CHAPTER 331: CHAPTER 129: THE COUNTER-ESPIONAGE PLOT (3) XIAO JINSEN’S RETRIBUTION_3

Xiao Zhanping was naturally very clear that at this point, there was no way to shirk responsibility.

And whether it was as Xiao Jinsen claimed or not, everyone present knew it in their hearts.

It was unlikely that such a situation had arisen simply out of an urgent desire to save someone.

Xiao Jinsen was a very cautious person; even if he were to save someone, he would not compromise himself. If he did, it must be the truth.

Xiao Zhanping spoke up, "Of course, regardless of the actual reasons of the King of Chu, Yao’er’s innocence was indeed destroyed by the King of Chu, and he must take responsibility. However, as the King of Chu has clearly stated, his affection for Wan’er is mutual. While it is true that the King of Chu should take responsibility, it would not be appropriate for me to forcibly separate a loving couple. Wan’er has just returned from the border, and I had indeed planned to arrange their marriage. Now..."

"Your Majesty, I am willing to withdraw," said Bai Mowan bluntly and resolutely.

Xiao Zhanping, of course, was aware that Bai Mowan would no longer marry Xiao Jinsen.

Her having made such a statement already showed her stance. His words were merely to spare the Bai Family their dignity.

It was certainly not because he favored anyone.

It was Bai Mowan’s own decision.

"Since this is the case, then I shall grant the marriage of the King of Chu to Yao’er," Xiao Zhanping did not hesitate any further.

It had come to this point.

There was no choice but to do so.

As soon as Xiao Zhanping spoke, Zhao Mengyu’s heart sank.

She had always hoped for a turnaround, resting her expectations on Ye Qichi and Bai Mowan, thinking that if Ye Qichi were smart enough, he wouldn’t let Bai Mowan marry Xiao Jinsen, and that if Bai Mowan had any old affection, she wouldn’t just give up on Xiao Jinsen. In the end, both pushed Xiao Jinsen out, leaving him with no choice but to marry Xie Ruiyao.

How could Xie Ruiyao compare to Bai Mowan?

Although the elder princess had always been supporting her, she lacked real power, and in all aspects such as talent and appearance, she could not match Bai Mowan. If she marries Xiao Jinsen, she could at most be a concubine. What qualifications did she have to become the Princess Consort of Chu?

What was even more unacceptable to her was.

Their original plan was to push this woman, Xie Ruiyao, onto Xiao Jinxing.

Zhao Mengyu naturally knew all about Xiao Jinsen’s visit to Xie Ruiyao today. It was the final use of Xie Ruiyao, to drug Xiao Jinxing, to design a situation where they would be involved together, forcing Xiao Jinxing to marry Xie Ruiyao. With Xie Ruiyao always liking her son, they could use her to do many things.

Everything had been going smoothly. Xie Ruiyao had really fallen in love with her son, and they just needed to wait until tomorrow for the scandal to break. Yet at this critical moment, there was a shocking reversal.

Xie Ruiyao did not marry Xiao Jinxing but her son, costing her son the Bai Family’s million-strong army!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt she could not swallow this grievance.

Now looking at Xie Ruiyao, looking at that pitiful girl, she wished she could go up and strangle her.

What merit or capability did she have to marry her outstanding son!

Her anger reached its peak.

Yet Yu Qingyuan was delighted to the extreme.

She had been anxious these past few days, and she knew very well that the emperor would definitely arrange the marriage of Bai Mowan to Xiao Jinsen in public. Once Xiao Jinsen got Bai Mowan, it would be much harder for her to deal with Xiao Jinsen. But now, Xiao Jinsen had suddenly married Xie Ruiyao... It was, frankly, laughable.

Zhao Mengyu and Xiao Jinsen had plotted for so long, only to fall into the gutter. Everything felt immensely satisfying.

She was now truly exhilarated as never before!

Seeing Zhao Mengyu looking as if she had eaten shit, she was indeed thrilled.

In the great hall, everyone harbored their own thoughts.

After a moment.

Xiao Zhanping personally bestowed the marriage edict, and the court eunuch Mu read aloud the imperial decree, "Decree from the Heavens: It has come to our attention that the legitimate daughter of the Duke Mansion, Miss Xie Ruiyao, is gentle and modest, kind and dignified, exceptional in both character and appearance, to our great pleasure. As the King of Chu has reached the age of marriage, we seek to find a worthy bride. As it so happens, Xie Ruiyao, a young lady poised for marriage, is a match made by heaven for the King of Chu, a union that merits a blessed marriage. Therefore, you are granted to the King of Chu to be his Princess Consort. All ritual and ceremony will be handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Director of the Imperial Observatory. A fortunate day will be chosen for the wedding, to be announced to all within and outside the realm, that all may hear."

After finishing.

Chamberlain Mu hurriedly reminded, "King of Chu and Miss Xie, you have yet to accept the decree and express your gratitude."

Xiao Jinsen grudgingly prepared himself.

Xie Ruiyao stepped forward shyly.

The two knelt before the emperor, "Thank you Father Emperor/Your Majesty for the marriage grant."

The imperial edict was passed to the two of them.

Xie Ruiyao couldn’t help but shyly glance at Xiao Jinsen.