Chapter 435: Rouran Princess

The Rouran Princess continued to make splish-splash water sounds.

At the same time she coldly laughed, "In the Central Plains there is a saying: winning hearts is supreme."

"We in Beili also have a saying, which is similar in meaning."

"If a stupid rabbit doesn't dig a hole, don't blame the hunter for being cunning."

Aguna gritted his teeth.

Being mocked by his younger cousin as a "stupid rabbit" was certainly not a pleasant thing.

The Rouran Princess was the Beili King's most beloved third princess.

Aguna calmed down a little at this moment, also worried he would have difficulty explaining himself.

He was even more afraid that if the Rouran Princess returned to Beili, she would complain to the Beili King.

The Rouran Princess had always been the most favored; although this trip seemed to be led by Aguna, in fact the Rouran Princess was the one in charge.

Aguna had not long occupied the prince's position and lacked his own power base.

He naturally feared that the Beili King would become dissatisfied with him because of this.

After running through various little calculations in his mind, Aguna could only lower his head and admit his mistake.

"It's my fault for being too impulsive."

"Cousin, you won't hold it against your older brother, will you?"

The Rouran Princess glanced sideways at Aguna and said, "My mother is your paternal aunt."

"Your lineage ultimately belongs to the Empress's maternal clan; we share honor together."

"As long as you learn to be careful with your words and actions in the future, I also don't want to make things difficult for you."

Aguna secretly let out a sigh of relief, repeatedly saying, "Yes, yes, yes, what the cousin says is correct!"

"We naturally loyal to the Great King, loyal to the Empress Aunt!"

After a moment of silence, he lowered his voice and asked, "Cousin, you must have already decided what to do, right?"

"As long as the cousin gives the word, I will follow through even through knives and fire, through mountains of blades and seas of flame!"

What she was about to say next, the Rouran Princess did not fear being overheard.

She smiled and asked, "My father king hopes I will marry into Da Ye to establish good relations between the two nations."

"Hopefully, in exchange, Da Ye will cede half of the Great Mountain Valley and return it to our country."

The Great Mountain Valley originally belonged entirely to Beili.

But after the previous battle, Beili suffered a crushing defeat.

Not only did the lands previously devoured from Da Ye get completely given up, but they were also pursued out of the Great Mountain Valley.

From then on, they completely lost their natural defensive position as a gateway.

Thus the new Beili King has always felt uneasy in his heart.

After lengthy discussion with his officials, it was decided that, in addition to the original terms of ceding land and paying reparations, another gesture of goodwill would be added.

That is to marry Beili's most noble third princess to Da Ye as a marriage alliance.

Since ancient times, marriage alliances between the two states have superficially been about forming marital ties to build mutual trust.

In reality, it is the weaker side sending a hostage, hoping the stronger side will therefore show leniency.

This time, in the marriage alliance, the Beili King does not dare to hope to recover the entire Great Mountain Valley.

He only hopes at least to have the border line drawn at the center of the valley.

As expected, the two people inside the central tent quickly learned the purpose of the Beili people.

Huo Jiang laughed and said, "They are deliberately saying this for us to hear."

"First, let's probe what reaction you and I will have."

Mu Nan Zhao raised his eyebrows slightly, "Do you believe their words?"

Huo Jiang said, "Regarding the Beili people, what is there to believe or not believe?"

"They are merely vultures that are always hungry beside the bedside."

"When I am strong, they hide motionless in the rock crevices, waiting for me to show a hint of weakness, then they are always ready to swoop down and viciously peck at the vital spot."

Mu Nan Zhao smiled noncommittally.

"Then what do you plan to do, are you going to fulfill their wish?"

Huo Jiang actually already had an answer in his heart: "Beili's military strength is greatly diminished, and they have lost so many horses, money, and wealth; it will take at least eight or nine years to recover."

"Is the border at the northern mouth of the valley, or at the center line?"

"From a strategic point of view for me, it is not the most important."

"So I think it would be best to submit this matter."

"I will submit a memorial that only states the Beili people's intentions, without taking a position or mentioning any opinions."

"Please, Your Majesty, decide for yourself."

Mu Nan Zhao was not surprised, "General Huo has become more learned than before."

Huo Jiang sighed, "Who let Your Majesty be shrewd and capable,"

"In this position, I have no choice but to act with my tail between my legs."

The young emperor who has long practiced concealing his abilities.

Such a person most despises others sleeping soundly beside his pillow.

Therefore, the two people present are very clear about this.

Huo Jiang has only absolute loyalty; by weighing the emperor's opinion above all else in everything, he can preserve his own and the Northwest Army's longevity.

Thus the matter concerning Beili was settled.

Huo Jiang then casually chatted, "Have you seen that kid Cheng Ping in the capital? How is he doing?"

In the capital, there are many rules for holding office, and there are also many twists and turns in personal connections.

I really don't know if that brat can adapt!

Mu Nan Zhao said, "You should know, he has already taken a post as a commandant in the Golden Tiger Guard."

I have drunk with him a few times, but I never asked how he's doing.

But I can be certain, your worry is unnecessary.

Even if he is a block of wood, he still has a fox by his side, so he won't suffer a loss.

Huo Jiang pondered a moment, then suddenly understood, "You mean the eldest miss of the He family."

He couldn't help chuckling, then deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Who said I was worried? I'm not worried!"

In the past, seeing those two, I felt they were a perfect match, bound to happen sooner or later!

Mu Nan Zhao gave a mocking smile, "You have one thing that never changes."

That's taking advantage and still acting innocent.

Your family's Meng Chengping is obviously marrying up; whether this marriage can succeed with He Jinghui, even I have no confidence.

I advise you, don't be blindly optimistic.

Huo Jiang grinned, laughing brightly, "You, Chengping, and the He miss are all good friends."

Even if there really are some difficulties, I believe the Regent Prince wouldn't mind helping out, to fulfill the wishes of these two friends.

Mu Nan Zhao neither agreed nor objected.

Huo Jiang hissed, pondering, "You say..."

Given the status of the Third Princess of Beili, the person intended for the marriage alliance should not be a branch of the imperial clan.

But our Majesty has only one princess who just turned one year old.

We certainly can't let a Beili woman enter the harem of the Great Undertaking Dynasty, can we?

According to the ancestral statutes of the Great Undertaking Dynasty's imperial clan, there has never been a precedent of foreign women entering the palace as consorts.

Moreover, if she bore children, it would cause further trouble of confusing the imperial bloodline.

This is indeed a difficult problem.

Mu Nan Zhao also fell into deep thought.

Huo Jiang laughed again, "But worrying ahead of time is useless."

His Majesty may not consent to the Beili people.

He looked at Mu Nan Zhao, intending to tease, "But I see that little princess's eyes are glued to you."

She might choose you as her prince consort, marrying into the Regent Prince's mansion is not impossible.

"Get lost." Mu Nan Zhao's thin lips parted, uttering only that one word.

Although we fundamentally do not consider this possibility.

Mu Nan Zhao still felt he was quite prescient; the announcement made known throughout the country that he had been betrothed, married into a family, and had a fiancée.

The Beili princess? What is she, anyway?

Dependents Village.

Gu Xixi stood in the courtyard brushing her teeth.

Lv Jing brushed, while glancing at her and laughing nonstop.

Because Mu Nan Zhao did not return last night, in the evening Huo Jiang sent the messengers to bring food, and also brought an interesting message:

The General forcibly detained the Regent Prince to drink with him; there are no women in the army, so please, Boss Gu, do not blame the Regent Prince for not returning home at night.

Lv Jing laughed, "It seems even the General knows the Regent Prince is a wife‑strict man."