She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 448 - 447 She Wants Not a Man, But Freedom

Chapter 448: Chapter 447 She Wants Not a Man, But Freedom

The Envoy’s arrival was indeed timely, making it difficult not to speculate that the Chu Kingdom harbored other intentions.

Moreover, he brought a princess with him.

That was the famously beautiful Chu Yu, entitled "Wuyang".

During the former emperor of Chu’s reign, he doted on this princess immensely. Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, his favoritism towards this full sister of his knew no bounds, as if he was giving her his heart and soul.

Bringing Princess Wuyang to Dawei at this juncture seems rather subtle.

Currently, the Six Kingdoms were divided into three.

Dawei, Qin State, and Chu Kingdom.

The state of Chu-Song was virtually extinct, having already expressed its submission to Dawei.

However, due to the myriad problems left by the former emperor, Dawei was suffering from severe internal strife.

Although Chu didn’t possess the vast territories of Dawei, its developed transportation network was evident to all within the Six Kingdoms, especially after the new emperor took the throne with sweeping reforms and thunderous measures, elevating Chu to greater heights.

This joint mission by the king and the princess to Dawei speaks volumes of their sincerity...

"...And that the visitors are ill-intentioned," Yan Wanqing said slowly, sipping her osmanthus tea.

Yan Lingzhen, who brought the news, shook her head, "I don’t understand, why do you think they are ill-intentioned? Both the king and the princess are here. If the brother-in-law gets upset, couldn’t he just detain them? Then there’d be no more Chu Kingdom. With only Qin State remaining, they’d probably submit to Dawei at once, and Dawei would unify the Six Kingdoms, right?"

Most people took this mission as Chu’s submission to Dawei.

They saw it as Chu making advances to Dawei before Qin.

But could it really be that simple?

Someone like Chu Qi.

He wouldn’t get up early if there wasn’t something in it for him.

"You’re thinking too simply. By choosing to come before the Crown Prince’s coronation, Chu Qi is leveraging a gap in timing. Furthermore, Dawei is currently short on talent, while Chu is rising like the sun. Chu Qi is likely seeking this opportunity to compete with Dawei, thoroughly outmatching Dawei inside and out. Should Dawei end up in a weaker position, what we perceive as our advantage could swiftly become a disadvantage. It’s not unheard of for countries that have submitted in history to rebel. Moreover, neither Zhao nor Song has officially submitted documents to Dawei, so if Chu manages to overpower Dawei, Zhao and Song turning to Chu would be just a matter of time."

"Isn’t that just being opportunistic?" Yan Lingzhen snorted disdainfully.

Living in peaceful times, she didn’t quite understand such matters, so all she could do was ask her sister.

Yan Wanqing exhaled a soft sigh, "Zhao and Song are minor border countries that aren’t developed. When the divisions of the Six Kingdoms were made, it was due to the long distances and the exhaustion of resources - that’s the only reason they were left alone. So now, whoever is stronger and can protect them, they will submit to; it’s quite normal, simply the law of the jungle."

Thus, being a ruler of a country is not so easy.

"But now, the court is full of old men. How can they compete with the people of Chu?" Yan Lingzhen suddenly recalled and said.

"Why do you think Chu Qi chose this time to come?" Ever since the news broke, Xiao Pingfeng had been incredibly busy, likely worried about finding the right people.

In the entire Capital City, probably only Grand Tutor Qin, whose students were scattered across the realms, could help him.

Thinking of Grand Tutor Qin made Yan Wanqing feel incessantly uneasy.

She wondered if it was because of what happened with Hao Ren that she found this man inscrutable.

Before her rebirth, she instinctively avoided his sharp edge, and after her rebirth, she was all the more careful not to provoke him.

"So what should be done? If the visitors from Chu are ill-intentioned, what is the brother-in-law going to do?" Yan Lingzhen furrowed her small brow.

Yan Wanqing smiled, reached out, and touched her little face, "Rather than worrying about others, you’d be better off concerning yourself with your upcoming coming-of-age ceremony. Mother mentioned organizing a grand celebration for you. I’ve heard that of late, a fair number of ladies have been visiting the palace. It seems they are all awaiting your ceremony, ready to come knocking for marriage proposals."

"No way!" Yan Lingzhen refused outright without hesitation, "Sister, arranged marriages are a scourge. Besides, Xiaoqi is only fifteen, at the prime of his youth, meant to contribute to the country. How can he be bound by marriage so early, thereafter confined to revolve around a man, dealing only with mundane household affairs? No, absolutely not!"

The thought of her carefree days slipping away and the prospect of being pregnant while still a girl in the bloom of youth filled Yan Lingzhen with deep aversion.

To her, this was more agonizing than death itself.

"You’ve thought too much," Yan Wanqing’s lips curved slightly upon observing her: "Not to mention that mother would not agree, I, your sister, would not agree either. You’re so young, you certainly shouldn’t be engaged so early. A woman’s life should be under her control. In the future, if you meet someone you like and want to marry, bring him back yourself. If you don’t meet anyone, mother and I won’t blame you. After all, there are many siblings in the family, and it’s Xiaoqi’s responsibility to carry on the family line. For you, we just hope that you’re always happy."

For you, we just hope that you’re always happy...

Yan Lingzhen exited her sister’s chamber, the phrase echoing in her mind.

She would be.

She would be happy and joyful.

Only after all of you have found your happiness will it be the greatest joy for her, Yan Lingzhen.

As for men... they would only slow down her speed of gathering herbs and earning money.

She didn’t want men, she wanted freedom and happiness.

She wanted the mountains and rivers, wanted the everlasting wind and freedom.

But before that, she needed to eat first.

...

After sending Xiaoliu away, Yan Wanqing remained seated by the window. She watched the bamboo leaves swaying outside for a long time without speaking.

When Cong Ge entered, she saw her young mistress in this state.

She was somewhat worried for a moment.

Being in the Imperial Palace, her usual sisters couldn’t come over to visit the young mistress whenever they wished.

It was difficult for Miss Li and Miss Shen to enter the palace.

Yan Wanqing had even directly declined all the invitations from outside, determined to stay quietly inside her chamber, only strolling in the garden during the day, and going nowhere else at other times.

Cong Ge softly called out, "Miss?"

Yan Wanqing snapped back to reality.

It seemed she had made a certain decision: "Go and invite the Crown Prince over, tell him I have important matters to discuss."

She rarely took the initiative to send for Xiao Pingfeng.

When Cong Ge reached the study, she learned from the eunuch that he had secretly left the palace. She had no choice but to bring the message back.

Yan Wanqing listened, a brief spell of distraction washing over her.

"Then let’s wait and talk about it later," she said, knowing where he had gone.

And at this time, night was about to fall.

The Qin Residence was ablaze with light.

Servants bustled in and out, bringing dish after dish of fresh ingredients to the main hall.

All because a distinguished guest had arrived today.

Xiao Pingfeng sat in the seat of honor, next to him was the Grand Tutor of Dawei, and then the master of the Qin Family, the madam, the second master and his wife, the third master and his wife... Finally, the youngest master and Miss Qin, due to limited seating, the rest without the status didn’t qualify for the table.

Miss Qin, Qin Erya, was dressed in white today, sitting quietly in her place with simple makeup, poised and unassuming, yet her peripheral vision occasionally lingered on the seat of honor.

Is this the husband Grandfather has chosen for her?

The Crown Prince of Dawei, the pride of scholars all over the world, not only possessed a handsome appearance but also an extraordinary demeanor. Every movement radiated a sovereign’s charisma, indeed the kind of person Grandfather said would be worthy of her.

Only, it was said... he had someone in his heart.

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