Consort of a Thousand Faces

CHAPTER 593 (1): A SONG OF SWORD DANCE

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Su Xi-er looked at the dishes on the table.
Due to the dry weather and poor soil of the Western Region, meat dishes were much more prevalent than vegetable dishes.
Not only that, she found that on top of the jars of wine placed on each table, there was a basket set off to the side of the banquet hall that was filled with even more wine containers.

 

Exactly how much do we have to drink during this banquet? Su Xi-er glanced at Pei Qianhao.

 

Pei Qianhao whispered to her, “Even though wine is highly valued in both the Western Region and Nanzhao, there’s a difference in how it’s appreciated.
The Western Region cares about how heroic you are, and how much you can drink in one mouthful.
Meanwhile, Nanzhao focuses on tasting and enjoying the wine down to its last drop.
Needless to say, more people in the Western Region simply pass out instead of guzzling down that much wine.”

 

Su Xi-er instantly understood what he meant and winked at him, an action the officials picked out and smiled at.

 

When the two of them settled into their seats, Su Xi-er felt a somewhat awkward gaze on her.
Raising her head, she found that this gaze belonged to Huyan Fei.

 

Dressed in white robes that accented his thinner frame, Huyan Fei gave Su Xi-er a genial smile and a nod to show his respect.

 

However, in the eyes of the officials, there was something more to it. The late King had casually mentioned that the Imperial Princess and Huyan Fei would be engaged, but Huyan Fei’s body is not in good shape.
Furthermore, he won’t be able to carry out bedroom affairs for several years; he’s no different from a eunuch in that department.
As for the Imperial Princess, she has become Princess Consort Hao, enjoying supremely noble status.
The late King’s promise doesn’t have any weight to it anymore.

 

But Old Lord Huyan definitely would feel uncomfortable about this, right? Everyone looked around and saw that Old Lord Huyan wasn’t present at the banquet despite having turned up during the morning court assembly.

 

An official asked, “Lord Huyan, where is your father?”

 

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Huyan Fei maintained a smile as he replied, “My mother has been under the weather for a few days, so my father is personally tending to her in the residence.”

 

“Lord Huyan’s father is loyal to the country and treats Lady Huyan extremely well.
Since the King has advised Lord Huyan to recuperate in the royal court, why did you return to your residence instead?” Another official continued to ask.

 

Huyan Fei narrowed his eyes. Why am I the subject of all these official’s conversations? The Imperial Princess should be in the limelight.

 

At this moment, Su Xi-er stood up and looked at the official.
“Lord Huyan has his own legs; he can choose to go wherever he wants, and the King naturally can’t control that.
Since the King has been busy recently, it’s perfectly normal for Lord Huyan to return to his residence to rest.
What other questions do you have?”

 

Discerning the unfriendly tone, the official rose and bowed.
“This humble subject was only casually asking.
Please quell your anger, Your Highness.”

 

“Tonight’s banquet serves to welcome my husband and I; I hope everyone won’t dampen the mood.” Su Xi-er swept her cold gaze across the crowd, effectively silencing everyone.

 

Du Ling quietly watched the scene unfold with approval in his eyes.

 

A eunuch announced, “The Grand Empress Dowager arrives!”

 

With the last important figure arriving at the venue, everyone stood up and greeted, “Paying respects to the Grand Empress Dowager!”

 

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“Rise! This Dowager is happy today; don’t think of leaving without getting drunk!” The Grand Empress Dowager’s face was wreathed in smiles, overcoming her typical imposing manner.

 

Du Ling sat at the upper seat, and to his lower left was the Grand Empress Dowager, while to his lower right was Su Xi-er and Pei Qianhao.

 

With everyone present, Du Ling raised his hand and peeled open the red cover on the wine jar before pouring himself a cup.
Everyone followed suit shortly after.

 

Su Xi-er only stared at the wine cup, remaining completely still as everyone toasted under Du Ling’s lead.

 

This naturally drew the bewildered gazes of the officials. Everyone has to drink the first wine of an important banquet.
Does the Imperial Princess not know how to drink? How can this do? The Imperial Princess of the Western Region must know how to drink!  

Under all those gazes, Pei Qianhao took the winecup from Su Xi-er.
Standing up and bowing to everyone, he said, “Women in Beimin don’t know how to drink.
Even if Rulan is the Imperial Princess of the Western Region, it still doesn’t change the fact that she has lived in Beimin for many years.
This Prince will help her drink for tonight’s banquet.”

 

The officials knitted their brow. This doesn’t seem very appropriate, right…?

 

The Grand Empress Dowager exclaimed, “Prince Hao, great liquor tolerance! This Dowager presents a toast to you!” She poured a cup of wine in a heroic manner and raised it to Pei Qianhao before downing the contents.

 

Du Ling imitated her action immediately after, and Pei Qianhao ended up drinking four large cups of wine to start the night.

 

The officials clapped in praise. Nothing less from Prince Hao of Beimin! Such valour!

 

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When Pei Qianhao settled back in his seat, Su Xi-er reached out her hand to grab him.
“Does your stomach feel unwell after not drinking for so long?”

 

“Don’t worry, this Prince’s body is in fine shape.
This little bit of wine means nothing.” Pei Qianhao softly replied before raising his head to look at everyone.

 

Having noticed Pei Qianhao and Su Xi-er’s intimate interactions, the officials were delighted.
However, some glanced towards Huyan Fei and found him leisurely picking up food with his chopsticks. Ai, Lord Huyan’s look are too delicate for most women in the Western Region.
Now that he is also sick, he probably won’t be able to find a wife for the rest of his life.

 

The Great General stood up and bowed at Su Xi-er.
“Your Highness, all the officials are in high spirits at today’s banquet.
May I ask if Your Highness knows martial arts? Please let us broaden our horizons.” The Imperial Princess of the Western Region would need to know some combat skills.
If she could give all the gathered officials a demonstration while they were still dazzled by their first impressions, she would truly earn their respect.

 

The Grand Empress Dowager could easily detect that the Great General’s words were for Su Xi-er’s benefit. But how would Rulan know martial arts?

 

Pei Qianhao replied, “Why don’t the Imperial Princess and I perform a sword dance to a tune?”

 

The crowd applauded with fervour.
“Great, great!”

 

The musicians from the royal court stood up respectfully and nodded after confirming that they knew the song Pei Qianhao wanted.

 

Taking one of the swords that a guard had handed to him, Pei Qianhao casually threw it towards Su Xi-er.
With a slight smirk, she deftly caught it before taking a stance.

 

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Her posture is evidence of her trained background! The officials shouted out in excitement again, and the Grand Empress Dowager was elated. Not bad! Much like the heroic aura I had back then!

 

Du Ling chuckled.
“Royal Grandmother, Younger Sister isn’t just adept at this; there’s much more to look forward to.”

 

“Oh? What else is there?” The Grand Empress Dowager was eager to know.

 

“Royal Grandmother, you will find out.” Du Ling was in a good mood and decided to keep her in suspense.

 

As the musicians began to play a soothing tune, the Grand Empress Dowager shifted her attention to Su Xi-er slowly walking into the scene, the sword in her hand held upright behind her back.
Suddenly, she spun around and ferociously lunged the sword forward in time with the climax of the song.

 

In front of her, Pei Qianhao strode over with his cold yet charming demeanour.

 

Clad in red and black respectively, they clashed swords and stared right into each others’ eyes.

 

The royal painter’s eyes widened as inspiration flickered past his mind. I have to paint right after I return from this banquet!

 

While everyone’s eyes were filled with awe, there was a tinge of sorrow in Huyan Fei’s clear eyes. Why must my health be so terrible? Why couldn’t I have met the Imperial Princess before Prince Hao? How wonderful it would be if she were my wife.

 

Bitterness engulfed his heart, but it only took a short time before Huyan Fei collected himself and looked ahead once more.