Chapter 92: Entering the Pass Alone

Night fell, stars shining brightly.

Si Luoshi rode to the foot of Xiong Pass, indicating her purpose to the colonel guarding the city atop East Ning Pass.

She explained in detail Great Qian's stance and purpose for this marriage alliance, emphasizing its importance in guaranteeing internal peace for Great Qian.

Her words were full of sincerity and gentleness, attempting to touch the soft spot in the heart of the city-guarding colonel.

At that moment, Yuwen Chengdu in the mansion also received news that the imperial princess Si Luoshi had come alone to visit.

He knew how complex and changeable the relations between the two eastern provinces and Great Qian were.

While the Cangzhou army was on expedition to Qi Zhou, he did not want to lightly allow this Great Qian marriage alliance troupe, carrying three thousand elite armored soldiers, to enter the pass and enter Cangzhou.

But Yuwen Chengdu also did not want to provoke a dispute between the Cang and Yun provinces and Great Qian without cause.

After all, his adoptive father Su Kai and brother Su Ye had placed their focus of expansion on the neighboring chaotic Great Yong dynasty.

Even if he could not go to the front to help them.

Nor could he cause trouble for them in the rear.

Huh

After some thought, Yuwen Chengdu still decided to have a face-to-face talk with Si Luoshi.

He hoped to understand the true intentions and attitude of Great Qian's marriage alliance troupe through direct communication.

Creak—

As the heavy city gate of East Ning Pass was slowly pushed open.

Princess, please!

Jin Wuzhu led a troop of soldiers out of the pass to meet with Si Luoshi, lowering his head as he came to stand before her.

He tried not to lift his head to look at her.

After all, this Great Qian troupe had come for a marriage alliance.

He was not like his elder brother, a blunt, straightforward man.

Now he still did not know what attitude Su Ye had.

Perhaps in the future these few will become his mistresses.

Therefore, Jin Wuzhu's tone and attitude toward Si Luoshi were still respectful.

Sorry to trouble you, General.

Looking at Jin Wuzhu, who bore obvious foreign traits, Si Luoshi's face showed no surprise; instead she smiled at him.

Your Highness, you're too polite, please.

Jin Wuzhu kept his head lowered ahead, leading her into the hall of East Ning Pass.

Yuwen Chengdu received Si Luoshi in the council hall.

His gaze toward the young princess held a hint of wariness and curiosity.

Si Luoshi responded to his gaze with a calm attitude, her face bearing a gentle smile like a spring breeze.

Princess Luoshi, Great Qian's move this time leaves Chengdu somewhat puzzled.

You know, the five central provinces of Great Qian are not very stable nowadays.

Yuwen Chengdu finally spoke: 'The peace you speak of does not match the situation I understand.'

General Yuwen, peace requires the joint effort of all under heaven.

Si Luoshi gave a light smile, not minding Yuwen Chengdu's question.

She explained: 'Our Great Qian has no great ambition, only seeking peace and prosperity for the country; thus we only hope to maintain stability with the eastern provinces of Cang and Yun.'

Hearing Si Luoshi's words, Yuwen Chengdu smiled and did not say much more on the topic of all under heaven.

Now Great Qian and the eastern provinces of Cang and Yun seem about to part ways.

Talking about this further is meaningless.

Princess, this humble officer will not make things difficult for you.

The Great Qian marriage alliance troupe may enter Cangzhou, but the three thousand armored soldiers at the pass may not carry weapons or wear armor into Cangzhou.

Moreover, they must proceed to Cangling City under the escort of the soldiers of East Ning Pass.

Yuwen Chengdu is not a pedantic person either; whether Great Qian marries into the Cang and Yun provinces or not.

Specifically, it is still up to his adoptive father and Jin Yu.

Finding a wife is also Jin Yu's doing.

Perhaps it will succeed, and then one of these three could become his mistress.

Yuwen Chengdu naturally also did not want to cause more trouble.

He only needed to ensure that the Great Qian marriage alliance troupe would not cause trouble within Cangzhou territory.

As for how to arrange these three imperial princesses once they reach Cangling City.

That is the matter of the scholars led by Li Shanzhang who are currently garrisoning Cangling City.

That's naturally fine; then it will be trouble for General Yuwen.

Seeing that Yuwen Chengdu was not as difficult to talk as imagined, Si Luoshi was momentarily stunned but quickly reacted and agreed.

As for the several conditions Yuwen Chengdu mentioned, Si Luoshi did not take them to heart.

As long as she could ensure that these few of hers could get through, that would be enough.

Moreover, her marriage alliance troupe originally did not come to Cangzhou to cause destruction or fights.

It was merely to ensure that the hidden rats of Great Qian would not harm the three imperial princesses and sabotage the marriage alliance plan.

After all, if Great Qian really stabilized and even won over the Nine Heavens Army of Yun Province and Cangzhou now under Su Ye's control.

Then this group of ambitious people would be a bit nervous.

Therefore, since Yuwen Chengdu decided to dispatch the soldiers of East Ning Pass to escort them to Cangling City.

So it's no big deal for these three thousand armored soldiers to disarm.

Your Highness, you're being courteous; this is what a low-ranking officer like me, as a soldier of the Great Qian, ought to do.

Obviously, after staying beside Jin Wuchu for so long, Yuwen Chengdu has learned something.

At least his skin has thickened a bit; he can now say things he himself doesn't believe without blushing or his heart racing.

Heh.

Hearing Yuwen Chengdu, Siluo Shi's mouth twitched; she forced a smile, barely able to maintain the gentle smile on her face.

I don't believe you at all!

I never expected you, Yuwen Chengdu, with your thick brows and big eyes, to have such a thick skin.

Wuu!

Under the mighty pass of East Ning, at this moment the marriage alliance troop led by Princess Siluo Ying is fully prepared and ready to depart.

Morning sunlight showered upon everyone, and the air was filled with a faint scent of dust.

The soldiers straightened their backs, their expressions solemn.

They knew the great significance of this mission, and each person was filled with a sense of duty.

Siluo Ying rode at the very front of the troop on horseback, her gaze firm and profound.

Siluo Shi and Siluo Qing followed closely behind, their faces bearing resolute expressions.

They knew this marriage alliance was not only to pacify the Azure and Cloud provinces and prevent them from rebelling, but also to win them over for their own use.

They bore a great responsibility and could not allow the slightest slack.

Wuchu, I'll entrust East Ning Pass to you for now.

This time, I will personally escort the three princesses to Azure Spirit City.

Watching the marriage alliance troop slowly enter East Ning Pass, Yuwen Chengdu atop the city wall, clad in golden armor and holding a phoenix-wing gold-inlaid halberd, said to Jin Wuchu beside him:

Hmm, big brother, be careful; there's absolutely no problem on this side of East Ning Pass.

But this marriage alliance troop is not necessarily safe; too many people don't want them to reach Azure Spirit City safely.

Obviously, for the countless old coins lurking in the undercurrents within Great Qian's territory at this time...

The marriage alliance between Great Qian and the two eastern provinces of Azure and Cloud is absolutely harmful with no benefit.

Whether it is Great Qian gaining the support of the Azure and Cloud provinces, or those provinces gaining the righteous cause of future world domination through the marriage alliance.

Thanks to Moxingyu, Lan'an Weiying Niao_Bb, saberLucifer, kiana, Yin Xinglong, Weiyang z, Book Friend 20210205142821064, Book Friend 20210812174136717, Book Friend 20200521163606823, Book Friend 20170302054530598 for the monthly votes.

Also, padapoo's tip.

Thanks, brothers!!!

(End of chapter)