Chapter 137

The companionship of a kindred spirit, where one could drink and discuss the grand matters of life like the flowing waters over high mountains, had now, in a single night, transformed into the image of a beautiful woman.

To Lord Ji, this change was nothing short of a world-shattering event.

Even though he had mentally prepared himself in advance, he still found it difficult to fully accept.

If there ever came a chance in the future to once again sit with Young Master Jiang, how could he open his heart as freely as before, speaking candidly about the gains and losses of the world, laughing at the fleeting nature of life?

Seeing Lord Ji hesitate and remain where he was, Jiang Xiurun stepped forward with a faint smile and said, “The envoy from Qi attending this alliance meeting brings great honor to our humble Bo. Please, take a seat.”

With that, she stepped aside in invitation.

Ji Binglin gazed at the face before him—so similar to the one in his memories, yet now exuding an unparalleled radiance, making the golden goblets and jade vessels around her seem dim in comparison.

He was momentarily dazed, unable to move, staring blankly at Jiang Xiurun.

The envoys representing each state were sent according to their country’s standing and power.

As the foremost empire, Qi naturally maintained a grander presence, with Ji Binglin leading a retinue of over ten golden-armored guards who followed closely behind him, standing tall and imposing.

At this moment, one of the guards—a robust man with a wasp waist and an ape-like back—subtly glanced at the other guards.

Immediately, a guard on Ji Binglin’s right stepped forward and whispered something in his ear.

Ji Binglin, as if suddenly waking from a dream, let out an “Ah” and quickly moved forward, taking the seat that Jiang Xiurun had indicated.

The golden-armored guards positioned themselves behind him.

These guards stood as rigid as temple guardians, their eyes fixed straight ahead.

Only the wasp-waisted, ape-backed guard, who seemed to be their leader, occasionally lifted his gaze to scan Jiang Xiurun and the assembled rulers, as if always on alert for any unforeseen dangers.

Jiang Xiurun, too, found this curious.

She wondered where this lead guard had come from, for even just his stance and bearing distinguished him from the others.

She couldn’t help but take a few more glances at him.

The guard was highly perceptive, instantly meeting her gaze.

Startled, Jiang Xiurun quickly shifted her eyes away and resumed speaking with Ji Binglin.

Yet, she had the distinct feeling that the guard had stared at her for quite some time before finally looking elsewhere.

She stole another glance, but by then, he had already turned his attention elsewhere.

By this time, the rulers of the various states had left their seats and gathered around Ji Binglin, seizing the opportunity to both exchange pleasantries and probe for Qi’s next move.

Ji Binglin greeted each monarch and spoke highly of Qi’s new emperor, Feng Liwu, calling him a rare and benevolent ruler who sought the prosperity of all under heaven, eliminating harm, and upholding mutual benefit.

Yet, despite his eloquence, he did not reveal a single detail of Qi’s actual plans.

Jiang Xiurun remained concerned that Feng Liwu had not let go of her escape and was deeply interested in what he intended to do next.

However, she also knew that in such a setting, Ji Binglin would never reveal anything truthful.

A private conversation would be necessary to see if she could use their past acquaintance to persuade him into divulging any clues about Qi’s movements.

The excitement surrounding the arrival of Qi’s envoy soon died down, and the rulers turned their attention to the purpose of their gathering.

A meeting of monarchs was no easy feat; they had to establish some agreements to make the assembly worthwhile.

Earlier, Liang had proposed that the allied states should support each other and adopt policies of mutual benefit.

Judging by Liu Pei’s proposal, Liang appeared so generous that it could move people to tears.

Liang offered to provide protection to the northwestern states, allowing them to live without fear—so long as they paid tribute to Liang.

In the past, Liang had already used its military might to forcibly “lend” its protection to several smaller states in exchange for annual tributes.

Some of these states had suffered for it, turning pale at the mere suggestion, their resentment barely contained.

Others, currently entangled in conflicts of their own, were delighted and inquired about the tribute amount.

Still, others remained silent, observing the situation unfold.

The meeting hall quickly descended into a heated debate.

Jiang Xiurun immediately saw through Liu Pei’s scheme and simply sat quietly, waiting for the discussion to play out.

She knew that Liang had suffered considerable losses in its previous attempt to manipulate Qi by purchasing silk at high prices and selling grain at low prices, only to be thwarted by Qi’s swift countermeasures.

Now, Liang sought to recover those losses from the northwestern states, shifting the burden onto its neighbors.

However, with Qi’s envoy present, Liang refrained from discussing the matter further in public.

Without immediate personal stakes in the debate, the rulers gradually abandoned their hostility, turning instead to drinking and feasting.

Jiang Xiurun also called for her attendants to serve wine, while music and dance performances began.

The grand hall was soon filled with flowing sleeves and graceful movements, turning the alliance meeting into a night of revelry that lasted until sunset before finally dispersing.

Mei City was renowned throughout the northwest for its hot springs, a reputation long known to the visiting rulers.

Naturally, after the meeting, they wished to indulge in the famous waters.

While Mei City had many hot springs, their prestige and water quality varied, and selecting which ruler would bathe in which spring was no simple task.

A careless arrangement could inadvertently offend someone.

Thus, Jiang Xiurun took great care in assisting her brother with these arrangements, which took her a full hour to complete.

Afterward, she fed her son, Baoli, and patted his back until he burped.

The little boy clung to his mother, burying his face in her embrace, stretching out his tiny feet for her to nibble on as he suckled his fingers with a giggle.

Once Baoli was sound asleep and entrusted to the care of his nursemaids, Jiang Xiurun took her attendant Qian’er, Ji Wujiang, and several guards to Ji Binglin’s residence, requesting the Qi envoy’s audience.

Ji Binglin personally welcomed her with great enthusiasm, leading her inside with utmost respect.

Yet, the once effortless conversations they shared now felt entirely different.

The carefree ease of old had vanished.

Lord Ji even seemed to have a slight sheen of sweat forming on his nose.

After seating the princess in the place of honor, he dismissed all but two or three guards, who now acted as mere attendants, pouring tea and serving their esteemed guest.

Although Lord Ji seemed somewhat reserved, Jiang Xiurun was a skilled conversationalist.

With just a few words, she eased the atmosphere and chatted with him about the capital, their respected mentor, Master Mufeng, and Ji’s own recent affairs.

Ji Binglin had been promoted again.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, he boldly placed great trust in the young officials he had nurtured while suppressing the aristocratic families without restraint.

Ji Binglin, with his talents, naturally stood out.

Furthermore, his governance ideals aligned perfectly with Feng Liwu’s ambitions for territorial expansion, making them a harmonious ruler and minister, seemingly bound to work together for life.

However, what Jiang Xiurun truly wanted to know was whether the northern states were included in Feng Liwu’s grand plans for annexation.

Unfortunately, Ji Binglin showed no hint of sentimentality and revealed nothing.

Jiang Xiurun felt she had to provoke his thoughts—one shouldn’t be so rigid.

So, she withdrew her smile and asked bluntly, “Does Lord Ji look down on me just because I am a woman?”

Ji Binglin had not expected such an abrupt change in tone and hurriedly denied it.

His old way of addressing her slipped out instinctively: “Jiang, what are you saying? In my heart, regardless of gender, you are a dragon among men, unparalleled in wisdom, with deep foresight and keen judgment. You possess both vision and practical skills. Truly, of all the people I have seen and heard of, apart from His Majesty, you are the most extraordinary.”

Seeing Ji Binglin so flustered that he even stammered, Jiang Xiurun chuckled and said, “If that’s the case, then why put on this official demeanor when we meet privately? You understand the ups and downs of court politics better than I do. Though my Bo is small, it has beautiful scenery and is a perfect place for a quiet retreat. If one day Lord Ji tires of the schemes and intrigues of the court, if His Majesty grows distant, and you need to leave the imperial court, please remember that no matter what happens, as long as Bo exists, you will always have a place to rest and recover.”

Such words—suggesting that Ji Binglin abandon his powerful empire and defect to a tiny state—could only be spoken by someone with a thick enough skin.

Ji Binglin was momentarily unsure whether she was serious.

His face flushed as he raised his voice: “His Majesty lifted me from obscurity and has shown me immense favor. Even if I were to be ground to dust, I could never fully repay his kindness. I shall serve him faithfully, even unto death, without a single thought of forsaking my duty to preserve my own life.”

Jiang Xiurun was startled by his loud outburst.

Her previous remark had been half in jest, but Ji Binglin’s reaction was so dramatic that she realized he had climbed too high in the imperial court—he could no longer afford even a single joke.

Seeing this, she knew she would not be able to extract any useful information today.

She figured her son must be awake by now, so there was no point in lingering.

She prepared to take her leave.

As she stood up, Ji Binglin seemed to recall something and hesitated before asking, “I heard that after arriving in Bo, Princess Jiang had a happy occasion and gave birth to a fine son. I wonder…”

Jiang Xiurun did not wait for him to finish asking whether the child was Feng Liwu’s.

She firmly cut him off: “When I left Great Qi, it was because I had spent a year in the prince’s residence without conceiving and dared not delay the crown prince’s lineage. That’s why I left. I never expected to meet someone destined for me afterward, which led to my child’s birth. By the way, has the Qi emperor added to his harem since then?”

Ji Binglin was momentarily speechless.

Ever since Jiang Xiurun left, the crown prince’s residence had remained empty.

Even after ascending the throne, Feng Liwu had shown no interest in expanding his harem.

He had even canceled the traditional palace selection process for concubines after his coronation.

His days were spent either buried in state affairs or stationed in military camps—where would he have found time for an heir?

After their vague and indirect exchange, Jiang Xiurun took her leave.

As soon as she left, Ji Binglin turned around, dropped to his knees with a loud thud, and kowtowed forcefully before the tall, broad-shouldered, and narrow-waisted armored guard behind him.

“Your Majesty, I swear I have no disloyalty in my heart! I have never once harbored thoughts of leaving Qi. Please believe me!”

The guard, who had been standing silently behind Ji Binglin for a long time, calmly raised a hand, signaling the others to help him remove his golden armor.

Underneath, they pulled away the padding used to alter his shape, revealing a lean, tall, and commanding figure.

Then, he accepted a hot towel, wiped away the disguise of greasepaint and powder from his face, and revealed his true, noble features.

However, his stunningly handsome face was now dark with rage.

It had only been a year since their parting, yet he still often dreamt of her smiling up at him, soft and affectionate, throwing herself into his arms.

But reality was cruel.

This faithless woman had turned around and forgotten him completely, going so far as to bear another man’s child.

Earlier, when she passed by him, graceful as ever, his hand had almost moved on its own, itching to reach out and pull her back.

Yet he had come to Bo in disguise on a reckless whim—he could not afford to cause a commotion.

Still, he had never imagined Jiang Xiurun would be so brazen.

Not only was she attempting to lure away one of his most trusted ministers to betray their country, but she had also so easily moved on, birthing a child with another man…