The harsh winter had passed, and spring returned to the land.
When I opened the window early this morning, I found most of the snow outside had melted. The ice had thawed, and the lake waters rippled. Swallows from the south were returning north in flocks, their cheerful chirping crisp and pleasant to the ear.
Yan Xun was in exceptionally high spirits today. Having slain his enemy with his own hands just days before, his heart felt unburdened.
Dressed in a lake-green brocade robe with a matching sash tied casually at his waist, his face was as fair as jade, his eyes as cold as stars. He cut a figure of noble elegance, like a graceful jade gentleman with divine grace. At this moment, he sat serenely in the lakeside pavilion sipping tea. A censer burned quietly, its fragrance subtle, the smoke rising straight up in the windless air. Faint zither music drifted from the distant Donghua Garden. Viewed from afar, the scene of blue-green rockeries and emerald waters resembled an ethereal painting, utterly detached from worldly cares.
Having stolen this rare half-day of leisure, he hadn't felt so relaxed and carefree in a long time.
At noon, a galloping horse rushed into the Holy Gold Palace, instantly shattering this hard-won tranquility.
"Crown Prince," A Jing arrived breathless at the pavilion with several subordinates from Yingge Court, calling out to Yan Xun who was just stepping out: "Something terrible has happened!"
A gentle breeze stirred, lifting the fluttering edges of Yan Xun's robe. The man turned back, casting a calm glance at A Jing, seeming slightly displeased by his rashness.
"What matter warrants such alarm?"
Yan Xun's voice remained composed, carrying an unshakable calm even in the face of catastrophe. But A Jing couldn't emulate his master's detachment, speaking urgently: "The Crown Prince of Bian Tang just went to the Elite Cavalry Camp and specifically requested to marry their archery instructor!"
"What does the Crown Prince of Bian Tang's marriage have to do with us?"
Yan Xun raised an eyebrow slightly, speaking leisurely as he turned to continue walking forward.
A Jing was momentarily stunned. Exchanging glances with his companions, he felt a surge of immense admiration and joy.
Had the Crown Prince finally learned to prioritize the greater good over personal attachments? Having grown up with Miss Chu since childhood, their bond was extraordinary. For the Crown Prince to remain so calm and unmoved - what tremendous self-control and restraint must that require? For the ideals of their great cause, what had he sacrificed and given up in ways unknown to others?
However, before a happy smile could spread from his eyes to his lips, a gust of wind suddenly swept before him. The previously composed man, now flushed with agitation, gripped his shoulders tightly and demanded sharply: "What did you say? Which archery instructor? Who does he want to marry?"
A Jing replied with a woeful expression, resentment churning in his heart: "Among the Elite Cavalry Camp's archery instructors, only one is female."
"Damn it!"
"Damn it!"
"Damn it!"
As the long wind swept over Zhenhuang City, three voices filled with fury echoed simultaneously from different locations. Yan Xun, Zhao Che, and Zhao Song all burst from their residences, mounted their horses, and raced like the wind toward the Elite Cavalry Camp in the eastern city!
"Crown Prince Li Ce of Bian Tang?"
In the plum garden of the Zhuge residence, a man in purple robes with ink-black hair slightly furrowed his handsome brows and said solemnly: "What trouble is he stirring up now?"
Zhu Cheng smiled and bowed as he replied: "Young master, he's not stirring trouble. This Tang Crown Prince has already taken Xing'er to see the Emperor. He seems determined and unwilling to back down."Zhuge Yue’s brow furrowed tightly. Suddenly, he stood up with a swish, threw on his outer robe, and strode out.
“Huh? Young Master, where are you going?”
“To take a look…”
From afar, only a faint voice drifted back. Zhu Cheng couldn’t make out the rest of the words, but Zhuge Yue’s figure had already disappeared into the distance. In the blink of an eye, the neighing of a steed shattered the tranquility of the Plum Garden. Zhu Cheng shook his head and sighed in confusion, “What exactly is the Young Master thinking?”
Just as Yan Xun and the others were whipping their horses to rush toward the Xiaoqi Camp, the Crown Prince of Bian Tang’s carriage had already left the iron-blooded military camp. It took a long detour along the official road, slowly heading in the direction of the Holy Gold Palace.
Li Ce’s eyes curved like a fox’s. Though he had just been beaten up, the bruises around his eyes had yet to fade, somewhat diminishing his peerless elegance. Chu Qiao sat in a corner of the luxurious carriage, feeling thoroughly unnerved by his gaze. Her brow furrowed, her expression dark, yet despite her inner resentment, she had to force herself to bow respectfully and say, “Your Highness, I was unaware of your identity that day and acted offensively. I beg Your Highness to be magnanimous and not hold it against me.”
Li Ce raised the corners of his eyes lazily, smiling as he answered irrelevantly, “So your name is Chu Qiao. May I call you Xiao Qiao? Or perhaps Qiao’er?”
Chu Qiao felt a chill run down her spine, goosebumps rising all over. Frowning, she replied, “Chu Qiao is of lowly status. My humble name is not worthy of Your Highness’s remembrance.”
“How about I call you Qiao Qiao? It sounds more intimate.”
The woman’s expression remained cold, her patience wearing thinner with each passing moment. She frowned and said, “If Your Highness’s actions today are due to my offense that day, then I am willing to accept punishment. I ask Your Highness to make it clear.”
Li Ce paid no heed, still smiling as he said, “How many people are in your family? Are your parents still alive?”
“Your Highness, if you have something to say, please say it directly. I am but a commoner and do not deserve such care from Your Highness.”
“In which month were you born? How old are you this year? I was born in July and am twenty-one.”
“Your Highness, what exactly do you want? Can we speak normally?”
“Where is your ancestral home? With such delicate beauty, you don’t look like a northerner but more like a southern woman. Has your father ever mentioned it to you?”
“Your Highness!”
“Even when you’re angry, you’re so beautiful. I truly have excellent taste!”
…
Half an hour later, Chu Qiao tried to communicate with Li Ce again. She earnestly calmed her anger and said sincerely, “Your Highness, what exactly do you see in me?”
Li Ce smiled tenderly, “I like everything about you.”
Realizing her slip of the tongue, Chu Qiao shook her head, “In other words, what exactly do you want to use me for? There are many ways for you to avoid marrying the Daxia princess. There’s no need to use me as a shield. I am but a lowly commoner, with no value to be exploited.”
“Qiao Qiao,” Li Ce frowned, his expression puzzled, “I fell for you at first sight, yet you misunderstand me like this. It breaks my heart.”
As if your heart would truly break!Chu Qiao suddenly realized that conversing with normal people was actually quite enjoyable. Even if that normal person was your enemy, it was still better than the current situation where friend and foe were indistinguishable, and you couldn’t even grasp the other party’s attitude at all. She slowly let out a breath, giving up any hope of learning anything from Li Ce’s mouth. Leaning quietly against the carriage, she didn’t even want to open her eyes anymore.
“Qiaoqiao,” Li Ce leaned forward with a faint smile, his voice seductive, his tone flippant, carrying a hint of indescribable huskiness and allure. “My hands are cold.”
A moment of silence followed, then with a “thump,” Crown Prince Li Ce was instantly sent flying out of the carriage like a ball, soaring over the heads of the numerous Biantang envoys and Daxia guards before landing headfirst on the ground.
“Who’s there?”
“Ah! Your Highness!”
“Assassins! Protect His Highness!”
Chaotic shouts erupted immediately. Zhao Qi raised an eyebrow, swiftly drawing the sword at his waist. His nerves, already strained for days due to Wei Shuyou’s disappearance, tensed up instantly. He signaled the attendants beside him to surround the absurdly large carriage.
“A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!”
Li Ce scrambled to his feet, groaning in pain, and stumbled back toward the carriage. Blocking the path of the tense, armed crowd, he quickly explained, “It was my own carelessness—I lost my balance. It’s nothing, nothing at all.”
Everyone frowned and exchanged glances, staring at the motionless carriage, unsure of what to say.
Lost his balance? The carriage was moving slower than a walking person—who could possibly lose their balance and fly out like that?
“It’s fine, everyone, don’t be alarmed.”
Li Ce lifted the hem of his robe, smiling as he climbed back into the carriage, waving repeatedly to the crowd.
Zhao Qi’s expression remained cold, his tone somber as he said gravely, “Your Highness, please sit securely. The road is rough; you must be careful.”
As soon as the curtain fell, Li Ce immediately began rubbing his arm with a pained grimace, casting a resentful look at Chu Qiao, who sat coldly to the side. He pouted and complained, “Qiaoqiao, you’re too cruel. Treating your future husband like this will bring you retribution.”
Chu Qiao narrowed her eyes slightly, giving him a cold glance before speaking sternly, “There should be boundaries between men and women. Please conduct yourself with dignity, Your Highness.”
“Qiaoqiao, help me apply the medicine.”
Li Ce produced a white jade porcelain bottle and pitifully leaned closer, extending his arm, which was scraped and bleeding.
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow but made no move.
“I’m doing this for your own good,” Li Ce said. “If others see I’m injured again, you’ll definitely be implicated.”
Chu Qiao sighed, snatched the bottle from him, roughly grabbed his arm, and began applying the medicine.
Li Ce’s agonized cries immediately echoed from inside. Zhao Qi and the others, walking outside, listened to the howls and wails, their frowns deepening and their faces turning ashen.
The sky was blue, the clouds white, the air fresh, and the afternoon sun warm. Birds circled freely overhead. Along the Official Post Road, many commoners who hadn’t had time to avoid the procession knelt on both sides. They kept their heads bowed respectfully as expected, but when they heard the noises from above, they secretly glanced upward.
Tonight was the grand welcoming banquet personally hosted by Emperor Xia, Zhao Zhengde, to greet Crown Prince Li Ce of Biantang. All the court officials, imperial relatives, and nobles would be in attendance, along with the rarely seen imperial clan women, princesses, and young ladies.
Though ostensibly to welcome Crown Prince Li Ce, it was in fact a preparatory step for the impending marriage alliance.After all, Crown Prince Li Ce had roamed freely for many years without taking a wife, and the one he chose would become the mother of Biantang.
The Daxia imperial family would instantly gain a powerful ally, an immeasurable advantage when facing the covetous royal clansmen at court.
In an instant, all the princesses of the imperial family grew tense—adorning their brows, dressing in colorful robes, their rouge perfuming the Chishui River with an aura of extravagance and splendor.
Yet none of them knew that the woman already selected was, under the rogue coercion of the troublemaker, slowly making her way toward the Holy Gold Palace.
Dong'er only returned home at 7:30 p.m. and rushed to finish this chapter by 9 p.m. It's quite short, just a transition. There will be another update tonight, though it will be very late. Everyone, no need to wait—just check back tomorrow morning.
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