RWNEFE -Chapter 249 Yuanjing and Kang Zhu’s Political Marriage!

Envious voices rose one after another behind Baru.

“Chief, they’re even wearing jade pendants at their waists.”

“They’ve got money pouches too—heavy ones. You can tell they’re loaded!”

“Some of them are wearing headpieces, Chief. Those look like they’re made of gold.”

“Chief, they’re wearing leather boots!”

“Chief…”

Amid all the calls of “Chief,” Baru began to doubt his own eyes.

“Hurry—go find out exactly what they’re here for!”

These people clearly came from well-off families. But if they were truly wealthy, why would they come to the northwest to throw their lives away?

Before long, Baru’s men returned.

“Chief, we’ve confirmed it. They really are here to enlist!”

For a moment, Baru’s emotions were extremely complicated.

After yet another sleepless night, Baru went to see Shen Lanxi.

“General, I can help you persuade the surrounding tribes, but I have one condition!”

Shen Lanxi said, “Speak.”

Baru lowered his eyes and suddenly said, “Our Oirat tribe wants to form a political marriage with you!”

Clang!

The teacup in Ban Sicao’s hand flipped over, soaking Cheng Zheng’s desk.

“Old Cheng, why did you suddenly look up? You scared me!”

Cheng Zheng shot Ban Sicao a sideways glare. Ban Sicao quickly chuckled ingratiatingly, rolled up his sleeves, and wiped the desk for him.

“Sorry, brother—my hand slipped!”

Cheng Zheng rolled his eyes at him without mercy.

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow, amused. “Say that again.”

Baru slapped his own mouth.

“Sorry—got excited and left out a few words!”

Ban Sicao: “…”

You might as well have left the whole thing out!

“I have a younger sister!” Baru said with an embarrassed smile.

Shen Lanxi blinked. “I understand.”

“I have many brothers, but they’re all busy elsewhere. Only one stays by my side!”

Shen Yuanjing felt his head explode.

Why was the conversation suddenly turning toward him? Was this about him? Had he heard wrong?

Baru glanced at Shen Yuanjing, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. This man was a bit thin, his shoulders not broad enough, his waist looked weak, and his legs were as skinny as poles—not sturdy at all.

“General, may I ask whether your younger brother is, like you, born with great strength?”

Shen Yuanjing let out a long breath of relief. He wasn’t—he was frail.

Shen Lanxi said calmly, “Aside from him, I also have several other brothers who are brave and extraordinary. They should be back in a few days.”

Baru understood immediately.

“My sister Kang Zhu is the pearl of our Oirat tribe—the most beautiful woman among us!”

Shen Lanxi smiled and nodded. She shouldn’t disgrace her brothers.

“My sister is healthy and strong like me. She once killed a small calf with a single punch!”

Shen Lanxi: “…”

Shen Yuanjing let out a long sigh of relief.

What he’d expected to be a difficult matter was resolved surprisingly quickly. In less than three days, Baru came to see Shen Lanxi again.

“My sister Kang Zhu has taken a liking to Commander Shen.”

Shen Lanxi discreetly sized up Baru’s expression, then ordered someone to summon Shen Yuanjing.

Baru, meanwhile, went to fetch his sister.

“Yuanjing, have you already met Kang Zhu?”

Shen Yuanjing nodded shyly and explained what had happened.

“That day I happened to be practicing martial arts when a woman came over, whip in hand, and challenged me to a spar. Only afterward did I learn her name was Kang Zhu.”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes flickered. “You’ve heard the condition Baru mentioned earlier.”

Shen Yuanjing immediately said, “Elder Sister, I’m willing!”

Shen Lanxi asked, “Why?”

Rarely bashful, Shen Yuanjing said, “I think she’s a bit like you—very brave. When Zhou Yunyue saw her sparring with me, she tried to hit Kang Zhu. Kang Zhu wasn’t afraid of Zhou Yunyue and hit her back.”

Shen Lanxi looked at her younger brother thoughtfully.

“Marriage is not child’s play.”

Shen Yuanjing said solemnly, “Elder Sister, I truly want to marry Kang Zhu.”

Footsteps sounded outside as Baru and his sister arrived.

Shen Lanxi looked at Kang Zhu, then at Baru. From their appearances alone, you wouldn’t think they were siblings at all.

Recalling how Baru had praised his sister, Shen Lanxi thought of one phrase: seeing is believing.

Aside from having darker skin, Kang Zhu had delicate features and a good figure.

“General, this is my sister, Kang Zhu!” Baru introduced.

Kang Zhu had long heard from her brother that the commander guarding the northwest had been replaced by a female general. She had always wanted to meet her, and now that she finally could, she was very happy.

“Greetings, General!”

Shen Lanxi nodded lightly.

“I’ve heard about the matter between you and my brother.”

“Are you willing to marry him?”

Kang Zhu glanced shyly at Shen Yuanjing and nodded bashfully.

“I am willing.”

Shen Lanxi said, “Good. As the political marriage between Great Zhou and the foreign tribes, I must submit a memorial to the Emperor of Great Zhou. Once the details are explained and approved, we’ll then discuss the wedding.”

Hearing that the emperor’s approval was needed, worry immediately filled Kang Zhu’s face.

“But you needn’t worry,” Shen Lanxi continued. “His Majesty will certainly agree. You can start preparing now.” Such a good opportunity—if it were her, she wouldn’t just agree; she’d personally grant the marriage.

At that, a smile spread across Kang Zhu’s face.

“All right. You and Yuanjing may go now. I have matters to discuss with your brother.”

Baru nodded to his sister.

Shen Yuanjing and Kang Zhu left side by side—one smiling with lips pressed together, the other shy and demure.

Baru said, “I’ll set off at once to contact the various tribes. If I don’t succeed, I won’t come back!”

Shen Lanxi replied, “Good. If you succeed, I’ll petition the Emperor of Great Zhou to grant you all the grasslands west of the northwest, help you take revenge, and let you command all the tribes of the steppe!”

Baru’s spirits soared. He bowed deeply and withdrew at once.

…

Zhou Yunyue was in a sorry state. She had cried herself nearly blind, yet no one paid her any attention.

She was a princess of Great Zhou, yet Shen Yuanjing had actually sided with that lowly slave and bullied her. She would make that slave die!

That lowly slave had even dared to seduce Shen Yuanjing. Even if she didn’t care for Shen Yuanjing, no other woman was allowed to look at him!

“Shen Lanxi! I want to see Shen Lanxi! Tell her to come see me!” Zhou Yunyue shouted toward the gate.

No one responded. Not a single sound.

Every one of them was a lowly slave, all bullying her!

If this were the imperial palace, all their heads would already have rolled.

She was going to find Shen Lanxi. Shen Lanxi was Shen Yuanjing’s elder sister—she would make Shen Lanxi discipline Shen Yuanjing and see if he still dared look at other women.

“What are you doing? Why are you hanging up red silk?”

Zhou Yunyue asked, but no one answered. She snorted coldly and stormed off to find Shen Lanxi.

“Shen Lanxi! Those red silks belong to my marriage procession. Why are you hanging them up? Are you planning a political marriage?!”

Shen Lanxi had gone to inspect the camp. Only Che Mingyuan and Cheng Zheng were present.

Cheng Zheng wrote a few strokes: “You are no longer a princess. Naturally, the red cloth is for the political marriage.”

Zhou Yunyue glared at Cheng Zheng with an ugly expression. “Are you mute? If you can’t speak, let someone else talk!”

Cheng Zheng’s expression turned cold.

Che Mingyuan had arrived just yesterday and was seeing Zhou Yunyue for the first time.

“So this is the one who abandoned the northwest’s civilians and refused to go for a political marriage?”