The night was as dark as ink.
Gu Yan sat alone by the window, letting the cold wind blow in. She didn't seem to feel the cold at all.
She stared blankly out the window, not knowing what she was looking at. However, tears welled up in her eyes and slowly fell down.
Her personal maid A Nuo pushed open the door and came in. Seeing her sitting in the wind, she was startled. She hurried forward to close the window. Turning her head, she saw her tear-stained face and comforted her with some heartache, "Junzhu, don't cry."
Gu Yan acted as if she didn't hear, her tears wetting her skirt.
A Nuo helplessly squatted down and softened her tone, "There's nothing we can do about it. Who would have thought that the Hokuin General Yi Ling would ask for Junzhu's hand in marriage?"
"There's nothing we can do about it? What about Papa, Mother, and Imperial Aunt? Can't they do anything about it?" Her father was the Minister of the Right, her mother was the Princess Royal of the Ning Kingdom, and her aunt was the most respected Empress. But when the Beiyin Killing God asked for her hand in marriage, no one came out to stop him. Even Imperial Aunt urged her to quickly express her gratitude.
Express gratitude?
Gu Yan sneered in her heart. This was really a great gift.
They clearly knew that she and Muran loved each other, but they still forced her.
Thinking of Muran, her tears fell faster and faster, her heart sad.
And that day in front of the palace, the scene of being forced by her family to marry her was still vivid in her mind as long as she closed her eyes.
Yi Ling attacked Dinggu Pass, and the Anqing Emperor chose to negotiate peace. The Hokuin sent Yi Ling as an envoy, and the Anqing Emperor held a banquet in the palace to welcome Yi Ling.
All the court officials, as well as the women and their families, were present. The scale of the banquet was unprecedented.
The banquet was held in Chengguang Palace Hall.
Chengguang Palace Hall was built on the ground and stood several zhang high. White marble stairs went up layer by layer, overlooking the heavenly palace.
The doors and windows of the palace hall were built from floor to floor, carved from sandalwood. When the breeze blew, the fragrance would fill the air. Below it was the Supreme Liquid Pond, green and blue. Although it was already autumn and the lotus flowers had all withered, the green leaves still connected to the sky, and nothing more beautiful could be imagined.
The high platform in the hall was located in the south and faced the north. In the middle of the hall, there was a Nine Dragons Gilt Desk, and on the shoulder was a Phoenix Algae Jade Desk. Next would be the 'Case of the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' for the other four concubines. But now that two of the four concubines were missing, there were only two cases left.
Below them were layers of jade curtains, separating the inner court from the officials.
By the time Gu Yan and his mother arrived, the officials had already taken their seats in the hall. All the madams were led to their seats by the palace maids. Gu Yan had just sat down with her mother when she turned her head and saw Muran looking at her from the side seat a little further away. Muran saw her looking over and smiled at her.
Gu Yan was about to smile at him when suddenly he heard Shao music playing on both sides of the hall. The eunuchs and their families all knelt down to pay their respects.
The sound of the yellow door announcing the arrival of the emperor could be heard. "His Majesty has arrived!"
Gu Yan could only turn her head and bow along with everyone else.
The Anqing Emperor entered and said to be excused. Everyone stood up and raised their heads. They found that Yi Ling was standing behind the Anqing Emperor. Everyone couldn't help but be shocked. They didn't know if the bow just now was to the emperor or a general of another country.
Yi Ling wasn't wearing the cold light of the general's armor. Today, he was wearing an inky black robe with wide sleeves and a high crown. His chiseled face made people not dare to look directly at him. Standing behind the Emperor, he didn't look dull at all. Although he was just following behind the Anqing Emperor in a low-key manner, he attracted everyone's attention.
The officials looked at each other. They wanted to see what kind of skills this foreign general had.
The Anqing Emperor smiled faintly. He invited Yi Ling to take a seat and announced the start of the banquet.
The previous stagnation instantly disappeared. For a moment, the hall was filled with singing and dancing. It was very lively.
After three rounds of wine, everyone was slightly tipsy. The atmosphere of the banquet had reached its climax.
Yi Ling stood up from his seat with wine in hand and bowed to the Anqing Emperor. He said clearly, "When I was in Hokuin, I heard of the Southern Dynasty's distinguished bearing. Today, I see that it is indeed true. This official has an audience with the Emperor. The Emperor has decreed that we are willing to have a marriage alliance with your country. We will ask for a marriage alliance for the eldest son of the Emperor of our country."
The music suddenly stopped. Everyone was silent. It was as if they had been prepared for this moment.
Although it was a marriage alliance, everyone knew what it was. It was just a marriage alliance for peace.
The Anqing Emperor wasn't surprised at all. He drank the wine in his cup and then said, "The men of the Northern Dynasty are brave and fierce. The women of our dynasty are even more beautiful. How can we go against the Emperor's good intentions?"
With this sentence, he agreed to the marriage alliance. After the Southern Hua proposed peace talks, the Hokuin agreed and sent General Yi Ling to lead the army as an envoy. When two countries were negotiating peace, it was disrespectful to send a general instead of a ceremonial official. Although Yi Ling was neither servile nor overbearing to the Anqing Emperor, the Hokuin Emperor's disdain for him was obvious.
Gu Heng pondered, wondering who would be the one to be betrothed. Currently, the Empress had given birth to the Crown Prince and the Fifth Princess. The Fifth Princess was still young. Concubine Shu had given birth to the Second Prince and the Third Princess. Concubine Xian had given birth to the Eldest Princess. The Third Prince and the Second Princess were all older than Gu Yan. The Eldest Princess had already married. The Second Princess was still young.
"Huan."
As expected, the Anqing Emperor thought for a moment and called for the Third Princess to come forward.
The Third Princess Huan stood up from her seat. She wore a thin layer of rouge on her face. She walked lightly to the front of the Emperor and bowed.
The Anqing Emperor looked at his daughter with a smile and said to Yi Ling, "These are my three daughters. They are proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. They are especially good at the pipa. What do you think of her as a match for your country's eldest son?"
Huan looked very similar to Concubine Shu. She had a slender waist and thin shoulders. Concubine Shu loved her even more. The Anqing Emperor wanted her to marry Nan Hua. It was clear that Nan Hua was sincere.
However, Yi Ling didn't look at Huan. He looked straight ahead and stared at the Anqing Emperor. "Your Majesty, before I left, my Emperor told me that Nan Hua's Princess Pingyang was charming and unparalleled in the world. Is she here today?"
Princess Pingyang!
Everyone was shocked when they heard these words.
The Hokuin didn't want a princess in marriage. He wanted Princess Pingyang?!
In an instant, the world spun and everyone's eyes were fixed on Gu Heng. Whispers could be heard all around.
"Pingyang?" The Anqing Emperor frowned slightly. He didn't expect this either.
Gu Yan's back stiffened when she heard his words. Her mind was blank. She couldn't hear any discussion. She turned to look at Muran in a daze.
Muran looked at her. There was no surprise in his eyes. It was as if he had expected this from the moment Yi Ling asked for the marriage. However, the helplessness and forbearance under his calm expression made her heart ache.
Her hand suddenly felt warm. She looked up and saw her mother's worried face. "Ting 'er, the Emperor is calling for you."
She turned to look at the Anqing Emperor. As expected, he was waving at her from above.
Gu Yan looked at Muran again. He was still looking at her quietly. Their eyes met. The pain and helplessness in his eyes made her come back to her senses.
This was her destiny. She didn't want to be controlled by anyone!
She slowly stood up and walked forward.
Her skirt touched the ground, layer by layer. The tassels by her ears swayed. Her eyes were as bright as stars. She proudly raised her head and walked up the jade steps.
The Anqing Emperor pointed at her and said to Yi Ling, "This is our Princess Pingyang."
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