"How do you feel about it, Your Majesty?"
Dongfang Fu stopped taking jabs at Guo Jia and turned to Xiao Ying, asking teasingly.
Everyone in the hall looked at Xiao Ying, especially the consorts of Great Huan, whose expressions varied from reproach to amusement, helplessness, and wistfulness...
Under everyone's gazes, especially those of the women, Xiao Ying felt both embarrassed and ashamed, awkward beyond measure. He could not help glaring and snapping:
"Absurd! Who do you take me for, snatching a woman by force?"
"Heehee... Who said anything about force? A matchmaker's agreement, a parent's word-this is what Zhen Ji's father requested. Your Majesty would be rescuing a beauty from fire and water, earning boundless merit!"
Dongfang Fu laughed, her voice tinkling like silver bells, and offered her defense with a solemn air.
She sounded earnest, yet the teasing was unmistakable, as though she were enjoying a good show. Nothing about it sat right with Xiao Ying, and he muttered inwardly:
Is the Eastern Marquis getting back at me for politely refusing when she offered herself to me before?
"To be honest, whether for public or private interests, whether judged by sentiment or reason, Your Majesty could indeed agree to this!"
Bian Qirong's expression shifted slightly. With an inward sigh, she suddenly interjected with her advice.
"What?!"
Xiao Ying looked at Bian Qirong in bewildered surprise. Even the others froze, staring at her in disbelief.
In a sense, Zhen Ji was Bian Qirong's future daughter-in-law, and Cao Pi, the new emperor of Great Wei, was her own son. What mother-in-law would urge someone else to steal her daughter-in-law?
"Is it so strange? These words truly come from my heart. This would be good for Great Huan, for Great Wei, for Zihuan-Cao Pi-and for Zhen Ji!"
As shrewd and insightful as