The Imperial Palace.
Princess Yaolan, accompanied by her maids, walked barefoot slowly down the red carpet in the middle of the hall. Her red, belted gauze dress accentuated her graceful figure, and the red veil on her face added to her mystique.
She walked up to Emperor Sheng'an and knelt gracefully, her voice soft and gentle: "Yaolan greets Your Majesty."
As she knelt, the bells on her wrists, waist, and ankles jingled, making one imagine what a stunningly beautiful woman she must have been under the thin veil.
Xiao Chenyi had never seen such a charming woman before, and his eyes showed a hint of curiosity: "Why doesn't Princess Yaolan remove her veil?"
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Yao Lan has come to the Great Chu to find her husband. According to the customs of our Northern Li, Yao Lan's veil can only be lifted by her husband himself. I hope Your Majesty will understand."
"Since that's the case, I won't force the princess to remove her veil. Guards, please bring a seat for Princess Yaolan."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After Yao Lan sat down, she clapped her hands, and six Northern Li guards carried in three boxes, followed by ten Northern Li girls.
"Your Majesty, this is a small token of our king's appreciation. We hope Your Majesty will accept it."
The guards from Bei Li opened three boxes. One box contained various jewelry, another contained dried meat, and the third box contained some scrolls.
“Your Majesty, the weather in the north of Beili is extremely cold, and yaks are abundant. This box contains the finest yak jerky in Beili, brought here for Your Majesty to try.” After Princess Yaolan finished speaking, she gestured to the guards to open the scroll.
"There are ten scrolls in the box, each depicting one of the ten Akhal-Teke horses we brought this time."
"Very well, Your Majesty Wanyan is very kind."
The jewels and dried meat that Bei Li sent were ordinary, but the ten Akhal-Teke horses were what truly won Xiao Chenyi's heart.
"Your Majesty, these ten young ladies from Beili are talented singers and dancers from our Beili Kingdom. They can help Your Majesty relieve fatigue when you are busy with state affairs," Princess Yaolan continued with a smile.
These ten Northern Li girls were presented to Xiao Chenyi. As for whether he would take them into the palace or distribute them among the princes and ministers, that was up to him.
"Thank you for your trouble, Princess Yaolan. Please convey my thanks to King Wanyan. Tonight, I will host a banquet to welcome you back. Please rest for a while to ease your fatigue from the journey."
Princess Yaolan rose, bowed, and took her leave: "Yaolan takes her leave. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Xiao Chenyi then went to Cixi Palace and told Empress Dowager Wei everything that had happened in the hall.
"Mother, I believe that the Northern Li Kingdom is sincerely seeking a marriage alliance this time."
Empress Dowager Wei remained silent for a moment before saying, "If that's the case, then that's for the best. Great Chu has just experienced turmoil, and Your Majesty has not yet truly assumed power and has not yet fully grasped military authority. It is not advisable to provoke a conflict with Northern Li at this time. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks of that Princess Yaolan?"
Xiao Chenyi recalled the appearance of Princess Yaolan when he saw her today; she was truly graceful and charming. A smile unconsciously appeared on his lips: "I think it's good."
Empress Dowager Wei understood her son's meaning: "The letter from the Northern Li Kingdom says that the princess can choose her own marriage partner. If Your Majesty is willing to do so, you might as well make an effort. Princess Yaolan is the most beloved younger sister of Wanyan Da, the ruler of the Northern Li Kingdom. With her in our hands, Wanyan Da will think twice before taking any action."
Xiao Chen also had some doubts: "Mother, Bei Li has always been eyeing Da Chu covetously, always looking for an opportunity to bite Da Chu. If we are not careful, the two countries may go to war at any time. Under such circumstances, why would Wanyan Da send his most beloved sister to Da Chu?"
Empress Dowager Wei couldn't answer Xiao Chenyi's question either; she hadn't figured it out either.
But whatever the reason, it's ultimately good for the Great Chu.
Yaohua Palace.
This is the palace where Princess Yaolan is temporarily staying, which is exactly what her name means.
Every concubine in the palace knew that Yaohua Palace had always been reserved for the four imperial concubines.
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