sbdcsierra Chapter 1591 Shen Zhinian is not a god
Chapter 1591 Shen Zhinian is not a god
The Xiongnu's intention was not merely to ask the Zhou Dynasty for a princess in marriage, but also to try to reverse their defeated and weak position through tangible benefits.
The emperor pondered for a moment, not responding immediately, his gaze seemingly drifting towards the pale-faced red figure in the imperial family's seat.
Princess Yun'an lowered her head and bit her lip tightly.
Everyone's attention was focused on what the emperor would say next.
Should we agree or refuse?
Luan Di Yi Tu waited quietly.
He was betting that the Great Zhou Dynasty also needed to recuperate and rebuild.
We need warhorses.
A safe way is also needed to subdue the wounded but not dead Xiongnu wolf.
Three thousand warhorses a year—that's certainly an enticing number.
The Great Zhou Dynasty was short of horses, especially fine steeds capable of forming an elite cavalry force, which was a major concern for the army.
But Nangong Xuanyu knew better than anyone that the Xiongnu were not willing to pay such a high price because they were attracted to Yun'an's looks.
They sought silk, tea, ironware, and grain from the Great Zhou Dynasty, as well as a relatively stable border region conducive to recuperation and development.
The aim was to use this arranged marriage to reverse the tide of defeat and gain more breathing room at the negotiating table.
Even... laying the groundwork for future potential conflicts.
From the emperor's perspective, this is a matter worth careful consideration.
He had given Yun'an chances, but her foolishness, willfulness, and outspokenness repeatedly challenged his bottom line.
Leaving her in the capital will only bring trouble sooner or later.
However, as the emperor of the victorious nation, Nangong Xuanyu could not appear too eager.
It's not a business to rush into something, especially when it comes to matters of national dignity and face. The Xiongnu must understand that this marriage is a gift from the Great Zhou, not a forced exchange.
Nangong Xuanyu's expression remained deep and unfathomable. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke: "I am aware of what the Left Wise King has said."
"The Xiongnu sincerely seek to marry you, offering warhorses as a dowry, which demonstrates your country's sincerity in ending hostilities and shows how much you value the princess of the Great Zhou."
He paused briefly at this point, successfully putting everyone on the edge of their seats.
Especially Princess Yun'an.
She raised her head, a faint light appearing in her eyes.
Perhaps... perhaps my brother will not agree to the Xiongnu's request.
"Of course..."
The emperor changed the subject and continued, "The princess's marriage is a matter of imperial dignity and relations between two countries, and is no ordinary family affair."
"I still need to consider this."
He neither agreed nor refused.
But these words have completely different meanings when heard by different people.
Luan Di Yi Tu thought to himself, "His Majesty of Great Zhou has given this matter considerable thought, and it is certainly the right thing to do."
"The Xiongnu await good news."
He understood the unspoken meaning in Nangong Xuanyu's words; this marriage was promising.
The Emperor of Great Zhou was tempted, but he was carefully weighing his options and waiting for a higher offer.
Next came the stage of detailed consultations between the officials of both sides.
Most of the court officials present, especially those familiar with political affairs, exchanged knowing glances.
His Majesty did not refuse outright, but instead acknowledged the Xiongnu's sincerity and high regard for them. This matter is probably very close to being settled.
The next step is simply bargaining, seeing how much more benefit the Xiongnu can offer, and how to arrange the marriage in a way that both showcases the grace of the Celestial Empire and maintains dignity.
Marquis Zhongyong frowned slightly, glanced at the emperor on the throne, then at Princess Yun'an, whose face was ashen, and sighed inwardly.
He was a military general, and naturally longed for those warhorses. But the thought of a princess being married off to a harsh and desolate place left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.
Princess Yun'an's eyes went completely extinguished when she saw the Emperor's cold gaze and the surrounding looks of pity, sighs, or schadenfreude.
"Deliberation" is just a figure of speech.
The emperor did not ask her if she was willing, nor did he show the slightest reluctance for his sister to marry far away.
She was like a commodity waiting to be sold, placed on the negotiating table between two countries. Once the other side offered a sufficient price, she would be packaged and sent to the distant grasslands.
A deep despair welled up in Princess Yun'an's heart, and her vision blurred...
She remembered Wen Shu's advice.
At the time, she thought Wen Shu was exaggerating, but now it was too late to regret it...
Shen Zhinian took in everything without saying a word.
In her previous life, Princess Yun'an married far away with tears in her eyes, and the Great Zhou and the Xiongnu ushered in a brief period of peace. However, less than half a year later, the Xiongnu tore up the treaty, and the flames of war reignited.
Princess Yun'an committed suicide by self-immolation in the foreign camp, her life ending tragically.
But in this life, many things have changed.
The war between the Great Zhou and the Xiongnu ended ahead of schedule, and the political situation and the imperial harem were quite different from those in the previous life.
In his previous life, Luan Di Yi Tu did not visit as an envoy in a formal capacity.
So, will Princess Yun'an's marriage to a foreign ruler in this lifetime end up with the same fate?
Shen Zhinian was unsure.
Looking at Nangong Xuanyu's profile, she knew how tempting the prospect of a large number of warhorses was to him.
She also saw the despair in Princess Yun'an's eyes.
Shen Zhinian originally wanted to privately remind the emperor that a marriage alliance might not necessarily bring true peace.
After all, the bloody lessons from the previous life were still there.
but……
Many things have taken a different turn in this life.
Shen Zhinian is not a god and cannot predict all variables.
All she relied on was the memory of her past life. But in this life, the chessboard had already been shuffled and rearranged.
This matter concerns the lives of millions of people and the peace of the border, so Shen Zhinian dared not speak up easily.
At this moment, she could only choose to remain silent and continue to observe and wait.
She couldn't voice those shocking speculations until she saw more clues.
After the palace banquet ended, everyone took their leave.
Princess Wenshu walked a little slower, looking at the red figure in front of her.
Princess Yun'an was supported by two maids, her steps appearing somewhat unsteady. She had completely lost her former haughty demeanor, as if she wanted to have the word "noble" etched on her forehead, leaving only a forced facade of dignity.
Princess Wenshu hesitated for a moment.
Her third sister had long since become estranged from her, and if she approached her now, her third sister would certainly not give her a friendly look.
But... thinking about what happened at the banquet, Princess Wenshu felt a little uneasy.
If Third Sister really went to the Xiongnu for a marriage alliance, they would probably never see each other again in their lives.
Princess Wenshu quickened her pace and, just as Princess Yun'an was about to board the carriage, softly called out, "Third Sister..."
Princess Yun'an paused as she got into the carriage, but did not turn around.
The maid who was supporting her stopped what she was doing, lowered her head, and dared not say a word.
A night breeze swept by, carrying the chill of early spring.
"Third sister..."
Wen Shu took two steps closer and said gently, "Ye Han, Third Sister, you've drunk quite a bit of wine again tonight. You need to take care of yourself."
Princess Yun'an finally turned around slowly.
The light from the palace lanterns shone on her face, revealing eyes that were once filled with arrogance, now red and swollen, but with a lifeless stillness in them.