pdf-ebookys Chapter 914 Flexibility? How could that be?
Chapter 914 Flexibility? How could that be?
Prince Jin knew that once the land was in Princess Yaoguang's hands, it was absolutely impossible for her to give it back.
As long as everyone in Prince Jin's mansion is united and determined not to give up, Qiao Lian'er may not be able to take it away.
So he asked with a hint of expectation, "Yaoguang, do you have any ideas?"
"Father, did the Emperor really say that Qiao Lian'er could lead his army into Kunyang Prefecture if he was not allowed to leave his fiefdom for three days?"
"Alas, if His Majesty hadn't said that, I wouldn't be so worried." Prince Jin said with resentment, "You know how powerful the Qiao family army is. This time, tens of thousands of the main force of the Da Nu Kingdom were about to be defeated by the Qiao family army. Daughter, your little army is utterly vulnerable in front of the Qiao family army."
Princess Yaoguang pondered, "However, I still want to confront them head-on, which could be described as throwing an egg against a rock."
The current Yao Guang is a far cry from her previous carefree and unrestrained self; her face now displays a seriousness never seen before.
"What? Yaoguang, have you gone mad?" Prince Jin said incredulously.
“Father, everything I’ve done is to protect Kunyang Prefecture.” Princess Yaoguang narrowed her eyes, releasing a cold glint in her eyes: “I just said, if you want to take Kunyang Prefecture, we’ll see if Qiao Lian’er has the ability.”
"It's been a long time since I've seen the Emperor. I'll take advantage of this trip back to the palace so that the Emperor won't say I don't miss him."
If the emperor is reasonable, she won't need to resort to any tricks.
Princess Yaoguang changed into her palace attire and entered the palace. In the study, the emperor put down his pen, looked up, and asked with a smile, "Yaoguang is back?"
"The first thing I did upon returning was to visit the Emperor, and I even made some pastries myself, all of which are the Emperor's favorites." Princess Yaoguang held a food box in her hands.
"Your Majesty, please try it. Has your niece's cooking improved?"
The emperor picked up a pastry, took a bite, and nodded: "Not bad, Yaoguang put her heart into it."
Then, with a hint of understanding, he said, "This time you came to the palace not just to bring me pastries, right?"
Yao Guang reached out and grabbed the emperor's arm, shaking it playfully, "Your Majesty, do you really want us to give Kunyang Prefecture to Qiao Lian'er?"
The emperor saw her pouting and looking aggrieved, and he felt a little sorry for her.
"Alas, blame your father. He's over thirty and still doesn't have a brain. He's always provoking Princess Zhenguo. She tolerates it time and time again, out of respect for the royal family and to save face for me. But he only makes things worse. Later, when I fell ill, he tried to blame Princess Zhenguo. When the Da Nu Kingdom marched south, Princess Zhenguo and I devised a plan, but he spread rumors that Princess Zhenguo was going to suffer a great defeat, causing unrest in the court. She was no longer willing to tolerate it and wanted to gamble with him."
"Tell me, with matters of national importance at hand, and the Princess Zhenguo bearing the responsibility of driving out foreign enemies, what else can I do?"
“But my father gave me Kunyang Prefecture two years ago, and it was supposed to be part of my dowry. No matter what, he shouldn’t take my Kunyang Prefecture.” Princess Yaoguang bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.
“I was doing just fine there. Qiao Lian’er must be a jinx sent by God to make me unhappy. But I don’t owe her anything. Why should she do this?”
Princess Yaoguang's tears finally fell.
The Emperor said, “Once a royal decree is issued, it cannot be overturned. If it is changed at will, what will become of my authority? Besides, I made a guarantee in front of all the court officials. Yaoguang, don’t cry. I can’t help you with this. How about this, I can compensate you. Tell me what you want, and as long as I can do it, I will grant it to you.”
Princess Yaoguang said firmly, "I want Kunyang Prefecture. It is the lifeblood of my heart and soul, and I am unwilling to give it up to others."
Seeing that she was so unruly, the emperor's usually patient expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
He emphasized again: "Kunyang Prefecture was lost by your father, and this cannot be blamed on Princess Zhenguo."
“But Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven, and you decide everything in this world. What does it matter if you break your promise once for Yaoguang’s sake? Yaoguang will always remember your kindness. In Yaoguang’s heart, you have always been like a father.”
Yao Guang sobbed and cried pitifully.
The emperor felt a dull ache between his eyebrows, and his mood became irritable.
"I have said that this matter is irreversible. The transfer of a fiefdom is no small matter. Since the decision has been made and many court officials have testified, then it shall be strictly carried out."
"Yaoguang, go back now. Think carefully about what you want before you come to see me again."
"Oh, right, I remember today is the deadline. Remember to hand over the tokens for the fiefdom to Princess Zhenguo, otherwise, if a dispute arises, Princess Zhenguo's temperament is not easy to deal with," the emperor reminded him again.
Seeing that the emperor's mind was made up, Yao Guang could only reluctantly take her leave.
The token was on her person; she always carried it with her, taking it out from time to time to touch it and glance at it. It was the most important thing to her besides her father and mother. How could she let Qiao Lian'er succeed in taking it away?
Butler Chai delivered a letter to Qiao Lian'er.
"It's a letter from Princess Yaoguang."
Qiao Lian'er took it; Princess Yaoguang had made an appointment at a restaurant this afternoon.
This is the third day of the three-day deadline, and the Prince Jin's residence has remained silent, so she is not urging them.
When the time comes, do what you're supposed to do.
However, Princess Yaoguang suddenly returned and sent her another invitation. Was this to hand over the token and related matters, or was there another reason?
She absolutely had to go this time.
When Qiao Lian'er arrived at the agreed restaurant, Princess Yaoguang was already waiting there. Several exquisite pastries were laid out on the table, and the aroma of tea wafted through the air.
“Princess Zhenguo, please sit down.” Princess Yaoguang gestured with her hand.
Qiao Lian'er noticed that the other person's eyes were somewhat red and swollen, and even with thick makeup, it couldn't be completely concealed.
She had been keeping an eye on Prince Jin's residence and knew that Princess Yaoguang had gone to the palace to see the emperor. Judging from her appearance, it seemed that she had begged in every way, but the emperor remained unmoved.
After all, the emperor guaranteed this bet, and so many court officials witnessed it; how could he go back on his word?
As Qiao Lian'er sat down, the space immediately determined that there was nothing wrong with the food on the table.
She picked up her teacup and took a sip.
"Princess Yaoguang, have you prepared the token and silver to see me?"
"Although the token is in Princess Yaoguang's hands, this bet is between me and Prince Jin's mansion. Princess Yaoguang will give me the token, and as for the silver, I will ask Prince Jin for it."
Princess Yaoguang's expression changed when she saw Qiao Lian'er being so direct.
She wanted to say something nice and soften her stance to get Qiao Lian'er to make an exception, but Qiao Lian'er was determined to thwart her plan from the start.