"Isn't this the Fourth Miss of the South Manor? Truly worthy of being our Lin Yuan's foremost talent. To possess such a magnanimous spirit even after such humiliation, how many men could achieve this? We shouldn't have believed the rumors before, saying the Fourth Miss was merely beautiful with no substance, actually wicked and insidious. What slander!"
"Indeed, indeed. We used to hear that the Fourth Miss was favored by His Majesty, which is why he hadn't elevated her to the palace for so long. I think that's utter nonsense. How could His Majesty not favor a paragon of virtue like the Fourth Miss?"
"We only ever heard of the Fourth Miss's prowess in poetry and prose, but now we know she is truly a Zhuge Liang among women in her boudoir. With such insight and vision, how many women across the entire capital, the entire Lin Yuan, or even the entire world, could compare to her?"
"My dear sister, you flatter me." Hui'an gently supported Nan Yuan'er's arm, helping her up, her face full of admiration and appreciation, completely unconcerned about the juice and egg yolk from the spoiled vegetables on Nan Yuan'er's sleeves.
She continued, "Although I am a princess of Da Li, I deeply respect heroes who sacrifice themselves for the nation. I will not pursue this matter today."
"To the people of Lin Yuan, though I am from Da Li, having received the imperial decree for a marriage with the young master of the South Manor, I am also considered half a Lin Yuan citizen. I understand it is difficult for you to wholeheartedly accept me and to not hold any reservations against me. Therefore, I can accept the families of these soldiers and generals who died in war not accepting me, or even cursing me. However, war was not our intention. Were the casualties only Lin Yuan soldiers and Lin Yuan citizens? War, whether for the common people or for royalty, whether for Lin Yuan or for Da Li, is cruel and unacceptable. That is why we must establish diplomatic relations and exchange goods. Only then can everyone truly live in peace and the border citizens enjoy a tranquil life, isn't that so?"
As Hui'an finished speaking, she turned to Nan Yuan'er and said, "Sister, why be so formal with me? I am about to marry your elder brother, and His Majesty has also decreed a marriage between you and my imperial brother. As I am both your sister-in-law and your aunt, we are as one family. Why speak as if we were two separate households?"
Everyone knew that Da Li had sent a princess for a political marriage, and they had also heard that the princess was without beauty or talent, merely a discarded pawn sent by the Emperor of Da Li for the alliance. Before today, everyone had believed these rumors to be true. But upon seeing her today, they realized the rumors and reality were entirely contradictory. Hui'an was also a woman who did not yield to men. Her words were passionate and spirited, not only upholding the dignity of a Da Li princess but also displaying a breadth of mind and cultivation far beyond that of ordinary women.
These two individuals, though from different nations, possessed the same admirable gentlemanly demeanor.
"Wait a moment, Miss Nan was betrothed to the Crown Prince of Da Li by His Majesty?"
Although the imperial decree of marriage in the Ji Hong Grand Hall had passed some time ago, the news had not spread through the populace, as if an invisible hand had firmly suppressed it. Of course, some people had heard about it, but far more had not.
Hearing this news now, everyone was utterly astonished. After all, ever since Nan Yuan'er's birth and the prophecy by Daoist Master Yun Qing, everyone had already regarded her as their future Empress. This impression, held for over a decade, had become a deeply ingrained belief that could not be easily overturned, and because it could not be overturned, it was even harder to accept.
The citizens who had been restraining the woman were now so stunned that they had no time to attend to her. Without any obstruction, the woman, like a madwoman, rushed towards Hui'an.
What was the point of diplomatic relations and peaceful coexistence? All she knew was that her son was dead, and her husband was also dead. And the culprits responsible for their deaths were now forging alliances and establishing diplomatic ties with their nation. If that were the case, what was the meaning of their desperate defense?
She lunged towards Hui'an, but before she could collide with her, her foot caught on something, and she stumbled, crashing into Nan Yuan'er.
Nan Yuan'er hadn't expected that her provocative words would be completely disregarded by this woman. Caught off guard, she was violently knocked to the ground, her back of the head hitting the steps of the rouge shop. Blood flowed from her hair, staining the ground.
"Ah..."
Liu Ling'er let out a shriek.
"Miss Nan!"
"Quick, quickly fetch a physician."
Nan Yuan'er felt an unbearable pain in her head, her ears ringing deafeningly. The woman pressing down on her made it even difficult for her to breathe.
Just then, a commotion erupted from the street. News of Da Li's invasion of Lin Yuan and the massacre of hundreds of Lin Yuan soldiers spread through every corner of the capital like scattered willow catkins.
The crowd, which moments before had been marveling at Nan Yuan'er and Hui'an's words, suddenly froze in place. The next moment, their emotions ran high. The citizens who had been clamoring for a physician were now utterly unable to control their anger and the humiliation of being deceived and insulted. Filled with righteous indignation, they surged towards Hui'an.
"What diplomatic relations and exchange of goods? You Da Li are wolves with ambitions! Under the guise of a political marriage, you deceived the people of Lin Yuan, while secretly leading your troops to slaughter our Lin Yuan soldiers. Your passionate words now are simply sickening."
"Kill her, avenge our Lin Yuan soldiers!"
"Kill her!"
As the situation was about to spiral out of control, Liu Cheng pulled Liu Ling'er and Liu Lan behind him, fearing they would be caught in the angry mob, and quickly pulled them into the rouge shop.
"Qian Cheng, hurry inside!" Liu Cheng shouted to Wang Qian Cheng, who was still standing in his original spot.
Wang Qian Cheng, while fending off the surging crowd like a tide, turned and yelled back at Liu Cheng, "No, the Princess of Da Li cannot be harmed at this moment. If Da Li and Lin Yuan were to engage in war, the Princess and the Crown Prince of Da Li, as long as they are alive, will hold the greatest value, which is most beneficial to our Lin Yuan."
Upon hearing Wang Qian Cheng's words, Liu Cheng was momentarily stunned. He had never imagined that this prodigal son, who usually only frequented brothels and played cards, and was even more decadent than himself, could utter such a statement.
Liu Cheng felt a surge of blood rush to his head, and an irrepressible impulse surged within him. He turned to Liu Ling'er and Liu Lan and said, "Quick, find a place to hide. I'll go help my elder brother hold the line!"
With that, he let go of Liu Ling'er and Liu Lan's hands and charged out.
"Brother..."
Liu Lan had never expected that her uncle and grandfather would always sigh and shake their heads over this brother, who actually had such a side to him. Even less had she expected that her fiancé, who shared the same rotten habits as her brother, would at this moment consider national interests and be willing to step forward when the people were in an uproar. Looking at Wang Qian Cheng's retreating figure, Liu Lan couldn't help but stand in a daze.