Taiping Lie 354: The Nanzhao Queen's Position

After the marriage between Prince Li's Mansion and Cangmangshan was announced, the marriage did not cause much commotion because the dignitaries from various countries who came to celebrate the birthday had already left. As the protagonist of this marriage, Mo Jingli was probably the only one who was truly happy. He chose to hold this wedding in Licheng, which was somewhat a demonstration to Prince Ding's Mansion. However, as long as he thought that it was Prince Ding's Mansion that rejected Cangmangshan first, this demonstration became a little more embarrassing and boring. As a result, the original respect and caution for Cangmangshan became seven points.

Compared to Dongfang You's resentment and rejection of marriage, Dongfang Hui's mood was equally bad. In fact, after Prince Ding's Mansion rejected her proposal and she rejected Ren Qining herself, the only person that Cangmang Mountain could choose was Mo Jingli. However, choosing Mo Jingli and marrying the heir of Cangmang Mountain was a world of difference from the current situation.

Originally, Dongfang You married into the Li Palace, and Cangmangshan was naturally still high and mighty. But after experiencing this incident, she felt completely different among the officials of the Chu court when she married. And Cangmangshan couldn't even refuse Dongfang You's marriage. Although the affair between Mo Jingli and Dongfang You was not known to the world, those who should know it knew it. Faced with such a stupid loss, Cangmangshan had no choice but to swallow it.

These messy things made Dongfang Hui feel depressed, and even the Dingwang Mansion and the Xu family became angry and hateful. In fact, after the Dingwang Mansion rejected Cangmang Mountain, the situation of Cangmang Mountain was a little delicate. If they did not give up immediately and stop caring about these things, and all regretted to retreat to Cangmang Mountain, they could only choose someone to assist them. However, doing so would greatly damage the reputation of Cangmang Mountain as the Lord of Heaven.

You originally chose Dingwang Mansion, but Dingwang Mansion ignored you and you chose someone else. So the so-called master of the world is not determined at all. If that's the case, the heroes compete with each other based on their own abilities, so why should you come to Cangmang Mountain to choose for heaven?

That's why Mo Jingli's marriage to Dongfang Hui didn't cause much of a stir. The power of Cangmang Mountain is naturally enviable, but many people also see the disadvantages of Cangmang Mountain's participation. It's just that they can't give up the reputation of the true prince charming. Now that Cangmang Mountain's so-called reputation has become empty talk, a group of unknown women seem less important.

While Mo Jingli and the Dongfang family were busy arranging the wedding, everyone in Prince Ding's mansion was also busy. From Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li to the ordinary soldiers of the Mo family army, everyone was ready to go to war at any time. The senior generals in Prince Ding's mansion knew that this expedition was a real life-and-death battle with the Beirong army to avenge the Mo family army's near demise and the death of the previous Prince Ding, Mo Xiuwen. No soldier of the Beirong army that entered the pass would ever return to Beirong.

Inside Nanzhao Posthouse

Ye Li and Princess Anxi sat opposite each other, sipping tea leisurely. Princess Anxi's belly was already quite big, and it was obvious that she must be pregnant with a healthy and strong little prince or son. Princess Anxi's face, which used to be a bit bright and cheerful, now had a bit more gentleness and grace. No matter how powerful a woman is, as long as she is going to be a mother, she will always have a bit of gentleness and kindness.

"I have been busy for the past few days. Now I finally have some free time and I am going to travel far away. I can't treat you well." Ye Li looked at Princess Anxi and smiled apologetically. Princess Anxi is the queen of a country, so she naturally can't chat with ordinary women. But Ye Li has been so busy these days that she has lost her way in hospitality.

Princess Anxi smiled and said, "You and I are both helpless. What are you saying sorry for? Are you also planning to go to war with Prince Ding this time?" Ye Li nodded and said, "Of course." Although she was a little worried about the two newly born children, Ye Li was even more worried about Mo Xiuyao who was on the battlefield. Last time in Xiling, he almost lost control. This time, he had to face Beirong and Helian Zhen, who almost slaughtered half of the northern part of Da Chu and had a deep hatred for the Mo family army. How could Ye Li feel at ease if he didn't go with them? Speaking of which, she felt a little sorry for the three children. Mo Xiaobao was half raised by the Xu family in these years. Now that the two children were only two months old, they had to go to war again. The children still had to be entrusted to the eldest and second aunts to take care of.

"Come to think of it, I also wanted to ride a horse and fight on the battlefield, but I didn't expect you to be one step ahead of me." Princess Anxi said with a smile, "Princess Ding can be said to be the best female general in the world."

Ye Li smiled helplessly and said, "What female general? Where have I ever led troops to fight? I just followed and watched."

Princess Anxi smiled and said, "Yes, how could Prince Ding allow you to lead the troops to charge into the battlefield. The princess should be the military strategist who plans and directs the troops. Isn't there a saying in the Central Plains that it is easy to find brave generals, but difficult to find military strategists?

Ye Li was silent. Do we have such a saying in the Central Plains?

After a moment of silence, Ye Li smiled and said, "Central Plains is in chaos right now, but the queen is living in seclusion and is envied by others."

Southern Xinjiang is remote and has been a barren land since ancient times. Although the emperors of the Central Plains always liked to fight, no one had ever truly conquered it. It's not that Nanzhao was really powerful. Although the people of Nanzhao were tough, it was a small and poor country with few soldiers. Emperors of all dynasties attacked Nanzhao because Nanzhao invaded the border or because they wanted to expand their territory in the prosperous times to add icing on the cake in history books. No one would really use the power of the country to attack Nanzhao, because even if they took it down, they would get much more than they paid. Once the war came, the heroes of all parties had no time to care about Nanzhao. They didn't even have time to seize the rich land of the Central Plains, so who had time to care about a small border country?

"It seems that the queen really has no intention of participating in this chaotic world?" Ye Li asked with a smile. In fact, she could understand Princess Anxi's thoughts. Although Princess Anxi has the talent to govern the country, for a woman, her natural character lacks the domineering and ambition to expand territory and achieve great ambitions. This may not be a bad thing for the people of Nanzhao. Although Nanzhao has a strong army, it has only a few hundred thousand people. There are also many tribes in other places that only listen to orders but not to orders, and each of them governs their own affairs. In today's imminent chaotic war involving millions of people, Nanzhao's participation is nothing more than cannon fodder.

Princess Anxi shook her head, stroked her belly and smiled, "I only hope that the people of Nanzhao can live and work in peace and contentment, and that my child is born and grows up safely. In the future, I will pass the throne to him, and my life will be complete."

Ye Li sighed and said, "Ordinary people only want peace in their lives. If the queen can protect the people under her rule, it will be a great merit." Princess Anxi smiled and said, "Now that the Central Plains is in war, only the people under the rule of Prince Ding and Princess can live in peace and leisure, without worrying about the suffering of war. No wonder the people in many places along the way north are grateful to the name of Prince Ding and Princess."

Ye Li smiled faintly at Princess Anxi's praise. In life, it is enough to protect the peace of the people. As for merits and demerits, there is no need to care so much.

"Your Majesty, Princess. There is a woman who calls herself Princess Qixia outside the door asking to see you." The servant waiting outside the door reported respectfully at the door.

After hearing the servant's words, Princess Anxi frowned slightly and said with some displeasure: "What is she doing here?" Princess Anxi was really disappointed with her sister. Princess Qixia was her only biological sister, but when she was young, she was fighting with Shu Manlin in such a difficult and dangerous situation. Princess Qixia did not help herself, but she also helped Shu Manlin to oppose herself everywhere because of Mo Jingli. In the end, she ran to Da Chu and refused to come back, which made the Nanzhao royal family lose face. Even when the two sisters met in Licheng this time, Princess Qixia's words and deeds also showed her dissatisfaction and jealousy towards her elder sister. Princess Qixia only remembered that she was named the princess and inherited the entire Nanzhao throne. But she never thought about the hardships she had experienced when she was framed by Shu Manlin and suppressed by her father. It would be better to have no sister like this.

"Forget it. In a few days she will return to Jiangnan with Prince Li. Let her in." Princess Anxi said calmly.

The attendant took the order and left. Ye Li stood up and said, "You sisters can reminisce about the past. I will take my leave first." Princess Anxi quickly held her hand and said, "I don't have much to say to her. You will be going to the battlefield soon, and I don't know when we will see each other again. Just sit down." Ye Li originally wanted to leave space for the sisters to talk alone. Seeing Princess Anxi like this, she did have something to say to Princess Anxi, so she no longer refused and sat down again.

After a while, Princess Qixia came in. She was stunned for a moment when she saw Ye Li sitting there. Then she walked up to Princess Anxi and timidly called her "Imperial Sister."

Princess Qixia is already 28 or 29 years old this year. Although she is still beautiful, she is not a young girl after all. She looks less pitiful and more artificial. Princess Anxi frowned slightly, pointed to the chair next to her and said, "Why are you here? Sit down and talk."

Princess Qixia's gesture did not achieve the expected effect. She lowered her head in disappointment and walked to the chair pointed by Princess Anxi and sat down. Princess Anxi asked, "What happened?"

Princess Qixia bit her lips and said with red eyes: "Prince Li wants to marry Dongfang You. Please help me." Princess Anxi's eyebrows flashed with a hint of depression. Princess Qixia had come to the posthouse several times in a short period of time. Her words and deeds all meant that Nanzhao should put pressure on Prince Li's mansion so that Prince Li would formally marry her as a concubine. Princess Anxi naturally did not agree. Even though she was the queen of Nanzhao, she could not control who the regent of Dachu married. The Nanzhao royal family had long lost the title of Princess Qixia, and it was even more unreasonable to lock her up.

"How can I decide whether Prince Li marries Dongfang You? Qixia, you are already quite old, can't you see these things clearly?" Princess Anxi frowned.

Princess Qixia said aggrievedly: "But Cangmangshan is extremely domineering. Dongfangyou forced King Li to promise that there will be only two concubines in King Li's palace in the future, and the rest of the people are not allowed to be given titles, and they cannot give birth to children before Dongfangyou. Even if King Li ascends to the throne in the future, he is not allowed to make me a concubine." Thinking of Dongfangyou's arrogant look in front of her, Princess Qixia wanted to stab her to death with a knife. She is also a princess of a country, but she is bullied by a wild girl born in the countryside. Unfortunately, she knows that no matter whether Mo Jingli likes Dongfangyou or not, there is no doubt that the people he values ​​most now are Dongfangyou and Cangmangshan. If she really does something bad to Dongfangyou, I am afraid that Mo Jingli will kill her first.

"Princess, this Dongfangyou..." Princess Anxi knew a little about Dongfangyou and Cangmang Mountain, but she didn't know them well.

Ye Li shook her head and said, "Why didn't Dongfang Hui say anything? Dongfang You recites the rules of being a wife, a concubine, and a queen all day long, wishing she were a living female saint. She shouldn't make such an impolite request, right? Princess Qixia, I'm afraid there is something else she hasn't said?"

Princess Anxi looked at Princess Qixia, who changed color slightly, bit her lip and said angrily: "It was that Dongfang Hui... She said that I was too low to be the Princess of Li." Is Princess Qixia of low status? Of course not. Although the nobles of the Central Plains who claim to be the orthodox Central Plains look down on small border countries, they still give a certain respect to the status of a princess of a country. But Princess Qixia is different. Everyone knows that the name of Princess Qixia of Nanzhao has long disappeared in the world.

Princess Qixia was the concubine of the late Emperor Mo Jingqi. Although she died of illness before the ceremony, she was not included in the royal family tree. However, she was Mo Jingqi's woman in name. Now Qixia is just a concubine in Prince Li's mansion with unknown origins and no official rank at the age of nearly 30. Dongfang Hui was right to say that she was of low status.

In fact, Princess Qixia really loves Mo Jingli deeply. I'm afraid Ye Ying can't match this. But it's hard to say how much Princess Qixia occupies in Mo Jingli's heart. After so many years, if Mo Jingli really wanted to, he would have given Princess Qixia the title of concubine, instead of letting her stay in the Prince Li's mansion in such an awkward and nameless manner. Now that the descendant of Cangmang Mountain has married into the Prince Li's mansion, Dongfangyou is not Ye Ying, who is helpless and has no ability. No wonder Princess Qixia is anxious.

Princess Anxi looked at Princess Qixia and asked, "How do you want me to help you?"

Princess Qixia's eyes lit up, and she said quickly, "As long as you agree to form an alliance with Great Chu... the strength of our Nanzhao is not weaker than Cangmang Mountain. In this way... naturally, I can ask King Li to officially marry me as his concubine..."

"How dare you!" Hearing this, Princess Anxi could not help but get furious. She looked at Princess Qixia coldly and said, "I thought you had grown up over the years, but you are still so ridiculous! You want me to drag the entire Nanzhao and my Nanzhao people into the flames of war in the Central Plains for your personal matter? As a princess of Nanzhao, have you ever done anything for the people of Nanzhao? What do they owe you? Are they going to risk their lives just for your position?"

"I..." Princess Qixia was also stunned by Princess Anxi's ruthless rebuke. She stared at Princess Anxi and said, "Sister, I..." Princess Anxi waved her hand to stop her from saying anything, and said calmly, "You don't have to say anything more. If your Prince Li is really a good man, I don't mind taking a gamble for you, but I tell you the truth, I don't think highly of him. If you are willing, come back to Nanzhao with me this time and find a good man to marry. Even if he is not a princess, no one in Nanzhao will dare to bully you. As for other things, you don't have to think about it."

"I……"

Princess Anxi didn't know that her future would be difficult if she stayed in Da Chu. But she couldn't give up and go back to Nanzhao. She had paid too much for Mo Jingli. Apart from other things, the past ten years of her life could not be compensated. If she left like this, what would these ten years mean?

Looking at Princess Anxi, she saw that she had already lowered her head and gently stroked her protruding belly, ignoring her. Princess Qixia knew that she could not persuade Princess Anxi, so she couldn't help crying, "My sister, you have such a cruel heart!" She turned around and ran out.

Princess Anxi stared blankly at her receding figure and could only sigh helplessly, "Am I really too cruel?" Princess Anxi said lightly as if talking to herself.

Ye Li said softly: "You just did what you were supposed to do. You are not only the sister of Princess Qixia, but also the queen of Nanzhao."

"Not bad." Princess Anxi smiled bitterly and said, "If I were a soft-hearted person, I don't know how high the grass on her grave would have grown over the years. Well, let her go. I just don't know if we will meet again in this life."

Seeing her so sad, Ye Li could only comfort her softly. She had a distant relationship with Ye Zhen, Ye Ying and others, and she was not born of the same mother, so naturally she could not understand Princess Anxi's feelings. But if it was her cousins ​​from her previous life, she would probably be sad too.

The wedding of Mo Jingli and Dongfang You was held as scheduled despite Dongfang You's reluctance. However, the wedding ceremony was not even one-third of Mr. Qingyun's birthday banquet. This is not difficult to understand. The nationalities had just left and naturally would not rush back just for Prince Li to marry the descendant of Cangmang Mountain. Moreover, Prince Li was their great enemy with the help of Cangmang Mountain. Not making trouble secretly was already a way of giving some face to Prince Ding and Princess Ding because Licheng was the territory of Prince Ding's Mansion. Why would they come specially to congratulate?

Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao attended Mo Jingli's wedding, and left Licheng for Feihong Pass that night.

Outside Feihong Pass, the northern enemy of the Chu State was now divided into two, with the Northern Rong and Mohist Army facing each other. As soon as Yelu Ye returned to the Northern Rong camp, he immediately deployed troops and moved the Northern Rong line southward. At the same time, he quickly sent a letter to the Northern Rong King to request reinforcements, hoping to defeat the Mohist Army in one fell swoop.

Yelu Hong also kept his promise and wrote to the King of Beirong with Yelu Ye, asking him to let Helian Zhen lead his troops to assist Yelu Ye in attacking Da Chu. Helian Zhen had been abandoned by the King of Beirong since he was defeated by Mo Xiuyao, who was only 18 years old. Although his situation has been slightly better in recent years, his defeat made Beirong unable to recover for several years. The King of Beirong despised his ability and naturally would not use him again.

Although Yelu Ye had some doubts about Yelu Hong's conspiracy in helping him, he did not care much when he thought that he would put him in another predicament after Yelu Hong returned to Beirong. In any case, he really needed Helian Zhen's help now.

The reinforcements from the Northern Rong would not arrive in a short time, but Yelu Ye did not care. He mobilized troops from all over the country to prepare for a few battles while the Mohist army was unprepared. However, Lu Jinxian, who was stationed at the border, was not as defenseless as he thought. Seeing the Northern Rong army's movement, he also mobilized troops. In just five days, the two armies fought more than three times. The northern part of the Chu State was once again plunged into war.

However, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li did not appear on the battlefield, but walked leisurely in the northern territory outside Zijing Pass. After dyeing their iconic white hair black, they changed their appearance to become a young couple with extraordinary looks, but they were completely different from the majestic and arrogant Prince Ding and Princess Ding in Li City.

The person following Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li was Tan Jizhi, who had just been released from Prince Ding's Mansion. There were not many people in this world who knew Tan Jizhi's true face, and most of them were already dead. After two years of silence, it was better that people could recognize him. So he was not worried about being recognized even if he walked around the northern border in his original appearance.

It is not known whether Ren Qining was eager for quick success or was really confident in himself. After the Northern Border Army captured Zijing Pass, Ren Qining moved the original Northern Border Royal City to Changqing City, the most prosperous city in the northeast of Da Chu, which was only 300 miles away from Zijing Pass. He built the capital here and renovated the palace. Although the palace has not been fully built yet, its shape can be seen. There are many magnificent and spacious mansions in Changqing City, which are as magnificent as Licheng and Chujing.

Likewise, there is a strange phenomenon in Changqing City. Except for a few large mansions that are clustered together, the rest of the places are in shabby condition, and even shabby huts are common. There is no feeling of the former great city in the northeast of the Great Chu at all. It seems that except for a few very wealthy officials and dignitaries, there are only poor people who are ill-clad and hungry. The families that should have made up the majority, who are not rich but at least should have no worries about food and clothing, seem to not exist at all. Such a situation would not be so extreme even in ordinary remote towns, let alone Changqing, which is the capital.

Tan Jizhi followed Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao into an inconspicuous inn in the city. The innkeeper welcomed the three of them to the second floor. He greeted them respectfully, "Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness."

Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "No need to be polite. You have worked hard these past two years."

The shopkeeper said respectfully, "It is my job, so I dare not complain. I have already arranged accommodation for you, so you can just stay there. If there is anything I can do, please let me know."

Ye Li nodded and smiled, "Very good, you can go down first. If there is anything, the prince and I will call you."

"I'll take my leave." The shopkeeper did not ask any more questions and left politely.

"I didn't expect that even in Changqing City there are spies from Prince Ding's Mansion. Prince Ding's Mansion is really omnipresent. Ren Qining must be doomed if he offends the prince." Changqing has only been the capital of the northern border for more than a year. Looking at the situation in the city, it can be seen that Ren Qining must have used ruthless means to eliminate dissidents in the beginning. In this way, the shopkeeper can still stay in the city safely, and there is even no sense of embarrassment or worry in his words. It can be seen that his management in the city must be very powerful. Not only Ren Qining, but Tan Jizhi also felt a little frustrated. Can he really compete with such a person?