104 The Envoy (3)

The man laughed heartily and said, "The wine of your Great Jin is indeed too strong. Having drunk some, my head grew a bit dizzy, so I thought I would come out for a walk to clear my head."

"So that is how it is. But how did he end up by your side, Prince?" Jiang Yun asked, pointing at me.

Without turning his head, the man replied in an easy tone, "He is a servant from your palace, is he not? I ran into him on my way. When he learned that I wished to rest for a moment, he mentioned there were some rooms nearby where I could rest, and so he brought me here. But before we could reach them, we ran into this gentleman." The man glanced at Di Xiao.

"What a coincidence!" Di Xiao remarked. "Xiao Xiaozi, I wonder why you suddenly appeared in this vicinity. A banquet is being held here to welcome the Prince and Princess of the Xiongnu, and neither Her Highness of Cuiwei Palace nor the Ninth Prince is among the invitees."

I stepped forward slightly, keeping my head bowed as I said, "This servant was attending to the Ninth Prince."

"Ninth Brother?" Jiang Yun said. "What is he doing here? Trying to show off in front of Imperial Father again?"

I replied, "This servant accompanied the Ninth Prince here, but we ran into the Sixth Prince along the way. The Sixth Prince dragged the Ninth Prince away, ordering this servant to wait outside. While I was waiting, I saw the Xiongnu Prince arrive. Seeing that he had had a few too many cups and wished to rest, this servant led him in this direction."

Jiang Yun was actually quite easy to fool; he had always seemed lacking in schemes. Di Xiao, however, was different. Because of Long Zhan, he had always disliked me. Last time, he had tried to use the opportunity at the imperial villa to have me killed, but I had narrowly escaped. He would surely not let the matter drop so easily.

"I have heard that all Xiongnu are brave and fierce in battle, and their capacity for wine is legendary. I find it hard to believe that the Prince would succumb to intoxication so easily," Di Xiao continued to probe.

"You flatter me, Commander. No matter how strong our wine is, it cannot compare to the fine vintage of Great Jin. Besides, on such a fine evening, in the company of the nobles of Great Jin, I was simply swept up in the joy of the moment. As the saying goes, it is not the wine that intoxicates, but the man who intoxicates himself. Crown Prince, did I use that phrase correctly?"

Jiang Yun laughed. "I have long heard that the Prince is well-versed in the culture of our Great Jin. Seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved."

"Has the Crown Prince rested enough? Since we get along so well, why don't we go back and drink a few more cups?"

"Splendid!"

"Your Highness..." Di Xiao stepped forward, cupping his hands in salute.

"Enough. You may investigate this matter privately later. Do you not see the Prince is here? Do you intend to suspect the Prince as well?"

"This subordinate dares not."

"Prince, after you!"

After taking a few steps, the Prince remarked, "I find this servant quite agreeable. Why not have him come along to the banquet as well?"

"Are the maids and eunuchs not serving you well, Prince? Very well, let him attend to you then."

"The Crown Prince of Great Jin is indeed straightforward. Lead the way!"

"Please!"

Inexplicably, I was pulled back into the banquet.

Once the Xiongnu Prince took his seat, I was ordered to stand behind him. Across from us, Jiang Yun sat down, with Jiang Chen beside him, and Jiang Xuan seated next to Jiang Chen.

Jiang Xuan cast a calm glance at me before shifting his gaze to the Xiongnu Prince.

The Xiongnu Prince had spoken with Jiang Xuan that day; I wondered if they had recognized each other by now.

"Royal Brother, where did you go? You kept me waiting for so long!" Seated beside the Xiongnu Prince was a woman. Judging by her grand attire and her calling him "Royal Brother," she was clearly the Xiongnu Princess.

I had thought the embassy consisted only of the Princess, but I had not expected the Prince to accompany her as well.

"Do not be mischievous, A'ya. While I was away, did anyone catch your eye? I shall propose a match for you immediately."

The Princess smiled and said, "None of the men here please me, save for one who has caught my fancy."

Following the Princess's gaze, the Xiongnu Prince saw that the one who had caught her eye was none other than the Emperor himself. The Emperor was in the prime of his life, wise and martial, naturally a figure to command a woman's admiration.

The Xiongnu Prince stood up and addressed the Emperor, "Your Majesty, we Xiongnu are accustomed to conquering the world on horseback, and my sister A'ya has practiced riding and archery since childhood. Before our departure, our royal father instructed that A'ya must choose a brave and fearless husband. Therefore, I propose that we hold a riding and archery competition. Only he who can defeat A'ya shall be worthy of her hand."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor looked at the assembly. "What do you all think?"

Jiang Yun rose and said, "A riding and archery competition will allow us to test our martial skills and display the spirit of the men of Great Jin. Your son believes this is an excellent idea."

The Emperor nodded. "Then let the princes and nobles who wish to take Princess Huyan Ya as their wife participate in this competition. This way, Princess Huyan Ya may choose her husband well."

Huyan Ya stood up and asked, "Will the Emperor of Great Jin participate?"

A stir swept through the crowd at her words.

Naturally, some had already guessed the Princess's intentions.

The Emperor said, "Let us leave the competition to the young people. It is best that I share a few drinks with your Royal Brother."

The Emperor's words were a polite refusal, but Huyan Ya would not let the matter rest. She said, "To my eyes, Your Majesty appears quite young. In the Xiongnu lands, my royal father is already fifty, yet he still rides and hunts daily, never missing the annual grand festivals. Is Your Majesty older than my father?"

Huyan Ya's words left the Emperor with no room for retreat.

Jiang Chen rose and said, "Imperial Father's reluctance to participate is merely to allow us young people to enjoy ourselves to the fullest. If Imperial Father were to enter, the victor would already be decided, and everyone would lose their enthusiasm for the contest."

The Emperor glanced at Jiang Chen, a look of approval in his eyes.

The Xiongnu Prince stood up and said, "I have heard that a new victor emerged from the recent riding and archery grand ceremony—the Ninth Prince. I wonder if the Ninth Prince will participate?"

"He has no desire to marry, so he likely will not participate," Jiang Yun said with a touch of displeasure.

"Imperial Father, Ninth Brother must participate," Jiang Chen chimed in again. "Otherwise, if neither Imperial Father nor Ninth Brother joins, our two distinguished guests from afar might accuse us of deliberately holding back."

The Emperor said with a trace of vigor, "Chen'er is right. Xuan'er must participate. However, if the Princess wishes for me to join, it is not entirely out of the question. If you can defeat all of my ministers' sons and the princes tomorrow, I shall compete with you myself. How does that sound?"

"Is that a promise?"

"Naturally."

"And if Your Majesty cannot defeat me either, will you grant me one condition?"

The Emperor laughed heartily. "The Princess is indeed bold, a true heroine among women. Speak, what is your condition?"

"If Your Majesty cannot defeat me, you must take me as your consort."

Another clamor arose from the crowd. By now, everyone could see that the Xiongnu Princess had set her heart on the Emperor.

The Emperor had initially shown little interest, but hearing Huyan Ya's bold declaration, a hint of pleasant surprise flashed in his eyes. It seemed the Emperor, too, had grown intrigued by this daring woman.

The imperial harem was filled with women who were submissive, gentle, and virtuous. It was only natural for the Emperor to be stirred by the sudden appearance of someone so different.

"Very well, I promise you. As long as you can defeat the others, even if you cannot defeat me, I shall still name you my consort."

The Emperor spoke out of impulse, but his words made it clear that he already intended to take Huyan Ya as his consort. In tomorrow's competition, who would dare to defeat her? To do so would be openly competing with the Emperor for a woman.

"Your Majesty, it is getting late. Perhaps we should rest to prepare for tomorrow's competition."

"I see now that the Xiongnu are indeed competitive. Knowing there is a contest tomorrow, I have lost my taste for wine. Very well, Yun'er, arrange for their lodging."

"Yes, Imperial Father."

Rising to his feet, the Xiongnu Prince said to me, "I find your service most satisfactory. I hope to see you at the hunting grounds tomorrow as well."

I was taken aback, but seeing Jiang Yun approach, I could only reply, "Yes."

As Jiang Chen and Jiang Xuan were talking and preparing to leave, they heard Jiang Yun call out, "Sixth Brother, come here!"

"Is there something else, Third Brother?"

"Accompany me to see the Prince and Princess off. Do not forget that Imperial Father entrusted the reception duties to both of us."

Jiang Chen gave Jiang Xuan a helpless look and said, "Well then, Ninth Brother, I will see you on the field tomorrow."

"Understood."

As Jiang Yun led the group away, Jiang Xuan and I made our way back to Cuiwei Palace. Along the way, Jiang Xuan immediately asked, "How did you end up with Huyan Dun?"

"This servant merely ran into him by chance."

"By chance? Do you not find him somewhat familiar?"

Jiang Xuan's words indicated that he had remembered.

I asked, "Has the Ninth Prince remembered?"

Jiang Xuan stared at me. "So, you realized it long ago as well."

I nodded. "This servant simply did not expect that the man we encountered by the hot spring that day would turn out to be the Xiongnu Prince."

"Did he recognize you?"

"This servant does not know."

"Judging by the way he looked at me, he must have recognized me. He arrives today as an envoy, yet he entered Great Jin in disguise months ago. Who knows what his intentions are? He seems highly scheming; you must be careful."

"Thank you for your concern, Ninth Prince. But this servant is likely beneath the Prince's notice, so you need not worry. However, regarding tomorrow's riding and archery competition, if you lose, it will damage the prestige of Great Jin. But if you win, won't it..."

"I know what you are worried about. Tomorrow, I can defeat Huyan Ya, but I must not defeat Third Brother and Sixth Brother."

But how could he manage that? It was a difficult dilemma for Jiang Xuan.

"I heard Huyan Dun tell you to go to the archery range tomorrow as well?"

"Yes."

"Tomorrow, excuse yourself by claiming you are unwell or that Imperial Mother needs your service, and do not go."

I knew Jiang Xuan was concerned for me, but if I failed to show up, it might arouse suspicion instead. A man like Huyan Dun would not be easy to deal with. It would be better for me to act naturally and simply exercise greater caution.

I said, "Actually, this servant wishes to join the excitement. I was not fortunate enough to witness the last riding and archery ceremony, so I do not want to miss tomorrow's event."

"Do you truly wish to see it?" Jiang Xuan smiled slightly, his eyes reflecting a hint of affection.

"Yes. This servant also wishes to witness the Ninth Prince's prowess!"

"Such sweet talk!"

"This servant dares not!"

"Very well. But you must be careful once you are there. Weapons have no eyes on the archery range, and I may not be able to protect you. Furthermore, even if Huyan Dun demands your service, you belong to the palace of Great Jin. You do not have to obey his every whim."

I could not help but smile and bowed. "Rest assured, Ninth Prince. This servant will be careful."