Because Yueyao Kingdom is a matriarchal society, its people are skilled in farming and textile handicrafts. The country is relatively peaceful and its people lead very fulfilling lives.

In particular, the Yao Queen was content with this situation and never wanted to have any conflicts with the surrounding countries. After all, their territory was small, their population was small, and their fighting strength was weak, so they were no match for other countries.

However, wherever there are people, there is a world of intrigue and conflict. Moreover, Yueyao Kingdom is surrounded not only by people, but also by other kingdoms.

Because of its superior geographical location, suitable environment, spring-like climate all year round, abundant rainfall, fertile land, and abundant grain production, Yueyao Kingdom is a major producer of grain.

This aroused the covetousness of the Western Frontier Kingdom.

The barbarians of the Western Frontier even dared to plunder Liangzhou, so how could they possibly let go of such a good place as Yueyao Kingdom?

The cities in the western frontier are too far from the Yueyao Kingdom, and a long journey in winter is definitely not feasible. Therefore, every summer and autumn harvest season, they would first raid the Yueyao Kingdom and plunder it thoroughly before setting their sights on Liangzhou, which is closer, in winter.

The Yueyao Kingdom lacked sufficient military strength and had abundant food supplies. Even if some of their food was plundered by the Western Barbarians, it was enough for them to eat. Therefore, the empresses of successive dynasties became accustomed to this way of being at the mercy of the barbarians.

However, the newly enthroned empress last year did not think so. She did not want the grain that her people had worked so hard to grow to be looted every time. So she led her troops to resist. But how could the women's army compare with the barbarians of the western frontier who roamed the grasslands and battlefields every day?

Therefore, they win fewer games and lose more.

The empress was unwilling to accept this situation, so the only solution was to seek help from other countries, and there were two great powers surrounding them.

Southern Qi and Anguo.

In terms of military strength, Southern Qi was the strongest.

However, unlike the Southern Qi, the An Kingdom has never launched a war against its neighboring countries. The Southern Qi, on the other hand, recently attacked the Eastern Yue Kingdom and also has some covetous eyes on the An Kingdom. It is only after hearing that their third prince was defeated after a trip to the An Kingdom and returned to the Southern Qi that things calmed down a bit.

This strengthened the Queen's belief in cooperating with Anguo.

So she led her most elite troops and launched a surprise attack on Liangzhou from behind when the Western Barbarians were attacking it. After a long and fierce battle, she drove them back, which she considered a gift to Liangzhou and Anguo, before entering the city.

...

Upon hearing this, Jing Zhe suddenly realized and asked curiously, "According to Fifth Sister, Empress Yueyao's help to Liangzhou was just a way of returning the favor. Their real purpose is to go to Jingzhou to meet the Emperor and discuss cooperation, right?"

Liu Jinghong nodded after listening.

Jing Zhe was even more curious: "If we're going to cooperate, then what was with that martial arts contest for marriage just now?"

"The Yueyao Kingdom has been terrified by the Western Frontier barbarians over the years. Even though the Empress went to Jingzhou and signed a written cooperation agreement with His Majesty, she is still uneasy. That's why she wanted to use the pretext of a martial arts contest to choose a husband in Jingzhou and bring him back to the Yueyao Kingdom. Through this marriage alliance, she can firmly attach herself to the An Kingdom!"

"..."

Jing Zhe suddenly realized, "So it's a marriage alliance! But if it's a marriage alliance, the choice of the person to marry into the alliance can't be just any ordinary person!"

Logically speaking, those chosen for marriage alliances should generally be princesses, and by the same token, those who marry the Empress should be princes of Anguo, so that their status would be equal.

"Of course not!"

Liu Jinghong smiled and said, "The martial arts contest to find a husband in Liangzhou was actually the result of my discussion with the Empress! Because there is definitely no man in Liangzhou who is more powerful than the Holy Maiden, the Holy Maiden can then say that no one in Liangzhou can beat her, and naturally go to Jingzhou to find a husband through the martial arts contest. Then we can negotiate with His Majesty to see which prince to arrange!"

Jing Zhe curled his lip: "There may be no man in Liangzhou who can beat her, but there might be one in Jingzhou! If he does beat her, will she marry him? Besides, none of our princes are good fighters. She can't just marry an ordinary person, can she?"

Liu Jinghong looked at him like he was an idiot: "Do you really think a martial arts contest for marriage is a real contest? Once the deal is reached, the people who go up will be carefully selected. Apart from the prince, who can win, and who dares to win?"

"..."

Okay, so match-fixing exists here too.

Jing Zhe shrugged. "Looks like it's a good thing I didn't win!"

"Hehe, are you regretting it now?"

"..."

To be honest, the saintess held no appeal for him, and he certainly wouldn't regret his decision. But the empress… considering her looks, status, and demeanor, Jing Zhe was somewhat…

Before he could finish his thought, he caught a glimpse of Liu Jinghong's cold, dagger-like gaze and immediately waved his hand, saying, "What are you saying, Fifth Sister? Let alone a mere empress or saintess, even if it were a celestial fairy descended to earth, I wouldn't think twice! Because my Fifth Sister is a fairy!"

Jing Zhe patted his chest and showered him with compliments.

"Hmm, that's not bad!"

Liu Jinghong smiled and said something, then removed his left hand from Jing Zhe's waist, lowered his right hand from the hilt of the spear, and swayed his feet as he put them down.

Jing Zhe breathed a long sigh of relief: That was close!

However, Liu Jinghong immediately scolded him, "You, you're here, why did you rush onto the stage? Don't say you accidentally barged in. You must have heard about the martial arts contest to find a husband after you entered the city. Don't think I'm stupid!"

Jing Zhe chuckled, "Fifth Sister, isn't that all because I thought you were holding a martial arts contest to find a husband? So I had to hurry up and go on stage to win your hand in marriage?"

"..."

Liu Jinghong was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then burst into laughter and immediately said, "You're just thinking nonsense! How could Fifth Sister do such a thing?"

Then she rolled her eyes at him, her voice becoming very gentle again: "Besides, before leaving Jingzhou, Fifth Sister promised you... that no matter what, I would always be your woman. How could I dare to hold a martial arts contest to choose a husband when you're not here? Wait, no, it's not that. It's that whether you're here or not, my heart is always with you, and I could never hold a martial arts contest to choose a husband!"

Liu Jinghong wasn't good with sweet words; she simply expressed her most sincere thoughts in the simplest terms. Jing Zhe was deeply moved. He held Liu Jinghong's pretty face in his arms and gently kissed her luscious red lips.

After all, they were outside. Although there were few people around, Liu Jinghong still blushed, afraid that someone would see him. The dignified General Jinghong was actually forcibly kissed in the street—well, it had to be a forced kiss, otherwise why would he have agreed to it?

Feeling rather embarrassed, Liu Jinghong quickly reached out and pushed Jing Zhe away, straightened her armor, and then felt a pang of pity for Jing Zhe's longing look.

"Sooner or later...it'll all be yours, why are you in such a hurry?"

She pouted, twisted her hands together, and whispered, "Besides, even if you wanted to, you couldn't do it here..."

"Fifth Sister, let's go back!"

"..."

————