In front of Guangyang Gate.
Xiao Zhenhuai and Xiao Chonghua stood before the assembled civil and military officials, waiting to welcome the envoys from Great Xia, led by Princess Huaiwan.
Earlier that day, when the Great Xia scouts arrived with the news, they had frankly told Xiao Ao that Luo Yueyue was the leader of the mission.
Therefore, Xiao Ao specifically sent these two princes to receive her.
If Xiao Mingxu hadn’t been confined to his quarters, the position of honor would have been his.
Now, beaten by Xiao Ao until he was nearly crippled and confined to the palace, forbidden from seeing visitors, he probably wouldn’t be able to leave the palace for at least six months.
Jiang Xingyan glanced at Xiao Zhenhuai’s back, which he was making an effort to hold straight. She felt he was weighed down by heavy thoughts, deliberately avoiding her gaze.
This was a far cry from the open and composed person he was in Qingzhou.
Xiao Chonghua, on the other hand, seemed much calmer and more composed after being punished.
He was dressed appropriately, stood properly, and was neither showing off nor scheming against others.
He actually had a bit of the demeanor befitting a ruler of a nation.
Jiang Xingyan looked up at the gradually setting sun, calculating that over half an hour had already passed, and it would soon be the start of the Xu hour (around 7 PM).
Just after the Start of Summer, the weather was getting hot. It felt like rain was coming, heavy and stifling.
The assembled military officers, wearing thick armor, were already covered in a thin layer of sweat.
They were mostly simple, rough men, unacquainted with the intricacies of the court.
All they knew was that they were fed up with the Great Xia envoys’ haughty display of superiority.
“Really putting on airs.”
“Exactly, acting all high and mighty!”
“General Huo, be the judge for us. Isn’t Great Xia just—”
“Quiet down! They’re here.”
Looking into the distance, a procession of carriages slowly approached.
The lead carriage, pulled by four white dragon steeds, advanced slowly.
The white dragon steeds were all tall and broad-faced, very majestic in appearance.
Their bodies were completely without a single hair of another color, so pristine white they dazzled the eyes even without sunlight.
Around the carriage followed over a dozen masked guards, encircling it.
Two young servant girls flanked the rear of the carriage, continuously scattering flower petals on the ground where the wheels had passed.
The corner of Jiang Xingyan’s mouth twitched.
Quite the grand spectacle.
There were five carriages in total, lined up one after another, unhurriedly approaching Guangyang Gate.
The officials fell silent. Xiao Chonghua stepped forward a few paces.
“Second Prince and Third Prince of Western Zhou, here to respectfully welcome the Great Xia envoy!”
“We respectfully welcome your arrival!”
The officials bowed in unison.
From the small left window of the fourth carriage, a delicate jade-like hand extended, making a gesture to rise.
“Fellow countrymen, no need for such formalities.”
“Respectfully inviting the envoy to Weiyang Palace. His Majesty has prepared a welcoming banquet, awaiting your arrival.”
“Since that’s the case, this princess will alight and accompany you.”
The clear and melodious voice from the carriage was unmistakably the same woman who had so vehemently defended the old man that day.
Xiao Chonghua was about to object when Luo Yueyue had already lifted the carriage curtain and leaned out most of her body.
One glance was enough to startle both Jiang Xingyan and Xiao Chonghua.
At this moment, Luo Yueyue was wearing a mask made of pure gold.
Set in the center of her forehead was a ruby larger than a chicken egg.
The tassels hanging down on either side were strung with pearls the size of thumbs.
It concealed her originally beautiful and peerless features, but did nothing to diminish the awe she inspired in others.
She wore an extraordinarily magnificent purple cloud-patterned robe with a long-tailed phoenix design, its wide sleeves flowing gracefully. Over it was a luminous, misty silk cloak. She was the picture of elegance and nobility, striking awe at first sight.
After her initial shock, Jiang Xingyan suddenly understood her intention.
Simply put, she didn’t want to reveal her appearance too soon.
After all, this was Western Zhou, and she couldn’t be sure how many people here had seen Jiang Xingyan’s face.
If news accidentally reached her adoptive father’s ears too early, it would be extremely disadvantageous for her.
After his own initial awe, Xiao Chonghua was pondering something else entirely.
By not showing her true face, wasn’t Princess Huaiwan indicating she didn’t want people to know she was the one who defended the old man that day?
This indirectly showed her position of not wanting to pursue responsibility against the instigator behind the scenes.
Thinking this, Xiao Chonghua narrowed his eyes.
It seemed his useless eldest brother was indeed lucky.
The group escorted Luo Yueyue towards Weiyang Palace.
Xiao Chonghua constantly introduced various aspects of the palace to her.
Although Luo Yueyue responded to every remark, anyone paying attention could tell she was rather uninterested.
Instead, seizing a moment, she turned her head and asked Jiang Xingyan, “This General is truly tall and imposing, yet with such strikingly handsome features. Could you be the famously renowned ‘Young Lord of Zhou,’ General Huo Ci?”
Xiao Chonghua’s face instantly darkened.
Jiang Xingyan, meeting his murderous glare, nodded in acknowledgment. “The Princess flatters me. How could I, Huo Ci, compare to the esteemed Grand Governor of our predecessors?”
Luo Yueyue gave a charming smile. “General Huo is modest, polite, and truly embodies the bearing of a gentleman.”
Unsure how to respond, Jiang Xingyan simply cued her hands and offered a polite smile.
With this interruption, Xiao Chonghua couldn’t very well say anything more, and could only lead Princess Huaiwan to Weiyang Palace with a stiff expression.
Xiao Ao had been waiting early, seated on his dragon throne.
He was pondering how to give an explanation to this sole princess of Great Xia.
He couldn’t really demand his eldest son’s life, could he?
Consort Li had been pestering him since noon, and that coquettish charm was indeed something he liked.
Wait, he thought he knew who his eldest son took after with that foolishness.
“Princess Huaiwan requests an audience!”
Even though Western Zhou was also a nation, and Luo Yueyue’s status was noble, she was still just a princess.
The formalities upon meeting Xiao Ao could not be omitted.
“Huaiwan pays respects to Your Majesty, the Emperor of Western Zhou. May the dragon’s health be robust, and may your blessings and longevity be everlasting! May the people of Western Zhou live in peace, and may the nation’s fortunes be eternally prosperous!”
Xiao Ao immediately noticed the mask on Luo Yueyue’s face, and his heart relaxed considerably.
Since she wasn’t revealing her true face, he certainly wasn’t going to rush to present his son for her scrutiny.
“His Majesty, the ruler of Great Xia, is far-sighted and possesses grand strategies. Sending you, Princess Huaiwan, to lead the envoy delegation truly shows his sincerity and has given me, the Emperor, great face!”
Luo Yueyue bowed humbly. “I dare not accept such praise. It is Your Majesty of Western Zhou who is magnanimous and values peace above all, repeatedly considering the welfare of the people, ceasing hostilities, and agreeing to stop the war.”
Xiao Ao didn’t take her bait directly, instead laughing it off. “Princess Huaiwan truly lives up to your reputation as Great Xia’s foremost talented woman. Every word is a gem, eloquence like a blossoming lotus. I am truly impressed. Please, be seated!”
Luo Yueyue sneered inwardly: Old fox, quite slippery, aren’t you?
Her seat was opposite the Empress, demonstrating the great importance and respect accorded to her.
Luo Yueyue, naturally not one to lose face, immediately raised her cup and began the toasts. “Huaiwan has traveled a thousand li to be here; it is only fitting I toast Your Majesty, the Emperor of Western Zhou, with a strong cup of wine. I thank Your Majesty for valuing Huaiwan so highly; I am deeply grateful.”
With that, she tilted her head back, downed the cup of wine, and with a smile playing on her lips, showed the empty luminous cup to everyone.
The assembled civil and military officials stood up in unison, holding their own cups, and following Xiao Ao’s reciprocal praises, all drank deeply.
“For the second cup, Huaiwan wishes to toast Her Majesty, the Empress of Western Zhou. Huaiwan has been without parents since childhood, fortunate to be taken in by my adoptive father, gaining a family. Seeing you today, Your Majesty, I feel a great closeness. If my adoptive mother were still alive, I imagine she would be just as kind and benevolent, a mother to the nation just like you.”
Jiang Xingyan’s hand, holding her wine goblet, tightened.
Fortunately, it was made of bronze, or it would have shattered long ago.
Who did she think she was? Who did Luo Hanshan think he was? How dare they mention her mother?!
The Empress beamed with joy.
What could be more delightful than such praise from the highly esteemed Princess Huaiwan?
Seated below, Xiao Chonghua’s eyes lit up.
Could it be—
“I wonder if Huaiwan might be permitted to become sworn siblings with the Third Prince? That way, I would also have a family here in Western Zhou?”
Xiao Chonghua’s face fell instantly.
Even the smile on the Empress’s face froze slightly.
It was Xiao Ao who stepped in to smooth things over. “Such a significant matter, I and the Empress dare not decide on our own. We would need to consult with His Majesty, the ruler of Great Xia, first.”
This glossed over the request.
And also dashed Xiao Chonghua’s extravagant hopes of reaching the top in one move.
Xiao Ao was inwardly startled: This Princess Huaiwan was truly remarkable.
With just a few words and a smile, she had gracefully and without offense rejected the Third Prince’s foolish wish, while maintaining all propriety. Excellent skill!
A smile played on Luo Yueyue’s lips. Her beautiful eyes swept around, finally resting warmly on Jiang Xingyan.
“This third cup of wine, then. Huaiwan still wishes to toast Your Majesty of Western Zhou, because I have a request that requires Your Majesty’s gracious approval!”
Xiao Ao’s interest was piqued.
What could Princess Huaiwan possibly need from him? What could Western Zhou possibly possess that Great Xia did not?
Luo Yueyue paused briefly, her gaze dropping slightly, her head gently bowed, adopting the manner of a shy, young girl.
“Huaiwan wishes to beg Your Majesty for a marriage blessing!”
As soon as the words were spoken, the entire hall was stunned.
Xiao Ao forcefully suppressed his shock, asking kindly, “Oh? This is indeed wonderful news! Which young man has managed to catch the eye of Princess Huaiwan?”
Luo Yueyue’s voice was not loud, her tone shy yet firm: “Huaiwan admires General Huo Ci. I beg Your Majesty of Western Zhou to grant this union!”