Chapter 1 The Regent

The Regent walked into the bedchamber and saw his younger sister sitting at the table, head slightly lowered, waiting for him.

Waiting for him to approach,

The princess raised her head and looked at her brother.

A smile appeared on the Regent's face,

He said:

"I was worried sick when I heard about your accident. It's just that Tian Wujing was pressing on Zhennan Pass, so I lingered there to deal with things. I rushed over as soon as the situation was stable.

"Your complexion is good, and you haven't lost weight. Although the servants below reported it, I, as your brother, must see it with my own eyes to feel at ease.

"You grew up by my side since you were little. This is the first time you've traveled so far alone, and I've been worried about you."

The Regent sat down next to her.

"Pour me a cup of tea."

The princess got up, poured tea, and brought it to the Regent.

Once, every time he went to see the Empress Dowager, this sister of his would bring out her treasured imperial pastries and tea cakes for him to eat. She had a lot of Father Emperor's favorite Daze Fragrant Tongue stashed away, and she was reluctant to drink it herself, saving it all for him.

"I'll ask you one more time, who was involved in your matter? The Mi family? I don't think so.

"Sister, tell me boldly. If your brother can't even protect his own sister, how can I protect the people of Chu?"

The princess shook her head and said, "It's all in the past."

The Regent looked at his sister, silent for a long time.

The princess smiled slightly and repeated, "It's really all in the past."

The Regent nodded and said, "Good."

This was considered an agreement not to pursue the matter further.

"I heard that Qu Peiluo often comes to see you? I've met this kid, and he's not bad."

"If Brother thinks he's good, Brother can marry him yourself."

"You're talking nonsense again."

The Regent wasn't angry. He had never been angry with this well-behaved sister, and had never even said a harsh word to her.

Born into the imperial family, he had been fighting with his brothers since he was old enough to understand. The so-called family affection of the imperial family was just a layer of red paper pasted on the outside of a lantern, easily punctured and quickly burned.

Only when he was with her could he relax and enjoy the joy of ordinary family affection.

The princess said, "I don't see anything good about him."

"Sister, trust my judgment. As long as your brother is alive, this kid won't dare to treat you badly. Moreover, even among the many great nobles of Chu, Qu Peiluo's talent is considered excellent. There aren't many better than him at this age."

"Not necessarily," the princess said.

Xiong Liqing had already compared him herself, from every aspect, and found that the more she compared, the more she felt that Qu Peiluo was useless.

Of course, it was Qu Peiluo's bad luck to be compared to the Earl of Pingye.

"You're holding a grudge?" the Regent asked.

The princess didn't answer.

"If you have a grudge, vent it on your brother. Once it's out, it'll be better. But don't vent it on Qu Peiluo. After all, I'm your brother. Since ancient times, has there ever been a brother who gets angry with his own sister?

"But Qu Peiluo is also a noble son, and he has his pride. You're going to marry him eventually, so don't ruin the relationship for a moment's pleasure. It's not worth it."

These were sincere words, and also the way to manage a family.

Most of the time, you can't take things too seriously in life, and you can't just do whatever you want. Otherwise, you'll be the one who suffers.

For the Regent of Chu to sit down and talk about these mundane matters of marriage, it was clear that he really cared about this sister.

"Brother, I don't want to marry him. I really don't want to marry him."

"Be good. The date has already been set."

"Brother, why? You promised me before that I could choose who I marry in the future. As the ruler of a country, how can you break your promise? A ruler's words are iron!"

"I'm not the emperor yet."

"But what's the difference between you and the emperor?"

He was the Regent in name, but he sat on the dragon throne during court sessions.

The Regent shook his head and said, "There have only ever been emperors in name only, but never emperors in substance without the name. Blame Father Emperor for leaving too hastily, so I wasn't fully prepared at the beginning."

If the Chu Emperor had died a year later, or even half a year later, the Regent would have been confident that he could have prevented that internal strife in Chu.

That internal strife caused Chu to miss an opportunity, and at the same time, could only watch as the Yan people annexed most of the Jin territory.

Even when Qu Tiannan was later sent to lead the Azure Luan Army on an expedition, Chu didn't go all out, and it was only a last-ditch effort to make up for things.

If there hadn't been that internal strife, the Chu army could have participated in the struggle for the Three Jin territories in time when the Yan people had just destroyed the Wenren and Helian families. At that time, it would have been difficult for the Yan people to gain a foothold in Jin.

"Anyway, you always have a reason, you have your difficulties, and you have your problems. I, as your sister, have to sell myself for your great cause."

The Regent frowned slightly, then relaxed,

He said:

"Girls always have to get married when they grow up."

"I won't. I just won't. Why should I? Why?"

"Because you're a princess. You've lived a life of luxury since you were born. You can drink ice in the summer and enjoy the snow in the winter. The royal family has given you a life of wealth and honor, so you must contribute yourself to this family.

"Don't ask why, and don't ask why.

"Poor girls who have brothers or younger brothers are sold by their parents like goods to get betrothal money for their brothers to marry wives.

"How many women in brothels and courtyards choose to do this willingly? Most of them are sold into them by their parents because their families are too poor to survive.

"Even the daughters of those noble families, aren't there fewer marriage alliances?

"Why don't they ask why, why don't they ask why?

"In this world,

"There are not so many wish fulfillments as in plays,

"Whether it's the common people or the royal family, everyone has to live. If you want to live, you have to compromise. You can't just take without giving. There's no such thing.

"Sister,

"You have to be sensible."

Xiong Liqing opened her mouth, bit her lip, and said word by word:

"I don't want to be sensible. I just want my brother to spoil me and take care of me as he did when I was little. I just want to stay by my brother's side forever."

"Don't say such foolish things again. We're siblings, real siblings. People have to learn to grow up.

"Be good.

"As long as Brother is here, I can guarantee that you won't be bullied in this life."

"But the one who's bullying me is you!"

The princess shouted.

The green snake under the bed sensed something and poked its head out from under the bed.

But when the green snake saw the Regent sitting there, it quickly shrank back.

When the princess's anger reached a certain level, it would automatically wake up and swallow the person in front of it, but it didn't dare to be presumptuous in front of the Regent.

"Brother, you came to see me just to tell me this."

"Your sister is getting married, so your brother naturally has to come and see."

"Are you afraid that I'll be too unruly and ruin your relationship with the Qu family?"

The Regent didn't want to talk anymore. He stood up, seemingly preparing to leave the bedchamber.

The princess remained sitting there, not standing up.

The Regent walked to the door, stopped, and said, "Brother also wants to say to you, if you don't want to marry, then we won't marry. But Brother has no choice.

"That emperor of Yan has obvious ambitions to annex. He won't give Brother too much time to prepare, and Brother doesn't have much time to waste. There's really no choice."

Xiong Liqing raised her head, looked at the Regent, and said:

"You can choose not to be the emperor."

The Regent's expression turned cold,

He directly reprimanded:

"If I don't compete for this position and let my other brothers sit on it, you wouldn't be sitting here arguing with me about not wanting to marry someone. You would have to be exiled to Daze with me!"

The princess smiled,

Somewhat sadly, she said:

"I'm willing."

The Regent was silent.

The two of them,

One standing,

One sitting,

For a long time, no one spoke. The atmosphere in the bedchamber became stagnant.

…

Zheng Boye sat in the carriage. He didn't go out to wander around at this time, nor did he go to see the sword maker examine the sword for Chen the Hero. He just sat there silently, drinking tea.

Zhao Cheng was by his side, not daring to say much.

However, the two of them would still occasionally exchange glances, but they didn't make any valuable communication.

You're here?

Oh, you're here again?

Oh, oh, you're here again today?

Yes, I'm coming in, I'm going out again, I'm coming in again…

Zheng Boye really wanted to smoke a cigarette now. First, he was bored and waiting with nothing to do, and second, he had some emotions in his heart that he wanted to vent in this way.

But Zheng Boye ultimately restrained this impulse because cigarettes were too iconic. Perhaps the scouts from Phoenix Nest had already collected that he had this habit.

Since he was idle anyway,

Zheng Boye's thoughts began to wander.

He suddenly thought of something,

That was, he had already met the Yan Emperor, and he had also met the Qian Emperor, and he had also met the Jin Emperor, and he had also met the Savage King, and now he had met the "Chu Emperor";

Wow,

Even envoys or delegates from two countries would generally only be sent to one country and would only be able to meet the emperor of one country, but he was close to a grand slam, except for the Barbarian King.

In this world, there probably weren't many people who had met so many "emperors" like him and had also spoken to them at close range, right?

Thinking like this, he felt like he was playing Pokemon;

"Hehe."

Zheng Boye couldn't help but laugh twice.

Zhao Cheng, who was standing next to him, subconsciously trembled twice. He really couldn't figure out Zheng Fan's identity now. He only knew that he was extremely mysterious, and mystery was the biggest source of people's fear.

At this time, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside.

Immediately after,

Three people dismounted and walked towards the inner courtyard.

Two middle-aged men stood at the door and knelt down directly.

Qu Peiluo walked straight in;

The two kneeling at the door were Qu Peiluo's two uncles, who were also Qu Tiannan's younger brothers.

In the morning, the imperial guards entered the courtyard's residence, and at the same time, the Phoenix Nest's secret agents also gathered. The Qu family in Juying City immediately received an urgent report.

The Qu family's key figures immediately understood who had come, so the two uncles immediately accompanied Qu Peiluo on horseback to the royal villa to prepare to pay their respects.

The Regent was traveling incognito, but the Qu family had to be tactful and show the necessary etiquette and demeanor. Besides, with the wedding approaching, the Regent's visit here was already giving the Qu family face.

The two uncles with general titles knelt at the door, not entering. They were only responsible for kneeling. After all, the Regent didn't display his imperial carriage, which meant that he was mostly appearing as a "family member." Naturally, Qu Peiluo, who was about to become a family member, should go in and talk to the Regent and the princess about family matters.

After Qu Peiluo entered the inner courtyard, he first saw the sword maker who was helping Chen the Hero appraise the sword.

Obviously, he knew the sword maker, and he immediately stepped forward to salute.

"Peiluo greets Uncle Dugu."

The Dugu family was a great noble family of Chu of the same stature as the Qu family. One of Qu Peiluo's grand aunts was the wife of the sword maker's second uncle, so the sword maker was a generation higher than Qu Peiluo.

In addition, with his status as one of the Four Great Swordsmen, it was only natural for him to put on airs in front of Qu Peiluo and accept this salute.

A junior who was about to get married saluted him, so it was natural for this elder to show some appreciation.

The sword maker was also prepared. He took out a short sword from his bosom and threw it directly to Qu Peiluo.

"Here, it's for you."

"Thank you, Uncle Dugu."

The sword given by the sword maker must be a good sword. There was no doubt about this.

Qu Peiluo didn't decline. He respectfully accepted the sword and then turned his gaze to Chen the Hero.

The sword maker introduced:

"Swordsman from Qian, Chen the Hero, is someone sent by Yao Shi."

Qu Peiluo immediately cupped his hands.

Chen the Hero responded with his sword.

The sword maker narrowed his eyes and smiled:

"There is also a young Mr. Su inside, who is a personal disciple of Yao Shi, with great talent. You can say hello later. Perhaps he will write a poem for you on your wedding day."

"Yes, I understand."

Qu Peiluo continued to walk inside and saw a carriage and Zheng Fan standing by the carriage.

Although he was going to steal someone else's wife, and had even unlocked many of his fiancee's charms before the other party, Zheng Boye really didn't know Qu Peiluo.

The last time Qu Peiluo recited poetry outside the door, Zheng Boye was inside holding the princess, and he had only heard the voice of this future consort, but he had never seen the real person.

It wasn't until Zhao Cheng knelt down and saluted Qu Peiluo:

"This servant greets General of the Tiger Might, wishing the General happiness and good health."

"Get up."

"Thank you, General."

Oh?

It was him.

Zheng Boye immediately adopted the role of the neighbor next door and began to examine Qu Peiluo.

His looks,

Hmm,

Were really good.

Qu Peiluo's appearance was really good. In later generations, he would have looked even more handsome than those young idols. This was an undeniable fact, a fact that even Old Zheng had to admit.

But Zheng Boye immediately sneered in his heart:

What's the use of just being good-looking?

Qu Peiluo naturally didn't know what Zheng Boye was thinking. He knew that Zheng Fan was a disciple of Yao Shi and had been recognized by the sword maker, so he was extremely polite to Zheng Fan:

"I have met Mr. Su."

Zheng Fan smiled slightly, took a humble half-step back, and returned the salute:

"I have met the General."

"It is an honor for Peiluo to have Mr. Su attend Peiluo's wedding banquet."

No, you will regret it.

"Peiluo likes poetry and admires Qian's culture. I hope Mr. Su will not hesitate to give me some guidance, and Peiluo will be very grateful."

No, you won't be grateful.

"Not at all, Qu Brother has an impressive demeanor and is truly a Chu gentleman, and I have long heard of Qu Brother's literary reputation."

After all, I held your fiancee that day and listened to you singing about snow outside the door.

"Mr. Su is too kind. I am ashamed to be worthy of such praise."

The reason why Qu Peiluo was so polite to this disciple of Yao Shi was, as the sword maker had said earlier, that he hoped this "Mr. Su" could write a poem or song for him on his wedding day.

In this era, the spread and influence of poetry was extremely great, especially since "Mr. Su" also had the title of Yao Shi's disciple.

No one would not want their wedding to be grand and remembered by later generations.

Zhao Cheng, who was standing on the side, lowered his head, not speaking, not saying a word, and had no expression.

As the only one here who knew the truth,

Eunuch Zhao felt that the dialogue between the consort and Zheng Fan, their mutual appreciation, and their mutual flattery were simply filled with a humorous, dark tone.

…

Inside the bedchamber, it had been quiet for a long time.

The Regent had not gotten what he wanted here. He knew that his sister was holding a grudge, and he had come to let his sister vent her anger;

As a brother, he hoped that his sister could be happy after she married; as an "emperor," he hoped that his sister could complete his political alliance with the Qu family.

In fact, regardless of whether there was a marriage alliance or not, the Qu family could only be tied to him because the Qu family had already lost nearly 50,000 Azure Luan troops for the Regent, and at the same time, the contemporary head of the family, a Pillar of State, had been lost.

Getting off the bus was already impossible, in fact.

This marriage alliance was actually for other great nobles to see, in order to declare a position.

Therefore, the Regent didn't want his sister to have emotions.

But his sister's reaction made him a little strange. She should have accepted her fate, but now, it seemed that she was particularly tenacious.

This made the Regent, who liked to have everything in his hands, feel very uncomfortable. All monarchs, in fact, liked the feeling that their will could control everything and didn't like disobedience.

In addition to the meaning that his sister had revealed to him in recent years, both overtly and covertly,

The Regent's mood was inevitably tinged with irritability.

He turned his head, looked at the princess, and said:

"Liqing, what's done is done. The wedding is imminent. I hope you can be clear-headed. You are my sister. I watched you grow up, so I know my sister. She is very smart."

"Brother, is this a threat?"

"It's not a threat, it's an imperial decree."

"An imperial decree?"

"My imperial decree, ordering you to marry me with a smile."

Even if you're acting, you have to act well for me!

I know you have the ability, you are not as weak as you look.

The princess, sitting on the chair, looked at her brother with a somewhat dazed expression.

At this moment,

The Regent opened the door to the bedchamber,

The princess first saw Qu Peiluo standing at the door of the bedchamber,

Sigh, he's here again;

Immediately after,

The princess saw Zheng Fan standing beside Qu Peiluo,

Huh, he's here again!

Perhaps Zheng Boye's appearance was so shocking that the repression and anger she had endured from her brother were caught off guard,

A smile appeared directly on the princess's face.

The Regent noticed it and felt relieved. His sister was still listening to him and knew the limits.

Qu Peiluo saw the princess smile because she saw him,

And a sincere smile immediately appeared on his face in response.

Zheng Boye saw Qu Peiluo smiling so happily,

He also…

No,

Hold it in, don't smile.