Chapter 25 “You look beautiful today!”…

Chapter 25 "You look stunning today!"...

Once her makeup was done, Jiang Congyan set off for the ancestral temple in a carriage that had come to fetch her.

The marriage alliance concerned the diplomatic relations between the two states. The Emperor of Liang had already offered sacrifices to heaven and earth and, in the audience chamber, officially appointed the chief envoy to oversee the wedding. Today, escorted by the welcoming envoy, Jiang Congyan was to pay respects at the ancestral temple before the Emperor of Liang and the officials, then set off from the imperial city.

Jiang Congyan stood at the foot of the steps, led by the officials from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices who were in charge of the rituals, as she ascended the steps leading to the temple hall. Perhaps due to the weight of her ceremonial attire and headdress, each step was a struggle for her.

When she finally reached the top step, she saw the officials standing in attendance on both sides, and at the forefront, the Emperor of Liang. They stood there with solemn, almost expressionless faces.

Then, the Minister of Ceremonies stepped forward, unrolled a bamboo scroll, and delivered a benediction. Following him, the Emperor of Liang also spoke something in front of the temple. Jiang Congyan paid little attention, simply going through the motions, reciting a few pre-written lines.

Finally, after all the ceremonial procedures were completed, Jiang Congyan was helped by a female official onto a four-horse golden and silver carriage, a specification reserved for the empress.

More of a palanquin than a carriage, it was topped with a colorful canopy, the four beams gilded and adorned with jade pendants and golden bells. The carriage had no walls, only crimson brocade and tassels hanging from the roof. Inside, there was a seat, and Jiang Congyan knelt with her hands folded, her long skirt spread out around her.

A dignified figure could be vaguely seen from the outside, and as the breeze lifted the drapes, her resplendent appearance could occasionally be glimpsed.

Outside the main carriage, there were several auxiliary carriages in front and at the rear, each painted in one of the five cardinal colors—green, red, yellow, white, and black—representing the five directions: east, south, center, west, and north. There were also accompanying and supply carriages, as well as palace attendants holding canopies in front and behind.

In addition, there were ministers with red silk ribbons tied across their chests walking in front, and the imperial guards clearing the way. The grandeur of the procession rivaled even the emperor's own wedding.

After three resounding drum beats, amidst the music, Jiang Congyan's wedding carriage slowly departed from the imperial city.

Jiang Congyan saw many people standing at the palace gate to see her off—there was Zhao Shi, her face unable to suppress a smile; there were the wives of the dukes and princes, their expressions equally solemn, though tinged with sighs; and there was the Sixth Princess, her face streaked with tears, her eyes red and swollen like walnuts, looking at her in the carriage with reluctance. If not for the palace maids holding her back, she might have rushed over to cling to the carriage.

Jiang Congyan nodded slightly at her, silently offering a comforting look.

She even saw the Fifth Princess, this usually domineering and naive girl, whose little face now bore a complexity that was quite out of character for her.

She was not happy about having escaped the fate of a marriage alliance, but rather carried a certain melancholy. This carefree little princess seemed to have grown up a lot overnight, coming into contact for the first time with the world outside the ivory tower that Noble Consort Zhao had built for her.

It turned out that the outside world was so terrifying, capable of easily destroying her sixteen years of happy life.

Knowing that the princess of Liang was getting married today, the common people of Chang'an crowded the streets to watch, completely blocking Xuanyang Avenue where the procession was passing.

As the wedding procession appeared, everyone's eyes were drawn to the extremely ornate wedding carriage in the middle. They all knew that the princess was being sent to marry the Xianbei King to curry favor.

Although they knew that such an event was not a glory for Liang State, they couldn't help but harbor a shameful thought in their hearts—hoping that the princess could indeed bring stability to Liang State.

The nomadic tribes were eyeing them covetously, with the Xiongnu, Qiang Di, Xianbei, and Jie all having strong and powerful armies. The southern barbarians and Baiyue were also restless. In recent years, there had been constant friction on the borders, with conflicts breaking out from time to time, but Liang State dared not escalate the disputes. Since the defeat in the battle against the Xiongnu at Ya Pass ten years ago, the Emperor of Liang had ceased to send troops easily, only ordering the generals to hold the passes.

He could not afford the consequences of another defeat.

The barbarians, seeing the weakness of the Emperor of Liang, had increasingly frequented their southern raids in recent years, and the skies of the central plains had been overshadowed by their presence.

This time, by actively allying with the Xianbei, if successful, they could use the Xianbei to contain the Xiongnu, buying Liang State a period of stability.

Amidst the bustling crowd, accompanied by music and songs, Xuanyang Avenue in Chang'an presented an unprecedented scene of prosperity, as if gathering the last glory of Liang State.

Jiang Congyan sat upright in the golden and silver carriage, her eyelashes slightly lowered, her face devoid of joy or sorrow. The surrounding discussions and sighs seemed like mere wisps of smoke to her.

The light that filtered into the carriage was dim and obscure. She resembled a lifeless, gilded and painted statue, placed inside this ornate carriage, quietly passing through the gaze of the masses. Their eyes sparkled, eagerly and hopefully gazing at her, wishing she could bring peace and stability to Liang State like a goddess.

How ironic, a country that had never allowed women to ascend to the temple halls, now placing the safety of the state on the shoulders of a woman.

The wedding procession slowly moved forward, finally arriving at Xichang Gate, where Tuo Baxiao's entourage was waiting, along with Xie Shao leading a thousand Lüben Guards, clad in brand new silver armor, with long swords at their waists, mounted on steeds, looking imposing.

But this imposingness seemed more superficial. Their eyes were calm, lacking the bloodthirsty aura of battlefield veterans, a stark contrast to the Xianbei cavalry beside them.

Their armor was not as polished as that of the Lüben Guard, some even stained with blood rust, and their sabers varied in style. Yet, they were robust in build, with tiger-like faces and eagle-like eyes, each exuding the aura of seasoned warriors. Their collective killing intent was so overwhelming that it forced people to avert their eyes.

Tuo Baxiao stood in the center of the city gate on a sleek, black steed. His attire today was especially grand, donning the Xianbei King’s royal robes, wearing a royal crown, and adorned with a crimson gemstone on his chest. The leather belt at his waist highlighted his tall and robust frame. Under the sunlight, his prominent brow bones stood out, and his elegantly shaped phoenix eyes with emerald-green pupils were fixed ahead. Upon seeing the crimson bridal carriage appear, his eyes flashed, as if they could pierce through the veil, trying to see the goddess-like bride inside.

Through the veil, he couldn't see her clearly, only her straight back, clad in a luxurious wedding dress, her hair high and adorned with ornate headpieces that shimmered with golden light.

Even her blurry silhouette filled him with anticipation, and his steed shifted restlessly beneath him.

He had seen her in plain clothes, stern and commanding, in snow-white garments, distant and icy, and even with her jade-like face stained with blood, alluring yet tragic. But now, he yearned to see her in a wedding dress meant for him.

Everyone saw the Prince of Mobei dismount suddenly and stride towards the bridal carriage without a word.

His deerskin boots hit the ground with steady and powerful steps.

He pushed aside the ceremonial attendants lined up in two rows, striding forward with unstoppable determination, finally stopping in front of the bridal carriage. With a sweep of his long arm, he lifted the veil.

Jade and pearls clinked softly, producing a crisp sound.

Bright sunlight suddenly flooded in, making Jiang Congyan squint. After adjusting to the brightness, she realized it was Tuo Baxiao who had lifted the curtain.

The carriage was of a high specification, with tall wheels and a considerable distance from the ground. An ordinary person standing before it would appear diminutive, but Tuo Baxiao's stature was a full head taller than most, allowing him to meet Jiang Congyan's gaze at eye level.

A flicker of surprise crossed her clear, ebony-like eyes. Jiang Congyan hadn't expected him to come over suddenly, but she wasn't afraid. After a brief moment of astonishment, she quickly composed herself, her expression gentle and serene, nodding to him: "Prince of Mobei, is there something you need?"

Tuo Baxiao's gaze swept boldly across her face. He narrowed his green eyes, disregarding the onlookers, and stared at her intently for a while. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, as if it could strip away her fair complexion.

He hadn’t seen her in days and had missed her deeply.

A few days ago, he had sent someone to deliver a letter asking to meet her, but she refused, saying she was too busy preparing for her distant marriage to meet.

Tuo Baxiao was quite annoyed at the time. As a king of a realm, he could have anything he wanted, yet he was rejected by a woman.

But after the annoyance, a strange sense of anticipation emerged in his heart. After all, in a few days, she would be returning to Mobei with him, and then she would be his wife.

At that time, she could no longer refuse him.

Nor would he allow her to refuse him again.

With such thoughts, Tuo Baxiao waited for the day of her marriage. Just now, standing under the city gate and seeing the bridal carriage appear, he could no longer suppress the desire to see her, so he followed his heart and lifted the curtain.

It is said that a bride on her wedding day is the most beautiful, and Tuo Baxiao now agrees with this statement.

Today, she looked breathtakingly beautiful, her attire unprecedentedly luxurious. He had thought she was suited to plain clothes and light veils, like the cold moon goddess, but with heavy makeup and adorned in gold and colors, she exuded a different kind of radiant beauty, like a fully bloomed pink peony, dignified and grand yet with a soft, delicate pinkness. Her face was less sickly, her skin white with a hint of pink, resembling the soft and tender petals of a peony, making one want to pinch them to see if flower dew would really come out.

Such a delicate flower-like face, yet it bore a pair of black, translucent eyes, their light like cold, shining stars in a dark night sky. When she looked at him, Tuo Baxiao's heart was gently scratched.

The frustration that had been pent up in his heart these days dissipated the moment he saw her in a wedding dress for him, and Tuo Baxiao felt immensely satisfied spiritually.

While Tuo Baxiao was looking at her, Jiang Congyan was also observing him.

Since the last time she asked him to shave his beard, he had indeed kept his word. Today, his face was clean, with only a faint trace of blue on his chin, no sign of growing stubble.

His attire today was also very formal, though different from Han clothing, it was equally majestic. His royal hat was inlaid with various precious gems, shining brightly in the sunlight. He was only twenty years old, but his resolute eyes gave him a kingly aura, making one dare not underestimate him because of his youthful appearance. Otherwise, it would be the most mistaken judgment one could make.

"Prince of Mobei?" Seeing that he hadn't answered her, Jiang Congyan called again.

Tuo Baxiao finally snapped out of his thoughts, though his gaze never left her face.

He curled his lips into a pleased smile and said, "You look very beautiful today!"

Then, as Jiang Congyan watched with mild confusion, he let go of the brocade curtain, turned on his heel, and swiftly climbed onto his horse. With a wave of his hand, the procession set off again.

The onlookers only dared to speak again after Tuo Baxiao had left. They discussed his act of lifting the carriage curtain, all agreeing that barbarians were truly uncivilized, with no sense of manners, and capable of such shocking behavior.

Some who stood closer, from their vantage point behind him, could catch a glimpse inside the carriage and, upon seeing the beauty of the Peacemaking Princess, felt even more pity for her.

"What a shame, a royal lady marrying such a rough and uncultured man, who knows if she can endure it in the future."

"What a pity."

Jiang Congyan, sitting inside the carriage, overheard their sighs, and her calm heart suddenly found it all a bit absurd.

They all lamented her marriage to a barbarian, yet none dared or would step forward to stop it, for they knew that only by befriending Tuo Baxiao could the stability of Liang State be maintained. Rather than mourning for her, the Peacemaking Princess, they were mourning the lost glory of the Han people.

The procession gradually rolled out of Chang'an City. After passing through the towering city gates, Jiang Congyan couldn't help but look back at this majestic and ancient capital that had stood for a millennium.

The city walls, towering under the sunlight, showed some mottled traces on their brick surfaces, a testament to the trials and years this ancient city had endured.

Chang'an, the dream of countless generations, a name often spoken but never fully capturing the longing.

This city had witnessed too many stories, of kings and generals, of prosperous eras and long songs. The two words "Chang'an" themselves were a heavy volume of history.

Jiang Congyan had not lived in this city for long, and it had not left her with many joyful memories. Yet, now that she was about to leave, she wondered how much time would pass before she could return, whether this city would still be standing five years later, or if it would be destroyed by war. She couldn't even be sure if she would ever truly return here... A whirlwind of emotions surged in her heart, intertwining into an indescribable sense of reluctance. How strange!

Goodbye, Chang'an.

I hope we can meet again.

Jiang Congyan lifted the gauze curtain for one last look at this ancient capital, then sat up straight, gazing ahead at the vast land, where the sky was high and the clouds were wide, and birds soared through the air.

Now, she had no choice but to move forward, always forward!