After the Turkic envoys arrived in Chang'an, the news that the Turks were demanding to marry a Tang princess could no longer be suppressed. Especially when they made an outrageous demand, asking for one of Li Shimin's own daughters.
Li Jingyun saw the Turkic people leave the imperial city. Taking Duan Jia with her, she rushed to find Princess Gaoyang and Princess Xinxing. According to their ages, they were the most likely candidates for the marriage alliance.
On the one hand, their ages were suitable. On the other hand, their birth mothers had passed away early, and there was no one to stand up and refuse on their behalf.
"Sister!" Li Jingyun burst into the Warm Building, pushed through the crowd, and accurately found the shopkeeper directly. "Is my sister Xinxing here?"
"Princess, my princess went out early this morning. She left with Princess Gaoyang. I suppose they're in the Ice Building."
The shopkeeper said.
"Okay!"
Li Jingyun then rushed to the Ice Building in a hurry.
There were very few people in the Ice Building now. There were only a few little girls there. The shopkeeper quickly came over to greet her. "Princess, please go upstairs and have a look. Princess Gaoyang and Princess Xinxing are both upstairs. They're very sad after learning about the marriage alliance."
Li Jingyun ran up to the third floor. "Sister Gaoyang? Sister Xinxing?"
She pushed the door open and went in. Princess Gaoyang's eyes were extremely red, and tears were welling up in them. She was looking into the distance, on the verge of crying. Princess Xinxing seemed okay. She was expressionless, and it was hard to tell her mood.
"Hongxuan? Why did you come here?" When Princess Gaoyang saw her younger sister, tears streamed down her face. She quickly wiped them away and forced a smile. Standing up, she said, "Do you want the snacks from the Ice Building? Hurry up and bring some up! The ones Hongxuan usually likes."
"Yes." The waiter standing beside responded and quickly went downstairs.
Li Jingyun took out her handkerchief and wiped Princess Gaoyang's tears. "Sister, don't be sad. Father, Mother, and I won't let you marry so far away. That Tong Yegu Khan of the Turks is over sixty years old and on the verge of death. How dare he have the nerve to ask to marry my sister?"
"Hey? Why are you crying even more?"
When Princess Gaoyang heard what her younger sister said, her tears flowed even more uncontrollably.
In her heart, these words were just her sister's way of comforting her. In the previous dynasty, there was a precedent of princesses being sent for marriage alliances. Her grandfather had even specifically sent people to talk to the Turks and allowed the Tang and the Turks to form a marriage alliance.
Now, it had only been a few years since the Tang Dynasty ended its wars. It was exactly the time when it needed to recuperate. Even if Father pitied them and disagreed with the marriage alliance, what about the ministers? What would they think?
Just thinking that either she or Xinxing would have to marry far away, and to a man over sixty years old at that, how could she not be sad?
Li Jingyun was a bit at a loss. Then, Princess Xinxing hugged her. Even the usually calm and gentle Princess Xinxing had tears sliding down the corners of her eyes. Li Jingyun suddenly felt that her hands were not enough.
"Sister, both sisters, this is true. Believe me, or rather, believe the soldiers under Father. They won't let you marry out." Li Jingyun talked herself hoarse, but she still didn't understand why her two sisters didn't believe her.
"Hongxuan, good sister, I know what you're thinking. Stop talking and let us be quiet for a while."
Princess Xinxing sighed. In her heart, she had made up her mind that if she had to marry out, she would go herself. Gaoyang should stay in Chang'an, manage the Ice Building and the Warm Building, and in the future, marry a nobleman of her choice and have a large family.
"Okay."
Li Jingyun didn't know what else to say. She lowered her head and kept silent.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became depressing and dull.
Even Duan Jia, who was standing at the door with a sword in her hand, was unconsciously affected by the atmosphere.
After a long time, Princess Gaoyang went to wash her face. "What can crying solve? Life still has to go on, doesn't it?"
Li Jingyun looked at her sister like this and nodded firmly.
Princess Xinxing also recovered. It was good to think things through for this kind of thing. As Father said, man proposes, heaven disposes. No one knew what the future would be like.
Suddenly, the shopkeeper of the Warm Building burst in. "Princess! Something's wrong! Those Turkic envoys insist that the shop owner come out to greet them in person! We can't stop them!"
"These envoys are so bold! How dare they cause trouble in Chang'an?" Princess Xinxing stood up suddenly. Li Jingyun seemed to be able to see the flames rising from her sister's head, burning brightly.
"Did you tell them that the shop owner is a princess of the Tang Dynasty?" Princess Gaoyang asked.
"I did, but they don't believe it!" The shopkeeper of the Warm Building was so anxious that he was almost flying.
"This is nonsense. In Chang'an City, if someone pretends to be a princess, it's definitely a capital crime. They're just looking for an excuse to cause trouble."
Princess Xinxing was so angry that her face turned red. She quickly rushed back to the Warm Building. The journey that usually took half an hour was completed in just a quarter of an hour.
The once noisy Warm Building was now extremely quiet. The only sound that could be heard was someone loudly scolding a maid in the private room on the second floor. The voice was very distinctive, and it was obvious that the person was from a foreign country.
Princess Xinxing let out a long breath and pushed the door open. Her rationality was constantly reminding her that she was a princess and had to maintain her proper demeanor.
In the private room, a burly old man was sitting in the middle with his legs spread wide. On both sides were his attendants. The little maid, who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, was standing far away from them. There was a clear palm print on her face, her clothes were loose, and she was crying so hard that she couldn't even speak clearly. She could only let the old man's attendants scold and beat her.
Li Jingyun was following behind her two sisters. She was also stunned when she saw this scene.
Duan Jia's first reaction was to cover Li Jingyun's eyes, but Li Jingyun got rid of her. "Captain Duan, I have to experience these things sooner or later."
She was the one who had witnessed Cui Xian's execution, although she didn't see the last part.
"Aren't you looking for the shop owner? Well, the shop owner is here!" Princess Xinxing pulled the maid behind her to protect her and said righteously.
Princess Gaoyang quickly told someone to take the maid down and comfort her well. She often came to the Warm Building, and she was familiar with this maid. Her name was Zhuyue. She usually didn't talk much, did things very neatly, and was very timid. She wouldn't easily provoke others.
It was really hard on her to be tortured and bullied by these people today.
"Are you a princess of the Tang Dynasty?"
Zhenzhu Tong Sijin stood up with a playful smile on his face. He sized up Princess Xinxing from head to toe. This look made Princess Xinxing want to dig out his eyes.
But he quickly shifted his gaze and looked at Li Jingyun. "I know you, Princess Chengyang. We met today."
"You know me. Why don't you pay your respects? Is your status higher than that of a princess in your Turkic land?" Li Jingyun tightened her little face and tried to look serious.
As a result, it made Zhenzhu Tong Sijin burst out laughing. When one was weak, even getting angry would seem cute.
That was exactly how Li Jingyun's expression appeared to Zhenzhu Tong Sijin.
"Yes, yes, yes. Your subject, Zhenzhu Tong Sijin, pays his respects to Princess Chengyang." He bowed with a mischievous smile.
Now, the Western Turks were at the height of their power. Tibet had just welcomed a wise and capable monarch, Songtsen Gampo, and its national strength was rising steadily. These achievements had made them a bit arrogant. They thought they could go head - to - head with the Tang Dynasty. Moreover, if the two sides joined hands, the possibility of victory would be even greater.