The Consort of the Northern Marquis

In the winter of the thirty-third year of Chongjia, in Suzhou, the capital of the Great Qian, all the streets were shuttered and barred. The north wind swept dead branches and fallen leaves before it with a howl. The whole city was bleak. This was the third time the Great Qian had suffered an attack from the Northern Marquisate.

Emperor Chongjia, Yuan Shao, was old and sickly. He had many sons, but not one of them was a capable warrior.

In its early years, the Northern Marquisate had been an insignificant tribe on the grasslands north of the Great Qian.

After its ruler, Xiahou Chun, died, the throne passed to his only son, Xiahou Zheng. Brave and skilled in battle, he led the Northern Marquisate's troops to seize vast stretches of the Great Qian's cities and lands.

At that time, the civil and military officials of the Great Qian stood in two rows in the Qingming Hall, each voicing his opinion. Some called for war, others for peace, and each had his reasons.

Emperor Chongjia reclined before the throne. Age had taken its toll, and he coughed constantly as the palace usher repeatedly helped him catch his breath.

He had three sons: the Crown Prince, Yuan Yi; his second son, Prince Li, Yuan Cheng; and his youngest son, Yuan Min, who had just come of age.

In the end, they decided that a political marriage was the best course. They would marry their youngest son, Yuan Min, to the Northern Marquisate's ruler, Xiahou Zheng, as his male consort. The two nations would bind their houses in friendship, open border markets, establish trade routes, and prosper through commerce and the exchange of goods.

The imperial decree was issued, and the entire court was stunned...

Theme: Historical fantasy, devoted husband, equally matched leads, ruler, hostage consort