Chapter 120: with translation of chapter title

Xiao Jingyuan would develop feelings for Shen Shuangning, and Xie Yan accepted it even faster than he had imagined.

After all, she is such a wonderful woman; for anyone who can appreciate her, falling for her is as simple as breathing.

Xiao Jingyuan stepped in, lifted his robe, and sat steadily in the grand chair beside Xie Yan, saying calmly, "Then let's talk."

Xie Yan fell silent for a moment; who would have thought his first words would not be a question but: "Does she also favor you?"

Xiao Jingyuan said, "She dislikes me."

Hearing this, Xie Yan couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.

Xie Yan was unaware of the details, but in his view, Xiao Jingyuan could match any so-called heaven‑favored prodigy in the capital—possessing strategy and foresight, full of talent, both literary and martial, an outstanding young noble, a pillar of the state.

Even though he now serves in the Embroidered Uniform Guard and has offended many officials over time, no one can deny Xiao Jingyuan's outstanding abilities.

Among the emperor's few close ministers, when Xiao Jingyuan speaks ten sentences, the emperor can absorb nine—this is his capability.

Even disregarding inner qualities, judging by appearance alone she has an ethereal, jade‑like beauty, a look unmatched in the world; Xie Yan asks himself, if she were a maiden, he would like her.

However, Xiao Jingyuan's temperament is cold, and now that he holds high rank and power, he gives off an aura of being admirable only from afar, not to be trifled with. Some young ladies may indeed not like this type, but at most they would keep their distance; it hardly amounts to hatred, right?

Thus Xie Yan was genuinely curious, and the words on his lips turned into a question: "Why? Did you offend her?"

Xiao Jingyuan rested his fingers on the armrest, the corner of his mouth twitching into a wry smile: "I suppose so. In short, she has no place for me in her heart; then you can rest easy, can't you?"

As for how he offended her, judging from Xiao Jingyuan's expression, he seems unwilling to elaborate.

Xie Yan also didn't want to press further, and he had a vague premonition that the real reason behind it was not what he wanted to hear.

For a moment, both fell into silence.

Speaking of selfish feelings, when Xie Yan learned that Shen Shuangning did not like Xiao Jingyuan, he genuinely felt relieved, and his earlier resentment toward Xiao Jingyuan dissipated largely.

At this moment, looking at this friend who clearly has everything yet still cannot obtain what he seeks, Xie Yan's eyes involuntarily gained a touch of sympathy.

But upon reflecting on himself, Xie Yan slowly lowered his gaze—was he not also, in another sense, someone who strives yet cannot attain?

Xie Yan let out a soft chuckle and said, "Do you remember when I went to Danzhou, I asked you to look after her for me? I never expected that upon my return I would have to say it again. No, I don't need to specially instruct you—you'll do it well."

Xiao Jingyuan said nothing.

Xie Yan suddenly laughed, "Our tastes are still truly the same."

Seeing him laugh, Xiao Jingyuan also curled his lips.

Think back to when Xiao Jingyuan first returned to the capital; Xie Yan hosted a welcome feast for him, and among those young masters, someone—no one knows who—mentioned the Fourth Miss of the Rongguo Duke's mansion, saying she was a beauty like a celestial maiden.

At that time, both of them dismissed it scornfully; who would have thought that later they would both fall for her. And frankly, it's a bit embarrassing.

Xie Yan said, "Now the marquisate hangs in the balance; I cannot marry her, yet I hope she will accept you. After all, I know you inside and out—if she were with you, she would surely not fare poorly, and I could rest easy."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyuan's lip corners instantly felt as if weighed down by heavy lead, and he could no longer smile.

He wanted to say it wasn't so.

In his previous life, Shen Shuangning married him, yet found no happiness and died young in the Prince Yan's mansion, her fragrance faded and her jade shattered.

Even though in this life he will strive to make amends, Shen Shuangning may not be willing to set foot in the Prince Yan's mansion again, for to her it is a place that could cost her life.

Xiao Jingyuan did not continue that topic, but instead asked, "That day you went with Yan Zhen to besiege Xie Yan, yet you let him escape, and Yan Zhen has some complaints, saying it was your fault?"

Xie Yan pondered for a moment; facing Xiao Jingyuan, he did not conceal anything and gave a slight nod.

Xiao Jingyuan was somewhat puzzled, furrowed his brow, and faced him, saying, "Did you deliberately let him go? Do you know that if you could have captured him, it would also count as giving the emperor an explanation, and the marquisate would not be so passive?"

Xiao Jingyuan's tone inevitably grew stern.

When Yan Zhen told him this, he still found it hard to believe, yet he granted Yan Zhen some favors to keep his mouth shut.

Otherwise, if these words reached Emperor Xuānwén or the ears of political rivals, even if the marquisate were innocent, it would be branded as an accomplice!

"Xie Yan, do you know what you're doing?" Xiao Jingyuan said.

He had been running around, feet barely touching the ground, juggling many matters for the marquisate's sake, yet the result was that Xie Yan acted contrary to him?

Xie Yan stammered, "I… I just don't want my elder brother to die."

Woman's benevolence!

Xiao Jingyuan felt anger building in his chest, but seeing Xie Yan's state, he ultimately said nothing harsh, raised a hand to press his nose bridge, and spoke in a low voice: "If that's the case, then there is still another—not really a solution—solution."

Xie Yan had already braced himself for the worst outcome; even if it cost his life, hearing Xiao Jingyuan say there was still a way, his expression became earnest, and he listened quietly.

"A scout from the Nüzhen state sent word that they had secretly purchased many warhorses from Northern Qi, already preparing for war; perhaps one day they will tear up the peace treaty and go to war with Great Liang. The Nüzhen are ultimately a thorn in the emperor's heart."

Xiao Jingyuan first laid some groundwork, then stated clearly: "You go to Nüzhen as a prince consort, infiltrate from within; within three years I will personally lead the iron cavalry to crush Nüzhen, at which point we will coordinate inside and out, and you will be able to redeem yourself through merit, return to Great Liang, and perhaps even help the marquisate rise another level."

In his previous life, the Nüzhen met Great Liang in battle; he led troops to greet them, and that fight lasted nearly two years before the Nüzhen were subdued.

Since his former self could defeat the Nüzhen, in this life he naturally has even greater confidence.

Upon hearing that he was to go to a foreign country as a prince consort, Xie Yan was stunned: "What did you say?"

Xiao Jingyuan said, "The important thing is: first, this is to show loyalty to the emperor and prove the marquisate has no ties with the rebels; second, if you go to Nüzhen, no matter how hard the empress's side pushes, the emperor will not move against the marquisate in the slightest. Thus, the lives of the hundred-plus members of the Xie family will also be preserved."

Xiao Jingyuan saying this must mean he has sensed some imperial intent.

"That foreign princess, actually, is not hard to win over; she already has feelings for you. Moreover, you are Emperor Xuānwén's nephew, so they will surely accept you gladly."

Xie Yan fell into deep thought and remained silent for a good while.

This is different from going to Danzhou to suppress bandits; if he goes to Nüzhen as a prince consort, he will completely lose the qualification to stay with Shen Shuangning.

Xiao Jingyuan proposed this method without any selfish motive, because it is currently the simplest and most effective way to break the deadlock.

If Xie Yan still wishes to preserve the marquisate's position in the capital, he can only sacrifice himself.

"Make your decision quickly; if you wait for the emperor's edict of punishment, it will already be too late."

Three days later.

Just as Shen Shuangning was anxiously awaiting news from the Xie household in the Duke's mansion, what arrived instead was the news that Xie Yan was about to go to Nüzhen as a prince consort.

It was even an edict personally issued by Emperor Xuānwén.

Ah Heng didn't think so much; she was so angry she flung the freshly plucked lotus onto the table with a slap, exclaiming indignantly, "He just turned down the miss's betrothal gift, then immediately went to become a prince consort for that damned princess—what is he treating the miss as?"

Shen Shuangning was embroidering; hearing this, she only slightly lifted her eyelids, her face showing little reaction, but she felt chiefly heartache.

Someone as proud as Xie Lin—if not forced by circumstances, how could he willingly go far to the foreign tribe to become a prince consort? What's the difference between that and forcing an imperial princess into a marriage alliance?

Shen Shuangning thought even more than A Heng did. She put down her embroidery frame, her thoughts drifting far away, when suddenly she recalled how, in her previous life, the Jurchen repeatedly invaded the borders of Great Liang.

At that time, Great Liang had just suffered a natural disaster, famine sprang up throughout the land, its strength was exhausted, it could hardly withstand war, and to top it off, Northern Qi watched covetously.

The Jurchen zeroed in on that weakness, time and again jumping back and forth across Great Liang's bottom line, harassing the border folk so they could not live in peace.

Later, Xiao Jingyuan took command and went to the front, enduring bitterly at the border pass for two years, fighting countless big and small battles, before finally subduing the Jurchen.

When the troops returned to court, it was heard that the soldiers were utterly exhausted, having suffered enormous losses.

Now thinking about it, Xie Lin's departure might perhaps plant a turning point before the war even breaks out.

"So the Yongning Marquis's residence is safe now, right?"

Shen Shuangning went to find Shen Xiuchi, deliberately asking about the situation at the Marquis's residence.

Shen Xiuchi entered court as an official and had also accumulated many connections; although he truly did not like Xie Lin, he couldn't resist his sister's fondness, so he also cared quite a bit.

"His Majesty will not move against the Marquis's residence for the time being."

Shen Xiuchi said: "Xie Lin is willing, under the pretense of a marriage alliance, to go to the Jurchen as that hidden pawn, and he also got Xiao Jingyuan to vouch for him before His Majesty; only then did His Majesty relent, agreeing not to pursue the matter of Xie Yan's treason and its implication on the entire Marquis's residence."

Saying this, Shen Xiuchi couldn't help but inwardly admire Xie Lin as a true man, capable of making such a great sacrifice—after all, everyone knows what kind of place the Jurchen State is.

Going to the Jurchen to bow low and act humble, Xie Lin will inevitably be spoken ill of behind his back.

Hearing this, Shen Shuangning's heart became clear.

It turned out not just a marriage alliance, but actually to go deep into enemy territory as an undercover agent.

This was roughly what Shen Shuangning had guessed, and she also felt that for Xie Lin it was truly not very fair.

But things have come to this point; saying these things is now meaningless.

Shen Xiuchi said: "You shouldn't worry too much either; since Xiao Jingyuan dares to vouch for him, he must have a thorough plan. However, Xie Lin's departure will be as short as two years, or as long as uncertain—who knows what variables may arise in between—so don't act foolishly."

That last remark, telling her not to act foolishly, meant letting Shen Shuangning stop naively waiting for Xie Lin to return.

Even if Xie Lin returns having redeemed himself through service, he would still be a married man, while Shen Shuangning is the pearl of the Duke's residence, and the elders would certainly not allow her to marry him.

Shen Shuangning said nothing, just nodded lightly, thereby assenting.

On the way back, she suddenly saw several servants of the Duke's residence gathered together, whispering.

"You say, isn't this strange? Just a few days ago they were saying they wanted to marry our young lady, and in the blink of an eye they're going to become a foreign tribe's prince consort."

"Shh, keep it down, don't let the masters hear. But I heard it seems the Xie family had some trouble; the young marquis really has no choice."

"Even if there's no other way, we can't treat our young lady like this—it's nothing but a laughingstock."

You know, the earlier marriage discussions between the Xie and Shen families were no secret, and Xie Lin conducted himself ostentatiously; everyone saw it and all thought Shen Shuangning marrying into the Xie family was a done deal.

Everyone said this was an excellent match, the eight characters only missing a stroke, yet not only did it fall through, but now Xie Lin actually has to go become the Jurchen princess's prince consort!

Once this news got out, it was like a huge stone thrown into a lake, instantly stirring up thousands of waves, and onlookers couldn't help but chatter endlessly.

The servants of the Duke's residence were all like that, and outside it would only be more "lively."

But Shen Shuangning had no mind to quarrel, listless and dejected, she walked straight past the Hanging-flower Gate.

Those few servants, upon suddenly seeing the Fourth Miss come out, all startled and lowered their heads, daring not to speak further.

A Heng glared at them several times.

Since learning the news that Xie Lin would go to the Jurchen State, Shen Shuangning had not seen him for several days, but she had heard that he was accompanying that Jurchen princess on an outing in the capital.

It is said they got along quite harmoniously; with Xie Lin accompanying her, Su Mu'er no longer went about harassing others.

After the Marquis's residence crisis was resolved, Shen Shuangning also did not take the initiative to contact Xie Lin; but the capital is just that small, and when she left the residence that day she still ran into him.