RPAGF Chapter 224: The First Battle Banner Opens, Leaving Only Piles of Bones
Chapter 224: The First Battle Banner Opens, Leaving Only Piles of Bones
Qin Yi really wanted to cover her ears and turn away, not wanting to hear this nonsense, but upon hearing the last sentence, she subconsciously put down the foot she had already raised.
"He didn't force me." Qin Yizhen bit her lip. "Royal sister, this is all our own business, please don't worry about it, okay?"
Please, just pretend you're blind and know nothing, okay?
Princess Huizhen said "Oh," and then added, "So it seems you did it willingly. I thought it was my uncle who was lustful and tried to force himself on me, like those bullies who prey on men and women..."
Before Princess Huizhen could finish speaking, Qin Yizhen's face darkened.
What kind of talk is this? In her eyes, is that really the kind of person her uncle is?
Cheng Yan has really wasted all these years of pampering her.
"You're so idle, why don't you think about yourself? Your mother and your uncle both want you to get married as soon as possible. Let alone whether you can marry someone you like, you have to get married first."
A princess of a country, upon reaching a certain age, if she neither gets engaged nor married, isn't she afraid that she might actually be forced into a political marriage?
If that time really comes, she won't even have tears left to cry. If she doesn't want to get married then, wouldn't that just cause trouble for Empress Dowager Cheng and Dong Qin?
One doesn't need to make great contributions to the country, but at least one should avoid causing trouble!
When the topic of marriage came up, Princess Huizhen's expression also turned sour: "I do want to get married, but Xie Zhan disagrees. If Xie Zhan disagrees, then the Empress Dowager won't issue a decree. What can I do?"
"Xie Zhan, Xie Zhan, why do you insist on Xie Zhan?" Qin Yizhen couldn't understand. "If he also has feelings for you, and you are mutually in love, and there are obstacles between you, and you are determined to marry him, I would agree. After all, true love is rare in this world."
“But he doesn’t care about you at all. He’s made it perfectly clear to you that he won’t marry you. Why are you still clinging to him? There are countless men in the world. If this one doesn’t work out, just look for another.”
"Is it because he doesn't like you that you feel resentful and have to get him, otherwise you can't get over it?"
"Elder sister, I'm not trying to criticize you, but sometimes you need to be able to distinguish between what's important and what's not. What's most important for you right now is to get married as soon as possible, not to hold a grudge just to save face."
Princess Huizhen's face darkened: "Does that mean I can't refuse to marry?"
"Alright." Qin Yizhen nodded. "But if one day it really comes down to a marriage alliance, and they specifically ask for you, the legitimate princess, then don't make things difficult for your mother and the emperor, nor for the civil and military officials in the court. Just put on your wedding dress and go for the marriage alliance."
Princess Huizhen was immediately speechless.
Qin Yizhen sighed: "I know that you are so reckless and disregard the consequences because you rely on the Empress Dowager's love for you. But when that day comes, if you don't want to marry, the Empress Dowager will make plans for you. If it's not someone else who will do it for you, then you should simply not marry and not form a marriage alliance between the two countries."
"But have you considered how much your mother will have to bear for this? Why should anyone else make such a sacrifice for you?"
“You are a princess, the princess of a country, a golden branch and jade leaf, precious and noble, supported by the people. If one day the country is in trouble and you are needed to quell it, then it is time for you to stand up.”
When Qin Yizhen married Cheng Yan at the age of twelve, she also felt it was extremely absurd. However, Cheng Yan held too much military power, and the people in the court were not at peace. Emperor Jing'an was too young, and it was difficult for Empress Dowager Cheng to rule alone. The various vassal kings harbored disloyal thoughts.
In order to stabilize the court and win over the hearts of the people, she still got married.
Princess Huizhen said, "But I have heard a saying, 'Send me, a concubine, to secure the country; I wonder where a general is needed.'"
Qin Yizhen said, "I have also heard of 'One man sent a letter, two men died in battle,' and 'Pitiable bones by the Wuding River, still the dream of a woman in her boudoir.'"
"War is so bitter. Once the battle flag is raised, there are piles of bones. Yesterday's hot-blooded soldiers are today wrapped in horsehide and die. Their blood has turned cold. How many families are broken, how many parents have lost their sons, and how many children have lost their fathers."
"The general said that our princess should not be humiliated. As a princess of a country, she should also cherish the lives of her soldiers. If that day really comes, it is her duty to pay the price."
Princess Huizhen was annoyed by her words: "You make it sound so easy. If it were you, would you have gone?"
"Of course I will." Qin Yizhen said without hesitation. "My family loves me, and my country respects me. They call me Princess. If that day ever comes, I will have no other choice."
Princess Huizhen was speechless, unable to utter a word for a moment.
“Elder sister, if you were from an ordinary family, you could marry or not as you please. But you are a princess, the Empress Dowager’s own daughter, and His Majesty’s own elder sister. If you do not want to be married off for political reasons, you should get married as soon as possible. Don’t make things difficult for the Empress Dowager, and don’t cause unpleasantness between the two countries because of you.”
Marrying someone would solve all her problems; someone would pave the way for her entire life. Instead, she insisted on making a scene in the imperial court, debating "marrying the princess or going to war." She was truly being incredibly unreasonable.
She even dared to say with such self-righteousness, "I'll send my concubine to secure the country, but I don't know where to find a general."
A way to avoid this has already been given. Not only her, but also Princess Shuzhen and Princess Xunzhen, should get married as soon as they reach the appropriate age.
When that time comes, if my Eastern Qin has no princess of marriageable age and wants to arrange a marriage alliance, fine, let your princess marry into our country. We are happy to arrange a marriage alliance. Then we will put the princess into Emperor Jing'an's harem, and the matter will be resolved.
Princess Huizhen dragged things out until the sky fell, and then she said that you people are incompetent and why should I be the one to sacrifice myself. This is really unreasonable.
In truth, Xie Zhan's dislike of Princess Huizhen was not without reason.
Princess Huizhen was too selfish and self-centered, only caring about her own carefree life and not about the life and death of others. It is understandable that he was unhappy to have such a wife.
Qin Yizhen sighed: "Your mother has already spoken to you, your uncle has spoken to you, and now I'm reminding you. If you insist on doing this, you will really have a hard time in the future, and you can't blame anyone else."
Princess Huizhen was starting to panic: "Is there really no other way to go?"
"No." Qin Yizhen shook her head.
"Do you have any way to get Xie Zhan to agree to marry me?"
“No, that’s even less likely.” Qin Yizhen shook her head again. “Not to mention Xie Zhan himself wouldn’t agree, the Xie family wouldn’t even consider it.”
Although you've kept your affair a secret and not many people know about it, the Xie family is probably aware of it.
"The Xie family has been a distinguished family for centuries, with a noble and upright tradition. Xie Zhan is the eldest son of the direct line. How could the future head of the Xie family be willing to let you into the family?"
"No matter how many benefits you offer, the Xie family will not agree. You should give up on this idea and choose someone else."