Traveling back to ancient times to get rich

Chapter 395 Seeking a Marriage in the Western Regions

The wind of Yuncheng, carrying the crisp chill of snowmelt, swept past the bamboo house in Gu Mochen's residence. The former emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was now leaning against the carved wooden railing, brewing tea. His movements were elegant; the water in the celadon teapot gurgled, and a few freshly picked Longjing tea leaves floated in the amber-colored tea, their fragrant aroma wafting through the air.

Ye Qingchen, carrying a snow-white Persian cat, strolled gracefully across the corridor. She wore a simple, plain silk dress, the hem of which swept across the sunlight like shards of gold, outlining her elegant figure. Although two years had passed, Gu Mochen and Ye Qingchen, both in their thirties, still looked as young as teenagers, their skin exceptionally flawless. Just then, the distant sound of galloping hooves shattered the brief silence. A messenger dressed in the robes of the Great Xia royal family rode hurriedly towards them on a sweat-soaked steed.

"Your Majesty, there is an urgent message from the Great Xia Imperial Palace!" The messenger dismounted, knelt on one knee, and presented a sealed letter with wax seal. Gu Mochen raised an eyebrow slightly, took the letter, opened it, and his expression gradually became serious.

Meanwhile, inside the magnificent Golden Palace of the Great Xia Dynasty, Gu Wenchao frowned, watching the obsequious envoy of Ouyang Lie. The young emperor held a letter in his hand, from his younger brother, Gu Wenyou. Ouyang Lie's envoy had also arrived in the Western Regions, as Gu Wenxi was currently there researching her integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The ink on the letter clearly showed that Gu Wenyou had rushed it overnight and had it delivered by the Flying Eagle warriors. It seemed that even his usually decisive and powerful younger brother was flustered. "Brother, Ouyang Lie's envoy has been waiting outside the palace for three days. But Wenxi firmly disagrees." Gu Wenchao pondered the contents of the letter in a low voice, then reluctantly told the envoy to rest.

Ouyang Lie is a tiger from the Western Regions, so there's really no need to fall out with him. He came to the Great Xia with good intentions to seek the Empress, but their sister simply doesn't like men with other women. She had already held a meeting for them a few years ago, and her marriage doesn't allow them to make the decisions.

In the imperial court, sunlight streamed through the windows, casting their shadows clearly onto the white marble steps, resembling a crumpled ancient painting, somewhat disheveled.

Prince Wen stroked his beard, pondering thoughtfully, and said, "Ouyang Lie is proposing to marry the princess. Normally, the Emperor should be happy, so why does he seem unusually nervous?"

Zhao Zhixin chimed in, "Yes, it's wonderful that our Great Xia princess is marrying into the Western Regions and becoming empress. Her children will inherit the Western Regions!" He was equally puzzled, wondering why Princess Qian and the Emperor seemed dissatisfied with this marriage.

Prince Lin, however, had already seen through the reason. He was close to Gu Wenchao and the others, and naturally knew Gu Wenqian's personality inside and out. Although that girl was still young, she had been their leader for many years, with a fiery and independent personality. She had probably already made it clear to the two emperors that she would never marry outside the palace.

However, Prince Lin couldn't understand why Gu Wenqian disliked Ouyang Lie. After all, in ancient times, it was common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Could it be that she disliked Ouyang Lie for already being married to another woman?

The crowd buzzed with discussion, a jumble of speculations and opinions that left everyone somewhat bewildered. Gu Wenchao rubbed his temples, feeling a slight headache. His gaze slowly swept over everyone present, finally settling on the three Wu family sons who had remained silent throughout.

The three sons of the Wu family seemed to sense the emperor's gaze. After exchanging a glance, they stepped forward together and bowed to Gu Wenchao. One of them spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty, regarding the matter of the marriage alliance, we believe it requires further consideration. Princess Wenxi has had her own unique insights and ideas since childhood. She once told Your Majesty and Emperor Wenyou of Southern Xinjiang that she would never marry a man who already has wives and concubines. It seems that her words were not a joke. Emperor Wenyou must have clearly stated this in his letter as well, so we really shouldn't be pursuing Princess Wenxi any further."

Another of the three Wu sons continued, "Furthermore, although Ouyang Lie has never met Princess Wenqian, he has clearly stated that the Empress's position cannot be held by a woman from the Gu family. In that case, perhaps we could consider..."

However, before he could finish speaking, a crisp, urgent voice shattered the tranquility like a bolt of lightning, interrupting him. Everyone's gaze turned to the source of the sound, where Zhao Zhixin stood up anxiously and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, Princess Wenting is only twelve years old. So young, it's truly unbearable for her to be sent to such a distant place as the Western Regions for a marriage. Moreover, her mind is as pure as a blank sheet of paper. Even as Empress, who can truly protect her after she marries into the Western Regions?"

Zhao Zhixin's words revealed deep concern for Princess Wenting; his voice trembled slightly, as if this decision was extremely important to him. Seeing this, the three elder brothers of the Wu family immediately understood. They exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of mockery and knowing in the other's eyes. It turned out that their sworn brother actually had feelings for Princess Wenting. For so many years, he had remained unmarried, rejecting all arranged marriages; perhaps it was Princess Wenting who had always been on his mind.

However, this was clearly not the time to tease Zhao Zhixin. The three elder brothers of the Wu family quickly put away their smiles and their expressions became serious. One of them spoke up, "Isn't there any other way?"

Just then, Gu Wenlin, who had been silent all along, slowly raised his head. His gaze was unusually calm and profound, as if he had already given this matter considerable thought. His gaze fell directly on the Emperor, and then he spoke unhurriedly, “Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, while Princess Wenxi and Princess Wenting are indeed princesses, Princess Wen’er of Prince Lin’s family can also be considered a princess, as can Princess Wenxuan of Prince Wen’s family. After all, what Ouyang Lie seeks is merely a princess of our Great Xia, and what he knows is only Princess Wenxi. Therefore, Your Majesty might as well ask him whether he can accept other princesses?”

Gu Wenlin's words were like a ray of light, instantly illuminating the entire hall. The previously somber atmosphere brightened immediately, and the ministers began whispering among themselves.

Immediately afterward, a minister stepped forward and echoed, "Indeed, Your Majesty, the founding emperor bore many sisters for the retired emperor, and those were all true princesses! It's just a pity that because the retired emperor didn't like too many women in the palace, he raised them all in the girls' academy in the capital. Many of them were the founding emperor's princesses!"