Chapter 230: Northern Frontier’s Number One Beauty
Li Xiao got married again!
It was freezing cold with heavy snow covering the mountains, but the atmosphere in Dragon City was quite lively.
The “double happiness” characters had just been posted at Wei Mansion for half a month when new ones covered them, and inside and outside the mansion were once again decorated with lanterns and colorful banners.
The carved bronze mirror reflected a room full of gold and red. Er Ya lowered her gaze to look at the interlocking lotus embroidered with gold thread on her skirt hem, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing against the luxurious red wedding dress.
“Lift your head a bit, it’ll be ready soon.”
Er Feng knelt on the brocade cushion, her fingertips dipped in lip rouge, carefully outlining it on Er Ya’s lips.
As she applied it, she said, “This lip rouge was specially shipped from Western Xia by Second Uncle. He said it lasts three days without fading once applied.”
The Second Uncle she mentioned was the head shopkeeper of the Hexi Merchant Guild, Li Erguzi, who had now changed his name to Li Dongkun.
He had quite a talent for commerce and had expanded the Hexi Merchant Guild’s business to Western Xia. The next step would be the Jin Dynasty.
“Hee hee hee~”
“Miss is naturally beautiful; with makeup, she looks even more stunning.”
The maidservant Xiao Tao held the lacquer box and waited nearby, looking at Er Ya with envy, her eyes sparkling.
Ever since Wei Xuan rose to prominence, he had also bought a few servants to help Er Ya at home, and Xiao Tao was Er Ya’s personal maidservant.
She was two years younger than Er Ya, like a green unripe peach, with a proper appearance, but far inferior to Er Ya.
“Hehe, you sure know how to talk.”
Er Ya glanced at the maidservant and smiled lightly.
She lightly pursed her lips, her gaze falling on the figure in the bronze mirror. Compared to her usual appearance, there was now a hint of charm, exuding a dignified and elegant air.
The snowy daylight filtered through the window lattice, casting a hazy glow on her pale face.
Beneath her willow-leaf brows, a pair of almond eyes were veiled in a layer of mist, the corners finely outlined with dark blue, making her eyelashes appear pitch black like butterfly wings.
After applying the lip rouge, Er Feng stood up, gazed intently for a moment, then nodded with satisfaction: “Simply gorgeous.”
“Er Ya, you truly deserve the title of Northern Frontier’s number one beauty.”
Hearing this, Er Ya’s face instantly flushed red, and she smiled shyly: “Sister-in-law, you can’t say that carelessly. How could I be considered number one?”
“There are plenty of women more beautiful than me.”
Half a month ago, Wei Xuan and Er Feng had held their wedding, and he had officially become a son-in-law of the Li Family.
Therefore, at this moment, Er Feng had already styled her hair in a married woman’s bun, completely resembling a dignified young matron.
But the gaze she fixed on Er Ya was still full of envy.
Because in her mind, she had never seen a woman more beautiful than Er Ya.
Northern Frontier’s number one beauty, well-deserved.
After some laughter and chatter, Wei Xuan’s voice came from outside the door: “Are you ready? The wedding procession is here.”
“We’re ready, coming out now.” Er Feng hurriedly said, helping Er Ya straighten her clothes and covering her with the head covering.
Soon after, Li Xiao, dressed in a red wedding robe, rode a tall war horse to Wei Mansion to fetch his bride.
By custom, for an ordinary concubine, there was no need for Li Xiao to personally come fetch her, but he could if he wished—it depended on the bride’s family’s status and his own intentions.
“Great Protector!”
“Great Protector!”
At this time, Wei Mansion was full of relatives and friends.
Some were survivors from Sanhe Fort back then, some were Wei Family relatives, and others were Wei Xuan’s comrades from the army.
When they saw Li Xiao appear, they all placed hands over chests in salute.
“No need for formalities. Today, I, Li Xiao, am not the Great Governor; I’m the Wei Family’s son-in-law, one of your own.”
Li Xiao chuckled, his attitude warm and approachable, without any of the Great Protector’s airs.
This gave Wei Xuan great face.
Li Xiao truly treated their Wei Family exceptionally well.
Soon, Er Feng led Er Ya by the hand, slowly emerging from the back courtyard.
Er Ya was clearly two years younger than Er Feng, but her figure was a full head taller.
Dressed in her wedding attire, she exuded a noble and dignified aura. Though her face under the head covering couldn’t be seen, Li Xiao knew it was undoubtedly stunning.
After a brief exchange with Wei Xuan and the others, without much delay, Li Xiao took Er Ya’s hand and left Wei Mansion.
At the war horse, Li Xiao lifted her horizontally into his arms.
Light as if boneless, emanating a faint fragrance, Li Xiao felt his heart stir, his grip tightening slightly, causing the beauty in his arms to let out a soft cry.
“Hahaha~”
“Back to the mansion~” Li Xiao shouted loudly, placing Er Ya on the horseback and mounting behind her.
He embraced his beautiful new wife and returned to the Great Protector’s Mansion.
At the same time, the master of ceremonies behind shouted: “The Wei Clan daughter leaves her parental home to become a Li Family wife.”
“May harmony endure, united forever in heart.”
“May noble heirs soon arrive, family prosper eternally.”
……
Watching the wedding procession recede into the distance, the smile on Wei Xuan’s face gradually faded, replaced by melancholy and growing reluctance.
Ever since the incident at Sanhe Fort, it had been just him and his sister depending on each other.
Over these years, they had endured much hardship. Wei Xuan’s desperate fighting on the battlefield was all for giving Er Ya a better life.
Now, she was finally married.
And to the Li Family at that—though not as main wife, she was a noble concubine second only to her.
Her life would be affluent and worry-free, but she would face the intrigues in the back courtyard.
This made Wei Xuan deeply uneasy. Could his ‘delicate’, ‘gentle’, ‘unambitious’ sister handle those women?
Seeing Wei Xuan’s reluctance and sadness, Er Feng softly comforted: “Husband, no need to worry; it’s just a short walk.”
“If you miss her later, you can visit anytime.”
The Northern Frontier had few rigid customs, still maintaining the bonds from the old fort and village days. Dropping by others’ homes was commonplace.
Though Wei Xuan couldn’t easily enter the Great Protector’s Mansion back courtyard, Er Feng could go without reservation.
She was still a Li Family daughter, after all!
“Mm, when you’re free, visit the Governor’s Mansion more often.”
“It’s easier for women to talk among themselves.” Wei Xuan said softly.
Though sad, he knew worrying was pointless.
Whether Er Ya was bullied depended not on her, but on Wei Xuan.
As long as Wei Xuan established himself with sufficient status in the Northern Frontier, no one would dare bully Er Ya easily.
Moreover, the Wei Family was now related by marriage to the Li Family’s second branch; Er Ya had plenty of backing.
Thinking of this, Wei Xuan felt filled with vigor, eager to rush to the battlefield, kill enemies, and carve out a world for Er Ya and his yet-to-be-born nephew.
“Come on, brothers, today we drink till we’re drunk!”
Wei Xuan quickly composed himself, laughing as he called to relatives and friends.
At the Li Family side, it was also lively, though as a concubine welcoming, fewer guests came, and the scene couldn’t compare to his wedding.
This was also to spare Xiao Yanyan’s face.
……
Candlelight flickered, the joy candles bathing the new room in warm red.
Li Xiao lifted Er Ya’s red head covering. Under the candlelight, her lowered brows and eyes were veiled in thin mist, her rouged cheeks glowing softly like a freshly bloomed peony.
The wedding dress embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in water wrapped her slender figure, gold threads shimmering in the candlelight, making her all the more pitiably charming.
“Tired, aren’t you?”
Li Xiao’s voice was low and gentle as his fingertips lightly brushed Er Ya’s feverish earlobe, removing her headdress for her.
Her raven hair cascaded like a waterfall, scattering over her wedding dress.
Er Ya raised her eyes, meeting Li Xiao’s smiling gaze, her face instantly flushing as she murmured like a mosquito:
“Husband~”
“I’m not tired.”
Though Er Ya was usually straightforward and neat in character, now she was like a timid kitten.
Looking at the man standing before her, her thoughts drifted back to four years ago.
It was also a night.
She had fought a wounded Geluolu man, but her strength was too weak. Though she gravely injured him, he countered.
Just as the Geluolu man was about to kill her, Li Xiao burst through the door and saved her.
That night, lightning flashed and thunder roared.
In the silver lightning, that youth’s figure was forever etched in Er Ya’s heart.
Gradually overlapping with the man before her.
Four years had changed so much.
Li Xiao had grown from a youth into the current Great Protector of the Northern Frontier, shedding his immaturity to become more mature and robust.
And Er Ya had grown from a girl into a young woman.
But the one thing unchanged was Er Ya’s admiration for this man.
Tonight, she would become his woman—her heart was exceptionally nervous, yet faintly expectant.
However, once relaxed, her stomach growled.
Li Xiao chuckled, and Er Ya’s face turned beet red.
She hadn’t eaten for most of the day and was indeed hungry now.
“Have some flatbread first.” Li Xiao said, having someone bring food.
He was hungry too, having drunk much at the banquet but eaten little.
Soon, both ate and drank their fill; it was time for the main event.
Li Xiao scooped her up horizontally and placed her on the bed, looking down at that stunning face.
He said softly: “From now on, I will protect you safe year after year.”
Soon after, Er Ya’s dangling feet tensed up instantly.
The next morning, Li Xiao rose early. Even in winter with few duties, he persisted in daily training.
Without a strong physique, one could only die on the battlefield.
When the little maidservant entered with warm water, she was immediately stunned by the scene.
Er Ya’s body was covered in bruises, reminding her of Er Ya’s cries last night.
She had thought the Great Protector was beating her miss.
She wanted to rush in to stop it but didn’t dare—that was the Great Protector.
Fortunately, an experienced servant woman told her it wasn’t fighting, but making a baby; the miss would soon give birth to a young master.
The little girl didn’t understand how being beaten by the Great Protector led to babies.
But she could only keep her questions to herself.
Yet now, seeing the chaos in the room, she felt heartbroken for Er Ya again.
Her big eyes welled up with tears.
“Miss~”
“What’s wrong?”
At this moment, Er Ya only felt pain all over, as if her body had fallen apart.
Especially on her tender white waist, two red handprints remained.
Toward the end, she had collapsed completely like a puddle of mud, and Li Xiao had grabbed her waist to lift her.
So now, Er Ya didn’t want to move at all, just sleep—but as a new bride, she had to rise early.
She still had to offer tea to the elders and main wife.
But seeing the little maidservant tearing up, Er Ya was baffled: “Who bullied you?”
She thought someone was causing trouble right after she entered the household.
“Why did the Great Protector hit you, Miss~?”
“Does fighting make babies?” the little maidservant said fearfully.
It had gone on for over an hour; she was scared listening outside.
Er Ya finally understood and laughed outright, but immediately felt the pull of pain.
So she vaguely said: “The Great Protector didn’t hit me. Never mind, you’ll understand later.”
The little girl was still too young.
Let her serve in bed in a couple years!
Then, with the maidservant’s help, Er Ya dressed and styled her raven hair into a young matron’s bun.
From then on, she was no longer a girl but fully transformed into a true woman.
A Li Family wife!
She turned to glance at the bloodstained white cloth on the bed, her cheeks slightly red, and softly said: “Put it away in a box!”
Then, supported by the maidservant, she limped toward the main hall.
……
Half a month later, there was another joyous event in Dragon City.
Da Hu was getting married too.
The bride hailed from Changshan Fort, one of the old Nine Forts and Eighteen Villages.
The bride’s father now held the position of chiliarch in the Second Town.
This marriage was also a marriage alliance.
Da Hu had no objections to the girl—not particularly fond, but at least not displeased.
After all, a main wife was chosen for family background and character; liking wasn’t crucial—living together long enough would foster affection.
Da Hu gladly accepted.
……
Another half month passed, and Er Hu was getting married too.
The bride was the legitimate daughter of Camp Cultivation Department Staff Officer Chen Chong, very beautiful, and Er Hu’s eyes lit up at the sight.
Though one married virtue, beauty as a bonus was naturally better.
That day, Li Xiao, as eldest brother, sat at the head with Old Master and Qin Dani, receiving the kneeling worship of the newlyweds.
The next morning, when Er Hu brought his new wife to offer tea, the girl’s dishevelment was clearly visible.
Compared to what Li Xiao did to Er Ya, it was even more intense.
Er Hu was a beast too!
This winter, the Li Family was either marrying off daughters or taking brides, extremely lively.
It wasn’t just the Li Family; the entire Northern Frontier was the same.
With frequent warfare in the Northern Frontier, plus managing cattle, sheep, and land, only winter brought a few months’ respite.
Thus, most weddings happened in winter.
Idle with vigorous energy, the Northern Frontier men naturally vented through the most primal exercise daily.
So come spring, many women were always big-bellied.
……
Compared to the harsh cold winds of the Northern Frontier, Zhongdu in the Huaxia homeland had a far milder climate.
Even deep into winter, the streets bustled with vendors’ calls unceasing.
In the majestic Imperial Palace, Jin Emperor Wanyan Jing reluctantly left Consort Yuan Li Shier’s bedchamber.
At thirty-four, he still felt in his prime, able to battle Consort Yuan for three days and nights.
But alas, the Imperial Court needed him.
Compared to beauties, he cared more for power.
In the Great Hall, Wanyan Jing wore ceremonial robes and a round-brim felt hat, seated high with extraordinary bearing.
Vice Chancellor Wanyan Shouzhen reported: “Your Majesty, the Song Dynasty has sent an envoy to Zhongdu.”
“He presented a personal letter from Grand Tutor Han Tuozhou, stating floods in the south of the Yangtze River left common people with no harvest.”
“He requests a thirty percent reduction in tribute.”
Hearing this, Wanyan Jing frowned slightly, displeased: “Song common people’s suffering—what business is it of our Great Jin?”
“Tribute reduction denied!”
The Jurchen people already despised the weak Song Dynasty, believing their ancestors should have swept south and eliminated it.
Because the Song Dynasty was ridiculously wealthy.
Rumor had it the Song Emperor slept on a bed cast of gold, filling Wanyan Jing with envy.
Not invading Song was already merciful; those Song pigs dared make demands?
Reducing tribute would directly affect his own quality of life.
Then another minister said: “These two years, Song has grown increasingly insolent toward our Great Jin Dynasty.”
“They’re probing our bottom line step by step.”
“Indeed, that Han Tuozhou was once meek as a dog before our Great Jin, but now sealed as Prince of Pingyuan and Grand Tutor, he thinks he can act for the Song Emperor?”
“They’re utterly disregarding our Great Jin Dynasty.”
The ministers chimed in, demanding a warning to Song to curb their schemes.
Otherwise, the Jin Army wouldn’t mind marching south.
These words struck home with Wanyan Jing, who ordered the envoy sternly rebuked.
After the Song matter, Privy Councillor Wanyan Zonghao stepped forward, his aged voice saying.
“Your Majesty, the scouts sent to the Grassland have returned.”
Hearing this, Wanyan Jing perked up: “Oh?”
“How’s the Grassland situation?”
“Was the Naiman Tribe truly wiped out?”
Two months prior, Wanyan Jing learned of the Naiman Tribe’s destruction, shocking him.
The Naiman Tribe was overlord of the Grasslands, descended from brave and skilled Turkic people, with strength comparable to the Kereit Tribe.
Even Jin wouldn’t underestimate them.
Yet suddenly, they were gone.
But learning it was Liao people who destroyed them left Wanyan Jing silent.
Jin and Liao were mortal enemies; after Western Liao’s founding, Jin had planned a far expedition to eliminate Khitan remnants.
But due to weather and terrain, the Jin Army withdrew halfway.
Thus, over the years, Jin could only tolerate Western Liao’s existence.
This Liao action felt threatening, so he sent scouts to confirm Grassland status and probe Liao troops.
“Indeed, Your Majesty, the Naiman Tribe is no more.”
“Destroyed by Liao armies; the entire western Grassland has fallen under Liao control.”
“Moreover, the Liao fought the Kereit Tribe and eliminated at least ten thousand of them,” Wanyan Zonghao said.
The Great Hall erupted in uproar.
Wanyan Jing’s face darkened, fists clenched, roaring angrily: “What do those Liao remnants want?”
“Still harboring grudges against our Great Jin, seeking revenge?”
Liao’s forceful elimination of Naiman deeply unsettled the Jin court.
Next, would they launch an eastern expedition to reclaim Liao homeland?
“Your Majesty, this general requests command of our Great Jin Iron Cavalry to conquer the Grassland and eliminate those arrogant Liao dogs.”
“Liao scum court death, thinking our Great Jin lacks men?”
“Your Majesty, send me; I will sweep the Western Regions and present the Liao puppet emperor’s head to you.”
Jin generals clamored for war. Though Jin was declining, its apparent strength remained formidable.
They scoffed at mere Liao people.
But Wanyan Jing truly feared non-human factors.
After all, his ancestors’ western expedition hadn’t even sighted Khitans before suffering losses and retreating.
He worried a laborious campaign would just waste national strength.
“Your Majesty, calm; generals, quiet—hear this old minister out.”
Privy Councillor Wanyan Zonghao held immense prestige in court; his low, steady voice instantly silenced the generals.
“Your Majesty, per scouts, though Liao Army destroyed Naiman, it wasn’t the Liao Royal Court Army.”
“It was Liao’s Northern Frontier Army.”
Hearing this, Wanyan Jing and the officials were stunned.
What difference did that make?
Wanyan Zonghao explained: “Northern Frontier lies west of Naiman, once Western Turkic homeland.”
“Six years ago, Xiao Wulila’s grandson, this generation’s Sixth Courtyard Department Great King Xiao Simo, lost a court struggle.”
“He retreated to Northern Frontier to build strength.”
“Per scouts, two years ago, Liao’s Northern Frontier Army and Royal Court Army fought a civil war.”
“It ended in mutual defeat, no advantage gained.”
“And this time, it was Xiao Simo’s Northern Frontier Army that destroyed Naiman.”
Jin was too distant from the Western Regions; exchanges relied on slow merchant relays.
Like how Western Liao existed for over a decade before Jin learned of it.
The monarchs and ministers were stunned: Where did this nobody come from?
Yelü Dashi? Never heard of him!
Immediately sent envoys demanding Western Liao submission.
Envoys killed, decided on western expedition.
So message lag was normal in this era.
Jin’s intel was outdated, unaware Xiao Simo was dead and Northern Frontier Governor’s Mansion established.
Hearing the explanation, Wanyan Jing nodded slightly, understanding.
So, severe infighting plagued Liao internally.
This excited him; he said gravely: “Since they’re fighting among themselves, we can lend a hand.”
“Best if they destroy Liao entirely—then we’re truly secure.”
Then, Wanyan Jing decided: “Send an envoy to Northern Frontier.”
“Tell Xiao Simo: if he submits to our Great Jin, we will help him eliminate the Royal Court and make him Liao Emperor.”
“But Liao must cede Naiman lands to Great Jin and become our tributary, paying tribute yearly.”
The ministers were surprised.
Someone asked: “Your Majesty, what if Xiao Simo refuses?”
Wanyan Jing confidently said: “He will agree.”
“Otherwise, our Jin Iron Cavalry will invade Northern Frontier.”
“Liao Royal Court Army before, our Great Jin Army behind—caught between, Northern Frontier’s doom.”
“He’ll have no choice.”
Wanyan Jing’s face turned cold, sharpness revealed.
Dispatching armies to Northern Frontier had too many variables, potentially fruitless; subduing without fighting was best.
The ministers were convinced: “Your Majesty is wise!”
