“Heh heh… Han Ziqing, oh Han Ziqing… heh heh…”
In the quiet room, Jun Beiyue paid no mind to the stunned, stone-faced expressions of Yingzi and the physician, laughing heartily, in the finest of moods!
This letter from Prince Baxian of Great Zhou spoke of two matters. First: Western Chu and Western Jing, both nations normally uninterested in warfare, had been on the brink of conflict for half a month now, all because Western Jing had refused to let the Grand Princess pass through their territory on her way home—war seemed imminent.
Should Western Jing become embroiled in war, it would effectively guarantee peace along Great Zhou’s western border. And if the conflict with Western Chu escalated further, Great Zhou’s western frontier could rest easy for at least five years!
No war in the west, a treaty in the north, consistent friendship in the south, and the sea to the east—Great Zhou was secure!
No wonder Han Ziqing had dared to leave!
This woman… if she didn’t lead troops into battle, what a waste of such strategic talent!
But what truly had Jun Beiyue laughing uncontrollably was the second matter—the very thing Prince Baxian’s letter had come to ask instruction on!
The King of Nanzhao had personally written, saying that Chu Feiyan had agreed to marry into Nanzhao, to become a secondary consort of the Nanzhao royal family, effectively becoming half a citizen of Nanzhao herself, and requesting that Great Zhou make an exception to allow her passage through Great Zhou’s southern border.
To think—Chu Feiyan, the proud Grand Princess of Western Chu, once the most celebrated “Rose on Horseback” of the entire Longyuan continent. Whoever won Chu Feiyan’s hand would gain half of Western Chu’s military forces, half its territory!
Countless heroes and men of talent, countless princes and nobles, had flocked to her, desperate for her hand, only to be trampled beneath that proud woman’s horse’s hooves—and yet, she had ended up maneuvered by a single thin border decree from Ziqing straight into the hands of the old King of Nanzhao!
Jun Beiyue propped one hand against his mouth, gently biting his knuckle, his smile devastatingly handsome, his deep dark eyes brimming with amusement, unable to stop shaking his head.
This matchmaker, Han Ziqing—she’d truly created a miracle on the Longyuan continent!
A marriage alliance—Western Chu and Nanzhao, joined in marriage! This was the union of the most warlike nation and the most peace-loving nation on the entire continent!
“Yingzi, reply in the name of the Princess Consort of Prince Yao—say it’s approved! And while you’re at it, draft a congratulatory letter to send to Western Chu!”
Yingzi stood frozen, utterly stunned by his master’s words. He rushed to the doorway but didn’t dare enter, dragging the physician in with him. Yet the moment they stepped inside and saw their master standing perfectly fine by the window, hands clasped behind his back, the two of them froze on the spot—the letter itself, their master had come to fetch it himself!
“Well, go on then—what are you so frightened for? Did the two of you say something bad about this king behind my back?” Jun Beiyue asked, arching an eyebrow. That normally icy face rarely showed any expression at all—the fact that he was even joking was more than enough proof of how good his mood was right now.
“Master, you… you…” Yingzi stammered incoherently. Jun Beiyue simply shoved him back onto the bed, throwing the blanket over him, and said flatly, “Physician, take good care of him.”
Before the physician could even react, Jun Beiyue’s figure flickered and vanished…
Meanwhile, Ziqing had only just arrived at the east wing’s main hall. The moment she stepped through the door and saw who was inside, her previously good mood was instantly ruined by a few thoroughly unpleasant faces.
There sat Gu Jun in the main seat, examining a letter. Jiang Chen sat below him, sprawled carelessly with one leg crossed over the other, eyes closed as if resting. On the other side, Madam Gu, beaming with joy, held Jiang Yuan in her arms, while Gu Suying fed him medicinal soup spoonful by spoonful, and Gu Meiting dabbed at his mouth with a handkerchief now and then.
“Yuan’er, good boy, one more sip. This is the bird’s nest soup Grandma’s been saving specially—there’s only this one small bowl in all of Liuxian! Anyone else’s grandma wouldn’t even give them this!”
Ziqing had thought that, at the very least, she wouldn’t have to see this family of three for another ten days or so. Yet here they all were, just a few days later, showing up as if nothing had ever happened, as if they were right at home—so utterly natural, without the slightest hint of restraint.
Since they clearly felt no embarrassment at all, why should she bother caring so much?
Ziqing strode heavily into the room and said flatly, “Patriarch, Madam Gu—Yingzi and the physician are both fine now. Thank you so much for your careful attention to the matter.”
These words immediately embarrassed the patriarch. Even if the blame had been shifted onto a subordinate, he really should have come to explain and apologize in person!
Madam Gu merely glanced at Ziqing once, her attention entirely fixed on Jiang Yuan, and said nothing more, while Gu Meiting and Gu Suying didn’t even spare her a glance.
The patriarch avoided the topic entirely, asking flatly instead, “Has Beiyue shown any improvement these past three days?”
“He’s doing all right,” Ziqing said flatly, glancing casually at Jiang Chen, noting he was being even ruder than Madam Gu, still sitting there with his eyes closed as if resting.
“Good, then. Sit, everyone—there’s something I’d like us all to discuss together.” Only now did the patriarch get to business. By the looks of it, Jiang Chen and Gu Meiting had also been summoned here specifically—no wonder they were putting on such airs.
What business could the Gu clan possibly have that required discussing with Jiang Chen?
Ziqing sat down, ready to listen.
“This is an invitation from Qinse Valley, inviting the Gu clan to this year’s music gathering,” the patriarch said flatly.
Ziqing’s heart gave a small start—this must be the music gathering that Baili Weisheng and Xuanyuan Lige had both mentioned. And Qinse Valley—wasn’t that exactly where Liuxian Isle’s drug-poison had originated from?
“Qinse Valley belongs to the Qu clan. The Qu clan’s music gathering happens once every fifteen years, and invites not only the great families of Liuxian Isle, but also renowned musicians from across the Longyuan continent. This gathering is no small affair—this trip concerns not only the Gu clan’s reputation on Liuxian Isle, but also our standing across the entire Longyuan continent, so…”
The patriarch continued, glancing first at Ziqing, then at Jiang Chen, “So this old man hopes that, in every respect, the Gu clan will not be outdone by the Bai clan. Do you understand?”
Since it was a music gathering, naturally there would be musical competitions, and with all the great families gathered together, martial contests were bound to follow as well. Since neither the patriarch nor Madam Gu could fully draw on the Gu clan’s internal energy again so soon, summoning Jiang Chen here was clearly meant to have him represent the Gu clan’s martial standing!
“Mm, understood,” Ziqing said flatly.
“The Qu family, though renowned for their medical skill, didn’t actually build their reputation on medicine, but on music. It’s said that the world’s foremost musician, Xuanyuan Lige, studied under a now-deceased elder of the Qu family. That Wuzheng zither in your possession, Ziqing—wasn’t that a gift from Young Master Xuanyuan?” the patriarch asked.
“Mm.” Ziqing merely nodded, though inwardly startled—so Xuanyuan Lige really had come for the music gathering.
The patriarch was about to speak further, but Gu Suying interjected with feigned delight, exclaiming excitedly, “Oh, wonderful! In that case, please do introduce Young Master Xuanyuan to Father when the time comes! Bring some glory to our Gu clan!”
What Ziqing despised most was exactly this kind of deliberately manufactured enthusiasm. She said flatly, “I don’t know him well. The zither was a gift from Beiyue.”
“Well, surely you two have at least met, haven’t you? I hear that although Young Master Xuanyuan is technically an outsider within the Qu family, his standing there is quite high—the Qu family’s eldest daughter has remained unmarried all this while, just waiting patiently for him!” the Second Miss continued. Seeing Ziqing’s displeasure only made her smile more brilliantly. As she spoke, she quickly scooped up Jiang Yuan, acting overly familiar, and walked over with a smile. “Yuan’er, quick, call her Auntie, and ask Auntie to make a match for our Gu clan, introduce us to someone truly important!”
With that, she actually thrust Jiang Yuan right into Ziqing’s arms!
This was clearly deliberate on Gu Suying’s part—meant to provoke Ziqing. Gu Meiting watched coldly from the side, and Jiang Chen glanced over as well. The two of them had, after all, come to visit her parents’ household today—and by invitation, no less!
With Suying being so proactive, so warm and friendly, wasn’t she clearly currying favor with this young mistress? Naturally, the husband and wife would set aside their past grievances and hold their tongues.
Besides, adults’ conflicts shouldn’t be dragged onto an innocent child’s shoulders, should they?
Han Ziqing, go ahead and hold him. No matter how much you dislike it, you’ll just have to bear with it. Today, this young lady has come as an honored guest—if you want to play host, you’d better fulfill your duties as one!
Jiang Yuan, for his part, played along perfectly, looking utterly innocent and simple, calling out, “Auntie, hold me.”
…