The villainous female supporting character becomes a heartthrob, and the powerful man successfully r

The large delegation of envoys from the grasslands entered the palace in a grand procession.

They were all eight feet tall and had strong, muscular builds. The leaders, in particular, had thick beards and menacing faces, giving them a fierce look.

"Your Majesty, this is a gift from our grasslands to you."

The leading man waved his hand, and fine sheepskin, wolf skin, and bear skin were presented, attracting everyone's attention.

"Please rise. It is truly commendable that you have traveled from afar. Please, everyone, have a seat."

The emperor carefully examined the dozen or so envoys, and his gaze was drawn to one of the young men.

He was handsome and refined, but unlike the handsome men of the Central Plains, he had bronze skin, like an agile cheetah.

This person was none other than Ao Congxun.

He had already infiltrated his own delegation and entered the palace legitimately.

Of course, there was another purpose to this trip.

"Your Majesty, we are deeply grateful for your generosity and trust in the grasslands, as we hear you are to marry one of our Chanyu's beautiful princesses. We will remain loyal to you forever."

The emperor was very pleased with what he heard, and he laughed heartily a few times, showing the composure of someone in a superior position.

"I also admire your Chanyu. Establishing a marriage alliance and exchanging goods is the will of Heaven and the will of the people."

Ao Congxun raised his cup to the emperor from afar and continued, "I wonder when Your Majesty has set the wedding date. The grasslands are about to enter the windy season, and we cannot delay for too long, otherwise it will endanger the princess's health."

"The Imperial Observatory is ready and will depart with the envoys. I am reluctant to see my beloved daughter marry and wish to keep her with me longer. However, as a princess, she also has her own mission. Alas..." The emperor expressed his fatherly affection, and the other ministers began to flatter him, giving the emperor ample face and a way to save face.

Xie Chi'an was filled with mixed emotions. But when he saw Ao Congxun in the delegation, all his gloom vanished.

He could no longer recall whether the other person had been in the delegation in his previous life.

Now, he must find a way for Jiaojiao to live. Since he cannot marry her, he must ensure her safety and happiness. When he grows strong enough to lead his army across the grasslands, he will bring Jiaojiao back!

So, after the banquet, Xie Chi'an stopped Ao Congxun and took him to a secluded rockery.

It's secluded and quiet enough here.

He whispered, "Brother Congxun, I thought you had already returned to the grasslands. It's so good to see you here."

Ao Congxun nodded slightly as a sign of politeness.

His expression was calm, as if he were dealing with an ordinary person.

"Brother Congxun, I know you've come here to seek the hand of the little princess. Could you do me a favor?"

"Please tell me, and I will definitely help if I can."

Xie Chi'an pondered for a moment, then sighed, "Jiaojiao has been frail and sickly since childhood, but she has a kind heart. I'm afraid she'll be bullied if she leaves her hometown alone. I hope Brother Congxun will take good care of Jiaojiao for me. I will prepare a thousand taels of silver as a token of my gratitude."

Ao Congxun's gaze was cold, his heart filled with dislike for Xie Chi'an and Xia Jiaojiao. Kind-hearted? Only Xie Chi'an, blind and delusional, would think so.

"it is good."

Ao Congxun did not hesitate for long and did not want to cause any more trouble. Just as he was about to leave, Xie Chi'an stopped him again.

"Brother Congxun, thank you. Please keep this a secret for me and don't tell Xia Ying. After we get married, I don't want her to resent Jiao Jiao if she finds out."

"Thank you, sir. Don't worry."

When Ao Congxun turned around, his gentle and warm face was nowhere to be seen.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Still thinking about my Yingying? Dream on."

After receiving the other party's assurance, Xie Chi'an felt much more at ease and no longer resisted the upcoming marriage. Little did he know that the person he was going to marry was the white moonlight he had been longing for in both his past and present lives.

Seven days later, the grassland envoys set off to leave.

The princess who was sent for a political marriage and the princess who was married into the Xie family married together.

However, the two princesses, with their red veils covering their heads, had already undergone a complete reversal and successfully exchanged partners.

Xia Ying, dressed in a heavy wedding gown, sat in a carriage, marrying under the name Xia Jiaojiao. She followed the envoy delegation, departing from the capital.

The hustle and bustle of the capital gradually faded away, leaving Xia Ying with a distant world of freedom.

Meanwhile, the Xie family was also holding a wedding.

As a young and promising general with numerous military achievements, the Xie family attached great importance to this marriage.

They were simply not satisfied with Princess Xia Ying.

Madam Xie sighed and said, "It's a pity that my son, a favorite minister of the emperor, has married a disfavored and unlucky princess. It's ruining my son's future."

The old nanny beside her comforted her, saying, "Don't be sad, Madam. Now that the Princess has married into the family, you can control her, right? You could even arrange for our young general to take a few more beautiful concubines; she wouldn't dare say anything then."

The old woman looked around, then leaned closer and whispered, "Moreover, the Princess still holds onto the properties and shops left behind by that man. Our General's Mansion has been in debt for a long time, so we can use the Princess's dowry."

Madam Xie coughed lightly a few times, silencing the old woman: "Don't talk about these things outside, let's bring it up again tomorrow."

She showed no respect for Princess Xia Ying, and the old woman's words truly resonated with her, causing her face to instantly transform into a kind smile.

"Madam, something terrible has happened! Young Master... he's ridden away on horseback!"

A servant rushed to the main courtyard to report the news, which greatly frightened Madam Xie.

"Why aren't you sending someone to stop them! This is supposed to be a marriage alliance with a princess, what kind of behavior is this?!"

"Madam, we've already sent people to chase after them. The young master said... he told the princess to wait, he'll be right back."

Madam Xie quickly sent someone to appease the guests in front. As for the bridal sedan chair that had just been welcomed back and was still parked at the door, she glanced at it and whispered something to the nanny.

"Madam, if someone finds out..."

"No one will investigate further, go quickly."

The old woman immediately ran to the door, watching the dignitaries and nobles entering one after another, and the bridal sedan chairs at the entrance. She clutched her chest and stepped forward nervously.

"There is an important matter at the military camp in the south of the city. The young general has been dutifully going to resolve it. I hope the princess will understand and wait a moment."

The young palace maid who had accompanied the princess was displeased and shouted, "Wait? You expect us to wait at the door? Are you not afraid of His Majesty's wrath for treating the princess like this?"

"Young lady, this young general has important business to attend to, and it's not something we can interfere with."

"What could be more important than marrying a princess!"

The scene at the entrance was chaotic, attracting a large crowd of onlookers who watched the spectacle and began to whisper among themselves.

Xia Jiaojiao sat in the bridal sedan chair, her face contorted with anger.

But she can't get angry right now; she has to keep everything bottled up.

They blamed the Xie family for the humiliation they suffered today.

Outside the city, Ao Congxun had already climbed into the carriage and helped Xia Ying lift her red veil.

"How dare you come in? What if they see you and attack you?"

Xia Ying looked nervous, listening carefully to the sounds outside, unaware of Ao Congxun's somewhat guilty expression.

Before he could reveal his true identity and was wondering how to begin, he heard Xia Ying continue, "I've already had my people prepare. When the time is right, we'll elope."