chapter 45

“Come, let me make an introduction.” Xiao Fen smiled as he waved for the people standing at the bottom of the steps. The first one who came forward was the crown prince. “This is my firstborn and also the crown prince of my country.”

The crown prince nodded in greeting. Xiao Fen then pointed at Xia Chao. “This is the prime minister of my country, Xia Chao. For many years, he has been both my left and right hand. Those beside him are his wife and daughter. The prime minister’s daughter is the most beautiful lady in all of Dawei.”

“She is indeed an outstanding beauty.” Dugu Ji praised with a smile. His smile seemed to contain other sentiments.

Fengguang was frozen, unable to move.

“Hehe, Miss Xia is my son, the Ghost King’s fiancee.” Xiao Fen then pointed towards Xiao Ruo. “That is the Ghost King, and beside him is…”

“The Silver Mask Strategist, Bai Rong. We three have already met on the battlefield.”

“Ah yes, I’m afraid I’m getting old. Naturally, you’ve all met.”

Dugu Ji lifted his wine glass and sniffed the aroma before setting it down. He smiled. “The Ghost King is brave and good at fighting while the Silver Mask Strategist knows everything like a god. I’ve long wanted to meet them outside the battlefield but sadly, there hasn’t been such a chance.”

Xiao Ruo blandly replied, “Thank you for your high evaluation of us.”

“Haha, Emperor of Guangliu, you must not mind him. Since Xiao Ruo was young, his personality has never been cold nor passionate.” Xiao Fen took charge of the conversation with Dugu Ji. “Not only is the Silver Mask Strategist well-versed in the art of war, but they are also familiar with poetry and song. I remember at the start of this year, the Strategist had recited a poem. Countless plum branches stand in the corner of the wall, even in the frost, they blossom, / From afar, it is clear they are not the snow, as their subtly sweet scent wafts across.1 This is truly worth a thousand good sentences.”

“The Strategist’s poems have long been spread across Guangliu so naturally, I am familiar with this particular poem.”

Bai Rong forced a smile and awkwardly let out a laugh. “I thank both your majesties for your praise.”

The poem ‘Plum’ was not her original composition so she felt a panic in her heart but it didn’t match the level of panic she felt from her surprise encounter with Dugu Ji.

“From afar, it is clear they are not the snow, as their subtly sweet scent wafts across…” Fengguang couldn’t help but mutter the last two sentences and lowered her head. Her bangs covered her eyes and no one could tell what she was thinking of at the moment.

Dugu Ji retracted his gaze and his expression turned a bit lethargic. “Let’s stop the courtesies here. Let’s start discussing the important matters.”

“Oh? How would the emperor of Guangliu like to start discussing them?” Xiao Fen withdrew his easygoing smile. He had to use a more serious manner in order to not underestimate this young man.

Everyone’s attention was focused on the two men seated together at their table, positioned at the top of the steps above the rest of the room.

“Emperor Xiao and I both know the damages caused to our countries because of the war. Not to mention, we both have the Hexi Clan watching us from the side like a tiger waiting for its prey. Since I was the one to bring up the idea of peace, we will naturally raise the signal for peace first but we also cannot allow everyone to misunderstand that we, Guangliu suggested peace because we are scared of Dawei.”

Xiao Fen nodded. “That is a given. Guangliu and Dawei are both forces to be reckoned with. Who dares to compare us in who is weaker or stronger?”

“So because I was the first to bring it up, I should receive a reward for doing so.”

“What reward do you have in mind?” Xiao Fen’s smile didn’t seem natural. The reward Dugu Ji wanted, could it be land? Or some sort of rare treasure?

“I want a person.”

“Father Emperor!” Xiao Ruo suddenly stood up. “I too, wish to request a person.”

Xiao Fen looked at the soundless Dugu Ji and then turned to Xiao Ruo. “The Ghost King also wants a person?”

“I want the prime minister’s second daughter to become my wife.”

Bai Rong froze. Everyone’s attention shifted to the prime minister’s family. The prime minister’s daughter of a concubine was not a secret but everyone was wondering how she was able to catch the eye of the Ghost King? Perhaps her beauty was on par with the main wife’s daughter?

Xia Chao appeared surprised while Wang Ci had remained calm as though this was within her expectations.

Men. Having three or four wives and concubines was a common occurrence, not to mention this was a wangye2. Xiao Fen finally spoke aloud, “If the sisters were to serve the Ghost King together, they would at least have each other. And so, let’s have the prime minister’s second miss be a concubine then.”

“Father Emperor, I want the prime minister’s second daughter as my main wife and not as a concubine.” Not as a concubine, but as a main wife? What did this mean? That means she would be wangfei3!

Xiao Ruo’s statement was like throwing a bomb at the crowd around them. Only Bai Rong remained dumbfounded. Everyone else was sent into an uproar. Even the surprised Xia Chao and indifferent Wang Ci had ugly expressions on their faces.

Xiao Fen also expressed discontent but quickly began laughing. “Stop joking, Ghost King. Your fiancee is the prime minister’s precious first daughter and she is also your cousin on your mother’s side. You definitely cannot mix them up like this.”

“Towards my cousin, I only have brotherly affections towards her and nothing else. Back then, I received your decree for marriage because I had not yet met the person I would want to protect for a lifetime and today, I ask Father Emperor to agree to my request.”

So what was happening? It turned out that before, the Ghost King had agreed to the marriage because he hadn’t yet met his one true love. Now, he even dared to voice his objections. That concubine’s daughter must really hold a special place in his heart. All the young lords glanced in pity towards the quiet young lady.