On such a blood-soaked battlefield, the sudden appearance of a delicate woman stunned both sides. Alone, she walked into the space between the armies. Soldiers of Huyang recognized the figure draped in hempen mourning garb.
“Princess Xianning!”
The troops stirred. To them, Princess Xianning was the most virtuous lady of the realm, a goddess descended from the celestial mountains. Some, seeing her step into mortal danger alone, wanted to rush forward to pull her back. But a sharp alarm bell clanged from atop the city wall, halting them. By the time they looked again, the willow-slender lady had already crossed into the enemy’s lines—ethereal, otherworldly, as if she might ascend on the wind at any moment.
Zhen Hao was always one to pity fragrant jade and cherish beauty. The moment he saw such a beauty risk herself by walking forward, he quickly raised his flag to halt the soldiers.
Xing Muzheng frowned slightly, beckoned Xing Pingchun over, and whispered, “Go bring your mother.”
Xing Pingchun’s eyes flickered with understanding. He nodded at once, turned his horse, and galloped away.
Princess Xianning, treading delicately, walked up to the shield soldiers and silently knelt, pressing her body flat to the ground in full prostration toward Xing Muzheng.
Xing Muzheng said nothing, only looked down at her coolly. Princess Xianning did not raise her head, remaining bowed. Zhen Hao, moved with pity, raised his voice and asked: “Who are you, kneeling? Why intrude onto a battlefield? Do you not fear being cut down by a stray arrow?”
Only then did Princess Xianning slowly lift her head. Her beautiful eyes were tinged red, her lips trembling faintly, pure and refined as an autumn chrysanthemum—such a rare beauty that none could help but feel compassion.
“I am but the daughter of Huyang Wang, Princess Xianning. I greet General Xing, and all the honored lords here.” She bowed again. “This humble woman does indeed fear being pierced by stray arrows—but more unbearable still is seeing the people of Huyang and our soldiers bleed and die for war. Now that my father has passed, I, a frail woman, have heart yet lack the power to help. Turning the matter over and over, I saw no choice but to beg General Xing to spare the lives of Huyang’s soldiers and people. I can only obey my father’s last wish and offer myself to My Lord, with Huyang Prefecture as dowry—so long as the General’s men and my people can remain safe and unharmed.”
Though her voice was gentle and weak, she spoke at just the right volume so that both sides could clearly hear.
The Huyang soldiers were stirred and ashamed—yet they truly did not wish to die. To them, Princess Xianning was like a living bodhisattva, sacrificing herself for their sake and the people’s!
Even those beside Xing Muzheng wavered upon hearing her words. To take Huyang without shedding a drop of blood—was that not ideal?
Zhen Hao glanced at his elder brother’s face. If it had been up to him, he’d have agreed without hesitation. But his elder brother had at home… that tigress of a wife, who bewitched hearts.
Xu Yizhao rode up beside Xing Muzheng and spoke low: “Marshal, beware deceit.”
Xing Muzheng answered with a short sound, but did not speak.
A soldier ran to inform Strategist Huang Gong in the rear. Huang Gong stroked his beard, eyes narrowing. This princess had escaped his intelligence network. He had thought her just a kindhearted noble daughter. But it seemed she had both courage and ambition. She chose to appear precisely when battle was about to erupt, casting herself as a savior of all, and once again demanded marriage with the Marshal. If the Marshal refused, it would be a public humiliation to Huyang. Those soldiers, their fighting spirit already waning, might in their fury fight to the death for this “bodhisattva lady.” On a battlefield, enraged soldiers were the hardest to deal with. And moreover, she had tied the Xing army into her plea as well. If the Marshal rejected and insisted on fighting, would that not seem like he was wasting his own men’s lives? Morale would crumble.
In a few words, Princess Xianning had truly placed the Marshal in a bind. He could hardly be seen bullying a weak young woman in full view of all.
Huang Gong found it intriguing. To this day, he still believed marrying Princess Xianning to secure Huyang was the best course. To him, this was a fine opportunity. Should the Marshal consent, it would even enhance his renown as a unifier of the realm.
“Mother, hurry!”
Suddenly dust flew, two steeds galloped past Huang Gong. When the dust settled, he wiped his face and craned his neck. The riders were none other than the Marshal’s wife and young lord.
Why had the young lord returned to fetch Madam? Was it his own idea, or did the Marshal send him? Huang Gong’s curiosity was piqued. He had a horse brought and also went toward the front.
By the time Qian Jiaoniang reached the front, Princess Xianning was still kneeling before the army. Neither side moved nor spoke, the air thick with strangeness and gunpowder—ready to explode at the smallest spark.
Qian Jiaoniang’s frown was almost the same as Xing Muzheng’s.
Hearing hoofbeats, Xing Muzheng turned his head straight toward Qian Jiaoniang and gave her a look. She tugged at her lips and urged her horse forward. Xing Pingchun and Ah Da followed closely.
The clatter of hooves made the sweat-soaked Princess Xianning lift her head. Her vision dimmed as a graceful young matron dismounted and, without giving her a choice, pulled her up, speaking loudly with earnest concern: “Miss, how can you kneel here! This is a battlefield—blades and arrows know no eyes! Look at your delicate skin, what if you were hurt!”
Princess Xianning swayed, dizzy from kneeling too long. She had not thought she would kneel so long, nor did she know who this suddenly-appearing woman was.
“Ah Da, who is this young lady? Why is she here?”
Qian Jiaoniang shot Ah Da a glance. He caught her meaning and quickly answered: “Madam, this young lady is Princess Xianning of Huyang. She says for the sake of Huyang’s people, she would offer herself to the Marshal, seeking peace through marriage, to exchange for safety.”
Princess Xianning’s heart jolted—he had called this woman “Madam” so respectfully. Could this be Xing Muzheng’s principal wife? She pressed her hand to her brow with a frail look, eyes reddening, just about to speak—yet Qian Jiaoniang was faster.
“Oh heavens, so it is the Princess! Silly girl, let men fight their wars—why should you meddle and wrong yourself? Look at you, so young, so beautiful, a noble daughter—your future holds the best of marriages, don’t go ruining yourself!”
Qian Jiaoniang’s face was full of pity as she drew out a handkerchief to wipe the princess’s sweat. Princess Xianning opened her mouth again, but Qian Jiaoniang cut her off once more: “Our general is a blunt man, only knows war. He never wished to harm innocents! If Huyang is willing to negotiate peace, of course he is willing. But don’t speak again of sacrificing yourself—I’ve never stomached men lacking ability, pushing women forward as bargaining chips!” Qian Jiaoniang raised her voice: “Am I right?”
The Xing army, naturally supporting their Madam, roared in unison: “Right—!”
Princess Xianning was left bewildered.
Qian Jiaoniang clasped her hands warmly. “Good girl, if you still doubt our sincerity, my husband can swear a blood-oath of brotherhood with your late father instead. That’s just the same!”
“My father… my royal father has already passed away…”
“Oh! No wonder you wear mourning clothes! That’s no matter. Then let my husband pour blood in sacrifice before Huyang Wang’s spirit—it will still count as becoming sworn brothers!”
“This…” Her father was already dead—what use was there in swearing brotherhood? And besides, wouldn’t that make his seniority a whole generation above hers? Princess Xianning could not conceal her shock; it was written plain on her face.
Xing Pingchun struggled desperately not to laugh. His mother was truly formidable!
Zhen Hao also bowed his head and cleared his throat hard, afraid he might let out a laugh in such a solemn moment. Suddenly, Xing Muzheng flicked a hidden weapon at him, making him raise his head and call out in a loud voice: “Hear me, men of the other side! This is the Marshal’s wife, and her words are the Marshal’s will! A foolish ruler sits the throne, the people live in misery! The Marshal spares others as he spares himself, with all his heart for the common folk—he has no wish for us to slaughter one another! Our swords should be aimed at foreign foes, to keep our families safe! The Marshal swears by Heaven itself: if you lay down arms and surrender, he will not pursue today’s matter, nor will he harm the people of Huyang Prefecture!”
The Huyang soldiers looked at each other. With Princess Xianning’s appearance, they had already lost the will to fight, and their resolve to die was gone. Whatever the case, it was always better to live! In any case, Huyang Wang’s household was bound to negotiate peace with the Xing army.
Some soldiers began to slowly drop their weapons and kneel. More and more followed, until kneeling soldiers filled the field.
Princess Xianning panicked. She had not yet achieved her aim—why were the soldiers kneeling already? She wanted to tell them not to kneel, but at this moment she could not say such words.
Meanwhile, Qian Jiaoniang held tightly to her hand, smiling with great warmth. “Come, Princess, let us go in together.”
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to read the rest of the chapters in the book in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
