Jiaoniang Married Three Times Chapter 353

“He’s not capable of it.” Xing Muzheng muttered vaguely as he removed his armor.

Qian Jiaoniang took it from him to hang up, raising her brows at him. “You and Huyang Wang—do you have some past grudge?”

“Only met him a couple of times at banquets.”

“Then why are you so absolute? Or is it… you already know what he wants? And you’re unwilling to give it?” Qian Jiaoniang narrowed her eyes.

Xing Muzheng paused. “How would I know?”

By now, Qian Jiaoniang knew Xing Muzheng all too well. She grew excited, tossed what was in her hands onto the bed, squeezed up beside him, and said: “You do know! Tell me, quick!” 

This man was truly uncanny—clearly only a casual acquaintance, yet he could see through Huyang Wang’s mind.

But Qian Jiaoniang forgot—Xing Muzheng waged war with the principle of knowing both oneself and the enemy. Even with wars long concluded, like with Xili, he still kept people there to report back regularly, the record books so detailed. All the more so now, when he was still at war—how could he not know the ins and outs of the Xie dynasty’s imperial clan? Xing Pingchun was right: Huyang Wang was timid yet cunning. After enjoying too many years of ease, he had lost all wildness. A man, casting aside propriety and honor, family and clan, only wished to reap fisherman’s profit in troubled times. Huyang Wang had eight sons and one daughter; five sons had died, and the three remaining were all useless. Only his sole daughter was said to be accomplished in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and reputedly virtuous in Huyang. Huyang Wang doted on her greatly.

Xing Muzheng naturally knew what scheme Huyang Wang had in mind. Just as Chou’er said—he wanted a big slice of the pie. Though he didn’t want to be Emperor, he also wouldn’t hand over the realm he had gained. If Huyang Wang saw this clearly, then the “pie” he wanted was most likely the position of future Empress. Since ancient times, what alliance was more binding than marriage?

Thinking of this, Xing Muzheng’s gaze grew cold.

He had long foreseen that with only Qian Jiaoniang in his rear court, there would certainly be those scheming to take advantage. Jiaoniang was of common birth, with shallow roots—in the eyes of these arrogant imperial clansmen, she was likely of no account.

Xing Muzheng hadn’t wanted her to dwell on such filth, but he also feared gossip from others. Better she hear it from him first than from someone else. So he had Qian Jiaoniang sit on the bamboo mat. By now it was June, the weather growing hotter. Qian Jiaoniang casually took a round fan, fanning herself while listening curiously.

Xing Muzheng considered for a while, then slowly told her of Huyang Wang’s designs. At first, Qian Jiaoniang listened with relish—until she sat dumbstruck, forgetting even to fan herself.
“…Empress?”

Qian Jiaoniang was struck as if by lightning. Before this, she had only worried—worried something might happen to Xing Muzheng, worried for Xing Pingchun—never once had she had leisure to think of the future. She had never imagined that the highest, most honored position under heaven, that of Empress, might one day fall upon an ordinary woman like her.

Xing Muzheng said: “Since we’ve come this far, giving up the seat now would leave us forever unstable. Since I will be Emperor, you will naturally be Empress.”

“Aiya…” Qian Jiaoniang still hadn’t fully returned to herself. She leaned against his shoulder, slowly fanning. Xing Muzheng simply held her close in silence.

After a long while, Qian Jiaoniang’s eyes cleared. She said: “So you mean… Huyang Wang wants his daughter to marry you, with you promising her the Empress’s position?”

“Mhm.”

Qian Jiaoniang bit her lip and smiled, reaching out to scrape his cheek with her fingers. “Truly thick-skinned—haven’t even gone yet, and you already assume such a fine bargain awaits.”

Xing Muzheng snorted, not bothering to argue. This woman underestimated her husband, and overestimated the women of the world.

Qian Jiaoniang poked his face. “But think carefully—if we can seize Huyang Prefecture without losing a single soldier, and even gain the support of the Wu clan led by Huyang Wang, won’t it be much easier for us to march into Yongan? After all, Chou’er did something similar. Why don’t you imitate him, pretend to agree? Of course, you can’t let playacting become real!”

Xing Muzheng caught her hand and pinched her face in return, as if to punish her words about “pretending in earnest.”

“Chou’er had no choice at the time. Frightened as he was, to come up with such a scheme wasn’t easy. And he was conspiring with Princess Jianan—once Jianan was killed, it was over. But this matter with Huyang Wang is different. There’s no way to pretend. Once an alliance is made, it’s known to the whole world. Once there’s a marriage tie, countless entanglements follow. And you—my true wife—would be pushed into an awkward position. By then, there would certainly be people urging you to yield ‘for the greater good.’” Xing Muzheng said firmly, “I will never allow that to happen.”

“…If I let them mention such a matter before the world, that would be humiliating you. For them to even consider that you could step aside—that would be my disgrace. No different from saying I am unfit to be Emperor.”

Qian Jiaoniang’s heart trembled. She had never thought Xing Muzheng would consider her so deeply.

“Jiaoniang, you are my wife—my only wife. I will not allow anyone to question that, nor anyone to make it their scheme.” Xing Muzheng lightly kissed her hand.

Qian Jiaoniang wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him first. After a long while, still pressed to his lips, she murmured: “I’ve heard that emperors all keep three palaces and six harems. Let me tell you—if you become Emperor, that is not allowed.”

Hearing this jealous declaration, Xing Muzheng only felt joy in his heart. He pulled her in for a fierce kiss. “What’s this—do you cherish me that much?”

Qian Jiaoniang laughed aloud, kissing him back. “Isn’t it so? I cherish you more than anyone in the world.”

***

Xing Muzheng truly paid no heed to Huyang Wang’s invitation. Two days later he sent a letter of persuasion to surrender. Huyang Wang grew anxious and dispatched another envoy—this time with a sealed private letter. Xing Muzheng opened it, his face calm. Qian Jiaoniang shifted slightly, and he handed the letter to her.

One glance, and sure enough—it was just as Xing Muzheng had said. Huyang Wang truly wished to ally, and was even willing to give his daughter in marriage for the sake of a Qin–Jin union. Qian Jiaoniang gave a cold hum, handed the letter back. Xing Muzheng tossed it straight into the fire.

“Go back and tell your Wangye—if he truly wishes alliance, I would welcome it with open arms. But the condition he proposes is too absurd. I cannot agree.”

The envoy was one of Huyang Wang’s advisers, usually eloquent and quick-witted. He had come fully prepared, ready for any difficulty. He had even thought perhaps Xing Muzheng, out of consideration for his wife, might refuse with some excuse. But he had not expected Xing Muzheng to use the word—absurd.

“General Xing, my lord…”

“That’s enough. You dare bring such a letter, and the only reason I don’t kill you on the spot is because an envoy must not be executed. There’s no need for more words. If Huyang Wang truly has sincerity, here is a letter—you deliver it to him. Let him give me an answer within three days, otherwise, don’t blame my iron cavalry for trampling through Huyang’s gates!”

Qian Jiaoniang drew out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Xing Pingchun to pass on to the envoy.

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