Chapter 5: Eldest Sister's Marriage (2)
It was on the third night of the foreign princesses' arrival in the Kingdom of Xin that a welcoming banquet was held. Of course, every noble of the Kingdom were invited. Some of the nobles came simply because they don't want to insult the emperor while others used the banquet to further their personal or political plots.
As for the ones in the younger generation or the same generation as the princesses, they were simply curious as to what these three royal sisters look like. They want to verify if what the rumor crawling in the vineyard is true - that the three sisters' beauty can ruin a country!
The three sisters were also in attendance at the banquet. A silk screen was put up in front of them, not allowing another person in the banquet hall to gaze at their countenance. They weren't the only ones in the guest of honor, though. It seems that there were also two other princesses offered as a marriage tribute from another kingdom. Lou Yi thought of this as a sign that the Xin Kingdom is growing stronger. After all, tributes won't be given if Xin Kingdom is still on even standing as other kingdoms.
As for Qian Yu, she is slowly starting to get bored. Munching on the food elegantly plated in front of her only had its novelty while it lasted. Now, she had nothing better to do but to reflect on the plan they had cooked up days before the banquet.
"Such a happy occasion, but there isn't anything entertaining to watch.", she muttered to herself.
Apparently, her serious sister sitting to her right had heard of her complaints. She chastised her in a low voice.
"Keep your opinions to yourself, Qian Yu, if you don't want to attract troubles to yourself.", she said.
She coldly snorted at her sister.
To entertain herself, she roamed her eyes throughout the banquet hall. The screen wasn't actually all that much of a cover since there were slits here and there. With her past training, it is easy to see past the small fissures. She tried to familiarize herself with the faces of the people there. No one knows who might become an enemy or friend among these people.
It was a given that the emperor was the first one she observed. He looked younger than his age. He was good-looking and had that kingly aura that exudes confidence and charm. There is something about him that commands subservience from the people around him. Indeed, he is a prime example of an emperor.
Her breathing hitched when her eyes met with one of the men wearing armor at the other side of the hall. She can't be sure if he was really looking at her or if he had just accidentally looked at her direction as he immediately turned to the person he was talking to by his side.
She freely gazed at him as he was no longer looking her way. The guy was wearing a golden armor and his golden helmet with red feather was placed at the side of his table. He was sitting upright, making him look bigger than life. His face wasn't all that clear to Qian Yu but she knew that the guy was handsome.
What took her attention was not his physique but the air around him. He has that warring aura around him, pretty much like bloodlust and killing intent, but it was so vague no normal eyes could discern it. It was as if the man was suppressing the general's aura he was innately born with.
Observing that, Qian Yu couldn't help but raise a brow. This man couldn't possibly be the Great General, right?
Well, whether he is the Great General or not, it doesn't matter.
She resumed looking around. Aside from the emperor and the man earlier, Qian Yu also took notice of the man seated at the right side of the emperor but one step below. This man is probably the Prime Minister considering where he was seated.
Upon observation, this man's beauty can be described as bewitching. He seems more like a woman and not like a man at all. She softly chuckled at the thought of this man's marriage prospects.
Qian Yu was pulled out from her thoughts when they became the center of attention. She didn't know how that happened but she heard Lou Yi talking about them being tributes from their kingdom and coming here for a marriage match.
One thing about Qian Yu is that she is very sensitive to the changes in the air. It may be due to her background but she's really sharp in feeling the atmosphere. That is why she can't help but raise an eyebrow when she felt that the atmosphere in the banquet turned into a mocking one.
"Did these foreign princesses come to fish some men?", she heard one woman from the side whisper. It was supposed to be a whisper but it was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Qian Yu looked at her sisters. Lou Yi was just as calm as always but Rou Xi had her head bent.
"If Your Majesty, the Emperor, would allow this lowly one to speak.", she said.
Lou Yi and Rou Xi looked at her and she only smiled back, signaling for them to go along with her play.
"Do not be so polite, Princess.", the emperor agreed, still in his jovial mood. "What is it that you want to say?"
"Many thanks, Your Majesty.", she said while bowing her head in reverence. "As what was promised, we have indeed come here to Xin kingdom to fulfill a marriage match. This princess has come here to marry the Great General Chu Han Yun."
Qian Yu smiled widely when she heard the people in the banquet gasp. If they are going to marry, then they have to pick their own husbands. That was what Qian Yu and her sisters have decided. In her case, it is for the best if she can enter an army man's household. With her status as a princess, only the Great General is a good enough match.
She signaled to her sisters to follow her lead. Lou Yi heaved a sigh before indulging her. They weren't supposed to express this in the banquet. A more private setting was always preferable. But now that their headstrong elder sister took the plunge, they have no choice but to follow right after.
"This one has come to marry Prime Minister Xuan Xu Chen.", Lou Yi subsequently declared.
"T-this one...", Rou Xi faltered at her words. "This one has come to enter the inner palace."
Everyone was silenced by the three sister's bravery. Of course, it was unheard of for women to propose marriage themselves, much less in front of so many people in a banquet where an emperor of a kingdom is present. It is even more so when the marriage match declared was for the three powerful men of the kingdom.
"Speak of the reason for your marriage match.", the emperor said after a while. His tone now doesn't show a hint of any emotions.
"We three don't wish to marry the same husband.", was the simple reply that Qian Yu said.
"Isn't that preposterous?!", one of the officials at the other side exclaimed.
"Trying to climb into power when you are only foreign princesses, have you no shame?!", another one grumbled.
"Is there anyone else here in this banquet hall who can match our status aside from these three gentlemen then?", Lou Yi loudly asked to silence the grumbling old men at the side. Just like her, Lou Yi isn't the type to be easily bullied. "Or does the kingdom of Xin thinks that the three princesses of a vanquished kingdom are not worth much?"
"You-!"
"Silence!", the emperor growled. The men who were calling them out immediately clammed up and retreated.
"Princesses.", the emperor turned to them. "Isn't it a bit too early to decide on this matter?"
"It isn't, Your Majesty.", Lou Yi responded. "We have come here for a marriage match. Our arrival in this kingdom means that the time is ripe to decide our respective marriages."
"Or is it that the Prime Minister doesn't have the intention of accepting the match?", Qian Yu subtly challenged. She would have used the emperor as bait but she knew her head would roll off her shoulders immediately if she does so. "Or maybe it is the Great General who doesn't want to?"
"Are you threatening this one?", a sharp air cut through the atmosphere when the emperor said that. Qian Yu trembled inside but willed herself to not show it.
"Of course not, Your Majesty.", Qian Yu calmly replied. "A threat is when you can do something contrary if your demands aren't met. Unfortunately, these princesses don't have the power to threaten Your Majesty. It was only a question borne out of pure curiosity."
At the corner of her eyes, Qian Yu can see that the emperor's countenance had changed into a stern one. Her lips slightly curved up but not enough for anyone to notice.
The emperor was silent for a while, probably weighing the pros and cons in his head.
"This one hereby bestows Princess Qian Yu as furen to Great General Chu Han Yun and Princess Lou Yi as furen to Prime Minister Xuan Xu Chen. Princess Rou Xi shall enter the inner palace with the title of gui fei."
After clearly pronouncing the edict, the emperor stood and flicked his sleeve. He didn't look back and just left the banquet hall. His personal eunuch left with him but another one was left.
"Great General Chu, Prime Minister Xuan, and the three Zhao princesses, bow and receive the edict."
The three sisters stood up and faced the throne. At the corner of Qian Yu's eyes, she saw the man seated right below the throne as well as the man who wore the golden armor do the same.
"This one humbly accepts the edict. Many thanks to His Majesty.", they simultaneously uttered as they bowed down to the empty throne in front of them.
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