Chapter 250: The Princess Chooses a Husband
After nearly everyone had gathered in the grand hall.
Following the sharp announcement from a young eunuch, the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager entered through the main door and took their seats at the highest position. Everyone present bowed in unison.
Shortly after, various princes and imperial sons led envoys from different nations into the hall.
Eight small countries had sent envoys to offer congratulations to the court, with three of them dispatching princes and princesses in a grand display.
The group greeted those seated at the highest position using the official language of the Great Jin Dynasty.
“There’s no need for formalities,” the Emperor said with a beaming smile. “Please, everyone be seated and enjoy the fine food, wine, music, and dance of our Great Jin Dynasty.”
A procession of enchantingly dressed beauties filed in, beginning to play music and dance in the center of the hall, elevating the atmosphere to its peak.
Yun Chu sat beside Du Ling.
After eating until she was about eighty percent full, Du Ling tugged at Yun Chu and whispered, “See that? That’s the princess of the Red Sandalwood Kingdom. Rumor has it she’s come to our Great Jin Dynasty to select a husband, hoping to strengthen the friendly ties between Red Sandalwood and Great Jin.”
Yun Chu looked over. The princess was dressed in red robes, a snow-white fur collar around her neck, and her hair was adorned with pearls and jade. Despite the lavish accessories, she still exuded a youthful innocence and charm.
Any man eligible to marry a foreign princess would, at the very least, need to be of noble lineage.
Yun Chu tried to recall but found she couldn’t remember at all whom this princess had eventually married in her previous life.
Back then, she had been wholly devoted to being a virtuous wife and mother, completely detached from the affairs of the outside world. It was no wonder she had met such an end.
As she pondered, she felt someone’s gaze fixed upon her.
Following the direction of the stare, she met the calm yet icy eyes of the Empress Dowager.
She curved her lips into a smile and raised her cup in a toast to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager clenched her cup, suppressing her fury.
Last time in the Golden Glory Hall, if Chu Yi hadn’t suddenly appeared, her Rui’er would have already drunk Yun Chu’s heart’s blood, and his illness would surely have been cured.
What a pity!
Such a great pity!
Her grip on the cup tightened until it nearly shattered. Only by channeling her rage into the wine did she finally calm down enough to speak gently, “Rui’er, what do you think of Princess Guli?”
Chu Rui barely glanced over and replied indifferently, “Nothing special.”
The composure the Empress Dowager had struggled to maintain vanished once more. She said coldly, “Princess Guli is the beloved daughter of the King of Red Sandalwood. She has come to Great Jin to choose a worthy husband. If you marry her, the entire Red Sandalwood Kingdom could be at your disposal.”
Chu Rui fell silent, merely lowering his head to sip his tea.
Were it not for the crowd, the Empress Dowager would have been tempted to smash her cup to the ground.
This child—her own grandson, whom she had raised with endless care and devotion—now regarded her with utter disregard.
What should be done with a child who has slipped from one’s control?
Abandon him?
How could she bear to?
Was there anyone more suitable?
The Empress Dowager lifted her cup and drained it in one gulp.
Suddenly, it became clear to her: no matter how reluctant she was, she had to let go.
If she waited until he died, there would truly be nothing left.
Therefore! She must! Ensure that Rui’er fathers a child before his death! It didn’t matter whom he married—what mattered was securing an heir. Only then could greater plans be made anew.
With a face full of maternal affection, the Empress Dowager said, “Since you are unwilling, let it be.”Chu Rui remained expressionless as ever, sitting alone while drinking tea, seemingly existing in a different world from those around him.
After the song and dance performance concluded, Princess Guli immediately requested to perform a dance for the Emperor.
Dressed in a vibrant red gown, adorned with jingling pearls and jade hairpieces, her youthful and agile figure moved with a distinctly exotic charm.
Many unmarried noblemen in the hall could hardly take their eyes off the princess.
Holding bells in her hands, the princess swiftly passed by these men, leaving behind the unique fragrance of Hongnan Kingdom.
Once the dance ended, the Emperor laughed heartily and asked, "How do the men of our Great Jin Dynasty compare to those of Hongnan Kingdom, in Princess Guli's opinion?"
Placing her hand over her heart, Princess Guli respectfully replied, "The men of Great Jin excel in appearance, yet in physique and strength, they fall short of the warriors of Hongnan. However—" She paused, her gaze shifting to a man in the hall, "Of course, Great Jin also has its warriors. In him, I see the strength that belongs to Great Jin."
The person she was looking at was none other than Chu Yi.
"Your Highness has excellent judgment," a minister interjected. "This is His Highness, the Third Prince of Great Jin, Prince Pingxi. Having eradicated countless formidable bandits across the realm, he is arguably the foremost warrior of our dynasty."
A smile graced Princess Guli's lips. "Prince Pingxi, it is an honor."
Chu Yi cupped his hands in salute. "The honor is mine, Princess Guli."
"Oh my, she seems to have taken a liking to Prince Pingxi," Du Ling whispered to Yun Chu, pulling her closer. "With the Fifth Prince still too young, Prince Pingxi is the only marriageable prince left. If he weds Princess Guli, he would become a match for Gong Xi Prince."
The Crown Prince had married the eldest daughter of the Grand Preceptor, with two Side Princess Consorts from families of second-rank officials, along with the support of the Empress's Gongsun clan. No matter whom Prince Pingxi married, he could not surpass the Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, Gong Xi Prince's principal consort was the second daughter of a Grand Academician. If Prince Pingxi married a foreign princess, he would be on equal footing with Gong Xi Prince in terms of influence.
Yun Chu changed the subject. "When is Xiao Ying's wedding scheduled? I'd like to attend and offer my congratulations."
"Ah—" Du Ling sighed at the mention. "It was originally set for next spring, but Xiao Ying's fiancé suddenly fell gravely ill. Even the imperial physicians were consulted, and they said he might not survive the winter."
Yun Chu's fingers stilled. "Is it that serious?"
Du Ling nodded. "Perhaps Xiao Ying is simply fated to remain unmarried. Let it be—the Du family can certainly afford to support a daughter."
Xiao Ying had once set her heart on the Fourth Prince, but he passed away. Then the Du family arranged a match with the son of the Vice Left Supervisor, who now also seemed unlikely to live long.
Some things are destined, beyond mortal control.
Yun Chu asked, "Has Divine Doctor Si been consulted?"
Du Ling shook her head. "We sent several letters to Qingzhou, but there's been no reply. Divine Doctor Si is likely traveling."
Yun Chu made a mental note to later ask Wu Furen about Young Master Wu's current whereabouts with Divine Doctor Si.
Speaking of Young Master Wu, Yun Chu felt a wave of relief.
In her previous life, the entire Wu family had succumbed to a mysterious illness. This time, she had sent Young Master Wu to Divine Doctor Si in advance. Months ago, Young Master Wu had written to say that the lesions on his face were gradually healing, and his health was steadily improving.It is said that prolonged illness makes the physician. Young Master Wu, having been ill for so many years, had gained some knowledge in medical treatment. After arriving in Qingzhou and staying at Divine Doctor Si's clinic, he was constantly exposed to medical practices and grew increasingly fascinated, gradually developing an obsessive interest. Thus, Divine Doctor Si took Young Master Wu under his wing as an apprentice.
After the palace banquet concluded, Yun Chu sent someone to the hot spring manor to inquire about the situation from Wu Furen.
Chu Yi stood atop the palace steps, watching Yun Chu's figure disappear down the palace pathway.
At that moment, a charming young maiden suddenly appeared before him: "Prince Pingxi, what are you looking at?"
Chu Yi's expression was exceedingly cold.
However, when his peripheral vision caught sight of Gong Xi Prince Chu Mo appearing not far away, the corner of his icy lips curved into a faint semblance of a smile—though it never reached his eyes. He spoke: "Gu... Princess, what brings you here?"
He truly couldn't recall whether this princess was named Guli or Guyue, so he glossed over it vaguely.
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