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The war between the Southern Border and Tianqi subtly shifted the geopolitical landscape.
Neighboring nations stirred, among them Northern Flame, defeated just a few years prior.
Northern Flame's envoys arrived, catching the Emperor entirely off guard.
When he heard they were there to propose a marriage, his surprise only grew.
Inside Consort Xian's palace, Jun Wan lowered her head, remaining silent for a long while.
"Mother Concubine, let me go." Jun Wan made up her mind, her gaze firm.
Consort Xian was startled. "Are you mad? If you go to Northern Flame, you'll never come back!"
"But if I don't go, Imperial Sister will have to. You know Imperial Sister's beloved died in the war with Northern Flame four years ago. She hates the Northern Flame people with a passion; how could she possibly marry into Northern Flame?"
Consort Xian rose, her voice cold. "Absolutely not! The Northern Flame people are barbaric and fierce. If you go, you'll be gnawed down to the bone. Pingyang, living this half-dead existence, might as well go to Northern Flame instead."
Jun Wan retorted, "Mother Concubine, why don't you understand? A marriage alliance between two nations is a matter of immense importance. If Imperial Sister goes, it won't be an alliance; it'll be an enmity!"
Consort Xian cared nothing for matters of immense importance; she was simply a mother. She had no desire for her daughter to leave home and marry into a strange land, where she would suffer grievances with no one to stand up for her.
"There's no discussing this. If you dare utter such words in front of your Imperial Father, I will disown you!" Consort Xian said coldly.
"Mother Concubine!"
Consort Xian softened her voice, saying, "Child, you don't understand how cruel the people of Northern Flame are. And I heard their Crown Prince is incredibly ugly, built like an ox, and even eats raw human flesh and drinks human blood. If you marry him, do you think you'll have a good life?"
Jun Wan was dumbfounded. "R-really?"
She had only known that Northern Flame people were tall and burly, not as refined as Tianqi's people.
But when she saw Northern Flame's Seventh Princess, Baili Xue, she felt that the rumors couldn't be trusted. Baili Xue was very beautiful, just a little taller than Tianqi girls.
Consort Xian said, "Would Mother Concubine lie to you? As soon as I heard the rumor, I went to inquire about it thoroughly."
Jun Wan fell silent.
"Don't speak of this again. Mother Concubine will go see your Imperial Father later, sound him out. Let whoever wants to go, go. But you, you absolutely cannot!"
Consort Xian entered the inner chambers. After redressing and re-combing her hair, she had her Senior Palace Maid carry a food box and then headed towards the Imperial Study.
The Emperor saw her enter and already knew her purpose.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, these are new pastries from the Imperial Study. They are quite delicious. Your Majesty must be tired from reading memorials; please rest for a while."
The Emperor set down the memorial in his hand. "You wish to ask about Northern Flame's marriage proposal, don't you?"
Consort Xian gave an awkward smile. "Since Your Majesty has seen through it, this concubine will not beat around the bush. This concubine wishes to know which princess Your Majesty intends to marry off."
Before the Emperor could speak, Consort Xian continued, "This concubine believes Princess Pingyang is the most suitable. After all, she is no longer young and has been living in the past for a dead man, which undermines the royal demeanor. This marriage proposal from Northern Flame is a good opportunity; perhaps it could even be a felicitous union!"
The Emperor slanted a glance at her. Consort Xian's words were overly self-serving.
Noticing the Emperor's displeasure, Consort Xian added, "This concubine knows His Majesty feels for Pingyang, and this concubine also feels for her. Losing her mother at such a young age, this concubine watched her grow up. But rather than see her grow old and die in the palace like this, it would be better to marry her off to Northern Flame; perhaps she might even find another destiny..."
The Emperor cut her off. "You needn't worry about Princess Zhaoyang. The Northern Flame envoys specifically requested Pingyang to marry them, and they are offering the position of Northern Flame's Crown Princess."
Consort Xian froze, then breathed a sigh of relief.
Although it was the position of Northern Flame's Crown Princess, a future Queen of a nation, it was hard to say if she would even live until then.
She had heard that the Northern Flame people intensely disliked outsiders from other countries, and there had never been a precedent of someone from another country becoming their Empress.
"That's good, that's good. Then this concubine can rest assured."
Seeing the Emperor's cold gaze upon her, Consort Xian added, "This concubine meant that perhaps Pingyang's destiny lies precisely with the Northern Flame Crown Prince."
The Emperor said coldly, "You may leave. I have memorials to review."
Consort Xian quickly bowed and withdrew.
She knew her actions would displease the Emperor, but what else could she do?
There were only two princesses in the palace; if not Pingyang, it would have to be her daughter. For her daughter's sake, she could only worry more.
She had no great aspirations in this life. She only hoped her two children would be safe and sound.
Ce'er's devotion to nature, she thought was quite good; let him be a wealthy idler.
As for Wan'er, it would be good if she could find a like-minded person and live a stable life.
The Emperor watched her leave, then rubbed his temples.
If Tianqi weren't currently at war and truly lacked the energy to deal with Northern Flame, he would not have married Pingyang off.
He knew how much Pingyang hated the Northern Flame people.
He also didn't understand why Northern Flame had specified Pingyang, and he heard it was Northern Flame's Crown Prince, Wanyan Cheng, who had personally requested her.
They said that if he agreed to this marriage, Northern Flame would supply Tianqi with warhorses and weapons. What if he didn't agree?
Northern Flame's threat at this time was indeed a headache, and he had no choice but to agree.
He rose and walked out, his Imperial Attendant quickly following.
Unconsciously, he arrived outside a palace wall. A mournful zither melody drifted from within the hall.
The Emperor stepped inside. A palace servant was about to bow but was stopped by him.
Jun Fei sensed someone and looked up, immediately rising to bow.
"Pingyang greets Imperial Father!"
"Rise. I merely strolled here unintentionally and came to see you."
Jun Fei rose and personally poured a cup of tea for the Emperor.
"Imperial Father looks troubled; what vexes you?"
The Emperor looked at his serene daughter and sighed.
Jun Fei lowered her eyes, stating calmly, "Is Imperial Father troubled by Northern Flame's envoys' marriage proposal?"
Though she usually paid no heed to outside affairs, she had overheard some of the palace maids' discussions these past few days.
"Imperial Father, just let your daughter go!"
The Emperor looked at her in surprise.
"You..."
"Imperial Father, as a princess of the imperial family, your daughter has a responsibility to protect the nation's people. In the past, I was too willful, relying on Imperial Father's favor." Jun Fei spoke calmly.
If she didn't go, her imperial sister would have to.
She had given up hope in this life. To Northern Flame, then to Northern Flame.
The Emperor looked at his daughter with relief. "Pingyang has grown up. Don't worry, I will send more Imperial Guards with you to Northern Flame, and I will absolutely not let you suffer any grievances there."
Jun Fei bowed, "Thank you, Imperial Father. Has the wedding date been set?"
"Next month. So, in about ten days, you will depart. I will have your Third Imperial Brother escort you."
Pingyang's eyes flickered. So soon?
When the news of Princess Pingyang's marriage alliance with Northern Flame spread, the court officials were somewhat surprised.
But then they thought, it made sense.
Princess Zhaoyang had Consort Xian to maneuver for her within the palace; she was certainly better off than Princess Pingyang.
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