TFWYH – Chapter 754 The Thoughts of Two Nations

Only then did the Southern Barbarians and the Northern Frontier realize that the legendary Feng Kingdom had also sent envoys!

Now this was troublesome.

The Celestial Empire was already difficult enough to deal with. Their purpose in coming this time had been to stir up a little trouble and make things difficult for the empire.

But…

The Feng Dynasty!

According to legend, it was a nation no weaker than the Celestial Empire itself.

If those two great powers joined hands, it would be a true alliance of giants!

Would there still be any room left for the Southern Barbarians and the Northern Frontier to survive?

That night, the envoys from both nations found themselves unable to sleep and gathered for discussions.

On the Southern Barbarian side, the envoys all tried to persuade Ali Zhuo.

“Your Highness, our plans must be put on hold for now. Until we understand the Feng Kingdom’s stance, we absolutely must not offend the Celestial Empire.”

“Indeed. The Southern Barbarians are already a small nation. Dealing with the Celestial Empire alone is exhausting enough. If the Feng Kingdom joins them, the consequences would be unimaginable.”

The constant advice from both envoys only irritated Ali Zhuo further.

“Then what do you expect me to do? Wag my tail and beg for mercy from the very empire that slaughtered our people?”

The two envoys exchanged glances before one of them said,

“If we can drive a wedge between the two nations, that would naturally be best. If not… then an alliance by marriage may be the answer. The Northern Frontier has brought along their Fourth Princess; I suspect that is their intention as well. We might as well follow suit.”

“A marriage alliance?”

Ali Zhuo narrowed his eyes dangerously. Remembering the humiliation he had suffered that day, he suddenly laughed.

“Very well. A marriage alliance. This prince has yet to take an official consort. I might as well marry that County Lady Wengnai and give her a proper lesson after bringing her home.”

The envoys were alarmed.

“But… Your Highness, County Lady Wengnai wears the hairstyle of a married woman. She is already wed.”

Ali Zhuo sneered.

“So what? She’s merely a county lady—a minister’s wife. Surely that old emperor of the Celestial Empire won’t be reluctant to part with her? Exchanging one woman for friendly relations between two nations—especially a woman who’s already been married—if anything, this prince is the one suffering a loss.”

The two envoys: …

Everything about their prince was fine—except that he had no understanding of his own position.

Not every prince was automatically revered.

Especially not one standing on foreign soil.

That County Lady Wengnai hadn’t shown him the slightest courtesy. What made him think she would agree to marry him?

And hadn’t Huangfu Yi explicitly said that she was greatly favored by the emperor?

Did he truly believe the emperor would give her away?

Had he forgotten that they were the defeated nation?

Meanwhile, in the Northern Frontier camp…

Kui Ni paced back and forth thoughtfully.

“If the Feng Kingdom establishes friendly relations with the Celestial Empire, then the matter of the dragon vein must be shelved for the time being.”

Hangu Li frowned.

“Royal Brother, have you contacted the First Prince?”

At the mention of Huangfu Xiao, Kui Ni became irritated.

“That man is as cunning as a fox. He always speaks ambiguously. In my opinion, unless we offer him two thousand warhorses, he won’t give a definite answer. And even if he does, how can we know whether the location he provides is genuine? Never forget—his surname is still Huangfu. He remains a prince of the Celestial Empire.”

What kind of prince would lead outsiders to destroy his own nation’s dragon vein?

Hangu Li replied coldly,

“In that case, should I still choose him as my marriage candidate? Isn’t either Huangfu Yi or Huangfu Que far superior to him? Perhaps…”

A chilling gleam flashed across her eyes.

“Perhaps I should choose Huangfu Yi and eliminate the God of War of the Celestial Empire for Father Emperor.”

Kui Ni looked worried.

“But how would you escape afterward?”

Hangu Li answered calmly,

“Your sister has no need to escape. The Northern Frontier can survive without its Fourth Princess. But if the Celestial Empire loses Huangfu Yi, it will be as though it has severed one of its own arms. Which matter weighs more heavily should be obvious to you, Royal Brother.”

“But…”

“Royal Brother, the greater good must come first.”

She interrupted him, her expression turning resentful.

“I have long grown tired of this. Why should the Celestial Empire possess such fertile and prosperous lands, while our Northern Frontier is confined to barren wastes? Scorching summers, bitter winters—our people lack proper clothing and enough food to eat. As a princess of the Northern Frontier, enjoying the people’s labor and taxes, I must lead by example and seek blessings for our citizens, even at personal cost.”

Kui Ni looked ashamed.

“I, your elder brother, have not seen things as clearly as you.”

Seeing this, Hangu Li softened her tone.

“Royal Brother, unlike the imperial descendants of the Celestial Empire, who scheme endlessly against one another, we of the Northern Frontier, though not born of the same mother, all love our nation deeply. Father Emperor taught us from childhood: A nation cannot stand without its people, nor can a king exist without the nation.

“The king is, in truth, a sacrifice offered by the people to the state. By accepting the fruits of their labor and their very lifeblood, the ruler repays them with his own willingness to sacrifice for the prosperity of the nation.

“You are the Crown Prince—the future ruler of the Northern Frontier. You must always remember these words.”

“I… am ashamed.”

Kui Ni cupped his hands respectfully, deeply moved and impressed by his younger sister’s conviction.

…