Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 97: Visiting the Princess
Tan Huaike also found the masked man's behavior strange, but he couldn't confirm his identity or purpose. Everything was just their imagination, so he said, "Maybe it's just like you said, he doesn't want to implicate innocent people. Anyway, whether to take me with him or not was a matter of his whim. Who knows what he was thinking at the time?"

Shentu Zhuo said, "Well, putting all that aside, he values ​​the Third Prince so much that he doesn't care about the life or death of Prince Mohe at all. He's very much like the prince's guard secretly sent by Andu. As long as the marriage alliance continues, we will definitely meet him again in the future, so there's no need to rush."

After walking and stopping along the way, we finally arrived at the city gate.

The marriage procession was rather complex, carrying the noble lady and dragging a large baggage train. It moved very slowly, arriving near dusk, later than the prefect had anticipated. However, this was a good time for the common people, who had just finished their meals and had nothing better to do than watch the excitement. So, when the carriages arrived, even before Prefect Chi could greet them, the crowds cheered.

Although the panic caused by the turmoil in the warm chamber had not completely dissipated, the people's enthusiasm for watching the princess's marriage was still high.

The county did not disclose the true situation to the public. It only said that several local officials and wealthy businessmen were discussing the construction of a flower rest street in the warm room. Somehow the news leaked out, attracting a group of vicious robbers who not only looted the warm room, but also wanted to kidnap the officials and wealthy businessmen to extort money. After that, the robbers either caught them or escaped, and the matter was settled.

Even those who still questioned what had transpired that day, worried about the year-end sacrifices causing trouble and violating taboos that would bring bad luck for the new year, were suddenly dispelled by the news that Prince Daxuan had personally welcomed Princess Mohe into the country. After all, this marriage was a matter of national destiny, far more important than some bandit.

Tan Anfu came out to buy rouge and silk, and was also in the crowd at this time.

The maidservant beside her, carrying several packages of various sizes, timidly reminded her, "Madam Fu, there are too many people here, and it's getting late. The Lady asked us to go back early."

Tan Anfu was unconcerned. "Why rush? The whole city's here to join in the fun. I want to see what kind of beauty Princess Mohe is." She spoke with disdain, looking down on this princess who came to marry. "If it weren't for the fight against the Ti-nu cavalry, how could a mere Western Rong barbarian have the chance to marry the prince of our Daxuan as his principal wife?"

The maidservant didn't dare to respond, but secretly complained in her heart, saying that she was a princess after all.

As he was speaking, there was a commotion among the crowd.

From the city gate to the inside, young ladies gradually called out in a coquettish voice: "Your Highness the Third Prince!" "Your Highness the Third Prince!"

Zhou Wencong, clad in a dark-black cloak embroidered with gold and a jade crown tied high, calmly and confidently controlled his steed, looking like a handsome and elegant young man. His leg injury was unmistakable. Amidst the constant calls, silk handkerchiefs flew toward him, but were unfortunately deflected by the Zhenxi Army soldiers before they reached him.

Women on the border are mostly free and unrestrained, unlike Andu who is bound by etiquette. When they see a man they like, they will bravely express their affection to him, even if the other party is a prince or a nobleman, they are not shy at all.

It's no wonder they resorted to all sorts of tricks. This was the Third Prince. If she could win his favor, even if she couldn't become his principal wife, she could probably become his concubine, which would still be considered a high-ranking position. Besides, he was handsome and dignified, so it wouldn't be a loss anyway.

Even though Tan Anfu was so arrogant, she couldn't help but adjust her hair and clothes when Zhou Wencong passed by, and even said in a feigned and weak voice: "Oh, my hairpin was squeezed off."

The maid saw her pull off her hairpin and throw it forward with force.

Zhou Wencong's attention was indeed drawn, and he glanced over at her. However, it was only a glance; he didn't even hear what Tan Anfu said, nor did he see what she looked like. Just like those women who had played tricks before, Tan Anfu passed by his sight in a flash.

He is aloof, reserved and polite. He will not ridicule or blame such blatant little thoughts, nor will he take these gestures or offenses to heart. He is both affectionate and ruthless.

The horse's hoof crushed the beads on the hairpin, and the maid felt very sad because she had just bought it for three taels of silver.

First, a feeling of loss surged into Tan Anfu's heart, followed by anger.

She rubbed the handkerchief in her hand fiercely, biting her lip and saying, "He's just a prince without a title or status, without even a fiefdom. What's there to fight for? If he were really important, he wouldn't have been given a wife from a foreign race."

At this time, there was another commotion - Princess Mohe's carriage arrived.
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In the orange-red twilight, a gorgeous carriage slowly approached. The cold wind lifted a corner of the curtain, and the charcoal brazier inside was burning brightly, and a few wisps of light white warm smoke leaked out from the gap.

This time, all the young men in the street stretched their necks, stood on tiptoe and pushed each other to look over there. Driven by curiosity, they all wanted to catch a glimpse of the beautiful face of Princess Mohe.

Through the heavy gauze curtains, one could only vaguely see the outline of the person in the room.

Someone whistled, "Welcome to Her Royal Highness, the Princess. Would Her Highness be so kind as to see you?"

Then more people responded: "Yes, Your Highness, don't be shy, you will be our Daxuan's bride in the future."

Someone else was trying to cheat, shouting, "Wow! What's that? A circus?" "Look, this is a special performance for Her Royal Highness the Princess. Oh my, how thrilling! It's amazing!"

Unfortunately, the princess remained unmoved.

At this moment, a stone kicked by someone got stuck in the rut, causing the carriage to shake for a while and forcing it to stop.

Shentu Zhuo, who was accompanying her, reined in his horse in time and bowed to ask if the princess was safe.

Tan Anfu frowned: "Why is Second Master Shentu here too?"

A scholar among the onlookers replied, "Master Zhuo is the music director and also mapped out the route for the Qianjin Canal. He has recently gained the favor of the county governor, so I guess the important task of welcoming the princess has been entrusted to him."

indeed.

Tan Anfu thought, I used to think he was just a playboy, but now it seems he has a chance to become an official through the imperial examination. If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have focused on that Mr. Chi. He has an uncle who is the county magistrate, but he refuses to make progress. Fortunately, it's not too late to repent now. It's just that my adopted sister is too annoying...

While I was daydreaming, there was suddenly a loud noise around me.

Tan Anfu raised her head and saw a fair wrist extending from the carriage curtain. The sparkling sapphire beads made her skin look white. Her slender and soft hands gently lifted the edge of the curtain, and then, supported by her maid, the princess walked out.

Tan Anfu was stunned.

The jewel-encrusted golden crown, the twelve-layered veiled skirt, the shimmering sleeves, and the pearl necklace adorning her collarbone were merely a foil to the princess's beauty. Even through a veil, her stunning beauty was evident.

The most eye-catching thing is the red silk wrapped around her arms, which seems to be a crimson gauze dyed with aged fruit wine. It is two meters long, but so light that it can withstand the evening breeze, floating like a fairy coming to the world.

Many people were stunned.

The maidservant beside Tan Anfu suddenly exclaimed, and subconsciously muttered, "This princess's eyebrows and eyes seem a bit like Madam Huai Ke..."

Tan Anfu came back to her senses and sneered: "She? Oh, how could she be born as a princess?"
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　Next chapter: Her beauty shocked the four counties.

　　(End of this chapter)