Chapter 328: The Birthday Banquet Turned into a Matchmaking Session 3

Ye Qianning glanced toward the seats in the back. The Beili Emperor had six princesses, and every single one of them was a top-tier beauty. ’The royal family’s genes are almost ridiculously good,’ she thought.

The eldest princess was already married. The Fourth Princess, Sang Le, was fifteen; the Fifth Princess, Sang Yin, was thirteen; the Sixth Princess, Sang Shu, was twelve; the Ninth Princess, Sang Zhen, was nine; and the Eleventh Princess, Sang Ling, was six.

Xiliu Yuan didn’t spare them a single glance. Instead, his gaze suddenly shifted to Ye Qianning, who was sitting opposite him.

A shiver ran down Ye Qianning’s spine, and an ominous premonition surfaced in her mind.

"Since the Bei Emperor is so intent on arranging my marriage, then—"

"Crown Prince of Xi Yan," Qian Fanji suddenly interjected, stepping forward.

Xiliu Yuan frowned slightly.

"I accept the marriage proposal made by the Crown Prince of Xi Yan." As Qian Fanji spoke, he knelt before the Beili Emperor. "I implore Your Majesty to issue the imperial decree for this marriage."

Qian Fu’s expression turned exceedingly grim.

Ye Qianning’s expression soured as well.

"Good. Since Minister Qian has agreed, We will issue the decree for this marriage at once." Although the Beili Emperor was somewhat reluctant, Qian Fanji had spoken. If he were to object, Xi Yan would surely become suspicious.

"Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace."

Qian Fanji returned to his seat.

"The Eldest Princess has not yet arrived in Beili. We will first decree the marriage, and a date for the wedding can be chosen once she is here. What do you think, Crown Prince of Xi Yan?" the Beili Emperor asked. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Very well. I shall write back to my court tomorrow," Xiliu Yuan said coldly.

Ye Qianning could see Xiliu Yuan’s true intentions just now. ’Someone as clever as Qian Fanji must have seen it too. By accepting the marriage alliance, he’s made it impossible for the Crown Prince of Xi Yan to bring up his original request.’

’Though Xiliu Yuan is young, his mind is no less cunning than an adult’s. To be so sharp at such a tender age... when he grows up, I fear no one in the four nations will be his match.’

Dean Chen was inwardly alarmed. ’If Qian Fanji hadn’t intervened, the Crown Prince of Xi Yan would have likely made a move on my little disciple. Did he hear about the Symbiotic Duality and find Pangtuan suspicious?’

Xi Yan’s Ever-Bright Pearl had been an accidental discovery made several hundred years ago when an Emperor of Xi Yan sent people to search for the immortals of Mount Penglai.

It was said that the Emperor of Xi Yan had dispatched thousands of men and a hundred ships to sea. The East Sea was a boundless ocean; after sailing for over a year, they still saw no sign of land. Of the thousands-strong expedition, only a single ship and four or five men returned.

They had not found the immortal Mount Penglai, but they had brought back the Ever-Bright Pearl.

When the Ever-Bright Pearl emerged a century ago, Xi Yan and several other nations grew even more obsessed with Penglai, sending wave after wave of expeditions out to sea. None ever returned.

The appearance of the Symbiotic Duality had once again stirred the desire for Mount Penglai. The Crown Prince of Xi Yan had truly inherited the disposition of his ancestors—he would rather kill a thousand innocents than let a single target escape.

Dean Chen’s previous thoughts resurfaced: his little disciple was not suited to live in the family of an official. Although Xiang Minghou was a general, he still could not defy imperial authority.

’The four families...’

’The Gu family holds no official posts. If my little disciple were to go to them, perhaps she could escape the disaster of a forced marriage in the future.’

Even someone as dense as Xiang Minghou had sensed the Crown Prince of Xi Yan’s intentions. He glared in Xi Yan’s direction with thick hostility.

The Zhan and Gu families were no fools, either. They were all extremely curious as to why the peerless young Crown Prince of Xi Yan had fixated on one of their children.

"Hahaha, with Xi Yan and Beili now joined by marriage, the Crown Prince and General Mo must not leave until you are thoroughly drunk tonight!" the Beili Emperor laughed.

"If we’re talking about enjoying ourselves, drinking is only truly fun with General Xiang. It’s just a pity he’s quit," Mo Geluo said, his tone full of regret.

"There are plenty of men in Beili who can hold their liquor. Why must you insist on our dear General Xiang, General Mo? He’s completely devoted to his daughter now. If his precious girl won’t let him drink, there’s nothing he can do," the Beili Emperor said with a laugh.