Chapter 40 The Son-in-law

  The northern border, mountain rivers and passes.

  The allied forces of the Qiang people and the eight tribes of the Man barbarians were repeatedly defeated by Nan Gongjin, and they had already retreated to the great desert outside the northern border. The reinforcements from Tuguhun and Wuhuan also withdrew.

  This war finally came to an end after a stalemate of nearly a month.

  In the tent, Nangong Jin held a book in his hand and was reading it carefully. At this time, Huo Zhe walked in from outside the door.

  Huo Zhe's expression was complex, unable to tell whether he was happy or worried. He rarely had a particularly flustered look on his face, but at this moment, he hastily walked to Nan Gongyin's side and anxiously said: "Master..."

  Nangong Jin heard his flustered tone, put down the book in his hand and looked up.

  Huo hesitated for a moment before saying: "The Left Chancellor, Wang Guogong, Huang Jiangjun and others have been killed, and the remaining remnants of the Zuoparty have also been eliminated."

  Nangong Jin heard this and slightly raised an eyebrow. "This is a good thing, why are you flustered?"

  Huò Zhī wanted to speak but stopped, his brow furrowing deeper. Seeing Huò Zhī's expression, Nán Gōng Jǐn's face also turned solemn.

  He slowly got up, lifted the curtain and walked out. The moonlight in the northwest was brighter and more transparent than that in the imperial capital, even the moon itself was at least twice as big as that in the imperial capital, and night came very late here.

  He followed him, and he wandered aimlessly for a long time, silent for a long time.

  "Who proposed the dispatch of the letter requesting aid?"

  Huo Zhi paused for a moment and said: "I previously heard that it was decided by the Right Chancellor, but... just now I found out that it was actually the Princess and her husband who were behind this."

  Nangong Jin's footsteps came to an abrupt halt. "The Emperor's Son-in-law?"

  He's been out for just a month, and Swallow has already got a son-in-law, and this son-in-law is not simple.

  Not only can he tame that little demon head, but also tame the old ministers in the imperial court, and even more extraordinary is his talent as a general.

  Huo nodded and added, "Just received news that the Kanto army, which was stationed outside the imperial capital with the intention of usurping power, has also returned to Kanto. The seven generals of the Kanto army had a secret meeting with the crown prince for an hour before returning to the imperial capital together to plead guilty."

  Nangong Jin was secretly shocked in her heart, what kind of person is this imperial son-in-law? With such ability, in such a short time, among those courtiers who were at their wit's end, even he didn't know how to handle the situation.

  At such a rapid pace, the reinforcements were resolved without saying, and the left party was eliminated. Even the war that was about to break out was settled?!

  He even made the notoriously arrogant and unmanageable Kanto commander submit to him with just a few words, and he willingly returned to the imperial capital to apologize...

  However, what was unexpected is yet to come.

  Huo continued: "Moreover, he also formulated a policy for the Kwantung Army."

  "What policy?"

  "All Kwantung Army soldiers, as long as they have a family, can present their enlistment documents and superior approval documents to the imperial court to receive corresponding land and housing based on the number of people in their household. Moreover, the land taxes for families of Kwantung Army personnel will be reduced or exempted. All sons of Kwantung Army personnel are eligible to enter the Imperial Academy free of charge and will be given priority consideration when recruiting and enlisting."

  Nan Gong Jin heard this, and involuntarily furrowed his brow. Such meticulous and dense consideration of killing two birds with one stone was indeed something that even he had to admire. It seemed that Feng Xi had already fallen into his hands.

  This Luo Tian, I'm afraid he has just escaped from the wolf's den and entered the tiger's mouth.

  Huo Zhi saw his concern and immediately revealed a look of indifference, continuing: "The people on the other side also said that the son-in-law is the prince of Fengyun Country, named... Nalan Xizhao."

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, upon hearing Nalan Xianyu's name, Nan Gong Jin's body involuntarily trembled. He turned his head, staring at Huo Zhe, with flames and light bursting in his eyes that he couldn't understand.

  "What did you say?!"

  "The son-in-law's name is... Nalan Xixiao." Huo lowered his head unnaturally and repeated it again.

  Luò Tiān, Dì Dū, Hòu Gōng.

  Within a short month, the long-lasting war between the two parties in Luotian was brought to an end with the appearance of the new son-in-law, and the Left Party suffered a crushing defeat and was completely eliminated.

  The story of how the Marquis of Changle led the Left Wing and bravely went to the Dongji Garrison to protect Luo Tian's safety was also widely spread.

  Even in the harem, Nalan Xianyu became a legendary figure. Everyone knew about Nan Gongyan's arrogance and overbearing nature. On the surface, everyone was obedient to her, but behind her back, they all called her Little Demoness, even the Empress Dowager thought she was a little demoness.

  But she was very obedient in front of Nalan Xixi, and just by looking at this point, it can be seen that the prince consort is capable.

  Murong Taohou held a grand banquet to entertain Nalan Xinnuo, firstly to celebrate his success, and secondly, also the purpose of this banquet, was to discuss marriage with Nalan Xinnuo, she couldn't wait to tie him and Nan Gongyin together every hour and every minute.

  At the dinner table, Murong Dowager sat in the upper seat. On the left side of her seat were Nalan Xianuo and Nan Gongyan, while on the right side was Nalan Yanran. Behind them, Zhao Song stood by to serve.

  Although Zhao Song was one of the people Nalan Xinnuo wanted to eliminate, she had already paved the way for him, giving him the title of General Wuwu and granting him the mansion of the Left Prime Minister.

  If the remnants of the Left Party want revenge, they will inevitably find him.

  However, Empress Dowager Murong unexpectedly kept him by her side, unclear about the situation. Zhao Song had been serving in the palace since his entry and was familiar with the empress dowager's daily habits, soon becoming her trusted eunuch.

  He was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager, like her left and right arms. No matter what Nan Gongyan said, the Empress Dowager would not agree to remove him from the palace.

  This was something that Nalan Xinnuo did not expect and could not help but happen. Many things that were originally going smoothly, once Mu Rong Tai Hou intervened, would become as difficult as ascending to the sky. This was what Nalan Xinnuo came to realize later on.

  "Alas, Nuo, you see, when will you go back and tell your emperor father about your marriage with Yan'er?"

  Murong Taohou kindly picked up a dish with chopsticks and asked warmly like a loving mother.

  Nangong Yan's face turned red with embarrassment, she was just like her brother in front of Nalan Xinnuo, completely without any resistance, gentle and obedient to the point of being astonishing.

  Nalan Xixiao felt a lump in her throat and immediately said, "Your Majesty, I think it's better to wait for the king to return before discussing this matter further."

  At this time, Nan Gong Jin had to be brought out to block her, otherwise nothing could stop the empress dowager. When 400,000 troops were about to attack, she was still thinking about this marriage, what else could stop her?

  "Alright~" Murong Empress put down her chopsticks and said seriously: "You can go back, bring the betrothal gifts over, by the time you return, my son will also be back, he will definitely agree, as long as Yanzhu likes it, even if it's a star, he will give it to her."

  Nalan Xixi's body slightly paused, and her heart felt some inexplicable bitterness. Alas, it's not just the stars, even fate can be discarded. If this era allowed sex reassignment surgery, Nangong Jin would probably grab her to undergo the procedure and then marry Nangong Yan again.

  Thinking of this, Nalan Xianuo suddenly laughed at herself.

  On the side, Nangong Yan saw him smile and also showed a joyful expression on her face. The Empress Dowager thought he was laughing because of happiness and also smiled along with him. "Then let's set off tomorrow, come back quickly."

  Nalan Xixi nodded. "Yes, sir."

  Nalan Xieruo agreed, and the Empress Dowager and Nangong Yan were both in high spirits. On the other hand, Nalan Yanran was frowning with worry, knowing that Nalan Xieruo's quick agreement must mean she had no intention of returning.

  If Nalan Xixi doesn't come back, she's done for. Not only will she not become the imperial concubine, but she might also fall into the hands of Nan Gongyue.

  After dinner, Nalan Xiong followed Nan Gongyan back to her palace. Nalan Xiong lingered and did not leave for a long time.

  Zhao Song attended to the Empress Dowager as she prepared for her afternoon rest. He noticed that Nalan Xianyu had not left, so the Empress Dowager elegantly yawned and waved her hand, saying: "You may go now, I'm going to take a nap."

  "Your Majesty! Yanran has something to say!" Nalan Yanran fell to her knees with a thud.

  The empress dowager saw this and slightly furrowed her brow. "If you have something to say, then speak. What are you doing?"

  "Nalan Yanran deceived the Empress Dowager, a crime punishable by death ten thousand times over. I beg the Empress Dowager to mete out punishment!" Nalan Yanran said, and then burst into tears.

  The empress dowager couldn't bear to see this, with all the begging for forgiveness and wailing. She rubbed her temples and asked: "What have you hidden from me? Why do you deserve to die ten thousand times over? You'd better speak up."

  "In fact, I miss her..." Nalan Yanran was about to respond, but the Empress Dowager suddenly became sober as soon as she heard the two words "Xi Nuo".

  "What's wrong with Xi Nuo?! What happened?!" The Empress Dowager feared most was that Xi Nuo couldn't marry Nan Gong Yan.

  "Unfortunately, Nuo is the only son of Yun Cloud and will inherit the throne in the future to continue the family line of Nalan. It's probably impossible for him to marry into the Luo Tian family. Yan Ran didn't inform the Empress Dowager in time, a crime punishable by death!"

  Murong Taifei's expression softened upon hearing this. "What does it matter? Let Yan'er marry Feng Yun and be done with it."

  "Absolutely impossible!" Marrying into the Yun Cloud clan would be a disaster! Wouldn't that even drag her down?!

  Looking at Nalan Yanran's tense appearance, the Empress Dowager asked in confusion: "Why are you so tense? What can't be done?"

  "The imperial brother... he already has a marriage arrangement and is about to get married!"

  "What?!?!" The empress suddenly stood up in surprise.

  She was afraid that Nalan Xianyu already had a marriage arrangement, which would make things difficult for her. She couldn't force them to marry Nan Gongyan as their first wife, although they might agree, it wouldn't sound good if people found out.

  The Empress Dowager Murong immediately looked worried, but thinking about it, those excellent young men and the princes and nobles would probably fight to the death. Seeing the empress dowager's concern, Nalan Yanran hastily said: "So, we absolutely cannot let Xianuo return!"

  The empress nodded in agreement. "That makes sense, even if he goes back, he must marry Yan'er first."

  At night, Nan Gongyan was urgently summoned by the Empress Dowager.

  In the empress dowager's bedroom, Nan Gongyan hastily rushed in, only to see the empress dowager sitting on a couch with a sly expression.

  Nangong Yan had a bad premonition in her heart, she walked over, and before she could even open her mouth, the Empress Dowager grasped her hand tightly. The Empress Dowager looked at her with a serious tone and said: "Yan'er, success or failure depends on this one move."

  "What's going on? Empress Dowager, what are you talking about..." Nangong Yan looked at the empress dowager's serious expression and felt a bit uneasy.

  "Who would have thought that Xi Nuo was already engaged to Lingyun, so now it's absolutely impossible for him to go back. The Empress Dowager has come up with a plan that will ensure he marries you and no one can say anything about it!" The Empress Dowager spoke mysteriously, her face full of cunning.

  "What's going on?" Nan Gong Yan was suspicious.

  "As long as you get pregnant with his child, he will have to marry you first. At that time, you can go to Yun Cloud and become the empress, and our family will be at ease." The Empress Dowager Mu Rong said, still getting emotional.

  Nangong Yan's face turned red with shame, but she didn't retort back for a long time.

  She wanted to marry him, that boy who looked just like her brother.