Chapter 155 “Take Me with You, I Want to…”

Chapter 155: "Take me with you... I want to—"

Jiang Congyan understood—he was using this as a condition to sever her ties with Liangzhou.

A chill crept up her spine, so deep it seeped into her bones, making her shiver involuntarily.

"Tuo Baxiao, I can't do it," Jiang Congyan's voice trembled.

She shook her head slowly, lifting her damp lashes. The mist in her eyes faded, leaving behind steel-hard determination. "I can disregard Liang State, but I will never abandon Liangzhou. They are my family."

Her words were etched with unshakable resolve.

Tuo Baxiao frowned.

His earlier words had indeed been selfish. Of course, he also harbored ambitions to unify the empire, especially since Liang State was weak and on the brink of collapse.

Precisely because he knew how deeply she cared for Liangzhou, he had proposed this condition. He dreaded the day Liangzhou might become his enemy—after all, Liangzhou and the barbarians were natural foes. The Marquis of Liangzhou was sworn to defend Han territory. If he ever resolved to stand against Tuo Baxiao, he would show no mercy.

"If this is your price for helping, then don’t go," Jiang Congyan said calmly, removing his hand from her face and staring firmly at him.

"Are the people of Liangzhou truly that important to you?" Tuo Baxiao asked, his voice low.

"Yes," Jiang Congyan answered without hesitation.

Then what about me? Between me and Liangzhou, who would you choose?

Tuo Baxiao nearly blurted out the question but swallowed it at the last moment. He knew that question was a minefield.

His fists clenched, muscles coiled like a bow about to snap.

Before, when the external world had been calm, the underlying conflict of their allegiances had remained deeply buried. Their relationship had existed solely as husband and wife, sweet and intimate, like true lovers. But tensions don’t disappear—they erupt.

Now, the peace had shattered, and the conflict lay bare between them.

Tuo Baxiao remained silent for a long time, his hands tightening and loosening repeatedly. After turning the matter over in his mind, he chose not to press her further.

He led her inside. It was mealtime, and A Fei, along with the maids, quietly set the table.

They faced each other in silence. Jiang Congyan mechanically picked up her chopsticks, bringing rice to her mouth, but after a few bites, she set her bowl down.

Tuo Baxiao’s appetite was similarly poor, and the meal was hurried and tense.

Jiang Congyan returned to the study in the rear courtyard, smoothing out a sheet of paper. She wanted to write something, her hand hovering motionless until the thick ink pooled at the tip of the brush and dripped, blotting the page—still, she wrote nothing.

What should she write? Beg her grandfather to forsake Liang State to save himself?

If convictions could be swayed by a letter, they’d be worthless.

She had once asked her grandfather: *With Liang State like this, is it still worth sacrificing for?*

Her grandfather had replied: *Worth doesn’t matter. Duty does.*

Her grandfather loved and cherished her, but he wouldn’t abandon decades of responsibility for her sake, nor would he bow to barbarian rule for her sake. His lifelong beliefs were rooted in this era’s unyielding ways.

Not our people. Never our people.

She had tried. It wasn’t enough.

Jiang Congyan closed her eyes and returned the brush to its holder.

At this moment, A Fei came to report that the Prince of Mobei had summoned Chen Tao again.

Jiang Congyan's eyes widened slightly, and she shot to her feet.

Earlier, Tuo Baxiao had proposed severing ties with Liang State as an exchange condition, which she refused. She had assumed he would no longer concern himself with Liang State, yet now he had taken the initiative to summon Chen Tao. Did this mean...

Her heartbeat quickened gradually, but as she crossed the corridor connecting the rear courtyard to the front, she suddenly froze, resting a hand against the doorframe and standing there quietly, her skirts lifting in the breeze.

——

Upon hearing Tuo Baxiao agree to send troops, Chen Tao was overjoyed and was about to bow deeply in gratitude when Tuo Baxiao raised an arm to stop him.

"I have one more condition."

"What condition? As long as you are willing to lend aid, any terms can be negotiated," Chen Tao hurriedly replied.

Tuo Baxiao: "When I send troops to fight the Huns alongside your Liang State, whoever captures a city shall claim it. Do we have a deal?"

Chen Tao was stunned by these words.

As an envoy of Liang State, he did possess certain negotiation privileges—such as agreeing to Tuo Baxiao’s demands for money, grain, or even iron—but he never expected the Prince to make such an audacious demand, directly asking for territory. Even with a hundred times the courage, he wouldn’t dare consent to this.

"Prince of Mobei... this..."

Tuo Baxiao lounged back, stretching out one long leg, studying him with lazy amusement, as though he couldn’t care less whether Liang State accepted. After all, it was Liang State that needed him now.

"Prince of Mobei, is there truly no room for negotiation on this condition? Matters of territory are beyond my authority."

"Then relay the message to your emperor and let him decide."

Chen Tao wanted to plead further, but Tuo Baxiao had already risen to his feet. "This isn’t up for debate. Take it or leave it."

Even if the Liang emperor refused, Tuo Baxiao could simply seize the cities by force—how could Liang State take them back?

Seeing how unyielding the Prince was, Chen Tao knew further persuasion would be futile.

After Chen Tao left, Jiang Congyan went to the front courtyard’s council hall, only to find Tuo Baxiao absent. Upon asking the guards at the door, she learned he had taken off again on his Li Eagle.

Thus, Jiang Congyan could only wait for his return to question him.

During this time, Chen Tao came again to request an audience, but she refused.

Standing outside the gate, Chen Tao was baffled. As a princess of Liang State, why wasn’t she doing her utmost to persuade Tuo Baxiao? If Liang State fell, how could a princess of a vanquished kingdom retain her current status?

Yet this path was also blocked. With no further purpose in staying among the Xianbei, Chen Tao had no choice but to take his leave and ride back to Chang’an at once with his entourage.

That evening, Tuo Baxiao returned.

Jiang Congyan saw him filthy with dust, sweat dripping from his brow, his back soaked, and his clothes torn in several places. "Were you training again?"

Tuo Baxiao nodded.

Jiang Congyan had intended to ask him about Liang State, but seeing his state, she could only tell him to clean up first.

Tuo Baxiao grabbed her hand. "Wash my hair for me."

Jiang Congyan paused for a moment, then agreed.

Inside the bathhouse, she prepared hot water, getting the temperature just right. Tuo Baxiao first cupped some in his hands, splashing it onto his face to wash off the dirt, then shucked off his clothes and lay down on the chair she’d set up for washing hair.

He was sweating so much that the moment he took off his clothes, the sour smell of sweat became even more noticeable. His hair also looked like it was steaming, as if still radiating heat.

Jiang Congyan merely wrinkled her nose but didn’t say a word of complaint. Standing beside the chair, she rolled up her sleeves, scooped up half a ladle of warm water, and poured it from the top of his head down to the tips of his hair. Once it was thoroughly soaked, she grabbed a handful of soap powder, applied it to his hair, worked up a lather, and carefully massaged and scrubbed.

In the past, whenever they were in the bathroom, he would always tease her with flirtatious remarks. But today, he kept his eyes closed, strangely quiet.

With all his hair pushed back from his forehead, his features stood out even more. His eyebrows were thick, his eye sockets deep, and the long slits of his eyes slanted upward—you could just imagine how striking they’d look open.

Jiang Congyan also remained silent, quietly scrubbing his hair. When she was nearly done, she scooped up warm water to rinse it clean and wrapped it in a towel.

“All done. Go take your bath.”

By then, the other tub was nearly full.

Tuo Baxiao opened his eyes, his handsome face turned sharp in an instant, his piercing green eyes intense.

As he went to scrub himself, Jiang Congyan returned to the bedroom, took out his day clothes from the wardrobe, and placed them on the nearby clothing rack.

The sky had darkened, and the light coming through the glass window faded. She was about to light a couple of lamps when suddenly, he pulled her into an embrace from behind, pulling her into his warm, broad chest.

“You…”

“Yan Yan,” he said, “I told that Liang envoy that I’ll send troops as long as the Emperor of Liang agrees to my terms.”

Jiang Congyan’s heart gave a little jump. She lowered her eyes and let out a soft hum. “I guessed as much.” Otherwise, he wouldn’t have summoned Chen Tao on his own.

She had actually already prepared herself for him refusing to send troops.

“What terms did you propose?” she asked, though she had a rough idea.

Tuo Baxiao told her.

Jiang Congyan fell silent for a moment. “He’ll agree,” she finally said.

The Emperor of Liang would see this as swallowing his pride for the kingdom’s sake—giving up some land for the survival of Liang State.

To be fair, Tuo Baxiao’s terms were indeed difficult for Liang State to accept. But was Tuo Baxiao taking advantage? No. Whoever seized the land would keep it—that was only natural. Even without Liang State’s promise, would the cities Tuo Baxiao took from the Xiongnu be handed over to Liang for free? If he occupied them and refused to return them, what could Liang State do? Putting it in writing just rubbed Liang’s nose in it—but they had brought it upon themselves.

Tuo Baxiao set his chin atop her head. “Yan Yan, this is the first time, and the last. I won’t force you to cut ties with them, but from now on, stay out of their business, and don’t get angry with me because of them. Deal?”

He was willing to compromise for her once, but he wanted something back too.

He had already keenly foreseen the potential conflicts between them in the future and used this chance to set his terms.

He wouldn’t actively attack Liangzhou, and he would spare the Zhang family’s lives, but he wouldn’t keep bailing them out either.

The light in the room grew dimmer, and the far corners vanished into shadow.

Jiang Congyan gave a barely-there sigh, turned around, and slipped her arms around his waist.

“Fine. Just this once.”

She thought to herself that Liangzhou needed to pick a side—otherwise, they’d be doomed.

She wasn’t asking Liangzhou to take her side. As long as they stayed out of it and saved their own skins, that would be enough.

The news Chen Tao brought back to Chang'an once again sent shockwaves through the court.

For two full days, ministers and officials argued, cursing Tuoba Xiao relentlessly, calling him a wolf with ambitions who took advantage of others' misfortune. Even Jiang Congyan was accused of forgetting where she came from after marriage, failing to negotiate on Liang State’s behalf.

But curses aside, what decision should they make?

Just then, more grim news arrived from Xiaoguan—General He Yang, while supervising the battle atop the city walls, was struck by an arrow and severely wounded, now bedridden.

The commander's injury was another fatal blow to morale, and the same went for the emperor in Chang'an.

They could delay no longer.

"Tuoba Xiao said whoever captures a city keeps it. If we can seize as many cities as possible and limit his gains, it might be a mutually acceptable compromise."

Whether this statement stemmed from naive hope or was merely a thin veil of denial, Emperor Liang and his ministers ultimately agreed to Tuoba Xiao's terms and swiftly sent the imperial decree to the Xianbei.

Tuoba Xiao had already begun preparations.

Logically, he didn’t need to act so urgently, but the Liangzhou Army was at breaking point.

Zhang Qian had considered breaking through by force, but even if they managed to escape Yongkang City, Zhongwei and Guyuan had already fallen, and the surrounding areas were swarming with Xiongnu troops. If they couldn’t retreat to Liangzhou or Liang State in time, they would be lambs to the slaughter. At least now, they still had a city to protect them.

Wudati Hou harbored deep hatred for the Liangzhou Army. He knew full well the threat they posed—no matter how numerous the Liang troops were, they were nothing but feeble livestock. Seizing this rare opportunity to annihilate the elite Liangzhou forces, he pulled out all the stops, deploying massive forces to leave none alive.

The Liangzhou Army might last for a while, but there was one thing they couldn’t overcome—provisions.

Once the city’s provisions ran out, they would fold like a house of cards. Wudati Hou likely planned for this as well.

Tuoba Xiao’s army was about to push southward. It was already mid-to-late June, and though the weather was still warm as midsummer, Jiang Congyan specifically added large quantities of cold-weather supplies to the military provisions, even ordering every Xianbei soldier to bring their thickest clothing.

Military orders were absolute, and the Xianbei soldiers had heard rumors of a harsh winter ahead. Assuming the campaign would stretch into winter, they believed their king was simply preparing for contingencies and obeyed without complaint, diligently gearing up.

The newly forged steel had been shaped into sharp blades, arrows, and sturdy armor, giving the Xianbei cavalry a newly outfitted appearance. Everyone was fired up—they were finally marching south to expand Xianbei’s influence.

They should have done this long ago.

The Xianbei had bided their time for too long.

The day before departure, Tuoba Xiao returned very late after a busy day. Jiang Congyan had been waiting for him.

In the original timeline, Tuoba Xiao had not been involved in these events. Liang State ultimately paid the price of 300,000 soldiers and over a dozen cities just to barely defend Chang'an.

This battle devastated Liang State, wiping out its elite forces. From then on, Liang’s army cowered before the enemy, never again mustering fierce combat strength. Forced to press-gang soldiers from all regions to resist the Xiongnu, boys as young as twelve or thirteen and elderly men in their fifties and sixties were dragged to the battlefield. Heavy taxes, forced labor, and natural disasters sparked revolts. Ravaged by internal strife and external threats, Liang State gradually crumbled.

The Xiongnu, after slaughtering hundreds of thousands of Liang civilians and plundering enough resources, temporarily halted their advance—only to launch another massive invasion in the 19th year of Yongan.

Now that Tuoba Xiao was sending troops to intervene, the outcome should at least be better than in history. Even if Liang still lost cities, the people might suffer fewer casualties, and the soldiers’ sacrifices could be reduced. Yet, Jiang Congyan felt a gut feeling of unease.

Was it because this was the largest deviation from the historical trajectory so far, making her apprehensive? She couldn’t explain it.

As soon as Tuoba Xiao returned, he hastily washed up and pulled her into his arms.

His warm lips pressed against hers.

Jiang Congyan closed her eyes, her slender arms entwined around his neck.

Her unusual docility only stoked Tuoba Xiao’s passion. They lost themselves for hours before he finally relented.

Afterward, he didn’t rush to carry her for washing. Jiang Congyan remained sprawled atop him, catching her breath, her cheek pressed against his burning skin, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat. His large hand stroked her smooth, delicate back again and again, basking in the warmth of their passion.

As she finally relaxed, she slightly raised her head and gazed at the man's well-defined jaw. "I want to talk to you about something."

Tuo Baxiao tightened his arm around her waist, lifting her slightly as he turned to face her directly. "Funny, I was just about to say the same."

"You first?" Jiang Congyan said.

"No point in arguing over who goes first." After a moment's thought, Jiang Congyan spoke: "Take me with you. I want to go together."

Her dark, glistening eyes stared at him, long lashes still damp like a pink camellia still wet from the rain.

"What a coincidence. That’s exactly what I wanted to say—I want to bring you south with me." Tuo Baxiao’s face lit up as he stroked her still-flushed cheek.

Jiang Congyan stared at him, stunned.

Seeing her wide, round eyes—adorable as a kitten’s—Tuo Baxiao barely stopped himself from kissing her again.

"Really?" Jiang Congyan could hardly believe the coincidence.

"Mhm. Before, I thought the battlefield was too dangerous, afraid you couldn’t endure the hardship. But now, I’ll only rest easy if you’re with me."

Last time, leaving her alone in the royal court had nearly led to disaster. Though the court is secure now, nothing beats keeping you close. Besides, he couldn’t bear to be apart from her.

Since they both shared the same thought, Jiang Congyan relaxed, pushing against his chest to sit up.

"It’s late. Let’s wash up and sleep soon. We probably only have a couple of hours left..."

Her dark hair cascaded freely, her long hair tangled like seaweed over her pale skin, half-hidden in the dim candlelight—like a seductive spirit from legend. Tuo Baxiao’s throat tightened. He abruptly sat up, pulling her back into his arms and kissed her deeply again.

——

Jiang Congyan had been planning to join the campaign for over a week and had been preparing accordingly. She entrusted court affairs to Ruo Lan, Gan Luo, He Rangan, and Lan Zhu, instructing them to proceed with the year’s plans as usual. They knew how to handle most emergencies; if they ran into real trouble, they could send word to her and Tuo Baxiao.

Aside from those remaining at court, Jiang Congyan brought Zhang Zheng, He Zhou, and A Chun. Her Imperial Guard had originally been led by Qiumu Lingju, but his poor Chinese made things difficult, so He Zhou resumed the role.

She took only a few maids: A Fei, Si Zi, and A Mao had all begged to come along. Yun Duo, Lu Zhu, Tong, and Qing Ting were also brought along to handle daily needs and errands—more than enough.

Clothes and daily necessities had long been packed, medicines stocked for emergencies, and even lightweight armor issued to each maid. All of it packed into four carts.

Tuo Baxiao mobilized 60,000 cavalry—his biggest mobilization in years.

The Xiongnu cavalry were not to be underestimated, especially under Wudati Hou’s command. Tuo Baxiao was proud but not reckless—60,000 riders were hardly excessive.

For generals, he chose Modolou, Chigan Balie, and Duan Muqi. Chigan Balie, still fuming over his earlier defeat against the Murong Tribe despite later retaliation, was eager to redeem himself in this campaign.

Troops gathered from across the realm to the royal court, assembling fully two days prior—now awaiting only Tuo Baxiao’s order to march.

After bidding farewell to Lan Zhu, Qiu Liju, and Mica, the war horns sounded. Hooves pounded, kicking up clouds of dust, and Jiang Congyan—having lived among the Xianbei for over two years—finally set foot on the road back to her homeland.

Though she traveled by carriage, and A Fei had done her utmost to make it comfortable, the journey took its toll. Within days, Jiang Congyan looked worn out, her face thinning, even vomiting once at her worst.

Tuo Baxiao’s heart ached with regret for insisting she come. Eventually, he decided to let her slow down and follow with the main army.

Admitting her limits, Jiang Congyan agreed—arriving a few days late mattered little.

Tuo Baxiao’s vanguard was all cavalry, each soldier with two horses. Only Zhang Zheng’s engineering corps marched on foot. They moved at a breakneck pace: crossing the Tumochuan Plain, fording the Yellow River, and racing south—covering over a thousand li in barely two weeks before reaching Lingwu.

Upon receiving the scout's report, Wudati Hou immediately smashed his wine bowl.

"Tuo! Ba! Xiao!" He hissed the name between clenched teeth.

He had thought Tuo Baxiao's alliance with Liang was merely for its resources, never dreamed he’d actually help the Liang folks fight him.

Was he really that smitten with the Han Princess?

Didn't he know Liang State had stabbed him in the back before?

No matter how furious Wudati Hou was, he had to reckon with Tuo Baxiao's approaching army.

Fine, let him come. He had never forgotten the humiliation at the Yellow River two years ago. This time, he would make sure Tuo Baxiao dies.

"Send scouts again! Find out exactly how many troops he has brought!"

Wudati Hou immediately summoned his generals for counsel. Tuo Baxiao's rep was so fearsome that even his Xiongnu warriors were downright scared—though some, confident in their own might, sought to slay him and make a name for themselves.

Wudati Hou further promised to bestow the title of Right Wise Prince upon whoever killed Tuo Baxiao. Hearing this, his Xiongnu warriors grew excited.

After all, in the past, only the Khan's sons could be granted the titles of Left and Right Wise Princes. Now, they too had this opportunity.

With Tuo Baxiao knocking at their door, Wudati Hou had no choice but to withdraw part of his army. Thus, Xiaoguan’s defenders saw the Xiongnu's assault had weakened.

"Has Tuo Baxiao arrived?"

Zhou Hong had naturally heard of the court's plea for aid from the Xianbei. Tuo Baxiao's renown was unmatched—before he had even arrived, Wudati Hou was already treating him as a dire threat and personally marching to meet him. On paper, the Xiongnu pulling back was good news, yet Zhou Hong felt a knot of resentment.

Liang couldn’t hold off the Xiongnu on its own and had been forced to seek help from the Xianbei.

Standing atop the city walls, he watched the retreating enemy before returning to the governor's residence to ask Grand General He Yang for orders. However, He Yang's Imperial Guard said the Grand General was unconscious and unable to issue orders.

Out of options, Zhou Hong went to talk it over with Zhao Bian.

But Zhao Bian disagreed. "What if the Xiongnu are playing us again? Haven't you learned your lesson yet? Our Liang troops are no match for the Xiongnu."

His words weren't entirely unreasonable, yet Zhou Hong bristled.

Zhao Bian had arrived late—He Yang's central army and Zhou Hong's vanguard had suffered heavy losses, while Zhao Bian still retained most of his forces. If he refused to mobilize, Zhou Hong could do nothing.

Meanwhile, within Yongkang City, Zhang Qian also noticed the besieging Xiongnu forces had dwindled, nearly halved in number.

Stranded like a lone island, cut off from outside news, they knew nothing of the events of the past two months and thus could not guess the reason for the Xiongnu's withdrawal.

"General, we’re out of food. Should we seize this chance to break out?" Liu Wei, Zhang Qian's deputy, suggested.

"What if this is another Xiongnu trap?"

They had fallen for such tactics before.

"Better to go down swinging."

That much was true.

Zhang Qian sought the opinions of his men, and most agreed to make a desperate charge. He ordered all remaining food in the city to be made into flatbread and distributed to every soldier.

Everyone understood—this was do-or-die.

That night, under the cloak of night, the city gates swung open. Zhang Qian led the charge, rallying the remaining Liangzhou troops to break through.

"Charge!"

They’d feared another Xiongnu trick, but it turned out the Xiongnu had really retreated.

"The Xiongnu must’ve run into trouble."

This realization sent the Liangzhou Army’s morale soaring.

They pushed forward, storming the Xiongnu camp. Just as they prepared to seize the enemy's provisions, they discovered piles of meat—clearly human flesh.

Their eyes burned with fury. They gripped their blades, pouring every ounce of hatred into butchering the Xiongnu.

After a bloody night of fighting, the Liangzhou Army finally broke free. As Zhang Qian debated heading back to Liangzhou, a scout rushed in with a report: "General, the Xiongnu are engaged in battle at Zhongning. Looks like the Xianbei Army."

The Xianbei Army?

"Why would the Xianbei Army come?"

They weren’t helping the Xiongnu attack Liang State—were they actually aiding *us*?

As the others wondered, Zhang Qian suddenly thought of his niece, Chang Shengnu.

"Is it Chang Shengnu?"