Huangfu Mi glared at him immediately: "Fifth Brother, you don't need to be so sour and keep talking about me. Anyway, Father has already said that he will match you with that princess from Western Shu. Everyone says that the girls from Western Shu are the most unrestrained. When you two are all lovey-dovey, it won't be good for you to talk about me anymore."
Just now at Zhengyang Palace, the King of Western Shu mentioned to the Emperor that his purpose in coming here was not only to pay his respects to the Emperor of Lanling and to offer tribute, but also to choose a consort for his most beloved princess.
The Emperor immediately said that the Fifth Prince Huangfu Yu was the most suitable candidate, possessing both virtue and talent. This is why Huangfu Mi made a teasing remark about Huangfu Yu.
However, Huangfu Yu's expression was not so good: "What princess? I have no intention of marrying her. I don't even know what she looks like. What if she's an ugly monster?"
V35 Creates Waves on Flat Ground (Part Two)
However, Huangfu Yu's expression was not so good: "What princess? I have no intention of marrying her. I don't even know what she looks like. What if she's an ugly monster?"
Consort Xin laughed until tears almost came out. She glared at him and said with a smile, "Look at what you're saying. How could the most beloved princess of the King of Western Shu be an ugly monster?"
"Haha--" Huangfu Mi also laughed loudly: "Yes, I'm afraid you'll be so captivated by them that you won't be able to take your eyes off them."
Everyone in the room burst into laughter. Huangfu Yu remained calm inside, but he still wore a forced smile and chuckled a few times along with everyone else.
Just then, the Emperor sent someone to invite them over, and the group got up without saying a word and headed towards the front hall.
*
The world is now divided into four parts, with the Lanling Dynasty at the head, and four other dynasties: Western Shu, Northern Xiang, and Huachao.
Among them, the Lanling Dynasty had the strongest military and national strength, followed by the Hua Dynasty, while Western Shu and Northern Xiang were small border states.
Previously, Western Shu had always relied on Lanling. However, in the past two years, with the military strength of various countries growing stronger, Huachao and Lanling have become almost equal. Western Shu is not willing to lag behind. Although it is a small country, it should not be underestimated.
The Emperor of Lanling had been trying to win him over for years in order to make his country stronger than Huachao. Therefore, the Emperor naturally regarded the arrival of the King of Western Shu with his princess as a top priority.
As soon as night falls, the Jade Sheng Tower is decorated anew. The twelve white marble pillars standing in the hall are all inlaid with fist-sized luminous pearls, illuminating the hall as bright as day.
On the left side of the hall was a seat prepared for the emperor, and on the right side were two sandalwood chaise lounges, for the empress and the imperial concubine, respectively. The first seat on the left was prepared for the King of Western Shu and the princess.
Below the main seat, on both sides, were rows of rosewood wooden tables and chairs, the chairs covered with embroidered cushions and various colored throw cushions. On the tables were cups and saucers, carved lacquer boxes, and various kinds of pastries.
Meng Wan sat in her assigned seat and looked around at the vibrant flowers and green willows, which made her feel dizzy. She didn't know if it was because the lights were too bright or because of the wind.
She rubbed her forehead, and it took a while for the dizziness to subside slightly. However, she still felt somewhat uncomfortable. Since there was still some time before the banquet ended, she decided to go out for some fresh air rather than stay there and listen to everyone fawning over her because she was going to marry Prince Heng.
--
In the warm spring season, even at night, everywhere is full of vitality.
Stepping out of Yusheng Tower, the warm breeze eased her discomfort somewhat, but she didn't dare go far. She simply strolled around the courtyard. Suddenly, a figure by the lotus pond caught her eye.
It was undoubtedly Huangfu Yu. He had changed out of his previous casual clothes and was now wearing a dark blue court robe. He stood there with his back to the ground, seemingly looking at something.
The unusual quiet and stillness piqued Meng Wan's curiosity. She stepped forward, walked behind him, picked up a leaf, and threw it into the pond.
The leaves were so light that they fell into the ripples when the wind blew them in.
Huangfu Yu turned around and saw Meng Wan standing behind him with a smile.
"It's you—"
The casual remark, so different from her tone during the day, surprised Meng Wan. She then nodded, "Greetings, Fifth Prince!"
After getting up, I walked to his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him. I also looked into the pond like him. The lotus flowers in the pond were in bloom, each one fragrant and vying for attention, making the whole place full of spring.
Huangfu Yu nodded slightly, only giving a casual reply, his expression remaining calm, as if he were thinking about something.
Looking at his somber face, Meng Wan couldn't help but ask, "Does Your Highness have something on your mind?"
The two were already quite familiar with each other, and Meng Wan had already regarded him as a good friend, so she was not reserved and asked him whatever came to mind.
Huangfu Yu tilted his head: "You can tell?"
It was so obvious, how could anyone not see it? Meng Wan's lips trembled slightly as she recalled asking the same question back at Changyin Pavilion. Now that the situation had reversed and Huangfu Yu was the one filled with worry, how could she, as his friend, stand idly by?
He barely suppressed the urge to laugh, then nodded: "That's...natural. But what is there to worry about? Shouldn't we be waiting outside with the Emperor for the arrival of the King of Western Shu at this hour?"
"Heh--" Huangfu Yu sighed deeply, gripping the railing by the pond and gazing into the distance with a distant look: "What does it matter whether he comes or not? It's really strange. Are there no men left in Western Shu? Why would he come to our Lanling to find a consort?"
Meng Wan was taken aback.
"A marriage alliance between the two countries is a good thing, so why is the prince so resistant?"
"If you were asked to marry someone you don't love, would you be willing?" Huangfu Yu suddenly raised an eyebrow, his narrow eyes gleaming with a subtle light.
Meng Wan was stunned again. Remembering how he had helped her and Huangfu Mi earlier, and now he was putting on this expression... could it be...?
"Does the prince have someone he loves? Is that why he's acting this way?"
Now it was Huangfu Yu's turn to fall silent. Yes, his beloved, but...
"What if I have him, what if I don't? The result will be the same. Last time I was able to help you because the person in your heart was Seventh Brother. But this time, I really don't know if I can escape."
Meng Wan bit her lip: "Or we could go and tell the Emperor..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Huangfu Yu suddenly exerted force and pinched a leaf between his fingers. He lowered his eyes, and the petal reflected on his fingertip, making it even more beautiful and boundless.
He watched quietly for a long time before finally letting out a sigh: "Father's words are law, how could he go back on his word, especially with Mother also involved. She was already furious about what happened last time, and now that Father has bestowed a marriage upon me with a princess from a neighboring country, how could she possibly miss such a good opportunity?"
Meng Wan was taken aback and couldn't help but feel sorry for the man.
Being born into royalty truly brings with it a lot of helplessness.
--