Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 212 Alliance by Marriage

Chapter 212: Chapter 212 Alliance by Marriage

After the new political reforms were implemented, military power was relinquished, border troops were reduced, and under the imperial throne, all are mere ants. If Emperor Jianming settles accounts in the autumn, it would truly be a case of "When the sovereign commands a minister to die, the minister has no choice but to comply."

Yet at that time, Yanyang should have been thriving, prosperous, and flourishing.

The Marquis Mansion could also be considered as having exhausted itself in loyal service unto death.

Marquis Zhenbei patted his shoulder, "Zhixu, keep your vision far-reaching. Do not dwell on the gains and losses of a single household or courtyard; your future is intertwined with all of Yanyang."

"Father is a great hero, with the world’s fate carried in his heart," Xie Xun had always lived under the shelter of his father and elder brothers, like a fledgling bird with wings yet unformed. "I only wish to protect my family."

"Rest assured, Ting Feng’s injury will not be for nothing," Marquis Zhenbei said lightly. "When has your second brother ever suffered a loss?"

Marquis Zhenbei and Xie Zhang suppressed the matter. The assassins in the forest were not revealed to Emperor Jianming or the Crown Prince as Jinyi Guard; instead, only vague statements that the masked attackers’ identities were unclear were given, leaving court officials merely to speculate that aristocratic families had sent people to assassinate Xie Jue, intending to obstruct the reforms.

The hunting event had but one day left before concluding. Though Fang Chuning and Xie Jue were severely injured, Marquis Zhenbei, the Marchioness, Xie Zhang, and Xie Xun attended the evening banquet. Feng Shu and Fengyu accompanied Feng Changqing and Su Yuejiao to the gathering. The atmosphere at the banquet was tense; the military generals, united in animosity, were heartbroken over the damage to Xie Jue’s eyes. Though the negotiations seemed a victory for Yanyang, the terms were painfully stifling.

Xie Zhang and Xie Jue had endured relentless harassment from Dugu Jing, barely escaping with their lives. Though Yanyang obtained what it sought, it paid a grievously high price. After Xie Jue’s eye injury, Marquis An Yuan sensed unease in Marquis Zhenbei and could only counsel him to endure. Dugu Jing dared to act so brazenly because of Sannan’s unrest, leaving Marquis Zhenbei Mansion vulnerable to antagonism.

Yanyang felt suffocated, and Beiman was equally frustrated. Although Dugu Jing harmed Xie Jue, Yanyang still secured thirty thousand suits of red gauze armor. Dugu Jing originally intended to kill Xie Zhang and Xie Jue, yet both survived, forcing him to concede the armor early—he too felt stifled.

Fengyu had a foreboding feeling that something would go awry at the night banquet.

After both sides had suppressed their grievances for so long, a conflict was inevitable.

After three rounds of drinks, Xie Zhang stood and toasted Dugu Jing, congratulating him on the success of the negotiations. Dugu Jing glared at him, feeling that Xie Zhang was mocking him. After drinking, Xie Zhang shifted the tone of his remarks: "The negotiation between Yanyang and Beiman is a grand event for both nations. As a gesture of sincerity in Yanyang’s desire to mend relations with Beiman, His Majesty has decided to marry the Princess to the Beiman King, forging an everlasting bond between our two nations!"

Emperor Jianming: "..."

Crown Prince: "..."

Princess Huazhen: "..."

Emperor Jianming had only one eligible Princess—Princess Huazhen. Before he could react, Dugu Jing took up the matter: "Well, Beiman couldn’t be more honored. My elder brother just happens to be in need of a Princess Consort."

Dugu Jing rose and bowed to Emperor Jianming: "On behalf of my elder brother, I accept the alliance and pledge to forever bind Beiman and Yanyang in harmony."

The civil and military officials were struck silent, the Crown Prince was stunned to the point of almost crushing his cup, and Marquis Zhenbei tacitly approved of Xie Zhang’s words. By this act, Xie Zhang essentially decreed the marriage on behalf of the Emperor, leaving the Crown Prince feeling as if his face had been slapped fiercely.

"I will not marry!" Princess Huazhen lost composure, standing and pointing at Xie Zhang. "Xie Zhang, what gives you the right to make decisions in place of my father?"

Xie Zhang smiled faintly. "Princess, His Majesty just visited Xie Jue and deeply understands the years of fighting and lingering animosity between Beiman and Yanyang. That’s why the Ninth Prince repeatedly harassed the Marquis Mansion, allowing opportunists to exploit the situation and injure Xie Jue’s eyes. The Emperor was heartbroken and realized that only through marriage and the alliance of Qin and Jin could the hatred between Beiman and Yanyang be fully dissolved."

Princess Huazhen stumbled out, falling to her knees before the royal throne. "Father, he is lying! You did not agree to this marriage! You would not send your daughter to that barren place—would you?"

Emperor Jianming was caught in a dilemma. He had never visited Xie Jue, nor had he consented to the marriage. Yet Xie Zhang had forced his hand in front of everyone.

This was his most beloved daughter.

If she were sent to Beiman, it would be as good as sentencing her to death.

Xie Jue’s eyesight was gone. This was the revenge of the Marquis Mansion! Though the forest assassins were not sent by him, he did not prevent them; the assailants were all Jinyi Guard and Forbidden Army. Enough clues were left behind that Marquis Zhenbei could never be deceived.

The most brilliant child of the Marquis Mansion was now wasted, and Marquis Zhenbei wanted his daughter as compensation.

"Huazhen,..." Emperor Jianming gazed at his pleading daughter with difficulty.

"Does Emperor Yanyang lack the heart to marry off his daughter?" Dugu Jing said indifferently. "Beiman is indeed just a barren land, unworthy in the Princess’s eyes. If that is so, then forget the marriage."

Princess Huazhen rejoiced, only for cold water to douse her hopes as Emperor Jianming said, "Matters of marriage are not games. I hereby decree Princess Huazhen to marry the Beiman King, wishing for Beiman and Yanyang to be eternally allied."

The civil and military officials remained bewildered, Marquis Zhenbei and his two sons fell silent, and after raising the issue of the marriage, Xie Zhang refrained from further speech.

Fengyu watched as Princess Huazhen futilely resisted, staggering in desperation to plead with Emperor Jianming. Her anger lashed toward the seats of Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. The Crown Prince’s heart sank, and before Princess Huazhen could make a misstep, Chen Mo dragged her away. Hoping for someone to advocate for her, Princess Huazhen looked toward Xie Xun, yet he did not even glance her way, coldly drinking his wine in silence.

Princess Huazhen recalled the blinding image at the forest’s edge: Xie Xun kissing Fengyu. The two of them frolicked amidst the spring blossoms, embracing as if inseparable.

Xie Xun had deceived her; he loved Fengyu.

A dream shattered, destined to be fleeting. Her happiness had been destroyed, her cherished hopes dashed. Her beloved had never loved her—he would rather have the dying Fengyu than her, willing to watch as she was married off to the barren lands.

No!

The Marquis Mansion is the culprit!

"I will not forgive you!" Princess Huazhen’s voice rasped with hatred down to her bones. "Even if I become a ghost, I will not forgive you!"

Fengyu felt burned by Princess Huazhen’s gaze, an inexplicable discomfort arising within her. The night banquet continued under an eerie silence. Emperor Jianming’s eyes reddened, while the Crown Prince suppressed his anger.

The Crown Princess Consort nervously poured wine beside him.

This marked the first direct conflict between the Marquis Mansion and the royal family. Marquis Zhenbei strictly adhered to his role as a subject, never overstepping in demeanor, negotiations, or conduct. Despite wielding unparalleled power, capable of controlling the Emperor to command dukes, upon returning to the capital, he avoided trivialities, secluded himself from visitors, and spent his time at home enjoying domestic bliss with his wives.

In Jinluan Palace, whatever Emperor Jianming sought to accomplish, the Marquis always supported him. Marquis Zhenbei had no intention of being a domineering figure; he wished to be the blade for Emperor Jianming, clearing obstacles and subduing external enemies.

"Why?" Emperor Jianming asked Marquis Zhenbei.

"My son can guard the frontiers, defend the cities, die in battle on the battlefield, but he cannot succumb to power struggles, conspiracies, and inner turmoil." Marquis Zhenbei spoke softly. "Your Majesty, over the years, Ting Feng has strategized for military campaigns and devised plans to kill the Beiman King. He and Dugu Jing entered Xiyanshan to hunt, risking their lives for thirty thousand suits of red gauze armor. If he were to die in battle, I would say nothing; he would die a worthy death. My son has devoted himself to peace between the two nations, yet now he is ruined. My brothers sacrificed themselves one by one to quell rebellions ahead of me. Your Majesty is sacrificing one Princess to secure an alliance and long-lasting peace between the two peoples—is that not permissible?"

Marquis Zhenbei did not mention the matter of Xie Jue encountering Jinyi Guards within Xiyanshan.

"Your Majesty, a Princess’s marriage is the expedient path toward negotiation."

As Fengyu left the night banquet, her heart continued to race. Princess Huazhen’s marriage to Beiman had been finalized; it would not change. Would she resign herself? The most favored Princess of Yanyang, the proud Princess Huazhen—she must be devastated.

Imperial Princesses are all doomed to this, and the fates of others are no different from ants.