55
For the next few months, the war became a stalemate. Zhan Zhao repeatedly distinguished himself in battle, and his reputation among the Liao army grew ever stronger. Although Yelü Yao was strictly ordered by the Empress Dowager to stay in the palace, news about Zhan Zhao kept reaching her ears, and each time she heard it, her obsession deepened. On the surface, she obeyed the Empress Dowager and no longer mentioned it openly, but secretly she began to devise other methods and constantly sent people to inquire about the progress of the Song-Liao peace talks. She knew that to achieve her goal, she might be able to leverage the power of the state.
The protracted war had exhausted the Liao Dynasty, and voices of war-weariness were growing within its borders. Meanwhile, the Song army advanced steadily, giving the Liao no openings. Both sides realized that continuing the war of attrition was not a wise strategy, and calls for peace talks gradually gained traction within both countries' courts.
Yelü Yao keenly sensed this shift in the political climate. She realized this was her opportunity! If she could use this peace talks as a pretext to make the appointment of Zhan Zhao as her son-in-law, and leverage the power of her nation to pressure the Song Dynasty into submission, she might be able to do so! At that point, even her mother, for the sake of the nation's greater good, would likely have to consider it!
She immediately took action, subtly advising the Empress Dowager and the Liao Emperor, packaging her personal desires as a "major national affair" concerning the Liao's reputation and testing the Song's sincerity. She claimed that if the Song was unwilling to relinquish even a subject's marriage, how could they be sincere in negotiating peace? If the Liao could recruit a talent like Zhan Zhao, it would be a tremendous boost. She even hinted that if this matter succeeded, it would greatly damage the Song's morale.
The Liao Empress Dowager initially refused firmly, fully aware of the absurdity and immense risk involved. However, she couldn't withstand Yelü Yao's persistent and varied tactics, and with Yelü Zongzhen also hinting that this move could indeed test the Song Dynasty's bottom line—if successful, it would demoralize the Song; if unsuccessful, it could be used to extract other benefits during negotiations. The Empress Dowager, worn down and seeing that the war was indeed difficult to advance, finally relented with a mixture of helplessness and a tentative approach.
Therefore, when the Liao Dynasty sent its envoys to deliver the peace treaty, besides the usual clauses regarding markets, borders, and annual tribute, a particularly glaring condition was listed on the thick silk scroll—
"...To demonstrate the enduring friendship between our two nations, we respectfully request the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty to grant your esteemed fourth-rank imperial bodyguard, Zhan Zhao, to Princess Yaoguang of our dynasty as her husband, thus creating a beautiful tale of marriage..."
When the news reached Bianjing, the imperial court was in an uproar!
This is an absolute insult to the dignity of the Song Dynasty! Countless officials angrily submitted memorials, denouncing the Liao people's rudeness and demanding a firm rejection.
Zhao Zhen stared at the imperial letter, his face ashen. He would never use a subject's marriage to buy peace, especially since the person was his own younger brother. This concerned not only Zhan Zhao personally but also the dignity of the Song Dynasty. However, he also knew that a direct refusal might give the Liao Kingdom a pretext to sabotage the peace talks, and the border war might reignite.
While the matter was being hotly debated in the imperial court, and Zhao Zhen was weighing the pros and cons, the news spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys of Bianjing.
The Liao Kingdom actually wanted to forcibly take Zhan Huwei as their son-in-law!
Inside Xiaoyou Courtyard, Xuanyuan Tianyi was leisurely pruning a pot of orchids. Yin'er rushed in, still out of breath, and told him the news she had heard.
"Master! Something terrible has happened! The Liao Kingdom... the Liao Kingdom actually wants to... to kidnap the son-in-law to be their son-in-law in their peace negotiations!"
Xuan Yuan Tianyi paused slightly while pruning the flowers, then resumed her smooth movements as if she had only heard something trivial. She put down the silver scissors, picked up a damp cloth, and slowly and deliberately wiped her fingers.
"Oh?" she responded softly, her tone languid and devoid of any anger, but her slightly raised eyebrows and suddenly cold eyes conveyed a completely different message.
She stood up, her red dress like fire, highlighting her stunningly beautiful face, yet at this moment, it inexplicably gave rise to a chilling sense of oppression.
"Prepare the carriage," she ordered calmly. "We're going to the palace."
Soon, Xuanyuan Tianyi's carriage appeared outside the palace gates. Without waiting for announcement, she walked straight towards the Chongzheng Hall, where the court assembly was being held. The imperial guards at the gates, seeing it was her, dared not stop her.
Inside the Chongzheng Hall, the debate over how to respond to the Liao Dynasty's unreasonable demand continued. The pro-war faction advocated a firm refusal, even at the cost of renewed war; the pro-peace faction, worried about restarting the war, suggested a more tactful rejection or compensation with other conditions.
Just then, the palace doors were slowly pushed open, and a dazzling red figure appeared in everyone's sight. Sunlight shone in from behind her, outlining her slender and upright figure, and the vermilion dot on her forehead was bright red and glistening.
It's Xuanyuan Tianyi!
The hall fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on her. Zhao Zhen looked at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, then raised his hand to signal everyone to calm down.
Xuanyuan Tianyi strolled into the hall, her gaze calmly sweeping over the civil and military officials present before finally settling on Zhao Zhen on the throne. She gave a slight nod as a greeting. Her demeanor was composed and unhurried, as if she were merely attending an ordinary gathering.
"What brings Tianyi to the palace at this time?" Zhao Zhen asked, already having guessed what was going on.
A faint smile curved Xuan Yuan Tian's lips, her smile still languid, yet carrying an air of domineering arrogance. Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying an undeniable power:
"I've heard that the Liao Kingdom wants to make Zhan Zhao their son-in-law?"
She paused, her gaze shifting to the letter from the Liao Kingdom placed on the dragon's desk. Her eyes suddenly sharpened like ice blades, and her voice turned cold:
"Please trouble Your Majesty to convey this message to the Liao Kingdom—"
"Zhan Zhao is one of my men, Xuan Yuan Tian Yi."
"Anyone who wants to touch him must first ask the Xuanyuan family for their consent."
As soon as the words were spoken, the entire Chongzheng Hall fell silent. Everyone was stunned by this undisguised and extremely domineering declaration.
There were no fierce rebuttals, no angry accusations, just two simple sentences, yet they seemed to carry immense power, resounding with conviction! They directly characterized the Liao Kingdom's unreasonable demands as a provocation against the Xuanyuan family!
This is no longer just a matter between the Song and Liao dynasties, but also involves the Xiaoyao Tower, a place that is detached from worldly affairs and has unfathomable depths!
Looking at the woman in red, radiating brilliance and exuding an aura of power, Zhao Zhen felt a mix of emotions, which ultimately turned into a silent sigh, and a sense of relief and confidence that even he himself was unaware of.
Her words are enough.
He slowly picked up the letter of state, looked at the official in charge of drafting the reply, and spoke in a steady and decisive voice:
"Draft an imperial edict. Reply to the Liao Kingdom: Zhan Zhao is a subject of our Great Song Dynasty, and moreover, the husband of the Xuanyuan family head. His marriage is not a matter for state discussion, much less something you can covet. This is absolutely impossible. If the Liao Kingdom is sincere in seeking peace, then abandon such absurd thoughts; otherwise, our Great Song soldiers will not hesitate to fight again!"
"Your Majesty, I obey!" the official replied excitedly, feeling a surge of pent-up frustration finally released.
The news quickly reached the Liao capital. The Liao emperor and empress dowager were extremely displeased upon seeing the Song Dynasty's firm response, which directly invoked the Xuanyuan family. They could disregard the Song Dynasty's attitude, but they could not ignore the reaction of Xuanyuan Tianyi and the Xiaoyao Tower behind her. Yelü Zongzhen, well aware of Xuanyuan Tianyi's power, remained silent.
Upon learning this, Yelü Yao was so enraged that she smashed countless treasures in the palace, but there was nothing she could do. The Empress Dowager summoned her and gave her a severe scolding, berating her for her ignorance and for bringing trouble to the Liao Dynasty. Yelü Yao was extremely resentful, but she could only swallow her anger and resentment.
Ultimately, the Liao Kingdom had no choice but to withdraw its absurd peace terms, and the two sides returned to normal negotiations. As a result of this incident, Xuan Yuan Tianyi's reputation for "fiercely protecting her husband" quickly spread throughout the land, serving as a warning to all those who coveted Zhan Zhao.
Upon learning of this, Zhan Zhao, far away at Yanmen Pass, gazed towards Bianjing, his heart filled with warmth, further strengthening his resolve to protect the land beneath his feet. He knew that no matter where he was, there was always someone steadfastly protecting him.
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