Chapter 209

Chapter 209: Settling His Heart

“This time Northern Di sent Lu Chuo, a sickly imperial prince, to our Sheng Kingdom as a clear excuse for war…”

“But Princess, you saved Lu Chuo. Do you think Northern Di will not let the matter rest?” Shang Hang Yu finished her thought.

“Yes,” Sheng Zhi Wan nodded slightly.

“If Northern Di wants to invade Sheng Kingdom, they must first defeat the Northern Desert Army. With the roads and waterways frozen, if the Northern Desert Army’s supplies run out, Northern Di could starve them out. But similarly, without supplies, Northern Di would also perish.”

“So, Northern Di will target the supplies of the Northern Desert Military Camp?” Shang Hang Yu narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

Sheng Zhi Wan glanced at him, impressed. He truly deserved his fame as Prince Qin Yu, who had defeated Eastern Wa. She only hinted a little, and he immediately grasped the most critical point.

Just as it had been in her previous life.

Although Lu Chuo didn’t die in Sheng Kingdom, Northern Di still used his death as an excuse to wage war. Taking advantage of the ongoing winter disaster, they sent elite forces into the Northern Desert Military Camp.

With no supplies, their horses perished. If the Northern Di people wished to survive, their only option was to raid other territories.

The imperial princes of Northern Di were ruthless.

Especially First Prince Lu Yang, who in one night raided the Northern Desert Army’s food supplies and burned anything he couldn’t take.

With their supplies gone, the Northern Desert Army was vulnerable when two other imperial princes led their armies into battle.

Governor Xu died heroically, and Wudu Pass fell.

Wudu Pass and Yuwen County were lost to Northern Di.

Qi Shu Xian led a new army of one hundred thousand soldiers and confronted Northern Di at Qiangchang for several months.

Ultimately, it was her letter that advised Qi Shu Xian to make allies among the scattered tribes west of Northern Di, forcing Northern Di to retreat and defend their homeland…

Lost in thought about the past, Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her eyes.

Meanwhile, Shang Hang Yu found his gaze uncontrollably drawn to her damp hair, a droplet sliding from the ends of her hair, down her pale, graceful neck—

He swallowed heavily, forcing his gaze aside.

“Princess… perhaps you should dry your hair first?”

He offered her a handkerchief.

Distracted, Sheng Zhi Wan took it without looking.

Feeling the handkerchief slip from his fingers, Shang Hang Yu slowly clenched his empty hand, resting it stiffly on his leg.

“Is there news from Manifest Dragon Mountain?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked softly, turning slightly as she dried her hair.

Suppressing the fluttering in his heart, Shang Hang Yu replied calmly, “Only the previous report—ninety-seven thousand people, thirty percent of whom are elderly and children, leaving fewer than seventy thousand soldiers. But the number may have increased.”

Sheng Zhi Wan nodded gently. “Our priorities now are clear: first, alert the Northern Desert Army to guard their supplies against a desperate attack by Northern Di. Secondly, we must address the root problem in Northern Di.”

She turned slightly, eyes fixed on Shang Hang Yu. “Second Young Master Shang, what do you think of Lu Chuo?”

From her slight angle, her delicate collarbone peeked from beneath her robe. Shang Hang Yu responded instinctively, “Not good.”

“Oh? And what exactly isn’t good about him?”

[Because he dares to compete with me for the Princess, of course he’s not good!]

Coming to his senses, Shang Hang Yu quickly clarified, “His health is poor. Or were you asking about something else?”

Sheng Zhi Wan fell silent, finally noticing that the notorious playboy’s gaze wasn’t behaving itself. She gave a soft huff and turned away, continuing to dry her hair.

“I intend to form an alliance with Lu Chuo,” she said casually. “What do you think?”

Shang Hang Yu was about to object, but reconsidered. “You mean to support Lu Chuo in becoming Northern Di’s next emperor?”

To defeat external threats, internal chaos was best. If Northern Di was embroiled in internal conflict, it could only benefit Sheng Kingdom. Moreover, if Lu Chuo truly became emperor, it would greatly aid her plans.

Though unhappy, Shang Hang Yu reluctantly admitted, “Your idea is sound, Princess.”

“If there’s a chance, perhaps you could test Lu Chuo’s intentions,” Sheng Zhi Wan said lightly. Suddenly, she beckoned him closer.

She noticed he wasn’t happy.

And clearly, he was longing for her.

Sheng Zhi Wan wasn’t one to hesitate. Since she’d already decided to choose Shang Hang Yu as her Prince Consort, she could offer him reassurance—provided he obediently supported her plans.

“Princess?” Shang Hang Yu asked in confusion.

Yet, when her delicate fragrance filled his senses, though she hadn’t touched him yet, countless strings in his mind snapped at once.

“Princess—”

He remained rigid, afraid to move, words coming out barely intelligible.

Their faces were close, breaths mingling.

Sheng Zhi Wan had thought this would be easy. After all, she’d been married in her previous life. But now, her heart thumped so wildly it seemed ready to leap from her throat. She froze, unsure of her next move.

“Princess?”

Receiving no answer again, Shang Hang Yu lowered his gaze just as Sheng Zhi Wan raised hers.

Their eyes met. Startled, they both withdrew quickly.

Clenching her hands tightly, Sheng Zhi Wan tried to sound composed. “I… just saw a spider near your face.”

Shang Hang Yu, initially flustered, suddenly felt buoyant seeing her even more unsettled.

He smiled lightly. “Then thank you for driving away the spider, Princess.”

“You’re welcome,” Sheng Zhi Wan replied, belatedly realizing how familiar that excuse sounded.

Before she could recall where she’d heard it, a slightly roughened finger brushed softly against her cheek.

She shivered, regaining herself only when the audacious man had already leapt out the window, leaving her alone with only the flickering candlelight for company.

…

The next day.

Two imperial edicts were delivered—one to Princess Ning’s Manor, the other to the General’s Residence.

The capital’s most notorious playboy had become His Majesty’s personally appointed Prince Consort!

And to prevent Shang Hang Yu from idleness, Emperor Chong Sheng had even granted him the rank of Junior Fifth Rank Prince Consort Commandant.

As the edict was announced, Shang Hang Yu respectfully accepted it with a deep bow.

Behind him, Shang Tian Hao and Shang Xiu Yuan knelt reluctantly.

Shang Xiu Yuan clenched his fists tightly. He had suffered seasickness for nearly a month aboard an official ship, completing the Outer Sea Tea Route mission before earning a similar rank. Yet now, Shang Hang Yu had achieved the same effortlessly!

“Thank you, Eunuch, and everyone for your trouble,” Shang Hang Yu courteously handed out several heavy silk pouches, giving the largest to the eunuch attendant and the others to the imperial guards.

He had known Shang Tian Hao wouldn’t prepare rewards, so he’d done it himself.

The eunuch attendant’s eyes gleamed upon receiving the generous gift.

Shang Hang Yu raised his voice, “Please inform His Majesty that I will diligently prepare the bridal gifts to honor His Majesty’s trust.”

The eunuch paused, unsure as His Majesty had made no mention of bridal gifts. Yet it was customary, and considering Shang Hang Yu’s generosity, he smiled and nodded. “Prince Consort Shang, prepare well. This servant congratulates you sincerely.”

“Many thanks, Eunuch! Please take care!” Shang Hang Yu escorted him out, hands still warm holding the imperial edict.

He had dreamt and longed for this moment for so long.

In the past, he’d dared not even glance at her after she married, fearing his heart might reveal itself and trouble her.

Yet now, fate had turned, and finally, he and she were destined to be husband and wife!