Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 67: Five Dragons Dispute
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
The lights dimmed, and suddenly the sound of chime bells echoed, repeatedly clanging like a command. Slender sleeves swayed as golden-pink fragrance floated through the air. The mellow wine exuded a tempting aroma, like a drug—one sniff and you were eager to taste it.
Chu Qiao followed Li Ce as they walked into the main entrance of Ziyun Palace. A huge bell suddenly tolled, and under the glassy red roof tiles was a golden hall, shimmering with depictions of dragons, phoenixes, and qilins playing with pearls. On both sides of the main hall stood two rows of enormous golden candles. The red candles, elaborately carved in bronze, bore the marks of the two nations. At the end of her gaze sat a golden throne flanked by 80 seats, all of which were now occupied. The previously lively atmosphere fell silent with the entrance of Li Ce and his entourage. Eyes filled with envy, awe, curiosity, and even hostility turned toward them.
This was the most noble place under the heavens—luxury in its finest form, where jade, silk, and lavish feasts were abundant. Many would spend their entire lives striving to reach such a status, even if only to glimpse this grandeur from a distance. Yet, at this moment, Chu Qiao felt an oppressive weight descend upon her, suffocating her amidst the mingling scents in the room.
"Prince Li Ce, you're late. I'll have to fine you two cups of wine later," Wei Guang said, smiling. He appeared rosy and unaffected by his recent grief over his nephew's death.
Li Ce laughed heartily and strode forward, smiling. "Sure, but only if you don't desert like last time after a few drinks."
Wei Guang chuckled. "This old man can't match the prime of youth. Drinking too much and running off is a helpless necessity."
The crowd erupted into laughter, and the tense atmosphere lightened. Chu Qiao glanced around and noticed that Muhe's usual seat had been taken by a representative of the Wei clan, even next to the throne where two seats had been set up equally, symbolizing a lack of hierarchy. It was clear that both the Queen of Wei, Muhe Yun, and Wei Shu Qi of the Wei clan would attend this banquet.
"Who is this beautiful young lady, and what has captured her attention?"
Everyone inwardly groaned. Li Ce's flirtatious comments had become something of a mantra, spoken no matter the occasion.
Wei Guang smiled as he stood up. A girl dressed in pink followed closely behind him. She had skin like spring peaches, eyes like autumn waters, and a figure as delicate as a willow branch, embodying the grace of an orchid—a natural beauty.
"This is my daughter, Sumei. Prince Li Ce speaks too kindly."
"You're right and wrong at the same time, Lord Wei. You've kept this beauty hidden for years, yet today, I am fortunate enough to meet her. The heavens must be smiling upon me."
Amused by Li Ce's teasing, the others chuckled. But beneath the surface, the tension of political maneuvering was palpable. Wei Guang had removed Muhe from power, but his ambitions remained unquenched. The real rivalry, though, was not over wealth or status but between the royal factions of Muhe Yun and Zhao. The conflict was subtle but deadly, like a looming storm.
Zhao Qi, standing aside, was once again struck by the strength of his mother's machinations. Though Wei Guang might not be as fierce as Muhe Yun, his cunning and ambition were undeniable. Zhao Qi knew that if the Wei clan succeeded in their plans, he could end up a mere puppet.
At that moment, Li Ce suddenly remembered something. He slapped his forehead and hurried to the door, pulling forward a young woman who had been waiting quietly. "Everyone, I almost forgot! Let me introduce Jojo to you all."
Li Ce pulled Chu Qiao forward as he spoke, drawing everyone's attention.
Wei Guang raised his brows in curiosity and glanced at Zhao Qi for any sign of recognition, but Zhao Qi remained coldly focused on the throne, indifferent.
Though Wei Guang was a shrewd man, he didn't concern himself with Chu Qiao. In his eyes, the real threats were Muhe's faction and the Royal Zhao. Zhuge was another powerful family, but they had already settled into their positions. Yan Xun, once seen as a potential threat, was now dismissed as irrelevant.
"Your Highness, who is this young lady?" Wei Guang asked.
"This is Jojo," Li Ce said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "She is my future wife, and I intend to marry her."
His declaration sent shockwaves through the crowd. Chu Qiao's simple dress made it clear she was no aristocrat, and the notion that Li Ce would choose such a woman as his wife left even the seasoned Wei Guang momentarily stunned.
"Your Highness isn't joking, is he?" Wei Guang finally managed to say after a long silence.
Li Ce's expression was serious as he replied, "Marriage is no trivial matter, and I've already asked the Emperor for his blessing."
At this, the crowd murmured in disbelief. Many of the palace's noblewomen, who had been eyeing Li Ce, now looked at Chu Qiao with hostility and envy.
One of the ladies stepped forward, smiling sweetly. "Congratulations, Miss Chu. It seems you've won the Prince's heart."
Chu Qiao responded coolly, "My surname is Chu, and I am a civilian."
The woman's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Ah, not of the noble Chu family?"
"No," Chu Qiao replied bluntly. "I used to be a slave of the Great Summer royal prince. Now I am free, though formerly a servant."
The crowd buzzed with shock, and Li Ce couldn't help but laugh at Chu Qiao's boldness.
Wei Guang, seeing the unfolding drama, exchanged a glance with his daughter and wisely withdrew, leaving Li Ce to manage the situation.
"When did she agree to marry you?" someone suddenly shouted.
A young man, Zhao Song, entered the room, his face filled with fury. He marched straight up to Li Ce and Chu Qiao, glaring at the Prince.
Zhao Song stood before Li Ce, his voice low but filled with warning. "Whatever you intend to do, don't use her."
Li Ce smirked and whispered back, "I love her. What I do will come from that."
Zhao Song's eyes narrowed in anger, but before he could respond, the sound of bells filled the hall. The Emperor had arrived.
"Long live the Emperor!" the crowd chanted as Xia Huang entered, his presence instantly commanding the room.
A loud voice rang through the hall. Under the bright yellow robes, the Great Summer Emperor, Xia Huang, looked amiable as he smiled faintly, waving his hand. "Celebrate, everyone," he said warmly.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the banquet officially began. The sound of bamboo instruments filled the air, and dancers moved seductively across the floor. Xia Huang turned to Li Ce with a kind smile. "Prince Li, tell me, have you been enjoying yourself these past few days?"
Chu Qiao glanced up at the throne for the first time. It was the first time she had seen the real Xia Huang. His appearance was quite ordinary—his features were just acceptable, neither handsome nor particularly striking. His eyes were small and narrow, half-squinted like a lazy cat. His nose was not prominent, and he had several small dark spots on his face. His body was thin, and his hair was already graying in places. If not for his royal robes, he would be indistinguishable from any common man.
Yet, it was precisely this ordinariness that made him so unsettling. To sit in power for decades, overseeing the world's greatest empire, and maintain such calm and humility—was he born to be so inconspicuous, or had his ability to hide his true nature been perfected over the years?
Chu Qiao knew, just from watching him deal with the Yanbian Zhu Mu affair, that Xia Huang was far from ordinary. The hidden depths behind his calm exterior were not to be underestimated.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I've had a wonderful time—so much so that I'm almost reluctant to leave," Li Ce said with a grin.
Xia Huang laughed, then shook his head with a smile. "That may be, but if you don't return soon, the Tang King might grow desperate."
The crowd joined in laughter, except for Mu He Yun, whose expression remained solemn.
Mu He Yun, once vibrant and youthful, had aged significantly. Her white hair, poorly concealed by makeup, stood in stark contrast to the other youthful concubines. Her age was becoming more and more apparent as time passed.
"The Emperor," Wei Guang suddenly stood and smiled, "was just discussing with the Prince and other ministers about his intention to marry Miss Chu."
The room fell silent, and the princesses seated on both sides exchanged glances, their faces hardening. They looked at Chu Qiao as if she were a sharp thorn in their midst, a source of great anger and hostility. The idea that someone as lowly as Chu Qiao might be elevated to their ranks was unthinkable.
Xia Huang smiled mildly, seemingly unbothered. "Marriage between husband and wife, concubines, it's all as it should be. As long as Prince Li Ce does not disappoint me or the Tang King, there is no need for concern."
Li Ce's face darkened slightly as he prepared to speak, but just then, Shu Concubine interjected. "His Majesty is right. These matters of succession are inevitable, and Wei Guang need not be concerned."
Wei Guang, slightly taken aback, sat down slowly, having understood the meaning behind her words.
"Your Majesty is mistaken," Li Ce said with a smile that barely masked his frustration. "I am interested in her as a concubine, not as a wife. From a royal perspective, it is better for me to marry a princess."
"What did you say?"
Xia Huang's voice dropped, his gaze narrowing on Li Ce. He looked over at one of his daughters before speaking softly. "Has Prince Li already made up his mind?"
"Yes," Li Ce replied, smiling faintly. "My mind is made up."
"Very well," Xia Huang said, nodding. Then, with sudden fury, he stood and shouted, "Guards! Seize this demon who has bewitched the Prince! Cut off her hands so that she may never seduce anyone again!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" A group of tiger-backed soldiers stormed into the hall, ready to grab the woman.
Li Ce immediately stepped forward, his voice cold. "Your Majesty, what are you doing?"
"This woman is a servant, one who first seduced you and will deceive you again. If I don't punish her severely, what of the laws of Great Summer? What face will I have before your father?"
"She is someone I wish to marry," Li Ce explained. "This is my decision. It has nothing to do with her. How could you punish someone who holds my favor?"
Xia Huang's voice turned icy. "First, she is a subject of Great Summer. Before you fell for her, she belonged to me. Do you intend to interfere in the internal affairs of my kingdom, Prince Li?"
Li Ce was momentarily taken aback, at a loss for words. The guards advanced, and Chu Qiao, though initially shocked by the sudden turn of events, remained calm. Her eyes searched for Yan Xun in the crowd, but his expression was indifferent, as if he hadn't noticed the commotion. His fingers gently tapped the table, a subtle signal for her to stay quiet and accept what was happening.
"Father!" Zhao Song suddenly stood up, shouting, "This is unfair!"
Xia Huang sneered. "A mere slave has not only bewitched a prince but now even my sons are defending her? What a disaster this woman is! Cut her head off instead. It would be better!"
"Father!" Zhao Song cried out in fury. Zhao Qi stepped forward to restrain him. "Thirteenth brother, be silent! Do you want her death on your conscience?"
"Take her away!" Xia Huang commanded.
The soldiers moved in, but Li Ce sighed deeply, unwilling to beg further on her behalf. Chu Qiao, still composed and without fear, caught Yan Xun's subtle gesture again and realized he had no intention of intervening. Resigned, she allowed herself to be dragged away by the guards.
As she was being led out, a tall figure suddenly blocked their path. Dressed in a dark purple robe with a golden crown upon his head, Zhuge Yue stepped forward. He grabbed Chu Qiao's arm and said calmly, "Your Majesty, if this person must be executed, at least let her have a proper burial."
At that moment, Yan Xun's expression finally shifted, but no one seemed to notice.
Xia Huang raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhuge Yue with mild interest. "You know her?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhuge Yue replied, turning to face Chu Qiao coldly. "I know her."
AC Afterthoughts
This chapter brings the power dynamics of the imperial court to the forefront, showcasing how fragile favor can be in the world of politics. Li Ce's relationship with Chu Qiao has sparked controversy and set the stage for conflict, but it's clear that even a prince is not above the Emperor's authority. The sudden shift from light banter to a life-threatening situation for Chu Qiao underscores the volatility of court life, where fortunes can change in an instant.
Xia Huang's demeanor and actions suggest that he is far more dangerous than his mild appearance suggests. His decision to punish Chu Qiao so harshly reflects the unforgiving nature of the imperial system, where loyalty, power, and status are constantly in flux.
The arrival of Zhuge Yue at the end of the chapter is particularly significant, as it hints at deeper connections and motivations. His intervention leaves readers questioning his true intentions and sets the stage for further developments in Chu Qiao's fate.