Thirty-seven
As autumn deepened, the air in Bianjing (Kaifeng) was filled not only with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus but also with a tense atmosphere, as if a storm was brewing. Urgent military reports arrived frequently from the border: the Liao Kingdom, citing "the Song court's unilateral adjustment of border market taxes, unfair management, and damage to the interests of Liao merchants," had deployed 100,000 troops to the border, demanding that the Song Dynasty restore the old system and compensate for the losses.
Meanwhile, the Liao delegation, led by the chief envoy Yelü Zongzhen, the younger brother of the Liao emperor, and his deputy Xiao Talan, had also arrived outside Bianjing. Ostensibly, they had come to "negotiate a solution to the border dispute," but in reality, they were using the opportunity to exert pressure, probe the true state of the Song Dynasty, and attempt to gain greater benefits in the negotiations.
Emperor Zhao Zhen summoned his ministers to the Chongzheng Hall to discuss countermeasures. The atmosphere in the hall was heavy.
"Your Majesty, the Liao people are greedy and insatiable. Adjusting the border tax is an internal affair of our dynasty, and its purpose is to regulate border trade. What is wrong with that? They are taking this opportunity to cause trouble, deploying troops on the border as a threat, and engaging in provocation! I advocate that we should sternly refute them and order the border garrison to be on high alert!" Privy Councilor Di Qing's voice was as loud as a bell, and his determination to fight was clear.
“General Di’s words are reasonable, but it is not a good time to start a war. There is indeed resistance to the implementation of the new tax system. If we can use this opportunity to negotiate and make some adjustments to quell the border disputes, it would also be in the interest of the people on the border…” A finance official was cautious and advocated a flexible approach.
“Absolutely not! If this precedent is set, the Liao people will surely take advantage of it! What will become of the prestige of our Great Song Dynasty?” Another minister firmly opposed making concessions.
Amidst the ongoing debate, Zhao Zhen sat high on the dragon throne, his face calm. His gaze swept over the assembled officials, finally settling on the silent Eighth Prince: "What is your opinion, Imperial Uncle?"
The Eighth Prince pondered for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, Yelü Zongzhen has always been ambitious. This time, he volunteered to go to our Great Song Dynasty, probably intending to take this opportunity to gain merit and consolidate his position in the Liao court. Although their demands this time focus on the border markets, they are actually using this to test our bottom line and response strategy. This old minister believes that we should meet with the delegation first to find out their true intentions and bottom line before deciding on our course of action. This is a matter of principle, concerning the national dignity, and we must not yield an inch.”
Zhao Zhen nodded slightly: "Granted. Issue an imperial decree that a banquet be held in the Jiying Hall three days later to receive the Liao delegation. Officials of the third rank and above are to attend the banquet."
As autumn deepened, the air in Bianjing (Kaifeng) was filled not only with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms but also with a tense atmosphere, as if a storm was brewing. Military reports from the border were frequent; the Liao delegation had arrived in Kaifeng, and the entire capital was shrouded in an atmosphere of outward relaxation but inward tension.
Zhan Zhao, dressed in a red official robe, patrolled the Imperial Street with his hand on his sword. His steps were steady, his sharp gaze sweeping over the bustling crowds and rows of shops, ensuring the peace of this vital capital. Although married, the subtle barrier between him and Xuan Yuan Tianyi still weighed heavily on his heart like a boulder, unconsciously casting a lingering melancholy on his brow. He thought of how they had slept in the same bed last night, yet maintained proper decorum, and his unease deepened.
"Tsk, that silly cat down there, its brow is so furrowed it could trap a fly!"
In a private booth on the second floor of a restaurant overlooking the street, Bai Yutang leaned against the window, one hand holding a wine cup and the other supporting his chin, getting a clear view of Zhan Zhao's preoccupied expression below. He shook his head, a playful smile playing on his lips, and casually picked up a peanut from a dish on the table, flicking it slightly with his fingertips.
The peanut flew through the air and landed precisely on the brim of Zhan Zhao's official hat, making a soft "tap".
Zhan Zhao paused, looked up sharply, and met Bai Yutang's peach blossom eyes, which were filled with "disappointment and frustration".
"Come up, Fifth Master will treat you to a drink!" Bai Yutang mouthed, shaking the wine glass in his hand.
Zhan Zhao hesitated for a moment, whispered a few words to Zhang Long beside him, and then turned and entered the restaurant.
The private room was filled with the aroma of wine. Bai Yutang poured Zhan Zhao a full cup and pushed it in front of him: "I say, Lord Zhan, why do you look even more haggard than when you were poisoned in Fangzhou? Could it be... that you are sexually frustrated?" His words were blunt and teasing.
Zhan Zhao blushed slightly, picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, but he couldn't suppress the bitterness in his heart: "Brother Bai, please don't make fun of me."
"Who's making fun of you?" Bai Yutang's joking expression vanished, replaced by a rare seriousness. He leaned forward, staring into Zhan Zhao's eyes. "Cat, tell me the truth. Do you think that Tianyi agreed to marry you only because of the imperial decree, because she wanted to help you out of a predicament and protect Kaifeng Prefecture and Lord Bao?"
Zhan Zhao's fingers tightened slightly as he held the wine glass, tacitly agreeing.
Bai Yutang scoffed, looking at him with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot: "Zhan Xiaomao, Zhan Xiaomao, you are usually a brilliant judge of cases, how come you become as stupid as a block of wood when it comes to your own affairs? Do you really think that Tianyi is the kind of person who can be forced to comply by a royal decree or a few rumors?"
Zhan Zhao suddenly looked up at him.
“Think about it,” Bai Yutang lowered his voice, “Who is she? The head of the Xuanyuan family, someone even the Emperor has to give her some respect to! If she didn’t want to, even if the Emperor himself spoke up, she would have plenty of ways to cancel the marriage, or even leave Bianjing directly. Who could do anything to her? She agreed, and not only did she agree, she also let the Xuanyuan family hold a grand celebration and moved into Xiaoyou Villa, waiting for you to return every day.”
Bai Yutang's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Zhan Zhao's ears.
"A person like her is proud to the core. If she didn't care about you, would she have allowed you to get close? Would she have risked her own spiritual power to save you when you were poisoned? Would she have stood up without hesitation to protect you in her own way when you were framed, even sacrificing herself?" Bai Yutang felt more and more that this cat was clueless. "Everything she did has long exceeded the scope of 'morality' or 'imperial decree.' Only you, a silly cat, are still agonizing over 'not what she wanted' and 'feeling guilty'!"
Zhan Zhao stood frozen in place, his mind flashing back to every detail of his acquaintance with Xuan Yuan Tianyi. Her protection, her trust, her occasional reliance, and last night… her face as she slept peacefully in his arms. Those details he had deliberately ignored or explained away with “responsibility” now became crystal clear under Bai Yutang’s guidance, converging into an answer he had never dared to ponder before.
Yes, she is Xuan Yuan Tianyi. If she has no desire, who can force her?
A tremendous surge of emotion, a mixture of ecstasy and regret, instantly overwhelmed him. How foolish he had been to betray her sincere heart!
"Brother Bai...I..." Zhan Zhao choked up, unsure of what to say.
Seeing his expression, Bai Yutang knew that the silly cat had finally figured it out, and patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction: "Alright, good that you understand. Now that you understand, hurry back and explain things clearly to your wife! Don't always have that sour face, it's an eyesore to me!"
Zhan Zhao suddenly stood up and bowed solemnly to Bai Yutang: "Brother Bai, thank you!" Before he finished speaking, he had rushed out of the private room like a gust of wind, leaving Bai Yutang shaking his head and laughing behind him: "This silly cat, at least there is still some hope."
Zhan Zhao used his lightness skill to rush back to Xiaoyou Villa with burning anxiety. He couldn't wait to see Xuan Yuan Tianyi and tell her that he understood, that he would no longer foolishly exile himself, and that he would cherish and protect her for the rest of his life.
However, when he stepped into the courtyard, panting, he only saw Yin'er directing the maid to pack things.
"Yin'er, where is Tianyi?" Zhan Zhao asked anxiously.
Yin'er turned around, saw Zhan Zhao, and curtsied: "Young Master, you're back. The head of the family was taken to the palace by Miss Wuji half an hour ago. She said that the Empress summoned him to prepare for tonight's palace banquet together."
His burning passion was instantly cooled, as if doused with a bucket of cold water. Zhan Zhao stood there, stunned, his disappointment almost impossible to conceal. He stared blankly at the empty courtyard, lost in thought.
...So you've entered the palace.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. The palace banquet was of utmost importance, and the Liao envoys were watching with predatory eyes; this was certainly not the time for sentimentality.
So be it.
Zhan Zhao silently clenched his fist, his gaze gradually becoming firm yet gentle.
That evening, after the palace banquet ended, he would definitely…
I will definitely not miss it again.
He made a promise to himself, and his anxious, racing heartbeat was gradually replaced by a calmer, more determined expectation. That night, he would explain everything to her.
Inside the Hall of Heroes, the lights were bright, and wine cups were clinking. The Song emperor and his ministers and the Liao delegation stood on the left and right, respectively, appearing amicable on the surface, but secretly tense and ready to fight.
Bao Zheng sat slightly forward, while Zhan Zhao, dressed in his guard uniform, stood not far behind Zhao Zhen, his hand on his sword, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room to ensure safety. He remained calm, as if the recent turmoil surrounding him had not affected his performance of duties.
Surprisingly, Xuanyuan Tianyi and Xuanyuan Wuji were seated below the Empress.
Yelü Zongzhen rose and raised his cup to toast Zhao Zhen. His words seemed respectful, but his eyes held a scrutinizing and arrogant look, like that of a hawk on the grasslands.
"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, I, your humble servant, have come on the orders of my sovereign to resolve this misunderstanding and restore order to border trade. Your country's unilateral increase in border taxes has caused heavy losses to our Liao merchants, and the people are outraged. If your country cannot rescind this order and provide reasonable compensation, I fear that border trade will be disrupted, and war may break out again." His words were direct, blatantly linking the economic dispute with the threat of war.
The atmosphere inside the hall froze instantly.
Zhao Zhen's expression remained unchanged as he calmly stated, "The tax adjustment mentioned by the Liao envoy is a measure taken by our dynasty to regulate border markets, curb smuggling, and benefit law-abiding merchants on both sides. The specific details can be discussed. However..." He paused slightly, his tone carrying an undeniable air of authority, "Using this as a pretext to station troops on the border is not the way for friendly nations to negotiate. Our Great Song is willing to treat you with sincerity and seek common development, but we are by no means a nation afraid of war."
Xiao Talan chimed in menacingly, "Your Majesty, empty talk of 'negotiation' is unlikely to quell the grievances of our merchants and people. Moreover, I've heard that the Song court has been quite turbulent lately, with rumors swirling in the palace and constant attacks in the court. I'm afraid your country's energy is limited, and you have no time to attend to other matters?" He abruptly changed the subject, steer the conversation toward the recent turmoil within the Song court, his intentions utterly despicable.
Upon hearing this, many Song officials in the hall subtly changed their expressions. The Liao envoy's intelligence network was so advanced, and he had openly mentioned it in the hall, clearly intending to sow discord and undermine the Song court's resolve in negotiations.
Bao Zheng's face darkened, and he was about to speak in rebuttal when Xuan Yuan Tianyi, who had been sitting quietly, gently put down the glass cup in his hand, making a crisp sound.
She did not rise, but remained languidly leaning against the table, her gaze calm as she looked at Xiao Talan, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Vice Envoy Xiao seems quite concerned about the affairs of my Great Song Dynasty. However, within the Liao Kingdom, various tribes are constantly at odds, and infighting among nobles is commonplace. Could it be that Your Excellency feels a sense of shared suffering, hence your empathy?"
She casually steered the conversation back to the internal conflicts within Liao, using their own methods against them.
Xiao Talan's face stiffened.
Before he could retort, Xuanyuan Tianyi continued calmly, "As for the matter of the border market, since it is a commercial dispute, it should be handled according to commercial rules. If your esteemed envoy feels that the tax amount is unfair, you may provide concrete evidence, list the losses, and both parties can sit down and calculate them in detail. If the calculation is reasonable, His Majesty, being magnanimous, may consider it. But if you only want to use a few empty words and tens of thousands of troops on the border to make our dynasty submit and change the order..."
She leaned forward slightly, her gaze cold as ice, her voice not loud, but clear enough to reach everyone's ears: "Then they've miscalculated. The bones of my Great Song are not that soft."
Every word was powerful and resounding!
Yelü Zongzhen's expression changed drastically. He stood up abruptly and glared at Xuan Yuantianyi: "You!"
“Emperor Yelü!” Zhao Zhen spoke at the opportune moment, his voice carrying imperial authority, instantly silencing the tense atmosphere in the hall. “The words of Patriarch Xuanyuan, though blunt, are reasonable. The matter of the border market concerns the interests of merchants and people of both countries, and should be thoroughly investigated and properly discussed. Today is a welcoming banquet, and there are many political matters to attend to; we can discuss them later. Gentlemen, please drink this cup to the brim.”
He raised his wine glass, forcefully steer the conversation back on track. Yelü Zongzhen suppressed his anger, glared fiercely at Xuan Yuan Tianyi, and sat down sullenly. He had originally intended to use the internal strife in the Song court to exert pressure, but he hadn't expected this woman to defuse the situation so easily, instead putting him in a difficult position. He was both shocked and furious.
Zhan Zhao stood at the rear, taking in everything. He watched as Xuan Yuan Tianyi calmly and skillfully defused the Liao envoy's attacks with just a few words, upholding the dignity of the Song Dynasty. The pride and admiration in his heart were indescribable. She stood there, representing not only herself, but also an inviolable force.
The palace banquet continued in a more subtle and tense atmosphere. The Liao envoy witnessed the Song court's toughness, especially from this seemingly lazy head of the Xuanyuan family, whose sharp words and extraordinary courage made him no easy opponent.
After the palace banquet, we returned to Xiaoyou Villa by carriage.
"Today, thanks to you," Zhan Zhao said sincerely, looking at Xuan Yuan Tianyi who was resting with his eyes closed. If she hadn't stepped forward, although Lord Bao and he could have handled the situation, they would have inevitably gotten into a verbal dispute with the Liao envoy and lost the upper hand.
Xuan Yuan Tianyi slowly opened her eyes, her gaze clear: "The Liao people are arrogant, simply because they bully the weak and fear the strong. Showing weakness will only embolden them." She paused, then looked at Zhan Zhao, "Moreover, they mentioned palace rumors, intending to disrupt the court and attack Kaifeng Prefecture. What's more, they actually used your frame-up as leverage. I won't allow it."
Her words made one thing clear again: Zhan Zhao was under her protection.
Zhan Zhao was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "I understand." He had been preoccupied with the starting point of the marriage, but he had overlooked the fact that from the day they got married, he had already been drawn into Xuan Yuan Tianyi's sphere of influence. In fact, this was the reason why Zhao Zhen had issued the decree to grant them the marriage.
Back at the villa, Xuanyuan Tianyi went straight to his bedroom. Zhan Zhao followed him.
Inside the bedroom, the red candles had been replaced. Xuan Yuan Tianyi was about to remove her makeup when she saw Zhan Zhao following her in through the mirror. "Come here and help me remove my hairpins."
Zhan Zhao walked behind her, looked at the two figures reflected in the mirror, gently removed the gold hairpin from Xuan Yuan Tianyi's head, then gently wrapped his arms around Xuan Yuan Tianyi from behind, buried his head in the crook of her neck, and said in a deep voice, "It seems that the Liao Kingdom's spies in our dynasty should be eliminated."
“Not only are there spies, but I’m afraid there are also people in the court colluding with them.” Xuan Yuan Tianyi grasped Zhan Zhao’s hands, which were wrapped around her, and gently stroked them. Hearing Zhan Zhao’s breathing gradually become heavier, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
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