"Let the Great Qian Emperor allow this Prince to return!!"
Mu Xuan pleaded daily, only to be rejected by the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial.
"I am only responsible for hosting, and dare not defy the Emperor's decree. If you leave so soon after arriving, I fear your father will be displeased."
Thinking of Mu Cheng, and of his two strong rivals, Mu Xuan could only grit his teeth and persevere.
Suddenly, Mu Xuan remembered something and pleaded, "Perhaps it is because I am confined here and feeling depressed, leading to my indisposition and acclimatization issues. May I be allowed to go out for a stroll?"
After the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial consulted with Xiao Qing, Xiao Qing had no choice but to agree.
Accompanied by imperial guards and the Imperial Forest Army, Mu Xuan made a grand appearance on the South Street, drawing a large crowd of onlookers.
In the distance, the twins Gong Xue and Gong Yu, led by Gong Mingqing, "happened to pass by" South Street.
Upon seeing them, Mu Xuan's heart soared. "Stop, all three!"
The father and his two daughters turned back, and began to converse with Mu Xuan. The sisters exchanged knowing glances with Mu Xuan.
"Are these two beauties not the talented Gong Yu and Gong Xue?" "Hmm... they seem to have fallen in love at first sight with this Prince of Great Liang?" "Didn't Mr. Pang say they possessed the appearance of a phoenix..."
The villagers' chatter made Mu Xuan immensely proud, and he requested to tour with the two daughters.
"My father promised that upon our return, except for the eldest brother who will remain Crown Prince, all others may be enfeoffed as kings. This Prince is in need of a Queen, and I favor you two. May I..."
Gong Mingqing joyfully replied, "Our two nations share the same ancestry. For the Third Prince to extend such courtesy, how can my family refuse?"
The surrounding villagers exclaimed in unison, "Could it truly be love at first sight?"
The news of the Third Prince of Great Liang proposing to the two talented women spread like wildfire.
Upon learning of this, Xiao Qing's brow furrowed. "He indeed knows how to create momentum. But this also confirms that these three, father and daughters, must be connected to the Huichun Sect!"
Prince Mu Xuan of Great Liang marrying a commoner of Great Qian was unprecedented. Great Qian, out of consideration for its friendly relations with Great Liang, had no reason to obstruct, and should even support it.
However, these two had previously been appraised by a so-called "Master Pang," who declared they had the appearance of a phoenix. Now, marrying Mu Xuan, Mu Cheng was too far away in Great Liang to refuse. They could present a fait accompli. By the time Mu Cheng received the news, it would be difficult for him to retract his face and break them up...
At that point, the opinions of the people of the capital and of Great Liang would be self-evident!
Mu Qing and Mu Ning, resting in their chambers, were filled with regret upon hearing the news. "Why does he get to marry two 'saintesses'? Just because he joined the sect earlier? Was this all planned?"
Originally, the "phoenix-like appearance" was intended for the Emperor of Great Qian. After that failed, it was redirected towards Liang Xiao, which also failed. They should have abandoned the idea by then.
Now, it was being wastefully exploited by Mu Xuan!
Through the machinations of the aristocratic families, Pang Ting had enjoyed a reputation in the capital for many years and had committed no illegal acts. Even after the aristocratic families lost their power, he maintained his good name, but he did not easily offer physiognomy readings.
The citizens of the Great Qian capital were discussing this matter. Once they returned to their country, the people within would inevitably discuss it as well, forcing Mu Cheng to seriously consider the choice of the heir apparent.
The practice of deposing the eldest and favoring the younger was not uncommon in Great Liang since its founding.
Mu Cheng himself was not the eldest son.
However, Mu Xuan and the two daughters were already publicly engaged. It was a done deal, and they had no opportunity to interfere.
Mu Qing and Mu Ning did not resent this, only regretting joining the sect too late...
As for why they joined the sect, only they themselves knew.
The seven princes were guests in the capital, under the strict surveillance of the imperial guards, and dared not show any defiance towards Xiao Qing or Liang Xiao. They only sought self-preservation and an early return.
The Emperor of Great Qian had not made the same promise to them as their father had to Liang Xiao. Even if one or two of them died abroad, Great Qian would suffer no substantial loss.
The seven brothers were served the same food daily, but Mu Xuan had learned his lesson and sent people to taste it beforehand.
Each time, the tasters showed no ill effects, yet he occasionally suffered from diarrhea, then requested medicine from Hua Xiong, endured the side effects, and vomited...
"The Imperial Physician's medicine is truly remarkable. A combination of two different prescriptions is required for it to take effect," Xiao Qing praised.
It was heard that the Emperor of Great Liang had been suffering from persistent coughing in recent years. Regardless, she was unwilling to see the leader of the Huichun Sect in possession of Great Liang's divine artifacts, which would undoubtedly be a disaster for the Great Qian nation.
The Guishuang Dynasty and the Peacock Dynasty were closely linked to the Tianri tribe. The three parties might have conspired to attack simultaneously, posing a significant burden to Great Qian.
Great Qian would have to defend its western, southwestern, and Jiangnan fronts simultaneously, engaging in a three-front war with an uncertain outcome, as Liang Xiao could at most personally lead one of the fronts.
It was rumored that at least three princes were adherents of the Huichun Sect. The choice of the Third Prince for the "phoenix-like appearance" indicated that Mu Xuan was the most competitive candidate, or rather, the most trusted member of the Huichun Sect.
Xiao Qing had no hope that treating Mu Xuan kindly would ensure friendly relations between the two countries should he ascend to the throne.
Yuan Jin reminded her, "When the驸马 goes to Great Liang, he must also be wary of potential combined poisons..."
Xiao Qing smiled confidently. "Rest assured, Brother Xiao has considered this. I have already arranged for people in Jiangnan. The personnel and supplies are more than sufficient. Brother Xiao and Sister Qingxue will not consume anything from Great Liang."
Yuan Jin was then relieved.
Xiao Qing bestowed immense favor upon her family. Liang Xiao also treated her with great respect. He was also her master's son-in-law, and the universally revered Marquis An Guo. She, too, wished for Liang Xiao's safe return.
As a physician, Yuan Jin did not fully understand court politics. However, by listening to Xiao Qing's casual conversations with Ning Xuejun, Ding Wuyi, and Liang Xiao, she had gained some insight.
The former aristocratic families were able to submit to Xiao Qing, a feat for which Liang Xiao deserved much credit. These families also wished for Liang Xiao's safe return.
Liang Xiao was the bridge of mutual trust between them and the Emperor. With Liang Xiao present, Xiao Qing felt reassured in entrusting them with responsibilities, and Liang Xiao had treated them with utmost benevolence and set an example.
Throughout the country, most of the populace did not wish for Liang Xiao to be sent on a mission to Great Liang, even though the Emperor of Great Liang had shown absolute sincerity and guaranteed Liang Xiao's safety.
The Great Qian army and its people could not imagine a life without the Marquis An Guo.
The Medical Sage, Mu Xueqin, had even considered accompanying Liang Xiao to Great Liang.
In Great Liang, vast expanses of fertile land stretched as far as the eye could see.
Qin Feng, gazing at the fields full of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn, trembled.
"Zhirou, do you see? Marquis An Guo and Zhuo Lingjun have given me absolutely superior seeds..."
"They are indeed honorable gentlemen," Zhirou sighed.
They had initially thought that Zhuo Zifang was giving them ordinary seeds and seedlings, merely as a gesture of goodwill.
This also implicitly indicated that Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang had absolute confidence in Great Qian's national strength. Neither of them was foolish. To dare give Qin Feng superior seeds clearly meant they were not afraid of Great Liang becoming stronger.
In the western border of Great Liang, adjacent to the Peacock Dynasty, Su Wencheng's caravan, carrying three carts of seedlings and seeds of three new crops, traversed mountains and rivers to arrive at the Peacock Dynasty's military camp.
"Su Wencheng,宗 of the Huichun Sect of the Great Zhou Imperial Family, requests an audience with the King of the Peacock!"