#2911 - Sanctimonious
“Princess Anping is here!”
“Greetings, Princess Anping!”
As soon as Jun Wu Xie and Qin Keqing arrived near the plaza, the crowd erupted in cheers. Their eyes burned with fervor as they made way for the pair.
The common people of the imperial city looked at Qin Keqing with deep respect.
In their hearts, the Qin King's Mansion held a very special place. The King of Qin had almost become a spiritual symbol to them.
As the daughter of the King of Qin, Qin Keqing was naturally treated with special regard.
“Everyone, there's no need to be so polite. Please, dispense with the formalities.”
Qin Keqing was not accustomed to such scenes. The common people were too enthusiastic.
This kind of enthusiasm made her feel somewhat overwhelmed.
The more enthusiastic the common people were towards her, the more respect they showed in their eyes, the more she felt inadequate.
If Jun Shen hadn't arrived, this battle with Emperor Liang would inevitably end in mutual destruction, and the Qin King's Mansion would become even more passive.
Her father's situation would also worsen as a result. It was foreseeable that in the years to come, the Qin King's Mansion would find it difficult to protect the country and its people, and to safeguard the peaceful lives of the imperial dynasty's populace.
Wasn't the glory of the Qin King's Mansion also a heavy burden, a kind of shackle?
At times, she even felt suffocated.
The responsibility that came with glory was too great, making it difficult for her to breathe.
She had thought about doing better, but in such an environment, there was simply no opportunity, and she felt powerless despite her good intentions.
Under Emperor Liang's influence, the Qin King's Mansion could barely protect itself, so what could it do for others?
…
In the arena, the envoys from the three kingdoms had already arrived and were seated in their respective positions.
The Prime Minister and the princes were receiving them, according them the highest level of treatment.
Although they had been at war with these dynasties for a long time, now that the envoys from the enemy countries had arrived in the imperial city, they had to display the demeanor of an imperial dynasty, as a matter of etiquette.
Even if it was just for show, it had to be done.
Moreover, Emperor Liang and the others were already colluding with the three kingdoms, simply because they had a common enemy—the King of Qin.
“Anping greets the Prime Minister, the Duke, Your Highness the Prince, and all the ministers.”
Qin Keqing stepped forward and saluted.
“Princess, you are too polite. I heard that you haven't left the mansion for some time. How have you been lately?”
The Prime Minister smiled gently, even with a hint of kindness, looking every bit like an approachable elder.
“Indeed, the King of Qin has been fighting on the border for many years, tirelessly dedicating himself to the dynasty. We, the ministers, are all deeply moved by the King of Qin's contributions to Great Liang.
Princess, you are alone in the imperial city. If you need anything, please let us know. As long as it is within our power, we will not refuse.”
…
The ministers present all expressed their goodwill, but how many were sincere was hard to say.
“The Qin King's Mansion thanks you for your kindness.”
Qin Keqing politely expressed her gratitude.
In such a situation, if the other party wanted to put on a show, she naturally had to cooperate.
After all, tens of millions of eyes were watching.
“It's been a while since we last met. Princess, you have become even more radiant.”
The Second Prince took a few steps forward, and when he looked at Qin Keqing, there was a hint of infatuation in his eyes.
He was not pretending; he was genuinely amazed by Qin Keqing's otherworldly beauty.
Throughout the great dynasties, who didn't know that Princess Anping of the Qin King's Mansion in Great Liang was a peerless beauty, whose beauty surpassed all the women of other dynasties in Yu Province.
“Princess, this way, please.”
The Second Prince led Qin Keqing to her seat with great courtesy.
“Thank you, Your Highness the Second Prince.”
Qin Keqing nodded slightly, then sat down next to Jun Wu Xie.
Throughout the entire process, the attention of the ministers and princes seemed to be focused on Qin Keqing, and they had not paid much attention to Jun Wu Xie beside her, at most giving him a cursory glance.
Of course, it was not that they didn't care, but that they were deliberately pretending to ignore his existence.
Even though they knew that the young man beside Princess Anping was Jun Shen's personally taught Yuan Chu.
Such a status as a personally taught disciple of a top-tier Daoist sect was definitely a pivotal existence in Great Liang.
But this Yuan Chu was determined to help the Qin King's Mansion, and he had provoked and humiliated the First Prince, standing on the opposite side of the imperial family.
As ministers of Great Liang, they naturally had to stand on the side of the imperial family.
Not only them, but even the envoys from the three kingdoms were the same, looking at Jun Wu Xie with great disdain.
They were all doing it on purpose.
If it were someone else, facing such a situation, they might feel slighted and embarrassed.
But Jun Wu Xie did not.
Because he didn't care about these people at all.
In his eyes, the ministers and princes present, as well as the envoys from the three kingdoms, were no different from extras.
They were just like Li Ergou and Wang Erniu.
Throughout the entire process, Jun Wu Xie didn't even look at them much.
He only glanced at them when he arrived, and then ignored them.
After sitting down next to Qin Keqing, he picked up the tea on the table and began to sip it, minding his own business.
It was as if everyone else was air to him.
Seeing his attitude, the ministers and princes were very unhappy, but they couldn't do anything about it since the other party was Jun Shen's personally taught disciple, and he was indeed qualified to act like this.
The people near the plaza were different.
People were talking and whispering.
Who was the man accompanying Princess Anping?
Not only was he accompanying her, but he was also sitting with her, so close to her.
In all these years, they had never seen the princess get close to any man.
What was that person's identity that he could gain such favor from the princess?
His face was very unfamiliar, and he didn't seem to be a young talent from Great Liang.
Could he be a young prodigy from another place?
But why would a young prodigy from another place come to participate in such an important occasion today?
You must know that Emperor Liang was meeting with the envoys from the three kingdoms, which was an internal affair of the Great Liang Dynasty. How could outsiders participate and sit with the princes and ministers?
People were becoming more and more curious about who that young man was and what his background was.
“His Majesty has arrived! All ministers, welcome the holy presence!”
A eunuch entered the arena, his feminine and shrill voice echoing throughout the area.
Everyone saw a middle-aged man in a yellow robe walking towards the raised platform with measured steps.
“Long live His Majesty! Long live! Long live!”
The ministers and the common people of Great Liang who had come to watch the excitement all knelt down and shouted in unison.
Qin Keqing stood up and bowed to Emperor Liang on the high platform, but Jun Wu Xie remained seated, without the slightest reaction, only glancing at Emperor Liang.
The envoys from the three kingdoms did not kneel, but they also bowed.
They were foreign officials and did not need to perform the kneeling ceremony.
“Rise.”
Emperor Liang flicked the corner of his dragon robe and sat on the dragon throne, displaying his imperial majesty to the fullest.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
The ministers stood up from the ground in unison.
“Great Yan, Great Zhen, and Northern Mang, I wonder what brings your three envoy delegations to my Great Liang?”
Emperor Liang asked knowingly, pretending not to know why they were here.
“Your Majesty Emperor Liang, we are here, firstly, to strengthen mutual exchanges, and secondly, to propose marriage to Your Majesty.”
The envoy from Great Zhen spoke first.
“Propose marriage?” Emperor Liang narrowed his eyes. “Everyone knows that Great Zhen and Great Liang have been at war for a long time. Isn't it abrupt to suddenly say you want to propose marriage?”
“Your Majesty Emperor Liang, we from Great Zhen have come with sincerity.
Our prince of Great Zhen has long admired Princess Anping of your dynasty, and his heart is true, as the sun and moon can attest.
As for the matter of the two countries being at war, our emperor of Great Zhen said that the dynasty has been mired in war for too long, and the soldiers on both sides have suffered heavy casualties, which has also caused suffering to the people of the dynasty.”
“Your Majesty, I think this matter is inappropriate!”
The Prime Minister stood up and said, “Your Majesty, the King of Qin is the pillar of the nation. How can his daughter, Princess Anping, be married to a prince of an enemy country!”
“I second that!”
The Duke also stood up, supporting the Prime Minister's point of view, “The King of Qin has worked hard and made great contributions, sacrificing his life to defend our country's borders. How can we send Princess Anping to an enemy country for marriage?”
“We second that!”
A group of ministers unanimously expressed their opposition.
“Well, what you ministers say makes sense. I cannot disappoint the King of Qin.” Emperor Liang nodded, adopting the ministers' advice, and looked at the envoy from Great Zhen, “I cannot agree to this matter.
You have also heard that the ministers do not agree either.
The King of Qin is the pillar of my Great Liang. How can the King of Qin's only daughter become a candidate for marriage?
Furthermore, Princess Anping's marriage is a major event and should be decided by herself. I cannot force it.”
Near the plaza, the people's originally tense mood relaxed when they heard Emperor Liang's refusal.
The royal family of Great Zhen was truly wishful thinking, actually wanting Princess Anping to marry their prince!
Outrageous!
Fortunately, the emperor did not agree.
It is said that the King of Qin's merits are so great that the emperor is jealous.
But today, it seems that the emperor has a broad mind and is wholeheartedly protecting the Qin King's Mansion, not as rumored.
The ministers in the court are also the same, and today they are all speaking up for the Qin King's Mansion.
It seems that the rumors that the ministers and the King of Qin are at odds are also false.
Jun Wu Xie, on the other hand, drank tea while quietly watching Emperor Liang and the others perform.
I have to say, they sang and echoed each other here, with rhythm and style, acting quite convincingly.
“Not so, if Your Majesty Emperor Liang agrees to this marriage, Great Zhen and Great Liang will be related by marriage, and war is not impossible to postpone or even discuss.
This is a long-term plan for both countries.
Please, Your Majesty Emperor Liang, consider the billions of people and millions of soldiers of both countries.
After so many years of war, how many soldiers have shed their blood on the battlefield.
War consumes huge sums of money, severely depleting the finances of our two countries.
Where does the finance come from? It comes from the people's taxes.
If the war is quelled, taxes can be reduced, easing the pressure on people's lives, accumulating wealth among the people, and allowing the people of both countries to live a better life.”
“Envoy of Great Zhen, you must not…”
“Prime Minister and Duke of Great Liang, am I wrong?”
The envoy of Great Zhen interrupted the Prime Minister and Duke and asked, “If the war is quelled, can the financial expenditure be reduced?
"Now that the imperial court's financial pressures have significantly lessened, wouldn't it be possible to reduce taxes and allow the common people to live better lives?"
"Are you two esteemed ministers truly so detached from the realities of everyday life?"
"Surely the Prime Minister and the Duke do not wish to see your nation's people living a better life?"
"You dare to slander us!"
The Prime Minister and the Duke glared angrily at the Great Zhen envoy.
"I implore the two ministers to offer a direct rebuttal.
Tell me plainly, are the words I spoke just now correct or not?
Millions of your Great Liang subjects are here listening; they have their own scales in their hearts."
"This…"
The Prime Minister and the Duke wore expressions that suggested they didn't know how to refute.
"What the Great Zhen envoy says is indeed irrefutable, but concerning the matter of a marriage alliance…"
Another minister spoke up, but regarding the marriage alliance, he offered no concrete opinion.
"The Liang Emperor fell silent."
He pondered for a moment, seemingly struggling to decide, and couldn't help but turn his gaze towards Qin Keqing, "Princess, in this matter, I would like to hear your opinion.
Although I do not approve of the marriage alliance, the Great Zhen envoy did make one point that was not wrong.
Warfare greatly drains the treasury, and the treasury comes from the taxes paid by the people.
If we can cease the war, my Great Liang people could live lives far better than they do now.
As the ruler of the dynasty, my heart is with the people; this is undeniable.
Of course, I am not forcing you in any way; you are entirely free to decide your own marriage.
Your father has already sacrificed enough for Great Liang; Princess, you do not need to sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of the Great Liang people. Whatever decision you make, I will support you!"
Hearing the Liang Emperor's words, both Jun Wuxie and Qin Keqing couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
In front of the imperial city's citizens, the Liang Emperor truly knows how to act, disguising himself as a benevolent and wise ruler.
In reality, he is using the Great Zhen envoy's argument to morally and honorably blackmail her, making it impossible for her to refuse in public.
He appears righteous and dignified on the surface, but his heart is actually treacherous and despicable.
"Princess, you don't need to feel pressured. If you are unwilling, just say so, and we will all support you!"
The Prime Minister and the Duke said this, and the other ministers echoed their sentiment.
