Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 913 So What If She's Alluring?

After Zhao Dezhao finished speaking, everyone present was stunned. What the heck? The Song princess was right there, among these envoys?

The Wu generals were all staring at the six or seven envoys present. Besides Zhao Dezhao and Cheng Dexuan, there were five other people: two guards, three dressed as scholars, and Princess Yongqing dressed in a scholar-official's robe.

Because Princess Yongqing was not short, she was 1.69 meters tall by later standards. So when she stood among the envoys, apart from her slender figure, red lips and white teeth, and her appearance like a frail scholar, no one would have guessed that she was a princess of the Song Dynasty who was actually a woman.

Faced with the focused gaze of everyone after the selection process, Princess Yongqing felt that everyone was watching her and that she was the center of attention, which inevitably made her a little nervous and shy.

She inwardly blamed her brother for saying it so bluntly; it was too embarrassing.

Yongqing was accompanying them, a fact known only to Zhao Dezhao beforehand; the rest of the Song Dynasty delegation was also unaware and were extremely surprised at the moment.

However, since Zhao Dezhao was leading the delegation and his sister was traveling with him, his other subordinates did not have any objections.

Cheng Dexuan wondered to himself if Princess Yongqing's arrival with the delegation was on the Emperor's orders. But why hadn't he been told this?
In fact, Zhao Dezhao was also straightforward. Seeing that Su Chen was not buying it and was not satisfied with these peace terms, he had no choice but to mention his imperial sister to increase his bargaining power. After all, he was young and inexperienced, and this was a negotiation concerning the life and death of the Song Dynasty, so he was bound to lose his composure.

Su Chen's gaze also fell on Yongqing at this moment, looking her up and down, as if he could tell that she was a woman, a princess of the Great Song Dynasty.

Where is the Song Dynasty princess?

Su Chen asked the question knowingly, unhurriedly intending to let the Song princess admit it herself.

Yongqing knew that it was now unavoidable, so he could only admit it on the spot and follow the eldest prince's words to facilitate the peace talks.

Therefore, Yongqing simply took off her hat, let down her black hair, and draped it over her shoulders, instantly adopting the demeanor of a young woman.

Although she wore no makeup, Yongqing was naturally beautiful, with red lips, white teeth, and skin as smooth as cream. With her black hair, she regained her stunning beauty.

Princess Yongqing was the most beautiful of Zhao Kuangyin's children. Although she could not compare to Zhou Jiamin, Bai Susu and other women, she was still a beauty among beauties. Coupled with her unique royal temperament and the straight figure of a northerner, she was simply captivating.

"Yongqing, daughter of Emperor Taizu of the Great Song Dynasty, pays respects to Marshal Su of the Wu Kingdom!" Yongqing bowed respectfully to Su Chen.

"This Song Dynasty princess is quite beautiful!"

"She has a beauty that could launch a thousand ships!"

"Is this a genuine plan for a marriage alliance?"

The Wu army generals were somewhat surprised, clearly not expecting that the Song Dynasty would send a prince with a princess to negotiate peace, offering a marriage as a bargaining chip on the spot. Wasn't this just a honey trap?

Generals Lin Renzhao and Pan Renche exchanged worried glances, fearing that Su Chen might be tempted by beauty and agree to negotiate peace with the Song Dynasty, which could ruin their great cause.

Su Chen looked at Princess Yongqing and smiled slightly, "No need for formalities! I didn't expect the Song princess to be in the peace delegation. Could it be that you are also a member of the negotiations? Joining the fray?" Yongqing blushed slightly at his question, feeling somewhat embarrassed. She admired Su Chen and harbored feelings of love for him. Now, seeing his handsome appearance and extraordinary demeanor, her heart fluttered even more. At this moment, she really hoped that Su Chen would agree to the peace negotiations, and she would even be willing to agree to a marriage alliance immediately.

It must be admitted that Princess Yongqing was a rare beauty, young and of noble status, and indeed captivating.

But how can a woman compare to the power and ambition of an empire? The Wu generals didn't care about the princess sent for marriage, but they were worried that Su Chen would be tempted.

"Marshal Su, our army has been preparing for many years, and after a year of fighting, more than 100,000 soldiers have died. This matter of peace negotiations should be carefully considered," Lin Renzhao couldn't help but remind him.

Su Chen knew perfectly well that he was also unwilling to negotiate peace, but he did not directly refuse because he had another strategy. Since the eldest prince and the princess of the Song Dynasty had come, once they were placed under house arrest and put to use, it would increase the assistance in conquering Chenliu City, and even Bianjing.

Zhao Guangyi has now ascended the throne, but his ascension is illegitimate. Many people in the court must be unhappy and puzzled by this. Zhao Dezhao, on the other hand, was the eldest son of Emperor Taizu and was originally a potential heir apparent. Now he is only the Prince of Wugong. This relationship should be cleverly utilized.

"Although she is a rare beauty, I have many wives and concubines at home, so I'm afraid I'm not fortunate enough to enjoy her!" Su Chen politely declined the marriage proposal. After all, Peng Jingjing and Meng Yutong were in the camp. Although they weren't in the tent today, Su Chen still had to be careful not to show too much interest, otherwise, the two women would get jealous.

Princess Yongqing sensed Su Chen's refusal and felt somewhat disappointed. She looked at Su Chen with a hint of resentment in her eyes.

At this moment, Cheng Dexuan seized the opportunity to say, "Since ancient times, beauties have been paired with heroes. Princess Yongqing of our Great Song Dynasty is only seventeen years old, with a beautiful face and noble status. If she were to marry Marshal Su, both sides would cease hostilities, and the two countries would never fight again. They would be forever united in marriage, and it would surely become a famous story in the future, just like Wang Zhaojun's journey to the border, leaving a mark in history."

Su Chen smiled faintly and said, "So what if she has a stunning beauty? I am not King You of Zhou, who lit the beacon fires to amuse the feudal lords for Bao Si, and gave up his kingdom just to win a smile from her!"

Cheng Dexuan, undeterred, continued, "If the Wu army attacks the Song Dynasty, we will inevitably clash. Now, it is late autumn, and the weather is cold. The Wu army are all southerners and are not suited to the northern climate. If the war drags on for another three months and winter arrives, the Wu army will likely not fare well even within the Song Dynasty's borders. If we accept peace now, we can gain a large amount of territory, huge reparations, tribute, and a beautiful princess for marriage. From then on, there will be no war between the two countries. Why not?"

Zhao Dezhao chimed in, "Marshal Su, please consider this carefully. There's no need for an immediate answer. How about we discuss it again in three days?"

Negotiations couldn't yield immediate results. Zhao Dezhao recalled Cao Bin's instructions before his departure: to delay, give Su Chen time to think, destabilize the Wu army's morale, and buy time for the Song army to defend and for reinforcements from various regions to arrive.

With the option of peace talks, the resolve of Wu's generals and high command will inevitably be affected, as will the morale and fighting spirit of Wu's soldiers. The longer it drags on, the more advantageous it will be for the Song Dynasty.

Su Chen naturally understood this principle, but he did not refuse. Instead, he gave Zhao Dezhao and Yongqing a meaningful look and said, "How about this, in order to have in-depth exchanges, I intend to keep the Crown Prince and Princess Yongqing in the camp for two more days to facilitate timely communication. Please ask the other envoys to return to Chenliu City for the time being and wait for the next round of negotiations."

Cheng Dexuan did not want to leave the Crown Prince's side and questioned, "As the deputy envoy for peace negotiations, I cannot leave the chief envoy's side. Please allow me to stay in the camp, Marshal Su."

Su Chen, though not angry, exuded authority. He glanced at Cheng Dexuan and said, "You can't move an inch if you stay here. There's no need for you. Besides, you need to go back and communicate with the city's garrison about the results of the first negotiation. Staying here is pointless."

Cheng Dexuan could not refute Su Chen's words. If he insisted on staying and was placed under house arrest by Wu Jun, there was indeed no need for him to stay.

Seeing this, Zhao Dezhao nodded and said, "Alright, my sister and I will stay in the Wu army camp and have more exchanges with Marshal Su."

Princess Yongqing remained silent, her gaze secretly observing Su Chen. She pondered Su Chen's purpose in leaving her and her brother in the military camp. "If he comes to take liberties with me at night, should I refuse or submit?" These thoughts made Yongqing uneasy.