Chapter 1606 – Conquering Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (Twenty)
Though the Xichang Prince had a bit of cunning, he was still just a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy. In Jiang Pengji’s eyes, and even in Qi Kuang and Li Yun’s views, his methods were somewhat lacking. His acting wasn’t bad, but he hadn’t yet learned how to perfectly conceal his ambitions.
Even in that fleeting moment, the surprise and calculation that flashed across Jiang Pengji’s face were clearly visible to everyone.
Of course, the Xichang Prince wasn’t totally useless; he managed to deceive ninety-nine percent of the five million stowaway non-money viewers in the live stream.
Life is like a play, all based on acting skills.
Having grown accustomed to various drama shows filled with heavy editing and stunt doubles, the stowaway non-money crowd had greatly lowered their standards for acting. To them, the Xichang Prince’s disguise was undeniably flawless. If it weren’t for some keen eyes, no one would have realized that this handsome and harmless young lad had a black heart hiding beneath.
Well…
It couldn’t be ruled out that his looks could have made the stowaway non-money viewers let their guard down.
Jiang Pengji appeared serious while listening to the Xichang Prince’s scripted words, but her mind was elsewhere, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
When she looked earnestly at someone, no matter who it was, that person could feel the sincerity in her gaze, as if those eyes could only accommodate one person. The Xichang Prince was no exception; upon discovering Jiang Pengji’s stare, his heart swelled with joy.
Ever since the Xichang royal family had fallen, it was the first time he had been so thankful for his looks. After all, how else could he attract a woman of rank sitting in a position of power?
The Xichang Princess observed all this unfolding, appearing indifferent on the surface but feeling somewhat complicated inside.
If her twin brother caught Jiang Pengji’s eye, his future glory would be guaranteed. But as a woman, she couldn’t fight for another woman’s affection against a man. What she told the Empress was merely an excuse to persuade her.
The Xichang Princess’s real objective was to marry one of Jiang Pengji’s high-ranking ministers as the principal wife.
Earlier, she had sent people to inquire, and most of Jiang Pengji’s high-ranking ministers were in their thirties or forties, with children already old enough for marriage. The only exception was Wei Ci, Zixiao. Approaching thirty but still unmarried, it was unclear whether he preferred men or had health issues preventing him from bearing children. For the Xichang Princess, it didn’t matter; she was only interested in his status, not his physical condition.
While her brother chatted with Jiang Pengji, the sharp-eyed princess spotted Wei Ci.
Though he had not been introduced, Wei Ci was easy to recognize.
As rumored, he was indeed the most handsome and upright scholar among them.
With just one glance, the Xichang Princess felt very satisfied with her “future husband.”
Regardless of any hidden ailment, given Wei Ci’s looks, talent, demeanor, status, and power, she definitely wouldn’t be at a disadvantage.
The Xichang Princess’s movements were subtle, but how could they escape Jiang Pengji’s keen eyes?
Jiang Pengji sneered inwardly, yet on the surface, she inquired with a bright smile, pretending to be quite pleased with the Xichang Prince and showing concern for his journey while testing the conditions within Xichang. Seizing the moment, the Xichang Prince climbed the ladder, emphasizing how the Xichang Emperor had suffered under the tyranny of treacherous subjects and had devoted himself for the great cause of the empire… Truly heart-wrenching; the attendees felt genuinely moved, sniffling away.
Jiang Pengji also appropriately feigned being touched, following the Xichang Prince’s lead in mentioning a union to strengthen the friendship between the two nations.
“My father often mentions marrying off the imperial sister, but alas, with treacherous subjects reigning in Xichang, there aren’t any fitting gentlemen for her, which causes him great distress.” The Xichang Prince, sly as he was, didn’t mention his own marriage but rather spoke of his sister’s, portraying himself as a concerned brother worried about her fate. He also lifted Jiang Pengji at the same time, stating, “I’ve heard that the Lan Ting Marquis has an abundance of talents under his wing. If we could unite our families, the bond between our nations would surely grow even stronger. Thus, my father and mother wouldn’t need to worry about my sister’s lifelong matter.”
Jiang Pengji responded, “That sounds splendid, but… my ministers are mostly much older and already have wives; it wouldn’t be right to put the imperial princess at a disadvantage. The only one of suitable age, like Qin Fengjing, has a wedding engagement set by his late father that shouldn’t be broken. So, I’m afraid this match may not work. I see the imperial princess is stunning, perhaps even unparalleled; we shouldn’t treat such an engagement lightly.”
The Xichang Prince, standing firm as the princess’s twin brother, had already privately discussed targeting Wei Ci with her.
Even if marrying the subordinate of a warlord during these chaotic times, as a princess, she couldn’t settle for being a concubine. Wei Ci was simply perfect.
The Xichang Prince said, “There is indeed one person from the Lan Ting Marquis’s ranks who is quite suitable.”
Jiang Pengji asked amidst the curious gazes of the crowd, “Who? Why am I unaware?”
The Xichang Prince replied, “That would be Mr. Wei Zixiao. I’ve heard that he is talented from a young age, having accompanied the Lan Ting Marquis in battles for over a decade with a stellar reputation. Currently, he has no concubines at home and is merely a little over a decade older than the imperial sister. They are both exceptionally handsome; how could they not be a match?”
Silence fell over the crowd.
The stowaway non-money viewers were so startled that they dropped their snacks, forgetting how to comment.
What did these two treasures from Xichang just say?
[Stowaway Non-Money]: Someone wake me up, did I hear wrong? Who does this little prince have his sights set on?
[Lipstick Collector]: Is living not good? Why the need to court death?
[Trying to Earn Money]: It’s better to have eyes on the streamer than on the beauty of the court. At least with the streamer, you just have to deal with the beauty’s spite. Looking at the beauty? You’ll end up being pounded into meat paste. It’s a no-win situation! Is this Xichang Prince here for a marriage alliance or to hand over his head?
“Not a match, not a match,” Jiang Pengji coldly chuckled, dropping an unexpected bombshell, “It’s quite a match with me, though.”
Everyone was like: “…”
They knew their leader had a knack for being flirty, but they didn’t anticipate it reaching such heights.
In silent agreement, their eyes darted towards the Xichang Prince and Princess, witnessing their expressions freeze, on the verge of cracking.
Jiang Pengji acted as if nothing was wrong, asking, “What’s the matter? Is there something wrong?”
The Xichang Prince’s lips quivered as he realized he had misunderstood Jiang Pengji’s earlier gaze.
She—
She actually had her sights set on his own sister, a woman of the same gender?
No wonder—
No wonder the world’s strongest warlord Liu Xi was still single, with no heirs, a total weirdo obsessed with mirror polishing.
The Xichang Princess looked just as if she had been struck by lightning.
She might have declared a willingness to share a partner with her brother, but she never meant to actually serve a woman.
Both siblings paled as Jiang Pengji seemed oblivious, her gaze landing on the princess, leaving the three of them speechless.
The situation was spiraling out of control. The Xichang Prince awkwardly sought a clumsy excuse to take his leave without giving a proper response.
Once they departed, Jiang Pengji nearly rolled on the floor with laughter.
“Falling for Zixiao? Does he not ponder how many heads he has on his neck—”
Jiang Pengji made a cheeky remark, never expecting someone would take it seriously.
When Li Yun solemnly advised her to harmonize yin and yang for the true righteous path, Jiang Pengji’s smile almost split her face.
