xymnovel Chapter 168 If you want to marry me, you'll have to wait in line.
Chapter 168 If you want to marry me, you'll have to wait in line.
One hour later.
Lin Chen was dressed neatly and looking refreshed, while Su Xiaoxiao was slumped on the couch, not even wanting to move a finger.
"Lie down a little longer, I'm going to see the people from Dongli."
Lin Chen bent down and kissed Su Xiaoxiao's forehead.
"Um……"
Su Xiaoxiao mumbled a reply, still half asleep.
In the front hall, the Dongli envoy and Liu Shengxue had been waiting for half an hour.
The tea was changed three times, and Liu Shengxue's expression grew increasingly grim.
"The Prince has arrived!"
Just then, a report came from outside the door.
Lin Chen strolled in leisurely, sat down in the main seat, and crossed his legs:
"Hey, have you been waiting long?"
The envoy forced a smile: "Not long, Your Highness has had a long journey. It is an honor that you could take the time to meet me."
Liu Shengxue lowered her head, her hands clenched tightly in her sleeves.
"Why are you in such a hurry to send a visiting card? Have you already made up your mind?" Lin Chen picked up his teacup and took a sip.
The envoy glanced at Yagyu Yuki, and said with a stiff head:
"Regarding the marriage alliance... my lord has something to convey to the prince."
In order to get this done as quickly as possible, they used expensive communication symbols.
"Hmm?" Lin Chen frowned slightly.
"The king said he never considered the position of principal wife, but..." The envoy swallowed hard.
"I hope Your Highness will grant the Third Princess the position of a secondary consort, rather than a concubine."
The Eastern Kingdom is preparing a generous dowry...
Lin Chen laughed heartily, his laughter echoing throughout the hall.
"Dowry?" He put down his teacup and scoffed lightly.
Do you think I'm a country bumpkin?
"I have already said, either be my concubine or forget it."
Of course, our royal residence doesn't sell concubines arbitrarily, and I personally don't like my things being used by others.
After saying that, Lin Chen looked at Liu Shengxue, a slight smile playing on his lips, his expression playful:
"Princess, tell me yourself, are you willing to become a concubine?"
Liu Shengxue bit her lip, her nails almost digging into her flesh.
The dignified Third Princess of Dongli is actually going to become someone's concubine...
If this happens, she'll never be able to hold her head up high again.
but……
She remembered her father's words:
Xue'er, the survival of Dongli rests on your shoulders. If we can form a marriage alliance with Dayan and leverage Lin Chen's power, Dongli can be kept at peace. I'm sorry to trouble you.
Peace!
Liu Shengxue took a deep breath and looked up at Lin Chen:
"If...if Your Highness can promise to treat Dongli well in the future..."
"Don't worry about that," Lin Chen waved his hand.
"Now that you've entered the Lin family, Dongli is my in-law. As long as Dongli behaves itself, Dayan will naturally not make things difficult for it."
These words sounded nice, but Yagyu Yuki understood the underlying meaning.
Behave yourself and behave yourselves, otherwise...
"Then..." She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, only a calm remained in them.
"I am willing."
The envoy breathed a sigh of relief, yet also felt a deep sadness.
"Alright, then it's settled." Lin Chen waved his hand casually.
"The betrothal gift of 100,000 taels of gold will be delivered to your embassy in three days."
One hundred thousand taels of gold.
Say no more, say less.
But for Dong Li, 100,000 taels of gold... could be considered an insult.
Liu Shengxue's face paled, but she could only lower her head:
"Yes……"
"As for the wedding date..." Lin Chen stroked his chin.
"We'll talk about it after my wedding to the princess is over."
Although she was a concubine, she was still a princess of the country, so the marriage still had to be arranged.
Otherwise it would be too humiliating, and Lin Chen didn't want to go to war anymore.
The Battle of Beishuo resulted in the deaths of 80,000 people!
"The Eldest Princess?" Liu Shengxue looked up abruptly.
"Oh, I forgot to mention," Lin Chen chuckled.
"His Majesty intends to marry Princess Zhao Mingyue to me, so you... will have to wait your turn."
boom--
Liu Shengxue felt her mind go completely blank.
Being a concubine is bad enough, but now she has to wait in line to enter the household after everyone else...
The envoy was also dumbfounded, and after a long while he murmured:
"This...this isn't in accordance with the rules..."
"Rules?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow and snorted softly.
"In my court, I am the rule. What, you have a problem with that?"
"...I wouldn't dare."
"That's settled then." Lin Chen stood up. "See them out."
As he left the palace, Liu Shengxue's steps were unsteady, and he could barely stand.
The envoy helped her up and sighed, "Princess, I'm sorry you had to go through this..."
"Feeling wronged?" Liu Shengxue laughed bitterly, "What's a little grievance compared to Dongli?"
She glanced back at the gate of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion, which was magnificent.
"One day..." she murmured, but swallowed the rest of her words.
After seeing off the Dongli delegation, Lin Chen stretched.
Yuan Tiangang stepped out of the shadows and spoke:
"My lord, the Eastern Alliance is treacherous; a marriage alliance should be a temporary measure."
"I know," Lin Chen said casually.
"So she's only given the position of concubine. It's free, so why not take it? As for her schemes, she can't cause any trouble in the mansion."
Yuan Tiangang was speechless. Although that was true, wasn't it a bit too blunt?
"Oh, right," Lin Chen said, standing up.
"You're coming with me to the palace banquet tonight."
"Yes."
……
As dusk approached, Lin Chen changed into a prince's python robe.
Su Xiaoxiao, Chu Yueyao, Wen Ruoxi, and Murong Xue were also dressed up, each one looking radiant and beautiful.
Lan Fenghuang also changed into a Miao ethnic costume, her silver ornaments glittering under the lights.
"Let's go." Lin Chen was the first to board the carriage.
……
The Imperial Palace, Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The banquet has been set out, and civil and military officials have taken their seats according to their rank.
At the very top was the Empress's dragon throne, with a seat set up to the left.
That was for Lin Chen, whose rank was equivalent to that of a prince, second only to the emperor.
When Lin Chen led the women and Yuan Tiangang into the hall, all the officials rose and bowed:
"Greetings, Prince Zhenbei!"
"No need for formalities." Lin Chen waved his hand casually and walked to his seat.
The four girls, including Su Xiaoxiao, set up a small table behind him.
Yuan Tiangang and Lan Fenghuang were seated in the guest section.
As soon as they sat down, officials came over to offer them a toast.
"Your Highness has achieved a great victory in the northern border, enhancing our nation's prestige. I, your humble servant, offer you a toast!"
Lin Chen raised his glass in acknowledgment and drank it all in one gulp.
Then a few more came; they were all people who had stayed far away when the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion fell on hard times, but now they wanted to make friends.
Lin Chen outwardly gave a perfunctory response, but inwardly he knew exactly what was going on.
The Minister of Personnel also came over, holding a wine cup: "Your Highness..."
Lin Chen immediately turned to speak to the military officer beside him:
"General Zhang, your son has rendered meritorious service in the north; truly, like father, like son!"
The military officer surnamed Zhang was flattered and overwhelmed: "Yes, yes! Thanks to Your Highness!"
The Minister of Personnel stood awkwardly in place, caught in a dilemma.
At this moment, a middle-aged civil official walked over.
Lin Chen looked up, stood up, and said with a smile, "Uncle."
The visitor was Su Wenyuan, the Minister of Rites, who was also Lin Chen's uncle.
"Sit, sit," Su Wenyuan gestured for him to sit without further ado, and then sat down beside him, lowering his voice.
"Chen'er, you are now in a high position of power, but there are some things... you should still keep a low profile."
Lin Chen's eyes flickered slightly: "What do you mean by 'uncle'?"
"Princess Dongli as a concubine..." Su Wenyuan smiled bitterly.
"This matter has already caused quite a stir in the court. Although you have made great contributions, the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against it."
"Don't worry, Uncle, I know what I'm doing." Lin Chen poured Su Wenyuan a glass of wine.
"Uncle, let me toast you. I hope you will continue to guide me in matters of state."
Su Wenyuan sighed, raised his glass, and drank it all.
"You... well, you've already come of age, and the whole family is on your shoulders. You need to think things through more carefully..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the eunuch sang loudly:
"His Majesty has arrived!"
The officials quickly rose to their feet.