New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

The news of Wanyan Zongwang's sudden death immediately shocked the Jin Dynasty court.

Unfortunately, what the various forces were not concerned about was why the Second Prince, who had made great contributions in the Song-Jin War but had always vehemently opposed the national opinion of Hulubo, had died. Instead, they were trying every means to seize Wanyan Zongwang's territory as soon as possible.

It was precisely because Wanyan Zongwang proposed that the Zhao family continue to be stationed in Bianjing (Kaifeng) during the attack on the Song Dynasty, with the Song Dynasty submitting to the Jin Dynasty and preserving the Zhao family's imperial status, that this suggestion directly angered Wanyan Xieye, who was determined to destroy the Song Dynasty. Even his own brother, Wanyan Zonghan, felt that this plan was inappropriate, and the two brothers had a very unpleasant falling out.

Now that Wanyan Zongwang has died in Youzhou City, there are many generals who want to take the opportunity to seize command of the Western Route Army, but not a single one has come to Youzhou City to demand an explanation for him.

Although Wanyan Zongwang's death had absolutely nothing to do with Youzhou City, a fact his personal guards could attest to, no one came to question him. Tang Qian breathed a long sigh of relief, but also felt a sense of sadness at the loss of his friends.

As the second batch of Song prisoners of war were escorted to the outskirts of Youzhou City, the two groups joined together, and the total number of prisoners of war reached three thousand. The princesses who heard the news, except for the few underage children, all looked grim. But even if they knew that the prisoners in the outer city were their relatives, what good was it for them but to be filled with righteous indignation?

"Our Great Song Dynasty is destined to suffer this calamity, and there is nothing we can do about it."

"But Father and Mother are right outside the city. Can Eldest Sister really remain indifferent?"

Zhao Yupan glared at his third sister, Zhao Jinluo: "So what do you plan to do? Are you going to take up arms and fight the Jin army to the death, or are you going to use yourself to buy Father's freedom? Or are you going to shamelessly beg your eighth brother-in-law for help?"

At her elder sister's rebuke, Zhao Jinluo immediately fell silent: "I meant no harm, I'm just feeling uneasy..."

“It’s natural that I feel bad when my loved ones are suffering outside, but what can we do? Your brother-in-law has already paid a huge price to rescue you. Do you really intend to let him lose his life?”

Knowing full well that her elder sister was right, any small action she took would harm Tang Qian, Zhao Jinluo simply muttered, "Then what should we do? Jinluo will follow your instructions, elder sister."

Although Zhao Yupan's face was very unpleasant, the words she spoke were exceptionally resolute: "Don't look, don't listen, don't think. Just pretend you've already died once, drunk Meng Po's soup at the Bridge of Helplessness. Everything and everyone outside is no longer related to us. Just stay in this house. We absolutely cannot cause any trouble for Eighth Brother-in-law."

In the study, which was not far from the side room, Rong'er walked in with a gloomy expression. She sat down next to Zhao Yingluo, grabbed a teacup, snatched the teapot from Tang Qian's hand, poured herself a full cup, and drank the tea while sulking.

"The son-in-law did everything he could to rescue them. Does he really want us to risk our lives? This is insatiable."

Zhao Yingluo wanted to reprimand her, but then she felt that Rong'er's words made a lot of sense. If she were still the princess of the Song Dynasty, she would of course need to protect her sisters. But now Tang Qian was her pillar of support, and Zhao Yingluo absolutely did not want to see Tang Qian in any danger.

"Actually, I can understand their feelings. It's really hard to feel like you have a loved one who needs to be rescued but you're powerless to do anything about it." Tang Qian picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Fortunately, we have our understanding and righteous eldest sister keeping things in check, and the other sisters won't cause us any trouble."

However, even so, if someone has an overly compassionate heart, Tang Qian wouldn't mind sending them back to Ming'an Temple.

"Right now, the most troublesome thing for us is the leader of this prisoner-of-war escort team."

When Wanyan Zonghan first visited Youzhou, he made it clear that he had taken a liking to Tang Qian's wife. Now that he had returned from the Song Dynasty, he was sure he had other plans. Tang Qian had no good ideas about dealing with Wanyan Zonghan other than trying to stall for time.

However, the reality is that this renowned Jin general, who was brave enough to be the best in the army, is not like Wanyan Zongwang, who died of illness not long ago. He still has at least a dozen years left to live. Even if Tang Qian wants to prolong his life, he and his wife are afraid they will not be able to escape this calamity.

The only way is to return south as soon as possible, but now the city of Youzhou is guarded by Jin troops, so they have no chance at all.

Seeing her husband's brow furrow slightly, Zhao Yingluo took Tang Qian's hand under the table, her face beaming with a smile: "My husband, you don't need to worry about this. At worst, I'll just die. I've been husband and wife with you for over a year, and I'm already dead without regrets."

Tang Qian gently squeezed her small hand: "What nonsense are you talking about? You and I are one. Just stay at home and leave the outside world to me."

Seeing the two of them being so affectionate right in front of her, Rong'er couldn't help but roll her eyes at them: "I know you two are a loving couple, but you don't have to be so blatant about it. It's really indecent."

Seeing that Zhao Yingluo still dared to glare at her, Rong'er immediately stood up and took a step back to avoid being hurt by the other party: "Hey, we agreed before that since you married your husband, there would be no distinction between master and servant, but we would address each other as sisters. You have no right to lecture me now."

"Isn't it perfectly natural for an older sister to discipline her younger sister?"

Zhao Yingluo argued illogically, but Rong'er retorted sharply, "Why? Just because I told the truth?"

Tang Qian had witnessed the girl's sharp tongue; with Zhao Yingluo's limited fighting ability, she was no match for Rong'er.

"Young master, someone has come to deliver a message, requesting that you go to Ming'an Temple outside the city immediately."

Upon hearing the report from the servants in the mansion, Zhao Yingluo immediately lost the will to argue with Rong'er. Rong'er also realized the seriousness of the matter, and the two of them looked at Tang Qian with slightly fearful eyes.

"Speak of the devil, and he appears. Wanyan Zonghan is here really fast." Tang Qian put down his teacup, stood up and straightened his clothes and appearance, then reached out and pinched Rong'er's cheek. "Don't worry, keep bullying your sister and wait patiently for your son-in-law to come back."

Rong'er blushed deeply after Tang Qian's teasing, but didn't know how to respond. After Tang Qian strode out of the study, she looked at Zhao Yingluo with anger: "Your husband made indecent advances towards me in front of you, and you didn't even do anything about it?"

Zhao Yingluo chuckled: "Your filthy thoughts are written all over your face. Do you think no one can see through them?"

Feeling her cheeks burning, Rong'er vehemently denied it: "What thoughts could I possibly have?"

Zhao Yingluo patted Rong'er on the shoulder: "If you can return to the Great Song Dynasty, your sister will naturally make a decision for you."