Military Advisor and Princess - Chapter 100
"Your Majesty understands." After thinking for a moment, the Prince of Zhongwu nodded. The Emperor was right. As a military general, he was not as pedantic as those scholars. He never believed that women could only stay at home. He always believed that women could achieve great things just like men. Moreover, the Empress's proud demeanor had deeply shocked him. The Empress was indeed a remarkable woman, just as rumored.
"Your Highness is indeed wise and righteous. Then I will issue a decree to bestow a marriage upon Prince Jin and Lady Mo." Zhengxuan turned his head and said to Jinxuan and Aojun with a smile.
Jin Xuan was about to express his gratitude when Ao Jun spoke first, "Wait..."
Everyone looked at her with suspicion. Wu Ying suppressed her resentment and looked at Jin Xuan with her eyes brimming with tears. She was truly a pitiful sight! But Jin Xuan didn't even glance at her. He just clenched his fists and looked at Ao Jun. It was clear that he was very nervous.
"Jinxuan, give me some time." Aojun said to Jinxuan with a firm expression, her gaze burning as she looked deeply into Jinxuan's deep eyes. At this moment, she had made up her mind and understood her own heart even more. Suddenly, she felt enlightened; her heart had always remained the same.
"Your Majesty..." Jinxuan called out angrily. At this moment, Your Majesty, are you still going to refuse? For Yelü Ying's sake, you have refused me time and time again. You even refused my request to my brother for a marriage decree. Do you love Yelü Ying more in your heart?
Ignoring Jin Xuan's anger, Ao Jun smiled gently, took Jin Xuan's hand, and said firmly again, "Trust me." She just needed time to explain things to Yelü Ying.
"Okay." Jinxuan looked deeply at Aojun and sighed. The moment he saw her eyes, he couldn't refuse her at all, especially since she smiled at him so gently, with such a charming smile that he had never seen her before. He had to believe her, he had to firmly believe in her. To love someone is to believe in her.
"Jinxuan, don't worry! Jun has figured it out." Aoxue smiled relaxedly, exchanging a knowing smile with Aojun. It was their unspoken understanding; a single glance was enough for them to know what the other was thinking. Haha… she'd really done a great job as a matchmaker! Hehe…
"Mm." Jinxuan nodded, then grasped Aojun's hand tightly. He should trust her...
"Third brother..." Wu Ying walked up to Jin Xuan with teary eyes and called out weakly, as if she was about to collapse with every step she took.
"Wu Ying." Jin Xuan replied with a bit of guilt. He had always treated Wu Ying like a younger sister since he was a child, and he never thought that Wu Ying would like him. It wasn't until today that he found out, but he really couldn't accept her. He knew that he had hurt her and made her sad.
"Heh... Third Brother, congratulations on finding your beloved woman. In the future, can Ying'er still... can I play with Third Brother? Sister Mo, is that alright?" Wu Ying took a deep breath, as if she had used a lot of strength, and raised a bright smile, seemingly a little scared. But that forced smile made her seem even more fragile, arousing people's protective instincts, and making Jin Xuan feel even more guilty.
"Of course, silly girl." Jinxuan patted Wuying's head gently, feeling a little sorry for her.
Seeing that Wu Ying was looking at her, and Jin Xuan was also looking at her, Ao Jun nodded. Upon seeing this, Wu Ying immediately stopped crying and started smiling. Seeing this, King Zhongwu's eyes reddened slightly, and he sighed in his heart: What a kind and innocent child! She would rather suffer herself than not think of others.
"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now." Prince Zhongwu said respectfully to Zhengxuan as he took Wu Ying's hand. There was nothing more for them to do here; everything was under the Emperor and Empress's control. This scene was exactly what they had anticipated, and it was time for him and Ying'er to leave. Seeing the Emperor nod, he led Wu Ying out of the Imperial Study. Before leaving, Wu Ying looked back at Zhengxuan repeatedly, her pale face showing suppressed resentment, her teeth biting her lip—truly heartbreaking!
"Ying'er, I know the pain in your heart. If you want to cry, then cry. Don't hold it in. I'll always be by your side." As soon as he left the imperial study, Prince Zhongwu put his arm around his beloved daughter's slender shoulders and sighed helplessly. He wanted to give his daughter strength. If possible, he would rather suffer the pain himself. Alas, the hearts of parents are truly selfless...
"Waaah... Father... Ying'er really loves Third Brother so much, waaah... What should I do? Ying'er can't live without Third Brother! Waaah... Father..." Wu Ying leaned against King Zhongwu's chest, crying like a dam bursting, her heart breaking! She kept sobbing.
"Ah, Ying'er, I know best how you feel for Jinxuan, but you are destined to be apart from him in this life. Let go!" Prince Zhongwu's eyes reddened as he sighed deeply, comforting her. Every time Wu Ying cried, his heart ached, but matters of the heart cannot be forced.
"Father..." Wu Ying buried her head in Prince Zhongwu's arms, sobbing softly. Her hands, hidden beneath her sleeves, clenched tightly: No chance? Let go? Hmph, that's impossible. Mo Jun is just a commoner, and he's entangled with that Yelü Ying. How could he be worthy of Third Brother? Only she, Princess Wu Ying, is worthy to stand beside Third Brother, worthy to be his wife. Mo Jun, you overestimated yourself and seduced Third Brother, so don't blame this princess for being ruthless, hahaha...
A carriage stopped in front of the Crown Prince's tutor's residence. The steward knew that his master had returned and immediately went to greet him, but he was so frightened by the person who got out of the carriage that he stood still and didn't move.
"Butler, butler, are you alright?" Ao Jun waved her hand in front of the butler's face, calling out in confusion. Why did he suddenly freeze like that?
"M-Master, are you an lord?" The steward struggled to his senses, swallowing hard as he stared at the stunningly beautiful woman before him, his voice trembling with lingering shock. How could his master have transformed from a handsome man into a beautiful woman after only a few days in the palace?
"Is there something wrong?" Ao Jun nodded and asked in return, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"No, no... My lord, please come in! Yelü..." The steward, seeing Ao Jun's matter-of-fact manner, was at a loss for words and stammered. Then, remembering the terrifying person who had been loitering in the mansion for the past few days, he hurriedly said.
"I understand." Ao Jun waved her hand and walked into the mansion expressionlessly. Jin Xuan glanced at the stunned steward and followed her in. Looking at Ao Jun dressed in women's clothing, he smiled indulgently: "Walking in like that, you'd scare everyone in your mansion to death, and you didn't even notice. I don't know whether to call it being carefree or heartless..."
After Ao Jun and Jin Xuan entered the mansion, the steward finally came to his senses. He then remembered that there was something he hadn't told the master, so he hurriedly chased after them, but it was too late.
As expected, along the way, everyone from the Crown Prince's tutor's group stopped working and froze, almost unable to stand. But the person in question acted as if he didn't see them and walked straight to the backyard.
The moment she stepped into the backyard, a figure flew over. Before Ao Jun could react, she was embraced tightly. Even a fool could tell who this person was. Ao Jun didn't struggle, letting the person hold her tightly, feeling the strong beating of his heart. A bitter feeling welled up in her heart: I'm sorry, this is all I can do.
But soon, a figure in blue flashed by, and the hand holding her was forcibly pulled away. Jin Xuan glared angrily at Yelü Ying, who had a wicked smile on his face, and said coldly, "Isn't what Prince Yelü is doing a bit improper?"
"Discretion? Haha... What's improper about me embracing my beloved woman? You tell me, right, my lord..." Yelü Ying sneered as he looked at Ao Jun. But upon seeing her, he was stunned. His red eyes were filled with amazement. He had rushed over as soon as he heard that Jun had returned, without even taking a good look. No wonder he felt something was off earlier. It turned out that... Jun dressed as a woman was just as he had imagined, breathtakingly beautiful, as ethereal as a fairy, making him feel ashamed of himself. He had to have such a person.
But why would she suddenly wear women's clothing? Whose beauty is she for? Is it for Ouyang Jinxuan? The amazement in her red eyes has been replaced by jealousy, ruthlessness, and bloodlust.
"My beloved? You must be mistaken! You are my future queen. How dare you, Prince Yelü, speak and act in such a way? Where does that leave my dignity?" Upon hearing Yelü Ying mention his beloved woman, Jin Xuan's anger flared even more. His words were icy cold, and he stared directly at Yelü Ying with a stern face and an expressionless expression. He exuded a chilling aura that could freeze a person to death, and combined with his kingly domineering presence, he created an extremely oppressive atmosphere.
"Future Princess?" Yelü Ying repeated the words through gritted teeth, his red eyes blazing with a fierce intensity as he stared directly into Ao Jun's dark eyes. He thought she would run away again, would evade him once more, but he was wrong this time. Ao Jun's unfathomable eyes met his gaze directly, shining with unwavering determination. This sight of her suddenly eroded his confidence, filled him with fear, and a growing unease filled his heart…
“That’s right, so please, Prince Yelü, have some self-respect and avoid any appearance of impropriety with my queen.” Jin Xuan reached out and pulled Ao Jun into his arms, asserting his ownership, and said coldly.
"Haha... If I heard correctly, Prince Jin was referring to the future princess. Since it's the future, whether she can become Prince Jin's princess is still unknown, isn't it? A beautiful lady is sought after by gentlemen. What's wrong with me admiring you? And what's wrong with that? Perhaps you will be my princess, and then it will be you, Your Highness, who should have self-respect!" Yelü Ying laughed loudly, took a step forward, and confronted Jin Xuan. He smiled wickedly and confidently, exuding a kingly aura no less than Jin Xuan's. His light red hair fluttered in the wind, and his red eyes burned like raging fire, forming a dazzling flame that contrasted sharply with Jin Xuan's icy demeanor.
Yelü Ying's words caused Jin Xuan's deep eyes to narrow dangerously, his killing intent rising suddenly. Yelü Ying was not to be outdone, instantly transforming into a hellish demon, his sinister and terrifying killing aura surrounding him. Undercurrents surged between the two.
In an instant, all the living creatures in the backyard vanished without a trace, unable to bear the torment of this extreme contrast of ice and fire, as well as the suffocatingly thick murderous aura.
Of course, there is one exception. It's not that she is unaffected, but that she cannot escape. This undercurrent was started by her, and only she can prevent it from turning into a raging storm. Alas, they truly live up to their titles of "Cold-Faced War God" and "Flame-Devouring Evil Lord"!
"Yelü Ying, I have something to say to you. Jin Xuan, you should go back first!" Ao Jun risked being frozen to death or burned to death, forcefully inserting himself between the two and said calmly.
"Don't rush, we have plenty of time to talk. I'll need 'Grand Tutor' to take good care of me these next few days!" Yelü Ying instantly withdrew his murderous aura, smiling wickedly. He had a premonition that Jun would say something to him, but he wouldn't give her the chance. It seemed the plan had to be moved up. Jun, you forced me to do this, don't blame me.
"What do you mean?" Ao Jun asked coldly and distantly. She knew Yelü Ying was running away, but she couldn't give him any more hope, or he would suffer even more. Xue was right, a short pain is worse than a long one. Now that she had thought it through and made her decision, she had to cut the Gordian knot decisively.
"That's exactly what I mean. His Majesty has agreed to let me travel here to experience your country's customs and culture. To show hospitality, he has also agreed to let me choose a minister to accompany me. Looking at all the civil and military officials, Your Majesty is the most suitable. So, I will have to trouble the Grand Tutor during my stay in Longxuan. During this time, I will be staying at the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor's residence. I hope Your Majesty will not be unwelcome!" Yelü Ying explained with a wicked smile. His reasoning was high-sounding and reasonable, and there was no way to refuse. It was clear that this was a diplomatic exchange between the two countries and had nothing to do with personal feelings. Even Jin Xuan could not say anything.
"Welcome is most welcome." Ao Jun said calmly with a cold expression. Her polite words clearly drew a line between her and Yelü Ying. She was just the Grand Tutor of the host Longxuan Dynasty, while he was the Cangliao Envoy sent to the Longxuan Dynasty.
"Heh... Grand Tutor, you're too kind." Yelü Ying continued to smile wickedly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. His hands were clenched tightly, and a surge of hatred welled up inside him.
"As a prince of the Longxuan Dynasty, I must also do my part as a host. I will entertain the Cangliao envoy with you," Jinxuan said in a low but firm voice. He would not leave the two of them alone.
Yelü Ying only smiled and did not answer, as if he had expected Jin Xuan to say that. Just as Ao Jun was about to say something, an excited voice suddenly rang out, attracting the attention of the three people in the courtyard. Turning around, they saw a pink figure running excitedly towards them.