Chapter Twenty-Six: Entering the Palace for the Banquet

As evening descended, Zhan Yan bathed and changed, donning the elaborate palace attire. Qing Yun meticulously styled her, leaving Zhan Yan speechless as she watched Qing Yun fuss over her. Heavy vermilion hairpins and dangling ornaments adorned her head, transforming her into a radiant beauty.

Zhan Yan gazed into the mirror, her head weighed down with jewelry—beautiful, yet overwhelming. Unable to accept such excess, she removed several heavy hairpins and a few elaborate ornaments until only a jade hairpin, two light amethyst flowers, and a matching delicate hairpiece remained. She shook her head, finding it tolerable at last.

“Are you ready?” Zhongli Yu entered, and upon seeing Zhan Yan in her ornate attire, he was momentarily stunned. Usually clad in white, untouched by worldly dust, today she was elegant and luminous, exuding a noble aura like a queen—so majestic that one dared not meet her gaze.

“We can go now,” Zhan Yan said, amused by his dazed expression.

“Alright.” He took her hand and led her out of the courtyard, escorting her directly onto the carriage.

“Aren’t you riding a horse?” Zhan Yan asked curiously as he joined her in the carriage.

“Riding isn’t nearly as comfortable as sitting in a carriage,” he replied, pulling her into his embrace.

It’s not the softness of the carriage, but the warmth of the beauty in his arms, Qing Xian, who was driving outside, silently grumbled.

The carriage traveled for half an hour before arriving at the palace gates, where crowds had already gathered. As Zhongli Yu approached, people respectfully greeted him, their eyes filled with awe when they saw Zhan Yan.

Zhongli Yu never released Zhan Yan’s hand, regardless of the many onlookers. When she tried to withdraw, he only held her tighter. He led her inside, where although the emperor had not yet arrived, many were already seated. Zhongli Yu brought Zhan Yan to a dignified elderly lady—the Empress Dowager—whom Zhan Yan had met as a child.

“Yu’er, you’re here,” the Empress Dowager said kindly, smiling at Zhan Yan. “This must be the Lady Chun. I have heard tales of her beauty—indeed, they were true.”

“Greetings, Your Majesty,” Zhan Yan said, bowing gracefully.

“No need for formalities, come, sit by me,” the Empress Dowager beckoned warmly.

“Your Majesty, tonight I entrust my wife to you. She is timid; please watch over her and don’t let anyone bully her,” Zhongli Yu said with a gentle laugh, clearly comfortable with the Empress Dowager.

“You rascal, with me here, who would dare?” the Empress Dowager waved him off as one would a fly. “Don’t be afraid, dear. Yu’er’s grandmother and I are sisters, so we are kin. Yu’er grew up without parents; I watched over him. Now that he’s married, I can rest easy,” she said, patting Zhan Yan’s hand with warmth.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Rest assured, I will take good care of him,” Zhan Yan replied obediently.

“Good, good…”

“The Emperor arrives,” a eunuch’s shrill announcement echoed, and the room fell silent.

Everyone rose to pay their respects. Emperor Zhong Aotian entered, resplendent in his bright yellow robes, his discerning black eyes reflecting wisdom and steadiness. Though forty-five years old, he showed no signs of age.

“The Crown Prince of Xiyuan and the Third Princess of Xiyuan arrive,” came another announcement.

A striking young man and an ethereal beauty entered the hall.

“Greetings, King of Dongling,” they said in unison, bowing respectfully.

“No need for formalities. Be seated,” King Dongling replied.

“The Crown Prince and Princess of Xiyuan have come to discuss relations between our nations. Tonight, I host this banquet to welcome their arrival,” King Dongling declared.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Let the music and dance begin.”

At his command, a group of graceful dancers performed the celestial dance. After several rounds of toasts, the Crown Prince of Xiyuan stood. “I have long heard of Your Majesty’s wise governance. Seeing the peace and prosperity of Dongling, I find the rumors true. To maintain friendship between our nations, my father has sent me and his beloved daughter, the Third Princess, to propose an alliance through marriage, forging everlasting ties.”

A wave of astonishment swept through the hall. The princess, a beauty beyond compare, was to wed in Dongling—who would be so fortunate?

“Excellent,” King Dongling laughed heartily. “Does the Princess favor any of our fine young men, or shall I choose for you? I have several sons yet to marry.”

“Your Majesty, I believe Prince Chun is most suitable. May I have the honor of becoming the Lady Chun?” Princess Bairou stood, her voice sweet and clear. Zhan Yan’s brow twitched.

“Oh? The Princess may not know—Prince Chun married just a few days ago. You have arrived a little late,” King Dongling said with some regret.

“In this age, what man does not have multiple wives? I do not mind that he has already married, so long as he takes me as an equal wife,” Yang Bairou replied without hesitation.

A collective gasp filled the hall, envy shining in every eye turned toward Zhongli Yu. Prince Chun’s fortune was unmatched—having just wed an ethereal beauty, now the famed beauty of Xiyuan sought his hand. Truly, fate favored some over others. Yet Zhongli Yu's expression remained calm, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

“What is Prince Chun’s opinion?” King Dongling asked softly.

“Your Majesty, I already have a wife. There is no need for another,” Zhongli Yu answered firmly.

Another wave of surprise rippled through the crowd—how could he refuse such a treasure?

Zhan Yan sat quietly, as if untouched by the drama, though her heart was tumultuous. She had not expected such a predicament so soon after her own happiness began. For a moment, she felt fear—fear that Zhongli Yu might accept Princess Bairou’s proposal, ending their bond forever. She would never share her husband.

When Zhongli Yu refused, relief washed over her, but worry took root. Who knew what woman would appear next to steal her husband? In her previous life, she had handled countless divorce cases, most sparked by men succumbing to temptation and families breaking apart.

If marriages protected by modern law could fall prey to such fate, how much more fragile was happiness in this ancient world of polygamy? How long could her joy last? Zhan Yan shook her head with a bitter smile.

She looked up to meet Zhongli Yu’s anxious gaze. He saw her sorrow and felt a pang that radiated through every fiber of his being, making him deeply uneasy, as if she were drifting away from him. It unsettled him, and he longed to draw her into his arms once more.