The commander of the Wei army for this campaign was the veteran general Zhao Tong, with the Second Prince Li Zhongqian in charge of transporting provisions. The Third Prince and Fourth Prince each led a contingent of two thousand soldiers to provide support from the flanks.
The Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen remained in the capital.
Li Yaoying, fearing that the Crown Prince's Palace might take the opportunity to harm Li Zhongqian, sent people to monitor their movements.
For several consecutive days, there were no suspicious activities from the Crown Prince's Palace.
The only message from the informant inside the Crown Prince's Palace was that the Fukang Princess had become increasingly close with the recently subjugated Yelu Tribe, possibly plotting to rescue the Yiqing Grand Princess.
Yaoying frowned.
For some reason, Zhu Lvyun in this lifetime was even more troublesome than in her previous life. Last year, she had secretly colluded with spies from Southern Chu, causing the Wei army to lose several cities. Li De punished her with house arrest for reflection, and surprisingly, the former dynasty's senior officials, led by Zheng Prime Minister, did not plead for her.
To atone for Zhu Lvyun's crimes, Li Xuanzhen volunteered to lead troops to recapture Jiang County. He narrowly escaped death and returned severely wounded.
Zhu Lvyun, both moved and guilt-ridden, cared for Li Xuanzhen tirelessly. The Crown Princess Zheng Biyu, thinking they had reconciled, consulted the Imperial Astronomer and prepared to select an auspicious date for their wedding.
The Green Bridal Tent for the marriage was even set up, but the two had another major argument, and the wedding was called off indefinitely.
Yaoying had no interest in the on-and-off relationship between Li Xuanzhen and Zhu Lvyun, but she feared that Zhu Lvyun might stir up uncontrollable trouble that would harm others.
Her concerns were soon confirmed.
Two days later, while Yaoying sat by the window writing a letter to the distant Li Zhongqian, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed through the corridor.
The birds pecking at fruits on the steps were startled, flapping their wings as they fled into the lush flower bushes, filling the air with a chorus of chirps.
"Your Highness!" Xie Qing strode quickly into the room, stopping outside the screen and cupping his hands in salute. "Something has happened."
Yaoying's heart skipped a beat. The Purple Hair Brush in her hand paused on the paper, and a drop of ink fell, spreading into a light brown blot.
She set down the brush, stood up, and walked out of the study. "What happened?"
Xie Qing lowered his gaze. "Today, during the grand palace banquet, His Majesty received envoys from various countries in the Hall of Auspicious Virtue and watched a polo match. The Fukang Princess also attended the banquet. When the warriors of the Yelu Tribe won, His Majesty praised them. The warriors said they admired the Central Plains dynasty and wished to submit to Great Wei, requesting His Majesty to bestow a noble lady of the Central Plains as their Chieftain's wife."
He paused.
"Before His Majesty could respond, the Fukang Princess stepped forward from the crowd, saying she was willing to go to the grasslands for a marriage alliance. She publicly accepted the proposal from the Yelu Chieftain."
Yaoying was stunned for a long moment, unable to believe her ears. "How is this possible?"
How could a marriage alliance be treated so casually? Had Zhu Lvyun gone mad?
Xie Qing's face remained stern and expressionless. "Your Highness, the news is absolutely true. The Fukang Princess agreed too quickly. The ministers in the Hall of State Affairs had no time to stop her, and the envoys from various countries had already offered their congratulations in unison. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, His Majesty could not say much. Zheng Prime Minister was so furious he smashed his wine cup, and Du Du Pei drew his sword. The Ministry of Rites tried to smooth things over, but the Yelu Tribe seemed prepared and ignored their hints entirely, pressuring His Majesty to issue an edict for the marriage. The Fukang Princess also knelt and begged His Majesty to issue the decree, publicly accepting the Yelu Tribe's token of betrothal."
Yaoying paced back and forth, unable to collect her thoughts for a long time.
She knew Zhu Lvyun was willful and would stop at nothing for revenge, but she never expected this former dynasty princess to be so selfish as to treat matters of state as a frivolous game!Among all the princesses, only Zhu Lvyun held an official title. As a descendant of the former Zhu dynasty, her status was extraordinary. Her rash acceptance of the marriage proposal not only placed herself in danger but also directly undermined Li De's strategy.
Li De had exhausted all efforts to win over and divide the northern tribes, aiming to gradually crush the barbarians entrenched in the northwest, recover the Hetao region and Western Regions, eliminate threats along the northwestern border, and enable the people of Guanzhong to live in peace and stability. This would allow the Great Wei to catch its breath, avoiding being attacked from both sides while having to guard against other forces and repeatedly humbling itself by offering gold, silver, and beauties to bribe the barbarians, hoping their iron hooves would not march south.
He did intend to win over the Yelu Tribe, but the Great Wei had no need to send a genuine imperial princess for a marriage alliance.
In dealing with the northern tribes, both military deterrence and conciliatory measures were necessary.
The reason Li De led troops into battle immediately after ascending the throne was to show the northern tribes the Great Wei army's formidable prowess.
First, make them fear through military strength, then negotiate cooperation—this would allow the Great Wei to seize the initiative.
With Zhu Lvyun's interference, Li De lost all advantage and was forced into a passive position. To pacify the barbarians and dispel other tribes' suspicions toward the Great Wei, he could only choose to let Zhu Lvyun marry into the tribe!
Yaoying could almost imagine how furious Li De must be at this moment.
The Li family had been old ministers of the Zhu dynasty, and half the court officials had once sworn allegiance to the Zhus. When the last emperor was assassinated, Li De indeed stood by without rescuing him, intentionally delaying troop deployment.
Thus, Li De adopted Zhu Lvyun, conferred her the title of princess, and showed her endless tolerance.
First, to cleanse the Li family of accusations of disloyalty.
Second, to demonstrate the Li family's magnanimity to the world, pacify former dynasty officials, and curry favor with influential clans.
Third, to proclaim the legitimacy of the Li family's succession to the throne.
Fourth, to use Zhu Lvyun to monitor forces in the court sympathetic to the last emperor and balance court factions.
Li De never engaged in unprofitable ventures. Though Zhu Lvyun attempted assassination multiple times, he repeatedly uncovered evidence yet lightly dismissed it each time without harming a single hair on her head. This was both to continue using her and to exhaust the court officials' last remnants of pity and loyalty toward the former Zhu dynasty, ensuring their complete allegiance to the new regime.
He certainly never expected that Zhu Lvyun, in her madness, could create such a massive disaster.
In state diplomacy, no matter is trivial.
The new dynasty had just been established—a time when it needed to win hearts, build prestige, and awe the surrounding tribes. Zhu Lvyun's public acceptance of the proposal, followed by the Yelu Tribe seizing the opportunity, meant that if the Great Wei failed to handle this properly, all previous battles would have been fought in vain.
This bitter pill, Li De had no choice but to swallow.
...
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's Palace, Chief Secretary Wei Ming reacted exactly like Li Yaoying—his face also filled with stunned disbelief.
"Has the Fukang Princess gone mad?" he exclaimed, his voice strained with urgency. "She actually agreed to a marriage alliance?"
The messenger was Commandant Qin Fei, a subordinate of Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen. Wiping sweat from his brow, he asked, "Chief Secretary, what should we do?"
Wei Ming trembled with rage: "That ignorant woman! That ignorant woman! Our Great Wei soldiers fought valiantly on the battlefield to compel the barbarians' surrender. His Majesty has painstakingly laid the groundwork, waiting for the barbarians to submit so we could form an alliance—and this foolish woman ruined the Emperor's grand strategy with just a few words!"
Zhu Lvyun was a daughter of the Zhu family. By publicly accepting the betrothal token, she left no room for the Emperor to maneuver—truly the height of folly!Qin Fei grinned wryly, steadying Wei Ming. "Chief Secretary, now is not the time for scolding!"
He wagged a finger.
"The Crown Prince would never allow Princess Fukang to marry for alliance."
Wei Ming had also considered this point, his teeth grinding audibly. He closed his eyes, regulating his breathing to suppress his anger and calm himself before asking, "Did the Crown Prince lose his composure publicly?"
Qin Fei stamped his foot and sighed. "You know how much the Crown Prince values Princess Fukang. When the Yelu Tribe proposed marriage, the Crown Prince had just come off the polo field and went to the rear hall to change clothes. Someone must have delayed him, as he took a long time to return. Upon learning that Princess Fukang was to marry into the Yelu Tribe, his expression immediately darkened. Without waiting for His Majesty to speak, he took Princess Fukang and left."
Li Xuanzhen led Zhu Lvyun away, while Li De's face turned grim. The Yelu Tribe grew increasingly presumptuous, and the Ministry of Rites officials were so enraged they nearly leapt three feet in the air. The banquet ended in discord.
The Crown Prince's advisors were at a loss and could only send Qin Fei back to the Crown Prince's Palace to seek Wei Ming's counsel.
Wei Ming was both furious and anxious, a faint metallic taste of blood rising in his mouth from clenching his jaw.
His Majesty was resolute and decisive, unwilling to miss the opportunity to ally with the barbarians. No matter how displeased he might be, he would still send Zhu Lvyun away to marry.
The Crown Prince had been entangled with Zhu Lvyun for years and would never stand by as she married into the grasslands. Even if she were wed, he would lead troops to bring her back.
No one could stop the Crown Prince.
When that happened, the Crown Prince was bound to clash with His Majesty!
Once a rift formed between His Majesty and the Crown Prince's Palace, the Second Prince, Third Prince, and Fourth Prince would seize the opportunity to exploit the situation.
Wei Ming thought rapidly, reaching a decision in mere moments: no matter what, he must find a way to stabilize the Crown Prince.
He didn't care whom Zhu Lvyun married, but he feared the Crown Prince might act rashly in his desperation.
Before he could devise any plan, several warhorses neighed outside the window, and a few Crown Prince guards tumbled from their saddles, rushing into the courtyard.
"Chief Secretary, the Crown Prince has been detained by His Majesty's personal guards!"
Wei Ming's mind buzzed, and he dashed out of the study.
Had trouble erupted so quickly?
The guard, panic-stricken, clasped his fists and reported, "Chief Secretary, the Crown Prince attempted to escort the princess out of the city but was stopped by the Golden Guard at the gate and returned to the palace. The Crown Prince clashed with His Majesty, who flew into a rage and ordered his guards to bind the Crown Prince."
Wei Ming stamped his feet in frustration—he had known this would happen!
"Quickly, summon Her Highness the Crown Princess!"
Lady Zheng, daughter of a prominent family, was gentle, virtuous, and well-educated. Despite her husband Li Xuanzhen's lingering ties to Zhu Lvyun, she had never shown jealousy and had consistently urged Li Xuanzhen to marry Zhu Lvyun sooner to avoid damaging both their reputations.
After hearing the guard's report of the palace events, Wei Ming recognized the urgency and, setting aside propriety, appealed to her directly.
Zheng Biyu was momentarily flustered but quickly composed herself. "As an inner court woman, I dare not recklessly discuss state affairs. What does the Chief Secretary wish me to do?"
Wei Ming silently praised her; Lady Zheng truly lived up to her noble lineage—her composure alone surpassed Zhu Lvyun's.
He sighed and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince acted impulsively and clashed with His Majesty, resulting in his temporary detention in the palace. At this moment, only you can persuade the Crown Prince to yield to His Majesty."
Li De, already half-furious with Zhu Lvyun, had yet to devise a countermeasure when he learned that Li Xuanzhen had directly taken Zhu Lvyun and fled. His anger flared even higher.
How could the heir apparent of a nation act so emotionally? What kind of example was this?!
He sent Zhu Lvyun to the princess's residence under strict surveillance, bound Li Xuanzhen, and forced him to sever all ties with Zhu Lvyun completely. If he refused, Li De threatened to depose him.
Li Xuanzhen refused to yield.Li De was seething with rage. He drew the sword hanging before the Dragon Throne Desk and made as if to strike Li Xuanzhen, but was eventually persuaded to stand down by his attendants after much pleading.
Li Xuanzhen remained confined in the palace, refusing to heed anyone’s counsel.
Zheng Biyu had already heard from her maid about Zhu Lvyun’s voluntary request to marry into the tribe. “Given His Highness’s temperament,” she remarked, “it’s unlikely he will yield easily.”
As Li Xuanzhen’s wife, she understood him better than anyone else.
Outwardly, he appeared gentle and composed, with impeccable manners, but in truth, he was brooding, melancholic, sensitive, suspicious, and unpredictable in his moods.
In the four years since Zheng Biyu had married him, aside from the lingering shadow of Zhu Lvyun, she had suffered no other grievances.
Li Xuanzhen respected her, and she reciprocated, willingly honoring her husband in return.
There was respect, but no intimacy.
After years of sharing a bed and even bearing him a son, Zheng Biyu realized she had never truly entered Li Xuanzhen’s heart.
She had never resented him for it.
He had witnessed his own mother—the woman he depended on for survival—burn to death before his eyes. In her final moments, her face disfigured by flames, she had gripped his hand tightly, urging him to avenge her.
Zheng Biyu had seen burn victims before; the horrifying, ghastly image still sent chills down her spine whenever she recalled it.
Tang Shi had ended her life in the most tragic manner, planting an inextinguishable flame of vengeance in her son’s heart.
She had forged Li Xuanzhen.
And she had destroyed him.
Faced with a man perpetually haunted by nightmares, who turned pale at the sight of fire and often raved wildly with a blade in hand, Zheng Biyu found it impossible to harbor hatred.
She pitied her husband.
Zhu Lvyun did not believe in Li Xuanzhen’s sincerity.
Zheng Biyu did.
That year, Li Xuanzhen had been tasked with finding Zhu Lvyun and her mother, who had been living in obscurity among the common people. He rescued the mother and daughter from a raging fire.
The former imperial consort, who had endured countless hardships, was severely burned. On her deathbed, she begged Li Xuanzhen to take good care of Zhu Lvyun.
How similar it was to Tang Shi’s story.
Moved by compassion for Zhu Lvyun, Li Xuanzhen vowed to the consort that he would care for her, protect her, and shield her at any cost.
No matter how much trouble she stirred up.
Zheng Biyu understood that Li Xuanzhen’s feelings for Zhu Lvyun were not merely those of a man’s affection or pity for a woman. They were intertwined with duty, promise, self-pity over his own plight, and an unconscious attempt to compensate for the boy he once was.
Such emotions were far more enduring than mere romantic love.
Zheng Biyu sighed deeply. “Chief Secretary, unless we can stop His Majesty from bestowing the marriage, my going to the palace to persuade His Highness would be a futile effort.”
Wei Ming smiled wryly. “His Majesty is furious, the Fukang Princess is adamant about marrying into the tribe, and the Yelu Tribe, allied with other barbarian tribes, is pressuring the court. The edict for the marriage may already be drafted.”
The court was now in a dilemma, left with no choice but to proceed with the marriage. Li De, infuriated by Zhu Lvyun’s audacity, was beside himself with rage. The alliance through marriage seemed irreversible.
Zheng Biyu wore a worried expression. “Is there truly no other way?”
Wei Ming shook his head and lowered his voice. “Since we cannot stop the marriage, we must find an alternative approach.”
Zheng Biyu looked at him, puzzled.
Wei Ming whispered, “Substitute one for the other.”
Zheng Biyu suddenly understood. “Chief Secretary, do you mean to find another noble lady to take the Fukang Princess’s place in the marriage?”
Wei Ming nodded.
After a moment’s thought, Zheng Biyu said, “The Yelu Tribe may not agree to this.”Zhu Lvyun dared to stir up such trouble, clearly having already reached some private agreement with the Yelu Tribe. Otherwise, the Yelu Tribe wouldn’t have risked a complete fallout with Great Wei by causing such a fuss.
With one side willing to marry and the other willing to wed, even Li De was at a loss—what could they possibly do?
Wei Ming smiled and said, “Whether the Yelu Tribe agrees to a substitute is a matter for later. Your Highness need only enter the palace and propose this idea to the Crown Prince, letting him know there is still room for maneuver.”
The immediate priority was to stabilize Li Xuanzhen and prevent a greater conflict between father and son.
After a moment of contemplation, Zheng Biyu nodded and ordered the servants to prepare the carriage.
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