There's Something Wrong With My Little White Flower - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Princess of a Weak Nation in a Peace Marriage X Barbarian General

The news of the successful peace negotiations quickly spread throughout Huajing. Along with this news, the city guards noticed that the Golden Di encampments outside the city were indeed diminishing day by day.

The Golden Di were retreating!

The young soldier stood at the lookout post, a faint sense of excitement in his heart. However, after the excitement came mostly confusion. He silently watched his superiors below the city gate lazily discussing where to go drinking and seeking pleasure, and it was a long while before he turned his head back.

He couldn’t understand the source of the gloom in his chest. Even when his duty ended, he still felt vaguely dispirited. When a comrade called him to join them for drinks, he merely waved his hand and offered an excuse.

“Since you’ve put on the military uniform, you shouldn’t look like that.” A figure stood at a corner not far from him, calling out with a smile.

The young soldier looked up in surprise, his eyes instantly lighting up: “Brother Zhao! I heard you were transferred to the Imperial Guard West Camp. I was wondering when you’d return to the capital!”

He quickly ran a few steps toward the man, only to notice a refined-looking young official standing behind him.

“This is my friend, Cheng Zhibi, Master Cheng of the Transport Office. Yulang, this is Brother Xu, whom I’ve known since childhood. He just took up his clan uncle’s inherited post, serving in the city gate garrison.”

Cheng Zhibi smiled and bowed to the young soldier: “A pleasure to meet you.”

“Since we rarely meet, let’s go for a drink together,” the man invited again. “It’s hard to return to Huajing. We brothers who grew up together should have a good gathering…”

The young soldier readily agreed: “Naturally. You two esteemed brothers, please lead the way. We won’t go home until we’re drunk today!”

He thought this was just a pleasant reunion with a childhood friend, but he didn’t know that similar gatherings were taking place one after another in wine shops and tea houses throughout Huajing these days.

Imperial Palace – Cining Palace

The wine in the gold cup inlaid with agate shimmered, shattering the bright candlelight into golden waves.

Ruan Jiyun listened to the joyous discussions of the officials beside her. Empress Dowager Chu had specially hosted a banquet in Cining Palace to reward the peace delegation. Precious food was brought up dish by dish, and everyone wore a relaxed expression.

The Marquis of Chengen and Prince Kangping were once again arguing over whose polo team was the best in Huajing, while the Minister of the Court of Diplomatic Reception, drunk, stumbled and kept glancing at the serving palace maids… She suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia for the banquets in Xiji and began to worry about the bitter cold of winter, wondering if Lang Ji and the others had followed her instructions to distribute cold medicine to everyone in advance.

As she was thinking aimlessly, she suddenly heard Empress Dowager Chu call her name.

“Jiyun, you deserve the greatest credit for the retreat of the Golden Di this time,” Empress Dowager Chu raised her wine cup with a smile. “When His Majesty returns to the palace, I will personally request a white jade stele be erected for you to honor your achievements to the people of the world.”

Ruan Jiyun hurriedly raised her cup to decline: “Your Ladyship is too kind. As a Princess of Great Jing, it is my duty to act decisively when the nation faces hardship. Now that the war has just ceased and everything needs rebuilding, I do not need a stele. I only ask that Your Ladyship grant the request I made earlier.”

Empress Dowager Chu’s beautiful red lips curled up: “Well said. As a Princess of Great Jing, you should share the nation’s burdens. Now that the Golden Di have retreated, we certainly cannot let down our guard. After all, Great Jing is like meat in their eyes. When they are starving, they will surely come back for another bite. It is just pitiful for the people of our Jing Dynasty, who must live in fear day and night.”

As soon as she spoke, the officials dared not be presumptuous. They all put on compassionate expressions, echoing her sentiments and urging the Empress Dowager not to worry too much and to take care of her health.

“Your Ladyship is absolutely right. The barbarians do not value promises. The Golden Di will always be a high-hanging saber over Great Jing,” the Marquis of Chengen slowly said, looking around. “If only the Golden Di could be as righteous and loyal as the Xiji people.”

It was a known fact that the Royal Daughter of Xiji personally accompanied the Princess on her return to court, not to mention the immense benefits the border trade market brought everyone now. All this was due to their foresight in sending the Princess for a peace marriage early on!

Several senior officials fell silent, savoring the meaning behind the Marquis of Chengen’s words. After a long while, Prince Kangping chuckled: “The Xiji people are righteous and loyal only because our Princess Jiyun is capable, isn’t she? The Golden Di’s retreat this time is also thanks to her efforts. Why not help all the way and completely solve the Golden Di crisis?”

Ruan Jiyun failed to grasp the implication of this circuitous speech: “Imperial Uncle, the peace talks have been completed. As for whether the Golden Di will continue to violate our borders in the future, that should naturally be the responsibility of the Bureau of Military Affairs. I am a woman of the inner palace; how can I interfere with troop deployment and formations?”

Seeing her confusion, Prince Kangping stated his point clearly: “You foolish child, your Imperial Uncle means that you, Jiyun, are equal to a thousand soldiers. Since you can coax the Xiji people into being used by you, why not contribute to the nation one more time and marry into the Golden Di to completely eliminate this scourge?”

“Great Jing’s treasury is already empty and cannot withstand another war. If the Princess can prioritize peace, her merits will last for thousands of generations!”

“If conflict can be turned into friendship, why spend so much money on warfare?”

The officials, their eyes red from drinking, were moved by the beautiful prospect described in Prince Kangping’s words. Those who were not entirely sober immediately chimed in.

“Princess, save the people of Great Jing!”

“Princess, save the people of Great Jing!”

A stormy surge rose in Ruan Jiyun’s heart. She could hardly believe what she was hearing and instantly stood up abruptly: “Imperial Uncle has drunk too much. Please forgive me, I cannot stay and must take my leave.”

“Do you truly intend to leave?” Empress Dowager Chu immediately spoke up to stop her: “Jiyun, you are born into the Royal Family and should bear responsibility. The Golden Di are willing to welcome you with the rites of a Prince’s Consort. It does not disgrace your status. If you abandon this duty and leave now, how will the people of the world view you?”

“Your Ladyship’s memory is rather poor,” Ruan Jiyun was utterly shocked by her shamelessness. “If I recall correctly, who was it two years ago that was scared witless by the Xiji cavalry and voluntarily offered a peace marriage? Princess Zhaoming was unwilling to suffer in the borderlands of the steppe and had me go to Xiji in her place. And now, who is it that, when the Golden Di besieged the city, summoned me back with an imperial decree to negotiate peace on behalf of the Emperor?”

“Now that the peace talks are concluded, I have fulfilled my responsibility,” her gaze was sharp as she scanned everyone present. “Our Great Jing has vast territory and hardworking people. As long as we are united, why can we not be self-reliant and strong enough to deter foreign invasion? But you—you only think of sending a woman for a peace marriage? Your Ladyship, esteemed Lords, Jiyun respectfully refuses to comply.”

Her words were powerful, each phrase echoing in the golden hall. Prince Kangping shrank his neck in dissatisfaction and retorted: “This Prince means well. If one person can outweigh ten thousand, why waste money and manpower on war?”

“Only when one is strong enough can one stop worrying about what to trade for peace every time,” Ruan Jiyun sighed softly, filled with disappointment.

She stood alone in the golden hall. The bright candlelight illuminated her jade-like face, giving her a stern, resolute air. Empress Dowager Chu’s heart trembled slightly, but recalling the bargaining chip in her hand, she spoke indifferently: “King Goujian of Yue still needed ten years of enduring hardship before he could lead three thousand Yue soldiers to conquer Wu. Today’s Great Jing truly cannot afford another war.”

She spoke loudly: “Jiyun is right. It wouldn’t do to let you sacrifice yourself alone. I have a suggestion: Eldest Princess Zhaoming is also a Princess of Great Jing. She has volunteered to replace Jiyun—two years ago, she was young and ignorant, led astray by others into refusing the peace marriage to Xiji. Now, she also wishes to make a contribution to the country.”

“Why not have Zhaoming go to Xiji and Jiyun go to the Golden Di? With both Princesses entering peace marriages, we can secure a period for Great Jing to develop peacefully. This also serves as a correction for the events of two years ago. What are your thoughts?”

Before Empress Dowager Chu’s words finished, a clear female voice suddenly appeared, interrupting her speech.

“No thoughts.”

“It’s absolutely rotten.”

The palace gate of Cining Palace had been pushed open at some point. Jiang Peifeng, in a white outfit, lightly stepped into the palace hall.

Empress Dowager Chu’s brow furrowed slightly: “Royal Daughter, to trespass into Cining Palace without announcement—this is somewhat against the rules.”

She had arranged for someone to invite Jiang Peifeng to visit the West Suburb Barracks early today to smoothly pressure Ruan Jiyun into accepting the decree. But how did Jiang Peifeng suddenly return to the palace?

Before Empress Dowager Chu could figure it out, Jiang Peifeng said again: “Don’t rush, Your Ladyship. I’m not the only one who broke the rules, but I’m naturally impatient and just arrived a step faster than them.”

As she spoke, she walked to Ruan Jiyun’s side and naturally stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her, saying nothing more.

Seeing her arrogance, Empress Dowager Chu’s face darkened: “Where are the Imperial Guards?”

Only the sound of wind was heard from outside the door. Not a single Imperial Guard who should have been on duty outside the hall was visible.

Seeing this situation, the Princes and senior officials who had been somewhat tipsy immediately sobered up. Those who sensed something amiss were already attempting to leave the hall to investigate.

However, they were all blocked.

Cheng Zhibi and a group of young officials marched into the hall. His court attire was neat, and his face was grave. He was the first to challenge Empress Dowager Chu: “This humble official, Cheng Zhibi, has an important matter to report!”

“First, this official impeaches the Minister of the Bureau of Military Affairs for incompetence, who, to conceal the embezzlement of military funds, deliberately held the North You Province commander’s urgent military report for ten days, resulting in the martyrdom of the entire North You garrison and the Golden Di breaching our national gate!”

“Second, this official impeaches the Minister of the Court of Diplomatic Reception for assisting tyranny, who, knowing Princess Jiyun was already married to Xiji, still negotiated to send the Princess for a peace marriage to the Golden Di in exchange for reduced tribute, violating all decorum and being utterly shameless!”

“Third, this official impeaches…” His voice hesitated briefly at this point, then he removed his black gauze cap from his head. “The current Emperor… is undeserving of the throne, committed regicide and patricide, causing chaos in Huajing, and usurping the imperial seat! Unfaithful and unfilial!”

If his previous words were merely attacks on the court officials, the last sentence was a bolt from the blue, utterly astounding everyone present.

Cheng Zhibi finished speaking in one breath, then carefully placed his black gauze cap squarely on the golden brick floor. He turned and bowed: “Cheng Zhibi, with my insignificant status, requests the impeachment of the current ruler and the re-establishment of a new Emperor!”

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