(Yihua) Weibliche Hauptfigur, sei nicht lesbisch

Kapitel 1

Chapter 001 Prologue

In the summer of the eighteenth year of Haoyuan, Emperor Heng of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Feng Chang, fell seriously ill.

The magnificent imperial bedchamber was draped with layers of bright yellow curtains. A gentle breeze lifted a corner of one curtain, revealing a gold-inlaid and jade-embroidered ebony bed with a blue silk brocade canopy and gold-embroidered hooks. On the bed lay an old man with a white beard and sallow face, coughing intermittently. The room was filled with the bitter smell of medicine mixed with the fragrance of musk, swirling in the air.

At this moment, two people were kneeling in front of the large bed. The one in front had his hair tied up with a golden crown, and his jet-black hair cascaded over his shoulders like a magnificent brocade. He wore a long brocade robe with silver trim, a dragon belt around his waist, and white jade pendants lightly weighing him down. He exuded nobility and his handsome features were striking. His thick eyebrows were as black as ink, and his deep eyes clearly showed his coldness and ruthlessness. At this moment, his face was covered with pain and an uncontrollable sadness.

"Father, Father, you must take good care of yourself."

"Xiao'er, Xiao'er?"

The old man on the bed was none other than Emperor Heng of the Great Zhou Dynasty, who was seriously ill. His health was deteriorating day by day, so he summoned Crown Prince Feng Zixiao and Right Chancellor Sima Yuan to the palace. At this moment, the two people in front of the bed were the noble Crown Prince and the middle-aged man with a reserved and wise demeanor, who was none other than the Right Chancellor Sima Yuan. In addition to being the Right Chancellor, Sima Yuan was also the maternal uncle of Crown Prince Feng Zixiao.

"Father, what do you say?"

Crown Prince Feng Zixiao suppressed his grief and awaited his father's instructions.

Emperor Heng, panting on the bed, finally managed to calm his breathing and slowly spoke: "Xiao'er, all along, our Great Zhou and the four kingdoms of Nanling, Shaoyi, and Beilu have been great powers. Although there are some small countries in remote areas with strange customs that we have not yet subdued, they would never dare to provoke us. Who knew that Nanling would suddenly send troops to attack Shaoyi and destroy it in just a few months? Now we and Beilu are in great danger."

After Emperor Heng finished speaking, a fierce glint flashed in Crown Prince Feng Zixiao's eyes. If the Southern Ling Kingdom were to invade, they would never surrender without a fight. Even if it cost them their last strength, they would fight to the death to protect their country.

"Father, rest assured, your son will never surrender without a fight."

Emperor Heng coughed a few more times, looking at his son. Xiao'er had grown up, which pleased him greatly, but his wings were not yet fully grown.

"Right now, the external threat from Nanling doesn't pose a threat to us, because they've been fighting with Shaoyi for months and now need a truce to recuperate. What's pressing for our Great Zhou is the internal troubles we're facing, Xiao'er?"

The Jiang family is a thorn in Emperor Heng Fengchang's side, and he wishes he could get rid of them as soon as possible. Unfortunately, he has unknowingly allowed them to grow from a small bird into a falcon. Now it is by no means easy to get rid of them. Therefore, Emperor Heng Fengchang regrets his past actions and cannot die in peace. He places all his hopes on his son.

"Father, I know what it is, and I will definitely find a way."

A flash of golden light appeared in Feng Zixiao's dark, inky pupils, and he spoke in a deep voice.

"Xiao'er, I need you to promise me one thing."

Feng Chang suddenly spoke as if he had made up his mind, and Feng Zixiao immediately and steadily accepted the order: "Father, please speak."

"To marry Jiang Batian's daughter as the Crown Princess?"

"Father (Your Majesty)," Crown Prince Feng Zixiao and Right Chancellor Sima Yuan cried out in disbelief, not understanding why the Emperor would do such a thing. The Jiang family was a major threat to the Great Zhou, holding a large army, and now the Emperor was even going to force the Crown Prince to marry their daughter. Wouldn't this only embolden the Jiang family? The ministers in the court would probably be disheartened.

However, Emperor Heng Feng Chang had his own plans. He had been emperor for eighteen years and had been a strategist since he was the crown prince. Otherwise, he would not have stood out from the princes, become the crown prince, and then take control of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"I not only want you to marry Jiang Batian's daughter, but also his youngest daughter, Jiang Hailing, the unfavored third daughter of the Jiang family."

It seems the emperor has been paying close attention to the Jiang family's affairs, even noticing someone who is out of favor. This shows that he has been planning these matters for a long time.

"Miss Jiang, that fat young lady?"

Right Chancellor Sima Yuan stammered, then secretly glanced at the Crown Prince, his heart filled with sympathy. This Miss Jiang was quite famous in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Her fame stemmed from the fact that she was the daughter of Jiang Batian, so her flaws were magnified dozens of times. Not only was she fat and ugly, but she was also out of favor and was jokingly called "Better Than a Thousand Pounds". The Crown Prince was still a dragon among men, yet he was paired with such an extremely ugly woman. How could he stand it?

Upon hearing Sima Yuan's words, Crown Prince Feng Zixiao's face darkened, and he remained silent for a long time, gazing at his father, Emperor Feng Chang.

Feng Chang sighed heavily, extending his thin, bony hand to grasp his son's: "Xiao'er, we must appease Jiang Batian on one hand, and build up our own power on the other. Only by having the power to counter Jiang Batian can we eliminate him. Before that, we cannot do anything. Making the third young lady of the Jiang family the Crown Princess was a well-thought-out decision by your father. Jiang Batian doesn't value this daughter, so he won't have any concerns. If he reveals his wolfish ambitions, the people will condemn him for betraying his lord, and we will win the hearts of the people. After that, everything we do will be justified."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey."

As the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace and the future Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Feng Zixiao felt this sacrifice was something he should do and readily agreed without any complaints.

Feng Chang, lying on the ebony bed, finally breathed a sigh of relief and closed his eyes weakly. Xiao'er had not disappointed him; those who achieve great things should not be bothered by trivial matters.

"Sima Yuan, do your best to assist the Crown Prince."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Sima Yuan respectfully accepted the order. As the Crown Prince's maternal uncle, he naturally hoped that the Crown Prince could eliminate Jiang Batian so that the Sima family's position could be preserved forever.

"You may all leave. I am tired," Emperor Heng Feng Chang said weakly, no longer having the strength to speak.

“Yes,” Crown Prince Feng Zixiao and Right Chancellor Sima Yuan slowly rose and withdrew…

Chapter 002 A Magnificent Soul Transmigration

As the sun set, the last rays of crimson light slowly faded, and the pale light of dusk enveloped the entire General's Mansion.

Lanterns hung high in front of the general's mansion, and the mansion was filled with guests.

The sounds of string and bamboo instruments emanating from the ivory flute filled the air, mixed with voices of varying pitches, creating a lively atmosphere.

Today is the fiftieth birthday of Jiang Batian, the General Who Stabilizes the State of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which is why the Jiang family is celebrating so joyously.

Outside the mansion gate, two stone lions, seemingly spitting out balls amidst clouds, stand majestically, just like their master.

Throughout the entire Great Zhou Kingdom, from the royal family and nobles to wealthy merchants, no one dared to disrespect Jiang Batian. His existence reminded people that everything in the Great Zhou Kingdom was inseparable from the protection of this meritorious official, which allowed the people to enjoy peace and happiness. Therefore, compared to the royal family, the people paid more attention to the every move of the Jiang family.

Jiang Batian, as the General Who Stabilizes the Nation, although not second only to the emperor, wielded immense power.

His immense power can be seen just by looking at his birthday celebration today.

Of the royal family, all four princes were present except for the Crown Prince Feng Zixiao.

The Crown Prince did not come because he was in the palace accompanying the King, but a gift was sent: a magnificent and precious red coral, the only one of its kind in the entire Great Zhou.

When Jiang Batian received the gift, he nodded with satisfaction. The officials beside him flattered and fawned over him, showering him with compliments, which made Jiang Batian even more radiant and smug.

The hall was piled high with gifts: pearls, agate, jade, gold and silver items—anything that could be named, everyone would try to send it here.

The Jiang family was the center of power in the Great Zhou Dynasty, so officials from top to bottom all tried to curry favor with this powerful family, hoping to find shelter under its shade. However, it was impossible to know how many of them were truly sincere.