“As for the marriage envoys from slave tribes, generally speaking, their temperament and appearance are inferior, after all, they come from poor places. However…” Zhu Jun paused, seeming a bit excited.
“Two of them stand out exceptionally – one is Youjia from Zhenqu, and the other is Huang Beixhuang from Enani. In your servant’s opinion, not only can the noble princesses not compare, but even Your Majesty’s concubines might find it hard to match them!”
“Oh?” Now Na Zhan’s interest was piqued. He casually flipped to Youjia’s page, which described her as having a strong personality, fearlessly confronting anyone she disliked. She was a woman with character. In four days at the residence, she had subdued many vicious and harsh princesses. Her tribute gifts ranked tenth in quantity.
“Not bad! Quite interesting!” Na Zhan smiled, his royal dignity momentarily set aside, his whole body exuding sensual wickedness. He then waved his hand and turned to Huang Beixhuang’s page.
“Stayed at the residence for less than three hours, was beaten by Princess Ma Suiyuqiang, fled in tears. Disappeared for three days. Only appeared on the third night for roll call, with only eight guards and three maids. Her tribute gifts ranked last! Claimed to have encountered bandits and barely escaped.”
Na Zhan’s gaze grew solemn as he read, becoming unreadable.
“Where did she go for those three days away from the residence?” he asked leisurely.
“The city patrol reported that she was sightseeing all over Ningdu!” Zhu Jun answered truthfully.
“Sightseeing?” Na Zhan’s brow suddenly lifted. “Haha!” He laughed dryly, his true thoughts indiscernible.
“Zhu Jun, what’s your impression of her?” Na Zhan asked, his eyes not leaving Huang Beixhuang’s page.
“Your Majesty,” Zhu Jun pondered for a moment, “It’s hard to say. When I first saw her, she seemed graceful and at ease, a true lady! But in reality, it seems different… This girl was publicly humiliated by the overbearing Princess Ma Sui, yet she only fled in tears without a sound. Perhaps knowing her beauty invited jealousy, she didn’t dare return to the residence for three days. This was quite disappointing. I had thought she might rival Youjia from Zhenqu! But alas, she seems all show and no substance.”
“Hmph! Zhu Jun, how much benefit did you receive from Zhenqu? Know your place, don’t be too presumptuous!” Na Zhan’s gaze darkened.
Zhu Jun quickly knelt and replied, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger! My receiving benefits is one thing, but Youjia is truly extraordinary!”
“Where did she go?” Na Zhan asked again.
“Which one is Your Majesty asking about?” Zhu Jun asked cautiously.
“Huang Beixhuang!”
“Ah! First, she wandered around the city gate, then went to the marketplace and grain fields. On the second day, she visited the temple and the Sky-Reaching Tower. Lastly…” Zhu Jun paused here, observing Na Zhan’s expression.
“Where did she go?” Na Zhan asked, showing no displeasure.
“Finally, she went to the Founding Mausoleum!” Zhu Jun quickly replied.
“Hahaha!” Na Zhan burst into laughter, his voice quite arrogant. “Instead of fighting with those princesses in the residence, she spent three days outside getting to know Ningdu’s customs and history. This is no simple woman. Of all the marriage delegations to Yunpei, crossing the northern desert and encountering bandits, she’s the first to arrive safely!” Na Zhan’s voice sounded very pleased as if he had found something interesting, with a hint of anticipation.
The air echoed with Na Zhan’s enigmatic chuckle, which Zhu Jun couldn’t decipher.
At that moment in the residence, Huang Beixhuang and her three maids were packing, and preparing for the next day’s marriage ceremony. Eight guards were stationed in two shifts at the door, maintaining strict vigilance. This was perhaps the only quiet room in the residence; the other envoys’ rooms were quite lively, with many girls still rehearsing songs and dances to attract attention.
“Ye Pei, tomorrow depends on your performance. Are you nervous?” Huang Beixhuang sat on the bed, seemingly in a good mood.
“We’re not nervous at all! Which girl from Enani isn’t skilled in singing and dancing? Besides, we’ve had special training, why would we be afraid?” Ye Pei replied, somewhat indignantly.
“That’s right! But if Na Xiu herself were to perform, those princesses and ladies would be utterly humiliated! I’d like to see that!” Zai Ping chimed in, bringing a basin of water to wash Huang Beixhuang’s feet.
“Yes! I think so too! That Youjia from Zhenqu, with her heavy makeup, can’t even compare to Na Xiu’s little toe. I’m not satisfied with this!” Dao Qiu expressed her discontent.
The maids immediately started chattering non-stop, causing Huang Beixhuang to laugh softly. She thought, that even after facing life-and-death ordeals and an uncertain future, these girls were still girls, unable to shake off their childishness.
“Enough now,” Huang Beixhuang said, lying down. “Come up here! Let’s all sleep together tonight!” She patted the bedding, her expression very lively. The three didn’t hesitate to jump onto the bed, all snuggling under the covers together.
That night, only soft conversations could be heard under the moonlight.
“After three days of sightseeing, what are your thoughts? Tell me.”
“Hmm… I think it’s beautiful here, life seems very orderly.”
“It’s beautiful, but I find it too rigid, with too many rules.”
“I think… they seem to have everything here!”
As the maids shared their thoughts one by one, Huang Beixhuang smiled.
“Ye Pei, Zai Ping, Dao Qiu, do you know why the noble marriage candidates all have titles like princess or lady? Do you know why?”
“Because they’re from ruling tribes!” Ye Pei answered.
“Correct! So, if Enani were to give me a title, say ‘Princess’ for the marriage, do you know what would happen?” Huang Beixhuang spoke calmly, but her words carried weight.
“That would be rebellion! Punishable by death as a warning to others! Because we’re a slave tribe, and slaves must know their place!”
With these words, the three fell silent, their hearts conflicted.
“Remember this real experience. Once in the palace, you’ll understand even more deeply. You’ll see things you’ve never seen before in your life. You’ll feel a sense of majesty and ruthlessness from another world. Are you sure you won’t be nervous or afraid?”
Hearing this, the three fell silent. In the past few days of touring Ningdu, they had been shocked countless times by Yunpei’s grandeur, often standing dumbfounded. Were they not afraid? They didn’t know how to answer.
“Don’t be afraid!”