Chapter 63: Seeking Help Against the Marriage Alliance

He knew!

Li Ning’an scrutinized Yan Ziqi as if trying to see right through him. “Are you secretly one of my two brothers who faked his death to escape?”

Why did Yan Ziqi know something so important?

Why had her father hidden it from her yet shared it with him?

Li Ning’an’s mind suddenly went to that Lady Lengshuang. “Also, what’s going on with Lengshuang? Are you truly interested in her?”

Agitated, she stood up. “Let me tell you this: don’t even think about it. You’re only allowed to marry me, only allowed to love me.”

Only she dared to be so domineering.

Yan Ziqi looked at her in confusion—why had Lengshuang suddenly come up?

Could it be… Yan Ziqi went over to her and tightly gripped Li Ning’an’s hand, his voice urgent. “Did something happen to her?”

Seeing him so concerned, Li Ning’an felt a pang. Could Lengshuang really be the one Yan Ziqi liked?

She felt a painful squeeze on her wrist as he held her.

She struck him on the chest with her free hand. “Let go of me! You’re hurting me.”

Yan Ziqi didn’t budge, holding her even tighter, ignoring the pain from her hits.

“What happened to her?” he demanded. “What did you do to her?”

That stung Li Ning’an; she felt utterly wronged.

“What could I do to her?!”

What was with his attitude?

She hadn’t even done anything to Lady Lengshuang. Even back when she liked Fu Minglang, she had never harmed the girls who tried to get close to him.

Yan Ziqi’s ears were practically ringing from her yelling, yet her outburst snapped him back to his senses.

He let her go and apologized, “I’m sorry. That was my fault.”

Li Ning’an hadn’t expected him to care so much about Lengshuang.

“If you truly care for her, then redeem her sooner rather than later.”

Yan Ziqi didn’t want to dwell on the topic. “Once the Northern Yue delegation leaves, I’ll go with you to find the Dragon’s Bloom.”

Li Ning’an sat back down, deciding that her father’s condition was the more pressing matter. She’d settle the score about Lengshuang later.

She rubbed her wrist, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

He’d really hurt her with that grip.

How could Yan Ziqi be so forceful?

“I’ll bring Yuanze along,” she said. “He’s skilled in martial arts and trustworthy.”

Having nothing more to discuss with him, Li Ning’an left right away.

The steward assumed the princess would accompany Yan Ziqi to the palace. “Young master, what did you do to offend the princess?”

Yan Ziqi sat down and asked, “Nothing has happened with Lengshuang recently, right?”

The steward froze at the mention of Lady Lengshuang, and suddenly, he understood why the princess had left alone.

“Lady Lengshuang is fine,” he replied. “When you left for the mission, I moved her to another property for safety.”

Yan Ziqi nodded. “After the Northern Yue delegation leaves, I’ll be away with Li Ning’an for a while. I may not return for some time.”

The steward carefully noted his instructions and filled him in on recent happenings in the capital.

At the Honglu Embassy, Ling Jibai finished making arrangements and returned to the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s residence.

He first paid respects to his grandmother and then discussed matters regarding the border and the envoy with his older brother, finally returning to his own quarters.

Shui Yue’Rong was thrilled to see him back. “I thought you’d be gone a bit longer.”

With the new year approaching, some of the border generals had come to the capital to report, including Ling Jibai.

She had expected him back at the end of the month. She helped him take off his cloak and handed it to a maid for safekeeping.

Ling Jibai freshened up and took her hand, leading her to sit by the table.

“Once His Majesty meets with the Northern Yue delegation, there will be a banquet. Their intentions are unclear, so if I’m not by your side, please be careful.”

Shui Yue’Rong poured him tea. “I’ll stay with Mother and won’t wander off.”

Ling Jibai held the tea, knowing everyone had their own matters to attend to and couldn’t come to greet him specifically.

It was only because of the arrival of the Northern Yue delegation that Ling Jibai’s elder brother had waited briefly, as he was concerned. His second brother, knowing he was safe, hadn’t stayed home and had already gone on duty.

For today’s state banquet, the Marchioness of Loyalty and Courage would attend with her three daughters-in-law. Shui Yu’e was newly married into the family, and with Jibai mostly stationed at the border, she spent a lot of time alone in her quarters, so the Marchioness naturally gave her extra care.

When the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage had passed away, the title should have gone to his eldest son, but the first two sons had insisted on deferring to each other, delaying matters until today.

Ling Jibai said to Shui Yue’Rong, “Princess Ning’an is someone who wouldn’t hesitate to break boundaries; it’s best you don’t get too close to her.”

Especially given that Chi Jin had taken a liking to Princess Ning’an, there was a risk he might pursue her persistently.

Shui Yue’Rong felt he didn’t truly understand Ning’an. “My sixth brother has recovered, all thanks to Ning’an.”

Ling Jibai hadn’t known this. “Shui Mingxi’s illness is cured?”

Shui Yue’Rong nodded. “He doesn’t remember what happened that day, but he’s fine now and has resumed his duties.”

“That’s good. When there’s time, I’ll visit him.” Ling Jibai chatted a bit more with Shui Yue’Rong before going to change and prepare for the palace.

Meanwhile, at a teahouse outside the palace, in a private room on the second floor, Fu Minglang looked at the young woman sitting across from him.

He bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Fourth Princess.”

Li Ningyi, wearing a veil, revealed her identity to him directly.

Fu Minglang had come to this meeting because she’d sent a letter to his residence claiming to have information on the Northern Yue delegation.

He’d thought it unlikely they’d know of someone as inconspicuous as him, so he had come with a few attendants, now stationed in the adjacent room, ready to intervene at his signal.

But he hadn’t expected the Fourth Princess wanted to meet him.

Li Ningyi removed her veil and gestured for him to sit. “I had no choice but to use this ploy to ensure you would come; I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Looking at her, Fu Minglang couldn’t help but think of Princess Ning’an. But Ning’an would likely come directly to his door and might even barge into his room.

“What can I do for you, Princess?” Fu Minglang wasn’t keen on staying alone with her and wished to finish quickly and leave.

“I need your help. I don’t want to marry the second prince of Northern Yue.”

Li Ningyi had thought deeply about it and figured that if a marriage alliance with Northern Yue were to happen, it would ultimately be her who’d be sent away.

Today, she wore a soft yellow dress, looking both lively and somewhat anxious.

After hearing her request, Fu Minglang decisively declined.

“I’m merely an official in the Ministry of Revenue; I cannot influence His Majesty’s decisions.”

“But you’re able to speak in front of my father.”

Recently, whenever the Emperor met with Grand Tutor Wen and other senior ministers, Fu Minglang had also been present.

Even just one more person speaking on her behalf could give her a chance to avoid marriage.

Thinking of the far-off Northern Yue and its harsh people, Li Ningyi couldn’t help but tear up.

Seeing the somewhat naive Fourth Princess, Fu Minglang himself didn’t support the marriage alliance. But if it could be achieved with one person rather than the many lives lost in war…

If there were to be another war at the border, soldiers would die in battle, civilians would be displaced, and the national treasury was already low.

Unable to comfort her, he moved to leave. Sensing this, Li Ningyi hurriedly approached him and grabbed his hand.

“Minister Fu, I have my mother, my fourth brother, and the Tong family behind me.”

“I can help you with what you want. Can’t you help me?”

Fu Minglang withdrew his hand and took a step back. “Please, Princess, show decorum.”

He had never planned to rely on any princess to achieve his ambitions.

In his time at the Ministry of Revenue, he had worked diligently, writing policies and calculating strategies repeatedly to produce the flood control essay.

Young Master Wen had been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue because of his merits in handling the Rebellion of the King of Jing.

Yet even the seemingly minor post of warehouse overseer could be easily replaced if Wen Shizi so desired.

He even appeared at the Ministry’s reception for the Northern Yue delegation, despite having no official involvement with the department.

Simply because he was the Grand Tutor’s son.

For the first time, Fu Minglang realized how crucial power truly was.