After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

At the four corners of the main hall, red charcoal burned in bronze incense burners with animal patterns, the embers emitting a faint red glow, making the hall warm as spring.

The empress on the throne seemed to be in a good mood, smiling slightly, her voice clear and gentle:

"Sister, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."

Two expressionless old eunuchs stood below the Empress's steps.

The two old eunuchs flicked their whisks, intending to remind those bowing to listen to the Empress's words.

"Hmph! She should call me 'elder sister'..." Zhu Qingmian's expression was gentle and sweet as she sweetly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty." But in her heart, she couldn't help but complain.

He did some calculations and realized he should be a few months older than her.

She lowered her head slightly and wrinkled her nose in displeasure... Hmm, she's definitely upset that I, the princess, am unwilling to be your sister-in-law...

It was at this moment.

Her brows furrowed even more suddenly, and she realized something strange.

Why does the Empress's voice sound... somewhat familiar?

Da Chun stood beside her and saw that the Seventeenth Princess was well-mannered and that the Empress did not seem to make things difficult for her, so he felt relieved.

He had already told the Seventeenth Princess that she didn't need to say much; he, her servant, would handle everything. Zhu Qingmian was naturally happy to have some peace and quiet.

After bowing to the Empress, Da Chun began to elaborate on the friendship between the Northern and Southern Dynasties, saying that marriage is predestined and that the Seventeenth Princess and the Emperor of your dynasty are destined to be apart, which has nothing to do with the friendship between the two dynasties.

Furthermore, it is said that since the princess came south, your dynasty has always treated the seventeenth princess as an honored guest, taking great care of her and showing her the utmost favor, for which our dynasty is deeply grateful.

However, His Majesty is deeply missing his daughter and is concerned about filial piety. The Seventeenth Princess has no choice but to return to the north soon to fulfill her filial duty. Today, upon hearing that His Majesty has some free time, she has come to bid farewell to His Majesty.

On the dragon throne.

Her Majesty the Empress of Great Liang, with her fair complexion and the twelve-tasseled crown on her head remaining perfectly still, smiled and said:

"You flatter me, Your Excellency. Your Seventeenth Princess is clever and charming, and I am very fond of her. The Empress Dowager has also said many times that it is truly a blessing for my brother that your dynasty is willing to marry such a bright and intelligent princess to our dynasty."

"However, firstly, life is unpredictable and marriage is a matter of fate; secondly, the diplomatic relations between the two dynasties cannot be truly solidified by marriage alone."

"My mentor, Grand Tutor Gu, once taught me that during the early years of the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu made peace through marriage for many years, but this did not prevent the Xiongnu from raiding the south every year. The Han Dynasty had no choice but to endure all kinds of humiliation."

"And it wouldn't prevent him from becoming a formidable force just a few decades later, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, ordering Wei Qing and Huo Qubing to attack the Xiongnu in the north, leaving no royal court south of the Gobi Desert!"

The Empress paused in her clear and bold voice, then smiled and said, "Your Excellency Dachun, this shows that I believe that the best approach to relations between our two countries is to be based on sincerity and courtesy."

Da Chun's thick beard twitched, and his eyes shifted unpredictably.

He could naturally tell that the other party was using Emperor Wu of Han as a metaphor for Daliang, openly threatening him, saying that it was time for Daliang to emulate Emperor Wu of Han.

Da Chun's eyebrows twitched, but he did not refute it. At the moment when the alliance was about to be concluded, even if the marriage could not be arranged, it was not advisable to cause any unnecessary trouble.

He simply smiled, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty's words are absolutely correct; this humble subject has learned much."

Immediately afterwards, the other party, along with the Seventeenth Princess who looked extremely puzzled, took their leave, saying they were going to pay their respects to the nobles in the palace, and bid farewell to them one by one.

I won't go to Jingren Palace, but I should at least go to Yongshou Palace to say goodbye to the Empress Dowager.

Zhu Cuiwei smiled and agreed.

They watched as the two figures slowly disappeared outside the hall.

Her gaze softened, the twelve-tassel crown on her head swayed, and the beaded curtain moved slightly.

She pursed her lips and then stood up.

Two old eunuchs, along with a line of young eunuchs and palace maids, followed closely behind the Empress.

After returning to the side hall where affairs were handled.

Zhu Cuiwei removed her crown and changed back into her everyday clothes.

He sat behind his desk and continued to review memorials.

Not long after.

A middle-aged eunuch came to report, saying, "Your Majesty, Prince Jing has arrived."

Zhu Cuiwei put down her pen, nodded, and said, "Please."

With a shout of "Yes, sir!" from the young eunuch.

Around thirty years old, the Ninth Prince of Liang, with his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, entered the palace.

Prince Jing was handsome, but he possessed less of the noble air of a king and more of the dissolute air of a typical wealthy young master. He smiled and bowed to his niece at the head of the table:

"Uncle Wang greets Your Majesty!"

Zhu Cui smiled and said, "You're already calling yourself 'Uncle King,' yet you're 'paying respects' to His Majesty? Uncle King Jing, please rise."

King Jing stood up with a smile.

Zhu Cuiwei ordered someone to offer her a seat.

King Jing then took his seat with an air of nonchalance.

The Empress, dressed in a scarlet dragon robe, glanced at her uncle, who stood upright, and after a moment, she spoke to the Prince of Liang:

"Does Uncle Jing know why Cuiwei summoned you here?"

Prince Jing nodded and smiled, "Your Majesty, rest assured, Vice Magistrate Yan has already informed me of this matter. I... am willing to travel north!"

Upon hearing that Uncle Jing had agreed to the matter, Zhu Cuiwei's fair face immediately lit up with excitement!

"Very well, Cuiwei thanks Uncle Jing!"

Seven days ago...

Both Yan Yuqing's Embroidered Uniform Guard and the eunuch Wang Bing's Bureau of Assassins have sent definite news... the Rakshasa have breached Aihui!

This news was brought back by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Directorate of Investigation and Statistics at breakneck speed, with countless lives lost.

Upon hearing this, she immediately summoned Yan Yuqing, Wang Bing, the cabinet ministers, Sun Chengshan, the ministers of the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War, as well as the left and right vice ministers of the Ministry of War, to analyze the matter together.

Grand Secretary Qin sat silently on the right, while Grand Secretary Li Xiangsong nodded and said, "Your Majesty, now is the opportune time to form an alliance with the Northern Dynasty!"

The Ministry of Rites hesitated for a moment, but still said, "The past events of Northern Zhao cannot be forgotten."

The Northern Zhao refused to ally with the Liao Dynasty to resist the Jin Dynasty, and was eventually destroyed by the Jin, leaving only half of its territory.

The Vice Minister objected, saying sternly:

"Can't we forget the past of the Northern Zhao? Can we forget the past of the Southern Zhao? The Southern Zhao wanted to ally with the Jin Dynasty to resist the Mongol Yuan, but it was still taken by the Jin Dynasty! ...Your Majesty, I believe this is an opportunity that should not be missed! The Northern Dynasty is full of wolfish ambitions. The alliance is just a temporary respite. Once the Rakshasa is gone, they will invade the south in an instant!"

Gao Congzhe waved his hand dismissively. He had been opposing an alliance with the Northern Dynasty for the past two months, saying, "Your Majesty, this is a golden opportunity! Great Liang should prepare its army for war and launch a swift northern expedition!"

Minister of War Luan Zongyuan loudly agreed with Vice Minister Gao.

The Minister of Revenue frowned and said, "Your Majesty, we have been investigating various regions for the past two months, and we have found many deficits. Governor Gu is still in Huguang procuring provisions, and although the local arsenals have been activated, military equipment is still lacking. I'm afraid the Northern Expedition is..."

The ministers held differing opinions.

Jia Shi'an was a confidant of the Emperor's elder brother, but his tenure as Vice Minister of War was still short, so he naturally did not utter a word during that time.

Two hours later, the court's strategy remained undecided, and the ministers continued their endless debate.

Zhu Cuiwei, along with Yan Yuqing and Wang Bing, relayed the thoughts of the court officials to her elder brother, the Emperor. The Emperor looked at her and said, "Your will must be firm..."

With her elder brother's approval, she gradually made up her mind...

"Uncle Jing,"

Zhu Cuiwei's eyes flickered with a complex expression for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

"At that time, you will be the chief envoy of the mission, and Jia Shi'an will be the deputy envoy, and you will travel together to the Northern Dynasty."

"It is not only to send that princess back to the north, but also to discuss the alliance between the two dynasties... While I am in Jiangnan, I should procure provisions, weapons, and muster the army... On the one hand, I should prepare to receive the land south of the Huai River ceded by the Northern Dynasty, and on the other hand..."

She paused, then said in her usual tone, "...ready at any time to assist the Northern Dynasty and drive out the Rakshasa!"

Zhu Cuiwei smiled at the carefree prince:

"Uncle Jing, when we arrive in the Northern Dynasty, you shall decide on the major matters, and as for the minor matters, you shall leave them to Jia Shi'an. You need not worry about them."

Leave all matters, big and small, to Jia Shi'an; you just need to be a wooden Bodhisattva who stamps the seal… Prince Jing naturally understood the meaning behind his niece's words, but he was not offended; on the contrary, he felt relieved.

As a member of the clan, he has enjoyed wealth and privilege for so many years. When it's time to contribute, he won't back down. But if you really entrust him with something, he doesn't have much confidence.

His niece made all the arrangements perfectly, and he smiled and agreed to everything.

After Uncle Jing returned.

Zhu Cuiwei's gaze became deep and complex. Not long after, she summoned Jia Shi'an again.

The thirty-six-year-old Vice Minister of War took a deep breath and solemnly addressed the Empress:

"With King Jing accompanying us on this mission, it should be enough to gain the trust of the Northern Dynasty."

"Alright." Zhu Cuiwei nodded slightly, looked at the Right Vice Minister of War, and instructed, "Minister Jia, please ensure the safety of Prince Jing!"