On my way home, I stopped by my father-in-law’s study. The cold weather had slowed business, and several of his old friends were gathered around a charcoal brazier, brewing plum blossom wine. As I entered, several scholars in padded jackets were deep in conversation. I greeted them, got a cup of wine, and placed a plate of fennel seeds and salted peanuts for them to enjoy. The elderly gentlemen were discussing the recent marriage alliance between the Seventh Princess and Xiliang.
I perked up my ears to listen carefully. Among these uncles were retired court officials and scholarly intellectuals whose careers had stalled, each with unique perspectives on the situation. Da Qi, Xiliang, and Nanrui had historically maintained a balanced relationship, keeping peace for hundreds of years. In recent decades, tensions between Da Qi and Xiliang escalated, leading to war, with Da Qi losing several cities and sending the Third Prince, Xia Zhichun, as a hostage.
In the conflict between Da Qi and Xiliang, Nanrui maintained neutrality, but both Da Qi and Xiliang sought to draw Nanrui to their side. An alliance between either of these countries would place the third at a significant disadvantage. In recent years, Da Qi has worked to improve communication with Nanrui, with Minister of Rites Su Quan representing the Qi Emperor in requesting a marriage alliance.
However, Nanrui values equal status for men and women, allowing women to serve as officials and generals, and has had several female emperors. This cultural backdrop resulted in few Nanrui princesses willing to marry into Da Qi, and the Nanrui Emperor had no eligible sons, delaying the alliance.
A year ago, Nanrui agreed to marry the Fifth Princess to the Eastern Palace of Da Qi as the main wife. The Qi Emperor was overjoyed, promising that she would become empress upon the Eastern Palace’s ascension, indicating strong cooperation between Qi and Nanrui. However, the princess escaped the imperial palace on her wedding night, disappearing without a trace.
Her escape led to the collapse of the fragile alliance between the two countries. Though she fled on her own, it occurred within Qi’s borders, leaving Qi unable to explain her whereabouts to Nanrui.
