Wealth and glory seek stability

Jian Xi originally admired Zhang Cen'er, but now Zhang Cen'er decisively used her as a pawn. No matter what the reason was, it was unforgivable.

She had lived a comfortable life for too long and had forgotten that in the world of fame and fortune, if she wanted to survive she had to step on the bodies of her own kind. Just like in the Wu'an Palace, there were only a few important vacancies.

If she hadn't used some tricks, it wouldn't have been her turn. When she got on top, others would naturally be stepped on, just like when she was picking mulberry leaves. Even though she had never committed any crime against mulberry leaves, the maids were still gossiping about her behind her back.

Not to mention that this is a political field that is higher than the world of fame and fortune.

She had read many history books, and she only felt that they were full of swords and sabers, and that everyone was ruthless. Only when she was in the situation did she realize that the invisible wounds were the most severe.

Just as Jian Xi was about to speak, Gao Yunhuai took the lead.

"Your Majesty, my parents have arranged a marriage between me and Rong'an County Lord since we were young. My mother has already prepared the betrothal gifts and is only waiting for Rong'an County Lord to reach the marriage age. I am afraid that Princess Jiahe will be disappointed."

Emperor Xuanyuan became interested, with a playful look on his face, "Is it really so?"

Gao Yunhuai remained calm and said, "Yes, I dare not deceive you."

Shen Nanxing arrived late in a suit of armor. "Your Majesty, what Lord Gao said is indeed true. Xier's father was indeed engaged to Lord Gao's father at the time, but something unexpected happened in the family. I didn't expect that I would have such a fate in the capital. Because my parents passed away, there was no elder in the family to take care of it, so it was delayed."

Dongfang Wenying had already told him the whole story, and she regretted that he had been so busy with official duties recently that he had no time to spare.

The most important thing now is to stick to the marriage between Jian Xi and Gao Yunhuai. The worst case scenario is that she marries Gao Yunhuai.

It's better than marrying a hostage of the Xuanwu Dynasty. If the hostage returns to his country, Jian Xi will have to follow him.

From this perspective, as long as she can stay in the Xuanyuan Dynasty, it doesn't matter who she marries.

Furthermore, the people in the royal family are very scheming, and Shen Nanxing really doesn't want Jian Xi to get involved.

Today's marriage is a foregone conclusion. As long as Emperor Xuanyuan does not grant the marriage, he has a way to make Gao Yunhuai cancel the engagement on his own initiative.

Xuanyuan Qiyuan suddenly said, "Mr. Gao is a pillar of the court, a clean stream. Many people have proposed marriage to him but were rejected. I never thought there would be such a destined marriage. If Princess Jiahe hadn't pressed him today, he wouldn't have said it."

The Jiangnan Pingzhang Zhengshi official holds the first rank and is in charge of the six prefectures of Jiangnan. He is equivalent to the prime minister of the six prefectures of Jiangnan. His direct superior is Emperor Xuanyuan, truly second only to the emperor.

Emperor Xuanyuan wanted to win him over, but such a powerful official could not marry a princess, otherwise he would have to give Gao Yunhuai a princess.

Jian Xi stood still, feeling a warm current flowing through her heart. She was still lucky, at least someone was truly concerned about her.

But she is not someone that can be kneaded by everyone.

He took a half step forward, neither humble nor arrogant, "Princess Jiahe, now is the spring ploughing season. The Xuanyuan Dynasty is located in the Central Plains, with vast land and abundant resources. The north is still dry, and the Xuanwu Dynasty is located in the far north, which will only make things more difficult. Could it be that this is just a trivial matter? Can the Xuanwu Dynasty start a war again for two insignificant people?"

Launching an attack is extremely time-consuming in terms of manpower and material resources. For the cavalry sent to the Xuanwu Dynasty for business some time ago, the situation of the Xuanwu Dynasty was not as good as imagined, with victims everywhere. This time they came to seek peace and wanted the Xuanyuan Dynasty to allocate some food for emergency relief.

The word "insignificant" really hurt Zhang Cen'er's inner defenses.

Yes, if it wasn't insignificant, why would they let a pair of siblings come out as hostages for marriage?

Zhang Cen'er simply stopped pretending, "Why? Does Rong'an County Lord think that the prince of the Xuanwu Dynasty is not worthy of a mere county lord like you?"

They, the siblings, were not valued in the royal court. Their mother was just a lowly palace maid, which was why she was pushed out as a sacrifice.

To be able to walk out alive from the treacherous Xuanwu Royal Court, she naturally has her own survival rules, and she will stay alive at all costs!

No matter who is taking advantage of her, she will not be soft-hearted as long as she can survive.

During the intermission, someone sent her a letter. Jian Xi was of humble origins, but her brother was Shen Nanxing, who played a key role in the decisive battle in Saibei, and her sister-in-law had an inseparable connection with the Wang family, a century-old prestigious family.

Such a person is easy to control and manipulate. She doesn't care who gives her the handle. She knows that as long as she holds Jian Xi, she and Zhang Xuanyu will be able to gain a firm foothold in the Xuanyuan Dynasty.

In the future, with Shen Nanxing's relationship, they might be able to return to the Xuanwu Dynasty and trample those who once bullied them under their feet.

Jian Xi said calmly, "No, it's just my parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. The Xuanyuan Dynasty values ​​filial piety. My father has passed away, and I have to obey his will. If I really do that, I'd be no different from an animal."

Zhang Cen'er was so aggressive that she had no choice but to accept the marriage.

A man can endure... No, she can't endure it.

Emperor Xuanyuan saw that he had almost finished watching the show, so he came out and laughed, pretending to be a good guy.

"If Princess Jiahe is worried about her brother's marriage, there are many good girls in the Xuanyuan Dynasty. I will definitely choose a good one for the Fourth Prince. Today's polo game is wonderful. Let's all take a seat together."

Zhang Cen'er knew that this plan was likely to fail. Seeing the warning in Emperor Xuanyuan's eyes, she had to give up the idea.

She had to live under someone's roof. She would have to live in the Xuanyuan Dynasty in the future. If she left a difficult impression in the eyes of Emperor Xuanyuan, it would be difficult for her.

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise."

Emperor Xuanyuan showed an understanding smile and looked at Gao Yunhuai, "Shu Ping, you will be going to Jiangnan to take up your post soon. I'm afraid you won't be back for a few years. Your mission is arduous. I have decided to grant you a marriage and choose a date for the wedding. After the wedding, you will take up your post immediately. It just so happens that Tao, the former Minister of State Affairs of Jiangnan, has submitted a petition. It will take a few months to complete the handover matters in Jiangnan."

Gao Yunhuai bowed respectfully, feeling bitter in his heart. It seemed that Emperor Xuanyuan still didn't believe him.

"I thank your majesty for his great grace and will repay you with my life."

Emperor Xuanyuan made the final decision, and Jian Xi knew there was no room for maneuver.

He raised his lips and said thank you.

One should naturally smile when the emperor grants a marriage. If one does not smile, it would be an offense against the majesty of heaven and would indicate dissatisfaction with the emperor. In serious cases, it would bring disaster to the family.

The two men stood up and smiled at each other. Only they themselves knew what was in their smiles.

Smart people will only seek to maximize their benefits within a reasonable range. This is true for her and Gao Yunhuai as well.

Shen Nanxing stood up and accepted everyone's congratulations.

When the news reached the seats for the female members, Dongfang Wenying stood there in a daze. It was not until Mrs. Wang reminded her that she raised her little face and greeted the relatives and friends who came to congratulate her.

After the crowd dispersed, he asked Mrs. Wang about Gao Yunhuai's background.

"This Mr. Gao has a great reputation and is very talented. He won the first place in the imperial examination and was appointed to the Imperial Academy as soon as he entered the court. His Majesty is very fond of him. After he offended Concubine Shu, he was demoted at home. I don't know what good luck he got this year. His Majesty directly promoted him to be the Minister of State Affairs of Jiangnan, a first-rank official, the same position as the Prime Minister. The strange thing is that he has not even reached the age of twenty this year."

Mrs. Wang had seen many talented young men, but she had never seen one as enchanting as this. The officialdom was not like studying. One could not succeed in the political arena just by being passionate. It depended more on qualifications and abilities.

Gao Yunhuai has neither background nor support from aristocratic family. There is only one possibility for him to have gotten to where he is today, and that is that he has extraordinary abilities.

It is the best thing for Jian Xi to have such a home.

After the arranged marriage was concluded, the entire polo club continued.

For some unknown reason, none of the concubines in the palace came.

The polo field was filled with young men from aristocratic families who wanted to show off in front of Emperor Xuanyuan. Each of them put in their best efforts, hoping to show their face in front of Emperor Xuanyuan.

Jian Xi returned to her seat, found an excuse to change clothes, and politely declined Dongfang Wenying's offer of company.

Walk to an open place, surrounded by mountains and forests, with an empty corridor in the middle.

Jian Xi lowered her lip and looked at Zi Cui, "Did you find out anything?"

Zi Cui said angrily, "Miss, you don't know. I just went to the front to inquire. It was said that His Majesty originally wanted to let the Crown Princess and the Ninth Princess go on stage to show their hospitality, but the Crown Princess was not feeling well and told His Majesty that she was pregnant. Concubine Lin said that General Shen's sister was brilliant and prudent, and both civil and military, and Princess Jiahe provoked him, so His Majesty ordered the girls to enter the stage."

The sky is clear and cloudless. When I return to the pavilion, I see lush greenery all around.

Jian Xi took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and opened them.

He took out a jade pendant from his bosom and said, "Take it. Ask someone to bring Lin Yun out. I have something to ask her."

"Yes."

Zi Cui took it with both hands, found an unfamiliar palace maid behind the curtain, and whispered to her.

Then I saw Lin Yun walking out in a hurry, looking around.

"What is Concubine Lin looking for?"

Jian Xi walked out slowly, looking solemn and with a playful expression.

Lin Yun was shocked by the momentum and took a step back, almost losing his balance, then pretended to be calm.

"You, what do you want to do? This place is not far from the camp, and there are patrolling soldiers nearby. Don't try to do anything to me."

"Oh? It seems that Concubine Lin doesn't know that my brother is in charge of the security of the western suburbs this time. The soldiers in the city defense camp here are all my brother's subordinates. I have already greeted them. There are only Concubine Lin and I here." Jian Xi took a half step forward, with a hint of amusement.

Lin Yun knew that it was Jian Xi's trap. Now that he was under her control, he simply stopped pretending to be the opposite.

She just didn't believe it. No matter how bold Jian Xi was, could she really kill her?

Jian Xi found a clean place at the bend of the corridor, sat down, and looked at the wild flowers in the mountains. She said calmly, "I'm bored during the banquet. Concubine Lin, come and sit with me. The scenery in the mountains is quite interesting. I've asked my brother to send a team of soldiers from the patrol camp to guard the surroundings. No one will come."

Lin Yun knew that if Jian Xi didn't let her go, she would probably not be able to leave.

Since I was already here, I might as well make the best of it. I found a clean place opposite Jian Xi, put a towel on it and sat down.

"Are you looking for me?"

Jian Xi turned around and said with a teasing smile: "Why? Concubine Lin forgot what she did the moment she turned around. Unfortunately, I have a good memory. I will remember what others did to me for the rest of my life."

Lin Yun originally thought that she would be questioned when she met Jian Xi, but such a nonchalant look was really beyond her expectations.

Somewhat puzzled, "You don't hate me?"

Jian Xi crossed her legs and said with disdain, "You did all this just to make me angry? Ridiculous! Gao Yunhuai is a rare talent, a famous wealthy son-in-law in the capital. I'm so happy that I got a great deal. Concubine Lin's wishful thinking is going to fail."

She knew very well that people who set traps to frame others just wanted to see anger and regret on the other person's face, but she did not want to fulfill Lin Yun's wish.

"But I am curious about how I have offended Concubine Lin that you are obsessed with me and remember me all the time. I helped you when you first arrived in the capital, but why are you acting like an enemy now?"

The previous times of setting traps and framing others were harmless, but today's incident completely touched her bottom line.

I didn't want to pay attention to it before because I thought it wouldn't cause any substantial harm to her, but if I let it go, it would get worse. It's like a rotten abscess. If the root is not removed, it will continue to fester and cause discomfort.

Lin Yun said casually, "Nothing, I'm just bored. I don't know many women in the capital, and you are one of them. At that time, Shen Nanxing rejected me, and you helped him plan his marriage even though you knew I liked him. Although I know it's not your fault, how can I bear this?"

She just didn't want to.

After talking it out, Lin Yun finally felt a little relieved from the heavy burden on his heart.

Jian Xi laughed angrily, feeling a nameless fire rising from her heart.

"You were deeply in love with the Crown Prince at the beginning. You fell in love with him during a play at His Majesty's birthday banquet. Now you are talking about my brother's marriage. If he had been keeping you hanging from the beginning, it would be fine. But my brother told you from the beginning that he didn't like you and rejected you several times. You have to meet a good man now. Why are you holding on to me?"

She thought it was a serious reason, but it turned out to be just jealousy among little girls. She hated hurting innocent people because of her stupidity the most.

Jian Xi stood up, not wanting to get entangled with Lin Yun any more. "It's just impotent rage. Apart from this, what else can you do?"

I am speechless. What bad luck.

Stay away from the love-brain and you will become unhappy.

When Lin Yun heard Wu Neng's fury, he felt like he had been hit in the sore spot. He stood up and said in a crazy tone:

"You don't understand! You don't understand anything. I don't want to marry Xuanyuan Chaocheng at all. If possible, I just want to go back to Saibei. It's all Shen Nanxing's fault. If it weren't for him, I would still be in Saibei without worries and would not have experienced all this. If I don't have a good life, you can forget about it."

It's typical that when you're not living a good life yourself, you want others to suffer as well.

Jian Xi was not afraid of Lin Yun's aggressive behavior at all.

"You want to say that you were forced? Were you forced to marry the prince by a knife at your neck? If you didn't like being admired by others, you wouldn't have been so high-profile at the Hanmei Banquet, with two men competing for one woman.

You are the one who writes poems and verses with many talented scholars, makes a lot of money in business, and is the most popular one. If you don't like it, why don't you quit while you are ahead and go back to the northern frontier as soon as you make money? Who can tie you up and stay in the capital?"

Jian Xi didn't want to get entangled with Lin Yun, so she shook her head, turned around and prepared to leave.

There was a fierce look in Lin Yun's eyes, and he reached out to grab Jian Xi's arm.

Jian Xi seemed to have eyes behind her. She dodged and her eyes were full of disgust. "Don't touch me. I hate you." Then she walked away quickly.

Lin Yun was left standing on the ground at a loss, looking at his hands.

The palace servant who followed her cried with joy when she saw Lin Yun, "Concubine Lin, so you are here. The Crown Princess is looking for you."