On the day of the summons at Guang Han Palace, the marriage envoys, dressed in splendid attire and exuding elegance, set out from the embassy. Each girl looked more beautiful and dignified than the last, attracting the attention of passersby, creating quite a spectacle.
“Na Shou, this king really loves showing off!” Qing Yi and the other maids, also dressed in stunning outfits for the first time, couldn’t help but express their thoughts as they took in the grandeur of the event.
“Silly girl, this isn’t showing off!” Huang Bei Shuang turned her head and smiled slightly. She looked especially captivating today, having deliberately dressed to highlight her charm. That smile alone caused a stir in the crowd, drawing even more people to gaze at her in awe. But she remained unfazed, turning her attention back to the surroundings as she sat on horseback. “He’s showing his people the spectacle of envoys from all over coming to pay tribute. A clever king with a calculated plan!”
“Na Shou, are you thinking about something?” Qing Yi observed her closely.
“Hmm… A wise king often distrusts those who are too clever,” Huang Bei Shuang replied, her mind deep in thought.
“What do you mean?” Qing Yi asked.
“We must be cautious going forward. A desire for beauty is natural, but we must avoid any thoughts of gaining the upper hand,” Huang Bei Shuang answered.
Qing Yi fell silent for a moment, her expression hesitant. “Na Shou... there's something I don’t know if I should say.”
Huang Bei Shuang smiled, “Go ahead, once we enter the palace, we must strive to be mindful of our words.”
“Na Shou... last night, you were dreaming, weren’t you?” Qing Yi asked cautiously.
“I don’t know, why?” Huang Bei Shuang replied.
“You kept calling out Lord Qing’s name all night,” Qing Yi replied carefully, glancing at Huang Bei Shuang’s face for a reaction.
“Really? It seems my self-discipline still needs work.” To Qing Yi’s surprise, Huang Bei Shuang answered with ease, showing no discomfort. She laughed heartily, and seeing her openness, the maids relaxed and no longer felt uneasy.
But what kind of feeling was it, calling out in a dream?
Huang Bei Shuang didn’t dare delve too deeply into it, fearing that if she did, she might give in to the reckless urge to abandon everything and follow Qing Yun to the ends of the earth. Such an impulse seemed foolish—after all, she barely knew him.
Who was he? Where did he come from? Where was he going?
She knew nothing. Despite their undeniable connection, they were strangers in every other sense.
The grandiosity of the royal palace was like the sea and stars, majestic and awe-inspiring. In the Guang Han Hall, civil and military officials stood in solemn lines on either side, leaving only a long red carpet leading to the golden throne. Seated on the throne, adorned in regal robes, was King Na Zhan, his presence commanding respect. His eyes gleamed with authority, and his brow carried the unmistakable pride and charm of an emperor.
Everyone looked on eagerly as the marriage envoys gracefully entered, one after another. The officials, filled with pride, showered them with praise. After all, how many kingdoms in this vast desert could command the allegiance of so many nations?
Only Yunpei!
The girls knelt in neat rows, beginning with Princess Yu Qiang of Masui, as they each, in order of rank, stepped forward to present themselves.
“I am Yu Qiang, from Masui! On behalf of my brother, the king, I offer sincere admiration and friendship to Your Majesty.”
Though Princess Yu Qiang’s voice trembled and her face paled slightly under the overwhelming atmosphere, she maintained her dignity as a princess, bowing gracefully and delivering her message with poise. However, her maids, unlike their mistress, were flustered, nervously stepping forward with offerings of gold and jewels, their foreheads damp with sweat, terrified of making a mistake.
A soft laugh came from one of the concubines beside the king, who whispered something to him. Na Zhan chuckled and nodded, prompting the concubine to say aloud, “I heard you were quite at ease in the ambassador’s residence, even beating up several people! Now that I see you, you’re not so fierce after all! His Majesty has agreed to let you stay with me for a while. After the ceremony, come with me. Once you’re familiar with the rules of Guang Han Palace, then you can serve His Majesty.”
Princess Yu Qiang was shocked, unable to believe that despite her noble status, she was publicly humiliated like this. It was a stark warning—this was not Masui.
Yu Qiang, her face flushed with embarrassment, retreated to the side. The other envoys felt a sense of satisfaction, thinking that even she had her moment of humiliation. Yet, when they looked at the concubine who had delivered the scolding, they realized she was stunningly beautiful, her delicate elegance complementing the king. Their earlier glee quickly faded—how could any of them hope to match such beauty? The dream of becoming a royal consort seemed ever more distant.
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