“Your Majesty, the matter of the marriage between the child and the princess…”
The King of Bo, seeing the originally smooth alliance marriage turn into this due to Feng Moli’s appearance, wore a puzzled expression regarding the relationship between the king and him. Despite having suffered a palm strike earlier, he still turned his pale face toward the visibly dejected Leng Yingjie and brought it up again.
“Your Majesty and the Prince of Bo are too kind, but my sister is already betrothed to someone, so…”
Though equally confused by his uncle’s parting words when he took Wanqing away, Ning Wang couldn’t bear the thought of his sister marrying someone she barely knew in such a muddled manner. He immediately turned to the two and spoke.
“…”
His words caused the Empress Dowager and Emperor Leng Yingjie to pause, especially the Prince of Bo, who was about to lash out. However, the King of Bo stopped him with a gesture and whispered something to him.
With a faint smile, the King of Bo looked around and said, “So that’s how it is. I was just wondering—Princess Qingya is so ethereal and stunningly beautiful, how could she still be unmarried? But may I ask who her betrothed is? Could it be someone present here?”
The King of Bo chuckled knowingly and turned his gaze back to Ning Wang and his son, his eyes sweeping over the distinguished figures in the hall.
“There’s no need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself over this. The man betrothed to our princess is no ordinary person. Otherwise, how could he be worthy of her grace and bearing? Your Majesty, Your Highness, don’t you agree?”
Just as Ning Wang and his son were struggling with the question, Leng Mingye, standing nearby, gave a faint smile and spoke up, turning the question back on them.
“Of course. My beloved daughter is not someone just any commoner could match. As for who it is—since the Prince and my daughter are not fated, why press the matter?”
Leng Yingjie nodded proudly at Leng Mingye’s words and then addressed the Prince of Bo.
“I’m not pressing the matter, merely curious. Unless the man is so unsightly or disgraceful that he dares not be named? Otherwise, why would Your Majesty and the Prince hesitate to reveal his identity?”
The Prince of Bo smirked, his tone growing even more provocative as he challenged the father and son.
“You—!” Ning Wang hadn’t expected the other party, despite the peace agreement, to dig so deeply into his sister’s affairs and provoke them so aggressively. His expression darkened, his brows furrowing slightly.
“Chen’er, mind your manners. It’s not that he’s unsightly—it’s just that he isn’t part of the court, and his temperament dislikes courtly affairs, so…”
Seeing his son’s anger flare, Leng Yingjie suppressed his own displeasure at the Bo Kingdom’s pressure and reprimanded his son with forced patience, then turned a polite smile toward the father and son.
“Oh, so he’s a nobody then. I thought perhaps it was someone like the Marquis—if I lost to him, it’d be no shame. But to think… haha…”
The Prince of Bo smirked at the barely concealed irritation on Ning Wang and his son’s faces, then glanced at Leng Mingye, his words dripping with mockery.
“The Prince speaks wisely. That man is indeed on par with me—though he avoids the court, his mastery of poison and medicine is unparalleled. While he holds no official position, in the martial world of our great nation, he is second to none, even commanding respect from the imperial family. Just like Princess Qingya—exceptional and extraordinary. The two of you just took her elixirs—surely you’ve seen her remarkable skill?”
Leng Mingye’s anger flared at the Prince of Bo’s words. *You’re given courtesy, yet you push your luck.* He nearly blurted out that *he* was the one betrothed to her—so what? But considering their current positions, he held back and instead addressed the father and son with a composed tone.
“Oh, I see.” At this, the Prince and King of Bo could say no more and nodded in reluctant understanding.
Thus, the diplomatic clash was diffused.
Later, the Prince and King of Bo were escorted by Leng Yingjie to rest and recuperate in the palace, while the others withdrew from court.
“Marquis, a moment, please.”
Ning Wang watched as Leng Mingye, along with the others, calmly saw off the Bo Kingdom’s father and son, his own father personally accompanying them. Recalling the earlier events and their past disagreements, he stepped forward and quietly stopped Leng Mingye as the crowd dispersed.
“Your Highness, what may I do for you?”
Surprised by Ning Wang’s rare politeness, Leng Mingye recalled their previous interactions—such as when they attended the Linglong Pavilion auction together. Pausing, he asked lightly, “Why did you stop me?”
“Marquis, your words earlier before the Prince and King of Bo—for the sake of our nation’s stability and Qing’er’s happiness—were well-spoken. But when you spoke like that… do you truly know who Qing’er loves?”
Though the Prince of Bo’s proposal had been temporarily rejected, Ning Wang knew they were now staying in the palace. Sun Fengyu was dead, and while the Emperor hadn’t formally annulled their betrothal, she couldn’t spend her life mourning a ghost. Given his sister’s extraordinary nature, he refused to let her live in loneliness.
Yet Leng Mingye’s earlier words had been so composed and convincing. Though Ning Wang knew his sister well, her romantic life remained a mystery to him. He looked at Leng Mingye with genuine curiosity.
“It seems Your Highness hasn’t paid enough attention to Princess Qingya. Otherwise, as her brother, how could you not know who holds her heart?”
Leng Mingye smiled faintly at Ning Wang’s question. Had he not known they were siblings, he might have suspected Ning Wang had only approached her to cure his leg.
“You’re right to reprimand me, Marquis. I’ve been too preoccupied with court affairs, and my sister’s aloof nature makes it hard to discern her feelings. If you know, please tell me—I’d like to arrange their marriage properly and avoid further complications from the Prince of Bo.”
Ning Wang’s probing made Leng Mingye’s expression darken slightly. *So he thinks I’m the one she loves?* But for now, he kept his tone neutral.
“Truthfully, even I don’t know. If you wish to find out, you’ll have to ask Princess Qingya yourself.”
With a faint smile, Leng Mingye turned the question back on Ning Wang and walked away. As he left, though his words were dismissive, his mind lingered on the question: *I know I feel differently about her—but what about her? What—or who—does she truly care about?*
“My lord…” Noticing his master’s troubled expression, Bai Yu ventured a quiet call of concern.
“I’m fine. I’m just… curious about what that girl truly values.”
Leng Mingye exhaled softly, his lips curving slightly as he continued to ponder the unanswered question in his heart.
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