Chapter 16: The Rouran Princess

When Khan Jiexun and Wu Jingyi appeared, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers. Surrounded by Turkic maids, they approached the stone mill used for the ritual.

At this moment, a woman knelt before the stone mill, her hands bound behind her back.

Wu Jingyi couldn’t see due to her red veil, but the maids beside her gasped, and the people of Xuanwu behind them were equally confused.

Di Jiang stood far behind Wu Rui’an, yet even from that distance, she could tell the woman was stunningly beautiful—a rare beauty in the world.

She was adorned with gold and silver, dressed luxuriously. Beneath her pale skin, her eyes were filled with fear and anger, resembling a resilient rose braving the harsh winds and rains.

“Master, she is surrounded by a bloody aura, as if...” Wen Yao frowned, hesitantly whispering, “as if...”

“As if what?”

“As if... she’s going to die.”

“It’s not as if—she definitely is,” Di Jiang shook her head, delivering her verdict.

As the people of Xuanwu were puzzled, Khan Jiexun suddenly took Wu Jingyi’s hand and led her to stand before the Rouran princess, looking down at her and saying, “This is the legitimate princess from Xuanwu, who will become the new queen of our Turkic Khanate. Before you die, do you have anything to say to her?”

“What?”

“Who is she?”

“On such a festive day, why is someone going to die?”

The people of Xuanwu murmured among themselves. Even Wu Jingyi couldn’t help but want to lift her veil to see who this person was.

But she ultimately restrained herself.

She didn’t want to meddle or create trouble unnecessarily.

After Khan Jiexun finished speaking, everyone noticed a burly man behind the woman, holding a broad and sharp axe, resembling an executioner who always wielded a large blade at the Meridian Gate.

“The tribes that bear the wolf totem are like wolves—ugly in appearance, greedy and cruel by nature!” The woman kneeling on the stone mill grinned, turning her head to give Wu Jingyi a cold, sorrowful smile, saying, “Do you think you’re luckier than me? Are you happy to come to the Turks and become the new queen? Heh! I just want to tell you, my tragic death today will be your tomorrow!”

“Slap—” Before the woman could finish, Khan Jiexun raised his hand high and slapped her across the face, angrily commanding, “On the verge of death and still insolent! I order you to apologize to the queen!”

“Apologize?” The woman struggled to straighten her body, giving another sorrowful smile. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, making her look eerily grotesque.

The woman said, “Despicable Turks! Don’t forget, you were all once lackeys of the Rourans! My death means nothing; I only regret not being able to witness your destruction with my own eyes—!”

Upon hearing this, the people of Xuanwu realized that this woman might be the princess sent by the Rouran state for marriage alliance, the former queen of the Turkic khan.

Back then, the Rouran and Turks had formed an alliance and marched south together. But after the Turks suffered defeat, they promptly abandoned the alliance and instead sought marriage ties with the Xuanwu state.

Now, Khan Jiexun intended to publicly execute the Rouran princess to demonstrate his high regard for the Xuanwu princess, clearly severing ties with the Rouran state.

The Xuanwu people watched the tense confrontation between the Rouran princess and Khan Jiexun, unable to imagine that these two were once intimate husband and wife. In the past, he had cherished her like a precious pearl.

But now, it only took him one night to decide to kill her. After making up his mind, her death became a means to please Wu Jingyi and the Xuanwu state behind her.

Until her death, she was still being used as a tool.

The Rouran princess knelt before the stone mill, her eyes fixed on the Turkic khan with hatred so intense it seemed she wanted to devour him alive and curse all the Turkic subjects to meet the same miserable fate as her.

Khan Jiexun had seen countless storms and faced countless people who harbored deep hatred towards him, but he never paid any heed. Now, with just one more woman, how much trouble could she cause?

Khan Jiexun sneered ferociously, loudly declaring, “I will place your head atop the city walls of Gaoque forever! I will make you watch with open eyes as the Turkic Khanate thrives and prospers on this grassland for generations!”

With that, he issued a command. Upon receiving the order, the executioner swung the long blade swiftly and decisively, severing the Rouran princess’s head.

With several thuds, her head, still warm with blood, fell onto the grass, rolled twice, and finally landed near Wu Jingyi’s feet.

“Ahh—” The maids of Wu Jingyi, who had never witnessed such a scene, were terrified, their faces pale.

Wu Jingyi, under her red veil, saw the Rouran princess’s beautiful face marred by a bowl-sized scar, still oozing blood.

Her lifeless, wide-open eyes stared fiercely at Wu Jingyi, unmoving.

The blood flowed down the stone mill platform, staining the grass and reddening the eyes of the Xuanwu people present.

The executioner picked up the Rouran princess’s head, raising it high above his head, shouting loudly, “Long live Khan Jiexun—long live Queen Wu Jingyi!”

“Long live the Khan—long live the Khan—long live the Khan—” A wave of thunderous cheers erupted from the Turkic army, praising their unique khan.

Hearing these sounds coming from all directions, like demonic chants from hell, Wu Jingyi’s mind could no longer hold any other thoughts.

Only the Rouran princess’s unblinking eyes lingered in her mind, refusing to fade…

She wasn’t afraid of one day meeting the same fate as the Rouran princess.

She simply didn’t want her husband to be someone who would harm a weak, defenseless woman.

Only now did she reluctantly realize that her husband wasn’t just a decisive ruler capable of life-and-death decisions—he was a complete demon.

Unable to bear it any longer, Wu Jingyi fainted, her vision blackening.

“Queen—”

“Princess—”

“Sister!”

Everyone was shocked by Wu Jingyi’s sudden fainting. Only Long Ming reacted quickly, stepping forward first to steady her, preventing her from falling into the pool of blood.

Only then did Long Ming realize that Wu Jingyi was much lighter than he imagined, almost weightless in his arms.

He gazed at Wu Jingyi with concern burning in his eyes, a gaze that scorched those nearby and appeared particularly glaring to the Turkic Khan.

Khan Jiexun immediately summoned the maids, sternly ordering, “Take the queen back to the city to rest. The rest of you unnecessary people need not go.”

The maids quickly helped Wu Jingyi leave. Wu Rui’an followed them, while the rest stayed to continue watching the sacrificial ceremony.

The subsequent rituals proceeded as usual. Besides hanging the Rouran princess’s head on the walls of Gaoque, what amazed Di Jiang and Wen Yao was how the khan dealt with the retinue of Princess Tianxiang.

About twenty or so people were tied to wooden stakes and whipped under the scorching sun, a solemn apology to the Xuanwu state.

Di Jiang watched for a while before leaving—not because she found the scene bloody, but because she found it amusing.

She laughed at the once formidable Turkic Khanate, whose iron cavalry had struck fear into the hearts of Central Plains civilians, now reduced to relying on a group of elderly, weak women, and children. She wondered if Khan Jiexun had grown senile.

Di Jiang walked to the foot of the city wall, looking up at the bleeding head of the Rouran princess. A mysterious smile played on her lips.

Hidden in her wide sleeve, her right fingertip lightly tapped, and a gleam shot out from her fingertip. At the same time, a fleeting eerie green light flashed in the Rouran princess’s eyes.

...

Wu Jingyi’s illness hit her hard, with a high fever that persisted for three days without abating.

The Turkic people repeatedly urged the completion of the wedding, but were repeatedly blocked by the accompanying imperial physician, who frankly stated, “Princess Zhaohe is suffering from maladaptation to the local environment, anxiety, and fear. Her life is in danger, and she really shouldn’t be overworked. The grand wedding ceremony must be postponed for a few days. The exact recovery period is still unknown.”

The khans of various Turkic tribes had gathered here for this grand event. Postponing the wedding was unforeseen by anyone, and the tribal lords and ministers couldn’t delay for too long. As time passed, more and more tribal leaders left.

Khan Jiexun felt utterly humiliated, and his anger fully erupted upon seeing Liu Zhi.

That day in the royal city, he suddenly glimpsed a woman in hemp clothing hastily walking past the courtyard where Wu Jingyi resided. Though her back was turned and her face unclear, the plum blossom mark on her tiger’s mouth deeply imprinted itself in his mind.

Who else could it be but Wu Jingyi?

Khan Jiexun was furious, leading a group of people into Wu Jingyi’s room, shouting through the beaded curtain, “I personally saw Princess Zhaohe moving about in the royal city, and now you pretend to be critically ill, thinking we Turks are easy to fool?”

Khan Jiexun glared, loudly addressing the attendants, “Tonight, regardless of whether Princess Zhaohe is alive or dead, the wedding ceremony must proceed on schedule. Otherwise, our Turkic army will march south and fight to the death with your Xuanwu state!”

“Forgive us, Great Khan—” The maids and nannies knelt on the ground, trembling all over.

Meanwhile, Wu Jingyi on the bed was barely breathing, let alone lingering outside the tent.

The Turkic Khan, unwilling to tangle with the women, issued his command and stormed off. Subsequently, the maids quickly went out to find Prince Wu and General Long, relaying every word of Khan Jiexun’s to them. Both were enraged.

“This is absolutely outrageous! I’ll write to my mother and fight them to the death!” Wu Rui’an slammed his fist on the tea table, shattering it into pieces with a loud crash.

“I’ll kill Khan Jiexun and free Jingyi!” Long Ming clenched both fists tightly, drawing his long sword and rushing out.

“Husband, don’t!” Long Ming had just opened the door when Liu Zhi rushed in, hugging his waist.

Tears blurred Liu Zhi’s eyes as she pleaded, “Husband, I beg you, don’t get involved in this mess! The khan is the princess’s husband. No matter how powerful you are, being in the Turkic capital, you can’t fight alone!”

“Get out of my way!” Long Ming roared, kicking Liu Zhi in the abdomen.

“I won’t let you go to your death! If you must go, step over my corpse!” Fresh blood trickled from the corner of Liu Zhi’s mouth, but she still clung tightly to Long Ming.

“Stop…”

A weak voice came, and everyone in the room froze, turning their gazes toward the beaded curtain. The voice belonged to Wu Jingyi, who had been unconscious for several days.

“Sister!” Wu Rui’an hurried to the bedside, gripping her hand.

Long Ming also sheathed his sword, coming to her side. Although silent, the concern and affection in his eyes matched Wu Rui’an’s.

“Don’t… argue anymore… My body… is gradually improving… Sooner or later, I have to marry… A little earlier or later… it’s all the same.” Wu Jingyi seemed to have exhausted all her strength to utter these words. As she tried to sit up, Wu Rui’an forcibly pushed her back down.

“It’s still early. The wedding ceremony is in the evening. After the sun sets, Princess can rise and dress. It’s not too late.” A nanny nearby consoled.

Wu Jingyi sighed in relief, closing her eyes and weakly said, “They… all go out… I want… some quiet time…”

Wu Rui’an glared at Long Ming, signaling him to take Liu Zhi and leave quickly.

“Your humble servant takes leave.” Long Ming nodded, dragging Liu Zhi out.

“Jingyi, they’ve all left. I’ll stay and keep you company…”

“Brother, you go out too,” Wu Jingyi interrupted, slowly saying, “I’m fine.”

“But…”

“Go out… I want to be alone.” Wu Jingyi waved her hand, then turned away. Wu Rui’an, helpless, quietly retreated with the maids and nannies.

After they all left, Wu Jingyi finally exhaled in relief. Tears welled up in her eyes, but there was no fear in her expression.

She wasn’t afraid of hardship or death, only of causing sadness and pain to those who truly cared for her. But now, she seemed somewhat powerless…

A deep sense of failure pervaded her mind and body. Crying and crying, she soon fell into a deep sleep again…