无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

He glanced at her fair feet resting on the table and casually asked, “Did you accept Jin Man?”

“What an odd question, Your Highness,” Jiang Ning smiled back, “It was clearly you who accepted Jin Man. Why are you asking me instead? Do you think that I, the Princess Consort, am already virtuous and benevolent enough to take the initiative to bring concubines into our family for the Crown Prince?”

“My acceptance does not mean you also accept.”

“It’s a bit disheartening to hear Your Highness say that. People say husband and wife are one. Everything naturally is decided by Your Highness, how could I object? Others would think that I, the Princess Consort, am jealous and incapable of handling important matters!”

“Since when did you care so much about other people’s opinions?”

“I didn’t mind before when I was naive. But after your earnest teachings, I’ve come to understand the importance of protecting my reputation. Rest assured, Your Highness, I will never oppose you on major matters.”

Li Hongyuan sneered coldly, “How fake can you get.”

“Your Highness is quite hypocritical as well.”

“How am I hypocritical?”

“If you were so reluctant to accept her, why not give the Silla beauty to the Emperor? Perhaps, when the Emperor is pleased, he will praise you for your filial piety.”

“Don’t spew nonsense!”

Li Hongyuan said coldly, “This time, the two of us tortured Prince Xinhai quite a bit. If we don’t even accept the beauties they offered to us, what do you think the Monarch of Silla would think?”

“I don’t care what he thinks.”

“If Silla doesn’t hold the line, the Rouran cavalry would invade Great Sheng…”

“Then we’ll just fight Rouran. My uncle is very good at fighting.”

“Jiang Mubai is indeed a good fighter, but he’s only one person. How can he defend multiple positions?”

“Regardless, I don’t believe this is a sustainable strategy.”

Jiang Ning dried her hair, put her feet down, turned and faced Li Hongyuan, saying seriously, “In order to truly stabilize our borders, we must fight. Defeating the Rouran Kingdom, intimidating them, and stopping them from invading again is the best strategy. Avoiding battles will only invite disdain.”

“Do you think warfare is that simple? According to Emperor Father, going to war means exhausting countless manpower, money, and resources. He believes that letting the people recuperate is more important.”

“But we can’t continue to tolerate the aggression at our borders!”

“I never thought the Princess Consort would advocate for war.” Li Hongyuan glanced at her, “It’s a pity your hands are so weak you couldn’t tie a chicken up, even if you advocate for it, no one would respond.”

“What about the Crown Prince? What kind of advocate are you?”

“It doesn’t matter what I advocate, the important thing is that Great Sheng currently needs Silla’s cooperation.”

“Well then, Your Highness, you should cherish Miss Jin Man, let her bear seven or eight children, and prove your sincerity to the Monarch of Silla!” Jiang Ning said with a smile.

“Do you think I would let a foreign woman give birth to a child with royal blood?”

“From what I know, there are quite a few foreign concubines in the Emperor’s harem, some of whom have given birth to princesses.”

“My principles are different from Emperor Father’s.”

“I don’t see any difference.” Jiang Ning pouted, walked to the side of the bed, “It’s late, I’m going to sleep. Does Your Highness have any other matters? Oh, you came to ask about Jin Man, right? I’ve arranged for her to stay at Plum Blossom Cottage, close to Concubine Li, so they can care for each other.”

Li Hongyuan merely responded with a sound of acknowledgment.

Jiang Ning looked at him, “Aren’t you leaving yet, Your Highness?”

“Where to?”

“Plum Blossom Cottage, of course.”