Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 479: Using one woman's marriage to bring peace to the world!

"The Emperor probably won't agree, right, Sister Qing?" Lin Yangyang couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

Lu Nanyue also looked at her with an expectant gaze.

They wanted to hear the word "no" from Lin Zhiqing, hoping to comfort themselves with it.

At this moment, no matter who the woman to be chosen is, they don't want to see someone else fall into the abyss.

Lin Zhiqing remained silent for a long time without speaking.

Or perhaps she already had the answer in her heart, but was unwilling to reveal that cruel answer.

Before the group could exchange more than a few words, Eunuch Wang returned.

"So fast!" Lin Yangyang couldn't help but mutter a few words.

Lu Nanyue pressed her hand down, signaling her not to speak.

Then, everyone's eyes followed Wang Gonggong's figure closely.

Eunuch Wang stood beside the Crown Prince, his voice shrill: "By imperial decree, His Majesty grants permission!"

After he finished speaking, he leaned close to the crown prince's ear and whispered a few words.

Upon hearing this, the Liang envoy smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise, and His Highness the Crown Prince is brilliant!"

The people inside the hall reacted in different ways upon hearing this.

Consort Rong tensed up, her face turning completely pale.

Lin Zhiqing closed his eyes. Sure enough, in most people's minds, exchanging a woman for five cities was the best deal imaginable.

She looked up at the courtiers opposite her.

Lin Qingshan, looking indignant, took a step to the right:
"Your Highness, this old minister believes that the current situation of Dasheng is still acceptable. A true man should stand tall and upright, and it is absolutely not the time to use women to exchange for peace."

His words were filled with great anger, but everyone present understood that both Lin Qingshan and Lin Qingshou had a son who had died on the border.

For the Lin family, a marriage alliance might be an insult.

But what does this have to do with anyone else?
The Duke of Pei narrowed his eyes and stepped forward as well:
"Your Highness, the marriage alliance is a means to maintain the relationship between Daliang and Dasheng. Regardless of who the person being married off is, they are ultimately being supported by the people of Daliang."

"Dasheng needs a woman, a woman who understands the rules and knows the bigger picture."

"After the marriage alliance is concluded, I propose that a shrine be built in memory of that woman!"

Merit Temple!
Lin Zhiqing sneered inwardly. What was the difference between this Temple of Merit and the Archway of Chastity?
It was merely a form of discipline imposed on women by those in high positions.

Many women were trapped within the confines of the chastity archway, ruining the rest of their lives.

Even more tragically, very few people realized that this was a form of abduction and plunder of women.

"Your Highness, the Duke of Pei's words are biased, and I have something to say." A clear voice rang out.

Lin Zhiqing looked up at Lu Huai.

Lu Huai looked ahead, his posture upright: "The relationship between Dasheng and Daliang has remained unchanged for a hundred years, but Dasheng still stands tall."

"This is inseparable from the soldiers' sacrifice and the people's support, but the people's support is not for a woman, but for us who are now standing in the court."

"In that case, isn't it too harsh to place all the burden on that woman?"

He phrased it tactfully, but anyone could understand the meaning behind it.

Dasheng and Daliang are neighbors, and for a century they have been constantly embroiled in disputes and conflicts.

If peace could be achieved with just one woman, why have the conflict dragged on for centuries?

"Lord Lu is right, Your Highness, please reconsider!" The Imperial Censor slowly knelt down, his attitude clear at a glance.

Lin Zhiqing pursed her lips and looked at the Crown Prince on the high platform.

Seeing that the Crown Prince's expression remained unchanged, she took a deep breath and slowly rose. Lu Nanyue, noticing this, grabbed Lin Zhiqing's hand and pulled her back to her seat.

"Xiao Qing'er, I know you're upset, but we can't talk at a time like this."

"If the Crown Prince gets angry, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Lin Zhiqing gently pushed Lu Nanyue's hand away:
"Nan Yue, if I do not speak up today, I will surely feel uneasy in the future."

After saying this, her eyes were very firm, and she stood up again.

“Your Highness, since the Emperor has already granted your request, those officials who spoke up just now are no different from those who defied the imperial decree,” the Liang envoy said first, cutting off Lin Zhiqing’s words.

His gaze swept across the women's table, landing on Lin Zhiqing's face, before turning back to continue:

"Especially the Marquis of Changning, who has guarded the border for many years, knows better than anyone the hardships the soldiers have endured."

"A marriage alliance can safeguard peace on the border between the two countries, so why not?"

His Highness the Crown Prince looked at the people below and slowly said, "Since the Emperor's decree is in effect, I will obey the Emperor's command."

Censor-in-Chief Wang Yuan raised his head and spoke without any politeness: "Your Highness the Crown Prince..."

"Lord Wang, if you have any objections, you may discuss it with the Emperor again," the Crown Prince interrupted him.

Lin Zhiqing paused for a moment.

Having said all that, she understood that the marriage alliance was a done deal, and no amount of persuasion from anyone could change that decision.

Five cities were used to buy the rest of a woman's life so easily.

A feeling of powerlessness arose in Lin Zhiqing's heart.

This has never happened before.

Her breathing was slightly rapid.

"Qing-meimei, are you alright?" Lin Yangyang sensed something was wrong and asked.

Lin Zhiqing shook her head, indicating that she was fine.

Just then, Princess Pingning, who had just left the palace, returned.

Her face, like Consort Rong's, was completely bloodless.

But soon, the voice of the Liang envoy rang out again, drawing everyone's attention:

"His Royal Highness is wise."

The crown prince's gaze fell on the elderly man in a scarlet official robe below the steps:
"After careful consideration, the Emperor believes that Princess Pingning is exceptionally beautiful and talented. If she can be married off to the country, it would be a blessing for the nation."

Upon hearing this, Marquis Anping felt a sudden boom in his head.

He suddenly looked up, his lips moved for a long time before he managed to squeeze out a sound:

“Your Highness, Pingning has been raised and educated since childhood, and I’m afraid he may not be able to shoulder this heavy responsibility.”

The moment Princess Pingning heard her name, she lost all her strength and slumped into her chair.

The crown prince tapped the table lightly, his tone carrying an unquestionable air of authority:
"I know you are reluctant, but the people on the border have been displaced for many years, and the soldiers on the border have shed their blood on the battlefield. If we can exchange the marriage of a woman for peace in the world, wouldn't that be the glory of the Marquis of Anping's mansion?"

He paused, softening his tone:
"I know this journey will be fraught with peril. When the princess marries far away, my father will bestow upon her the title of princess and bestow upon her a generous dowry, ensuring that your Anping Marquis's mansion will enjoy prosperity for generations to come."

The hall was completely silent. Everyone understood that the seemingly consultative tone was in fact a decree already being issued.

Marriage alliances are meant to be a sharp weapon for maintaining border balance, but today that weapon has fallen on the head of the Marquis of Anping.

"Your subject... obeys the decree!" These three short words exhausted all of Marquis Anping's strength.

The Liang envoy, finding this situation quite amusing, spoke again:
"Your Highness, the Great Liang Dynasty is willing to offer a thousand head of cattle and sheep, and a hundred warhorses as a dowry, and extend the alliance of non-aggression for another twenty years..." He slightly raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Lin Zhiqing:

"I only wish that Dasheng could have nine more noble ladies accompanying him."