New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

"What you need to do now is to do your best to protect yourself. As for my safety, you don't need to worry about it or feel guilty. Just based on the poem you just wrote, I can die without regret."

Human life is fleeting, like grass in autumn. Having aspirations is far better than living aimlessly. From this perspective, Tang Huan's life was already perfect.

Tang Qian could only sigh at his father's choice, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Tang Huan, and turned to leave the cubicle.

Back in the military tent outside Ming'an Temple, Tang Qian gave Wanyan Zonghan an unusually bitter smile: "My father is unwilling to leave Ming'an Temple. Even if I kneel down and beg him, he still intends to prove his innocence with his death."

Tang Qian's words did not change Wanyan Zonghan's mindset in the slightest. Tang Huan was an old stubborn man. It would be a miracle if he surrendered to the Jin Dynasty at this time. He only showed the list of prisoners of war to Tang Qian so that the other party would know that his father was in his hands.

At this point, Wanyan Zonghan felt he no longer needed to pretend. He smiled faintly at Tang Qian, his eyes full of smug satisfaction at his successful scheme: "If you can grant me a request, your father can return to the inner city with you immediately. I guarantee with my life that no one will dare to stop us."

Wanyan Zongwang had been assuming that Tang Qian would give in to save his father, and he was already imagining where he and Zhao Yingluo would be consummating their marriage that night. However, Tang Qian's next answer made the smile on his face freeze instantly, and the expectation in his eyes turned into disbelief.

“My father is determined to die and has no intention of leaving himself a way out. If he is really saved, he will eventually die in despair. As his children, I feel that we should respect his wishes, as that is the only way to fulfill our filial duty, so…”

Wanyan Zonghan stared intently at this utterly rebellious man before him. His father said he wanted to die, so he wouldn't save him? Is this the kind of thing a son should say? Is this the filial piety that the Han people have upheld for thousands of years? Doesn't he fear the condemnation of the world?

Sensing the change in the other person's gaze—from initial joy to astonishment, and now slowly turning cold and menacing, as if they wanted to kill him on the spot—Tang Qian couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. What if this lecherous old man really did kill him on the spot in a fit of rage? That would be a truly tragic situation.

Thinking of this, Tang Qian subconsciously took a few steps back, maintaining a safe distance from the other party while slightly raising his head. He was relieved to find that Wanyan Zonghan was not wearing a weapon at his waist.

However, how could his little tricks escape Wanyan Zonghan's eyes? Tang Qian was clearly afraid. He wanted to kill this man first and then slowly deal with the people around him. He wasn't afraid that Princess Shunde would not submit. However, he also knew that this man in front of him could not die yet.

Tang Qian's woodworking lathe played a crucial role in the success of this attack on the Song Dynasty.

If the Jin dynasty hadn't increased the speed of arrow production by nearly tenfold, and hadn't also significantly improved the accuracy and range of its arrows, the Jin army would have been unable to suppress the long-range attacks from the walls of Tokyo, and Tokyo would never have been able to be captured in such a short time.

A person who can easily manufacture a woodworking lathe, which can greatly enhance the army's attack power, is an invaluable talent for any dynasty.

For this reason, the ambiguous and improper relationship between Tang Qian and Wanyan Xi had long been the talk of the town in Liaoyang City, yet Wanyan Wuqimai still did not take action against her. It was not that the Emperor of the Great Jin spoiled the Seventh Princess to the extreme, tolerating even such a shameful thing that disgraced the royal family, but rather that he would wait until he had squeezed all the secrets out of Tang Qian before he would execute her.

Therefore, Tang Qian absolutely cannot die now. If Wanyan Zonghan were to lay a hand on him today, the trouble would be immense.

Two groups of prisoners of war are now gathered in Youzhou City. However, the other Grand Marshal, Wanyan Zongwang, who was in charge of escorting them, has suddenly died. As the only supreme commander, Wanyan Zonghan needs to complete his escort mission first and send the two emperors of the Song Dynasty to Wuguo City.

As for Tang Qian, he and Princess Shunde are trapped in Youzhou and cannot escape for the time being. I will have plenty of opportunities to come back and deal with this kid in the future.

"Since that's the case, I won't force you. I must say, the filial piety of the Song Dynasty is truly astonishing, and I admire it very much."

Tang Qian bowed to Wanyan Zonghan and left the military tent. He turned around and walked towards the carriage parked outside the temple. A gentle breeze of early summer swept by, and Tang Qian felt a chill on his back. If Wanyan Zonghan had come out and taken a look at him at this moment, he would have easily noticed that Tang Qian's clothes were already soaked with cold sweat.

"I'm afraid we can't stay in Youzhou City any longer."

After rushing back to the inner city, Tang Qian did not go home, but went to the princess's residence first.

After discussing matters behind closed doors with Wanyan Xi for most of the hour in a side hall of the mansion, Tang Qian got into the carriage again: "To the Youzhou military command post."

Wanyan Xun was quite surprised by Tang Qian's sudden visit. Based on his understanding of Tang Qian, Tang Qian would never come to the command post unless it was something of utmost importance. However, Tang Qian had been appearing here quite frequently lately.

"Brother Tang, you've come here again, surely not to ask me to help you save someone?"

Tang Qian sat down to Wanyan Xun's left, and was about to deny it when he thought for a moment and then chuckled: "Your Highness is not wrong. I do indeed intend to take my entire family of women back south with Your Highness's help."

His words caused the air in front of them to freeze instantly. Wanyan Xun's gaze was fixed on Tang Qian, sending chills down one's spine. This time, Tang Qian also felt waves of killing intent sweeping over him.

After a long silence, Wanyan Xun gave a cold laugh: "Brother Tang, are you perhaps joking with me?"

Although Tang Qian had previously stated that he was willing to submit to him for the sake of the lives of more than twenty people in his family, and had made many plans for him, Wanyan Xun still felt that this kid still wanted to run away.

Shouldn't such things be done secretly? How dare Tang Qian so openly put it on display? Is he really not afraid of death?

If he could stay in Youzhou City and do his best to assist him, Wanyan Xun would certainly treat him as an honored guest. However, if Tang Qian really intended to escape back to the Song Dynasty, Wanyan Xun would not mind giving him a quick death right now.

Talented individuals who cannot be utilized will only become stumbling blocks on their path to success if they remain in this world.