New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

"Tell me, what exactly is this thing?"

The stark difference in the effects of the two explosions brought tears to Wanyan Xun's eyes. Tang Qian could sense that if he didn't tell the truth, he might be killed instantly.

"Frosting, which is sugar ground into powder." Tang Qian took out a paper package from his chest, inside which was a small amount of crystalline powder that was exactly the same as the package in Wanyan Xun's hand.

Tang Qian dipped his finger in the sauce and put it in his mouth, even sucking on it. "It's very sweet. Would Your Highness like to try some?"

Witnessing this scene, the four women standing on the ship's side looked at each other for a while. They really couldn't believe that such delicious lychee candy was actually used as a material to make gunpowder.

I wonder if eating this stuff will make me sick.

"No wonder the son-in-law said he wanted to leave a large piece for another purpose; it turns out it was used here."

"Icing sugar? Where does this come from? Can it be collected within Youzhou City?"

Tang Qian shook his head: "I would also like to plant sugarcane in Youzhou, but unfortunately it is not suitable for growing in cold regions. The prince has only a little left."

Staring intently at Tang Qian, Wanyan Xun's gaze turned icy: "Then how did you obtain it?"

"Your Highness is only in charge of the defense of Youzhou, so naturally you don't know that when I asked Yang Sui to bring back cotton seeds from Lingnan, he also brought back some sugar frosting."

“Lingnan…” Wanyan Xun repeated the somewhat unfamiliar place name, then suddenly sneered, “No wonder you, Brother Tang, have always been so fearless, not worried at all that I would go back on my word and forcibly keep you here after I get these things.”

He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards Tang Qian and said, "Brother Tang, you may board the ship now."

Seemingly having anticipated this outcome, Tang Qian immediately bowed and said, "Then farewell, until we meet again."

Under the watchful eyes of the Jin soldiers, Tang Qian let the guards who had just lit the gunpowder to blow up the dock board the ship first, and he followed immediately. Once the ship's planks were retrieved, Wang Jian immediately ordered the ship to set sail.

Upon receiving the order, the boatman immediately retrieved the anchor, cut the reins, and turned the rudder. Once the bow was aligned, the propeller at the stern began to slowly turn amidst a series of crisp metallic clanging sounds.

Watching Tang Qian's boat leave the dock and sail downstream along the canal, heading south, the guard leaned down and whispered in Wanyan Xun's ear, "Should we send someone to chase after them?"

"No need. Tang Qian blew up another ship in the dock to prevent us from pursuing him. This kid was planning to escape all along. Even if we catch up, what can we do? We'll just have to watch him leave."

Wanyan Xun waved his hand, signaling his guards to leave first. He then opened the letter Tang Qian had left him, which indeed detailed the preparation method for this gunpowder.

As for the most important icing, it still needed to be sourced from Lingnan in the Song Dynasty, which is why Tang Qian was able to leave Youzhou safely.

Only if he returned to the Song Dynasty could Wanyan Xun possibly obtain these things.

But you were right about one thing: we'll meet again someday.

"Once I unify the Great Jin, I will head south and then settle the score between us."

As they sailed downstream, the sight of the Youzhou city gates growing smaller and smaller filled the crowd at the bow with ecstatic joy.

None of them had expected that they could escape Youzhou so openly and legitimately. In particular, the princesses who had just escaped from the prisoner-of-war camp were already weeping with joy.

After the fall of Tokyo, they were taken prisoner and thought they were doomed. Being rescued by Tang Qian and escaping death in Youzhou was a turning point that Zhao Yupan could not have imagined. She never thought she could actually return to the Song Dynasty.

"Brother-in-law, where are we going next?"

Tang Qian patted Zhao Saiyue's head, his eyes filled with affection: "If Yue'er is willing, just follow your brother-in-law. We'll go back to your brother-in-law's hometown."

Looking up at the other princesses surrounding him, he asked, "What are your plans? Are you going back to Tokyo?"

Tang Qian's question brought a hint of worry back to their faces: "What opinions can we women have in this chaotic world? We should just listen to your arrangements, brother-in-law."

"In that case, I will gladly accept the offer."

Tang Qian had naturally made arrangements for what to do after escaping Youzhou; otherwise, why would Ye Yilie have disappeared without a trace after reporting back to Tokyo on his behalf?

Zhao Yingluo patted Tang Qian's arm, pointed to the stern of the boat, smiled sweetly, and led the sisters into the cabin to rest.

Accompanied by Xiao Li, Wanyan Xi stood silently at the stern of the boat, gazing into the distance at Youzhou City, which had long since become a dark shadow. Her expression was complex, whether from the thrill of eloping with Tang Qian or from the sadness of leaving her homeland.

"You're homesick already?"

"You've only just left Youzhou, and you've already shown your true colors, you lecherous fellow?" Wan Yanxi blushed as she felt a hand around her shoulder and instinctively tried to pull away, but Tang Qian tightened his grip, holding her even closer.

"Why don't you let go of me right now? How can I face people if they see this?" Unable to break free, Wan Yanxi could only reach out and pinch the soft flesh on the other's waist. Unexpectedly, Tang Qian changed his position and wrapped his arms around her waist.

The moment their eyes met, Tang Qian revealed a smug smile, as if he had just won the heart of his beauty: "It's none of anyone else's business if I'm holding my wife."

"You...this is outside!" Faced with Tang Qian's domineering attitude, Wan Yanxi saw that no one was around and Xiao Li had left at some point, so she simply let him take advantage of her. "How come I never noticed before that you were such a shameless person?"

“Before, I was only thinking about how to get you away, I didn’t have time to think about anything else.” Seeing that Yan Xi had gradually gotten used to their indecent behavior and stopped struggling, Tang Qian planted a deep kiss on her forehead. “Don’t worry, I will definitely let you know what a happy life is.”

Although her face was already flushed, Wanyan Xi still rested her head on Tang Qian's not-so-broad chest: "Then please guide me for the rest of my life, my husband."

By following Tang Qian out of Youzhou, Wanyan Xi had essentially gambled everything. If Tang Qian were to abandon her after taking advantage of her, she would have no choice but to commit suicide.

The two were enjoying themselves at the stern of the ship, completely unaware that Rong'er and Xiao Li were peeking from behind the mast not far away.

"See? I told you the son-in-law still prefers my princess a little more."

Seeing Xiao Li's smug look, Rong'er pouted and said, "Don't be so proud of yourself. My young lady is the rightful wife. When we get back to Guangling, you'll all be in for a beating."