Chapter 50 The Northern Princess Wants to Marry Him
The next morning, the Guanju Palace was still filled with the scent of calming incense and herbs.
When Yuwen Che woke up, the sky outside the window was just beginning to lighten. He turned his head and saw Su Luoxue still fast asleep, her brows slightly furrowed due to discomfort, her long eyelashes casting pale shadows on her pale cheeks. He gazed at her for a moment, his eyes filled with unbearable tenderness.
He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her smooth forehead, his deep voice hoarse from the morning as he whispered in her ear, "Xue'er, sleep peacefully, I'll be right back."
He paused, as if making a promise, and then added, clearly and firmly: "I only love you."
Su Luoxue, who was fast asleep, seemed to sense something and unconsciously moved closer to him, her breathing still steady.
Yuwen Che then quietly got up. He did not order anyone to prepare the twelve-symbol court robe that symbolized supreme authority but was also extremely heavy.
"Li Dehai," he called softly.
Li Dehai, who had been waiting outside, immediately entered with two eunuchs carrying clothes, bowing respectfully.
"Help me change into regular clothes; everyday clothes will suffice."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Soon, Yuwen Che changed into a dark blue brocade robe with cloud patterns, tied at the waist with a matching jade belt, and wore no other ornaments. Unlike his usual court assemblies, he did not tie up his black hair with an elaborate imperial crown, but instead used a simple silver hair crown to hold back the top part of his hair. A few unruly strands of hair fell naturally across his forehead, making his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes even more distinct, while the rest of his black hair was casually draped over his shoulders.
This outfit, while lacking some of the awe-inspiring and unapproachable air of an emperor, possessed more of the unbridled and unruly spirit of a young man. Paired with his incomparably handsome face, it had a breathtaking charm.
He walked back to the bedside, looked at Su Luoxue who was still sleeping peacefully, smiled slightly, and leaned down to gently kiss her lips again, as if touched by morning dew.
"Go to sleep quietly and wait for me to return." He said in a low voice, then turned and strode out. The hem of his dark blue robe drew a neat arc, and his loose black hair swayed slightly with his steps.
Li Dehai hurriedly followed, thinking to himself: His Majesty's casual attire to receive the Northern Princess... his attitude is already clear.
Inside the Taiji Hall, all the officials were already standing solemnly. When Yuwen Che's figure appeared on the throne, many of the seasoned and prudent ministers were slightly taken aback. His Majesty... was not wearing court attire today? This casual robe, though still dignified, clearly exuded a sense of nonchalance.
Only a few people in the know understood that His Majesty's attire indicated that he had just come from Guanju Palace, and his mind was not on the court meeting, much less on the Northern Princess whom he was about to meet.
"Announce that Princess Helian Mingzhu of the Northern Kingdom is here to pay her respects—" the eunuch in front of the palace announced loudly.
The palace doors slowly opened, and a slender figure, dressed in the finest northern attire, gracefully entered the hall. Helian Mingzhu lowered her eyelids, her steps composed, yet her heart held a hint of nervousness and anticipation.
Following etiquette, she slowly raised her head, preparing to bow to the Great Zhou Emperor on the throne.
However, when her gaze fell upon the figure perched high on the dragon throne, she froze, her breath catching in her throat.
He wore a dark blue casual robe, his ink-black hair half-tied up, a few stray strands falling across his forehead, highlighting his face... his face...
She had long heard of his handsome appearance, but she never imagined he would be so... breathtakingly handsome! The sharpness and depth in his eyes, the natural imperial bearing, even when he was just sitting casually, he exuded an aura of dominance over the world, yet his slightly casual attire added a captivating languor and untamed charm.
It was completely different from the serious and rigid image of an emperor she had imagined!
At that moment, all humiliation and scheming seemed to be shattered by the intense visual impact. Helian Mingzhu felt her heart pounding like a drum, and her cheeks flushed uncontrollably.
Such a man is indeed worth her... giving everything to fight for.
Helian Mingzhu stared blankly at the dark blue figure on the throne, her mind reeling. For a moment, she forgot where she was and what etiquette she should perform. The undisguised amazement and momentary daze in her beautiful eyes were clearly seen by the officials in the hall, causing a slight commotion and knowing glances.
Li Dehai, who was standing beside the throne, frowned almost imperceptibly, stepped forward, and said in a low but penetrating voice, "Princess of the Northern Kingdom, please pay your respects to His Majesty."
The voice was like a bucket of cold water poured over her head. Helian Mingzhu snapped back to reality, realizing her lapse in composure. Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she quickly lowered her eyelids to hide the turmoil in her eyes. Following the etiquette of the Northern Kingdom's envoys, she slightly curtsied and tried to keep her voice steady: "Helian Mingzhu of the Northern Kingdom greets His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Zhou."
Her heart was still pounding; the shock of that fleeting glimpse lingered for a long time.
On the throne, Yuwen Che's expression was calm, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible languor, as if he had just been awakened from a good dream. He casually raised his hand, his voice carrying through the hall, steady but devoid of warmth: "Princess, you have come from afar, there is no need for such formalities."
His tone was polite but distant, completely in a businesslike manner, without even a single extra word of pleasantries.
Helian Mingzhu straightened up as instructed, but dared not look directly into those deep eyes again. She could only lower her head slightly, feeling the scrutiny from all directions, whether open or hidden. The flutter in her heart caused by the other person's appearance was gradually replaced by a sense of embarrassment.
He was so indifferent... as if she were no different from any random envoy presenting his credentials on the road.
Yuwen Che didn't even glance at her. Instead, he turned his gaze to the official from the Court of State Ceremonial and said indifferently, "Arrange for the princess to stay in the guest house. All matters shall be handled in accordance with the protocol for state guests. Do not neglect this duty."
"Your subject obeys the decree," the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies quickly stepped forward and replied.
"If there's nothing else, you may leave." Yuwen Che waved his hand, directly issuing an order to leave without even offering polite words of thanks for the long journey and the need for a proper rest.
Helian Mingzhu dug her nails deep into her palms, enduring the humiliation, and bowed again: "Mingzhu takes her leave."
Maintaining her final composure, she turned and, guided by palace attendants, slowly exited the Taiji Hall. Only after stepping outside and feeling the cold air did she feel the almost suffocating oppression ease slightly.
Inside the hall, Yuwen Che stood up immediately after her figure disappeared.
"Dismiss the court."
Leaving behind those two words, he didn't even glance at the officials below, but turned and left through the screen behind the throne. The corner of his dark blue robe flashed by, and his direction was clear—Guanju Palace.
The officials exchanged bewildered glances, but none dared to utter a word. His Majesty's attitude had already revealed everything. The Northern Princess? In his eyes, she was probably less important than a mere frown from the Imperial Concubine in the Guanju Palace.
Helian Mingzhu returned to the inn, dismissed everyone, and sat alone before her dressing table. Looking at her still beautiful face in the mirror, yet tinged with a hint of resentment, she began to doubt her own charm for the first time. That man… he wasn't oblivious to romance, nor was he cold-hearted to the point of being heartless; he simply… gave all his warmth to someone else.
This realization, more than simply being met with indifference, made her feel even more frustrated, and... it further fueled her competitive spirit.
Helian Mingzhu returned to the upper courtyard of the Honglu Guest House. The astonishment, loss of composure, embarrassment, and humiliation she had just experienced in the Taiji Hall were like ice and fire, churning violently within her heart. The stunningly beautiful face in the mirror now seemed somewhat jarring.
She abruptly swept the rouge and powder from the dressing table to the floor, her chest heaving. No, she couldn't give up like this! The colder that man was, the more it proved he wasn't heartless; his heart simply belonged to another. And she, Helian Mingzhu, was determined to snatch his heart away from that merchant's daughter!
Her intense desire to conquer and her anger at being slighted overwhelmed her last shred of reason and composure.
"Guards!" she shouted sternly.
The trusted maidservant entered in response, startled by the almost ferocious expression on her face.
"Go! Go and invite Lord Wuzhu over immediately!" Helian Mingzhu's tone was urgent, carrying an unquestionable command.
Soon after, Wuzhu, the envoy from the Northern Kingdom, arrived in haste. He was a middle-aged man of about forty years old with a sharp and capable appearance, and a trusted minister of the Northern Emperor Helian Bobo.
"Your Highness, what is the matter that is so urgent?" Wuzhu asked after bowing, already having some guesses in his mind. He had seen the princess's loss of composure and the emperor's coldness in the court just now.
Helian Mingzhu took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, but her eyes remained sharp: "Lord Wuzhu, I can't wait any longer. You must immediately find a way to formally propose a marriage alliance to the Great Zhou court!"
Wuzhu frowned slightly: "Princess, shouldn't we reconsider this matter? The Emperor of Great Zhou has made his stance clear today; raising this issue now might be..."
"Afraid of what?" Helian Mingzhu interrupted him, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Afraid of humiliating himself? Haven't I suffered enough humiliation today? Precisely because he disdains me, we must take the initiative! Proposing a marriage alliance is to demonstrate the sincerity of my Northern Kingdom and to test the bottom line of his Great Zhou! Does Yuwen Che really dare to risk war between our two countries and refuse again?"
She walked to the window, looked at the imposing palace walls outside, and said coldly, "Even if he refuses again, it will at least stir up trouble in the court and let those officials of the Great Zhou know that their emperor's devotion is based on the possibility of harming the interests of the country! I want to see whether his personal feelings are more important or the country of the Great Zhou!"
Wuzhu pondered for a moment, realizing that the princess's words made sense. Proposing a marriage alliance was indeed a risky move, but it might break the current deadlock and at least stir up trouble in the Great Zhou court.
"Your Majesty, I understand." Wuzhu bowed. "I will seek an opportunity as soon as possible to convey to the Court of State Ceremonies of the Great Zhou, and even to other influential ministers, the intention of my Northern Kingdom to forge an eternal alliance with the Great Zhou."
“Not a wish, but a demand!” Helian Mingzhu turned around, his gaze intense. “It must be presented in the most formal and unavoidable manner!”
"Yes, Your Highness." Wuzhu accepted the order, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. It was time to stir up this stagnant water.
While the Northern Kingdom delegation was secretly plotting to bring the marriage alliance to the forefront, Yuwen Che had already returned to Guanju Palace. He was carefully supporting the still weak Su Luoxue, who had just woken up, and trying to get her to drink some warm ginseng soup. The insignificant incident in the court had long been forgotten by him.
However, a new undercurrent has begun to quietly surge beneath the surface of the Great Zhou court. Countless eyes, openly or secretly, have begun to focus on this sudden marriage alliance and on the Consort Chen, who holds the emperor's heart and soul in her hands.
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