Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 685 Five Tigers Make a Scene in Nanjing (Part 1)
She is a princess sent for a political marriage, and should be treated with the highest national honors. Any slight negligence would lead to a diplomatic dispute. Therefore, the officials in the court can no longer argue in the court and are all waiting for the court to adjourn.

However, it must be mentioned that this girl is truly beautiful. Although she was born in the North, her appearance is top-notch, clearly the kind of girl who was born into a royal family and well cared for.

"Today, the princess has come to the Great Wei Dynasty for a marriage alliance. Has the Ministry of Rites made any preparations?"

Emperor Jingtai was still thinking of making amends for Xia Lin, saying that he would just find a royal prince of similar age to arrange a marriage for her. The Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs had also prepared a list for the princess to choose from. People had even been brought outside the palace and lined up like livestock for the princess to select.

"Your Majesty, there are 121 eligible men among the imperial relatives. Please make a decision."

"Please have the Northern Han princess review this."

An official from the Ministry of Rites presented the red-silk-bound register to the princess of Northern Han: "Please take a look, Your Highness."

But at this moment, the young princess just sat there with her eyes downcast, not moving at all, and showed no intention of taking the list.

Immediately, a minister standing nearby questioned him with displeasure, "Your Highness, what is the reason for this? Do you look down on our dynasty?"

However, it wasn't the princess who answered him, but her maid. This maid was from a completely different world; she had a square face and looked like a barbarian from the Xiongnu, and her voice was as rough as the sand on the Gobi Desert. She laughed and said, "Back then, His Majesty the Emperor of Great Wei and my Emperor made a covenant, agreeing to marry the princess to a good man. Now, where is that good man? Who is looking down on whom?"

The displeasure was clearly evident in his tone. Emperor Jingtai frowned, and an official from the Ministry of Rites immediately stepped forward with a frown and questioned, "Who are you?"

“I am Princess Baozhu’s personal lady-in-waiting and also the official in charge of escorting her to this marriage alliance. I am actually an avatar of the Great Khan.”

Emperor Jingtai's eyes darted around quickly twice, then he slapped his deputy on the dragon throne: "Summon Xia Lin to the palace!"

Soon, Xia Lin walked into the main hall with a gloomy expression. All the officials instinctively moved to the sides, afraid of getting tainted by this big hornet. He came to the front of the hall, clasped his hands and bowed: "Your subject Xia Lin is currently under house arrest in the middle of the lake because of Dai Cha's body. I don't know what Your Majesty has summoned me for?"

"It's a matter of marriage alliance." Emperor Jingtai glanced at the princess: "The Khan of Northern Han has specifically requested that you be chosen for a marriage alliance, what do you say?"

“Lin has been married for many years, there must be some misunderstanding.” Xia Lin said with lowered eyelids, “I urge Your Majesty and the Emperor of Northern Han to reconsider.”

Before Emperor Jingtai could speak, the female official who was escorting the bride spoke up: "How can the affairs of two countries be treated lightly? As the saying goes, the word of the emperor is as precious as gold and jade. The words of the two emperors cannot be denied, not even if you are already married or have children."

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone around the female official took a step back in unison, even Emperor Jingtai sat up straight and leaned back.

The ministers below, whether they were on good terms with Xia Lin or had a grudge against her, clicked their tongues and whispered among themselves, saying, "This woman is incredibly bold."

"Exactly, they're wielding their authority like a tiger, without even considering their own limitations. They've been forced into a marriage alliance, yet they're still so arrogant."

Xia Lin didn't even glance at her, but simply said, "Kneel down."

Several ministers behind him didn't react immediately and instinctively tried to kneel down, but halfway down they realized something was wrong and quickly stood up straight, pretending to straighten their clothes...

"I told you to kneel down!" Xia Lin turned to look at the female official: "If I say it a third time, today will be the day your head rolls to the ground."

The female official held her head high, refusing to kneel, but the princess tugged at her sleeve and spoke to her in Turkic. Only then did the female official reluctantly kneel on the ground.

"I wonder if there are any Northern Han envoys in the main hall?" Xia Lin glanced at the kneeling female official, then turned around and searched around.

At this moment, several people in blue official robes stepped out from the crowd and bowed to Xia Lin: "Liu Yu, Fang Gang, and He Muqing, envoys from the Northern Han Dynasty."

Xia Lin nodded: "According to the law, envoys do not kneel before the emperor. But according to the laws of the Northern Han Dynasty, what is the proper conduct for lower-ranking officials when meeting a prince?"

"One should kneel and worship."

Xia Lin chuckled, then glared at the envoys. They immediately realized what was happening and hurriedly lifted their robes and knelt on the ground.

At this moment, Xia Lin turned to look at the marriage procession, stood with his hands behind his back, and said, "You have probably all forgotten my identity. Now let them remind you, and then think about how to speak to me."

After saying that, Xia Lin patted the little girl on the shoulder and said, "Get up."

The twelve-year-old princess stood up blankly, and Xia Lin pulled the stool out from under her and moved it aside: "You kneel down too. Who told you to sit down when you see your uncles and elders?"

Princess Baozhu turned to look at Emperor Jingtai, who was sitting there admiring the scenery. He thought the day was perfect for fishing.

Meanwhile, the officials of the Great Wei were also discussing among themselves. This one person had suppressed an entire delegation, which was truly impressive. They had dealt with the people of the Northern Han many times, and these people were tough as nails.

However, at this moment, many people remembered Xia Lin's identity. He was the sworn brother of the Northern Han emperor, the first meritorious official who helped Northern Han expel the old royal court, the peer king of Northern Han, and also wore the seal of the prime minister of Northern Han...

Although they were all honorary titles, his status was so high that envoys were indeed required to kneel and bow before him.

The Northern Han delegation knelt for a while, and both sides were quiet. Xia Lin then spoke up, "Have you all calmed down? You can speak properly now?"

Most of the delegation members nodded in agreement, except for the square-faced female official who reluctantly turned her head away. Xia Lin clicked his tongue and pointed at her, saying, "Is she married?"

The female official was taken aback and stared at Xia Lin in astonishment.

"No, right?" Xia Lin waved his hand. "Where is the Northern Han envoy? Drag her out and marry her off, and say it was my order."

The entire Northern Han delegation stood there, bewildered: "She's not young anymore. When we get back, we should tell Khan Liu that women over twenty-five shouldn't be allowed to hold office. She always manages to cause trouble. We should find her a suitable husband. Is the Fifth Minister of Rites here?"

Lao Wu is the nickname of Wu Kaide, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. He was always called Xiao Wu when he was in the Ministry of Personnel. Later, as he got older, he was called Lao Wu.

The fifth prince turned his head to look at Emperor Jingtai, who nodded hastily. "Lord Xia, I'm here..." The fifth prince stepped forward: "I wonder what orders Lord Xia has?"

"You and the grassland delegation get to work and make this wedding a grand affair. Do you hear me? Go and find a suitable candidate, don't let them be wronged."

The entire court was in an uproar. Xia Lin had clearly stirred up the mess, but he never mentioned the annulment of the engagement.

Because of the cruel customs of the grasslands, women who are jilted are sacrificed to the wolf god. It is not that the women are at fault, but that they are made to show their determination to never let the family or individual who broke off the engagement die. This is the root cause of many tribal feuds.

Just as the matter was at a stalemate, the master of ceremonies outside suddenly shouted, "The Grand Princess has arrived!"

The Great Wei Dynasty had many princesses, but only one Grand Princess, who was the daughter of Prince Teng and Xia Lin's principal wife.

Princess Chang Le Taiping, the eldest princess.

This title is very high even within the family. If Emperor Jingtai dies in the future and the new emperor is still young when he ascends the throne, and if the aunt is widowed at that time, the Grand Princess will have priority to obtain the power to rule from behind the curtain, even higher than the Empress Dowager.

The Grand Princess was dressed in the proper attire of a princess. Although she did not appear particularly imposing when she entered the hall, she was, after all, a true member of the pure-blooded royal family, and naturally exuded elegance and nobility. In addition, she was now twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, and had long since shed her childishness. Her aura as she walked over was truly astonishing.

"lady."

Xia Lin stepped aside, bowed, and greeted him. The Grand Princess stepped forward and took his arm, saying, "Greetings, my lord."

They treated each other with utmost respect and harmony, and their story was known to everyone in the capital. Back then, Xia Lin, who was nothing at all, risked her life to stop the young Grand Princess from being married off to a foreign land. Later, the two supported each other all the way, making their relationship a story worthy of being written into a book. Even those who disliked Xia Lin would sigh that this was indeed a match made in heaven.

But the issue of this marriage alliance still needs to be resolved eventually. Now that everyone has seen the princess come out, they naturally begin to wait with a "let's see what happens" attitude.

"Your Majesty, greetings." The Grand Princess stepped forward and bowed to Emperor Jingtai. "It has been a long time since we last met. I wonder how Your Majesty's health is?"

"No need for formalities, young lady." Emperor Jingtai smiled and said, "Everything is fine, everything is fine."

The Grand Princess smiled and nodded, glancing back at the stunningly beautiful little princess of the grasslands. The little princess was completely overshadowed by the Grand Princess at this moment. The Grand Princess's radiance was so overwhelming that even those who knew her couldn't believe that this was the same adorable little princess from back then.

“Your Majesty, this marriage alliance involves the affairs of two countries and cannot be taken lightly. Since the emperor’s word is law, I have no objection. However, I think the child is still too young. According to the laws of the Great Wei, those under the age of fourteen are not allowed to marry.”

At this moment, Old Zhang coughed and stepped forward: "The new law is still under discussion, but it will probably be implemented soon. It will stipulate that men and women under the age of eighteen cannot marry. Please be careful with your words, Your Highness."

Old Zhang has also recovered and is able to tell the Grand Princess to watch her words. But at this time, he is a prime minister, so what he said is both reasonable and logical, so the officials have nothing to say.

“If that’s the case, then my family’s rules cannot be greater than the national law. Since this is a matter of the inner court, there’s no need for others to speak. I will take her back, and the marriage between the two countries will be considered settled. However, whether the marriage within the family will be successful will have to wait until she is eighteen before a decision is made.”

The Grand Princess turned her head and looked around: "Is there anything amiss, everyone?"

No one would be foolish enough to argue with the Grand Princess at this time. Everyone is shrewd. She is a princess of the grasslands. If Xia Lin were to arrange the marriage, he would not only benefit from marrying the princesses of two countries, but it would also add a protective layer to the relationship between the two countries. Whether the future will be good or not is hard to say, but in the short term, the two countries will definitely be very close.

With no external worries, there must be internal troubles. And who are Xia Lin and the emperor's internal troubles? They're all adults; there's no need to spell it out.

Therefore, there must be many conflicts. Not only should they have conflicts with the grasslands, but also with Liu Heita, and even with the Li Tang dynasty. Ideally, there should be two powerful figures knocking on the door, so that Emperor Jingtai can know who he should rely on most: whether it is these capable aristocratic families who can resolve disputes or that group of impoverished peasants.

"Alright, since my sister has said so, let's do as she says. What does the Princess of Northern Han think?"

Princess Baozhu subconsciously turned around to look at the female official, but the female official had already been taken away to get married... Now she was being suppressed by the Grand Princess, and she didn't know what to do. She could only nod blankly.

"Dismiss the court."

Emperor Jingtai looked at the chaotic court, shouted a couple of times, and then fled back to the inner palace as if running away. Halfway there, he pointed down and said, "Minister Zhou, come here for a moment. Everyone else, disperse."

On the carriage ride back, Princess Baozhu sat with the eldest princess, while Xia Lin sat opposite them. Looking at Baozhu's still-childish face, Xia Lin suddenly laughed: "It feels like we've adopted a daughter."

The eldest princess chuckled, "In terms of age, they are indeed about the same."

As she spoke, she began to observe Princess Baozhu's attire. She wore a small red embroidered felt hat with a beaded silver chain hanging from the brim. Two shiny black braids were tied with colorful cords and hung down in front of her chest. She wore an orange-red right-fastening robe with wolf head patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. At her waist was a leather belt inlaid with turquoise, and she carried a small sheepskin purse. On her feet were upturned deerskin boots, the boot shafts adorned with colorful glass beads.

She wore a large wolf-tooth necklace around her neck, something only royalty would wear, and jingling silver bracelets on her wrists. She looked like a wild rose blooming on the grassland, both beautiful and strong.

"So beautiful." The eldest princess pinched Baozhu's cheek: "From now on, you'll call me Auntie."

At this point, Xia Lin suddenly burst into laughter: "When I first met you, you were only a year or two older than her, and now you've become her aunt."

The eldest princess smiled slightly: "Time waits for no one."

But before their conversation was over, Baozhu suddenly spoke up, tilting her head as she stared at Xia Lin and asked, "Are you really Xia Daosheng?"

"How can it be false?"

"But they say you're as radiant as the sun on the prairie. But you're not that radiant."

Xia Lin was taken aback, and after a long pause, he burst into laughter: "Little sister, what they saw was me more than ten years ago, when I was about your age. Now, I can almost call myself an old man."

"Don't talk nonsense, you're barely thirty." The princess rolled her eyes: "Don't make yourself sound so old."

(End of this chapter)