When the Yan Emperor raised his army at Ning Dong, he posthumously titled Xian Kao as Taizu, his mother Wei shi as Empress Dowager, his sister Jiang Miya as Great Princess Royal.
When Empress Dowager Wei was young, she had left her home to marry into Liaodong. Taizu was always on the campaign trail and died young. It was her mother who took the place of her father and raised a pair of children by herself. It could be said that Jiang Huai Ying's path of imperial power was mostly due to her influence.
Jiang Miya wasn't a normal woman. When the Yan Emperor expanded his territory and attacked the Central Plains, he had countless generals under his command. If Changping Wang Liu Shining was first, then this Princess Royal's contributions were at least in the top ten. How many women in this world dared to charge into the front lines and kill the enemy on the battlefield? Jiang Miya wasn't good at leading troops, but in terms of bravery, no one could match her. Due to this, her reputation in the military was very high and she was highly respected.
What was worth mentioning was that this female luocha of high status had eyes at the top of her head and a fiery temper. She was over twenty-five but still unmarried. Empress Dowager Wei worried herself to death for her precious daughter's marriage.
On the way to Jing, Empress Dowager Wei gave Jiang Miya a final ultimatum — — "When we get to An Ling, no matter what, you have to find me a fuma to marry. If you still don't want to marry, I'll get your imperial brother to find you a beggar to live!"
Jiang Miya felt a headache when she heard her talk about this. She jumped off the carriage as though she was escaping, "I'm going outside to ride a horse for some fresh air. You can rest."
Empress Dowager Wei was exasperated. After pausing for a while, she sent someone to invite the Imperial Tutor. The carriage was spacious and Empress Dowager Wei didn't have any reservations. When Liu Yan came, she let him into the carriage to talk. By now, everyone knew that the Yan Country had an all-powerful Imperial Tutor. But other than the Yan Emperor, very few people knew that he was the famous Yun Hua Yi Zi.
Empress Dowager Wei was looking for him for an old matter.
"In the chaos of war, it wasn't good to consider relationships. Now that the world is settled, I have a matter that hasn't been resolved. I hope that the Imperial Tutor can fulfill it."
Before Empress Dowager Wei spoke, Liu Yan had guessed what she was going to say. It was to be a matchmaker for the Eldest Princess, to propose marriage to his son. So he smiled but didn't speak. Using his hand as a pen, he dipped it in tea and wrote on the tea table — — "Don't force it."
His vocal cords were damaged, so he wouldn't speak easily.
Empress Dowager Wei glanced and grimaced: "If it wasn't that Hua Lan, that girl, is so stubborn, this old woman wouldn't have the face to ask for help. I'm afraid that if her heart is on Shi Ning, she won't be able to get what she wants in the future, and will cause great trouble."
Liu Yan shook his head. "The roots of this disaster have long been planted, it cannot be avoided."
Empress Dowager Wei was shocked. She knew that the Imperial Preceptor's divinations were all accurate and hurriedly asked: "Imperial Preceptor, please speak."
'A match made in heaven.' Liu Yan only wrote these four words before she cupped her hands and excused herself. Empress Dowager Wei couldn't keep him and could only watch as the line of water on the table disappeared, her brows furrowed in thought.
"A match made in heaven? Does this mean that Liu Shining already has a good marriage fate? "
Liu Yan returned to his carriage, shaking his head and sighing. Seeing this, Zhao Xiaozhu couldn't help but ask, "Yifu, what did the Empress Dowager say to you? Look at how worried you are. "
Liu Yan thought to herself, how could he not be worried? That clever son of his had an infatuated heart. He had long been deeply in love with that ill-fated little shimei of his. But he had provoked the Princess Royal, this peach blossom, and buried the root of his disaster.
A few days ago, he had divined for Xue Rui. He had divined that he would have a calamity of love in the near future. If he could safely pass it, his path of love would naturally be smooth sailing. If he couldn't escape the calamity, he would end up a lonely man.
He couldn't say it. He couldn't point it out to Empress Dowager Wei. Xue Rui and Jiang Miya had an ill-fated relationship. When the two met, it would be a miracle if they didn't become enemies. How could they be husband and wife?
Just as Liu Yan was worrying, Empress Dowager Wei's carriage passed through Purple Thorn Pass and slowly entered the Jing region.
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Under Xue Rui's enlistment plan, in a few short days, many officials from the previous court came to surrender. After handing over a letter of recommendation (proof of allegiance), they either stayed in Jing and were reinstated, or moved out of Jing and took up their new posts.
In one day, the Emperor of Yan sent down multiple Imperial Decrees, rewarding the three armies and bestowing titles to those who had performed meritorious deeds. The one that attracted the most attention was undoubtedly Xue Rui. In order to show off his merits, the Emperor of Yan disregarded the voices of the minority and forcefully removed one word from his title of Changping Wang, bestowing him the title of "Ping Wang". He became a king that was on the same level as the title, causing Xue Rui to be above the other officials and become the first person in court.
Since ancient times, there had been many rulers who burned the bridge after crossing the river. It had always been that when the cunning hare was killed, the hound would be cooked, and when the birds were killed, the fine bow would be hidden. Yet the Emperor of Yan came from a military family. He had a heart of righteousness and couldn't do such a treacherous thing. Even more, his heart was like a clear mirror. He knew that the present situation was unstable and the people were in turmoil. It wasn't someone like Xue Rui who could help him stabilize the country. So he didn't doubt the people he used.
The Emperor of Yan was righteous. Xue Rui knew his own limits. The day after he was bestowed the title of Ping Wang, he went to the palace to hand over the commander's seal. Without hesitation, he handed over the power to move a hundred thousand troops at will. This was a wise move. He had the world, and the Emperor didn't hold back his thoughts. If he kept the military power, it would only cause the Emperor to be suspicious. The disadvantages were greater than the advantages. Even more, his foundation in the military was strong. He didn't need that commander's seal. There were many of his former subordinates that obeyed his orders.
The Emperor of Yan took back his military power but reassured him to continue leading the Shen Ji Camp. He also bestowed him a Red Calligraphy Iron Plaque, also known as the Death Exemption Medallion.
The day that Empress Dowager Wei arrived in Jing, the Emperor of Yan personally went to the city gates to welcome her as a sign of filial piety. Xue Rui was among them. Thousands of troops lined the road to welcome them. The scene was grand. After so many years, Empress Dowager Wei once again stepped into An Ling City. Her mood was completely different from years ago. She still remembered that the two of them, mother and daughter, had been trapped in Jing City. Under Xue Rui's cunning, they had barely escaped and had the noble status they had today.
Empress Dowager Wei wasn't an ungrateful person. She was grateful to Xue Rui. So even though she knew that Jiang Qiya loved him, she couldn't force him to marry her daughter.
The Emperor of Yan welcomed the Empress Dowager back to the palace. Mother and son had things to say so they dismissed the others.
"Muhou must be tired from the journey. Zhen has already ordered people to clean out the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful for you to stay."
"My son is still the most filial," Empress Dowager Wei pulled his hand and patted it. She couldn't help but complain: "Not like your royal sister. It's like I owed her in my previous life. I can't stop worrying."
The Emperor of Yan smiled: "Did Hua Lan make you angry again? Zhen will definitely teach her a lesson later. "
Empress Dowager Wei took the chance to bring up the proper matter, "If you have the heart, why don't you go and persuade that good brother of yours. Men should marry when they are of age. No matter how bad Hua Lan is, she is still the princess of our Great Yan Country. Is she not good enough for him?"
The Emperor of Yan instantly showed a troubled expression, wanting to speak but stopping.
Empress Dowager Wei glanced at him, "She only has one sister. You aren't willing to make a decision for her?"
The Yan Emperor had no choice but to tell the truth, "It's not that I don't want to help her, but Shining already has someone he likes. He came to me just a few days ago, pleading earnestly for me to help him. Mother, you have never seen him like that. If I don't allow it, he might just resign and follow that woman to the ends of the earth. Zhen's foundation is not strong and is in need of people. How can he be left out? There was no other way, so I could only grant his marriage. "
Empress Dowager Wei gaped. A long while later, she found her voice: "Where did this kind of woman come from? From your tone, it seems that he has been bewitched by someone?"
The Emperor of Yan was unwilling to divulge too much about Xue Rui's private affairs, so he told her, "It's not like you're unaware of Shining's background. Back when he was still in the capital, he had already made a vow of eternal love with that woman. Now that they've reunited, it's only natural that they continue their former fate."
Empress Dowager Wei laughed in anger, "Since he already had a marriage, why didn't he tell Hua Lan earlier? He made my son wait bitterly!"
The Emperor of Yan slightly furrowed his brows and said disapprovingly: "Didn't Shi Ning reject Huang Mei at the start? He didn't say it out of consideration for his daughter's face. It was Hua Lan's one-sided wish. How can he be blamed for this?" If Xue Rui and Jiang Qiu Ya had any feelings for each other in these years, he wouldn't have allowed Xue Rui to marry someone else. But he had seen with his own eyes that Xue Rui had retreated from Jiang Qiu Ya and there was no ambiguity.
Xue Rui had gone through life and death with him. The two had treated each other with sincerity and a deep brotherly love. Today, he sat on the country. If he couldn't share half with him, was he going to interfere with his marriage? Wasn't that laughable!
Empress Dowager Wei saw his expression wasn't right and knew that her son, the Emperor, placed great importance on Xue Rui. She couldn't force it. After some thought, she softened her tone and discussed with him: "How about this. If he has someone he likes, let him take her as a concubine. Also marry Hua Lan to him. It's the best of both worlds, and no one will be affected."
But when the Emperor of Yan heard her idea, he instantly roared with laughter and asked her in response: "Does Muhou know who the woman Shi Ning likes is?"
Empress Dowager Wei shook her head in puzzlement.
The Emperor of Yan told her: "That woman used to be the Celestial Commissioner of the previous dynasty, a first-grade official. She was once below one and above tens of thousands, famous in the world and known by everyone. If you want such a peerless and wondrous woman to be a concubine, zhen is afraid that it will attract the curses of the world. As the saying goes, a scholar can be killed, but not humiliated. "
Empress Dowager Wei was stunned.
The Yan Emperor held her arm and advised in a low voice, "You don't have to worry too much about this. I will pay attention to Hua Lan's marriage and choose a good husband for her. Even if he can't compare to Shining, he won't be too far off. Muhou must be tired. Zhen will send you to rest. There will be a banquet in the palace tomorrow to welcome you. You will be able to attend when the time comes. "
Having convinced Empress Dowager Wei, the Emperor of Yan released a long breath. He thought that he had done a good deed for his sworn didi. He was very proud inside, but it was a pity that he had no way to show it.
When Empress Dowager Wei came to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, she didn't have the heart to admire the luxurious beauty of the palace. After she calmed down and thought, she quickly came out of her dilemma. It was true that she wanted Xue Rui to be her son-in-law, but as a woman, she was experienced. How could she not know that if a husband and wife wanted to live happily, they first had to have feelings. A melon that was forcefully twisted wasn't sweet. Xue Rui's heart already belonged to someone else. If she forced him to marry Jiang Miya, it would only have the opposite effect.
Thinking this through, Empress Dowager Wei didn't have anything else to worry about. She put down the thought and sent someone to find Jiang Miya. She prepared to explain everything to her. Short pain was better than long pain. No matter what, she had to make her give up on Xue Rui.
On the other side, Jiang Miya had just changed her clothes and was planning to leave the palace to find Xue Rui when she was stopped. She unwillingly came to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful.
"Muhou."
Empress Dowager Wei waved her hand and had her sit next to her. She waved away the palace maids in the hall and let her drink a mouthful of cold tea to calm her mind. She then said in a roundabout manner: "An Ling City isn't as big as Dadou. There are many talented youths. You don't like martial artists. Muhou will let your imperial brother pick a person to be your fuma who is skilled in both the pen and the sword. What do you think?"
Jiang Miya was tired of hearing all this on the way here. Adding on that she was thinking about Xue Rui, she couldn't help but become irritated: "I don't think so. Most of the men in this world are useless. How many are worthy of me? Do you have to force me to marry? Fine, I'll tell you directly. Other than Liu Shining, I don't want anyone else! "
Empress Dowager Wei's head hurt. She suppressed her anger and sneered: "You like the other, but the other has to like you. If he, Liu Shining, liked you at all, even if ben gong had to press down on his head, I would make him marry you. But tell me, where does he seem to like you at all?"
Facing her own mother's merciless exposure, Jiang Miya was both embarrassed and angry. Her neck was red as she retorted angrily: "I don't care if he likes me or not, as long as I like him, it's fine. If he doesn't marry for the rest of his life, I won't marry for the rest of my life. The matters between him and me, you don't need to care!"
Empress Dowager Wei almost fainted. One hand pressed against her chest, the other pointing at her. She said in a trembling voice: "You unfilial daughter, for an outsider, you are shouting at your mother. You really are lawless! Fine, fine, fine, I'll tell you the truth. He already has someone in his heart and doesn't care about you at all. Your imperial brother has already approved his marriage. Don't have any wishful thinking. "
Jiang Miya jumped up, glaring with a pair of crimson eyes, "Nonsense, I don't believe it!"
Empress Dowager Wei fiercely slammed her palm on the tea table, shaking the cups and plates on the tray, "If you don't believe it, go ask him yourself. Would I lie to you?"
Jiang Miya turned and left. Her steps were fast. Once she left Ci Ning Palace, she started to run. She wanted to rush in front of Xue Rui in the blink of an eye to ask if it was true.
Empress Dowager Wei was very angry with her and didn't have the energy to restrain her. She thought that it was good to let her make a fuss. It would be best if she and Xue Rui became enemies and never interacted again. That would be less worrying.
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Jiang Miya left the palace gates and found out that Xue Rui was staying at Ding Bo Hall. She whipped her horse and hurried over. She went to the door but found nothing. The guard at the door told her that Xue Rui hadn't returned to the fu. When asked about his whereabouts, he said he didn't know.
Today she had just returned to the capital, her eyes were completely black, how could she find him? She stood outside the Dingbo Building for a while, the more anxious she became, the more angry she became, the more hateful she became. She was so hateful that her teeth itched. She thought: if Xue Rui really had a sweetheart, she would definitely whip that vixen to death. She dared to snatch her man, she was really courting death!
At this time, a fast horse galloped over and stopped at the gates. A familiar person jumped off the horse. It was Xue Rui's vice general, Sha Liao. Jiang Miya recognized the boy and instantly extended her whip to block his path.
"Pu-Princess?"
"Where is Liu Shining?"
Sha Liao blankly replied: "Wang ye left the city to return to the camp."
Jiang Miya frowned, wondering why Xue Rui would run out of the city in broad daylight. So, she dragged him to a corner and interrogated him. Sha Liao had been whipped by her before, so he was a little afraid to confront her. But soon he told the truth.
"His Majesty asked Wang ye to recruit some officials from the previous dynasty. There was a female minister among them. It was said that she was very capable, but she would rather die than submit to Great Yan. Wang ye cherished talents, so he locked her in the camp and went back to persuade her every day."
"A woman?" Jiang Miya narrowed her eyes and said in an unfriendly tone. She thought to herself, 'This female minister is most likely the vixen who seduced Xue Rui!'
Sha Liao nodded his head. He was a fool who could rarely read people's expressions. He could tell that the First Princess was in a bad mood. Taking advantage of the moment when she was lost in thought, he quietly moved to the side and was about to run away.
Jiang Miya raised her eyelids and pulled him back by his ear. She said with a cold voice, "Where are you going? Tell me everything about that vixen before you leave. "
"Where... where did this vixen come from? My dear princess, Wang ye has ordered me to do something important. Please be merciful and spare me this time. "Sha Liao covered his ear and begged for mercy.
"Don't play dumb with me. Let me ask you, when did that vixen seduce Liu Shining?"
Only then did Sha Liao realize who she was scolding as' vixen '. He was dumbfounded and said, "I... I... I don't know."
Jiang Miya used all her strength to pinch his ear. Gnashing her teeth, she said, "Then you should at least know that fox spirit's surname and name, and what she looks like." "Ao ao, I know, I know, I know, she is the previous dynasty's Imperial Astronomer, Yu Shu!"
"Yu Shu?" Jiang Miya suddenly raised her voice, "Yu Lianfang?"
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