"So, if that's the case, Emperor Zhao doesn't seem very intelligent, but does that really have such a big impact?"
Wei Xiangxun finally understood.
But he still felt it might be a bit exaggerated.
Could such a small matter, like the issue of a princess's rank, have such a profound and far-reaching effect?
"It will. Once a person is perceived as weak and easily bullied, those with ill intentions will invariably try to take advantage of them for their own gain.
Nations are no different.
My only concern now is whether Emperor Zhao will secretly send people to intercept Princess Anping halfway and kill her, preventing her from officially entering our Wei imperial palace as a consort.
If he were to do so, it would mean he's not entirely foolish. But if we can return safely to Wei, then we won't need to worry about Zhao. We can accumulate strength for a few years and then launch another offensive, perhaps even conquering Zhao. Therefore, we need to be cautious moving forward.
This is also why I didn't allow the maids sent by Zhao to attend to Princess Anping, but instead assigned our own people. I feared the maids sent by Zhao might be problematic. They might not be capable of assassinating us, but they could certainly assassinate Princess Anping.
Or secretly poison her to death.
It would be absolutely effortless."
Du Kui's explanation was undoubtedly blunt, so blunt that Wei Xiangxun, who hadn't received much of this kind of education, turned pale. His voice trembled slightly with fear as he asked, "How is that possible? Even tigers don't eat their cubs!
Isn't Princess Anping Emperor Zhao's own daughter? How could he… how could he do that?"
"Your Highness, have you not read history books?
Do the accounts of patricide and fratricide in the historical records, the struggles for succession, not suffice to make you understand that there is no familial affection in royal courts? Let alone a princess born to an unfavored empress he has already deposed, even a son would be no different. Looking at Emperor Zhao's actions over the years,
He is not someone who is swayed by emotions.
The saying 'a day of marriage creates a hundred days of grace' also exists, yet did he show any mercy to his legally wedded Empress?
Furthermore, I have investigated something else: Empress Qi, Emperor Zhao's disgraced empress and Princess Anping's birth mother, committed suicide nine days ago.
If nothing unexpected occurs, she likely intended to use her own life as a sacrifice to allow her daughter to observe mourning rites, thereby avoiding this marriage alliance. However, Empress Qi miscalculated.
Her death has been kept secret by Emperor Zhao.
It is estimated that it will only be announced to the public when we are far away, perhaps even after we have crossed Zhao's borders.
This is to ensure his daughter can smoothly accompany us and see us off. Such a person would not hesitate to kill his own children, let alone simply give an order. Of course, this is merely my speculation; the specifics will depend on what happens next.
Your Highness, prior to this, I don't know what you have learned, but if you wish to contend for the throne, you must read more history books and study Sun Tzu.
Being too naive and still wanting to participate in the succession struggle will only harm you, and by extension, the Consort, and those who follow you.
This is all I can say for now."
At this moment, Du Kui was beginning to doubt whether his father-in-law and Imperial Consort's alliance to push the Fourth Prince for succession was the right decision. He also doubted whether the Imperial Consort, having raised the Fourth Prince to be so naive, truly intended for him to contend for the throne, or merely to lead all his allies to ruin.
It seemed he would have to have a serious talk with his father-in-law.
Fortunately, this trip was merely for the Fourth Prince to gain some experience by his side, not for him to lead this peace talk. If the Fourth Prince were to lead, he dared not imagine the consequences.
However, Wei Xiangxun did not notice Du Kui's disappointment. He was still stunned by Du Kui's words.
Du Kui, of course, had no desire to continue the conversation.
He immediately clasped his hands in farewell and returned to his carriage.
...
Meanwhile, Ding Yun stopped eavesdropping.
That's right, even with several carriages between them, Ding Yun, relying on her body, which had been enhanced seven or eight times, possessed super hearing that allowed her to move and perceive at will.
She could easily hear their conversation.
The surge of strength and invulnerability brought by the 'Gluttony System's' enhancements were merely the most obvious characteristics. In reality, these enhancements were comprehensive, from the inside out.
Whether it was vision, hearing, or other senses, Ding Yun felt as if she had superpowers.
Her ears could easily pick up all sounds within eight hundred meters, and she could even filter, distinguish, and block them at will.
Her eyesight wasn't comparable to a thousand-mile eye,
But she could still see clearly for more than ten li.
Most importantly, it was clarity; not just seeing a person from afar within ten li, but being able to clearly discern that person's appearance.
So, overhearing a conversation was effortless.
"I knew the Wei envoys didn't initially propose a marriage alliance. Why did they suddenly bring it up after being here for a few days? So, it was this fellow's doing.
His sudden whim and test.
It directly cost the original host and her mother their lives.
Alas, but he can't be entirely blamed. Wars between nations are inherently life-or-death struggles and mutual tests. He probably didn't expect Zhao Jun to agree so readily."
"However, Du Kui should have discerned the outcome. The court officials of Zhao have no intention of uniting against a common enemy. They are all busy cooperating with the daughters and granddaughters in the harem, vying for influence and the position of Crown Prince.
The consequences of the late Emperor marrying so many daughters of high officials and noble families as concubines to Zhao Jun have finally come to pass. The harem's struggles inevitably affect the court, and the court's struggles inevitably affect the harem. Zhao Jun believed he could balance the court by manipulating the harem, but the old foxes on the court were also thinking of influencing the succession through their own power.
Currently, the Left Prime Minister has allied with Zhao Jun.
Therefore, his daughter has become the new Empress.
However, his daughter is childless. In contrast, the daughter of Duke Anguo has now become a Noble Consort and already has an eldest son. Alas, it seems there will be much contention in the Zhao court.
I fear that without me lifting a finger,
They will destroy themselves..."
"Oh, and Zhao Jun's harsh treatment of Duke Zhenguo, who died on the battlefield. Not only were his entire family exiled, but even his sister, who was the Empress, and his niece, who possessed half the imperial bloodline, were not spared. One was deposed, and the other is to be married to the Wei Emperor as a concubine.
It is likely that both Duke Zhenguo's former subordinates and the newly appointed border troops and generals are disheartened. They might even fear suffering the same fate.
That is why for the past six months, they have only been attempting to contain the Golden Tent Royal Court, and have dared not confront them head-on.
It's probably because they fear defeat. If they lose, their own deaths might not matter, but they could implicate their families and children. So, it's better to try and contain them, maintaining a delicate balance."
One must admit, some things are only truly understood when analyzed. After analyzing, Ding Yun felt that if Zhao continued like this, it wouldn't last long...
If even a few natural disasters occurred, it would likely lead to widespread chaos, a change of dynasty, or outright conquest by neighboring countries.
Thinking of this, Ding Yun suddenly felt a sense of urgency. She needed to hurry. What if she hadn't accumulated enough strength by the time Zhao destroyed itself? How would she exact her revenge and conquer the nation then?
Although the original host's request did not specifically state that she had to take action herself, revenge, of course, felt most satisfying when carried out personally. If Zhao were to collapse on its own, it would be akin to the revenge of outliving one's sworn enemy, which would be too boring.
It would even lead to a sense of profound disappointment.