Chapter 367 - Forewarned (1/2)
While Lei Xing was having fun teasing someone gullible for a change, the Emperor was in quite a bad mood, dealing with some unpleasant matters. He had just received a message from his contact in Zou kingdom, and the response was irritating. Due to the idiocy of a certain couple, it seems he was about to be forced to take on some losses.
”Your majesty, Princess Nalan is here.” An eunuch informed, the Emperor nodded, and the eunuch bowed and went out of the doors. An irritated Princess Nalan was escorted in shortly after with a dozen Imperial guards on her tail. She stopped in the center of the room, glaring up at the Emperor as she folded her arms, ”You forgot the shackles...”
”Retreat.” The Emperor calmly ordered, ignoring Princess Nalan's words. The Imperial guards bowed and retreated as the Emperor put down his ink brush and silently scrutinized Princess Nalan.
Princess Nalan waited a few seconds, and when he still did not say anything, she got irritated and spoke up, ”Have you finally decided to release him?”
”No.” The Emperor flatly responded and then let out an irritated breath and went on to say, ”It has now occurred to me that I have no idea what your thoughts are regarding the... current events.” He offhandedly stated, ”I ordinarily would not care, but as you are considered a charge of the royal house, it is my responsibility to be concerned.”
Princess Nalan knit her brows and blinked up at the Emperor, unsure where he was going with this. Neither his words nor tone conveyed concern, not to mention that he had kept her and her spouse locked up all this time, ”What is this about?” She asked, glaring at the Emperor.
The Emperor was not bothered by her show of hostility and asked, ”Did Prince Yi force you?”
Princess Nalan was stunned by the question for a few seconds. When her brain processed the meaning behind the question, she was appalled and angry as she shouted her response, ”Of course not! Why would you think that?!
The Emperor ignored her again and continued to ask, ”Were you tricked then?”
”No.” Princess Nalan flatly said, at this point fuming, ”Do you really think so lowly of your own brother?!”
”Your people certainly seem to think so lowly of us...” The Emperor offhandedly responded.
”What do you mean?” Princess Nalan asked with a frown, mellowing down.
”The consensus in Zou seems to be that you were either tricked or forced into your current predicament, and a fuss is being raised. Some are even calling for war to restore the honor of their ”precious” defiled princess and wash this insult from the nation's face. Does this make sense to you?” The Emperor asked with a slight smirk.
His face was smiling, but Princess Nalan had the good sense to know that this was not at all an amusing situation. She slightly gulped, dropped her arms to her side as she shook her head, ”I already wrote to my father and even my grandfather explaining the situation. They know it was nothing like that. Yes, what have they said? Random rumors mean nothing! You have nothing to worry about.” She argued, regaining her confidence.
”Worry?” The Emperor scoffed with a raised eyebrow and an amused smile as he continued, ”Princess, I do not fear war. Therefore, I do not worry about it. What worries me is that some people have misunderstood my benevolence for weakness.” He finished, his smile gone.
Princess Nalan knit her brows and glanced to the side, not at all sure what to say here. This was clearly not something she was equipped to handle. Even if she was stupid, she knew she had to tread carefully here. War was a serious matter, and being on enemy territory during a war was an even more serious matter.
Seeing that Princess Nalan was quiet, the Emperor put his arm on the arm of the throne chair and relaxed as he leisurely asked, ”If we, you and I, as representatives of our nation decide that war is the answer, what do you think my first step will be?”
Princess Nalan slightly went rigid and glanced up at the Emperor to see that the smile was back on his face. She clenched her sweaty palms and raised her head defiantly. She was not scared, she was not scared of anyone - she reminded herself and confidently continued, ”This is not a matter that warrants a war. There will be no war. My father granted me full authority over my marriage, which naturally extends to all affairs involving it. It was my choice, and it remains so. I will explain more clearly to them.”
”Well said.” The Emperor said with a curt nod and then informed, ”Your grandfather has requested permission to visit the capital. Now that I have confirmed your side of the story, you may leave.” The Emperor said, picking up his brush and resuming his writing.
Princess Nalan stood rooted to the spot. Her grandfather was coming himself? She did not expect this. Actually, this was not at all going the way she and Prince Yi had imagined.