An uninformed minister asked Prime Minister Xia with a smile, "Prime Minister, if there is any good news, please tell us. Don't just hold your cups and wait. We are getting anxious."
Prime Minister Xia looked around at everyone, his smile deepening, "It's like this, the Queen has issued an order to officially grant the Crown Prince a marriage with my daughter Wan'er."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a moment of stagnation at the scene, and then voices of congratulations began to slowly ring out.
"Congratulations to the Prime Minister, the Crown Prince, and the Second Miss."
No matter how slow one is to realize things, one knows that Prime Minister Xia's announcement of the marriage between the Crown Prince and Xia Wan'er at this time is equivalent to announcing his own side.
However, most people were thinking that the Queen and the Prime Minister's Mansion did have an inseparable relationship. First, the eldest daughter broke off her engagement with Prince Liang, and then the Crown Prince married the second daughter. The mystery involved was self-evident.
No matter what, congratulations are always welcome.
The Empress Dowager's face darkened. She could not get angry and just looked at the Queen coldly.
The Queen looked at her uneasily. Now was not the time to apologize and explain, so she had to remain silent. However, she felt more hatred for Prime Minister Xia in her heart.
Madam Linglong glanced at Yuan with pride. At this moment, she and her daughter finally became the focus. No one paid attention to her, Yuan, anymore. This feeling was so refreshing.
However, seeing that Yuan was still calm, the pain in her heart was relieved a little. Yuan seemed to not care at all. Well, wait until your daughter's body is found and sent back, and see if you can be so calm.
Madam Linglong thought viciously.
After the voice of congratulations fell, the empress dowager said with a fake smile: "This is really a happy event. The queen should have told me in advance. After all, the prince is my grandson. I didn't even know that he was going to marry a princess."
The Queen said awkwardly, "Mother, this matter was decided hastily. I wanted to postpone the announcement. After all, something happened to the prince, and now is not a good time to announce it."
This explanation was so feeble and feeble that the Empress Dowager could only laugh strangely after hearing it.
When the people present saw this, they immediately understood what this so-called marriage arranged by the Queen was all about.
Prince Qi saw that the atmosphere had reached a stalemate, and he felt a chill in his spine. It looked like the situation tonight was not going well, so he decided to finish his business early and leave the palace.
So, he stood up and bowed to the Empress Dowager, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your warm hospitality. Thank you, ladies and ministers, for your presence. I came here this time on the orders of the Emperor of Northern Desert to renew the peace agreement. This peace agreement concerns the people of both countries. If the agreement is not signed, I will not feel at ease drinking this wine. How about renewing the peace agreement first, and then I will toast to the Empress Dowager and ministers, okay?"
Everyone knew that the show was about to begin.
Signing a peace agreement is a must, but now that the regent is no longer in power, who will be responsible for signing this agreement
The person who signs the document and stamps it with the imperial seal can almost be considered to be the person in charge.
Because, with this person's seal, the terms of the agreement are guaranteed and implemented by this person, so only the person in power has the power to sign.
The prince didn't care at all about Prime Minister Xia's announcement of his marriage to Xia Wan'er. He accepted the congratulations of all the officials and appeared very calm.
However, as soon as Prince Qi said this, he became nervous, and his eyes scanned the faces of the royal family and officials.
Prince Li stood up and looked at the Queen Mother. "This peace agreement must be signed. It is related to the long-term plan of the two countries and friendly diplomatic relations. However, now that the regent is missing, who should sign this peace agreement?"
There were so many people at the scene, but not a sound was made. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for the Empress Dowager's answer.
The Taifu's party was on high alert.
Even Taifu Liang, who was usually relaxed, gradually became solemn and serious. He exchanged glances with the Queen, who seemed very nervous and gently held her handkerchief.
The Queen Mother looked around at everyone, and then her eyes fell on the face of Mr. Cui from the Ministry of Chancellery. "Mr. Cui, what do you think? I want to hear your opinion."
Lord Cui stood up, feeling the pressure on him, but he was not someone who cared too much about his reputation or his career. He said bluntly, "Empress Dowager, the person who signs the peace agreement must guarantee this agreement and cannot violate it. Therefore, this person must be able to represent our Great Zhou and be the ruler of Great Zhou. Now the regent is missing and the new ruler has not been determined. I suggest that the Northern Desert envoy stay for a few days and wait for the new ruler to appear before signing the peace agreement."
This is a compromise and the best solution.
Why did the Queen Mother let Lord Cui speak? First, she knew that he was fair and not a member of the Prince's party. Second, she knew that he was thoughtful and in charge of the six ministries. His opinions could be put forward as the opinions of one faction so that the ministers and relatives who were interested in doing so could follow. In this way, even if the Grand Tutor proposed that the Prince should be in charge of the government, there would be a faction that could refute it.
As soon as Lord Cui finished speaking, Grand Tutor Liang said, "I object. Lord Cui just said that peace is a century-long plan for both countries. Our trade with Beimo has been prosperous in recent years, and we have exchanged goods. Our economy has developed unprecedentedly. Therefore, I think this matter cannot wait any longer and must be implemented as soon as possible to avoid complications."
Prince An said calmly, "We have been on good terms with Beimo for more than ten years. What complications can arise if we wait a few more days? The Grand Tutor is exaggerating."
Taifu Liang retorted, "I am not exaggerating, it is Your Highness who does not know how to be prepared for danger in times of peace. Even though Your Highness Qi is here today, I still have to remind all the noble ministers present that the pro-war faction in Beimo has never extinguished its desire, and some people are ready to make a move. I believe that Your Highness Qi also understands that he is under a lot of pressure this time because some ministers have already suggested to the emperor of Beimo to sever diplomatic relations with our Great Zhou and not renew the peace agreement when it expires."
After saying this, he looked at Prince Qi and asked, "Prince Qi, am I wrong?"
Prince Qi looked unhappy. "You are worrying too much, Grand Master. Even if there are such ministers, I, the Emperor of Beimo, will never listen to them. The friendly diplomatic relations and trade with the Great Zhou have made Beimo more prosperous than ever before. No one wants to fight again."
Taifu Liang said: "The emperor of Beimo will not listen to their opinions, now, not in the future. No one can guarantee what will happen in the future. Your Majesty also understands that this matter should be urgent rather than relaxed. Otherwise, why would Your Majesty rush to the capital? You know, the peace agreement is due in a month."
Taifu Liang had already understood the situation in the Northern Desert. Prince Qi had accelerated his trip to the capital to renew the peace agreement because the pro-war faction had proposed to sever diplomatic ties with the Great Zhou and continue to send troops southward to encroach on the land of the Great Zhou.
The Emperor of Beimo was also somewhat shaken. Although he had not yet adopted the proposal, as Taifu Liang said, it was only guaranteed for the present, not for the future. That was why Prince Qi came to Dazhou in advance to sign the peace agreement.
After the peace agreement is signed, unilaterally tearing it up will cause dissatisfaction among neighboring countries with diplomatic relations.
(End of this chapter)