Chapter 130: Princess Consort
“Why are you smiling so happily?”
Just as Xiao Yanyan had a smile playing at the corners of her mouth and was secretly delighted, a warm and gentle voice, like a spring breeze, quietly drifted over from behind her.
Xiao Yanyan was startled and hurriedly turned around.
“Sister-in-law, why do you walk without making a sound?”
Xiao Yanyan patted her chest and pretended to be annoyed as she said, “You scared me.”
Standing before her at this moment was a woman of about twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed in a light purple horse-face long skirt, the hem swaying gently with the breeze, appearing exceptionally elegant.
Her eyebrows and eyes were as if painted, her skin white as jade, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, carrying a touch of gentleness and playfulness.
Her temperament was gentle and generous, every gesture exuding composure and confidence, as if she could control the overall situation no matter the time or place.
This was precisely Xiao Simo’s princess consort.
Shu Lü Wujin.
She had known Xiao Yanyan since childhood, and was only four years older than her.
Thus, their relationship had always been as close as sisters.
In private, they often joked without restraint.
Shu Lü Wujin chuckled lightly, a hint of teasing flashing in her eyes: “I’ve been standing behind you for quite a while; it was you who didn’t notice.”
Then, deliberately drawing out her tone with a teasing lilt, “What’s this? Thinking about your lover so much that you didn’t even notice me coming to your side?”
Xiao Yanyan’s cheeks flushed slightly, but having been spoiled by Xiao Simo since childhood, she never knew what it meant to be embarrassed.
In conversation, she was even unwilling to suffer a loss of words.
With a light hum, she admitted simply and bluntly: “Yeah, I’m thinking about a man, so what?”
Hearing this, Shu Lü Wujin was first stunned, then couldn’t help but burst out laughing with a “pfft.”
She reached out and gently poked Xiao Yanyan’s forehead, chiding her affectionately: “You girl, you’re getting more and more shameless. If your brother heard this, he’d have to scold you.”
Xiao Yanyan raised her chin defiantly and said indifferently: “Brother wouldn’t bear to scold me!”
“Besides, what’s wrong with me thinking about a man? When men come of age, they marry; when women come of age, they wed. Hasn’t he always wanted to marry me off?”
Shu Lü Wujin was amused by her righteous demeanor and shook her head repeatedly, her eyes full of doting: “Alright, alright, you’re right.”
“However…”
She deliberately drew out her tone, leaning close to Xiao Yanyan’s ear and lowering her voice: “In a bit, I want to see just what kind of man could tame the proud and fiery horse of the Xiao Family.”
Li Xiao’s conversation with Xiao Simo was quite successful.
Although on the surface Xiao Simo appeared reluctant, even deliberately reprimanding Li Xiao.
But in his heart, how could he not know Xiao Yanyan’s intentions?
This was his sister with whom he had depended on each other for life, who had a hard fate from childhood, without parents, and not favored by their grandfather.
It was Xiao Simo who had raised her single-handedly.
How could Xiao Simo not take her marriage seriously?
After the Da He Family’s withdrawal of the betrothal, Xiao Simo no longer hoped for Xiao Yanyan to enter a marriage alliance.
He more hoped she could find someone she liked.
Now, she had found one.
Although he was a Han person, Xiao Simo didn’t mind.
Han people had their own advantages.
So, Xiao Simo feigned coldness and said: “Others who come to propose marriage bring a thousand head of cattle and ten thousand sheep as betrothal gifts.”
“You, Li Xiao, come empty-handed—aren’t you ashamed?”
Hearing this, Li Xiao knew the matter was settled.
If Xiao Simo disagreed, why talk about betrothal gifts?
“Of course there are betrothal gifts.”
Li Xiao smiled lightly, then said with a resolute expression: “With Lord’s status, he naturally looks down on mere cattle, sheep, and property.”
“This would be belittling Lord’s breadth of mind and spirit, and disrespectful to the princess.”
“If Lord permits this general to seek the princess’s hand in marriage.”
“This general shall break through the royal court for Lord, capture Yelü Zhilugu alive and present him to Lord as the betrothal gift.”
Hearing this, Xiao Simo laughed.
“Hahaha, Li Xiao, oh Li Xiao.”
“You boy, you sure can talk big.”
“But I believe you.” Xiao Simo laughed heartily.
After all, in his heart he had already approved of this marriage; marrying Xiao Yanyan to Li Xiao might be the best choice for her.
At the same time, it could thoroughly win over the Jin Prefecture Han people as confidants—a win-win situation.
Xiao Simo naturally agreed smoothly.
As for the betrothal gift Li Xiao spoke of—breaking through the royal court and capturing Yelü Zhilugu alive.
Xiao Simo took it seriously as well.
After all, in his view, everything Li Xiao promised had been accomplished outstandingly.
Last year at Golden Mountain, the army was blocked and couldn’t advance an inch; if not for Li Xiao crossing A Lai Ridge.
Xiao Simo’s army probably would have returned without achievement.
And now, nearly fifty thousand troops from the Eastern Capital had gathered, and breaking through the royal court was imminent.
So, Xiao Simo was more willing to give Li Xiao a goal as an incentive.
To make him fight bravely and earn more merit.
As for capturing Yelü Zhilugu alive?
Not important.
In Xiao Simo’s heart, he preferred to personally capture that bastard.
Afterward, Xiao Simo arranged a family banquet at the royal mansion.
Hosting Li Xiao, Li Erjiang, Li Dashan, and others.
After all, the latter were Li Xiao’s elders.
With the old master absent, Li Erjiang naturally took that position.
Even at the banquet seating, he was above Li Xiao.
“A Man, your eyesight isn’t bad.”
“This Governor Li is young and promising, a real talent.”
During the banquet, Shu Lü Wujin quietly said to Xiao Yanyan.
Her gaze appraised Li Xiao and nodded in satisfaction.
He sat among the banquet guests, his brows and eyes deeply chiseled like knives, his eyes like cold stars, exuding sharpness and steadiness, as if able to see through people.
His posture was straight as a pine, a moon-white cotton robe accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist, his figure tall and slender at over six feet, like a towering mountain yet carrying a piercing sharpness that made people involuntarily look up to him.
His speech was composed, his voice low and powerful, every word landing like gold and stone, with both a general’s boldness and a scholar’s elegance.
Though his face appeared somewhat youthful, it seemed to harbor the resilience of one who had weathered a thousand sails; his deep eyes flickered with steadiness and decisiveness, and every glance exchanged conveyed a maturity and responsibility far beyond his years.
All these displays made Shu Lü Wujin develop quite a favorable impression of this young governor she was meeting for the first time.
She couldn’t help but sigh that Xiao Yanyan’s taste in men was pretty good.
“Of course.”
“The man I chose!” Xiao Yanyan smiled confidently.
She couldn’t help but recall the scene of her first meeting with Li Xiao.
At that time, she had been quite disheveled, and Li Xiao even more immature.
Unexpectedly, in less than a year, their relationship had reached such an intimate stage.
Thinking of all the past moments with Li Xiao, Xiao Yanyan couldn’t help but smile at the corners of her mouth, immersed in happy joy.
Shu Lü Wujin smiled faintly, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes.
Then, she held her wine cup with both hands and stood up, her gaze turning to Li Xiao.
Her posture dignified and composed, her voice clear as a spring yet carrying an undeniable dignity: “Governor Li, I toast you this cup.”
“Thank you for last year on the battlefield, disregarding danger to repel Buyiru Khan’s army and help the prince break the siege.”
“This cup is not only from me, but also on behalf of the prince thanking you.”
Seeing the princess consort stand, Li Xiao immediately stood with his wine cup.
“Princess consort, you overpraise me.”
“Killing the enemy on the battlefield is a soldier’s duty; this general was merely fulfilling his responsibilities.”
“I, Li Xiao, was single-handedly promoted by Lord Xiao—how dare I not fight to the death?”
With that, he raised his cup and drained it in one go, his movements neat and tidy, without any hesitation.
Seeing this, Shu Lü Wujin also smiled and finished the wine in her cup.
“Good, hahaha!”
Once they had finished drinking, Xiao Simo burst into laughter.
“From now on, we’re all family.”
“No need to be so formal.”
“No more calling her princess consort; like A Man, call her sister-in-law.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao did not decline and nodded lightly, saying to Xiao Simo: “Li Xiao pays respects to brother.”
Then he turned to Shu Lü Wujin and said: “Pays respects to sister-in-law.”
Afterward, both sides exchanged cups, and the banquet atmosphere gradually warmed up.
Shu Lü Wujin’s demeanor was elegant; though a princess consort, she showed no arrogance.
She took a light sip of alcoholic beverage, her gaze softly sweeping over everyone at the table, occasionally chatting a few words with Li Xiao, her words carrying both the dignity of one in authority and gentleness.
Xiao Yanyan’s gaze lingered on Li Xiao for most of the time, her eyes tender and focused, as if all the surrounding noise had nothing to do with her, with only Li Xiao being the center of the banquet.
Li Xiao felt that gaze, met her eyes, and his expression instantly softened, a flash of doting and tenderness in his eyes.
And he also saw Xiao Simo’s son, a little boy of merely eight years old.
He resembled Xiao Simo somewhat, his body not particularly strong but better than an ordinary child’s.
In temperament, he had less wildness and more refinement.
He sat properly at the table, occasionally looking at Li Xiao with curious eyes, sizing him up.
His name was Xiao Helun.
He was Xiao Simo’s legitimate son.
But not the eldest son.
Xiao Simo’s eldest son, due to his birth mother’s lowly status, could not attend such formal occasions.
So Li Xiao hadn’t seen him.
By the time the banquet progressed, it was already mid-afternoon.
Though Li Xiao had his previous life’s tolerance, he was still a bit tipsy from the alcohol.
As for Xiao Simo, he was even worse off.
Shu Lü Wujin helped him away from the great hall.
With that, the banquet ended.
And Li Xiao went to Xiao Yanyan’s boudoir.
Reeking of alcohol, eyes bloodshot, like a frenzied bull.
With the alcohol taking hold, he urgently needed an outlet to vent.
Without a word, he scooped Xiao Yanyan up horizontally and threw her onto the bed.
Not long after, having checked on the soundly sleeping Xiao Simo, Shu Lü Wujin prepared to go find Xiao Yanyan.
But just as she entered her courtyard, she heard low panting sounds coming from inside the room.
Her footsteps halted abruptly, her earlobes instantly turning red.
Though already a married woman, hearing such noises still made her feel embarrassed and shy.
She stood in place, unable to advance or retreat, inwardly annoyed at her bad timing.
Shu Lü Wujin bit her lip, her face flushing even more, and quickly turned around, quietly withdrawing from the courtyard.
After exiting the courtyard gate, she let out a long breath, patted her feverish cheek, and murmured to herself: “This girl… really is…”
Then, she shook her head lightly with a somewhat wistful sigh: “Youth really is wonderful!”
On the twentieth of March, all Northern Frontier tribes arrived at the Eastern Capital.
Troops from Jin Prefecture, Yin Mountains, Great Desert, North Sea, and Yili—totaling thirty-six thousand elites.
Under Xiao Simo’s orders, the army marched west into the Seven Rivers Grassland.
Iron cavalry rolled forward, sword tips pointed straight at the royal court.
