SEC Chapter 2: Xu Longxiang, the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, presents his daughter Jiang Qingxue!
Chapter 2: Xu Longxiang, the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, presents his daughter Jiang Qingxue!
Qin Mu slowly opened his eyes.
Xu Xiao, the Prince of Zhenbei.
This name was known to everyone in the Qin Dynasty.
When the late emperor was conquering the world, Xu Xiao started with three thousand iron cavalry, fought in the south and north for thirty years, and conquered half of the country for the Qin Dynasty.
His most glorious battle was when he defeated 200,000 Northern Mang cavalry with 50,000 infantrymen outside Yanmen Pass, deterring the Northern Mang from advancing south for ten years.
The late emperor once held his hand and said, "I gained the empire, and Minister Xu deserves half the credit."
Therefore, Xu Xiao was enfeoffed as the Prince of Zhenbei, granted a certificate of merit and fiefdom, and appointed to guard the three northern prefectures with an army of 300,000.
This was the only king of a different surname in the Qin Dynasty, and also the most powerful vassal king.
Xu Xiao passed away three years ago, and his son Xu Longxiang inherited the title.
Qin Mu didn't know much about Xu Longxiang, only that he was famous for his martial arts talent when he was young, entered the first-grade Vajra Realm at the age of eighteen, broke through the Finger Profound Realm at the age of twenty, and at only twenty-five years old this year, he has already stepped into the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, making him a martial arts prodigy that is rare in a hundred years.
Not only was his cultivation astonishing, but his ability to command troops was also a true inheritance from Xu Xiao.
Last year, when the Northern Barbarians invaded the border, Xu Longxiang personally led 8,000 iron cavalry on a 300-mile raid, launching a surprise attack on the Northern Barbarian royal court, beheading 30,000 and capturing the Left Wise King of the Northern Barbarians, thus becoming famous in one battle.
Today in Qin, Xu Longxiang's reputation is at its zenith.
The common people called him "Little King of the North", scholars praised him as "pillar of the nation", and the army regarded him as a god.
In the six months since Qin Mu ascended the throne, Xu Longxiang has been stationed in the northern border, and has only sent three congratulatory memorials, which were respectful and courteous.
I never expected you to suddenly return to Beijing today, and even present me with a beautiful woman?
A hint of amusement flashed in Qin Mu's eyes.
"Let him in," he waved his hand. "To the Hall of Supreme Harmony."
"Yes."
Yunluan accepted the order and withdrew. Qin Mu rose, and the concubines busied themselves adjusting his clothes.
Consort Wan tried to plead for mercy, but Qin Mu stopped her with a single look.
"All of you may leave. Tonight... Consort Shu will serve you in bed."
Upon hearing this, a flash of joy crossed Consort Shu's eyes, and she gracefully bowed, saying, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
The other concubines had different expressions, but none of them dared to say anything. They all bowed and took their leave.
Qin Mu straightened his clothes, put his hands behind his back, and walked towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony was a side hall where the emperor received foreign officials. Although it was not as grand as the Hall of Supreme Harmony, it was still solemn and magnificent.
Inside the hall, golden pillars with coiled dragons stand tall, and the floor is paved with shiny black jade bricks. On the high platform to the north, there is a dragon throne and an imperial desk, with gilded crane incense burners on both sides emitting wisps of blue smoke.
When Qin Mu sat down on the dragon throne, Xu Longxiang was already waiting outside the hall.
"Announce."
The palace maid's clear voice rang out, and soon after, a figure stepped into the hall.
The newcomer was tall, about eight feet tall, dressed in a black python robe, with a jade belt around his waist and cloud-patterned boots on his feet.
His face was resolute, with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a high nose, and distinct lips. Even though he was kneeling to pay his respects, his back was straight as a javelin.
What is most striking is the subtle yet powerful aura emanating from him.
That was the unique pressure of a Celestial Realm expert, faintly resonating with heaven and earth. Even when deliberately restrained, it still made the guards and palace maids standing in the hall feel breathless.
"Your subject, Xu Longxiang, Prince of Zhenbei, pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
His voice was deep and resonant, full of energy.
Qin Mu glanced at him indifferently, and after a long while said, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xu Longxiang stood up, his hands at his sides, his posture respectful, yet his eyes were neither humble nor arrogant.
"Why have you suddenly returned to the capital instead of guarding the northern border?" Qin Mu picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Your Majesty, the northern border has been peaceful recently. After last year's defeat, the Northern Barbarians will certainly not dare to invade again for the next three years. My return to the capital is for two reasons: first, to pay homage to the new emperor and express the loyalty of the 300,000 soldiers in the north; and secondly..."
He paused, looked up at Qin Mu, and a subtle, unreadable meaning flashed in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, I have found an exceptionally beautiful woman in the northern border. This woman is not only stunningly beautiful, but also proficient in music, poetry, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing, and swordsmanship. She is truly a woman of both beauty and talent. I believe that only such a beauty is worthy to serve Your Majesty. Therefore, I present her to Your Majesty to celebrate Your Majesty's ascension to the throne."
Qin Mu put down his teacup, intrigued: "Oh? To receive such praise from you, my dear minister, I'd like to meet you."
Xu Longxiang's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile as he cupped his hands and said, "The beauty is already waiting for your decree outside the palace."
"Announce."
The palace doors opened again.
A woman walked in gracefully.
The moment she stepped into the hall, it seemed as if even the light inside the hall brightened up a bit.
The woman was about twenty years old, dressed in a moon-white flowing dress with a trailing hem, and a light blue silk sash around her waist, which accentuated her slender figure. Her hair was styled in a simple flying bun, adorned with only a white jade hairpin, extremely elegant, yet unable to conceal her stunning beauty.
Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like autumn waters rippling across the surface, her nose was delicate, her lips cherry-like, and her skin was as white as snow.
What's most touching is her temperament, as pure and aloof as a snow lotus in the Tianshan Mountains, yet with a hint of sadness in her eyes, making one feel pity at first sight.
She walked into the hall, knelt gracefully, and said in a voice as clear as pearls: "This commoner, Jiang Qingxue, pays her respects to Your Majesty."
Qin Mu's gaze lingered on her for a moment.
She is absolutely stunning.
She was even more beautiful than the most beautiful concubine in his harem.
Her aloof and cool demeanor, in particular, was completely different from the charming and coquettish women in the palace, which only made her more intriguing.
But what kind of discerning eye does Qin Mu possess?
He could tell at a glance that this woman, though seemingly weak, was actually skilled in martial arts. Although she tried to hide it, she could not escape the perception of a terrestrial immortal.
She was at around the third rank, not high, but definitely not an ordinary woman.
What's even more interesting is that her fingers trembled slightly as she knelt in prayer. It wasn't fear, but rather... tension? Anticipation?
Qin Mu looked at Xu Longxiang, who was standing with his head bowed, looking respectful.
"Raise your head," Qin Mu said to Jiang Qingxue.
Jiang Qingxue slowly raised her head and met Qin Mu's gaze.
Her eyes were clear and deep, like a still pool, but a hint of panic flashed across them under Qin Mu's gaze before she regained her composure.
"Indeed, she is a stunning beauty." Qin Mu nodded. "You are very kind, my dear minister."
Xu Longxiang hurriedly replied, "It is this woman's good fortune to be appreciated by His Majesty, and it is also my honor."
Qin Mu leaned back on the dragon throne, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest, a half-smile on his face: "There is one thing I don't understand."
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"Such a beauty, my dear minister, instead of keeping her for your own use, you present her to me..."
Qin Mu paused, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Do you perhaps think that my harem lacks beauties?"
The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly froze.
Xu Longxiang remained expressionless, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty misunderstands. I am utterly loyal to Your Majesty. When I obtained this beauty, my first thought was that only the Emperor is worthy to enjoy her. If I were to keep her for myself, wouldn't that be an act of usurpation?"
He spoke sincerely, his eyes open and honest.
Qin Mu stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "It was just a joke, my dear minister, please don't take it to heart."
He waved his hand: "Since it is your kind intention, I will accept it. Guards, take Miss Su to Yuxiu Palace to settle her in, and bestow upon her the title of Consort Xue."
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!" Jiang Qingxue kowtowed, her voice trembling slightly.
Two palace maids stepped forward and led her away.
As she turned, her skirt swayed in a slight arc, and Qin Mu noticed that her fingertips were white from gripping the fabric so tightly.
Xu Longxiang also bowed and took his leave.
The hall fell silent again, with only wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner.
Qin Mu sat alone on the dragon throne, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrests, a playful smile curving his lips.
"The Crown Prince of Beiliang, a Celestial Realm expert, renowned for his military exploits and widespread fame..."
He muttered to himself, a golden glint flashing in his eyes—a divine light only found in terrestrial immortals.
"I offer you a beautiful woman who possesses martial arts skills and harbors a secret..."
"Xu Longxiang, Xu Longxiang, what are you up to?"
The sun was shining brightly outside the palace, and the peonies in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away in the northern border, a secret letter was being sent at an urgent speed of eight hundred miles to thirty-seven prefectures throughout the Qin Dynasty.
The letter contained only eight words:
"The beauty has entered the palace; the plan is about to begin."
Meanwhile, deep within the palace, a Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) dressed in a flying fish robe knelt on one knee in a dark room, reporting in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, news has come from our spies in the Northern Territory that before Xu Longxiang left the country, he secretly met with seventeen officials from the three northern prefectures. The specific content of the conversation is unknown."
In the dark room, a figure stood with his back to the door, hands clasped behind his back.
Upon hearing this, he chuckled softly:
"Let him move."
"I want to see how many acts he can perform in this play."
His voice was calm, yet it carried an air of unparalleled confidence.
Because he is Qin Mu.
The invincible Emperor of Qin.
All schemes and tricks are nothing but a farcical performance in the face of absolute power.
He was just waiting, waiting for the climax of the play, waiting for the demons and monsters hiding in the shadows to jump out on their own.
then……
Catch it all in one go.