274 I Cannot Neglect the People

After having their meals at Yan Zifu's place and going for a walk in the market, Princess Lingchen excused herself to return to the palace. Because of Li Hua's matters, she had spent too much time outside and will need to return before the sky turn dark.

Lu Wei offered to accompany Princess Lingchen on her way back. As Lu Wei had mentioned that he had something he would like to discuss, Princess Lingchen did not reject his offer.

Princess Lingchen gestured for her guards to take a few steps back before she turned to the man beside her. "What are you going to say to me?"

His lips curved into a smile. The Princess did not bother with extra words before she got to the point.

Seeing that Lu Wei did not say anything, Princess Lingchen tapped her fingers on her side. "You don't mind that the Emperor wishes to abdicate after the wedding?"

Lu Wei stared at the sky before he stopped walking. The Princess followed, and the two stood in the middle of the quiet street. "I had a meeting with His Majesty last night."

Princess Lingchen looked at him in surprise. Her informant around the Emperor had not said anything about the meeting between the two men. Since Lu Wei said that he met her father last night, then it should be that the two were meeting privately.

"What did you two talk about," the Princess asked.

"Of course, we talk about the matter of your ascension," Lu Wei said. He took a deep breath and sighed as he recalled his grandmother's words that he could not escape heaven's will.

Princess Lingchen tried not to roll her eyes at him. His act to speak one sentence at a time began to annoy her. Subconsciously, her fingers moved faster, and the tapping on her side turned impatient.

"In the beginning, I was hoping to let the Emperor postpone his decision to abdicate and give us a few years."

The Princess flinched as she caught the word 'us.' Though she was engaged to Lu Wei, Princess Lingchen still found it hard to believe that in a few days, she will be marrying this man.

"However, His Majesty had said that, for the two countries to unite, he must step down and hand down the power. While we managed to convince the ministers of this unity, the people are still afraid of this sudden change," Lu Wei turned to look at her and continued, "especially the people of Qian Rong. Even if I am too lazy to care about politics and stuff, I cannot neglect the people. Only once they see us ruling together will they be assured."

Her eyes widened, and her fingers stopped moving.

Is it right if she assumed that Lu Wei would agree to the Emperor's plan and work together with her?

Though she had a few questions in her mind, she could not word them out properly. It took her some time before Princess Lingchen could answer him with, "I understand."

Lu Wei tilted his head sideways and chuckled. He certainly was not expecting the Princess to respond at him as such. "I have mentioned previously that I am not responsible and had no knowledge about ruling a country. Therefore, I will have to rely on your guidance."

The Princess stared at Lu Wei. She knew that this man was too lazy. But she was at least glad that he tried his best to be responsible. Although she did not know whether Lu Wei will really choose to work with her after they sat on the throne together, at that time, Princess Lingchen decided to believe his words.

Slowly, her lips turned up a little. "In the end, you still want me to do all the work, right?"

Hearing her tease, Lu Wei burst into a laugh.

…

Five days later,

The palace was in a festive mode. Bright color decoration hung all over the palace, and loud music played outside. The guests chattered among themselves with laughter and smile.

On this day, the ministers from previous Eastern Zhou and Qian Rong attended the grand wedding. After today, the previous Eastern Zhou and Qian Rong will turn to Da Cheng. Though many are anxious at this sudden change, they were anticipating to see how will the new couple rule over the kingdom.

The people from Eastern Zhou, especially, were happy that they soon, will not have to worry much about the lack of food. Most of their land was infertile, and in the past, they will have to rely on trading with people from Da Cheng and Qian Rong.

Their past monarch was overthrown after their attempt to conspire with the previous Emperor of Qian Rong to attack Da Cheng. In the end, their land was seized by Da Cheng.

The people were upset at the previous monarch's stupidity. However, in the first few months that Da Cheng had taken over their land, the people found the Emperor of Da Cheng took care after their welfare.

As long as they did not have to starve and pay a hefty amount of money to eat, the people of Eastern Zhou were happy. Some of them began to rejoice that their past monarch was overthrown.

Seeing how well Da Cheng treated the former Eastern Zhou consoled the people of Qian Rong. At least, they have hope that their people will not be treated unequally.

In the Crown Princess palace, the servants paced back and forth as they busied themselves with the wedding.

Princess Lingchen sat quietly as a servant carefully help her to dry her hair.

At this time, Ah Zhen entered the room with a tray of hair ornaments. Princess Lingchen glanced at the decoration and nodded. Then, Ah Zhen put the tray on the side and walked out again.

"Aren't you nervous?"

The Princess did not dare to turn her head. Only her eyes moved as she looked at Mingyue at her side. To say that she was not nervous would be a lie. Her parents had arranged for her marriage for years, but every time, their plan fell through. There were always excuses for her to delay her marriage, for example, Mingyue's disappearance.

This time, she can no longer avoid and postpone her wedding. Princess Lingchen began to wonder if Mingyue did not disappear on that day, will she still be marrying Lu Wei?

Jiang Mingyue frowned when the Princess did not answer. However, her lips curled into a small smile when she saw the way the Princess was tapping her fingers on the chair.

"It's going to be alright," Mingyue said.

At this time, the eunuch's high pitched voice could be heard, announcing the Empress's arrival. Princess Lingchen held a hand and waved for the servant to retreat before she stood up to greet her mother.