Today, the grand troops of Chu Kingdom were to enter the city through the main gate, so she and Xiao Pingfeng had to stand on the high steps of the grand hall, leading the civil and military officials to welcome them.
She had originally thought that this matter would meet with opposition from the court officials, but to her surprise, there was not a single opposing voice among the civil and military ranks, as if everyone tacitly approved of Xiao Pingfeng’s approach.
Yan Wanqing was not narcissistic enough to believe that this group of stubborn old officials had approved of her.
"Wanwan." A voice came from outside the hall door.
She saw a tall figure standing against the light facing her, and as the autumn sunlight was quite strong, she couldn’t help but squint her eyes as she walked over.
From the Crown Prince’s perspective, he saw a stunningly magnificent and dignified beauty walking towards him, prompting him to involuntarily swallow.
"Let’s go," Yan Wanqing extended her hand to him, very pleased to see a look of amazement in the Crown Prince’s eyes.
What woman does not like to be praised by the one she loves?
She was not surprised.
She felt a little joy in her heart.
A crowd of eunuchs and palace maids followed behind them in a grand procession.
The Crown Prince, holding the softness of her palm, lowered his voice and whispered in her ear, "Wanwan you look so beautiful today, surpassing even celestial beings is not an exaggeration."
"I know," Yan Wanqing smiled with her red lips, walking straight ahead, "You’ve said that many times already."
The Crown Prince’s dark eyes were filled with mirth.
But every time I say it, and see you smile, I am willing to keep saying it.
He was willing to continue doing anything that made her happy.
"Today is the first meeting between the leaders of the two nations, and it is also the best time to discern whether Chu Qi has ulterior motives. He is always cunning, taking unorthodox paths, you should be extra careful," Yan Wanqing returned to the main topic seriously.
By then, the two of them were standing on the high steps, with the civil and military officials lined up along the descending steps. Thanks to the Crown Prince’s recent efforts, the court had undergone a transformation and featured many fresh faces, with Hao Ren faintly visible standing at the very bottom of the steps.
Xie Qun, Chang Kuan, and other familiar faces were also present.
The Crown Prince seemed to smell something peculiar.
"Had Wanwan met with that King of Chu before?" He asked, sensing from her tone that she might know him.
Yan Wanqing nodded, as it wasn’t something that needed to be kept secret.
"We had traveled together on a mission to the North of the Pass, but at that time we did not know each other’s identities. He sent me a letter after returning to his country."
"A letter?" A trace of jealousy suddenly arose, "What did it say?"
Yan Wanqing recalled carefully, "When the letter arrived, it was raining, and the ink had already washed away. I remember being in a hurry to see my brother inspecting the troops and only glanced at it hastily. How could I remember what was written on it now?"
With that, he felt the air known its sourness fade significantly.
That’s more like it, thought the Crown Prince.
Later, he indeed intended to carefully examine what sort of person Chu Qi was to have the audacity to send letters to his beloved.
The magnificent carriage entered the city gate, its compartments decorated with jade and agate, curtains fluttering, exotic fragrances drifting, causing the city’s citizens to boil with excitement.
Since ancient times, luxurious carriages and beauties have been highly esteemed.
Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of Princess Wuyang of Chu Kingdom.
But the curtains fluttered as they did.
From beginning to end, the beauty never showed her face.
But then again, why should a noblewoman of the Imperial Family show her face among the common people? Despite this, the people’s enthusiasm for the beauty did not wane.
It was only when the carriage reached the palace gate that the people had to reluctantly turn away.
"...Brother Emperor, we are about to meet the Emperor of Dawei," said the beauty behind the white veil lightly, her voice clear and slightly breathy as if she had just awakened.
Her beautiful eyes shone brilliantly, but the most striking feature was the cinnabar mole at the corner of her right eye, so vibrant it was impossible to ignore, and inexplicably enchanting.
This is Princess Wuyang of Chu Kingdom, Chu Yu.
The one she was speaking to, the King of Chu Kingdom, Chu Qi, was dressed today in a long robe of dark purple, embroidered with dragon patterns. He was strikingly handsome, with slender eyes of a rare turquoise hue, and a high nose bridge that added to his dashing vigor, so handsome that one could fall for him at first sight and lose their soul at the second.
Chu Qi responded indifferently with a hum.
"The primary purpose of this trip was already clear before we set out, you must remember that. Moreover, this is Dawei, not Chu Kingdom; think carefully before you act in all matters."
"Understood, Elder Brother," Chu Yu interrupted him impatiently, "The carriage is stopping."
Just as her words fell,
The carriage came to a stop.
"Please, King of Chu and Princess Wuyang, dismount!" Xie Qun’s robust and powerful voice rang out.
Entering the palace gates required the carriage to travel a certain distance, and letting it proceed directly in front of Xiao Pingfeng would have been disrespectful.
Listening to the voices outside, the curtain of the carriage was slowly lifted by the attendants beside it.
Two figures were revealed inside.
"Elder Brother, there’s still a long way to go..." Chu Yu complained inwardly about getting off.
Chu Qi, without saying another word, simply stated, "Get off and walk."
"Elder Brother!" Chu Yu frowned.
"We must not delay important matters." After dropping this remark, he quickly alighted from the carriage and then offered his hand to Chu Yu, his eyes smiling, yet filled with a warning.
Chu Yu knew her brother’s temper well.
No matter how reluctant, she still got down from the carriage.
Today, her court dress was quite heavy, making walking difficult; the maids by her side helped her, but soon she was sweating lightly from the effort.
Fortunately, as the road always comes to an end, when they finally reached the bottom of the steps, she lifted her eyes and was instantly stunned.
Such was the heavenly beauty of the face before her.
Chu Yu had thought her brother was the most handsome man in the world.
Yet who would have thought that this Crown Prince of Dawei, soon to inherit great power, was even more handsome than her brother.
Especially those deep, pitch-black eyes, which, when they stared at her, seemed like a vast black sea.
For some reason, Chu Yu felt her heart skip a beat.
Then it started to beat faster and faster.
"The King of Chu has traveled far to Dawei, and it is truly remiss of us not to have welcomed you from afar..." Xiao Pingfeng said, making small talk with Chu Qi, but their conversation was largely insubstantial.
The real conversation would have to wait for the welcome feast.
"Who might this be?" Chu Qi, having done his research before coming, knew that Xiao Pingfeng had no Crown Princess Consort and his harem remained vacant, which is why he had brought Princess Wuyang with him.
But who would have thought that at such a critical moment today, there would stand by his side a person in grand attire.
Moreover, this person had delicate features, and every frown and smile carried a familiar air.
Chu Qi was momentarily taken aback.
Xiao Pingfeng was quite frank, "My Crown Princess Consort, the future Empress of Dawei, Yan Wanqing."
"Yan Wanqing?!" Chu Qi was startled.
He spontaneously met her gaze.
His turquoise eyes were full of astonishment.
He hadn’t expected it to be her!