Chapter Six: The Political Marriage

A procession of barbarian envoys made their way to the palace’s council hall to pay respects to Feng Yewu, presenting a hundred rare coral pearls as tribute. Afterward, they were escorted to the Palace of Delight, where a banquet had already been prepared to welcome them and cleanse the dust of their journey. As soon as Feng Yewu and the envoys took their seats, the evening feast commenced with enchanting dancers, the music lively and melodious, and the hall soon filled with the clinking of cups and vibrant laughter.

“Your Majesty,” called out a noble young lady in sumptuous attire, seated closest to Feng Yewu. She was none other than Princess Tianyin, the sole princess of the barbarians. With a radiant smile, she respectfully raised her cup to Feng Yewu. “Allow me to toast you.”

Feng Yewu lifted her delicate cup, nodding slightly to Princess Tianyin with a faint smile, and both drained their cups in one motion. Kneeling beside Feng Yewu, Lu Jue, holding a wine vessel, calmly refilled her empty glass with lowered gaze and steady hands.

Princess Tianyin observed Lu Jue; she had noticed him for a long while in the council hall earlier. He struck her as exceptionally handsome, distinguished by his gentle manners and graceful bearing, and the more she looked, the more her heart was delighted.

Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, “Your Majesty, to which family does this young gentleman belong? Even in the simple act of pouring wine, he is so pleasing to the eye.”

Hearing the praise from another, Feng Yewu felt an inexplicable surge of pride, her smile unusually genuine. “He is merely a close attendant, but his demeanor is excellent, so I allowed him to serve at such occasions.”

Princess Tianyin’s spirits soared—so he was only an attendant! She hurriedly said, “I see. Then, Your Majesty, why not let this man marry into my tribe as part of the alliance?”

Both Feng Yewu and Lu Jue were stunned, never expecting the princess to choose Lu Jue.

Seeing Feng Yewu’s silence, Princess Tianyin added eagerly, “Give him to me, and my tribe will forever serve the Central Plains. He is only an attendant, not a prince or heir; it is truly a profitable arrangement…”

“No,” Feng Yewu interrupted her without thinking, cutting off her exuberant proposal.

Princess Tianyin pressed, “Why not?”

The barbarian lands lay in the southern frontier, plagued by miasma, a place of exile for convicts; naturally, Feng Yewu was unwilling for Lu Jue to suffer such a fate. Yet such reasons could not be spoken aloud. After a moment’s contemplation, she replied, “He is but a lowly servant of the palace; how could he aspire to marry a princess? The difference in status is too great. I doubt your father would consent.”

Princess Tianyin laughed, “Your Majesty need not worry about such things. My tribe cares little for pedigree or birth, unlike the Central Plains, and my father dotes on me; he would not object!”

Feng Yewu’s brows furrowed, and as she sought more excuses to fend off this unrestrained princess, Lu Jue’s cool, quiet voice suddenly rang out.

“If the princess insists, I am willing to accompany you, exchanging my service for everlasting peace between the barbarians and the Central Plains.”

Princess Tianyin burst into hearty laughter, applauding the idea. Feng Yewu turned to look at Lu Jue in astonishment, feeling a sudden blaze of anger ignite within her chest, burning away her composure and reason.

Her good intentions, trampled upon! Forcing herself to quell her fury, Feng Yewu said coldly, “Since you are so eager, then go and attend the princess well. Surely being a princess’s consort is far better than serving as a slave at my side.”

Lu Jue’s usually calm expression showed a hint of panic; he opened his mouth to speak. But Feng Yewu had already averted her gaze, focusing icily on the sword dancer performing the first movement in the hall, clearly unwilling to argue further.

Countless unspoken words dissolved into a barely audible sigh. An imperial command could not be defied; Lu Jue could only bow to Feng Yewu. “I… obey.”

Feng Yewu hadn’t expected him to actually accept, and was so agitated she let out a cold laugh, draining her cup in one gulp.

Princess Tianyin, childlike in her delight, cared only for the handsome attendant who would now accompany her. She laughed and called out, “Come, pour me some wine!”

Lu Jue managed a faint, habitual smile, rising to kneel beside the princess and fill her cup. Glancing up inadvertently, he saw two maids had already replaced him at Feng Yewu’s side, massaging her shoulders and legs. Feng Yewu toyed with her empty cup, her expression cold as she watched the sword dance.

Though she often wore such a detached face, Lu Jue could keenly sense the agitated restlessness she was now concealing beneath it.

“You’re so handsome—how did you end up as a servant in the palace?” the princess asked curiously. Lu Jue explained briefly, then skillfully steered the conversation away, his gaze still drifting now and then toward Feng Yewu.

Feng Yewu stared at the beautiful dancer whose sword followed the music, unable to calm her turbulent mind. Even her favorite peach blossom pastries tasted bland, and she felt only a desire to overturn the table and storm out.

The sword dancer spun again, scattering petals as her twin swords crossed with a resonant clang—the famed Water Moon Flower Array known across the land.

Feng Yewu forced herself to keep her gaze fixed on the dancer, though her thoughts kept drifting toward Lu Jue. Yet even as she listened, she could still hear Lu Jue’s gentle voice and the princess’s bell-like laughter.

The laughter was pleasant enough, but to Feng Yewu it now seemed harsh and grating.

The dancer executed another intricate move, her sword shadows swirling like blossoms in the wind, her elaborate attire adding to the dazzling spectacle.