You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

Based on his experience dealing with the Northern Barbarians for several years, Bei Shisan introduced Xie Yanting to the local customs and traditions of this land, as well as the dangers they might encounter.

Xie Yanting, on the other hand, appeared calm and composed. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's as he constantly observed his surroundings, while also keeping an eye on Bei Shisan's reaction.

If this so-called "North Thirteen" harbors ill intentions, he wouldn't hesitate to kill him with a single sword strike.

Finally, the group arrived at the nearest tribal outpost on the northern border.

The Northern Barbarians consisted of dozens or even hundreds of tribes, each led by a chieftain, who in turn were governed by a grand chief.

Xie Yanting got straight to the point, recounting the cause and effect of the kidnapping incident and demanding a reasonable explanation and compensation from the Northern Barbarians.

"You have stationed troops on the border, yet you claim it's just for training. You northern barbarians have a total of 200,000 troops, and you say 100,000 are for training? Do you think I would believe that?"

Xie Yanting's expression was cold and stern. The northern barbarians he brought were all tied up with ropes, their heads hanging down.

The leader, who was already quite old, had a solemn expression. He had originally intended to pretend he knew nothing, but now he knew that if this matter was not handled properly, it would directly affect the trade relations between the Northern Barbarians and the Great Zhou Dynasty, and might even trigger a larger conflict.

After a heated discussion, he sent someone to inform the chief, who finally admitted that some of his people had indeed been instructed to participate in the kidnapping.

The chieftain promised to severely punish the perpetrators and compensate Xie Yanting for his losses. The specifics of the compensation would depend on negotiations between Xie Yanting's men and the Northern Barbarians. As long as it wasn't excessive, the Northern Barbarians would agree.

At the same time, he also expressed his respect and friendship for the Great Zhou Dynasty, and hoped that the two sides could continue to maintain peaceful trade relations.

After all, Xie Yanting came with great force, showing that he would not give up if the Northern Barbarians did not agree. He had an imperial edict personally authorized by the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which made it impossible for him to give up easily.

Ostensibly, it was to seek justice for his kidnapping, but in reality, it was because the Great Zhou Dynasty also needed to save face. You say training troops is enough? Doesn't our great nation have any dignity?

Xie Yanting expressed satisfaction with the chief's attitude, but he also suggested that the Northern Barbarians should strengthen their discipline of their people to prevent similar incidents from happening again. The two sides reached a consensus and signed an agreement.

The matter was finally settled after negotiations concluded with the Northern Barbarians paying compensation of 5,000 head of cattle and 5,000 head of sheep.

The chieftain was furious. Xie Yanting was making outrageous demands without any politeness, and he had no choice but to nod.

She saw Xiao Yunli again on her way to the palace.

Xie Wanru thought he was going to strike up a conversation with her again, but she saw that Xiao Yunli ignored her and hurried past.

"This person..."

Xie Wanru was somewhat speechless. The person who insisted on coming to her place for a free meal was now avoiding her like the plague. What strange person had she encountered?

Dongzhu chimed in, "Princess, perhaps Prince Rui really just likes the chefs' cooking in the manor. He got tired of it after eating it twice and stopped paying attention to us."

When she said that, Xie Wanru actually found it somewhat reasonable.

"I can't be bothered with him, he's such an unpredictable man."

Xie Wanru said that and continued on her way to the Empress.

After she returned from the border, she moved house and didn't go to the palace to accompany the Empress for more than a month. In the past, after she married into the Shen family, her feelings for the Empress had become indifferent. Now, she didn't want to disappoint the Empress, nor did she want to become estranged from her.

The Empress's palace remained warm and spring-like, and the flowers in the palace seemed to be even more beautiful because of her gentle temperament.

As Xie Wanru stepped across the threshold, she saw the Empress intently embroidering a flower and bird painting. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, illuminating her and adding a touch of softness and tranquility to the scene.

The Empress has always enjoyed tinkering with these things, and her skills are even better than those of the other concubines. It is one of the Empress's specialties and her hobby.

"Wanru, you've finally come to keep me company. I've been looking forward to this for so long."

The Empress looked up, her eyes full of smiles, put down her needlework, and rose to greet her.

Xie Wanru immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Wanru is late, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The Empress sat down intimately with him. "I'm so happy you could come. I've told you before, when we're not around, call me Aunt Rou. Calling me 'Your Majesty' sounds too formal. Did your trip to the border go smoothly?"

The Empress held Xie Wanru's hand and stroked it tenderly. She was terrified when she learned that Xie Wanru had gone to the border.

Xie Wanru recounted the customs and culture of the frontier and how she helped Xie Yanting resolve the kidnapping incident. Of course, she omitted some thrilling details and instead fabricated a bunch of wonderful human experiences that she had never had, so as not to worry the Empress.

Upon hearing this, the Empress was both moved and gratified. "You've grown up and are now able to share the burdens of the country. You even managed to rescue your third brother from the kidnappers. I am truly overjoyed. But Wanwan, you can't do that anymore. You're a girl. What if something happens to you on the road?"

Xie Wanru then leaned against the Empress's shoulder coquettishly and said softly, "Aunt Rou, Wanwan understands. Wanwan will not dare to do it again. This time the situation was really special. I will definitely drive carefully in the future and not let you worry."

She did act impulsively this time, partly because of her fear of her past life. She would rather die with her family than live a life of dishonor.

Who knew it was just a feint? The Northern Barbarians were simply taking people for fun.

She changed history and made some changes to the future, but the overall trend seems to have remained unchanged.

"Wanwan's heroic act of going to the northern border alone to rescue General Xie is admired by all the women in Xuancheng."

Wu Xuanyi walked slowly towards them.

"Sister Wu~"

Xie Wanru immediately called out to her. She was the one who saved the outsiders, but in fact, if it weren't for her senior brother's help, Xie Yanting might not have been able to be rescued for a long time.

Wu Xuanyi was a little pregnant, so she walked slowly. She gave a slight curtsy and said, "I also heard that Wanwan jumped into the water to save General Xie San's soldiers, rescuing one soldier with each hand..."

I don't know who spread this rumor, but it's like they're trying to portray Xie Wanru as a world-renowned hero. Everyone's saying that even the girls in the Xie family are better than ordinary people.

Compared to this, many people dragged the Shen family out and gave them a good scolding.

Everyone says Shen Nian'an is blind. He doesn't care about Xie Wanru, who is perfectly fine, but instead likes a shameless illegitimate daughter who is not presentable. The Yong'an Marquis's mansion is probably doomed.

Some say that a blessed woman doesn't marry into an unblessed family, and the Shen family was never a good match for a woman like Xie Wanru.