Winter had passed, and spring returned to the earth.
Early this morning when the window was pushed open, the accumulated snow outside had mostly melted, the ice had thawed, and the lake waters rippled freely. Swallows from the south were returning north in flocks, and orioles sang with clear, pleasant voices.
Yan Xun was in exceptionally high spirits today. A few days ago, he had slain his enemy with his own hands, and his heart unburdened.
He wore a jade-green brocade robe with a matching sash tied diagonally at his waist. His face was like white jade, his eyes like cold stars—elegant, noble, and handsome as a jade prince with divine bearing. At this moment, he sat upright in a pavilion in the middle of the lake, drinking tea. An incense burner emitted a faint fragrance, with smoke rising straight up as there wasn’t the slightest breeze in the air. The distant sound of a zither drifted from East Flower Garden. Looking into the distance, the blue-green scenery of artificial mountains and clear waters resembled an otherworldly painting, completely devoid of any trace of mortal affairs.
Finding leisure in a fleeting life—it had been a long time since he had felt so relaxed and at ease.
In the afternoon, a fast rider galloped into the Sacred Golden Palace, instantly shattering this rare tranquility.
“Young Master,” A Jing, accompanied by several subordinates from Oriole Song House, ran to the pavilion dripping with sweat. He called out loudly to Yan Xun, who was walking out of the pavilion: “Something terrible has happened!”
A gentle breeze blew, lifting the fluttering hem of Yan Xun’s robe. The young man turned his head and looked at A Jing indifferently, seemingly displeased by his impulsiveness.
“What matter causes such alarm?”
Yan Xun’s voice was calm, displaying considerable composure—like one whose expression remains unchanged even if a mountain collapsed before him. A Jing, however, could not match his composure and said urgently, “The Crown Prince of Bian Tang just went to the Xiao Qi Camp and specifically demanded to marry the archery instructor of the Xiao Qi Camp!”
“The Crown Prince of Bian Tang is taking a wife. What does that have to do with us?”
Yan Xun raised an eyebrow slightly and spoke in a leisurely tone, then turned to continue walking forward.
A Jing was stunned. He exchanged glances with his companions, and immense respect and joy suddenly rose in his heart.
Could it be that His Highness finally understood the importance of putting the greater good first, no longer entangled in personal romantic affairs? Miss Chu and His Highness grew up together with extraordinary feelings between them. For the Young Master to remain so calm, showing not the slightest sign of being affected—what tremendous self-discipline and self-control this must require! For the belief and ideal of the greater good, what had he given up and what great price and sacrifice had he made unbeknownst to others?
However, before a happy smile could spread from his eyes to his lips, a sudden gust of wind swept before him. The previously serene young man, his face now purple with tension, tightly gripped A Jing’s shoulders and asked harshly, “What did you say? Which archery instructor? Who does he want to marry?”
A Jing’s face fell, and his heart filled with grievances: “The archery instructor of the Xiao Qi Camp—only Miss Chu is female.”
“Damn it!”
“Damn it!”
“Damn it!”
The long wind blew over Zhen Huang City. At this moment, three angry voices rang out simultaneously in different places. Yan Xun, Zhao Che, and Zhao Song rushed out of their residences at the same time, mounted their horses, and galloped like lightning toward the Xiao Qi Camp in the eastern part of the city!
“Li Ce, the Crown Prince of Bian Tang?”
In the Plum Garden of the Zhuge Mansion, a man in purple robes with ink-black hair frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, “What chaos is he stirring up now?”
Cheng Yuan smiled and bowed, saying, “Young Master, he’s not stirring up chaos. This Crown Prince of Tang has already taken Miss Xing’er to see the Emperor. He’s determined as if he’s swallowed an iron weight, seemingly resolved not to give up.”
Zhuge Yue’s brows tightened, and suddenly he stood up with a swish, put on his outer robe, and walked out.
“Hey? Young Master, where are you going?”
“To see…”
From afar, only a faint voice drifted back. Cheng Yuan couldn’t hear the rest of the words, but Zhuge Yue’s figure had already gone far. In an instant, a steed neighed loudly, and hoof beats shattered the tranquility of the Plum Garden. Cheng Yuan shook his head and sighed incomprehensibly, “What is the young master thinking?”
Just as Yan Xun and the others were rushing toward the Xiao Qi Camp, the Crown Prince of Bian Tang’s carriage had already left the iron-blooded military camp and was slowly moving toward the Sacred Golden Palace after making a large detour along the official road.
Li Ce’s eyes were smiling like a fox’s. Having just been beaten not long ago, his eye socket was still blue, somewhat diminishing his outstanding charm. Chu Qiao sat in a corner of the luxurious carriage, feeling her skin crawl under his gaze. With furrowed brows and a dark expression, despite her inner resentment, she had to pretend to be respectful, folding her hands and bowing, saying, “Your Highness, Chu Qiao did not know Your Highness’s identity that day and was very offensive. Please be magnanimous and not hold a grudge.”
Li Ce raised the corner of his eye, smiled languidly, and answered irrelevantly, “So your name is Chu Qiao. May I call you Xiao Qiao? Or perhaps Qiao’er?”
Chu Qiao suddenly felt cold, goosebumps covering her entire body. She frowned and said, “Chu Qiao is of humble status. My lowly name is not worthy of Your Highness’s remembrance.”
“Or shall I call you Qiao Qiao? That sounds more intimate.”
The woman’s face turned cold, and her patience diminished with time. She frowned and said, “If it is because of Chu Qiao’s offense against Your Highness that day that has led to Your Highness’s actions today, then Chu Qiao is willing to accept punishment. Please make your intentions clear, Your Highness.”
Li Ce turned a deaf ear and continued smiling, “Do you have any family members? Are your parents still alive?”
“Your Highness, please speak directly if you have something in mind. Chu Qiao is just a commoner, unworthy of such care from Your Highness.”
“When is your birthday? How old are you this year? I was born in July and am twenty-one this year.”
“Your Highness, what exactly do you want? Can we talk normally?”
“Where is your ancestral home? You look so beautiful and refined, not like a northerner, but more like a woman from our south. Has your father ever told you about it?”
“Crown Prince!”
“You look so beautiful even when angry. I truly have good taste!”
Half an hour later, Chu Qiao tried to communicate with Li Ce again. She very sincerely calmed her anger and said earnestly, “Crown Prince, what exactly do you see in me?”
Li Ce smiled gently: “I like everything about you.”
Chu Qiao knew she had misspoken and shook her head: “In other words, what exactly do you want to use me for? If you don’t want to marry a princess of Da Xia, there are many ways to avoid it. There’s no need to use me as a shield. I’m just a small commoner with no value to exploit.”
“Qiao Qiao,” Li Ce frowned, looking confused as he said, “I fell in love with you at first sight, yet you misunderstand me like this. I will be very sad.”
As if you’d be sad!
Chu Qiao suddenly realized that talking to normal people was a very pleasant thing, even if that normal person was your enemy. It wasn’t like now, where friend and foe were indistinguishable, and you couldn’t even figure out the other person’s attitude. She slowly exhaled, giving up the luxury of hoping to learn anything from Li Ce’s mouth. She sat quietly against the carriage, not even willing to open her eyes.
“Qiao Qiao,” Li Ce smiled faintly as he leaned forward, his voice bewitching, his tone frivolous, with an indescribable hoarseness and allure: “My hands are cold.”
After a long silence, followed by a “bang!” Crown Prince Li Ce instantly flew out of the carriage like a ball, crashing over the heads of many Bian Tang envoys and Da Xia attendants, landing hard on the ground headfirst.
“Who’s there?”
“Ah! Crown Prince!”
“Assassin! Protect His Highness!”
Chaotic shouts immediately rang out. Zhao Qi raised an eyebrow, drawing the long sword at his waist. His nerves, which had been tense for days due to Wei Shuyou’s disappearance, immediately tightened. He called to the attendants beside him and surrounded the ridiculously large carriage.
“A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!”
Li Ce got up clumsily while groaning in pain and staggered toward the carriage. Standing in front of the alert crowd with drawn swords, he hurriedly said, “I was just careless and lost my balance. It’s nothing, nothing.”
Everyone frowned and looked at each other in bewilderment, staring at the completely motionless carriage, not knowing what to say.
Lost his balance? This carriage was moving slower than a person walks—who would lose their balance and fly out of it?
“It’s fine, everyone, don’t be nervous.”
Li Ce lifted the hem of his robe, smiling as he climbed back into the carriage, waving repeatedly at the crowd.
Zhao Qi’s face was cold, and his tone gloomy as he said deeply, “Crown Prince, please sit tight. The road is difficult to travel, so please be careful.”
As soon as the curtain was lowered, Li Ce immediately grimaced and rubbed his arm, looking resentfully at Chu Qiao sitting coldly to one side. Pouting, he said, “Qiao Qiao is too ruthless. Treating your future husband like this will bring bad karma.”
Chu Qiao narrowed her eyes, looking at him coldly, and said in a deep voice, “Men and women should maintain proper distance. Please conduct yourself with dignity, Your Highness.”
“Qiao Qiao, help me apply medicine.”
Li Ce took a white porcelain bottle and pitifully moved closer, extending his arm which was oozing blood from the fall.
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow but didn’t move.
“I’m doing this for your good,” Li Ce said. “If others see that I’m injured again, you’ll surely be implicated.”
Chu Qiao sighed, snatched the porcelain bottle, roughly pulled his arm, and began applying medicine.
Li Ce’s scream immediately rang out. Zhao Qi and others walking outside, hearing the ghost-like wailing from inside, frowned more deeply, their faces ashen.
The sky was blue, the clouds white, the air fresh, and the afternoon sun warm. Birds circled freely in the sky. On both sides of the official road, many commoners who hadn’t had time to avoid the procession knelt, properly lowering their heads and appearing humble, but when they heard the sounds from above, they secretly raised their eyes.
Tonight would be the welcoming banquet personally hosted by Emperor Zhao Zhengde of Da Xia for Crown Prince Li Ce of Bian Tang. At that time, the entire court of civil and military officials, as well as royal relatives, would attend. Even the rarely seen royal family members, noble ladies, princesses, and young ladies would be present.
Ostensibly to welcome Crown Prince Li Ce, it was preparation for the future marriage alliance.
After all, Crown Prince Li Ce had traveled abroad for many years and was still unmarried. Whoever he chose would become the Queen Mother of Bian Tang.
The royal family of Da Xia would immediately gain a powerful external ally, which would be an immeasurable help when facing the covetous court clans.
In an instant, all the princesses of the royal family became tense, painting their eyebrows, combing their hair, wearing colorful clothes—the scent of rouge perfumed the Chishui River, creating an atmosphere of extravagant splendor.
However, none of them knew that the woman who had already been designated was now being escorted by the unscrupulous perpetrator, slowly approaching the Sacred Golden Palace.
Winter’er arrived home at seven-thirty and rushed to write this chapter by nine. The word count is small, just a transition. There will be another chapter update tonight, but it will be very late, so don’t wait—just come back tomorrow morning to read it.