The palace night banquet brought joy to some and sorrow to others.
In the elegantly decorated yet cold and quiet palace, Consort Liu stood in a snow-white gown embroidered with silver phoenix patterns, its long train trailing behind her. A palace maid carefully avoided stepping on the hem as she inserted a silver butterfly hairpin with dangling tassels into Consort Liu’s smooth black hair. Gazing into the polished bronze mirror, Consort Liu looked at her own icy, flawless reflection with detached indifference.
"Your Highness, the princess has arrived," a maid beside her whispered softly.
A faint warmth flickered in Consort Liu’s cold eyes. "Let her in."
Soon, a young girl in a pale yellow dress entered, hesitating at the doorway before timidly stepping forward. "Mother…" she called softly.
Consort Liu turned and pulled the girl closer, studying the face that bore some resemblance to her own. Suppressing the complicated emotions in her eyes, she asked gently, "Ning’er, why have you come to see me at this time?"
The girl glanced up at her before lowering her gaze again. "Elder Sister Changle said she’s going to the banquet with the Empress. Ning’er wants to go with Mother too."
Consort Liu paused, frowning slightly. "You’re still too young. Tonight’s banquet is to welcome the Northern Rong prince. There’s no need for you to attend."
Tears of grievance welled up in the girl’s eyes. Elder Sister Changle was only a year older, yet the Empress often took her to banquets and played with her. But Mother never allowed her to go or spent time with her. She knew… Mother didn’t like her.
Seeing the tears streak down the child’s delicate face, Consort Liu’s expression softened momentarily before hardening again. "Ning’er, are you disobeying me now? Go back!"
Watching her daughter’s heartbroken expression, she finally relented slightly and added in a lower voice, "Return to your palace. Later, the nanny can take you to the banquet."
The girl wiped her tears with her sleeve, sniffling. "Mother, don’t be angry. Ning’er won’t go… Ning’er will go play with the little brothers instead…" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the room.
Silence filled the chamber once more. The head maid beside Consort Liu frowned and ventured carefully, "Your Highness, perhaps you are too… harsh with the princess?"
Consort Liu turned away indifferently. "Enough. Help me finish dressing."
Seeing her resolve, the maid dared not press further. Glancing back at the now-empty doorway, she sighed inwardly. Compared to how the Empress treated the eldest princess, Consort Liu’s indifference toward the second princess—and even the two young princes—was far too cold. When the children grew older, their feelings toward their mother would surely be affected. But alas, no matter how much the maids advised, Consort Liu never listened.
With deft hands, the maid finished preparing her mistress’s attire. Consort Liu examined herself in the mirror before turning away. "Let’s go."
The banquet was as lively as ever, filled with music, dance, and flowing wine. Seated beside Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li could clearly feel a pair of eyes fixed on her from the moment she entered the hall. Raising her gaze, she met the stare of the key figure of tonight’s event—the Seventh Prince of Northern Rong, Yelv Ye.Yelv Ye raised an eyebrow and lifted his wine cup in her direction with a slight toast. His undisguised, brazen gaze made Ye Li's heart sink with displeasure. Since her marriage to Mo Xiuyao—no, ever since she could remember—no one had dared to look at her with such audacity. Seeming to sense her anger, Yelv Ye smirked and turned away to speak with someone seated beside him.
Ye Li lowered her eyes calmly, staring at her own hands. Did Yelv Ye really think she would make a scene right here?
A slightly cool hand enveloped hers. When she looked up, she met Mo Xiuyao's gentle, concerned gaze. He leaned in and whispered with a soft laugh, "Don’t be angry, my dear. Later, I’ll dig his eyes out for you." Ye Li rolled her eyes at him and muttered, "He’s the Northern Rong king’s most favored son. If you gouge his eyes out, won’t Northern Rong and Great Chu go to war?" Mo Xiuyao arched an eyebrow and chuckled lightly, "Who said we have to do it in Great Chu? Once we’re in Northern Rong, I’ll find a way to pluck his eyes out as an apology to you." Ye Li shook her head. "It’s nothing. Just come back safely from Northern Rong. No need to stir up trouble." Mo Xiuyao gazed at her deeply, his expression delighted. "Are you worried about me, my dear? Your husband is overjoyed." Unable to resist, Ye Li pinched him. Ever since that lantern festival night, he had become increasingly theatrical, constantly calling her "my dear" and referring to himself as "your husband."
Their interaction was clearly visible from the upper seats. Mo Jingqi, whose originally handsome face twisted slightly, turned to Consort Liu and the Empress with a smile. "Prince Ding and his princess have been married for over a year, yet they remain as affectionate as ever." The Empress took a sip of wine and replied mildly, "Your Majesty is right. Prince Ding and Princess Ding share such deep love—it will surely become another romantic tale in the capital." Mo Jingqi nodded approvingly. "Well said, Empress. What do you think, my dear Consort?" Consort Liu, her face as pale as snow, replied coolly, "The Empress speaks wisely." Seated below Consort Liu, Wang Zhaorong glanced between Consort Liu and the Ding couple below before covering her lips with a giggle. "I heard that Consort Liu and Prince Ding were childhood sweethearts—" Before she could finish, Mo Jingqi’s sharp gaze shot toward her like an arrow. Wang Zhaorong’s heart skipped a beat, realizing she had misspoken, but she was too flustered to recover. The Empress frowned slightly and said indifferently, "Wang Zhaorong, if you can’t hold your liquor, drink less. What nonsense are you spouting?" Though Wang Zhaorong’s expression soured, she knew the Empress had saved her from further embarrassment and quickly murmured an apology, lowering her head in silence.
"Your Majesty!" Below the hall, Yelv Ye suddenly stood and addressed Mo Jingqi in a clear voice. "Our crown princess passed away earlier this year. My father, valuing the friendship between our nations, has promised to welcome a princess of Great Chu to Northern Rong with the full honors of a crown princess. Might I have the honor of meeting my future sister-in-law?"
Yelv Ye’s words sent a ripple of shock through the hall. The difference between being sent as a political bride to become a concubine of the Northern Rong king or a prince’s consort, versus becoming the crown princess of Northern Rong, was like night and day. Even those who had long seen through the nature of this marriage alliance couldn’t help but feel tempted. The daughters of noble families—What's the purpose? Marriage alliance, to exchange for short-term benefits or relations. After all, no one can expect a woman alone to maintain any relationship for long, right? Even knowing the woman sent for marriage won't fare well in Northern Rong, sacrificing a daughter is completely worth it if there's sufficient benefit. Ye Li was somewhat surprised and turned to look at Mo Xiuyao.
Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and said in a low voice, "The difference between receiving the ceremonial rites of a Crown Princess and being formally enshrined as one is no small matter. Who said the Northern Rong people are straightforward and brave, with no taste for schemes?"
Ye Li suddenly understood—of course. For a moment, she had forgotten about the golden registry that existed in the royal families of various nations, including the so-called barbarian Northern Rong. Without formal entry into the golden registry, it would be like an unofficial marriage in the Chu folk traditions—not recorded in the ancestral temple or clan register. Even if one were wed with the rites of a Crown Princess or even an Empress, it wouldn’t count.
Ye Li recalled the news Mo Xiuyao had spread—that Yelv Ye would personally select the bride. While it was unacceptable for ordinary consorts or princesses to be chosen this way, it wasn’t unreasonable for the future Crown Princess and Empress of Northern Rong to be seen beforehand, especially given that the Chu State had no eligible princesses to offer.
With an amused glance at Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li openly mocked him for his failed scheme. Mo Xiuyao didn’t mind. Since the Chu State had to marry a woman to Northern Rong, and Yelv Ye had boldly offered the position of Crown Princess, he didn’t mind letting him choose from a limited pool of candidates.
"My dear, you should worry more about Miss Hua," Mo Xiuyao said. "If Yelv Ye gets to choose personally, there’s a seventy percent chance he’ll pick Hua Tianxiang." And if he knew Hua Tianxiang was close to A Li, that seventy percent could rise to ninety.
Ye Li frowned slightly. "Then, Your Highness, you must ensure the Northern Rong Prince understands the importance of selecting a Crown Princess of noble and royal birth."
Mo Xiuyao shook his head with a low laugh. "If Yelv Ye were the Crown Prince himself, he might choose a woman of royal blood. But he’s selecting for Yelv Hong. Hua Tianxiang may not be of royal descent, but she is the Empress’s niece—her status is not low. Moreover, there’s a good chance this could drive a wedge between the Emperor and the Hua family. Old Duke Hua may no longer be on the battlefield, but his prestige in the military remains strong. And once Hua Tianxiang marries into Northern Rong, the Hua family will be of no help to Yelv Hong."
Ye Li lowered her gaze in thought before looking up. "What if he learns that Tianxiang, as the Northern Rong Crown Princess, could become a great asset to Yelv Hong?"
Mo Xiuyao rubbed his forehead, considering. "That... might work. It depends on whether we can deceive Yelv Ye."
Mo Jingqi, too, was momentarily stunned by Yelv Ye’s sudden declaration. After a pause, he regained his composure and smiled. "Prince Yelv, are you serious?"
Yelv Ye replied earnestly, "Of course. I’ve come personally on my father’s orders to escort the Chu princess—isn’t that proof enough of our sincerity?"
Mo Jingqi’s eyes flickered as he turned to Ye Li, who was seated beside Mo Xiuyao, whispering to him. "Princess Ding, since this matter was originally entrusted to you, do you have any candidates in mind for the marriage alliance?"Ye Li silently cursed Mo Jingqi for his cunning. She had clearly sent the list of candidates to him that very morning, so why was he pretending to be completely unaware now? Rising to her feet, she replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, there are indeed several candidates already selected. Before entering the palace, I had ordered the list to be presented to Your Majesty. Presumably, Your Majesty has been too occupied with state affairs to review it yet."
Yelv Ye watched Ye Li with amusement, raising an eyebrow as he smiled. "Since the selection hasn’t been finalized yet, might this humble prince be so bold as to participate?" Didn’t you all say I was to personally choose the marriage alliance princess? Well, I’ll show you how it’s done. But… to think that Princess Ding is overseeing this matter—what a delightful surprise… His gaze lingered on the woman across from him as he happily schemed in his mind.
"Your Majesty, Prince Yelv is, after all, a foreign man. This would damage the reputation of our noble ladies of Great Chu," a minister interjected, standing up. His own daughter happened to be among the candidates. Whether she was chosen or not, the consequences were dire—if selected, she would become the Northern Rong crown princess, likely never to return; if not, her reputation would be ruined, making it impossible for her to marry in the future.
"The selection of a crown princess is a matter of great importance. It is only natural for the Northern Rong prince to take an interest. As long as proper decorum is observed," Consort Liu suddenly spoke up, her voice cool as she sat composedly at Mo Jingqi’s side.
The empress frowned slightly, casting a glance at Consort Liu. For an imperial concubine to speak out of turn in such an official setting, no matter how favored she was, was a breach of etiquette. Mo Jingqi, surprised, turned to look at Consort Liu, who remained expressionless, sitting upright as if she had said nothing at all. Gazing at his beloved consort, he thoughtfully arched a brow and smiled. "Since my beloved consort has spoken, we shall grant Prince Yelv’s request."
Yelv Ye bowed with a pleased smile. "Many thanks, Your Majesty."
Mo Jingqi chuckled. "All for the sake of diplomatic relations between our two nations. There’s no need for formalities, Prince Yelv."
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