Wang Canghai breathed a sigh of relief and said sternly, "Princess Christe, the one who stepped forward is none other than our Great Gan Dynasty's Guang Lu Da Fu, Minister of Works, and Marquis of Anguo. Do you concede defeat with a willing heart?"
Gu Hong and the others also felt relieved, looking at Liang Xiao with even more awe.
Christe's eyes were vacant, and she nodded slightly, murmuring, "I concede with a willing heart. I will enter the palace to serve His Majesty and maintain the relationship between our two nations. I will never go back on my word..."
Buti wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, tears streaming down his face, and kowtowed to Xiao Qing to express his gratitude.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your magnanimity!"
He hadn't even had time to smooth things over or beg for mercy, and the storm had passed. Regardless, the marriage alliance was settled!
Seeing Christe's reaction, Xiao Qing couldn't bear it and sighed, "Christe, you don't have to force yourself. Since Great Gan is the Central Kingdom, it naturally possesses the virtue of tolerance. Marriage alliance is merely a formality, not a necessary means. We are deeply pleased that the kingdom of Qiuci is willing to submit, and that is enough!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.
Christe's eyes regained their brilliance, and she trembled, "Your Majesty means...?"
Xiao Qing said earnestly, "I can see that your heart already belongs to someone else. I am the Son of Heaven of Great Gan, how can I snatch love and invite criticism? Let the matter of Qiuci's submission continue to be negotiated, but we need not sacrifice women, nor should the relationship between the two nations be harmed because of this marriage alliance crisis."
The officials exchanged glances, and Buti stood stunned.
Christe was both surprised and delighted, and sincerely knelt before Xiao Qing, "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"
The Emperor had spoken, and with things having reached this point, everyone could only call out in unison, "Long live His Majesty!"
Dugu Qun, who had hoped the marriage alliance would fall through, immediately stepped forward, "Your Majesty, if the marriage alliance cannot be realized, I fear our Great Gan will become a laughingstock! This marriage alliance must succeed!"
Since Xiao Qing had perfectly resolved the crisis of the marriage alliance, whether it succeeded or not did not affect the relationship between the two nations. Dugu Qun naturally changed his mind.
It would be better to continue forcing the marriage alliance, leading the Princess of Qiuci to die of sadness, or even to commit suicide in the palace!
Liang Xiao stared coldly at Dugu Qun, his mind already made up.
This Dugu Qun was definitely harboring malicious intentions, yet he was always able to act righteously and impeccably. His party was everywhere!
He was a major threat to Xiao Shuangzi and must be dealt with cautiously!
Christe looked at Xiao Qing nervously, "Your Majesty..."
Her biggest worry now was that Xiao Qing would suddenly change his mind and go back on his word!
Xiao Qing shook his head, "There's no need to trouble the woman. The foundation of Great Gan lies in virtue. Since Christe's heart already belongs to someone, she can marry whomever she wishes!"
Christe's beautiful eyes lit up, and a plan formed in her mind.
Everyone was full of admiration. Dugu Qun was still unwilling, "But..."
At this moment, Christe knelt again, "Your Majesty! I will not make things difficult for Your Majesty! I also agree to the marriage alliance, and I am still a virgin..."
"No need to force yourself!" Xiao Qing looked at Christe doubtfully.
Why had she suddenly become so proactive?
Christe mustered her courage and explained, "A marriage alliance between two nations doesn't necessarily have to be between royalty and royalty. I can completely marry one of Your Majesty's wise officials or generals!"
Everyone was surprised and exchanged glances.
Xiao Qing was taken aback, then suddenly understood. He glanced at Liang Xiao and asked with a hint of sourness, "Christe, are you perhaps intending to marry my beloved minister, Liang, the Marquis of Anguo, Liang Xiao of Great Gan?"
That detestable elder brother!
The officials suddenly understood!
"How can this be! What kind of propriety is this!" Ouyang Ji immediately voiced his opposition.
If Liang Xiao were to marry a foreign princess, his status and reputation would likely soar to unprecedented heights.
Liang Xiao was completely bewildered.
How did this marriage alliance fall upon him again??
What was going on!
He still felt he had wronged Luo Qingxue, and now with this princess of Qiuci in the mix, Luo Qingxue wouldn't even be able to be a second wife in the future!
"No, no, no!" Christe quickly waved her hands, explaining anxiously, "The talents of the Marquis of Anguo have won my heart! But I don't intend to marry him..."
Xiao Qing looked bewildered, "Then who do you want to marry?"
My elder brother, you don't fancy him?
Dugu Qun and the others' minds began to churn.
This marriage alliance, they might be able to contend for it for a member of their clan!
"Your Highness! That Marquis of Anguo is also quite good..." Buti kept winking at Christe.
Since the Son of Heaven of Great Gan was not prepared to take their princess into the palace, the kingdom of Qiuci would settle for the next best option.
A favored minister of the Son of Heaven would be perfectly acceptable!
Buti was naturally aware of Liang Xiao, and seeing him in person now, he was deeply impressed.
"I'm sorry! I never intended to marry the Marquis of Anguo!"
Christe's face turned red, and she lowered her head, her delicate body trembling.
After a long while, Christe finally mustered her courage, looked at Xiao Qing on the dragon throne, and said resolutely, "Your humble servant wishes to marry the Heavenly General!!"
The entire hall was stunned!
Liang Xiao looked helpless, wishing he could grow a pair of wings and fly back to his residence, to pretend he hadn't seen anything.
"Marry the Heavenly General??" the officials exclaimed.
Xiao Qing was also startled and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Wang Canghai looked at Liang Xiao regretfully and comforted him, "Alas, Marquis of Anguo, you don't need to be discouraged. You are already excellent."
Seeing Liang Xiao's helpless expression, he assumed Liang Xiao was feeling down.
Liang Xiao's brow twitched, and he felt an inexplicable urge to drag Wang Canghai out of the palace and kick him all the way to the sun!
Am I sad?
Liang Xiao felt both amused and exasperated, his resolve to hide his identity even stronger.
Liang Qing pondered for a moment, then regained his senses, also finding it amusing.
What if Xiao'er really was...
Xiao Qing finally came back to his senses and sighed, "Christe, do you also know of the Heavenly General's deeds?"
Christe covered her blushing face, as if recounting the most beautiful love story in the world.
"To the west of Yanzhou, when the barbarian cavalry was ambushing the White Robe Army, in that most desperate moment, he descended from the heavens, slew the enemy general, and led the White Robe Army to achieve an impossible victory. That was a miracle I never dared to hope for..."
"I sat in the carriage and watched him dominate the battlefield, invincible, until he led us out of despair... Then, he told the White Robe soldiers that one day he would lead them to water their horses in the vast sea! What magnificent spirit!"
"Finally, he rode away on his horse, his back so dashing, oh heavens... my mind, my heart, my dreams, are all filled with his peerless might and his generous and imposing voice. I think of him when I walk, when I eat, when I sleep, day and night... The Heavenly General, he, he set a fire in my heart that will never be extinguished!"
Everyone stared at Christe in shock.
This was clearly a story of a hero saving a damsel and capturing her heart, only without the happy ending of them being together!
Liang Xiao leaned back in his chair, supporting his forehead with one hand, a look of helplessness on his face.
Gu Hong, the Minister of Rites, saw this and sighed, comforting him, "Marquis of Anguo, do not be sad. You are very outstanding, and there will be no shortage of women who will marry you. I have a niece who is both talented and beautiful, and she is of marriageable age. If you don't mind..."
Liang Xiao almost suffocated, shook his head, and truly wished for the court session to end quickly so he could escape the scene.
Dugu Qun and the others couldn't help but roll their eyes: this old fellow was also good at sensing the wind and changing his sails? He was already preparing to propose marriage in public!
Xiao Qing came back to his senses, smiled wryly, and shook his head.
Christe said nervously, "Your Majesty, you cannot agree?"
Gu Hong quickly explained, and as he spoke, he choked up, "Princess Christe, it's not that His Majesty is unwilling to agree, it's that the Heavenly General, he, he has long since passed away. He is merely appearing as a divine manifestation!"