Shе stаrеd аt him in a dazе, unаblе tо sрeak for а lоng time. Was this уet anоthеr tасtiс? Нer heаrt was shaken! He—he hаd аctuаlly rеаd thе Вoоk оf Sоngs! Не was оriginally a mаn оf prоfound learning! Нe—alsо knew how tо flirt...
Неr fееblе rеsponsе: "I fеar thаt bеаuty fаdes bеfоre favоr wаnes. Мoreovеr, there will cоmе а daу when the heаrt rеmаins yоung, but thе арреarаnсe hаs agеd, and lovе fadеs. Тhis is thе sorrоw оf sеrving а man with one's lоoks." She shouldn't have disсussed something sо profоund with him! Hе wаs a mаn, he was the Tribal Chief—what beauty could he not have? When they both grew old, she would only face desolation, while he could still embrace young beauties. He was infatuated with her body, loved to gaze upon her face—yet these were the most fleeting of all.
His complex eyes flickered with a hint of faint anger, but he said nothing more, only tightly kissed her, as if wanting to tell her something, yet also as if suppressing something. Jun Qiluo could only gasp helplessly, sinking once again beneath his domineering presence. Had she not been moved? Go deceive the ghosts!
※ ※ ※
On the second day after returning to the Yelu United Clan, a grand competition unfolded in the vast open space outside the Royal Palace; all the young men of the entire tribe could participate. Those who performed excellently could accompany the Tribal Chief to Shangjing two days later to take part in the hunting expedition two months later.
What an honor this was! Not only could they hunt alongside the Khan, but they would also participate in the competition for the Chieftain of the Eight Tribes!
To compete for the position of Chieftain of the Eight Tribes, not only did the Yilijin of each tribe have to compete, but even their subordinates had to compete separately.
Once they returned victorious, this group of warriors would all be officially appointed as the Tribal Army, taking on the responsibility of defending the territory. The Tribal Army warriors who already held official ranks had to remain in the Yelie Tribe, with the exception of the Twelve Riders; however, the Twelve Riders were only responsible for protecting the Tribal Chief and could not participate in the competition.
In essence, this triennial selection event was the most significant coming-of-age ceremony for the unranked young men of each tribe. However, they first had to pass the Tribal Chief's approval to qualify for today's competition.
Since the Tribal Chief had to go to the capital first to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, the selection had to be completed within these two days. As for the training, it was entrusted to Dalou Jiyao. The training period lasted about two months, and only after its completion would they go to Shangjing to reunite with the Tribal Chief; thus, this competition continued day and night.
At dusk, Jun Qiluo was led by a maidservant outside the Royal Palace. Having sat idly in Yelü Lie's room all day without seeing any sign of him, her heart, which should have been at ease, grew restless and conflicted. When she stepped out of the warm room, she realized how low the temperature outside was; the brocade coat she wore could hardly ward off the cold. In this late autumn season, winter had already arrived in the north, and a light snow was falling; the biting frost and snow seemed to pierce straight to the heart. No wonder northerners slept on heated beds, cleverly designing stoves beneath them to keep them warm.
In front of the Royal Palace's grand square, towering bonfires rose, illuminating the dusk with a bright white light; torches were also lit around the square to enhance the brightness.
Small fires around the bonfires were roasting whole pigs and sheep; coated with some unknown spice, their aroma could be smelled from afar. Directly in front of the bonfire stood a large canopy, and he sat in the foremost seat. Upon seeing her, he immediately extended his hand toward her.Jun Qiluo placed her icy hands into his. He helped her sit beside him, wrapping his white fox fur cloak around her body and holding her in the crook of his arm.
Princess De, seated behind and to the right, immediately changed her expression. How utterly improper! To let that woman sit beside him—even a young princess should sit behind and to the left!
"Lie'er! What is she doing here?" Princess De stood before her son, asking with dignified restraint. How could a courtesan be worthy of sitting in the Tribal Chief's tent? No matter how much she respected her son, she could not allow such immoral behavior to occur. Hmph! This woman only deserved to sit in the sheep pen!
"She is here to accompany me," Yelü Lie replied without rising, looking at his mother. "Please return to your seat, Mother." His tone clearly brooked no argument.
"Do not forget your status!" Princess De pursed her thin lips, tossed out this remark, and turned back to her seat, casting a resentful glance at the Han woman—a ghostly girl so thin she could be blown away by the wind. She truly did not know what her son saw in her!
Jun Qiluo felt Princess De's disdainful gaze, as well as the continuous looks of scrutiny and speculation from those around her. She raised her eyes to Yelü Lie.
"Why did you bring me out?"
"To let you experience the culture of Great Liao," he said, bringing a cup of wine to her lips, hoping to warm her up. A few snowflakes landed on her hair, and he gently brushed them away.
Jun Qiluo took a small sip. As soon as the wine touched her tongue, it numbed her lips and tongue, making her cough. She had never known northern wine to be so strong! It was pure firewater! In the past, she had only drunk osmanthus wine and thought all wines were sweet and fragrant with a hint of bitterness.
The instigator of this laughed! Leaning his face on one hand resting on the table, he patted her back with the other, admiring her flushed cheeks, which looked as if they had been dusted with rouge—utterly beautiful!
She felt the small amount of wine burn through her throat and spread throughout her body. Pushing away his comforting hand, she decided not to take another sip.
After last night, something seemed to have shifted between them again. Since returning here, he had become easier to get along with, had not lost his temper again, and had even shown her affection. Compared to his earlier forceful and domineering ways, this current demeanor was even more unsettling! How long could she maintain her icy facade? She couldn't help but glance at him, only to be somewhat surprised by his attire, which was different from before. This must be formal wear, she thought, having not noticed earlier.
He wore a black leather hat made of black fox fur, with the fur facing outward. In the center of the hat was embedded a white jade carved with the emblem of the Yelü Tribe. His narrow black sleeves were trimmed with golden fur, and the cuffs were fastened with golden bands. Around his waist was a jade belt, and over his left shoulder hung a Jiaha made of golden sable fur. The Jiaha bore the totem of the Yelu United Clan. The cloak that had been on him earlier was now draped over her, its front adorned with exquisite pearls.
This was how he should be dressed! Nothing suited him better than such attire—tall and straight, handsome and dignified, with an air of royalty. This was the mighty man of the north!
"Are you trying to seduce me?" He picked up a strand of her hair that had fallen before her forehead and kissed it, his wild eyes fixed intently on her.
She quickly averted her gaze, looking into the distance. Only then did she notice that people had gradually gathered around the square, forming circle after circle—men, women, young, and old, all seemingly dressed in their finest clothes. The Tribal Army had retreated to the open ground behind the main tent.Tonight was both a welcoming feast and a prayer ceremony, held to bless the Tribal Chief who would soon embark on a journey to Shangjing. Thus, all the Yelü people within a ten-mile radius had gathered. In no time at all, the crowd stretched as far as the eye could see, while behind them, bonfires rose one after another. The people had brought their own livestock to slaughter and roast, and from the Royal Palace, soldiers carried out large barrels of fine wine one after another. All the tribesmen were waiting for the festivities to begin.
Jun Qiluo momentarily forgot the cold as she gazed at the dense, dark crowds in every direction, the clusters of bonfires, and the laughter that followed. From somewhere, the sound of reed pipes drifted over, adding to the lively atmosphere outside the border.
So, even the fierce, wolf-like Khitan people had such a warm and friendly side. Their leisure and joy consisted of gathering in groups, without any need for extravagant displays, sitting wherever they pleased—that was happiness enough!
Then, she saw Yelü Lie raise his left hand, and everyone fell silent, with only the bonfires still burning brightly. That was truly the aura of a king—without any verbal command, all eyes turned to him with reverence and loyalty. Then, he helped her to her feet, and everyone immediately stood up as well.
Ten sorcerers, clad in colorful robes and with shaved heads, reverently approached Yelü Lie barefoot, holding a strangely shaped golden vessel. They murmured prayers before circling the bonfire three times, finally pouring the liquid from the vessel into a Golden Dragon Basin placed before the Tribal Chief. All ten sorcerers bit their fingers and dripped a drop of blood into the basin, then formed an arch and chanted incantations with their hands clasped. Yelü Lie then dipped his right hand into the basin, using the blessed water to mark his forehead and heart. Only after the sorcerers completed the prayer ritual and withdrew did the people erupt into cheers. Next, a group of bare-chested warriors, carrying bows and arrows on their backs, danced a hunting dance around the bonfire. The lively night had officially begun!
Seeing a piece of meat as large as her head placed before her, she had no idea how to eat it, even though it smelled delicious! The Khitan ate with their hands, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it and didn’t know what to do. In the past, when dining with Yelü Lie, there had been spoons and chopsticks—after all, the Khitan had adopted many Han customs since establishing their state. But today’s gathering was distinctly Khitan in style. Aside from knives for cutting the meat, the only utensil for eating was one’s hands.
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