allonlinenovel Chapter 1316 Aqiang
Chapter 1316 Aqiang
After the talent show ended, Lin Yiwan called Pang Qiang to her side and asked, "Qiang, do you know that once you enter Ah Xuan's harem, there is no turning back!"
Pang Qiang answered without hesitation: "I understand, but I am still willing to stay by their side. I know how hard they have come to be. Their relationship may not be accepted by the world, but I am willing to help them cover it up!"
Lin Yiwan's eyes welled up with tears. She said with heartache, "You silly child, do you know you'll have to sacrifice the rest of your life for this!"
Pang Qiang curled her lips into a smile: "Being able to do what you love doesn't necessarily mean a miserable future. Don't worry, Madam Hou, I know what I'm doing!"
Lin Yiwan subconsciously grasped her hand, thinking that Zhan Xuan was truly capable, able to command the loyalty of one or two people willing to risk their lives for him.
When news of the queen's selection reached Zhan Xuan's ears, he was somewhat surprised.
He really didn't expect it to be Pang Qiang!
He anxiously asked the young eunuch, "Has the wedding date been set yet?"
The young eunuch respectfully replied, "Not yet. The Holy Maiden said that the Imperial Astrologer must calculate an auspicious day!"
Zhan Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the wedding date hadn't been set, there was still room for things to turn around.
He rushed to the Min residence and summoned Pang Qiang to his presence.
She smiled and said, "This humble woman congratulates Elder Xuan on ascending the throne as the King of Li Kingdom. I wonder if you are satisfied with the gift I presented?"
Zhan Xuan stared at the smiling woman in front of him, his heart filled with complex and indescribable emotions, including shock, confusion, and even a trace of panic that he himself did not realize.
He strode forward and grabbed her wrist with such force that Pang Qiang frowned slightly, but her smile remained unchanged.
"A greeting gift?" Zhan Xuan's voice was filled with suppressed anger, his deep eyes fixed on her. "You offered yourself as a greeting gift, sending yourself to the palace to be the queen. Is this what you call satisfactory?"
Pang Qiang slowly withdrew her hand, her fingertips gently tracing the red marks left by her grip, her tone still calm: "Elder Xuan, the Li Kingdom has just been pacified, and you need a queen of sufficient status to stabilize the court. I am the patriarch of the witch clan and also favored by the Holy Maiden Marquis. In terms of family background and prestige, I am the best choice. Isn't this the best gift for our first meeting?"
Zhan Xuan's eyes darkened, and his chest heaved violently: "Who gave you permission to make this decision? Pang Qiang, have you forgotten what you said in the military camp? You said you would follow me and make great contributions, but you didn't say you would assist me in this way!"
When the topic of her military days came up, a hint of tenderness flashed in Pang Qiang's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination: "It is precisely because I remember that I must do this. In the court today, the old officials are filled with anxiety, and the imperial clans are eyeing the throne with covetous intent. Although you have ascended the throne, your foundation is not yet secure. By entering the palace, I can appease the powerful families and restrain the imperial clans. This will help you stabilize your rule more effectively than being a casual advisor by your side."
"I don't need you to trade the rest of your life for me!" Zhan Xuan slammed his hand on the table, and a fine crack instantly appeared on the fine pear wood table. "I can protect the country myself, and I can stabilize the court myself. You just need to stay by my side and do what you want to do!"
Pang Qiang lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the emotions within them. Her voice was as soft as a breeze: "Elder Xuan, you are now the ruler, no longer the young general of the prosperous dynasty. The ruler carries the weight of a vast empire and countless people on his shoulders. He can no longer act impulsively. Have you forgotten? When we first met, I told you that you needed me!"
Looking at her stubborn profile, Zhan Xuan felt a lump in his throat and a bitter taste rose in his mouth.
He knew that what Pang Qiang said was true, but he just couldn't accept such a "fact".
He remembered that when he entered the witch clan, it was she who stood against all odds to protect him.
She also recalled how, during the harsh winter when food supplies were exhausted, she braved the wind and snow to hunt in the mountains, just so that he could have a bite of hot meat.
I recall countless late nights when they would sit around the campfire, talking about the world and promising to live together until the country is peaceful and prosperous.
"Have you forgotten those agreements?" Zhan Xuan's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of barely perceptible pleading.
Pang Qiang's body trembled almost imperceptibly. She slowly raised her head, her eyes already brimming with tears, yet she still forced a smile and said, "I haven't forgotten. But no matter how good the promise is, it can't stand against the fate of the nation. Elder Xuan, if you are to be a wise ruler, you cannot be bound by personal feelings. I am willing to be the one to silence the rumors for you."
A pang of regret flashed in Zhan Xuan's eyes. Why was she so stubborn?
He stepped forward, gripped her shoulders tightly, and said with burning eyes, "Pang Qiang, believe me, give me some time, and I will definitely find a way that will neither wrong you nor deprive the court of its stability. The wedding date hasn't been set yet, there's still time!"
Looking at the stubbornness in his eyes, Pang Qiang finally couldn't hold back her tears and they dripped onto the back of his hand, scalding hot.
She wanted to nod and agree, but reason kept reminding her that it was impossible.
This was the only thing she could do for him and Ye Li!
She gently pushed his hand away, wiped away her tears, and regained her composure. "The Holy Maiden has already proclaimed to the world that I will be the Empress. If you go back on your word now, you will only lose the trust of the world and give the royal family an opportunity to take advantage of you. You bear the future of the Kingdom of Li on your shoulders and cannot take this risk."
Before Zhan Xuan could say anything more, a palace attendant announced from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Min requests an audience."
Pang Qiang straightened her clothes and curtsied to him, saying, "Lord Xuan, I shall take my leave now. I hope you will prioritize the stability of the kingdom and not trouble yourself with my affairs any further." With that, she turned to leave.
"Pang Qiang!" Zhan Xuan called out to her, his voice tinged with despair, "Do you really want to be the Queen of Li Kingdom that badly?"
Pang Qiang stopped in her tracks, her back to him, her voice choked with emotion: "Yes, it has to be me!"
After saying that, she walked out of the study without looking back.
When Prime Minister Min entered the study, he saw Zhan Xuan standing alone by the window, his back view lonely and forlorn. He bowed and said, "This old minister greets Your Majesty."
Zhan Xuan slowly turned around, his face regaining the majesty of a king, but the weariness in his eyes could not be concealed: "Prime Minister Min, please sit down."
After thanking him, Min Xiang sat down on a chair and looked at Zhan Xuan with concern: "Your Majesty, the Holy Maiden sent this old minister to persuade you. If it wasn't Pang Qiang, it would have been some other innocent woman. This matter is already settled, and I hope Your Majesty will reconsider."
Zhan Xuan's lips curled into a bitter smile: "Prime Minister Min, if it were any other woman, I could offer her great rewards or elevate her family, and then grant her freedom once the imperial power is stable. But Pang Qiang, I cannot selfishly confine her to this cage of the palace!"
Prime Minister Min sighed, his expression grave: "Your Majesty, Pang Qiang is the patriarch of the witch clan. Her status is noble and special. As long as she enters the palace, it will be a good thing for both the country and the emperor."