Chapter 50, first published on Jinjiang Literature City (1st update) - Bai Jie. ...
The White Festival has finally arrived, the most important festival of the year on the grasslands.
Before dawn, all the household tents began to bustle with activity. Maids cleaned the cattle and sheep pens, milked fresh cow and sheep milk, and delivered it to the kitchen near the golden tent. Smoke rose from the chimneys, indicating that today was destined to be very busy.
In Chao Lu's tent, Ruan Yu had just woken up. The tent was still somewhat dim. She turned over, but Chao Lu pulled her back by the arm.
"It's still early... let's rest a bit more..."
After sleeping in the study for two days, Chao Lu couldn't stand it anymore last night and ran back, insisting on sleeping with her.
After much pleading and cajoling, Ruan Yu finally relented, but only on the condition that she not be touched. Today was White Day, and she didn't want anyone to notice anything amiss.
Chao Lu gritted his teeth and pondered for a moment before giving in, but Ruan Yu dreamt all night of a fluffy wolf holding her so tightly that she could hardly breathe.
It was only when Ruan Yu woke up that she realized what the big wolf was—it was just a big dog!
She couldn't help but kick Chaolu, who let out a muffled groan.
"pain."
Ruan Yu didn't want to pay any attention to him: "Get up, you're making me too hot!"
Chao Lu slowly opened his eyes and stepped back. Ruan Yu immediately slipped out like a fish, got off the bed, and started getting dressed.
Chao Lu slowly turned over and propped himself up to look at her: "Why are you in such a hurry? The White Festival rituals are so boring."
"That's new and interesting to me, but it's still quite new and intriguing for me. Besides, I'm not familiar with today's ritual and I'm afraid I might make a mistake."
Chaolu: "Just follow me. It's similar to the Zulu Festival. We drink wine to pay homage to the heavens and then circle the ovoo three times."
Ruan Yu really did stay with Chao Lu all day; the two of them were husband and wife as one.
So Ruan Yu turned around and glanced at him: "Hurry up and pack, I don't want to wait for you."
Chaolu didn't take it to heart. He washed up and changed his clothes much faster than she did.
When Xuanniang and Qingguo came in to do Ruanyu's makeup, Chaolu was already dressed and sitting at the table, staring intently at Ruanyu.
Seeing her applying makeup and putting on powder, it seemed incredibly interesting.
Ruan Yu's makeup was very elaborate today, and she was also wearing a pomegranate red short robe. She chose to wear the ruby pendant and bracelet that Chao Lu had given her. When Chao Lu saw it, his eyes lit up, and he came over to examine it carefully.
Ruan Yu waved the powder puff at him, and a wave of fragrant powder wafted over. She took a deep breath.
"Don't get so close to me, you're messing up my hair..."
Chao Lu: "..."
He stood up: "It's almost time. It seems my sister has already arrived."
Ruan Yu: "I'll be done soon too." Her hair was braided and she was wearing makeup today, so it took her a little longer. She was in a hurry when she stood up and tripped over her skirt. In the next instant, Chao Lu reached out and put his arm around her waist, steadily supporting her.
Slow down.
Ruan Yu met his deep, narrow black eyes and said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Chao Lu smiled and led his men out.
"Sister!"
Hela: "Wow, An'an, you look so beautiful today!"
Buhe: "Auntie! Beautiful auntie, you're so incredibly beautiful today!"
Ruan Yu was amused by Buhe again: "Buhe looks very handsome today too!"
Buhe smiled shyly, stepped forward and affectionately took Ruan Yu's hand, then clicked his tongue at Lu: "Didn't you see your uncle?"
Buhe looked up and said, "Good morning, Uncle." His perfunctory tone made everyone laugh. Chao Lu pulled Ruan Yu straight ahead and said, "This is my wife. You can hold your wife's hand from now on!"
Ruan Yu's eyes widened, and Buhe was also stunned. Hela chuckled, walked over, pulled her son aside, and whispered a few words to Buhe. Buhe suddenly looked at his uncle with pity, "So that's how it is..."
After Ruan Yu walked away, she glared at the person next to her several times: "Aren't you childish?"
Chao Lu said indifferently, "Think what you want."
He's not going to let go anyway.
-
Lady Qiu had gone to the Great Khan's place early in the morning and could not be with them today. The area around the Golden Tent was already quite lively. When Chaolu arrived with Ruan Yu, they naturally ran into Bayar. Upon seeing Chaolu, Bayar immediately stepped forward and said, "You, Chaolu, the other day you asked me about raising cattle and sheep, and you turned around and wrote a long essay! If I had known, I wouldn't have told you!"
Bayar was obviously joking with Chaolu, who smiled and glanced at Ruan Yu: "It was Yu Yu's idea."
Bayar looked at Ruan Yu in surprise, "Sister-in-law is really amazing..."
Ruan Yu: "They are just immature ideas, which only provide an inspiration."
"Sister-in-law, you're too modest!" Qiqige ran over. "Everyone's been talking about this lately! A lot of people will definitely be coming to see you soon!"
Ruan Yu glanced at Chao Lu; this was the real headache for her—the social obligations and all that…
Chao Lu said nonchalantly, "Just ignore them, they're so annoying."
Bayar and Qiqige were both stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
Sure enough, not long after, Charles and Yuzhu arrived. Ruan Yu had a feeling that Yuzhu seemed much warmer towards her, constantly pulling her aside to ask all sorts of questions, probably wanting to know when Chaolu would depart after the New Year and some specific details.
Will my fourth sister go?
When Yuzhu asked this question, Chaolu's ears twitched noticeably. Ruanyu smiled and said, "I definitely won't go. They're going to take care of important business."
Yu Zhu: "Is that so? I was thinking that you missed the Central Plains and might go with Chao Lu."
Ruan Yu remained silent; her home was in Chang'an, not Liangzhou.
The ceremony was about to begin, and the Khan and his men walked over together.
Ruan Yu saw her mother-in-law in the crowd, but suddenly her gaze was drawn to another person.
Who is that?
Chaolu followed her gaze and looked over: "Char's mother, Dahadun's younger sister, Naren."
Ruan Yu was taken aback: "I didn't know there was such a Khatun on the grassland."
Chao Lu nodded: "She went back to her parents' home earlier, and she should have just returned. It's been almost two years, hasn't it?"
Ruan Yu's eyes widened. "Can Hadun go back for this long?"
Chao Lu: "Her situation is rather special, I'll explain in detail later..."
Ruan Yu nodded and stopped discussing it, but when she looked at the other person, the other person seemed to glance in their direction as well. It has to be said that the two sisters, Naren and Saren, really do look alike.
The two sisters served the Great Khan together...
But Saren always had a serious and dignified appearance, probably because of her status as Dahadun, while Naren seemed much more lively.
Considering Charles's personality, Ruan Yu was no longer surprised.
As the ceremony began, Ruan Yu stopped looking around and talking. The Khan had already reached the top of the altar, and the High Priest stood up. The surroundings became extremely quiet, horns sounded, and the drumbeats were almost deafening...
Ruan Yu stood calmly and dignifiedly beside Chao Lu.
The sacrificial ceremony begins with the Great Khan and the Great Khatun, who eat white meat, drink milk wine, and then burn pine and cypress branches before walking around the altar three times.
When it was Chao Lu's and Ruan Yu's turn, the same procedure was followed.
Chao Lu whispered in Ruan Yu's ear, "White meat doesn't taste good. Just take a small, symbolic bite."
Ruan Yu smiled and said, "It's alright."
...
After Charles and Yuzhu finished, Chaolu led Ruan Yu slowly up the steps.
Ruan Yu had practiced the sacrificial ceremony beforehand, and there were no mishaps. However, when the white meat was served, even though she was mentally prepared, she still couldn't resist being overwhelmed by the fishy smell for a moment.
Chao Lu clearly saw her expression change. The man pursed his lips and took the initiative to choose the larger piece. Ruan Yu took a deep breath, held her breath, and ate the smaller piece.
She clearly felt that when she swallowed, many people looked over, including Saren, Naren, and her mother-in-law.
Ruan Yu remained expressionless.
Afterwards, pine branches were lit and the Zulu Festival ritual was repeated, thus concluding the ceremony.
When they returned to the crowd, Chao Lu suddenly grabbed her hand. Ruan Yu was stunned for a moment, and then she felt something being stuffed into her palm. Ruan Yu felt it carefully and realized it was a piece of candy.
She quickly curled her lips into a smile.
-
After that, there were no particularly formal procedures. The banquet took place on the grassland, with bonfires and dancing, things that are always present in the tribe. When Ruan Yu returned to her seat, her stomach was still churning. She had to admit, she was indeed a little nauseous.
She seemed to have lost her appetite for the delicious food in front of her. Chao Lu noticed this and poured her a cup of hot milk tea.
"Have a drink, I told you you wouldn't like that stuff."
Ruan Yu shook her head: "Eating will only make me feel worse. I don't want to eat anything. I'll feel better once this feeling passes."
Chaolu reluctantly put it down.
Ruan Yu didn't eat much during the entire banquet, but quite a few people came to toast her. Chao Luquan helped her fend them off. When the banquet reached its most lively moment, men and women started dancing around the bonfire, and Bayar pulled Qiqige along with them.
Yu Zhu won't go, Ruan Yu hasn't recovered yet, so she won't go either, and Chao Lu has even less interest.
As Ruan Yu sat at her table, she could vaguely sense that Naren was watching her, but whenever she looked over, Naren would look away.
He just smiled brightly at everyone.
Da Khatun was talking to the Great Khan when suddenly Lady Qiu walked over. Hurile was clearly pleasantly surprised and immediately patted the seat to his right, whereupon Lady Qiu sat down.
Hurile picked up his wine cup and immediately moved closer to Madam Qiu. Saren's expression suddenly changed.
Hela walked over to Ruan Yu and asked her a few questions. Ruan Yu shook her head and smiled. Hela took her hand and said, "Mother has prepared a family dinner tonight. We'll go back in a little while."
Ruan Yu's eyes lit up, and she nodded.
Knowing his wife was uncomfortable, Chaolu had no interest in the place and immediately pulled Ruanyu away when it was time to leave.
Lady Qiu naturally saw it, and after sitting beside the Khan for a while, she said, "I shall take my leave now."
Hurile was stunned.
Saren's complexion improved slightly.
She does this every year on White Day.
I must go back and spend New Year's Eve in the Central Plains with Chaolu and Haila.
She wouldn't spend a full White Festival with the Khan, but it's the most important festival on the grassland, and the Khan would definitely stay.
But she was the Great Khatun, the woman who stayed by the Great Khan's side...
Hurile seemed to have gotten used to it, grunted and nodded.
...
"An'an, are you feeling better?"
Upon exiting the golden tent, Hela immediately went to Ruan Yu's side and inquired about her well-being.
Ruan Yu: "Much better." Actually, it's just that the smell lingered from my throat to my stomach.
After leaving the golden tent, Chaolu said he was going to look for Liyin, and now he's caught up with him—
"Yu Yu, here!"
"What's this?"
Chao Lu, sweating profusely from running, handed Ruan Yu a small bottle.
“I just got a bottle of medicine from Rein. He said you’ll feel much better after you drink it.”
Ruan Yu took it and drank it.
"How is it?" Chaolu asked, a little nervous.
"Much better, thank you, Your Highness." Ruan Yu smiled at him.
"That's good. I've had Chef Kong prepare a table full of your favorite dishes. Let's go back!"
Back in her tent, Ruan Yu finally felt like it was New Year's Day.
The room was warm and cozy, and not as noisy as outside. The food was hot, and everyone, including Xuan Niang and Qing Guo, had smiles on their faces. After Ruan Yu took off her cloak, Chao Lu pulled her to sit down at the table.
Ruan Yu looked around: "Will Mother come back?"
Hela smiled and said, "Yes, don't worry, I should be back soon!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than footsteps could be heard outside.
The curtain was lifted, and Madam Qiu walked in.
"Mother!"
Hela ran forward to shake the snow off her mother, but suddenly a tall figure walked in behind Madam Qiu.
Those inside the tent were stunned.
"Father Khan...?"
Hurile let out a breath and raised an eyebrow: "Is it necessary to be so surprised?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: [Laughs out loud]
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