Chapter 327

"Father, that child is very cute." While the adults were confused about this matter—many unaware that the child, Mu Xihao, would receive a ranking—some people who had witnessed his abilities had their eyes on him with keen interest.

Amidst this, the bright voice of the twin princess alongside the crown prince rang out. She was five years old, and her speech was clear and confident. Beside her stood the five-year-old prince, her elder brother by mere seconds, holding her hand with a serious expression.

Boys like him had to grow up faster, being taught many theories and knowledge about governance. Even their manners had to be impeccable.

Unlike girls, who didn’t need to learn such things in depth, they were trained in the etiquette of women, spending their days playing music, painting, and more. As a result, girls remained more childlike until they reached the age of hair-pinning, when they would start to learn how to be good wives. At that point, they began to mature and become more composed.

However, some women changed little as they grew, having to live in the palace, facing many battles for power. Mistakes could lead to punishment, and those who weren’t formidable couldn’t survive!

But as the emperor’s beloved twin sister of the crown prince, the princess didn’t need to grow up so quickly. It wasn’t surprising that she dared to speak out in public to praise a boy.

"Hmm? Does my little princess Huan Huan like that boy?" The emperor looked at his daughter, a thought flashing through his mind.

At that moment, Xihao heard the princess’s name and immediately recognized it as the name of the fiancée who had chased him to the Hu Region. She was the princess who loved him deeply and did everything for him, almost foolishly. If Xihao in the story hadn’t been so foolish, he would surely have seen this beautiful love.

But... was this fiancée princess actually his older sister? Moreover, in this encounter, she was a mere five-year-old child, and he was an even younger one-year-old, right?

How could a five-year-old show such affection for a one-year-old? It seemed she was a very straightforward girl.

As Xihao pondered seriously, his mother’s hand tightened around his, as if to tell him that this was a serious matter but that she was there for him, so he didn’t need to worry.

And yes! Xihao knew his mother would do everything to prevent him from being entangled in a political engagement.

He had heard from her that she herself despised being bound by such an arrangement. The Qin family had forced her to marry into the Deng family of the Young General of the Du Region. She had been unhappy and did everything to avoid that marriage. From a young age, he had heard his mother say that she wouldn’t let him suffer the same fate.

In fact, as the First Ranked Furen of the Bai Region, even the emperor wouldn’t grant a marriage for her child. However, as visitors to the Hu Region, things were different!

Previously, Xihao agreed with his mother; he didn’t want to be trapped by a political marriage. However, knowing the entire plot of the novel, he understood what this little girl would do for Xihao in the future, and he found himself falling for her.

“Mother, I like that child,” Xihao whispered, which surprised Yueqian slightly.

She had thought she would have to fight the emperor to prevent further actions, but she didn’t expect Xihao to speak up first.

Although she knew he wasn’t truly a one-year-old who didn’t understand love but an older person from another world, capable of making his own decisions, she didn’t think he would choose this five-year-old girl!

“Alright,” Yueqian did not wanting to go against his wishes.

If that child was interested in Xihao and he agreed, then she would support his decision.

“Father, I like that child. I want to play with him,” the little girl said, but she was scolded by her elder brother.

"Don’t be rude. Father is currently attending to state affairs," he said sternly, appearing much older than his age, which endeared him to Yueqian even more.

He truly was a child raised here, unlike Xihao, who came from another world. This meant that his stern demeanor had been developed in just five years, much like Xiao Long and Huan’er, who learned from poverty. It seemed this prince also had a tough life in the palace.

"But..." Princess Huan Huan pouted slightly, but she tried to hold back her thoughts. The little girl respected and believed in her brother’s words deeply. When he said she shouldn’t speak of trivial matters, she wouldn’t mention them.

"Ha ha, it looks like my little Princess Huan Huan has taken a liking to your son, Deputy General Mu from the Bai Region. What do you think about that?"

Seeing the bright expressions of his children, the emperor laughed. He appeared strict with his officials but showed a softer side to his children.

"Then shall we let the children play outside, Your Majesty?" Mu Heng pretended not to understand the emperor’s true intent. He shared his wife’s sentiment of not wanting others to dictate marriage arrangements.

Of course, his approach was also quite clever. Whether or not he wanted the marriage, displaying a desire for power might make the emperor resentful.

"Very well, let the children play outside and get to know each other better. In the future, when our princess is in the Bai Region, I trust your son will take good care of her," the emperor concluded decisively. Mu Heng’s eyes immediately tensed as he looked at his wife, who showed no sign of opposition, and frowned.

Little Xihao secretly nodded to his father. This mature gesture was always in the emperor’s sight, and upon seeing that this little boy understood his intention, the emperor’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly.

It seemed this boy had knowledge beyond his years.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Mu Heng bit his lip. He finally accepted the command of the highest authority present, amidst the astonishment of everyone from the Bai Region and other regions. They never expected the emperor to offer his most beloved princess to someone from the Bai Region!

Fortunately, there were no major nobles from the Hu Region nearby, who might have been eyeing the position of royal son-in-law for their own sons. Otherwise, there would surely have been fierce opposition.

"Huan Huan, An Chen, take Xihao outside to play. And... if you come back and still say you like Xihao, how about I issue a royal decree for your engagement?"

"Yes, Father. I like cute people," little Huan Huan said, letting go of her brother An Chen’s hand and running over to Xihao, who was with Yueqian.

"Come, play with me," she demanded, her tone a bit spoiled, but Xihao was much smaller. He couldn’t run like she could, so it felt like he was being dragged along.

Yueqian watched her son being pulled along by the little girl with a hint of pity. Her Xihao didn’t like exercising like normal children. He didn’t run around but preferred reading, studying potion-making, and sword fighting. This was the first time he was facing such a challenge in life.

"Alright, now that the children’s matters are settled, let’s talk about adult matters," the emperor brought the atmosphere back to seriousness once the three children had left.

His face was quite stern, and everyone sensed the gravity of the situation.

"The current situation, even in your own regions, you must know how chaotic it is," he began. Many recalled the war situation they had heard about and could only hope it wouldn’t escalate.

"Every region neighboring the Hu Region is affected. It seems this situation won’t resolve easily, especially with the urgent matter that one of the Hu Region’s allies has expressed dissatisfaction because their princess was harmed in our region."

"The Wang Region has criticized us for not properly protecting their princess and has declared that they will start a war with the Hu Region. Of course, we are not afraid; even if we have to fight, we are ready. But what we fear is that after the battle, even if we become the victors, there is no guarantee that a third party won’t get involved."

"What I want to say is... the Wang Region itself might be used as a tool!" When the emperor mentioned this, the others around him exchanged shocked glances. They realized the gravity of the situation. If the Hu Region were in danger, wouldn’t some of their own regions, which might be caught in the crossfire, be devastated?

"Of course, now you might be thinking, what does a war have to do with you, royal physicians? In truth, your assistance is precisely what we need to request."

"The princess of the Wang Region is not dead, but she has not regained consciousness! It is said she was poisoned by a particular type of poison from the tip of the culprit’s sword. This poison is known as ’Seven-Pronged Necklace,’ and there has never been a cure for it!"

Upon hearing the name of the poison, everyone was stunned. This poison was exceedingly rare and had no known antidote, meaning anyone afflicted by it was doomed to die!

And now the emperor was saying they needed their help? If the Hu Region, which excelled in medicine, couldn’t treat it, how could they, who were less skilled, possibly succeed?!"Your Majesty means you wish to cure the princess from the Seven-Pronged Necklace poison?" One of the royal physicians from another region asked again for clarification, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads, impossible to hide.