El tercer erudito de la dinastía Song

Capítulo 97

"Your subject Chengwu greets Your Majesty and Empress Niannian." His strong voice echoed throughout the hall, making it impossible to tell that he was a man over forty.

"Wu Ying greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress." A soft, melodious voice, like that of a nightingale, rang out, instantly capturing everyone's attention. Even Ao Jun and Ao Xue couldn't help but shift their gaze from Prince Zhongwu to the woman who called herself Wu Ying. What a beauty she was! Her hands were like tender shoots, her skin like solidified cream, her neck like a cicada's, her teeth like melon seeds, her forehead broad and her eyebrows arched, her smile enchanting, her eyes bright and captivating, her fair face radiating tenderness—she was just like Lin Daiyu, the delicate beauty from the story. They looked at her with concern, worried that she might be blown away by a gust of wind. Such a beauty must easily arouse a man's protective instincts!

"Your Highness, please rise. Wu Ying, please rise as well." Zheng Xuan leaned forward, suppressing his excitement, and smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Prince Zhongwu bowed and sat down in the seat of honor with his beloved daughter. It was Jinxuan's request. Originally, he thought that Jinxuan, who was second only to the emperor, should sit in the first seat. However, Jinxuan always respected the old prince as his teacher, so he insisted that the old prince sit in the superior seat. The old prince was also a generous person, unlike Suanru who was always hesitant. He smiled at Jinxuan with satisfaction, and his sparkling eyes showed that he was very satisfied with Jinxuan as his disciple.

Apart from the elderly ministers, all the men present stared intently at the beautiful woman, whose flowing robes and every gesture exuded a delicate fragrance. They were completely captivated by her beauty. This was Princess Wu Ying, who had resigned from being called the most beautiful woman in the world. At a young age, she had become famous throughout the land with her flying dance, and suitors came in droves. The most beautiful woman in the world was the current empress. However, Xiao Yu, the former top courtesan who had only appeared briefly, was also ranked on par with the current empress.

Of course, there were two exceptions in the main hall: the two Ouyang brothers, who were already in love. They quickly turned their gazes back to their beloveds, but their beloveds seemed to be staring intently at Wu Ying with great interest, just like the way those men looked at her. Heh... what peculiar people they were! How could her beauty compare to even a fraction of theirs!

"Third brother, Wu Ying greets you." A weak voice suddenly rang out, so soft that only a few people nearby could hear it. Wu Ying looked at Jin Xuan with a smile and said shyly, her face blushing.

Third brother? Ao Xue's heart skipped a beat. This princess likes Jin Xuan? What about Jin Xuan? Gao Jun, however, just glanced at Jin Xuan with a blank expression, then at Wu Ying, thinking: Ancient women are so easily embarrassed, they can blush like this just by saying a few words.

"Wu Ying, it's been a long time. The little sister from before has grown up so much." Jin Xuan said with a smile, his tone unusually gentle, which was a bit unusual for Prince Jin, who was usually indifferent to women.

"Third brother is teasing Wu Ying." Wu Ying lowered her head shyly and whispered like a mosquito. Her voice was as pleasant as a gentle breeze, and you could hear the deep joy in her tone. Her face was as red as a tomato, and she would steal glances at Jin Xuan from time to time. Her admiration was so obvious.

Jin Xuan simply smiled and turned to look at Ao Jun, saying softly, "Jun, let me introduce you. This is my most respected master in my life, the Loyal and Martial Prince, and this is the Prince's beloved daughter, Princess Wu Ying."

Ao Jun nodded, but before he could speak, the old prince spoke first in a hearty manner: "Jin Xuan, it's been many years, but your achievements truly make me feel ashamed of myself. I dare not accept the title of master."

"Third Brother, who is this?" Wu Ying asked timidly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Her mind was solely focused on Jin Xuan, but when Jin Xuan suddenly turned to speak to someone beside him, she noticed Ao Jun sitting next to him. Upon seeing him, she was deeply shocked: Heavens! There was such a handsome man in the world, more beautiful than any woman, several times more beautiful than her! Always proud and arrogant, she had always been very confident in her own beauty. At this moment, she realized she was like a frog in a well. Beside this man, she was like a faint star shining beside the moon. Her light was too bright. Who was this man? Most importantly, why was she sitting next to her third brother? Why did her third brother speak to her so gently, his eyes filled with a tenderness she had never seen before? A pang of jealousy welled up inside her. She was so jealous of this man, even though she was a man, she never showed it on her face.

"Oh, I forgot, Your Highness, Wu Ying, this is Mo Jun, the newly appointed Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince by the Emperor." Jin Xuan said softly, looking at Ao Jun with great pride. It was like a boyfriend proudly introducing his girlfriend to his family.

"What? She's the greatest strategist in the land—Young Master Mo?" Prince Zhongwu's wise eyes initially sized Ao Jundao up and down in disbelief, but he quickly accepted it, chuckling and stroking his beard. "Haha... indeed, heroes emerge from among the young. I've long admired Grand Tutor Mo's name since my time in Jiangnan, and seeing him today, it's truly well-deserved. Haha... With Grand Tutor Mo and Jin Xuan at my Longxuan, let's see who dares to invade. Haha... new talents emerge to fill the land, and a new generation replaces the old. I'm getting old; now it's your turn, young people..."

His eyes were filled with admiration and respect for Ao Jun. In his life of military service, he had never admired anyone except the late emperor and Jin Xuan. The frail young man before him was the first, and rightfully so. He was very interested in his deeds. His purpose in coming to the capital this time was not only for Ying'er's marriage, but also to witness the demeanor of the world's number one strategist. He was not disappointed. Although she was just sitting there casually, her aura of looking down on the world and her cold and indifferent yet light and agile eyes were unmatched.

Although Qingying Bianmian only smiled politely at Aojun, her heart was deeply shaken: she looked like a young man in his early twenties, yet she was the Mo Jun Gongzi whom her father praised so highly, the one who fought alongside her third brother and won that epic battle? She and her third brother sitting together, she inexplicably felt that they were such a perfect match. No, no, why would she have such a thought? She and her third brother were men! But the way her third brother looked at her still made her feel uneasy.

"Your Highness flatters me." Ao Jun's uniquely calm voice rang out, its calmness like a gentle spring flowing through one's body, making one feel comfortable and at ease, without feeling that she was being perfunctory. He was Jin Xuan's master, so she had to be polite. Besides, she quite liked this website. After thinking for a moment, she said to Princess Wu Ying, "Greetings, Wu Ying."

This greeting should be correct! Why is everyone looking at me with such strange eyes? Is there something on my face? She glanced at Jinxuan, but he just looked at her with doting eyes, his eyes full of smiles.

"Uh? Grand Tutor Mo...hello." Wu Ying was so shocked by Ao Jun's unrestrained words that she didn't know what to say. After a long while, she stammered politely. In her heart, however, she was extremely indignant: the world-renowned Young Master Mo was actually a lecherous scoundrel. As mentioned before, he was arrogant. She was a princess, yet he dared to call her by her name in front of so many people. And her third brother didn't blame her at all. She didn't know why, but she disliked her very much from the first time she saw her. Subconsciously, she felt that this would be the biggest obstacle for her to be with her third brother.

From a young age, her wish was to marry her third brother. Her third brother was always cold and aloof, but he would be very gentle with her. So in her heart, she believed that her third brother liked her. Now, seeing how handsome and tall her third brother was, she secretly fell in love with him. Her third brother was still so gentle with her. He was hers. She had never failed to get anything she wanted since she was a child, so her third brother was definitely hers and no one could take him away.

"Haha... Wu Ying, don't take offense! Grand Tutor Mo is naturally easygoing and didn't mean anything by it." Zheng Xuan laughed heartily upon seeing this scene. He had actually been paying attention to the situation. Wu Ying had liked Jin Xuan since childhood, a fact he had long known, but Jin Xuan had always only treated her as a younger sister. The fact that the old prince would suddenly bring his daughter, who was of marriageable age, to the capital was clearly related to Jin Xuan, and Jin Xuan had just become engaged to Jun. He hoped nothing else might go wrong. Looking closely, the parrot seemed a little different. Although she still appeared gentle and frail, he had clearly just seen a flash of disgust, jealousy, and even a hint of fierceness in her eyes. Although she concealed it well, how could it escape his notice!

"Your Majesty is too kind. Wu Ying did not mean to blame the Grand Tutor. It is an honor for Wu Ying to be addressed by the Grand Tutor." Wu Ying smiled and nodded, her words reasonable and graceful, winning praise from many present.

Zhengxuan laughed again, praising Wuying and Prince Zhongwu for their excellent parenting skills. The program then began.

From beginning to end, Ao Xue watched Wu Ying with a thoughtful expression: This person was not simple. She wasn't as weak as she pretended. Her watery eyes flashed with strength, stubbornness, and a ruthless jealousy when she looked at Jun. If you didn't look closely, you could really be fooled. Xiao Xuanzi's words just now clearly showed that he had seen something. Only the two people involved were still exchanging glances, completely unaware of anything. A bad feeling lingered in her heart: something would happen to Jun because of her!

?

Ao Jun had actually been paying attention to Wu Ying all along. She knew Wu Ying didn't have any feelings for her, and these feelings were so similar to those of Chi Yu. This thought startled her. Could it be that Wu Ying also liked Jin Xuan? Looking at her, she had a bad feeling, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it...

Jinxuan didn't think that much about it. He had always regarded Wuying as his younger sister. All he was thinking about now was when the person he loved would agree to be his queen.

Everyone in the Aojun Clan watched the performance in the hall with their own thoughts, but they had no interest in what the performance actually was.

Just as the program was drawing to a close, the same eunuch entered again and respectfully announced to the emperor, "Your Majesty, the envoy from Cangliao Kingdom is here to pay his respects and is waiting outside the hall."

"Oh, summon them." Zheng Xuan sat high on the dragon throne, raising an eyebrow. Finally, they've arrived. The Cangliao Kingdom was so late; I thought they weren't coming. I wonder who this envoy will be?

As Zhengxuan guessed, a stunningly handsome man dressed in brocade robes entered the hall. All sounds in the hall fell silent, save for the constant sobbing. What a beautiful man he was! His beauty differed from the masculine beauty of emperors and princes; it was a more feminine beauty, yet he possessed the same regal aura as the emperor, exuding a noble air that seemed to transcend heaven and earth. His aura also carried a sinister, almost malevolent quality, causing anyone who saw him to tremble involuntarily. Especially striking were his red eyes and his pale red hair; when the wind blew, he truly resembled a demon from hell, making one both want to look and dare not look.

What a wonderful day! It's been a feast for the eyes! Almost all the handsome men and beautiful women in the world have gathered here.

The Cangliao envoy, with a wicked smile, slowly walked towards the seated Emperor Longxuan, but his eyes were fixed on the only white figure in the hall. She really did love white! Even on days like this, she wore pure white. His red eyes reflected her pale, bloodless, perfect face, and her constantly shifting gaze: Heh…it seems she hasn't forgotten me! Shouldn't I be happy then? What, the world's number one strategist doesn't dare open his eyes to me? Have you done something wrong? If that's the case, why did you do it in the first place? Why sit next to that person? You should sit next to me.

It was him. He had come; he had truly come. Upon seeing that familiar figure stepping into the hall, Ao Jun's face, which had been flushed with anger, turned deathly pale. A wave of dizziness washed over her; her only thought was: He's here, he's really here. Seeing his burning gaze fixed on Ali, she instinctively looked away. She dared not face him directly. She wished there was a hole she could disappear into, so she wouldn't have to face him. Those red eyes were more dangerous and frightening than any weapon, more terrifying than facing the Blood Soul Heavenly Stem Eight Trigrams Formation.

"Envoy Yelü Ying of Cangliao greets His Majesty Longxuan and congratulates His Majesty and Empress on the birth of the Crown Prince." Yelü Ying did not kneel down, but only bowed and raised his voice, still with a smile in his voice.

"So it's Prince Yelü. We're old acquaintances, aren't we? No need for formalities, come quickly. Your Highness has personally come to Longxuan; I must certainly extend my warmest hospitality and ensure your safe return." Zheng Xuan smiled gently, displaying the hospitality expected between great nations. He hadn't anticipated that the one who came this time would be the deposed former Crown Prince, Yelü Ying. What did he intend to do this time?

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yelü Ying smiled and sat down below the city, facing Ao Jun directly: Jun, there's no need to hide anymore, you can't escape it.

"Military Advisor Mo, it's been a long time. Why do you seem reluctant to see this prince?" Yelü Ying said 'friendly' to Ao Jun opposite him with a wicked smile, but his hands under the table were clenched tightly, and his red eyes were staring straight at Ao Jun.

"I... didn't mean that." Ao Jun still didn't dare to look Yelü Ying in the eye, glancing down slightly, her voice a little weak.

Even though she tried repeatedly to forget that promise, even though she kept trying to forget that Yelü Ying existed, even though she suppressed her desire to be with Jin Xuan, she still couldn't forget. She thought she had forgotten, thought she had let go, until the moment she saw him, she suddenly realized that she had never forgotten, she had always remembered. That promise was as if it were deeply engraved in her heart, she could never forget it for a moment. Rejecting Jin Xuan's marriage proposal, even if she didn't admit it, was true. Yelü Ying was a very important reason. She couldn't be with Jin Xuan with a clear conscience because Yelü Ying's painful eyes kept appearing in her heart.

The Strategist and the Princess: Kyoto Chapter 70 - Request for a Marriage

"Military Advisor Mo, it's been a long time. Why do you seem reluctant to see this prince?" Yelü Ying said 'friendly' to Ao Jun opposite him with a wicked smile, but his hands under the table were clenched tightly, and his red eyes were staring straight at Ao Jun.

"I... didn't mean that." Ao Jun still didn't dare to look Yelü Ying in the eye, turning her head slightly away, her voice a little weak.

Even though she tried repeatedly to forget that promise, even though she kept trying to forget that Yelü Ying existed, even though she kept wanting to be with Jin Xuan, she still couldn't forget. She thought she had forgotten, thought she had let go, until the moment she saw him, she suddenly realized that she had never forgotten, she had always remembered. That promise was as if it were deeply engraved in her heart, and she could never forget it for a moment. Rejecting Jin Xuan's marriage proposal, even if she didn't want to admit it, was true. Yelü Ying was a very important reason. She couldn't be with Jin Xuan with a clear conscience because Yelü Ying's painful eyes kept appearing in her heart.

"Oh, so I misunderstood you? Hehe... But why doesn't Strategist Mo dare to look me in the eye? Have you done something wrong?" Yelü Ying raised an eyebrow with a wicked smile, as if it were a conversation between acquaintances, but there was no hint of a smile in his red eyes.

“You misunderstand. Mo Jun believes she has acted with integrity and has done nothing wrong, so why wouldn’t she dare to look at Prince Yelü?” Ao Jun raised her head and looked directly at Yelü Ying calmly, repeating to herself over and over: Since she has already made her choice, she can no longer run away. Yelü Ying will have to face this sooner or later; she can’t hide anymore. She must face it bravely. If she drags it out any longer, Yelü Ying will be in even more pain, and Jin Xuan will misunderstand as well. Only by thinking this in her heart did she have the courage to face Yelü Ying’s smiling face calmly in this sudden encounter.