Dai Weisi took a sudden step forward, his voice trembling slightly with suppressed rage as he pointed at Chen Xuanliang's nose.
"Father, you must not listen to Chen Xuanliang's treacherous words! If we hand over Zhu Yun today just to please Yang Yuan, where would the face of our Star Luo Imperial Family go?"
His chest heaved violently, and bloodshot veins were faint in his eyes. However, Chen Xuanliang stood in place, his expression as calm as a deep well, completely ignoring Dai Weisi's fury.
Besides being the chief strategist of the Star Luo Imperial Family, he was also a top-tier Spirit Saint himself, naturally possessing the status to disregard the current Dai Weisi.
He lowered his eyelids and said indifferently, "I am merely stating my views. The final decision rests with Your Majesty."
Dai Weisi immediately withdrew his gaze from Chen Xuanliang and looked expectantly at Dai Tianfeng.
Seated at the head, Dai Tianfeng's expression was solemn. No joy or anger could be seen on his face, and he did not reply immediately.
He neither agreed nor refused, causing Dai Weisi's heart to sink bit by bit. He became increasingly anxious, feeling a heavy weight on his head, as if he were about to be crowned with a green hat.
What exactly was Father thinking?
Could it be that he was tacitly consenting?
No, how could this be? Zhu Zhuyun was his fiancée, the future Empress of the Empire!
He opened his mouth, about to say something more, when he saw Dai Tianfeng finally speak: "Weisi!"
Dai Weisi's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly bowed. "Your son is here."
"What you said makes sense."
Dai Tianfeng's voice was neither fast nor slow. He glanced at everyone in the grand tent before finally turning his gaze to Chen Xuanliang. "This matter concerns the Imperial Family's face; it shall not be mentioned again. Do not let this happen again."
Hearing this, Dai Weisi felt as if he had been granted a general amnesty. His tense body suddenly relaxed, and he almost collapsed on the spot.
He then gave Chen Xuanliang a provocative look, sneering in his heart, "In the end, Father is on my side."
Chen Xuanliang looked at the provocative Dai Weisi, shook his head with a smile, his eyes carrying a hint of pity.
Others might not know Dai Tianfeng's character, but how could he not?
Having stayed by Dai Tianfeng's side for decades, he knew very well that this Emperor of the Star Luo Empire had a cold Heart-Nature. He possessed familial affection, but not much; three of his biological brothers had died at his hands.
While he might have a bit more affection for his own biological offspring, it was still limited.
After all, the cruel method of competition within the Star Luo Imperial Family destined every Star Luo Emperor to have a cold-blooded personality.
For the sake of the Empire, let alone Zhu Zhuyun only being Dai Weisi's fiancée, even if she were already Dai Weisi's Imperial Consort, Dai Tianfeng would not hesitate to send her away.
Don't be fooled by his current righteous opposition; it was only because the grand tent was filled with prominent figures of the Star Luo Empire, and he had to consider the Imperial Family's face.
But within a few days, Zhu Zhuyun would surely step forward for the greater good, "willingly" sacrificing herself for the Empire.
The meeting in the central command tent ended.
At night, in front of Dai Tianfeng's private military tent.
Chen Xuanliang appeared there, an expression of 'as expected' on his face. Then, under the watchful eyes of two rows of gold-armored knights outside the tent, he calmly walked inside.
Inside the tent, Dai Tianfeng had clearly been waiting for a long time.
Upon seeing Chen Xuanliang, he said flatly, "Xuanliang, you've come."
Chen Xuanliang stepped forward and performed a formal bow.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Dai Tianfeng waved his hand casually. "Between us, there is no need for such empty formalities. I've called you here because I still want to ask—how feasible is the method you mentioned earlier?"
Chen Xuanliang did not stand on ceremony. After sitting down at Dai Tianfeng's gesture, he began to speak eloquently.
"Your Majesty, it is no longer a question of whether it is feasible. Even if the method were not feasible, would we not try it?"
"Judging by the character displayed by that King Qitian, this is already the best plan."
"In terms of strength, his power is unrivaled across the continent. As for power, he discarded the position of Supreme Pontiff as soon as he said he didn't want it. Now, besides beautiful women, he has no weaknesses at all."
"Furthermore, we don't even need him to be on our side; we only need him to remain neutral."
"Additionally, if he cares for his friendship with Xue Qinghe, we can promise to spare Xue Qinghe's life after we succeed, ensuring him a lifetime of wealth and honor. In that case, he might not necessarily refuse."
Hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Dai Tianfeng's majestic face.
"What Xuanliang says is exactly what I was thinking."
Chen Xuanliang added, "It's just that regarding the eldest prince..."
Dai Tianfeng's expression was indifferent. "A great man need not worry about lacking a wife. It's just a woman. When he sits in my position in the future, will he really worry about having no women?"
"As for Zhu Zhuyun, I will naturally have the Empress negotiate with her."
"That is for the best."
...Only three days passed before a piece of information spread among the high-ranking officials of the Star Luo Empire.
Zhu Zhuyun, the eldest daughter of the Nether Duke, had entered Jialing Pass carrying a letter from home.
While it was said she was going to visit her younger sister Zhu Zhuqing, everyone knew the real purpose.
Rumor had it that because of this, the eldest prince, Dai Weisi, flew into a thunderous rage in his own military tent.
Everyone's expressions when looking at him were filled with strangeness, and within that strangeness was a hint of pity.
Meanwhile, inside Jialing Pass.
Because of Zhu Zhuyun's special status, she also drew considerable attention.
The Star Luo Empire's intentions were plain for all to see, and many high-ranking officials of Heaven Dou secretly broke into a cold sweat.
The Star Luo Empire's methods were truly too dirty, actually resorting to a honey trap.
The King Qitian must absolutely not fall for it.
On the other side.
Qian Renxue looked at Yang Yuan with a half-smile.
"Xiao Yuan, your deterrent power is truly immense now. Before you've even made a move, the Star Luo Empire has already sent their eldest Imperial Consort to please you."
Yang Yuan spread his hands with an innocent expression. "Sister Xueer, don't wrong me. She's just here to catch up with her sister and deliver a letter from home. What does that have to do with me?"
As the Star Luo Empire's army approached, Zhu Zhuqing, despite her special status, was also in Jialing Pass, though she didn't join the army in guarding the pass.
Qian Renxue teased, "From your tone, are you saying you don't want these two beauties delivered to your door?"
Zhu Zhuyun's goal was no secret. With a little inquiry, the scouts of the Heaven Dou Empire could easily learn the sequence of events.
Many high-ranking officials in the Heaven Dou Empire military suggested it would be better to block Zhu Zhuyun outside Jialing Pass.
But this matter concerned Yang Yuan; who dared to make a decision for him?
What if Yang Yuan happened to like a pair of sisters like Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing?
Not to mention, the two of them had the added bonus of their status.
Especially Zhu Zhuyun, who was the future Empress of the Star Luo Empire.
Yang Yuan shook his head. "No matter how beautiful they are, could they possibly be more beautiful than Sister Xueer?"
After hearing this, Qian Renxue deliberately put on a stern face and tapped Yang Yuan's chest with her fingertip. "Smooth talker."
Despite her words, the smile on her face could not be hidden, and her mood was joyful.
(End of Chapter)
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