In the palace, only Consort Zheng and Xiao Jingxi, who had just learned of the news, seemed to care about it.
During this time, she wanted to visit her elder sister, but her mother, the Empress, stopped her. She couldn't go against her mother's wishes, so she could only play quietly in the Kunning Palace.
Looking at the sullen little Jingxi, the Empress felt sorry for her. But the reason for the princess's allergy was not something that could be a little serious. What if Jingxi got along well with the princess and His Majesty developed a dislike for her? Her daughter was also a princess, and a marriage alliance wasn't just about sending a princess.
The Empress thought bitterly, then turned her head away forcefully, refusing to look at her daughter's pleading expression.
— — — — — — — — — —
The wedding procession of the Eight Tribes of the Grassland was one of the major tribes of the grassland, led by the famous Tuoba clan, a branch of the grassland.
The visitor was Tuoba Xun, the most outstanding young general in this army.
Near the Central Plains, the entire army, with its exotic style, curiously surveyed this country, which was completely different from the grasslands.
His eyes held a mixture of liking and curiosity, but not envy.
The entire group consisted of tall men with deep-set features, but the most outstanding one was undoubtedly the man at the very front. He had an exotic appearance and was a full two meters tall, but his physique was not at all rugged or stocky. Half of his honey-colored chest was even visible in front of his collar, which made the women on the road unable to help but steal glances at him.
A man with delicate features, walking a short distance behind him, asked the general in Mongolian, "General, are all the houses in the Central Plains like this? They look much sturdier than our yurts. I wish we had houses like this back home."
Tuoba Xun frowned slightly: "I've heard that only the wealthy can afford to live in houses like this in the Qing Dynasty. When we pick up that princess this time, we can ask the Qing Emperor for a few."
"Good! General!"
Those behind heard the conversation between the general and his deputy Akna, their eyes lit up, and they exclaimed, "General Na, could you buy us some food later? I saw lots of delicious food on the road, and those big red berries strung together look really tasty!"
Tuoba Xun was speechless for a second, then said, "Yes, I have both."
His conversation also piqued the interest of many of the young soldiers.
"Then I want the round ones that are cooked in the soup."
"I want the red one, it looks nice."
...
The journey was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation. Tuoba Xun was not a particularly serious or demanding general; he smiled slightly as he looked at the lively soldiers.
When the Qing envoys who had led the way to entertain the grassland army arrived, they all quieted down again.
This made the somewhat thin and young receptionist feel uneasy. Looking at the tall and imposing foreign men, the young official secretly compared the difference between the two. No wonder the grassland army was so fierce. He wondered what these grassland barbarians ate to grow so tall and strong.
While the young official was observing the army sent by the foreign tribe, Tuoba Xun was also observing the somewhat thin official in front of him.
Although most people from the Central Plains were not tall, they were all cunning and shrewd. Tuoba Xun dared not underestimate these Qing officials who were full of schemes and tricks.
Along the way, the two groups had different thoughts, but when they arrived at the reception station, they both secretly breathed a sigh of relief at almost the same time.
They were just waiting for the worship banquet to begin in the next few days.
On the day of the banquet, Qingyin was considered a main character and was required to make an appearance.
By the time the banquet arrived, the bruises on Qingyin's neck had completely disappeared.
Although it was only to receive the procession from the grasslands to escort the princess to a marriage alliance, the banquet was not perfunctory at all, and all the formalities were in accordance with the standards the Qing Dynasty used to treat its princes.
As the eldest princess who represents the family, or perhaps as a gift about to be given away, the dress Qingyin received this time was sent by Emperor Xuanwu. The dress was intricate and gorgeous, with every detail exquisitely crafted, layer upon layer, both ethereal and magnificent.
If it weren't for the help of the palace maids, Qingyin really wouldn't have been able to put on this long dress properly for a while.
Fortunately, this long dress lives up to its intricate design. The beauty, who has already surpassed all limits, is further enhanced by the exquisite and top-notch long dress. Just standing there from afar is enough to make people's hearts flutter.
The elegant and graceful princess stood before the mirror, causing the palace maids applying makeup to hesitate for quite some time before deciding to add only a tiny floral decoration between the princess's eyebrows on her already perfect face.
Pink peach blossoms, dotted on the beauty's body, make her look like a peach blossom beauty who has come to life.
The sight caused the servants in the palace to gasp for breath, their eyes filled with infatuation.
Qingyin looked at herself in the mirror with some satisfaction, her peach blossom makeup was pretty, but it still seemed to be missing something without some lip makeup. After thinking for a moment, Qingyin took a smear of lipstick and dabbed it on her red lips.
Her lips were coated with a glossy lipstick, as if they had been smeared with honey, making them translucent and clear, adding an alluring charm.
Qingyin nodded in satisfaction. Just then, the eunuch outside who had informed the princess of the banquet spoke up, "Princess, the banquet is about to begin."
She stood up and beckoned to Yuqin, who was still stunned.
Yuqin was startled awake by the princess's actions and couldn't help but blush. Amidst the envious and jealous gazes of the crowd, she happily followed Qingyin away.
At the banquet, Emperor Xuanwu calmly looked at the Mongols from the grasslands below and Consort Zheng, who sat beside him and didn't even look at him, his eyes slightly complicated.
Well, Consort Zheng was only doing this because of Zhaoyang, so he won't hold it against her this time.
With the reminder from his subordinates, Tuoba Xun realized that the delicate-looking woman in the distance was Consort Zheng, the biological mother of the Princess. His expression remained indifferent.
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