Chapter 861: Diverting Attention

Zhao Junyao wasn’t bothered.

"Nothing wrong with hearing it, if I don’t want to marry her, I just won’t!"

"I don’t mind such rumors either!"

Xia Ruqing nodded, but... still didn’t fully understand.

"Emperor, why don’t you explain it to them clearly?"

"I think, if you’re truly troubled, Western Xia wouldn’t push you too hard!"

Zhao Junyao was somewhat helpless but remained unruffled.

"Didn’t I already say?"

"But it seems they didn’t take it to heart!"

It’s like... she won’t give up without marrying him?!

Thinking about it, Zhao Junyao was a bit puzzled.

"She hasn’t even met me, why insist on marrying?"

He pondered deeply but couldn’t find an answer.

Xia Ruqing casually remarked.

"How do you know she hasn’t met you? Maybe at some point she did!"

"After all, she was wearing a veil, we couldn’t see her, right!"

Talking about this, she felt a bit regretful.

Last night, she’d been anticipating seeing her face, but in the end, she didn’t take off her veil.

Seriously...

A beautiful lady like her, why wear a veil!

Zhao Junyao thought about it, it made sense.

So he reviewed all the places where he might have encountered people from Western Xia in his mind.

Then...

His eyes lit up.

"Could it be the year I went to the Northwest for inspection?"

"Oh! I remember now!"

That year, indeed, there was a girl claiming to be Fengfeng, insisting on marrying him.

The schedule was tight then, he didn’t pay attention and had Li Shengan handle it.

He’d long forgotten about this.

Unexpectedly, the girl remembered!

Xia Ruqing looked at him, her eyes full of indescribable complexity.

’Emperor, you are truly... a living Tao Hua magnet!!’

’Having married such a Tao Hua-attracting emperor, should she be happy? Or just happy?’

Zhao Junyao sheepishly touched his nose.

"Well Qingqing... I... honestly didn’t expect it was like this!"

"She kept her veil on, I couldn’t recognize her, could I?"

Xia Ruqing’s eyes turned cold, she asked quietly.

"So... if she didn’t wear a veil, you would recognize her?"

Zhao Junyao: "..."

"Cough! Nevermind!"

"Let’s not mention this, the issue now is how can I avoid her!"

"Qingqing... you’re always clever, dealing with women..."

He truly couldn’t handle it.

He would rather tackle the toughest military formations, solve the most complex imperial affairs...

No matter how difficult, just keep him away from these troublesome women!

"Qingqing, you must help me!"

Zhao Junyao showed a seeking expression.

Xia Ruqing was utterly stunned.

So this emperor, who normally was assured, iceberg-faced, and indifferent, could be helpless too!

Hm...

Seems like he’s really met his match this time.

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment and decided to take a risk.

"But Emperor, let me put the ugly words up front, I don’t understand the affairs of the court, if I mess up, you have to cover for me!"

"No problem! As long as we get past this hurdle, any problem is no problem!"

Zhao Junyao regained confidence.

Xia Ruqing leaned in to help him analyze the situation.

"First, she can’t be chased away!"

They are Western Xia’s envoys, just because they want to marry a daughter to you, chasing them away would lead to mockery if word got out to neighboring countries.

The Emperor’s personal reputation can be sacrificed, but the face of the Great Chu cannot be lost!

"Second, cannot promise, and keep hiding isn’t good either!"

Zhao Junyao:

"Qingqing, isn’t this saying the obvious!"

Xia Ruqing ignored him and continued.

"So, now we only have one way!"

"Divert her attention!"

"If Princess Hai Feng can back off herself, that would be best, but this method doesn’t seem reliable!"

It’s been so long, backing off now is unlikely!

"Only the last method remains!"

Xia Ruqing exclaimed excitedly.

Zhao Junyao looked full of anticipation.

"What method?"

"Make her fall for someone else!"

Upon hearing, Zhao Junyao began to ponder.

"Qingqing, will this work?"

Xia Ruqing looked proud.

"Of course, Emperor, you don’t know, a woman’s heart is like needles at the bottom of the ocean, a woman’s face, like summer’s weather, hard to figure out!"

"So..."

"First, we find a man similar to you to accompany her, attentively caring for her!"

"Then, you cool down, while he heats up!"

"No one loves cold shoulders, gradually, maybe she’ll fall for someone else!"

"Even if she doesn’t, having someone accompanying her, at least she won’t cause trouble during this time!"

After analyzing, Xia Ruqing felt like she had become an emotional expert.

She was keen to fend off women for her husband!

After hearing this, Zhao Junyao frowned and pondered deeply, then suddenly got up and left!

"Hey, Emperor, where are you going?"

Zhao Junyao didn’t bother to say and quickly returned to Zhaochen Palace.

...

That afternoon.

Zhao Junyao summoned all the young capable scholars and warriors from the royal family and court.

One by one he asked:

The Ministry of Rites has been busy lately, does anyone volunteer to help receive the envoys?

Especially... Princess Hai Feng!

Basically, it’s accompanying her to eat, drink, and have fun.

Generous holidays provided, no duty and all expenses covered.

Once this condition was offered.

Over a dozen expressed willingness immediately.

Zhao Junyao selected several capable scholars and warriors from noble families based on their qualities.

He instructed them.

"You go together, whoever the princess chooses, that’s who, go ahead!"

"Yes!"

The young nobles could hardly wait, they bowed and swiftly departed.

Zhao Junyao listened to their receding footsteps, silently praying.

Hoping for success.

He vowed, this was the first time he’d worried so much about a woman!

Tsk tsk!

Especially this Princess Hai Feng.

Can’t be fought or scolded, chased away or touched!

It’s truly annoying!

Really wish to drive all people of Western Xia out.

Unfortunately.

He couldn’t do that, it’s a helpless situation.

As the saying goes, extend hands not hitting smiling face, they’re here with dozens of carts of gifts, traveling from afar.

If the Great Chu doesn’t care about relationships, how can it survive in the league of nations?

It’s truly vexing!

People say, the Emperor is the freest.

Now it seems, the Emperor is the least free!

Having arranged everything, he went to Duanning Palace.

Rested for a while, handled some decrees, and by then, it was late.

Resting without further mention.

...

The next day.

Still anxiously waiting in the guesthouse for the palace’s summons, Princess Hai Feng.

Upon opening the door, there stood a line of dashing men.

Each handsome and tall, with striking features, some in flowing white robes, others in full military attire.

In sum, each had unique merits, hard to describe at once.

Princess Hai Feng was startled.

"Hey, who are you, bold enough to intrude the Commandery Princess’s courtyard?!"