On the day after the death of Kekeqin Yuanzhen, when his body was hung above the city gate of the capital, news spread that the Khan of Kekeqin was seriously ill. This news even reached Kekeqin earlier than the emperor's order.
As a result, no one could suspect that the Khan of Kekeqin had deliberately refused to enter the capital.
Moreover, news came from the Northwest Army:
The army of the Li State had set up camp more than three hundred miles north of Kekeqin. They had amassed troops and stored provisions, quietly gathering two hundred thousand soldiers. It seemed that they were still planning to increase their forces.
The actions of the Li State were as obvious as a louse on a bald man's head!
Based on this, the Northwest Army inferred that the Li State seemed to be planning an attack on Kekeqin after the autumn harvest. The first target would be the northernmost city of Kekeqin!
This sudden news sent shockwaves through the entire court and the government, like a stone thrown into a calm lake.
The atmosphere in the Princess Mansion also became extremely heavy, because the princess's husband was from the Li State.
This marriage alliance, which had brought decades of peace between the two countries, seemed to be coming to an end!
This news also instantly changed the royal family's attitude towards Kekeqin.
Previously, the royal family had been lukewarm towards the First Prince Yuan Qi and the Fifth Princess Yuan Zhu because of Yuanzhen's incident. Now, they began to restore their former amicability.
After all, compared to the Li State, the royal family and Kekeqin were still one family.
Facing a powerful enemy, they were all in the same boat. They would rise or fall together. They had to unite to resist the enemy effectively and deal a heavy blow to the Li State!
More than twenty years ago, the Li State was severely defeated by the late emperor in a personal expedition. Since then, it had been recuperating and biding its time for nearly twenty years. During this period, it had developed rapidly!
All sectors of society, from scholars to farmers, artisans, and merchants, were thriving. With the people living in prosperity, the state had more money to invest in war.
These twenty years had given the Li State a chance to catch its breath, and its population had also increased significantly. The Li State, which had been severely damaged by the ancestors, had completely recovered.
It could be said that the Li State had been preparing for this war for twenty years. It would surely come with full force, staking its national strength on this battle!
At this critical moment, the First Prince Yuan Qi proposed to the emperor that he should return to Kekeqin immediately.
One reason was to visit his father, the Khan. The other was to lead Kekeqin to fully prepare for the enemy's invasion!
Originally, after Yuanzhen's incident, the emperor had wanted to completely eliminate the Yuan clan and support a tribe that obeyed him, which would have been more conducive to his control of Kekeqin.
However, the actions of the Li State had caught him off guard.
Out of concern for the royal family's dignity, the emperor had originally wanted to teach Kekeqin a lesson. But he also knew that dealing with the Li State was urgent.
Just as the emperor was hesitating whether to let Yuan Qi return to Kekeqin, news came to the capital that Princess Lan Xin, Yuanzhen's biological mother, had committed suicide by swallowing gold.
Along with this news, there was also a suicide note written by Princess Lan Xin before her death.
In the letter, she repented for the heinous crimes committed by her son and stated that she was ashamed of the royal family's kindness. She hoped that the royal family would not punish Kekeqin because of her son's actions!
After this incident, the emperor agreed to Yuan Qi's request.
Before leaving the capital, Yuan Qi specifically went to the Prince Xian's Mansion to say goodbye to Qi Rong.
He knew that the news of his father's illness had come so timely because Prince Xian must have arranged it in advance.
He did not blame Qi Rong for not telling him in advance about the Li State's troop mobilization, which had forced him to reluctantly agree to cede the Hong Field as a reward.
Because Qi Rong seemed to be used to planning everything and being in control.
As long as he was sure that Qi Rong was not his enemy, he did not need to worry.
Rather, he was glad that Qi Rong had chosen him. Even if he became the Khan of Kekeqin in the future, he might still need Qi Rong's help.
When he was about to leave the mansion, Yuan Qi looked at Qi Rong, his expression hesitant.
Qi Rong disliked it most when people hesitated when talking to him. He said coldly:
"The First Prince is going to do great things in the future. His way of speaking seems to need improvement."
Qi Rong did not show the slightest bit of respect just because Yuan Qi was about to become the Khan of Kekeqin.
He was still as arrogant and cold as ever.
However, Yuan Qi felt more at ease with such a Qi Rong. Because at least it showed that Qi Rong was consistent in his words and deeds and would not be false with him.
Qi Rong's veiled sarcasm made Yuan Qi feel embarrassed. He forced a smile and said:
"Your Highness, have you ever thought about forming a marriage alliance with Kekeqin?"
Although Yuan Qi had asked Qi Rong a similar question before, his state of mind had changed.
"No."
Almost without thinking, Qi Rong replied firmly.
"Just as I thought."
Yuan Qi murmured to himself, as if he had already anticipated Qi Rong's answer.
Different from when they first came to the capital, now that Yuanzhen was dead, even if the Fifth Princess married Qi Rong, it would no longer pose a threat to him.
So, when the Fifth Princess declared that she wanted to marry Qi Rong, he even seriously considered the possibility.
He began to think that compared to forming a marriage alliance with the crown prince, if Kekeqin became in-laws with Prince Xian, it might be more beneficial to Kekeqin in the future.
After getting to know Qi Rong and having contact with him for some time, a secret thought had arisen in his mind:
A person with such extraordinary abilities as Qi Rong was a natural king. He could never be suppressed by the current royal family!
Compared to Emperor Qi Hong, Prince Xian was more like a real dragon. He vaguely felt that one day, this real dragon would soar to the ninth heaven and dominate the world!
"However, Yuan Zhu told the emperor a few days ago that if there was a marriage alliance, she would choose you. Although the emperor has not yet approved it."
After Yuan Qi finished speaking, he looked at Qi Rong apologetically.
At that time, Yuan Zhu had made a hasty decision to marry Prince Xian. He had initially thought that she was just joking, but he didn't expect that she was serious. The next day, she had decided to go to the palace to see the emperor.
He was extremely surprised, but after thinking about the benefits of forming a marriage alliance with Qi Rong, he did not stop her.
Now he began to worry that Qi Rong might be angry with him because of this.
"I will not marry her."
Regardless of whether Qi Hong approved it or not!
It was the same words as a few days ago. Qi Rong said them firmly, and his expression was as cold as ever.
"My lord!"
Zhan Feng, who had been listening to their conversation, couldn't help but feel anxious after hearing Qi Rong's rejection.
In his opinion, if his lord wanted to achieve great things in the future, forming a marriage alliance with Kekeqin was a convenient and effective way to gain their support!
Such a good opportunity should not be missed.
"I've made up my mind. Don't interrupt when it's not your turn!"
He was very determined that the position of his main wife could only be occupied by Yun Xi, and only Yun Xi.
There would be no other woman!
After seeing Yuan Qi off, someone suddenly came from the palace to the Prince Xian's Mansion. This time, the person summoned was actually Yun Xi.