Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

Zhenbei City, Jingbei Prince's Mansion, Zhilan Garden.

This was a residence specially set aside for Xiao Chen's mother, Lady Lin, after the expansion of the Prince's Mansion.

Although not as grand as the main hall, the pavilions and towers are exquisite and elegant, with flowing water forming ponds and exotic flowers and plants, reminiscent of the gardens of Jiangnan, intended to comfort Consort Lin's homesickness.

Several months ago, Xiao Chen dispatched his elite confidants under the pretext of "going north for recuperation" to secretly bring Consort Lin out of the deep and oppressive palace. After a long journey, she was secretly settled here, and Consort Lin's spirit and complexion improved day by day.

Having left the turmoil of the capital and arrived at the vibrant power center of the northern border, built by her son, this former imperial concubine, who had spent the first half of her life cautiously and struggling to protect herself and her son amidst the palace intrigues, was finally able to relax a little.

On this afternoon, the autumn sun shone brightly, casting warm dappled light through the carved window frames into the room, which was covered with thick velvet carpets.

Consort Lin leaned against the soft couch by the window, holding an unfinished sachet in her hand. The stitches were fine and dense, featuring the lotus scroll pattern popular in Jiangnan.

She was over forty years old, but thanks to her good maintenance over the years and the weight she had borne, the faint lines between her brows, though left by the years, added to her dignified bearing. Her eyes were calm and gentle, and the occasional sharp glint in them revealed that she was no ordinary woman from the inner palace.

"Your Highness, Miss Murong has arrived," a personal maid announced in a low voice as she entered.

Consort Lin put down her needlework, a gentle smile appearing on her lips: "Please come in quickly."

The curtain rustled softly, and Murong Xue walked in.

She wasn't wearing any martial attire today, but only a lake-green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a moon-white vest over it. Her black hair was simply tied up, with a plain silver hairpin inserted at an angle. She wasn't wearing any makeup, which made her skin look even more like jade and her features even more exquisite. However, her usually clear and bright eyes now carried a hint of tension and restraint that was hard to detect.

She could deal with Xiao Chen with matters of state and with her wisdom, but facing her future... mother-in-law? She couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

In particular, she also carries the complex identity of the former Princess of Yan.

"Xue'er greets Your Majesty."

Murong Xue curtsied gracefully, her posture elegant and proper, clearly indicating that she had received rigorous court training.

"Good child, get up quickly, no need for such formalities."

Consort Lin rose herself, offered a helping hand, and took Murong Xue's hand, guiding her to sit down on the embroidered stool beside her, her gaze gently sweeping over her.

Consort Lin gently patted her hand, signaling the maid to serve tea and snacks, all of which were exquisite Jiangnan style.

"Chen'er is busy with military and political affairs, and I'm afraid he rarely has time to take good care of him. As his mother, it is only right that I look after him more."

Murong Xue lowered her eyes: "Your Highness has the world on your mind and is busy with countless affairs of state. Xue'er... dares not disturb you."

Consort Lin picked up her teacup, gently blew on it, and asked casually, "Xue'er, you've been in the North for some time now. What do you think are the differences between this Northern Cold Abyss under my Chen'er's rule and the former capital of Great Xia, or the former lands of Yan that you've heard about?"

Murong Xue pondered for a moment, then replied earnestly, "Your Majesty, the Northern Territory is in dire need of reconstruction, yet it is teeming with life."

The prince governed with pragmatism and ambition, emphasizing agriculture and commerce, strengthening the military and ensuring the people's safety, with strict laws and a consistent system of rewards and punishments.

The soldiers and civilians alike are filled with a vibrant spirit, a stark contrast to the stagnant atmosphere of the capital and the decadence of the former Yan territory. Given time, it will surely become a paradise, and even… a completely new era will unfold.”

She spoke the last four words very softly, but the meaning was clear.

A hint of approval flashed in Consort Lin's eyes, and she nodded slightly: "You see things very clearly."

Chen'er has always been a thoughtful and calculating child. This was true even when they were in the capital.

Back then, with a ruler above and wolves and tigers all around, I had no choice but to conceal my true strength. Now, having arrived in this northern frontier, like a dragon entering the sea or an eagle soaring through the sky, I can finally realize my ambitions.

She paused, looking at Murong Xue with a softer gaze, yet also revealing a knowing insight into human nature. "However, soaring high in the sky without a confidante by one's side inevitably brings loneliness. This vast royal palace, without a mistress to manage and stabilize it, ultimately doesn't feel like a home. The hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the Northern Border, without a queen to uphold their legitimacy, will inevitably experience unrest among their people."

Murong Xue's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, unsure of what to say.

Consort Lin took in her subtle reactions, sighed softly, and spoke with even greater earnestness: "Xue'er, I know your status is special, and you must have concerns. Between you and Chen'er, there may be the shadow of national and family feuds, or the gap in your social status, or his helplessness as a ruler who has to prioritize military and political affairs. I understand all of this."

Murong Xue's eyelashes trembled slightly, but she remained silent. Lin Fei's words touched upon the deepest part of her heart, those restless struggles that she found difficult to express.

"But, Xue'er," Consort Lin put down her teacup, grasped Murong Xue's somewhat cold hand, her voice gentle yet full of strength, "the past is the past. Although the Yan Kingdom was defeated, it was not your fault, nor Chen'er's fault, but the will of Heaven and the calamity of powerful ministers."

You are now Murong Xue, a remarkable woman of intelligence, resilience, courage, and wisdom. Chen'er has kept you by his side, entrusting you with important responsibilities, such as advising on military affairs and managing the academy. Is this merely because of your status as a princess of the previous dynasty, or out of pity for your plight?

Murong Xue suddenly looked up and met Lin Fei's clear and wise eyes.

"I know my own son best."

Consort Lin smiled slightly, with a mother's understanding and pride, "He may seem cold and aloof, but he is actually very sentimental; he may seem ruthless and decisive, but he has his own inner depths and is by no means a heartless killer."

He kept you in the core, letting you handle the most important matters of the Cold Abyss. If he didn't trust and value your talent, if he didn't have a place for you in his heart, he would never have done so, given his cautious nature.

However, he carries too heavy a burden on his shoulders, devoting himself entirely to military and political affairs. He has always been clumsy in expressing his feelings for his children, and given your delicate circumstances, he is even less willing and able to easily reveal them, lest he... offend you and cause you unnecessary trouble.

"I..." Murong Xue opened her mouth, only to find her throat dry and her heart felt as if something had gently bumped into it, a bittersweet feeling mixed with an indescribable flutter.

Xiao Chen treated her differently from others, showing trust, reliance, and even occasional, subtle concern, but always with a veil of officialdom and rationality. She never dared to think about it deeply, and forced herself not to.

"The North needs a queen."

Consort Lin's tone became serious. "Not only does she need to manage the household affairs and the inner court, but she also needs a wise and courageous mistress who can assist the prince in foreign affairs and unite the people at home. Ordinary young ladies cannot hold this position. What Chen'er needs is a partner who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him to see the country and bear the storms, not just a delicate flower to decorate the backyard."

"Xue'er," Consort Lin gazed into Murong Xue's eyes, speaking each word carefully, "Ask yourself honestly, are you willing to be nothing more than a caged bird in the inner garden of this royal palace? Are you willing to squander your talents and the vast stage that this world has given you? Are you willing to... watch Chen'er walk alone on this path destined to be full of thorns?"

"I..." Murong Xue's heart pounded violently. Lin Fei's words were like a thunderclap, splitting open the layers of fog and shackles in her heart.

Yes, national and personal vendettas? The Yan Kingdom was not destroyed by Xiao Chen; in fact, to some extent, Xiao Chen avenged part of her grudges.

Identity barrier? On the eve of the impending chaos and the collapse of the old order, the identity of a former dynasty princess might actually be a unique asset.

As for his feelings... those unintentional expressions of trust, those tacit understandings only she could comprehend, those quiet moments spent together late at night in the study handling government affairs...

"As for Chen'er," Consort Lin said with a smile, seeing the change in her expression and knowing that her worries had largely eased, "as his mother, I can still say a few words. The Prince's mansion needs a mistress to stabilize the inner court, the Prince needs a legitimate heir to solidify his foundation, and the people and soldiers of the Northern Border need a Princess to uphold legitimacy—these are all undeniable truths. No matter how much he cares about military and political affairs, he cannot bypass these issues. As long as you are willing, leave the rest to me, okay?"

Murong Xue's cheeks flushed crimson, as if dyed by the sunset on the horizon.

She remained silent for a long time, and finally, slowly and very lightly, nodded.

There were no words, but the lowered eyelashes, the slightly trembling fingertips, and the almost inaudible reply spoke louder than a thousand words.

Consort Lin smiled with satisfaction and gently patted the back of her hand: "Good child. I knew you were a wise person and a blessed one."

A few days later, after a family banquet at the Prince's residence, Consort Lin kept Xiao Chen alone to talk.

Inside the warm pavilion, the charcoal fire crackled gently.

Consort Lin dismissed her attendants and looked at her son's increasingly angular and imposing profile, feeling both pride and a slight pang of pain.

She picked up the teapot, poured Xiao Chen a cup of hot tea, and slowly spoke, her tone calm yet unquestionable: "Chen'er, you are not young anymore."

The mansion has been expanded to such an impressive scale, with the front court and the rear palace in perfect order. However, the rear palace has always lacked a proper mistress, which makes it ultimately improper.

Although internal and external affairs were managed by Han Changshi, Zhou Zhubu, and others, the lack of a leader in the inner court was ultimately a regrettable situation.

"The foundation in the North is newly established, and the soldiers and civilians look up to us. Without a queen, how can the royal court maintain order? You will eventually need offspring to inherit this legacy."

Xiao Chen paused slightly in his teacup, then looked up at his mother. Consort Lin's gaze was calm and resolute.

"I've met that child, Murong Xue."

In terms of appearance, talent, and temperament, she is an excellent choice. What is even more rare is that she has insight and courage, which is incomparable to ordinary young ladies.

She also has feelings for you... but her status prevents her from resolving them. Now that she's by your side and has helped you greatly, and you treat her exceptionally well, why waste any more time?

Xiao Chen remained silent for a moment, then looked out the window at the deep night.

Murong Xue's image seemed to appear in his mind more and more often these days.

The woman with the burning gaze as she discussed military strategy with him in the study, the woman with the cool composure as she taught in the military academy, the woman who occasionally revealed a hint of vulnerability and confusion, yet instantly became resilient... she was indeed different from others.

"Mother," Xiao Chen's voice was low, "her identity..."

"Her identity is a problem now, but it may actually be an asset in the future."

Consort Lin interrupted him, her gaze deep and unwavering. "The chaos of the times is already evident. How long can the old laws and traditions be maintained? What the Northern Frontier needs is a queen who can serve as a model for the northern border and assist in the cause of hegemony, not a figurehead with no real power. The surname Murong still holds sway in the Yan region. As for the rest, it's up to us."

Xiao Chen remained silent for a long time.

The mother's words, along with the occasional subtle reminders from Han Lie, Zhou Tong, and others, and a voice from a corner deep within her heart, gradually overlapped.

Yes, from both a public and private perspective, and from both a moral and rational standpoint, this seems to be the most appropriate, even inevitable, choice.

The royal palace needs a mistress to stabilize the inner workings, the foundation needs offspring to carry on the legacy, and the soldiers and civilians of the northern border need to see a clear succession. As for himself... he doesn't seem to resist it, and even has a faint expectation that in the future there will be someone standing by his side, sharing the hardships and glory of this vast land.

"Mother is right."

Xiao Chen finally put down his teacup, his gaze regaining its usual clarity and decisiveness. "It was my oversight. Murong Xue... is indeed a good match. However, these are turbulent times, and the wedding should not be too extravagant, but we also cannot wrong her. As for the specific arrangements, I would like to ask Mother to discuss them with Chief Secretary Han and the Minister of Rites, and make sure they are all handled properly."

Lin Fei finally showed a relieved and joyful smile, nodding repeatedly: "Good, good! This is my son! Don't worry, Mother knows what's important. I will handle it in a way that neither tarnishes Han Yuan's reputation nor is it too ostentatious. I will speak to Xue'er myself."

Outside the window, the cold wind of the north still howled, but inside the warm pavilion of Zhilan Garden, it seemed as if a spring breeze was quietly blowing.

A marriage that would shape the future of the North has now come to an end.

Meanwhile, in the distant south, dark clouds are rapidly gathering over the capital, and an even greater storm is brewing.

Xiao Chen's marriage, at this time of impending storm, is like a clear signal, indicating that the lurking lion in the North, while consolidating its internal affairs and securing its rear, is ready to meet the challenges of a wider world.