The Marriage Alliance Dispute
That morning's court session was unusually lively. Not long after the letter arrived, the ministers had all learned that the Western Rong had sued for surrender and would send a princess to form a marriage alliance. A group of ministers in their fifties were arguing over one another, red-faced and heated.
The usually solemn court was like a marketplace.
The emperor sat on the dragon throne, watching his ministers argue without regard for their dignity. Feeling a headache coming on, he spoke with authority. "My lords, what are your views on the Western Rong sending a princess for a marriage alliance?"
Once the emperor spoke, the ministers hurriedly fell silent. A general in the military officials' ranks said, "Your Majesty, I believe the Western Rong harbor the ambitions of wolves. They have repeatedly sent troops against Zhaoyuan, leaving our people without peace. Though the Western Rong have sued for surrender, they may not be sincere."
The minister of personnel among the civil officials gave a cold snort. "General Yu, your view is rather one-sided. Though the Western Rong harbor the ambitions of wolves, they have now sued for peace. Whatever the truth, this could give the people a few peaceful years, free from the suffering of war."
Both men had a point. The other ministers murmured among themselves, unsure for the moment whose side to take.
The emperor said, "Lord Lu, what do you think of what these two lords have said?"
Chancellor Lu, the foremost of the civil officials, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I believe both lords have a point. But the people have suffered from war for many years and surely hope to live in peace."
These words signaled his agreement with the marriage alliance with the Western Rong.
"Hmph! Your words sound fine enough." The Marquis of Weiyuan, foremost among the military officials, snorted coldly and scoffed at Chancellor Lu's words. He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, countless soldiers have died or been wounded fighting foreign enemies to defend Zhaoyuan's realm and the foundation laid over a hundred years. If we agree to the marriage alliance, would that not chill the hearts of our soldiers?"
Chancellor Lu shook his head. "Marquis of Weiyuan, since you know how hard the soldiers have it, you should all the more understand that they need rest and reunions with their families too."
"The soldiers have fought for so long. It is time they rested," said the minister of personnel.
"I second that."
"I second that."
The ministers' voices rang through the court. The military officials ground their teeth in anger and cursed, "Shortsighted fools! The Western Rong are only suing for peace because they have been struck by an epidemic and their nation is weak. Once they recover from the illness, they will surely sweep back in."
"Hmph, if that time really comes, Zhaoyuan will surely be even stronger. Why would we fear the little Western Rong?"
In the end, they agreed to the Western Rong's proposal for a marriage alliance.
Whatever commotion arose at court would not affect Prince Anbei and his young princess consort, far away on the northern frontier, for the time being. At that moment, he was holding his young princess consort while attending to the military affairs sent from Yucheng on the desk.
Yan Wanning kept saying she was not sleepy, but after arriving in the study, she sat on Si Yunqi's lap in his arms. Before long, she wrapped her arms around his waist and fell fast asleep.
Si Yunqi looked down at her, a helpless smile on his handsome face, then continued with the matters at hand, making considerably less noise.
Close to noon, after Yan Wanning and Si Yunqi had lunch, she received word that An Yingying had invited her to a small gathering at the Fragrant Fullness Tower.
After a quick preparation, she took Xiao He into the carriage. Yun Yin served as the coachman and drove it along at an unhurried pace.
Si Yunqi had initially been unwilling to let her go out while she was on her period. But Yan Wanning pleaded with him and gave him her assurances again and again, so he wrapped her up snugly and only let her leave on the condition that she held a small handwarmer and took Yun Yin with her. She naturally agreed to it all.
Yan Wanning had Yun Yin take a detour to South Street, where she saw the displaced people packing their belongings. Now that the war was over, they naturally wanted to return to their homes.
Si Yunqi had told her that he had sent a group of soldiers to escort the displaced people away. Seeing smiles blossom on their faces, Yan Wanning was happy too. She lowered the curtain and was about to have Yun Yin drive to the Fragrant Fullness Tower.
"My lord, is the Princess Consort of Anbei inside?"
Yun Yin was about to speak when Yan Wanning lifted the curtain. "Yun Yin, what is it?"
"Elder, is there something you need from the princess consort?"
Yan Wanning looked toward the voice and saw an old woman and a child standing in front of the carriage. The old woman held a five- or six-year-old child by the hand and carried a basket covered with blue cloth in her other hand.
When the old woman saw her, her eyes shone as if lit from within. Then, holding the child's hand, she knelt and kowtowed to her. Startled, Yan Wanning got out of the carriage and personally helped the old woman up.
"Elder, what are you doing? Please, get up."
The old woman shook her head and refused to rise no matter how she was pulled. She pleaded, "Your Highness, please let me kneel. You were kind enough to save my grandchild and me. All we can do is kowtow to you."
Puzzled by her words, Yan Wanning looked the old woman and child over carefully. When she saw the child holding the old woman's hand, she suddenly remembered something.
When she had gone to South Street to inspect it before, she had happened to see the old woman, who was seriously ill. A precious medicinal ingredient had been in short supply at the time, so she had sent Xiao He back to the prince's residence to fetch it and had a physician treat the old woman.
"Th-this is some fruit and vegetables. Your Highness, if you do not mind, please accept them."
Seeing how determined they were, Yan Wanning feared they would not take no for an answer, so she had Xiao He accept the basket. She then bid the old woman farewell and had Yun Yin drive away.