Not long after Mei Qingxue returned to the capital, King Leide of the Quanrong tribe personally came to the capital with gifts of apology and requested an audience with the emperor. "Your Majesty, the envoys from the foreign tribe are here. Shall we receive them?" the grand councilor stepped forward. Duke You of Dugu looked thoughtful and turned his eyes to Dugu Qing. "Son, what's your opinion?"
"I think we should receive them to show the dignity of our celestial dynasty. Even when facing former enemies, we should display the grace of our great nation," Dugu Qing was eager to see what kind of man King Leide was. How dare he invade the cities of the Feng Kingdom! Due to various factors, he hadn't been able to go to the battlefield in person. There had always been a tinge of regret in his heart.
"Since my son says so, then let's receive them," Dugu You's eyes sparkled. What could a defeated nation want when coming here? And what kind of gifts could a foreign tribe offer?
"Summon King Leide to enter!"
The eunuch prolonged his voice. Two men entered. They were over eight feet tall, with their upper bodies half - exposed and wearing strange clothes. When they reached the center of the grand hall, they just bowed slightly.
"Greetings to the Emperor of the Feng Kingdom."
King Leide had a very strange accent. Dugu Qing observed the two men carefully from the side. The other one was Karu. "Since you are a defeated nation and our celestial dynasty hasn't asked for compensation, what are you here for?" Dugu You said, also sizing up the two men.
"Your Majesty, it truly shows the magnanimity of your great nation not to ask for compensation. It was just that our small and remote tribe was temporarily blinded," King Leide said slowly. "We have two things to do on this trip to the capital. Well, three things..." He counted on his fingers. "Firstly, out of gratitude for the generosity of the Feng Kingdom, we've specially brought gifts of apology. Please don't despise them."
"And what's the second thing?"
"The second thing is that I, the humble king, would like to meet the young general who fought against me," King Leide bowed slightly. "Our nation respects heroes, and I think that young general is truly remarkable."
"The third thing is that I, the humble king, would like to marry my daughter to that general to show my respect!"
"The first two requests can be granted, but the last one is extremely difficult!" Dugu Qing said. King Leide asked in confusion, "Don't you Han people also take multiple wives like us? Heroes should be loved by beautiful women and should have many wives."
"That's true, but marriage is a major matter and should be decided by themselves. What if your daughter doesn't take a fancy to him?" Dugu Qing said this knowing full well the reputation of the Mei family that didn't allow concubines.
"You're right," King Leide nodded. "Then I'll follow your advice and bring my daughter here to let her choose for herself."
"Presumptuous! How dare you speak to the Crown Prince like this!" a minister shouted.
"Crown Prince?" King Leide frowned in confusion. Karu quickly explained to him, "He is the future Emperor of the celestial dynasty."
King Leide then turned to Dugu Qing and bowed slightly. "I, the humble king, have heard that your wife is an extraordinary woman!" Knowing from Karu that Han women couldn't be asked to meet actively, he said, "As a defeated general, I don't know if your wife would like to meet me. I've brought gifts for her."
Mei Qingxue would definitely meet him if there were gifts. "Then later, we'll arrange for King Leide to stay in the posthouse. I'll go back and ask my wife's opinion."
Dugu You watched Dugu Qing and the foreign king talking back and forth, a meaningful smile appearing on his face. This son of his was the most to his liking. Now it seemed that he truly had the bearing of a king. He just didn't know how his son would deal with his two elder brothers after ascending the throne, considering they had both tried to harm him.
"Thank you, Crown Prince. I, the humble king, shall take my leave now. Your Majesty, I, the humble king, take my leave." King Leide bowed, and Karu also bowed. The two of them backed out.
"Crown Prince, those foreign people are so rude! How dare they ask to meet the Crown Princess?" the grand councilor said angrily. Previously, he had defected to the eldest prince. Now that the eldest prince had fallen from power, he had switched to the Crown Prince. He had originally hoped that his daughter, Su Lin'er, could marry into the Crown Prince's mansion as a concubine so that his position would be secure.
Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince hadn't taken a fancy to his daughter.
Hearing the grand councilor's words, Dugu Qing remembered his promise to Li Yuefeng.
"Son requests that Father Emperor issue an imperial edict to bestow a marriage to help bring about a match made in heaven!"
"Oh?" Dugu You knew that Dugu Qing hadn't taken a fancy to any of the official's daughters. He wondered who he was asking for. "Tell me."
"The daughter of the grand marshal has the bearing of a military general. She should marry into a military family. Son has taken a fancy to the grandson of the old duke, Guo Jun." "Oh?" Dugu You pondered for a moment. The grand marshal was anxious. Although he didn't mind that Guo Jun had no power, he was reluctant to let his daughter marry so far away.
"I, the humble official, object... Jiangnan is too far away!" The grand marshal had never been so proactive in front of the emperor. His words even made everyone stunned for a moment.
Dugu Qing understood his thoughts. He had only one daughter at home, who had been doted on since childhood and had been allowed to learn martial arts.
"Grand marshal, don't be anxious. Guo Jun has been retained in the capital," Dugu Qing explained seeing the grand marshal's anxious look. "So that's how it is. That shameless girl didn't even tell me," the grand marshal said. In fact, his unrestrained daughter, Li Yuefeng, had long wanted to marry a military general on the front - line.
It would be good to marry the grandson of the old duke. The grand marshal then said, "I'll leave it to Your Majesty's decision." His voice showed his consent. Dugu You laughed heartily. "Good, good. There are two good things today. It can be said that double happiness has arrived. One is that the defeated nation has presented gifts, and the other is that a good match has been made. Good."
"If the princess of the foreign tribe really wants to marry into our Feng Kingdom, she will be our daughter - in - law. At that time, all your unmarried descendants of the right age should come to participate in the selection," Dugu You said and then laughed heartily as he got up. The eunuch then shouted, "The court is adjourned."
"Thank you, Crown Prince!" The grand marshal deliberately walked at the end and thanked Dugu Qing.
"Thank me for what?" Dugu Qing flicked his sleeve lightly. "You should thank His Majesty." Then he turned around and walked towards the harem. It was the routine day to pay respects to the queen. Presumably, Mei Qingxue was already there by this time.
"Son pays respects to Mother,"
Dugu Qing knelt on one knee to pay his respects. Queen Yirong pointed at Dugu Qing's forehead with her finger. "I've never seen you so diligent on normal days. I've only just let your wife sit with me for a while. It's not even to set rules for her, and you can't wait any longer."
"Mother, you should really scold him. He's idle all day long," Mei Qingxue was sitting on an embroidery stool at the queen's feet, gently massaging the queen's legs. Just like in the TV dramas, a daughter - in - law either massaged shoulders or legs, served tea or water.
"Well, I'll scold him. This really needs to be scolded. Now that he's the Crown Prince, he should act like one. Being idle all day long is just unacceptable."
When the queen paused, Mei Qingxue knew the topic was about to turn to her. Sure enough, Queen Yirong's voice changed. "Qingxue, you've been married for quite a while. Why hasn't your belly shown any signs yet?"
Damn it. They only know about my belly all day long. I'm not a brooding hen.
But after all, this was her proper mother - in - law. Fortunately, there was only one. Mei Qingxue rolled her eyes secretly. Fortunately, Concubine Qin had become the queen. If she were still Concubine Qin and there were still other concubines, imperial concubines, and the queen above her, she would have wanted to die.
"I, your subject's daughter - in - law, don't know either. You should ask the Crown Prince. He hasn't shared a room with me recently." In fact, it was she who had forbidden Dugu Qing to enter her room. Now she had to shift the blame. Who asked these ancients to be so direct and ask questions she couldn't answer.
"Oh? Why do I hear something different?"
"Mother, it's really my fault. I've neglected Qingxue. I was in a bad mood some time ago, so..."
Dugu Qing deliberately paused for a long time. The queen immediately pricked up her ears. "What's wrong with Qing'er's mood? Why didn't you tell Mother?"
"Son's fief is so far away. It was the first time I've been away from Mother for so long," Dugu Qing was telling the truth. As soon as he said this, the queen's eyes turned red. "Mother also can't bear to part with you." Fortunately, they didn't have to be separated now.
Watching the deep affection between the mother and son in front of her, Mei Qingxue also thought of her own family. She hadn't visited them since she came back. She would go back with Dugu Qing tomorrow to see how they were doing. Her elder brother had successfully returned from the front - line, and she hadn't personally congratulated him yet.
"I've heard that the foreign tribe wants to marry their princess to the eldest son of General Mei. Those foreign people must be so scary. You mustn't agree," the queen said seriously.
Hearing the queen's words, Mei Qingxue was also stunned. She had actually forgotten that the prominent would surely be attacked. Her elder brother was so outstanding. How could he not attract attention? It seemed that she had to think of a way.
"Son also thinks so. Father Emperor has already decreed that the unmarried descendants of officials of the right age should participate. Presumably, they won't make things difficult for Mei Haoxuan anymore." Dugu Qing knew that his little wife must be listening to their conversation attentively. While reporting to the queen, he also wanted to reassure her.
Mei Qingxue was relieved when she heard that it had nothing to do with her family. If a concubine was brought in, she didn't know what would happen to the family. Anyway, she didn't like men having multiple wives.
However, the thoughts of the ancients were hard to fathom. It seemed that the queen in front of her was like this. She could live stably in the palace and even become the empress dowager. She mustn't be simple.
The deep palace was a terrifying place. In her previous life, Mei Qingxue had watched a very popular palace drama several times and concluded that the palace was a place that devoured people.
It was a pity that she couldn't tell this to anyone. If Dugu Qing ever had other women, that would be the time for her to leave. The south was vast, and she had connections. She could disappear in any place, and even the emperor wouldn't be able to find her.
Having made up her mind, she watched coldly as Dugu Qing and the queen performed. Their son was already so old. Did they really need to show such deep affection?
Mei Qingxue didn't understand. According to Concubine Qin's rank at that time, her son wouldn't be raised by her side. Even if she missed him, it would be extremely difficult. How could there be such deep mother - son affection?
After figuring this out, Mei Qingxue immediately understood how terrifying the place she was going to live in was.
The queen kept them for a while longer to chat and then finally let them leave.