The envoy from Huyang was not allowed to utter another word before Xing Muzheng had him driven out of the command tent.
Once he had gone, the gathered men noticed Xing Muzheng’s displeasure and, afraid to speak, looked around in unease. Xing Pingchun quietly asked Qian Jiaoniang, “Mother, what was written in that letter that made Father so disgusted?”
Qian Jiaoniang whispered back, “Huyang Wang wants to marry his daughter to your father.”
The moment Xing Pingchun heard it, his face twisted with revulsion, and he cursed under his breath. “Utter nonsense!”
Qian Jiaoniang’s eyes flickered in shock. Her homely son—he had actually uttered foul language! Her once obedient, sensible boy… Qian Jiaoniang’s feelings grew complicated.
The others, watching closely, saw the mother and son both showing distaste—one resentful, the other disgusted—and grew all the more curious what could be in that letter to make the whole family react so.
After giving his orders, Xing Muzheng was about to leave—he had promised to accompany Qian Jiaoniang for a horseback ride. For more than a year she had only ridden in carriages, and she was long restless. Now that Doctor Bai finally gave permission, she wanted nothing more than to gallop a few rounds nearby.
When the couple left, the generals all crowded around Xing Pingchun to ask about Huyang Wang’s secret letter. Xing Pingchun spat, “That old dog spews filth—it’s not worth mentioning! My parents are fine as they are, and he wants to marry off a daughter here, to make me call another woman ‘Mother’? Dream on!”
Among them, Huang Gong did not join the crowd. He quietly followed outside. Just as the husband and wife were about to go hand in hand, Huang Gong stepped forward. “Commander, please wait. This student still has a matter.”
The two turned back. Qian Jiaoniang glanced at Huang Gong, and he glanced back at her. Then she looked to Xing Muzheng. “I’ll go fetch Lielei.”
Xing Muzheng nodded.
After she left, Huang Gong took a step closer and asked softly, “Commander, may this student know—did Huyang Wang’s letter of peace speak of… marriage alliance?”
Xing Muzheng knew he could not hide it from Huang Gong, nor did he intend to. “Mm.”
“This… why would the Commander…” Huang Gong, a lifelong bachelor, had never accepted matchmaking even when officials in Yongan sought it for him. Naturally, he did not understand why Xing Muzheng would give up such a fine opportunity and instead take the harder road.
Xing Muzheng said, “Ziqing, you know the heavens above and the earth below, but there is still one matter you fail to grasp.”
Huang Gong frowned in puzzlement. “Does the Commander mean matters of affection? Truly, this student does not understand love. But this student knows that you and Madam share a deep, time-tested bond. She has the bearing of a true matron, loyal in hardship, composed in honor or disgrace. And with such an outstanding eldest son as the young marquis, even just for his future, Madam must firmly remain the primary wife. Still… if Huyang Wang seeks alliance, it would benefit the Commander in every way and harm in none. Why not, like men of old, take two wives? When the day comes that you ascend the throne, you could even establish two empresses.”
Xing Muzheng, unable to tolerate talk of “two wives of equal rank,” felt a headache rise. He lifted his hand to cut him off. “Ziqing, I know your good intentions. But on this matter, my mind is set—even you need not speak further.”
He turned to leave, but Huang Gong hastily called after him. “Commander, reconsider! Huyang is easy to defend and hard to attack. Huyang Wang commands many troops. Even for us—for you—taking it by force will not be easy. If we press the attack, countless soldiers’ lives may be lost!”
“Then I must trouble Ziqing to devise a plan that spares both sides,” Xing Muzheng replied, patting Huang Gong’s shoulder before walking away.
Even so, three days later, Huyang Wang gave no clear reply. Instead, he sent a portrait of the princess, asking Xing Muzheng once more to reconsider. Xing Muzheng had no patience for it. The troops were already fully rested. One midnight, he announced the crossing of the river.
By the time Huyang Wang woke the next day, Xing family banners were already flying beneath his gates, fierce and mighty, awe-inspiring in their presence.
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