New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

Who does he know?

In the blink of an eye, Tang Qian understood Zhao Yingluo's meaning. Since the two were already married, it was only natural for her to address her adoptive father, Tang Huan, as "Master."

Thinking of his family in Tokyo, Tang Qian sighed: "After this battle, I don't know if my parents and sister are alright."

Zhao Yingluo also seemed somewhat saddened: "I have lived in the palace for a long time and know nothing about what is happening outside the palace. However, I do know that the Jurchens did not gain any advantage at the gates of Bianjing. I think my husband's family should be fine."

Tang Qian nodded slightly: "This time we barely escaped a disaster, but no one knows when the Jin army will invade the south again. If my mother and sister saw the letter I left at home, they would have gone to Yangzhou before the Jin army besieged the city."

"Will the Jurchens invade the south again?" Tang Qian's mutterings caused Zhao Yingluo's face to flash with fear. If the Jurchen army were to march south again, what would be the point of her being a princess sent for a political marriage?

However, after a little more thought, she felt relieved.

The Jurchens have always been untrustworthy and fickle. Despite signing a non-aggression pact with the Song Dynasty, they still sent a large army to besiege the capital, Bianjing.

"If Commander Wang really has a relationship with Father, perhaps we can find out about the current situation at home from him."

Zhao Yingluo's reminder suddenly made Tang Qian's eyes light up. If he could really find out that his family had gone south to Yangzhou to seek refuge with his maternal grandfather Qiu's family, he would have no more worries.

After discussing business and then everyday matters, the two, who had just met, became husband and wife but ultimately failed to find any common ground, and the bedroom fell silent once again.

Sensing Tang Qian's unease, Zhao Yingluo's cheeks flushed slightly: "Having drunk the nuptial wine, we are now truly husband and wife. It's getting late, if my husband is tired, I..."

Despite being a princess, Zhao Yingluo was still just an innocent young girl. Even though she had received instruction on bedroom matters in the palace, her voice still became weak and feeble by the end.

Now that things have come to this, Zhao Yingluo is prepared to submit to Tang Qian. Tang Qian naturally understands the meaning behind Zhao Yingluo's words, but he dares not make any transgressions.

Putting aside the fact that the two had only known each other for a day and had no emotional foundation whatsoever, Tang Qian simply couldn't bring himself to do it to a girl who was still in junior high school in the future.

Just as Tang Qian was stammering and flustered, not knowing what to do, Rong'er outside whispered, "Your Highness... Miss and Master, there are visitors outside."

As a bride, Zhao Yingluo should not show her face in public. Tang Qian tidied his clothes slightly, stood up, opened the door, and came to the hall outside. Wanyan Xun, the commander of Youzhou, was looking at him with a wicked smile: "Brother Tang is newly married today. As a close friend, I should come and present a congratulatory gift."

Tang Qian bowed to him and said, "I am truly grateful to the young prince for being able to marry such a virtuous and beautiful wife."

"You're too kind." Wanyan Xun waved his hand and turned to instruct the servants who had come with him to present a brocade box. "Wishing Young Master Tang and Her Highness the Princess a long and happy marriage."

When Wanyan Xun presented the gift, Tang Qian dared not refuse: "Thank you, Your Highness."

"If you really want to thank me, just finish the design of the woodworking lathe as soon as possible. By the way, His Majesty ordered you to complete the manufacturing of the lathe within a month. Considering the time, I'm afraid it won't be enough."

Tang Qian's face showed a look of worry: "I have already discussed this matter with the Seventh Princess. Her Highness is willing to put in a good word for me with His Majesty so that His Majesty will grant some time."

“There’s no need for such an unnecessary process.” Wanyan Xun smiled faintly. “Since the lathe you made can already produce arrow shafts, just transport them directly to Liaoyang City to deliver them. Even if there are still many problems, compared to manual labor, the speed and quality of arrow shaft production are far superior. His Majesty will only be overjoyed and will not be displeased at all.”

"If this matter can be resolved here, I would be more than happy to do so." Upon hearing this, Tang Qian immediately put on a relaxed expression, but inwardly he sneered. Sending back the half-finished product and withholding his improved design, Wanyan Xun was definitely harboring malicious intentions.

However, upon closer examination, his actions were not entirely unreasonable. It should be noted that the succession to the Jin Dynasty emperors was based on the abdication system. In other words, as long as one's strength and prestige were sufficient, anyone could take the throne.

Wanyan Xun wanted to rise to the top in one step, so he naturally needed to endure hardship and accumulate strength. Tang Qian wanted to escape to the south, so he could only let him have whatever he wanted and could not utter a single complaint.

Tang Qian originally intended to use Wan Yanxi to counterbalance the other party and break free from their control. However, things went wrong along the way. He seemed to have overdone it, causing Wan Yanxi to have some inexplicable thoughts, which backfired.

With such an ambiguous and unclear feeling between them, Wanyan Xi would probably deliberately keep her distance from him in order not to get too entangled.

The two men in the hall outwardly flattered each other, but inwardly each harbored their own ulterior motives. Outside the hall, a servant trotted in to deliver a message: "Young master, another guest has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Tang Qian immediately stepped out to greet them, only to find that the people who came to offer their congratulations were a group of craftsmen from the Youzhou Military Supplies Department.

In recent days, in order to develop the woodworking lathe, he has practically lived in the quartermaster department. The craftsmen also knew that Tang Qian was no ordinary person. At first, they just cooperated with him wholeheartedly and dared not disobey him in any way. After spending more time with him, they found that Tang Qian was humble and never bossed them around. As a result, they became close to him and had a very harmonious relationship.

Hearing that Tang Qian was getting married today, the craftsmen still came uninvited, even though they hadn't been given invitations, so as not to make Tang Qian's wedding too quiet.

Upon seeing that Commander Wanyan Xun was also present, the laughter and chatter of the group immediately ceased. Wanyan Xun, however, appeared quite amiable: "I am also a guest, so please do not be reserved and just enjoy yourselves. Today, there are no distinctions of rank in this mansion."

Even with Wanyan Xun's statement, everyone remained cautious, fearing that they might inadvertently offend the commander and bring about their own demise. Tang Qian could only step in to smooth things over: "We originally intended to keep everything simple, so we were not prepared. It has made you all laugh."

"Young Master is joking."

Tang Qian's words subtly conveyed a message of dissuading them from participating. The craftsmen naturally understood this. With Wanyan Xun present, they would certainly not be able to fully enjoy the wedding night festivities. So, they took the opportunity to back down, presented their congratulatory gifts, and then took their leave. The hall was lively for a while, but soon returned to tranquility.

Wanyan Xun's smile then took on a meaningful tone: "Brother Tang seems to have quite a high reputation in the quartermaster department."

Tang Qian hurriedly waved his hand in denial, blaming everything on Emperor Wanyan Wuqimai. After a brief struggle, they finally stopped this potentially fatal topic.

Just as Wanyan Xun was about to get up and take his leave, another guest arrived. The Seventh Princess's personal maid, Xiao Li, walked in from outside the gate. She glanced at Wanyan Xun, and although she didn't dare to openly hold a grudge, she couldn't hide the murderous look in her eyes.

If it weren't for this person interfering, Her Highness the Princess wouldn't be so heartbroken.

Unfortunately, Xiao Li was not very cunning. She glared angrily at Wanyan Xun, but failed to see the fleeting smile that appeared on his lips.

"Upon learning of Young Master Tang's wedding today, Her Highness the Princess specially ordered me to deliver a congratulatory gift."

Although the young lady Xiao Li had clearly arrived empty-handed, Tang Qian still bowed to her and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"The princess said that a gift will be delivered tonight at 7:45 PM. Please remember to go out and check it when the time comes."

Without waiting to see if Tang Qian understood, Miss Xiao Li turned and left, showing no intention of staying any longer.

As an outsider, Wanyan Xun had no way of knowing the secret between Tang Qian and Wanyan Xi, and therefore did not understand what the Seventh Princess had given Tang Qian as a congratulatory gift. However, Tang Qian knew what Wanyan Xi wanted to do.

For some reason, Tang Qian suddenly felt a pinch on his heart, and his chest seemed to ache slightly.