Volume One, Chapter 19: Discord in Binzhou

“I originally thought you would just bring those actors to listen to the music, but I never expected you would go this far. I absolutely cannot indulge you.” With that, she turned to leave.

“I advise you, cousin, to obediently present the young men to me for selection today. Otherwise, I will report to the Emperor and my grandfather that you secretly sent them to me overnight. I don’t know if my grandfather will believe it, but the Emperor certainly will!”

Princess Changning lifted her chin proudly.

“Princess, aren’t you worried about ruining your reputation?” Song Ziqian asked with a frown.

“Hmph—Princess Changning was just about to ask cousin if her reputation is good enough to avoid being sent off to that desolate place to marry an unfamiliar king of a small country,” Princess Changning snapped, clearly angered.

Hearing this, Gu Han glanced at Princess Changning, his eyes flickering. He opened his mouth but said nothing.

After a moment, the princess calmed herself and softened her tone slightly: “At least ten candidates. Cousin, you should hurry.”

“In a while, your sister-in-law will bring the young boy to pay respects to the princess. Then, please come to the residence for a family banquet, where the princess will meet the ten candidates,” Song Ziqian said, bowing slightly before leaving.

After taking a few steps, he turned back to Gu Han: “General, no one else is invited to the luncheon. Please come to the residence for a gathering.”

Gu Han nodded. “Very well.”

This time, Song Ziqian left without looking back.

Only then did Princess Changning slowly sit back in her elevated seat and sip her tea calmly.

She looked at Gu Han with a serene expression, waiting for him to speak.

Instead, Gu Han asked, “Princess, will you practice swordsmanship today?”

Princess Changning regarded him for a long moment, then smiled sweetly. “General, wait for me a moment. There’s a small training ground in the front yard. I’ll be back shortly.”

—

In the training ground, sword qi cut sharply through the air. Gu Han wielded his sword like the wind, his movements fluid and resolute, his anger dissipating with each stroke.

Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, his breathing steadied, his demeanor calm, cheeks faintly flushed.

The princess, dressed simply in a crossed-collar robe, stood to the side watching.

When Gu Han finally sheathed his sword, she couldn’t help but clap her hands in praise. “Excellent! Truly beautiful!”

Her smile was gentle as spring breeze, tinged with playfulness and admiration. She signaled a maid to bring a tea cup, poured hot tea, and extended it forward.

“General, rest a moment and have some tea.”

Gu Han came forward, took the cup, and sipped lightly, his gaze still locked on the woman before him.

—

“Princess, please.” Gu Han handed over the Gentleman’s Sword.

Princess Changning took the sword, her light steps as graceful as a white butterfly drifting by.

Today, she wielded her sword like the wind, the sword flowers dancing in the air.

Though her movements showed some improvement from yesterday, they still carried a hint of youthful inexperience.

Gu Han offered occasional guidance, then sat quietly on a bamboo chair, watching.

After a while, he rose and walked to an ancient zither resting under the corridor. His fingers began to pluck gently.

A rendition of the “Yangguan Melody” slowly filled the air, the long notes flowing from his fingertips.

The princess’s face showed a trace of surprise upon hearing the music.

Her sword dance grew even more ethereal, as if intertwined with the melody, her movements becoming increasingly fluid.

She wore a plain white robe, embodying a cold purity like fresh snow, her demeanor gentle yet with an otherworldly grace untouched by worldly desires.

Gu Han observed silently, his gaze deep as a cold pool, unmoving even as his eyelids remained still.

—

Early that morning, according to Princess Changning’s arrangements, Xu Hai brought a princess’s attendant skilled in accounting, along with Qing Luan dressed as a man, to the Red Sleeve Brothel. They purchased the establishment for nearly twice its usual price.

After negotiating the payment, they went to the government office to handle the paperwork. Liu Xixi firmly refused to sign her name, so the deed was registered under Qing Luan as the proprietor. It was repeatedly emphasized that seven-tenths of the profits would be paid punctually to the young master at the beginning of each month.

Qing Luan returned the contracts of the girls to them one by one.

In truth, whether Liu Xixi obeyed Princess Changning in the future was not of great concern. As long as Liu Xixi refrained from schemes of extortion, harm, or trafficking women, no one intended to interfere.

“Miss Liu, these are the managers and guards arranged by our young master. Qi Da will be responsible for communication with the young master from now on. Please take good care of them,” Xu Gonggong instructed, then left Liu Xixi and others behind.

“Indeed, thank you for your assistance, sir. The Liu family will obey the young master’s orders and never forget this great kindness,” Liu Xixi and the others bowed deeply.

When Xu Hai returned to report to Princess Changning, she was in her private residence selecting young candidates — but that is another story.

—

After practicing swordsmanship for an hour and sweating profusely, Princess Changning had just bathed and changed when Qing Luo informed her that the magistrate’s wife had arrived.

Liu Yuru wore a dignified dark green brocade robe, holding a gold-embroidered round fan. She was accompanied by her younger sister-in-law Song Qingqing and her two sons: nine-year-old Mai Dong and seven-year-old Zhong Kang. They stepped slowly into the courtyard.

Because the two nephews were still young boys with unbound hair, Princess Changning met them in the residence’s courtyard.

—

Princess Changning sat upright on the kang in the outer room. She wore a lake-blue long robe woven with auspicious clouds. The cuffs and hem were embroidered with sea and river cliff patterns in gold thread. Over it, she draped a sheer gauze shawl, woven with silver-thread plum blossom motifs.

On her head was a gilded hairpin adorned with kingfisher feathers, decorated with several small jeweled flowers that swayed gently with her movements. The tassel ends were set with pearls. Her dark hair was styled in an elaborate flying fairy bun, pinned with several gold phoenix hairpins studded with eastern pearls, from which hung delicate chains of rubies.

Liu Yuru hurriedly led Song Qingqing and the two children to kneel in greeting, saying, “Your Highness, I, Liu Yuru, along with younger sister Qingqing and my sons Mai Dong and Zhong Kang, pay respects.”

Princess Changning nodded slightly, her tone gentle: “Sister-in-law Yuru, no need for formalities. Cousin and the nephews, please rise.”

“Are these the two little ones from back then?” She glanced at the standing children, her eyes softening with affection. “They’ve grown so tall.”

“Yes, the little ones are mischievous and unruly. We dare to trouble Your Highness today,” Liu Yuru quickly replied.

Princess Changning smiled lightly and beckoned, “Come here so I can take a look.” The children timidly approached the princess at their mother’s signal.

The princess examined them carefully. Seeing Mai Dong’s delicate features and Zhong Kang’s lively charm, she was very pleased. She instructed a personal maid to bring two luminous pearls for the boys, saying, “These are gifts for you. Take good care of them.”

The boys took the pearls with both hands and thanked her in unison: “Thank you, Princess, for your gift!”

“Just call me auntie.”

“Thank you, Auntie!” The two children knelt again to pay respects.

Song Qingqing stood aside, watching Princess Changning’s graceful bearing. A flicker of displeasure stirred within her, though she showed no sign of it.

Liu Yuru inquired after the Emperor and Empress, as well as their grandfather, father, and mother, expressing unease at not being able to serve and show filial piety over the past few years.

Princess Changning assured her all were well, and that she should not worry so much given her efforts caring for cousin and the children.

Song Qingqing, lost in thought, felt a twinge of envy and bitterness. Princess Changning had grown ever more beautiful and distinguished in the years since they last met, each smile and frown radiating endless charm, making her feel faintly ashamed and unhappy.

“The princess cousin has always lived in luxury since childhood. When she arrives at Sheye, she will surely be the queen, second to none,” she muttered.

“If cousin also wants to be queen, why bother going to Northern Liao or Southern Min for a marriage alliance? No need to envy me all the time,” Princess Changning retorted.

This person, well, if she were to beat her up and subdue her, that would be fine. Princess Changning usually preferred not to speak harshly. She was truly annoyed by her.

This matter would be entrusted to Bai Yunfeng and that Chen—whatever his name was, the former third leader—to handle.

Hmph.