Fairies Are Fierce

Chapter 18: I Won the Argument, but I Can't Be Happy

This may be the first time Zuo Lingquan looked at Jiang Yi with the eyes of appreciating a beautiful woman, examining her appearance and figure.

Jiang Yi was initially resistant to this kind of gaze, especially from Zuo Lingquan. But since it had come to this point, she couldn't just push back the power of speech that she had finally regained.

Jiang Yi didn't avoid or evade, instead she deliberately sat up straight, opened her arms, and displayed her impressive figure:

"As the eldest princess, countless men in the world want to be my husband, but I don't even bother with them. Today, in front of the court officials and noble sons, I chose you on the Qiyun Terrace. I gave you and the Zuo family face. Do you still think this is a scheme against you? Do I need to scheme against you for my own lifelong matter?"

Jiang Yi spoke with conviction, without a trace of guilt, completely forgetting that she initially chose Zuo Lingquan to manipulate him.

Zuo Lingquan couldn't refute her words - he didn't want to be a husband, but Jiang Yi choosing him as a husband was definitely not malicious towards him or the Zuo family. Moreover, it was a high climb for the Zuo family.

Thinking of this, Zuo Lingquan became a little speechless. After hesitating for a moment, he said:

"So, the princess chose me as a husband because she likes me?"

Like? Jiang Yi didn't know how to continue fabricating the story. To conceal her revengeful intentions, she blinked her eyes and said:

"It has nothing to do with liking or not. When choosing a husband, I naturally have to choose the most outstanding one. Among the two hundred men, you are the best. I can only choose you, it's not that I want to choose you, understand?"

Zuo Lingquan felt a little embarrassed by the praise, his attitude softened slightly, but he still wasn't completely satisfied:

"Um... that night, I truthfully told the princess that I wanted to go to the Qihuang Valley to study. Since the princess doesn't like me and knows my intentions, why did she still choose me?"

Jiang Yi had the upper hand and naturally didn't give Zuo Lingquan a chance to counterattack. She stared at him and said:

"Didn't I allow you to go to the Qihuang Valley?"

"I did go, but now I've become a husband..."

"Does becoming a husband mean you can't go to the Qihuang Valley? Are the two things related? Is it the Great Dan Dynasty that has the final say, or the Qihuang Valley?"

A series of questions left Zuo Lingquan speechless.

Zuo Lingquan's expression changed a bit, feeling strange - if that's the case, then being a husband doesn't seem so bad. He even got a beautiful unmarried wife for free...

After thinking for a moment, he raised his hand in a salute:

"In the Great Dan Dynasty, of course, it's up to the princess to have the final say. I was presumptuous just now. Please forgive me, princess."

Jiang Yi stared at him, relieved that she had finally won the argument. But she definitely didn't feel any sense of accomplishment!

Jiang Yi took a deep breath, calmed her emotions, and then raised her hand to gesture:

"It's good that you understand. No need for formalities."

After that, the carriage fell silent.

It was a somewhat eerie silence.

Zuo Lingquan and Jiang Yi, holding teacups, sat on the carved soft couches at both ends of the carriage, their heads leaning against each other, their eyes somewhat vacant.

Zuo Lingquan was confused, not understanding what the eldest princess was planning.

He had beaten up the eldest princess in Linhe Lane, but instead of holding a grudge, she not only sent him to the Qihuang Valley but also offered herself to him, not minding if he continued going to the Qihuang Valley.

How did the eldest princess manage to do such a thing? Was she a masochist? The first impression of a big-breasted and brainless woman was not wrong...

Jiang Yi, on the other hand, couldn't understand the current situation. Just this morning, she and Zuo Lingquan were at odds, and she wanted to regain some face during the selection of a husband. But as she hated him more and more, she realized that Zuo Lingquan was the most suitable candidate.

If he's suitable, then so be it. Appointing Zuo Lingquan as a husband would allow her to vent her revenge and deal with other matters as well.

But after arguing, she realized that Zuo Lingquan had valid reasons, and she was the one in the wrong.

Being in the wrong meant being at a disadvantage. In the future, they would have to interact with each other. Not to mention revenge, she would also be suppressed by Zuo Lingquan because of this matter!

As the eldest princess, how could she be suppressed by Zuo Lingquan?

But she couldn't argue with Zuo Lingquan. After finally regaining some face, she had only regained it by relying on her status. No matter how she thought about it, she was at a disadvantage...

After a long silence, Jiang Yi felt a little regret in her heart. But the husband had already been chosen, and the imperial family was pressuring her too much. She had to choose someone today, even if she drove away Zuo Lingquan, she would have to choose another husband from the candidates today.

If she didn't consider personal grievances and only wanted to choose a suitable husband, Jiang Yi had no other options.

Zuo Lingquan had a clean family background, handsome appearance, good character, and higher martial arts skills than her. If she didn't choose Zuo Lingquan, she would be running the risk of choosing a stranger with unknown background and character, who might stab her in the back in the future. It would be like playing with her own fate.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yi's mind calmed down. Since the husband had already been chosen, she couldn't possibly give in to Zuo Lingquan. As for other matters, let them be.

After sorting out her thoughts, Jiang Yi's expression returned to normal. With a touch of superiority, she put down her teacup and leaned back on the soft couch:

"Zuo Lingquan, the past grievances and favors, this palace will not hold any grudges and will let it go. From now on, as long as you work diligently and practically, this palace will not mistreat you."

This statement is declaring who will be in charge from now on.

Zuo Lingquan couldn't deny such a big favor, as long as he could continue his cultivation, he didn't mind:

"Princess, as long as you understand, I will be going to Qihuang Valley tomorrow. I won't disturb the princess any longer. Farewell."

Jiang Yi had experienced quite a shock today and wanted Zuo Lingquan to disappear quickly, but after thinking about it, she raised her hand to stop Zuo Lingquan who was about to leave:

"Wait, um... I have something that requires your attention."

Zuo Lingquan paused and turned around, saying, "Princess, please speak."

Jiang Yi put away her condescending expression, pondered for a moment, and then said seriously:

"In recent years, there have been frequent ferocious beasts around the capital, and their numbers have been increasing every year. This has caused panic among the people, and the complaints addressed to this palace have almost filled the study... These matters should have been investigated and stopped at Qihuang Valley, but every time I communicated with them, Qihuang Valley only made promises, yet the ferocious beasts continue to cause trouble. That's not all, even the Zhan Gang Dao, which was made for the court, has appeared damaged and useless. I suspect that Qihuang Valley has used the money given by the court for other purposes."

Zuo Lingquan didn't know the details, so he asked along with the conversation:

"Could it be that someone within Qihuang Valley embezzled it?"

"I have been in Qihuang Valley for nearly ten years and I know the character of several senior brothers. They wouldn't do such a thing. There are only two possibilities for the current situation. One is our country's national teacher, Yue Pingyang. The national teacher is the head of Qihuang Valley and hasn't appeared for two years. Qihuang Valley claims to be in seclusion. It's unusual for seclusion to last this long. I suspect that the national teacher's cultivation has gone wrong, causing damage to his body, and he needs a large amount of Baiyu Zhu to heal his injuries, which has led to Qihuang Valley's inability to make ends meet and frequent mistakes."

Baiyu Zhu is the currency used by cultivators. Zuo Lingquan had heard of it, so he pondered for a moment and said:

"The national teacher is a highly respected figure in our country. If this matter is true and is known by enemy countries..."

"We don't even need to wait for enemy countries."

Jiang Yi sighed lightly and pointed to the north:

"There is also Fuji Mountain in Beiyajun, which is dedicated to the worship of King Shili. For nearly a hundred years, they have been wanting to replace Qihuang Valley's position, but they have been restrained by the authority of the national teacher and dare not act rashly. Now that ferocious beasts are appearing frequently in the capital, they have sent several letters requesting to take over. In the past, it would have been fine, as long as the emperor was still alive, changing the national teacher would have been a simple matter. But now, the emperor is only twelve years old, and I, as a woman, am acting as regent, which has caused dissatisfaction among the royal family. If we drive away Qihuang Valley at this time and bring in Fuji Mountain, if King Shili comes along, who will Qihuang Valley support?"

Zuo Lingquan frowned, feeling the seriousness of the situation. He pondered for a moment and asked again:

"The national teacher's cultivation is unfathomable, so the probability of him having a problem is unlikely. What is the second reason?"

Jiang Yi shrugged her shoulders and pointed to the north again: "Fuji Mountain in Beiyajun is skilled in taming beasts and has built its foundation by raising various rare and exotic beasts. Ferocious beasts also have a spirit and would not inexplicably run into towns to die. Moreover, all the ferocious beasts causing trouble in various places are exceptionally fierce and specifically target places with many people until they are killed. This is not logical. I suspect that there is someone behind the scenes deliberately inciting the ferocious beasts."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Lingquan understood Jiang Yi's meaning - this was not mere suspicion, but a clear accusation. It was saying that Fuji Mountain was secretly instigating the savage beasts to cause chaos, forcing the court to drive away Qihuang Valley and replace them.

"What do you want me to do? Investigate Fuji Mountain?"

"With your limited skills, you won't even make it to Beiyajun County before disappearing. You won't be able to investigate. Besides, as long as the National Teacher is safe and sound, even if Fuji Mountain had a hundred times more courage, they wouldn't dare to provoke Qihuang Valley. Since you're going to Qihuang Valley to seek apprenticeship, take the opportunity to pay more attention. As long as you confirm that the National Teacher is safe and sound, nothing else matters."

"Qihuang Valley is just outside the city. Hasn't the princess sent anyone to investigate?"

"We have investigated, but found nothing. Without the National Teacher, the five housekeepers can't sustain such a large estate. If the matter is exposed, they wouldn't dare let me or the outside world know. You seem clever and have a good character. Perhaps you can find out the truth and gain the favor of a few senior brothers."

Zuo Lingquan, rarely praised by Jiang Yi, smiled and said, "Understood. I will do my best and inform the princess as soon as I have any news."

Jiang Yi nodded slowly, hesitated for a moment, and then got up to see him off.

However, when the two reached the carriage door, Zuo Lingquan suddenly stopped and asked seriously, "By the way, princess, when are we getting married?"

Jiang Yi blinked her eyes - when are they getting married? The royal family and some courtiers were eager to choose a husband for her and hold the wedding as soon as possible, driving her out of the palace.

Returning to politics could be delayed by using her younger brother's youth as an excuse, but as a compromise, the timing of the marriage could not be delayed. According to the An family's arrangement, it would have to be soon...

She would have to be seriously taken advantage of by this little thief!

And she couldn't fight back!

Jiang Yi's calm eyes twitched suddenly, feeling uncomfortable all over, her thoughts in turmoil. But she quickly suppressed them and stared at him, saying, "Are you in a hurry?"

Zuo Lingquan was momentarily speechless. If he said he was in a hurry, it would seem like he was impatient. If he said he wasn't in a hurry, it would raise suspicions of him not coveting the princess's beauty. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "I'm afraid the princess is in a hurry to hold the wedding, so I wanted to arrange the itinerary in advance to avoid any delays."

"Why would I be in a hurry? You focus on your own tasks first. When I have confirmed the date, I will inform you."

Zuo Lingquan didn't say anything more. After bowing, he turned and got off the carriage.

Jiang Yi watched Zuo Lingquan leave and quickly closed the carriage door, letting out a long sigh of relief...

(End of this chapter)