Traveling through the Tang Dynasty: The Concubine Goes to War

"The emperor asked curiously: "Who is this person?"

Yunxi replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, it is Concubine Hua, Ayiduo. She is very familiar with the customs and culture of the Turks. If she accompanies me to the Turks, I believe she will be able to help me a lot."

The emperor thought for a moment, then showed a trace of embarrassment and said, "You are right, but I wonder if Ayiduo is willing to go?"

Yunxi smiled and said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I believe I can convince her to go with me. After all, she is also a concubine of the Tang Dynasty and should contribute to the prosperity and stability of the Tang Dynasty."

The emperor nodded in agreement, and then said, "Okay, then let's do as you wish! I will draft an order immediately, and you can take it to Concubine Hua in person."

After Yunxi thanked him, she left Xingqing Palace and took the emperor's edict to Yongfu Palace where Ayiduo lived. She came to the gate of Yongfu Palace, reported, entered the palace, handed the edict to Ayiduo, and explained her purpose in detail.

After reading the imperial edict, Ayiduo felt a little unhappy, but still took it and said to Yunxi: "In this case, I can go to Turkic, but I have a condition." Ayiduo said.

"What conditions? Just tell me." Yunxi answered seriously.

"I'm going to take my personal maid with me." Aido stared at Yunxi with her big blue eyes, and pointed at Alina and Jin'er beside her, with a meaningful smile on her face.

"This..." Yunxi looked embarrassed. She knew that this mission to Turkic Empire was of great importance and bringing too many people might cause some unnecessary troubles, but it was not easy to directly refuse Ayiduo's request.

"What? Is it not possible?" Seeing Yunxi hesitating, Ayido immediately frowned and looked at Yunxi provocatively.

"Okay, I will convey your conditions to the emperor." Yunxi sighed helplessly, thinking: This Ayiduo is really difficult to deal with! But for the sake of peace between the two countries, I should try my best to meet her requirements.

Compared with Ayiduo's cautious attitude towards the mission to Turkic, someone actually took the initiative to propose to go to Turkic with them, which surprised Yunxi. This person was none other than the eldest princess of the Tang Dynasty - Princess Xiangcheng.

When she heard the news, Yunxi couldn't help but frown, and a feeling of worry surged in her heart. She knew that this mission to the Turks was full of unknowns and dangers, and Princess Xiangcheng, as a princess of the Tang Dynasty, was extremely noble and was not suitable to participate in such an adventure. So Yunxi decided to personally persuade Princess Xiangcheng to give up this idea.

"Princess, our trip to the Turks is full of dangers and risks. You are a precious daughter, why do you have to take the risk? Please stay in Chang'an!" Yunxi advised earnestly.

However, Princess Xiangcheng shook her head firmly, indicating that she had made up her mind to follow them to the Turks.

"Yunxi, you don't have to say more. Every citizen has the responsibility for the safety of the country. Moreover, as a princess of the Tang Dynasty, I should do my part for the country. This mission to the Turks is related to the peace of the country and the well-being of the people. I cannot stay out of it. Moreover, I have lived in Turpan for many years and have some understanding of foreign ethnic groups. Maybe I can lend you a hand." Princess Xiangcheng said with a firm look.

Yunxi sighed helplessly, knowing that Princess Xiangcheng had made up her mind and could not change it easily. She could only nod silently to show her respect for Princess Xiangcheng's decision. At the same time, she also secretly admired Princess Xiangcheng's courage and responsibility, and admired the princess.

When the Queen Mother and the Emperor learned that Princess Xiangcheng was going to join them on a diplomatic mission to Turkic Khaganate, their faces instantly became solemn, with a hint of surprise in their eyes.

"Why would Xiangcheng make such a request?" The Queen Mother frowned, her tone filled with confusion and worry.

The emperor also looked incredulous: "I thought my sister would have concerns about this matter, but I didn't expect her to take the initiative to ask to go with me."

The Queen Mother shook her head gently: "This child has been stubborn since she was young. Once she makes a decision, it is difficult to change it. We must find a way to persuade her to give up this idea."

So, the Queen Mother and the Emperor tried to persuade Princess Xiangcheng, telling her the dangers of this mission to the Turks and the difficulties she might face.

"Xiangcheng, do you know? The Turks are not friendly to women from the Central Plains. You may encounter many dangers on this trip." The Queen Mother said earnestly.

The emperor also agreed, "Yes, sister, you have finally returned to the Tang Dynasty from Turpan. I don't want to see you get hurt. You should stay in the palace. This is the safest place."

However, no matter how earnestly the Empress Dowager and the Emperor tried to persuade her, Princess Xiangcheng seemed to have already made up her mind and remained unmoved.

"Mother, Your Majesty, I have made up my mind. Every citizen has a share of responsibility for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. As a princess of the Tang Dynasty, I should be more concerned about the safety of the Tang Dynasty, and I believe I can deal with any danger. Please rest assured." Xiang Cheng replied firmly.

Faced with Xiang Cheng's firm attitude, the Queen Mother and the Emperor looked at each other helplessly, and couldn't help but admire her courage and determination.

Finally, after careful consideration, the Queen Mother and the Emperor agreed to Princess Xiangcheng's request. After all, they knew Xiangcheng's character, and if they stopped her by force, it might cause unnecessary trouble.

"Okay, sister, since you insist on going, I will agree to it. But you must pay attention to safety and stay vigilant at all times." The emperor warned.

The Queen Mother also nodded: "Remember, if there is any situation, send someone back to inform us immediately. We will do our best to protect your safety."

Princess Xiangcheng nodded gratefully: "Thank you, mother and emperor, for your concern. I will be careful and cautious."

Soon after, Yunxi led a large delegation on a journey to the Turks. Along the way, they slept in the open air and were not afraid of hardships.

Ayiduo rode on the horse, curiously looking at the scenery along the way to Datang. Princess Xiangcheng, Alina and Jin'er were sitting in the carriage. Princess Xiangcheng and Alina looked calm, while Jin'er looked nervous.

"Sister, can we stop? I want to buy some things to bring back to Turkestan for my relatives," Ayido asked Yunxi who was riding on horseback.

"Okay, I wonder what you want to buy?" Yun Xi replied.

"I want to bring some silk back to the Turks. Tang silk is well-known in the Turkic tribes." Ayiduo said. Yunxi ordered the team to stop in the town ahead, and Ayiduo took Alina and Jin'er to purchase silk.

They walked into a silk shop, and Ayiduo carefully selected silks of various colors, as if these fabrics were part of her life. Alina followed her silently, with a look of awe and dependence in her eyes. Jin'er seemed a little absent-minded, her thoughts had already drifted away.

"Jin'er, what are you thinking about?" Ayido noticed Jin'er's abnormality and asked softly.

Jin Er came back to her senses and answered hesitantly, "No... nothing, just a little worried."

Ayiduo smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, I'm here." After that, she picked up a piece of bright red silk, gently compared it to her body, with a satisfied light flashing in her eyes, and nodded with satisfaction.

However, at this moment, a group of mysterious men in black suddenly broke into the silk shop. They were wearing black robes, ferocious masks on their faces, and wielding sharp blades in their hands. Without saying a word, they drew their knives and stabbed Ayiduo and others, their movements were swift and fierce...