Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1612 Return

Princess Yun'an blinked slowly, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow on her pale cheeks.

She reached out and gently stroked the unfamiliar crown on her head. Her lips twitched, as if she were smiling, or perhaps crying.

Supported by her nanny and maids, Princess Yun'an walked out of the princess's residence as if she were walking on clouds.

She paused slightly as she crossed the threshold, but did not turn around.

Outside the mansion gate, the wedding procession was already prepared.

Although the scale was far less grand than the sixteen-bearer phoenix palanquin carried when Princess Wenshu married, it was still an eight-bearer pheasant palanquin decorated with dragon and phoenix and wolf and eagle patterns symbolizing the marriage alliance between the two countries.

The envoys and some of the guards sent by the Xiongnu delegation to welcome the bride had all changed into more formal attire and were lined up to wait.

On the Great Zhou side, the Ministry of Rites appointed a vice minister and officials from the Imperial Clan Court to lead a team to escort the eldest princess to the border.

Upon seeing that the official sent by the Ministry of Rites was not Gu Jinxiao, Princess Yun'an lowered her eyes, and the last bit of comfort in her heart disappeared.

She boarded the palanquin, sat inside, and placed her hands clasped on her knees. Her fingernails dug deeply into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped white marks, yet she felt no pain.

The sedan chair was lifted smoothly and began to move slowly.

Princess Yun'an could feel the sedan chair swaying slightly and hear the orderly footsteps and hoofbeats outside.

She knew that from then on, her hometown was her birthplace, a distant place she could never return to...

The procession passed by the outskirts of the imperial city and made a brief stop.

According to custom, a princess who is about to marry must bid farewell to the emperor and empress here and express her gratitude for the emperor's favor.

However, the palace gates remained closed today and were not opened.

Only Li Changde, accompanied by a few eunuchs, presented Nangong Xuanyu's reward and spoke on behalf of the emperor, offering words of admonition to "strengthen the friendship between the two countries forever."

Princess Yun'an, inside the Zhai Yu, heard Li Changde's shrill voice and a hint of mockery appeared in her eyes.

After the ceremony, the procession set off again, heading towards the North Gate.

This time, there was no stopping.

Soon, the Xiongnu delegation's caravan met up with Princess Yun'an's wedding procession outside the city gate.

Luan Di Yi Tu's ceremonial entourage was prominently featured.

The Ministry of Rites of the Great Zhou Dynasty dispatched a team of officials, led by a senior official, to escort the delegation to the border and to deliver Nangong Xuanyu's handwritten reply to the Xiongnu Chanyu.

This was both a courtesy and a form of surveillance, ensuring that the mission would not cause any further trouble along the way.

On the city wall, Gu Jinxiao and several colleagues stood solemnly watching them go.

A cold wind lifted a corner of his crimson official robe; his face remained calm, his gaze distant. Only when the shadows of the procession disappeared on the horizon did he slowly withdraw his gaze.

The reception of the Xiongnu delegation lasted for more than a month, and was fraught with difficulties, but it has now finally come to an end.

The terms of the negotiations were favorable to the Great Zhou, and the Xiongnu did not gain any advantage at the final farewell banquet.

However, Gu Jinxiao felt not much relief, but rather a heavy weight in her heart.

Princess Yun'an's fate of being married off to a distant land is irreversible. Can the future of the Northern Frontier truly be secured by a single peace treaty?

When the Left Wise King left, he appeared respectful, but deep within his hawk-like eyes, a wildfire seemed to still burn.

Gu Jinxiao sighed softly, turned around and walked down the city wall.

The Ministry of Rites still had many follow-up matters to handle, and he could not afford to be too sentimental.

However... no one expected that the seemingly grand northward journey would undergo subtle changes two days after leaving the capital, while resting at an inn...

Dark as ink.

Several dark figures gathered together near the stables in the backyard of the inn.

Luan Di Yi Tu had removed his Xiongnu royal attire, which signified his status, and put on an inconspicuous gray-brown cotton robe, commonly seen by merchants from the northern part of the Great Zhou Dynasty, along with a felt hat to shield his head from the wind.

He was already tall and had a demeanor quite different from that of ordinary Han Chinese. But at this moment, he deliberately hunched his shoulders, concealing his intimidating aura, and blended into the crowd. If one did not look closely, he would look like an ordinary caravan leader who had been traveling for many years and had weathered many storms.

Standing before Luan Di Yi Tu was Gray Falcon, who had also changed his attire, and another capable confidant.

"Your Highness, everything has been arranged."

Grey Falcon said in a low voice, "...The team will set off as scheduled tomorrow, led by Lord Helianze and General Uvi, and return to the royal court according to the original plan."

"We would deliberately slow down along the way, making it seem like we were carrying heavy gifts and traveling cautiously."

"The doubles we leave behind will occasionally appear inside the car, enough to fool the escorting Zhou officials and ordinary informants."

Luan Di Yi Tu nodded: "Where are the people in the capital who are supposed to be there to meet us?"

Grey Falcon said, "It's all arranged."

“We have a hidden warehouse in the capital. The manager is an old mole planted years ago. He is absolutely reliable. Your Highness can stay here temporarily under the guise of a fur merchant.”

"Regarding the investigation... I will restart some of the undercover agents, but it will take time, and we must be even more careful. After this incident, the Great Zhou court will undoubtedly be more vigilant."

Luan Di Yi Tu said in a low voice, "I know, but I must investigate."

"Until we figure out the secret of that mysterious weapon, we Xiongnu will never have peace of mind."

"No matter how deeply Nangong Xuanyu hides it, as long as it exists, there will always be traces to follow."

He went to such great lengths, coming in person to negotiate, promising a huge amount of warhorses and humiliating terms. If his ultimate goal failed, it would be something he absolutely could not accept.

Returning to the grasslands empty-handed, Luan Di Yi Tu was unable to explain himself to the Chanyu's questions and the watchful eyes of those within the tribe.

More importantly, the threat of the mysterious weapon made the Xiongnu feel like they had a thorn in their side.

If this isn't clarified, all his future ambitions and ambitions could be destroyed.

Therefore, he had to stay.

Even if it's risky, even if it means venturing alone into the lion's den.

"Your Highness, this is extremely risky."

Grey Falcon couldn't help but remind him again: "If the Great Zhou finds out that you've sneaked back without permission..."

"Therefore, I must not be discovered by them."

Luan Di Yi Tu said coldly, "Pass down the order that everyone who knows about this matter, including those in the capital who are supposed to be there, must be extremely cautious."

"The investigation should focus on gathering fragmented information and observing anomalies. No action that could expose us should be taken without absolute certainty."

Grey Falcon replied, "Yes!"

"Let's go."

Luan Di Yi Tu took one last look in the direction of the main building of the post station.

The place was brightly lit, and the escorting officials and key members of the delegation were feasting, unaware of the conspiracy taking place in the backyard.

He pulled his hat brim low, turned and disappeared into the night, leaving the inn silently and heading back towards the capital.

……

Cold palace.

Consort Kang arrived here discreetly, dressed in an inconspicuous cloak and accompanied by Caiju.

Her face was slightly pale, whether from the cold or from the tension in her heart.

Consort Kang had carefully planned her visit for this day.