Chapter 46 – Princess Wants to Choose a Husband
Yan Feng sat alone in the Imperial Study, staring at Sonorous in front of him. His eyes when looking at the qin wasn’t sad as they used to be, but instead laced with a faint smile. He recalled Murong Zhining’s graceful posture when she played the qin, and her sulky pout when she was unwilling to abide by his requests. Yan Feng thought the time was ripe. He couldn’t wait to go to Shangxia and ask for her hand in marriage.

“His Majesty the Retired Emperor has arrived!”

Yan Feng was jolted awake from his sweet thoughts.

“Your imperial son greets you, father. What makes you personally come here to Wan’an Palace?”

Yan Han looked at him with kind eyes. “I know you’re busy with national matters, so I couldn’t bear to send people and disturb you. I’ve come to discuss Jingrong’s marriage with you. I want to recruit Wu Siyuan, nephew of Commandery Prince Yan, to be Jingrong’s husband.”

Yan Feng suspiciously turned his eyes in a brief ponder. “General Wu’s accomplishments fall short. He isn’t as suitable as General Chiyun. Besides, you know Jingrong has always been deeply in love with General Chiyun, so why would you make such an arrangement?”

“I think that General Chiyun is a little too unbridled and not as gentle as General Wu. As such, General Wu is more suitable for Jingrong.” Yan Han’s words seemed out of sync with his internal thoughts.

Yan Han’s arrangement would not only resolve Yan Feng’s decreed marriage, but also compensate for what Chiyun Nan and Chiyun Yuexuan had to go through.

Yan Feng didn’t know what his father was thinking, but he dared not disobey nonetheless. “I will listen to your arrangement. However, it’s time for General Chiyun to get married. Who do you think would be a suitable woman for him?”

A hint of sadness flashed almost imperceptibly in Yan Han’s eyes. “That’s right… Who can be worthy of my Xuan… oh no, General Chiyun? Let me think about it some more after I go back to my place.”

Capital of Nanjin. Inside Fuyi Palace.

Murong Ruoyu’s eyes were full of smiles. “In a few days, your father is having a special birthday party celebrating his turning 45. All of the important court officials and the top four prestigious families are going to be present. Of these families, all unmarried young men over 18 years old will come per the invitation. From these noble juniors, your father hopes that you can choose someone you like to be your husband.”

Tuoba Lan chimed in excitement, “My brother must be among the invited.”

Murong Zhining played with her hair. “I don’t want to marry. I don’t want to come to the banquet.”

Murong Ruoyu sighed softly. “Every inch of black hair laments the passage of time, a woman’s youth is limited. You should be accompanied by a person who loves you through the best years of your life, and that’s when it will be perfect.”

Murong Zhining shyly lowered her head. “I think that as long as you meet the right person, your entire life will be the best years of your life.”

Tuoba Lan nodded. “But Princess still needs to go find this person first, otherwise you’ll never come across him. Princess, let’s just go. It’s not like your father is forcing you to marry anyone, the decision is still in your hands.”

Murong Zhining blushed. “You want me to randomly pick out one from those men like choosing an object? That would be so unfair to them!”

Murong Ruoyu shook her head with a smile. “My Ning’er is more than enough to deserve any man in this world.”

Tuoba Lan nodded approvingly. “Mhm, it’s their honor to be among your choices. But if you’re still thinking about General Chiyun then… there’s nothing to be done.”

Murong Zhining felt like her heart had been pricked by a needle. Before Tuoba Lan had mentioned him, Murong Zhining had almost forgotten that this person ever existed.

Once the gate of memory was opened, the pain came surging in. Murong Zhining suddenly had a change of heart. Perhaps recruiting a husband would be a good choice.

……

Tuoba Zhi was sitting leisurely in his study and stroking Phoenix Chant. When thinking that this name was graced by Murong Zhining, a satisfied smile crept onto his face.

Tuoba Lan entered the study. She sat down next to her brother and rested her cheek on her hand as she looked at him. However, Tuoba Zhi was too occupied by his own thoughts to notice her.

Tuoba Lan pouted. “Goodness! Can you stop treating me like air? I have been sitting here for half a day already.”

Tuoba Zhi awoke from his thoughts. “Hey! Our young miss has returned from the palace? What did you and Princess do today? Quickly tell your brother about it.”

Displeased, Tuoba Lan deliberately left him hanging, “I originally had some good news for you, but you ignored me. I’m angry, I don’t want to tell you anymore.”

Tuoba Zhi shook his head with a smile and continued to caress the qin.

Tuoba Lan grew impatient. “Ugh! In a few days, big sister’s father will choose a husband for her.”

Tuoba Zhi’s hands froze for a moment, but he spoke like he didn’t care, “What does that have to do with your brother?”

Tuoba Lan playfully ran up to Tuoba Zhi. “A piece of good news and a piece of bad news, which one do you want to hear first?”

“Bad news.” Tuoba Zhi helplessly shook his head.

“Big sis said she didn’t want to get married.”

“Good news,” said Tuoba Zhi after a quick pondering.

“His Majesty said that the candidates will be all unmarried juniors from 18 years old and above from the families of high-ranking court officials and the four great clans in the capital.”

Tuoba Zhi offered her a helpless smile, “How is this good news? If Princess doesn’t want to get married, then it can’t be considered good news. Besides, how does this have anything to do with me?”

“I don’t believe you aren’t tempted. Don’t you want to marry big sis?” Tuoba Lan grinned craftily.

“I do! But I’m not going.” Sorrow surfaced on Tuoba Zhi’s expression.

“If you don’t even dare to fight for it, you will never have a chance to marry her.”

“Can’t you see? Princess still has General Chiyun in her heart.” Tuoba Zhi shook his head regrettably.

“But… General Chiyun hurt her. Don’t tell me you’re too cowardly to go?”

“I don’t want to be like displayed goods waiting to be picked. It’ll hurt my self-respect.”

Tuoba Lan propped her cheeks. “Your tone is surprisingly similar to that of big sis. One said choosing a man to be her husband from a bunch would be unfair to those men, another said he didn’t want to be like goods to be picked and it would hurt his self-respect. Goodness! If there was no General Chiyun, you two would be a perfect match.”

Tuoba Zhi was all smiles. “You have keen eyes. For those eyes, your brother will reward you. What do you want?”

Tuoba Lan’s innocent face drifted off to reverie. “If you marry big sis and make her my sister-in-law, that’d be my biggest reward.”

Tuoba Zhi knuckled her head a little. “That’s too big of a reward, I’m afraid I can’t afford it!”

Tuoba Lan shot him a glare. “You have no ambition!”

Tuoba Zhi sank into contemplation. Murong Zhining’s kindness, beauty, talent, and wisdom, every single one of those qualities attracted him deeply. He considered himself a rational person and never let his feelings show; but, his heart surged for her. He adored Murong Zhining. However, she was like the bright moon in the sky, high off the ground and beyond his reach.

But what made Tuoba Zhi desperate wasn’t her princess status, but her eyes when she looked at Chiyun Yuexuan. It was a look with bone-deep hatred and absolute determination to break off, which, at the same time, betrayed the grief and unwillingness in her heart. That look not only deeply hurt Chiyun Yuexuan, but also painfully pricked him, Tuoba Zhi.

Tuoba Zhi was very clear that the mark Chiyun Yuexuan branded on Murong Zhining had gone deep into her bones, her heart. Regardless of whether it was love or hate, Murong Zhining would engrave Chiyun Yuexuan into her memory, an indelible memory that would accompany her for the rest of her life. Even if Murong Zhining was willing to lower herself to be with him, he wasn’t confident that he could replace Chiyun Yuexuan.

Huayan’s Imperial Capital.

Inside Jingci Palace, Yan Han sat on the throne while his eyes lingered on Chiyun Yuexuan’s face.

With an amiable expression, Yan Han said, “I’ve heard that General Chiyun has rendered great service for Huayan in the past several years at the borders. I am gratified that Huayan has a brave young hero like you. I know you haven’t married and would like to appoint one for you. Do you have a girl on your mind, General?”

Chiyun Yuexuan rose to his feet and cupped his fists. “Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, I’m truly humbled! I’m still young, and I don’t want my ideals and ambition tied down by marriage.”

Yan Han’s eyes rested at Chiyun Yuexuan’s lapel, where Biwu was half-exposed. “What is that hanging on your chest? Let me take a look.”

Chiyun Yuexuan took off Biwu and presented it with two hands. “My father put it on me when I was little. He said it was a talisman to drive away evil and nothing unique.”

Yan Han caressed every inch of the pendant as memory flooded in.

At first, this jade phoenix leaf was something that Yan Han’s imperial mother had left for him. She said it was an extraordinary object that contained a great secret. Yan Han studied it for a long time without result. When thinking of his empress Ning Yuetong’s wisdom and erudition, he gave it to her so that she could slowly figure out the mystery hidden within.

There was a mix of complex and incomprehensible emotions on Yan Han’s face. “I heard from Commandery Prince Yan that you had soon lost this. How did you find it?”

An uncontrollable pain surfaced in Chiyun Yuexuan’s eyes. “That year, I gave the pendant to the person who saved my life. A few days ago, she returned it to me.”

Yan Han’s voice trembled, “Heaven had mercy to let my Xuan… General Chiyun escape such a tragedy. I must highly reward the person who saved you.”

He then reluctantly gave Biwu back to Chiyun Yuexuan. “From what I can see, this isn’t an ordinary object. You should study this jade piece when you have time, there might just be something hidden in it.”

In the end, Yan Han looked deeply at Chiyun Yuexuan with kind eyes. “If you have a girl you adore, you must tell me. I’ll definitely help you appoint a marriage.

Leaving Jingci Palace, Chiyun Yuexuan immediately headed towards Wan’an Palace. Yan Feng sent a eunuch to call him into the Imperial Study.

Yan Feng greeted him with a glare. “How did you pair of father and son bewitch the retired emperor? He actually wants to marry Princess Jingrong to Wu Siyuan.”

Chiyun Yuexuan replied with cupped fists. “But it turns out great, doesn’t it? General Wu is mature despite his young age. It won’t be long until he achieves success and builds a career. His ability is not any lower than me.”

Yan Feng threw Chiyun Yuexuan a disgruntled glare. “You’re actually very good at promoting your people. I never thought that you could move out even your vice general to resist marriage. Is there anything else that you don’t dare to do?”

Chiyun Yuexuan defended himself, “This has nothing to do with me. I’ve only learned of it when you told me just now.”

Yan Feng was dubious, then he understood. “If it’s not you, then it’s Commandery Prince Yan. Goodness! Just how much does that highly principled father of yours hate you? He would rather let someone else than you be the princess’ husband.”

Chiyun Yuexuan chuckled. “My father knows full well how undisciplined I am; he must be afraid that I would slight Princess Jingrong. The old man is wise.”

Nanjin Capital City, inside the Imperial Palace.

The grand yard of Linzhi Palace was brightly lit. Under rows and lines of hanging lanterns, over fifty banquet tables were arranged.

All the men sitting at the tables were well-dressed, except for one person. He only wore a pure white outfit with cloud patterns, a simple beaded crown was fixed on his head. The plain attire didn’t hide his luster within the group of people, and on the contrary, it made him stand out. The man gently fluttered his fan, looking elegant and handsome. It was Tuoba Zhi, who had decided to attend the emperor’s banquet today after much consideration.

Han Yao was situated in the middle of the yard, on a huge white marble, dragon-carved platform. Empress Murong Ruoyu was sitting next to him with a smile. The marble table in front of them was filled with a lavish array of dishes. On the right side of the marble table, there was a set of a rosewood table and chair, with the table also full of various dishes. This position was reserved for Murong Zhining, who was supposed to be the most dazzling host of tonight’s banquet.

From his throne, Han Yao said, “Today is my 45th birthday, and also the happiest birthday I have had in many years, because I have found my daughter, who had been separated from us for fourteen years, in Huayan. One of the reasons for this banquet is to celebrate my birthday, but another reason, which is more important, is to find a husband for my most beloved child Princess Fengyi. Of those sitting here, all unmarried young men from 18 years old up can stand for election. After the banquet, the young men who are eligible will be invited to Princess Fengyi’s Sangrou Palace. Now, please invite my Princess Fengyi and get the banquet started.”

“Her Highness Princess Fengyi has arrived!”

Eight built guards carrying a mahogany sedan entered the grand yard. Murong Zhining, clad in bright yellow embroidered palace attire, was sitting upright on the sedan. Her hair was tied up in a pair of delicate buns, adorned with few but intricate gemstone hairpins. Unlike everybody had imagined, she wasn’t dressed up luxuriously and complicated but instead looked cute and pretty in the way that befitted a girl of her age. Despite the simplicity of her getup, Murong Zhining amazed all and sundry, arousing gasps of exclamation from the surroundings.

Getting off the sedan with the maids’ support, Murong Zhining slowly walked onto the platform. After paying her respects to Han Yao, she sat down properly at the mahogany table. At this moment when all eyes gathered on her, she seemed to be even more dazzling than the brightest star in the sky.

As the banquet started, the noble juniors began to discuss in low voices. Everyone was guessing who would be the one to win the princess heart tonight.

Han Yao looked around at the young men in the yard as he and Murong Ruoyu softly chatted with smiles on their faces, seemingly discussing the future husband of their princess. Meanwhile, the noble young men below were shooting up looks of admiration at Murong Zhining on the platform.

Precious and lavish dishes were delivered one after another to the tables, but the young men here were too caught up in their own thoughts to enjoy them. Everyone was thinking of ways to catch Murong Zhining’s attention.

At this moment, a eunuch announced in a high-pitched voice, “Envoy of Huayan Country has come bearing birthday presents and is asking for attendance!”

Han Yao said in a booming voice, “Quickly invite them in.”