Jealous?!
The news that King Muleyan of Beiyuan Kingdom had agreed to the peace talks and that Princess Munasha had personally led a delegation to return south with King Heng's army spread like wildfire throughout the front lines and the rear.
When the soldiers of Great Entropy first heard this news, they were mostly shocked and confused. The ambush at Eagle Fall Gorge and the blood of their comrades had not yet dried, and now they were to travel with their enemies, and might even have to negotiate peace.
But military orders are absolute, especially when they come from His Highness Prince Heng, and no one dares to openly question them. However, in private, there was much discussion, and people looked at the delegation, which was carrying the Northern Abyss flag and was being closely "escorted" in the ranks, with complicated expressions.
On the Northern Abyss delegation's side, the atmosphere was rather delicate. Some people had doubts about the peace talks and felt that the princess's move was too risky; others were filled with curiosity and a hidden expectation of being able to travel to the legendary, wealthy, and prosperous capital of the Great Shang Kingdom.
The vast and magnificent army left the desolate northern border and entered the heart of the Great Entropy Empire.
Princess Munasha did not sit comfortably in the carriage, but chose to ride a horse. She was agile and skilled at riding, her gorgeous Northern Abyss palace dress fluttering in the wind. Behind her veil, a pair of bright and wild eyes curiously surveyed the Central Plains scenery along the way, which was completely different from that of Northern Abyss.
The crisscrossing farmland, the villages with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys, and the winding, clear rivers—everything seemed so peaceful yet full of life.
Her gaze, more often than not, drifted intentionally or unintentionally toward the front of the group, to the ever-upright, cold figure shrouded in black armor, Zongzheng Hengyu.
During the first rest stop of the journey, Munasha took the initiative to ride her horse and, in full view of everyone, came to the central position.
“Your Highness,” her voice came through the veil, carrying a hint of barely perceptible tenderness, “As we traveled, we saw that the Great Shang was prosperous and its people lived in peace, truly living up to its reputation. No wonder Your Highness is so brave and skilled in battle; it is indeed worthwhile to protect such a beautiful land.”
Zongzheng Hengyu was examining a map with his deputy Zhou Chuang when he heard the voice. He didn't look up, but simply said, "Your Highness flatters me. Protecting the borders and ensuring the safety of the people is my duty."
His response was polite yet distant, as he would have done to any foreign envoy.
Munasha, however, remained unperturbed and continued with a smile, "Is Your Highness's injury any better? My Northern Abyss has excellent wound medicine, which is remarkably effective for bruises and sprains. If Your Highness would like to use it..."
"Thank you for your concern, Princess. I am now out of danger." Zongzheng Hengyu interrupted her, his tone still calm, but carrying an invisible barrier that shut out all her attempts to show goodwill.
Despite being rebuffed, Muna Sha's smile remained unchanged, but she felt even more challenged. She refused to believe that there was any iceberg in this world that she, Muna Sha, couldn't melt!
Since then, Munasha's "active approach" has become more frequent and obvious.
When the army was encamped, she would request an audience with King Heng under the pretext of "discussing the details of peace negotiations" or "learning about the customs and culture of Great Entropy." Although she was politely refused eight out of ten times on the grounds of "being busy with military affairs," she always managed to find an opportunity to appear within his sight.
She filled a fine silver pot brought from Beiyuan with mare's milk wine and personally delivered it to Zongzheng Hengyu's tent, her voice clear and melodious: "Your Highness, this is a special brew from the Beiyuan royal family. It has a mellow taste and warms the body. Please try it."
Zongzheng Hengyu merely glanced at it, his tone completely indifferent: "Alcohol is forbidden in the army, thank you for your kindness, Princess."
When they passed through scenic spots, she would point to the distance and say to Zongzheng Hengyu, "Your Highness, look, those mountains are layered with greenery and shrouded in mist. Don't they look like the sacred mountains in our Northern Abyss legends? If I have the chance, I really want to go and see them." Munasha was trying to find common ground.
Zongzheng Hengyu's gaze might follow, but his answer was always businesslike: "This place already belongs to the territory of my Great Entropy. The mountain is called 'Qixuan' and has no connection with the Northern Abyss Sacred Mountain."
He could even clearly sense the faint, sweet fragrance emanating from her, different from that of women from the Central Plains, carrying the flavor of the grasslands, as she approached. However, his brows remained unmoved, as if he were only smelling ordinary air.
Munasha's enthusiasm was like hitting an impenetrable wall; every attempt was silently repelled.
But the fighting spirit in her eyes grew even stronger. The more indifferent he was, the more it proved that he was not someone who would be easily swayed. It would be all the more rewarding to conquer a man like that!
All of this was observed by the soldiers of both countries.
During the rest period, whispers began to circulate around the campfire.
On the Great Entropy side, the soldiers exchanged knowing glances:
"Hey, did you see that? Princess Beiyuan is going to see our prince again!"
"Absolutely! Running eight times a day, and the way he looks at His Highness, tsk tsk, he's practically glued to him!"
"Speaking of this princess, her looks and figure are both top-notch, and she is the apple of the eye of the King of Beiyuan. For her to lower herself like this... our prince is truly blessed!"
"Good fortune? I think His Highness is quite annoyed! Didn't you see His Highness's face? It's colder than our Xuanjia armor!"
"What do you know? This is called playing hard to get! Beiyuan took the initiative to seek peace and even sent its princess in person. Isn't this a clear indication that they want a marriage alliance? I think this is very likely to succeed!"
"If we really get a marriage alliance, won't the North be at peace forever? And won't we never have to fight again?"
"If that's the case, it would be a good thing..."
There was also a lot of discussion among the Northern Abyss delegation:
"This time, Her Highness is truly sincere. She has even brought up such an important matter as peace negotiations for the sake of Prince Heng."
"Indeed, he was so attentive the whole way, yet Prince Heng kept a cold face the entire time, really..."
"Hey, you can't say that. What kind of person is the Heng King of the Great Shang? If he were so easily swayed, he would be worthless. The princess has good taste!"
"If the marriage alliance can be successfully completed, our Beiyuan will be able to catch our breath, and we might even be able to open a trade market. There will be many benefits!"
"I think it's a good match! They're a perfect couple, both talented and beautiful, and their social standing is well-matched! If this marriage goes through, it will be a wonderful story!"
Rumors spread silently through the ranks, and a tacit understanding that "a marriage alliance is imminent" seemed to slowly take shape in the minds of many soldiers.
They watched the two, one passionate and the other cold and aloof, as if watching a grand drama whose ending was already predetermined.
Deputy General Zhou Chuang would occasionally observe the commander-in-chief's expression cautiously after reporting on military affairs, and tentatively suggest, "Your Highness, Princess Beiyuan... seems to have a rather... special regard for you. If we can truly use this opportunity to forge an alliance between the two countries, it would be a blessing for both the nation and its people."
Zongzheng Hengyu merely glanced at him coldly, a look that instantly silenced Zhou Chuang, who dared not utter another word.
"Do your job well, and don't worry about things that aren't your business." Zongzheng Hengyu's voice was completely devoid of emotion. "Peace negotiations are a matter of state and have nothing to do with personal feelings. If I hear any more unfounded discussions in the army, they will be dealt with according to military law."
"Understood, Your subordinate!" Zhou Chuang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and retreated.
Zongzheng Hengyu stood alone before the tent, gazing at the southern horizon. As dusk settled and campfires flickered, the frozen territory in his heart had long been occupied by a figure who was sometimes cunning and sometimes tearful, leaving no room for any other scenery.
“Jiang Wanzhi…” He silently murmured the name in his heart, recalling her panicked yet stubborn appearance before leaving the capital, and the kiss he gave her in the sunset, a kiss that carried both reluctance and a sense of declaration.
His fingertips unconsciously rubbed against his waist, where the dragon-patterned jade pendant that had been hanging was now lying quietly close to his body.
Munasha's pursuit and the soldiers' gossip were nothing more than background noise on his journey home. His goal was clear and firm: to return to the capital as soon as possible, stabilize the court, investigate the Night Hawk Pavilion, and then... to see the woman who was making him uneasy.
The news that Zongzheng Hengyu led his army and the Beiyuan delegation back south spread like wildfire, reaching the capital of Dashang even before the delegation itself.
At first, there were only vague rumors that His Highness Prince Heng had displayed great power in the Northern Border, not only quelling the rebellion but also forcing the people of Beiyuan to submit and send an envoy to negotiate peace. The people were naturally overjoyed, and their reverence for Prince Heng grew even stronger.
However, as the caravan drew closer, more details came back through the mouths of merchants and couriers along the way. The rumors began to distort.
"Have you heard? His Highness Prince Heng is accompanied by Princess Beiyuan, who is as beautiful as a celestial being!"
"That's right! Someone saw that princess riding a horse, always getting close to Prince Heng, her laughter like the sound of silver bells!"
"Oh my, the princess from Beiyuan has come. Is she here for a political marriage? And the bride is none other than our Prince Heng?"
"I think it's probably true! After winning a battle, the other side sends a princess to marry him—isn't that a common occurrence? His Highness Prince Heng is exceptionally brave and valiant; which woman wouldn't be tempted?"
"Then... what about our future Princess Consort Heng, Miss Jiang from the Prime Minister's residence?"
"Shh... Keep your voice down! This is not something we should discuss. However... if it's a marriage alliance between the two countries, that's a major event, I'm afraid Miss Jiang..."
Rumors, like willow catkins in early spring, silently drifted to every corner of the capital, and naturally even seeped into the high walls of the Prime Minister's residence.
Chun Tao and Qiu Ju seemed somewhat absent-minded for several days in a row, and they spoke hesitantly in her presence. She vaguely sensed something was amiss.
"Is there anything interesting happening outside?" She put down her storybook, rubbed her wrist, and asked casually.
Chun Tao opened her mouth, but Qiu Ju gently tugged at her sleeve. Qiu Ju carefully chose her words, then cautiously said, "Miss, there are some rumors about His Highness Prince Heng's triumphant army..."
"Oh? Didn't they say they won the battle and Beiyuan sent an envoy to negotiate peace?" Jiang Wanzhi picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and looked calm.
"Yes...that's right." Qiu Tao bit her lip, finally unable to hold back, "But, but everyone's saying that there's a princess from Beiyuan Kingdom in that delegation, she...she came back with His Highness, all the way..."
Princess of Beiyuan Kingdom? A marriage alliance? And quite close to Zongzheng Hengyu?
A few keywords swirled in her mind: that aloof villain, a princess had taken a liking to him?
Oh, that's normal. After all, her face and status speak for themselves. A marriage alliance? It's a political marriage, so it's normal...
But why do I suddenly feel a little uncomfortable? It's like a tiny ant has gently bitten my heart, leaving a sour and tingling sensation.
She shook her head, trying to shake off the strange feeling, and picked up the storybook to continue flipping through it: "Oh, and then? Let's not discuss national affairs."
"Miss!" Chun Tao exclaimed anxiously, "How can you not be worried at all! That princess came back with His Highness! They've been traveling together all the way, who knows what might happen? What if His Highness is captivated by that exotic princess? That's what they write in the stories! Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman!"
Jiang Wanzhi's hand, which was turning the page, stopped again. Involuntarily, Zongzheng Hengyu's cold and handsome face appeared in her mind, as well as the tender yet domineering kiss he gave her on the hillside outside Beijing before he left, and the deep and lingering words, "Wait for me."
He is now accompanied by a princess of noble birth, who is said to be very beautiful...
A strange, unprecedented emotion, like an overturned jar of vinegar, bubbling and gurgling, quickly spread through her heart.
This made her unhappy, extremely unhappy!
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