The prince is more stable

Chapter 902 The Heart of the Ruler and the Heart of the Concubine
Among the women, including Di Ying, Yelü Nanxian was the most unique.

What makes her special is not only her status as a princess of the Liao Kingdom, but also her aloof personality and the special treatment Zhao Xiaoqian has always given her.

Logically speaking, when Zhao Xiaoqian intercepted Yelü Nanxian, who was about to marry into the Western Xia, she became Zhao Xiaoqian's spoils of war.

The victor can dispose of the spoils of war at will. The situation between Song and Liao had changed by then. No matter how outrageous Zhao Xiaoqian was to Yelü Nanxian, Liao did not dare to utter a word.

Indeed, since Yelü Nanxian was captured and brought to the Song Dynasty, the Liao Dynasty has not sent her a single basic diplomatic letter, as if they had completely forgotten about her.

However, after the Song army captured Yelü Nanxian, Zhao Xiaoqian always treated her with courtesy and never did anything excessive to her. He even preserved her status as a princess of the Liao Kingdom.

Yelü Nanxian was the only woman who stayed by Zhao Xiaoqian's side and was not abused by him.

The reason for this is probably still the nature of men.

Just as every man harbors a martial arts dream, so too does every man harbor a white moonlight—a love he couldn't have in his youth.

Zhao Xiaoqian was also a man, and the ideal woman in his heart turned out to be someone like Yelü Nanxian.

Men usually can't bear to mess with their "white moonlight" (ideal woman); she's more like a kind of obsession from their youth, a kind of compensation.

If Zhao Xiaoqian had this kind of mentality towards Yelü Nanxian, then what about Yelü Nanxian's mentality towards Zhao Xiaoqian?
It's highly unlikely that a woman would have a "white moonlight" love that she can't have during her teenage years; if she did, it certainly wouldn't be someone like Zhao Xiaoqian.

Yelü Nanxian had little interest in romantic relationships. In her short life of only one or two decades, what she wanted most was to gain freedom, to be free from the constraints of the social norms of a powerful family, and not to be a pawn against her will. That was all.

Much later, she gradually came to understand that being captured and taken to the Song Dynasty was not necessarily a disaster.

At least she lived a very free life during those two years in the Song Dynasty. No one forced her to do things she didn't want to do, and no one interfered with her words and actions or told her what she should and shouldn't do.

Her life turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

She is content with her current situation and enjoys her life very much.

Even after being forcibly taken to Japan by Di Ying to avoid trouble, Zhao Xiaoqian, after successfully seizing the throne, returned to Bianjing with the women and moved into the palace.

Despite her seemingly turbulent life, she found joy in it.

She felt that her life was fulfilling and as wonderful as a legend.

If life continued like this, Yelü Nanxian would be very content.

However, what Niao Niao said today exposed some facts that she had deliberately avoided in the past.

Yes, she and Zhao Xiaoqian had no official relationship, so what did she mean by living in this palace?
The Song Dynasty was a country that placed great importance on etiquette. The imperial palace was essentially Zhao Xiaoqian's home. If she lived in this man's home for a long time without any official title or physical relationship with him, it might be fine for a year or two, but what about in the long term? A lifetime?
Is she destined to appear before the world only as a guest for the rest of her life?

Inside the bedchamber, Yelü Nanxian held Zhao Hao in her arms, her expression lost in a daze.

Seeing her lost in thought, Niao Niao smiled slightly and said, "If we're talking about heroes in this world, who else but my husband is it? If you don't marry a man like that, who else can you marry? Nan Xian, what are you really thinking?"

Yelü Nanxian snapped out of her daze, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes. She lowered her head and teased Zhao Hao, concealing the turmoil in her heart.

"Why must a woman marry a hero? No matter how powerful a hero is, or how well he treats the world, it doesn't necessarily mean he'll treat his wife well. These are two different things," Yelü Nanxian said calmly.

Niao Niao raised an eyebrow. This young girl was actually quite clear-headed. There weren't many women in the world today with such wisdom and insight.

"You've got a sharp tongue," Niao Niao rolled her eyes at her and said, "The hero I'm talking about is my husband, not someone else. Can't you see how good my husband is to his wives and concubines?"

Yelü Nanxian opened her mouth, wanting to refute but unable to come up with a reason.

Yes, from an outsider's perspective, Zhao Xiaoqian had nothing to say about his woman.

Although he has a lot of women.

Yelü Nanxian had witnessed his way of interacting with his woman countless times, and each time she felt envious, perhaps without even realizing it herself.

Their relationship was extremely relaxed and easygoing. They joked with each other, and Zhao Xiaoqian didn't even mind being cheeky in front of his wives and concubines. The couple was always laughing and joking. When they chatted with his wives in private, their eyes were full of happiness and love when they talked about Zhao Xiaoqian.

Even if Zhao Xiaoqian were just an ordinary commoner, his respect for his wife and his relaxed attitude towards her would make him the perfect husband in the hearts of women everywhere.

Even if a man like that isn't a hero, he's still a woman's ideal husband.

Aside from not being faithful enough, he has no other flaws.

Considering his current status as the emperor, it seems that not being devoted to one woman is not a flaw, but rather a matter of course.

"Nanxian, tell me what you're really thinking? My husband is such a perfect man, don't you have even the slightest bit of interest in him?" Niao Niao's curious face moved closer to her, as if trying to find clues from her subtle expressions.

Yelü Nanxian awkwardly turned her head away and said, "Don't ask me. I'm just a guest here. How I live my life is entirely up to him... the Emperor. If he wants to do something to me, can I resist?" Niao Niao's lips curled up into a wider smile: "You're really too proud to admit it. From what you're saying, are you waiting for my husband to do something to you?"

"Then you're going to be disappointed. There are countless women in the harem who are eyeing him covetously. Remember that woman named Xue Meiyun? Lately, she's been sticking to the Empress's side every day, acting like a vixen, pretending to casually inquire about the Emperor's preferences, thinking we can't see through her..."

"Speaking of which, Xue Meiyun's looks are no less than yours. Look how proactive she is. Before long, she'll probably be climbing into your husband's bed. With your unambitious nature, you think you can wait for your husband to take advantage of you? You'll probably never get that chance in your lifetime."

"Perhaps before long, my husband will have completely forgotten about you..."

As soon as Niao Niao finished speaking, Yelü Nanxian felt a sudden, inexplicable pain in her heart.

If one day Zhao Xiaoqian forgets her, it should be a good thing for her, who has always pursued freedom. But for some reason, she feels a tightness in her chest.

Niao Niao's words finally made her lose her composure for a brief moment.

Her feelings were complicated, with various emotions swirling in her mind. Amidst this chaotic and turbulent state of mind, there was only one thing that she cared about most.

She didn't want Zhao Xiaoqian to forget her.

Ever since Di Ying forcibly took her to Japan to escape trouble, she had already accepted in her heart that she was Zhao Xiaoqian's woman.

Only his woman would seek refuge from disaster because of him, and would board that ship and drift towards a future that was still incredibly uncertain and worrisome at the time.

If, after surviving countless tribulations, one returns only to find that they have forgotten each other, that would be a tragedy of life.

She yearns for freedom in life, but also needs a sense of belonging.

Losing his composure, Yelü Nanxian blurted out something without thinking, speaking without thinking.

"What can I do? I can't exactly tie him to my bed, can I?" Yelü Nanxian said resentfully.

Niao Niao covered her mouth and giggled, saying, "I didn't expect someone as aloof as you to be so playful..."

Yelü Nanxian's pretty face immediately flushed red: "No, ...that's not what I meant."

"It's alright, you and your husband can do whatever you want, I won't interfere, hehe..."

Yelü Nanxian blushed and glared at her fiercely.

Niao Niao sighed, "Alright, I'm telling you all this today because it was my sister... well, the Empress, who instructed me to do so."

"My lord values ​​loyalty and affection. Only those who are affectionate can spend their lives with him. If someone is heartless, even if she is a beauty of unparalleled grace, he will not give her a second glance. For example, Xue Meiyun. Before we returned to the capital, I heard that she had tried to seduce my lord several times, but he has not favored her yet."

"And the only woman who has ever been in love with him is the one who accompanied him when he was still a prince. These women have all been given official titles now, and now only you are left."

"The Empress saw this and was a little anxious. The official's status is extremely noble. In the future, he may take in many concubines. However, the closest sisters in the harem are still those of us who accompanied him in his early years, including you."

"Rather than letting other vixens take the position and use all sorts of tricks to seduce you, it would be better to let you, whom we know well, take the position. The people in the harem are unpredictable and the situation is complicated. The Empress hopes that we, her former sisters, will unite as one and not let other vixens gain power and make the harem a mess."

"Sister Nanxian, do you understand what the Empress means?"

The words had been spoken very plainly, and Yelü Nanxian certainly understood the Empress's meaning, but she became even more shy and unable to suppress it.

The Empress's intention... is it that I should seduce Zhao Xiaoqian?
She's completely unfamiliar with this field.

"I, I..." Yelü Nanxian was flustered and embarrassed, not knowing how to start speaking.

Niao Niao blinked and sighed, "If you really don't want to, I won't force you. Recently, Xue Meiyun has been quite clever in front of the Empress, and she seems to be very sensible..."

"If that doesn't work, then let her serve you in bed. And you will remain a distinguished guest of this Yanfu Palace, Princess Cheng'an of Liao..."

Yelü Nanxian immediately panicked and blurted out, "No!"

Looking up, Yelü Nanxian saw Niao Niao looking at her with a teasing smile. Her face turned red, like a warrior about to go into battle, and she gritted her teeth and said, "I, I... what should I do?"

Niao Niao chuckled and said, "That's too easy. How about I arrange it?"

Yelü Nanxian's mind was buzzing. She had no idea why she had ended up like this when Niao Niao had come over for a casual chat.

Before she could react, Niao Niao clapped her hands, and a palace maid stood respectfully outside the palace gate.

“Send someone to inform the Emperor that we would like him to come here and have dinner with us.”

(End of this chapter)