Chapter 45 The Northern Princess
The next morning, before dawn, the snow had stopped, and the view outside the window was a blanket of white.
Yuwen Che was the first to wake up. His years as emperor had instilled in him an extremely regular sleep schedule. He turned his head to look at Su Luoxue, who was still fast asleep beside him. Her breathing was even, her cheeks flushed with the rosy glow of sleep, and one hand was still unconsciously resting on her lower abdomen.
His eyes softened, and he gently withdrew his arm, tucking the blanket around her to ensure no chill would seep in. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her smooth forehead before quietly rising.
Changing clothes and washing up were all done in complete silence, with the palace servants moving as lightly as cats. After everything was ready, before leaving, he turned back to look at the sleeping figure in the bed curtains and whispered to Fuling, "Let the Consort sleep soundly and do not allow anyone to disturb her."
"This servant obeys the decree," Fuling replied hastily, bowing deeply.
Yuwen Che then turned around, his figure in a black dragon robe disappearing into the darkness before dawn, heading towards the Taiji Hall where the morning court was being held.
Inside the Taiji Hall, all the officials stood solemnly. After the previous events, including the deposition of Empress Shen, the bloody purge of the palace gates, and the extermination of the Shen family's nine generations, the atmosphere in the court remained heavy. The ministers were all cautious and timid, afraid of making a mistake.
After the routine administrative reports were completed, the Minister of War, holding a jade tablet, stepped forward, bowed, and spoke with a solemn tone:
"Your Majesty, an urgent military report from the northern border has arrived. The northern delegation has crossed the border and will arrive in the capital soon."
A slight commotion immediately arose inside the hall.
The Minister of War paused for a moment, then continued, "The delegation claims that the Northern Kingdom, having heard that the Empress of our Great Zhou is currently vacant, has specially dispatched its eldest daughter, Princess Helian Mingzhu, to visit us, intending to... intend for the two countries to establish friendly relations and form a lasting alliance."
He spoke tactfully, but everyone present understood the subtext—a visit ostensibly for political reasons, but in reality, a marriage alliance. The Northern Kingdom was taking advantage of the recent bloody purge within the Great Zhou, leaving the harem without a ruler, hoping to exploit this situation to gain political advantage through a marriage alliance, and perhaps even to probe the true strength of the Great Zhou.
Some seasoned and prudent ministers looked worried. The northern cavalry were fierce, and although there had been occasional minor skirmishes along the border in recent years, peace had generally been maintained. Directly refusing the marriage alliance might give the northern kingdom an excuse to start a war. But if they accepted…
Everyone couldn't help but steal glances at the young emperor on the throne.
Yuwen Che sat upright on the dragon throne and let out a cold laugh.
"Oh? The North is certainly well-informed and quick-witted."
His tone was calm, yet it carried an invisible pressure that instantly silenced the whispering court.
"My Great Zhou Dynasty has stood for a hundred years, its power reaching across the land, with all sides submitting to its rule." Yuwen Che continued slowly, each word resounding, "When have we ever needed to rely on a woman's marriage to secure peace on the border?"
The Minister of Revenue stepped forward hesitantly: "Your Majesty, the princess of the Northern Kingdom has come in person. If we refuse her outright, it would be impolite and damage the dignity of the nation, and it might also provoke border conflicts... Perhaps we should first make amends and temporarily accommodate her..."
"Feigning compliance?" Yuwen Che interrupted him, his voice suddenly turning stern. "My empire was won with iron cavalry and swords, not with women! If the Northern Kingdom wants war, I will fight to the end! You want to stuff a princess into my harem?"
He snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping across the assembled officials below like lightning:
"Tell them that my harem already has a mistress. Consort Chen, née Su, is virtuous and kind, and deeply loved by me. If the princess of the Northern Kingdom sincerely comes to visit, I will treat her with the courtesy due to a state guest; if she harbors other intentions..."
Yuwen Che paused, his tone chilling:
"Then let her go back to where she came from. My Great Zhou is not afraid of war!"
His words were domineering and resolute, leaving no room for argument. The court officials, intimidated by his powerful aura, lowered their heads, and none dared to mention the word "marriage alliance" again.
"Dismiss the court!" Yuwen Che rose with a flick of his sleeve, his black dragon robe drawing a sharp arc as he turned and left.
Li Dehai quickly shouted, "Dismiss the court!"
The officials knelt in farewell, each harboring their own thoughts. His Majesty's exclusive favor towards Consort Chen had reached the point where he resolutely refused even a marriage alliance with the Northern Kingdom, even at the cost of war. This determination was astonishing and made it even clearer how much Consort Chen held in His Majesty's heart.
Meanwhile, inside Guanju Palace, Su Luoxue had just woken up and was completely unaware of the turmoil that had arisen in the court because of her.
Instead of going to Guanju Palace as usual, Yuwen Che went straight back to Sizheng Hall. The hall doors slammed shut behind him, isolating him from the outside world.
"All of you, step back and wait outside the hall." His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Li Dehai bowed and led all the eunuchs and palace maids out of the main hall quickly, leaving as cleanly as the tide, and carefully closed the hall door tightly.
Only Yuwen Che remained in the empty hall. He did not walk towards the dragon throne, but stood with his hands behind his back in the hall, his gaze sharp as an eagle, scanning every possible hiding corner, even though he knew that this hall had been repeatedly inspected by the Shadow Pavilion and there were no hidden dangers.
"Come out," he said to the empty hall.
As soon as he finished speaking, a dark figure emerged from the shadows of the wall and silently knelt on one knee behind him. It was none other than the leader of the Shadow Pavilion.
"Owner."
Yuwen Che did not turn around, his voice was extremely low but every word was clear: "The Northern Kingdom sent a princess this time, it is not just a simple marriage alliance. I do not believe they are completely unprepared."
He tilted his head slightly, his eyes icy: "Send a team of elite troops to infiltrate the Northern Kingdom. I need to know what unusual activities have taken place in their country recently, whether there are any signs of military buildup, and the true intentions of the court regarding this 'marriage alliance.' What... exactly are they holding up their cards, or what conspiracy they are hiding that I am unaware of?"
"Yes." The head of the Shadow Pavilion accepted the order without hesitation.
"Focus on investigating the movements of several powerful princes and military generals in the Northern Kingdom, as well as... their private dealings with certain people in the court," Yuwen Che added, his words carrying a hidden meaning. Although the Shen family was destroyed, it was hard to guarantee that there weren't other unscrupulous individuals colluding with foreign powers.
"Understood. I will use my highest-ranking informants in the Northern Kingdom's court and army."
"Be extremely careful. Better to be slow than to expose yourself," Yuwen Che instructed. These secret guards and intelligence network were among his most important trump cards, and they could not be lost.
"Rest assured, Master, the Shadow Pavilion has never failed in its missions." The Shadow Pavilion's leader spoke calmly, yet with absolute confidence.
"Go ahead." Yuwen Che waved his hand.
The shadowy figure vanished silently into the shadows, just as it had appeared, as if it had never been there at all.
Silence returned to the hall. Yuwen Che walked to the window, pushed it open, and the cold, fresh air rushed in, dispelling the faint, unsettling atmosphere in the hall. He gazed northward, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
His refusal of the marriage alliance was a testament to his unwavering commitment to Xue'er and a reflection of the dignity of the Great Zhou Dynasty. However, this did not mean he would underestimate the threat from the Northern Kingdom. Since they dared to make the proposal, they must have something to rely on. He needed to know what that reliance was in order to respond calmly and nip any potential threats to the Great Zhou and the Guanju Palace in the bud.
He would not entrust the safety of the nation and the peace of his loved ones to the goodwill or luck of the enemy. Taking the initiative and controlling everything was his style.
“The North…” he murmured to himself, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the window frame, a cold glint in his eyes, “I hope you are just indulging in wishful thinking.”
If he truly harbored inappropriate thoughts, he wouldn't mind... personally leading an expedition to conquer the Northern Kingdom once again!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
