Pin Shanhe

Emperor Yong looked pained. "The Seventh Princess is my most beloved daughter. I am deeply saddened by what has happened. However, the marriage alliance cannot be abandoned. Besides the Seventh Princess, there are many other excellent women of marriageable age in the royal family. Perhaps the First Prince should choose another one?"

Murong Xiao's face was cold and stern, and his aura was overwhelming, exuding an imposing presence even without anger.

"What does Emperor Yong mean by this? The marriage edict clearly states that the Seventh Princess will be married to me, and now you want to change it? Do you even respect me, the groom-to-be?"

"Your Highness has misunderstood! The Seventh Princess is so ill that the imperial physicians say there's no hope of recovery. I can't possibly marry off a dying woman to the Northern Dynasty, can I?"

No matter how Murong Xiao thought about it, he felt there was something wrong with this matter.

He could have gotten sick anytime soon, but he just happened to get sick as soon as he arrived.

And to make matters worse, it's an incurable disease!

Is this just a coincidence, or is there something fishy going on?

Given his suspicious nature, how could he possibly let this go?

"I have already decided that the Seventh Princess is mine; she is mine in life and in death! To show my determination, the wedding shall be held today!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall erupted in uproar.

The Seventh Princess is already seriously ill, yet he still wants to marry her?

Getting married today without any preparation seems a bit too hasty.

Jun Jingyan could no longer contain himself and angrily rebuked, "Seventh Princess doesn't have much time left. Instead of letting her recuperate properly, you're making things worse for her. This is simply outrageous!"

Murong Xiao raised an eyebrow: "Then we should hold the wedding immediately before she dies, or it will be too late!"

"you……"

The atmosphere instantly became tense and strained to the extreme.

Just then, Jun Qiyuan spoke up quietly: "Second Imperial Brother, please calm down. I've heard that there's a saying among the common people about 'warding off bad luck,' that weddings and other joyous occasions can dispel bad luck. Perhaps this 'warding off bad luck' will actually cure Seventh Imperial Sister's illness?"

Jun Jingyan felt a chill run down his spine and stared at him coldly.

He actually spoke up for the enemy; what were his true intentions?

"How can mere rumors from the streets be taken as truth?"

"I was merely worried about my seventh sister after hearing of her serious illness. Since medicine has failed, why not try other methods? The worst outcome can't be any different!"

With Jun Qiyuan's involvement, the situation has become even more tense.

Fearing that this situation would contradict his plans, Emperor Yong quickly spoke up to break the deadlock.

"The First Prince's unwavering devotion to the Seventh Princess shows his deep affection and loyalty; this is a blessing for Anning. Let us grant them their wish!"

Just as the order was about to be given, a hurried announcement suddenly came from outside the hall—

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Seventh Princess... has passed away!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt, causing the entire court to change color.

Murong Xiao's heart sank even further, and he completely lost his composure.

died?

How could it be so fast?

With the sudden passing of the Seventh Princess, the welcoming banquet was destined to have to be canceled.

Emperor Yong immediately got up and left in a hurry, with Murong Xiao following closely behind.

seeing is believing.

He would never have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes!

Inside the Phoenix Palace.

Jun Anning lay on the bed, her eyes closed and her face ashen.

The palace servants around them knelt on the ground, while Consort Ning and Shen Fu stood by their side, both with faces full of grief.

Upon seeing Emperor Yong arrive, Consort Ning immediately rushed to his side.

"Your Majesty, we beg you to save Anning, save our daughter! How could she die at such a young age?"

Emperor Yong hurriedly looked at the imperial physician, then at Jun Anning, who lay lifeless on the bed, and showed a look of pity.

"Anning...she's gone. We must all grieve in moderation!"

"No, I don't believe it! There must be another way! If I could, I would give my life for hers, as long as she can come back to life."

Murong Xiao gave a signal, and two imperial physicians from the Northern Dynasty immediately went to the bedside.

He checked his pulse and shook his head at him.

So, she really is dead!

Even with the reality right in front of him, he still found it unbelievable.

I have a feeling that something is definitely fishy when things are acting strangely!

Emperor Yong spoke with a heavy heart: "Your Highness, the Seventh Princess has already passed away, so what about the marriage alliance..."

"As I have said, she is mine in life and in death! Now that we are engaged, she is my wife, and her body should be taken back to the Northern Dynasty for burial by me."

Shen Fu's heart sank.

She knew this man was always suspicious, but she never expected that he would even go after a corpse.

If we really let him take Jun Anning back, wouldn't all our efforts today have been in vain?

"Absolutely not! A soul returning to its homeland has something to rest in. Princess Anning died so young; if we take her away from her homeland, wouldn't her soul be restless in the afterlife?"

Murong Xiao was surprised that someone dared to refute him in public, and his expression suddenly darkened.

With the Xuan King dead, the Yong Dynasty was as easy as taking candy from a baby for him.

Even the Emperor of the Great Yong Dynasty had to give him some face. Who was so bold as to dare to act recklessly here?

When I looked in the direction of the sound, my breath caught in my throat.

The woman was beautiful and ethereal, like a lotus emerging from the water.

Despite her delicate and graceful appearance, her eyes held a stubborn sharpness, resolute yet undeniable.

"And this is...?"

Soon, someone nearby reminded her, "She is the Princess Consort of Xuan!"

The last three words clearly stirred something within Murong Xiao.

The incident of the wrong bride being married off in the bridal sedan chair not only caused a sensation throughout the entire Dayong Dynasty, but even he in the Northern Dynasty heard about it.

It is said that this woman was supposed to marry the fourth prince, but due to a series of coincidences, she got into the wrong bridal sedan chair and was carried into the Xuan Prince's mansion, thus becoming the Xuan Prince's consort.

It is said that King Xuan cared deeply for her, and before going to war, he even staged a "marital bliss" scene in front of the three armies.

The woman who could stir the heart of the Xuan King was indeed a peerless beauty!

Just when everyone thought that this sinister and ruthless eldest prince of the Northern Dynasty was about to lose his temper.

But then he smiled slightly and said, "Your Highness is right. The dead are gone; let her rest in peace."

Jun Jingyan had already prepared for the worst; even if it meant going all out, he would never let them take Anning away.

Unexpectedly, the situation suddenly reversed because of Shen Fu's words.

Emperor Yong was also somewhat surprised and tentatively asked, "Then, a marriage alliance..."

"The marriage alliance will proceed as before; as His Majesty previously stated, another beautiful woman will be chosen!"

Emperor Yong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied, "I will immediately issue an edict to summon all eligible noble ladies in the court for a selection banquet, where the eldest prince can choose freely. What do you think?"

Murong Xiao stared at him intently, his tone carrying a clear air of authority, "The matter of the marriage alliance has already encountered one setback, and I, the prince, do not wish for a second one. Is Your Majesty certain that no matter who I choose, you will issue an imperial decree to bestow the marriage?"

Emperor Yong was taken aback, thinking that he would not possibly choose a concubine or a married woman.

"All eligible, unmarried noblewomen from prominent families in the court are eligible to be selected as imperial concubines! Your Majesty's word is law!"