The Prince Consort's Beloved

Chapter 166 Marriage

Beiluo court.

Xiao Luobai was wearing a robe with twelve chapter patterns trimmed with gold thread, and a crown with twelve rows of pearls on his head. His face was as handsome as jade, his eyes were looking downward, and his fingers were tapping rhythmically on the handle of the dragon throne. He seemed to be in a good mood.

The courtiers below were whispering.

The historian standing at one side of the court recorded: "The ministers were talking privately. Although the emperor was displeased, he did not show it on his face."

At this time, a minister stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

Xiao Luobai raised his eyes slightly, his expression indifferent: "Speak."

Minister: "Your Majesty, our army has captured three cities in a row and our morale is high. We should now make a concerted effort to capture the capital of Dai Viet. How can we give up halfway and make peace with the enemy?"

Xiao Luobai narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice: "The marriage is related to the diplomatic relations between the two countries. How can we ignore it just because of a temporary victory?"

The minister continued to advise: "Your Majesty, I know that Your Majesty is far-sighted, but the marriage will damage the prestige of the country. I hope Your Majesty will think twice."

Xiao Luobai frowned slightly and looked at him with some displeasure: "I naturally know the pros and cons. Although our army has won, the battle line has been stretched and the supply of food and grass is also a problem. I have privately sent people to negotiate peace with the other party a few days ago, and the marriage has been agreed. Let's see what the other party decides."

After Xiao Luobai finished speaking, he glanced at the historian who was writing furiously below.

The historian felt a chill shooting at him, and looked up blankly to meet Xiao Luobai's warning eyes. He was shocked and quietly crossed out the sentence he had just written, "The loyal minister made an admonition, but the emperor remained unmoved," and changed it to "The emperor and the minister each held their own opinions, but Your Majesty was wise and always put the overall situation first."

Xiao Luobai's mouth corners lifted up unconsciously. Da Yue was now out of soldiers and food. Sima Nanchong had privately discussed the peace talks with his people. He sent Qingfeng to convey his intentions. Sima Nanchong heard that Bei Luo did not need Da Yue to cede land or pay compensation, but only needed to marry Li Yuanrou to the marriage, so he left happily.

I think in a few days, the news that Dai Viet agreed to the marriage alliance would be passed back to Bei Luo.

Xiao Luobai was in a good mood at the thought of reuniting with Li Yuanrou so soon.

The minister who was admonishing him looked around and snorted coldly, "Your Majesty is only concerned about his own selfish desires and has disregarded his country. Don't you have anything to say? Are you going to let Your Majesty do this?"

The hall was completely silent. Someone beside him whispered, "Lord Liu, be careful with your words."

Lord Liu showed a look of shame on his face, and then walked away in public.

All the ministers were shocked and fell to their knees, shouting, "Your Majesty, calm down..."

Not only was Xiao Luobai not angry, but his expression was slightly relieved. He spoke slowly and calmly: "Everyone, please stand up. Liu Aiqing is also thinking about the country. How can I blame you for being so frank?"

All the ministers stood up, looked at each other, and began to whisper.

"Your Majesty is a little bit abnormal today. Sir Liu's words were so rude, but Your Majesty just let it go so easily?"

"Perhaps it is the peace talks with Dai Viet that have made His Majesty feel better..."

"If peace can be negotiated in this way, won't there be no more war in the world?"

"Will the princess of the enemy country be willing to marry? I'm afraid she will enter Beiluo and cause trouble again."

"Are you so out of touch with the news? Your Majesty specifically asked for the second princess of Dai Viet to marry you. That second princess of Dai Viet was the one your Majesty married when you were stranded in Dai Viet."

"Your Majesty's actions... Alas... Your Majesty is so emotional. It's a pity that this good opportunity to defeat Dai Viet was wasted."

"I heard that the four concubines were rejected by His Majesty because of the Second Princess of Dai Viet..."

"So what? Who dares to say no? Have you forgotten Lord Zhou who opposed Your Majesty's peace talks? It's been so many days, and now Lord Zhou has been ordered to reflect on his mistakes at home..."

"Alas, Your Majesty loves beauty, not the country..."

…………

The historian wrote furiously: "Your Majesty is magnanimous and does not blame the ministers. The ministers are whispering to each other, with worried looks on their faces."

Xiao Luobai had a cold expression and an indifferent tone: "Let me ask you, do you have any objections to this matter?"

Upon hearing this, all the ministers knelt down and shouted: "Your Majesty is wise, and we have no objection."

The historian kept writing: "The emperor smiled, and all the ministers were at peace."

Xiao Luobai's brows relaxed, his tone calm: "In that case, let's adjourn the court."

After he finished speaking, he stood up and waved his sleeves: "Tomorrow on New Year's Eve, no one should enter the palace to disturb me. No matter what important matters there are, we will discuss them next year."

The historian looked up and quickly caught a hint of smile on Xiao Luobai's lips, so he wrote: "The emperor is very pleased with the marriage..."

Seeing the emperor walking away, the historian trotted forward. Xiao Luobai paused, glanced at the historian with a serious expression, and his majesty was intimidating without even being angry.

He said calmly: "Don't follow me anymore."

The historian whispered, "Everything the emperor says and does must be recorded. This has been a rule since ancient times..."

Before he finished speaking, he felt a chill all over his body and immediately changed his words: "Yes, I will take my leave."

Xiao Luobai returned to his bedroom, changed into a black casual suit, and called a maid into the hall to grind ink.

The maidservant secretly glanced at him while grinding the ink, and saw that their Majesty, who always appeared cold and aloof, had a leisurely smile on his face and tenderness in his eyes.

The maid was stunned for a moment. They had been working in this palace for a long time, but had never seen His Majesty's calm and gentle side, let alone smile.

The maid boldly glanced at the paper and caught a glimpse of a line of elegant handwriting: "I miss you so much that I am lost in thought. I cannot write a single word. The paper is short but my feelings are deep. I cannot finish it. I am quietly waiting for you to come and we will talk in person."

As Xiao Luobai folded the paper, he keenly caught the maid's peeping eyes. The maid was startled and immediately knelt on the ground, saying in fear: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, this servant, this servant..."

The maid's face turned pale, she was uneasy, her heart was pounding, she felt that her life was over, but she heard a calm and gentle voice: "It's okay, don't panic, you can leave now."

The little maid looked up in surprise, only to see Xiao Luobai smiling happily with a gentle light in his eyes.

The maid whispered, "Yes." Then she withdrew. When she reached the door, she heard the emperor's voice, "Qingfeng, let me see what you wrote?"

The maid couldn't help but look back, and saw Xiao Luobai snatching Qingfeng's letter paper, and read happily: "Xiao Meng, I wish I could turn into a wisp of breeze and always be by your side..."

Qing Feng snatched it away and said angrily: "Master, why are you like this..."

Xiao Luobai laughed loudly, very happy.

The maid was in a trance for a moment as she looked at that resolute and handsome face and listened to that unbridled and uninhibited laughter. When she came to her senses, she was filled with disbelief like a raging storm in her heart, and she quickly lowered her head and retreated out of the hall.

The little maid cried "Ouch!" and a big hand held her arm just as she was about to fall to the ground.

Kunpeng frowned: "Watch out, why are you so confused, as if you have lost your soul."

The maid quickly lowered her head again, covered her wildly beating heart, and retreated.

Kunpeng stepped forward and said happily: "Master, I found it."

Following behind was Helena who looked reluctant.

Xiao Luobai straightened his expression and asked in a serious tone: "Where did you catch it?"

Kunpeng smiled and replied, "The Little Boy's House."

Xiao Luobai looked at Helena. No wonder he couldn't find her. She actually went to a brothel.

His face was a little gloomy: "What are you doing in a place like that?"

Helena straightened her spine and replied firmly, "Of course I went there to have fun. Why are you only allowed to find female confidantes, but we women are not allowed to find male confidantes? Besides, it was the Imperial Aunt who took me there. You didn't care if she went there, so why should you care if I go there?"

Xiao Luobai frowned: "You are asking even though you already know the answer! Do you know why I captured you? When you have learned the art of being an emperor, you can go anywhere you want. After New Year's Eve, you can start learning how to review memorials."

Helena paused, and raised her voice to retort: "Why? My sister-in-law is coming to marry you, why are you still holding on to me? Are you planning to take my sister-in-law away after the marriage and leave this huge business to me?"

Xiao Luobai thought for a moment and said, "That's right. Your sister-in-law can't stand the loneliness and will definitely not stay in the palace for long. But you don't have to worry. You just need to take care of government affairs temporarily. When your sister-in-law has had enough fun, I will come back."

Helena said loudly: "I don't believe you, you only have my sister-in-law in your mind."

Xiao Luobai's voice turned cold: "I'm in a good mood today and don't want to hit you."

Helena opened her mouth to protest, but the moment Xiao Luobai glanced at her coldly, she closed her mouth tactfully.

A wise man never suffers a loss in front of him. He will wait until the New Year is over and then find an opportunity to slip away.