Chapter 23: The Emperor's Marriage

Treasure: the Imperial Jade Seal.

Through the contact of his palm, the Imperial Jade Seal delivered a sensation to Fan Li that was in no way inferior to the Overlord’s Spear of the Xiang clan! Could this be an artifact on par with the Overlord’s Spear?

Yet Fan Li had no time to feel delighted, for Princess Changle was already smiling slyly, her eyes narrowing into foxy crescents. Those curved, smiling, and cunning eyes stood in stark contrast to her goddess-like, ethereal purity.

“Oh? So this is the Imperial Jade Seal?”

Princess Changle nodded with a smile. “Duke Jin is truly thoughtful, to have already refined such a treasure.”

Fan Li wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into! The Imperial Jade Seal was not a unique artifact like the Overlord’s Spear. In truth, the term “Imperial Jade Seal” referred to a type of treasure altogether. Every ancient dynasty had possessed its own Imperial Jade Seal, exclusive to its sovereign. The current three kingdoms—Chu, Han, and Ming—were no exception.

It was said that Emperor Liu Xie of Han had the oldest of all the Imperial Jade Seals, while the Ming Emperor Jiajing’s seal was rumored to possess the greatest offensive power. As for Xiang Ning’s Imperial Jade Seal, Fan Li had seen it often, but with Xiang Ning’s limited cultivation, unless he wielded the Overlord’s Spear to intimidate others, he could hardly unleash the true power of Chu’s Imperial Jade Seal.

And now, Fan Li had just “produced” his own Imperial Jade Seal.

“I had no intention of rebelling…” Fan Li could hardly utter those words in front of Princess Changle now.

Princess Changle had once sat upright, her posture embodying the noble etiquette and grace of the imperial family, her entire being exuding a sacred, spotless aura. But after admiring Fan Li’s Imperial Jade Seal, she flashed a brilliant smile, then leaned languidly to one side, her posture suddenly relaxed. Her delicate feet, clad in white socks and previously hidden by her gown as she knelt, now playfully stretched out in Fan Li’s direction, inviting his gaze.

“What does Duke Jin think of my earlier proposal?” she asked.

“Very…” Fan Li paused briefly. “It doesn’t seem entirely appropriate.”

She laughed softly, as if mocking his feigned righteousness and savoring his momentary hesitation. “Inappropriate? In all the land, who still believes Duke Jin is a loyal subject? The heart of Fan Li is known to all.”

Fan Li’s face darkened. What had he done to become the talk of the town?

“Your Highness jests. My loyalty to His Majesty is as clear as the sun and moon.”

No sooner had he spoken than a voice called from outside the waterside pavilion, “Thunder and rain are coming!”

Damn it!

He looked up to see the sky outside the pavilion already thick with dark clouds.

“As clear as the sun and moon, is it?”

Princess Changle’s laughter rang out, even more delighted than before. “I thought the sun and moon had lost their light!”

Fan Li could only force himself to press on. “In any case, thank you for your favor, Your Highness, but it is our first meeting. Please forgive me for being unable to accept.”

“That is reasonable,” Princess Changle replied, suddenly returning to her dignified composure, as though the uninhibited woman from moments before had been someone else entirely. Once more, she sat upright, her bearing elegant beyond compare. On her exquisite face, all traces of frivolity vanished, replaced by a calm indifference and a hint of imperial majesty.

“My wedding with the Emperor of Chu will be set for after the Alliance of the Three Sovereigns. My father will certainly support me, and as for Xiang Ning of Chu, I must trouble Duke Jin to persuade him. Should the two kingdoms fail to unite by marriage, the Han shall immediately turn to the Ming!”

Fan Li stiffened at her words. After all this, the Han was still only willing to form an alliance by marriage.

Princess Changle concluded, “As for bearing children for you, Duke Jin, we shall discuss that once I am formally wed to Chu.”

Fan Li was left speechless.

Soon after, he was escorted out of the pavilion.

“Congratulations, Master. May your line flourish,” came the voice of Wu Zhui, who had been waiting outside, her tone inscrutable.

Fan Li shot her a frustrated glance. “You think this is a good thing?”

Because of the Life-Extension Pill, Wu Zhui had sworn an oath to Heaven to serve Fan Li for life. Her loyalty was beyond question, unless she were willing to abandon her ultimate goals of ascension and enlightenment—an impossibility for a cultivator.

“Of course,” she replied matter-of-factly. “Master wields unparalleled power in Chu and could ascend the throne at any time. Now, with Princess Changle of Han willing to become your consort, once you command the forces of both Chu and Han, you could swallow Ming whole and unify the world!”

Fan Li could only shake his head. “You make it sound so easy.”

Was the Ming so easily destroyed? Furthermore, even with Princess Changle and the Han, Fan Li felt as though he were bargaining with a tiger.

“Princess Changle is an unparalleled genius from the Pure Land of Brahma—a child of Heaven itself. Would she ever agree to be my subordinate?” Fan Li could not find a single convincing reason.

He was certain that Princess Changle would never help him seize control of Han. On the contrary, he would have to guard against her constantly, wary of being outmaneuvered by this woman.

Yet there were things that simply had to be done.

The next day, at the morning court assembly—

The Minister of Works reported that the Dragon God Hall was complete and that the national guardian beast Wu Zhui could now take up residence. Among the nine ministers, the Guest Minister, responsible for foreign affairs, stepped forward to announce that all ceremonial carriages and retinues required for the Alliance of the Three Sovereigns were prepared. The location for the summit was a neutral city at the borders of the three kingdoms, called Lü City.

“Your Majesty, for this Alliance of the Three Sovereigns, the Ming Emperor Jiajing has already arrived at Lü City. The Han envoys stationed in Pengcheng have repeatedly inquired when Your Majesty will depart. It is clear that Emperor Liu Xie of Han does not wish to face Emperor Jiajing alone and hopes to arrive in Lü City on the same day as Your Majesty.”

Upon the Guest Minister’s report, Xiang Ning’s gaze instinctively sought out Fan Li. As emperor, she naturally wished to free herself from the shadow of powerful ministers, yet when faced with grave state matters, she could not help but rely on Fan Li.

“Should I advance or retreat together with Liu Xie?” she wondered, uncertain, and could only signal Fan Li with her eyes.

But Fan Li’s mind was full of Princess Changle’s demands; he was entirely distracted and failed to notice Xiang Ning’s intent.

Xiang Ning had no choice but to cough meaningfully. “Ahem! Duke Jin, what is your opinion on this matter?”

“Ah?” Fan Li looked at her in confusion.

Xiang Ning finally realized he had been muddling through all along. Helpless and amused, she summarized the situation from the beginning once more.

Fan Li thought to himself: Could he use Emperor Liu Xie as a pretext to resolve the matter with Princess Changle as well?

“Your Majesty, as Son of Heaven, should always abide by a single principle in all actions.”

“What principle?” Xiang Ning asked curiously.

“After this deed is done, will it strengthen Your Majesty’s power?” Fan Li replied, fixing her with a steady gaze.

This was to lay the groundwork—if Xiang Ning took it to heart, the rest would be easier to discuss.

Sure enough, Xiang Ning nodded. “I understand. Then, Duke Jin, what do you propose?”

Fan Li smiled. “In my opinion, if Your Majesty wishes to consolidate the throne, you need a powerful ally. And since time immemorial, the best way to win over strong allies has been through marriage!”

Fan Li felt that he was all but spelling it out for Xiang Ning: she ought to consider a marriage alliance with the Han.

But to Xiang Ning, his words carried an entirely different meaning. Suddenly, her face flushed crimson.

“This wretch! Did he see through my disguise as a palace maid last time? In front of the entire court, he actually threatens me—if I wish to remain secure on the throne, I must marry a powerful ally? But in all of Chu, aside from him, who else could I marry and still keep my crown?”

“Fan Li actually wants to marry me!?”