On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The three-day period passed in a flash.

The city of Chang'an was shrouded in the chill of deep winter. The cold wind blew up the snow on the street corners, adding a touch of desolation.

Inside the Golden Throne Hall of the Qin Imperial Palace, the atmosphere was as heavy as iron.

The charcoal brazier could not dispel the chill that penetrated deep into the bone marrow. Only on the throne, Qin Emperor Yingji was dressed in a dark dragon robe. Although he was over sixty years old and his hair and beard were all white, his figure was still burly, his eyes were as sharp as an eagle, and he had an imperial aura that was majestic without even being angry.

Your Highness, all civil and military officials stood in silence.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the old man in purple robe with white hair and beard standing in the hall with his body bowed - Prime Minister Qin Xiang.

"Your Majesty," Qin Xiang's voice was old, yet remarkably clear, piercing the silence within the hall. "After three days of careful consideration, the ministers have concluded that His Majesty Lin Zhen's proposal to submit to Daqian is feasible."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall!

"Ridiculous!" Ying Qian, the Minister of War, strode out of the group, his voice like a bell, his face filled with undisguised anger. "The Prime Minister is getting old and confused! Our Great Qin has been established for three hundred years, and its power reigns supreme in the western frontier! How can we bow down to that young brat? Submission? That's the end of our nation!"

"Minister Ying, you're wrong." Qin Xiang's expression remained unchanged, his voice steady. "Submission is not the end of the nation, but the path to its survival. His Highness Lin promises that the Ying family will remain the lords of Qin, with the title of King of Qin hereditary. Qin will govern itself, collect taxes, and use its own resources. Daqian will not send any temporary officials or station heavy troops, but will pay a symbolic annual tribute of 100,000 taels of silver. This is a strategy to preserve the ancestral temple and the country."

"Protection?" Ying Qian sneered. "Five thousand elite soldiers are stationed at Hangu Pass, Wuguan Pass, and Xiaoguan Pass! They're strangling our throats! They're called defense, but they're actually imprisonment! A hundred thousand tributes may not seem like much, but Qin is so barren it's like cutting flesh to heal a wound! Not to mention giving up the imperial title and becoming a vassal king! This is a great shame and humiliation! We, the Ying family, would rather die in glory than live in disgrace!"

"Minister Ying's loyalty and bravery are commendable." Qin Xiang's eyes swept over Ying Qian with a barely perceptible sharpness. "However, loyalty and bravery must be judged according to the circumstances. Currently, Tubo has 100,000 troops stationed in the western border, Rouran cavalry patrols north of the Yin Mountains, and Southern Chu is ready to make a move. Years of war have depleted the treasury and the people are living in poverty. His Majesty Ying Ji is old, and Crown Prince Ying Si is more benevolent than resolute. If a powerful enemy were to invade, how could Qin protect itself from internal and external troubles?"

His voice deepened, carrying a hint of sadness. "I'd rather die in glory than be shattered. Even if I live in disgrace, the ancestral temple can be restored and the people can live in peace. This is what an old minister says from the bottom of his heart."

"The Prime Minister is exaggerating!" The Minister of Revenue stepped forward, his voice shrill. "Though the Tubo and Rouran may be strong, our Great Qin soldiers are valiant and skilled in battle! The fortress of Hangu Pass is formidable, with only one man holding it; ten thousand men cannot break through! What is there to fear? As for the treasury being empty, we can simply increase revenue and reduce expenditure! How can we surrender before a battle?"

"Increase revenue and reduce expenditure?" Qin Xiang sneered. "How to increase revenue? Increase taxes? Public resentment is boiling. How to reduce expenditure? Disarmament? Destroy the Great Wall. Can the fortress of Hangu Pass hold us back for a while, or forever? Tubo's newly acquired Sky-Burning Thunder is incredibly powerful. The Rouran cavalry comes and goes like the wind. Our Great Qin is exhausted from running around, and finally our strength is exhausted."

"Then we will fight to the death!" Ying Qian roared, "I, the descendants of the Ying family, would rather die on the battlefield than beg for mercy!"

"Fight to the death?" Qin Xiang's eyes flashed as he stared at Ying Qian. "Minister Ying, do you want to stain your reputation for loyalty and bravery with the blood of the people of this city? Do you want to fulfill your loyalty by destroying the Ying clan's ancestral temple?"

Ying Qian's face turned red and he was speechless for a moment.

"Your Majesty!" Qin Xiang no longer paid attention to Ying Qian. He turned to face the throne and bowed deeply. "As an old minister who has served three generations of emperors, I know the importance of the country. Submission is not cowardice, but a way to ensure the eternal peace of Qin. His Highness Lin Zhen is a man of great talent and strategy, and Daqian is at its peak. Submission can bring peace, open trade routes, and strengthen our Qin State through the power of studying things. This is a strategy of retreat in order to advance. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider!"

Ying Ji sat upright on the throne, his face as gloomy as water and his eyes deep, showing no emotion.

He listened to the heated debate between Qin Xiang and his ministers, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cold dragon head on the armrest of the dragon throne.

Every word Qin Xiang said pierced his heart. He understood Qin's predicament better than anyone else.

However, asking him to give up his imperial title and submit to the emperor was like a heart-wrenching pain.

The ancestors of the Ying family worked hard to build the foundation of the business, so how could it be destroyed by other hands?

"What the Prime Minister said makes sense." Ying Ji finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse, with a hint of fatigue, "However, surrendering is related to the dignity of the state. I need to think about it."

"Your Majesty!" Ying Qian said anxiously, "Absolutely not! This is..."

"Shut up!" Ying Ji's eyes became fierce, and Ying Qian immediately fell silent.

"Where is Lin Zhen?" Ying Ji asked.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Lin is waiting at the inn." Qin Xiang said.

"Summon him to the palace for an audience tomorrow." Ying Ji said.

"Your Majesty," Qin Xiang's heart sank. Ying Ji's words clearly showed that he had not made up his mind and was just delaying.

"Dismiss the court." Ying Ji stood up and left with a wave of his sleeves.

"Dismiss the court!" the eunuch sang.

The ministers looked at each other with different expressions.

Ying Qian glared at Qin Xiang fiercely and left in anger.

The other ministers either shook their heads and sighed, or were worried, and left one after another.

In the huge Golden Palace, only Qin Xiang was left. He stood alone in the palace, looking at the empty throne, his old face full of worry.

That night, in the secret room of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

The flickering candlelight illuminated Qin Xiang's tired and anxious face.

Opposite him sat his trusted aide, an old man with white hair and beard.

"Prime Minister, if Your Majesty continues to hesitate, the night will be long and full of troubles." The aide whispered.

"I know this too well," Qin Xiang sighed. "Lord Yingji is so proud and arrogant that it's as hard as climbing to heaven to get him to bow his head."

"However, Lin Zhen only gave us three days," the aide said. "If we still remain undecided when we meet Your Majesty tomorrow, there might be a change of heart."

"Change," Qin Xiang's eyes flashed with a gleam. "Lin Zhen is a man of unfathomable depth. If Qin refuses him, he will surely ally with Tubo or Rouran to seize Qin territory. Then Qin will be in danger."

"What should we do then?" asked the staff.

Qin Xiang was silent for a long time, his fingertips tapping the table unconsciously.

The candlelight danced in his eyes, reflecting his deep thoughts.

Suddenly, a glimmer flashed in his eyes.

"Your Majesty is concerned not only about the dignity of the state," Qin Xiang said slowly, "but also about the safety of the Ying family after their surrender. Although Lin Zhen has promised self-government, people's hearts are unpredictable. Ying Ji might be held hostage or abandoned after his death."

"Your Excellency is absolutely right," the aide said. "This is a common problem among emperors."

"If we can dispel His Majesty's concerns," Qin Xiang pondered, "perhaps we can accomplish this."

"How to dispel it?" asked the staff.

Qin Xiang's eyes were deep, and he said slowly: "Marriage."

"Marriage?" The staff was stunned.

"Marry Princess Yuhua to Lin Zhen." Qin Xiang said word by word.

The staff gasped, "Princess Yuhua is the apple of His Majesty's eye and the most beloved. Moreover, Lin Zhen already has several wives and concubines. If the princess marries, she will become a concubine."

"Not a concubine." Qin Xiang shook his head, "You can be a concubine. The throne of Daqian is the same as that of a prince. A princess marries a noble person. Lin Zhen will definitely treat her with courtesy."

"This is a marriage alliance," the aide said, "but can it guarantee the safety of the Ying family?"

"Yes," Qin Xiang said confidently, "The princess's marriage will become a bond. Lin Zhen is the King of the Northern Frontier, and his word is law. The princess's presence will ensure the safety of the Ying family. Furthermore, the princess is intelligent and gentle. If she wins Lin Zhen's favor, the Ying family's position in Qin will be further consolidated. This kills two birds with one stone."

"Your Majesty, will you agree?" the staff still had doubts.

"Your Majesty loves your daughter dearly," Qin Xiang said, "but he values ​​the country even more. If you knew this was the only way to save the Ying family, you might be willing to give her up. Besides, marrying your daughter there is safer than entering a dangerous and dangerous place. Daqian is richer and more prosperous than Qin. A princess there can enjoy honor and dignity, which is better than staying in Qin and living in fear."

The aide was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly: "Prime Minister, this is a brilliant plan, but it requires Lin Zhen's consent."

"Lin Zhen will definitely not refuse to pacify the Qin State." Qin Xiang's eyes flashed with a glint. "This is a win-win situation. He gets the beauty and the Qin territory, and the Ying family gets peace and continuation."

"What about the Prime Minister tomorrow?" asked the staff.

"Tomorrow I will go to the palace to see the emperor again." Qin Xiang stood up, his eyes gleaming with determination, "Success or failure depends on this one move."

The next morning, in the imperial study of the palace.

Ying Ji was dressed in casual clothes, sitting behind a desk with a gloomy look on his face.

On the table, the Northern Frontier Military News was spread out. The news of Tubo's reinforcement of troops was like a huge rock pressing on his heart.

"Your Majesty," Qin Xiang bowed.

"The Prime Minister is here." Ying Ji said in a low voice, "Sit down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Qin Xiang sat down on the brocade cushion.

"Lin Zhen mentioned the matter of surrender," Ying Ji rubbed his brow, "I have been thinking about it all night and can't make a decision."

"Your Majesty, I understand your concerns," Qin Xiang said. "I am not only concerned about the dignity of the state, but also about the safety of the Ying family after their return."

Ying Ji's eyes fixed on Qin Xiang.

"Your Majesty is the ruler of the Great Qin. Although you will be the King of Qin after your surrender, you will be living under someone else's roof and may be controlled by others." Qin Xiang's voice was low. "This is a taboo for an emperor."

Ying Ji remained silent, which was considered as his agreement.

"This old minister has a plan that may alleviate your majesty's worries." Qin Xiang said.

"Oh? What's the plan?" Ying Ji asked.

"Marriage." Qin Xiang said, "Marry Princess Yuhua to Lin Zhen."

Ying Ji suddenly raised his head, a flash of shock and anger in his eyes: "Prime Minister, Yuhua is my beloved daughter, how can she marry a man who already has a wife? Being a concubine or a concubine is a disgrace!"

"Your Majesty, calm down." Qin Xiang said hurriedly, "I am not a concubine, but a concubine. The throne of Daqian is the same as that of a prince. The princess is of noble status when she marries. Lin Zhen will treat her with courtesy, and..."

He paused, his voice filled with earnestness, "The princess's marriage will become a bond. Lin Zhen is the pillar of Daqian, and his word is law. With the princess, the Ying family's position in Qin will be secure. Lin Zhen will also take good care of Your Majesty and the Crown Prince as a matter of course. This is exchanging the princess for the safety of the Ying family and the peace of Qin. Your Majesty, please think twice!"

Ying Ji's expression kept changing.

Shock, anger, struggle, and reluctance were intertwined in his eyes.

He loved Yuhua and regarded her as a treasure, but he was also the king of a country, shouldering the heavy responsibility of protecting the Ying family's ancestral temple and the survival of the Qin State.

"Is Yuhua willing?" Yingji said in a hoarse voice.

"The princess is very understanding," Qin Xiang said. "Besides, the prosperity of the Great Qian Imperial Capital far surpasses Chang'an. Marrying there will bring you wealth and honor. It's better than staying in Qin, where your country will be destroyed and your family will be destroyed along with you."

Ying Ji closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Inside the imperial study, there was a dead silence.

The only sound was the crackling of burning charcoal in the brazier, just like his struggling heartbeat.

After a long moment, he slowly opened his eyes, a trace of fatigue and determination in them: "Prime Minister, please go and talk to Lin Zhen. If he agrees to this proposal, I will approve your surrender."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Qin Xiang bowed deeply, a glimmer of relief flashing in his eyes.

Ying Ji waved his hand and leaned back in his chair tiredly, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

Outside the window, the cold wind was howling, blowing up snow foam all over the sky.

A marriage that concerns the fate of the Qin State was quietly finalized in the imperial study in the deep winter.