New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

In a corner of the Jin army camp outside the city, Prince Kang of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Gou, was pushed into a military tent by two Jin soldiers.

As a prince of the Song Dynasty and an envoy sent by his elder brother Zhao Huan to deliver medicine to Wanyan Xieye at the Jin camp, Zhao Gou felt a surge of anger and resentment at being treated so rudely.

Although the Song army's record in recent years has been dismal, this time outside the capital city of Bianjing, they have truly and repeatedly repelled the fierce attacks of the Jin people. This peace negotiation was initiated by the Jin people themselves. He never thought that he would receive any high-level treatment when he entered the Jin camp, but he never expected to become a prisoner.

Upon learning that one of the conditions for the Jin people's peace negotiations was to send a prince of the Zhao family to the Jin camp as a hostage until Wanyan Xieye's condition stabilized, Zhao Gou secretly cursed his elder brother Zhao Huan, who sat high in the imperial court, to the point of being furious.

Just two hours ago, that shameless scoundrel Zhao Huan summoned the brothers and said that they only needed to deliver the medicine that Wanyan Xieye needed to the Jin camp. He never mentioned that the person delivering the medicine had to stay in the Jin camp until the enemy commander's condition improved.

Does this mean that if Wanyan Xie also accidentally falls ill and dies, he will have to be buried with him?

Zhao Huan, that scoundrel, was full of morals and righteousness on the surface, but he secretly stabbed himself in the back. So, in the royal family, there is no such thing as brotherhood or kinship. There is only the use of others to shield you from harm at critical moments.

However, he knew that he was now trapped in the Jin army camp, and no matter how impotent and furious he was, it would be of no use. He could only hope that the imperial physicians would not kill Wanyan Xie as well.

Just as he was feeling lost, the curtain of the military tent was lifted, and a young man dressed in Song Dynasty attire walked in from outside the tent, bowing to him and saying, "Tang Qian, son of Tang Huan, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, pays his respects to Your Highness Prince Kang."

Upon hearing the other party's self-introduction, Zhao Gou did not ask him to stand up. His expression was filled with doubt and confusion. As a relative of an important official of the Song Dynasty, how could this kid appear in the Jin army camp?

Immediately, a thought flashed through his mind, and the look of doubt on Zhao Gou's face vanished, replaced by anger: "Could it be that your father led your whole family to surrender to the gold?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Qian hurriedly denied it and briefly explained why he was there.

"I see." After hearing Tang Qian's explanation, Zhao Gou took another careful look at the young man in front of him, and a sense of admiration rose in his heart.

He naturally knew that a month ago, the imperial court had indeed sent an envoy to Youzhou. He originally thought that these people had long since died at the hands of the Jin people. Unexpectedly, this young man named Tang Qian not only survived in Youzhou, which was surrounded by wolves, but also followed the Jin army back to Tokyo.

"Then what brings you to see me today?"

Tang Qian sighed, seemingly unconcerned that Wanyan Xun's personal guards might be eavesdropping on their conversation outside the tent: "Being in such a dangerous place, I know there's no chance of escaping alive. I only hope that Your Highness will inform my father that I'm still alive when you return to the city, so that I can let him know I'm safe and sound, and so that my parents and family won't worry."

Zhao Gou sighed softly: "Being in the Jin camp is not what you wanted. I promise you, if I can return to Tokyo safely this time, I will definitely bring the news."

Upon hearing this, Tang Qian bowed again and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"It's nothing at all." Zhao Gou immediately reached out to help him up, but Tang Qian showed no intention of straightening up. Only when Zhao Gou placed both hands on his elbows did Tang Qian take a step back: "Your Highness, please rest early. I will take my leave now."

After leaving the military tent, Tang Qian smiled faintly at Wanyan Xun, who was standing outside: "Does Your Highness think that I was conveying some important but unspeakable message to Prince Kang?"

Faced with Tang Qian's veiled sarcasm, Wanyan Xun did not mind at all. The two walked side by side towards the camp of the Jin army in Youzhou: "Brother Tang has made such great contributions, but he only asked to see the envoy of the Great Song Dynasty. This is quite unexpected for me."

When he was facing Wanyan Zongwang, he thought the kid would ask to be released.

Tang Qian, however, saw through Wanyan Xun's thoughts at a glance: "If I were to make an unreasonable request, would Your Highness allow me to leave?"

Wanyan Xun chuckled awkwardly, not directly answering Tang Qian's question, but his body language clearly showed that Tang Qian was overthinking things.

The fact that he could see that neither the Song nor the Jin dynasty wanted to fight again proves that he was exceptionally intelligent. The fact that he could shout loudly in front of all the generals proves that he was exceptionally courageous. Regardless of whether his ability to foresee the future was real or not, these two extraordinary qualities alone would have made it impossible for Wanyan Xun to let Tang Qian go.

Tang Qian was clearly aware of this, so he compromised and suggested that Prince Kang, Zhao Gou, take the message back so that his parents would know his current situation.

"Brother Tang should know that our Great Jin Dynasty has only recently been established and is eager to recruit talented people. If someone as talented as you is willing to serve our dynasty, our Great Jin Dynasty will certainly treat you with the utmost respect."

Tang Qian turned his head, a playful glint in his eyes as he looked at Wanyan Xun: "Is Your Highness trying to persuade me to surrender? If I may be so bold as to ask, is Your Highness trying to persuade me to surrender on behalf of the Great Jin Dynasty, or on behalf of yourself?"

Wanyan Xun narrowed his eyes slightly, and the two stopped in their tracks and stood facing each other: "I wonder what Brother Tang means by this?"

No wonder Wanyan Xun's expression suddenly changed. If others heard Tang Qian's words, they would think that he had some disloyal intentions towards the Great Jin. Could this kid be trying to use such means to get rid of his control?

Seeing Wanyan Xun's expression darken, Tang Qian cursed inwardly. He had acted too hastily. His life was still in the other party's hands. One wrong move and he would be dead. Wanyan Xun's scheming was also unfathomable. It was not the right time to have an equal dialogue with him.

"I didn't explain myself clearly." Tang Qian immediately explained, "What I meant was that if I surrendered to the Jin, it would be a true betrayal of the Song. As the saying goes, filial piety is the most important virtue. My parents are in the Song. If I surrendered to the Jin, it would mean endangering the lives of my entire family. However, if I simply submit to the prince, it wouldn't strictly be considered treason. There is a difference between the two."

Wanyan Xun's expression softened slightly: "Brother Tang, do you mean you intend to submit to me?"

"Since I am unable to leave the Jin Kingdom, it is a blessing to be able to stay by Your Highness's side. I would be extremely grateful if Your Highness could keep my life safe. If I could write a letter to my family every now and then to keep in touch, I would be even more grateful. However, I am not very talented and I am afraid that I will fail Your Highness's favor."

"Currently, the Jin and Song dynasties are still in peace talks. In order to avoid leaking secrets, Brother Tang's request to communicate with his family seems a bit unrealistic. However, when the two countries live in peace in the future, this is not impossible. Please be patient and wait for good news."

"If that day ever comes, what harm would it do for me to stay in Youzhou City for the rest of my life?"

After a moment of silence, the two suddenly smiled at each other. Wanyan Xun said "please," and Tang Qian returned the gesture. The two walked towards their own tents like close friends.

Inside the military tent, Zhao Gou held his breath and remained silent until all was quiet outside. He walked to the oil lamp and, by the dim light, opened the note that Tang Qian had secretly slipped into his hand when he took his leave.

"Danger! Run!"

Upon seeing these four words, Zhao Gou couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

Didn't he know that the Jin camp was no less dangerous than a dragon's den or a tiger's lair? If he could escape, he would have run away long ago; did he need Tang Qian to remind him?

The next line written by Tang Qian made Zhao Gou's eyes light up. After quickly reading the note Tang Qian left, he set it on fire and burned it to ashes. With his hands behind his back, Zhao Gou paced back and forth in the military tent.

He was pondering the feasibility of the method Tang Qian had suggested.

After weighing the pros and cons, Zhao Gou made his final decision: if he did as he was told, he might actually have a chance to escape alive, and even if he failed, he would not lose his life.

After thinking for a long time, Zhao Gou gritted his teeth. Since there was no other way, why not give it a try?