812 Women (2/2)
”All descendants of the Khan have the chance,” Zhesu said solemnly, as if he were a priest presiding over a ritual. ”Even if a descendant doesn't have a chance, our Naihang Tribe will give him a chance.”
One of Duodun's companions understood his master's intent and took advantage of the momentary silence of the crowd to exclaim, ”The Naihang Tribe allied with the Khan through the marriage of the Chief Consort and the Second Consort, which is a real alliance. The Dragon King should use it as a reference.”
Gu Shenwei didn't speak, so Fang Wenshi answered for him instead. ”Hehe, that's a good idea. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that no princess of the prairie would be willing to marry into the Western Regions.”
”Women, you know, are like grass seeds. They grow wherever they are sown. Their willingness or unwillingness have no say in the matter.” King Rizhu, who had drunk a bit too much, looked very enthusiastic about this prospect. ”I have a sister, fifteen years old. As for her appearance, you'll understand just by looking at me. If the Dragon King likes her, I'll send her over to you.”
”The Dragon King already has a queen and dares not belittle Your Highness's sister. Besides…”
Fang Wenshi was still thinking of a way to redirect the topic back to Duodun and the Second Consort when Duodun coldly interjected and said, ”Who said that the Norland must send our women out? If the Dragon King wants to solidify the alliance through marriage, then he can marry someone off to us.”
”Good idea!” The new King Rizhu readily agreed as he asked, ”Dragon King, what women do you have in your family?”
”The Dragon King only has a queen, and no sisters or aunts.” Fang Wenshi was trying his best to prevent the Dragon King from being dragged into this inane topic by all possible means. ”The Second Consort …”
Fang Wenshi had a silver tongue, but there was not much room for him to use it among a group of leather-strapped Norland nobles. Before he could say anything else, one of the Duodun's friends had already interrupted to say, ”The Queen of the Land of Fragrance. She's like a sister to the Dragon King. Why not have her marry into the Norland?”
The proposal was met with cheers and two hostile pairs of eyes. One was from the Dragon King, which the proponent had been prepared and did not care about. But the other was from Duodun. His heart trembling, the man suddenly realized that his prince had already proposed to Shangguan Ru many times, and that bringing it up again was a big mistake. As he realized this, he hurriedly bowed his head and slowly retreated to the back of the group, feeling panic-stricken as he walked the rest of the road.
The new King Rizhu, however, thought that this was a brilliant idea. ”Everyone says the Queen of the Land of Fragrance is beautiful and capable to the point that none of the women in the prairie can compare with her. I'm a little curious now. General, can I marry her?”
Zhesu said in a serious tone, ”Your Highness, you can marry anyone you like. It wouldn't be a disgrace for anyone to marry Your Highness at all, even if she were the Khan's daughter.”
Duodun struggled for a while before smilingly saying, ”I'm afraid that the Dragon King won't agree.”
”Why would the Dragon King disagree? Doesn't he want to ally with our Naihang Tribe? Or does he want to marry her himself?” The new King Rizhu's interest was piqued.
Gu Shenwei could no longer stay silent. ”Instructor Shangguan is not the Queen of the Land of Fragrance, and nor is she my subordinate. I can't decide who she will marry.”
”That's even easier then.” The new King Rizhu, who had missed the Dragon King's hidden anger, turned to Zhesu and asked, ”She's not a queen. What good is it to marry her?”
”It is good. At the very least, you can use her to bear sons.” Zhesu stated defiantly as he stared at the Dragon King.
Gu Shenwei almost drew his saber upon hearing those inflammatory words, but Fang Wenshi burst out in laughter so loud that it drowned out everyone else's voice. As he laughed, he regretted not learning some internal energy from the Dragon King since he knew this day would come eventually. ”The people of the Naihang Tribe really like to joke.”
”Joking?” The new King Rizhu thought that this man's laughter was very harsh. ”Who's this fatty? He doesn't act like a man of the Norland.”
”I'm the counselor of His Highness, the Dragon King.”
”What the hell is a counselor? And what do you mean by 'people of the Naihang Tribe like to joke?' Can't I marry that instructor or something?”
”Forgive me, Your Highness. You talk about women like you talk about playthings. However, the Second Consort is also from the Naihang Tribe and is quite independent. She can go anywhere and do whatever she wants on the prairie; she doesn't seem like a woman who would casually follow the orders of others. That's why I think that Your Highness is joking.”
The new King Rizhu flew into a rage and brandished his horsewhip as he yelled, ”How dare you say that the men of the Naihang Tribe can't control their women?”
Fang Wenshi smiled wryly but said nothing. It was already enough to provoke the other side to such an extent. Both the new King Rizhu and Zhesu were reckless men. As long as they entangled themselves in the complicated relationship between the Second Consort and Duodun, his scheme would already have half succeeded.
The Second Consort and Shangguan Ru arrived at the young king Shulitu's camp at almost the same time and were talking and laughing happily as they entered from the front of the main tent. The ones following behind them were the female soldiers of the Land of Fragrance, followed by part of the entourage the Second Consort, and then, finally, the slowly moving convoy.
The new King Rizhu, who was still filled with anger, rode to the two women and stared at them briefly. After confirming that the older woman was the Second Consort, he snapped, ”Second Consort, the Naihang Tribe wants you to remarry. Are you going to obey or not?”
”Who are you?” The Second Consort was stunned.
”I'm King Rizhu.”
”Who do you want me to marry?”
”I'm not sure yet, but you'll marry whoever inherits the throne. In short, it's up to me to decide. Just tell me whether you'll obey or not.”
Furious, the Second Consort lashed out him as she shouted, ”What complete and utter bullshit!”