BSI Chapter 91 Xu Longxiang's older sister, Xu Fenghua! Dressed in red, she marries into Jiangnan.
Chapter 91 Xu Longxiang's older sister, Xu Fenghua! Dressed in red, she marries into Jiangnan.
Three days later, late at night.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation was brightly lit.
Qin Mu changed into a simple black outfit, covered with a matching cloak, and tied his long hair up with an ebony hairpin.
A few stray hairs fell across his forehead, making him appear less like an emperor and more like a free spirit of a wandering knight.
He stood in the hall, and Yunluan was adjusting his clothes.
Yunluan had changed out of her silver armor and into a black night outfit that allowed for easy movement, with her long hair tied in a high ponytail.
With the help of the "Nine-Turn Qi-Nourishing Pill", her injuries have healed by 70%, her breathing is steady, her true energy is abundant, and she has even improved a bit more than before she was injured.
At this moment, she was carefully tying the belt of Qin Mu's cloak, her movements gentle and focused.
She tied the last sash, took a half step back, and stood with her hands at her sides.
"Your Majesty, we can depart for Suzhou tomorrow."
Qin Mu smiled and said, "I remember Xu Longxiang had an older sister who married into a family in Suzhou."
The candlelight inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation flickered gently in the night breeze, illuminating the meaningful smile on Qin Mu's face.
Yunluan nodded
"Your Majesty remembers correctly. Six years ago, in order to win over the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, the late Emperor betrothed Xu Fenghua, the eldest daughter of the Xu family, to Zhao Wenxuan, the son of Zhao Mingcheng, the Suzhou Textile Commissioner."
The Zhao family, spanning three generations, controlled the textile industry in Jiangnan, amassing immense wealth and establishing deep roots in Suzhou.
Qin Mu nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window: "Tell me about this Miss Xu."
Yun Luan pondered for a moment, then quickly retrieved all the information about Xu Fenghua in her mind:
"Xu Fenghua is the eldest daughter of Xu Xiao, the Prince of Zhenbei, and the elder sister of Xu Longxiang. She is twenty-eight years old this year, three years older than Xu Longxiang."
She paused, seemingly considering her words:
"This woman... is quite special."
"Oh?" Qin Mu raised an eyebrow. "How is it special?"
Yunluan raised her eyes, and in the candlelight, her expression held a mixture of reminiscence and scrutiny:
According to the records of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Xu Fenghua was known for her talent, which was no less than that of men, when she was young in the northern border. She could write poetry at the age of ten, was well-versed in military strategy at the age of twelve, and accompanied her father to inspect the military camp at the age of fourteen. She once publicly commented on the shortcomings of the border defense, and her insightful views made several veteran generals under Xu Xiao take notice.
Qin Mu's eyes flashed with surprise: "Xu Xiao actually allows his daughter to get involved in military affairs?"
"It is said that Xu Xiao initially also refused."
Yunluan said, "But Xu Fenghua insisted on learning, and even secretly read military books, which was discovered by Xu Xiao. Xu Xiao tested her with a few questions, and she answered them fluently. Xu Xiao was very surprised, and after that he no longer restricted her, but instead allowed her to listen to military discussions."
She paused, then added:
"There are rumors that Xu Fenghua is behind many tactical deployments in the Northern Army. However, she never shows her face and conveys all her insights through Xu Longxiang. Therefore, the outside world only knows that the young prince Xu is a hero, but is unaware of his sister's strategic prowess."
Qin Mu smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "It seems the Xu family has produced two notable figures in this generation."
"That's not all,"
Yunluan continued, "Xu Fenghua has a strong and decisive personality, quite different from ordinary young ladies. Six years ago, when the late emperor bestowed a marriage upon her, she was unwilling to marry him. She once said to Xu Xiao in person: 'If Father wants to consolidate his power through marriage, why not betroth me to a powerful figure in the court? Marrying a merchant from Jiangnan is just icing on the cake.'"
A glint of light flashed in Qin Mu's eyes: "That's what she said?"
"Yes," Yunluan nodded. "Xu Xiao was furious at the time and scolded her for not knowing what was important. But Xu Fenghua argued that although the Zhao family was rich, they had no real power and could not help the Xu family much. It would be better to choose an important official in the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Revenue, which could pave the way for the Xu family's future."
Qin Mu said thoughtfully, "She certainly had foresight. What happened next?"
"Later, Xu Xiao, citing the inviolability of the emperor's command, forcibly married her off to Suzhou."
Yunluan said, "According to the recollections of the old servants who accompanied Xu Fenghua on her wedding day, the northern border was filled with snow. She stood in front of the palace gate in her bright red wedding dress, looking back in the direction of Zhenyue Hall, and only said one sentence—"
"What did you say?"
"Today I marry not for the Xu family, but for the Northern Frontier. Father, brother, never forget this."
A brief silence fell over the hall.
The candlelight crackled, and the sandalwood incense wafted gently.
Qin Mu slowly stood up and walked to the window. The night was as dark as ink, and the lights of the imperial city flickered in the distance, like stars fallen to earth.
"So, for the past six years," he said calmly, his back to Yunluan, "how has Xu Fenghua been doing in Suzhou?"
Yunluan remained silent for a moment before saying:
"The secret agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Suzhou reported that after Xu Fenghua married into the Zhao family, she lived a secluded life and rarely appeared in public. Zhao Wenxuan was a typical playboy who spent his days frequenting brothels and taverns and paid no attention to his wife from the north."
She paused, a subtle glint in her voice:
"But strangely enough, the Zhao family's business has been booming over the past six years. Originally just the supervisor of the Suzhou Textile Bureau, they now control 30% of the silk trade in Jiangnan and have secretly made connections with overseas merchants, extending their business to Southeast Asia."
Qin Mu turned around, a knowing glint in his eyes: "Was this Xu Fenghua's doing?"
"pretty close,"
Yunluan said, "Our spies intercepted the account books of the Zhao family's merchant caravan. The meticulousness of the accounts and the ingenuity of the arrangements were far beyond what a playboy like Zhao Wenxuan could do. Moreover, the Zhao family's expansion strategy in recent years has the shadow of a military strategist's plan: first occupy the key points, then plan for the surrounding areas, and advance steadily and cautiously step by step."
She looked up at Qin Mu:
"More importantly, the Zhao family's dealings with the Northern Border are more than three times more frequent than they were six years ago. Every year, a large number of specialties from Jiangnan are transported to the Northern Border, while furs and medicinal herbs from the Northern Border flow into Jiangnan in a steady stream. These businesses are nominally run by the Zhao family, but the one actually in charge is likely Xu Fenghua."
Qin Mu sat back down in the round-back chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrests, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
After a long silence, he finally spoke:
"So this Miss Xu, though physically in Jiangnan, still has her heart in the North. She uses the Zhao family's trade routes to cultivate wealth for the Xu family and open up channels between the North and South."
"Exactly," Yunluan nodded. "Moreover, according to our spies, although Xu Fenghua keeps to herself, mysterious figures often come and go from the back garden of the Zhao residence. These people are highly skilled and their movements are elusive; they are very likely liaisons sent from the Northern Border."
Qin Mu suddenly smiled, a smile that held a sharp, all-knowing insight:
"Interesting. Xu Longxiang is training his troops and building up his strength in the north, while his sister is managing her business in Jiangnan. One is a scholar, the other a warrior; one is overt, the other covert. This generation of the Xu family has certainly laid out a far-reaching plan."
He paused, a resolute glint in his eyes:
"In that case, I should definitely meet this Miss Xu during this trip to Jiangnan."
Yunluan's heart skipped a beat: "Your Majesty, do you mean...?"
"Isn't Tingyu Villa in Suzhou a property of the Zhao family?"
Qin Mu said calmly, "Since we're going to investigate Cao Wei, we'll naturally have to pay him a visit. It'll be a good opportunity to meet this young mistress of the Zhao family and see what kind of woman she is."
Yunluan hesitated, as if she wanted to speak.
She felt a vague unease in her heart.
His Majesty's trip is ostensibly to investigate Cao Wei, but in reality, he probably wants to probe the Xu family's background.
If Xu Fenghua is indeed the key figure in the Xu family's strategy in Jiangnan, His Majesty's trip there would be tantamount to entering a dragon's den or a tiger's lair.
But seeing the unwavering look in Qin Mu's eyes, she knew that further persuasion would be useless.
"Understood," Yunluan bowed and said, "I will go and make preparations immediately."
Qin Mu raised his hand to stop her:
"No rush. I have something else to take care of before I go to Suzhou."
He paused, a profound light flashing in his eyes:
"Since Cao Wei is a former official of the Yuehua Kingdom and possesses extraordinary skills, having infiltrated Jiangnan for twenty-one years, he must have something to do. Was his choice to hide in the Zhao family's villa a coincidence, or... related to Xu Fenghua?"
Yun Luan's pupils contracted slightly: "Your Majesty suspects that Xu Fenghua has connections with the remnants of the Yuehua Kingdom?"
"Not necessarily," Qin Mu said slowly, "but it's no coincidence that Cao Wei chose to hide in the Zhao family's villa. Either someone in the Zhao family is protecting him, or he has something on the Zhao family that he has no choice but to take him in."
He stood up and walked to the map of the Nine Provinces hanging in the hall, his gaze landing on Suzhou in Jiangnan:
"The Yuehua Kingdom was destroyed by Xu Xiao. As a surviving official of Yuehua, Cao Wei should hate the Xu family to the core. Yet he is now hiding in the villa of a relative by marriage to the Xu family..."
Qin Mu turned around, the candlelight casting interplay of light and shadow on his face:
"The oddities involved are worth investigating further."
Yunluan's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly thought of something:
"Your Majesty, you mean... Jiang Qingxue?"
A hint of approval flashed in Qin Mu's eyes: "You've got it."
"Jiang Qingxue's true identity is Princess Mingyue Jiang Zhaoyue, the last surviving daughter of the Yuehua Kingdom."
Yunluan quickly sorted out her thoughts, "As a loyal subject of Yuehua, if Cao Wei knew that the princess was still alive and in the palace, he would definitely take action."
"That's right," Qin Mu nodded, "So Cao Wei's infiltration of Jiangnan is likely waiting for an opportunity, or... secretly contacting someone in the palace."
He paused, his tone turning cold:
"And Xu Fenghua, as the eldest daughter of the Xu family, and living in Jiangnan. What would she do if she knew Jiang Qingxue's true identity?"
Yun Luan gasped: "Will she pass this message on to Xu Longxiang, or... use Cao Wei to plant a pawn next to Jiang Qingxue?"
"Anything is possible," Qin Mu slowly walked to the round chair and sat down. "Therefore, this trip to Jiangnan is not only to investigate Cao Wei, but also to find out what role Xu Fenghua plays in this game."
He looked up at Yun Luan, his gaze sharp as a knife:
"Pass down the order: strengthen surveillance of Yuxiu Palace. Thoroughly re-screen everyone around Jiang Qingxue, including maids, eunuchs, and nannies. If anyone is suspicious, take them into custody immediately."
"Yes!" Yunluan replied solemnly.
Qin Mu added, "Furthermore, tell the Dragon Shadow Guards to secretly monitor Xu Fenghua's every move in Suzhou. I need to know what she has been doing besides running her business for the past six years."
Yunluan noted everything down, and seeing that Qin Mu had no further instructions, she bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, if there are no other instructions, I will make the arrangements immediately."
Qin Mu waved his hand: "Go ahead. We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yes."
Yunluan left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, her figure quickly blending into the night.
The hall returned to silence.
Qin Mu sat alone in the armchair, his gaze fixed on the flickering candlelight, his eyes gleaming with a complex and unfathomable light.
Xu Fenghua...
He silently recited the name in his heart.
A woman with exceptional military acumen and strategic skills was forced to marry into a merchant family.
An elder sister, whose heart is tied to the North and who is unwilling to be alone, lives a secluded life in Jiangnan.
For the past six years, has she really only been running a business?
Or... is he setting up a bigger scheme?
Qin Mu slowly closed his eyes, and images of Xu Longxiang's face twisted with rage on Qinglan Mountain, Jiang Qingxue's pale and haggard face in the carriage, and the vast and desolate land of the Northern Border appeared in his mind...
All of this seems to be connected by an invisible thread.
And the other end of the thread may be held in the hands of that seemingly gentle but actually unfathomable woman from Jiangnan.
"interesting……"
Qin Mu muttered to himself, a cold smile curving his lips.
"This game of chess is getting more and more exciting."