The lights before them suddenly blazed brighter, bronze bells and ceremonial music rang out long and clear, water-sleeved dancers swayed their slender waists, golden powder and fragrant incense drifted through the air, while mellow wine emitted an intoxicating aroma—like opium, where just one whiff made one crave to gulp it down greedily.
Following behind Li Ce, Chu Qiao stepped through the main gate of Purple Cloud Palace. The massive tolling of bells instantly resounded. Beneath the glazed red tiles stood golden pillars adorned with jade, carved with murals of dragons and phoenixes heralding prosperity and qilins frolicking with pearls. On either side of the grand hall stood two rows of enormous golden candles—red candles over twice a person’s height, coated in gold powder and uniformly engraved with the auspicious phrase "Eternal Dynasty." At the far end of the hall sat a dazzling golden throne, flanked by eighty seats arranged in two rows below, all of which were now filled. The previously lively atmosphere abruptly cooled upon Li Ce’s entrance, and all eyes instantly converged on them—some filled with envy, some with awe, some with speculation, some with bewilderment, but most carried an ambiguous hostility and endless conjecture.
This was the most exalted place in the world, where delicacies, fine wines, and luxurious silks abounded. Countless people spent their entire lives striving to enter, believing that even a distant glimpse would make their lives complete. Yet at this moment, Chu Qiao felt an overwhelming sense of oppression wash over her, mingling with the fragrant breeze filling the hall, making it difficult to breathe.
"The Crown Prince has arrived late. You must be punished with two cups later," said Wei Guang, who had just lost his nephew, with a beaming smile. His face was ruddy, showing no trace of sorrow.
Li Ce laughed heartily and strode forward. "Fine! I only fear that Lord Wei will flee like last time after a few drinks."
Wei Guang chuckled casually. "I am old and cannot compare to the Crown Prince in his prime. Fleeing is a helpless choice."
The crowd burst into laughter in unison. With the Emperor and Empress yet to arrive, the atmosphere remained relatively relaxed. Chu Qiao glanced around and noticed that the seats once occupied by the Muhe Clan were now taken by the Wei Clan. Even beside the throne, two seats had been arranged today, facing each other with no distinction of rank. Clearly, aside from Empress Muhe Nayun, the Wei Clan’s Consort Shu would also be in attendance.
"Oh? Who is this beautiful lady? She looks somewhat familiar," Li Ce remarked.
The attendees inwardly cursed. For days, the Crown Prince’s catchphrase had remained unchanged—as if every beauty in the world seemed familiar to him. Truly, his flirtatious nature knew no bounds of time or place.
Wei Guang laughed and stood up. Beside him, a young woman in pink robes rose gracefully. Her face was like spring peaches, her eyes like autumn waters, her form as delicate as a willow, and her spirit as elegant as an orchid—a peerless beauty of celestial grace.
"Haha, this is my daughter, Sumei. Your Highness flatters her."
"Not at all, not at all. Lady Sumei possesses the grace of a fairy. Has Lord Wei been keeping her hidden away all these years, reluctant to let outsiders see her? I am truly fortunate today," Li Ce replied.
Listening to the back-and-forth between Wei Guang and Li Ce, the crowd suddenly understood. The Wei Clan had just overthrown the Muhe Clan, but the shrewd Wei Guang was not content to stop there. In the past, the Muhe Clan had held immense power, with Muhe Nayun serving as the reigning Empress, yet in their downfall, they were swiftly annihilated without any chance of retaliation. Was Wei Guang now aiming to contend with Emperor Xia for this Biantang son-in-law, using it to bolster his own influence?Zhao Qi stood to the side, once again awed by the formidable power of his maternal clan. Wei Guang might not be as ostentatiously overbearing and aggressive as Muhe Yunting, but his courage and intellect, his schemes and ambitions, were certainly no less than Muhe Yunting's. Even if he were to ascend the throne one day, what would await him? A manipulated puppet or a hollowed-out figurehead? Zhao Qi took a deep breath, forced to confront this issue once more.
Just then, as if suddenly remembering something, Li Ce slapped his forehead with a smack, turned around, and hurried to the hall's entrance. He grabbed the young woman who had been standing by the door since entering and said urgently, "Look at my memory—I forgot to introduce you, Qiaoqiao."
With that, he directly took Chu Qiao's hand and led her before the crowd.
Wei Guang frowned slightly, looking puzzledly at Zhao Qi as if seeking to understand this woman's identity. But Zhao Qi was absent-minded, staring blankly at the throne and not glancing over.
Though Wei Guang was shrewd and calculating, he did not pay meticulous attention to a lowly slave girl. Though they had crossed paths once during the hunting grounds, his memory of her was vague. In his eyes, the real enemies were the Muhe Clan, the imperial Zhao Clan, the Zhuge Clan, the Meng Clan, other powerful noble families, and the non-imperial feudal lords who controlled four regions. Yan Xun, as a disgraced crown prince who might die at any moment in their view, no longer posed any threat.
"Crown Prince, who is this?"
"She is Qiaoqiao," Li Ce said, blinking his narrow, peach-blossom eyes and smiling. "She is my future wife. I am going to marry her."
His words sent ripples through the crowd, and soft exclamations arose. Chu Qiao's attire and appearance made it clear she was not from a noble family. For Li Ce to make such a bold, seemingly insane statement stunned even someone as seasoned as Wei Guang.
"Is the Crown Prince joking?"
After a long pause, Wei Guang finally managed to speak coherently, only to see Li Ce reply seriously, "How can marriage be treated lightly? I have come today hoping His Majesty will bestow Qiaoqiao upon me."
Dressed in splendid robes today, Li Ce's eyes, though still slightly bruised, had returned to normal. No longer sporting a multicolored face, he had regained his usual spirited confidence. The man's bright smile, coupled with his noble status, had all the unmarried young noblewomen in the room staring intently at him. The sudden appearance of this common girl left them at a loss.
"Oh, I see." Wei Sumei, who had been standing nearby with a sweet smile, stepped forward gracefully. She reached out to take Chu Qiao's hand and said with a smile, "May I ask your family name, sister? To have won the Crown Prince's favor, I must congratulate you here."
Though she was a year or two older than Chu Qiao, she addressed her as "sister" with cloying sweetness. Chu Qiao's expression remained cold as she subtly withdrew her hand and replied calmly, "My surname is Chu."
"Oh? From the Yunnan Chu Clan?"
"No."
"Then, from the Penghui Chu family? What is your relation to Master Changlü?"
"I don't know him. I am a commoner. Not long ago, His Majesty personally removed my slave status. I was formerly Crown Prince Yan Xun's household slave."As soon as the words fell, a sharp intake of breath suddenly arose, and a faint buzzing sound filled the ears. Li Ce turned his head to look at Chu Qiao, only to see the woman staring back at him fearlessly, even with a hint of defiance.
The shrewd Wei Guang glanced at Chu Qiao, then turned his gaze to Li Ce, instantly grasping the entire situation. The old man smiled faintly, pulling Su Mei back slowly as he cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is carefree and unrestrained, always capable of achieving what others cannot and surprising everyone. With Your Highness in this world, life truly becomes much more interesting. I, an old man, hereby wish Your Highness success in all your endeavors and the fulfillment of your wishes."
Li Ce smiled and replied, "I thank Lord Wei for your auspicious words."
"When did she ever say she would marry you? This prince knows nothing of it!"
"Prince of Lujiang has arrived!"
A drawn-out voice suddenly announced loudly. Zhao Song, dressed in a pine-green brocade robe, walked in while removing the cloak from his neck and tossing it to the attendant behind him. He strode hurriedly in from outside, bringing a chill into the hall.
Zhao Qi was taken aback and quickly stepped forward, intending to stop Zhao Song from saying more. However, Zhao Song raised his hand to halt Zhao Qi and said in a deep voice, "I have long heard that the Crown Prince of Bian Tang is unrestrained and behaves recklessly. Today, this prince has truly witnessed it firsthand."
"Thirteenth Brother! Do not be rude!"
Zhao Qi immediately scolded in a low voice. The imperial relatives on both sides widened their eyes, eagerly awaiting the spectacle. For a moment, the hall of over a hundred people fell into complete silence, all eyes fixed on the scene.
Zhao Song stood before Li Ce, his gaze sweeping over Chu Qiao before returning to Li Ce. He slowly leaned in close to his ear and whispered in a low voice, "Whatever you plan to do, do not use her."
Li Ce smiled, his eyes crinkling, as he leaned closer to Zhao Song's ear and whispered with a laugh, "How could I bear to? I cherish her too much to do anything but care for her."
Zhao Song's eyes widened, and he was about to speak when the majestic toll of the imperial bell suddenly rang out. Amid the booming sound of bells and drums, the ruler of Daxia finally made his belated entrance.
During the standoff between Zhao Song and Li Ce, Yan Xun had also quietly taken his seat, his expression calm as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
"Long live the Emperor! May the Emperor live ten thousand years!"
A resounding chorus echoed through the hall. Beneath the bright yellow robes, Emperor Xia wore a gentle smile and waved his hand, saying, "All my ministers may rise."
After a few words of greeting, the grand banquet officially began. The sound of strings and flutes filled the air, and enchanting dancers performed. Emperor Xia, with a kindly smile, inquired warmly of Li Ce, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, have you been satisfied with your accommodations these past few days?"
Chu Qiao lifted her head and looked toward the dazzling throne. This was the first time she had seen Emperor Xia's true face. His appearance was actually quite ordinary—his features could only be described as proper, far from what one would call handsome. His eyes were small and narrow, half-squinting like a cat dozing off. His nose was not high-bridged and bore a few freckles the size of rice grains. His frame was thin, with slight graying at the temples. If not for his imperial robes, he would have been indistinguishable from any ordinary old man.
Yet, it was precisely because he seemed so ordinary that it sent a chill down one's spine. Upon reflection, for a ruler who had held supreme power for decades, commanding the authority of millions, to maintain such a plain and unremarkable demeanor all these years—should one attribute it to his innate mediocrity and inconspicuousness? Or should it be said that his ability to conceal his true nature had reached a state of perfection?Chu Qiao knew that judging by his methods of destroying Yanbei and eliminating the Muhe clan, he was certainly no ordinary man. The specific reasons were even more obvious.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. Li Ce is doing very well, even better than when I was at home—almost to the point of forgetting to return."
Emperor Xia chuckled softly, his smile gentle as he shook his head. "That won't do. If you don't return, won't the King of Tang come seeking my life?"
The crowd burst into laughter, enthusiastically playing along. The entire hall was filled with merriment, except for Muhe Nayun, who remained expressionless.
It had only been a month, yet Muhe Nayun seemed to have aged twenty years. Her hair was streaked with white, and even heavy makeup could not conceal her aging. Compared to Consort Shu on the other side of the emperor, her aging was even more pronounced.
"Your Majesty," Wei Guang rose with a beaming smile and said, "The Crown Prince of Bian Tang just told this old minister that he wishes to marry this Lady Chu."
As soon as he finished speaking, the lavishly dressed princesses on both sides immediately changed expressions, their gazes sharp as knives as they turned in unison toward Chu Qiao, filled with immense shock, anger, and hostility. If Li Ce were to marry a lowly servant in front of the most noble princesses of Daxia, Daxia would surely become the laughingstock of the entire world. How would these proud daughters of heaven face such humiliation?
Unexpectedly, Emperor Xia merely smiled faintly, completely unperturbed, and said calmly, "It is common for a great man to have three wives and four concubines, let alone the Crown Prince of Bian Tang. Lord Wei, there is no need to worry. A marriage alliance between our two nations is a momentous event for generations to come. I trust the Crown Prince will not disappoint me or the King of Tang."
Li Ce's expression darkened, and he was about to speak when Consort Shu suddenly interjected, "His Majesty is right. This grand event is imperative. Lord Wei, you need not worry."
Wei Guang was taken aback but then slowly sat down, for Consort Shu's words carried a clear warning.
"Your Majesty is mistaken," Li Ce paused briefly before suddenly laughing. "I am not taking a concubine but taking a wife. In royal terms, Li Ce intends to take a principal consort."
"What did you say?"
Emperor Xia's voice suddenly turned low and cold. He slowly looked at Li Ce, his gaze sweeping over his daughters, and said in a low voice, "Is the Crown Prince's decision final?"
"Yes," Li Ce smiled faintly and nodded. "It is final."
"Very well," Emperor Xia nodded, then suddenly raised his brows sharply and coldly shouted, "Guards! Seize this bewitching woman and cut off her hands! Let's see if she dares to seduce others in the future!"
"Yes!" Burly soldiers rushed into the hall, grabbing the woman's arms and dragging her outward.
Li Ce hurriedly stepped forward to block them, his voice grave. "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?"
"She is but a lowly servant who first offended you and then seduced you. If she is not severely punished, what purpose does the law of Daxia serve? How could I face your father with dignity?"
Li Ce explained, "My desire to marry her is my own affair and has nothing to do with her. How can Your Majesty cut off the hands of the one I admire?"
Emperor Xia said coldly, "She is first a citizen of Daxia, and only then the one you admire. Crown Prince of Tang, are you interfering in my internal affairs?"Li Ce was momentarily stunned and fell silent. The guards on both sides rushed forward. Chu Qiao frowned, never expecting the situation to shift so abruptly. Her eyes anxiously scanned the hall for Yan Xun’s figure, only to find him wearing a calm expression, seemingly undisturbed, as if completely unaware. His fingers, holding a wine cup, lightly tapped the table twice, then curled and remained still for a long time.
"Father!" Zhao Song suddenly stood up and shouted, "This is unfair!"
Just as he was about to speak, Emperor Xia sneered coldly, "A mere slave has not only caught the favor of a foreign Crown Prince but even my own son dares to defy me for her. Isn’t she a femme fatale? Forget cutting off her hands—behead her directly as a warning to others!"
"Father!" Zhao Song was furious. Zhao Qi stepped forward and grabbed him, saying sternly, "Thirteenth Brother, shut up! Do you want her to be executed by a thousand cuts?"
"Drag her away!"
The soldiers on both sides immediately advanced. Li Ce sighed a few times but did not plead for her. Chu Qiao’s expression remained calm and fearless. Seeing Yan Xun’s gesture, she immediately abandoned any thought of arguing. She obediently allowed the soldiers to drag her out of the hall. Just as she was about to leave, a tall, upright figure suddenly blocked her path. The man, dressed in a deep purple robe and wearing a Golden Crown, grabbed the woman’s arm, strode forward, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, if this person must be executed, could you grant her to me?"
Seeing the newcomer, Yan Xun’s expression finally changed, and he immediately rose from his seat. But by then, no one noticed his reaction.
Emperor Xia raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at the man, saying slowly, "You know her too?"
"Yes," Zhuge Yue nodded slowly, turned to look at the girl, and said solemnly, "I know her."
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