Priceless: A widow with a baby asks the prince to marry again

Chu Shiyu's deep voice echoed clearly in the tent as he outlined his plan to Liu Rusi: "To select loyal servants, we can't rely solely on coercion; we need to make them submit sincerely. We have a perfect opportunity right now."

"Father has just crowned Prince Yuan, demonstrating his 'friendship' and 'benevolence' towards the descendants of the Golden Family. So, if they are Prince Yuan's 'subjects', wouldn't it be reasonable to release them as a sign of grace?"

Liu Rusi understood instantly: "You mean... let some of the captives choose to surrender to 'Prince Yuan'?"

"That's right." Chu Shiyu nodded, his lips curled up slightly. "I will clearly inform those 4,000 important prisoners of war: there are two options now. First, give up your status as Wala and voluntarily become a citizen under the rule of the 'Prince Yuan' appointed by Daxia. I will respond to your majesty's kindness and release them immediately. Second, if you insist on returning to Wala..."

He paused, his tone turning cold and businesslike. "Then wait for the Wala envoy to redeem them with cattle, sheep, horses, furs, medicinal herbs, or an equivalent amount in gold and silver. However, the price they're offering is far from worthy of these 'nobles'."

Liu Rusi nodded slowly. These political tactics were not something she had ever encountered in her past or present lives. Although she had some unusual ideas, she was not a master of everything. She had no better suggestions for Chu Shiyu's strategy.

"So... you want to choose the prisoner that suits you best now?" Liu Rusi guessed.

Chu Shiyu's eyes were full of admiration, and he whispered, "Although we are selecting people who are loyal to Daxia, who will be loyal to Daxia...it depends on who tames the horse, and who can control it better."

Casting a look of sincere admiration in her almond-shaped eyes, Liu Rusi immediately stood up and said, "Let's go, there's no time to lose."

Chu Shiyu held her back, his face showing worry. "With the nature of the northern people, it's hard to subdue someone who hides his head and shows his tail. If you want to subdue him, you must face him directly. You go with me, if someone suddenly goes crazy..."

"Throwing the baby out with the bathwater is what you mean, right?" Liu Rusi couldn't help but laugh, then suggested, "Why not call Changning and Fang Qiu along... and invite the two princesses too, so we can just visit the captives and give them some encouragement—let them see firsthand the opportunity to become subjects of the Yuan King. We'll just stand high up, where the captives can see us and where we can easily deploy protective guards."

Ruifeng's eyes lit up. This was truly the best of both worlds. But when he caught a glimpse of the mocking look in Liu Rusi's eyes, he couldn't help but feel ashamed. He asked softly, "Why... didn't you rebuke me for putting personal interests above public interests?"

Liu Rusi paused for a moment, then spoke calmly, "I cannot fathom the depth of your past life's fear. But your willingness to pledge your life is not to be underestimated. If my presence can offer you even a little comfort, I will do my best to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, so that you can find peace of mind..."

---

When the invitation to inspect the captives was issued in the name of Liu Rusi, both Princesses Chu Xin and Chu Rou were not interested and politely declined. They did not think that these foreign captives would have any contact with them in the future.

Princess Changning, Qin Zhen, arrived with great enthusiasm. Firstly, she was close to Prince Duan Chu Shiyu and Liu Rusi. Secondly, she considered herself the "selector" of this marriage, naturally holding a superior position. Even if a captive caught her eye, their status would naturally rise because of her, just as her mother, Princess Taihua, had married her father, Qin Shuangyu, who was still a nobody at the time.

When Changning arrived, her energetic brother, Qin Tao, Prince of Changtai, and her father, General Wei Yu, Qin Shuangyu, naturally came along as well.

Fang Qiu, who regarded Liu Rusi as her life mentor, accepted the offer without hesitation. She was still dressed as a captain in disguise, as she was not the main character in the marriage, but was just there to join in the fun.

Four thousand prisoners lined up in a row in the open space of the prisoner area, and then sat on the ground at the order of Prince Duan.

After working in the construction of Tucheng and Guiyuancheng, they were already familiar with the Daxia Army's strict but not harsh orders.

At this moment, countless pairs of eyes looked towards the observation tower of the prisoner camp - there stood two women from Daxia dressed in luxurious clothes, and a woman wearing a captain's uniform but whose slender figure could not be concealed. They were surrounded by maids, overlooking the sea of ​​people below.

At yesterday’s “Prince Yuan” enthronement ceremony, although these captives were heavily guarded at a distance, they were able to watch the ceremony and learn about the marriage!

Many captives couldn't help but speculate that the three women were all noble ladies to be married off! Their gathering here, with the noble ladies watching from the high platform, hinted at the possibility of selection!

The prisoners sat in line.

A majestic figure clad in heavy black armor entered from the side of the platform. Seeing the exquisite and gorgeous patterns on his cloak and armor, all the prisoners knew that this was Prince Duan who controlled their life and death.

Chu Shiyu walked up to the prisoner array and directly announced the two paths for them in Mongolian.

"Submit to King Yuan and become his subject. Your future is limitless. You'll have the opportunity to showcase your skills in the upcoming martial arts competition... and even more so, to participate in the selection of King Yuan's successor."

The hearts of many captives were instantly stirred. Many of them were of noble status and respected in the Oirat, but they did not necessarily hold real power. The future that Chu Shiyu described was like pointing to a golden road.

"However, if we choose to wait for Wala's redemption..."

Chu Shiyu walked slowly among the prisoners, as if strolling leisurely in the garden. However, he changed the subject, his voice carrying a hint of cold sarcasm, "In view of the Wala's attack on my camp on New Year's Eve, I naturally must receive a sufficient apology."

He paced back and forth, his eyes carrying an elusive meaning, scanning the faces one after another, occasionally pausing on a prisoner with a burly figure or calm eyes, revealing an imperceptible admiration.

The deep voice continued to strike at the captives' nerves: "I have seen countless people and know that among you there are many undiscovered talents... The Wala Empire is on the verge of collapse. Even if you return, you will find it difficult to achieve anything. However, the Yuan Dynasty is a new dynasty, and there are many vacancies waiting for talented people..."

After some persuasion using both kindness and force, Chu Shiyu walked back to the front of the prisoner array.

However, he suddenly became aware that the attention of many captives in the front row had quietly shifted to Qin Shuangyu and his son not far away!

The Wala and the Northwestern Army were old enemies, and their gazes on each other should have been filled with hatred and vigilance, but these changed due to some strange looks - from those captives from the "Golden Family" branch with special identities, including the young man who was first noticed.

There was no hatred in their eyes, but instead a strange trust and an indescribable... sense of closeness?

Chu Shiyu's face remained expressionless, and he turned his head to look at the high platform behind him - Liu Rusi's worried gaze was also focused on the Qin father and son.

As if sensing his gaze, she turned her gaze towards him. Across the clamor of the military camp, in the air thick with dust and sweat, the two of them stared at each other in silence for several breaths.

Then, her almond-shaped eyes lowered slightly, avoiding his inquiring gaze, as if she wanted to forcibly suppress her surging emotions.

Chu Shiyu also suppressed it for the moment and returned his mind to the main topic.

The silence lasted only a few moments. Chu Shiyu did not give the captives more time to weigh their options. He clearly announced in Mongolian, "Now, I give you a quarter of an hour to choose! Are you willing to submit to King Yuan? If you are willing, please stand up! If you fail in time, you will be considered redeemed by the Oirat!"

As soon as the order was given, the officers quickly walked to the edge of the prisoner queue, holding the list and pen, and waited solemnly.

A quarter of an hour! Such a short decision time instantly pushed the captives' newly stirred emotions to the brink of collapse!

Should they grasp the glorious but illusory "future" before them, or wait for the difficult and potentially humiliating "redemption" of the Oirat? The immense pressure caused many to sweat on their foreheads and breathe heavily.

Just at this breathtaking moment of decision, Chu Shiyu's sharp peripheral vision caught another scene...

Qin Shuangyu, who was not far away, had an indescribable complex emotion in his eyes as he naturally glanced at the captives from the "Golden Family" branch.

Then, he nodded very slightly!

This movement was so subtle that it seemed like an illusion, but it made Ruifeng's eyes suddenly narrow slightly, revealing a faint cold light!

Did Qin Shuangyu know them? Why did he nod? Was it a tacit understanding, or... a silent command?

It was as if they had received some kind of order, or perhaps Qin Shuangyu's nod completely ignited the hidden flame in their hearts.

The last trace of hesitation in the eyes of the captives from the "Golden Family" branch, especially the young man in the lead, instantly disappeared, replaced by a gleam of determination. They suddenly straightened their backs and stood up without the slightest hesitation!

"I wish to follow King Yuan and return to the Holy Dynasty!"

Their voices were not loud, but extremely clear and firm, like a drop of water thrown into boiling oil.

Their actions were like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a thousand waves!

Those captives, who were already restless, disappointed with the current situation of Wala and eager to seize a glimmer of hope, saw the noble "Golden Family" take the lead in standing up, and the balance in their hearts completely tilted.

One, two, ten, a hundred... More and more people struggled, standing up from the ground with confusion about the future and desperate expectations.

The scene was chaotic for a while.

The officials immediately became busy and ordered those who stood up to stay where they were and wait for the officials to register them one by one in order.

The massive crowd seemed to be divided by an invisible force, with those who stood up and those who were still sitting forming distinct camps.

Liu Rusi could see it clearly from the high platform, her fingers turning slightly white from the force of her grip on the railing. Qin Shuangyu's tiny nod also didn't escape her sharp eyes!

Her heart felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and a chill ran from her feet to her head. She knew the Qin family's background—descendants of the previous dynasty's royal family! She had suspected that Qin Shuangyu had been near the northwestern border of the Northern Tribe for many years and might make a move...

Yet, at this moment, this tacit interaction between him and the "Golden Family" captives was happening in full view of everyone! At least Chu Shiyu had already seen through it! She couldn't imagine what would happen if this subtle flaw was caught by someone with ulterior motives, or even spread to the emperor's ears...

Undercurrents surged in the hearts of Chu Shiyu and Liu Rusi.

But on the surface, the "Prince Yuan's Return" drama led by Prince Duan Chu Shiyu received a warm response.

More than 3,000 captives chose to stand up, cooperate with their officials to register, and swear to become subjects of Yuan King Seriguleng. Some people who originally did not want to surrender understood the general trend and stood up like the crowd.

A few stubborn people sat there, enduring the concrete feeling of inferiority, and their hearts were struggling and wavering violently.

In the end, without exception, everyone chose to submit to King Yuan.

Although this result is shocking, it is not entirely unexpected.

The body of the last emperor of the previous dynasty was returned to his homeland, and the Holy Prince Seriguleng returned to the embrace of the Eternal Heaven through a "sky burial" under the watchful eyes of the public - these two events that shook the soul of the grassland had long since flattened any possible guilt and shame in the hearts of the Wala captives.

The yearning for the glorious rule of the previous dynasty and the natural reverence for the bloodline of the Golden Family, which had been passed down from generation to generation on the grassland, were completely ignited.

This deep-rooted belief is the core reason why the Oirat royal court is willing to redeem these captives at all costs. They need to use these noble captives to prove that they are the successors of the previous dynasty's legal system and the true orthodox power of the grassland - although secretly, the Oirat nobles have always been wary of and excluded the bloodlines of these golden families, marginalizing them.

Now, Chu Shiyu's thundering blow, in the name of "Prince Yuan", completely shattered the hope of Wala to maintain its orthodoxy!

Even though there would inevitably be stubborn elements in the Oirat royal court and its remnants who refused to recognize the "King Yuan"'s status as the overlord, the direction of public opinion was clearly visible.

The situation on the prairie will inevitably change dramatically after the decision made in front of the prisoner camp today.

"Rusi! Look at that boy, he is so fair and clean, a little different from the other northern tribes!" Princess Changning Qin Zhen was so happy as if she had discovered a new toy. She pulled Liu Rusi's sleeve with one hand and pointed to the more conspicuous figure among the group of captives with the other hand - it was the boy from the Golden Family who first attracted attention and had a special identity.

Liu Rusi suppressed the faint worry in her heart and looked in the direction Qin Zhen pointed as if nothing had happened. She responded in a gentle and casual voice, "That? He looks a little young? Fifteen?"

The young man had fair skin and a physique that hadn't yet fully grown, but his brows already showed the outlines of a man, and he had the fortitude of a warrior who had endured many trials and tribulations. But what was most striking was the naturally noble aura he exuded—a self-respect that had naturally developed from being respected since childhood, and had become an inherent quality.

While chatting with Chang Ning, Liu Rusi's mind was racing. This young man was one of the people Qin Shuangyu had just signaled to! And Qin Shuangyu's fatal nod was definitely not a spur-of-the-moment decision!

From what she had heard from Qin Lie in the past and what she had secretly learned later, she knew that Qin Shuangyu had a consistent temperament, was generous and straightforward, and his thoughts were not deep or complicated.

Chu Shiyu's policy has not been disclosed to the public. In this sudden situation, it is impossible for Qin Shuangyu to make such a precise and clear instruction in an instant!

The only explanation is - we were prepared!

This thought was like lightning splitting the fog! But Liu Rusi felt much more at ease!

The day before yesterday, the old Taoist priest Seriguleng cooperated with the emperor's plan almost perfectly, and his level of obedience even exceeded expectations!

Considering Serriguleng's mysterious metaphysical attainments, the shocking miracle of "sky burial" was probably achieved by him actively following the will of heaven, even at the cost of his own flesh and blood!

Perhaps... a bold and clear speculation took shape in Liu Rusi's mind: The emperor's plan to raise the banner of King Yuan and gain control of the grassland was most likely something that Serriguleng had foreseen long ago, and he agreed... and even secretly pushed for it!

This former prince has experienced many vicissitudes of life and has a deep understanding of the world. He knows better than anyone that restoring the previous dynasty is a foolish dream.

Rather than letting the grasslands fall into endless chaos and feuds, and letting the descendants of the Golden Family wither away in the struggles of the Oirat and Tatar royal courts, it is better to seek shade under the big tree of Daxia.

By becoming a vassal of Daxia and accepting the title of "King Yuan", one can nominally continue the legal system of the previous dynasty, while relying on Daxia's powerful national strength to maintain order and peace on the grassland.

This may allow the tribe's bloodline to continue and coexist with the Central Plains dynasty...in the long run.

Qin Shuangyu nodded, perhaps because he had previously interacted with Seriguleng and understood the intentions of this unconditionally trustworthy elder! So he followed Seriguleng's will and gave those confused members of the Golden Family a clear signal to choose a bright and smooth path!

Just as Liu Rusi was racking her brain, trying to sort out the intricate connections behind this, a familiar breath quietly approached.

Chu Shiyu had climbed up to the observation deck at some point and stood beside her. He whispered in her ear in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."