Starting with Intercepting and Marrying the Eldest Princess - Chapter 24.1

Chapter 24.1: “Do You Want to Die, Pei Shujing?!”…

Since the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taiji Dian) has always been the main hall, the place where the Emperor held court sessions and various grand ceremonies.

The palace buildings were bright, and the palace gates magnificent.

East and west crisscrossed, south and north were towering.

As the saying goes, if one does not see the grandeur of the imperial residence, how can one know the reverence of the Son of Heaven?

The place where the Son of Heaven resided was grand, majestic, and luxurious. Those who came here for the first time couldn’t help but be shocked by the magnificent scene, consequently feeling a sense of inferiority.

Xie Ning was the exception.

She had seen too many splendid and gorgeous buildings.

In the eyes of modern people, ancient palaces were merely so-so.

Today was her first day on duty. Xie Ning led the Vermillion Bird Camp to the Imperial Palace early in the morning.

After their heart-to-heart talk yesterday, their relationship had changed from mutual defense to cooperative partnership.

The Grand Princess wanted to become Empress, and Xie Ning wanted the Grand Princess to become Empress.

So, she started arranging things right away.

Five hundred Vermillion Bird soldiers were not many, but they were perfectly sufficient when placed in the right positions.

For example, the gates of the Imperial Palace, the gates of the inner court, the Imperial Study, and the Hall of Supreme Harmony. She also arranged three teams to patrol back and forth inside the Imperial Palace along the roads.

As for herself, she took Liang Cheng and his men to follow the Emperor. Wherever the Emperor went, she went. Except for the inner court, where she couldn’t enter, normally, even if the Emperor went to the latrine, he had to have Liang Cheng and his men watching.

The pretext was to protect the Emperor.

As for the Emperor’s feelings?

No one cared.

In short, half a month passed like this…

In the evening, with the lanterns newly lit, the three Grand Secretaries were still working overtime.

The Ministers of the Six Boards were also present. Although the matter didn’t concern most of them, how could they leave when the big leaders hadn’t? They had to stay put.

At this time, Xue Hanyan pondered for a moment, pointed to the document presented by the Ministry of War, and said: “Li Yi, the Heir of the Marquis of Zhenbei (North-Pacifying Marquis), wants to return to the capital for a duty report. What do you think?”

The Minister of War considered: “The north is currently stable, and the Xiongnu (Huns/Northern Nomads) dare not invade. It so happens that it will be the Marquis of Zhenbei’s birthday soon, so the Young Marquis wishes to return to the capital. Your subordinate believes that with the autumn harvest approaching, we must not give the Xiongnu any opportunity to raid our borders.”

Wang Yan smiled: “Our Great Xia governs the world with filial piety. If you don’t allow the Marquis of Zhenbei’s good son to come to the capital for his birthday, aren’t you afraid of being drowned in others’ spit?”

The Minister of War choked.

Xue Hanyan stroked his beard: “If he were only returning for the birthday banquet, it would be nothing. I fear he has ulterior motives.”

As soon as this was said, everyone’s gaze immediately fixed on their toes, as if they hadn’t heard anything.

Since the “Meridian Gate Incident,” the Emperor’s prestige had plummeted. He held court for a few days, unwilling to give up, only to find that no one listened to him anymore. So, today, he simply stopped holding court, handing all matters over to the three Grand Secretaries.

No one disliked the fruit of power, especially Xue Hanyan.

However, Xue Hanyan was somewhat puzzled that Wang Yan, the fox, could tolerate not picking this fruit, smiling every day, God knows what he was thinking.

As for the other Grand Secretary, surnamed Hu, Grand Secretary Hu was advanced in years and lacked the spirit to manage affairs. When he submitted his third resignation memorial, he could retire and recuperate at home.

Therefore, the officials below them were all frantic. They stared intently at the position of Grand Secretary Hu, hoping that in the near future, they too could taste the deliciousness of this fruit.

So, after learning what Xie Ning did, those who pretended cursed Xie Ning a few times, and those who couldn’t be bothered to pretend even cheered.

They desperately hoped the Emperor had no chance of turning the tables, otherwise, how could their lofty ideals and lifelong pursuits be realized?

Xue Hanyan contemplated for a moment: “Approve it. Otherwise, if Li Yi throws a tantrum, our Great Xia can’t afford the trouble.”

Wang Yan smiled and nodded: “In that case, we can submit it to His Majesty for his seal.”

The officials dispersed, and Xue Hanyan and Wang Yan went to the inner court to find the Emperor.

When the two reached the gate of the inner court, Xie Ning was sitting on the ground, bored, playing with a cricket.

Seeing the arrivals, she didn’t stand up and immediately had Liang Cheng stop them.

Xue Hanyan frowned: “Imperial Son-in-Law, what is the meaning of this?”

Xie Ning pointed behind her: “This is the inner court. What is your intention?”

Wang Yan smiled: “Imperial Son-in-Law, we have important matters to discuss with His Majesty.”

Xie Ning pursed her lips: “I also have important matters to handle. Didn’t you see that even I can’t enter?”

Xue Hanyan narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice: “Imperial Son-in-Law, don’t delay important court matters, or even the Grand Princess won’t be able to protect you.”

“Look at you, getting anxious again.”

Xie Ning stretched, and shouted inward: “Jingqiu.”

Then, the two heard a female voice respond from the other side of the wall: “Brother, I’m here.”

Xie Ning took a pile of memorials from the stunned Xue Hanyan’s hand without looking and handed them to the emerging Xie Jingqiu.

“Hand the memorials to the Empress Dowager. Ask the Empress Dowager to review them and then pass them to the Emperor for his seal.”

Xue Hanyan’s pupils contracted. He angrily snatched the memorials back.

“Xie Jing, what is the meaning of this!”

Xie Ning pointed to herself, looking utterly perplexed: “What did I do?”

“Don’t you know that the inner court must not interfere in politics? How can important court matters and affairs of the world be commented upon by a mere woman!”

Xie Ning sighed and patted Xue Hanyan’s shoulder: “Old Xue, pay attention! Do you know that based on that sentence alone, you could be charged with the crime of disrespect?”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it this time, alright?”

Xue Hanyan’s eyes turned red as if he had been insulted: “How dare a young brat bully me?!”

As soon as his words fell, Liang Cheng and dozens of Vermillion Bird soldiers drew their swords and surrounded Xue Hanyan.

Xue Hanyan’s pupils contracted. He looked at Xie Ning in disbelief.

Xie Ning smiled: “Old man, I was being respectful calling you Old Xue, and you dare put on airs in front of us military men?”

Liang Cheng went up and kicked Xue Hanyan to the ground. Wang Yan quickly helped Xue Hanyan up and angrily shouted: “Xie Jing, are you trying to rebel?!”

Xie Ning looked around, puzzled: “Grand Secretary Wang, why do you say that? This Imperial Son-in-Law didn’t see the Emperor around here. Could it be that kicking this old man is considered rebellion?”

“What, are you, Xue Hanyan, the Emperor of Great Xia?”

“You…”

Wang Yan snorted angrily and remained silent.

Xue Hanyan had calmed down by now and looked at Xie Ning: “Imperial Son-in-Law, please state the conditions for us to meet the Emperor.”

“Shouldn’t you have said that earlier?”

With that, Xie Ning pulled two more memorials from her robes and placed them in Xue Hanyan’s hand: “Have the Emperor approve these two as well. Can you do it?”

Xue Hanyan calmly began to read them. Xie Ning did not stop him.

One memorial roughly stated that with the autumn harvest underway and Li Yi returning to the capital for the birthday celebration, the Snow People in the north would surely take advantage of the emptiness, and requested the court to take precautions early.

The signatory was the Marquis of Zhenbei, Li Qi.

The other stated that the thirty thousand Southern-Pacifying Army troops had been guarding the border for a long time, and since the south was currently without threat, it requested a transfer to the north.

The signatory was the Grand Princess, Pei Shujing.

Xue Hanyan’s breathing suddenly became rapid: “You, what exactly do you want to do?!”

He finally realized his mistake.

That is, if the court lacked the Emperor’s control, then military men with military power would be the biggest threat.

As for civil officials like them, they were merely roadside dust.

He was anxious; he was too anxious.

He was too eager to taste the flavor of supreme power, which blinded him with desire.

So, he was now the target in the eyes of the military men. Thinking of this, Xue Hanyan suddenly turned his head and saw Wang Yan pointing at Xie Ning, looking so furious he couldn’t speak.

Xue Hanyan clenched his fists, but ultimately let go.

He sighed: “Alright.”

Xie Ning finally smiled. She clapped her hands, and Xiao Zhu, who had been hiding in the shadows, appeared.

“Xiao Zhu, take the two Grand Secretaries to see His Majesty the Emperor. Be careful not to let the Grand Secretaries get lost.”

“Gentlemen, please.”

Xue Hanyan was supported by Wang Yan as they followed her inside.

Xie Ning watched their backs, narrowing her eyes.

For the Grand Princess to become Empress, the simplest way was to achieve the merit of conquering a state.

Unfortunately, this world was severely weakened by Great Xia during its founding, and there were no states left for the Southern-Pacifying Army to conquer.

But fortunately, there were still the Snow People. After decades of development, the Snow People were doing well and were considered a viable target.

As for why the Marquis of Zhenbei was willing to let the Southern-Pacifying Army take this credit, that was a question for the Grand Princess.

Pei Shujing hadn’t told her anything, only showing a profound expression: “Xie Ning, you are not alone in this world.”

Xie Ning scratched her head. What, could the Marquis of Zhenbei also be a transmigrator?

In any case, the matter was settled. The day Li Yi returned to the capital would be the day the Grand Princess led the Southern-Pacifying Army to conquer the Xiongnu.

That’s right, Pei Shujing had to go.

If the Grand Princess didn’t go, no one would credit her with this achievement, even though she commanded the Southern-Pacifying Army.

Therefore, before they left the capital, the unstable elements in the capital had to be made to behave.

Such as Xue Hanyan, and such as the Emperor.

The old man had been so humiliated by her. Could he really endure it?

Lingyun Tower.

It was the tallest building in the inner court.

Successive Sons of Heaven liked to ascend this tower, drinking wine and talking sweetly with their concubines, enjoying themselves immensely.

The Emperor was sitting on the highest floor now, with Wang Wan carefully serving him food and wine on the side.

“Your father is also useless,” he raged. “He kept saying he had a way to kill Xie Jing, but after all this time, there’s been no movement!”

Wang Wan pursed her lips, looking sad but unable to speak.

The Emperor felt a momentary pang of guilt, but it was only for a moment.

In the past few days, he was increasingly unable to control his temper.

He couldn’t kill his ministers.

He couldn’t depose the Empress.

He couldn’t get rid of Xie Jing.

He couldn’t do anything to Pei Shujing.

He didn’t know who to vent his frustration on.

Only Wang Wan would not utter a sound no matter how much he scolded her, and would continue to care for him afterward.

He thought Wang Wan must be deeply in love with him.

The evening breeze blew, gently lifting Wanjiang’s (Wang Wan’s) bangs, revealing a mocking gaze.

Perhaps afraid of being discovered by the Emperor, she subtly avoided him, forcing a smile, and said: “Your Majesty, the night wind is a bit chilly. It’s time to go back and rest.”

Just then, a palace servant hurried forward, head lowered, daring not to look around, and reported: “Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Wang and Grand Secretary Xue request an audience.”

The Emperor was first surprised, then furious.

It was so late, and they hadn’t left the palace yet, clearly intending to work through the night.

When have you ever been so diligent?

Isn’t it because you can’t let go of this power, not even willing to go home!

The Emperor’s face changed for a long time.

Wang Wan looked at him worriedly.

The Emperor snorted: “Let them come up.”

The palace servant took the order and left.

Soon after, the two ascended the high tower one after the other and bowed.

Then Xue Hanyan smiled and said: “Old Wang, you haven’t seen your daughter for a while. Why don’t you catch up?”

Wang Yan looked deeply at Xue Hanyan and nodded: “Good daughter, come take a walk with your father.”

Wang Wan looked at the Emperor with anticipation. The Emperor frowned and waved his hand, dismissing her.

After the two left, the Emperor sneered: “What is so important that even Grand Secretary Wang can’t hear?”

Since realizing Wang Yan’s cunning, Xue Hanyan naturally had to be wary of him, but he wouldn’t tell the Emperor that.

Xue Hanyan bent down and asked softly.

“Your Majesty, are you willing to kill the Grand Princess?”

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