The wedding procession stretched for dozens of miles in a grand and magnificent manner.
Mi Jia sat in the carriage, still somewhat dazed. After thinking for a moment, she whispered, "How many more days will it take to get to the capital of Xianyu?"
The maidservant hurriedly replied, "It will take more than a month."
"oh!"
Mi Jia looked out the window, her spirits dampened. The further away she was from Da Jing, the more different the scenery became. She had been confined to the palace since childhood and had never traveled far. The farthest she had ever traveled was probably this trip from the capital to the border city in order to make Xian Yu retreat.
Outside the palace, life is both comfortable and rough.
However, she didn't care about any of that. She was confused and had no idea how to proceed in the future.
The curtain was lifted.
Mika didn't move; she knew who it was.
Si Yanqing's gaze swept over her for a while before she asked, "Are you alright?"
"fine!"
"You're not happy?"
"fine!"
"You don't like me?"
Mika: "..."
Si Yanqing pressed closer, a knowing smile appearing on her stunningly beautiful face: "Are you alright?"
Mi Jia had no choice but to turn around, her clear eyes fixed on her: "What do you want?"
"I want to take you back to the palace."
"I'm already in the car."
"Physical but not mentally present!"
Si Yanqing's words were very direct, leaving no room for negotiation. This made Mi Jia, who was used to roundabout ways, very uncomfortable. She sighed, "I have just left Dajing, and it is inevitable that I miss my mother. I will get better in a while."
Si Yanqing didn't press her further, but instead got into the carriage, sat down next to Mi Jia, and looked at her with a serious expression. "You blame me? You blame me for bringing an army to the border and forcing you to marry me?"
Mi Jia lowered her head. She instinctively wanted to avoid these questions. She was just a woman who grew up in the deep palace and never thought that one day she would become a notorious femme fatale.
Empress Xianyu, in a fit of rage for the sake of a beautiful woman, became a figure recorded in history, not only because of her royal bloodline, but also because she instigated a war between two countries.
She doesn't deserve it!
Si Yanqing hooked Mi Jia's chin with her fingers, forcing her to face her.
Mika's expression was very calm, so calm that her heart was like still water, as if she wouldn't care what he did to her.
Except for that time at the General's Mansion, when he kissed her, her eyes were filled with panic and her heart was pounding. That Mi Jia was real. The Mi Jia now wears a layer of armor, firmly isolating herself from the outside world.
A dark current surged within Si Yanqing's eyes. "When you were little, you were very talkative."
Mi Jia reached out and gently pried Si Yanqing's fingers apart, freeing her chin from Si Yanqing's grasp. That position made her feel like a concubine being favored by a king.
Although, they are actually quite similar.
"That was when we were kids. Things have changed a lot since we grew up. After all these years, how much do I really know about you, and how much do you really know about me? Talking about the past will only add to the sadness."
"How much do you know?" Si Yanqing scoffed. "You'll find out when you get there."
She didn't force Mi Jia, but turned and got off the carriage, saying coldly, "You women of Dajing are strange. At home you obey your fathers, and after marriage you obey your husbands. You've never lived for yourselves. If someone touches you, you'll try to kill yourself. Did you marry me because I kissed you one day and defiled your purity? But I'm a woman too. If you don't want to marry me, the two countries can just start fighting again. Anyway, this war is going to happen sooner or later. Ask yourself honestly, did you really agree to the marriage just because I forced you?"
The curtain fell, and a gust of cold wind blew in, soothing Mi Jia's restless heart. She hugged her pillow, sat in the car, and fell into deep thought.
It wasn't just because of the 'coercion,' but also because she vaguely understood that she wasn't averse to being with Si Yanqing.
However, it was precisely this understanding that made her irritable; she didn't quite understand herself.
Knowing others is difficult; knowing oneself is even more difficult.
Confined within the palace, she hadn't seen many people. That's why she remembered so vividly the year Yan Qing came to the capital with the Prince of Xianyu and lived and slept with her in the palace.
That was the first friend she had from outside her life.
At that time, Yan Qing was dressed as a man, wearing a handsome hunting outfit, riding a horse, looking dashing and heroic, which she greatly admired.
She also had a horse, but it was a spring horse, plump and steady, only able to walk with small, quick steps, not run, but very beautiful.
For over a month, she hadn't realized that Si Yanqing was a woman. That's why she was a little shy when Si Yanqing held her hand, and her legs went weak when Si Yanqing helped her down from the horse.
She even secretly shed tears as they parted, vowing to be together forever.
At that moment, Yan Qing laughed loudly, "One day, I will use the power of the entire nation to marry you."
She still remembers the scene from that day. After Yan Qing finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter, including her mother. She later realized what they were laughing at. It turned out that they all knew Yan Qing was a woman all along; she was the only one who didn't know.
But later, Yan Qing did it.
Yan Qingzhen mobilized the entire nation to marry her.
When the Empress Dowager learned that the Xianyu army was pressing in, she spat out a mouthful of blood and slowly said, "What a sin!" Her eyes were filled with icy coldness as she looked at her, as if she were a monstrous evil that would bring disaster to the world. She could see clearly that her mother wanted to kill her.
The royal family is ruthless; between family, country, and children, the country always comes first. The Empress Dowager was truly a good mother. If she had really killed her, the historians would probably have written her as a virtuous empress, and the people would have praised her for putting righteousness before family.
Individuals are always insignificant in the face of the prevailing trend.
fortunately.
The King of Chu's uncle rebelled and ascended the throne. The King of Chu's wife had no interest in the harem and entrusted its affairs to her. With the Queen Mother losing power, she was able to protect herself in the harem. Until one day, at Yan Qing's request, she went to the border city to meet her.
Mi Jia was lost in thought about all these things, feeling very tired, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
After waking up.
It was already dark.
The maids set out the meal.
Yan Qing did not come.
Yan Qing did not reappear for many days afterward.
The maid hesitated, her expression one of fear that she might lose favor. Mi Jia sighed, "Do you really think I'm here to enter the Xianyu harem?"
"Then what are we here for? Now, the whole world knows that the princess has married the Xianyu Empress."
Mi Jia remained silent: "Let's eat!"
Only after eating do I have the energy to think about those things on my mind.
...
A fine horse.
Si Yanqing was beaming with pride. As her gaze fell upon the scene, a large bird with arrows stuck in its body plummeted from the sky.
Her archery skills have always been excellent, having been learned from her father.
Her brothers, except for Si Junlin, did not possess such archery skills. The foundation of Xianyu was ruined in their hands, so they deserved to die, allowing her, a woman, to ascend to the throne.
A guard hurried over and said, "Your Majesty, we are still sixty li from the capital. General Rongwei has come to greet us."
"Good!" Si Yanqing looked ahead, and as far as her eyes fell, the dark mass of people all lowered their heads. No one dared to meet her gaze. This vast land belonged to her.
She was already the ruler of the land, yet she was doing the most foolish thing, using the vast land to win the favor of a woman. Everyone thought she was using such means to damage the reputation of the Great Jing, but they didn't know she was serious.
It's so serious that just thinking about it makes my heart ache.
"How is the princess? Is she feeling alright?"
A palace servant standing next to the guard stepped forward respectfully and said, "The princess had a bowl of ginseng porridge, a small dish of vegetables, and a bowl of soup at noon. She took a walk for a quarter of an hour after getting out of the carriage and has now rested. The imperial physician of Dajing said that the princess is in good health. She has been eating less these past few days because she has no appetite due to the long journey. She will be fine after resting for a while once she arrives in the capital. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."
"Alright!" Yan Qing glanced at the sky; dark clouds were churning on the horizon, and rain was imminent. They needed to get to the nearest palace as soon as possible. "Pass down the order: set off at full speed for the palace."
"yes!"
Commands echoed through the crowd.
Yan Qing returned to the carriage and began reviewing memorials.
The group finally arrived at the palace before the black rain began.
The rain poured down.
Night fell early.
Mi Jia was exhausted but couldn't sleep. She lifted the curtain, thinking of going outside for a walk and watching the rain, but then she thought about the possibility of running into Yan Qing and decided against it.
Turning around, I saw a figure outside the window.
Yan Qing's tall figure stood there. "Come out!"
Mika: "..."
She lowered her head and thought for a moment, then obediently walked out and stood beside Yan Qing, but kept a distance between them.
silence.
As raindrops rolled down from the sky, they landed on the banana leaves in the corner of the courtyard, creating a beautiful scene.
"There are banana trees here too!" Mi Jia thought for a moment and then spoke up.
Yan Qing smiled. "This is a detached palace, built by craftsmen of the Great Jing Dynasty. In the past, there was a princess who was married off to Xianyu. This detached palace was built to alleviate the princess's longing for her homeland."
Mika remained silent.
She was not the first princess to be sent to a foreign land for political reasons, nor would she be the last. As long as there is conflict between two countries, there will inevitably be a foreign marriage. At least, she was willing. His Majesty and the Empress treated her well, and on that day, she did indeed intend to fulfill the promise she made in her childhood.
However, being far from home is still a bit scary!
"Don't worry, you'll be free once you get to the palace," Yan Qing emphasized. "Just like me."
For a moment, Mi Jia was at a loss for words. She asked with some difficulty, "Are you pitying me? Pitying me for being trapped in the deep palace? Every princess of Da Jing has this fate. When they reach marriageable age, they are either married off to foreign tribes or to important officials in the court to win people's hearts. There has never been a princess who can freely decide her own destiny."
"The Xianyu people have never had an empress!"
Si Yanqing's aura surged, her phoenix eyes glancing sideways at Mi Jia, exuding unparalleled domineering power.
She was the first female emperor of Xianyu, and the first woman since the founding of the kingdom to defeat her countless incompetent brothers in the struggle for the throne.
She changed her destiny of getting married.
Mika smiled, understanding her meaning. "You're amazing!"
“Xianyu is different from Dajing. Dajing likes rules and regulations, while Xianyu only likes fists. Whoever has the strongest fist will be obeyed, even if that person is a woman.”
Mija nodded, making sure to remember these things.
Because of Yan Qing's promise, her chaotic heart finally calmed down a little.
The two stood in front of the corridor for a long time without saying anything, until Mika's maid came out with a cloak, afraid that she would get sick from the moisture.
Mi Jia gave a low bow, then turned and left, still wearing her cloak.
But as he reached the door, he added, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself and return home soon!"
"Call me Yan Qing!"
Mika: "..."
"Call me Yan Qing!" The voice was firm and unquestionable.
Mi Jia: "Yan Qing!"
Yan Qing slowly turned around, a faint smile appearing on her beautiful face. Mi Jia, so well-behaved! "Let's go back!"
Mi Jia blushed slightly. Those three words were simple, yet they carried a hint of familiarity, a touch of ambiguity.
She dared not let her mind wander any further, and slowly walked in. The curtain fell, separating the two of them, and she felt much more at ease.
the next day.
It was incredibly noisy outside.
It was General Rongwei who personally came to welcome Yan Qing back to the palace.
Mi Jia donned a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, while Yan Qing wore the royal wedding attire. The grand procession set off again, passing through the long streets of the capital, with people kneeling on both sides – this was a true royal wedding ceremony.
That sense of disorientation returned, and Mi Jia stared blankly at the dazzling red around her, feeling a chill run down her spine at the sight of it.
Did she really marry a woman?
Did she marry Empress Si Yanqing of Xianyu?
She completed the long wedding ceremony in a somewhat numb state, and even after sitting on the bed, she was still in a daze.
Footsteps came from outside, unhurried and steady. She recognized them as Si Yanqing's footsteps.
Mika slowly raised her head, her heart pounding.
The veil was suddenly ripped off with a "whoosh!"
When Si Yanqing's stunningly beautiful face appeared before her, Mi Jia's heart stopped beating.
Si Yanqing was dressed as a man, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. He was majestic, domineering, and exceptionally handsome.
Seeing the amazement in Mi Jia's eyes, Si Yanqing's eyes dimmed slightly, but a faint smile lingered on her lips. She recalled the heartless letter Mi Jia had once written to her: "Heaven is divided into Yin and Yang, and people are divided into men and women. There is no hope in this life, but I will repay you in the next."
Is the distinction between men and women truly deeply ingrained in her mind?
The old nanny kept nagging about the rules, and Si Yanqing followed them meticulously without the slightest impatience. This was her wedding ceremony with Mi Jia, a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Finally, after drinking the nuptial wine, all the formalities were completed.
In the vast palace, only the two of them remained.
"Let's take a break!"
As soon as Yan Qing spoke, Mi Jia's heart trembled. She lowered her head, blushed, and felt completely lost.
A flash of malice crossed Si Yanqing's eyes. She was never a soft-hearted person who dared to kill her brother and seize the throne. She had never shown any pity to that imposter Princess Jiahe either.
But, when faced with Mika...
"Then... I'll leave?"
Mika trembled slightly and instinctively blurted out, "No!"
Si Yanqing's eyes crinkled with a smile, joy slowly welling up within her. "Don't regret it!"
Mi Jia closed her eyes slightly and bit her lip tightly, not allowing herself to show the slightest fear, but little did she know that this posture was 100% fear.
Si Yanqing reached out and removed the hair ornament from Mi Jia's head. Her movements were very gentle, lightly brushing against Mi Jia's hair, cheeks, full lips, and black hair cascading down like a waterfall.
Si Yanqing's starry eyes flickered slightly.
Such a beauty deserves to be admired by a nation.
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