Chapter 47 – Fourth Prince of Wuli Country
A man in Huayan’s official uniform entered the grand yard, behind him were a neat line of people carrying trunks of gifts. The line was long and one couldn’t see the end. Murong Zhining glanced over in surprise, much curious how Yan Feng knew today was her father’s birthday, and how his envoy came in such a timely manner.

After the envoy read aloud the present list, he added a congratulatory message, “Hearing that today is Your Majesty’s birthday, my emperor has especially sent me to deliver the gifts. On behalf of my emperor, I wish Your Majesty the rising sun and the full moon . May your life be endless as the South Mountain, your country to never wane and never fail. May you be luxuriant like cypress, to be passed down for posterity.”

Han Yao was delighted. “When my Fengyi was in Huayan, your emperor was kind enough to take care of her. I was already more than grateful when your emperor returned her to her home. Yet, he even graciously gives me his blessing today. Please, Envoy, send my gratitude to your emperor. My Shangxia wishes to be friends with Huayan for generations to come.”

The envoy sang a loud assent before withdrawing with cupped hands.

Right after that, the fourth prince of Wuli Country and their envoy also arrived with presents. After the envoy delivered congratulatory words, the fourth prince cupped his hands and said, “I, Fourth Prince of Wuli Gao Chenghao, heard that Your Majesty was recruiting a husband for Princess Fengyi. I admire Princess’ fine demeanor and peerless beauty, and would like her to be my royal consort .”

After Gao Chenghao finished his words, his beautiful bright eyes fell right on Murong Zhining in an unbridled manner.

Wuli Country’s Fourth Prince Gao Chenghao, wearing a pitch-black brocade robe with an animal pattern, possessed a pair of long sharp brows and bright clear eyes. At a glance, he looked charmingly handsome, noble and mysterious. Only, the way he stared at Murong Zhining revealed a hint of licentiousness. Priding himself on being the prince of the neighboring country, he was determined to win over Murong Zhining.

Han Yao smiled. “Your country and ours are friendly neighbors living in harmony. My beloved daughter, Princess Fengyi, is honored to have your affection. Still, the choice is up to her who her husband will be. If Your Highness fancies, you can thereafter go to Fengyi’s Sangrou Palace, where experts will arrange for the process. But first, please take your seat for dinner.”

Murong Zhining felt like her back was being pricked by thorns under the rampant eyes of Gao Chenghao. She took a quick glance at him and was met by those bright eyes. For an unknown reason, Murong Zhining was a bit frightened, as if under his handsome and refined appearance, she could vaguely see the restless heart of a beast. She couldn’t help but tremble a little.

All of the young men in the yard began to engage in heated discussions. Gao Chenghao’s joining the race added a heavy weight to their growing sense of crisis. On the contrary, Tuoba Zhi remained composed for he understood Murong Zhining very well. If she ever forgot Chiyun Yuexuan, then he, Tuoba Zhi, would be her best choice. If she couldn’t forget the guy, then no one would be able to enter her heart.

Everybody was nursing their own thoughts as they enjoyed the delicious food. When Murong Zhining’s eyes landed on the white-clad Tuoba Zhi, she was surprised at first, then curved her lips and gave him a faint smile.

As string music began to play, a group of children around 12 years old entered with lanterns in hand and danced the birthday dance. The cheerful music and the children’s lively dancing made people’s hearts relax. After the dance was finished, two of the children pulled open their lanterns, revealing a banner that said “Boundless happiness and longevity.” Han Yao was delighted and generously rewarded the children.

The following were routine birthday performances, during which all of the fidgety hearts only wished for this banquet to end quickly so that they could go to Sangrou Palace for the princess’ selection.

After the performances, everybody bowed to offer their blessings to Han Yao. The seniors remained at the tables and participated in various games with rewards, while those who qualified for the selection left their seats and headed off to Sangrou Palace.

The lights in Sangrou Palace were dim, emphasizing the vibrant rows of lanterns interlocked high in the air like a starry sky. Over the grand terrace of the sleeping chamber on the second floor, colorful lanterns were stringed into a huge dome. On four sides of the terrace, over twenty desks were arranged in a circle, with a temporary wooden platform in the center. On this exquisitely carpeted platform, a set of qin stand and stool was already set up, as well as an elegant qin on the stand. The young men partaking in the selection were respectfully led by the maids to the terrace where they sat down at the desks.

A total of eighteen noble young men had come to partake in the selection. Beforehand, those with short figures and inadequate looks had already withdrawn themselves from the race, feeling that they had no hope at all.

Tuoba Lan sat next to Murong Zhining as the princess’s close friend. She playfully blinked at Tuoba Zhi.

When the maids brought tea and pastries to the desks, Tuoba Lan stood up and said, “Thank you, gentlemen, for your presence at Princess Fengyi’s husband selection. Please have a cup of fragrant tea first. In a while, Her Highness will play an interesting game with you. If you gentlemen have talent on qin, chest, calligraphy or painting, feel free to display it so that everyone can enjoy together.”

Tuoba Lan personally poured tea for the guests, obviously making herself Murong Zhining’s maid-in-waiting. Tuoba Zhi helplessly shook his head and chuckled.

After finishing pouring everyone tea, Tuoba Lan announced, “Now, Her Highness will start off with a little game. The rules are simple. Princess will change into maid clothes and blend in with eleven others maids, whose faces will be covered with a silk cloth. If you can find Princess among the twelve, you will be qualified for the next round. Eliminated contestants cannot take part in the selection, but they can still stay and watch.”

The sound of discussion filled the terrace as the noble young men started whispering in groups. Tuoba Lan swept a glance around when someone suddenly caught her eyes. She knitted her brows, trying to recall where she had seen this person. She then walked up to him. “Excuse me, this gentleman, have we met somewhere before? Why do I find you so familiar?”

The young man lowered his head with a reddened face. “I am Wan Yuan, we have never met before.”

Tuoba Lan suddenly remembered. “It was you! How do you still have the guts to come to Princess’ husband selection?!”

Wan Yuan tensed his neck to retort, “I was blind to offend Princess on the Mid-Autumn Festival night. However, as a son of a noble family who meets all of the conditions, I naturally have the right to take part in the selection.”

Tuoba Lan angrily stomped her foot. “Princess isn’t blind, she’ll never choose you!”

Everyone burst into laughter. Fluttering his fan, Tuoba Zhi also followed the crowd and laughed.

Twelve young ladies, whose faces were covered in pink silk and wearing the exact same palace maid outfits, were escorted to the middle of the terrace.

Tuoba Lan swept a glance at the noble young men sitting in a circle. “Please write down the number of the lady who you think is Princess. For example, if you think she is the third one from the left, write 3. You can’t stand up and can only sit in your place to observe. Do remember to write your name on the paper as well.”

The maids delivered ink, a brush and paper to each desk.

Having written down their affirmed numbers, the young men put down the brush and waited for the result. Tuoba Lan collected the papers, then had the twelve ladies uncover their veils. After this round, a dozen were eliminated and only six chose right. The eliminated men, including Wan Yuan, unwillingly retreated to the back.

Wan Yuan had soon recognized Tuoba Zhi. In his grudge over failing right in the first round, Wan Yuan tried to delude the other, “Don’t be fooled, everyone! I know that man in the white outfit, he and Princess are acquainted. This selection must have been internally decided already.”

Tuoba Lan called the guards, “The selection for Princess’ husband is fair and open. Guards, throw this troublemaker out.”

Wan Yuan was hauled away from Sangrou Palace in a miserable fashion.

Tuoba Lan resumed, “Next, Her Highness will play a song for you. If any of you can recognize the song, you can sit down at the same table with her and have a nice talk over tea.”

Exclamations of envy and admiration for the future lucky ones instantly sounded.

Murong Zhining, having changed into a formal palace attire, walked onto the platform and sat down properly on the qin stool. Her slender hands gracefully picked the strings, and a melody flowed out from where her fingers touched. The music was like singing of a dragon in shallow water, at times cheerful, at times sad. Murong Zhining’s eyes sparkled with confidence. She believed that no one could recognize this song.

After the song was over, four of the remaining six man stood up and bowed their heads, indicating their direct renounce from the selection. The other two smiled as they submitted their paper. One clad in black and one in white, both of them looked extraordinary and handsome.

A maid brought the two pieces of paper to Murong Zhining, who instantly revealed a surprised look upon seeing the answers. On each paper were two words written in beautiful calligraphy – “Stranded Jiaolong.”

Tuoba Lan stood up and announced, “Everyone, you can now leave. The two gentlemen with the right answer may stay and accompany Princess for a tea talk.”

The crowd left Sangrou Palace crestfallen. The maids respectfully led Tuoba Zhi and Gao Chenghao to a table.

Gao Chenghao stared intently at Murong Zhining with rampant eyes. “Does Princess honestly want to recruit a husband, or are you just toying with me?”

Murong Zhining smiled beautifully. “My imperial father didn’t give me an order to pick out a husband among you guys. Even if becoming a princess’ husband is out of the question, I still want to be friends with Fourth Prince.”

A hint of a meaningful smile flashed in Gao Chenghao’s eyes. “I won’t be satisfied with just being friends alone.” He waved his arm, and suddenly out of thin air, a beautiful red rose appeared in his hand. He bent down politely and offered the flower to Murong Zhining. “In our country, this flower represents a man’s adoration for a woman. Please accept it.”

Tuoba Lan exclaimed, “Goodness! That was formidable! How did a flower just come out of nowhere? If it wasn’t for the fact that I had seen magic tricks some days ago in Xingzhou, I would have thought that you were an immortal.”

Out of courtesy, Murong Zhining received the flower.

Gao Chenghao waved his arm again in front of Tuoba Lan. This time, a yellow flower appeared in his hand. He offered it to Tuoba Lan. “In our country, a rose of this color is for sisters.”

Tuoba Lan happily accepted the flower. Tuoba Zhi slightly creased his brows. A vague feeling told him this Fourth Prince Gao Chenghao was going to be one troublesome fellow.

Murong Zhining had the maids poured hot tea for the four of them, then made an inviting gesture at the tea. “How does Fourth Prince know of this ‘Stranded Jiaolong’ melody? As far as I’m aware, this song has been lost.”

Gao Chenghao offered her a charming smile. “If Princess wants to know, please invite me to your palace alone next time. At the moment, I want to go to your imperial father and discuss about our marriage with him.”

Putting her hands on her hips, Tuoba Lan flared, “What marriage? Our princess hasn’t agreed to marry you!”

Gao Chenghao’s eyes kept lingering on Murong Zhining’s face. “In our country, when a woman accepts a man’s red rose, that means she has consented to his proposal.”

Tuoba Zhi fluttered his fan with a look of contempt. “Then let me tell you about a rule in our country. When a woman receives a red rose from a man, it means she has rejected his proposal.”

Gao Chenghao laughed out loud. “And yet just now, when that gentleman said you knew Princess, I didn’t believe it. Are you guys ganging up to bully people? Since you are acquainted with Princess, you naturally learned of this song, while I’m the only one who truly recognizes it with my own knowledge. Am I right, Princess?”

Murong Zhining frowned. “Fourth Prince has misunderstood. While Mister Tuoba and I know each other, I’ve never mentioned this song to him before. I will certainly call you for a personal meeting someday soon. It’s not early anymore, please go back, Fourth Prince.”

Gao Chenghao looked a bit angry. “I’ll take my leave. Please don’t forget what you’ve said just now, Princess. I’ll be waiting for your summons.”

After Gao Chenghao left, Tuoba Lan pouted, “This fellow is so difficult.”

Murong Zhining retracted her gaze. “How did you know this song, Mister Tuoba?”

Tuoba Zhi blushed red. “Please forgive me, Princess! When you stayed at my manor, I came to look for you one time in your room when you happened to be absent. I saw an old sheet music on the table and took a look out of curiosity. To tell the truth, I didn’t recognize that music score then. After I consulted a large number of old books on the subject, I found a picture of a remnant page that looked exactly like your music score. The name above the score was ‘Stranded Jiaolong’ from the Qin Dynasty. Aside from that, no other records have been found.”

Murong Zhining nodded thoughtfully. “This song has been lost, but it’s related to a huge secret of my mother’s ancestors. I have to ask Gao Chenghao for more information on it.”

Tuoba Zhi looked at Tuoba Lan. “Lan’er, you first withdraw, I have something to say to Princess in private.”

Tuoba Lan complained as she left, “You really don’t regard me as your sister, what is there that you can’t say in front of me?!”