Murong Qi had already thought of excuses, like “not feeling well” or “not acclimated to the environment,” but before she could open her mouth, the fourth Miss Bai said, “The Hundred Flowers Lord must be tired from the journey. I have prepared some refreshments in the main courtyard. Would you like to try them?”
“No… no need,” Murong Qi’s forehead twitched, “I’m not hungry.”
Slightly taken aback, Miss Bai’s face fell, and she asked pitifully, “Does the Hundred Flowers Lord not like me?”
A wave of goosebumps spread from Murong Qi’s feet to the back of her neck. She wanted to shout at her: “Speak normally, and I will like you!”
However, glancing at Lord Ziyang beside her, Murong Qi realized that if she shouted, the outcome would not be pleasant. So she could only shake her head, holding back, her beautiful face turning a shade of blue.
The fourth Miss Bai showed no intention of letting her go, clapping her hands and smiling, “The Hundred Flowers Lord is so radiant and charming. I like you very much at first sight. Why don’t I accompany you for a walk outside later?”
Murong Qi shook her head repeatedly, “No need, no need. I… have business with the Princess of Danyang.”
“Oh?” Miss Bai asked curiously, “Are you close to her?”
“Close! How could we not be close!” Murong Qi focused on escaping this “concubine,” blurted out, “When we meet later, we will surely have a chat. If we go out, we can go together. Madam, you should take care of yourself.”
Unable to hold back, Li Huaiyu burst into laughter, clutching her belly.
Murong Qi looked at her in confusion, while the latter relaxed her posture, leaning back in her chair, laughing until tears came out.
This demeanor was all too familiar.
Narrowing her eyes, Murong Qi’s face darkened, “Danyang?”
“Oh, what sharp eyes you have, Lord!” Huaiyu, returning to her usual cheeky self, laughed, “It’s been a year, and we’ve grown quite close!”
Frowning, Murong Qi slammed the table and stood up, “You dare to trick me!”
“Didn’t you trick me last year?” Huaiyu picked her ear, “I remember what you gave me when I ‘died.'”
To show goodwill between the two countries, the Hundred Flowers Lord gave lavish gifts to the young emperor and the princess. The difference was, that the emperor received real treasures, while she received a pig’s blood congealed into a jade pendant shape, which was shamelessly claimed to be a rare blood jade pendant. She kept it in the palace until it molded before realizing she was being played.
Recalling this, Murong Qi crossed her arms and sneered, “Is this why you accused me of giving you a Soul Lock Jade Pendant?”
Li Huaiyu cupped her fists, “You were unkind, so I was unrighteous. Fair enough!”
Murong Qi stood up, ready to hit her, but the ever-relaxed Lord Ziyang moved faster, stepping in front of Huaiyu. His robes fluttered, and though he said nothing, Murong Qi understood the meaning.
Realizing something, Murong Qi’s expression became complicated, “So… you married Danyang?”
Jiang Xuanjin nodded.
Looking at his handsome face, Murong Qi sighed, “Such a fine person, how did he end up blind?”
Li Huaiyu poked her head out from behind Jiang Xuanjin, wrinkling her nose, “What do you mean blind? A good girl like me is a blessing to whoever marries me!”
“Give it a rest,” Murong Qi said irritably, sitting back down, still struggling to accept the reality.
She admired Lord Ziyang greatly. Among the four countries, he was the only one in a high position with a righteous spirit. So every time she came to Northern Wei, she interacted with him a lot. Conversely, she was at odds with Danyang because Lord Ziyang and Danyang were once enemies.
But now, after a year, they had become husband and wife?!
Taking a deep breath, Murong Qi said, “I want to go for a walk.”
“Shall I accompany you?” Li Huaiyu asked with a cheeky grin.
Giving her a sidelong glance, Murong Qi stood up and strode out the door.
The situation in Yixian City was tense. Important figures gathered here, and the court’s military presence around the fief borders was increasing, with the potential for conflict at any moment. As a result, there were few people on the streets, with only a few shops open.
Murong Qi, in a bad mood, looked somewhat listless. Despite her striking features, there was an air of mischief about her.
She didn’t bring anyone with her. After leaving the Princess’s residence, she walked a few steps and saw a tavern. A servant-like person was squatting at the door, happily eating a bowl of braised pork.
In a place like this, having such a large bowl of meat was indeed something to be happy about. Murong Qi glanced at it, smirked, and approached, “What’s written on the bottom of your bowl?”
The servant, Zhaocai, was enjoying his meat and froze, flipping the bowl over to look.
With a “splat,” the braised pork fell to the ground.
Zhaocai: “…?”
Whistling, Murong Qi smiled, put her hands in her pockets, and continued walking.
Zhaocai was dumbfounded, looking at the mischievous beauty and then at his sacrificed braised pork, before bursting into tears and scrambling into the tavern.
Lu Jingxing was reading letters from shopkeepers in Pingling when he heard the earth-shattering wail.
“Young Master!”
He looked up to see Zhaocai crying pitifully, “My meat… my braised pork is gone…”
Lu Jingxing’s brow twitched, and he said helplessly, “What’s the big deal? If you want to eat, have the kitchen make more.”
“But… she… I…”
“Enough,” Lu Jingxing waved his hand, “Take this letter to the Princess’s residence for Her Highness. Something’s about to happen in Pingling.”
Hearing there was business, Zhaocai stopped crying and reached out his greasy hand for the letter.
Picking the softest target, Pingling was the weakest among the major fiefs. Li Huailin had decided to start with Pingling, planning to formally reclaim the fief after the New Year. Hearing the news, several shopkeepers planned to sell their shops early and move to other cities. Lu Jingxing didn’t allow it, instead telling them to buy more shops when prices dropped.
Jiang Xuanjin would surely protect Pingling. Although the outcome was uncertain, he was willing to trust him a little more.
If it failed… Lu Jingxing chuckled. So be it. Cautious merchants never make big fortunes.
The New Year atmosphere dissipated after just two days. The news came from Pingling that the court intended to forcibly reclaim the fief, with thirty thousand troops and a hundred officials pressing on the border, seemingly ready to seize power directly.
Murong Qi heard the news while beating up two ruffians who had harassed her on the street. Someone handed her a letter, and after reading it, she casually gave a few orders to send a message back to Eastern Jin.
Coming to Yixian City, she wasn’t just here for Lord Ziyang’s favor. Among the four countries, Western Liang was insignificant, Southern Yan was content in its corner, and only Eastern Jin and Northern Wei were powerful. With the current division, she had to lend a hand.
The emperor of Northern Wei was foolish. Of all people to offend, he offended both the Princess of Danyang and Lord Ziyang. Now, it seemed there was no way to end this peacefully! As a fisherman waiting to reap the benefits, Murong Qi was eagerly waiting for the clam to clamp down on the snipe’s beak.
This day came quickly. On the fifth day of the New Year, a skirmish broke out at the border of Pingling, and the court officially went to war with Pingling.
Jiang Xuanjin was well-prepared, and reinforcements arrived quickly. The two sides fought twice in one day, with victories and losses on both sides.
“Fighting at this time is disadvantageous for the royal family,” Bai Ai said softly, “His Majesty has not yet stabilized the ministers’ hearts, and now there’s internal conflict. If Pingling can’t be quickly taken, it will be hard to explain to the court.”
Li Huaiyu leaned on the soft couch, frowning slightly, “Huailin is anxious.”
For some reason, since they returned to the fief, Huailin’s actions had become increasingly rash. If he had been as cautious as before, she might have suffered a few setbacks. But now, it seemed he was in a hurry, recklessly wanting to confront them head-on.
In terms of winning chances, it was evenly matched, but the variable was that they had the Hundred Flowers Lord on their side.
“Truly stubborn!” Li Huailin slammed the imperial desk, furious, “What does my Northern Wei’s affairs have to do with her Eastern Jin?”
They had just taken the border of Pingling, and within a day, it was retaken. It was one thing for Ziyang and Danyang to send reinforcements, but Eastern Jin also sent supplies to Ziyang, under the guise of gifts.
What country sends military supplies as gifts?!
“Calm down, Your Majesty. The Hundred Flowers Lord acts unpredictably, and even the ruler of Eastern Jin can’t control her,” Qi Han said, cupping his hands, “I’ve had people investigate. The real power in Eastern Jin is now in the hands of the Hundred Flowers Lord.”
“What should we do?” Li Huailin was agitated.
Liu Yunlie, who had been silent, pondered for a moment and said, “If I’m not mistaken, Lord Ziyang intends to collude with the enemy and betray the country.”
The war had begun, and Jiang Xuanjin, fearing defeat, had invited the Hundred Flowers Lord to assist. With Eastern Jin backing them, they would surely hold Pingling.
“Unbelievable!” Li Huailin was furious, pacing in the imperial study, unsure of what to do.
He had learned the ways of governing a country but didn’t know how to handle international relations. The failed mission to Eastern Jin had already drawn criticism from the court. If the Hundred Flowers Lord helped Jiang Xuanjin secure Pingling, people would surely say he was an emperor who had lost the people’s support.
“Your Majesty, I have a plan,” Liu Yunlie said, cupping his hands.
“Speak.”
With deep eyes, Liu Yunlie said, “Since they have allied with Eastern Jin, we can seek help from Western Liang.”
Li Huailin was taken aback.
Qi Han hesitated, “Isn’t that inappropriate?”
“Looking at the situation in Ziyang, it’s clear they intend to rebel. Jiang Xuanjin is prepared, and we’ve been passive. If we don’t prepare more, and we lose, everything will be over.”
On his last mission, Liu Yunlie had the most success with Western Liang among the three countries. Li Huailin knew the ruler of Western Liang appreciated Liu Yunlie and had established good trade relations. Deeper cooperation wasn’t impossible.
After pondering for a moment, he sat down and picked up a pen.
“Aren’t you afraid the old man Jiang will scold you to death?” Murong Qi shook her head in the courtyard, “Dare to say I sent you supplies… If I did, you’d be colluding with the enemy!”
Jiang Xuanjin brushed his robe, his expression calm, “It wasn’t my idea.”
Murong Qi turned to look at Li Huaiyu, who met her gaze and said sweetly, “I’m just a woman, how could I manage such things?”
“Cut it out!” Murong Qi frowned, “Trying to drag my Eastern Jin into this?”
“When will you stop taking advantage and then complaining?” Returning to her normal tone, Li Huaiyu rolled her eyes, “I let your Eastern Jin gain a favor without doing anything, and you’re still putting on airs?”
The military supplies sent by Danyang were all distributed under the name of the Hundred Flowers Lord of Eastern Jin. Even if it was using her, wasn’t the benefit given to her enough?
Snorting twice, Murong Qi stretched out her legs, tripping the maid and bringing tea.
“Lord… Lord?” The maid turned pale with fright.
Murong Qi turned her face and smiled, gloating, “That’s what you get for not watching where you’re going.”
Li Huaiyu: “…”
She said the Hundred Flowers Lord was eccentric, and it wasn’t without reason. This person was truly malicious when doing bad things, and for no reason, even those who hadn’t offended her could be messed with.
Jiang Xuanjin had told her last night that Murong Qi had a streak of malice in her bones, cultivated in the Eastern Jin palace. She couldn’t be kind to the world, which was why, even at twenty, she had no husband.
“Why are you staring at me? Just tell me your purpose,” Murong Qi said to her, “Going to such lengths to give me a favor, what do you want?”
Coming back to her senses, Huaiyu smiled, “Just a whim.”
Jiang Xuanjin paused, his dark eyes sweeping over, slightly puzzled.
Li Huaiyu didn’t explain much, standing up and pulling him away, “We, who are married, are different from those who are alone. We need time to be close. Lord, feel free, we’ll be going first.”
Murong Qi’s face darkened, “Who are you calling alone?”
Huaiyu turned back, boldly saying, “You!”
Murong Qi: “…”
Truly an eyesore, she thought. If Li Huaiyu weren’t pregnant, she would have chased after her and kicked her.
“What are you trying to do?” Jiang Xuanjin asked as they walked.
Li Huaiyu, smiling, hugged his arm, pretending not to understand, and only asked, “What did the letters from home say recently?”
At this, Jiang Xuanjin’s expression darkened slightly.
He had explained to his father that resisting the court was a last resort. If he didn’t plan early, they would eventually be exterminated by the emperor. However, the old man Jiang insisted he was rebelling and wanted to take the family back to the capital to plead guilty. Helpless, he had to confine them in the main city of Ziyang, not allowing them to leave.
What could the letters say? Mostly his elder brother advising him, his second brother expressing concern, and then his father’s scolding and threats.
Such matters couldn’t be explained clearly. All he could do was protect his family.
“Oh, don’t be upset.” Stopping, Huaiyu, with some effort, hugged him with her belly, “Things will get better.”
Getting better was difficult, but looking at her round little face, Jiang Xuanjin felt a bit better, and he said softly, “I’ll accompany you for a nap.”
“Okay.” She agreed sweetly, then smiled, “I heard that when a woman is pregnant, the husband is always busy, often going out, rarely having time to accompany her. But you’ve been by my side all this time?”
Glancing at her, Jiang Xuanjin said, “Because you’re too troublesome.”
He feared that if he turned his back, she would get hurt again, so he felt more at ease watching over her.
Especially since her belly was so big it scared him.