Chapter 38 The Grand Wedding.
Lingyi didn't want to learn, especially not to be taught by him, but she couldn't avoid it, so she had to slowly move over.
Qin Lie stood behind her, took her hand holding the brush, and bent down to teach her how to paint.
At first, he taught quite seriously, and Lingyi gradually became immersed in it. When Bicao came over to bring tea, neither of them even looked up.
As she was about to serve another cup to Bi Cao, she walked past the window but didn't hear the teaching sounds from before. She only heard the wet, ambiguous sounds of lips and teeth touching. She secretly peeked inside and saw the general sitting in a round chair, holding the princess in his arms. He had one hand on the back of her neck and the other on her waist, kissing her passionately.
Bi Cao took the tea back and stood quietly under the eaves. After a while, she heard an order from inside: "Tell Xiao Shan to send some books."
At night, when all was quiet, Qin Xiaoshan delivered a box of books, which Lingyi briefly flipped through.
Some were new, most showed signs of having been read, and a few were almost worn out, with notes and comments left by Qin Lie.
Lingyi picked up those books and looked at them, quite surprised.
I thought it was a military treatise, but it turned out to be a historical record.
She was filled with mixed feelings and sighed, "If the general had taken the imperial examination, he might have truly been a top scholar."
Qin Lie scoffed: "Those rigid, formulaic essays are nothing but pedantic and pedantic words, used to fool the people, and are of no benefit to governing the country."
Ling Yi remained silent. She recalled how, back in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince often sat down to discuss philosophy with great scholars and treated the top scholars with great courtesy. But in Qin Lie's words, all of this was of little use, and all the scheming and painstaking efforts of the past seemed like a joke.
Lingyi didn't want to think that way. She focused on the present. Qin Lie had sent so many books, which clearly meant he planned to stay for a long time. She had no choice but to accept.
Qin Lie stayed for more than ten days before leaving.
The night before he left, he instructed, "After I leave, get a sturdy bed."
The tables and chairs in the village were usable, but the wooden bed was really bad—he reinforced it with wooden strips three times, but each time it only lasted two or three days.
Now it's shaking again, and it makes a creaking sound. As soon as it makes that sound, she yells for it to stop, and nothing I do can soothe her.
Lingyi was annoyed that he had insisted on doing it despite the danger of being discovered by the neighbors, and even more annoyed that he was so shameless now.
Why bother changing the bed when it's perfectly fine? Their ulterior motives are as clear as day!
He said irritably, "Why do you need my permission to do what you want?"
The commotion was a bit loud just now, but Qin Lie indulged her little temper and teased, "You're a mother now, how come you're still so thin-skinned? Didn't I tell you to bite my hand without making a sound? Weren't Aunt Zhou and her husband next door making more noise than us?"
He even carried her to the table, and her bite left deep teeth marks on his palm, but he was still not satisfied.
Lingyi said in a muffled voice, "Zhou Sao and the others are a proper couple, so what are we?"
Qin Lie stared at her and said, "What? I've only stayed here for a few days, and you've already got the idea that we should become a proper husband and wife?"
Lingyi bit her lip: "I wouldn't dare, I... I just want to see Huan'er again..."
These past few days, she has been mentioning Huan'er both openly and subtly, simply because she is spoiled and wants to influence his decisions.
Qin Lie was willing to indulge her back then, but now that he's leaving, he'll have to give her a good talking-to to prevent her from causing trouble.
"Do you know why I have returned to Jizhou this time?" he asked.
Lingyi shook her head.
Qin Lie said, "The rumors circulating in the streets are true. This time when I return to Jizhou, I will marry Hueryan's daughter."
Lingyi's face instantly turned pale.
After all, she was the woman he had just been intimate with. Qin Lie felt a little reluctant, but he hardened his heart and said, "Remember your place and don't have any delusions."
Lingyi stared at him for a moment, tears glistening in her eyes, before finally saying softly, "My father and brothers are unforgivable sins, and I myself am not favored by the general. I only hope that when the general has a beautiful wife by his side and another child is born, he will not forget Huan'er's loneliness and helplessness, and will show him more pity."
She was so docile and obedient that Qin Lie should have relaxed, but his chest felt tight and he couldn't even manage a smile.
He suppressed his discomfort and said in a deep voice, "He is my flesh and blood, of course I care about him, why do you need to say more?"
Lingyi gently thanked her, and the two remained silent afterward.
Qin Lie hadn't slept soundly all night and was about to set off before dawn. Lingyi helped him dress and put on his armor.
Qin Lie stood there, looking down at her as she busied herself with an expressionless face, not glancing at him once. He suddenly said, "This armor of mine was sewn by Hui Niang herself, not a single stitch was done by anyone else."
Upon hearing this, Lingyi did not stop what she was doing, but smiled slightly: "The General and his wife are a loving couple, truly a beautiful story."
Qin Lie suddenly flew into a rage, grabbed her chin, and forced her to raise her head.
Lingyi was forced to look at him, her gaze clear and calm, reflecting his face filled with embarrassment and anger.
He was startled, released his grip, and turned to leave.
Upon arriving in Jizhou, the family home was already fully prepared, and the palace was decorated in festive red throughout.
The wedding is in five days, and tomorrow I will leave the pass to fetch my bride.
Qin Hong said with a hint of schadenfreude, "Third Brother, why do you look even uglier than at the last wedding? If you ask me, it makes sense. The emperor of the Central Plains wanted to marry his princess to you, and the Xiongnu chieftain of the grasslands also wanted to marry his princess to you. How come you're the only one left in our Qin family? Why are they only going to take advantage of you?"
Qin Lie said, "How about I step down and let you take the groom's place?"
Qin Hong clicked his tongue twice, quite regretfully: "It's a pity that Hueryan doesn't think much of me. Otherwise, what's wrong with being the groom?"
The next day, Qin Xu, Qin Lie, and Qin Hong led their team to the agreed-upon location outside the pass.
Not far from the border, this small town has developed in recent years due to trade between the Xiongnu and Han people.
Although it's called a small town, there aren't many houses. After the merchants leave at night, only a few dozen tents remain.
Because of the princess's wedding, several more white tents were erected here, and a roaring bonfire was lit. The wedding party and the bride's party drank and roasted meat around the bonfire.
Three brothers came from Jizhou, while Hueryan from the Xiongnu side attended with all four of his adult sons.
On the grasslands, women don't wear veils or ride in sedan chairs for their weddings; instead, they arrive on horseback, dressed in their finest attire. At this time, the little princess of the grasslands sings and dances around the campfire. With her thick eyebrows and bright eyes, she exudes a passionate and spirited air. Her eyes, like stars on the grasslands, possess a beauty distinct from that of Han Chinese girls—a beauty that is entirely bright and flamboyant.
She danced, glancing over at him every now and then without any attempt to hide it.
Qin Lie raised his wine cup and toasted her from afar. The princess laughed even more heartily, twirling and skipping all the way over. At the end, she turned and knelt down in front of Qin Lie, winked at him, and then stood up amidst the laughter of the crowd, standing behind Hu Eryan.
Hueryan introduced them to each other: "This is my daughter, Erqi, the most beautiful pearl on the grassland! This is Qin Lie, the most valiant hero in the Central Plains!"
"You women of the Central Plains are like delicate lambs, while we women of the grasslands are like strong steeds. Just as only the bravest warrior can tame the wildest horse, only the most unparalleled hero can pluck the most beautiful pearl!"
The men outside wanted to drink more, and Erqi drank a few cups before returning to his tent, his eyes bright and his cheeks flushed.
Knowing she was to marry a man from the Central Plains, she was unwilling and only wanted to elope on her own horse.
But today, when she met the general who struck fear into the hearts of the grassland people, so young and handsome, her heart softened even though he hadn't said a word to her.
As the maid recounted his deeds, she drifted off to sleep, a smile still lingering on her lips.
But before dawn the next day, her joy turned into deep-seated hatred.
—Her brothers' heads rolled to the ground, her father was bound hand and foot, and the corpses of her clansmen were scattered all around.
Hueryan was covered in blood and looked disheveled.
Erqi rushed forward, calling out, "Ada! Ada!"
Hueryan looked at Erqi with eyes full of love and guilt, "It's Ada's fault. I originally wanted to find you a hero and give you a proper wedding. But when I found out that Qin Lie was coming to pick you up in person, I had the idea of launching a sneak attack."
He turned to Qin Lie and asked, "Did you strike first because you knew I was going to ambush you, or was this your plan from the beginning?"
Qin Lie said calmly, "For the past three years, I have allowed you to expand your territory, eliminate dissidents, and become the sole ruler of the grasslands, all in order to wipe you all out in the end. For at least the next five years, there will be no one on the grasslands who can command a large following, and they will fall into division and strife. Isn't that more reassuring than marrying one of your daughters?"
"Good! Good! Good!" Hu Eryan laughed shrilly, which aggravated the wound on his chest. He coughed a few times and spat out a mouthful of blood.
He looked at Qin Xu beside him and said, "Do you know why I sincerely wanted to marry my daughter off, but instead of you, the heir apparent, I chose your brother instead?"
Without a second thought, Qin Hong replied, "Nonsense, of course it's because my second sister-in-law is still alive!"
Hu Eryan laughed so hard he coughed up blood a few more times. "The Qin family actually has such stupid people... I'm not looking at the present, but at the future. — I can still tell the difference between an eagle in the sky and a sparrow in the tree."
Qin Xu sneered: "Even on the verge of death, you still dare to try to sow discord!"
He plunged the knife into his chest, twisted the handle, and pulled it out.
Erqi's robust body fell to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Erqi threw herself on him and wept bitterly.
Qin Lie never bothered with people who posed no threat.
He turned to leave, but Erqi drew a dagger from his waist and stabbed him.
Even if it was a sneak attack, she chose the wrong opponent. She couldn't even touch the hem of Qin Lie's clothes before being knocked to the ground in one move.
Qin Lie looked down at her and said, "I won't kill you. Get on your horse and go as far away as you can."
Erqi lay there blankly on the ground, tears falling into the dust.
Qin Lie and the others ignored her and left. Then they heard a muffled groan. Turning around, they saw the hilt of the dagger that Qin Lie had knocked to the ground was back in E'erqi's hand, while the blade was piercing her chest. She fell to the ground, struggling to lean against Hu'eryan, like a fledgling bird finding its nest, and peacefully closed her eyes.
On March 20, following the governorships of Shu and Qian, Qin Shiyan, the Prince of Dingbei, declared himself emperor in Jizhou, establishing the state of "Xian". He bestowed the title of Empress upon his wife, Zhen, Qin Xu as Crown Prince, Qin Lie as Prince of Duan, Qin Hong as Prince of Jing, Qin Shen as Prince of Duan, and the rest of his direct descendants of the Qin family were granted the title of two-character princes.
There was only one exception: the five-year-old child born to one of the most favored concubines of the Prince of Dingbei was granted the title of Prince Su.
This concubine was also granted the title of Imperial Noble Consort, second only to the Empress.
When the emperor promoted a group of officials, he also granted her brother a marquisate.
Upon hearing the imperial decree, Qin Shilei's second wife tearfully approached the Empress. Although they were nominally sisters-in-law, she had entered the family later, and the Empress had devoted herself to Buddhist practice over the years, so the two were not close.
The Empress was initially displeased by her arrival, but every word the second wife spoke seemed to be for her benefit.
"It's fine that my Ze'er is only a second-rank prince, after all, his brothers who were granted the title of prince have made great contributions, and it's only right that the Emperor takes care of Qin Shen. I just feel sorry for Your Highness. Although I am a second wife, I was still formally married into the Qin family with a grand procession. Even the child I gave birth to cannot be granted the title of prince, while Your Highness, a mere concubine, has a child who is only five years old, yet you have been granted the title of prince. Who knows what kind of fortune you will have in the future. Your Highness, you must be careful!"
The empress devoted herself to Buddhism to relieve her sorrow, and she was not unhappy that her husband had become emperor.
Now that she had been given the cold water, she flew into a rage, sweeping the tea and desserts off the table onto the floor, shouting, "How dare this lowly servant!"
In the past, if she were provoked, the old lady could turn a blind eye.
But now that she has become the Empress Dowager, the Empress and the Emperor are at odds, and she is holding the Empress's golden seal, demanding that the Emperor withdraw the imperial edict.
Such absurdity compelled her to offer advice.
When the Empress Dowager arrived at the Empress's palace, the Crown Prince and his wife, along with Prince Duan, were all present. The Crown Princess tried her best to persuade the Empress, but she wouldn't listen to a word.
The Empress Dowager sighed inwardly before slowly speaking: "You are now a grandmother, how could you not know what is important? Since you have made your decision, you must have thought it through carefully, and no one can persuade you otherwise. Since you are willing to hand over the Empress's golden seal, it means that you are unwilling to be the Empress no matter what. Xu'er, when you go to court tomorrow, you will go with your mother. She will hand over her Empress's golden seal, and you will hand over your Crown Prince's seal."
The Crown Princess's expression changed drastically. The Empress asked, "What does my handing over the golden seal have to do with Xu'er?"
The Empress Dowager said, "Once you hand over the golden seal, you will be deposed. Since ancient times, there has never been a precedent where an empress was deposed and her son could still become the crown prince. Rather than going through the trouble of deposing her later, it is better to do it all at once. It is convenient since the new dynasty has just been established and the Eastern Palace has no subjects yet."
The Empress's face flushed red and then turned pale. She gritted her teeth and said, "What do you expect me to do? Just stand by and watch that lowly servant's son sit on equal footing with Lie'er? Will he soon climb over my head?"
The Empress Dowager said, “How could she possibly rise above you? You are the Empress, and you have two sons, one the Crown Prince and the other a powerful military commander. As long as you don’t make any mistakes, even the Emperor cannot touch you, let alone a favored concubine with no real power. Men’s hearts are always biased; he may favor her today, but he may favor someone else tomorrow. If you get angry about this, you’ll never be able to stop being angry.”
The Empress smiled bitterly: "Xi'er died tragically, and less than two months later, he got a concubine pregnant. Since then, I have lost all interest in him and will never be angry about who he favors. But he shouldn't have allowed a five-year-old child to be on equal footing with Lie'er. If he does this now, who knows if he won't threaten Xu'er's position in the future?"
"In that case, you should be even more careful with your words and actions, so as not to let him find fault with you," the Empress Dowager instructed earnestly. "The emperor has no family affairs, and the princess can ignore where he stays, but the empress cannot. You must keep the harem in check and set an example for the world. You must not act impulsively or stubbornly again."
The Empress Dowager could only say this much. After she left, the Empress buried her face in her hands and wept.
After crying, her mind cleared up a bit. She took her two sons' hands, one on each side, and said, "Even though we've come this far, with wolves lurking around us and the dangers greater than ever before, you brothers must stick together!"
That evening, the Empress, dressed in plain clothes and without her hairpins, came before the Emperor to apologize.
They were a young couple and had three sons and two daughters, and they also had many wonderful times together.
As the two reminisced about the past and spoke of their eldest daughter and son who had died young, they couldn't help but shed tears.
From that day on, the Emperor stayed overnight in the Empress's palace for three consecutive days.
On the morning of the fourth day, the Emperor established the Crown Prince's son as the Imperial Grandson, and appointed Qin Shuo, the eldest son of Prince Duan, as the Heir Apparent, and Qin Can, the second son, as a Prince of the County.
The Empress summoned Qin Lie to the palace and repeatedly instructed him to wholeheartedly assist the Crown Prince.
Finally, Qin Huanlai was mentioned again. "Originally, we should have asked for a title for that child, but you and your second brother, one was made a prince and the other was even made crown prince, both of you are very prestigious. Only your eldest brother's bones are buried in the ground, cold and desolate. For the sake of your sister-in-law, I can no longer ask for it."
Qin Lie said, "Your subject understands."
Although the Empress hated the Liu family, she now felt that only blood ties were truly reliable. She had become Empress, yet felt more lonely than when she was a princess, and sometimes even felt a sense of dread, as if one wrong step would lead to utter ruin. She now trusted only her two sons and one daughter; no matter how much others flattered or befriended her, she felt it wasn't genuine.
Qin Huan, that child, is of Liu family blood, but he is also her own grandson. She said with regret, "That princess from the grasslands is quite fierce. It's a pity that Huan'er's mother, although also a princess, doesn't have the same temperament as that grassland princess. She shouldn't have lived a life of cowardice. If she dies, Huan'er's identity will no longer be an obstacle."
After she finished speaking, she glanced at Qin Lie meaningfully, but Qin Lie remained oblivious and did not respond.
The Empress sighed inwardly, realizing that she had no choice but to take matters into her own hands and, for Huan'er's sake, completely remove the thorn between mother and son.
After leaving the Empress's palace, Qin Lie initially appeared normal, but his expression turned gloomy, and he walked faster and faster until he almost started running.
Qin Xiaoshan waited at the first palace gate and came forward to greet the person as soon as he saw them from afar.
He lowered his voice and said, "Immediately send more men to Huangzhou to protect her. No matter who comes, kill them without mercy!"
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