Chapter 87: Internal Strife in Nan Dynasty

“Han Rong, were you very proud when you dealt with War Goddess Princess?” Shen Ning ignored the reactions of those around her, her eyes as cold as the grim reaper’s, the whip in her hand tightening relentlessly, mercilessly making Han Rong experience the sensation of suffocating and being on the brink of death. “Where is your pride and backbone? Didn’t you value your self-respect above everything else? How does it feel now that your self-respect is shattered all over the ground?”

“Aaah…” Han Rong’s pleading roar was stuck in his throat. His pupils dilated as he stared fixedly at Shen Ning, the fear and shock in his eyes clear and unconcealed.

The Nan Dynasty envoys felt a chill run through their bodies, deeply feeling Shen Ning’s hatred, her hatred for Marquis Han Rong.

Was she seeking revenge for War Goddess Princess?

“Princess Consort!” A refined strategist rushed forward in panic, trying to snatch the whip from Shen Ning’s hand. “The War Goddess Princess’s death had nothing to do with the Loyal and Brave Marquis. She… she died of illness. The death of the princess has deeply saddened us. If not for the princess’s passing, Nan Dynasty would not be in such a predicament now… But the Loyal and Brave Marquis… he and the princess were mutually in love, he would never harm the princess…”

Shen Ning looked up at him.

The girl’s eyes were so dark and clean, so clean that aside from hatred and contempt, no other emotions could be seen.

The young strategist, meeting her gaze, felt as if he was frozen in place. His outstretched hand trembled and withdrew.

“A waste like him is also worthy of being mutually in love with War Goddess Princess?” Shen Ning didn’t know if she was scolding Han Rong or herself. “She was blind in both eyes and heart to have taken a fancy to such a heartless, selfish, foolish, and hypocritical creature!”

Han Rong opened his mouth wide, trying to greedily gulp air during the moment Shen Ning’s whip loosened.

The dizziness and severe pain in his chest caused by suffocation were temporarily relieved.

Shen Ning’s emotions also slowly calmed down at this moment.

She leisurely retracted the whip but did not remove her foot from Han Rong’s face. Instead, she turned to look at the Nan Dynasty envoys: “If you want the Yong Kingdom to send troops to assist Nan Dynasty, I have one more condition—Han Rong is to be left to my disposal, and no one is allowed to interfere.”

“This… how can this be?” General Yang was the first to object. “Absolutely not!”

He was a general promoted by the Loyal and Brave Marquis. Over the years, his honor and disgrace had been tied to the marquisate. If Han Rong were to meet with misfortune, what value would there be left for this general?

Minister Ji and several civil officials hesitated, “Princess Consort…”

“This is truly absurd.” The Duke of the State stepped forward, his face stern with anger. “Shen Ning, you’ve had your moment of glory today and made your presence felt. Isn’t it time to stop? The diplomatic relations between two countries are a serious matter, even the Empress Dowager has no right to interfere, let alone a princess consort like you? Release the Loyal and Brave Marquis at once!”

“Duke of the State, you’ve spoken too much today.” Ji Yucang turned to look at him, his black eyes revealing a cold and intimidating pressure. “I, the Regent, am still standing here. Is it your place to reprimand my princess consort?”

The Duke of the State’s expression stiffened, and he replied subconsciously, “Regent, diplomatic relations are no child’s play. I hope…”

“Do you wish to take the position of Regent?”

The Duke of the State’s face completely froze, and he lowered his head, saying, “I dare not.”

“The princess consort’s condition is my condition.” Ji Yucang’s gaze shifted slightly, surveying the envoys present. “If you agree to hand over the brave and loyal Marquis to the princess consort, I will agree to send troops to support you.”

“No!” General Yang firmly objected. “If something happens to the Loyal and Brave Marquis, we won’t be able to explain when we return…”

“Otherwise, you can go back first and discuss it with your Emperor before returning.” Princess Pingyao, proposed unhurriedly. “It’s just that I wonder if the old, weak, sick, and disabled in the Nan Dynasty army can hold out until you make a round trip.”

This statement was quite harsh.

If Nan Dynasty truly only had the old, weak, sick, and disabled left, then not just one Han Rong, but even if the entire Loyal and Brave Marquisate were offered as hostages, it would still be a profitable deal for Nan Dynasty.

“If we agree to hand over the Loyal and Brave Marquis to you, will you, the Regent, promise to lend us troops?” a young official spoke up. “If the Regent agrees to lend troops immediately, we will agree…”

“Lin Yi, you’re taking revenge on a personal grudge!” General Yang turned angrily and roared, “Even if you’re not on good terms with the Loyal and Brave Marquis, you shouldn’t be adding insult to injury at this time!”

“General Yang, do you think Marquis’s life is more important than the survival of Nan Dynasty?” Lin Yi asked coldly. “Since the Loyal and Brave Marquis has been conferred the title of ‘Loyal and Brave”, he should dedicate himself to the country and its people until death. Only then would he not disappoint the Emperor’s expectations of him!”

Another envoy echoed, “Lin Yi speaks reasonably. Since the Loyal and Brave Marquis does not have the ability to lead troops and cannot offer strategies to the Emperor, he is already unworthy of the title ‘Loyal and Brave’. Now that he can exchange his life for the support of Nan Dynasty’s military forces, we should be happy. I believe the Loyal and Brave Marquis, in order to repay the Emperor’s kindness, would be willing to exchange his life for the stability of Nan Dynasty.”

The Yong Kingdom’s ministers watched silently, their expressions subtle and strange.

Unexpectedly, a mere Han Rong had caused the Nan Dynasty envoys to turn on each other in an instant. If this were on the battlefield, would it count as a defeat without a fight?

However, whether they were truly considering the country and its people or acting out of personal interest, it was not important to the Yong Kingdom.

What was important was that Shen Ning was actually the disciple of Nan Dynasty’s War Goddess Princess?

This… was something unheard of.

The Minister of War quietly walked behind the Duke of the State and whispered, “Duke, your daughter should never have left the rear courtyard since she was young, right? When did she become a disciple of Nan Dynasty’s War Goddess Princess?”

The Duke of the State’s brow furrowed tightly, his gaze resting on Shen Ning’s face, slowly shaking his head, equally puzzled.

Time slipped away quietly.

After Minister Ji turned around and conferred with the envoys in hushed tones, he quickly agreed, “We accept the princess consort’s condition. May I ask when the Regent will lend us troops?”

Ji Yucang turned and instructed Ling Feng, “Go to the Ministry of Justice’s prison and borrow a set of shackles.”

Everyone was shocked.

Shackles?

Were they for the Loyal and Brave Marquis?

Was the Regent going to publicly shackle the Loyal and Brave Marquis in front of everyone?

“Yes.” Ling Feng accepted the order and left.

The Nan Dynasty envoys looked terrified, facing such public humiliation, they dared not speak out in anger and could only wait anxiously. Unintentionally, they looked back at the two princesses standing at the very back, and immediately frowned.

It was clear that the marriage alliance was meant to establish friendly relations and then request the Yong Kingdom to send troops for assistance. How did it happen that the marriage negotiations had not even begun, and the Loyal and Brave Marquis was already involved?

Could it be that a Loyal and Brave Marquis who couldn’t lead troops was more attractive than two princesses?

The Minister of Rites wanted to invite everyone back into the hall to sit down and talk.

However, since the Regent was standing outside the hall, the others could only stand with him, and no one spoke up.

Time passed slowly.

Shen Ning’s foot, which was on Han Rong’s face, had not been withdrawn.

General Yang’s face was a sickly shade of dark green, almost unable to meet Han Rong’s eyes as he lay on the ground. The Loyal and Brave Marquis had always valued his reputation the most, and such a disheveled and miserable appearance was rare in his life.

Both his dignity and reputation were completely lost, and even his life might not be guaranteed.

Would their visit to seek help from the Yong Kingdom yield a satisfactory outcome?

What if it was like a lamb entering a tiger’s den…

After an unknown amount of time, Ling Feng, dressed in black, returned with a set of shackles made of black iron weighing sixty catties.

“Princess Consort,” Ling Feng handed over the shackles, “they’re a bit heavy, please…”

“Why give them to the princess consort?” Ji Yucang frowned, looking at Han Rong on the ground with disgust. “Such a filthy thing doesn’t deserve to have the princess consort personally put shackles on him. You do it.”

Ling Feng: “…”

Such a filthy thing, not worthy of the princess consort’s touch, so it had to be him who did it?