At the palace night banquet, some rejoiced while others worried.
In the elegantly arranged, cool palace hall, Noble Consort Liu wore snow-white brocade robes embroidered with silver phoenixes that trailed along the ground. Behind her, a palace maid carefully avoided the white hem as she inserted a silver butterfly tassel hairpin into her smooth black hair. Noble Consort Liu gazed into the mirror-bright bronze surface, her ice-snow features expressionless as she regarded her reflection.
“Your Grace, the Princess has arrived,” a nearby palace maid softly reported.
A faint warmth flickered in Noble Consort Liu’s cool eyes. “Let her in.” Soon after, a young girl in goose-yellow robes entered, standing timidly at the doorway as she looked at Noble Consort Liu before approaching and softly calling, “Mother…” Noble Consort Liu turned, reaching out to draw the girl before her. Looking at the features that somewhat resembled her own, she lowered her gaze to suppress the complex emotions in her eyes and asked gently, “Ning’er, why have you come to Mother at this time?”
The girl looked up at Noble Consort Liu and said quietly, “Sister Changle said she’s going to the banquet with the Empress. I want to go with Mother too.” Noble Consort Liu paused, frowning, “You’re still young. Tonight’s banquet is to welcome the Northern Rong prince – you need not attend.”
Tears of hurt welled up in the girl’s eyes. Sister Changle was only a year older than her, but the Empress often took her to banquets and to play, while her mother never wanted to take her along or play with her. She knew Mother didn’t like her… Seeing tears fall on the young face, Noble Consort Liu’s expression softened slightly, but she quickly composed herself and said coldly, “Ning’er, are you now disobeying Mother’s words? Go back!” Seeing her daughter’s hurt and grieving expression, she finally paused and added quietly, “Return to your palace. The nursemaid will take you to the banquet later.” The girl wiped the tears from her face, sobbing, “Don’t be angry, Mother. I won’t go then. I’ll go play with my brothers…” She turned and ran out stumbling.
The hall fell silent. Noble Consort Liu’s head palace maid frowned and said softly, “Your Grace, aren’t you being too…”
Noble Consort Liu turned away and said flatly, “Enough. Help me with my appearance.”
Seeing her response, the palace maid dared not advise further. Looking back at the now-empty doorway, she sighed inwardly. Compared to how the Empress treated the First Princess, her mistress was far too cold toward the Second Princess and even the two princes. When the princes and princesses grew up, their feelings toward their mother would surely be affected. But even if they tried to counsel her, Noble Consort Liu wouldn’t listen. The maid could only deftly arrange her mistress’s appearance. After Noble Consort Liu stood and checked the mirror one last time, she turned and said, “Let’s go.”
At the night banquet, the usual scenes of dancing, music, and toasting played out. Ye Li sat beside Mo Xiuyao, clearly aware that from the moment they entered the hall, one gaze had never left her. Looking up, she saw tonight’s key figure, Northern Rong’s Seventh Prince Yelü Ye, sitting opposite them. Seeing Ye Li look his way, Yelü Ye raised an eyebrow and lifted his wine cup in her direction. His unabashedly brazen gaze made Ye Li’s heart sink with displeasure. Since her marriage to Mo Xiuyao – no, since she could remember – no one had dared look at her so boldly. Seeming to sense Ye Li’s anger, Yelü Ye smiled and raised his brows, then turned aside to speak with those next to him.
Ye Li lowered her eyes calmly, looking down at her hands. Did Yelü Ye think she would make a scene right there?
A cool hand grasped hers. Ye Li looked up to see Mo Xiuyao’s gentle, concerned expression. Mo Xiuyao smiled and said softly, “Don’t be angry, wife. I’ll gouge out his eyes for you later.” Ye Li rolled her eyes at him, muttering, “He’s Northern Rong’s most favored prince. If you gouge out his eyes, won’t Great Chu and Northern Rong go to war?” Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly, “Who says it has to be done in Great Chu? When we’re in Northern Rong, I’ll still find a way to take his eyes as compensation to my wife.” Ye Li shook her head, “It’s nothing. Just return safely from Northern Rong, don’t cause extra trouble.” Mo Xiuyao gazed at her pleased expression deeply, “Is my wife worried about me? I’m so happy.” Ye Li couldn’t help pinching him – ever since that night at the Lantern Festival, he’d become increasingly theatrical, constantly calling her “wife” and referring to himself as “husband.”
Sitting above, Mo Jingqi saw their interaction. His originally handsome features twisted slightly as he turned to Noble Consort Liu and the Empress, smiling, “It’s been over a year since the Prince of Dingguo’s marriage, yet their love remains constant.” The Empress took a sip of wine, smiling faintly, “Your Majesty speaks truly. The Prince and Princess of Dingguo’s deep affection will surely become another beautiful tale in the capital.” Mo Jingqi nodded and smiled, “The Empress speaks well. Beloved Consort, what do you think?” Noble Consort Liu’s snow-white features remained cool and detached, “The Empress speaks truly.” Sitting below Noble Consort Liu, Beauty Wang looked between her and the prince and princess below, covering her mouth as she giggled, “I heard that Noble Sister Liu and the Prince of Dingguo were childhood sweethearts…” Before she could finish, Mo Jingqi’s gaze shot toward her like an arrow. Beauty Wang’s heart jumped, knowing she had misspoken but too frightened to know what to do. The Empress frowned slightly and said coolly, “If Beauty Wang cannot hold her wine, she should drink less. What nonsense are you speaking?” Though Beauty Wang’s face fell, she knew the Empress had helped her out of the situation and hurriedly agreed, lowering her head and not daring to speak further.
“Your Majesty,” From below, Yelü Ye suddenly stood up and called out clearly to Mo Jingqi above, “Our Crown Prince’s consort passed away early this year. My royal father, mindful of our nations’ diplomatic ties, has promised to welcome the Great Chu princess with the full ceremonial honors of a Crown Prince’s primary consort. May this humble prince have the honor of meeting my future sister-in-law?”
Yelü Ye’s words caused an uproar in the hall. The difference between going as a consort to the Northern Rong king or as a prince’s wife, versus becoming the Crown Princess of Northern Rong, was as vast as heaven and earth. Even those who had already seen through this marriage alliance couldn’t help but be moved. What were daughters in a family for? Marriage alliances, to gain short-term benefits or connections. After all, who could expect a single woman to maintain lasting relationships? Even knowing that women sent for political marriages wouldn’t fare well in Northern Rong, if the benefits were sufficient, sacrificing one daughter would be completely worthwhile. Ye Li was surprised and looked sideways at Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and said softly, “The difference between the ceremonial honors of a Crown Princess and official installation as Crown Princess is not small. Who says the Northern Rong people are straightforward warriors who don’t understand scheming?”
Ye Li suddenly understood. Indeed, she had momentarily forgotten about the royal golden books that existed in all royal courts, including the supposedly barbaric Northern Rong. Without official entry in the golden books, it was like not being recorded in the ancestral shrine or clan records in Great Chu’s commoner families. Never mind the ceremonial honors of a Crown Princess – even if she were welcomed with empress’s honors, it wouldn’t count. Ye Li recalled how Mo Xiuyao had spread the word that Yelü Ye would personally select candidates. While choosing ordinary consorts or princesses might not be allowed, it would be unreasonable to prevent them from previewing the future Crown Princess of Northern Rong – their future empress – especially given that Great Chu had no suitable princess to offer. Ye Li gave Mo Xiuyao a meaningful look, openly mocking his failed scheme. Mo Xiuyao remained unperturbed – since Great Chu had to marry off a woman to Northern Rong, and since Yelü Ye dared to openly offer the position of Crown Princess, he didn’t mind letting him choose a satisfactory candidate within certain limits. “Wife, you should worry about Miss Hua instead. If Yelü Ye chooses personally, there’s a seventy percent chance he’ll pick Hua Tianxiang.” If he learned of Hua Tianxiang’s good relationship with A-Li, that seventy percent might rise to ninety.
Ye Li frowned slightly, “Then I trouble my lord to make sure the Northern Rong prince understands the importance of selecting a Crown Princess of noble royal descent.”
Mo Xiuyao shook his head and smiled softly, “If Yelü Ye himself were the Crown Prince, he might choose someone of royal descent, but he’s choosing Yelü Hong. Hua Tianxiang may not be of royal blood, but she is the Empress’s niece – her status isn’t low. Moreover, there’s a good chance this could drive a wedge between the Emperor and the Hua family. Remember, though Old Duke Hua no longer takes the field, his influence in the military remains strong. Once Hua Tianxiang marries into Northern Rong, the Hua family will be of no help to Yelü Hong.” Ye Li lowered her eyes in thought for a moment before looking up to ask, “What if he learned that Tianxiang might become a great help to Yelü Hong after becoming Northern Rong’s Crown Princess?” Mo Xiuyao rubbed his forehead in thought and smiled, “That… might work. It depends on whether we can fool Yelü Ye.”
Mo Jingqi was caught off guard by Yelü Ye’s sudden declaration, taking a moment to recover before smiling, “Does Prince Yelü truly mean this?”
Yelü Ye replied with complete sincerity, “Of course it’s true. This humble prince has come personally on my father’s orders to welcome the Great Chu princess – isn’t this enough to show our sincerity?”
Mo Jingqi’s eyes flickered slightly as he looked toward Ye Li, who sat to the side speaking with Mo Xiuyao, “Princess of Dingguo, you were originally in charge of this matter. Do you have candidates in mind for the marriage alliance?”
Ye Li silently cursed Mo Jingqi’s craftiness – she had submitted the list of candidates just that morning, yet now he was acting completely unaware. Standing up, Ye Li respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, indeed we have several candidates. Before entering the palace, I had already ordered the list submitted to Your Majesty. Perhaps Your Majesty has been too busy with state affairs to review it.” Yelü Ye smiled at Ye Li, raising his eyebrows, “Since the candidates haven’t been finalized, might this humble prince be permitted to participate in the selection?” You said I would personally select the marriage candidate – well, I’ll show you my selection. Though… the one in charge is the Princess of Dingguo. What an unexpected pleasure… Yelü Ye looked at the woman opposite him, calculating gleefully.
“Your Majesty, Prince Yelü is after all a foreign man. This would damage the reputation of our Great Chu’s young ladies,” spoke up an official whose daughter happened to be among the candidates. Never mind whether she would be chosen – if chosen, she’d likely never see her family again after going to Northern Rong as Crown Princess, and if not chosen, his daughter’s reputation would be ruined. How could she marry well after that?
“The Crown Princess of a nation is indeed a major matter. It’s appropriate for the Northern Rong prince to be concerned, as long as proper decorum is maintained,” Noble Consort Liu suddenly spoke.
The Empress couldn’t help but frown, glancing at Noble Consort Liu. For a Noble Consort to speak unbidden in such a setting, even one so favored, was improper. Mo Jingqi looked at Noble Consort Liu with some surprise, but she maintained her cool expression, sitting properly beside him as if she hadn’t spoken at all. Looking at his beloved consort beside him, Mo Jingqi raised an eyebrow thoughtfully and smiled, “Since my beloved consort speaks thus, we shall proceed according to Prince Yelü’s request.”
Yelü Ye bowed with a smile, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Mo Jingqi smiled, “All this is for diplomatic relations between our nations. Prince Yelü need not stand on ceremony.”