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"My brother, King Danyang, you are in charge of state affairs! And my brother, King Ying, is not in good health!" Yang Ying looked at Yang Xingjian's dumbfounded expression, frowned, and said, "Since that is the case, why not let your subject be this envoy to welcome the Emperor back?"
As soon as she said this, all the civil and military officials naturally understood what was going on! Even Prime Minister Zhang Song was completely shocked at this moment!
"Imperial brother Ying's actions... are very benevolent!" At this moment, another voice came from outside the hall. Without turning around, everyone knew that the Empress of Da Wu, Xiao Yan, had returned to the court. Wei Tingyu also turned his head slightly and saw Xiao Yan, accompanied by a female official, walk into the hall with a look of arrogance.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" All the ministers at this moment turned and bowed to Xiao Yan. And she, taking advantage of the moment everyone was bowing their heads, exchanged a glance with Wei Tingyu. Of course, the ambiguous feelings in that glance could only be understood by the two of them.
"Perhaps all of you do not know!" Xiao Yan gracefully walked up to the imperial platform, and without even looking at King Danyang, Yang Xingjian, who was bowing to her, she turned directly to the civil and military ministers and said, "Imperial brother Ying has been sickly since childhood!"
"The late Emperor once received guidance from a great monk that he should be entered into the imperial genealogy only after he came of age!"
"Therefore, although imperial brother Ying has not been made a king, he is a true blood relative of the late Emperor!"
"This matter was mentioned to this Empress and His Highness King Danyang repeatedly by the late Emperor!"
"Is that not right, Your Highness King Danyang?!"
As soon as Xiao Yan's words fell, the eyes of all the civil and military officials were focused on King Danyang, Yang Xingjian. After all, the vast majority of them had truly never heard this before, and they all wore a look of inquiry. Only a few old ministers, including Prime Minister Zhang Song, knew that all of this was complete nonsense, but at this moment, they had no need to expose it.
Wei Tingyu was speechless upon seeing this scene. Although Yang Ying was an unfavored princess, she was still a person with a name in the Wuguo imperial family. A girl suddenly becoming a boy, how could there not be any rumors at all? Moreover, there were so many shrewd people in this court; there were definitely not just a few who could tell that Yang Ying was disguised as a man at a glance! In other words, this plan of a girl disguised as a boy to bring Emperor Wu back could never have succeeded from the start. How foolish would the people of Anguo have to be to fall for this trick?
But at this moment, King Danyang, Yang Xingjian, had no way out. Empress Xiao Yan, together with Yang Ying, was forcing him in front of all the officials, and he had no choice but to agree. Otherwise, his wolfish ambition would be completely exposed. He sighed slightly, then frowned and looked at Princess Yang Ying, asking, "A'Ying! Do you know how dangerous this trip to Anguo is? Do you really want to be this envoy?"
"Of course your subject knows the danger!" Yang Ying showed no hesitation after hearing King Danyang's words and said directly, "But as long as my brother makes me a prince just like you and gives me a lot of things, I won't..."
It must be said that the innocent Yang Ying was truly unable to keep a secret, and she blurted out her true purpose. As soon as she said this, the entire court fell silent, because at this moment, everyone basically felt that this new "imperial prince" seemed unreliable!
"Nonsense!" King Danyang, being more astute, seized the opportunity and frowned, reprimanding her loudly. Since he originally didn't want anyone to serve as this envoy to bring Emperor Wu back, and now that he saw the ministers expressing their doubts, he naturally took the opportunity to refuse her, presenting the stance that it wasn't that he was unwilling, but that her "imperial brother" was truly unreliable.
Xiao Yan had also never expected Yang Ying to be so naive! She had completely revealed her purpose of wanting to be ennobled and rewarded, and she was speechless. At the same time, she quickly glanced at Wei Tingyu, who was standing below, hoping that he, as a foreign subject, would step forward and say a few words to help. After all, from the perspective of these Wuguo ministers, Wei Tingyu had nothing to do with the factional struggles within the Wuguo court, so his words should be the most fair and objective.
However, Wei Tingyu gave Xiao Yan a reassuring look but did not step forward to speak! He was sure that with her courage and determination, this young woman, Yang Ying, could definitely accomplish this matter. When Xiao Yan saw Wei Tingyu's confidence in Yang Ying, a small wave of jealousy suddenly rose in her heart. She didn't even know herself that one day she would be jealous of this young woman, Yang Ying.
But as an ambitious strong woman, Xiao Yan naturally understood what was most important at this moment, so she could only purse her lips and suppress the jealousy in her heart.
"Brother! I really want to go!" And at this moment, Yang Ying showed no fear or timidity after being reprimanded by King Danyang. Instead, she said with even greater determination, "The Emperor is my own brother, and I also long for his early return!"
However, this young woman still didn't understand that neither her brother, King Danyang, nor her most respected sister-in-law, Xiao Yan, wanted Emperor Wu to return. But her words, by a happy coincidence, earned her the respect of many ministers in the Wuguo court. Especially given the current deadlock, it was possible that Yang Ying's disguise as an imperial prince to serve as an envoy could be a way to break the situation! Whether it would succeed or not, it was at least worth a try! In any case, it was better than everyone just arguing here without coming up with a solution.
"The fourth imperial prince is loyal and devoted to the country! Your subject implores His Highness King Danyang to issue a decree!" At this moment, the minister who had always been at odds with Prime Minister Zhang Song stepped forward, bowed respectfully to King Danyang, and said, "Ennobling the fourth imperial brother Yang Ying as a Prince!"
"Your subject seconds the motion!" As soon as this minister's words fell, all the civil and military officials agreed in unison, and even Zhang Song had no way to object. At this point, King Danyang, Yang Xingjian, was truly in a predicament! After all, he was only the one overseeing the state, not the real Emperor! Since all the officials supported it, he really didn't have the courage to object again!
"A'Ying!" At this moment, Xiao Yan saw that the plan had largely succeeded. She nodded with a smile and asked again, "Have you really thought this through? Do you have any regrets?"
"No!" Yang Ying did not hesitate for a second, and she nodded heavily.
"Alright!" Seeing that things had come to this, King Danyang, Yang Xingjian, could only reluctantly agree.
"Issue the decree! Ennoble the fourth imperial prince, Yang Ying, as the Prince of Li of Da Wu! He will serve as an envoy and, bearing the imperial staff, travel to Anguo to welcome the Emperor back on an auspicious day!"
"Your Highness is wise!" Upon hearing King Danyang's words, all the civil and military officials bowed in submission. Only Wei Tingyu stood there and exchanged a look with Xiao Yan, and both of them saw a hint of triumph in each other's eyes.
...
The performance naturally had to be complete! Xiao Yan immediately arranged a large residence in Wudu for Yang Ying and had the plaque of the Prince of Li's residence hung up! After all, Yang Ying was now, in name, the fourth imperial brother, Prince of Li, so she naturally couldn't continue to live in the imperial palace. Instead, she was rewarded with a prince's residence outside the palace.
Princess Yang Ying's cute eyes were almost popping out of their sockets as she looked at the magnificent residence before her! After all, though she had seen more magnificent palaces while being confined to the deep palace since she was a child, she had never truly owned one herself. At the same time, the palace maids and female officials who were following her opened the hall doors and respectfully ushered Yang Ying into the main hall.
Yang Ying walked into the hall with a shocked and dumbfounded expression, looking at the decorations inside, and then the corner of her eye caught a glimpse of a figure standing behind a screen. Just from this blurry figure, she immediately knew who it was! Thinking this, Yang Ying immediately dismissed the maids and female officials beside her, and when she looked at the figure again, she found that the person was also walking out on their own. Who else could this person be besides Wei Tingyu, the man she had been longing for?
And just seeing Wei Tingyu's face, the young woman Yang Ying's cheeks instantly turned red. This was because almost everything she had done before was for the sake of being with Wei Tingyu!
Wei Tingyu was naturally a little moved. Without a word, he walked forward and embraced Princess Yang Ying. This was the first time Yang Ying had experienced such a broad and warm embrace of a man! At this moment, her heart was filled with a sense of security, and she even proactively reached out and wrapped her arms around Wei Tingyu's waist.
"Silly girl!" Wei Tingyu's heart was filled with even more emotion upon seeing this! The young woman's feelings were so pure and true. Compared to him, a Marquis with many wives and concubines, he felt quite ashamed at this moment!
"I'm not silly!" Yang Ying pouted immediately after hearing Wei Tingyu call her a silly girl, and then she said coquettishly, "I am now a dignified Prince! What are eight hundred households of fiefs worth!"
"As long as I can successfully bring my imperial brother back, I will be more noble than my eldest sister!"
"And at that time, even my imperial brother will have no reason to stop me from being with you..."
At this point, Princess Yang Ying's face turned even redder. She cautiously glanced at Wei Tingyu, then immediately lowered her head and buried it in his chest. It was as if she was afraid of being seen with her shy expression!
"But this journey is very dangerous!" Wei Tingyu naturally knew what the young woman Yang Ying was thinking, so while gently patting her back and head, he said, "Have you ever thought that once the truth is exposed, the Anguo people might harm you?"
"Why would you say that?" However, Yang Ying's body actually trembled upon hearing Wei Tingyu's words. She looked up at Wei Tingyu with tear-filled eyes and said, "I was actually very scared just now!"
At this moment, Yang Ying had truly come to see Wei Tingyu as the only person she could confide in and rely on. While sniffing, two lines of crystal-clear tears flowed from her eyes, and she said, "But I really don't want to be an obscure, unfree little princess in the deep palace anymore!"
Wei Tingyu also sighed in his heart upon hearing this! He was right; Princess Yang Ying's resistance was essentially her defiance against her predetermined fate! Thinking this, he gently reached out and lifted Yang Ying's chin, then lowered his head and, in the young woman's stunned gaze, gently kissed her small lips.
Yang Ying was indeed a little scared at first, and she was still whining about why Wei Tingyu had to make her think of these things. However, after their lips touched, her body went completely limp, as if she had been electrocuted. If Wei Tingyu hadn't been holding her waist, the young woman would have surely collapsed to the ground! Of course, she did not regret offering her first kiss to Wei Tingyu in this way; she was only filled with sweetness and happiness... And that little bit of fear she had in her heart was immediately thrown to the back of her mind!
...
"Emperor An, Li Shun, also overthrew his imperial brother, the Crown Prince, to ascend to the throne back then!"
The next morning, in Xiao Yan's sleeping quarters, the young woman Yang Ying was lying on a desk full of scrolls, dozing off. And Empress Xiao Yan was giving her a lesson on the imperial family of Anguo. When she turned her head, she found that the young woman was already sleeping soundly!
"Sigh!" Xiao Yan sighed helplessly, then she had the female official behind Yang Ying wake the young woman up.
"Huh?" The young woman Yang Ying groggily opened her eyes and looked around with a confused expression. Then, she reacted and quickly sat up straight, saying awkwardly, "I'm sorry, sister-in-law! I didn't mean to fall asleep; I'm just a little tired!"
Ever since she had given her first kiss to Wei Tingyu yesterday, all the young woman could think about was her ideal lover! Even at night, she had tossed and turned in bed and couldn't fall asleep at all. It wasn't until it was almost dawn that she finally fell into a light sleep, and then she was called back to Empress Xiao Yan's sleeping quarters for class.
"It's alright!" Xiao Yan, of course, didn't know that the young woman Yang Ying was thinking about Wei Tingyu. She thought she was just too excited about being made a prince to get a good rest, so she shook her head and said, "You have already studied for two hours; it's time to rest!"
Yang Ying was startled upon hearing this, then she slightly furrowed her beautiful brows. She then reached out and pinched her fair little arm hard. The intense pain instantly sobered up her previously sluggish mind!
"I'm not tired anymore! Please continue teaching me, sister-in-law!"
"That's the spirit I want to see!" Xiao Yan smiled slightly and nodded, "Remember! At all times, you are His Highness, the Prince of Li of Da Wu!"
"Yes!" Yang Ying nodded forcefully upon hearing Xiao Yan's words. However, her beautiful brows immediately furrowed again, and she said with a worried expression, "But sister-in-law... my subject... no, your subject's sister's request..."
"Don't worry!" Xiao Yan naturally knew what the young woman Yang Ying wanted. Without waiting for her to finish, she said directly, "After you bring the Emperor back, he will surely remember your great contribution. I will not go back on my promise of three thousand households of fiefs!"
"Thank you, sister-in-law!" After receiving Xiao Yan's renewed confirmation, Yang Ying was finally completely at ease, and she thanked her with a smile.
"You're the lucky one!" Xiao Yan saw Yang Ying's smiling face and also walked over with a smile, then she slowly said, "At least, through your own efforts, you still have the chance to choose your future husband!"
"..." Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Wei Tingyu's figure appeared in Yang Ying's mind again, and her little face immediately turned red.
"Could it be that you have already..." Xiao Yan was, after all, a woman with a very delicate mind. Seeing Yang Ying's expression, she immediately understood and asked with some surprise.
"Sister-in-law..." Yang Ying was even more shy upon hearing Xiao Yan's words. She looked awkwardly at the female official beside her and then closed her mouth.
"You may leave!" Xiao Yan immediately understood and waved her hand at the female officials and maids. Soon, only the two of them were left in the sleeping quarters!
"Tell your sister-in-law... who is this lucky man? Who has caught our Princess Ying's eye?" Xiao Yan blinked, looked at Yang Ying, and asked in a teasing tone.
"Please don't ask any more questions, sister-in-law!" The more she talked about this topic, the shyer Yang Ying felt. She quickly shook her head, wanting to end the conversation, and said, "Before the mission is completed, I don't want to say it..."
"Silly girl!" Xiao Yan also knew that the mission to bring Emperor Wu back could no longer be the same as her previous plan. At the very least, under Wei Tingyu's protection, Yang Ying would surely not die. So she would settle for the next best thing: as long as Emperor Wu died, it would be fine! Yang Ying could then be brought back by Wei Tingyu, and it would not affect her own plan to rule as Empress Dowager! Moreover, at that time, to stabilize the court and the imperial family, she would surely have to get along well with Yang Ying, the princess who had dared to take the risk to welcome Emperor Wu back.
So at this moment, when Xiao Yan looked at Yang Ying, she no longer saw a pawn destined to die, but a family member with whom she would genuinely have to build a good relationship in the future! One could only say that this woman was fickle! Especially this ambitious woman! To achieve her goals, one second she would want you to die, and the next second she would become a close friend.
"If you don't say it, how can your sister-in-law help you?" Xiao Yan actually felt a little guilty toward Yang Ying at this moment, so she was willing to help Yang Ying with her romance! Because that way, this little sister-in-law would be very grateful to her, which would be a great benefit to her when she became the Empress Dowager and ruled the court!