daughter receives Your Majesty’s praise, even if she were to travel far away from the country, she dare not refuse, but consider her youthful age, please let my son serve as her escort to fulfill loyalty and filial piety, I am deeply grateful!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
As these words were spoken, the entire court was shocked.
Previously, people only speculated that the Emperor favored Second Miss Tang as Princess Xiping, but Tang Shigong’s statement seemed vaguely hinted by the Emperor, prompting his reaction.
But the problem is, everyone remembers, a few days ago Zheng Shidao casually proposed the idea of Duke Yan’s eldest daughter for peace marriage and was immediately blocked.
Now the proposal is the second daughter, and Duke Yan not only does not oppose, but actively proposes for his eldest son to escort the second daughter to Tuyuhun for the peace marriage.
This contrast leads some to start speculating whether Second Miss Tang is truly Duke Yan’s biological daughter.
Meanwhile, others are probing the underlying conspiracy.
Before the morning assembly dispersed, the common folks already began to inquire about the person of Second Miss Tang.
At the Duke Mansion, Second Miss Tang was undergoing the interrogation of the eldest sister: "Aren’t you afraid of making things worse? What if they really take you for the peace marriage?"
Tang Jiaojiao paced back and forth in the room, her brows filled with anxiety.
Tang Xiaobai laughed: "Hasn’t the Emperor refused?"
By this time, the morning assembly had dispersed.
The common folks were yet uninformed of the outcome, but the Duke Yan Mansion already knew.
After Tang Shigong spoke, Empress Yuan’s brother, Imperial Censor Yuan Xi, also stood up with great righteousness, offering to be the Peace Envoy.
But the Emperor did not respond to either, only said further discussion was needed.
"If he meant it, he would directly discuss it, wouldn’t wait to discuss it later. Spreading those rumors is just to scare elder sister." Tang Xiaobai said.
Tang Jiaojiao angrily scolded a few more times "old fart," then glared at her: "Still, don’t test with your marriage! What if something unexpected happens?"
Tang Xiaobai smiled with curved eyes: "There’s no way! The Crown Prince will definitely oppose it!"
Tang Jiaojiao’s gaze moved, surveying her: "Dressed like that, where are you going?"
The young girl was adorned in a blue blouse and white skirt today, with a skirt shimmering faintly like moonlit smoke and snow, looking elegantly jade-like from afar, delightfully charming up close.
Her hairstyle was also creatively styled, with several thin braids concealed within the hanging mane, lively and vibrant, quite adorable.
This is evidently not a stay-at-home attire.
Tang Xiaobai blushed, saying: "I was just about to tell elder sister I want to go to Le You Garden to have fun today..."
Tang Jiaojiao laughed at her: "Just know how to play, always neglecting your duties... if you’re not back before dark, I’ll break your legs!"
...
Le You Garden is a renowned tourist spot in the Capital City.
The so-called great hide hides within the city, a crowded place is less likely to draw attention.
Tang Xiaobai originally thought as such.
Yet unexpectedly, she drew attention upon arrival at Le You Garden, being recognized immediately.
"Cousin Tang?" The person seemed initially surprised upon seeing her, but quickly showed three parts understanding and seven parts sympathy, "You’re here to relax? I really didn’t expect... don’t be down... Uncle and Aunt... still care for you, after all, Prince Xiping... is a commandery prince..."
