Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

In that distant city of Wuguo, the cold wind was like a knife, and the years were like frost. Emperor Huizong of Song, Zhao Ji, appeared exceptionally lonely. Once living a life of luxury, even a full meal had become a luxury for him. Now, only an old eunuch with a weathered face remained by his side.

Every morning at the first light of dawn, the old eunuch would rise shakily and go out to beg from the high-ranking officials and nobles with his wrinkled hands. They relied on the occasional charity from the powerful and influential people of the Jin Dynasty; those rewards, tinged with pity and contempt, became their only means of survival.

The old eunuch would carefully collect these items, as if they were rare treasures, before stepping into the bustling and unfamiliar market to exchange them for food for the day.

The market was bustling with activity, and the exotic atmosphere was palpable, yet it couldn't mask the loneliness and helplessness in Wang Cheng's heart. An old eunuch moved among them, his eyes, which had seen the coldness and warmth of human nature, searching for any possible means to earn a living.

Life flowed by slowly, filled with bitterness and resilience. Despite his adversity, Zhao Ji retained his elegance. Occasionally, he would express his feelings through calligraphy and painting, sketching the landscapes of the Song Dynasty on simple sheets of paper, or composing poems to convey his sentiments. His longing for his homeland and his yearning for freedom flowed like a gentle stream, nourishing the never-ending land in his heart. However, his painting style completely changed. He no longer painted flowers, birds, fish, and insects, but began to recall the landscapes of the southern lands on paper.

The old eunuch Wang Cheng, with a steady gait and a calm demeanor honed by the years, once again strolled to a corner of the bustling market, where stalls selling grains and cereals filled the air with the faint aroma of rice and the lively atmosphere of the marketplace.

He parted his lips slightly, his voice a little hoarse: "May I ask the shopkeeper, what is the market price of this mixed grain rice today?"

Upon hearing this, the stall owner immediately put down his work, greeted him with a beaming smile, and respectfully replied, "Reporting to you, sir, the price of this mixed grain rice remains fair today and has not changed. It is..."

After some haggling, Wang Cheng finally managed to cleverly exchange a silver hairpin for a heavy sack of mixed grains under the dappled light. This hairpin, just the night before, was a precious reward bestowed upon Zhao Ji after he had painted a portrait of a dignified Jin general. In the past, let alone a silver hairpin, even a gold hairpin wouldn't have been enough to get Zhao Ji to paint.

The heavy sack of mixed grains hung on their shoulders, as if carrying the hopes and dreams of the two for the future. Each grain was plump and full, its color not dazzling, but like the simple and unadorned life itself, giving people the most reassuring support.

With this large bag of mixed grains, they knew that even if the future was uncertain, they could at least survive for a while in this chaotic world.

At that moment, a man who looked like a businessman quietly stood in front of Wang Cheng, interrupting his thoughts, his tone carrying a hint of respect and inquiry.

"May I ask if you are the renowned Eunuch Wang from Bianliang, the capital?" His voice was deep and clear, like a gentle breeze in the bustling marketplace, quietly brushing against Wang Cheng's heart.

Upon hearing this, Wang Cheng slowly raised his slightly weathered yet still sharp eyes, carefully scrutinizing the newcomer before him. Time seemed to have left its mark on his eyes, but it had also endowed him with an air of quiet authority.

He nodded slightly, his voice carrying a subtle air of authority and composure: "It is indeed I, this old man. May I ask your name and what business you have with me?"

Upon hearing this, the merchant's face immediately lit up with a smile, as if he had received some kind of confirmation and felt relieved.

"I am but a humble merchant, but I have long admired Eunuch Wang's name. It is an honor to meet you today. As for the purpose of this meeting..." He paused slightly, a shrewd and expectant glint in his eyes.

"This matter concerns a considerable business deal. If we can conspire with Eunuch Wang, it will surely be a win-win situation. I wonder if you would do me the honor of speaking to me in private?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Cheng was somewhat moved, but he maintained his composure and reserve. He gently raised his hand, signaling the other party to lead the way, while secretly pondering the various possibilities that might be hidden behind this sudden business opportunity.

In a short while, the two stepped into the elegant teahouse room hidden away from the hustle and bustle. The room was filled with the fragrance of tea, as if it were a world apart from the disturbances of the outside world.

Wang Cheng stepped across the threshold, and his eyes fell upon a young man already seated there, gentle and refined—it was none other than Li Zhen, who had been waiting for him.

Upon hearing the voice, Li Zhen stood up gracefully, his face respectful, and his tone gentle and refined: "Junior Li Zhen has been waiting here for a long time. It is an honor to meet Eunuch Wang. May you be blessed with good fortune and peace."

After speaking, he bowed slightly, his demeanor displaying humility and refinement, adding a touch of scholarly elegance and classical charm to the tranquil space.

"May I ask what brings you here? Is there something important to discuss?"

Li Zhen remained silent, but his gaze shifted slightly, casting a meaningful glance at the person standing to one side. The person immediately understood and quietly retreated outside the door, guarding the tranquility and seclusion of this space like a shadow.

Li Zhen spoke in a calm and steady tone, each word clear and distinct, as if carrying the weight of a thousand pounds: "I am now Zhao Yingluo's husband, and my visit is truly motivated by a determination to rescue my father-in-law from his dire straits."

Upon hearing this, Wang Cheng's body trembled, and an incredulous light flashed in his eyes, followed by an uncontrollable excitement. His whole body trembled, as if every cell was expressing the shock and anticipation in his heart.

"You...you really came to save the Emperor?" Wang Cheng's voice trembled slightly, each word filled with deep hope and urgency, as if a bright lamp had been lit in the dark room, illuminating the path ahead.

Upon seeing Li Zhen nod, Wang Cheng grabbed Li Zhen's sleeve and said, "Come on, I'll take you to see the Emperor right now."

With an almost imperceptible calmness, Li Zhen gently pried open Wang Cheng's tightly clenched fingers one by one, a gentle smile playing on his lips. He murmured, "This matter is no easy task. Right now, spies from the Jin and Song dynasties are like ghosts in the night, relentlessly pursuing Father-in-law's every move. If we wish to proceed, we must plan meticulously and proceed cautiously at every step to find a foolproof plan and ensure absolute success."

His voice was gentle yet firm, each word carrying the weight of deep thought, revealing a clear understanding of the situation. In this tense atmosphere, Li Zhen's words and actions were like a breath of fresh air, piercing through the heavy gloom and paving a cautious yet hopeful path for the actions to come.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn passes quietly. The old eunuch Wang Cheng slowly stepped out of the threshold of the quaint teahouse, the afterglow of the setting sun outlining a soft contour on his weathered face.

He still carried that heavy cloth bag on his shoulder, filled with grains—the sustenance and hope of ordinary days. At this moment, even the grains in the bag seemed to absorb the faint aroma of tea in the teahouse, making them feel less heavy.

The moment Wang Cheng stepped out of the teahouse, his steps subtly became lighter, each step carrying a sense of relief and ease. His eyes shone with an unprecedented light, a testament to his resilience in the face of life's challenges and a detached acceptance of the past.