New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

Even ants try to survive, let alone someone who is only seventeen years old and was reborn by the grace of heaven. How could he possibly be willing to die here in such an inexplicable way?

Tang Qian's confession immediately changed Li Shilang's expression. What did this kid mean? Was he planning to betray the Song Dynasty and become a lackey of the Jin Dynasty in order to survive?

Seemingly sensing a hint of murderous intent in the other party, Tang Qian looked at Minister Li with a half-smile: "Minister Li, do you think I have some special skill that would make the Jurchens look at me differently? Or do you think I possess some military secrets of the Song Dynasty that I can use as a bargaining chip for surrender?"

Upon hearing this, Vice Minister Li was stunned for a moment, then the tension on his face dissipated, revealing a relieved expression. He was just a spoiled brat from Bianjing City; even if Tang Qian really intended to rebel, he couldn't cause any big trouble.

It's a pity that his father's illustrious reputation was ruined by this cowardly brat.

"I have said all I need to say. This should be considered my explanation to your father. You should take care of yourself."

Li Shilang was somewhat displeased with Tang Qian's behavior today, but he had no direct evidence to prove that Tang Qian would defect to the Jin Dynasty. Their conversation was merely an attempt to warn him. If Tang Qian were to do something perverse and betray the country, the Tang family would be infamous for eternity, and he would not be held responsible.

"I will certainly keep Li Shilang's advice in mind." Seeing the other party pick up the teacup in front of him, Tang Qian stood up very respectfully. As he turned to leave, he still couldn't control his facial expression and revealed a slightly disdainful look.

Don't they have any idea what their situation is right now? They're putting on airs, serving tea and seeing guests off. These scholars are really pedantic.

Originally, they were all colleagues who had left the capital together. He had been thinking that if the Song and Jin dynasties really clashed, he could save as many as he could. But now, Tang Qian had completely given up on these useless teammates.

As the saying goes, "It's better to die for your friend than for yourself," he was unwilling to see himself lose his life because of a moment of reluctance.

With a sigh of "good luck to everyone," Tang Qian turned to Xiao Qi and asked in a deep voice, "Did you do anything wrong with the things I asked you to do when you left the capital?"

Xiao Qi said impatiently, "You've asked this so many times already. Don't worry, I personally handed the letter to Madam's personal maid. I guarantee Madam has already seen it."

"That's good." It wasn't that Tang Qian didn't trust Xiao Qi to handle things, but rather that he was currently in Youzhou and had no idea about the situation in Bianjing.

“If Mother follows my instructions and leaves the capital, we will have no worries.”

Meanwhile, in Bianjing, the capital of the Song Dynasty.

As the evening drum sounded, lanterns in front of taverns and teahouses were lit one by one, their twinkling lights reflecting the boundless glory of the Song Dynasty capital.

In the early winter twilight, the evening breeze was slightly biting, but it couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the wealthy young men of the capital for leisure and enjoyment. The old men were in high spirits, the servants bowed and scraped, and the girls' sweet calls filled the air. The sounds of welcoming and sending off guests mingled with the occasional sound of firecrackers, vividly demonstrating the extravagance of Bianjing.

An official sedan chair sped through the streets and alleys. Due to its excessive speed, it nearly collided with a pedestrian at a corner. Seeing that the pedestrian was determined to demand an explanation, the curtain of the sedan chair was lifted, and Tang Huan, dressed in a scarlet official robe, peeked out with half his head.

Upon seeing who the other party was, the rich young master, who had been making a ruckus and trying to extort money, immediately calmed down and stood aside.

Upon seeing the other person's face clearly, Tang Huan snorted coldly: "In this freezing weather, you still can't resist coming out to have some fun. Nephew Zhang, you certainly have a good taste."

Without waiting for a reply, Tang Huan waved to the sedan bearers, "Let's get the sedan chair back to the manor, so as not to disturb the young masters' enjoyment."

Watching the official sedan chair depart, the young man surnamed Zhang dared not make a move. Only after the group disappeared at the intersection did his companion mutter softly, "He's just a Vice Minister of Revenue, why is Brother Zhang so wary? After all, your father is his equal, what's there to be afraid of?"

"Brother Fan, you don't know this." The young man surnamed Zhang chuckled, his eyes full of mockery. "It's because two years ago I fed Tang Qian Five Stone Powder, originally wanting him to experience what it's like to be in ecstasy. I meant well, but the kid couldn't handle the tonic and stayed at home for more than half a year. That's how the feud between our two families started."

The young man surnamed Fan gave a light "Oh," followed by a slightly mocking sneer: "Young Master Tang is not fortunate enough to enjoy this. Don't waste our wonderful time. It's rare to have Miss Yumo with us tonight, so don't neglect the beauty."

Inside the official sedan chair not far away, Tang Huan frowned, withdrawing his gaze from the alley entrance. He sat up straight, lowered the curtain, and sighed, shaking his head: "With a son like this, my Great Song... alas..."

Since the failure of the Xining Reform, the Song Dynasty's national strength began to decline, and the government was controlled by treacherous officials. Fang La's rebellion made the already precarious rule even worse. Now, with these ignorant parasites further eroding the government, the Zhao family's rule has long been on the verge of collapse.

Before the patriotic and concerned Minister Tang could come up with any way to govern the country, the sedan chair bearers shouted, and his official sedan chair entered the backyard of his mansion through the side gate.

As Tang Huan strode into the study, he did not see his wife, who was always waiting there to help him change, and a sense of doubt arose in his heart. He took off his official robes, changed into casual clothes, and went into the bedroom. He saw his wife, Madam Qiu, directing the servants to pack his luggage, and he couldn't help but frown slightly: "What is Madam doing?"

Upon seeing her husband, a hint of panic flashed across Qiu's face, but she quickly regained her composure: "My elder brother's birthday is approaching, and I have been thinking that I have not been able to visit my parents' home for more than ten years. I plan to take the women of the household back to Yangzhou."

Tang Huan nodded, then let out a soft exclamation: "Isn't my brother's birthday next early summer? It wouldn't be too late to leave after the New Year, so why go back half a year in advance?"

Before Qiu could answer, Tang Jing, the eldest daughter with a face full of reluctance, pouted and said, "It's all because of a letter my brother left before he left, saying that the capital is a place of trouble and that we should leave as soon as possible, or we might not be able to get out. It's just alarmist talk."

Bianjing was the capital of the Song Dynasty. Where in the world was there a safer place than this city? Tang Jing felt that her brother must have gone mad.

After hearing his daughter's explanation, Tang Huan's gaze toward Madam Qiu became sharp: "Is what Jing'er said true?"

Seeing that Qiu kept her head down and did not answer, Tang Huan slammed his hand on the table: "This is utter nonsense! You actually believe that unfilial son's ramblings?"

"You unfilial son?" Upon hearing her husband's address to their son, Qiu instantly flew into a rage. "I ask you, has Qian'er been a bully or a tyrant in the village? So what if he can't study and doesn't pass the imperial examinations? Is that considered a disgrace to the Tang family? I've followed you out of our hometown for over a decade. Now that I want to go back and see my family, what's wrong with that?"

You can bully your mother, but you can't speak ill of my son.

"And you, aren't you just trying to stay in the capital and not leave? Why do you have to gossip about your brother? Even if he has a thousand faults, it's none of your place as his sister to criticize him."

Tang Huan and Tang Jing exchanged a glance. They had almost forgotten that Tang Qian was the apple of Qiu's eye. Now that they had angered the First Madam, they could only sigh in their hearts that a doting mother spoils her son. They seemed to have no other way to deal with it.

Fortunately, the butler appeared in time to save Tang Huan from the predicament. He waved to Qiu Shi and said, "We'll discuss this later, after I meet the guests."

Walking down the corridor into the study, Tang Huan bowed to a middle-aged man who was waiting there, then instructed a servant to serve tea. He then invited the man to sit down as host and guest: "Brother Wang, has your visit at this time yielded results regarding the matter I entrusted to you?"

"Just as Brother Tang said, I only just received the latest news from the Privy Council." The man surnamed Wang didn't mince words, but his expression wasn't good. "The situation seems to be somewhat dire."

"Oh?" Tang Huan's heart sank. "Tell me in detail."

Although nothing seemed to have changed on the surface, Tang Shilang felt a strange tremor deep inside. Could things really have gone down the wrong path and never turned back?