Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

"Hahaha..." Wanyan Dan's laughter echoed like thunder, carrying a hint of unruliness and arrogance, as if it could pierce through the clouds and make the surrounding air tremble.

"I was just making this up. Look at you, you seem completely swayed by my words. Your Song army is nothing but a bunch of defeated enemies from the past. They may have a big name, but they're utterly useless. The Central Capital is firmly guarded by my mighty Prince Zhennan, who is as steadfast as a mountain, protecting this land. Why would he need someone like me to bother with such trivial matters?"

As he spoke, Wanyan Dan's eyes flashed with confidence and disdain, as if he had already taken in everything about his opponent and had it all under his control. Although his words were casual, every word carried an undeniable power, making people involuntarily feel a sense of oppression from a superior.

Then Wanyan Dan grabbed Zhao Ji, put an arm around his shoulder, and poured a large mouthful of wine down his throat.

"Bring on the dancers."

Before long, a few graceful figures, like the tenderest willow branches on the riverbank in early spring when the ice thaws, or like colorful butterflies that inadvertently stumble into a dream in the cold wind, dressed in gossamer-thin gauze, danced and stepped into the deep palace hall.

Despite the harsh winter and the raging cold, the palace, though warmed by a roaring fireplace, could not ward off the biting wind from outside. This caused the dancers' movements to tremble slightly, making them all the more captivating.

Emperor Huizong's gaze swept leisurely over the magnificent scenery, but suddenly froze. He was astonished to discover that one of the dancers was his own daughter, by blood.

On the stage, where light and shadow intertwined, she seemed drawn by some unseen force. Her movements were precise and flawless, yet her eyes were empty and distant, as if she were in another world, completely unaware that her father's complex and unspoken gaze was silently watching her. Her dance was both an ultimate pursuit of beauty and a silent struggle against fate. Every spin, every leap, revealed a maturity and sorrow beyond her years.

This scene, like a plum blossom blooming unexpectedly in winter, reveals its nobility and resilience even in adversity, stirring up an indescribable emotion in Zhao Ji's heart.

The music had ended, but the crowd hadn't yet calmed down when Wanyan Dan's actions came as abruptly as a storm. He suddenly pulled a graceful, ethereal dancer into his arms, his strength leaving no room for resistance, as if he wanted to merge her into his own world. Ignoring the panic and soft gasps that flashed in the dancer's eyes, he lightly and resolutely began to untie the already light and almost transparent gauze dress she wore.

Under the interplay of moonlight and candlelight, the thin gauze seemed to lose its support, slipping away piece by piece, layer by layer, until it turned into colorful fragments on the ground, telling of unfinished tenderness and the wildness about to bloom.

This scene, like a forbidden flower quietly blooming in the night, caused the surrounding atmosphere to suddenly heat up.

The generals of the Jin Kingdom, all seasoned and hardened men, could not resist the sudden temptation and impulse, and began to imitate their king.

Inside the palace, robes fluttered and figures mingled. The dancers who had been gracefully leaping on the stage were now the protagonists of this feast of power and desire, being forcefully yet gently pinned to the ground. An indescribable tension and allure filled the air.

The flickering candlelight reflected the complex emotions on everyone's faces—desire, conquest, or perhaps a brief escape and indulgence.

In the midst of the lavish banquet with its dim lights and melodious music, Zhao Ji's face seemed to be gently swept by the surrounding noise and extravagance, yet without leaving a trace.

Everyone was engrossed in the sensual pleasures before them, their eyes gleaming with a fervent pursuit of joy. They poured their passion into the graceful dancers, oblivious to the barely perceptible loneliness lurking in the corner.

Emperor Huizong of Song, the son of a king who should have been at the pinnacle of prosperity, was now like a lone goose lost in a sea of ​​splendor, his inner turmoil contrasting sharply with the clamor of the outside world. He tried to find a moment of tranquility in this endless jubilation, only to find himself out of place, as if he were a stranger who had strayed into the mortal realm.

Despite his reluctance and helplessness, Zhao Ji had no choice but to suppress the urge to escape.

He knew all too well that every move he made was under the watchful eyes of countless people, and every choice required utmost caution. So he chose the most silent approach—hiding himself in a dark corner where light and shadow intertwined, squatting there in an almost self-imposed exile, staring blankly ahead, as if this would shut out all the turmoil from his heart.

His face showed little expression, only a faint melancholy, like the most subtle starlight in the night, quietly twinkling, telling untold stories.

The night was as dark as ink, quietly covering every corner of the Five Kingdoms City.

When Zhao Ji's figure finally emerged from the layers of shadows and stepped into his quiet little courtyard, the moon was already high in the sky, and the stars were twinkling.

Outside the door, an old eunuch with white hair and beard, his body hunched over, his eyes filled with anxiety and concern, hurriedly came forward to greet them.

"Your Majesty, you have finally returned! This old servant's heart has been in his throat." His voice trembled slightly, but he then spoke gently, "A bowl of hot meat porridge has been prepared in the palace. It is warming to the stomach and calming to the nerves. Your Majesty, please be sure to enjoy it while it is hot."

However, these seemingly ordinary words of kindness were like a cold wind in winter, suddenly extinguishing the last vestiges of warmth in Zhao Ji's heart. The mention of "meat porridge" caused his expression to change drastically, as if it were not merely the name of a food, but also the trigger for the filth he had witnessed that day.

Zhao Ji swayed and involuntarily squatted down, his hands gripping the cold snow tightly. He gagged repeatedly, as if trying to release the indescribable nausea and resentment in his chest, along with all the filth and depravity he had witnessed that day.

Snowflakes gently landed on his shoulders, mingling with the fine beads of sweat on his forehead, reflecting his complex and indescribable state of mind at that moment.

The surrounding tranquility was broken by this discordant sound. Upon seeing this, the old eunuch's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, his eyes filled with heartache and confusion.

But Zhao Ji simply waved his hand to indicate that he was alright, and continued to try to cleanse the dust from his soul on that pristine white snow in an almost self-destructive way.

Inside the room, the elderly eunuch, his voice barely audible yet trembling slightly, whispered, "Today, this old servant had the good fortune to meet a merchant from the south in the bustling market. The news he spoke of was like a gentle spring breeze, bringing an unusual warmth—Princess Shunfu, that once-beloved princess who captivated countless hearts, has escaped danger and is now safely residing in Tangyin. Even more gratifying is that the princess has found a good husband and married a valiant man named Li Zhen. It is said that Li Zhen is quite prestigious in the Tangyin area, commands a large army, and already holds the position of county magistrate."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Huizong sighed softly, a sigh that contained both relief and a complex mix of emotions that were difficult to describe.

He said slowly, "In that case, it is indeed a good thing. The princess was able to escape the clutches of the Jurchens and no longer have to suffer endless hardship and torment. It is truly a blessing from heaven that protects our royal family. I hope that in Tangyin, she can spend the rest of her life with Magistrate Li, far away from the turmoil and war of this world, and find a peaceful place that belongs to them."

After he finished speaking, the room fell into a moment of tranquility. It seemed that even the air had softened because of this unexpected good news, adding a touch of warmth to the heavy court life.