He had misunderstood my intentions, but I was in no hurry to argue. Yan Huo was too cunning. If he knew my true thoughts, he might try to exploit them, and I would not get the information I wanted. For now, I could only be patient.
“May I ask Your Majesty about the whereabouts of this Wujin Token?”
He raised an eyebrow, speaking leisurely: “Only Xia Zhichun knows the token’s location.”
“Then may I ask Your Majesty if you know Xia Zhichun’s whereabouts?”
Yan Huo paused briefly, then smiled and nodded: “I’ve said that whenever the Princess has a request, I will do my utmost. Finish this cup, and I’ll have Mo Qu take you to see Xia Zhichun.”
I was surprised. I never expected Yan Huo to agree so easily to letting me meet Xia Zhichun. Given Yan Huo’s character, he would usually seize such an opportunity to set conditions, yet he had readily offered his chips. It was incomprehensible.
Could he have another plan?
I raised my cup: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Just as he was about to drink, he seemed to remember something and put down his cup. “Oh, I almost forgot. Is the Cavalry General who accompanied the Princess to Xi Liang currently married?”
General Shen? I was momentarily stunned, then replied, “Not yet.”
“My sixth imperial sister, Princess Qinghe, is eighteen, considered beautiful and intelligent, and also unmarried. These past few days, she mentioned having a very good impression of your country’s General Shen. If the Grand Princess has no objections, why not facilitate this marriage?”
If it were someone else, I would be happy to see it through. After all, with Nan Rui and Qi Kingdom at odds, we could only maintain good relations with Xi Liang. A marriage alliance would help stabilize relations.
“Zhao Hua fears she cannot make this decision,” I politely declined. “Although General Shen is unmarried, he may already have a marriage arrangement or someone in his heart. Let me consult with General Shen before responding to Your Majesty.”
Yan Huo’s expression was strange, seeming both triumphant and regretful. “The Princess isn’t reluctant, is she? I hear Emperor Hong intends to bestow General Shen in marriage to the Princess. Could it be the Princess also has her own desires?”
