Ten years later, the Empress of Chang Jiu went on an imperial tour with Xue Xingchen, the Crown Prince of Chang Jiu, in his tenth year.
Five years passed, and they had not returned.
The Crown Prince of Chang Jiu, Xue Xingchen, sent people to search for them, but all efforts were in vain.
Under the extreme urging of the court officials, the Crown Prince of Chang Jiu subsequently ascended the throne, becoming the Emperor of Chang Jiu. The national era was changed to Xingchen, historically known as the Xingchen Dynasty.
In the third year of Xingchen, a small country named Qi appeared to the north of Xingchen.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor of Qi was exceedingly bold and dispatched the Prince of Nanping to attack Zhen Wuguan.
At that time, there was no one in the court capable of leading troops to repel the enemy. As Emperor Xingchen was at a loss, Princess Xingyue, who was only thirteen years old, requested to lead the troops to drive back the enemy.
Emperor Xingchen refused, but Princess Xingyue knelt and pleaded for the decree.
Three days later, Emperor Xingchen agreed to Princess Xingyue's request.
Princess Xingyue, only thirteen years old, led an army of one hundred thousand to Zhen Wuguan. A year later, the Qi forces retreated, and Princess Xingyue remained at Zhen Wuguan.
Several imperial edicts from Emperor Xingchen were unable to summon her back.
Year five of Xingchen
Zhen Wuguan
The city was illuminated by candlelight, and the people stayed up all night.
In the General's Mansion
A woman sat boldly on a chair, holding a wine bowl in one hand and playing finger-guessing games with the soldiers below.
However, this pleasant atmosphere was soon disturbed. A eunuch walked in and stood before the woman, saying, "Princess, His Majesty's imperial edict has been here for four days. If you do not accept it, this servant can only disturb your enjoyment and die here."
Upon hearing this, the woman lifted her head from the wine bowl, which was large enough to fit her entire face. A face as beautiful as a flower appeared. Although her eyes were a little hazy, it did not diminish their natural luster, like bright pearls, dazzling and brilliant.
She blinked and said, "Eunuch Wei, must you bring up this disappointing matter on Zhen Wuguan Day?" Da Feng Novel Network
Eunuch Wei replied, "My Princess, this servant does not wish to, but if I indulge you, and when I return to the capital, do you think His Majesty will spare this servant? Please be merciful and accept this imperial edict!"
The woman unhappily placed the wine bowl on the table and looked at Eunuch Wei, saying, "Alright, alright, I'll accept it."
Eunuch Wei was overjoyed and quickly opened the imperial edict. Everyone in the mansion knelt down, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees, Princess Xingyue, being wise and virtuous, brave and peerless, is a perfect match for Meng Jiangming, the heir of the Duke of Ning's estate. Their talents and beauty are a match made in heaven. Therefore, a marriage is bestowed. Respect this!"
"What? An imperial edict for a bestowed marriage? I won't accept it, I won't accept it, no, I feel dizzy. Feng Jiu, quickly help me to my room to rest." Saying this, she leaned towards the ground and was steadily caught by someone.
Just as Eunuch Wei was about to intercept, another person blocked his way. "Eunuch Wei, the Princess is not feeling well, and the imperial edict has already been delayed for these few days. Why not delay it for one more night?"
"Feng Wu, if you do this, are you not afraid that this humble servant will report back to His Majesty?" Eunuch Wei raised his eyebrows and looked at Feng Wu.
Feng Wu smiled naughtily and said, "Eunuch Wei, you wouldn't dare! You care for the Princess the most. Otherwise, how could this imperial edict have been delayed here for four days?"
Eunuch Wei sighed, "Your Princess has taken advantage of my affection for her, and now she is lawless."
"Eunuch Wei, you also know that the Princess does not wish to marry so early."
"His Majesty also has no choice. Many people in the court are pressuring His Majesty, saying that the Princess has reached the age for marriage and should be married."
"What does it matter to those old fools whether the Princess gets married or not?" Feng Wu was somewhat displeased. What did the court have to do with the Princess's marriage?
Eunuch Wei whispered, "It's just that those people believe His Majesty is in poor health, and the Princess is deliberately not marrying and not returning to the capital. They fear the Princess has rebellious intentions."
"Those old fools, why do they think such useless thoughts? If the Princess coveted that position, why would she..."
"Be careful, walls have ears," Eunuch Wei suddenly stopped Feng Wu.
Feng Wu sighed, "If the Princess finds out, she will surely be heartbroken."
"Therefore, the Princess may not be able to disobey this imperial edict," Eunuch Wei said.
"Alright, then I will go and persuade the Princess!" Feng Wu said.
Eunuch Wei nodded and said, "The Princess is no longer young. She will be fourteen after the New Year. At this age, she should indeed find someone to treat her well."
Feng Wu was slightly taken aback and said nothing more, walking directly in.
"Is the Princess asleep?" Feng Wu asked.
Feng Jiu nodded and then asked, "What did Eunuch Wei say?"
Feng Wu was startled and said, "It's just those old fools..."
"Let's talk outside!" Feng Jiu glanced at the Princess sleeping on the bed and said softly.
After Feng Wu and Feng left, the person who had been sound asleep suddenly opened her eyes. They were exceptionally clear, and there was no trace of drunkenness in her gaze.
A bestowed marriage?
Her gaze dimmed slightly. Suddenly, a figure flashed outside the door, and then someone pushed the door open and walked in. She instinctively leaped up, grabbing the person's wrist, "Who are you?"
Before she could finish speaking, she felt a crisp aura, followed by a dizzying sensation. By the time she reacted, she was already pinned down by this person. "What are you doing?"
"I want you." His voice was deep, yet exceptionally pleasant. His breath sprayed on her face, and she could feel that fiery gaze fixed on her in the darkness. His cool lips, with a hint of crispness, entered her mouth. She trembled all over, wanting to strike, but found her hands tightly restrained. "Do you know who I am?"
"I don't."
"Then you still dare to want me?"
"No matter who you are, I can afford to want you."
Hearing this, she curled her lips into a smile, "This is excellent."
He felt that the person beneath him seemed very happy. Although he couldn't see her face in the darkness, he could sense the brilliance emanating from her eyes. In a moment of distraction, the person beneath him suddenly flipped over, and he tried to strike, but found his hands bound.
"Let go of me," he commanded in a low voice.
Her hand lightly patted his face, and he heard her low laughter, "You've entered my room, so you're mine. How can I let you go? I was originally thinking of finding someone to end my chastity. Now that you've delivered yourself, why wouldn't I accept the gift?"
"What do you want to do?" he asked coldly. From a young age, he had been repulsed by women's proximity. However, he found that this time, he did not reject her closeness at all. Regardless of whether he was under the influence of some drug or something else, he felt no discomfort.
"My good boy, what do you think I want to do?" she whispered in his ear.