Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 84 Chosen Uncle

Tan Huaike was puzzled. How could she, who had experienced it personally, not know what the princess had entrusted to her?
Aisha said, "My sister was born with great wisdom. The moment she knew she was going to die, she envisioned how to complete the marriage. So she gave you the sapphire beads as a token of trust and asked you to find me."

"But I'm just a messenger..."

"No, she trusted you and placed her final bet on you. How could it be just a simple message?" Aisha said, "Alan asked you to tell me that even if she died, the marriage would be inevitable. This is because she has found the most suitable replacement for me. You, wearing the sapphire beads, are her trust in me."

"Your Highness, I'm afraid you're overthinking it. I was the only one with Princess Alan at the time, and she had no other choice."

"It's alright if you're so convinced. No one in this world can truly tell what the princess is thinking. But whether it's because of her request or my own heart, I want to acknowledge you as my sister."

"Now that it has come to this, Your Highness, why bother whitewashing it?" Tan Huaike said bluntly, "You simply want to give me a respectable identity so that I can complete the marriage on behalf of Princess Alan."

"Whether you will cooperate with us ultimately depends on your decision." Aisha didn't deny it. Instead, he said earnestly, "I swear to the God Monroe in the name of the Mohe royal family that I will never use personal connections to force you. However, this matter involves many complex issues, and each party has their own agenda and positions. I urge you to consider it carefully."

"I understand." Tan Huaike did not comment. "I also have something to ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"You ask."

"Does the Mohe royal family truly not care about Princess Alan's death, or the success or failure of this marriage? If they are so passive, why continue to cling to the alliance between the two countries, which only adds to the chaos?"

"This is a matter of life and death for Mo He, how could we not care? In order to unite with Da Xuan to fight against the Tiniu cavalry, we meticulously planned this marriage, and the princess even used herself as a bargaining chip.

"But the attitude of the Princess's faction remains unclear. She's powerless to stop the marriage alliance, yet she doesn't want my sister and I to escape her control. Fearing any delay could lead to unrest, we've deliberately set out early. If this marriage fails, the pro-Daxuan faction within the Mohe court will likely be left isolated and helpless."

Tan Huaike nodded, said nothing more, and turned to go in.

Looking at her, Aisha said with a touch of nostalgia: "You are very similar to her, with the same strong will and fearlessness of adversity. Perhaps this is the will of the Monroe God..."

Let the two colorful gems shine together in the sea of ​​sand.

Under Aisha's disgusted and disapproving gaze, Shentu Zhuo followed him into the small gate of the side courtyard in a domineering manner.

As soon as the door closed, Tan Huaike asked, "Why did you follow me, uncle? Are you trying to climb over the wall again? Is the main gate of the Shentu Mansion just a decoration? Even our second son won't be allowed in?"

She was so sharp that Shen Tu Zhuo immediately lost his temper. "The restaurant was smashed today, and we have to deal with those cunning guys again. I know you're upset, so I came to comfort you. Others set you up and caused you trouble, so don't take your anger out on me. I've always stood by you..." He looked at her face and said, "Sister-in-law, do you believe Aisha's lies?"

"It's not all nonsense. The struggle in the Mohe court has been going on for a long time." "Sister-in-law, no matter how the Empress Dowager, the eldest prince of Mohe, or even the Third Prince threatens or bribes you, you must stick to your original intention." Shen Tuzhuo said fiercely, "If they want to threaten you, the worst that can happen is that we will fight to the death. I will go to Andu for you to stir up trouble and expose the whole thing so that no one can get anything out of it!"

"Alright, why bother?" Tan Huaike was exhausted after a day of suffering. He waved his hand and said, "Things will work out when the time comes. Let's see how they fight next. I'm just a pawn they casually threw into the game. It's uncertain whether I'll be able to survive or not, and whether I can be used or not."

These people have their own thoughts, and who knows whether they will be enemies or friends in the future.

She had let it go, but Shen Tu Zhuo hadn't. He pressed on, "What do you mean? You're not being persuaded by them and really want to cooperate and marry the Third Prince, are you? That won't work. If you, you become the princess, what will I do?"

Tan Huaike was really tired and dismissed him casually: "What a mess! I haven't done anything yet, how can I become a princess? What can I do about you? Aren't you and the Third Prince as close as brothers? Then you can just be my uncle."

"I...ah?" What kind of fate is this to be the chosen uncle?
"Okay, okay, I'm going to sleep. Let's talk tomorrow if you have anything to say." Tan Huaike asked Pei'er to light the charcoal brazier, light some calming incense, and waved his hand to send him away.

Shentu Zhuo had no choice but to climb over the wall and return to his house with a heart full of melancholy, tossing and turning all night without sleep.
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The matter remained unresolved and no one mentioned it for a while because the end-of-year sacrifices were approaching.

With the Third Prince, Lady Xu Guanbai, and Grand Prince Mo He in attendance, this year's ceremony was exceptionally grand. Prefect Chi must have known about the news from Andu long ago, which is why he canceled all the previously rehearsed performances and rehearsed them.

Shentu Zhuo and Chi Fanyu were doing the final rehearsal before the sacrifice in the Yuefu. Tan Huaike had to put aside Yan Zhisi's affairs and travel back and forth between Zhiyun Cloth Workshop and the Yuefu to ensure that the dresses of the musicians and dancers fit perfectly without any mistakes.

On the day of the year-end sacrifice, Zhangye County was more lively than ever before.

The altar in the city was built of rammed earth, with thirty-six black flags planted at its corners, their rustling in the wind. A poplar wood drum stand sat in the center of the altar. A large drum, wrapped entirely in white camel hide, was adorned with a red cloud pattern. The musician holding the drum was clad in a sheepskin coat, his black hair tied in a crown. His wrists, exposed from his sleeves, were strong and powerful, their veins faintly visible. It was Shentu Zhuo.

There were crowds of people under the high platform. In the warm room in the southeast sat the Chi County Magistrate and other officials, and of course the distinguished guests from Andu and Mohe. Everyone was quietly waiting for the sacrifice to begin.

Suddenly, a drumbeat like tearing silk was heard. Shentu Zhuo swung his arm and smashed the drumstick against the drumhead. The vibration instantly woke up the heaven and earth, and countless snowflakes fell from the gray-white clouds.

Twelve musicians plucked and struck strings simultaneously, while dancers, clambering onto the platform on turquoise bells, their skirts embroidered with gold thread and shimmering with beads. To this brisk rhythm, lead dancer Mi He spun seven layers of gauze, and the other dancers followed suit, their movements intertwining with the falling snow, drawing cheers from the audience.

This dance is the Kupsu-Niro, originally a prayer dance performed by the Mohe people in honor of the god Monro. It has been meticulously adapted to be a fitting end-of-year ritual. Waves of yarn roll like a sea of ​​clouds atop the Qilian Mountains. The dancers' bare feet tread across the fresh snow, and the ringing of their footbells brings endless blessings to the world.

In an unnoticed corner, Tan Huaike, who had just helped the dancer put on her clothes and accessories, put away his needle and thread. Looking around in the falling snow, he suddenly felt inexplicably anxious.
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　Next Chapter: Offering Grain, Cattle, and Sheep…

　　(End of this chapter)