Chapter 96: The Jurchen State Princess Has Taken a Liking to Xiao Jingyuan?

The princess of the Jurchen State actually wants to select a consort in Great Liang, and the betrothal gifts she's offering are still very generous.

But who doesn't know what kind of place the Jurchen State is?

In the eyes of Great Liang men, that place is simply an existence that overturns the natural order.

In the Jurchen State, women can don armor and go to battle, wielding power, while men are mostly confined to the inner quarters, living dependently on women.

Men at home must serve the womenfolk and manage household affairs; when they go out, they must still know their place, everywhere putting women's will first.

An ordinary man born into such a situation probably wouldn't even have the courage to hold his head high, let alone be like Great Liang men, who run their households and roam the world.

If he were truly chosen to become a consort, never mind his spirited nature being broken—his ancestors would surely leap from their coffins and curse him out!

Thus, when this princess appeared at the spring hunt, all the men feared being singled out by her glance, feeling anxious and uneasy.

Shen Shuangning, on the other hand, was curiously sizing up the princess.

After all, in her previous life she went to her maternal grandparents' home in River West and never saw this princess; thinking back now, she still feels a bit regretful.

"Everyone says Great Liang is the greatest state; it turns out this is your hunting ground, and the scenery is not bad." The Jurchen princess stood with hands on her hips, scanning the surroundings.

Delicate features, naturally curly chestnut-long hair, freckles dotting her cheeks, and a light wheat-toned complexion.

She wore a white dress with gleaming gold ornaments, her long legs clad in boots, shining brightly in the sunlight.

Though she spoke words of praise, it didn't sound that way; many perceptive people frowned, but out of regard for the two states' relations and because she was a woman, no one spoke up.

After several days of overcast rain, the weather finally cleared; today the sun is bright and the climate pleasant.

The Jurchen people entered the capital and went straight to the hunting grounds; Emperor Xuanwen would arrive only later.

Shen Shuangning and Jingyu had set out from the palace early; at this moment Jingyu stood beside Shen Shuangning, also curiously gazing at her, his eyes round and shiny like a fawn's.

The two princesses had exchanged greetings, but there was nothing to talk about, so each stood off to the side.

The Jurchen princess's retinue consisted entirely of women; they wore uniform attire, sported distinctive headpieces, were generally tall and strong-looking, and appeared quite different from Great Liang women.

Thus, as soon as they appeared, they drew many gazes.

Although everyone present was mentally prepared, when the officials saw that the envoys were also women, they couldn't help but glance at them askance.

Meanwhile, the Jurchen State people returned the look openly, regarding those present with the disdain of an eagle.

This princess even fixed her gaze on a handsome Great Liang official and bluntly said, "Back home, if you dare stare straight at a woman like that, you'll have your eyes gouged out!"

Perhaps his expression was too earnest, making it somewhat frightening.

That official's face changed instantly; he opened his mouth and said, "You!"

He uttered "you" over and over for a long while, not knowing what else to say; finally he flicked his sleeve, snorted coldly, and acted as if he wouldn't stoop to a little girl's level.

The Jurchen princess crossed her arms, smiled briefly, then turned her head and said something to the person beside her in her native tongue.

As soon as she finished, the Jurchen people's faces showed a knowing yet eerie smile.

Seeing that, the official's hairs stood on end, and he silently withdrew.

Jingyu whispered in Shen Shuangning's ear, "Do you understand what they're saying?"

Shen Shuangning shook her head, but she could tell it definitely wasn't anything nice.

Most of the Great Liang people present couldn't understand the Jurchen officials' speech, but Xiao Jingyuan did, and he frowned.

The princess's words, roughly translated, amount to "lacking discipline."

That's the relatively civilized rendering.

If spoken bluntly, it could scare the hidebound traditional officials present half to death.

With nothing left to say between them, the Jurchen people, counting on their incomprehension, loudly discussed and critiqued a crowd.

Until Xiao Jingyuan slowly spoke up, replying in the same official language, did the princess stop talking, turn her head, and smile politely at him.

"What you say is right, Master Xiao; when in the land, follow its customs—we respect Great Liang's rules, or rather, its traditions?"

The princess raised an eyebrow, shifted her tone, and her sharp gaze swept over those around her: "I don't look down on men; I only look down on the weak."

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Rites' face darkened; he had long since reached the end of his patience, needed no further endurance, and pointed at her angrily, saying, "What do you mean? Are you Jurchen people coming to Great Liang just to stir up trouble?"

The Jurchen princess gave him a bland glance: "Who are you? So fond of labeling yourself? At your age, still coming to the hunt—can you draw a bow or ride a horse? You're not afraid your bones will scatter, heading straight for the coffin."

"Outrageous! Outrageous!" the Minister of Rites shouted, his beard bristling, eyes wide, his face turning the color of pig liver: "Victors reign, losers are bandits; a mere vassal state ought to behave like a vassal state!"

Upon hearing the three words "vassal state," the Jurchen princess immediately narrowed her eyes, clearly displeased.

Had it not been for the natural disaster that devastated the Jurchen State and sapped its vitality, who knows who would have won or lost!

"If the Jurchen refuse to submit, they can turn back today, go challenge your sovereign, and we will meet them in battle." Xiao Jingyuan spoke in an even tone, his voice low but clear.

The Jurchen people's faces changed at once.

Their visit this time is purely probing; it's certainly not to consolidate any friendship between the two states.

I didn't expect Xiao Jingyuan to speak so bluntly; at the moment everyone's expression turned unpleasant, and the princess stepped forward two paces, lifted her head, and fixed him with a gaze as sharp as a blade.

Tensions were at a breaking point, but the moment Emperor Xuanwen arrived, the strained atmosphere vanished instantly.

Xie Lin served in the Golden Warrior Guard, tasked with protecting the emperor's safety, which is why he came together with Emperor Xuanwen.

Shen Shuangning's gaze fell on him; since leaving the Eastern Palace that day, she hadn't had a chance to see him.

Today Xie Lin wore the Golden Warrior Guard's light armor, a sword at his waist, which made his posture straight and his bearing handsome.

After taking his place to one side, his gaze also swept across the crowd toward her, but he only glanced briefly before shifting his eyes away without a change in expression.

Shen Shuangning also withdrew her gaze, thinking she must find an opportunity today to talk to him about Xie Yan.

Yet neither of them noticed the Jurchen princess casting two interested glances at Xie Lin.

Before the emperor, the Jurchen people visibly restrained themselves considerably.

Led by the princess, everyone stepped forward to perform the salute—right hand on left shoulder, bowing—maintaining an attitude that was neither humble nor arrogant.

"Somu'er Wanyan, paying respects to the emperor."

"Wanyan" is the surname of the Jurchen imperial clan, "Somu'er" is the princess's given name, and she carries no title.

Emperor Xuanwen said kindly, "No need for excessive ceremony; everyone, rise."

Your Majesty can call me Su Mu'er.

Su Mu'er spoke openly, her eyes fixed on the emperor without a trace of timidity—either that is her nature, or the Jurchen State's growing strength has given her full confidence.

For a moment, everyone's expressions varied.

Emperor Xuánwén still wore a smile, not directly addressing her as Su Mu'er, but said: "I heard the Princess wishes to choose a prince consort in my Great Liang; do you have anyone in mind?"

As soon as Emperor Xuánwén spoke, it seemed as if he would give her whoever he fancied, and the young noble scions all felt a little uneasy.

Su Mu'er seemed to see their panic and evasion, deliberately looking at each one in turn, making them feel uncomfortable all over, while she inwardly sneered.

However, she truly disliked those slender, pale-faced pretty boys; such weaklings are everywhere in the Jurchen State, and she still prefers taming fierce horses.

Su Mu'er's gaze swept around and finally landed on Xiao Jingyuan, and she said with interest: "I think the Young Master Xiao is quite good; we share common topics. Your Majesty, may I have him as my prince consort?"

It was that phrase "common topics" that carried a somewhat sarcastic tone.

Su Mu'er, not yet twenty, with her eyes curved in a smiling squint, also had a touch of maidenly charm, making it hard to tell whether she was serious or joking.

Today the Crown Prince also came, but the Crown Princess was absent; interestingly, Song Xizhi was actually following beside the Crown Prince.

When the Jurchen Princess said she had taken a liking to Xiao Jingyuan, Shen Shuangning's eyes lifted slightly as she looked toward Song Xizhi.

Noticing a subtle change in her complexion, her fingers unconsciously tightened the embroidered handkerchief, as if she were worried Xiao Jingyuan might really become that princess's prince consort.

Shen Shuangning withdrew her gaze without a change in expression; it seemed Song Xizhi still had not let go of Xiao Jingyuan, so why rush to marry the Crown Prince?

Suddenly a flash of lightning crossed her mind, and Shen Shuangning abruptly recalled Prince Chen.

Now Prince Chen is temporarily staying in the capital under the pretense of selecting a consort, and then word spread that Song Xizhi would marry the Crown Prince... could it really be such a coincidence?

Shen Shuangning's eyes showed a hint of contemplation, then she looked again at Song Xizhi, revealing a hint of scrutiny.

Emperor Xuánwén lightly twirled his beard and smiled: "Princess, you have good eyes; this nephew of mine is indeed outstanding among men and still unmarried. But marriage is a major matter—I cannot decide for him; I must see his own wishes."

Su Mu'er raised her brows slightly as she looked at Xiao Jingyuan, yet his expression did not change at all.

Had it not been for the previous incident, Su Mu'er taking a liking to him would pose no problem, but now it clearly carries a sense of humiliation.

Those who arrived later still did not know what had happened; for now they merely assumed the Princess truly had taken a liking to the Young Master.

Su Mu'er suddenly waved her hand and said: "Never mind, never mind—I don't like those who are too cold; what's the difference between bringing back a sculpture to worship?"

Shen Shuangning deeply agreed, but then immediately recalled that although Xiao Jingyuan's temperament is cold, his skill in bed is still quite good.

"There are many outstanding young men in Great Liang; take your time choosing." Emperor Xuánwén said.

Su Mu'er's face broke into a smile, and she said innocently: "I think so too. The gentlemen of Great Liang are full of manly vigor, quite different from the men of my homeland; the girls there all like Great Liang's men. Your Majesty, do you mind if I bring back a couple more?"

The Emperor laughed heartily: "As long as you like it, you may bring as many as you wish."

Just like that, the topic was lightly brushed aside.

Song Xizhi visibly relaxed considerably.

Even a little thought makes it clear: the Prince of Yan's mansion controls a third of the empire's military power; the Emperor would never allow Xiao Jingyuan to go to the Jurchen State as a menial prince consort, and even if he went, he would lead cavalry to trample over the Jurchen State.

Before the hunt had officially begun, Su Mu'er proactively proposed a contest with the Great Liang princess to warm up the atmosphere.

This action, though seemingly abrupt, was also within everyone's expectations.

Shen Shuangning glanced at Jingyu, who sat calmly to the side; Jingyu returned her look, and the two had already arranged things beforehand.

Jingyu did not want to remain a coward hiding behind others.

Shen Shuangning gave Jingyu an affirming look.

Thus Jingyu rose and said to Su Mu'er: "I'll compete with you!"