Feng Wuyang glanced at Cui'er and the others, waving her hand, "All rise."
"Wuyang, is there something happy? You're so cheerful," Liu Liu stopped the swing. Feng Wuyang immediately squeezed next to her and sat down, tugging at Liu Liu's arm. Her face bloomed with a smile, her eyes sparkling like gems. "Second cousin, do you know? Our neighboring country, Yuehua, is preparing for a marriage alliance with us. They have always been a friendly nation to us. Because of the Emperor's wisdom and capability, that old emperor fears we will invade their borders, so he's sending his most beloved youngest princess for this alliance. It seems my second brother can't escape this time."
Wuyang giggled. Liu Liu didn't say anything. What did this have to do with her? Marriages between nations were common. However, Feng Lie wasn't someone who would be dictated to. She hoped he wouldn't react too strongly.
If the disharmony within the royal family were seen by the envoys, they would surely mock them.
Liu Liu was not as optimistic as Wuyang. She had known Feng Lie for several years and understood his wild and unrestrained nature. He was not someone who would obediently be manipulated. She had a bad premonition.
She would inevitably be involved in this marriage alliance again. The thought made her somewhat annoyed. She didn't want to provoke anyone, so why was she always caught in the middle?
Seeing Liu Liu's slightly solemn expression, Feng Wuyang asked curiously.
"Second cousin, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Feng Wuyang never called Liu Liu "Imperial Sister-in-law," always preferring "Second Cousin." Liu Liu rather liked it, as the Emperor had not officially recognized her as Empress, and she was not shameless enough to consider herself Empress.
"No, I just fear your second brother will resist, and it will cause further turmoil."
As soon as Liu Liu finished speaking, Feng Wuyang covered her mouth and laughed. Her delicate, pretty face was radiant. She looked at Liu Liu mischievously.
"I heard Second Brother recently asked the Emperor to bestow you upon him. I told Mother then that she should bestow Second Cousin upon Second Brother. Mother ignored me. Now there's good entertainment. If Second Brother truly wants to marry Second Cousin, he definitely won't marry the princess of Yuehua."
Upon hearing Feng Wuyang's words, Liu Liu's restless heart calmed down. What was meant to happen would happen; why worry? That wasn't her nature. She turned and stared at the little Wuyang, reaching out to pinch her soft face, teasing her.
"Does our little princess have anyone she fancies? Why don't you tell me, cousin? Perhaps I can help Wuyang."
Feng Wuyang's small face flushed instantly. Second Cousin was truly something. She hadn't even thought about marriage yet. However, hearing Second Cousin's words, she couldn't help but dream. What kind of man did she like? Having seen the ethereal nature of her imperial brothers, it was difficult for anyone to impress her. She liked the chivalrous type of man, but she couldn't leave the palace. It seemed she had to sneak out of the palace one day.
Liu Liu was captivated by the mischievous expression on Feng Wuyang's face. This girl was scheming again. Her thoughts were all written on her face.
Having grown up in a greenhouse, unaware of the hardships outside, her personality would surely lead to suffering in the future. It would be better for her to stay safely in the palace and marry someone. She was a princess; she would enjoy inexhaustible glory and wealth her entire life.
"Wuyang, the outside world is very chaotic. Don't always think about going out."
Seeing that her second cousin had seen through her thoughts, Feng Wuyang smiled shyly, tugging at Liu Liu's arm and softly pleading.
"Second cousin, please don't tell anyone. I just want to go out and see the world. Honestly, staying in the palace and waiting to get married will drive me crazy. Even if I suffer, it will be of my own free will."
"You," Liu Liu sighed softly, pushing off with her foot, and the swing began to sway, making Wuyang giggle. Falling leaves fluttered, and her long robes danced, creating an unspeakable leisurely mood. If only she could choose such simple happiness.
Wuyang stayed in Huaqing Palace for half the day until Liu Liu urged her to leave, and she reluctantly returned.
Three days later, the sky was high and the air was clear. The princess and envoys of Yuehua arrived in the capital.
The streets were lined with people, bustling and noisy. Everyone was curious about what the princess of Yuehua looked like. It was rumored that the princess was exceptionally beautiful and talented.
The breeze was gentle, and the weather was hot. The princess's luxurious carriage finally appeared amidst the eager anticipation of the crowd.
The carriages of Yuehua differed from those of Tianfeng Dynasty. Four jade pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes on the carriage were adorned with colorful silk, and large fresh flowers were entwined at the four corners. A dazzling gemstone was inlaid in the center.
Under the sunlight, it emitted a blue radiance, exuding nobility. The carriage was enclosed with pink sheer screens, making the princess's appearance faintly visible beneath the gauze, eliciting gasps from the crowd.
The Princess Jielan of Yuehua was wearing a fitted pink rose robe with sleeves, and a jade green smoke gauze skirt. Her waist was tied with a large ribbon made of soft smoke gauze in golden thread.
She wore her hair in a "Jingyun Guihong" bun, with six sparkling white jade hairpins inserted obliquely on either side of the tail. In the center of the bun was a golden phoenix hair ornament inlaid with gems on all six sides. The phoenix head was made of gold leaves, and its body was crafted from fine gold threads resembling long scales. The phoenix's mouth held a row of pearl and jade tassels.
These tassels obscured the princess's peerless beauty, sparking imaginations.
The princess's carriage passed by, followed by the envoys of Yuehua and the ministers of Tianfeng Dynasty who had come to greet them. The entourage proceeded grandly towards the imperial palace.
The crowd cheered and rejoiced, signifying Tianfeng's growing prosperity. As citizens of Tianfeng, they were naturally happy.
However, not everyone cheered with genuine enthusiasm for these arrivals. There were also those lurking in the shadows, waiting for their opportunity.
On a two-story building, through a half-open window, a masked man stood still, waiting for the best moment.
As the carriage passed by the building, he suddenly moved with great speed, his sharp sword lunging directly at Princess Jielan in the carriage.
Just as the man in black made his move, the other men in black lurking in the crowd also acted. Countless figures soared into the air.
The previously lively and crowded street instantly erupted like a pot of boiling water, people scattering and fleeing in all directions. Dust flew everywhere, overturning various stalls.
Fruits rolled into the middle, causing many fleeing people to fall. As they scrambled to their feet, the once harmonious street descended into chaos due to this sudden incident.
Facing this unexpected scene, Princess Jielan of Yuehua was not as panicked as one might expect. Although she was nervous, she did not forget the dignity she should maintain as a princess, as this concerned her nation's honor.
Even if she were to be killed, she would die with her back straight. Therefore, even as the crowd descended into chaos, Princess Jielan remained seated motionlessly in her luxurious carriage, her beautiful eyes fixed on the man in black who was attempting to assassinate her through the tassels.
Just as the man in black's sharp blade was about to slice Princess Jielan's throat, in a flash, a sword intercepted the blade, deflecting it. The sword's edge grazed Jielan's neck, and blood trickled out, causing pain.
However, she breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed someone had saved her. She slowly opened her eyes and saw a man in a black robe bathed in golden light. The hem of his robe, adorned with a striking python, billowed. A fleeting harshness flashed across his handsome face.
It turned out that this man had saved her. With a wave of his hand, dozens of figures appeared out of thin air, all dressed as guards, engaging the men in black in a fierce battle. Jielan's eyes never left the man, and a smile curved her lips.
This man seemed to be a minister of Tianfeng Dynasty. Who was he? His brows were like distant mountains, his eyes like stars, his nose proud, and his lips sensual.
Princess Jielan stared dazedly, her fear completely forgotten. The envoy behind her, seeing the princess's silence, assumed she was terrified and became annoyed, her expression extremely displeased. She began to speak in a flurry of sounds.
If anything happened to the princess, they would not let Tianfeng Dynasty off the hook. Their Emperor had acted in good faith with the marriage alliance, yet Tianfeng Dynasty showed no sincerity.