Chapter 31 - Emperor Tianwu

 This morning, Na Sheng brought the envoys of Beirong to Beijing, and Pei Xiuyan led hundreds of officials to the city gate to welcome them. The streets of Kyoto were empty and crowded. The people all wanted to see the legendary new emperor of Beirong.

Na Sheng brought two thousand guards, a dozen envoys, and his personal servants with him, a total of only more than two thousand people, but there were more than fifty carriages accompanying him. The carriage that Na Sheng was riding in was covered with glazed jadeite, and there were four black gold unicorn heads on the roof. Wherever he walked, the jadeite jingled pleasantly.

The city gate was wide open, and Pei Xiuyan stood in front of the officials in a bright red official robe, looking really handsome.

He said loudly to Na Sheng's sedan, "Pei Xiuyan, the King of Dafeng, and all the officials respectfully welcome the Emperor Tianwu of Beirong to visit Beijing."

Na Sheng lifted the curtain and slowly walked out of the carriage, his voice indescribably evil. "I have long heard that Pei Xiuyan, the Prince of Qing in Dafeng, is handsome and talented. Today, I see that his reputation is well-deserved."

Pei Xiuyan, the officials, and the people on both sides were silent.

Na Sheng's appearance was too ghostly. It was rumoured that he was born with double pupils, so he always wore a veil in the military camp, and no one had ever seen his true face. Today, they found that his left eye was black, his right eye was emerald, his nose was thin, his lips were very thin, his face was cold and pale, and he looked like an evil god, indescribably charming.

Pei Xiuyan was the first to come back to his senses. "Emperor Tianwu, I am sorry to praise you."

Na Sheng raised the corner of his lips and smiled slightly. "Prince Qing is modest."

After the two exchanged a few words on the scene, Pei Xiuyan, in accordance with the rules, welcomed Na Sheng to the Honglu Temple and arranged everything properly. The Beirong envoys had travelled a long way. They had to wash up, take a rest in the Honglu Temple during the day, and go to the palace for a banquet at night. The Honglu Temple Minister stayed in the Honglu Temple to entertain the Beirong envoys, and Pei Xiuyan led other officials to the palace first.

 

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After Na Sheng entered the arranged bedroom, a black shadow jumped down from the beam.

"Your Majesty..."

"Have you found out?"

"I have found out; it should be Princess Ye Chuyan of Qing."

Na Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, "Oh, what do you mean by should?" His voice was as cold as black ice.

The black shadow paused. "Your Majesty, the mole on the foot you mentioned—I really have no way to verify it."

"It's hard for you; go down!"

The black shadow disappeared in a flash.

Na Sheng suddenly chuckled. "She is already a wife? No problem!"

 

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The sunset was dim, and Yan Xue drove to pick up Ye Chuyan to go to the palace for a banquet. When Ye Chuyan came out with Bai Zhi, Yan Xue's eyes flashed with shock and amazement.

Today, Ye Chuyan wore a lotus-coloured double-breasted feather gauze top, a white magnolia-coloured skirt with a hundred flowers and butterflies, and a snow-coloured silver silk scattered flower waistcoat. She had a back-heart bun on her head, with only a Buddha-hand-shaped gold hairpin inserted diagonally, and a hollow gold branch and silk necklace on her neck. There were no other extra decorations on her body. This outfit complemented her own temperament. This is a temperament different from any official noble woman, not delicate, not coquettish. The whole person is elegant and beautiful, as bright as a fairy dew pearl.

Outside the palace, the carriages were lined up like a long dragon. The emperor allowed ministers above the first rank to bring their families. Tonight's banquet was unprecedented in scale and grandeur. Everyone had to get off outside Zhengyang Gate and walk to Hanyuan Hall, where the palace banquet was held. The noble ladies walked towards Hanyuan Hall in groups of two or three. Although the weather was cold, they could not stop the smell of perfume and the fluttering of skirts.

After Ye Chuyan got off the carriage, Yan Xue asked the servant to drive the carriage away, and he accompanied Ye Chuyan into the palace. Along the way, some people saw Ye Chuyan and whispered to each other; their eyes kept wandering around her, with all kinds of expressions such as surprise, contempt, disdain, and doubt in their eyes.

"A daughter of a guilty minister has the nerve to attend the banquet today."

"Ye Chuyan is so stunningly dressed today; she must want to be looked up to by the people of Beirong."

"What if she is looked up to? Can she also seduce the new emperor of Beirong to become the queen of Beirong?"

"Don't talk nonsense; be careful that the King of Qing will hear it and get angry."

"King of Qing? I heard that the King of Qing gave all the power to run the family to his sweetheart, Miss Zhao. It is only a matter of time before Ye Chuyan is divorced. Protecting her in Lanyue Pavilion is just for the face of the King of Qing's Mansion."

Bai Zhi was very angry when she heard these malicious comments. Before the Ye family got into trouble, all these people came to curry favour with their master. Now, seeing their master as a plague god, they want to hide three metres away and still talk behind his back.

Ye Chuyan gently patted Bai Zhi's hand and whispered, "Bai Zhi, the palace is not like other places; you can't show your emotions."

Bai Zhi grew up with Ye Chuyan and was well-informed. She was really dissatisfied and angry just now. When she heard Ye Chuyan's reminder, she hurriedly said, "Yes, princess."

She quickly put away her emotions and followed Ye Chuyan in an orderly manner.

According to palace rules, ministers and eunuchs are not allowed to enter the palace. But Yan Xue has the token of the Qing Palace and is allowed to enter. He followed Ye Chuyan expressionlessly, ignoring the rumours and scanning the surroundings vigilantly. His mission today is to safely escort the princess to the prince, and there must be no accidents.

The emperor has not arrived yet, and the ministers are waiting in the Hanyuan Hall. After the female relatives arrived, they were not in a hurry to take their seats, but chatted with people they knew. Everyone who attended the banquet today had their own thoughts.

When Ye Chuyan entered the room, Nan Gongli, who was talking with several ministers at the entrance of Hanyuan Hall, was the first to notice her. He walked around the ministers who were talking, walked slowly to Ye Chuyan, and smiled gently. "I am Nan Gongli, and I have long admired Princess Qing."

Ye Chuyan frowned slightly. Wu Mu mentioned Nan Gongli, and she always felt that this King Pingyang was unfathomable. She had never met King Pingyang before, didn't know why he knew her, and took the initiative to greet her in this situation without any hesitation.

Ye Chuyan returned a greeting indifferently due to etiquette. For a moment, everyone in the hall looked at them. Nan Gongli knew Ye Chuyan? Seeing that the two of them were talking like acquaintances, this scene was really weird and worth exploring.

Ye Chuyan stood there, thinking about how to get away, and Pei Xiuyan saw her at a glance in the distance. Today, Ye Chuyan stood out among the beautiful women. Nan Gongli smiled and talked to Ye Chuyan. What was he thinking? His eyes were immediately filled with displeasure. He walked over quickly and quietly, embracing Ye Chuyan behind him.

"Does the Prince of Pingyang know my princess?"

Nan Gongli ignored Pei Xiuyan's displeasure and smiled gently: "Please don't misunderstand, Prince Qing. I heard that the princess' sword dance is unique in Kyoto, and I have long admired her style."

Because of the matter of establishing the queen, Pei Xiuyan knew clearly that Nan Gongli and he were not friends.

"The Prince of Pingyang has lived in Dianzhou for a long time and has a deep understanding of Kyoto's affairs."

The people around him vaguely noticed the abnormality in Pei Xiuyan's words and listened attentively.

Nan Gongli saw that his goal had been achieved and did not entangle more. "Prince Qing is joking."

Ye Chuyan knew that she had to unite with Pei Xiuyan at this time, and she did not want to be scrutinised by everyone here.

"Your Majesty, I want to go to the Imperial Garden for a walk.

Pei Xiuyan understood and took advantage of the situation and said, "Go, let Yan Xue accompany you." It is not easy to conflict with Nan Gongli at the palace banquet today.

Ye Chuyan nodded and left. Ye Chuyan took Bai Zhi and Yan Xue out of Hanyuan Hall and headed for the Imperial Garden. 

Halfway through the journey, Yan Xue suddenly said, "Princess, please wait here. I'll be back soon."