The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Chapter 131 The Situation
Outside Shanglin Garden, a group of young masters and ladies from noble families, led by maids and servants, sat or stood together and chatted, and occasionally glanced at the west gate of the palace garden.
Sitting on a chair behind a table in the middle of them was Wang Jingyu, the second son of the Left Prime Minister Mansion.
Wang Jingyu leaned against the back of the chair, with his legs crossed on another chair, holding an unopened folding fan in his hand, tapping the table in front of him from time to time, making a “tap, tap, tap” sound.
There were two piles of gold, silver, or other valuables on the gambling table, with the proportion of each side accounting for almost half.
Most of these young masters and ladies did not think that Great Xia could win the polo match, but for some unknown reason, many people placed their bets on Great Xia, including Wang Jingyu.
At this time, someone finally came out from the west gate of Shanglin Garden. They seemed to be Turks and Western Rong people. They hurriedly carried a lot of stretchers onto the carriages and left quickly.
The young masters and ladies were curious and confused. Is the polo match… over?
Meanwhile, a palace servant from Shanglin Garden who had been bribed by Wang Jingyu long ago also trotted over from another door.
“Second Young Master Wang.” The palace servant ran to Wang Jingyu’s gambling table, supported his knees with his hands, bent his waist, and kept panting.
The young masters and ladies immediately stood up and their faces filled with tension as they asked in unison:
“How did the match end?”
“Which side won?”
“Did Great Xia win?”
“Come on, hurry up and tell us…”
……
“Slap!” Wang Jingyu raised the handle of his fan and gave the edge of the table a firm tap.
Instantly, the group fell silent.
The palace servant took a few moments to steady his breath, then spoke, “Great… Great Xia won!”
A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd, even from those who had bet on the Turkic and Western Rong sides.
In the end, silver and gold were insignificant, as children of officials in the capital of Great Xia, it was more important to have the proper political awareness.
————
Wang Jingyu remained seated in his chair, staring intently at the palace servant, a faint furrow forming between his brows. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
From what he had just observed, it seemed that quite a number of people from the Turkic and Western Rong sides had been carried out of the Shanglin Garden.
They had entered standing but left lying down.
It was just a polo match, what had really happened inside?
“What happened in there?” Wang Jingyu asked the palace servant.
Hearing the second young master speak, the young masters and ladies all fell silent.
The palace servant hesitated for a moment, his expression showing some reluctance.
Wang Jingyu frowned.
“Has the message been blocked from above?”
Wang Jingyu had been around the palace since he was young, and with his grandfather, father, and older brother all holding high-ranking officials in the court, he was no stranger to the usual political maneuvers of the court. If the higher-ups had ordered a sealing order, then Wang Jingyu wouldn’t press the matter further, at least not until he got back to his mansion where he could close the door and speak freely.
The palace servant thought for a moment. There hadn’t been any order to seal off the news, and the imperial guards stationed at the garden gate hadn’t stopped him from leaving. In fact, he had seen several other palace servants hastily leaving the Shanglin Garden as well, likely to spread the word.
Moreover, with so many foreign envoys at the polo grounds today, news of the incident would likely spread throughout the capital very quickly.
However, things had clearly escalated.
Seeing the palace servant’s strange demeanor, the young masters and ladies felt an uneasy tension growing in their hearts.
Something serious must have happened inside.
“What exactly happened in there?” someone couldn’t hold back and asked.
The young masters and ladies all exchanged anxious glances.
The palace servant swallowed nervously before speaking, “The result of the match is that Great Xia won three to zero against the Turkic and Western Rong teams, and all three goals were scored by the Taizifei. The first two goals were struck by her right at the center of the field, and the last one wasn’t even past the halfway line. The Taizifei is truly remarkable.”
The palace servant hadn’t seen the match himself. He had gotten the information from a guard who had come out of the field.
These young masters and ladies were all fond of leisure and sport, and all were familiar with polo. At the news, they couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.
They couldn’t help but curse themselves for not being there to witness such a grand spectacle.
Still, nearly all of them had heard of Taizifei Qin Yan’s legendary strength, having witnessed her once at the western outskirts’ polo grounds, where she single-handedly snapped a horse’s neck with her bare hands. Striking a goal from the center of the field was just the kind of thing they could imagine the Taizifei being capable of.
Thinking back to the arrogant way the Turkic and Western Rong people had provoked Great Xia in the Fengtian Hall just days ago, the young masters and ladies couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction.
——
Wang Jingyu continued to fix his gaze on the palace servant, pressing for more answers.
“What else happened?”
The young masters and ladies fell silent again, all eyes turned toward the servant.
The palace servant hesitated for a moment before speaking again, “There were ten players on each side, but the Turkic Ninth Princess insisted on not following the rules and allowing the players to act freely. As a result, the match became incredibly brutal.”
“One of Great Xia’s soldiers died.”
“On the Turkic and Western Rong side, eight of the ten players were killed, including the Prince of Western Rong.”
“Moreover, the Turkic Ninth Princess was seriously injured and had her leg broken.”
The news hit like a thunderclap, and the crowd fell into stunned silence.
Now things had truly escalated.
————
At the Ministry of War, He Family Mansion.
He Xiao was no longer confined to his bed as he had been when he first returned to the capital from the northern frontier. He was now sitting upright, placed in a specially crafted wheelchair that his father had commissioned for him. A blanket covered his legs, hiding the emptiness from his thighs down, where there should have been legs.
After hearing the news from the servant about the situation at Shanglin Garden, He Xiao laughed loudly, his voice echoing through the room, “Hahaha, what a relief!”
“Great Xia wins the match, the Prince of Western Rong is dead, and the Turkic Princess has her leg broken.”
“What a relief! Truly, what a relief!”
He Xiao slapped his remaining leg a few times, his chest heaving with excitement. The anger and bitterness in his eyes were unmistakable.
It was because of the Turkic people that his legs were lost in the first place!
“Bring me some wine!” He Xiao shouted at his servant.
The servant hesitated, his face full of concern.
“Young Master, but your leg injury… the doctor said…”
He Xiao’s eyes darkened, a vicious glint flashing in them.
“What? Just because I’m crippled, you think you can’t obey my orders anymore?” He Xiao’s glare was so fierce that the servant visibly trembled under his gaze.
He Xiao suddenly had a shift in his thoughts and then coldly commanded, “Tell Madam to bring me some wine. Hurry up!”
“Yes, Young Master.” The servant hurried out of the room.
Not long after, Qin Nian entered, holding a black lacquered tray with a set of wine cups. She stepped forward slowly, expression blank, and placed the tray on the round table beside He Xiao. Then she carefully set the wine jug and cups before him.
“Hus…” Qin Nian began, but He Xiao cut her off with a sharp, cold voice.
He Xiao turned his gaze toward Qin Nian, his legal wife, his tone laced with biting sarcasm.
“I heard about it. In the polo match at Shanglin Garden today, Taizifei Qin Yan led her team to victory over the Turkic and Western Rong players.”
“Qin Nian, you and your lowly mother may have used some dirty tricks to make you a legitimate daughter, but you’re nothing compared to your elder sister, Qin Yan.”
“Becoming a legitimate daughter, so what? What are you, Qin Nian? What do you have that compares to your legitimate sister? And your mother’s status as a concubine, what does she have compared to Shen Shiying of Duke Zhenguo Mansion?”
“Is your father, Prime Minister Qin, blind?”
Since He Xiao’s return to the capital after his injury, his temperament has grown increasingly volatile. His words had become unrestrained, and he often directed cruel remarks toward Qin Nian. It had become a regular occurrence for him to berate her and even resort to physical violence.
Qin Nian gritted her teeth and endured He Xiao’s humiliation. She didn’t want to anger He Xiao again, because she would suffer the consequences.
He Xiao raised a sneer and continued, “Among the three of you, only your brother Qin Ming is a decent person. I heard that he asked to join the Shuobei Army? Heh, he’s a real man.”
“However, it’s cold in the army. I don’t know if that kid can come back alive.”
“You…” Qin Nian glared at He Xiao, her heart full of resentment.
He Xiao was becoming more and more unrefined. Is this still human language? Qin Ming is his brother-in-law!
He Xiao poured himself a glass of wine, raised his head, and drank it all, and then suddenly threw the wine cup in his hand at Qin Nian.
“Ah!” Qin Nian screamed, covering his bleeding forehead, and retreated to the door with fear in his eyes.
He Xiao looked at Qin Nian’s miserable state, and a sense of satisfaction rose in his heart.
“Qin Nian, you have schemed so hard, but you can only be tied to a cripple like me, He Xiao, for the rest of your life. It’s really ridiculous.”
“Hahahaha…”
Amid He Xiao’s crazy laughter, Qin Nian’s maid hurried in and helped her madam out, and the master and servant left quickly.
Qin Nian paused as she reached the corridor, her steps halting abruptly. She turned around and cast one last cold glance at He Xiao’s door.
He Xiao!
———
At the polo ground in the Shanglin Garden.
The polo match, now tainted with blood and violence, came to a tragic end.
Taizi Feng Zhan ordered that the Southern Yamen Imperial Army who had sacrificed his life today be properly honored and that all participants, those who played and even the ten reserve soldiers, be richly rewarded.
Additionally, he dispatched officials from the Honglu Temple and the Imperial Hospital to the Turkic and Western Rong post stations to offer condolences and assist with handling the aftermath.
But, whether a winner, a loser, or just a spectator, none of them were in high spirits.
The events of today were far from over.
———-
Left Prime Minister Wang Xian and his eldest son, Wang Jingheng, found Han Shuangling, who was resting in a pavilion outside the polo field after the match.
“Cough, cough…” Wang Xian coughed into his fist, pretending to clear his throat.
Han Shuangling was still wearing the same black narrow-sleeved brocade robe from the polo match earlier. She sat on a stone bench in the pavilion, facing away from the others.
Her legs were slightly apart, and her elbows rested on her knees, with her face buried in her hands.
Upon hearing footsteps approaching, Han Shuangling slowly raised her head.
Seeing who had arrived, she said nothing. She simply lowered her hands, her gaze dropping slightly, looking weary, as if she had no intention of standing up.
Wang Xian’s expression darkened. Han Shuangling had completely disregarded the usual formalities, and her posture was utterly improper. It was becoming more and more unseemly.
Wang Jingheng stepped forward, about to speak, but Wang Xian, in a tone tinged with displeasure, spoke first, “Although the polo match was instigated by the Turkic people, and both sides signed a death contract, one of the Western Rong princes is dead, and the Turkic princess is seriously injured. It’s likely that the Turkic and Western Rong people won’t let this go easily.”
“I told you from the start not to get involved…”
At that moment, a strong, authoritative voice came from behind Wang Xian.
“What’s this? Are you two from the Wang family trying to bully my daughter?”
Both Wang Xian and Wang Jingheng immediately turned around at the sound of the voice.
It was Han Shiyan, the Marquis of Guannei.
Wang Xian was momentarily caught off guard and awkwardly tried to explain, “Marquis Han…”
At that moment, Han Shuangling, who had been silent until now, spoke up. Her voice still carried a hint of fatigue.
“Wang Jingheng.”
Everyone turned their attention to her.
Han Shuangling lifted her gaze to meet Wang Jingheng, who stood just two steps in front of her. She spoke slowly, “Wang Jingheng, let’s get a divorce.”
Wang Xian and Wang Jingheng both froze in shock.
What… did Han Shuangling just say?
Divorce!
————-
After the polo match, the Great Xia imperial family hosted a banquet at the Hanxiang Hall in Shanglin Garden for the participants of the match, the foreign envoys who had attended, and the civil and military officials.
Except for the Turkic and Western Rong envoys, who had returned to their inns, the rest of the attendees made their way to Hanxiang Hall.
Along the road from the polo field to Hanxiang Hall, groups of foreign envoys could be seen quietly discussing among themselves in hushed tones, “Though Great Xia is a nation of etiquette, they’re not the type to shy away from confrontation. When it comes down to it, they can be just as fierce as the Turkic people, who are known as the ‘Wolf Tribe of the Grassland.'”
“Great Xia has an ancient saying called ‘First, respect and then, military force.’ I also heard a Great Xia proverb called ‘Reciprocate in kind.’ Seems like we’ve witnessed that today.”
“The Taizi and the Taizifei of Great Xia are both skilled fighters. Their decisiveness and toughness are truly formidable!”
“From what we’ve seen today, Great Xia’s current generation is filled with talented individuals. Their power can’t be underestimated.”
“Yes, yes…”
……
As the Southern Xinjiang envoy reached a thicket of bamboo, Princess Xinyue stopped in her tracks.
Throughout the journey, they had overheard numerous discussions from other foreign envoys. Most of them were clearly shaken by the Great Xia imperial family’s unyielding attitude and had spoken about the need to avoid provoking them.
Princess Xinyue’s brows furrowed slightly and her expression somewhat grave.
While smaller nations might say they would avoid conflict, the Southern Xinjiang had no such luxury.
For years, Southern Xinjiang and Great Xia had had skirmishes along their border. If Great Xia continued to grow stronger, it wouldn’t be long before, after the Turkic and Western Rong, Southern Xinjiang became the next target.
After a brief pause, Princess Xinyue turned to her attendant.
“Get in touch with our people. Make sure they are ready to move at any moment.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” The attendant bowed in acknowledgment.
———
Inside Hanxiang Hall, the music began to play, and palace maids with slender waists swirled gracefully in the hall, their flowing sleeves dancing in time with the music. The guests mingled and drank, enjoying themselves freely.
The banquet had not been underway for long when the Turkic Khan Ashina Qigu and the Western Rong Emperor Jiang Quyi returned from their post stations and entered the hall.
Amidst the complex expressions of the crowd, both Ashina Qigu and Jiang Quyi sat down with dark, heavy faces.
After they had settled, both of them quickly noticed something unusual. According to the seating arrangements previously given to all the foreign envoys, it appeared that their seats had been moved down a notch. Above the Khan’s seat, there was a new one, but it was empty.
Whose seat was this?
Everyone at the banquet was speculating whether the Turkic Khan and the Emperor of Western Rong would attack Great Xia because of what happened today, but the two had not said a word since they sat down for nearly half an incense stick of time, and just drank one cup after another.
Western Rong Emperor Jiang Quyi was angry and heartbroken at the moment, but he could not bring up the death of his beloved son Jiang Shang to Great Xia.
The only one who attacked his son Jiang Shang on the field today was Jiang Xun, and no one from Great Xia participated.
He had no doubt that if he insisted on Great Xia giving an explanation for Jiang Shang’s death, Great Xia might take advantage of the situation to make things bigger, expose Jiang Xun’s identity on the spot, and support Jiang Xun to return to Western Rong to seize the throne.
Jiang Quyi could only delay now and not let Western Rong know that Jiang Xun was still alive. He had to send someone to assassinate Jiang Xun as soon as possible, otherwise the domestic political situation might be unstable.
And he had just heard that Jiang Xun was now named Jiang Mu and was the adopted brother of Great Xia Taizifei Qin Yan.
Western Rong Emperor Jiang Quyi narrowed his eyes and looked at Taizifei Qin Yan above him, and he was furious.
Qin Yan, I will take your life sooner or later!
———–
The Turkic Khan, Ashina Qigu, now also looked towards Taizifei Qin Yan. His voice was cold as he spoke, “I have received some information and would like to ask the Taizifei of Great Xia to verify it.”
The conversation in the hall came to an immediate halt, and all eyes turned to the Turkic Khan and Taizifei Qin Yan.
Had it begun?
Ashina Qigu continued, his tone sharp, “I have heard that the Taizifei of Great Xia, Qin Yan, was once the Lord of Gu City?”
A heavy silence fell over the hall. Everyone knew that the question was no simple inquiry, it was a challenge, and one that would undoubtedly stir the air.
———–
The moment Ashina Qigu’s words left his mouth, the hall erupted in shocked murmurs.
Except for a few in the room who were already aware of the fact, the majority were stunned. They had no idea that Taizifei Qin Yan had once held the title of Lord of Gu City.
Taizi Feng Zhan’s sharp gaze fixed on the Turkic Khan.
If Ashina Qigu had known this information for some time, he would have used it to his advantage the moment he entered the palace during the audience at Fengtian Hall, not waited until now.
This meant that the news had likely reached Ashina Qigu very recently.
Moreover, it was odd that the Turkic Khan, who had originally shown no interest in participating in the polo match, suddenly decided to join in at the last moment. Was that too much of a coincidence?
It seemed highly likely that the news had reached Ashina Qigu just before the match started.
And the message might have even come from someone within Great Xia.
As this thought passed through his mind, a chilling look swept over Feng Zhan’s eyes.
If this were true, then the person behind it, whoever had supplied the Turkic Khan with this information, had targeted either Great Xia or Qin Yan.
Although Gu City was now firmly under Great Xia’s control, a move that had given Daxia the upper hand in its dealings with both the Western Rong and Turkic peoples, Ashina Qigu’s mention of it had little strategic value, aside from his obvious desire to provoke.
But who had given the Turkic Khan this information? That person is worthy of punishment.
The room erupted into another round of murmurs as Qin Yan calmly set her wine cup down, raised her eyes, and lazily spoke, “It is indeed me.”
Once again, the hall buzzed with hushed conversations. Some were surprised, others excited, while a few were busy explaining the significance of Gu City and its former Lord to those around them.
Jiang Quyi, the Emperor of Western Rong, had already received this information from the Turkic Khan before leaving the post station. Now, his gaze was fixed on Taizifei Qin Yan as he spoke, “Five years ago, the Turkic, Western Rong, and Great Xia signed an agreement to cease hostilities, and the armies of all three nations withdrew beyond the borders. Yet, Taizifei led a group to occupy Gu City, which lies outside the borders of all three countries. And now, Great Xia has stationed its soldiers within the city. Isn’t this a violation of the agreement?”
Qin Yan chuckled lightly before answering, “As many of you know, I, Qin Yan, have a business partner named Yu Qingfeng. He’s a businessman. It’s true, I did clear up the chaos in Gu City and turned it into a hub for commerce.”
“Gu City is now a thriving trade city that protects the merchants who pass through. I believe the countries of the Western Regions can clearly see how much progress has been made. Don’t you agree?”
The Turkic Khan, hearing Qin Yan finish her grandiose words, gave a cold smile, “Since it’s for the protection of the passing merchant caravans, then it shouldn’t just be Great Xia doing all the hard work.”
“I propose that the three countries, Turkic, Western Rong, and Great Xia, take turns managing Gu City and that all three countries should be allowed to station troops there.”
The Western Rong Emperor immediately followed up, “This is a good proposal from the Khan. Western Rong also supports border trade, and it wouldn’t be impossible for us to send twenty to thirty thousand border troops to station in Gu City.”
The Turkic Khan smiled and said, “Turkic happens to have sixty thousand soldiers stationed near Great Xia’s northwest. We can send them all to Gu City.”
———–
The courtiers in the hall were once again stunned, murmuring in shock.
Gu City was only about a hundred miles away from the northwest border of Great Xia, Xiao Pass. What the Turkic Khan and Western Rong King were clearly suggesting was to station their armies on Great Xia’s northwest border, which was a threat!
Shen Changshan, the Duke of Zhenguo, slammed the table in front of him, about to speak when the high-pitched voice of a palace servant rang out from outside the hall, “The Emperor of Northern Liang has arrived!”
Everyone was startled.
Northern Liang? That Northern Liang?
Soon, a tall and upright man in a dark-colored brocade robe embroidered with golden dragon patterns entered the hall with his entourage. He appeared to be in his early thirties, with a sharp, cold, and rugged face that made him look mature and handsome.
Emperor Hui, who the Taizi had already informed that Emperor Northern Liang, Xian Qian, possibly visited Great Xia, had seen a portrait of him beforehand. But he remembered the Northern Liang Emperor should be around forty years old. Now, seeing him in person, he appeared much younger than expected.
“Thank you for traveling so far, Emperor of Northern Liang. Please, take a seat.” Emperor Hui gestured for Li Fuquan to arrange seating for the Northern Liang delegation.
After exchanging a glance with Taizi Feng Zhan, Emperor Xiao Qian tilted his head and whispered something to the Great Xia official from the Ministry of Rites who accompanied him.
The official from the Ministry of Rites gestured to Emperor Xiao Qian, and Emperor Xiao Qian glanced briefly in the direction of Duke Shen Changshan before turning toward Emperor Hui on the throne and speaking.
“Emperor Hui, Northern Liang formally proposes a marriage alliance with Great Xia.”
“I, Emperor Xiao Qian of Northern Liang, seek to marry Shen Shiying of the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion as the Empress of Northern Liang.”
Before anyone in the hall could react to the shock of his words, Emperor Xiao Qian gestured to his subordinate, who carried a tray stacked high with several volumes of official memorials. The servant walked over to the Duke of Zhenguo Shen Changshan.
Emperor Xiao Qian spoke to Duke Shen Changshan, “Duke of Zhenguo, this is the marriage proposal list from Northern Liang for the future Empress. The betrothal gifts have already been delivered to your mansion.”
While both Duke Shen Changshan and Shen Shiyan were somewhat aware of the connection between their daughter, Shen Shiying, and the Northern Liang Emperor, they had never imagined that Northern Liang would formally seek to marry her as their Empress!
This…
———–
Everyone at the banquet was stunned, their minds reeling from the unexpected proposal. With all the chaos at the Shanglin Garden today, they would be talking about this for days and nights without end.
Emperor Hui’s face darkened. Just a moment ago, he had admired Emperor Xiao Qian, but now he felt nothing but disdain. He was so furious that he nearly wanted to expel the Emperor of Northern Liang from Great Xia’s borders right then and there.
Xiao Qian actually dared to ask for Shen Shiying’s hand in marriage!
Qin Wenzheng was equally stunned. He repeatedly sensed the complex glances his colleagues were casting at him.
Qin Wenzheng knew exactly what they were thinking, Shen Shiying, who had divorced him not long ago, was now likely to become the Empress of Northern Liang!
At the same time, both the Turkic Khan, Ashina Qigu, and the Emperor of Western Rong, Jiang Quyi, were equally shocked. They exchanged a glance, and in each other’s eyes, they could clearly see that neither of them had been aware of this development.
The Emperor of Northern Liang took his seat, and the banquet continued.
However, neither the Turkic Khan nor the Emperor of Western Rong spoke another word. It seemed that the tense atmosphere from earlier in the hall had simply been a misperception.
Both of them understood very well that if Great Xia and Northern Liang truly formed a marriage alliance, the Turks and Western Rong, caught between the two powerful nations, would face an even greater threat.
Just a few days ago in the Fengtian Hall, Ashina Qigu had insisted that the Turks were sincere about a marriage alliance with Great Xia but his offer was only for a Great Xia princess to become his concubine.
Now, however, the Emperor of Northern Liang had formally proposed to marry the daughter of Great Xia’s Duke of Zhenguo as his Empress.
Emperor Xiao Qian’s move was, in essence, a slap in the face of Ashina Qigu.
As the music and dance continued in the hall, the guests all kept their thoughts to themselves.
With Emperor Xiao Qian’s proposal to Great Xia, how would the geopolitical situation change next? What kind of monumental shifts would occur across the various kingdoms?