Starting with Intercepting and Marrying the Eldest Princess - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: “Why Did Kissing You Prickle Me Last Night?”…

Xie Ning woke up from the bed, shook her dizzy head, and felt much better after taking a bath. She hurried to find Pei Shujing, who was having a meal.

“Your Highness, was I drunk last night?”

Pei Shujing continued eating, ignoring her.

Xie Ning looked at Pei Shujing suspiciously. Judging by this reaction, did she do something wrong again last night?

It couldn’t be.

Last night, after meeting Gao Changxun in Xingye City, a banquet was held.

At the banquet, the Snow Queen, for some reason, disliked her, targeting her everywhere. Perhaps seeing her, another woman dressed as a man, reminded the Queen of Li Yi?

Xie Ning understood, but the annoyance of being targeted was also inevitable.

So, she came up with a ridiculous idea: challenging the Snow Queen to a drinking contest.

But she seemed to have forgotten that the Snow People had lived on the snowy plains for generations, and the simplest and most essential way to keep warm was by drinking alcohol.

Consequently, she collapsed under the Snow Queen’s mocking gaze.

After that… she didn’t remember anything else.

“Your Highness seems to be in a bad mood?”

Pei Shujing sneered: “Don’t you remember what you did last night?”

Xie Ning gasped. Did she really do something?

It shouldn’t be. When she gets drunk, she usually just goes straight to sleep.

Wait!

She vaguely remembered that she seemed to have been causing a fuss in the middle of the night, demanding to kiss Pei Shujing…

That shouldn’t be a big deal, should it?

Xie Ning frowned, recalling carefully. Suddenly, her brow smoothed out, and her expression became slightly strange.

Uh…

She seemed to have shouted, “Pei Shujing, why do you have a beard?” while kissing her…

Xie Ning subconsciously touched her lips. It did feel prickly last night…

Pei Shujing, seeing Xie Ning secretly glancing at her lips, was instantly amused and infuriated. She slammed a pair of chopsticks onto the table.

“You wait for this Prince!”

Xie Ning: “…”

Watching Pei Shujing walk away, Xie Ning finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At the same time, she felt a little annoyed. Why did I drink so much?

Now look, I didn’t even get to properly savor the feeling of last night…

Just then, the Snow Queen, holding a bowl of millet porridge, slowly walked over.

She looked at the porridge in her hand, then at the breakfast on the table, and sat down unceremoniously to start eating.

Xie Ning didn’t mind. She sighed: “Xiao Ye, you’re adapting too quickly, aren’t you?”

The Snow Queen’s name was Liu Yena. Since learning her name last night, Xie Ning naturally started calling her “Xiao Ye” (Little Ye).

Liu Yena swallowed a few mouthfuls of food before asking.

“What are your plans for me?”

Xie Ning smiled.

“Your request for ennoblement has already been sent to the capital. We just need to wait for the Imperial Decree. By then, you will be formally conferred as a Marquis in front of your people.”

Liu Yena nodded. She had guessed as much.

Her tone was hesitant. She gritted her teeth and requested: “I will stay obediently under your watch. I beg you not to overly consume my people.”

Xie Ning leisurely wiped her mouth and patted Liu Yena’s shoulder: “Xiao Na, don’t be naive.”

Liu Yena nodded dejectedly.

She also knew her situation and knew that no one would trust the Snow People.

Historically, even surrendered generals needed to be reorganized and fragmented, let alone the Snow People.

“However, you can write a list. Write down who you think deserves to die. I don’t think Her Highness will fuss over that.”

Liu Yena was stunned. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why help me?”

Xie Ning smiled: “Xiao Ye, don’t overestimate your Snow People. Even when you were here, you were just Great Xia’s prey, let alone now that you are with us?”

The words were crude but the logic was sound.

Liu Yena fell into thought.

She tentatively asked: “Can I still lead my people…?”

“Don’t even think about it!”

Xie Ning glanced at her: “Until we trust you, just focus on being a maid.”

Liu Yena didn’t mind. She was even a little pleasantly surprised.

She understood Xie Ning’s implication: she wasn’t without a chance to lead troops; she just needed to make Great Xia feel secure.

She didn’t feel Xie Ning needed to lie to her. As Xie Ning said, they no longer had any reason to deceive her.

Liu Yena took a deep breath and pulled out a letter from her bosom.

“Can you help me mail this letter to Li Yi?”

Xie Ning took the letter and unceremoniously opened and read it in front of her.

Liu Yena didn’t stop her. She knew the letter would definitely be reviewed, but doing it openly in front of her was better than doing it secretly.

Xie Ning looked at her with a strange expression: “Are you really not afraid of being beaten?”

The letter contained only one sentence: “Don’t say I’m your slave anymore. I’m afraid the Grand Princess will misunderstand.”

Liu Yena revealed a disdainful smile: “She’s in the Southern Borders. How could she come to find me just because of this one sentence?”

“No, I mean, aren’t you afraid of being beaten by me?”

“…You’re being too petty. You know I don’t mean that, I just purely want to annoy Li Yi.”

“I apologize. You can ask around about my reputation in the capital. Who in the entire capital dares to provoke me, Xie Aning?”

“Then I won’t send it.”

With that, Liu Yena tried to take the letter back, but Xie Ning dodged her hand.

“I’ll send it for you. No need to thank me. This way, I also get some entertainment.”

Xie Ning slowly walked into Pei Shujing’s study, finding her frowning and lost in thought.

“Is something bothering you?”

He walked behind Pei Shujing and began massaging her shoulders.

Pei Shujing enjoyed the perfect, gentle pressure on her shoulders. She said softly: “Gao Changxun needs to go back. It’s not suitable for him, a major general of the Jingnan Army, to stay here for long.”

“I’m thinking about who can take on this important responsibility.”

Xie Ning considered: “Me?”

Before the words fully landed, Pei Shujing said sharply: “Absolutely not!”

“Xingye City is still too dangerous right now. This Prince is uneasy about you being here alone.”

Xie Ning asked cheekily: “Is Your Highness worried about me?”

Pei Shujing gave him a reproachful look.

“Silver-tongued. Normally, someone from a farming background should possess characteristics of honesty, simplicity, and introversion. Yet, this Prince sees none of that in you.”

“Do you have some prejudice against farmers?”

“You really are…” Pei Shujing sighed.

She put down the documents in her hand, got up to make Xie Ning a cup of the bitterest green tea, and said: “I have prejudice against you.”

“Prejudice means looking at a problem with subjective emotional bias, so, Your Highness.” Xie Ning picked up the tea and lightly blew on it. “What kind of subjective emotions do you have toward me? Is it love?”

Pei Shujing smiled: “No, it’s desire.”

Xie Ning: “…”

Heaven has mercy on no one, truly!

Xie Ning pointed at her with the hand holding the tea, smiling, “Lying. But seeing as you are so beautiful…”

“Can you please be quiet? Can’t you see this Prince is busy? If you can’t even manage this basic etiquette, I suggest you…”

“Mhm? Mhm!” Xie Ning frowned, struggling to swallow the tea. “Why is it so bitter?!”

Pei Shujing looked at his slightly distorted face. Her initially indifferent expression instantly broke into a smile.

Their conversation started casually and ended abruptly. From that point on, each earnestly handled their respective work.

Time passed.

A crisp knock on the door sounded.

It was Xiaoyu, who had sneaked in alone.

Pei Shujing glanced at her, then withdrew her gaze, continuing to wrestle with state affairs.

Alright, Xie Ning knew from Xiaoyu’s appearance that this was definitely not serious business, and no wonder Pei Shujing didn’t want to deal with her.

So, she wants him to step up?

Xie Ning poured Xiaoyu the same pot of green tea he’d just had, then subtly observed her.

But Xiaoyu’s expression didn’t change at all, which bored Xie Ning a little. He quietly asked: “What kind of fun is it this time? Tell me about it.”

Xiaoyu took a deep breath: “I want to confess my love to Xiaozhu and truly be with her!”

At this, not only was Xie Ning interested, but even Pei Shujing quietly put down her work.

Xie Ning was greatly astonished: “What? My good sister, are you also going to publicly admit you’re Xiaozhu’s dog?!”

Xiaoyu choked.

Xie Ning caught a book Pei Shujing threw at him and laughed awkwardly twice.

“Just trying to lighten the mood…”

“So, what do you plan to do?”

Xiaoyu spoke hesitantly: “Didn’t the Snow Queen already become our person? I want to ask Your Highness to hold a Snowy Plains Assembly when she is conferred as a Marquis.”

“Snowy Plains Assembly?”

Pei Shujing said with interest: “Elaborate.”

Xiaoyu glanced at Xie Ning: “I learned this from the Imperial Son-in-Law. It’s nothing more than strengthening the Snow People’s sense of belonging. There should be no harm in this, right?”

Pei Shujing nodded.

Indeed, there was no harm. To subdue the Snow People, she couldn’t rely solely on force; she also had to use a policy of appeasement.

It would be best for the Snow People to integrate into Great Xia’s life for her peace of mind.

“Just tell me what you plan to do!”

Xie Ning interrupted Xiaoyu’s lofty words. Xiaoyu awkwardly coughed twice.

“There should be a bonfire party held on the snowy plains then, right? I want to be with Xiaozhu amidst the falling snow and the bonfire.”

“Hiss… You’ve got quite the plan.”

Xie Ning had to admit that Xiaoyu’s plan was quite good.

Who said ancient people weren’t romantic?

Ancient people had their own form of romance.

“Right? I also think it’s perfect!”

Xiaoyu was excited to hear Xie Ning agree with her idea, eager to immediately work out a detailed plan with Xie Ning.

Pei Shujing sneered, ruthlessly shattering Xiaoyu’s fantasy: “Knowing Xiaozhu, she won’t care about these things, nor will she agree to you, unless she figures things out herself. But clearly, Xiaozhu hasn’t figured things out. Are you still going to proceed?”

Xiaoyu was silent for a long time, seriously considering the question.

“Your Highness, I want to try.”

“I understand.” Pei Shujing nodded.

Then, her expression suddenly softened. Although still not exactly gentle, it was enough to make one feel reassured.

“Go on. Prepare well.”

After Xiaoyu left, Pei Shujing rubbed her brow wearily.

“What is it?” Xie Ning asked.

“Those two… I really don’t know what to do. I’m afraid Xiaoyu will push too hard and drive Xiaozhu away.”

“Then why did you agree?”

“If I didn’t agree, should I just watch those two walk around in that state all day in front of me?”

Pei Shujing opened her eyes, staring at Xie Ning with a deep gaze.

Xie Ning’s heart tightened: “What’s wrong?”

“You must also confess your love to me that night!” she said in a fierce tone.

“Why should I? I’ve already publicly admitted I’m your dog!”

“Do you dare defy this Prince?!”

If she weren’t so refined and elegant, with an incredibly slender waist and uniquely beautiful legs, and also his bed partner, Xie Ning would definitely… pinch her proud little face and force the bitter, unappetizing tea down her throat.

“Spring is the time for outings. Spring is when all things are vigorous.”

Wang Yan was drinking tea in his office.

Xie Mao sat to the side, smiling and sighing: “Indeed, spring has come.”

Wang Yan said mildly: “Are those people still gathering?”

Xie Mao nodded: “They were feasting yesterday and mentioned Her Highness and the Imperial Son-in-Law.”

Such gatherings usually contained no good words. Wang Yan drank his tea, saying indifferently: “What did they say?”

“Nothing more than Her Highness leaving no way out for the aristocratic families and powerful households, and so on.”

“They also said my Xie family is the Grand Princess’s running dog, and your Wang family, daring to aspire to control the court, is the biggest traitor.”

Since the news of the Grand Princess and the Imperial Son-in-Law forcing tax payments from the wealthy households in Zhenxue City reached the capital, the already turbulent waters of the capital began to churn again.

Wang Yan chuckled.

The Wang family, as the head of the aristocratic families, maintaining silence at such a time was in itself a statement.

Those who were unwilling to submit naturally began to hate the Wang family.

“My Wang family has never been an aristocratic family; we just have better resources in various aspects.”

A hint of sarcasm flashed in Xie Mao’s eyes.

“They also cursed the Emperor, saying he is an idiot for being suspicious of the Grand Princess too early. If he had waited until she was fully in power to act, could the Grand Princess still have stirred up trouble?”

“Now the Grand Princess commands a large army and is hailed as a King in the Northern Borders. No one can do anything to her.”

Wang Yan took a sip of tea: “But if she didn’t command a large army, she would be meat on the chopping block, ready to be cut at any time. Those who previously submitted a memorial requesting her ennoblement as Prince Xia seemed to support her, but when her power weakens, they will surely be the first to betray her.

Human hearts are the dirtiest thing!”

Xie Mao was silent.

After a long while, he finally asked: “That being said, she is clearly going to implement new policies. Aren’t you afraid that after she ascends to that position, she will target us first?”

Wang Yan’s face suddenly softened, and he smiled warmly at Xie Mao.

Wan Jiang was chased out by the Empress.

It was only because, while the Empress was handling state affairs, she kept provoking the Empress’s nose with a strand of hair.

Finally, Sun Yuan, unable to bear it any longer, drove her out and told her to prepare pastries.

It was quite amusing that after they began handling state affairs together, they didn’t constantly quarrel over behind-the-scenes interests as the Emperor had expected. Instead, they found a common hobby.

That was making desserts.

Of course, there were objectors, but they ignored them, prioritizing their own happiness.

Later, the Empress walked into the Imperial Kitchen.

“What are you planning to make today?”

“No pastries today. Just some flatbreads for us to eat with mutton soup tonight.”

Sun Yuan nodded, gesturing with a knife: “Mutton is not cheap at this time of year.”

Wan Jiang reached for the kitchen knife. The Empress tried to avoid it, but somehow, it was as if she offered her hand right into Wan Jiang’s grasp.

Wan Jiang held the knife, her left hand pressing on the smoked meat, the knife rising and falling continuously…

Uniformly sliced pieces of meat were neatly arranged on the cutting board.

“What should I do?”

Sun Yuan only knew how to make pastries; she knew nothing about making mutton soup.

“Knead the dough.”

Once the dough was ready, the Empress flattened the dough into a round flatbread and placed it by the side of the pot to bake.

“The fire can’t be too strong. Too strong, and the outside will be scorched and the inside raw.” Wan Jiang didn’t use chopsticks. She directly grabbed the hot flatbread with her hand to flip it over.

The Empress stood beside her, also trying to reach out and grab it.

The moment her hand reached out, the flames licked her. Sun Yuan cried out in surprise and quickly retracted her hand.

“Don’t mess around!”

Wan Jiang reached in and calmly flipped the flatbread.

“Why aren’t you afraid of the heat?”

Sun Yuan asked, frowning.

Wan Jiang glanced at the calluses on her fingers and smiled: “My skin is tough.”

The Empress suddenly asked: “Do you play the qin (zither)?”

Wan Jiang paused: “…Yes.”

“Play for me sometime.” The Empress said casually. “I heard there is a girl in the capital named Wan Jiang whose qin playing is considered the best of the era. How do you compare to her?”

Consort Wan smiled and said: “Naturally, I am incomparable to her.”

“Heh heh.”

The Empress rolled her eyes at her dismissively.

“But I haven’t heard any news about that girl, Wan Jiang, recently.”

Consort Wan said quietly: “Rumor has it that she was executed by the Grand Princess for playing a wrong string.”

“Do you believe that?”

Sun Yuan sneered: “Sister is not that kind of person. If she really died, it must have been because she had a reason why she had to die.”

Wan Jiang smiled in reply: “I feel the same way.”

Knock knock knock.

A knock sounded. The two looked up and saw Xie Jingqiu.

The Empress didn’t notice Jingqiu and Wan Jiang exchange a glance. She used chopsticks to flip the flatbread: “Is there news from over there?”

Jingqiu nodded: “The Snow Queen has submitted to Great Xia and requested ennoblement as a Marquis.”

The Empress sighed in relief, glanced at Wan Jiang, who was lowering her head to the side, and then asked: “What was the Emperor’s reaction?”

“…The Emperor was ecstatic.”

The Empress suddenly smiled.

“He’s really quite good at pretending.”

She then looked at Wan Jiang: “I’m going to affix the seal. You eat alone today. I don’t like mutton.”

Wan Jiang silently finished her meal and returned to her residence alone, retrieving a qin that hadn’t been used for a long time from the corner.

She tried playing two notes but was completely dissatisfied.

A moment later.

She smiled, looking toward the palace where the Empress was.

“You were right. I really can’t compare to her anymore.”

“I wonder if my older sister had been a little more willful, a little more domineering, a little more arrogant, and instead of just whipping you, she had cut off your head directly, would there be no Snow People uprising now?”

Xie Ning kicked the corpse beneath his feet, asking Liu Yena beside him.

Liu Yena shook her head: “Without me, there would be the next one, perhaps even more capable. Such a thing cannot be assumed, nor does it need to be assumed.”

“That’s true.”

Xie Ning flipped onto her horse: “The last small part of your list is further to the east.”

The snowy plains were vast. In a sense, the snowy plains were no smaller than the desert, but like the desert, most areas were uninhabitable for people.

The two rode east for several more days. Along the way, they encountered several tribal groups. After the Jingnan Army silently killed the people on the list, the two began their journey back.

The round trip took more than twenty days.

And during these twenty-plus days, the city walls of Zhenxue City had several more sections built than when Xie Ning left, and neat military camps had been erected outside the city.

It was likely in preparation for the Snowy Plains Assembly.

Since the Snowy Plains Assembly was going to be held, it wouldn’t only involve Great Xia and the Snow People. All factions within the Northern Borders had undoubtedly received invitations, so the necessary preparations were immensely huge.

Outside the city, in the hastily prepared hunting ground, Pei Shujing held the bow engraved with the character “Ning,” riding a magnificent warhorse. She nocked an arrow, drew the bow, and struck the prey right between the eyebrows.

A burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted around her. Three shots, three hits. Prince Xia’s archery was nothing short of divine.

After Pei Shujing displayed her skill, the leaders of the various Snow Plains tribes signaled their most outstanding warriors to step forward and perform mounted archery.

Tribes with long-standing grudges even competed against each other, the rivalry extremely palpable.

The competition was held in pairs. The winner received a silk robe from the Xia Dynasty, and the loser still received a colored ribbon.

The tribal leaders had brought their most valiant warriors with them. Selecting the best among the best naturally resulted in expert riders and archers, which was a feast for the eyes.

“Your Highness, the Snow Wolf tribe, which won first place, has only about 800 people. That seems a bit too few,” Gao Changxun said to Pei Shujing after the competition, looking at the tribal warriors.

Pei Shujing pointed: “The Snow Wolf tribe has an advantage that no one else can match: they can fight alongside wolves. If used well, they are very useful, but they are indeed a bit too few.”

Gao Changxun understood immediately: “If there were two thousand people, they could be of great use.”

Pei Shujing chuckled, continuing the thought: “Then, let’s recruit warriors from all tribes into the army to form a 20,000-strong Snow Plains Army. As for the Snow People, recruit them into the Jingnan Army.”

Gao Changxun, even though psychologically prepared, was still a little dizzy at this. Could they actually afford to support this?

The tribal leaders, who had been quite happy moments ago, were also a little dizzy upon hearing Prince Xia’s words.

These were the best warriors in their tribes! Some leaders had even planned to marry their daughters to them. Prince Xia said she wanted to recruit them into the army?

How could this be!

However, the warriors themselves didn’t mind. Great Xia was so powerful, they wouldn’t have to worry about food and drink. Prince Xia also had the Jingnan Army at her disposal. Such a powerful leader was worth following.

“Since the leaders do not object, this matter is settled.” Pei Shujing clapped her hands and smiled: “After the Snowy Plains Assembly tomorrow, there will be a bonfire party. Everyone will eat meat and drink alcohol to their heart’s content.”

The tribal leaders exchanged glances. Who dared to object?

Right before their eyes, there were tens of thousands of Jingnan Army troops stationed, well-equipped and well-trained. If anyone objected, they would likely be arrested and executed on the spot.

Forget it. Consider these warriors dead.

“What? You Snow People still have to contribute money and grain to support the warriors?”

A loud voice echoed in everyone’s ears. They subconsciously wanted to see which fool was speaking nonsense, but when they looked, they were stunned.

Those two people were none other than Prince Xia’s Imperial Son-in-Law and the Snow Queen!

Good heavens. They had not believed the rumors that the Snow Queen had surrendered to Great Xia.

How could the proud Snow Queen possibly surrender?

But looking at the scene, it didn’t seem false.

Then what are they even fighting for?

Might as well return to their tribes and resign themselves to fate.

Liu Yena was also speechless at this moment. She had never said those words, but she couldn’t stop the blame from being thrust upon her.

With no alternative, for the sake of her people, Liu Yena looked solemnly at Pei Shujing.

“Your Highness, my Snow People’s possessions are yours to take.”

The tribal leaders: “…”

Pei Shujing smiled: “That’s too kind. This King is already content with taking such a big advantage from you all.”

The leaders breathed a sigh of relief, but their hearts immediately tightened again.

“But since you insist on being so generous, this King cannot refuse.”

The tribal leaders: ???

Pei Shujing pondered for a moment: “How about this? No need to mention taking things yourselves. However, my Great Xia and you will split the annual consumption required by the warriors evenly. How about that?”

The tribal leaders: “…”

They were unwilling, but the situation had come to this, and they couldn’t say anything more.

They were even somewhat relieved, fortunate that they weren’t forced to cover the entire cost.

Liu Yena, having dealt with them for so many years, naturally knew what they were thinking and sneered inwardly.

These people are still too naive.

With their people here in Great Xia, wouldn’t the consumption figures be whatever they said?

Knowing Xie Ning, if she didn’t utterly cheat these people, she wouldn’t be able to sleep.

Xie Ning, who was being criticized in absentia again, walked up to Pei Shujing.

Pei Shujing examined him, and only after finding no injuries did she say warmly: “You’re back?”

Xie Ning nodded, not feeling embarrassed at all in front of everyone.

“Your Highness, your subject missed you!”

Pei Shujing rebuked: “Nonsense.”

Seeing the love between Prince Xia and her Imperial Son-in-Law, the tribal leaders immediately dropped their thoughts of presenting a few male companions to Prince Xia.

Pei Shujing’s smile became much more genuine.

“Gentlemen, we shall see each other tomorrow!”

Amidst everyone’s respectful farewells, Pei Shujing mounted Xie Ning’s warhorse.

After riding for a distance, Pei Shujing asked curiously: “How did you know they had that thought?”

Xie Ning pouted: “It would be strange if they didn’t.”

Pei Shujing chuckled, leaning into Xie Ning’s arms and whispering softly.

“Good performance.”

Xie Ning raised an eyebrow: “And so?”

“A compliment is enough.”

“No way, Your Highness! We haven’t seen each other for more than twenty days. Didn’t you miss me?”

“Move your dog paws away!”