pdf-ebookys Chapter 793 If you can't win at everything else, can't you win at stealing a man?
Chapter 793 If you can't win at everything else, can't you win at stealing a man?
"Princess Lingyu, please ask whatever you wish."
"At the grand banquet today, I saw a young man in white sitting in the third row of the first row of the royal family. I wonder who he is."
Lord Gu thought carefully for a moment: "Could it be that Princess Lingyu was referring to the second son of the Pei Prince's mansion?"
"Prince Pei's residence?"
“The Pei Prince’s Mansion is a royal family of a different surname, with generations of military achievements, and is highly valued by the Emperor.”
Lord Gu glanced at Princess Lingyu's face, which remained aloof and indifferent, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
But he still had to offer a word of advice.
"However, the Second Prince Pei already has someone he likes. The whole capital has reached a tacit understanding that no one will disturb them. They are just waiting for the day when they can see the two of them get together and drink their fine wine."
Actually, they wouldn't dare. Who would dare compete with the Princess Zhenguo for a man? Who would dare compete with the Second Prince Pei for a woman?
When the two are together, they form a powerful alliance that is invincible.
A subtle, enigmatic smile flickered across Princess Lingyu's face.
"Then I find it strange. Since the Second Prince Pei has someone in his heart, why did he put him at the grand banquet for me to choose from? Could it be that among all the noble young men present, there are already many who are already married or have family backgrounds? If so, can we say that the Great Ze Kingdom is not sincere in its treatment of foreign guests and is not truly interested in a marriage alliance?"
"This—" Lord Gu was momentarily at a loss for words. After carefully considering his words, he spoke with a slightly firm tone: "The relations between countries are reciprocal. Dongfu Kingdom is sincere, and Daze Kingdom is naturally sincere as well. None of the princes, heirs, and young masters present are indeed married or have families. However, the situation of the Second Prince Pei is a bit special. Apart from the Second Prince Pei, Princess Lingyu can choose whomever she wants."
Neither the Qiao family nor the Pei family publicly announced their intention to form a marriage alliance, but all the prominent families in the capital knew that both families had long tacitly approved of the relationship between Princess Zhenguo and the Second Prince Pei.
Therefore, as a prince who was not officially married, and also to save face, Pei Er also made an appearance at the grand banquet.
But who could have imagined that in this special case, Princess Lingyu's attention would fall on Pei Er?
Princess Lingyu said, "What if I said that I would choose the Second Prince Pei?"
Her direct attitude made Lord Gu frown.
Lord Gu's face turned solemn: "Princess, please don't joke. Few people dare to provoke the Princess Zhenguo. Even the Emperor treats her with a degree of respect."
"Is your princess who protects the country really that powerful? Or is it an exaggeration?"
Lord Gu shook his head: "Based on what we have seen so far, we may still be underestimating her. The Princess Zhenguo is no ordinary person. What she has shown is probably less than one percent of her abilities. The entire Daze Kingdom has the utmost respect and admiration for her."
"Princess Lingyu can learn more about her. Whether it's military training, water conservancy, agriculture, or even strategizing, the Princess Zhenguo has no weaknesses." Lord Gu wanted to make Princess Lingyu back down.
He wasn't entirely without connection to the Qiao family. Just last year, when thirty foreign guests came to court, two officials were absent due to illness. During that crucial period, Mu Xinghe temporarily filled in at the Court of State Ceremonial, averting a near-miss on the Xiufeng Kingdom's totem and allowing the Court of State Ceremonial to weather the crisis unscathed. He even received a reward.
As the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, he also benefited from it.
This was not only due to Mu Xinghe's efforts, but also to the participation of the Princess Zhenguo.
Now that the person the Princess Zhenguo likes has caught the eye of a foreign princess, he certainly can't just stand by and watch this happen, so he tries his best to solve her problems.
"So, your princess who protects the country is almost being worshipped as a goddess."
"Actually, it's pretty much the same," Lord Gu replied.
After thinking for a moment, he added, "I must kindly remind Princess Lingyu that the Princess Zhenguo is absolutely not someone to be trifled with."
Princess Lingyu raised an eyebrow slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"Lord Gu, please go back first. Thank you for your hospitality."
Lord Gu walked out of the embassy, somewhat troubled. Should he tell Princess Zhenguo about this?
Moreover, he felt something was strange. Although being the heir apparent was good, there were princes above him, and even the heirs of princes of the first rank, who were legitimate blood relatives.
Why did Princess Lingyu fall for Pei Er?
Although Pei Er is quite outstanding, shouldn't she choose a husband from the royal family if she's to take him back with her? That would be more glorious.
After much hesitation, he still went to the Qiao family.
Qiao Lian'er was receiving guests in the hall. She was surprised by Lord Gu's visit and, after exchanging pleasantries, waited for him to speak.
"I've come for no other reason than to offer a word of advice to Princess Zhenguo," Lord Gu said, taking a sip of tea and setting down his cup.
"Please speak plainly, sir."
"It's about Princess Lingyu." Lord Gu found it difficult to bring up the subject.
He's forcing himself to come to Princess Zhenguo to tell her that her beloved has been chosen by someone else. What kind of nonsense is this?
"Oh?" Qiao Lian'er saw that Lord Gu seemed hesitant to speak, and wondered if Princess Lingyu of Dongfu Kingdom had a plan to destroy Daze Kingdom.
"Princess Lingyu told me personally that the person she took a liking to at today's banquet was the Second Prince Pei."
Qiao Lian'er thought it was a big deal, but couldn't help but laugh when she heard this.
"If you like something, you have to be able to take it with you. This mainly depends on the Second Prince Pei."
Lord Gu was surprised. He knew that the Princess Zhenguo had a different kind of magnanimity, but he never expected her to be so open-minded, or perhaps it was a kind of confidence and certainty.
Yes, the Second Prince Pei only had eyes for the Princess Zhenguo, and he was busy serving her. Other women no longer caught his eye.
He was filled with respect: "Princess Zhenguo has a good temperament, but if the Emperor puts pressure on her, after all, there was a prior agreement, and Princess Zhenguo and the Second Prince Pei are not yet engaged, it's hard to say."
“My Great Ze Kingdom is the master, and the Eastern Fu Kingdom is a foreign guest who has been harassing the eastern border for many years. The relationship between the two countries is currently superficial. If Ling Yu insists on doing this, it will not be good for the Eastern Fu Kingdom. She has no sense of propriety, and reality will teach her a lesson.”
When you are a guest, you should be aware of your place and know when to advance and when to retreat; this is the way to get along with others.
Over the next few days, Ling Yu really did investigate Qiao Lian'er's actions thoroughly.
Each and every one of her accomplishments was a great achievement, countless in number, and even things that ordinary people could not accomplish in their entire lives. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, they were just insignificant.
Lingyu closed the thick booklet and took a deep breath.
Yes, she knew it was beyond her reach, like a towering mountain blocking her way, shrouded in mist and clouds, with no end in sight.
She has been competitive since childhood, and now that this emotion is rising, she can't suppress it at all.
If she could snatch the boy she liked from Qiao Lian'er's hands, would that mean she had won?