Chapter 288 Shen Ling’s Goal
Until a while ago, everything was fine between Shen Ling and Song Yue. They were chatting about various things, although it was mostly Shen Ling trying to probe into Song Yue's personality by asking her opinions regarding various events.
And once she had a fair understanding, Shen Ling slowly opened the topic of Mark's second marriage, changing the atmosphere in the room, all of a sudden.
"Princess Shen, why are you asking about my opinion about sharing Lu Zhen with another woman? What are you implying? Please be clear." Song Yue furrowed her brows as she confronted Shen Ling. If it is Lin Xue who was talking about the matter with Song Yue, the latter would have taken it as a joke. However, the fact that it comes from a stranger she met for the first time makes it a matter to think seriously.
On the other hand, Shen Ling was quite calm. Without hiding anything, she proceeded on explaining, "You see, Ms. Song. You have grown up in the household of a major noble clan and must be aware of how the world works on the upper society ladder.
Lu Zhen is young, handsome, and far stronger than his peers. If I had to choose someone, I would rather choose him over those princes or kings from other lands. I'm interested in marrying him and I won't be the last one either. Sooner or later, my father will send a proposal to him.
I don't know whether you truly love each other or whether your engagement happened due to unforeseen circumstances. But, the fact is that he is already engaged to you. Your consent is more important to me than even Lu Zhen's.
That's why I wanted to know what you think. If Lu Zhen marries multiple women even if it's for convenience, not out of love, will you be comfortable with it?"
Song Yue didn't answer her. She fell into deep thoughts, pondering on her own situation.
The thought of having another woman by Mark's side didn't feel right to her. She was uncomfortable.
At the same time, Song Yue knows her situation very well. She was weak, not talented as the Androids, and dependent on Mark. After spending with him for weeks and seeing his kind personality that no one else gets to know, she doesn't even think that she was worthy of him.
Adding on top of this, only she was aware that their engagement is nothing but a cover-up Mark did it to protect her dignity in this stereotypical society. Hence, she put away her real thoughts and tried to keep a calm expression on her face as she replied, "When were engaged, I promised myself that I will support him in every decision he makes."
Upon hearing the answer that she expected, Shen Ling nodded with a smile, "thank you. If I'll be successful in marrying Lu Zhen, I will make sure…"
"Shen Ling."
A deep voice interrupted her words and both of the ladies turned their heads to look toward the source.
They saw King Shen Niu standing at the entrance with his prime minister and the Supreme General of their army. Shen Ling saw her father didn't appear to be in good mood at the moment.
"Father? What is it?" Shen Ling was a little bit surprised by the frown on her father's face.
Taking a deep breath, Shen Niu then said, "We just received a message from General Luo. We need to leave right away."
"What happened?" She asked him.
Shen Niu didn't give the answer and just replied, "It's urgent. I will tell you on the way. C'mon, hurry up."
"See you later, Ms. Song." Shen Ling bid farewell to Song Yue and left with her father and other companions.
Meanwhile, on the ground floor, Mark just sent off Shang Fu and was about to return to his desk. He saw the four of them already reached downstairs and are walking toward him.
Mark stopped them and asked them. Shen Niu didn't give him the proper answer either and just gave the same vague reply he gave to his daughter before leaving increasing his walking pace.
"I'll stop by some time again, Lu Zhen," said Shen Ling before walking away.
Mark didn't know what is going on with them but since the transaction is already finished, he silently escorted them to the exit and returned to the desk once their Twin bears' carriage started to leave.
As the carriage drawn by two large brown bears left the neighborhood, Shen Niu finally looked at his daughter and asked her seriously, "Now, care to explain to me what the hell were you talking there with Ms. Song?"
Upon hearing his question, the princess quickly realized that there was no urgency at Western Moon. Her father was just displeased by her actions.
She explained calmly, "I'm talking about my marriage with Lu Zhen, Father. You see, she's his fiancée and will be like my sister once I married him. I thought it is better to tell her first as I don't want hard feelings between us."
Her reply did no good. It only infuriated her father even more.
He readily lashed out at her without caring about the presence of the Supreme General or the Prime minister.
"You are really unbelievable, Xiao Ling. When I told you about the Kun Empire's fourth prince, Qin Zhi, you told me that you'll think about it.
According to Envoy Hu Tian, you have the qualities to become Qin Zhi's wife. If the fourth prince becomes the ruler of a huge empire, you could become the Empress. Kun Empire isn't as big as the Phoenix Empire or Leon Empire but their military might is rather strong.
I admit that Lu Zhen is strong and has this mysterious background that lets him have a monopoly on these powerful weapons but can he be comparable to Qin Zhi and Kun Empire?
Adding on top of that, he even has someone else in his life. I never imagined my daughter of all the people to even think of becoming a second wife of a commoner."
Shen Niu loves his daughter very much and gives her the freedom to do what she wants. He just reunited with her not long ago and doesn't want to hurt her but that doesn't mean she would misuse her freedom to fix her marriage behind his back. He felt like his daughter fooled him.
However, he never expected that his daughter would shock him with her reply. Looking straight into his eyes, she spoke loud and clear, "I don't have any interest to become someone's prized possession, father. Neither do I want our kingdom to become an indirect vassal state of a large Empire nor do I intend to hand over the throne to someone else.
I have decided to become the first Queen Regnant of Western Moon. And to rewrite the rules of the politics in our kingdom, I need someone like him by my side. Perhaps, if I make it a reality, then, a change will eventually happen in the other lands."
"What" "What" "What"
Along with her father, the prime minister and the Supreme General also reacted together. They were just as surprised as Shen Niu.