Chapter 10: Marriage Alliance with the Turks (1)

The little episode at Wu Rui’an’s royal residence was soon forgotten, and life seemed to return to its usual calm. By the end of July, the weather grew hotter each day, and Di Jiang’s sleep extended from six hours to eight.

Within Taiping Prefecture, there were a total of 110 neighborhoods, with streets crisscrossing and paved with clean slate stones. The Jiansu Medical Clinic was located at the end of a small alley on South Street. Though not as impoverished as a slum, it wasn’t much better either. Connected to the foul-smelling Wumen area, it was despised by many and rarely traversed.

On days without important matters, Di Jiang would typically sleep until noon before waking.

One morning, however, the alley was filled with noise early on, sounding like someone was buying or selling property.

“This is an ancient quadrangle courtyard, far from the hustle and bustle, peaceful and quiet, rich in cultural heritage. Living here, children will study with extra diligence.”

A young man’s hoarse voice carried a hint of worldliness and smoothness.

He continued, “Look at this little courtyard—it’s well-ventilated north to south, warm in winter and cool in summer. It’s perfect for a family of three!”

“Fifty taels.”

“Could you add a little more?”

“Just fifty taels.” The middle-aged woman’s voice was deep and low, clearly unwilling to pay even one more coin.

“Uh...” The young man hesitated, troubled.

The middle-aged woman added, “This place used to be a coffin shop. Although it belonged to a Taoist from Qingyun Mountain, it still carries bad luck. Fifty taels for a warehouse is already a high price. Besides, I’ve checked—the Taoist sold this property to you for forty taels. I’m adding ten taels, which can be considered your commission.”

“Lady, you... sigh! Alright!” The young man didn’t expect her to be such a shrewd businesswoman and could only nod reluctantly.

“Hold on—!”

Just as they were about to finalize the deal, a bag of silver coins descended from the sky, landing firmly on the ground. Inside the bag, precisely fifty-one taels of refined silver.

“I’ll take this house!” Di Jiang shouted, ultimately claiming the coffin shop with just one tael more.

She had once calculated that no matter where Zhong Xu went, he would eventually return to Taiping Prefecture. As long as she waited here, she was sure to meet him again.

But now, he had even sold his property through intermediaries—how could he possibly return?

What had gone wrong?

Di Jiang couldn’t fathom it, so she quickly set up a listening water formation. No matter how she calculated, she couldn’t pinpoint the issue.

Moreover, she realized that even her Five Elements and Eight Trigrams divination could no longer locate Zhong Xu…

Anxiously distressed, Di Jiang wandered aimlessly in the pharmacy all day.

In the evening, another equally dispirited person walked into the pharmacy—it was Prince Wu Rui’an.

Their eyes met, and both simultaneously sighed deeply, “Sigh...”

“Why are you sighing?” Both asked in unison.

Afterward, Wu Rui’an said nothing more but instead moved familiarly to bring out a jar of wine from the back yard, along with a small bowl. Sitting in the courtyard, he began drinking alone in silence.

Di Jiang also stopped asking what was wrong. Following his example, she brought over a wine jar and sat opposite him.

Neither spoke; they simply started drinking alternately, one cup after another, eventually forgetting even dinner.

Seeing them like this, Shuxiang, Wen Yao, and Zhuchai were all baffled. They knew Di Jiang was troubled by Zhong Xu, but Prince Wu suddenly acting this way was something they hadn’t seen in a long time.

Logically speaking, Prince Wu had been thriving in court recently and should have been happy. Why did he suddenly seem so despondent? Even when the empress had previously decreed a marriage alliance, he hadn’t reacted like this!

“What’s wrong with His Highness?” Finally, Wen Yao couldn’t help but ask gently.

Wu Rui’an’s face was pale as he gulped down a large mouthful of wine before abruptly speaking, “The Turks… have sent envoys to request a marriage alliance again.”

“What!” Wen Yao exclaimed urgently, “Which princess are they sending this time?”

Wu Rui’an sniffed and replied, “I wish it were a Turkish princess coming, rather than our Xuanwu marrying off a princess.”

“What do you mean?” Di Jiang frowned upon hearing this.

“When Princess Tianxiang first came for the marriage alliance, I knew her motives weren’t pure and suspected she had ulterior plans. Hence, I stayed close to her daily, trying to uncover what scheme she was plotting. Later, after her fake death and elopement, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. But now…”

Wu Rui’an paused, his voice becoming somewhat choked. He took another large gulp of wine, calming himself for a moment before slowly continuing, “Now, the Turks’ desire for a marital alliance with our Xuanwu remains undiminished. This time, they’ve offered ten cities and seven hundred li of land, seeking to marry one of our legitimate princesses.”

“What!”

At this point, Di Jiang was fully awake, and Wen Yao and Shuxiang were equally astonished.

“The legitimate princess, wouldn’t that be…” Wen Yao and Di Jiang exchanged glances, their eyes filled with reluctance.

“Exactly,” Wu Rui’an nodded, “Xuanwu has only one unmarried legitimate princess—my own younger sister, Princess Zhaohe, Wu Jingyi.”

“How could Her Majesty possibly agree?” Wen Yao asked, frowning.

“At first, I thought the same. But after reading their marriage proposal, I feel that Jingyi’s fate is likely fraught with danger…” Wu Rui’an finished with a long sigh, draining his cup.

Later, Wu Rui’an explained further, and Di Jiang and her companions finally understood the immense sacrifices the Turks had made to secure this alliance. The more they offered, the greater the likelihood that Empress Chen Zhao would agree.

Between Xuanwu and the Turks lay a barren wasteland called Longxi Gobi, spanning seven hundred li. Three hundred li westward was the Turk capital, Beijia. After Wu Rui’an decisively defeated the Turks earlier in the year, the old Khan announced the relocation of the capital one thousand li westward, withdrawing from Longxi Gobi and establishing the new capital at Gaoque City.

The Turks were vast and sparsely populated, a nomadic people with strong soldiers and horses, brave and skilled in battle. For centuries, they had continuously harassed the Central Plains’ borders, causing unbearable suffering to the common people.

A civil official once suggested that if Longxi Gobi could be reclaimed and settled by a hundred thousand people, it would serve two purposes: defending against the Turks and providing soldiers and supplies during wartime. It was a project beneficial for generations.

After the failed marriage alliance attempt with Princess Tianxiang, the Khan Jiexun, feeling remorseful, offered Longxi Gobi outright, seeking only the hand of a legitimate princess in marriage. The sincerity of their offer was hard to refuse.

Wu Rui’an deeply understood his mother’s temperament. This marriage alliance, she was nine out of ten likely to approve. Moreover, not just Empress Chen, but even the officials and commoners would welcome it. After all, comparing one woman to seven hundred li of land for a century of peace between two nations, the choice was clear.

That night, both Wu Rui’an and Di Jiang got utterly drunk and passed out. Wen Yao immediately waved her hand, and together with Shuxiang, they carried both to Di Jiang’s room and placed them on the same bed. Before leaving, Wen Yao placed Wu Rui’an’s arm around Di Jiang’s shoulder, making it look like they were embracing in sleep.

“Is this really alright?” Shuxiang frowned.

“We’ll see when they wake up!” Wen Yao chased Shuxiang out and closed the door.

That night, everyone slept dreamlessly.

The next morning, Wu Rui’an woke up before Di Jiang.

His head throbbed painfully, his mind blurred, but no matter how uncomfortable he felt, he still remembered that today during the morning court, Empress Chen would announce whether she agreed to the marriage alliance or refused.

Though the answer was clear in his heart, Wu Jingyi was his only younger sister. They had grown up together, sharing a deep bond. Even if the road ahead was difficult, he wanted to try.

Wu Rui’an tried to lift himself with his hands but found something soft beneath his touch.

It was something he had touched countless times before—a slight curve was enough to gauge its size.

At this moment, the one in his hand was perfectly sized, soft and suitable, truly top-notch.

His hand, precisely, rested on Di Jiang’s chest.

Wu Rui’an’s heart tightened, and his face instantly flushed red.

Meanwhile, Di Jiang was still sound asleep, her long eyelashes resting on her cheeks, trembling slightly with her even breathing. The faint curve of her lips stirred the deepest desires within Wu Rui’an.

This was a scene he had fantasized about countless times...

Beautiful as it was, it was ill-timed.

Wu Rui’an lightly kissed Di Jiang’s forehead and then got up. Carefully opening the window, he jumped down and hurried towards Taiji Palace under the morning glow.

However, when Wu Rui’an reached the palace gate, Chengtian Gate’s guard officer stopped him from entering the palace.

“Her Majesty has ordered that Prince Wu need not attend the morning court today and is forbidden to enter the palace,” the guard officer said.

“What?” Wu Rui’an seemed unable to believe his ears. Grabbing the guard’s collar, he angrily demanded, “Say that again to me!”

“Her Majesty has ordered that Prince Wu need not attend the morning court today and is forbidden to enter the inner palace before the morning court concludes,” the guard officer repeated word for word, bowing his head.

That day, the number of guards at Chengtian Gate had doubled, all top-notch experts. Wu Rui’an knew breaking in forcefully would be futile, so he had to find another way to enter the palace.

With a cold snort, he turned and left.

Next, Wu Rui’an consecutively visited Guangyun Gate and Changle Gate on either side, but the outcome was the same—blocked by guards, unable to enter the palace.

Having no other choice, Wu Rui’an returned to Chengtian Gate, waiting for the end of the morning court.

At the third quarter past the hour of Si, the morning court concluded, half an hour later than usual.

Officials exiting the palace gradually emerged, led by the ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, and Ministry of Works. Walking together, they were deeply engrossed in discussing the dowry for the marriage alliance.

Upon seeing Wu Rui’an, all three clasped their hands and shook their heads with a sigh.

Wu Rui’an understood; their demeanor indicated that Empress Chen Zhao had already issued the decree for the marriage alliance.

By this time, no one stopped him from entering the palace. He hurried directly to Qinzheng Hall, disregarding formalities, staring fixedly at Empress Chen, and angrily asked, “You agreed to the marriage alliance?”

An Su Yun, seeing Wu Rui’an approach menacingly, immediately stepped between them, shielding Empress Chen behind her.

“Su Yun, step aside,” Empress Chen waved her hand.

“Your Majesty...” An Su Yun hesitated.

“Step aside.”

“Yes.”

After An Su Yun left, Empress Chen exhaled deeply. Calmly looking at Wu Rui’an, she said, “I have no reason to refuse.”

“Reason? Does this still require a reason? Jingyi is your biological daughter! She is flesh of your flesh! How could you bear to send her to the desert wilderness, living a savage life!”

“Jingyi is the apple of my eye. I cherish her as a precious gem, doting on her since childhood. My pain is no less than yours.”

“Do you really care for her? If you truly cared, you wouldn’t let her go for the marriage alliance! You’ve never been a qualified mother! To us, you’ve always treated us as a nation’s princess and prince—we’ve never had free will!” Wu Rui’an’s heart ached deeply, his sorrow evident.

Empress Chen looked at him, still calm and unhurried, slowly saying, “I’ve done everything a mother could do. I have no regrets. Besides being a mother, I am also an emperor. I am not only your mother but the mother of all the people in this land. The entire Xuanwu is governed by me alone. Stability of the nation is what I value most.”

“Previously, when Emperor Xian ascended the throne, the entire country plunged into war. Then, the Turks, Yuezhi, Japan, and Goryeo all eyed our Xuanwu borders covetously, repeatedly invading our borders. The people have suffered greatly from the wars.”

Empress Chen exhaled deeply, continuing, “Among these destabilizing factors, the Turks are the most formidable threat to me. Now that they sincerely seek peace, I have no reason to refuse.”

“Then select a woman from the imperial clan to replace Jingyi in the marriage! Why must she endure hardship in the desert wilderness!” Wu Rui’an urged, “Besides, Khan Jiexun is nearly fifty years old. They are mismatched in every way. If Jingyi marries him, her remaining years will be devoid of happiness!”

“All you’ve said, I know. But substitution isn’t feasible,” Empress Chen shook her head. “The Turks sent a legitimate princess. If we substitute with a woman from the imperial clan, they likely won’t agree and will think our Xuanwu lacks etiquette.”

“Then don’t tell them! Find a woman to impersonate Jingyi!”

Empress Chen shook her head again, “This method is too risky. If discovered, it will inevitably lead to war between our two nations. It’s unwise.”

“This doesn’t work, that doesn’t work. In short, must our mighty Xuanwu rely on a frail woman to maintain peace? To me, this is the ultimate humiliation!” Wu Rui’an’s eyes turned blood-red, furious. “If we use Jingyi to secure peace, then what was the meaning of my previous decisive victory over the Turks, forcing them to retreat one thousand li from Longxi Gobi? With our nation’s prestige abroad, must we sacrifice one small woman?”

“If you want to know whether it’s necessary, follow me and see.”

“Where to?” Wu Rui’an frowned.

Empress Chen didn’t answer but lowered her gaze and turned to leave.

Wu Rui’an harbored doubts but followed closely behind, wondering what excuse she would use to mask her selfishness.