CHAPTER 667: CHAPTER 647: PEACE

Xie Jue understood Fengyu and knew her personality. Over the years, he had genuinely treated her as family, cherishing and caring for her. In the past, when their fathers and mothers were still around, Xie Jue was practically detached from worldly concerns, speaking little unless necessary, avoiding socializing for peace and quiet. If he wished, he could disappear into the deep mountains for days without anyone questioning him. He had no need to concern himself with worldly affairs or worry about anyone at home suffering illnesses uncared for.

But in the years spent in Ningzhou, knowing Fengyu was weak and that Xie Xun was occupied with military affairs, every time hunters ventured into the mountains with medicinal herbs meant for sustenance or when rare medicines secretly traded with the Beiman surfaced at the border, he sent them to West State, hoping Fengyu would regain her health and live a long life.

Every year at the turning of the year, if both he and Xie Xun were free, they would traverse mountains to West State, ensuring that Fengyu wouldn’t have to endure the cold winter on the road. He treated Fengyu as both a younger sister-in-law and a sister to care for, unwilling to see her heartbroken.

If not for his own circumstances, agreeing to Xie Xun’s requests wouldn’t have been an issue.

If he held no one in his heart, marrying anyone would be the same—keeping one or two women in the court, treating them with lavish comfort, without hassles or concerns. But Xie Jue was unwilling.

"The Princess is seeking an alliance, and you’re the one she’s aiming for. What use is seeking me?" Xie Jue remarked, "The High Priest’s goal is clear; could my child one day inherit the throne?"

"Why couldn’t it?" Xie Xun pressed, lips tightening. "Fengyu and I may never have children of our own. Even if by luck we had one, I couldn’t bear for her to suffer the pains of pregnancy again. If it’s a girl, what then? Naturally, we’d choose Second Brother’s child. Ruyi is still young. Isn’t this asking Second Brother to shoulder more and bear smarter children for us to choose from?"

Xie Jue couldn’t discern whether Xie Xun was purposefully taunting him. He suspected Fengyu might’ve said something to Xie Xun, who deliberately came to probe his limits by discussing children.

But upon seeing the earnest look in Xie Xun’s eyes, he felt he might’ve been overthinking.

Xie Xun had hinted several times: it was time for him to marry.

As the only Commandery Prince within the Beining Royal Family, his marriage had countless eyes fixed upon it. Every suitable girl in the capital dreamed of becoming Princess Consort Yan, even knowing that Ruyi was already established as the eldest legitimate heir, loved not only by Prince Yan but also by Xie Xun. When Xie Xun ascended the throne and granted Xie Jue his title, Xie Jue promptly requested the title of Princely Heir. Xie Xun, in his fondness, elevated him to Commandery Prince—making Ruyi’s birthright unquestionable.

Even if future children were born into Prince Yan Mansion, none could surpass Ruyi.

"Focus on having children with Ayu; don’t count on me!" With cold indifference, Xie Jue rejected Xie Xun’s expectant gaze.

Xie Xun didn’t dare curse his Second Brother; internally, he only scolded a certain "seductive fox."

"...Fine!" Xie Xun sighed heavily, "It’s truly pitiful how sparse the lineage of the Beining Royal Family has become."

Xie Jue, "..."

The ministers and High Priest finished their discussions, and it was already late into the night, past the third period. Some matters remained unresolved, and they had to disband, leaving the High Priest to further consult with Dugu Jing. Lin Helin, whose throat was parched to the point of discomfort, sat in the hall sipping cool tea to soothe it. Zhang Boju was just about to say something when Xie Jue and Xie Xun arrived.

Lin Hongyuan and others couldn’t endure the late hour and had gone to rest earlier. Only Lin Helin and Zhang Boju remained in the hall. Both rose and prepared to bow when Xie Xun raised a hand, "No need for formalities. Sit. I’ve ordered Jinhua Palace to be prepared; you can rest in the palace tonight. If there is anything lacking, just inform the Rituals Bureau attendants; they’ll prepare it for you."

Jinhua Palace lay nearby, and with many halls within the Imperial Palace left vacant, its inner and outer sections served distinct functions. Officials deliberated matters within the outer halls, and Fengyu had personally ordered for them to be tidied. If officials were busy late into the night, they could rest in these halls, sparing the trouble of traveling back and forth in harsh winters, where heavy snow and biting winds risked illness and prevented proper rest.

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Xie Xun and Xie Jue sat down, the palace attendants served Lin Helin, Zhang Boju, and the others steaming-hot noodles to warm their stomachs.

After thanking the Emperor once more, Lin Helin and Zhang Boju ate slowly. Xie Xun often kept this group of young Cabinet officials around for discussions, becoming accustomed to chatting over meals—a habit formed in Ningzhou.

At first, Lin Helin, Zhang Boju, and the others found it unusual; later, they gradually adapted.

The two brothers sipped hot tea while reviewing the negotiation records, finding most terms already agreed upon. Lin Helin and the Minister of Honglu Temple worked well together, ensuring Beining reached its desired goals. Among them, securing the valuable red sand mines had been far easier than in previous negotiations.

Staring at Lin Helin’s annotations on the red sand mines, Xie Jue felt a complex turmoil. If not for these mines, Yuwen Jing might not have killed their elder brother.

The proposed marriage alliance remained unresolved, as expected, marked especially in the negotiations regarding territories and troop numbers. Once Lin Helin and Zhang Boju finished their meal, palace attendants cleared the tableware and brought in fresh hot tea.

Urgently, Xie Xun asked, "Does the Beiman King still insist on territorial autonomy?"

"Yes," Lin Helin answered while wiping his hands with a warm towel, his tone measured. "He wants the sealed territory in Ningzhou and troop numbers elevated from three thousand to ten thousand."

"Impossible!" Before Xie Xun could voice his rejection, Xie Jue had already opposed firmly. "Troop numbers could be raised to ten thousand, but the sealed territory must not be Ningzhou, nor any northern region. Allocate land in Zhongzhou or carve an area from one of the other twelve states. Ningzhou is a military stronghold guarded by the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. If ten thousand Beiman troops were stationed there, conflicts would be inevitable given years of enmity. Even if they surrendered, disputes would arise, and governance would prove exceedingly difficult."

Lin Helin nodded, "We’ve been adamant that Ningzhou cannot be granted as sealed territory, and it must remain under the governance of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. The High Priest has insisted strongly; it seems Dugu Jing is the one demanding this. He cannot make the decision himself and indicates he’ll discuss further with Dugu Jing."

"Such hassle—bring Dugu Jing here to negotiate himself. If he wants anything, let him propose it outright. This back-and-forth is a waste of time," Xie Xun frowned, displeased.

Xie Jue and Lin Helin simultaneously paused with subtly nuanced expressions, both choosing to sip their tea in silence. Zhang Boju noted, "Your Majesty, the Beiman must save face. If Dugu Jing enters negotiations personally, it signals Beiman’s softened stance and willingness to submit. From that point on, any negotiations will place them at a disadvantage."

"Now that he hasn’t come, we already understand Beiman’s intentions. What difference does it make? These evasions are pointless—honesty is better," Xie Xun commented with faint bewilderment. If the High Priest didn’t wish to negotiate, he wouldn’t have begun talks. Wanting benefits while maintaining appearances was truly perplexing.

"In international negotiations, gestures must be made; it would be unwise to reveal all cards upfront," Zhang Boju remarked with a chuckle. "Beiman’s willingness to concede is largely influenced by the weather. According to one Beiman soldier, years of harsh winters have been increasingly extreme. Previously arable lands for farming and livestock have become snow-covered wastelands, with annual casualties of frozen cattle, sheep, and people. Sha Ling Tian Mountain acts as a natural barrier, keeping the severe cold at the borders of Beining. Enduring worsening conditions year by year, without relocation, Beiman faces the risk of extinction. Were it not for survival, Beiman wouldn’t be so desperate to cross into Ningzhou. Unable to win through force, they now seek compromise."

Having visited Beiman, Xie Jue understood the region’s dire conditions. The differences between winter in Beiman and Ningzhou were stark despite being separated only by Sha Ling Tian Mountain. During severe winters, snowfall in Beiman could bury homes overnight. For Beiman to survive on such land for so many years and sustain a valiant army was already remarkable. But now, as the ice and snow encroach on habitable areas, their survival space has been squeezed tightly, making them urgently seek peace. Unable to resolve matters through military strength, surrender was the only option left.