New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

Seeing Tang Qian's calm demeanor, Xing Bingyi wanted to ask something more, but suddenly one of Wang Jian's subordinates rushed into the courtyard at an inopportune moment.

Upon seeing so many women in the inner courtyard, the guard was initially startled and wanted to turn around and leave the courtyard. However, the information he brought was of utmost importance, so he had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue walking inside: "Young master, something terrible has happened. Zhuo Luwang and Wanyan Zongwang have led their troops to Youzhou and are knocking on the gates of the outer city."

The princesses present turned pale upon hearing this. Although they did not know the identities of these two men in the Jin army, they knew that the presence of such generals near the prisoner-of-war escort team was almost always for the sake of them, the women of the Song Dynasty.

On their way to Youzhou, they had witnessed the tragic scene of their sisters being forcibly taken away more than once, which left them all with psychological trauma. Even with Tang Qian as their pillar of support, they still couldn't help but tremble with fear.

"This is Zhuo Luwang returning from the battlefield, eager to bring Wanyan Xi back." Compared to the fear and panic of the princesses, Tang Qian appeared extremely calm and gave Zhao Yingluo a reassuring look. "I'm afraid the Seventh Princess can't handle it. I'll go and take a look."

After leaving his home, Tang Qian boarded the waiting carriage and soon arrived at the inner city gate tower. He did not see Wan Yanxi; instead, her personal maid, Xiao Li, was the one who was in charge of the presentation.

"The inner city of Youzhou is currently under lockdown, prohibiting all outsiders from entering. Youzhou is the fiefdom of my princess, and this is her private territory. Even if the Grand Marshal wanted to pay a visit, he would have to present a visiting card first and wait for the host to receive him, wouldn't he?"

Upon hearing Xiao Li's shout from the city wall, Zhuo Luwang let out a cold laugh: "I am the future husband of the Seventh Princess, and Youzhou is also my fiefdom. Does my master have to listen to the arrangements of a mere maid when he comes home?"

“Your Highness Zhuo Luwang is mistaken.” Xiao Li had no intention of giving Zhuo Luwang any face. “Your Highness and the Princess are not yet married, and the Princess’s residence has not even received a decent dowry. Since you are not yet officially married, Your Highness is not Xiao Li’s master. Why should I bow and scrape to an outsider?”

"You!" Zhuo Luwang pointed at Xiao Li on the city wall, wanting to curse her, but was stopped by Wanyan Zongwang beside him.

"Summon Wanyan Xun or the Seventh Princess to see me. You, a mere girl, are not qualified to speak with me."

Seeing that Wanyan Zongwang intended to stand up for Zhuo Luwang, Xiao Li gritted her teeth, but could only retreat helplessly.

There is a distinction between superiors and inferiors, and she certainly dared not overstep her bounds. Zhuo Luwang held no official position in the Great Jin Dynasty and was at most the successor of a small tribe. As someone close to the Seventh Princess, Miss Xiao Li could disregard him until he officially became Wanyan Xi's husband.

But Wanyan Zongwang was different; as a mere personal maid, she indeed couldn't have a direct conversation with him.

Tang Qian patted Xiao Li's shoulder, signaling her to step back first, and made a gesture for him to come over. He then came to the city gate and cupped his hands in greeting to Wanyan Zongwang: "Tang Qian, a staff member of the Youzhou Princess's Mansion, greets the Grand Marshal of the Western Route Army."

"So you are Tang Qian?" Wanyan Zongwang looked up at Tang Qian and said, "Do you think you can speak with me as a staff member of the princess's residence? Quickly summon your master, or the inner city of Youzhou will not be able to withstand my wrath."

Wanyan Zongwang's tone was cold and stern, but Tang Qian didn't care at all: "The defense of Youzhou is under the jurisdiction of Commander Wanyan Xun, and it is not currently under the command of the Western Route Army. The Grand Marshal has returned victorious from the Song Dynasty and should be heading to Yunzhou City. It seems unreasonable for him to be outside Youzhou City at this moment."

Wanyan Zongwang narrowed his eyes as he looked at Tang Qian and snorted coldly: "My spoils of war have been escorted to Youzhou City. I'm here to take the people away."

Then, he pointed to the city wall and said, "But I just went to Ming'an Temple in the outer city and found that the person I specifically asked for is not there. I would like to ask, who has the audacity to try and steal my woman?"

"I wonder which princess the Grand Marshal is referring to as the prisoner of war?"

Tang Qian was asking a question he already knew the answer to; he was well aware that Wanyan Zongwang wanted to take away Princess Maode, Zhao Fujin.

According to historical records, Zhao Fujin did not have many peaceful days after following Wanyan Zongwang, as Wanyan Zongwang died. This led to her being taken by Wanyan Xiyin and eventually dying tragically in Wanyan Xiyin's stronghold.

However, now that Tang Qian has appeared and managed to take Zhao Fujin away from Ming'an Temple before Wanyan Zongwang arrives, it is impossible to prevent this tragedy from happening again.

"This marshal has made outstanding contributions in this campaign against the Song Dynasty, and naturally I must take away the most beautiful Princess Maode."

"Fourth Imperial Sister Zhao Fujin? The Grand Marshal certainly has a good eye." Tang Qian gave Wanyan Zongwang below the city wall a thumbs up, then changed the subject, "However, it's a pity that Princess Maode has already been sent to the tent of the Youzhou Army Commander. The Grand Marshal is a step too late."

"In this campaign against the Song Dynasty, the Youzhou army did not send a single soldier. What right does Wanyan Xun have to possess the prisoners of war that we fought so hard to win back?"

"This is Youzhou. Everything in the city is the private property of the Princess's residence. The Seventh Princess, considering the Commander's hard work and merits in guarding the city, has the right to select a few Song prisoners of war from the prisoner-of-war camp and send them to the command post."

"You dare to use the princess to intimidate me? You're really good at playing the 'fox borrowing the tiger' trick. Do you believe I'll order an attack on the city right now?"

Tang Qian shook his head with a wry smile: "Grand Marshal, may I offer you some advice? You appear strong on the outside but weak on the inside, your limbs are feeble and your movements are shaky. You can even sway on horseback. Clearly, you are ill. I advise you to return to Yunzhou as soon as possible to recuperate. As for women, it is best to stay away from them. Otherwise, you may not make it through the year."

Tang Qian wasn't just making things up. Although the exact reason was unknown, Wanyan Zongwang did indeed die in the second year of the Jingkang era of the Song Dynasty.

"You little brat, spouting nonsense..." Wanyan Zongwang wanted to curse a few more times, but then he suddenly thought of this kid. It was this kid who had made a prophecy during the first attack on Tokyo, saving Wanyan Xie's life when he was about to die. Tang Qian seemed to have some knowledge of medicine. He must have really seen through his own problem by saying this now.

Thinking of his physical discomfort, Wanyan Zongwang harbored murderous intent towards Zhuo Luwang beside him. However, this young man was also shrewd. Before marrying the Seventh Princess, he would never hand over the Qingguo seeds. This was also the main reason why he did not return to Yunzhou but went to Youzhou first.

Thinking of the green berry that held such a fatal allure for him, Wanyan Zongwang felt his lips crack. His addiction to the drug spread like dry tinder meeting a raging fire, instantly engulfing his entire body. He couldn't help but reach into his robes and pull out a white porcelain bottle.