Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 65: Bride Robbery
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
Winter has passed, and the earth is in rejuvenation.
This morning, with the window open, we found that most of the snow outside had melted, and the ice was thawing. The lake had flooded, and the southern swallows had returned to the north, shimmering like a crown. Their voices were crisp and sweet.
Today, Yan Xun was in high spirits. A few days ago, he had just vanquished his enemies, bringing him great liberation.
Wearing a lake-green Jin Pao (golden gown), tied at the waist with a sash of the same color, like white jade, his eyes were as sharp as cold stars. He exuded elegance, a clear jade-like presence, and the stoic demeanor of a warrior. At this moment, he was sitting in the heart of the lake pavilion, sipping tea with a faint aroma of burning incense drifting in the air. The smoke rose vertically, and there wasn't a hint of wind. The soft sound of a small gong echoed from the distant East China Court. The scene, nestled among blue-green rockeries, resembled a picturesque scroll—ethereal, devoid of any trace of human disturbance.
Yan Xun had stolen a moment of peace, something he had not experienced in a long time.
In the afternoon, a galloping horse abruptly shattered this rare tranquility as it charged into the sanctuary.
"Son of Heaven," A'Jing, sweating profusely, rushed to the pavilion with several subordinates from the Yingge Theater. He loudly called to Yan Zan, who was standing outside the pavilion: "A great calamity has struck."
A breezy gust blew, fluttering Yan Xun's clothes. He turned around, his expression calm but with a hint of annoyance at the intrusion.
"Is there a need for such panic?"
Yan Xun's voice was calm, his demeanor unshaken, exuding a composed temperament. A'Jing, unable to match his transcendent calm, spoke urgently: "Prince Bian Tang just visited Xiaoqidang Camp and demanded that the archery coach of Xiaoqi Camp marry him!"
"Prince Bian Tang demands a marriage, and what has that to do with me?"
Yan Xun raised an eyebrow, speaking in a leisurely tone as he turned to walk away.
A'Jing and his companions exchanged confused glances. Their hearts suddenly filled with a mix of reverence and awe.
Could it be that His Majesty had finally grasped the bigger picture? Had he grown beyond personal ties? Chu Qiao and His Royal Highness had grown up together, sharing a deep bond, yet His Highness remained calm and unmoved. What incredible self-control and discipline! How much had he sacrificed for his convictions, for the sake of unity and his ideals?
But before A'Jing's smile could spread across his face, a cold wind swept through. Yan Xun, whose normally gentle demeanor had vanished, grabbed A'Jing's shoulder with a vice-like grip and growled: "Who is the archery coach he's going to marry?"
A'Jing, almost in tears, replied, "The archery coach at Xiaoqi Camp... she's the only female coach there."
"Damn it!"
"Damn it!"
"Damn it!"
Three simultaneous cries of frustration echoed across the city of Huang. At that moment, Yan Xun, Zhao Che, and Zhao Song all rushed out of their residences and began marching toward the cavalry camp.
"Bian Tang's Prince Li Ce?"
Meanwhile, in the Zhuge Mansion, among the plum blossoms, a man in a dark robe raised an eyebrow and coldly asked, "What scheme is he planning now?"
Zhu Cheng chuckled and said, "Master, Prince Li Ce isn't causing trouble. The prince has his eye on a certain lady, and it seems he won't give up easily."
Zhuge Yue's expression darkened as he stood, donned his cloak, and walked out.
"Master, where are you going?" Zhu Cheng called after him.
"To see what's happening..."
In the distance, Zhu Cheng could only faintly hear his master's reply. By then, Zhuge Yue had already disappeared, leaving behind a faint echo of galloping horses and crushed plum blossoms. Zhu Cheng sighed and murmured to himself, "What is the young master thinking?"
Just as the swallows and others reached the cavalry camp, Prince Bian Tang's carriage was leaving the jagged barracks, slowly making its way toward the Golden Palace.
Li Ce, with a fox-like grin, sat in the carriage. His face still bore fresh bruises, diminishing his once peerless beauty. In the corner of the luxurious carriage, Chu Qiao sat, her expression calm but her brows furrowed in quiet anger. Despite the hatred in her heart, she respectfully bowed her head and said, "Your Highness Prince Li Ce, I deeply apologize for my offense the other day. I ask that you not hold a grudge."
Li Ce, raising his eyebrows with a lazy smile, said, "So you're called Chu Qiao? Can I call you Xiao Qiao or Qiao'er?"
Chu Qiao's body tensed, goosebumps rising on her skin. She frowned and replied, "My name is of little importance to Your Highness."
"Or how about Jojo? It sounds more affectionate."
Chu Qiao's face grew colder as she replied sternly, "If my offense has led to this situation, I am willing to accept any punishment."
Li Ce, ignoring her, continued with a grin, "Do you have any family? Parents, perhaps?"
"Your Highness, please speak plainly. I am a commoner and unworthy of your affections."
"How old are you? I'm turning 20 in July. What about you?"
"Your Highness, what is it you truly want?"
Li Ce's teasing demeanor persisted as he inquired about her origins, but Chu Qiao finally lost her patience and sternly said, "If you dislike the idea of marrying a princess, there are many ways to avoid it. Why use me as a shield? I am of no value to you."
Li Ce, feigning sadness, replied, "Oh Jojo, you misunderstand me. I'm heartbroken that you think so poorly of me."
Frustrated, Chu Qiao realized how exhausting it was to converse with Li Ce, who never seemed to take things seriously. Resigned, she sighed and sat silently in the carriage.
Li Ce, undeterred, moved closer with a smile, his tone still playful: "Jojo, I'm cold."
Moments later, with a loud "thud," Li Ce, like a rolling ball, was thrown from the carriage and crashed to the ground, shocking his guards.
"Assassin!" one of the guards shouted.
"No, no, it's fine!" Li Ce quickly stood up, trying to reassure the panicked crowd. "I just lost my balance."
As the onlookers exchanged confused glances, Li Ce clambered back into the carriage and muttered to Chu Qiao, "Jojo, your future husband will demand retribution for such ruthlessness."
Chu Qiao, her eyes half-closed, shot him a cold look and replied, "Men and women are different, Your Highness. Please remember that."
"Jojo, help me with this medicine," Li Ce said pitifully, holding out his bleeding arm.
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow but made no move.
"If others see me injured, you'll be implicated," Li Ce pointed out.
Sighing in frustration, Chu Qiao grabbed his arm and roughly applied the medicine, causing Li Ce to yelp in pain.
Outside, Zhao Qi and the others listened to Li Ce's howls and exchanged bewildered glances.
Above, the sky was clear, the air fresh, and the sun warm. Birds hovered freely in the air. Civilians knelt along the sides of the road, avoiding eye contact but casting curious glances at the commotion.
That evening, the emperor himself was set to host a grand banquet to welcome Prince Li Ce. It was a night where the nobility, royalty, and even the rarely-seen royal princesses would attend, all vying for Prince Li Ce's attention. After all, the prince of Bian Tang had remained unmarried for many years, and the one he chose would become queen of Bian Tang, offering immense power to the family she belonged to.
But none of the noblewomen knew that the woman Prince Li Ce was currently with was already being drawn closer to the heart of the imperial palace's intrigue.
AC Afterthoughts:
This chapter masterfully builds tension through the juxtaposition of serenity and chaos. Yan Xun's brief moment of tranquility is swiftly interrupted by news of political machinations, showcasing how fleeting peace is in this world of constant conflict. The interactions between Chu Qiao and Li Ce provide both comic relief and insight into their contrasting personalities—Chu Qiao's seriousness and Li Ce's flippant behavior highlight the differences in how they navigate the dangerous political landscape. However, beneath Li Ce's humor, there lies a calculated mind, making the reader question his true intentions.
The chapter hints at the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that will shape the future, with Prince Li Ce's marriage serving as a linchpin for political power. Despite the lighter tone in certain scenes, the undercurrent of tension remains, with characters like Yan Xun and Zhuge Yue preparing for the conflicts that lie ahead.