97: Zhan Pianpian's marriage is to Prince Yong or the eldest prince? (

Chapter 97: Zhan Pianpian and the Marriage Alliance, Prince Yong or the First Prince? (33, Seeking Subscriptions!)

Lin Wan'er’s plan was to frame Li Yunrui using herself.

Since Li Yunrui was already insane, it wasn't impossible for her to do things that would harm her daughter to keep the Imperial Treasury's financial power in her hands.

If such an incident occurred precisely when Li Yunrui had angered Emperor Qing, Emperor Qing would undoubtedly be utterly disgusted with Li Yunrui.

Although Emperor Qing enjoyed instigating one faction against another, he would not directly harm his children.

Furthermore, because Li Yunrui had always been erratic, virtually no one would believe she was innocent.

Lin Wan'er’s plan was only a preliminary idea, but Li Chang'an, with his foresight, could completely bring it to fruition.

Li Chang'an stared at Lin Wan'er; her eyes were clear and flawless, making her appear pure and lovely.

Lin Wan'er said in a sweet voice, “Husband, you don’t think Wan'er is a bad woman, do you?”

Li Chang'an lifted her chin and said seriously, “I think... you are an out-and-out bad woman.”

Lin Wan'er’s heart was in turmoil, and she quickly explained, “It’s been sixteen years, and Mother has visited me fewer than five times, not even a fraction of your and Second Brother’s visits.”

“She never considers my feelings in anything she does. Now that Second Brother is gone, Husband is everything to Wan'er!”

“If I can help Husband, Wan'er is willing to do anything!”

Li Chang'an caressed Lin Wan'er’s delicate Face, his gaze gradually becoming fervent.

“This husband’s hobby is to bully good women and train bad women...”

Supervisory Council.

Fan Xian was pushing Chen Pingping deeper into the dungeon.

Because there was an internal rebellion in the Supervisory Council, with people gathering to kill Chen Pingping.

“Director Chen, who wants to kill you?”

Chen Pingping calmly said, “Our own people. Some are dissatisfied with me.”

Fan Xian asked, “Is it because the people in the Council have been heavily impeached by the Six Ministries recently, and some feel that the Director cannot protect his subordinates?”

Chen Pingping nodded, “That’s part of the reason, but not all of it.”

“The Supervisory Council has been established for a long time, and some corrupt habits like bribery and favoritism have crept in. It’s their own fault for being caught by Lin Ruofu.”

“Later, when you govern a department, you will understand that people can always be swayed by human relations and social customs.”

Fan Xian frowned, “It’s all because of me that the Director and Prime Minister Lin fell out.”

Chen Pingping patted Fan Xian’s hand and said, “It’s fine. You did a good job with that matter.”

“Later, I asked the courtesan Ruo Wei again, and she said she didn’t know Lin Gong at all. She looked so flustered that I almost believed her.”

Fan Xian grinned. Ruo Wei indeed knew nothing; she was just a shield he had put forward.

Chen Pingping continued, “There’s another reason for the internal strife in the Council: some people have voiced strong disapproval of my support for peace talks between the two nations and my refusal to assassinate Zhuang Mo Han.”

“Among these people, there are many individuals placed by the Crown Prince, The Eldest Princess, the Second Prince, Prime Minister Lin, and the military.”

“Perfect! We’ll take advantage of their internal rebellion to catch them all in one net!”

Before long, Fan Xian and Shadow had pushed Chen Pingping to the lowest level of the dungeon.

Fan Xian then said, “Director, Zhuang Mo Han’s female Disciple was disguised. Should we investigate?”

Chen Pingping said indifferently, “No need. That person is Zhan Pianpian, the First on the Langya Pavilion’s Beauty List and The Eldest Princess of Northern Qi.”

Hearing this conclusion, Fan Xian’s expression couldn't help but be stunned.

So, the one Li Chang'an had charmed with his poetry was indeed a great beauty!

Beauty lies in the bone, not the skin. Could Li Chang'an really discern beauty from the bone structure?

“An enemy princess entering the capital with the delegation, and the Council just ignores it?”

Chen Pingping said, “The peace talks are actually because Northern Qi was beaten into submission. Shang Shanhu is disobedient, and other generals are incompetent.”

“So, their Empress Dowager Wei made a private agreement with our Empress Dowager for a marriage alliance. This Zhan Pianpian is here to see her future husband.”

Fan Xian suddenly said anxiously, “She’s not going to marry Prince Yong, is she?”

“What about my sister then? Prince Yong has been luring my sister since she was little, and my sister follows him around like she’s possessed every day!”

Chen Pingping smiled and said, “You’re really meddling in a lot of affairs!”

“Your Majesty has also considered this matter, and Your Majesty also needs to consider Fan Jian’s Face. So, Your Majesty proposed that the First Prince enter the marriage alliance.”

“However, the Empress Dowager proposed Prince Yong for the marriage alliance. A prince who has formed a marriage alliance with Northern Qi would completely abandon any thoughts of the throne.”

Chen Pingping made his point subtly, but Fan Xian already understood.

Although Prince Yong was unreliable when he was young, his prestige had gradually risen since he traveled the world, especially after saving Fan Xian on Niulan Street, where the Shadow Guard’s reputation grew even higher.

In contrast, the Second Prince and the Crown Prince were constantly being manipulated by Emperor Qing to circle around the capital.

Now, looking across the Great Qing, among the imperial clan members, Prince Yong had the highest prestige.

Sitting in the Empress Dowager’s position, she would naturally want to completely eliminate the last shred of possibility for Li Chang'an to threaten the throne.

At the deepest level, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were her grandsons, but Prince Yong was not her son.

But Emperor Qing was very confident in his ability to control the situation; he believed that Li Chang'an could not possibly covet the throne.

The First Prince, Li Chengru, had Eastern Yi blood and likewise could not inherit the throne. It would be better to bestow a princess upon him as a reward for his arduous service in defending the nation.

Northern Qi, Shangjing Imperial Palace.

Zhan Doudou looked at the peace talk report with a crestfallen expression, “Indeed, what cannot be gained on the battlefield cannot be gained at the negotiating table!”

“This peace talk, I estimate, will not have any room for maneuver. Once I take power, and after several years of recuperation, I will definitely reclaim the lost territories!”

Haitang Duoduo said casually, “Any news of Li Li?”

“Whoever it was, that despicable person who abducted Li Li, not only did they do that, but they also impersonated this Saintess’s name!”

Zhan Doudou said, “There’s no news at all. Southern Qing insists that Li Li was abducted by you.”

“And you happened to be in Western Hu during that time. Isn’t it infuriating? We can’t even defend ourselves!”

Haitang Duoduo glared and said, “Utterly despicable!”

“If this Saintess goes to Southern Qing, instead of rushing to save Li Li, I will definitely go and chop off Li Chang'an’s head first!”

Zhan Doudou smiled and said, “You still remember the grudge from that medicine at the beginning of the year?”

Haitang Duoduo angrily peeled the apple in her hand, “Unforgettable!”

“Li Chang'an was only Eighth Rank Lower Level at the beginning of the year. I heard he’s coming to the Yunmen Poetry Gathering in half a year. He can’t possibly advance to Ninth Rank Upper Level in less than a year, can he?!”

“By then, as long as he is weaker than me, this Saintess will definitely get her revenge for that medicine!”

After speaking, Haitang Duoduo’s hand tightened, and she sliced off the apple stem with one swift cut!

Zhan Doudou saw the apple stem cut off at the root and suddenly felt a pang of worry for Li Chang'an.

Upon learning that Li Chang'an was coming to the Yunmen Poetry Gathering, a small idea that had just bloomed in her heart was completely severed along with that apple stem.

She had thought of secretly asking Li Chang'an for a child, giving birth to one, and then pretending it was born to a concubine, to inherit her throne in the future.

This idea was utterly absurd, especially since Li Chang'an was also a prince of an enemy nation.

However, Li Chang'an’s reputation was truly too resounding, and his mastery of poetry, calligraphy, and painting was something few throughout history could achieve.

Coupled with Zhan Doudou being a die-hard fan of Dream of the Red Chamber, although she was annoyed by Li Chang'an’s infiltration of Northern Qi, she still admired his methods.

In Zhan Doudou’s eyes, Li Chang'an was almost the most outstanding young man in the world.

For her to implement this plan, Haitang’s cooperation and support would be indispensable.

However, seeing Haitang’s attitude towards Li Chang'an, Zhan Doudou felt it was better for this idea to die in its infancy.

While she was lost in thought, Haitang suddenly asked out of the blue, “Any news of Pianpian? She hasn’t fallen for Li Chang'an, has she?”

Zhan Doudou frowned, “Little Martial Aunt, I regret to inform you, Imperial Sister has replied.”

“She has already taken a liking to Li Chang'an, and doesn’t even need to meet Southern Qing’s First Prince anymore...”

Haitang’s expression suddenly became complex, both disbelieving and disdainful.

“What’s wrong with Pianpian? I talked to her all night before she left!”

“That hooligan prince who frequents Brothels, writes lewd poems, and uses aphrodisiacs is absolutely unreliable!”

After grumbling a few sentences angrily, Haitang suddenly sighed helplessly.

“That rogue prince has a decent appearance and writes good poetry. It’s normal for a simple girl like Pianpian to be deceived.”

“What did the Southern Qing imperial family say?”

Zhan Doudou scoffed twice, “The Emperor of Southern Qing hopes that Imperial Sister will marry the First Prince. If she must marry Prince Yong, she can only be a secondary consort.”

Hearing this, Haitang, who had just calmed down for a few breaths, exploded again.

“What nonsense?!”

“The Eldest Princess of Great Qi, to be a secondary consort for someone else?!”

“Absolutely impossible!”

Zhan Doudou secretly glanced at Haitang Duoduo, always feeling that it should be her, the Emperor, who was so furious.

“Little Martial Aunt, Mother is as angry as you are, so she should still choose the First Prince.”

“I know you’re anxious, but don’t be for now. Everything will be discussed after Imperial Sister returns to Shangjing.”

As they were talking, an imperial attendant came to deliver a message, saying that the Empress Dowager had urgently summoned Zhan Doudou.

The young Emperor arrived at the Imperial Study and found Shang Shanhu, who had recently been stripped of his military power, standing in the room.

When the Empress Dowager saw Zhan Doudou arrive, she explained Shang Shanhu’s purpose.

Shang Shanhu claimed that during his campaigns against Southern Qing, he always felt that important military intelligence was being leaked.

Later, after meticulous investigation, he finally discovered Yan Bingyun, a Southern Qing spy lurking in Shangjing.

This explanation was, of course, a pretext. The information about Yan Bingyun was sold to Zhuang Mo Han and Shang Shanhu by Li Yunrui.

“My Imperial Daughter, Yan Bingyun is the son of Yan Ruohai, an elder of the Southern Qing Supervisory Council, and he leaked a lot of information to Southern Qing during the previous war.”

“The Great General’s intention is to exchange Yan Bingyun with Southern Qing for his adoptive father, Xiao En.”

Zhan Doudou was exceptionally intelligent and instantly understood her Mother’s meaning.

Firstly, capturing Yan Bingyun would give them more leverage in the peace talks, making the situation more proactive and allowing them to reclaim considerable benefits.

Secondly, since Shang Shanhu captured Yan Bingyun, his request to exchange him for Xiao En must be met.

Thirdly, Xiao En was the former Wei spy master. His return would further destabilize the already precarious Northern Qi court.

Therefore, Xiao En must not return to Northern Qi alive; an opportunity must be found to eliminate him en route!

“Mother, the Great General has rendered great service, is discerning, and his filial piety is worthy of consideration!”

“Your child believes we can send a message to the delegation to exchange Yan Bingyun for Xiao En, and also include Si Lili!”

“However, Southern Qing must also return the territories they occupy from our country and issue pensions to the fallen Great Qi soldiers!”

After Zhan Doudou spoke, Shang Shanhu showed a look of joy. This Great General, who had lost his power, didn’t even think about regaining his military authority.

In his view, as long as Xiao En returned, he would eventually regain the initiative in court.

Empress Dowager Wei nodded contentedly, “Although my Imperial Daughter is usually mischievous, what she said about this matter makes sense. Let’s do it this way.”

News from Northern Qi reached Southern Qing, shaking the Southern Qing monarch and officials!

Finally, Emperor Qing gave the ultimate instruction: one prefecture of land would absolutely not be returned; other matters could be negotiated.

So, the final negotiation result was that Northern Qi released Yan Bingyun, and Southern Qing released Xiao En.

The territories occupied by Southern Qing were, of course, not returned, and Si Lili was also found to be untraceable. Northern Qi received some compensation and promises of peace.

Eastern Yi City, on its part, dutifully presented gifts of apology, and Southern Qing naturally did not make things difficult for them, as it was none of their business to begin with.

The development of this matter proceeded according to Emperor Qing and Chen Pingping’s plans; all errors were corrected.

Emperor Qing was delighted to see the negotiation results, “Issue an edict to the Ministry of Rites and the Capital’s Qing Temple!”

“With the conclusion of this war between Qing and Qi, peace has been restored to the world, all thanks to the protection of the gods. I wish to go to the Qing Temple to offer sacrifices and report to Heaven!”

“Please invite the Northern Qi Delegation and the Eastern Yi City Delegation to offer sacrifices together. Set up a vegetarian banquet in the outer hall of the Qing Temple; I will hold a farewell feast for the two delegations!”

Eunuch Hou, hearing the imperial decree, was slightly surprised. Although Southern Qing also worshipped temples, it was not as revered as in Northern Qi.

Emperor Qing even uttered words like “world peace relies entirely on divine protection,” which greatly surprised Eunuch Hou.

However, if an emperor’s thoughts were so easy to guess, they wouldn’t be so mysterious and awe-inspiring.

All three nations worshipped the same temple, so doing this was perfectly reasonable.

At the Posthouse (post station).

Northern Qi’s chief envoy, Wei Bi, was very pleased after receiving the news.

“They all say the Southern barbarians don’t revere gods, but now it seems that’s not entirely true. Emperor Qing choosing to hold the sacrificial farewell at the Qing Temple shows great sincerity!”

“Inform all delegation members: bathe and fast tonight, and enter the temple for sacrifices tomorrow!”

Late at night, Yun Zhilan quietly infiltrated Zhuang Mo Han’s room.

“Master Yun, at tomorrow’s farewell banquet, that will be the moment for Prime Minister Tie to make his move.”

Prime Minister Tie was Wang Xi, also the alias of Wang Shisanlang, who was the Martial Arts Genius tasked with crippling Fan Xian this time.

Yun Zhilan said, “According to our plan, Emperor Qing will absolutely be unable to make a move openly.”

“After it’s done, I will personally take Junior Brother Wang and leave the capital. I expect Southern Qing will be helpless.”

Zhuang Mo Han said, “It’s just a normal sparring match; Southern Qing has no reason to refuse.”

“And since Fan Xian’s life won’t be harmed, and with Li Yunrui mediating, Master Yun, rest assured.”

Yun Zhilan frowned, “My master is very fond of Junior Brother, I just feel uneasy.”

After seeing Yun Zhilan off, Zhuang Mo Han took out a Secret Manual.

“Alas... if not for the urgency of saving someone, this old man would not wish to harm young people.”

In the same post station, Wei Bi was sound asleep in the largest room.

After bathing and fasting, he had expected to sleep until dawn.

However, in a daze, a long sword suddenly rested on his throat.

“"Asshole" Marquis, you’ve been secretly involved in smuggling with the Southern Qing Imperial Treasury, and your pockets have grown quite fat, haven’t they?”

“You wouldn’t want Empress Dowager Wei to know about this, would you?”