On the day after receiving the imperial decree, it was a rare occasion when both the Prince of Yanbei and Xiao Jingxi were at the mansion and not out. Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin had grown accustomed to dining with the Princess Consort in Jiuyang Hall recently, so at noon that day, the family sat together at the same table for a rare reunion.
The atmosphere at the table was unusually subdued, as Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin remained silent. The Prince of Yanbei had worn a pained expression since his arrival and spoke little. The most composed were the Princess Consort and Xiao Jingxi, who occasionally exchanged a few trivial words—truly a mother and son pair.
It wasn’t until after this rather awkward meal that the Prince of Yanbei finally couldn’t hold back any longer. Slapping the table, he exclaimed, “Hey! What’s going on with all of you? Isn’t it obvious that I’ve been set up this time? Aren’t you all ashamed for giving me the cold shoulder?”
Ren Yaoqi glanced at the Prince of Yanbei, sensing a hint of bluster and even a touch of grievance in his outburst. Then, everyone’s gaze shifted to the Princess Consort.
The Princess Consort replied unhurriedly, “What does Your Highness mean by that?”
The Prince of Yanbei’s outburst seemed to hit a soft spot, deflating him instantly.
After a long silence, the Prince of Yanbei mustered his spirits again and looked meaningfully at the silent Xiao Jingxi. “Son! Your father is getting old. It’s time for you to show your filial piety. That Liao princess… why don’t you take care of her for your father?”
Ren Yaoqi: “...”
Xiao Jingxi remained expressionless. “Father, that would be improper.”
“How is it improper? You clearly haven’t studied the Classic of Filial Piety properly!” The Prince of Yanbei frowned, slapping the table again and putting on an even more imposing air.
Xiao Jingxi glanced at him. “The Classic of Filial Piety offers no examples of filial piety extending to one’s father’s inner chambers.”
Everyone: “...” Since when does a son’s filial duties include taking on his father’s concubines?
Seeing the Prince of Yanbei fall silent, Xiao Jingxi flashed a smile. “Besides… isn’t it you, Father, who always says I’m in poor health?”
The Prince of Yanbei’s face remained impassive, but inwardly he was roaring: Damn it! This kid holds a grudge! He’s been waiting for this moment!
Feeling both aggrieved and unable to refute, the Prince of Yanbei was utterly frustrated. In the end, he could only plead, “Then at least think of a way to help your father out, won’t you? You can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
Xiao Jingxi seemed to give it serious thought before replying thoughtfully, “I believe this matter…”
The Prince of Yanbei listened attentively.
“...requires careful deliberation.” Xiao Jingxi finished.
The Prince of Yanbei: “...” The person is about to arrive, and you’re still talking about careful deliberation? Son, are you sure you’re not taking this chance to get back at your father?
The messenger who delivered the imperial decree had entered Yunyang City ahead of the Liao princess, who was waiting outside the city in a villa for the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion to receive her according to protocol. The Prince of Yanbei was truly in a tight spot.
As Ren Yaoqi, Xiao Jingxi, and Xiao Jinglin left Jiuyang Hall, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but hesitantly ask, “That Liao princess, Father…”
Xiao Jingxi knew what she was asking and gave her a reassuring look. “Don’t worry. Father and Mother can handle it.”
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Jinglin.Xiao Jinglin surprisingly agreed with Xiao Jingxi's words for once, nodding expressionlessly, "Don't worry, Father was just acting spoiled earlier. You'll get used to it eventually."
Ren Yaoqi: "..." How was she supposed to get used to something like that!
No matter how much the Prince of Yanbei acted spoiled or threw tantrums, the Yanbei Prince's Mansion couldn't just abandon the princess sent by a defeated nation for a political marriage outside the city and leave her to fend for herself—that would be utterly lacking in grace. So, on the second day after receiving the imperial decree, the Prince and Princess Consort sent an honor guard to escort the Liao princess into the city.
On the day the Liao princess entered the mansion, Ren Yaoqi, dressed in formal attire, joined the members of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion in the Qingzheng Hall.
The Prince and Princess Consort sat in the main seats at the head of the hall, with the Old Princess Consort and Consort Dowager Yun seated on either side, half a step lower than the Prince and Princess Consort. Ren Yaoqi, Xiao Jingxi, and Xiao Jinglin sat on the left, while the members of the Xiao Family's second branch sat opposite them.
The Prince and Princess Consort both wore solemn expressions. Consort Dowager Yun sat in her seat with her eyes closed, seemingly resting. The Old Princess Consort, however, appeared to be in a rather good mood. Though she didn't make any sarcastic remarks, she turned to chat with the Second Madam.
It wasn't until someone outside announced the arrival of the Liao princess that everyone turned their attention to the entrance of the Qingzheng Hall.
A woman in her late teens, dressed in bright red Liao attire, entered under the guidance of several matrons from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. Most Liao people were tall and sturdy, and though this Liao princess was a woman, she appeared taller and broader-boned than most women of Great Zhou. The beads on her white warm hat nearly covered half her face, though her facial contours and features were still faintly visible. Compared to women of Great Zhou, this princess had thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a slightly square face. While her appearance didn't quite align with Great Zhou's aesthetic standards, she wasn't unattractive.
The Liao princess walked to the center of the hall, slightly bowed, and performed a Liao-style salute to the Prince and Princess Consort at the head of the hall. In slightly stiff Chinese, she said, "Yelü Sage greets the Prince and Princess Consort."
The Princess Consort smiled and nodded, exchanging a few polite words before instructing someone to lead the Liao princess to her seat.
Yelü Sage frowned, looking around uncertainly. "Has the ceremony already ended?"
Everyone was taken aback by her words. Yelü Sage glanced at the Prince and Princess Consort at the head of the hall and asked, "Don't you Han people have many elaborate rituals for weddings?"
At this, the hall fell silent.
The Old Princess Consort couldn't help but laugh, glancing at the Princess Consort as she said, "This princess from a vassal state not only speaks Chinese but also understands etiquette. That's quite rare."
Yelü Sage kept her gaze fixed on the Prince and Princess Consort, seemingly waiting for their response.
The Prince of Yanbei replied expressionlessly, "Your Chinese is quite good, but your understanding of etiquette is lacking. Han people do have many rituals for weddings, but Han men can only take one wife."
Yelü Sage frowned deeply. "But your emperor previously married my sister..."
The Prince of Yanbei interrupted, "The emperor is the emperor. I am merely a prince and cannot override the laws of propriety. Moreover, what the emperor did was not taking a wife but taking a concubine. There is a difference between marrying and taking a concubine. The imperial decree has already conferred upon you the title of side consort, so there is no need for me to perform any wedding rituals." Though the Prince of Yanbei remained expressionless, his voice carried a hint of impatience.Although Yelü Sage could speak Chinese, she was not proficient enough to engage in nuanced wordplay. So after hearing the Prince of Yanbei's words, she opened her mouth but ultimately swallowed her words. Instead, she smiled at the Prince of Yanbei, obediently lowered her head, and said, "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. I will strive to learn Han etiquette diligently from now on."
Although her self-address as "a humble term for a married woman" was not incorrect, everyone present felt a slight awkwardness hearing it.
For various considerations, neither the Old Princess Consort nor the members of the Xiao Family's second branch caused any trouble at this time. Xiao Jingyue, who had caused a commotion during Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi's wedding, had suffered several inexplicable setbacks afterward and had learned his lesson this time. Yelü Sage was a princess of the Liao Kingdom, a sensitive identity. If someone were to accuse him of treason or colluding with the enemy, it would be disastrous.
Yelü Sage was arranged to stay in Lengxiang Courtyard. Although not as grand as the main halls of Yanbei Prince's Mansion, it was not remote either. It was adjacent to Xiao Jinglin's Xihe Hall and not far from the Prince and Princess Consort's Jiuyang Hall.
The Prince of Yanbei did not stay long in Qingzheng Hall. After sitting for a while, he went to the outer courtyard.
Whether it was Ren Yaoqi's illusion or not, she felt that the Liao princess's gaze had lingered on the Prince of Yanbei earlier. Could it be that these two had met before?
With this question in mind, after Yelü Sage was escorted to Lengxiang Courtyard by the Princess Consort's attendants, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but quietly ask Xiao Jinglin about it as they left together.
Xiao Jinglin replied in a matter-of-fact tone, "I don't know if she and my father have met, but I've seen Yelü Sage twice before. The Liao people are different from us Han. Many of their women are skilled in horseback riding and archery. I once saw this Liao princess on the battlefield. Although we never crossed swords, she certainly knows martial arts." Then, looking at Ren Yaoqi seriously, she added, "You should avoid contact with her normally. If she harbors any ill intentions, you could be in danger."
Ren Yaoqi nodded. Naturally, she would steer clear of this Liao princess whenever possible, as there was no need for any acquaintance.
In the evening, the Prince did not return to the mansion for dinner. The Princess Consort still arranged a banquet with several tables to welcome Yelü Sage into the household. Throughout, the Princess Consort showed no dissatisfaction regarding Yelü Sage's entry into the mansion. She had always been a rational person, understanding that Yelü Sage's arrival was not simply about taking a concubine but rather a contest among various factions, with no personal feelings involved. Yelü Sage's title as a secondary consort was merely nominal.
Clearly, the Prince of Yanbei thought the same, as he returned in the evening and rested in Jiuyang Hall, not Lengxiang Courtyard. No one in Yanbei Prince's Mansion found this inappropriate, not even the Old Princess Consort, who did not interfere.
However, the next day, Yelü Sage arrived at Jiuyang Hall early in the morning and asked the Prince of Yanbei in front of everyone, "Why didn't Your Highness come to rest in my courtyard last night?"
Everyone having breakfast in Jiuyang Hall silently turned to look at the Prince of Yanbei.
The Prince of Yanbei's eye twitched, feeling that only one phrase could express his current mood: 'Damn it!'(Holy crap! an exclamation of shock or frustration).
In the end, it was the Princess Consort who calmly rescued the situation, saying to Yelü Sage, "You haven't eaten yet, have you, Princess? Please sit down and join us."Yelü Sage nodded, accepting the Princess Consort's kindness, and sat down on the chair brought for her by the Princess Consort's attendants, right next to Xiao Jinglin. After thanking the Princess Consort, Yelü Sage added earnestly, "Sister, please don't call me 'Princess' anymore. According to Han customs, the Princess Consort should address me as 'younger sister'."
Princess Consort: "..."
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