Chapter 415 Undercurrents

Jiang Huan was taken aback: "Then what about your marriage to Prince Xiaoyao..."

“Don’t mention him!” Ayina interrupted her, her tone sharp, but then she slumped her shoulders in dejection, her eyes dim. “We don’t even know if he can come back alive.”

She paused, her voice even lower, and said with a self-deprecating laugh, "Even if he comes back alive, we probably won't have a say in our marriage."

Jiang Huan's heart tightened, and she sat up straighter: "What exactly happened? Is there some new development on the northern frontier?"

Ayina bit her lip, her eyes filled with struggle, but she finally spoke.

“The grasslands are not as peaceful as you see them. My father’s position as Khan is not secure. Several uncles and tribal leaders are outwardly submissive, but they have been plotting against me in secret.”

She squeezed the cup tightly, making the inside turn slightly white: "During the winter snow disaster, several tribes suffered heavy casualties among their cattle and sheep. Aye urgently needs money and food to stabilize the situation and appease the tribes, so this marriage alliance is necessary..."

She paused, looked up at Jiang Huan, her eyes filled with complex emotions: "It's not just about forming an alliance. More importantly, he wants to use this to control the trade routes on the border with Daliang. Salt, iron, cloth, grain... these are what he really wants. Whoever can bring him the greatest benefit, he will 'sell' me to."

“Huo Yunxing…” Ayina’s voice was sore as she uttered the name, “If something really happens to him and he doesn’t return for a long time, Father will never let me wait any longer.”

After she finished speaking, she let out a long breath, as if she had unloaded a heavy burden, but the gloom between her brows did not dissipate, but instead became even more intense.

She picked up the cup of tea, which had long since gone cold, and drank it all in one gulp, her heart filled with bitterness.

Jiang Huan was shocked. Good heavens, being a grassland princess is a high-risk profession!

On the surface, they seem to have endless glory, but behind the scenes, they still need their father's resources.

This isn't a marriage alliance; it's clearly high-level human trafficking, orchestrated by the very father.

Looking at Ayina's eyes, which were trying to remain calm but couldn't hide her sadness, her heart softened, and she lowered her voice.

"Why are you saying such discouraging things? Prince Xiaoyao is a tough guy. What's a little trouble like this? The Emperor has sent guards and imperial physicians. They will definitely protect him. Maybe he's even enjoying good food and drink in his villa right now, waiting to recover and come back to see you!"

She gently patted Ayina's hand, her eyes resolute: "Besides, even if... I mean, in the unlikely event that something unexpected happens, aren't the Emperor and I still here? This marriage is a matter of great importance to both countries. How can it be decided by your father alone? It has to be based on mutual consent, and at the very least, the person has to be a reliable candidate, right?"

Ayina paused for a moment after hearing her words, and her tense shoulders gradually relaxed.

Jiang Huan's words were like a warm current, quietly melting the frost in her heart.

"Hmph, you know how to talk." She turned her face away, and most of her gloomy mood dissipated, and she returned to her usual self.

"Of course I know, who cares about him? It's just... it's just that he's somewhat pleasing to the eye."

She paused, then, as if to regain her composure, let out a soft snort.

"Besides, there are plenty of good men in the world. If Huo Yunxing really doesn't have the good fortune, I, the princess, will find a more obedient marriage partner. With my looks and abilities, am I afraid of not finding a replacement?"

Jiang Huan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her eyes light up again and her princess-like demeanor.

The two talked for a while longer, and Ayina's mood improved considerably. When she got up to say goodbye, her steps were much lighter.

However, at the same time.

Inside the side hall of the palace where Ayina lived, however, the scene was quite different.

Tana huddled in the darkest corner of her room, her arms tightly wrapped around her knees, her body still trembling.

The days of relentless torture in the prison were like a leech, gnawing at her nerves day and night.

All of this is thanks to Ayina!

Why is it that Ayina can be high above others and enjoy the honor of a princess, while I, who also have my father's blood flowing in my veins, have to be trampled on like an ant?

She couldn't just let it go like this. She had finally come to Daliang, and this was her only chance to escape her lowly birth and climb the social ladder.

A crazy idea sprouted in her mind and grew rapidly.

If... if Ayina were to have some kind of "accident" and lose her value in the marriage alliance, then wouldn't I, as a "maid" who also possesses the bloodline of the Northern Desert royal family, have the opportunity to take her place?

The idea thrilled her so much that she got up and went straight to Tubar's place.

Tubar is a trusted and valiant general of the Khan, but he has long been dissatisfied with Ayina and has complained about her in private. Perhaps she can get help from him.

Tana knocked on the door, her voice trembling: "Lord Tubar, it's me, Tana..."

The door creaked open a crack, and Tubar's rugged face showed impatience: "What is it?"

Tana knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down her face before she could speak, her shoulders trembling violently: "My lord, please save me! I can't go on living like this!"

She sobbed as she recounted, embellishing her story of how she suffered in the prison and how Ayina mistreated her.

“The princess has no intention of benefiting the northern desert at all. She only knows how to frolic with that imperial concubine all day long and doesn’t care about the predicament of our northern desert. If this continues, the marriage alliance may be in jeopardy.”

As Tubar listened to her words, he sobered up considerably and his brows furrowed tightly.

He was already annoyed by Ayina's insubordination, and now, with Tana's instigation, he felt even more that the princess was a troublemaker who was more likely to cause trouble than to accomplish anything.

If she really causes the marriage alliance to fail, I'll definitely be in deep trouble when I go back.

Tana observed his expression and knew the time was right. She lowered her voice and seductively said, "My lord, for the sake of the Khan's great cause, I am willing to take the princess's place..."

Tubar's gaze sharpened as he looked at her.

"what you up to?"

Tana raised her head, her tearful eyes revealing a fierce determination: "As long as the princess falls ill and is unable to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the marriage, then this servant is willing to step forward and serve the Northern Desert and my lord!"

Tubar stared at her, his mind racing.

Ayina is indeed a problem; she's unruly and difficult to control.

If he could take this opportunity to remove her from power and replace her with a more obedient puppet, it would undoubtedly greatly benefit his power in the northern desert.

Even if things fail, it's just that this fool acted on his own initiative; what does it have to do with him?

This deal looks like a great deal no matter how you look at it.

He sneered inwardly, but pretended to ponder for a long time before taking out a package wrapped in oil paper from his pocket, as if he had made up his mind.

"This substance is called An Shen San (安神散). It is colorless and odorless, and dissolves immediately in water. A small amount can cause people to fall asleep, while a slightly larger dose can cause them to sleep for several days. Their pulse will be weak and floating, resembling a serious illness, and ordinary doctors will find it difficult to detect anything unusual."

He shoved the small package into Tana's hand: "How you use it and when you use it is up to you, but if you're not discreet, it could implicate me..."

His tone suddenly turned cold, and a flash of murderous intent appeared in his eyes: "You know the consequences."