HCB Chapter 320: Mo Yu Yun Tian (24)
Chapter 320: Mo Yu Yun Tian (24)
"The Emperor has arrived——"
The shrill voice cut through the solemnity of Chengqian Palace and interrupted the arguments of the ministers who seemed to be concerned about the country and the people but actually had their own ulterior motives.
Su Luo stepped into the hall. Her golden brocade phoenix robe sparkled in the sun, and the ruby headpiece made her even more dazzling. She was like a burning flame, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
She walked straight to the front of the hall without looking around, and bowed gracefully: "Your son pays homage to the emperor, father. Long live the emperor."
Emperor Su Chengde looked at his daughter, who was radiant and dazzling, with a complex expression in his eyes. He cleared his throat, and his commanding voice echoed through the hall: "Stand up. Luo'er, why are you here in Chengqian Palace at this hour instead of staying in Qifeng Palace?"
Su Luo slowly stood up, a faint smile on his lips. His voice was clear, yet it carried an unquestionable firmness: "Father, I have heard that you have been very worried about the hostage issue recently."
She paused deliberately and glanced at the ministers who had just "indignantly" recommended her for marriage.
Those old foxes felt a chill down their spines when Su Luo glanced at them. They lowered their heads, not daring to meet her gaze, and secretly complained in their hearts: Why is this little ancestor here? This is not going to end well!
Su Luo looked at their guilty expressions, sneered in her heart, and continued: "As the princess of the Great Zhou, I should share my father's worries and solve the country's problems."
The emperor frowned slightly. He vaguely guessed Su Luo's intention, but still asked, "Oh? What do you think, Luo'er?"
Su Luo smiled faintly and said in a resounding voice: "I, your son, am willing to go to Dai as a hostage to ensure peace between the two countries and the well-being of the people!"
As soon as this statement came out, the whole palace was in an uproar.
Those ministers who originally wanted to continue to advise were all dumbfounded at this moment. They opened their mouths wide, like ducks with their necks pinched, and could not speak for a long time.
They never expected that Su Luo would actually offer to go to Daiguo as a hostage! This... this script is wrong!
A hint of surprise flashed across the emperor's eyes, but was quickly concealed. He looked at Su Luo deeply, and his tone was filled with a hint of probing: "Luo'er, do you know that the journey to Dai State is long, and... the future is uncertain."
Su Luo answered without hesitation: "Your son knows. But for the sake of the Great Zhou, and for the sake of your father's great cause, your son will not hesitate to die!"
She said this beautifully, expressing her loyalty and shutting everyone up.
The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, secretly groaning inwardly. Now, they had just wanted to throw this hot potato away, but the other party had caught it, and caught it so beautifully. How could they continue to function in the court from now on?
An old minister, unwilling to give in, tried to make a last-ditch effort, and tremblingly stood up: "Her Royal Highness is so understanding and righteous, and is truly a blessing to our dynasty. But...but the princess is a royal daughter, after all. What if...what if she is wronged in Dai State? What will we do?"
Su Luo glanced at him coldly, a mocking smile on his lips: "Sir, are you afraid that I'll be wronged in Dai Country, or are you afraid that I'll live too well in Dai Country, causing some of your plans to fail?"
The old minister was almost choked to death by Su Luo's words. His face turned purple and he pointed at Su Luo and kept saying "you...you..." for a long time without saying a complete sentence.
Su Luo ignored him and turned to the emperor, saying firmly, "Father, I have made up my mind. Please grant my wish!"
The Emperor sat at the head of the table, his gaze fixed on Su Luo. His initial surprise had long since turned to admiration. This daughter, though usually a bit spoiled, always displayed extraordinary courage at crucial moments. He had only intended to test her, but he hadn't expected her to be so responsible. She truly was worthy of being his daughter!
The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, but the ministers' minds were swirling with thoughts. They exchanged glances, each seeing shock and regret in the other's eyes. If they had known this would happen, they shouldn't have been so hasty to push this hot potato out. Now, look what happened, they've shot themselves in the foot!
The emperor cleared his throat and broke the silence. "Good! Good! Good!" He uttered the word "good" three times in a row, his voice so resonant that it made the hall buzz. "Princess Wanning's determination is a blessing for our country and the people!"
When the ministers heard this, their hearts sank. This time, the flattery had hit the horse's leg. The emperor was tempted to let Princess Wan Ning go to Dai State!
The emperor paused and continued, "Since Wan Ning has such intentions, how can I not fulfill her wish? But..." He deliberately dragged out his words, his eyes sweeping over the ministers who had just wanted to advise him, "But the journey to Dai is long, and I am really worried!"
When several old ministers heard this, they thought that there was still hope for the situation, so they stepped forward and prepared to "persuade" again.
Unexpectedly, the emperor didn't give them a chance at all and interrupted them directly, saying, "However, since Wan Ning is so loyal and patriotic, I can't let her down. How about this..."
He pondered for a moment, a gleam in his eyes, and spoke loudly, "Pass on my decree. Princess Wanning Su Luo is to be appointed the Protector of the Nation, and given the title 'Zhaoyang'. She is to be granted a fief of 5,000 households and a Princess's Mansion! In addition, when Princess Zhaoyang returns from Dai, I will grant her the right to attend court and administer government affairs!"
When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked!
The word "Zhaoyang" implies brightness and splendor, a truly high honor! A fief of 5,000 households is unprecedented! Most shockingly, the power to attend court and hear government affairs is practically equivalent to the status of a prince!
The ministers were stunned, their jaws nearly dropping to the ground. They had never imagined that Princess Wan Ning's risky move would have such a shocking effect! This wasn't just being a hostage; this was clearly being gilded!
Su Luo's heart was also filled with excitement. She had never expected her father to give her such a great reward. She bowed gracefully, her voice choking with sobs, "Your son... thank you, father, for your grace!"
With this imperial decree, Su Luo went from being a hot potato that everyone avoided to the glittering and shining Princess Protector of the Nation! The name "Zhaoyang" was at its peak of fame. After her return, who in the court would dare to look down on her?
The news spread like wildfire throughout the capital, with people in teahouses, taverns, and even the vegetable vendors buzzing about it.
"Have you heard? Princess Wan Ning is going to Dai Kingdom as a hostage!"
"What hostage? She's now the Protector of the Nation Princess, Princess Zhaoyang! Conferred by His Majesty himself!"
"Tsk tsk, this is truly... a step to heaven!"
"Who says it's not? I heard that the fiefdom is 5,000 households, and there's also a princess's mansion! This treatment is not much worse than that of a prince!"
"The most powerful thing is the right to attend court and listen to government affairs! This is the dream of many ministers!"
"If you ask me, Princess Wan Ning is truly remarkable. This tactic of retreating to advance was brilliantly executed!"
"That's right! Those ministers who wanted to push her out before must be regretting it now!"