Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1602 Imperial Edict Issued (Bonus Chapter for 203 Million Votes)

Jiang Wange believed that this was her bargaining chip to turn her life around.

But the reality is that she is still locked in this dark and gloomy place.

Nangong Xuanyu needs her intelligence, yet he also fears her.

The so-called ten days of freedom are more like a carrot dangling in front of your eyes. You can see it, but you don't know when you'll be able to eat it.

The Xiongnu envoy is still in the Great Zhou...

Was this why the emperor continued to delay?

They were afraid she might cause trouble if she went out, and that the Xiongnu would notice something was wrong.

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Li Changde respectfully relayed the report from the guards of Yawen Garden to Nangong Xuanyu.

The emperor's face remained expressionless, but his eyes deepened.

Of course, he hadn't forgotten about it.

Jiang Wange is an eccentric woman with many suspicious aspects, but she does possess extraordinary skills.

Gunpowder is a terrifyingly powerful substance, of extraordinary significance to both the nation and the military.

The battle in the northern border region has already shown its initial strength.

He definitely needs her to keep thinking and come up with something even more amazing.

However, this woman was restless, knew too much, and had no respect for the palace.

Releasing her would be quite risky.

Nangong Xuanyu said, "The Xiongnu envoy is still in the capital. This woman acts unpredictably. If we let her go out and wander around, talking nonsense, or if the Xiongnu spies accidentally discover something, it will only cause more trouble."

Li Changde bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty's considerations are comprehensive."

"However... Lady Jiang used this as an excuse to question her every day, which put the guards in a difficult position. Moreover, she implied that if she were confined for too long, it would not be helpful for her to figure out new things."

"Hmph, she certainly knows how to bargain!"

Nangong Xuanyu snorted coldly, pondered for a moment, and finally made a decision: "Tell her that my word is law and I will not go back on my word."

"I grant her ten days of freedom. But she must wait patiently until the Xiongnu delegation leaves the capital."

If he needs to use people, he has to give them something to look forward to.

After the Xiongnu envoys left the capital, Jiang Wange was released again to operate under their watchful eyes for a few days. This would both appease her and ensure her continued service, while minimizing the risk.

Li Changde replied, "This servant understands. I will send someone to Yawen Garden to deliver the message."

……

In the blink of an eye, the first month of the lunar calendar is coming to an end.

The daily verbal battles within the Court of State Ceremonial, seemingly complex and lengthy, were in fact a test of calculation and probing by both sides at every step.

The officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty, led by Gu Jinxiao, engaged in a protracted tug-of-war with the Xiongnu envoys headed by Luan Di Yi Tu.

Every penny transferred, every warhorse's quality defined, and every princess's right protected required several rounds of negotiation.

Gu Jinxiao refused to yield an inch.

Meanwhile, Luan Di Yi Tu and others, after their initial tough stance, revealed a willingness to yield in order to achieve greater things, disregarding minor details. However, the extent and timing of their concessions were always carefully calculated.

They each have their own version of events.

The Zhou dynasty sought practical benefits and prestige, while the Xiongnu sought respite and deeper schemes.

Meanwhile, the tireless investigation by the Marquis of Zhongyong and his son finally yielded results.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Marquis Zhongyong and Zhou Yuxi secretly met with the emperor again.

"His Majesty."

Marquis Zhongyong reported in a deep voice: "News has come back from the northern frontier that the Xiongnu are not a monolithic entity after their defeat last year."

"Although Luan Di Yi Tu firmly held the position of Left Wise King based on his military achievements and background, his uncle, the Right Wise King, as well as several tribal leaders whose strength had been weakened by this battle, had long harbored resentment towards him. They believed that he was too eager for quick success and instant benefits, which led to a great defeat and damaged the vitality of the Xiongnu."

"Luan Di Yi Tu urgently needs a meritorious achievement or strong external support to consolidate his position and deter internal forces."

Zhou Yuxi continued, "In addition, our scouts have discovered that the Xiongnu have recently been experiencing increased friction with several nomadic tribes in the west, with fierce competition for pastures."

"Luan Di Yi Tu suffered a setback on the eastern front, and he probably intends to take advantage of this marriage alliance with the Great Zhou to free up his hands to either intimidate or deal with those restless neighbors to the west."

"Seeking to marry the princess would, firstly, allow him to leverage the prestige of the Great Zhou Dynasty to consolidate his power; secondly, he might also be using this opportunity to more easily spy on our dynasty... especially the secrets of gunpowder."

"They do have undercover agents operating in the capital, but they are extremely secretive and have not yet caused any major disturbances. Their targets seem to be mostly probing the political climate at court, as well as the Ministry of Works, the Directorate of Works, and other institutions that may be related to arms manufacturing."

Nangong Xuanyu listened quietly, a layer of frost forming in his eyes.

Sure enough.

Internal instability and external threats remain. This is the real reason why Luan Di Yi Tu Ken lowered his proud head and offered a bargain for peace.

To consolidate their power, intimidate those around them, and even covet gunpowder...

This grassland wolf has never had a small appetite!

Nangong Xuanyu scoffed, "Do the Xiongnu think they can find the gunpowder formula by marrying a princess of the Great Zhou? What wishful thinking!"

The main formula for that stuff was only known superficially by the most skilled craftsmen in the Ministry of Works. The true key to the proportions was firmly in the hands of the emperor and a very small number of people, and their control was decentralized.

Such secrets are not easily pried into by outsiders.

If Luan Di Yi Tu Ruo Zhen really had this plan, he was being far too naive and underestimating Nangong Xuan Yu.

However, the intelligence from the spies also confirmed Niannian's previous guesses and the emperor's own judgment.

Since both sides have needs and the conditions have been negotiated to a reasonable extent.

The proportion of border cities was set at a level that was quite favorable to the Great Zhou.

The annual tribute was reduced by 30%, but a portion of it had to be offset by warhorses.

Thanks to Gu Jinxiao's efforts, most of the princess's entourage, officials, salary, and basic security after marriage were written into the draft agreement.

Only issues such as succession, which involve sensitive internal affairs of the Xiongnu, could not be fully agreed upon in the end. However, it was agreed that, according to the old customs of the Xiongnu, the children born to the princess should be given the honors they deserved.

Overall, this impending agreement, on the surface, greatly safeguards the dignity and interests of the Great Zhou as a victorious nation.

As for the scheming behind the scenes, that depends on each person's own abilities.

The time has come.

On the 27th day of the first lunar month, the first rays of dawn appeared.

A bright yellow imperial edict was issued from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, passed through the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court, and finally reached the residence of Princess Yun'an. It was also publicly announced to the Six Ministries and the court.

"...Your Highness Princess Yun'an is renowned for your gentleness and virtue. Now, the Left Wise King of the Xiongnu has respectfully presented a letter from his state, earnestly requesting a marriage alliance to secure the borders forever. I appreciate his sincerity and consider the well-being of the people of both nations, and thus grant your request. Princess Yun'an will be sent to the Xiongnu, and an auspicious day will be chosen for her marriage."

"All ceremonial procedures shall be discussed in detail by the Ministry of Rites, the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, and the Court of State Ceremonial, and reported back. This shall be proclaimed throughout the land so that all may be informed. This is the imperial decree!"

Princess Yun'an's Mansion.

Dressed in plain clothes and without makeup, she knelt upright on the cold ground, listening to Li Changde's high-pitched voice.

Princess Yun'an's face remained expressionless.

Only after the imperial decree was read aloud and Li Changde urged her to express her gratitude did she kowtow. Her forehead hit the ground with a dull thud, but no more tears could flow.

She had expected this outcome, hadn't she?