The eunuch held the imperial edict with obvious discomfort as he faced Yao Ying. Bathed in brilliant sunlight, Yao Ying’s expression remained serene as she asked, “If His Majesty summoned me, why does he avoid seeing me?”

The eunuch forced a smile. “His Majesty is occupied with state affairs, discussing urgent matters with his ministers…” His voice grew increasingly faint before suddenly rising again. “Please accept the edict, Noble Lady, so this servant can report back!”

Yao Ying smiled faintly, standing regally before the steps, her robes fluttering in the wind. The eunuch, captivated by her radiant presence, momentarily dared not press further.

Suddenly, a triumphant laugh echoed across the moon terrace. With rustling silks, Noble Consort Rong approached, surrounded by palace attendants in her magnificent attire.

“Princess need not wait any longer!” Noble Consort Rong looked at Yao Ying with undisguised schadenfreude. “The edict has been issued. Since the Noble Consort has lost her mind, His Majesty has commanded me to arrange your marriage matters. You’re about to be wed, and His Majesty fears seeing you would only cause heartache. Don’t trouble these palace servants further – accept the edict and go prepare for your marriage.”

She laughed with affected charm. “Oh, I almost forgot… Your betrothed is Chieftain Yelu, who I hear is quite advanced in years! An older Prince Consort will know how to cherish you – what good fortune!”

The Chancellor glared at Noble Consort Rong, his face ashen.

Noble Consort Rong glanced sideways at Yao Ying, doubling over with laughter.

Yao Ying looked at Xie Qing behind her.

Understanding her intent, Xie Qing stepped forward and struck Noble Consort Rong twice across the face.

Before Noble Consort Rong could react, her palace maids shrieked first, lunging at Xie Qing. “How dare you!”

Xie Qing’s expression remained impassive as he delivered two more slaps.

As a warrior, his strikes were not gentle. Noble Consort Rong was left dizzy, her well-maintained face swelling rapidly.

The palace maids scattered in terror like headless flies, their screams echoing throughout the courtyard.

The Imperial Guards rushed over at the commotion but dared not question Yao Ying. They drew their swords at Xie Qing, shouting, “Insolent slave, cease at once!”

Xie Qing ignored the Imperial Guards completely, grabbed Noble Consort Rong’s wrist, and forced her to kneel before Yao Ying.

Blood streaming down her face, Noble Consort Rong struggled violently, her ornaments scattering across the ground as she cursed, “I am an Imperial Consort! You insolent slave, how dare you act so brazenly! I’ll have your head! Seventh Princess, I am your stepmother – you dare humiliate me like this today? I won’t let this go! Just you wait!”

The surrounding Imperial Guards exchanged glances, cautiously stepping forward.

Yao Ying gave them a sideways glance.

The Imperial Guards immediately halted.

Yao Ying gestured for Xie Qing to lift Noble Consort Rong’s swollen face.

Kneeling on the steps, Noble Consort Rong’s face was bruised and swollen. Furious yet frightened, she trembled all over.

Yao Ying looked at her. “Ah Qing is the Xie family’s guard captain, my most loyal protector, not a household slave.”

Xie Qing secretly straightened his back, a flash of pride crossing his usually cold face.

Yao Ying’s tone shifted. “Your original name was A-Rong, a maid of the Xie household. Back then, you betrayed my mother by climbing into the master’s bed. My uncle, knowing your true nature, kept your slave contract – you’re still a Xie family servant. My mother was your former mistress. Do you dare disrespect your former mistress? These slaps are but a minor punishment.”

Noble Consort Rong trembled with rage. “I am the Emperor’s appointed Noble Consort Rong! Just wait – I’ll make sure His Majesty disciplines you properly! You show no respect for your elders – you deserve to be sent away in a political marriage!”

Yao Ying smiled slightly, like a spring flower in full bloom. “The Yelu tribe wishes to marry me, and His Majesty and the court ministers hope to exchange me for Yelu cavalry. A-Rong, as His Majesty’s bedmate, you understand him better than others. Think carefully – would His Majesty risk displeasing me for your sake right now?”

Noble Consort Rong froze, her mouth working soundlessly as fear gradually replaced anger, making her tremble even more violently.

Just then, the sound of hoofbeats echoed from below the long steps.

The Imperial Guards looked toward the sound. Seeing the rider, their faces showed surprise as they respectfully sheathed their swords and went to welcome him.

The two eunuchs abandoned reading the marriage edict and ran into the hall to announce: “Lord Pei has arrived! Lord Pei has arrived!”

At the bottom of the steps, several palace servants gathered around a tall, strong white horse, helping an elderly man dismount.

The old man wore a silk gauze headwrap and an indigo round-collared robe. His face was aged, his temples gray-white, clearly in his declining years. He stopped to catch his breath after just a few steps.

“Lord Pei!”

From the front hall through the curved corridors to the moon terrace, eager calls rang out. Several eunuchs, having received orders from Li De, rushed over with a sedan chair.

“Lord Pei has arrived! His Majesty is overjoyed and has already led several ministers to welcome you. Please take the sedan chair into the hall!”

Lord Pei was well past eighty, his spirit and gaze both dim and confused. He lifted his face, looking around before his eyes settled on Yao Ying.

Joy immediately spread across Noble Consort Rong’s face.

The Pei family of Wei Commandery were hereditary friends of the Li family. When Li De first raised his banner, the entire Pei family followed him. Lord Pei’s brothers and sons all died in battle, and he was gravely wounded saving Li De. Though he survived, his health was permanently damaged, and he has since been recuperating in Wei Commandery.

Li De deeply respected Lord Pei, publicly declaring that Lord Pei was like a father to him.

The Pei and Xie families’ mutual antipathy was well-known, with Lord Pei having repeatedly expressed his contempt for Xie Wuliang in public.

Noble Consort Rong cried out, “Lord Pei! This Xie girl shows no respect for her elders and struck her stepmother! Please uphold justice for me!”

The Chancellor hadn’t expected Lord Pei to suddenly appear from a thousand li away. His forehead broke out in sweat – when Lord Pei lost his temper, he dared berate even Li De!

He moved to block Yao Ying. “Princess, please withdraw for now.”

Yao Ying shook her head, glancing at Noble Consort Rong. “We’re not done settling accounts. Just wait.”

Noble Consort Rong shuddered.

Yao Ying turned and walked toward Lord Pei.

The Chancellor anxiously stamped his feet.

Yao Ying approached Lord Pei and gave him a junior’s bow.

Lord Pei looked at her, nodded, and extended his hand.

A nearby eunuch hurriedly said, “Lord Pei, His Majesty said that given your advanced age, you may take the sedan chair…”

Lord Pei gave a cold laugh, pushed aside the eunuch, and gently patted Yao Ying with his old, withered hand. “You’ve grown quite tall.”

Yao Ying laughed softly. “You seem even more robust than before.”

Lord Pei’s clouded eyes flickered with amusement. “Flattering me again.”

Everyone stared in amazement.

At the long steps, Emperor Li De, who had hurried to welcome Lord Pei, also wore an expression of surprise.

Prime Minister Zheng Yu, Commander Pei, and other ministers following behind Li De watched Lord Pei and Li Yao Ying chatting and laughing as they ascended the steps, secretly puzzled and exchanging shocked glances.

Lord Pei had always despised the Xie family, and he’d had no contact with the Seventh Princess in all these years – how had they become so cordial?

Commander Pei, Lord Pei’s clan nephew, stepped forward with a smile. “We didn’t know you were coming, Uncle. Please forgive your nephew.”

Lord Pei gave him a cold glance without acknowledging him. Supported by Yao Ying, he walked to Li De and made to bow.

Li De quickly moved to support Lord Pei, smiling. “What brings you here?”

Lord Pei directly pushed away Li De’s outstretched hand. “This old body is useless now, but I’ve come to ask His Majesty for one thing.”

Li De said nothing, his gaze falling on Yao Ying standing at Lord Pei’s side.

Steadying himself with Yao Ying’s hand, Lord Pei slowly said, “My line is nearly extinct, with only my great-grandson Yu Lang remaining. Years ago, Your Majesty gave your royal word to bestow a princess upon the Pei family. I find the Seventh Princess clever and wise, graceful and dignified. I wish to ask Your Majesty for this favor – would you be willing to part with her?”

Before he finished speaking, the ministers’ expressions had already changed.

The eunuchs and guards had quietly withdrawn, and Noble Consort Rong had been helped away by her maids. The wind filled the curved corridors.

Li De was silent for a moment before smiling. “Lord Pei, it’s not that I’m unwilling to part with Seventh Sister, but I’ve already agreed to the Yelu tribe’s marriage proposal.”

Lord Pei lifted his eyelids. “Oh? I heard it was Princess Fukang who was to be married to the Yelu tribe?”

The ministers broke out in a cold sweat.

Li De looked at Yao Ying again.

Yao Ying kept her eyes lowered.

Lord Pei looked around, causing all the ministers to lower their heads sheepishly under his gaze, before returning his attention to Li De’s face. Speaking unhurriedly, he said, “Would Your Majesty break faith with me? Your Majesty made this promise to me personally – the court ministers heard it with their ears.”

Minister Pei’s face showed embarrassment. He dared not respond, yet could not remain silent.

Lord Pei’s sons and grandsons had all died for Li De, and they had indeed all been present when Li De made his promise.

Li De sighed. “Please come inside, Lord Pei. Let me explain the situation in detail.”

Lord Pei’s facial wrinkles twitched twice, but he didn’t move. “Your Majesty need not trouble yourself. I’ve already heard the details of the Yelu tribe’s marriage proposal.”

His voice suddenly rose, anger surging in his clouded eyes.

“Your Majesty had no intention of arranging this marriage. The Zhu girl was proud and willful, making rash marriage promises. Your Majesty, not wanting to break faith with the barbarians, had to arrange the marriage, but then the Zhu girl refused to wed. Now the Yelu tribe changes their mind and asks for the Seventh Princess instead, as Your Majesty wishes to reclaim Liangzhou… As for all of you…”

Lord Pei’s gaze swept across the ministers’ faces one by one.

“You remember the Zhu family’s kindness and don’t want to see the Zhu girl married far away. Since the Yelu tribe voluntarily asked to change brides, you naturally rejoiced and urged His Majesty to agree to their proposal, substituting his daughter – isn’t that right?!”

His thunderous shout startled the ministers, nearly bringing them to their knees.

Looking at Li De, Lord Pei enunciated each word: “Your Majesty, I ask you – does this Wei Dynasty belong to the Li family or the Zhu family? Is the Zhu girl precious while the Li girl is worthless? The Zhu girl treats state affairs as child’s play, and the entire court indulges her chaos, all because she bears the Zhu surname. With only the Zhu family in their hearts and minds, do they still see Your Majesty as their Emperor?”

The ministers’ hearts pounded, sweat pouring like sap. At his final words, they fell to their knees with a thud.

“Your Majesty, please judge clearly! We had no such intention!”

Lord Pei gave a cold laugh. “This all started because of the Zhu girl. If not for her, how would the Yelu tribe dare ask to marry a Li Princess? Does our great Wei need to rely on the Yelu tribe to reclaim Liangzhou?”

The ministers had no response.

Lord Pei swept his gaze around once more, speaking slowly: “For generations, the Xie family has governed Jingnan. They are a family of loyal and righteous people – their sons become ministers when following the civil path, and generals when following the military path. They worry before the world worries, sacrificing themselves for the country without hesitation. When the barbarians came south years ago, the people of the Central Plains suffered terrible massacres. Though the Xie family was far in Jingnan, they resolutely led troops north to help the Zhu family resist the enemy. Four generations, one hundred thousand heroic souls, all buried in the yellow sands.”

“Twenty-five years ago, when famine struck the Great River region, corpses littered the ground and disease ran rampant. Wherever refugees fled, local officials ordered them driven away. Only Xie Wuliang in Jingnan opened his city gates to treat the refugees, establishing soup kitchens and medical clinics, saving countless lives. People from north and south of the Great River all fled to Jingnan, and he cared for them all. When the epidemic ended, he sent people to escort the refugees home, never forcing them to stay.”

“Twenty-one years ago, when Your Majesty suffered a great defeat at Fu Prefecture, tens of thousands of Wei soldiers perished in the river valley. When Wei Commandery was occupied by enemy forces, the Xie family sent troops to resolve the crisis. They offered their grain stores to help Your Majesty recruit soldiers and buy horses and helped Your Majesty win over the powerful clans of Jingnan. In just one year, they helped Your Majesty recover all lost territory and allied with you.”

“Eleven years ago, when the Chu army launched a surprise attack, the Xie family held Jingnan to tie down the Chu forces and protect civilians crossing the river, all for Your Majesty’s great cause. Xie Wuliang, a mere scholarly man of letters, faced the well-equipped great army of Southern Chu and held out for over a month!”

“Later, when the city’s food was exhausted and they could no longer resist the Chu army…”

“The entire Xie family died heroically.”

Lord Pei’s words rang out forcefully: “Before the city fell, to protect its civilians, Xie Wuliang had his guards cut off his head and present it to the Chu army to appease their wrath. Only then did the Zhao family of Southern Chu spare the city from massacre.”

As he spoke, the wind suddenly turned bitter and shrill.

The ministers’ expressions were solemn, none daring to speak.

Lord Pei lifted his eyelids, two sharp rays of light shooting from his clouded, aged eyes: “Your Majesty, the Xie family forgot themselves in their concern for the country, sacrificing themselves to save others. They did not shame their ancestors, did not shame the people, and certainly did not shame Your Majesty! The people of Jingnan will never forget the Xie family’s kindness! Noble Consort Xie is Xie Wuliang’s sister, with only one son and one daughter. The Noble Consort is often ill, and the Seventh Princess is filial, attending to her medicine, and never leaving her side. How can you bear to make the Seventh Princess marry in another’s place?!”

His tone turned cold and biting.

“Your Majesty, the Seventh Princess’s name was given by Xie Wuliang. If Xie Wuliang were still alive, would you send the Seventh Princess to marry far away?”

Li De’s face turned ice-cold.

The ministers knelt on the ground, not daring to make a sound, but their faces showed both emotion and shame.

As Lord Pei said, when they learned the Yelu chieftain wanted to marry the Seventh Princess, they had all breathed sighs of relief – Zhu Lüyun wouldn’t have to marry.

They had exhausted themselves trying to preserve the last of the Zhu bloodline, completely disregarding the Seventh Princess’s life and death. How could they face the Xie family?

Li De took in the ministers’ contemplative expressions.

Lord Pei first brought up the old promise, then questioned whether the ministers were still loyal to the Zhu family, and then mentioned the Xie family. Even if the ministers favored Zhu Lüyun, they couldn’t openly support having Li Yao Ying marry in her place.

If he insisted on sending Yao Ying for a political marriage, not only would it dishearten powerful families like the Pei and Xie who had followed him, but it would also frighten the former dynasty’s old ministers, and people like Commander Pei would be furious.

With the new dynasty just established, he had painstakingly balanced the former dynasty’s old ministers, powerful families, local magnates, common officials, and military commanders, preventing any faction from becoming too powerful. Yet the powerful families had gradually gained control of the court.

He couldn’t alienate loyal ministers at this time.

The undercurrents in court were far more important than the Yelu tribe’s ten thousand iron cavalry.

After weighing the options, Li De quickly made his decision.

“The Yelu tribe asked to marry Princess Fukang.”

As his words fell, none of the ministers raised any objection.

The wind howled through the hall courtyard.

Standing beside Lord Pei, Yao Ying’s clothes were soaked with sweat, her heart pounding like a drum as she slowly closed her eyes.

A few years ago, she had happened to save Lord Pei’s great-grandson Pei Yu’s life. Lord Pei had promised to do one thing for her, something that must have nothing to do with Li Zhongqian or Noble Consort Xie.

When she discovered Li Xuanzhen wanted her to marry in another place, she immediately thought of Lord Pei.

Fortunately, Lord Pei was a man who kept his word.

…

Li De invited Lord Pei to stay and discuss the marriage arrangements.

Yao Ying took her leave.

Prime Minister Zheng watched Yao Ying’s retreating figure, his expression complex.

Yesterday, his son Zheng Jing had come before him, saying he had feelings for the Seventh Princess and asking him to help persuade Li De to prevent Li De and the Eastern Palace from having the Seventh Princess marry in another’s place.

The Zheng family had discussed marriage with the Second Prince, and although it had come to nothing, if the Zheng family produced their previously drafted marriage agreement and tokens, along with the Seventh Princess’s cooperation, they could convince others.

Prime Minister Zheng firmly refused: “If you offend the Eastern Palace for the Seventh Princess, your future career will be completely ruined!”

Zheng Jing declared resolutely: “As long as I can save the Seventh Princess, I’m willing to never take office.”

Prime Minister Zheng had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

Zheng Jing immediately went to discuss their story with the Seventh Princess. He left in high spirits but returned dejected.

Prime Minister Zheng frowned and asked: “Did the Seventh Princess mock you?”

His son was of ordinary talent and often ridiculed by others.

Zheng Jing shook his head: “The Seventh Princess didn’t mock me.”

Li Yao Ying hadn’t mocked Zheng Jing. She was surprised by his offer of help and grateful for his aid in her time of need. After solemnly thanking him for his kind intentions, she finally said: “Third Young Master is highly talented and will surely become a pillar of the state in the future. You shouldn’t ruin your prospects for me. Please don’t worry about me – I already have a way to protect myself.”

Prime Minister Zheng had scoffed – how could a mere girl protect herself?

Still, he admired Li Yao Ying’s composure in crisis, that even at such a time she could think of Zheng Jing’s future.

He had thought Li Yao Ying’s talk of having a way to protect herself was just to comfort Zheng Jing.

He never imagined she could move Lord Pei to action.

Prime Minister Zheng frowned.

Chang’an and Wei Commandery were a thousand li apart – Lord Pei must have set out early when the Yelu tribe hadn’t yet submitted their marriage proposal.

Li Yao Ying must have sent word to Lord Pei as soon as she discovered the Eastern Palace wanted her to marry in another place. That’s why Lord Pei arrived so timely before the marriage edict was issued when His Majesty could still change his mind.

Such decisive courage was truly remarkable.

…

News that Li De had withdrawn the marriage edict quickly reached the Eastern Palace.

Zheng Biyu let out a soft sigh of relief – she hadn’t wanted to see the Seventh Princess throw away her life for Zhu Lüyun’s willingness.

Wei Ming was greatly disappointed.

Li Xuanzhen’s reaction was calm, showing neither fury nor relief.

He merely gave a faint “Oh,” then turned to summon his advisors to continue discussing how to prevent Zhu Lüyun’s political marriage.

Without Li De’s consent to the marriage, the Yelu chieftain was very disappointed. He submitted a request for an audience, making more promises, but Li De was busy accompanying Lord Pei and didn’t receive him.

The Chancellor worriedly told Li Yao Ying: “The Yelu chieftain hasn’t given up. He’s bribing officials at the Court of State Ceremonial to persuade His Majesty to approve the marriage.”

For some reason, the Yelu chieftain, who had never met Yao Ying, suddenly seemed possessed, determined to have her at any cost.

By this time, Yao Ying had already received Lord Pei’s marriage agreement. With the weight lifted from her heart, she said: “It’s nothing. With Lord Pei’s marriage agreement, no one will dare force me into a political marriage.”

The Chancellor thought she was right.

Now that Lord Pei was protecting the Seventh Princess, petty schemers wouldn’t dare act rashly. When the Second Prince returned, there would be even less to worry about.

The Chancellor eagerly awaited Li Zhongqian’s return.

After waiting for over half a month, battle reports finally arrived from the south.

The Chancellor opened the letter, his smile freezing on his face. His vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground.

This letter quickly reached Li Yao Ying’s hands.

On it, in unfamiliar handwriting: “Two days ago, the right army led by the Prince of Qin was ambushed. Total annihilation.”