Chapter 283 (2/2)

Xuan Tian Hua agreeing to the marriage allowed Li Kun to let out a sigh of relief, but the Emperor closed his eyes and took a deep breath. As for Xuan Tian Ming, he firmly held onto the armrests of his wheelchair and stared straight at Li Kun, hating that he could not break his body into ten thousand parts.

Xuan Tian Hua did not get up, waiting for the Emperor to respond. Feng Yu Heng looked at the figure of the person kneeling there and suddenly recalled the time from the Winter disaster. He had held her hand and waded through the snow with her from the outskirts back to the capital. Neither person spoke, as the two continued walking. Their hands were ice-cold, but they could still feel a trace of warmth coming from the other.

She had lived two lives. One life was spent mingling in a military barracks and had gone to rescue people from the battlefield three times. In another life, she entered a life with a wealthy family, but every day was spent with a glint and flash of daggers and swords. She had never experienced what it meant to be at ease or what stability meant or what it meant to enjoy years of quiet. But that time she walked back to the capital while holding hands with Xuan Tian Hua seemed to be the heavens suddenly opening up a path for her. As long as she held this person’s hand and carried on, she would be able to walk the path that led to the haven of peace that she secretly desired but was reluctant to acknowledge.

Xuan Tian Hua had that sort of ability. He was calming to look at and was able to cleanse the filth from the world.

But now, that haven of peace was about to be taken away by someone else using these methods! This was equivalent to Xuan Tian Hua being sold by the Emperor!

This was something she truly could not endure!

The Emperor opened his eyes and gave a slight nod. He was about to agree to this marriage, but Feng Yu Heng suddenly stood up “Father Emperor, please wait!”

She did not control this shout very well, and it was too loud, giving everyone in the hall a great shock.

Feng Jin Yuan was even more scared out of his wits, “A-Heng! Sit down!” He blurted out this warning and reprimand. Without thinking of the time and place, he only cared to use his position as her father to try and stop this daughter from continuing, “This is a matter relating to the country. How could there be any room for a girl to say anything! Shut your mouth!”

“There’s no harm!” From atop the stage, the Emperor spoke. His voice was a bit low, but no matter how one listened, it carried a glimmer of hope, “Today is a banquet to celebrate the new year. There is no need for dear minister Feng to be too ceremonial. We want to hear what wise opinion does county princess Ji An have to offer?”

The Emperor had already spoken, so Feng Jin Yuan could not say anything. He could only stare at Feng Yu Heng, as he began to speculate wildly. He truly could not understand this daughter. At this sort of time, regardless of what happened, there should not have been anything that mattered to her? How come she suddenly spoke out?

Everyone looked at Feng Yu Heng, as even Xuan Tian Ming’s gaze held some curiosity.

She stepped forward and hastily gave Xuan Tian Ming a reassuring smile. When she passed Xuan Tian Hua, she helped him stand up then quietly said: “A-Heng will not allow seventh brother to be part of such a dilemma. Seventh brother, set your mind at ease!” She then turned around and gave Li Kun a shallow salute: “Respects to the prince of Zong Sui.”

Li Kun was very thorough with his courtesy, as he cupped his hands and bowed to return this courtesy, saying: “I have heard about the famous county princess Ji An. This lowly prince pays respects.”

The corners of Feng Yu Heng’s lips curled up into a smile, but it did not have any trace of the bashfulness that a young girl should have when faced with an unfamiliar man. It was poised and caused people to feel at ease. But the words she said were extremely shocking “Zong Sui’s iron essence is indeed ahead of the current technology, and this county princess is quite impressed. Just now, your Highness said that our Da Shun can try out these weapons. I wonder if that is still the case.”

Li Kun nodded, ‘Naturally, that is still the case. The weapons made of iron essence are still here. County princess may try whichever type she wishes.”

“Good.” Feng Yu Heng smiled then turned around, suddenly kneeling to the Emperor, “Father Emperor, A-Heng has a presumptuous request.”

The Emperor looked at Feng Yu Heng and felt that this girl was most likely going to give him a pleasant surprise, thus his mood improved a great deal, “Speak!”

Feng Yu Heng said: “A-Heng learned a number of crafts from my Persian master while in the Northwest. Before he left, master once gave A-Heng a dagger to protect myself. A-Heng has always kept that dagger on hand. Because I was not allowed to bring weapons into the palace, that dagger has been left in my carriage outside the palace. Would father Emperor allow A-Heng to retrieve it?”

“Oh?” The Emperor became interested, “You want to compare your dagger to the weapons made of iron essence from Zong Sui?”

Feng Yu Heng replied: “Indeed.”

“Then what if it loses? What if it wins?”

She smiled, “If it loses, then it loses. Either way, A-Heng is responding to the prince of Zong Sui’s invitation to test the weapons. At worst, everything continues as it would with nothing changing. If it wins…”

“County princess feels that there is a chance of winning?” This was said by Li Kun, his voice filled with confidence, “In a hundred years, iron essence has not lost once.”

“That so.” Feng Yu Heng smiled and said: “Then this county princess will make a bet with your Highness. If the iron essence wins this time, then Zong Sui will get what it wants. If the iron essence loses…” She looked at Xuan Tian Hua and said in a serious manner: “Seventh brother will not get married!”