New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

After leaving Tang Qian's residence, Wanyan Xun rushed back to the quartermaster department without stopping.

After reviewing Tang Qian's improved design drawings, Wanyan Xun, though only vaguely understanding Tang Qian's explanation, was still excited and patted Tang Qian heavily on the shoulder: "I entrust the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the military prestige of Youzhou to you, Brother Tang."

Tang Qian smiled wryly and took a step back: "Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for me. Although the arrow shaft can be made by a woodworking lathe, I really don't know how to quickly forge the arrowhead."

Wanyan Xun frowned. With arrow shafts but no arrowheads, archers indeed couldn't quickly form a fighting force. Did they expect to use arrow shafts without arrowheads to unleash a volley of arrows when the two armies were facing each other?

"Brother Tang, is there really no other way?"

After receiving Tang Qian's affirmative reply, Wanyan Xun, who had been silent for a long time, sighed softly. As for the making of the arrowheads, he would have to think of another way.

"Now that we have the blueprints, we can hand over the matter of improving the woodworking lathe directly to the craftsmen in the quartermaster department. As for you, Brother Tang, you've only been married for two days. It's the time when you and your wife are deeply in love. How can you bear to neglect your beloved wife and leave her alone in an empty room?"

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness." Tang Qian smiled faintly, his face full of embarrassment. "However, the defense of Youzhou is a major matter, and I cannot let personal feelings interfere with it."

North of Youzhou City lies the heartland of the Jin Dynasty, while to the south it borders the Song Dynasty. Although protected by the Yanshan Mountains, it is not an easy place to defend or attack. If Wanyan Xun wants to make any moves here, he must make preparations in advance.

However, the Song Dynasty had already been decimated by this time, and the new emperor Zhao Huan was too busy to take care of himself. He didn't even dare to think about recovering Youzhou, let alone have the ability to do so. As for the north, there was the Great Wall as a barrier. As long as there were sufficient defensive weapons, Wanyan Xun was not afraid of the Jin army coming to quell his rebellion.

"Strengthening the city's defenses is not something that can be accomplished overnight. There's plenty of time ahead. Brother Tang has worked hard these past few days, so it's only right that you go back and spend some time with your wife. Only when the couple is harmonious and in accord can Brother Tang have no worries and better contribute ideas and suggestions to the construction of Youzhou City. With the city's defenses and people's livelihoods progressing in tandem, I have also given my report to the Seventh Princess."

Wanyan Xun was very kind and wanted him to go back and rest. Tang Qian declined for a while, but finally bowed to him and said, "In that case, I will respectfully accept your offer."

Watching Tang Qian turn and leave, the smile that lingered on Wanyan Xun's face immediately vanished, replaced by a sinister and ruthless look: "This kid is really not easy to deal with."

Since Tang Qian was able to build a woodworking lathe in such a short time, Wanyan Xun absolutely did not believe that he did not have a way to speed up the arrow-making process. It was just a pity that this kid was not going to act until he saw the benefits, and he was determined not to do a buy-one-get-one-free deal. It seems that if he wanted the other party to willingly hand over the method, he would need to plan carefully.

Looking up at his personal guards, Wanyan Xun suddenly asked someone, "Is Zhaluke still recuperating in the army?"

The guard bowed and replied, "Yes, Deputy Commander's injuries are quite serious. Without at least half a year of rest and recuperation, I'm afraid..."

“Some people are like cattle and horses that we raise. If we don’t whip them from behind, they won’t move forward on their own.” Wanyan Xun smiled slightly. “Tell his brother An Dahe in the same tone as Zha Lu, and tell him all the humiliations he suffered on the way back to Youzhou City, so that his brother can come to Youzhou to seek revenge.”

The guard hesitated upon hearing this: "Should we write it down truthfully? Won't it be detrimental to the prince if we do it the truth?"

Wanyan Xun severely punished Zha Lu in the military camp, even cutting off his arm. His personal guards witnessed the whole thing. If the truth were told, Dahe would surely take his anger out on his own prince. The Eastern Route Commander was not someone the Youzhou Commander could afford to offend.

"Just do as I say, and you won't dare to bare your teeth at me."

On the other side, Tang Qian, who was completely unaware that Wanyan Xun was plotting against him, left the military supply depot and returned to his own residence.

Upon seeing the young master return to the mansion, a servant immediately stepped forward to report: "Someone from the princess's residence just came to inform you that Madam needs to go over there."

Tang Qian was startled upon hearing this: "Madam has already gone there?"

"I just left home."

Tang Qian slapped his thigh, wanting to go and meet Wan Yanxi with Zhao Yingluo to avoid her saying anything that might offend the Seventh Princess. Unfortunately, when he arrived at the Princess's residence, he was stopped at the gate by the guards.

"Please forgive me, young master. Her Highness said she doesn't want to see you these days. Please don't make things difficult for me."

Tang Qian gave a bitter laugh. Going back now was not an option, and he couldn't enter the princess's residence either. After thinking it over, he simply sat down on the threshold in front of the gate and remained unmoved no matter how the guards tried to persuade him: "I'm waiting for my wife here, and I'm not bothering you."

Tang Qian was acting like a rogue outside the mansion gate. A servant from the mansion had already gone to the backyard to inform him that Tang Qian was refusing to leave. Wanyan Xi couldn't help but smile and said, "It seems that your husband really cares about you. This place is not a den of dragons or tigers. Why should he be so rude?"

Zhao Yingluo gave a wry smile: "Your Highness must have misunderstood. You should know very well who my husband cares about. He is probably worried that I might have said something wrong and upset Your Highness."

Wanyan Xi's pretty face flushed slightly, but she sighed inwardly: "No matter what, you two are husband and wife after all, while my relationship with him is just a fleeting dream."

Zhao Yingluo shook her head: "My husband doesn't think that way. After seeing the congratulatory gift His Highness gave me last night, he was secretly heartbroken for a long time, and he didn't share a room with me. Even if I'm stupid, I can guess that he's keeping his chastity for His Highness. Although I came to Jin Kingdom for a marriage alliance by imperial decree, I can't do something like breaking up a loving couple. Your Highness, rest assured, my husband's marriage to me was only out of necessity. His heart is entirely devoted to you, Your Highness."

"You didn't share a room last night?" Wanyan Xi suddenly felt a sweet sensation for no reason. Even though she couldn't be with Tang Qian, knowing that he had such a loyal attitude towards her made Wanyan Xi feel that her feelings had not been misplaced.

"I know that Your Highness and my husband are in love, but Your Highness cannot be with my husband openly. If Your Highness trusts me, I am willing to cover for you. Even if we cannot be together, Your Highness should at least not leave any regrets. I wonder if Your Highness thinks what I said is right or wrong."

"Provide cover?" Wan Yanxi's heart skipped a beat. Although she had guessed what Zhao Yingluo meant, she was too shy to say anything.

Could it be that this princess of the Song Dynasty is encouraging me to engage in illicit relations without a matchmaker?