Chapter 14 Three Conditions “Only you alone!”…

Chapter 14: Three Conditions "You're the only one!"...

Jiang Congyan hesitated slightly in her steps, then walked over calmly.

Stepping onto the bluestone steps, she stopped at a certain distance, folded her arms in front of her, and curtsied to him.

"Greetings, Prince of Mobei. I’ve come here for two purposes."

"Go ahead," Tuo Baxiao raised his hand.

"First, I would like to thank the Prince of Mobei for your courage and kindness in saving me from danger, thus preserving my life." Jiang Congyan glanced back and said to the strong servant following her, "Bring them forward." The servants then carried all the gifts she had prepared early in the morning to the front of the hall.

The wine jars were tied with red silk, and the other items were neatly placed in boxes, with wooden tags attached, detailing their contents.

Jiang Congyan continued to speak to Tuo Baxiao, "I am well aware that these modest gifts are insufficient to repay you for saving my life, but please accept them as a token of my gratitude."

"What is the second purpose?" Tuo Baxiao was completely indifferent to these gifts, nor did he care about having saved her life. He had saved her because he wanted to. After all, she was the wife he had chosen.

Jiang Congyan raised her eyes, looked at him, and spoke earnestly and slowly, "Our marriage arrangement."

"Hmm? What about it?" Tuo Baxiao tilted his neck slightly, his narrow and deep eyes flickering.

He openly stared at her, his interest gradually rising.

Every encounter with her left him with a new impression.

The first time they met, she stepped out of the carriage, and as a delicate noblewoman, she spoke those words that inspired the troops, which made him admire her intelligence and bravery. He began to appreciate her, though he didn't pay too much attention at the time.

After arriving in Chang'an, he planned to marry a Liang State princess, but he found them all lacking in strength, which displeased him greatly. This made him think of her again, as decisive and calm women like her were indeed rare.

He was determined to find her, and he did see her again.

Even though he had never seen her face before, her distinct presence made her stand out like a glowing pearl in the dark night, and he recognized her at a glance.

She wore simple clothes, glowing like moonlight, and she was even more beautiful than he’d imagined, embodying the divine maiden sung in poetry right before his eyes.

At that moment, his heart raced, and his blood surged. He felt a rush in his head.

Then he saw the most beautiful dance of his life—her slender wrist holding a sword, her skirt fluttering in the night wind like a butterfly. In the deep night, she looked otherworldly in white, yet beyond her coldness, her fragile frame held a quiet strength.

The mix of gentleness and fierceness created a deadly attraction, and at that moment, he was certain that only such a woman could be the wife he desired.

Suddenly, the Hun assassins interrupted this visual feast. His years of battlefield experience made him keenly aware, and he swiftly deflected the arrows. When he looked at her again, he saw her sleeve pinned to the ground. She hesitated briefly before slicing off her sleeve with her sword and hiding outside the banquet.

Unsettled, he fought his way through the assassins and caught up with her. As expected, she was not safe. Her maids struggled to shield her, but they were too weak.

When the assassin was momentarily held back, he saw her thrust her sword into the assassin's heart without hesitation.

The one who died was a Hun assassin, but he felt as if his own heart had been pierced by her sword.

In the next moment, another assassin suddenly raised his sword to strike her, and he hurled a broken arrow to stop it; she seemed about to fall, and he flew forward to catch her by the waist.

So slender!

He could hold her with one hand!

As they pressed together, he saw her disheveled hair entwined with her snow-white, slender neck, her pale face smeared with blood, presenting a beauty that was both holy and bewitching in the night.

No one could remain unmoved!

But now, seeing her again, he felt differently.

For the first time, he saw her face in the bright daylight, allowing him to better take in the details of her features and expressions.

Jiang Congyan was dressed much more formally today, wearing a pomegranate-red Shu brocade blouse with wide sleeves, the collar embroidered with white cloud patterns, paired with an indigo pleated skirt, cinched at the waist with a pomegranate-red belt, highlighting her slender waist. The hem of the long skirt was cut into wide-to-narrow panels, layered and wrapped around her waist, with two ribbons extending from the waistband, fluttering in the wind as she walked, graceful as a dancing swallow.

Her hair was styled into a high bun, adorned with a circle of delicate pearl hairpins and two gold hairpins with five tassels, each dangling lustrous pearls, catching the light as they swayed, making her even more radiant.

This was the style popular among noblewomen in Chang'an at the time, though Jiang Congyan rarely dressed so elaborately.

Compared to her previous simple attire, this vibrant red and blue outfit made her snow-like complexion stand out even more. Her makeup was bolder, with a rosy lip color, standing tall and graceful, her slender figure, her ribbons fluttering in the wind like a celestial being from a Buddhist mural.

This was another kind of beauty.

Tuo Baxiao's gaze was fixed on her, unable to look away.

He took two long strides forward, closing the distance between them in an instant, so close he could almost touch her.

His tall stature naturally exuded an invisible sense of pressure, especially for Tuo Baxiao, who had become king at sixteen. Even when he tried to rein it in, the fierce aura of a battlefield veteran was almost suffocating. What made her even more uneasy was his intense aggressiveness, making her, who always kept her distance, feel as though her personal space had been invaded.

Jiang Congyan, who stood at about 1.67 meters, had measured her height when tailoring her clothes, considered tall for a woman in this era of malnutrition. Yet, next to Tuo Baxiao, she seemed like a child, her forehead only reaching his chest. His years of warfare had built a robust, muscular physique, far beyond her slender frame.

Jiang Congyan softened her breath, keeping her expression calm, slightly tilting her long neck, and looked up at him without evasion, asking, "Why did you choose me?"

This question took Tuo Baxiao by surprise, his thick black brows twitching slightly, his pupils lowering a bit.

Han women were often reserved and gentle, and her appearance was indeed serene and elegant, fitting the dignified image of a noblewoman. But Tuo Baxiao had seen her sharp and decisive side and knew how unique she was. So, her initiative to come today and ask this question didn't seem strange to him.

Strangely, he didn't find it unpleasant but instead felt a surge of joy.

Tuo Baxiao thought for a moment and simply said, "You're different from other Han women. I like you like this!"

His words were straightforward, yet they left Jiang Congyan somewhat puzzled.

What did he mean by "You're different from other Han women"? Was it her appearance, her status, or something else? But at least there was good news—Tuo Baxiao had clearly said he "liked" her. Though she didn't know what he liked or how much, it meant he was somewhat accommodating towards her. That was good.

Jiang Congyan continued, "Will you marry me with the rites of a principal wife?"

"Of course!" Tuo Baxiao answered without hesitation.

"According to your Xianbei customs, how many wives can a king have?"

"Only you!"

Tuo Baxiao looked at her face, suddenly realizing the underlying meaning of her question, his eyes narrowing slightly, his green pupils flickering with a mysterious light.

Jiang Congyan tilted her neck, allowing him to scrutinize her, her clear gaze meeting his, her bright features made even more striking by her determined eyes.

"Thank you, Prince of Mobei, for clarifying!" Jiang Congyan suddenly smiled, her clear eyes curving into a shallow crescent, her lips painted with a rosy hue as delicate as morning dew on camellias, the smile fleeting like a passing swan.

Tuo Baxiao was momentarily dazed by her smile, but before he could fully savor it, she continued—

"I have three conditions. Please agree to them, Prince of Mobei, or I cannot marry."