The Selection Ceremony for the Blue Moon Imperial Princess was held in the imperial palace. This grand event gathered talented individuals from the four nations. Some came for career advancement, some to catch a glimpse of the beauty, and others simply for the spectacle.
To ensure Xiao Man's participation in the selection ceremony, the Empress ordered Hua Wen to fetch her before dawn. Hua Wen deeply resented the Imperial Princess. While other princesses would be pleasant to the commanders like herself to win favor, Xiao Man was not like that. If one crossed Xiao Man, they would face considerable trouble.
Therefore, when Hua Wen received the order to escort the Imperial Princess to the palace, her heart sank. However, being shrewd, she knew going directly to Xiao Man would be futile. Instead, she went to the Bright Moon Pavilion and invited Wen Mohan to the palace.
Everyone outside knew the Imperial Princess cherished her childhood friend and devoted companion, Wen Langjun. Their affection was said to be inseparable. Since Wen Langjun was attending the selection ceremony, the Imperial Princess was expected to appear.
Wen Mohan sat regally, his gaze sweeping over the assembled men. These were the finest young men from Blue Moon's noble families, painstakingly trained. Each possessed a distinct demeanor: some gentle, some cold, some refined, some shrewd. At first glance, one might mistake it for a beauty pageant.
"Her Majesty the Empress arrives."
The Empress, clad in a golden imperial robe, exuded an air of nobility. Her steps were steady as she surveyed the space beside Wen Mohan, then proceeded to the highest seat. "Has the Imperial Princess not arrived yet?"
"The appointed time has not yet begun. Perhaps she will arrive shortly."
The Empress turned her gaze to Wen Mohan. "Wen Langjun, why did the Imperial Princess not accompany you to the palace?"
Wen Mohan rose and bowed. "We were celebrating late last night, and the Imperial Princess felt somewhat fatigued. I could not bear to see her so weary, so I allowed her to rest a moment longer before proceeding to the palace."
The Empress smiled meaningfully. Wen Mohan was not as indifferent as he appeared. At least, where Xiao Man was concerned, he was fiercely possessive.
Even before the ceremony began, he was subtly informing everyone present that he was Xiao Man's man, that she spent her nights in his chambers, and that their affection was deep and abiding. It was a pity, though, that this was Blue Moon. As long as the position of consort remained unfilled, ambitious young men would scheme relentlessly to enter the Imperial Princess's manor, attempting to ensnare her favor and thus usurp Wen Mohan's position.
"It is said that Wen Langjun abandoned his home and country for the Imperial Princess. Do you not consider such an act disloyal and unfilial?" a voice challenged.
Wen Mohan was no stranger to debate, having once bested ministers in discussions. How could he lose to men raised in inner courtyards, whose only skill was vying for favor?
"There is an old saying: 'When a woman marries a chicken, she follows the chicken; when she marries a dog, she follows the dog.' And another, 'The wife sings, and the husband follows.' Since I am the Imperial Princess's intended husband, naturally I shall go wherever she goes. What, if you were married, and your wife faced hardship, would you cast her aside and seek a higher connection? What then would be the difference between you and the courtesans in the pleasure houses?"
"How dare you! You brazenly insult the Imperial Princess and us..."
"Do not equate yourselves with the Imperial Princess. You are not worthy." Wen Mohan gracefully picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Today, I make my stance clear: as long as I am here, you will never set foot inside the Imperial Princess's manor!"
"Arrogant! Jealous! You are unfit to remain by the Imperial Princess's side!"
Wen Mohan let out a cold scoff. "My arrogance and jealousy are not new. The Imperial Princess is well aware of my temperament. But what can be done? She simply favors this temperament of mine."
The Empress watched Wen Mohan's ostentatious challenge to all the contestants and couldn't help but shake her head. He was ultimately too young, lacking restraint. If Xiao Man were to appear and favor another man, wouldn't that be a public humiliation for him?
"Your looks are merely passable, and you are aging. In a few more years, when your beauty fades, do you think the Imperial Princess will still fancy you!"
Wen Mohan's expression remained calm, his words gentle. "Even if I become an old man, I will be the old man the Imperial Princess fancies. You need not worry on my behalf." Su Dan Novel Network.
Lan Qin grinned. She had witnessed Wen Mohan's sharp tongue before. He used to say Xiao Man would walk the walls to avoid him. These men still dared to try and outwit him? Truly, they knew not fear.
"Envoy from Yunqi arrives."
"Envoy from Yusheng arrives."
"Envoy from Beimeng arrives."
With each announcement, all eyes turned to the entrance. Three processions entered with calm assurance, forming distinct groups. The Yunqi envoy, wearing an exquisite mask, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, moved with composure to his designated seat.
The Yusheng envoy was none other than Prince Qi, Nangong Yi. After the scandal involving his illegitimate son, Nangong Yi had become considerably more composed, a far cry from his former frivolous demeanor.
The Beimeng envoy was the Third Prince of Beimeng, Yelü Heng. Yelü Heng had suffered significant losses at Xiao Man's hands previously. Hearing that the beloved daughter of the Yusheng Grand General had become the Blue Moon Imperial Princess, he was filled with curiosity and came to observe.
Nangong Yi nodded to Wen Mohan in greeting before taking his seat among the Yusheng envoys. Yelü Heng scanned the entire hall, failing to spot Xiao Man. He then turned to the Empress.
"Her Majesty the Empress, why is the Imperial Princess absent?"
"Envoys, please be patient. She will arrive shortly."
"I hear your esteemed country's Imperial Princess is selecting a consort. May I inquire if I may participate?"
"Of course," the Empress replied calmly. "Not only the Third Prince, but the envoys from Yunqi and Yusheng are also welcome to participate. Do you have any interest?"
"Since that is the case, let me be the next," the Yunqi envoy said with a smile. "I have heard that your esteemed Imperial Princess possesses unparalleled beauty and is both learned and martial. I have long admired her greatly."
"With the envoy's praise, the Imperial Princess will surely be most pleased." The Empress turned her gaze to Nangong Yi. "Does Prince Qi wish to participate?"
"This prince shall not," Nangong Yi said composedly. "After all, I am a long-time friend, and I know the type of person she prefers. Alas, I am not that person."
"Prince Qi, women are often contradictory. They say no when they mean yes, and they prefer the man to take the initiative," Yelü Heng joked, unaware that his words had displeased many female officials present, who shot him glares.
Nangong Yi glanced at Yelü Heng. "Third Prince, when a woman says no, she means no. There is no such thing as saying one thing and meaning another. If you stubbornly misinterpret another's intentions, beware of bloodshed."
"Coward," Yelü Heng sneered.
Nangong Yi remained unperturbed. Whether he was a coward or not was his own business. More importantly, Xiao Man would not mock him. He had come to Blue Moon precisely to see if Xiao Man was living well here.
"The Imperial Princess arrives."
All eyes turned to the entrance. A figure slowly walked in, adorned with a crimson gold-threaded hairpin adorned with red rubies. She wore an embroidered robe depicting a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, resplendent and dazzling, emanating an aura of majesty and nobility that seemed to overshadow even the Empress on her throne.