Chapter 91

And just as Su Ye and the others' offensive in the Qi Zhou mountains was being thwarted.

Cangzhou East Peace Pass.

On a treacherous mountain road leading from the Central Region to the Eastern Lands, a towering pass loomed before everyone's eyes.

It towered into the clouds, as if an insurmountable heavenly moat.

The city walls were thick and heavy, covered with the marks left by time.

The gate of the pass was tightly shut, like an iron wall coming from the Eastern Lands.

In the early summer morning, sunlight fell on the winding ancient road; the golden light and the green trees on either side complemented each other beautifully.

In the distance, a huge marriage alliance procession slowly approached, banners fluttering, silk and bamboo music playing, like a colorful long dragon coiled upon the earth.

However, amidst this festive atmosphere, a cold-hearted barrier lay across the road ahead.

The towering city walls loomed like a beast over the crowd, the gate tightly shut, as if an insurmountable heavenly moat.

The Cangzhou garrison on East Peace Pass stood ready in strict formation, clad in armor, weapons in hand, eyes cold and resolute.

Their appearance instantly shattered the previously joyful and harmonious atmosphere, the air filled with a killing intent.

"Halt, whoever comes!"

The garrison on East Peace Pass looked at the three thousand armored soldiers behind the Great Qian marriage alliance troupe, their eyes narrowing, they gripped their spears tightly.

The marriage alliance troupe led by the three princesses of Great Qian halted at this mighty pass.

The Colonel guarding the city walls wore a sword at his waist, his gaze sharp, obviously not someone to be trifled with.

Shi Luo Ying rode forward a few steps on horseback, clasped his hands to the garrison Colonel and said: "General, we are a marriage alliance troupe from the capital of Great Qian, heading to the Eastern Lands to marry the Cloud Prince's heir. Please grant us passage."

"A marriage alliance?"

"Please, everyone, wait a moment while this humble officer goes to report to the general."

The Colonel on the city walls glanced at the heroic Shi Luo Ying, then at the splendid carriage behind him.

After hesitating, he said to Shi Luo Ying below the city walls.

"Thank you for your trouble, General."

Shi Luo Ying's expression remained unchanged as he solemnly said to the Colonel on the city walls.

Watching the Colonel's departing figure, and also watching the garrison standing ready on East Peace Pass.

Shi Luo Ying's heart sank; the Cloud Prince's heir's control over Cangzhou exceeded his imagination.

She had originally thought that when Su Ye first took control of Cangzhou, he relied only on the Cloud Prince's Mansion's years of accumulation and layout in Cangzhou.

Now it seems, things are not that simple.

At least, the East Peace Pass should now be entirely in the hands of that Cloud Prince's heir.

Shi Luo Ying observed the mighty pass before her with her phoenix eyes, her mind filled with myriad thoughts.

"It seems this Cloud Prince's heir is no pushover; he has quickly brought Great Qian's East Peace Pass, which they've held for hundreds of years, firmly under his control."

At this moment, Shi Luo Qing rode forward from behind, looking at the garrison unmoving in the face of the Great Qian marriage alliance troupe on the city walls, and said coldly.

"The Cloud Prince's heir, young and accomplished, is a good thing for Cangzhou, and even for Yunzhou."

"But for Great Qian, it's a disaster, not a blessing!"

Seeing this, Shi Luo Shi stepped forward to stand beside her two sisters and said worriedly.

The three princesses exchanged a glance, each seeing the solemn look in the other's eyes.

Meanwhile, Yuwen Chendu, whom Su Ye had sent to East Peace Pass to be sidelined, was sitting upright in the manor's council hall, his face somewhat gloomy.

"General Yuwen, a troupe has come from the Central Region, claiming to be heading to Cangzhou to marry the heir."

Just as Yuwen Chendu was pondering how to go to the Qi Zhou battlefield, a signal soldier on the city walls brought news of the marriage alliance troupe.

"Huh? A marriage alliance?"

Yuwen Chendu heard that it was a marriage alliance troupe sent by the Great Qian court, his brows furrowed, a flash of wariness in his eyes.

Jin Wuzhu stood to the side, his expression solemn, a hint of thought in his eyes, awaiting Yuwen Chendu's orders.

"Wuzhu, what do you think?"

After thinking for a long while, Yuwen Chendu finally spoke up and asked Jin Wuzhu beside him.

"According to the latest report, this marriage alliance troupe from Great Qian consists of three leading women who are the daughters of the royal clan's Old Master Si."

"These three princesses each have their own merits; the purpose of this trip is to conduct a marriage alliance with His Highness the heir."

Jin Wuzhu stroked his chin, thought for a moment, then replied.

"A marriage alliance?"

"Who knows what their true intentions are? Perhaps they're here to scout out our strengths and weaknesses."

Yuwen Chendu pondered for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.

To Yuwen Chendu, women only affect the speed at which he swings his phoenix-wing gilt halberd.

"Uh."

"What the elder brother said is absolutely right. Then what do you say we should do?"

Jin Wuzhu glanced at the straight man Yuwen Chendu, his mouth twitched slightly, and he nodded in agreement.

"Issue the order: stand ready, strengthen the pass's defenses."

"At the same time, closely monitor the marriage alliance troupe's movements; report any changes immediately."

Yuwen Chendu pondered briefly, then waved his hand.

"Yes, elder brother."

Jin Wuzhu clasped his fists in salute and departed with the order.

Yuwen Chendu sat alone in the council hall, his thoughts surging.

He knew that the relationship between the two provinces of the Eastern Lands and Great Qian was delicate; this marriage alliance peace talk might be a stalling tactic by Great Qian.

But no matter what, the Cangzhou army is now on expedition, leaving the interior empty.

His duty lies there; he must ensure Xiong Pass is not lost, and cannot allow anyone to easily enter Cangzhou.

Meanwhile, among the Great Qian marriage alliance troops outside Xiong Pass, the three princesses—Si Luo Ying, Si Luo Shi, and Si Luo Qing—were also discussing strategies.

Through spies they learned the commandant's attitude and reaction, realizing that passing this gate seemed not as easy as imagined.

"We must find a way to persuade the commandant of Dongning Pass."

"Otherwise, the marriage alliance troops haven't even entered Cangzhou yet, and they'll be blocked outside the gate."

Si Luo Ying looked at the still tightly closed Dongning Pass gate, somewhat speechless.

"But judging from the current situation, the commandant of Dongning Pass seems not easy to persuade."

Si Luo Shi furrowed her brows, also feeling a bit troubled.

"We can try to tempt him with benefits."

"For example, if you let us pass, once the marriage alliance succeeds, we will give him generous rewards or elevate his position."

Si Luo Qing tilted her head to the side, pondered for a moment, then said.

"Eh"

"This probably won't work. According to earlier spy reports, the commandant of Dongning Pass seems uninterested in benefits."

Looking at his unreliable sixth younger sister, Si Luo Ying choked a little, then shook his head.

"Then what should we do?"

Obviously Si Luo Qing also realized her suggestion wasn't reliable, lowered her head and asked.

"Let me give it a try!"

Suddenly, a glint flashed in Si Luo Shi's eyes; she explained, "We at least came with the goodwill of the Great Qian court toward Cangzhou and Yun Province."

"As long as Cangzhou and Yun Province haven't prepared to raise their banners in rebellion."

"Then our marriage alliance troop still has use for Cangzhou and Yun Province!"

Si Luo Ying and Si Luo Qing exchanged a glance, feeling this was a feasible plan.

(End of chapter)