The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!-Chapter 873 - 760, Marriage Alliance

Wandering the streets of Beijing, Prince Yelu Hao of Xiliao always appeared amiable, frequently asking Xiao Yeyang and Jiang Jinghui a few questions.

The Xiliao Crown Prince, however, seemed honest and kind, maintaining silence throughout the journey.

While Yelu Hao kept Jiang Jinghui and Xiao Yeyang engrossed, Crown Prince Yelu Kangda subtly observed Beijing.

Daxia had been at war with the Tartars for the past few years, which had certainly drained the treasury, yet Beijing still thrived and bustled.

Thinking of the extinguished Tartar Imperial Family, Yelu Kangda felt somewhat somber.

In previous years, Xiliao had been in internal chaos, leading to severe damage to its national power. Had it not been so, taking advantage of Daxia’s recent war with Tartars and inability to wage another, Xiliao’s cavalry could have swept southward and seized the lands of Xiliang.

Sadly, Xiliao’s national power was also insufficient, unable to support large-scale warfare.

Xiliao needed to recuperate now. By taking the opportunity to celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday, his personal visit to Daxia was intended to seek a marriage with the Daxia princess, to buy Xiliao a few more years.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yeyang listened quietly to the conversation between Yelu Hao and Jiang Jinghui, while covertly watching Yelu Kangda, observing his calculating gaze, pondering to deploy more people to monitor the Xiliao people upon his return.

...

On the other hand, Princess Yelu Qianhua of Xiliao, seeing that Daxia had only sent a few minor officials to accompany her, clearly looked displeased.

"They claim to be a land of propriety, yet I see hardly any manners at all."

"Being the Seventh Princess of Xiliao, even if they do not send a princess to receive me, they should at least send a few commandery or county princesses to accompany me."

While strolling, Yelu Qianhua made no effort to hide her discontent, leaving the accompanying officials all feeling extremely troubled.

When returning to the hostel, Yelu Qianhua happened to see Jiang Jinghui and Xiao Yeyang returning Yelu Hao and Yelu Kangda and approached them with a petulant tone, "Hey, I order you two to go shopping with me tomorrow!"

Xiao Yeyang gave her a look as if she were a fool and then left without looking back.

Jiang Jinghui, although also feeling that Yelu Qianhua was irritating, still maintained his composure and did not leave abruptly.

Yelu Qianhua didn’t expect Xiao Yeyang to treat her like that and stared blankly as he walked away.

Seeing that Yelu Qianhua didn’t get angry, Jiang Jinghui was slightly surprised. Having picked up people from the Beijing suburbs, and having interacted with the Xiliao people for a few days, he knew well how capricious the Xiliao princess could be.

Along the way, she would whip anyone at the slightest dissatisfaction. Yet now, she tolerated such a snub!

Thinking of Xiao Yeyang’s demeanor and status, and then recalling his cousin Wanying’s recent dejection, Jiang Jinghui had an idea and said with a smile, "Don’t mind him, Princess. Xiao usually isn’t like this, perhaps he was just in a hurry to go back and build his new house."

Yelu Qianhua immediately asked, "What new house?"

Jiang Jinghui replied, "Xiao is getting married this December and is currently preparing to build his new house."

Yelu Qianhua’s eyes lit up. "He’s not married yet?"

Jiang Jinghui smiled and nodded, then after bidding farewell to Yelu Hao and Yelu Kangda, he left the hostel.

Yelu Kangda watched him leave thoughtfully, then returned to his room with Yelu Hao and Yelu Qianhua.

Once no one else was around, the three dropped their disguises.

Yelu Hao’s face lost its benign smile, his eyes glittering shrewdly;

Yelu Qianhua also shed her capricious demeanor in public, becoming composed;

And Yelu Kang, setting aside his honest expression, suddenly exuded a daunting aura.

Yelu Kang sat in the chief seat, with Yelu Hao and Yelu Qianhua on either side, clearly, he was the leader among them.

"Share what you observed today."

Today was just a simple stroll through Beijing, and there was not much to gain. Yelu Hao and Yelu Qianhua both spoke briefly.

Yelu Kangda fell silent for a while, then said, "Although Jiang Jinghui is the legitimate grandson of the Jiang family, his capabilities are far inferior to Xiao Yeyang’s."

Yelu Hao nodded, "Although Xiao Yeyang is the son of a prince, his position as co-commander of the Jinling Guard is entirely earned through his own struggles, unlike Jiang Jinghui who has never truly fought on the battlefield."

Yelu Kangda said, "In our subsequent interactions, we need to keep a closer watch on this person." After a moment of silence, he looked at Yelu Qianhua.

"Among the princesses of Daxia, there is only the legitimate princess suitable for marriage now. The Emperor might not agree to our request for a marriage alliance. If that’s the case, then we will need you to stay in Daxia."

Yelu Qianhua’s expression tightened, "Brother, rest assured, I will fulfill my responsibilities."

Yelu Kangda nodded in satisfaction, "If possible, you should try to interact more with a few of the princelings of Daxia."

...

On the first of July, the Xiliao Delegation had been residing in Beijing for a few days when the Emperor summoned them again.

During this period, Yelu Hao proposed Xiliao’s wish to form a marriage alliance with Daxia.

The news instantly caused an uproar in the court.

The Emperor had a fairly numerous offspring, with many princes and princesses. However, currently, among the princesses of marriageable age, there was only Princess Lekang, the daughter of the Empress.

Upon hearing the news of the marriage alliance, Princess Lekang’s face immediately turned pale, and she looked at the Empress in panic, "Mother..."

The Empress’s face did not look much better. She held her daughter tightly and kept repeating, "Don’t be afraid, Lekang. I will never let you marry into Xiliao."

After soothing Princess Lekang, the Empress hurriedly went to Cining Palace to find the Empress Dowager.

Unfortunately, before she could speak, the Empress Dowager preemptively said, "The affairs of the court are not for me to comment on excessively. You should plead with the Emperor."

The Empress stared at the Empress Dowager with teary eyes, blurred by her tears, "Why? Lekang also has the blood of the Jiang Family flowing in her veins."

The Empress Dowager, displeased with the accusatory tone in the Empress’s words, responded indifferently, "Lekang is the Emperor’s daughter. It is the Emperor who can decide Lekang’s lifelong matters, not I. Moreover, you’re aware of the true relationship between the Emperor and me. If I speak up, it might actually be counterproductive."

Saying so, she complained of a headache and rested in the back with the help of a nanny.

The Empress stubbornly knelt in Taihou Palace for half a day until it got dark. The Empress Dowager did not come out to see her again, so she stood up, wiped her tears, and left Cining Palace.

"Has she left?"

After the Empress left, the palace maid immediately went to inform the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager sighed, "This time, the Empress will probably hate me to death."

She also did not want to see Lekang marry into Xiliao. However, she knew if they could exchange one woman for border stability, the Emperor and the ministers would welcome it.

Daxia had just finished a conflict with the Tartars, the national treasury was depleted, and Xiliao showed goodwill. If she stood opposed and destabilized the border, she would be the culprit.

It should be noted that the former Emperor had three princesses married off in alliances.

The Empress could only blame Lekang’s fate; the Emperor had several daughters, so why did it happen to be her?

...

When Princess Lekang saw the Empress emerge from the Cining Palace with a pale face, she instantly understood everything. Not wanting to marry, she immediately turned and ran to Qianqing Palace.

"Your Majesty, we have had friction with Xiliao for many years. Now that Xiliao wishes to establish friendly relations, please agree to the Crown Prince of Xiliao’s marriage proposal."

"Yes, Your Majesty, these years the borders of Xiliang have been fraught with minor conflicts, and the lives of the people have been arduous. If the borders could be stabilized through the marriage of a princess, it would be a blessing for the people of Daxia."

Outside the hall, Princess Lekang listened with a pale face to the ministers inside encouraging her father to agree to the marriage, feeling indescribable despair.

Just because she was a princess, should she be the one to marry?

Defending the nation should be a man’s duty, shouldn’t it? Why should she bear it?

Just then, a voice of opposition arose.

"Uncle Emperor, Xiliao wouldn’t dare to wage war against us now. There’s absolutely no need for a marriage alliance! Besides, if we have to send a woman out for border stability, what use are the soldiers of Daxia?"

Hearing that it was Xiao Yeyang who spoke, Princess Lekang momentarily blinked. She remembered that when she was younger, she along with others had bullied him.