Insufficient balance

  The brilliant sun in the sky shines with a million rays, the young men on earth are full of vigor and energy, sweating profusely as they work, their loud shouts echoing through the air, filled with masculinity.

  The commander of the Youlin Army, with his morale greatly boosted, charged left and right together with Xue Chongxun's brothers. The wooden ball broke through the gate again and again, and the atmosphere on the field reached its climax. The Tubo people hung their heads in despair, their fighting spirit was hit, and they played even more miserably, panting like a cow, with faces as pale as pig liver.

  A Tibetan man, enraged and humiliated, deliberately charged at Xue Chongxun from the side. After Xue Chongxun reined in his horse to avoid him, he scornfully cursed: "Idiot!" Unfortunately, the Tibetan man did not understand.

  Overwhelming advantage, cheers have not stopped. The Tubo envoy on the stage saw the embarrassing scene of one-sided defeat, and in front of other foreign envoys, their faces were ugly to the extreme.

  On the contrary, Princess Taiping was laughing so hard that she almost couldn't close her mouth. She was not only happy about the competition, but also saw Xue Chongxun and the Huben military leaders on the field having a good relationship with each other, which made her feel very pleasant. Don't underestimate this game of hitting the ball, those generals' minds are not as complicated as those in the officialdom, many times they just act on intuition, the cooperation and effort during the game will make them feel close to each other.

  Emperor Li Dan was also delighted, saying several times: "The young master Xue from my sister's family is indeed a talented and handsome man. He has brought honor to our great Tang Dynasty. I will surely reward him heavily later."

  Li Longji, on the other hand, was somewhat depressed. Although he also had a smile on his face like everyone else, but upon closer inspection, his smile was very forced. Turning the tide and stealing the show, this scene was all too familiar. The scene where he led four teammates to defeat the Tubo team of ten people a few years ago seemed like it was just yesterday... But why couldn't he find the feeling today?

  A faint sense of panic shrouded Li Longji's mind, he was afraid that he would slowly lose his edge.

  The ball was kicked out of bounds, and the Great Tang won a complete victory. The whole field cheered, and the Han people present were very fond of the feeling of raising their eyebrows and spitting out air, and they were extremely excited.

  Li Dan issued an edict to summon the participating team members to the stage, and said with joy: "Each of you will be rewarded. Since Xue Lang has made the greatest contribution, what reward do you want? Just say it in front of me."

  Xue Chongxun raised his head and took a glance at Jincheng, only to see that Jincheng was also looking at him. Jincheng's bright and clear eyes made Xue Chongxun's heart skip a beat. As their gazes met, Jincheng's face turned slightly red, and she quickly looked away.

  "I don't know where he got the nerve, but Xue Chongxun was so excited today that his head was spinning. He loudly said: 'Your Majesty, I previously said that I would fight for Princess Jincheng, and it was truly sincere. I am willing to work hard for the princess like a horse! I didn't let Princess Jincheng lose face, please reward me.'"

  "Ah!" The people around were shocked, as such words were ambiguous and everyone could taste the implication. Other princesses and court ladies saw Xue Chongxun, a tall and handsome young man, kneeling in front of them to express his feelings, they were both envious and jealous, but thinking of Princess Jincheng's miserable fate of being married off abroad, most women did not have malicious intentions, and smiled at Princess Jincheng.

  The Tibetan envoys on the other side were already indignant and, upon hearing these words, immediately shouted in discontent: "The Princess of Jincheng is the fiancée of the Tibetan prince, how can the Duke of Wei speak like this?"

  At this time, a minister below shouted: "The Duke of Wei is both a minister and a royal relative. What's wrong with him saying that he will fight for the people of the Great Tang Dynasty? Our great Tang Empire, marrying our princess to you is a blessing, can't we still be dissatisfied with the court's treatment of you?"

  Xue Chongxun turned his head to see that it was Li Shouyi, the prefect of Jingzhao. This stubborn stone had almost clashed with him before, but unexpectedly didn't hold a grudge and spoke up for him instead. However, after a moment, he realized that Li Shouyi was only acting out of public spirit, not intentionally trying to help anyone in particular.

  At this time, a Tubo envoy said coldly: "My Tubo country has 1 million troops, and the marriage between the two countries is to improve relations."

  Xue Chongxun's heart suddenly ignited with anger, glaring at the envoy: "Are there only a million brave men in Great Tang? To deal with you Tubo, we don't need a million, just three thousand iron cavalry can make you tremble with fear! Your Majesty, I heard that the prince of Tubo died unexpectedly last year, but Zanpu concealed it and didn't report it. He wants to deceive us into giving him Princess Jincheng and others. Such untrustworthy people, even if we give them all the women of Great Tang, it would be useless! I ask Your Majesty to question Tubo for their crime of deceiving the emperor. If they don't submit, I am willing to lead the vanguard for Your Majesty and launch a punitive expedition!"

  As soon as this was said, the surrounding area suddenly buzzed with discussion. The women mostly sympathized with Princess Jincheng and questioned the Tibetan envoy in unison. Princess Jincheng's face suddenly turned white, but she still didn't speak, her eyes filled with sorrow that moved people to pity.

  The Tibetan envoy changed color and clasped his fist, saying: "Your Majesty, are you going to wage war against us Tibetans?"

  "How dare you!" shouted Princess Taiping, "War is a great matter of state. Is it for you to decide on the great policies of the nation? The decision to go to war or make peace can only be made after careful deliberation by His Majesty and his ministers, not by anyone's single word! Get out of my sight!"

  Xue Chongxun's emotions had slightly calmed down, and he himself realized that he had misspoken. The inner court struggle was still uncertain, and it was unclear who would live or die. What qualifications did he have to point fingers at state affairs? However, just now he was really too angry, and people always have impulsive moments.

  At this time, Li Dan slowly said: "You claim to have a hundred million troops, is that a threat to me? Whether you claim to have a hundred million or ten million, whoever says that Tibet can surpass the Great Tang is truly a huge joke! However, Taiping also said earlier that diplomatic relations are a major national event and must be handled with caution. The verbal disputes that hurt the harmony are all minor matters."

  Li Dan's words were very appropriate, neither hurting the dignity nor losing face, and the officials immediately shouted: "Your Majesty is wise!"

  Li Dan turned his head to Xue Chongxun and said, "You were rude just now, but I forgive you. Since we won the game today, I still want to reward you... Jin Cheng, give him something."

  Xue Chongxun knelt on the ground, his knees involuntarily sliding forward a few steps, gazing eagerly at Princess Jincheng.

  Jincheng Princess looked up at Xue Chongxun, only to see a painful feeling in his fiery eyes. Jincheng's heart skipped a beat, and a suffocating palpitation surged up, but she also felt that this kind of suffering... was good.

  She thought for a moment, then pulled out a golden hairpin with gems from her hair and handed it to the palace maid beside her. The palace maid took the gold pin in both hands and walked down to present it to Xue Chongxun. Her face was red as she approached and stole a few glances at Xue Chongxun.

  Xue Chongxun took the hairpin with both hands, and suddenly there was a commotion on the stage, especially among the women, who didn't care about national affairs, but loved to watch this kind of romantic affair.

  "Thank you, Princess, I will always wear this golden hairpin by my side, may it forever accompany me and bless me to be brave and fearless."

  Li Dan said, "Jincheng rewards you with a golden hairpin, nothing else. It's just to commend your performance on the field today. You must remember that my Great Tang is a country of etiquette and ritual, and we must keep our promises, we cannot lose face in front of other countries."

  The Tibetan envoy also had a task at hand, and upon hearing Li Dan's words, he too did not argue over the advantage of eloquence. He hastily said: "Your Majesty is wise, wishing for Great Tang and Tibet to forever be in harmony."

  The game is over, the scolding battle is also over. The emperor took the lead in leaving, and everyone shouted "Long live" before dispersing one after another. Wu Erlang hastily ran to Xue Chongxun's face, and with a loud "slap", he heavily patted his shoulder, laughing loudly: "Older brother, what you did today is really impressive, I admire! From now on, whatever we do, let's call each other together, brothers united as one, our strength can break through metal!"

  Xue Chongxun smiled and said, "What's the point of saying all this? We were originally brothers, one family doesn't speak two different languages."

  "Good!" Wu Er Lang patted Xue Chongxun's shoulder again.

  Xue Chongxun stared at his hand innocently: "Stop slapping! You've slapped the bones apart."

  Wu Chongmin also walked up, stretched out his thumb and smiled: "Big brother, tonight I'll celebrate your success."

  After a while, those few Youlin Army generals also came up and surrounded Xue Chongxun, wanting to invite him to play ball together. Xue Chongxun responded with a few casual words, especially saying to the general who passed the ball: "Chen Dahu, haha, I remember your name."

  Chen Dahu smiled and made a fist in greeting.

  When Princess Taiping walked up the dragon tail path of Linde Hall, she turned her head and took a look at Xue Chongxun. She saw him chatting and laughing with his brothers and several generals of the Feathered Forest Army. Princess Taiping smiled in satisfaction.

  A group of men chatted for a while, then bid each other farewell and headed towards the corridor. The commander of the Feathered Forest Army walked northward, and after parting ways, Xue Chongxun and his two brothers left through the door together.

  Just then, a woman's voice behind shouted: "General Wei Guo, please stay." When Xue Chongxun and others turned their heads to look back, they only saw a palace maid.

  The palace maid walked up to Xue Chongxun and glanced at the other two people beside him. Xue Chongxun said, "They are my own brothers, whatever it is, just say it without reserve."

  The palace maid said in a low voice: "Jincheng is going to be married, it's the result of the emperor and the courtiers' discussion, there's no way about it, don't wait for her anymore... This, take it, the prince told me to give it to you, put it away." After speaking, she took out a handkerchief and stuffed it into Xue Chongxun's bosom, then turned around and ran.

  The Wu brothers burst out laughing and shouted: "There must be a name embroidered on the handkerchief, let us take a look, so that we can envy the good fortune of our elder brother."

  Xue Chongxun shook his head and sighed: "Someone else's girl gave it, can't casually give it to others. I'll unfold it for you to see, no snatching allowed!"

  Wu Chongmin laughed and said: "Heh heh, big brother really puts on a show, I'm not even interested in touching women's stuff."

  "Big brother, you don't care about women's things, but you care about men's?"

  At this time, Xue Chongxun unfolded his handkerchief and saw two words embroidered on it: Huo Guo.

  Wu Chongmin fanned his left palm with a fan, pondered for a moment, and said: "I remember now, this is indeed the legitimate princess, the emperor's own daughter."

  After listening, Xue Chongxun put away his handkerchief and looked around before saying in a low voice, "There's no time to think about this for now. The Crown Prince's side..."

  The two Wu brothers' faces were frozen, their smiles disappearing. They looked at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat heavy.

  The three of them walked in silence for a while, when another palace maid caught up with them. Wu Chongmin forced a smile and said, "What's this one bringing?" Wu Erlang and Xue Chongxun both smiled and stood still, waiting to see what the maid had to say.

  The palace maid glanced at Xue Chongxun and said, "I was called by Princess Jincheng. She said that there were too many people in front of Linde Hall just now, so it wasn't convenient to say anything. She wanted me to pass a message to you." Xue Chongxun asked, "What message?"

  The palace maid said: "Your Highness wants me to tell Lang Jun a word of thanks on her behalf."

  "Are these two words all? Isn't it a bit of trouble?" Wu Er Lang said dully. However, Wu Chong Xing closed his eyes and pondered for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "This feeling, this scene, these two words are not simple."

  The palace maid said: "I've finished speaking, I'm going back now."

  "Wait." Xue Chongxun called out to the palace maid, sighed and said, "When you go back to report, ask her on my behalf, if marrying into Tibet as a princess of Zanpu is really the outcome she desires?"