Chapter 192 Ending Two Husband and Wife Rule Together, the World Unites.

**Chapter 192: Co-Rulers, One Heart**

With less than a quarter of an hour left before the two-hour deadline and still no sign of Jiang Congyan, Tuo Baxiao was at his limit.

Suddenly, a roar of voices rose like a tide from the opposite shore, carried by the autumn wind across the wide river to Tuo Baxiao’s ears. His heart lurched. He gripped the railing at the bow of the ship, his iron grip digging into the thick wooden barrier so hard that deep cracks splintered beneath his fingers.

He lifted his head, his face tightening with tension, his jade-green eyes blazing with fury.

What could have caused such commotion? Unable to see her, his mind raced with frantic thoughts. Was she safe? Had she been ambushed? Were those Liang cowards trying to kidnap her? Even with her personal guards, she was pregnant—what if she got hurt?

At the thought, his face paled.

He never should’ve let her go by herself. If she had to go, he should’ve gone with her. He couldn’t bear the idea of anything happening to her.

“Someone!” Tuo Baxiao barked.

“Your Majesty.” A Long hurried forward, awaiting orders.

Tuo Baxiao raised his hand. “Mobilize the army—we cross now.”

A Long paled.

Before leaving, the Khatun had specifically told him to stop the King from acting recklessly.

What could he do now?

Seeing A Long hesitate, Tuo Baxiao snapped, “Move!”

A Long scrambled for an excuse—then hit upon one.

“Your Majesty, the Khatun set a time of two hours. The time hasn't passed yet. Wouldn’t rushing in be reckless?”

True, there was still time, but with the chaos on the other side, Tuo Baxiao could no longer wait.

“Go!”

With no way to dissuade him, A Long had no choice but to obey—though he dragged his feet.

As he signaled the other warships with flags, he spotted a small boat approaching and quickly stopped, rushing back to Tuo Baxiao. “My King, a boat’s approaching—one of ours.”

Tuo Baxiao bolted to the railing, but when the boat drew closer, he saw it wasn’t Jiang Congyan inside.

“Where is she?”

“My King, the princess is on her way back. She was slightly delayed but feared you might worry, so she sent me ahead to report. She said she’s fine and will return soon. She begs you to wait,” He Zhou explained.

“Is that true?” Tuo Baxiao hissed through gritted teeth.

He Zhou nodded calmly. “The princess is indeed safe.”

—

Seeing thousands of citizens kneeling before her, Jiang Congyan was deeply moved. She closed her eyes briefly.

She understood their fears—they were afraid that once peace was restored, she would retreat to the inner palace and all decisions would rest solely with Tuo Baxiao.

She was certain that wouldn’t happen, but truthfully, she hadn’t thought about becoming empress either. For now, they split duties—he led the military while she handled domestic affairs and civil governance. Still, Tuo Baxiao held the upper hand, commanding the Xianbei army.

There was no strict hierarchy between them. He was still the Xianbei King, not yet emperor, and Xianbei customs were more relaxed than Han traditions. But once unified, they’d need a new imperial system—if they adopted Han rites, the roles and power of emperor and empress would be clearly divided. That was why Huan Jun and others made this request now. “Stand,” Jiang Congyan said, raising her hand. “I understand your concerns, but this is not a decision I can make alone.”

Huan Jun stood up and looked at her, saying, "We dare not disregard the valor of the Prince of Mobei and the Xianbei Army, nor do we seek to usurp their glory. We only wish for the princess and the Prince of Mobei to reign as co-rulers, ruling jointly as husband and wife, so that the people will rally behind them."

His words did not surprise Jiang Congyan. After a momentary surprise at first, she had quickly guessed they would never dare suggest something so absurd as her ruling alone.

"You need not worry for now. Whether this matter succeeds or not, the future heir will undoubtedly be our child."

Her words put their minds at ease.

A future emperor with three-quarters Han heritage and royal lineage would indeed best align with Han interests—or at the very least, they could accept it as a compromise.

Having calmed the crowd, Jiang Congyan suddenly remembered the agreed-upon time. Tuoba Xiao must be getting restless. Given his temperament, he might actually do something reckless. If conflict erupted now, her trip today would’ve been for nothing.

Pregnant and unable to move quickly, she could only send a messenger ahead to the shore to inform him.

Jiang Congyan returned to her carriage and continued on her way.

Huan Jun shouted with the crowd:

"We bid you farewell, Princess!"

Jiang Congyan looked back one last time before slowly departing the city gate under their hopeful gazes.

After traveling for about fifteen minutes, her carriage finally arrived at the dock. As she got out to board the boat, she spotted a familiar tall figure standing on the deck—Tuoba Xiao had come.

He hadn’t taken the massive flagship or brought the navy, instead arriving at the Liang army’s dock aboard her small boat.

He had come to get her himself.

Tuoba Xiao had pushed deep into enemy waters with just one small boat. Logically, he should have been the one concerned for his own safety, yet he stood there composed, while the Liang forces were on edge, not daring to stop him as his boat approached the shore.

To them, the mere name "Tuoba Xiao" was enough to intimidate.

When the boat was still a zhang away from the shore, Tuoba Xiao couldn’t wait any longer. He jumped ashore and strode swiftly to Jiang Congyan.

"Yan Yan."

He gripped her shoulders, inspecting her from head to toe, left to right, front to back, ensuring she was unharmed. Only then did his tightly wound heart ease, and he pulled her into a tight hug.

Jiang Congyan felt his tension, even hearing his racing heart. She wrapped her arms around his waist. "I’m sorry I’m late."

"As long as you’re unharmed."

"I promised you I’d return safely," Jiang Congyan said with a smile.

"Mm." Tuoba Xiao’s voice was still strained, unwilling to let her go.

She understood his emotions—just as she had felt when he was besieged by Wudati Hou. That kind of torment could drive anyone mad.

Her greatest fear had been him launching an all-out attack in desperation. Fortunately, he had restrained himself.

So even though his reckless solo venture was irrational, she couldn’t bring herself to scold him. She knew this was the most he could hold back.

After what felt like an eternity, Jiang Congyan sensed he had finally relaxed slightly. "The negotiations went smoothly. Let’s head back first."

Once aboard, the moment they entered the cabin, the man pulled her into a rough kiss. Jiang Congyan had no choice but to respond, soothing him until her collar slipped off her shoulder. When things could go no further, she gently pushed him away.

"What happened earlier?" Now somewhat calmer, he asked the question that weighed most on his mind.

Jiang Congyan pushed herself up from the floor, straightening her disheveled clothes. "The agreements and promises were much the same as what we discussed in our letters. The only hiccup was what held me up."

"What's the matter?"

Jiang Congyan slightly raised her head, studying him intently. Their faces were so close that they could see their own reflections in each other's pupils.

"They want me to rule alongside you as co-emperors, joint rule as husband and wife," she said softly.

After speaking, she held his gaze unblinkingly.

Tuo Baxiao neither agreed nor disagreed. Instead, he asked, "Do you want to?"

Jiang Congyan's heartbeat quickened slightly, her fingers tightening. "The question isn't whether I want to, but whether the Xianbei can accept it."

In reality, their current situation was already one of shared governance as husband and wife. But officially, he was the king, and she was the queen. The Xianbei people might accept her rule, but not necessarily her being Tuo Baxiao's equal in rank.

"As long as you want it, it can be done. I'll handle the Xianbei side."

"Really?" Jiang Congyan widened her eyes, lips parting slightly.

Tuo Baxiao kissed her eyelids. "Knowing how much you worry, I was reluctant at first—I don’t want you to overexert yourself. But I know you desire this. You always feel there’s more to be done, as if you hold some standard in your heart, believing the present isn’t good enough, wanting to shape the world into the vision you carry."

He was remarkably perceptive, reading Jiang Congyan so clearly.

Of course, after spending every day together and holding her close to his heart, it was no surprise he noticed.

Having witnessed the prosperity of modern society and comparing it to this era’s low productivity, constant warfare, and people starving, no matter how hard she tried, she could only move history forward slightly, unable to achieve fundamental change. No wonder she felt she wasn’t doing enough.

"If you’re worried about me tiring, then help shoulder more of the burden in the future," Jiang Congyan said to him.

Tuo Baxiao answered at once, "As long as you stay by my side, I’ll do anything."

He had once harbored ambitions to conquer the world—it was his sole drive and goal. But after meeting her, he finally found his belonging. If forced to choose between the world and her, he would unhesitatingly choose her.

Now, having her ascend the throne alongside him didn’t unsettle Tuo Baxiao in the slightest. Instead, it filled him with a strange emotion.

Throughout history, what imperial couple could rival them?

They say the path to emperorship is a lonely one, but he and she would stand side by side, surveying this vast land together, walking forward hand in hand.

When the boat reached the shore, they returned to their chambers. A Fei approached, glancing behind them. "My lady, I thought you said you’d bring His Highness the King of Chu back?"

She had already prepared the rooms.

Jiang Congyan replied, "He said he'd return later."

She knew her father had chosen to stay behind to steady things for her. When Chang’an fell, he hadn’t followed her people to Xianbei but instead headed south—she had understood his intentions even then. And today, Southern Liang’s surrender wasn’t solely Huan Jun’s doing. Especially the timing of the young emperor’s death—the circumstances were suspicious... Jiang Congyan shook her head, pushing these tangled thoughts aside.

The commotion in Jiankang was too great, and news of the Liang people’s request for the princess to ascend the throne eventually spread among the Xianbei.

Opinions were divided.

The Han people led by Jiang Congyan naturally agreed, but there were dissenting voices among the Xianbei.