The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Marrying the Prince of Lanling

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned and speechless. The entire garden fell silent again, not a sound could be heard!

What was this new development? Was she afraid that the Emperor would be wary of her, as Princess Yunyin had said, and that she would endanger the Chen Dynasty, so she simply decided to marry far away to the land of Northern Qi?

And among these people, the most surprised and heartbroken was Xiao Xian. He had guessed that she would go to Qi, but he never thought it would be under these circumstances, in this way…

Was she sacrificing herself to protect the Xiao Clan?

To eliminate the Emperor’s concerns, so that the Xiao family would no longer be feared by the Emperor…

Li Mi and Cui Heng, while surprised, felt a mixture of joy and disappointment.

They were happy that this young lady would be going to Northern Qi. They had thought that they would never see her again after this trip to Northern Qi, but if she married there, they would still have a chance to meet.

The disappointment was, had she chosen the Prince of Lanling? But the Gao family of Northern Qi was not a safe haven either!

That debauched and tyrannical imperial family was even worse than the Southern Chen!

The Northern Zhou envoys, Yuwen Hui and Yuwen Zhi, appeared calm and silently observed everything, but their minds were already filled with countless calculations and turbulent schemes.

Under the scrutiny of everyone’s diverse gazes, only the Prince of Lanling, after a moment of stunned silence, showed a look of joy.

“Your Highness, Your Highness, you must answer quickly!” Lu Yu was so anxious that he wished he could answer for him.

Gao Changgong was simply caught off guard and hadn’t recovered for a while. Reminded by Lu Yu, he replied with a smile:

“Of course, I will never go back on my word!”

After saying that, he also stepped forward, approaching Chen Xu and standing shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Jinyu.

“Changgong admires Lady Xiao Jinyu, so I ask Your Majesty of Chen to grant us permission. Changgong is willing to send betrothal gifts immediately and marry her as his wife. From this day forward, Qi and Chen will be allies, with no aggression between us! If any other country attacks Chen, Qi will send troops to assist!”

Currently, the Chen Dynasty was weak and lacked talent. It would take time for the people to recuperate and for new talent to be cultivated. If there were no wars in the next two years, it would be extremely beneficial for Chen.

He had tried to win over the Prince of Lanling many times before, hoping to recruit him for his own use. Now, for the sake of a woman, he had humbled himself and proposed an alliance, promising to support Chen in case of future threats.

These words were undoubtedly also intended for the Northern Zhou envoys.

Chen Xu’s eyes flickered with uncertainty as he carefully considered the proposal.

At this moment, Yuwen Hui unexpectedly mocked, “You, a mere Prince of a Commandery, can you really represent Qi?”

“The Prince of Lanling is here in Chen as an envoy, representing Qi. For Yuwen Langjun to say such a thing, could it be that your visit to Chen is not on behalf of Zhou, that you are here without imperial decree? What are your intentions?”

Yuwen Hui was about to explode in anger when Yuwen Zhi immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and said, “Apologies, Third Young Master Yuwen did not mean that. Please forgive him, Your Highness! Please forgive him, Lady Xiao!”

After pondering for a long time, Chen Xu finally looked at Gao Changgong and Xiao Jinyu and said, “Alright, I grant you permission!”

“But Jinyu has one more request for Your Majesty!”

Xiao Jinyu raised her head again and spoke. Chen Xu turned to look at her.

“Please issue an imperial decree, promising never to use military force against… the direct descendants of Xiao Xian’s branch!”

So this was her request. She was willing to use the Xiao Clan’s academy to train scholars from humble backgrounds for the court’s use, promised that the Xiao family would no longer maintain private troops, and even agreed to marry far away to Northern Qi to secure an alliance, all just to prevent him from using military force against the Xiao family?

“If the Xiao family continues to conduct themselves properly and commits no heinous crimes, I naturally will not use military force against them. This is my promise today! You worry too much!”

The Emperor’s promise was as good as gold!

With this promise, Xiao Jinyu could finally rest assured!

However, saying this openly, in front of so many guests and scholars, was a slap in the face to Chen Xu, the Emperor.

But she had no choice but to do it this way, to have all the scholars in the world as witnesses!

Only then would Chen Xu have some scruples!

✿✿✿

Under the shade of a certain tree outside the manor, a pair of eyes had been watching everything that happened here. Even after the Emperor left, no one noticed this person’s presence.

“Princess, do you want to go in and take a look? You haven’t seen him for a long time, have you?” Lady Wei, holding a brocade-wrapped box, spoke to the woman dressed in black, wearing a veil hat.

“No need. What’s the point of seeing him? Are we going to acknowledge each other? He does have good taste, finding himself such a capable woman. However, marrying such a woman will surely make him a target. It’s hard to say whether this will be a blessing or a curse in the future!”

“Princess, this young lady, I’ve dealt with her before. She’s extremely intelligent and resourceful. Having her by the Prince’s side may be a good thing. But, as for human emotions…”

✿✿✿

“You don’t need to say anymore. It was his Gao family who wronged me first. Besides, the Gao imperial family is so absurd, do you think I would stay there and end up like Li Zue?”

Seeing her anger and the hint of resentment and sadness in her voice, Lady Wei sighed softly and then said:

“Then, about Young Master Xiao Xian’s coming-of-age ceremony…”

“Prepare a gift and send it over! After all, they are both members of the Lanling Xiao Clan. Although not from the same branch, this Young Master Xiao Xian does possess the demeanor of my Uncle, the Crown Prince. If he can be used by us in the future, that would be ideal!”

As she spoke, her voice was sweet and clear, and she let out a soft laugh.

“And this young lady from the Xiao family, Xiao Jinyu, from now on, Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower will cooperate with her, giving her a 30% share. Whatever information she needs, we will provide it to her. But at the same time, I also want to know all her news.”

“Yes, Princess!” Lady Wei said happily, “You still care about the Prince, don’t you?”

The woman in black did not answer, only saying, “You go and deliver the gift for me! I still have my own things to do, so I won’t go in!”

✿✿✿

After the coming-of-age ceremony ended and all the guests had left, Xiao Jinyu and Xiao Xian immediately went to check the Xiao family’s assets. Seeing that all the books in the library were intact, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

The news of Seventh Young Master Xiao returning to the direct line of the Lanling Xiao Clan, Xiao Jian’s impersonation of a legitimate son, and his wife Princess Yunyin’s true identity spread throughout the entire Xiao family. The servants who had been under Princess Yunyin’s control and had done all sorts of evil deeds for her were all terrified.

But to their surprise, the newly appointed young Clan Head, Xiao Xian, did not punish them with beatings or other penalties. Instead, he returned all their deeds of sale and allowed them to leave freely.

The illegitimate sons and daughters of the Xiao family were also anxious, waiting for the new Clan Head’s judgment.

Because of Xiao Jian’s status as someone not of Lanling Xiao blood, the identities of these illegitimate children became an embarrassing mystery.

After a long silence in front of the ancestral temple, Xiao Xian finally spoke, “I will move the Xiao family’s ancestral hall to Wu Yi Alley, to the new Xiao Residence. I will not take back this mansion, you can all continue to live here. But from now on, I, Xiao Xian, have nothing to do with you.”

“Eleventh Young Master, come with me to the new Xiao Residence.”

Hearing this, Eleventh Young Master Xiao Lang, who had been dejected, suddenly raised his head and said in surprise, “Seventh Brother… no, Clan Head, are you willing to take me in as a member of the Xiao Clan? Do you not care about my true identity? I might not be…”

Xiao Xian nodded with a smile, “I care about character, not identity! As long as you are willing, you can certainly be a member of the Xiao Clan!”

“That’s great, Seventh Brother, thank you…”

With Eleventh Young Master as an exception, the other illegitimate sons and daughters were also eager, casting hopeful glances at Xiao Xian.

“Clan Head, we also want to follow you, we are willing to serve you forever!”

Amidst the clamor of these people, only Sixth Young Lady Xiao Qin was wringing her hands, too afraid to speak with her head bowed.

Xiao Jinyu noticed her at once and called out, “Xiao Qin!”

“Yes!” Xiao Qin abruptly looked up, glancing at Xiao Xian sitting in the hall, and at Xiao Jinyu, Lady Xiao Yuan, and Xiao Ruoling standing beside him.

“Clan… Clan Head!”

As she looked at Xiao Xian, tears started falling from her eyes.

At this moment, Xiao Xian said, “Sixth Young Lady Xiao, stay. Everyone else, disperse!”

So he wasn’t going to take them in? Would they no longer be members of the Lanling Xiao Clan, no longer enjoy the honor that came with it?

“Clan Head!” These illegitimate sons and daughters cried out in panic.

At this time, Gongyi Zhong arrived with several personal guards and drove them all out!

Only Xiao Qin remained, kneeling in the hall under the cold gazes of the others.

“I have only one question. Answer truthfully, and we will set you free. Whether you want to marry or stay in this mansion, it’s up to you!” Xiao Jinyu asked.

“Alright, ask away. I will answer truthfully!” Xiao Qin immediately replied.

“Who gave the poison to Princess Yunyin? Who was helping her, or even manipulating her, to poison the Xiao family’s children and try to wipe them all out?”