Chapter 11: Marriage Alliance with the Turks (2)

Chen Zhao and Wu Rui’an crossed through Taiji Palace, left Yiting Palace, passed a slate-paved street, and finally arrived at the Ministry of Revenue located in Fuxing Lane.

The Minister of Revenue was absent; only the Vice Minister and a few attendants were discussing the list of dowry personnel for the marriage alliance. Upon seeing Chen Zhao, they immediately prostrated themselves, bowing deeply: “Your humble servant greets Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty—”

“Rise,” Chen Zhao waved her hand and turned to Wu Rui’an, saying, “The Ministry of Revenue oversees our Xuanwu’s treasury. The details of annual revenue and expenditures are all recorded here. After you finish reviewing them, come discuss with me whether it’s feasible to launch another military campaign against the Turks.”

After Chen Zhao finished speaking, she sat regally in the Minister’s seat, while others awaited quietly in the hall.

Wu Rui’an did not hesitate. He followed the Vice Minister into the inner treasury and began flipping through volumes stacked densely.

With each volume he read, his brows furrowed deeper. By noon, he had basically finished reading all the summary volumes.

Finally, Wu Rui’an collapsed onto the ground, muttering in disbelief, “Why is this happening?”

“Why is the national treasury so depleted?!” Wu Rui’an rushed to the front hall and loudly questioned Chen Zhao.

“Is it hard to understand? Isn’t it shocking when you look at it?” Chen Zhao remained calm, displaying a completely different demeanor compared to Wu Rui’an’s agitation.

She was composed and unperturbed from start to finish.

Chen Zhao continued, “In the past twenty years, frequent wars have depleted the treasury excessively. The common people have suffered greatly, and taxes could not be collected properly. Moreover, during Emperor Xian’s reign, governance was chaotic, tax laws were incomplete, and officials were corrupt... These are just a few examples of man-made disasters.”

“Let me tell you about natural calamities,” Chen Zhao paused to sip some tea before continuing. “Seventeen years ago, the Yellow River burst its banks, flooding thousands of miles of wheat fields, and the court allocated three billion taels of silver for disaster relief. Nine years ago, the Yangtze River flooded, leaving the Jiangnan region barren, and another two billion taels of silver were allocated for relief. Seven years ago, a plague struck Taiye Prefecture, resulting in thirty thousand deaths...”

“Stop! Don’t say anymore!” Wu Rui’an interrupted Chen Zhao, pleading for her to stop.

“You find all these unfamiliar, don’t you?” Chen Zhao smirked, smiling, “At that time, my son was still young. Growing up, you mostly indulged in pleasure and neglected state affairs and the plight of the people. It’s understandable. I don’t blame you.”

“...”

Seeing Wu Rui’an silent, Chen Zhao continued on her own, “I recently received news that Yuezhi also sent a princess for marriage to the Turks. Both Yuezhi and the Turks border our Xuanwu and belong to nomadic tribes with fierce and wild customs. If these two countries form an alliance through marriage, it would be highly disadvantageous for us. Khan Jiexun’s request for marriage from afar indicates a strong desire to ally with our Xuanwu. I cannot afford to miss this opportunity—I cannot bear the consequences of refusal.”

“Our Xuanwu may appear strong, but in reality, it’s outwardly strong yet inwardly weak. The populace needs rest, and reforming governance is more urgent than ever.”

After Chen Zhao finished speaking, she exhaled deeply and then slowly said, “Now, can you understand why I agreed to send Princess Jingyi, born of legitimate lineage, thousands of miles away for this marriage alliance?”

“...”

Wu Rui’an felt utterly powerless, realizing he couldn’t even utter a single word of rebuttal.

All he could do now was wallow in deep self-reproach.

He blamed himself for not pursuing the enemy a thousand miles and slaying the Turk Khan under his sword. Had he done so, there wouldn’t be today’s marriage alliance.

But now, it was too late.

Xuanwu couldn’t afford the consequences of launching another war. Using a marriage to resolve future conflicts was the wisest choice at present.

Princess Zhaohe’s marriage alliance was set in stone and inevitable.

After leaving the Ministry of Revenue, Wu Rui’an went to Daming Palace to find Wu Jingyi. Knowing he couldn’t persuade the Empress, all he could do now was spend as much time as possible with his younger sister.

Otherwise, after this farewell over mountains and rivers, they might never see each other again in this lifetime.

When Wu Rui’an entered Ziji Hall, he saw a purple-clad woman wielding a long spear, dancing among several dummies.

The spearhead was sharp, adorned with red tassels, and in her hands, it moved powerfully with an inherent edge.

Her skills were formidable, matching any man without losing.

“Clap clap clap—” Wu Rui’an couldn’t help but applaud and exclaim, “I thought my little sister was embroidering in her chamber, but I didn’t expect you to be practicing martial arts!”

“Not just practicing martial arts?” Wu Jingyi stopped and raised an eyebrow with a smile, “This palace maiden is skilled in martial arts and well-read in military strategy. Even on the battlefield, I might not lose to you!”

“Why the sudden change?” Wu Rui’an patted her head and noticed that after three years, she had grown taller, her head now reaching his chin.

Wu Jingyi sighed, “Brother, you really haven’t paid attention to me. When you returned from the army three years ago, you used to be unable to carry or lift anything. Who would have thought you’d return as the Divine Guardian General, making everyone envious. Am I not allowed to strive as your younger sister?”

“You talk too much.” Wu Rui’an sat down at the stone table, and immediately a maid served tea and snacks. He picked up a cup of tea and drank it all in one gulp.

Wu Jingyi changed into clean clothes and sat beside him.

“Why did you find time to visit me today, Brother?” Wu Jingyi teased, “Since you’ve been back in Taiping Prefecture, you’ve visited me only a few times. Tell me, what have you been doing?”

“...”

Wu Rui’an was momentarily speechless, realizing he had indeed neglected her.

Wu Jingyi sighed again, pretending to be angry, “The other day, Mother asked me if I knew a woman named Di Jiang, saying you were quite close to her. So, even Mother knows you like her? Is this true love now?”

“Go on, mind your own business. Now you have time to tease me!”

Wu Jingyi’s eyes twinkled, and she smiled, “I’m about to marry far away to the Turks. Don’t blame your little sister for not reminding you—when you like someone, treat them seriously and don’t hurt them.”

Wu Rui’an raised an eyebrow and snorted coldly, taking it as her response.

Wu Jingyi continued, “Madam Di is good, but she’s quite different from us. There’s a significant difference in status. If you love her, you must protect her.”

“I know, I know. When did you become so nagging?” Wu Rui’an sighed, “Enough about me. I came here to hear your real thoughts. Are you... really not sad?”

“Sad? Why should I be sad?” Wu Jingyi widened her eyes and grinned, “I heard that beyond the desert wasteland, there’s a beautiful sight of cattle and sheep grazing in the wind. The Turk men are tall and mighty, just the type I like. In the future, I won’t be confined to this deep palace, wasting my days. Why should I be sad? I should be happy!”

Wu Rui’an was stunned and said, “But… Khan Jiexun is already over fifty. In our Xuanwu, he could easily be your grandfather.”

“...”

Wu Jingyi’s smile froze on her face. After a moment of surprise, she laughed again, “I wonder what it’s like to fall in love with a grandfather?”

“You…” Wu Rui’an shook his head repeatedly, feeling unable to communicate with her.

Seeing that Wu Jingyi was in high spirits, he stayed with her for a while and then left.

Every day thereafter, he spent half a day accompanying Wu Jingyi, talking and chatting, as if he wanted to say everything he needed to in this limited time.

But every time he came, Wu Jingyi complained that he was in the way, blaming him for delaying her martial arts practice.

Wu Rui’an was left laughing and crying at her scolding. After a bit of bickering, they each read books or reviewed documents. Regardless, Wu Rui’an always stayed for dinner at Ziji Palace before leaving.

After he left, Wu Jingyi behind him let her face fall.

Her lips no longer curved into a smile, and her eyes instantly lost their ease and joy, replaced by deep despair and coldness.

It was like a stagnant pool of frozen water, filled with the filthiest dirt in the world.

Gloom enveloped her palace. Without Wu Rui’an, this red-bricked, green-tiled palace lost its only laughter and joy.

On the day the marriage edict was issued, Wu Jingyi received a series of additional titles, finally being titled: Princess Chen Guoxiaoming Yi Zhaohe Da Changgong.

The character ‘Chen’ was previously exclusive to emperors. Now, it meant understanding various countries. Princess Wu Jingyi of Chen was the pearl in the palm of Empress Chen, symbolizing the dignity of the nation.

Her wedding date was quickly determined by the Ministry of Rites and the Astronomical Bureau. The departure date was set for the second day after the Mid-Autumn Festival. With only a month left until the Mid-Autumn Festival, all departments hurried to prepare the dowry items and personnel.

Wu Rui’an volunteered to escort the bride, partly to show sincerity and partly to use his identity as the Divine Guardian General to intimidate the barbarians. The intention was clear: while Princess Jingyi wore her bridal attire, behind her stood Xuanwu’s hundred thousand iron cavalry, ensuring the princess wouldn’t be wronged.

Additionally, from afar, stationed at the northern border and deep within the Qihuang camp, General Long Ming submitted a request to Empress Chen, asking permission to escort the princess into the Turk heartland.

To enhance the princess’s prestige, Empress Chen decided to allow both generals to escort the bride together, straight into the desert. The troops would escort her to Gaoque City, confirm her safety, and then return.

Thus, Princess Wu Jingyi’s bridal procession was extraordinarily majestic. Compared to Princess Tianxiang’s arrival in Taiping Prefecture with only a few people, it was like comparing the moon to the stars.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Wu Jingyi was absent. She had requested leave from Empress Chen, saying her sole wish was to go out of the palace on this day.

She said, “Mother can send people to secretly follow me, but please don’t let me find out.”

Empress Chen agreed.

That night, she changed into commoner’s clothes and stayed by the lake in the western suburbs of Taiping Prefecture for a long time.

She did nothing, just stood there, staring blankly at the lake surface.

There was a lantern festival by the lake, with lanterns stretching for tens of meters without end, and many lotus lanterns floating on the lake. The shadows of the lights made people’s features flicker between light and shadow.

Di Jiang encountered Wu Jingyi by the lake.

She did not disturb her but watched from afar. Both were lost in their own thoughts, not focused on the beauty before their eyes.

One was immersed in past memories.

The other was curiously studying Wu Jingyi.

The next day, Taiping Prefecture was adorned with ten li of red silk, stretching from Chengtian Gate to five li outside Mingde Gate.

At noon, Wu Jingyi sat in a side hall of Taiji Palace, fully dressed and wearing the most exquisite makeup.

Wu Rui’an took her hand, and they walked out of the side hall together, arriving at the square in front of Taiji Palace to receive the homage of civil and military officials.

Just before the bridal veil fell, Wu Jingyi bit her red lips and stared motionlessly at Wu Rui’an, sighing softly, “Brother, why aren’t you the emperor? If you were the emperor, how wonderful it would be…”

At this moment, Wu Jingyi finally voiced her deepest feelings.

She opened her eyes wide, accusing her mother, wishing Wu Rui’an could take her place.

Wu Rui’an’s eyes were filled with surprise, followed by deep self-reproach.

He knew that even if he could replace her, even if he were the emperor at this moment, his choice would likely be no different from his mother’s.

National interests were indeed far more profound than personal emotions.

Wu Jingyi’s lips slightly curved upwards in a self-mocking smile before she resignedly put on the red bridal veil.

The bright red bridal veil fell over her head, radiant and dazzling, but no one around could smile.

This was Wu Jingyi’s first time wearing a phoenix crown and bridal veil completely. Behind her lay countless bolts of silk, strings of pearls, jewelry, and a thousand servants kneeling on the ground.

There were so many people, yet none could be her support.

Her husband was thousands of miles away in the Turks.

Khan Jiexun was older than her deceased father.

Rumors said he was decisive and ruthless. His cavalry had once killed tens of thousands of Tang soldiers and displaced hundreds of thousands of commoners.

But now, she was to marry him.

For no more wars in the future, for the stability of the country, for millions of people to live and work in peace.

Sacrificing herself alone seemed worthwhile?

Wu Jingyi had always been clear about her fate. Her only attempt to fight for herself was with Long Ming. After being rejected by him, she secluded herself, behaving as a model legitimate princess who gave no one cause for criticism.

Her words before departure were an extraordinary act for her.

“This journey will bid farewell to Taiping Prefecture, exit west through Tongguan, cross the Yellow River, pass Yanmen, and travel a thousand miles west to where Princess Jingyi will reside henceforth. From now on, it will be a long farewell, a final parting. This copper mirror, the first gift your father gave me, holds special significance. My mother’s longing will be conveyed through this mirror. I hope you cherish yourself dearly in the Turks.” Empress Chen held Wu Jingyi’s hand tightly.

Without showing any emotion, Wu Jingyi withdrew her hand, bowed, and said, “Your humble servant thanks Mother.”

She took the copper mirror and casually handed it to a maid in the dowry entourage. Then, following the ceremonial official’s instructions, she performed three bows to bid farewell to Empress Chen.

Then, escorted by Wu Rui’an, she boarded the bridal carriage.

Although Empress Chen’s heart was filled with sorrow, her face maintained the dignified bearing of a ruler of the heavens.

She was like a Buddha statue without joy or sorrow, forever seated on the throne. Her heart contained thousands of miles of territory and millions of people. She did not allow herself to have weaknesses and certainly could not shed tears in public.