Chapter 551: A Match Made in Heaven

"No, absolutely not!" Zu'an was furious. What kind of joke was this, to propose that Manman marry into another country?

Another courtier advised, "Everyone knows the deep bond between the Prince and Princess, but this time, it is for the good of the entire nation. Please, Prince, do not act impulsively."

Zu'an retorted directly, "If you want a marriage alliance, go yourself, or send your daughter or sister."

What followed was a barrage of unilateral criticism from numerous courtiers, who invoked various noble causes to condemn his disregard for the greater good. No matter how eloquent Zu'an was, he couldn't argue against so many seasoned politicians. He was not only steadily losing ground but also subjected to a torrent of moral condemnation from everyone present.

As Zu'an found himself in a predicament, a clear voice suddenly rang out from the palace entrance: "Let me be the one to form the alliance."

Everyone turned to see the Second Princess Sancai, her face showing an unusual firmness.

Zu'an was startled: "Sancai, what are you doing? There's no need for you here."

Other ministers murmured amongst themselves, shaking their heads in disapproval.

Sancai stated directly, "What is inappropriate? Am I not a princess?"

The court erupted into another noisy discussion for a while before King Wen Ding of Shang finally made his decision: "Then Sancai shall go to form the marriage alliance." He then dispatched envoys to the west to discuss the matter with the Zhou, and the arrangement was thus finalized.

After the court session, Zu'an and Pei Mianman anxiously questioned Sancai: "Why did you volunteer for this marriage alliance? Do you not realize that marrying thousands of miles away brings unpredictable fortunes, and it could even jeopardize your lifelong happiness?"

Sancai smiled faintly, "If I don't go, should Sister go instead?"

Zu'an gasped, then said, "She can't go either. Even if a marriage alliance is necessary, couldn't they simply find a noblewoman? Why must either of you be involved?"

Sancai shook her head, "It's different. Our nation faces an unprecedented crisis. Our Father King previously killed the ruler of Western Zhou; how could an ordinary woman quell the Zhou people's fury? Only a princess can ease relations, allowing our Shang kingdom to focus on the Huaiyi, preventing us from being caught in a pincer attack from east and west."

"Currently, the only eligible princesses in the royal family are Sister and me. Since Sister is unwilling, it must be me. As a princess, having enjoyed years of lavish living, I naturally owe it to this nation."

Zu'an was somewhat astonished, realizing she possessed such insight at her young age. Throughout history, many children of royalty and nobility, despite enjoying the nation's prosperity from birth, were unwilling to fulfill their corresponding duties. In contrast, it made both him and Pei Mianman seem somewhat inadequate. However, as they were merely undergoing a trial, it was impossible for them to develop a deep sense of identity with this nation.

Pei Mianman said in a low voice, "There's no reason for my younger sister to sacrifice herself. Naturally, it should be me, as the elder sister, who goes."

Zu'an became anxious: "Manman!"

Pei Mianman gave him a reassuring glance. With her experience and cultivation, she was confident she could maintain her virtue in Western Zhou for a short period. As for what might happen later, that could be addressed at another time.

At that moment, Sancai chuckled, "Sister, if you really go and marry, what will happen to Brother?"

Zu'an and Pei Mianman both froze: "Sancai, what are you talking about?"

Sancai sighed softly, "From childhood until now, every time you two sent me to sleep, you would then embrace and 'nibble' each other nearby. Did you truly think I, as a child, knew nothing?"

Zu'an: "..."

Pei Mianman: "..."

Blushing, she shot Zu'an a glare, blaming him entirely.

Sancai continued, "You two are clearly in love. Others may not know, but how could I, your sister, not? While I don't know how your story will end, how could I stand by and watch you two be torn apart now?"

Realizing she was doing this to preserve their relationship, Zu'an and Pei Mianman's eyes immediately reddened, and they became even more adamant that she should not make such a sacrifice.

Hearing their pleas, Sancai also stopped smiling. "Big Brother, Sister, please don't think I'm doing this solely for your sake. From childhood, much of your conversations went over my head, but I understood that in your hearts, the Zhou people in the west were definitely a grave threat to our Shang kingdom, likely to bring about our downfall."

"As a princess of Shang, I naturally cannot stand by. Unfortunately, I've never been skilled at anything, unable to compare to my brother and sister in any regard. If Sister, with her strategic brilliance, were to marry into Western Zhou, it would be an immense loss for our Shang kingdom. It's more advantageous for her to remain here and aid Great Shang, while I go as an insider. This way, the three of us can unite our efforts to protect the centuries-old foundation of Great Shang."

Hearing her speak with such gravity, Zu'an and Pei Mianman finally understood that her decision was not impulsive but the result of careful consideration.

"But this is too unfair to you; it sacrifices your lifelong happiness," Zu'an and Pei Mianman pleaded in unison. Having grown up together, their bond was incredibly strong; they truly saw her as their own sister and were unwilling to let her suffer any injustice.

Sancai giggled, "It might not be unhappy at all. At least this time I'm marrying the leader of the Zhou people; in terms of status, I'll be the mother of a nation. Besides, I heard Ji Chang is a decent man and handsome. Perhaps we'll genuinely fall in love, and I might even persuade him to fully submit to us."

"Ji Chang!" Zu'an's heart sank. Historically, though Shang was eventually overthrown by King Wu, Ji Fa, most of its foundation was laid by King Wen, Ji Chang. Ji Fa merely completed the task. How could such a formidable figure be won over by a woman?

Hearing his concern, Sancai shook her head. "Even if I can't win him over, at worst, I'll bear him ten or eight children. Hmph, given my status, he could hardly make me a concubine. My children would then be the heirs of Zhou, and with the Zhou leader being the Shang king's own nephew, relations between our two sides would be completely smoothed over."

"This..." Zu'an and Pei Mianman exchanged glances. Come to think of it, this plan seemed feasible.

Beyond the blood ties, Sancai's children, raised by her, would undoubtedly be pro-Shang at heart. After a few generations, the Zhou people might genuinely align themselves with the Shang dynasty. History offered numerous examples of such successful strategies. Since this trial was not actual history, this strategy might indeed be a way to fundamentally resolve the issue and allow them to pass the trial.

Sancai said cheerfully, "Alright, alright, I won't talk to you anymore. I have a ton of things to do." With that, she skipped away.

Watching her distant figure, Pei Mianman sighed softly, "It's because we never deliberately avoided her from childhood, leading her to overhear too many of our conversations. Subconsciously, she came to regard Zhou as a major adversary of Shang, which is why she volunteered this time to form the alliance."

"I hope everything goes well," Zu'an said. Ultimately, he didn't stop her. In his view, even if this trial failed and he and Pei Mianman perished, it wouldn't prevent Sancai from becoming the founding mother of the Zhou dynasty, which for her, might not be a bad outcome.

Not long after, an envoy returned with the news that the Zhou had agreed to the marriage alliance. The newly appointed Marquis of the West, Ji Chang, would meet the bridal procession by the Wei River. The Shang side did not object either. After all, they had just lured the previous Marquis of the West to the Yin capital and killed him. If they insisted on Ji Chang coming to the Yin capital again, who would dare show up?

Consequently, they dispatched escorts for Princess Sancai to the Wei River. Zu'an volunteered to join the bridal procession, and Pei Mianman, in disguise, hid among the attendants.

Upon reaching the Wei River, Zu'an knew there would be no bridges in that era, but to his surprise, Ji Chang had already made preparations. Zu'an saw boats connected on the Wei River, forming a bridge. He was filled with emotion, realizing this was likely the first pontoon bridge in history.

When he met Ji Chang, the man was cultured, refined, and quite handsome, possessing an extraordinary presence in his demeanor and speech. Zu'an even felt an impulse: if he were to kill this "gravedigger" of the Shang dynasty then and there, would it alter history? However, he ultimately abandoned the idea. Apart from the formidable layers of Zhou guards, even if he succeeded, it would mean an unending, bitter war with the Zhou. With the Huaiyi heavily invading from the east, if the Zhou people in the west also launched an angry retaliation, the Shang dynasty would likely fall even faster than it did in history.

The entire welcoming ceremony was marred by some unpleasant incidents. Evidently, many Zhou people were unhappy with this marriage alliance. Some sent to gather fruits returned with empty baskets, then spoke sarcastically, hinting that the Shang princess was destined to be childless. Furthermore, the Zhou people responsible for preparing the feast deliberately did not bleed the sheep when slaughtering them, making the mutton exceedingly gamey and difficult to swallow.

Zu'an was enraged. Ji Chang rushed out to offer his apologies and even had someone compose a song for Sancai: "Guan guan ju jiu, on the river's isle. A fair maiden, a gentleman's good mate..." He then named this marriage "A Match Made in Heaven."

Sancai listened, her face lighting up with a smile, and her gaze towards him softened. Even the other Shang people present turned their anger into delight.

Zu'an's expression was peculiar. He hadn't expected the most famous lines from the *Book of Songs* to be composed for his sister. He had to admit that Ji Chang was handsome, and such poetic flirtation indeed marked him as an experienced charmer. He naturally couldn't be swayed by a single poem, but he understood that if he indulged his anger and confronted Ji Chang now, Sancai would be the one to suffer in the future. So, he suppressed his fury and made peace with him.

During a lull in the banquet, Sancai quietly approached Zu'an and, smiling, asked, "My dear brother, are you still sulking?"

Zu'an sighed softly, "I feel as though a fresh, tender young woman I watched grow up is now going to be taken by another man. How can I possibly be happy?"

Sancai's face flushed slightly. "If you weren't my actual brother, I wouldn't marry this Marquis of the West. It's a shame; I don't have as much courage as Sister after all."

Zu'an: "..."

Pei Mianman, secretly listening nearby: "..."

"Alright, I'm leaving now," Sancai said cheerfully. "Do you have any last instructions for me, Brother?"

Zu'an said in a deep voice, "Sancai, after our recent interaction, putting aside our hostile positions and speaking objectively, this Ji Chang is indeed an outstanding man of his generation. You don't have to constantly think about helping the Shang kingdom; live peacefully with him and don't let affairs here impact your happiness."

Sancai pouted, "Is that all you have to tell me?" She then turned and walked away, clearly somewhat displeased. However, she ultimately turned back and quietly added, "I wasn't actually taken with that Ji Chang just now." After saying that, she scampered away.

Zu'an, utterly confused, looked at Pei Mianman approaching from nearby. "What did she mean by that?"

Pei Mianman said nothing, only sighed softly, "Love, of all things, is the most painful."

The following day, the bridal procession departed with Sancai. As much as Zu'an and Pei Mianman were reluctant, they could only return to the Yin capital. Their next task was to help "Father King" repel the invading Huaiyi from the east.

Having navigated various wars and state affairs in their previous lives, Zu'an and Pei Mianman were well-versed in managing these challenges. However, they soon realized that the Shang dynasty was indeed plagued by numerous issues. Its national strength had significantly declined, and the bureaucratic system was riddled with corruption, creating constant obstacles for Zu'an in his logistical duties. Pei Mianman also observed that the army's combat effectiveness was vastly inferior to the victorious forces of the King Wu Ding era. They could only do their utmost, feeling as though they were merely patching things up, desperately trying to sustain a crumbling nation.

During this period, Sancai corresponded with them periodically, discussing daily life, her married life, the customs of Western Zhou, and her longing for home. The letters also mentioned that Ji Chang treated her very well, which brought them some relief. Later, the frequency of their correspondence dwindled. Though they found it strange, they didn't dwell on it, preoccupied as they were with the ongoing war against the Huaiyi, which left them little energy for other concerns.

Over several years of warfare, Zu'an gradually distinguished himself, becoming the undisputed heir to the Shang throne. After Wen Ding's passing, Zu'an ascended the throne as the new Shang King. Together with Pei Mianman, he finally managed to pacify the Huaiyi.

It was then that news arrived from Western Zhou: Sancai had died during childbirth. Upon receiving this news, they were both thunderstruck, unable to believe it was true. They knew that in the previous trial, Pei Mianman had died during childbirth. Fearing a repeat, Zu'an had extensively studied knowledge related to childbirth and even taught it to Sancai. How could she possibly die from such a cause? They immediately dispatched scouts to investigate, and news quickly returned.

Ji Chang had since remarried, taking Tai Si, the daughter of a nobleman from the local Youxin state in Shaanxi, as his principal wife. Even new songs were circulating throughout Zhou territory, praising this union, some even featuring the phrase "A Match Made in Heaven." They realized their sister, originally the protagonist of this story, had been cunningly replaced. In a few centuries, who would still remember Sancai? Everyone would only believe that Tai Si was the heroine of "A Match Made in Heaven."

Zu'an was instantly enraged. Disregarding the opposition of his ministers, he decided to raise an army to attack Western Zhou, both to definitively end this endless trial and to avenge his beloved sister. Pei Mianman did not stop him; she was equally filled with anger, given their sisterly bond from childhood.

Just as they were preparing to personally lead the campaign, the space suddenly twisted the next second. When they regained consciousness, they found themselves not in the familiar royal palace but in an unfamiliar location. This was clearly also a palace, but its opulence far surpassed that of the previous royal palace in Yin.

Pei Mianman was nestled in his arms, and they sat on a wide, magnificent throne high above, watching a group of scantily clad palace maids dancing below. Even for Zu'an, a seasoned connoisseur of beauty, he blushed slightly in that moment. The palace maids' attire was exceptionally revealing, and their dances were remarkably alluring, like a chaotic dance of celestial demons. What decadent music!

Zu'an quickly regained his composure and exchanged glances with Pei Mianman. Having experienced this once before, they were much calmer. They dismissed the dancing palace maids and then summoned a nearby maid for questioning. Compared to their blunt approach during King Wu Ding's time, they were much more subtle in their inquiries now, at least not raising suspicions of amnesia or similar issues. Soon, they finally understood the situation here and their respective identities.

Zu'an's expression was quite strange as he stared at Pei Mianman. After years of development, the textile industry in this world had clearly made significant advancements. She was now wearing a magnificent gown that also offered the comfort and convenience of a house robe. He didn't know who designed the garment, but it perfectly blended two entirely different aesthetics. She was now naturally reclining on the throne, her thin dress exquisitely outlining the alluring curves of her graceful figure. Her soulful "peach blossom eyes" seemed to have subtly changed, becoming narrower and longer, resembling "phoenix eyes," with a particular allure. Coupled with her tempting red lips, her entire being exuded a captivating, almost foxy charm, instilling an uncontrollable urge to embrace and dally with her at first sight.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Pei Mianman blushed. Despite how long they had been together, she still seemed to retain the innocence of a young girl.

Zu'an sighed, "I never expected you and I would be those two people. This must be the final stage of this trial, and our success or failure hinges on this."

"Why are you so certain this is the final stage?" Pei Mianman was surprised. "Is there something significant about their identities?"

"There's a significant problem," Zu'an sighed. "Because in the world of my dreams, they are the two most infamous figures of the Shang dynasty, practically household names."

"That formidable?" Hearing they were still in the Shang dynasty, Pei Mianman actually relaxed. Having served as King and Queen of Shang for so long, they were already intimately familiar with the nation's military and political systems, which gave them greater confidence regardless of the challenges they faced.

"Of course, they are formidable," Zu'an replied, a mix of emotions in his heart. "Because you are Daji, and I am King Zhou." He never expected them to embody those two figures in this world. Had all his previous efforts been in vain? Would he still be unable to alter the course of history and avoid the dynasty's downfall? It seemed this trial was destined to fail. For a moment, he didn't even have time to lament that he had somehow transmuted into his own son. King Zhou's father was Xian, who was his previous incarnation.

"What exactly happened?" Pei Mianman hurriedly asked.

Zu'an sighed and told her the story of King Zhou and Daji.

After listening, Pei Mianman also wore a peculiar expression, surprised by this character assignment. However, she immediately sensed Zu'an's low spirits and quickly said, "A'Zu, whether the world in your dream is real or not, we've been through so much. We can't simply resign ourselves to fate. As the saying goes, 'The Great Dao has fifty, Heaven uses forty-nine, and humanity escapes with one.' Even if the outcome you described is true, we still have a glimmer of hope. It's up to us to find it."

Zu'an trembled, "You're right. Until the very last moment, we absolutely cannot resign ourselves to fate!"

His fighting spirit rekindled, he felt invigorated, and his mindset significantly lightened. Gazing at the captivating beauty in his arms, Zu'an couldn't help but chuckle, "Vixen."

"Debauched tyrant," Pei Mianman retorted with a light spit. Having just heard his story, she naturally knew Daji was history's most famous vixen, and King Zhou a byword for wanton tyranny.

"I'm debauched? Then I'll show you how debauched I can be." Thinking of her current identity as Daji, Zu'an felt both apprehension and excitement, and he immediately rolled over, pressing down on her.

Pei Mianman's alluring eyes narrowed, and her jade-like arms gently encircled the man above her. "You truly are a foolish ruler. In our previous life, even from childhood, you were always..."

They had been trapped in this strange trial for far too long, accumulating various negative emotions. If they didn't regularly release some of them, they might have gone mad long ago.

After their intimacy, they began to seriously consider their next steps. Just then, a palace maid came to announce, "Ji Boyikao, the eldest son of the Marquis of the West, has come to pay respects to Your Majesty!"