Chapter 240: Welcoming Feast
Ying Tong then said in a low voice, “Isn’t this the one we met on the street that day…”
That’s right, the pair of children the King of Fenye was holding were the barbarian girl and her elder brother they had met on the street a few days ago.
Gong Changan remembered the girl’s name—Zhuola Han.
“It seems they arrived in the Capital City earlier. Why did they say they only arrived today?” Ying Bai frowned slightly.
At this moment, Zhuola Han naturally also saw Gong Changan, her joy evident.
But she still patiently paid her respects to the Emperor and others with her father, and then ran to Gong Changan, hugging him and saying, “This is great! I didn’t expect to see you here!”
Although everyone around that day said Gong Changan was a child prodigy, she grew up in the frontier and didn’t know what San Jing Academy was, thinking it was just a place to study.
She had planned to find Gong Changan after meeting the Emperor, but she didn’t expect to see him as soon as she entered the palace.
Except for a few insiders, everyone was very surprised.
“Father, this is the Bazan I told you about!” Zhuola Han happily pulled Gong Changan, dragging him to the King of Fenye, “He saved me that day. I’ll marry him when I grow up!”
“Hey! Didn’t Father tell you that you’re still young and shouldn’t talk about marriage all the time.” The King of Fenye frowned, “I will thank him properly. Marriage matters must be decided by the elders!”
After speaking, he also realized he should explain to everyone, so he said with a smile, “My two children have never been to the Capital City. Like eaglets eager to fly to the mountain peak, they brought a few followers and rode at full speed, arriving in the Capital City a few days earlier than us.
My daughter is very mischievous and got into a dispute with someone on the street. Three young men helped her, and this child was one of them.”
“The other two are also here.” Zhuola Han pointed at Ying Tong and Ying Bai, “Who are they?”
“Reporting to Your Highness, these two are Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent and Prince of Chu’s Heir Apparent,” the Official of the Court of Ceremonial introduced.
“Ah, so they are the two heirs apparent! Truly young heroes.” The King of Fenye laughed heartily, “This fate is truly marvelous!”
While speaking humorously, he carefully observed Ying Tong and Ying Bai, comparing them in his heart.
“The princes of the Northern Frontier have extraordinary bearing, and the princesses of the Northern Frontier are spirited. Truly a pair of good children,” the Emperor said with a smile, “I didn’t know the children had this interesting story. This will make them even more harmonious.”
“Your Majesty is absolutely right. Your subject thinks the children must dislike being constrained, so it would be better to let them play together on the side, and we adults can catch up properly,” the Empress said, “We haven’t seen the Prince and Princess for many years, so there are many heartfelt words to say.”
“The Empress’s suggestion is very appropriate. Let it be so! Have the attendants serve diligently and absolutely do not neglect our distinguished guests,” the Emperor nodded.
At this time, Prince Zhao and Prince Chu and others were also present. Prince Zhao and Princess Consort Zhao exchanged a glance, and Prince Chu and Princess Consort Chu also exchanged a look.
“Duanmin, you must have had a hard journey?” the Emperor looked at Princess Duanmin with concern.
“The road home is always a happy one, not tiring at all. It’s just that after not seeing each other for several years, Imperial Brother has aged from worrying about state affairs, and his temples have turned white. I am no longer young either…” Duanmin said gently, with a hint of tears in her eyes.
“Your Highness’s grace has not diminished over the years; you are still a dignified and noble imperial flower!” the Empress said with a smile.
Princess Duanmin merely smiled upon hearing this and did not reply.
In fact, everyone in the palace knew that Princess Duanmin and the Empress did not have a good relationship, they just hadn’t fallen out publicly.
Initially, Princess Duanmin had someone she admired, who was the Imperial Guard Leader Bu Yuegui. The two were already at the stage of discussing marriage, but then Consort Shen’s incident occurred.
Princess Duanmin naturally did not believe that Bu Yuegui and Shen Fu had an affair. All of this was slander fabricated by the Dong Family to eliminate their rivals.
While she was in grief and pain, the Empress’s younger brother, Dong Siyue, actually wanted to be her Imperial Son-in-law.
In a fit of anger, the Princess took the initiative to propose marriage to the King of Fenye, who had come for a political marriage, thus escaping the entanglement of the Dong Family.
Although eight or nine years had passed, the hatred in the Princess’s heart had never diminished in the slightest.
The Empress naturally noticed the Princess’s emotions, but she didn’t care.
She, Dong Xiangning, was the legitimate eldest daughter of Dong Yannian. How could a princess married off for a political alliance possibly affect her?
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but straighten her back even more, a smug smile appearing on her lips.
There were many people in the world who hated her, but who could do anything to their Dong Family?
Inside the magnificent palace, there was light singing and dancing, and clinking wine cups.
The Grand Princess raised her wine cup, “Duanmin, I know you’re returning to the Capital City today, so I specially prepared Pear Blossom White for you. Back then, you’d find this wine too strong and cough while drinking. I wonder if your tolerance has improved now?”
Princess Duanmin smiled and drank the wine in her hand in one gulp, “Aunt, the wine from the frontier is stronger than this, but I can no longer get drunk.”
Countless nights when the north wind howled, she would guard the yurt alone, drowning her sorrows in wine.
At first, she could remain groggy for several days, but gradually, the duration of her grogginess shortened.
In the end, the wine was drunk like cold water. It would cause headaches and vomiting, but her mind remained clear.
The Grand Princess’s eyes darkened. Back then, she and Ying Wuchou used to like to stay by her side, like two little followers.
Many years have passed, and all three of them have become disappointed people, none of them living happily.
As for the children, their banquet was arranged in the side hall next door, but who was seriously eating and drinking?
Zhuola Han clung to Gong Changan, while her elder brother, Yu Chao, tried to quiet her down.
Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent wanted to compete in archery and horsemanship with Yu Chao, and Prince of Chu’s Heir Apparent wanted to inquire about grassland customs from them.
The Ninth Princess was bored and sat there, her eyes on her nose and her nose on her eyes.
Finally, Gong Changan was at a loss and suggested going for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.
Everyone then got up and headed to the Imperial Garden.
It was already past the Mid-Autumn Festival, and many flowers had withered, but many plants and trees still showed an unusual charm.
Under a crimson maple tree stood a beauty in a light red dress.
Everyone was greatly amazed upon seeing her.
“Do you have fairies here?” Zhuola Han asked, her voice involuntarily lowering.
“Whose daughter is this? I’ve never seen her before,” Ying Tong murmured, even somewhat entranced.
“Sister Sang Er!” Gong Changan broke free from Zhuola Han’s hand and ran to hug the person.
Sang Er was also surprised. She had accompanied the Grand Princess into the palace and didn’t need to serve by her side, so she came to the Imperial Garden for a stroll.
She had expected everyone to be at the main hall for the banquet at this time, but she never thought Gong Changan and the others would all come here.
She quickly paid her respects to everyone.
