Days slipped by like water.
The envoy from the Northern Borders for the marriage alliance finally arrived.
It was the Northern Border's prince and princess who came. It was deemed sufficient for the Second Prince, who had not yet been crowned king, to receive them at the city gates, rather than requiring the Crown Prince himself to do so. Sui Sui followed along to join the excitement, saying that since the Northern Border's princess was also coming, it would be more convenient for a woman to host her.
But in truth, she just wanted to go to welcome her childhood friend, Ouyang Yun.
If I hadn't become the intended Crown Princess, I would have definitely found a disguised maid to accompany her, but that was clearly not suitable now. If I were seen, people would gossip about my lack of decorum.
However, I still had to attend the welcoming banquet. Not just me, but officials of the third rank and above in the capital, along with their families, were all seated. It was said to be even grander than the New Year's Eve palace banquet.
The gifts presented by the Northern Borders were no different from their usual tribute items, only fewer in quantity. The Northern Border's Second Prince had deep-set eyes and possessed a rugged handsomeness distinct from the men of Da Yin. As for Princess Ji Lan of the Northern Borders, she was heroic and full of spirit.
It was rumored that she preferred martial attire to feminine gowns.
The palace dancers performed the "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress Dance." The Emperor asked the Northern Border's prince if he liked it.
Before the Second Prince could speak, Princess Ji Lan said, "It is beautiful, indeed, but it has much form and little strength. It is not the kind we of the Northern Borders favor."
Then, she requested to perform a sword dance herself, to showcase the spirit of her homeland.
I wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but as she spoke, I felt her glance towards me with extreme disdain.
I looked at Sui Sui, who was sitting beside me. Had something happened between them when Sui Sui hosted her earlier that day? I questioned Sui Sui with my eyes, and she returned a confused look.
Soon, the pipa began to play.
The melody of "Ambush from Ten Sides" echoed through the hall, sweeping away the atmosphere of peace with the killing intent of the music. Princess Ji Lan, dressed in a red martial outfit, wielded her long sword with great vigor, yet infused it with the grace of a dancer. Accompanied by the pipa, it was truly a pleasure to behold.
Compared to ordinary dance music, I did indeed prefer sword dances, let alone Sui Sui, who had a dream of martial arts.
We both felt that her dance was superb, sitting together. If only, during the last few notes, that sword, which should have fallen, hadn't been thrust towards me...
The sharp sword energy pierced the air, carrying a chilling edge. The sharp tip was caught between my two fingers at a distance of three inches, and with a "clang," the tip was broken, falling to the ground with a clear sound.
I believed she would have control and wouldn't truly injure me with the sword.
But I disliked having a sword pointed at me.
"My apologies, it was a reflex," I said, looking apologetically at the stunned Princess Ji Lan. "This treasured sword of the Princess is forged from meteorite iron, likely very valuable. However, the artisans of Da Yin are outstanding. How about the Princess entrust this sword to me? I will return an identical one to the Princess in due course."
Princess Ji Lan recovered from her shock. "I didn't expect the intended Crown Princess of your esteemed country to appear so delicate, yet be a martial artist. If you wish for this Princess's sword, it depends on whether you have the ability."
With that, the sword shifted its angle and attacked again.
I confirmed it then. That glance earlier was not my imagination.
I narrowed my eyes and subtly shifted my body to evade her swordplay. As a guest, it was not appropriate for me to fight her in front of so many people, so I could only disarm her.
After five moves, the treasured sword with its broken tip clattered to the ground. Princess Ji Lan stared in disbelief, clutching her wrist, while I calmly cupped my fists towards her and said, "I concede."
The Emperor, seated at his imperial desk, was the first to applaud. "Well done, well done. The Crown Princess's martial arts have improved again."
The Empress coughed and said, "Princess Ji Lan also did very well. Attendants, go fetch the Teng Jiao Sword from the treasury. Since the Crown Princess has brought honor to the nation, there is no reason to make her bear the expense. The Princess's sword will naturally be compensated by the national treasury."
Princess Ji Lan's expression stiffened. Her elder brother pulled her back to her seat. "My younger sister has been rude. We beg Your Majesty and the Empress for your forgiveness."
"It is nothing. It is merely a sparring session between the younger generation. Does Princess Ji Lan have anything else she fancies? There are many talented individuals in our court, and I believe they can all spar a bit with the Princess." The Emperor smiled amiably, but his words carried a veiled warning. The Northern Borders was a small nation that had long since submitted; coming for a marriage alliance was already a low-profile act. Yet, Princess Ji Lan immediately sought to find fault with the intended Crown Princess and dared to initiate combat, which was already an offense.
Fortunately, the sword was aimed at me. If it had been directed at other noble ladies, none who hadn't practiced martial arts could have handled such a move.
It would have been Da Yin that was humiliated and lost face by being terrified and screaming in the grand hall.
Princess Ji Lan was clearly deliberately causing trouble.
Sui Sui whispered in my ear, "When did women of the Northern Borders start valuing martial arts? I almost thought she came from the Southern Barbarians."
The Southern Barbarians were a nomadic people. If women were weaker, they could only be appendages to men. For survival, any woman with the means learned archery and riding; many were heroines.
I replied, "Where would there not be a few female knights-errant? It's just that this Princess Ji Lan is a bit too fond of showing off."
With her mediocre skills, how dare she perform them at such a grand state banquet.