Sword·Qinxin

Northern Liao Chapter 2 and Marriage

Palace of Longevity

In the hall stood a woman, wearing a lavender long dress reaching the ground, wearing a blue tulle, and a jade-colored brocade belt around her waist, which was fresh and elegant.His eyebrows are like willows, his eyes are like lakes, his skin is white and tender, and his gestures exude an elegant atmosphere.

The woman saluted with a smile: "De Yuan sees His Majesty, sees the Queen Mother."

"De Yuan doesn't need to be polite, come and sit next to Ai's family." The queen mother patted the chair beside her and motioned De Yuan to sit beside her.

"De Yuan obeys." Princess De Yuan Yingying walked to the side of the queen mother, the queen mother was so happy that she held the princess's hand and would not let go.

Zhao Zhen sat on the side, looking at the dignified and virtuous younger sister in front of him, gentle and quiet, he couldn't help smiling even more.

"De Yuan, Brother Wang has something to discuss with you."

"Your Majesty has just ordered, and De Yuan is terrified." Princess De Yuan hurriedly stood up and saluted Zhao Zhen.

The queen mother said: "Deyuan, what I'm talking about today is about my own family. There is no Your Majesty here, so there is no need to be polite."

"De Yuan obeys." Princess De Yuan got up and sat back on her seat, looked at the two people in the hall and asked, "I don't know why the queen mother and brother Wang called De Yuan here?"

The Queen Mother and Zhao Zhen looked at each other, and seemed to sigh, then suppressed their smile, and their voice was slightly hesitant.

"Ai Jia remembers that Yelu Zhenhong, Lord of Liao Dynasty, brought the second prince to Beijing six years ago. At that time, you were pestering the late emperor to compete swords with the second prince."

Princess Deyuan blushed slightly when she heard the Queen Mother mentioning this matter, she nodded and said in a low voice: "Deyuan is young and naughty...it's out of manners..."

Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "Brother Wang still remembers Yelu Zhenhong praising Sister Wang for being a heroine."

Princess Deyuan smiled shyly, and said softly: "Brother Wang was joking..."

"De Yuan, the Second Prince at that time was already the Lord of Liao today, and now he proposes a marriage proposal with Brother Wang, would you... would you like to go?"

Zhao Zhen looked at De Yuan, and there was no official order in his tone, only the brother's concern for his sister.

"And... kiss?..." Princess Deyuan looked up, with shock in her eyes, then she lowered her head without making any expression.

Zhao Zhen saw it, and sighed lowly: "Being in Tianjia has a lot of helplessness in Tianjia. Brother Wang thought that Yelu Zongyan might be interested in you, so he made this request. But Brother Wang understands, if you don't Willing to go, Brother Wang will not force you."

There was silence in the hall, and for a while, Princess Deyuan raised her head, restored her smile, and said, "Brother Wang, don't be embarrassed, Deyuan is willing to go."

The queen mother trembled slightly as she held Princess Deyuan's hand, and asked, "Deyuan, are you willing to go? Don't force yourself."

Princess Deyuan always smiled and said: "Being in Tianjia, Deyuan understands the responsibilities and responsibilities of being a princess, and Deyuan is not afraid. Besides, Brother Wang also said that maybe the Lord of Liao is interested in Wangmei. I believe Wangmei is also interested." I won't be wronged."

Zhao Zhen looked at Princess Deyuan, there was no sorrow in his clear eyes, but firmness in them.

Two days later, Zhao Zhen issued an edict that Princess Deyuan would marry Liao Kingdom three months later, and marry Liao Lord Yelu Zongyan.

Kaifeng House Study

As soon as Bao Zheng called Zhan Zhao and Gongsun Ce to the study, they were talking about Princess Deyuan's marriage.

"Your Excellency is saying that the princess voluntarily went to marry?"

Bao Zheng nodded, seeing Zhan Zhao's surprised expression, he seemed to be expecting it, and said with a smile: "That's right, Zhan's guard doesn't understand?"

Zhan Zhao replied: "I do have some doubts. Since ancient times, the Tian family's marriage has mostly been for political purposes, and the daughters of the Tian family have avoided them. If it is really unavoidable, some people will pretend to be them, or they will be appointed by the people to replace them. Besides. The Liao Kingdom is also a barren land, and the princess lives deep in the palace, pampered and pampered. It is a surprise that the princess voluntarily went here."

Bao Zheng said: "About this matter, there are actually some origins. Six years ago, Yelu Zhenhong took the current Liao Lord Yelu Zongyan to visit the late emperor. Princess Deyuan was 12 years old at that time, and had a relationship with him."

Zhan Zhao said: "However, in order to consolidate the imperial power, the Lord of Liao used the Xiao family as his heir in all dynasties. The princess has married this time..."

Bao Zheng said: "The princess understands that the princess's willingness to get married is not to fight for the successor... It is not easy to have the current peaceful situation between Song and Liao. The current Liao Lord advocates a pro-Song policy. Now the princess and the relatives can further promote the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Well, it is all beneficial and harmless to the current emperor and the common people."

Zhan Zhao sighed, frowned and said, "However, since the Lord of Liao came to the throne, the internal tide of the Liao Kingdom has been raging, and the main fighters are still ready to move. I'm afraid the princess will go..."

"It should be so, Zhan Zhao accepts the order." Bao Zheng nodded, and took out a piece of plain paper from his sleeve.

Zhan Zhao lifted up a corner of his blue shirt, knelt on the ground, raised his hands above his head, and respectfully took the plain note from Bao Zheng's hand.

Su Jian is the handwritten letter of Zhao Zhen, the current sage.

Zhan Zhao read the content of the sketch paper, looked up at Bao Zheng, with doubts in his eyes: "Your Majesty ordered your subordinates to follow the princess to the Liao Kingdom?"

"That's right." Bao Zheng patted Zhan Zhao's shoulder, and replied, "This trip to Liao Kingdom, one: Princess Deyuan and her marriage; two: protect the princess' safety; and three..." After a pause, he continued. , "Third: Assist the Lord of Liao to eradicate Yelu Zongqi, the king of the Southern Academy."

"The Holy One has finally taken action?" Zhan Zhao stood up and asked, with a little joy in his voice.

Bao Zheng nodded and said: "This time, the Lord of Liao has reached an agreement with His Majesty in the name of marriage. After the matter is completed, you will be able to obtain the secret edict of Yelu Zongyan from the Lord of Liao."

"Lord Liao has arranged for his cronies. When Zhan's guards arrive there, someone will meet you, but this time it is very dangerous for you to sneak in alone..."

Zhan Zhaoyan smiled slightly, his eyes were clear and bright: "Don't worry, my lord, my subordinates are not afraid of life and death, and it is enough to find peace for the people."

Bao Zheng looked at Zhan Zhao, deeply grateful to this subordinate who had followed him through life and death several times, his voice was unavoidably choked up.

"This government recommends you to the Holy Majesty, in fact...in fact, there are still selfish intentions..."

Zhan Zhao said: "This subordinate understands that this matter is of great importance, it concerns the two countries..."

"Guard Zhan." Gongsun Ce on the side couldn't help interrupting Zhan Zhao's heroic words, looked at him and said, "Your Excellency refers to... Miss Yunying."

Yunying? ! ... Zhan Zhao's heart trembled, and he was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer the words.

Seeing Zhan Zhao lowering his eyes, Bao Zheng stood silently, and sighed slowly: "Since I discovered the secret of Yuqin, I have thought about it and reconsidered... That Yunying girl may be the only surviving blood of the Ling family. King Rong has been in the past few years. She has been standing still, and it is very likely that she has not grasped the matter of the Wujin mine back then, and the secret of the Wujin mine may only be known to her now."

Bao Zheng looked at Zhan Zhao for a while, and said again: "The government also knows that you and Miss Yunying used to... No matter what, this time you go to Liao Kingdom, you must find Miss Yunying and bring her back."

Zhan Zhao's face was calm, no emotional fluctuations could be seen, he nodded in acceptance and exited the study.

Hearing that Zhan Zhao's pace was getting further and further away, Gongsun Cefang asked, "Does your lord also think that the person who poisoned him back then was not Miss Yunying?"

Bao Zheng nodded and replied: "Mister's guess is correct, the government doesn't think she was the one who poisoned."

Gongsun Ce regretted, "But her identity..."

"If she was from the Ling family, she might be able to find out about the rebellion of Marquis Xiding back then, which was related to King Rong. If Marquis Xiding was framed, the Holy Majesty would be able to rehabilitate the Ling family and return her true identity. But as for her Why is it in Liao Kingdom, and why is it..." Bao Zheng frowned, shook his head and sighed, "The reason for this can only be known after the Zhan guards bring her back."

Gongsun Ce asked doubtfully, "My lord is so sure that she will come back with Zhan's escort?"

Bao Zheng smiled: "Zhan Huwei's past love is also seen by the government. Although he has behaved the same in front of people this year, we both know what he looks like in private. Zhan Wei often says that spies cannot Rong, but if it is true that you have no feelings for Miss Yunying, then why do you have to carry Yuqin with you all the time?"

Gongsun Ce nodded and smiled knowingly: "What the adults said is that the students are stupid."

Bao Zheng looked in the direction of the backyard, and sighed softly: "To untie the bell, you need someone to tie it. I hope that Zhan Wei's trip can also untangle his heart. Don't let down the painstaking efforts of the government."

When the princess gets married, there are many things to be prepared in the palace, and none of the ministries dare to be negligent. Zhao Zhen has read all the gift lists and approved them one by one, to show how much the Holy Majesty attaches importance to.

Zhan Zhao has never been free these days, and he has clearly explained what he can and cannot handle on the case at hand, and the servants in the mansion are extremely busy.

Zhan Zhao left, although the Holy Majesty said that he could return to the Song Dynasty after the princess got married, but the Liao Kingdom was a foreign country after all, and the main battle party of the Liao Kingdom was still obviously hostile to the Song Dynasty. Whenever he thought that Brother Zhan was in danger, the four captains I don't know how many tears I wiped away in private.Zhan Zhao always smiled and comforted them that he would be back soon.

Song and Liao exchanged fixed gifts and presents. At the beginning of October, the Liao Kingdom's wedding mission also arrived in the capital to welcome the princess and leave for Liao.

The night before Zhan Zhao's departure, a table was set up in the Kaifeng Mansion for him to farewell.

"Brother Zhan, these deer boots are a wish from Ma Han and I. It's very cold in Liao Kingdom, so remember to wear them."

Fearing that Zhan Zhao would not accept it, Wang Chao insisted on stuffing the deer boots tightly into his hands.

"Brother Zhan, this sable fur is a wish from Zhao Hu and I. It's very cold in Liao Kingdom, so remember to wear it."

Zhang Long was also afraid that Zhan Zhao would not accept it, so he squeezed Diao Qiu tightly into his hand.

The four presented gifts, each took a bowl of wine in front of them, and drank it all in one gulp.

Looking at the situation, Bao Zheng frowned and said, "What are you doing? Guard Zhan is only going to protect the princess, not go into battle to kill the enemy. Besides, guard Zhan will come back after the princess gets married."

"But... but... I don't know how long Brother Zhan will be gone, this subordinate... this subordinate feels sad..."

As they spoke, the four of them wiped away their tears again.

Bao Zheng sighed and shook his head helplessly.

Zhan Zhao filled his glass of wine by himself, stood up and said, "During Zhan Zhao's absence, Mr. Bao will entrust all the authority to you, Zhan Zhao, thank you in advance!"

"Brother Zhan, don't worry, we brothers will defend Kaifeng Mansion to the death!"

After the heroic speech, everyone drank it all in one gulp.

After the banquet, Gongsun Ce came to Zhan Zhao's house, handed some commonly used medicines to Zhan Zhao, and entrusted him to be careful in everything.When parting, I couldn't bear to look at him a few more times, and went back to the house wiping my tears.

Zhan Zhao packed up his bags and came to Bao Zheng's study to say goodbye. Bao Zheng knew that Zhan Zhao's mission was arduous, and he felt quite reluctant.

Zhan Zhao smiled and said, "Zhan Zhao will live up to his mission, sir, please rest assured."

Seeing the young man comforting himself instead, Bao Zheng couldn't help tears from the corners of his eyes.

Turning sideways, waved his hands, choked up and said: "Go, go to rest earlier."

"This subordinate is retiring, please take care, sir."

Zhan Zhao saluted Bao Zheng deeply, feeling deeply moved in his heart.

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