Love Lock

Chapter 332 A Piercing Scream

Thousands of miles away on the Turkic steppe, June is a wonderful time of year when the grass grows lush, the birds sing, and the warm breeze is intoxicating.

The boundless green waves undulated under the sunlight, meeting the azure sky. The air was filled with the fragrance of grass and wildflowers, and everything was enveloped in a peaceful and bountiful atmosphere.

In the royal court of this vast grassland, an unprecedented wedding is taking place.

This marriage alliance, supported and agreed upon by Zhao Zun, the King of Cangzhou, and Bolu Khan of the Turks, closely linked Princess Yujia, the pearl of the Turks, with Tang Xiaotong, the president of the Cangzhou Foreign Trade Association, who represented the trade of Dajing.

This is not only the union of two young people, but also a symbol of the cessation of hostilities between the two countries and a new stage in their relationship.

Therefore, this transnational wedding was exceptionally grand and joyous in every aspect.

Inside the royal court, colorful tents, like giant blooming flowers, adorned the lush green grassland.

The auspicious Turkic flag fluttered in the wind, and the joyful music of the Hu music and the melodious sound of the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) intertwined, filling every corner.

The leaders and nobles from various Turkic tribes were dressed in festive attire, adorned with magnificent jewels, and beaming with smiles.

On the Da Jing side, the official Luo Hai was in charge, and Yang Haibo's family, Hua Tianyou, Zhao Ling'er, and others were also present. A group of spirited Cangzhou soldiers guarded the generous congratulatory gifts, making for a grand and enthusiastic occasion.

The groom, Tang Xiaotong, wore a bright red wedding suit, which made him look radiant.

Tang Xiaotong was an orphan, and in theory, he could have lived with Princess Yujia in the royal court. However, as the head of the foreign trade association, he needed to oversee the Yinshan trade market, so he had to discuss with his beloved wife, Princess Yujia, about building a new residence near the market.

This arrangement, which balances family, country, and duty, makes the marriage all the more thoughtful.

As the feast began, the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely, and the people of the grasslands sang and danced.

Bolu Khan's gaze swept over the assembled guests, his warm smile carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible scrutiny. He raised his cup to Tang Xiaotong and asked, "Xiaotong, today our Turkic people and the Great Jing are forming this auspicious union, so why are the King and Queen of Cangzhou conspicuously absent? Could it be that they look down on our grassland wedding?"

His voice was loud and clear, and although it carried a hint of laughter, it also quieted down the surrounding noise a little.

Seemingly surprised that Bolu Khan would ask about the King and Queen of Cangzhou, Tang Xiaotong paused for a moment, then drank the wine in her cup in one gulp, a smile returning to her face as she calmly cupped her hands in greeting.

"Khan, you flatter me. If Your Highness and Princess had underestimated the Turks, why would they have gone to such lengths to promote trade between the two countries and achieve this wonderful thing today? The reason they could not come in person was indeed because they had important matters to attend to in Cangzhou and were unable to spare the time."

Boru Khan frowned and pressed on, "Oh? What could be so important as to be more crucial than the marriage alliance between our two nations?"

Tang Xiaotong shook her head and said, "I don't know either."

"Come on, Xiaotong. Let's go see my sisters." Tang Xiaotong had just finished speaking when she was stopped by the bright and beautiful bride, Princess Yujia, with a smile.

She gave Boru Khan a reproachful look, then happily pulled Tang Xiaotong to meet her close friend, cleverly defusing the brief awkward silence.

Watching Princess Yujia and Tang Xiaotong leave together, a thoughtful look flashed in Bolu Khan's eyes, but his face quickly regained its warm smile.

The grand wedding ceremony was conducted according to Turkic tradition. The newlyweds received blessings from the elders, drank nuptial wine together, and then circled the sacred fire to pray for blessings.

Every part of the wedding was solemn and full of meaning, and the crowd of onlookers frequently erupted in cheers and blessings.

After the wedding ceremony, the banquet reached its climax.

The enormous roasted whole lamb exuded an enticing aroma, and fine wine was poured into silver bowls like sweet spring water.

The young Turkic men and women, skilled in singing and dancing, performed joyful dances, while athletes added to the festivities with wrestling, bullfighting, and horse racing.

The guests drank heartily, ate large chunks of meat, and drank wine in large gulps. Their laughter and chatter rose with the smoke from the cooking fire, reaching high into the sky.

Bolu Khan and Luo Hai and other officials of the Great Jing Dynasty had a very pleasant conversation, exchanging toasts and drinks in a harmonious atmosphere.

Looking at his people dancing around the bonfire, Boru Khan raised his cup and said with emotion, "Since the start of trade, my people's furs, cattle and sheep have been able to exchange for much-needed grain, cloth and ironware, and our lives have indeed become much more prosperous."

Luo Hai responded with a smile: "What the Khan says is absolutely right. Now that the young boy and Princess Yujia are happily married, our kinship is strengthened. The future of our two countries is promising. May our Great Jing and the Turks be like the yurts and cattle and sheep on this grassland, depending on each other for survival and forever being friends."

Officials from both sides toasted each other, offering auspicious wishes for stable diplomatic relations and the well-being of the people of both countries.

The entire Turkic royal court was immersed in this hard-won peace and the immense joy brought about by the marriage alliance.

The grand wedding continued into the night, as darkness, like a giant black silk ribbon, slowly covered the daytime hustle and bustle.

The stars lit up, like a handful of shattered diamonds casually scattered by the gods, shimmering silently in the deep sky, overlooking the tranquil grassland.

The campfire had gone out, leaving only a few dark red embers, occasionally sparking a few embers in the night wind before disappearing again.

The air was still filled with the aroma of roasted meat and the richness of fine wine, but the guests' chatter had turned into satisfied snores and whispers.

Most of the officials from Dajing were already quite drunk, their faces flushed and relaxed with the glow of peace and prosperity.

The Turkic warriors ordered by Bolu Khan carefully helped him, and he was escorted back to his magnificent tent with utmost respect, his steps faltering.

After the hustle and bustle subsided, the night on the grassland was exceptionally vast and tranquil, with only the chirping of unknown insects, the occasional snorting of horses in the distance, and a few lonely wolf howls weaving together to form the prelude to the night.

Tang Xiaotong and Princess Yujia, the newlyweds, were escorted into their carefully decorated yurt amidst the friendly laughter and blessings of their relatives and friends.

The brightly lit red candles cast a warm and hazy glow inside the yurt.

Princess Yujia's cheeks flushed red, making her even more charming than during the day, while Tang Xiaotong was beaming with happiness, her eyes radiating an irrepressible glow of joy.

The thick curtains of the yurt fell, isolating them from all outside noise and ushering in a beautiful, new chapter in their lives...

The grassland royal court gradually drifted into sleep, and the lights in most of the yurts had been extinguished.

However, in the most magnificent royal tent in the center, Boru Khan did not rest.

He dismissed his servants and sat alone on a large chair covered with thick animal hides.

On the table sat a three-legged wine vessel, meticulously carved from animal bone, filled with amber-colored mare's milk wine.

He didn't drink heavily, but only occasionally picked up a small glass to sip, his deep gaze fixed on the flickering oil lamplight on the tent wall, as if he were intently waiting for something.

The night deepened, and the footsteps of the patrolling guards outside the tent were rhythmic and light. Finally, after a barely audible rustling sound, someone outside the tent reported respectfully in a low voice: "Khan."

Boru Khan's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Come in."

The tent flap was gently lifted a crack, and a man dressed in ordinary Turkic guard attire, but with exceptionally sharp eyes, slipped in and quickly knelt down on one knee before Boru Khan.

Boru leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice even further: "How is it?"

The guard raised his head, leaned close to the Khan, and reported in a voice that could be heard by only the two of them.

"Khan, I've heard it. Those officials of the Great Jing Dynasty were chatting amongst themselves after drinking, saying... Dongguan has fallen and fallen into the hands of the Eastern Ming Empire. The Great Jing court has urgently dispatched reinforcements, and the King and Queen of Cangzhou are leading the elite soldiers of Cangzhou to Dongguan to provide support, intending to fight against the Eastern Ming Empire."

The guard paused, then added, "Some officials at the banquet sighed, hoping that once the King of Cangzhou arrived at Dongguan with fresh troops, he could help Dajing overcome this crisis."

Boru Khan listened quietly, his face revealing neither joy nor anger, only his fingers tightened slightly around the bone wine vessel.

He slowly leaned back in his chair, a knowing glint in his eyes.

No wonder... At the wedding, when he casually asked Tang Xiaotong why the Prince and Princess of Cangzhou hadn't come to the wedding, Tang Xiaotong was momentarily stunned, and then evasively brushed it off by saying that "the Prince and Princess are busy with their affairs."

The truth is that the border of Dajing is in dire need of attention, and the renowned King of Cangzhou has personally led his troops to the battlefield.

In other words, Cangzhou currently has few troops. He remained silent for a moment, then waved to his guard. The guard understood, silently bowed, and left the tent, leaving only Bolu Khan inside once again.

He picked up the wine glass and drank the remaining wine in one gulp. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, but it only made his mind clearer.

He gazed intently at the flickering lights, his mind racing with calculations—

The Eastern Ming Empire... the Cangzhou army has been withdrawn... the Great Jing Empire must be vulnerable... could this present an opportunity favorable to the Turks? Or perhaps, a reassessment of the surrounding situation is necessary? The honeymoon period and border trade brought about by the marriage alliance are certainly desirable, but the eyes of the steppe eagle are never limited to the immediate peace.

The next day, the sun shone brightly on the grassland as always, as if nothing had happened the night before.

Boru Khan remained calm and even accompanied the officials of the Great Jing Dynasty, led by Luo Hai, with greater enthusiasm and attentiveness than the previous two days.

He accompanied the officials, sometimes riding horses to admire the magnificent scenery of the grasslands, and sometimes watching the Turkic warriors perform archery.

During this time, Boru Khan was all smiles and laughter, never mentioning any sensitive topics. The host and guests enjoyed themselves immensely, and the atmosphere was as harmonious as that of the closest allies.

Luo Hai and the others seemed completely unaware of anything amiss, basking in the warm hospitality of the grassland's inhabitants.

On the third day, the Great Jing delegation took their leave.

On behalf of the Great Jing Dynasty, Luo Hai once again expressed his desire for a lasting friendship, and Bolu Khan naturally responded enthusiastically, presenting him with generous gifts.

Yang Haibo and his family also bid farewell and prepared to return to Ling'an City.

Currently, Tang Xiaotong is in charge of the trade market in Yong'an City, and Yang Haibo has also been assigned by Han Lei to manage the increasingly prosperous trade market in Ling'an City.

Yang Xiaomei and her daughter stayed with Yang Haibo to help out, and the family lived together, leading a fulfilling and stable life.

They naturally need to go back and take care of their affairs as soon as possible and cannot stay here for long.

After seeing off all of Tang Xiaotong's guests, the vast grassland royal court seemed to quiet down considerably.

Tang Xiaotong and Princess Yujia officially began their married life, and the two were always inseparable.

During the day, they would ride together on a single horse, frolicking freely on the boundless sea of ​​grass, their galloping horses accompanied by the silvery laughter of young girls and the hearty shouts of young men.

In the evening, they strolled side by side, picking wildflowers on the grassy slope. Tang Xiaotong clumsily pinned a Gesang flower in Yu Jia's hair, earning a shy yet delighted coquettish reproach from his wife.

As the sun set, their shadows stretched long as they nestled close together, their sweetness so intense it seemed even the wind carried the scent of honey.

However, in the past two days, Boru Khan often gazed at Princess Yujia and Tang Xiaotong's happy and carefree figures from afar, his gaze becoming complex and profound.

A hint of brotherly satisfaction might have crossed his face, but more than that, there was an indescribable solemnity and ambition.

No one knows what kind of weighing and choices this powerful leader was making regarding the future fate of the tribe.

The sky over the grassland remains azure, but beneath the calm surface, undercurrents may be quietly brewing...

On the fifth day, as the sweetness of the honeymoon was gradually overshadowed by the realities of life, Tang Xiaotong finally felt the weight of her responsibilities on her shoulders.

He lay on the grass, gazing at the azure sky, his fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of Princess Yujia's hair, and whispered, "Yujia, we... should go back."

Yu Jia turned to his side, her cheek pressed against his chest, and could hear his steady heartbeat. "Are we going back to the Yinshan trading market?"

Princess Yujia's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible melancholy as she prepared to leave the grasslands and her people.

"Mmm!" Tang Xiaotong hugged her tighter. "There's a lot of work piling up at the market, and we need to get our new house under construction soon. We can't just keep hanging around with your brother like a pair of idle lovers, can we?"

Princess Yujia naturally understood this principle, but these five days were too beautiful, like stolen time, making it hard to let go.

She nodded: "Okay, let's go say goodbye to Boru and set off tomorrow."

The two got up, tidied themselves up a bit, and then went together to the spacious and majestic royal tent of Boruq Khan.

Boru was discussing matters with several tribal leaders when he saw them enter, so he dismissed his attendants.

Upon hearing that his sister and brother-in-law would be setting off the next day, a complex expression crossed the young Boru Khan's face, a mixture of reluctance and some other indescribable emotion.

He patted Tang Xiaotong's shoulder forcefully: "Brother-in-law, I'm entrusting my sister to you. You two must live happily. If I find out you're not treating her well, my Yinshan Iron Cavalry will not stand for it."

This was half a joke, and half a serious instruction.

Princess Yujia's eyes were slightly red as she stepped forward to straighten her younger brother's clothes: "Be careful here by yourself. Come and see us when you have time."

The siblings whispered some private words to each other, and a faint sadness of parting filled the tent.

After saying goodbye, the two returned to their cozy newlywed tent.

Yu Jia instructed her maid, A Zhu, to begin packing her belongings. Each piece of clothing was carefully packed into a box, for it represented Princess Yu Jia's last attachment to the grasslands.

As night deepened, the wind on the grassland carried a chill.

Inside the tent, the candlelight flickered, and Tang Xiaotong and Yu Jia nestled together on the couch, whispering about their plans for the future, their lips and eyes filled with tender smiles.

At this tender moment, a deep voice from a Turkic guard came from outside the tent: "Prince Consort, the Khan requests your presence."

Princess Yujia and Tang Xiaotong were both taken aback and looked at each other at the same time, their eyes filled with surprise.

Didn't we just say goodbye half an hour ago?
Yu Jia sat up: "It's so late, what else does the Khan need? I'll go with you."

The guard outside the tent replied respectfully and firmly, "Princess, please forgive us. The Khan has ordered that only the Prince Consort be seen."

Only Tang Xiaotong was seen?
This is even more unusual.

Yu Jia's brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of unease flashed in her amber eyes.

Tang Xiaotong, however, didn't take it to heart. He held Princess Yujia's hand, his fingertips warm. He reassured her in a relaxed tone, "Don't overthink it. Bolu probably still has some private things to discuss between men, like his 'final ultimatum' on how to take good care of his sister."

Tang Xiaotong smiled and leaned closer, planting a kiss on Yu Jia's forehead. "You rest first; tomorrow's journey will be tiring. I'll be right back."

Tang Xiaotong's composure seemed to be contagious, and Princess Yujia felt somewhat relieved, nodding obediently: "Then go and come back quickly."

She rose and escorted Tang Xiaotong to the outside of the tent, watching Tang Xiaotong's figure disappear into the night in the direction of the royal tent along with the guards.

Afterwards, Yu Jia returned to her tent and lay down again, but she couldn't fall asleep.

Tang Xiaotong's scent seemed to linger inside the tent. She turned over, her cheek pressed against the spot where he had just rested his head, where it still seemed warm.

She gazed at the top of the tent, reminiscing about the sweetness of their first few days of marriage.

Time flowed slowly in the silence. She didn't know how much time had passed; perhaps it wasn't long, but it seemed exceptionally long to Yu Jia as she waited.

Just as her thoughts were drifting and she was on the verge of drowsiness—

"what--"

A piercing scream, like a cold iron spike, suddenly broke the tranquility of the night sky.

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