I've been bullied and humiliated for thirteen years; when I wake up, I'll be bloodthirsty.

Chapter 960 Extra: A Young Man's Journey 13

In times of national crisis, personal feelings become insignificant.

But what should they do next?

Yan Chengyue was heartbroken and turned to look at Wenren Jing: "I never thought that the days we spent together would be so short. I always felt that everything was just beginning and that we still had so many things to do."

Wenren Jing stepped forward and hugged her, smiling bitterly: "I can't answer you right now. In this chaotic situation, I don't even know what I can do. But I think our efforts will not be in vain. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. What we are taking now is probably that small step. Perhaps we will not be able to achieve it in our lifetime, but in the more distant future, it will definitely be possible."

Wenren Jing's arrival in the capital was relatively smooth. In her previous life, she studied economics, and she had countless ideas in her mind on how to get rich in ancient times and even drive the economic development of the entire dynasty. In times of peace, these ideas would be particularly lenient towards her, but once she was caught in war, she would become a victim of the chaos, or even a tool for those in power to seize control.

Originally, she favored Zong Huai more. Zong Huai was generous, tolerant, and highly inclusive. If he could become emperor in the future, many of her ideas might be realized.

But she never expected that such a sudden war would shatter her plans.

Emperor Chengde's leniency towards her was only superficial; the extra praise was merely a pretense. Once her interests were truly at stake, her situation would become extremely difficult.

Economics and politics have always been inseparable. If she can't even understand this, she won't have much of a chance to survive in this ancient world.

So even with all her resentment and unfulfilled ambitions, she had no choice but to leave in time to plan for the future.

She understood this principle, and so did Yan Chengyue.

If Wenren Jing doesn't leave in time, what awaits her will inevitably be life or death, and all sorts of considerations about being caught up in the situation.

So no matter how reluctant she was, she could only accept reality.

Yan Chengyue steadied herself and grasped Wenren Jing's hand: "With His Majesty here, the Yan family will always be my solid support. There are other things I can't do for the time being, but I will definitely protect Taiming Academy. Even if I have to make some compromises in the future, I will keep it going and give more people a chance."

Wenrenjing nodded: "Don't worry, I'll contact you once the situation stabilizes. We're just laying low for now."

“Alright, but safety comes first.” Yan Chengyue looked at her worriedly, hesitated for a moment, and then finally spoke her last words: “I told you before that my marriage to my brother was just a pretense. We had long planned to annul the engagement, but His Majesty refused to budge, which is why it was delayed again and again. Now that things are like this, the engagement no longer exists. I have seen your mutual affection with my brother all these years, and I have been worried about you both. Now that things have come to this, I can’t say anything to wish you a happy ending. But my brother is about to leave the capital. If you have anything you need to tell him or anything you want to say to him, I will arrange it.”

Yan Chengyue knew in her heart that even if the court would gather strength to welcome Zong Huai back after his northward journey, that day was too uncertain. Once Zong Huai left the capital, the situation in the court would inevitably change rapidly, and the future was still unknown. If they did not say goodbye now, they did not know when they would meet again.

But Wenren Jing shook his head: "For now, there's no need to see him again. It's not the best time. If I go to see him now, it will only cause trouble for both of us. I'll think of a way when the situation stabilizes."

Wenren Jing had a vague idea in her mind, but she couldn't quite figure it out yet. Everything happened too suddenly, and she always felt that something was wrong, but the situation was what it was, and no one could change it.

It would be better to lie low for now and wait for the right opportunity.

Seeing that she understood, Yan Chengyue said no more, and the two bid each other a reluctant farewell.

When Yan Chengyue returned home, she heard the news that Princess Zhaoyang had come to visit.

Yan Chengyue hurriedly returned to her courtyard. As soon as she entered, she saw Zhaoyang, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying.

Yan Chengyue rushed forward and hugged her, "Why are you crying like this? Has the Prince Consort still not changed his mind?"

Zhao Yang shook her head, her eyes red: "Sister Yue, what should I do? I know that what Brother Huai did was right, for the sake of the people. Bo Zi'an followed him, and I should fully support him. If I stop him, how is that different from denying Brother Huai's sacrifice? But I, but I..."

Zhao Yang couldn't bring himself to say what came next.

How could she possibly ask him to stay for her sake? They had just gotten married, and their love was at its peak. She loved him, and naturally supported and understood him. But she was reluctant to let him go; she was afraid. She was afraid that if he left, he would never come back…

Yan Chengyue held Zhaoyang in her arms and gently patted her back: "Alright, don't cry, don't cry. You're still pregnant, and the first three months are a very unstable time. Don't hurt yourself..."

Yan Chengyue tried to comfort her, but she couldn't persuade her otherwise.

As she said, if Bo Zi'an were stopped, wouldn't that be denying Zong Huai's sacrifice? Zong Huai, for the sake of the people of the Central Plains and the people of Da Zhao, was a dignified crown prince who was about to become a hostage overnight. The new candidates and righteous people of the world followed him because they were grateful for his righteous act of sacrificing for the world. How could they be persuaded to do so?

Yan Chengyue gently stroked Zhaoyang's back again and again. That winter, it seemed that the entire capital was filled with a deep sadness, filled with farewells.

Just three days after the peace talks were agreed upon, Zong Huai set off from the capital and arrived at Shunhe, where the Yan army withdrew.

Thus, the peace talks finally came to an end.