The Child Emperor-Chapter 352: I Volunteer

When the war began, Cui Zhao and her sister, Marchioness Ping’en, moved to a small courtyard in the northern part of the city. Their former grandeur was naturally gone, and they even had to share the courtyard with the female relatives of Prince Dai. Each group looked down upon the other with cold eyes, but because disaster loomed overhead, they truly had no mood for quarreling and managed to maintain peace.

The Xiongnu offensive grew stronger and stronger, and Jincheng was on the verge of falling. The female relatives were so frightened they could neither eat nor drink, crying all day long. Yet under these circumstances, Cui Zhao’s health actually began to recover bit by bit. She could get out of bed and walk normally, and her expression remained calm, as if she didn’t take the Xiongnu outside the city seriously at all.

The other women sharing the courtyard all felt puzzled by this, and then somewhat fearful, becoming even more convinced that this daughter of the Cui clan was abnormal – perhaps the Xiongnu had been “summoned” by her. Her fate was so hard it could overcome even an emperor!

The female relatives of the prince’s mansion quietly moved away, preferring to live among common people rather than dare to stay near Cui Zhao.

Only Marchioness Ping’en knew that all this talk of being a jinx was nonsense that she herself had concocted, but even she didn’t understand why her third sister’s health kept improving.

Cui Zhao understood it herself.

Ever since the Xiongnu had besieged the city, the more critical the situation became, the less pressure there was forcing her to approach the Emperor. A few days ago when the situation was most dire, Marchioness Ping’en had even complained about their grandmother, feeling it was all because of her favoritism that two daughters and one son of the Cui clan were trapped in Jincheng.

Without family pressure, Cui Zhao’s mood suddenly became relaxed, and naturally her health gradually improved as well.

She finally understood that she didn’t like the Emperor, much less want to seduce him. Compared to that, life and death didn’t seem so important.

So she wanted to see the Emperor and make everything clear.

Cui Teng didn’t understand, but when his sister threatened to die, he had no choice but to relay her message.

Marchioness Ping’en saw hope again and was overjoyed, saying repeatedly: “Truly worthy of being a daughter of the Cui clan. It’s time for them to meet. As they say, true feelings are revealed in adversity – this is the best time to win His Majesty’s favor.”

Han Ruzi deliberately chose to summon Cui Zhao in the morning to avoid too much gossip, with eunuchs and guards also present.

Cui Zhao entered the room led by her brother Cui Teng, while Marchioness Ping’en, not having permission, could only wait outside for news.

Cui Zhao gracefully bowed, then rose and glanced up, finally seeing the Emperor.

Han Ruzi had been to the Cui manor but had never met the Empress’s sister face to face. Both felt somewhat curious.

Han Ruzi saw some resemblance to the Empress in Cui Zhao’s face, while Cui Zhao thought the Emperor was truly young, yet possessed a composure that the Champion Marquis lacked.

This person should indeed be Emperor, and her sister should indeed be Empress.

With this thought, Cui Zhao felt even calmer and spoke: “Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. I have heard that the Xiongnu have proposed conditions, specifically requesting me for a marriage alliance. Despite my inadequacies, I am willing to go to the Xiongnu to establish friendship between our two nations.”

All listeners were shocked, especially Cui Teng, who hadn’t known his sister’s intention until now. He hurriedly said: “Sister, you needn’t be hasty. We already refused the Xiongnu yesterday. They won’t insist. His Majesty said…”

Cui Zhao smiled slightly at her brother. “Second Brother need not persuade me. Though the peace talks between Great Chu and the Xiongnu won’t succeed or fail because of me, our two nations have been estranged for so long. If someone could speak for Great Chu among the Xiongnu, it would ultimately be beneficial. Sending me for the marriage alliance, even if it can’t speed up the negotiations, would at least eliminate one point of contention.”

Cui Teng was dumbfounded. “But… but there’s no need to send you! You don’t even bear the Han surname – Prince Dai has several daughters. Just pick one and ennoble her as princess.”

Cui Zhao shook her head with a smile. “Since the Xiongnu have specifically named me, and I’m willing, why trouble Prince Dai’s daughters?” She then turned to the Emperor and said seriously: “I hope Your Majesty will show mercy and grant your subject’s wish.”

Han Ruzi pondered for a long while, then waved his hand to dismiss the eunuchs and guards, leaving only the Cui siblings.

“You are the Empress’s sister, like a sister to me. Speak – tell me why you want to make this decision.”

Cui Zhao knelt down and lowered her head without speaking, as if composing her words. Soon her shoulders began to shake – she was crying. “I’ll let Second Brother speak.”

“Me? I don’t know anything…” Cui Teng looked completely bewildered.

Cui Zhao only wept silently. Han Ruzi didn’t know how to console her and could only stare sternly at Cui Teng.

With his sister crying and the Emperor staring at him, Cui Teng felt uneasy and had no choice but to say: “Could it be because of Marchioness Ping’en?”

Cui Zhao nodded, then shook her head.

Cui Teng was agitated and confused, but didn’t dare lose his temper in front of the Emperor. He scratched his head and said with a forced smile: “Actually… it’s not really a big deal, it’s just… Marchioness Ping’en wanted to… to offer Third Sister to Your Majesty…”

Cui Teng’s voice grew smaller and smaller until it was barely audible.

“What did you say?” Han Ruzi leaned forward.

“Third Sister is willing to become Your Majesty’s concubine.” Cui Teng said with his head lowered, then suddenly looked up and said loudly: “But this wasn’t my idea! I only found out a few days ago. It was all Marchioness Ping’en’s scheming behind the scenes. She’s the worst one – she even fabricated all sorts of rumors, making Third Sister sound… sound absolutely disgraceful, just to attract Your Majesty’s attention.”

When the rumors were at their peak, Han Ruzi had indeed noticed them, but he never imagined that these rumors were specifically meant to reach his ears. After being stunned for a moment, he suddenly understood Cui Zhao’s painful predicament.

Cui Zhao was the Champion Marquis’s wife, and her husband had died in the struggle for the throne. If she married the Emperor, she would be condemned by everyone, and people would think she had poisoned the Champion Marquis to death. Moreover, she understood the deep affection between her sister and the Emperor. If she entered the palace, she would inevitably compete with the Empress for favor, and if she didn’t enter the palace, she would face oppression from the Cui clan.

Marchioness Ping’en certainly couldn’t make decisions for Cui Zhao – the ones truly orchestrating everything behind the scenes must be the old Elder Laojun and Cui Hong.

Cui Zhao was caught in an impossible situation, so she simply decided to “ride the tiger” all the way to the Xiongnu side. It didn’t matter whom she married – the key was that she could escape all the troubles and disputes here.

Han Ruzi understood Cui Zhao’s difficulties but couldn’t agree with her decision. He said gently: “We will make the decision for you. In any case, We won’t go against your wishes. There’s no need for you to marry far away to the Xiongnu.”

Cui Zhao looked up and wiped the tears from her face. “Is it because I’m the Champion Marquis’s wife?”

Han Ruzi was slightly taken aback. This was indeed one reason, and a very important one. The Champion Marquis had been a royal clan member qualified to compete for the throne. It would be inappropriate to send his widow to the Xiongnu less than a year after his death – outsiders who didn’t know the full story would think the Emperor was deliberately seeking revenge.

Cui Zhao took out a piece of paper from her sleeve and handed it to her brother. Cui Teng took it with confusion, opened it and glanced at it, his expression changing slightly as he passed the paper to the Emperor.

It was a divorce document.

Cui Zhao smiled bitterly and said: “The Champion Marquis was so confident he would become emperor that he wanted to sever all ties with the Cui clan beforehand. So I no longer have any relationship with the Champion Marquis. I sent his son to the Deng family – all debts and obligations are now settled.”

Han Ruzi returned the divorce document to Cui Teng. He didn’t recognize the Champion Marquis’s handwriting and couldn’t tell if it was genuine. He sighed and said: “Even so, you don’t need to marry far away to the Xiongnu. There are plenty of royal princes and marquises. Within a year, We will certainly find you a suitable husband of appropriate age.”

With the Emperor arranging the marriage and the Cui clan’s influence, Han Ruzi believed this wouldn’t be difficult.

Cui Zhao kowtowed, then said: “Your Majesty’s benevolence is known to all people, and I’m deeply grateful. But while Your Majesty can arrange a marriage for me, can Your Majesty clear my tainted reputation?”

Han Ruzi was stunned again.

Thinking carefully, Cui Zhao’s reputation was indeed very poor. Her initial marriage to the Champion Marquis was seen as the Cui clan’s opportunistic move, forcibly displacing the original Champion Marquis’s wife, which resulted in her being labeled as a “jinx who brings death to husbands.” The Cui clan didn’t help her but instead added fuel to the fire, claiming that only the Emperor could suppress their daughter’s inauspicious fate.

Cui Zhao was just an ordinary woman who, having no choice, gritted her teeth and endured it all. Marrying far away to the Xiongnu was actually a form of liberation for her.

Han Ruzi remained silent in contemplation. In Cui Zhao, he also saw a pride hidden deep in her heart, making her even more similar to her sister Cui Xiaojun.

“Sister…” Cui Teng said in bewilderment. Honestly, he wasn’t particularly close to this half-sister, but seeing her so resolute about cutting ties with the family still made him feel sad.

“Second Brother, don’t be upset.”

“I’m not… angry, I just don’t understand…”

“Second Brother is a good person. In this family, only Second Brother cares about me as a person and has never seen me as a tool for gaining power and influence. I will always remember Second Brother’s kindness.”

Cui Teng’s face reddened, and his sister’s gratitude made him feel even more ashamed. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Cui Zhao spoke again to the Emperor: “Your Majesty and Sister are perfectly matched. No matter where I may be, I will pray before the Buddha for Your Majesty’s and Sister’s safety. Please understand, Your Majesty, that my mind is made up. Though the Xiongnu may be treacherous, they are still human beings, not wild beasts. Marriage alliances have existed since ancient times, and even Great Chu has had them before. I humbly volunteer myself and earnestly hope Your Majesty will grant permission.”

Han Ruzi was as bewildered and helpless as Cui Teng.

In a room in the front courtyard of the prince’s mansion, Marchioness Ping’en waited hopefully for good news. The siege of Jincheng seemed likely to be lifted, and her sister Cui Zhao had received an audience with the Emperor. With great success seemingly at hand, she would establish great merit for the Cui clan, never again be looked down upon, and her son Miao Shuang’s future would be assured.

Not far away, in the surviving half of the great hall in the prince’s mansion, Prince Donghai and other Chu ministers continued negotiations with the Xiongnu.

Jin Chunzhong, representing the Great Chanyu, made concessions on almost every condition, but remained adamant about two things: first, safe passage must be provided for the Xiongnu to return to the steppes, and second, a “princess” must be sent for the marriage alliance.

Deng Cui’s eastern campaign was like pulling firewood from under a cauldron for the Xiongnu. The Great Chanyu had previously weighed the situation carefully and felt that the Chu army at Mayi City was hesitant and indecisive, with no great general in command, so there was no rush to eliminate them. Chai Yue in southern Yan was the real threat. He never expected that a General if Chariots and Cavalry would suddenly arrive at Mayi City, and that Chai Yue’s Chu army would prove more difficult to deal with than anticipated.

With their northern retreat cut off and the south mired in quagmire, the Xiongnu naturally grew more anxious with each passing moment.

As for the marriage alliance, it was merely the Xiongnu’s last resort to save face. The Great Chanyu was interested in the legendary “woman with a hard fate,” but it wasn’t absolutely necessary. Prince Donghai had already gotten Jin Chunzhong to agree that as long as Great Chu sent a “princess” to the Xiongnu, that would suffice.

Chief Overseer Liu Jie hurried over and whispered a few words in Prince Donghai’s ear.

Prince Donghai was stunned for quite a while, then said to Jin Chunzhong: “Cui Zhao, daughter of the Cui family, is the Empress’s younger sister. His Majesty has just recognized her as his sister and granted her the title of Princess Pingjin[1] to marry the Xiongnu in alliance.”

Jin Chunzhong was also shocked. “A daughter of Grand Tutor Cui’s family?”

“Indeed.”

“This… this is wonderful. The Great Chanyu will surely be very pleased.”

“But His Majesty also said that while the marriage alliance is acceptable, generational hierarchy cannot be confused. Since the Great Chanyu claims to have a grandfather-grandson relationship with the Emperor, Great Chu’s princess can only marry someone of the Great Chanyu’s grandson generation.”

“Ah? This… I must return to seek instructions.” Jin Chunzhong was somewhat flustered by this unexpected news.

The negotiations continued. For both sides’ envoys, who were eager to reach a peace agreement, this was merely a minor matter after all.

For Marchioness Ping’en, however, this was a catastrophic disaster. Like a madwoman, she desperately wanted to find Cui Teng and Cui Zhao to demand an explanation, but could not gain entry. The eunuchs politely asked her to return to her quarters. Princess Pingjin would reside in the prince’s mansion, cared for by her brother Cui Teng.

[1] This princess title means “restoring peace to Jincheng city”.

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