The playboy county magistrate

Li Xuanzhi sat in the carriage with his eyes closed, listening quietly to the noise along the way, and a vague understanding dawned on him.

This princess appears to be unreasonable and willful, but in reality, she has been spoiled and pampered. She only cares about her own personal feelings and social status, and is completely ignorant of national righteousness and the importance of court matters.

Her difficult behavior wasn't malicious scheming, but rather a fit of anger and embarrassment at being perceived as offended. It was simply the way someone in a superior position reacted after being rejected for the first time.

But that's precisely why they're so difficult to deal with.

The schemes of petty people can be deciphered, but the capriciousness of the powerful and wealthy is beyond reasoning.

She could stir up political turmoil and foreign conflicts simply by virtue of her own whims.

"She's still looking for an opportunity to provoke us." Li Xuanzhi sensed a subtle shift in the mindset of his men and offered a casual reminder. "The friction along the way is just a bait to be laid, waiting for us to make a mistake and take the bait."

"Don't forget, the old ministers' faction won't let us off so easily. They'll definitely be hiding in the shadows, watching and recording everything. If any of us loses our composure or has even the slightest disagreement, tomorrow's impeachment memorial will include serious charges like 'disrespecting foreign envoys, failing in the proper conduct of a subject, and provoking conflict between states.'"

"If we argue with her, debate our actions, or compete with her, we will be putting ourselves at a disadvantage and pleasing others."

As time slowly passed, the majestic and imposing city walls of the capital became clearly visible, and the city gates of the capital were getting closer and closer.

The delegation from the northern desert finally stopped deliberately making things difficult and steadily increased their speed, heading towards the city gate.

Princess Ning'an lifted the curtain for the last time, turning back to gaze at the carriages behind her.

His gaze pierced through the morning mist, landing precisely on Li Xuanzhi's main vehicle.

The anger in his eyes hadn't subsided, but a hint of amusement and certainty had crept in.

"His forbearance and gentlemanly conduct all this time is quite remarkable."

"Now that we've entered the capital and ascended the throne, I'd like to see if you can remain so composed and dignified."

"If you reject me for a moment, I will bother you for a lifetime."

My previous desire to take him as a male concubine was merely a passing fancy.

The constant rivalry and targeting along the way has become her obsession.

She was determined to dominate him in the imperial court and break his spirit.

This made the young minister, who dared to reject her in public and disrespect her, bow his head and submit.

On the throne room.

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, wearing python robes and jade belts, their court attire solemn and silent.

Li Xuanzhi, dressed in a blue court robe, walked steadily up the stone steps.

His clothes were neatly arranged, and his back was straight.

Despite the humiliation at the post station and the numerous difficulties encountered along the way, his face remained completely calm and composed, showing no sign of anxiety or distress. He stood at the end of the line of officials, exuding integrity and composure.

A moment later, a sudden, crisp sound of exotic jade pendants broke the solemnity of the hall.

The delegation from the northern deserts entered the court in a procession, carrying the fierce and barbaric aura of a foreign land, completely unlike the respectful and humble delegations of other countries.

At the center of the procession, Princess Ning'an, adorned with jewels and wearing a magnificent robe embroidered with gold and dragons, her skirt trailing on the ground, strode confidently into the hall, her gaze sweeping over the assembled civil and military officials.

Without the slightest hint of reverence or obeisance, they acted like arrogant and domineering kings touring their territory, looking down on everyone else.

Even her usual bow to the Emperor of Dayong was deliberately slighted. She raised her hand slightly, offering a perfunctory greeting. Her posture remained upright and proud, her chin slightly raised, her eyes radiating arrogance.

On the dragon throne in the palace, the Emperor of Dayong's gaze darkened slightly. His fingertips lightly touched the imperial desk, remaining impassive.

The entire court felt a chill run down their spines, knowing that this princess from the northern desert was notoriously arrogant. They were certain that her arrival at court today would cause trouble.

Grand Tutor Huo Linyuan stood at the head of the civil officials, subtly exchanging glances with a group of former officials, secretly pleased with himself.

As long as Princess Ning'an of the northern desert makes a move in court and stirs up diplomatic disputes, they can take advantage of the situation to kick Li Xuanzhi while he's down and pin the charges of "disrespecting foreign guests, provoking diplomatic relations, and being arrogant because of his achievements."

As expected, Princess Ning'an rose after the ceremony. She did not wait for the Emperor's questions, nor did she mention the tribute matter. Instead, her gaze swept over the assembled court officials, precisely locking onto Li Xuanzhi at the end of the line.

Her red lips parted slightly, and her clear voice resounded throughout the entire Golden Palace.

"Your Majesty, this princess has come to the capital not for tribute, nor for trade, but for one person."

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

All the civil and military officials turned their heads, whether they were pretending or not, they all showed surprise and uncertainty, wondering what this arrogant princess was up to.

Princess Ning'an, completely disregarding the gazes of the assembled court officials, stood in the center of the hall, frank and unrestrained, speaking her mind without reservation.

"This princess has taken a liking to your dynasty's new minister, Li Xuanzhi, the co-prefect of Pingzhou."

The moment those words were spoken, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Huo Linyuan's eyes lit up with joy, and he nodded secretly, feeling that the situation was settled.

Being publicly called out by a foreign princess is a major taboo for court officials, let alone being so blunt.

Li Xuanzhi stood in the court, his expression unchanged.

He had anticipated that the other party would not give up so easily.

The post station wanted to take him as a male concubine, but he refused.

Despite the constant competition and difficulties they faced, they could not diminish his integrity in the slightest.

It was to be expected that she would use the Emperor's court to humiliate his integrity and loyalty as a subject.

Princess Ning'an stared directly at the Emperor of Dayong on the dragon throne, her tone arrogant and resolute, carrying an undeniable forcefulness.

"Li Xuanzhi possesses exceptional looks and character, and his temperament is extraordinary. I, the princess, have fallen in love with him. I wish to take him as my consort in the northern desert, and have him return with me to the northern desert. He will reside there for the rest of his life, by my side."

"To show our sincerity, our Northern Desert is willing to offer a thousand chests of silk, ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand fine horses, and tens of thousands of cattle and sheep. In addition, we will cede the profits from the trade in three border cities to the Great Yong Dynasty court every year."

Border taxes and profits are offered annually.

This extravagant gesture far exceeds the usual diplomatic regulations and can be described as astronomical.

The entire court was deeply moved, their breaths catching in their throats.

No one could have predicted that this princess would be so obsessive. She was willing to sacrifice the entire nation's wealth to publicly demand a court official from the Emperor of Dayong.

She had no regard for the decorum between ruler and subject or the etiquette of diplomatic relations. Driven solely by her own obsession, she treated the dignified and virtuous minister of the Great Yong Dynasty as an object that could be traded for a fortune and exchanged at will.

The emperor on the dragon throne had a deep gaze, and his tone revealed neither joy nor anger.

"Is the princess truly telling the truth?"

Princess Ning'an smiled broadly, even with a hint of contempt, as if bestowing charity upon someone.

Looking again at Li Xuanzhi, who was standing in formation, and seeing that he still had no expression, she snorted coldly and turned her head, her gaze meeting that of the Emperor of Dayong on the dragon throne.

"A king's word is his bond, and so it is mine as a princess."

"Your Majesty may wish to consider this carefully. Keeping Li Xuanzhi in Dayong would merely make him a local official, which would be the same regardless of who is appointed. However, if he were to enter our northern desert, he would become the imperial consort. The key point is that he would be a consort who brings benefits to Dayong every year."

"I have treated him far better than the Great Yong has treated him. This deal is a sure thing for the Great Yong, for His Majesty, and for Li Xuanzhi himself."