Xiao An nodded, "Go and invite Grand Chancellor Chen Junyu."
After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Chen Junyu hurried to the imperial study and bowed to Xiao An.
"Your humble servant, Chen Junyu, pays respects to Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live."
"That's enough, old minister, no need for such formality!"
Xiao An waved his hand, and Eunuch Shunzi immediately brought a stool for Chen Junyu to sit.
"My dear minister, I have been hesitant about this matter and wish to hear your opinion."
"Your Majesty, please speak plainly."
"When I was at Fenghuang Mountain, I proclaimed to all that whoever made a great contribution in resisting the invasion of the Great Turgic Empire, I would bestow my daughter's hand upon him!"
"But I never expected that it would be Chen Xiaobei who eventually offered the strategy to defeat the enemy, and then led the army to a swift campaign into the Great Turgic Empire."
"Now Chen Xiaobei has also saved Jingyun, but Chen Xiaobei is already married..."
Hearing the Emperor's words, Chen Junyu also fell into silence.
Indeed, according to the laws of the Great Cang Kingdom, a princess marrying would have to be the principal wife.
Moreover, generally speaking, a princess usually married someone who was not yet married. Chen Xiaobei had already married the daughter of Liu Xiangnan, and marrying the princess now would be a bit excessive, not to mention that Chen Xiaobei already had someone else at home.
After a moment of silence, Chen Junyu sighed softly, "Your Majesty, in this humble servant's opinion, perhaps it would be more appropriate for you to grant him some other rewards."
Xiao An shook his head, "That won't do, that won't do. Wouldn't that make me appear untrustworthy."
Chen Junyu then added, "If Your Majesty does not wish to bear such a reputation, then you can only employ a cunning stratagem..."
"Currently, Liu Rumei and several thousand troops are still in the Great Turgic Empire and have not returned. Your Majesty can use this as an excuse to send people to search for them in the Great Turgic Empire."
"I believe Chen Xiaobei's mind will be focused on Liu Rumei at this time, and he may not be thinking about your promise back then."
"I will also secretly contact the civil and military officials and ask them not to mention this matter in court. This way, we can stall for time, day by day. When enough time has passed, everyone will naturally forget about it."
Xiao An nodded, "Very well, then at tomorrow's court session, we will discuss how to rescue Liu Rumei!"
Meanwhile, at the Crown Prince's mansion, Xiao Jingyun had already woken up. Today, he appeared much better and was able to sit up and talk with Zhou Quan.
After hearing Zhou Quan recount the events of his rescue, Xiao Jingyun let out a long sigh, "I never expected that it would be Brother Xiaobei who ultimately saved me."
"Chen Xiaobei has made immense contributions in resisting the Great Turgic Empire. He personally went to the Great Chu Kingdom, harassed Qingguang City, and rescued His Highness the Crown Prince. Mr. Chen deserves the highest merit."
Hearing Zhou Quan's words, Xiao Jingyun nodded. "Indeed, I must immediately submit a memorial to Father Emperor, urging him to heavily reward Brother Xiaobei."
Hearing this, Zhou Quan smiled. As for this matter, Her Highness the Princess had already beaten you to it.
Seeing Xiao Jingyun's surprised look, Zhou Quan continued, "After Your Highness was poisoned, the Emperor posted a public notice offering ten thousand taels of gold to anyone who could cure Your Highness's poison. After Mr. Chen offered his strategy, Her Highness the Princess personally went to ask the Emperor for the reward and delivered the reward to Chen Xiaobei."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyun chuckled a few times, then seemed to recall something.
"I remember Father Emperor once said that whoever made the first contribution in resisting the Great Turgic Empire, he would marry Jingfeng to him."
Hearing this, Zhou Quan's expression faltered, and he then gave an awkward laugh. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this matter should be discussed at length!"
Xiao Jingyun, however, frowned. "Why should it be discussed at length? Father Emperor's golden words should be honored!"
"Your Highness, you may have forgotten, Chen Xiaobei is already married. Liu Rumei, Cui Hongyu, and also the deceased Huang Ying."
Hearing Zhou Quan's words, the Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun also fell silent. After a long while, he slowly shook his head.
"So what? Father Emperor did not say at the time that a man who was already married was not allowed to marry a princess."
"But our dynasty has always followed this practice. How can Her Highness the Princess become a secondary wife after marrying?"
"Alas, what is the difference? Once he marries the princess, Chen Xiaobei will be the驸马 (imperial son-in-law), and the princess will naturally be the principal wife. At that time, Father Emperor can bestow a noble title upon him, and Chen Xiaobei can then establish Cui Hongyu and Liu Rumei as secondary consorts. There is no difference. I must speak to Father Emperor about this matter as soon as possible, otherwise, the people of the world will be disheartened!"
At this moment, at Liu Xiangnan's mansion.
Two important guests arrived: the Lotus Cult Leader and Shen Ziyan, along with Xiao Han and others.
After returning to Shuozhou, they inquired and learned that Chen Xiaobei had come to the capital. Without delay, they chased after him.
Seeing the two of them arrive, Chen Xiaobei was very excited and hurriedly welcomed them with great ceremony in the reception hall.
Before they could speak, Chen Xiaobei directly asked, "Second Senior Sisters, did you see Liu Rumei on your journey?"
Shen Ziyan and the Lotus Cult Leader exchanged glances, then looked at Chen Xiaobei, and then at Liu Tie, Liu Ce, Liu Kai, and the others beside him, with surprise. "Miss Liu, didn't Miss Liu retreat long ago?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "She did not return, and we have lost contact with her."
Hearing his words, Shen Ziyan and the Lotus Cult Leader found it even more incredible!
"We saw no trace of the Great Turgic Empire's troops along our retreat route. How could Miss Liu not have returned?"
"That can't be right. When we returned, we sent scouts to look. Along the Xiaoqing River, there were people from the Great Turgic Empire everywhere!" Xiaobei looked somewhat bewildered.
"But we saw none on our journey back," the Lotus Cult Leader reiterated.
At this moment, the old steward Liu Kai spoke, "If this is the case, then the Great Turgic Empire must not have found any trace of Miss Liu and her party, which is why they withdrew. This means that Miss Liu and her party may be returning soon."
Hearing Liu Kai's words, Chen Xiaobei nodded, "That makes sense."
"Second Senior Sisters, please go and rest first." Chen Xiaobei ordered someone to escort the Lotus Cult Leader and Shen Ziyan to rest, while he turned to see Liu Xiangnan.
Upon seeing Liu Xiangnan, Chen Xiaobei got straight to the point, "Father-in-law, the situation in the Great Turgic Empire has now become clear. It is likely that Rumei and her army have withdrawn. Should we send people to search for them again!"
Liu Xiangnan's face lit up with joy and he nodded, "Good, that's good news. I will immediately go to the palace to report the situation to His Majesty and ask him to also arrange for personnel to enter the Great Turgic Empire."
Liu Xiangnan went to the palace to meet the Emperor. Dressed neatly, he left his mansion. Liu Kai, who was by his side, saw that Liu Xiangnan was gloomy and couldn't help but ask, "Marquis, the situation in the Great Turgic Empire is no longer tense, why are you still unhappy?"
"I am thinking, Shen Ziyan and the others returned from the Great Turgic Empire without any hindrance, but Rumei has not shown any sign. I am truly uneasy!"
Hearing Liu Xiangnan's words, Liu Kai's heart also sank. Frankly speaking, Liu Xiangnan was right. If everything were safe, they should have returned by now.
At this moment, Shen Ziyan and Xiao Qing were still washing dishes and cooking in a large household. As noon approached, a middle-aged man entered the kitchen. He was the steward of this household, named Harry.
Harry looked at the two of them and said loudly, "You two, hurry up and cook. The master is entertaining important guests at noon. Make a few more dishes."