Chapter 254 - Insight (1/2)
Prince Yi felt a shift in the atmosphere of his bedroom, he immediately sat up, reaching for his sword but then he heard a familiar calm voice speak. One he had once spent a whole night anticipating.
”Relax...I have come to say my farewell as a friend.” Chun Hai calmly said walking forward from the corner of the room.
Prince Yi's hand remained on the sword as he scoffed and said, ”I have heard that the entire city is an uproar searching for ”enemies of the state”...I thought you would be too busy have the time to come to say a farewell to such a casual acquaintance...My manor is no place for a fugitive.” Prince Yi said that last line with irritation.
”Ahh, I should, first of all, apologize for my absence the other day. As you probably now know, the situation has been changing very rapidly. Things escalated out of hand and I did not want to endanger Your highness with my problems. So I had no choice but to stay away...Today I naturally came to apologize and naturally came with a farewell gift.” Chun Hai leisurely said.
”Your highness, who are you talking to?” A groggy female voice suddenly went from behind Prince Yi. Prince Yi swiftly turned to the woman and before she could sit up and see the visitor, he hit the woman on the back of her neck and knocked her out.
It was not that he did not trust his concubines, he just could not take any risks here. Especially considering the Emperor was currently raising the entire capital most likely in search of this person here.
Although Prince Yi was not fully convinced of Chun Hai's reason for missing their appointment, he was still open to negotiations. Especially, when someone was here to grovel for his help. He could indulge him a bit.
Prince Yi got up and asked, ”And what is this gift?” As he leisurely reached for his robe and put it on.
Prince Yi turned back to Chun Hai and it was only then that he noticed that there was someone else in the room besides Chun Hai. There was a woman at Chun Hai's side frowning at him, seemingly displeased about something. Perhaps it was about him walking around n.a.k.e.d, but it was his bedroom and they interrupted his sleep. Therefore, he was not going to apologize for that.
Prince Yi raised an unamused eyebrow at Chun Hai and asked, ”Is that the gift?” as his eyes went back to Chun Hua, looking her over.
Chun Hai frowned, but before he could respond, Chun Hua spoke up, ”Enough of this. We are here to consolidate our alliance. You want the Long throne and we want the Long Emperor dead...Therefore, we should be able to help each other.”
”And who are you supposed to be?” Prince Yi asked with knit eyebrows, not liking her tone.
”Prince Houyi's future princess...” Chun Hua proudly responded, raising her chin.
”Ahhh, one of his concubines...” Prince Yi offhandedly commented. It now made sense why Haiyan was so eager and willing to run into the lion's den to retrieve her.
”My sister is no one's concubine! Watch your mouth.” Chun Hai irritatedly warned, he was already ready to leave at this point. But since they were, they had better make the trip worthwhile. Otherwise, the waste would be too tragic and so he had to endure.
”Sister?” Prince Yi exclaimed, wide-eyed.
Chun Hua frowned and irritatedly went, ”Please focus on what's important here. I would like you to-”
”I am no longer interested in an alliance with you people.” Prince Yi interjected, picking up his sword and walking over to sit at his desk on the side, where a jar of wine sat.
”He's not interested, let's go.” Chun Hai promptly said as he grabbed his sister's arm. Chun Hua shrugged him off and turned back to Prince Yi and asked, ”Why not? Don't you want to be the Long Emperor?”
Prince Yi frowned but then he quickly replaced it with a nonchalant expression. He filled up his cup of wine as he offhandedly explained, ”You Zou people are obviously untrustworthy...Also your champion Prince, Prince Houyi is too ambitious. I cannot trade one evil for a greater one. I can manage my own affairs, you should leave now while I am still being hospitable.” He finished, picking up the cup and sipping leisurely.
Chun Hai reached for Chun Hua's hand again for them to leave, but she shrugged him off and blurted out, ”Marry Nalan!”
Prince Yi stopped and then blinked up at her with a frown, ”Do you take me for a fool?” The Zou king wanted Princess Nalan to be the Emperor's wife so there was no way he would settle for a prince.
Not to mention, the Emperor would never approve of the union as it will give him more power and connections. Asking for such a union was a foolish move, one begging for trouble.
Chun Hua ignored the question and clarified, ”Obviously, I don't mean you should go to request her hand in marriage. Her father and your Emperor will naturally not agree, even Houyi would disagree. What I mean is that you should make her fall in love with you...Make it so that she has to marry you.” She glanced towards the bed and flatly said, ”I believe you should be quite capable of the endeavor...”
Prince Yi knit his brows in thought as he mulled over her words and what she implied. He had not thought of this before. As absurd as it sounded, as troublesome as it could be...It was not so bleak.
Chun Hua's mouth lightly rose in a sly smile as she continued to persuade him, ”Nalan will be a very strategic piece for you. She is close to the heart of all her siblings. Her two sisters are married to kings of their own nations, Baiya and Jing country. Most importantly, Houyi has always felt immense guilt for not being there for her when she was growing up. No matter how ambitious he is, he would never hurt her or what is hers. Get her and I promise your throne will be secure. You will have not only Houyi, but you will also have the alliance of Zou kingdom, regardless of which brother later sits on the throne...”
Chun Hau glanced at her brother, wanting him to assist her. Chun Hai inwardly sighed and then said, ”There is no loss to you with this deal. We both grew up with Prince Houyi so we know him best...You will have an ally in him with Nalan at your side.”
{...Probably, I can't really tell these days ...}