Finest Servant

Chapter 334

Chapter 334 You Cannot Go

The young prince of Goryeo, Yi Seung-Jae, seemed to have not anticipated that Seo Jang Geum would suddenly confront Master Lin. Master Lin was the envoy for both countries, not only had he accepted bribes from Ashile, but he had also received an agate personally delivered by Yi Seung-Jae. If this were to be exposed, Master Lin would be in trouble, and Goryeo would not benefit either.

The young prince urgently signaled Seo Jang Geum, but the Palace Lady shook her head resolutely. She bowed her head respectfully and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, please forgive me. Although Jang Geum is just a humble palace maid, she cannot tolerate bribery happening right under her nose. Regardless, I must report the truth to the Emperor of Great Hua."

The Emperor smiled faintly, cast a meaningful glance at Lin Wanrong, and asked Seo Jang Geum, "Palace Lady Seo, is everything you said true? Do you have any solid evidence?"

"Your Majesty, when Lord Ashile was bribing Lord Lin, I was present and saw it with my own eyes. Lord Ashile, in order to inspect the power of the Great Hua army, gave Lord Lin two night pearls and two blood-sweat horses on the spot. Lord Lin not only accepted the bribe but also led Lord Ashile to watch the military cannon drill. The Khanate of the Turks and Great Hua are currently in a standoff. Lord Lin, for his personal gain, leaked national secrets, which could lead to countless casualties among soldiers and civilians. Although I am a Goryeo person, Goryeo and Great Hua are neighboring countries with generations of friendship. I cannot bear to see the people of Great Hua suffer, so I reported Lord Lin to Your Majesty, hoping he can mend his ways." Seo Jang Geum, who cared about the people and was upright and selfless, insisted on her point of view in front of the Emperor, without any fear.

Lin Wanrong looked at the Palace Lady Seo with a smile, admiring her snow-white skin, jade neck, willow eyebrows, and cherry lips, which was indeed a pleasure. The young prince of Goryeo looked embarrassed. If the Emperor really wanted to investigate, the matter of him giving the agate to Lord Lin would certainly not be concealed. Seo Jang Geum's stubbornness and integrity were well-known in Goryeo, and it was unexpected that she remained the same in Great Hua.

After the Palace Lady Seo finished speaking, the civil and military officials were secretly shocked. This girl was really out of touch with the situation. The fact that the envoy accepted bribes was an open secret in Great Hua, and the Emperor turned a blind eye to it. Now she had brought it to the table, and this envoy Lin was appointed by the Emperor himself, wouldn't this embarrass the Emperor?

The Emperor nodded and beckoned to Gao Ping. The eunuch Gao then brought out a jade plate, removed the red cloth covering it, and revealed two thumb-sized night pearls in the plate, their brilliance dazzling and shimmering.

"Palace Lady Seo, come and see, are these the two night pearls that Ashile gave to Lin San?" The Emperor asked with a smile, showing great affection for Palace Lady Seo.

Seo Jang Geum stepped forward, carefully examined them, and then nodded, "These are indeed the two. Your Majesty, how did these end up with you?"

The Emperor laughed heartily, "Since they are indeed these two, then there is no problem. Everything Lord Lin has done was under my instruction. Our Great Hua army is strong, and our cannons are formidable, we fear no one's observation. Lord Ashile's generous gifts to Lord Lin, the two night pearls, and the two blood-sweat horses, I was aware of. In recognition of Lord Lin's meritorious service in reception, I have already rewarded these gifts to him and instructed him to reciprocate with a painting for Lord Ashile. Palace Lady Seo, your integrity, kindness, and fearlessness of power are admirable. I hope you will maintain this spirit in the future."

No wonder Lord Lin was so carefree. It turned out that all of this was the Emperor's idea, and this man had managed to keep it a secret, even pretending in front of her. Seo Jang Geum glanced at Lin Wanrong, seeing him grinning from ear to ear, looking extremely pleased. She couldn't help but smile and shake her head. Lord Lin's character was truly unpredictable, it was best to avoid getting involved with him.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. Jang Geum only wishes to seek welfare for the people of Goryeo and Great Hua. I desire nothing else," said Palace Lady Seo, in a calm and elegant manner.

The Emperor nodded and smiled, looking very pleased, "Now that this matter is clarified, it's even better. Lord Lin, you just said that the Turks are powerful and on par with Great Hua, could it be that you agree—"

Lin Wanrong shook his head, "Your Majesty, my point is, Great Hua and the Turks have been in a standoff for many years, and there has never been a clear winner. Lord Ashile's sudden proposal of marriage, although sincere, is somewhat abrupt. Goryeo and the Turks, in terms of the princess, each has its strengths and weaknesses. I still suggest that the princess make the decision herself. Perhaps the princess already has her own ideas, who knows?"

The officials understood, this young Lin San was quite a slick one. After all the talking, he didn't support either side, and kicked the ball to the princess.

The Emperor laughed heartily, "Lord Lin is right. Since both countries are sincerely seeking marriage, and there are countless young men in Great Hua who admire the princess, I will simply hold this marriage selection event. Let Goryeo, the Turks, and the men of Great Hua participate, compete fairly, and let Princess Nishang assess them. Whoever the princess favors, whether it's Goryeo, the Turks, or our Great Hua men, they will all be the son-in-law of Great Hua and the princess's consort. What do you think, my ministers?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Prince Cheng, who had been silent for a long time, was the first to respond with respect.

Seeing that the Emperor had made up his mind, all the ministers dared not oppose and unanimously agreed.

A grand princess of Great Hua, actually holding a marriage selection event, isn't this too childish? Lin Wanrong snorted quietly, and Xu Wei in the distance also looked worried, deeply concerned.

"Today, for the princess's selection of a consort, I will not interfere. Everything will be decided by the princess," the Emperor laughed, "In addition to the Goryeo and Turkic delegations, there are countless young men from Great Hua competing. To ensure fairness, all assessments will be personally set by the princess. Lord Ashile, Prince Yi, do you have any objections?"

"Your Majesty is wise," the two men nodded in unison, each with their own calculations. Although Great Hua had a larger population, the local suitors were all acting independently. Goryeo and the Turks each had a large group of strategists, increasing their chances of winning. In the end, this kind of competition was more advantageous for them.

...

The Emperor gave a slight nod to Gao Ping, who stepped forward and announced loudly, "Please welcome Princess Nishang—"

The drums and gongs resounded, and the ceremonial cannons fired lightly. The tall palace doors slowly opened, and two groups of colorfully dressed palace maids walked out, each holding a red embroidered ball. These balls were connected by a yellow silk ribbon, extending backward and tied to the handle of a small yellow palanquin in the center.

The yellow palanquin, carried by eight people, was extravagantly decorated. On top of it was a large red embroidered ball. Eight beautiful palace maids surrounded it, escorting it. The long procession slowly moved along the red carpet in the center of the field, heading straight for the small building. The curtains of the palanquin were low, and no one could see the person inside.

A cheer erupted from the crowd. Although they couldn't see her face, there was no doubt that the person coming out from the inner court of the palace was the Emperor's most beloved little princess.

The civil and military officials standing on both sides of the Emperor also couldn't help but whisper to each other. The Emperor's little princess had not been seen for many years, and they were curious about how she had grown.

The Goryeo and Turkic delegations seeking marriage were also excited. Yi Seung-Jae looked at Princess Nishang's palanquin, murmuring something, it was unclear what he was saying. Seo Jang Geum and the Korean Palace Ladies were whispering, seemingly discussing the upcoming competition.

Next to Ashile stood a Turk who looked similar to him. Although his face was ordinary, his eyes were full of wisdom, clearly not an easy opponent.

‘Princess Nishang? Is this Qingxuan?’ Lin Wanrong looked at the palanquin, wishing he could fly over and lift the curtains to see the true face of the person inside.

"Mr. Xu, Mr. Xu—" Lin Wanrong squeezed to Xu Wei's side and called softly.

"Little brother Lin, what is it?" Xu Wei's brow was furrowed, as if he was pondering something.

"Well, are there any conditions for participating in the consort selection? Can I sign up?" Lin Wanrong asked hopefully.

Xu Wei looked at him and laughed, "Little brother, do you suspect that Princess Nishang is Miss Qingxuan?"

Lin Wanrong nodded, "There's a high possibility. Mr. Xu, I should be able to sign up. Even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, I want to try."

Xu Wei sighed, "As long as you are a man between the ages of twenty and thirty and have never been married, you can participate. You should be eligible. The sudden appearance of a Princess Nishang, the Emperor's actions are indeed profound and unpredictable. I can't understand it anymore."

Xu Wei always spoke half and swallowed half, Lin Wanrong didn't understand but had no time to think further. The palanquin of Princess Nishang had already reached the front of the building and entered the building. She was about to ascend the small building soon.

Lin Wanrong's heart pounded a few times. Just as he was about to go downstairs to join the line of competitors, he saw the Emperor's gaze shift and land on him, "Lord Lin, come here!"

‘He can see me even when I'm hiding behind old Xu? This old man, the Emperor, is indeed not a figurehead.’ He walked forward with a smile, and the Emperor said with a faint smile, "Lord Lin, did you sleep well last night?"

"Very well, thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty," Lin Wanrong chuckled, "I almost overslept this morning."

The Emperor nodded, "Lord Lin, I entrust you with the role of the marriage envoy for today's marriage selection, responsible for supervision—"

Lin Wanrong hurriedly waved his hands, "No, no, Your Majesty, I also want to participate in the—"

"How dare you!" The Emperor's expression turned angry, "If I ask you to be the marriage envoy, then you will be the marriage envoy. When did I say you could participate in the marriage selection? Everyone in the world can go, but you, you cannot."

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