545: Chapter 545 Reluctant to Part, But Unable to Catch It

After applying a little makeup, confirming she looked beautiful but not too flashy, Xiao Qingxuan came to the reception hall.

Princess Lanyi was drinking tea at the moment, with the Haitang and Old Man Wu standing behind her.

Seeing Xiao Qingxuan come out, Princess Lanyi's gaze narrowed.

She hadn't expected the Empress of Western Shu to be so breathtakingly beautiful; no wonder a hero like the Prince of Zhenbei could be deceived by her.

After all, a hero finds it hard to pass the test of a beauty...

Any man would likely find it hard to resist such a beauty whispering in his ear every day.

Even if he had suspicions, a few words of coquetry from her would muddle his mind, and he would let it slide.

Not to mention, there were other stunning beauties like Su Wansha and Leng Bingyan helping Xiao Qingxuan.

Princess Lanyi sneered in her heart, but her movements were swift; she stood up immediately, revealing a smile as if they were long-lost friends.

"Princess Lanyi of Prince Wus Mansion, greets the Princess Consort."

She bowed gracefully, then said in an appreciative tone: "I have long heard that the Princess Consort is both talented and beautiful, having quelled Prince Qing's one-hundred-thousand rebel army single-handedly. Seeing you today, you are truly outstanding in grace and bearing."

"Princess Lanti, you are too kind. When I was in Western Shu, I had long heard of your prestigious reputation. Seeing you today, you are truly peerlessly beautiful."

Xiao Qingxuan didn't take the pleasantries too seriously, but she couldn't help but take a few extra looks at the idol of her youth.

There was no need to mention Princess Lanyi's appearance; she was a beauty among hundreds.

What mattered was her temperament, speech, and demeanor—all models for women. She was truly worthy of being one of the only three female inner-disciples in the Academy's history.

Furthermore, Xiao Qingxuan discovered that Princess Lanyi's internal energy was profound; barring any accidents, she would be able to enter the Grandmaster realm before the age of forty.

Although the sisters in the current Zhenbei Princes Mansion were getting more fierce by the day—enough to gather two tables of Grandmasters to play mahjong—that was only the result of being rigorously trained by their husband.

This Princess Lanyi, however, had relied on herself, practicing step by step with her own feet on the ground. To have such strength before the age of thirty already made her a leader among the younger generation in the martial arts world.

After some pleasantries, the two sat down.

"I heard from the steward that you came to the mansion because you have something to discuss with me? If there is anything I can help with, please feel free to speak directly."

Xiao Qingxuan never had enough time in her days, so she naturally didn't want to beat around the bush. The other party was a smart person; being direct was fine.

Princess Lanyi chuckled inwardly. So anxious, is she worried that I've noticed something?

She put on a worried expression and said: "To tell you the truth, I have two things to discuss by coming to the mansion today."

"The first matter is to apologize to the Princess Consort for investigating that Carpenter Lu."

"I was also deceived by Madam Song and failed to gauge the situation properly for a moment; I had no intention of offending the mansion."

Xiao Qingxuan thought to herself: As expected, this was a misunderstanding.

She figured that a woman as exceptionally intelligent as Princess Lanti would never investigate military secrets in the headquarters of the Zhenbei Army.

"Oh, Yaner has already told me about this matter. Since it was a misunderstanding, let it pass."

Xiao Qingxuan said: "The Princess was only being kind-hearted, which is why you were deceived. It is human nature, and it is understandable."

Princess Lanyi smiled: "Thank you for your magnanimity, Princess Consort. There is another matter entrusted to me by my father, concerning the former Great Zheng Dynasty..."

Xiao Qingxuan frowned. Why did she suddenly bring up the Great Zheng Dynasty?

Princess Lanyi observed the woman's expression. Seeing Xiao Qingxuan suddenly become "serious," she felt triumphant—she had guessed correctly!

"What about the former dynasty?" Xiao Qingxuan asked, puzzled.

Princess Lanyi looked left and right.

Xiao Qingxuan thought it concerned some secret, so she waved her hand and dismissed the servants.

Once the unauthorized persons had left, Princess Lanyi stood up respectfully, cupped her hands, and said: "Princess Consort, the reason I came here is actually that my father asked me to bring a message to you."

"Our Liu family's ancestors fought for the empire alongside the Xiao imperial family to establish our foundation. We have never dared to forget our roots."

"Since the Princess Consort is the legitimate successor of the Xiao family, my Liu clan of Baiyue is willing to obey your orders and return Baiyue to the Xiao Imperial Dynasty at any time."

After saying this, Princess Lanyi looked at Xiao Qingxuan's expression again.

Xiao Qingxuan was a bit stunned at this moment; she absolutely did not believe that the Liu family would be that loyal to the Xiao family.

If they were truly loyal, why would they have defected to the Imperial Dynasty when the Great Zheng Dynasty fell?

Saying such things was nothing more than realizing the situation was hopeless and wanting to preserve their royal position.

"Princess, I don't think I need to say much about how the Liu clan managed to keep their royal position, right?"

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head with a smile: "I understand that it is your duty, Princess, but I do not believe these words from the Prince of Wu."

"That's right. My father says this mainly because he wants to preserve the foundation of Prince Wus Mansion as much as possible."

Princess Lanyi changed the subject: "However, why doesn't the Princess Consort make use of this point?"

Xiao Qingxuan was puzzled: "How can I use it?"

She took the bait!

Princess Lanyi chuckled inwardly, but her expression remained unchanged.

"The Princess Consort can discuss this with the Prince of Zhenbei and, in the name of the legitimate Empress of Western Shu of the Xiao family, demand that my father hand over Baiyue."

"In this way, the Prince can take Baiyue legitimately and legally without spending a single soldier or a single blade."

"The common people will avoid the suffering of war, the soldiers will avoid the disaster of blades, and the Princess Consort will be able to achieve a great merit before the Prince. Wouldn't that be killing three birds with one stone?"

After finishing these words, Princess Lanyi looked expectantly at Xiao Qingxuan's expression.

You like hiding behind the scenes? Very well, I will give you a chance to openly declare yourself as the Empress!

As long as Xiao Qingxuan shows the slightest interest, that is a betrayal of the Prince of Zhenbei, Lin Xiao!

"There is no need."

To Princess Lanyi's surprise, Xiao Qingxuan rejected the offer lightly.

"The Princess does not understand my husband, the Prince. His grand ambition is not simply about territory and subjects."

Xiao Qingxuan sighed: "Since you have come to the Northern Territory, Princess, you might as well look around and observe the conditions of the people."

"With your intelligence, Princess, after observing for a few more days, you will naturally understand why the Zhenbei Army would rather pave roads and build bridges than march south to attack cities and seize land."

If her husband only wanted to be emperor, he would have unified the world long ago.

But what he wants is to avoid affecting the people's livelihood as much as possible, which is why he chooses to slow down the pace.

Princess Lanyi felt disdain in her heart. What does it mean by 'not marching south'? Isn't it just because the front line is stretched too thin and he hasn't had the chance to march south yet?

Besides, isn't Zhao Yunting already leading a large army to attack the Eastern Territory?

It's not that he isn't attacking; it's just that it isn't Baiyue's turn yet!

This Xiao Qingxuan is truly worthy of being of imperial birth; her scheming is deep, and she didn't reveal a thing.

You can't catch a wolf without baiting the trap; it seems... I must use stronger bait!

"Thump!"

Princess Lanyi suddenly knelt down on both knees!

Xiao Qingxuan hurriedly stood up: "Princess, if you have something to say, just say it. Why perform such a great act of courtesy?"

Even though she prided herself on being intelligent, she was a bit confused at this moment.

What on earth did this Princess Lanyi come here for?

What kind of great grievance did she suffer to perform such a great act of courtesy to her?

But the next words from Princess Lanyi made Xiao Qingxuan feel a sudden sense of strangeness...

"Princess Consort, do you know how many people have sacrificed themselves over the past hundred years to restore the Great Zheng Dynasty?"

Princess Lanyi's eyes were red, and she said with a face full of sorrow: "Do you know that, as a woman, how happy I was in the Academy when you ascended the throne as Empress?"