Song Qingshu asked, "Öchen of the Qonggirat Tribe?"
Hua Zheng was somewhat surprised. "Only a small number of people know about this. How did you find out?"
"The Hongjila clan bears daughters who become Empresses and sons who marry Princesses. It wasn't hard to guess." Song Qingshu brushed it off casually, unwilling to expose his connection with Haemish.
Hua Zheng gave a soft hum and did not pursue the matter. "So I can only take advantage of these relatively free days to be with him. At least it will fulfill one of my wishes."
Song Qingshu asked curiously, "Guo Jing was, after all, the Golden Saber Imperial Son-in-Law personally appointed by your father. Why not ask him to approve your marriage?"
Hua Zheng shook her head. "A few years ago, Guo Jing fought our Mongol army at Xiangyang. Countless Mongol warriors died beneath the city walls, and who knows how many people in Karakorum City are relatives of those fallen soldiers. Besides, Guo Jing is only willing to be with me now because he has lost his memories. If he regains them, he will certainly refuse to marry me. Father Khan's temper has become increasingly strange these past years. Those who obey him prosper, while those who defy him perish. If Guo Jing still contradicted him as he did before, Father Khan would absolutely kill him without hesitation."
"You really are caught in the middle." Even Song Qingshu found it troubling. On one hand, she feared the Mongol Empire would target Guo Jing; on the other, she feared Guo Jing would break with her once he recovered his memories. No wonder she looked so sorrowful. "What do you plan to do?"
"I'll delay things for as long as I can. One more day with Guo Jing is one more day