Chapter 42 Slapping Song Jiyun in the Face
Wei Xun was allowed to go out and look for people.
Jiang Shiyao and the others were left in the side room.
She discovered that the man had come alone to find someone, so she managed to get the details out of him.
He was not a peace envoy, but the commander of the guards on this occasion.
His sister was originally the Khan's wife, but she willingly became a maid to make way for the princess of the Great Sheng Dynasty.
Because of the infighting among the thirty-seven tribes, which had reached an irreconcilable point, if they were to unite and raise an army, the Khan would have almost no advantage in military strength.
They were simply seeking help from the Celestial Empire.
Yesterday, the Empress Dowager finally managed to persuade the court officials to agree to the marriage alliance and send Princess Yalan to marry him.
Zhou Congxian, however, interfered and sabotaged the marriage between the two countries.
Daru was indignant. "We've presented so many horses and cattle to the Great Sheng Dynasty as tribute, and my sister even gave up her position as queen. Isn't our country's sincerity enough?!"
Jiang Shiyao was not knowledgeable about politics, but she had witnessed brothers fighting over family property in her village when she was a child.
This family was already locked in a fierce battle over the inheritance when another family came along seeking a marriage alliance. This was because their family was being targeted by someone else and they wanted to use the marriage alliance for help.
Is it a competition to see who's worse?
Pure nonsense!
However, none of this concerns her for the time being.
The most important thing is Xiao Lin's life...
Jiang Shiyao pointed to the child on his lap, "The child is innocent, you should hand the child over to me first."
Xiao Lin was laid across his lap, his face flushed, and he no longer had the fierce look he had just had.
Daru lifted Xiao Lin up again, as if he were a chick.
"That brat is dead?"
Xiao Lin's stomach was pressed against his knees, his head was still facing down, and then he was suddenly lifted up again.
His face turned ugly, and he opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of filth!
It was sprayed all over Daru's chest and arms.
Instantly, an indescribable sour and foul smell filled the room.
Shuangjiang raised her hand and covered Fu'er's eyes.
Jiang Shiyao was also startled and shrank back.
Daru was instantly enraged, "Damn it, I'll kill you first..."
"No!" Jiang Shiyao grabbed his sleeve, carefully avoiding the filth.
The smell became stronger as we got closer.
"vomit……"
That's disgusting.
Jiang Shiyao covered her mouth and nose with one hand while advising, "If you kill Zhou Congxian's child, how can the marriage be arranged? You are the culprit who ruined the marriage!"
She was furious. Wei Xun had been gone for so long, why hadn't he come yet!
If Xiao Lin dies, she won't be buried with the Zhou family!
Daru looked very unwell and threw Xiao Lin aside.
Jiang Shiyao opened her arms and caught the sturdy child, who landed on her and almost knocked her internal organs out.
Xiao Lin nestled in her arms, his face pale, his little hands clutching her sleeves tightly.
It seems that only in this way can one gain some sense of security.
Jiang Shiyao released Xiao Lin, letting him hide behind Shuangjiang.
He gripped her sleeve tightly.
She glanced at Daru, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe Xiao Lin's mouth. "Seven... go to the back to protect your sister. You're the only man here now."
He then turned around and glanced at his sister, Fu'er.
Jiang Shiyao patted him on the back. "Go ahead."
Daru came with a mission, but he didn't find the person and ended up guarding this house full of women and children.
He grew increasingly impatient, "Why aren't they here yet!"
If this marriage alliance fails, not only his sister, but the Khan himself will be doomed.
When Zhou Congxian arrived at full speed, Jiang Shiyao was offering kind words of comfort.
She felt she had said all the nice things she could in her life.
Zhou Congxian's voice was somewhat deep, "Lord Daru, what are you doing? Do you want to break the treaty?"
Behind Zhou Congxian was another person, the Imperial Censor Liu Minghan.
Liu Minghan paused for a moment when he saw Jiang Shiyao in the room, then subtly looked away. He
Si Tiao slowly looked at Daru and said, "Lord Daru, we have already discussed this very clearly a few days ago."
Daru has met Liu Minghan many times, and he can't win an argument with him.
“I’m not talking to you. I’m going to find Zhou Congxian today.”
"Yesterday, the Empress Dowager personally agreed to our conditions: we will double our tribute, and you will send 100,000 troops with the princess's entourage."
Zhou Congxian frowned. "Lord Daru has come to the wrong person. I am neither a peace negotiating official nor the commander of the wedding procession."
Putting aside the fact that he didn't get involved in the matter, the conditions the Empress Dowager agreed to were simply absurd!
A small tribute can be exchanged for a princess and 100,000 soldiers!
In the past, when the Great Sheng Dynasty was strong and well-equipped, it took many years of fighting to subdue the thirty-seven tribes.
The Duke of Zhenguo's family was known for its loyalty and bravery, but now only the white-haired General Meng remains!
Are we sending 100,000 troops to their deaths?!
Darussalam was tall and sturdy, more than half a head taller than Zhou Congxian.
He reached out and tapped Zhou Congxian's shoulder. "I'll let you talk now."
Zhou Congxian looked at Daru, who was taller than him, and his imposing manner was in no way inferior.
The hilt of the sword in her hand pried his fingers apart.
The movement slowed down, and finally stopped in mid-air.
The contest between the two has begun.
Liu Minghan bypassed the two and gestured for Jiang Shiyao and Shuangjiang to take the two children out first.
Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, Jiang Shi leaned against the railing as if her legs were about to give way.
Only then did she realize the soreness in her sternum and abdomen.
Xiao Lin smashed them all.
"My lady, are you alright?" Shuangjiang asked anxiously, holding Fu'er in her arms.
Jiang Shiyao waved her hand, then looked at Xiao Lin beside her, "Where is His Highness Prince Cheng?"
He pointed upstairs with his little finger, "On the third floor."
Jiang Shiyao dared not go up any further and beckoned a waiter over.
"Young man, go to the third floor and announce that the Seventh Prince is here."
The waiter scratched his head. "His Highness Prince Cheng has already left."
"Third Brother is gone?" Xiao Lin's face was full of surprise.
The expression on his face seemed more aggrieved than when he spoke of the Empress Dowager upstairs.
Jiang Shiyao glanced at the second-floor window. Given the diplomatic ties between the two countries, it seemed unlikely that she would come down anytime soon.
If you're going to do a good deed, do it all the way.
Hopefully, the two princes will remember her kindness and lend her a hand when she is in trouble.
When Jiang Shiyao escorted Xiao Lin back to the Prince Cheng's residence, the steward was surprised to see Xiao Lin.
Prince Cheng did not return to his residence, but the Seventh Prince was sent back by someone else.
On the way back.
Jiang Shiyao suddenly had a flash of inspiration: King Cheng had deliberately left Xiao Lin at Dexing Tower.
"hiss--"
She clutched her stomach and took a deep breath.
"My lady, were you injured by the Seventh Prince?"
She shook her head. "It's nothing, it just felt like a tug. I guess my period is coming soon."
Shuangjiang counted the days on her fingers, "It'll be soon, just a few more days. I'll sew some more clean menstrual belts tonight."
When they arrived at the Duke's mansion, the old lady and Zhao were dressed in their official robes, looking as if they were about to enter the palace.
Zhao glared at her, annoyed. "What kind of time is this to be running around like this!"
Back in the courtyard, I learned the truth from Mother He.
The prince and his envoy got into a fight with a courtesan in a brothel, and Prince Zhou was also caught in the crossfire.
Madam He chanted Amitabha Buddha, "Didn't the young master take the young lady to Dexing Tower? How did they end up at a brothel?"
"Please, please don't let anything happen! It's so rare for the family to be free of traffic jams and finally be able to live a decent life..."
Jiang Shiyao and Shuangjiang exchanged a glance, but neither of them spoke.
The next day.
Zhou Congxian did not return, nor were the other masters of the Zhou family at home.
A gloomy atmosphere seemed to hang over the Duke's mansion, making it hard to breathe.
If Zhou Congxian were to really get into trouble, from the Duke down to the maids and servants, no one would escape.
Jiang Shiyao didn't know what was going on, but now, in this chaotic situation, was the perfect time for her to find the city's merchant caravan.
*
Song Jiyun overheard his elder brother's words outside the hall and rushed in without a second thought.
"Big brother, how could you not save Congxian? He's your future brother-in-law!"
"Who let you in? Get out!" Song Yitang said sternly, looking at his younger sister's disrespectful behavior.
"No! Promise me you'll save Brother Congxian, then I'll go out!"
Song Jiyun retorted, "I've been listening to you and haven't left the house for days!"
Song Yitang frowned and sighed, "It's not that I don't want to save him, it's that the Empress Dowager deliberately set a trap for him. Do you think I can save him or not!"
Song Jiyun didn't care about anything else now. "Brother, we're getting married in just one month. Do you want your sister to marry a memorial tablet?"
Song Yitang patiently explained, "If he truly has no ulterior motives, the Empress Dowager will naturally release him."
"If your heart is with Han even if you're in Cao Cao's camp, I'll take a knife to the prison and still get your engagement broken off."
Seeing his elder brother remain unmoved, Song Jiyun's eyes reddened and tears fell.
“If Zhou Congxian dies, I won’t live either.”
"you!--"
Seeing that she wouldn't listen to reason, he got so angry that he raised his hand again.
Song Jiyun closed his eyes in fear, and for a long while, the slap did not fall.
She cautiously opened her eyes. "Big brother, are you a favorite of the emperor? Why don't you go to the palace and beg..."
"Smack!—"
A resounding slap.
When Song Yitang came to his senses, he realized that he had slapped his sister.
He looked at his hands, then looked up and his eyes were full of disappointment.
"For the sake of a man, you now want to drag the entire Song family down with you!"
Song Jiyun covered her face, her lips trembling, "You said it yourself, you're my support..."
Song Yitang no longer wanted to talk to her. "Send the young lady back. No one is allowed to let her out without my permission!"
Song Jiyun cried and was locked in her own courtyard. Now that Zisu is gone, no maid is willing to come in anymore.
No matter how magnificent and prosperous it may be, it is still just a beautiful cage.
No sooner had Song Jiyun left than Song Yitang's informant returned to report.
"My lord, it was indeed King Cheng who did it."
"Both Huaiyue Tower and Yubao Tower are Cheng Wang's properties. On the surface, they are business transactions, but in reality, they are stockpiling private soldiers."
Song Yitang snorted coldly, "His Majesty is incapable of shouldering heavy responsibilities, and even Prince Cheng, who is indifferent to worldly affairs, has harbored disloyal thoughts."
"Sir, what should we do now?"
Song Yitang's expression turned slightly pale, and after a long while, he spoke slowly.
"If there isn't enough bait, the big fish won't come out of the water."
"The royalists are no longer a force to be reckoned with, and the old guard, led by Grand Secretary Li, and his gang of old men have lived long enough."
"Old Master Li is getting on in years; he should get some rest."
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