The daily life of a cold and aloof general raising his wife

"But I didn't know you would go on a political marriage. If I had known you would follow in my footsteps..." The Empress said, tears streaming down her face.

Li Shu hugged the Empress's waist and buried her face in her arms, "Mother..."

At this moment, they were not the high and mighty empress and princess; they were just an ordinary mother and daughter.

If Emperor Mingde were present and saw the Empress so fragile, he would surely be incredulous. In Emperor Mingde's heart, the Empress was the strongest woman he had ever met.

“I am still very lucky in my life. Although I was sent to a foreign country for a political marriage, your father was a good emperor. He treated everyone well, whether it was the concubines in the harem, the civil and military officials in the court, or the common people.”

The Empress also hoped that her daughter could have the same good fortune as herself, but the situation in Northern Qi was not optimistic.

The current emperor is his own brother, a mediocre man whose rule has ravaged the Northern Qi Dynasty. His two sons are even more problematic.

"Shu'er, the journey to a marriage alliance is long and arduous. If there is an opportunity... you know what your mother means."

Li Shu raised her face and looked at her mother in disbelief.

The Queen looked at her with affection, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I thought you would advise me to be a good empress when I get to Northern Qi."

"Silly girl, as the Empress, I would naturally say such things, but you are my daughter. What mother in the world would be willing to let her daughter suffer?"

Li Shu could no longer hold back her tears, "Mother..."

The Empress hugged her and stroked her back to comfort her, saying, "It's all my fault."

If only I had hardened my heart and refused the arranged marriage back then.

In fact, even if the empress refused, the civil and military officials of the court would have put pressure on her. Given the choice between a marriage alliance and war, the officials would have chosen the marriage alliance without hesitation.

**

When the Northern Qi delegation arrived in the capital, Emperor Mingde hosted a banquet for them, which was attended by all civil and military officials.

Jiang Shuwan was very worried when she found out.

Xie Huai'an also noticed that Jiang Shuwan had been preoccupied these past two days, and the two only had time to confide in each other in the evening.

"I noticed you seemed preoccupied ever since your Northern Qi delegation arrived in the capital?"

Jiang Shuwan had nothing to hide and said, "I'm worried about A-Shu's marriage."

"In fact, there have been many disputes in the court these past two days regarding the marriage alliance."

Some people said that Daqing is now militarily strong and there is no need for the princess to be married off, while others felt that the marriage was arranged in advance and that going back on one's word now is unbecoming of a great power.

Those who disagreed with the princess's marriage alliance were led by military officers, including Xie Huai'an and Marquis Xuanping.

Those who supported the princess's marriage alliance were mainly civil officials, including the Earl of Huian and some others.

Military officers are not as eloquent as civil officials.

Xie Huai'an reenacted the entire scene of the arguments in the imperial court for Jiang Shuwan.

Jiang Shuwan retorted angrily, "The bigger picture? Is sacrificing women the bigger picture?"

Jiang Shuwan felt that those civil officials were all talk and no action! If marriage alliances could really stop wars, why were so many large countries destroyed in the past?

"Tomorrow I will give them a good dressing down in court."

Both publicly and privately, Xie Huai'an felt that Li Shu's marriage alliance was unnecessary.

“I’m really worried about A-Shu going to a foreign country alone.”

"I know, I know," Xie Huai'an reassured her.

He added, "In fact, the emperor did not want the princess to go on a marriage alliance, but he did not speak out because of the officials."

Without Emperor Mingde's order, not half of the court officials would have opposed the princess's marriage alliance.

Emperor Mingde only had one daughter, Li Shu, and of course he didn't want her to go on a political marriage, but as an emperor, he also had many things he couldn't do.

Second day

Jiang Shuwan was worried about her and went to the palace.

Li Shu is usually a very lively and cheerful girl, but now she has become more composed.

“Ah Shu”.

Jiang Shuwan felt terrible seeing her like this.

Li Shu forced a bitter smile, "I'm fine, Sister Wan. I expected this day to come."

Jiang Shuwan looked around and saw that no one was in the room. Then she said in a low voice, "A-Shu, the journey to Northern Qi is long. Why don't I send someone to ambush the caravan halfway and have someone rescue you?"

"Sister Wan's marriage procession is so large, and there are countless people with high martial arts skills."

Jiang Shuwan thought for a moment and said, "If it doesn't work, let Huai'an go and save you. He is highly skilled in martial arts."

Li Shu chuckled, "Sister Wan, it seems you're really worried about me, that you came up with such a terrible idea."

Jiang Shuwan has always been a very reliable and methodical person, and her words deeply moved Li Shu.

Jiang Shuwan hugged her, "A-Shu, I don't want to lose you again."

"What do you mean by 'again'? When have you ever lost me?" Li Shu asked, puzzled.

Jiang Shuwan explained, "I misspoke. I just didn't want to lose you."

With Jiang Shuwan by her side, Li Shu's mood improved considerably.

Jiang Shuwan returned to the general's mansion from the palace after dark.

Dinner table

Xie Youwei asked, "Sister-in-law, is the princess really going to be married off?"

After the Northern Qi delegation arrived in the capital, the news of Princess Yong'an's marriage to the emperor spread like wildfire throughout the city.

Jiang Shuwan nodded.

"Can't you not go?"

Xie Youwei felt heartbroken at the thought of the princess who had been so good to her marrying off to a foreign country.

Jiang Shuwan remained silent.

Seeing that Jiang Shuwan was in low spirits, Xie Huai'an gave his sister a wink.

Xie Youwei immediately lowered her head and stopped talking after receiving the message.

Jiang Shuwan ate only a little for dinner. Xie Huai'an noticed that after returning to Mingxiang Garden, he went to the kitchen and made a bowl of noodles.

Jiang Shuwan saw the noodles on the table and said, "I don't have an appetite, you eat them."

"These noodles were made by me personally, please do me the honor of trying them."

Jiang Shuwan glanced at him in surprise when he mentioned that he had personally cooked the noodles.

Xie Huai'an laughed and said, "I went out to make my way in the world at a young age. If I didn't know how to cook, wouldn't I starve to death out there?"

Jiang Shuwan picked up her chopsticks and took a few bites; it would be disrespectful to Xie Huai'an if she didn't eat.

Xie Huai'an's cooking was quite good; Jiang Shuwan ate only a little over half before putting down her chopsticks.

"That's all you're eating?"

"I just had dinner and then ate so much noodles." Jiang Shuwan was truly full now.

Xie Huai'an knew she had a small appetite and that this was about enough for her. He put the bowl in front of him and quickly finished the noodles Jiang Shuwan had left.

Xie Huai'an always believed in not wasting food, and he would naturally take over and finish off any food that Jiang Shuwan couldn't finish.

Jiang Shuwan suddenly remembered Yan Jingrong asking, "Are you very familiar with the heir of the Xuanping Marquis's mansion?"

Xie Huai'an casually replied, "It's alright, what's wrong?"

What is his opinion on the issue of marriage alliances?

Jiang Shuwan couldn't easily go to Yan Jingrong, but she wanted to know if he had any ideas at the moment.

Xie Huai'an shook his head, "He is usually very low-key, and he did not make any radical remarks this time."

Jiang Shuwan felt somewhat disappointed; she shouldn't have placed her hopes on a man.

Seeing her dejected expression, Xie Huai'an asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Shuwan shook her head. "It's nothing."

**

Soon it was time to host a banquet for the Northern Qi delegation. The emperor, empress, concubines, and officials of the third rank or those with titles were all present.