Chapter 97 His Favoritism

Chapter 97: His Favoritism

She understood every word he said, yet when strung together, they made no sense to her.

Liu Yuenu stared blankly, unable to comprehend how a woman like her—orphaned and without parents—could be linked to becoming Khan. Even though she found Lu Feng unbearable in every regard and believed this cruel man was unworthy of her dear sister, she had to admit: Lu Feng would never speak without basis.

Lu Feng pressed Jiang Wanrou’s restless hand down and said, "Though from a fallen branch, you bear the blood of the Ashina royal clan. You have the right to inherit the throne."

Liu Yuenu’s face tightened. "I’m a woman."

Lu Feng gave her a strange look. A woman who single-handedly formed a rebel army, who was given the rank of general—even he didn’t see her as an ordinary woman. Why would she let her gender constrain her?

Lu Feng countered, "Why does being a woman matter?"

Turkic women’s status was higher than in Great Qi. Women could inherit livestock and property, and the Khatun, the Khan’s consort, held a prestigious position, even governing in their stead. History had seen Khans who were ill or died young, leaving their Khatuns to rule in their place. There were also cases where princesses, gifted beyond their brothers, governed in place of the Khan.

Most steppe-dwellers cared little whether their ruler was a man or a woman. As long as the Khan was strong and capable—leading them to repel invaders, ensuring they were well-fed, and their horses had good grazing—they would accept them as a good Khan. Thus, Liu Yuenu’s gender was hardly an obstacle.

Lu Feng was certain that even if all the Turkic nobles banded together, they wouldn’t stand a chance against this "woman," Liu Yuenu.

What the Turkic people struggled to accept was that their new ruler was being appointed by Great Qi. Did this mean their proud, free-roaming warriors would henceforth be under Qi’s control?

This time, Lu Feng gave them no time to waste—only three days. Accept the terms and negotiate, or refuse and face war. The Qi army had rested long enough; their swords were sharpened, ready to slaughter the fat livestock across the river.

Lu Feng’s bold move not only caught the Turkic people off guard but also left his own generals baffled. How could they simply replace their Khan? Would the Turkic people agree?

As it turned out, Lu Feng was not only well-versed in military strategy but also deeply understood the nature of power struggles.

The previous Khan had just died, his body not yet cold. Modu’s position had always been unstable, and now, with an external threat looming, internal chaos erupted among the Turkic tribes. His brothers eyed the throne, eager to capitalize on the situation.

War would bring heavy casualties—too great a cost.

Peace, on the other hand, came with relaxed terms from Great Qi. They merely had to accept a new ruler—Liu Yuenu, who bore royal blood, wouldn’t disgrace the Turkic people too much.

Besides, she was just a woman. They could use her to placate Great Qi temporarily. Once they recovered in a few years and were strong enough to fight, they could have this Khan "meet an accident," giving the brothers a chance to claim the throne.

In the end, under the pressure of time and chaos, no one expected the Turkic people to agree. Liu Yuenu, Great Qi’s "Mingwei General," would soon take office as the new Khan of the Turkic people.

From rebel to female general, and now to Turkic Khan—Liu Yuenu’s legendary life was destined to be recorded in history, celebrated for generations.

...

Lu Feng had no patience to explain the details to Liu Yuenu. After giving brief instructions, he took Jiang Wanrou and left. Once they returned to their residence, Lu Feng tilted his chin slightly, waiting for Jiang Wanrou to help him undress.

Jiang Wanrou was still stunned. Only when Lu Feng cleared his throat impatiently did she snap out of it. Clinging to his arm, she asked, "What exactly is going on? Am I dreaming?"

Her newly recognized sister had somehow become the Turkic Khan, and from Lu Feng’s words, it seemed war between the two nations had been averted.

They could return to the capital soon!

Lu Feng remained silent, tugging at his collar.

Jiang Wanrou quickly stepped forward to remove his cold-dampened outer robe. His expression softened slightly, though he still snorted. "You’ve been away too long. I think your heart has grown wild."

For the "virtuous and obedient" Jiang Wanrou, this was a grave accusation. In the past, she would have panicked, scrambling to prove her innocence. But now, confident in Lu Feng’s unwillingness to truly punish her, she finished undressing him and nestled into his arms.

"Husband, this is a false accusation! My heart and eyes are filled only with you. How could my heart be wild?"

Lu Feng, exasperated by her antics, pulled her into his embrace and said sternly, "You’re not to see that Liu Yuenu again."

He had deliberately allowed the two to grow close, but the "closeness" he envisioned was like that in the capital—chairs placed yards apart, speaking and sipping tea with dignified propriety.

Not like this, clutching and pulling at each other. And why was she blushing?!

The Prince of Qi, who had deftly manipulated two dynasties, found himself doubting his own decisions for the first time.

Jiang Wanrou couldn’t understand Lu Feng’s strange possessiveness. Hadn’t it already been made clear? Liu Yuenu merely missed her elder sister. Though inwardly grumbling, she obediently soothed his chest with sweet words, finally managing to placate him.

The soft, warm weight in his arms eased Lu Feng’s expression slightly. The enigmatic Prince of Qi, who kept others guessing outside, now held his wife close and spoke to her gently.

Lu Feng had originally been a staunch advocate for war, adhering to the belief that "if they won’t yield, beat them into submission." No one could dissuade him. What changed his mind was Jiang Wanrou.

He knew she was tenderhearted. Earlier, he had spared the lives of those villagers, and he had even considered releasing the Turkic people who had once aided his wife. Recently, seeing Jiang Wanrou troubled, he had thought to cheer her with this gesture—only for her to grow even more distressed.

She said, "A group of elderly, weak women and children, with no husbands or sons left—how many years can they truly live?"

Lu Feng frowned. "Do you expect me to support them? Leaving roots intact invites calamity."

Women could bear new children, and those children would grow. Once old enough to draw a bow, they would become threats to Great Qi—a cycle without end.

Jiang Wanrou countered, "Does my lord mean to slaughter them all? Only then would the roots truly be eradicated."

Lu Feng fell silent, lost in thought. For once, he was at a loss for words.

Killing them all—such a vast population—was beyond him. History offered no precedent, and it contradicted his true intentions.

He merely wanted the Turkic people to submit forever, eliminating the border threats once and for all, so the people of Great Qi could enjoy lasting peace. Even if some now called him cruel, future generations would recognize his achievements.

Since extermination was impossible, his plan had been to cow them with force, ensuring they would never dare rebel.

But Jiang Wanrou said, "My lord, if you kill their husbands, fathers, mothers, wives, and children, even if they submit out of fear, could it ever be sincere?"

"You yourself said it—leaving roots intact allows resentment to fester. One day, the dam will break, and disaster will follow. Put yourself in their place. If I were a Turkic woman, I would pretend submission, biding my time to avenge my husband!"

Lu Feng scolded her sharply for speaking such ill omens—he was alive and well, how could she ever end up in such a plight?

Yet her seemingly "ridiculous" words left a crack in his resolve. He couldn’t kill them all, nor could he crush them too harshly—it would only breed backlash. He was no mere brute, blind to strategy. On the contrary, Lu Feng was a man of both civil and martial prowess, well-versed in classics and history.

Like Yu the Great taming floods not by blocking but by channeling—Lu Feng understood this principle.

As the fervor of bloodshed and victory faded, he grew calmer, pondering his next move. Coincidentally, Liu Yuenu’s origins came to light. Her mixed heritage made her ideal. In a flash, a bold idea struck him.

What if the Turkic people had a new Khan?

He ordered a thorough investigation of Liu Yuenu. From her actions, it was clear she claimed neither Turkic nor Qi identity.

But she had one weakness—her deceased sister. She adored—even depended on—Jiang Wanrou. As his lawful wife and mother of his three children, for her sake alone, Liu Yuenu would surely favor Great Qi.

Wolves follow their leader to hunt; sheep follow their leader to graze. All clans are the same. With a Khan inclined toward Great Qi, backed by military deterrence and tempered by diplomacy, he could subdue the enemy without battle.

He had another, private motive. His wife should never have to bow. But the Marquis of Ning'an’s household was too weak. Whether as the chief lady of the Duke’s residence or as the Princess Consort of Qi, her gentle nature led her to endure slights without complaint. To her, it was tact; to him, it was unfair.

So he would give her an unshakable support—a powerful "maternal family."

She could afford to be angry, to turn cold—she need never defer to anyone again.

This, he kept to himself. But Jiang Wanrou was no ingrate. Pressed against his chest, her heart ached, her throat tight as if choked with cotton.

Lu Feng wasn’t done. Tilting her chin up, he smirked. "No war now—the lip blisters should finally heal, shouldn’t they?"

Jiang Wanrou froze, taken aback. Tears suddenly fell.

He understood everything!

The unspoken admonishments she couldn’t voice, the hidden worries that plagued her day and night, the stifled bitterness she couldn’t express—he understood it all!

Her tears came so abruptly that Lu Feng was startled. Clearly inept at comforting others, he awkwardly wiped her tears and asked who had wronged her.

Jiang Wanrou shook her head between sobs, burying her face against his chest, her voice muffled against him. "Lu Feng, have I ever told you how much I truly love you?"

It struck her suddenly—in this vast, uncaring world, no one would ever treat her better.

She was experiencing, and reveling in, his devotion.

A stern, distant man, who considered everything for her sake, yet showed her unparalleled tolerance—what woman wouldn’t be moved? Jiang Wanrou was no exception. He loved her, she loved him, and they were lawfully married, having raised three bright, lively children together.

People had always said she was fortunate, and she had scoffed. Now, she believed it—the heavens had truly blessed her.

Lu Feng kept asking but got no answers. Eventually, Jiang Wanrou calmed down, wiped her tears, and smiled.

"I miss the children," she said.

Time had flown. Thinking back, they had been away for over half a year, and their twins were nearly one.

Lu Feng stroked her back and said solemnly, "Soon."

***

Even with his assurance, peace talks between the two nations wouldn’t be resolved quickly. The Great Qi side was straightforward—the emperor had decreed that the Prince of Qi alone would decide, with no objections permitted. But the Turkic side was in chaos. Moreover, Lu Feng had presented strict terms—he certainly didn’t believe that simply installing Liu Yuenu would solve everything.

No ceding of cities, and the annual tribute was halved. However, he demanded the establishment of protectorates in key fortresses, where officials from the Qi Dynasty would govern alongside Turkic leaders, regularly submitting reports to the emperor. Trade routes between Turkic and Qi were to be opened, facilitating mutual exchange, while Turkic raids on Qi civilians were banned outright—violators would be executed on the spot, exempt from legal proceedings.

Along the border, Turkic forces were to withdraw several miles, replaced by Qi garrisons. If the Turkic people still harbored rebellious intentions, Qi’s army could swiftly advance and assert dominance.

...

In short, the back-and-forth dragged on. By the time an agreement was reached, another half-month had passed. The bitter cold of winter had fully receded, giving way to the warm breezes of early spring. The grasslands thawed, blanketed in verdant hues, dotted with grazing livestock and yellow wildflowers—a vibrant, thriving landscape.

By mid-April, the Qi Dynasty and Turkic formally signed a peace treaty. To demonstrate goodwill, Lu Feng returned all remaining prisoners to Turkic, who reciprocated by sending two hostages to Qi.

One was the rebel Chen Fu, the other a Qi "traitor"—Pei Zhang.

Pei Zhang had played his role as a spy too well—the Turkic people still believed he had genuinely turned against Qi. Watching the man, whose brilliance remained undimmed even in captivity, Lu Feng’s eyelid twitched, and new plans formed in his mind.