After traveling for nearly half a month, the entourage finally reached the capital of Northern Flame.
Outside the city gates, Wanyan Xue, dressed in a fiery red gown, rode on horseback and waved directly at Jun Ce. As Jun Ce's party drew closer, the envoys bowed to her.
"Jun Ce, it's actually you escorting Imperial Sister-in-law!" Wanyan Xue exclaimed with pleasant surprise.
Jun Ce smiled and said, "Is Princess here specifically to welcome the marriage alliance procession?"
Wanyan Xue nodded, "That's right." She wasn't sure why her Crown Prince Imperial Brother had entrusted her with this task.
Upon hearing this, the Northern Flame ministers could no longer ignore the person inside the carriage, burying their disdain deep in their hearts.
Wanyan Xue said, "Come, I'll first take you to the post house. There's a welcome banquet at the palace tonight to fete you."
Jun Ce nodded, and the procession grandly made its way towards the post house.
"Third Highness of Tianqi, you may rest at the post house first. This official will return to the palace to report," the Northern Flame envoy cupped his hands to Jun Ce.
Jun Ce returned the gesture, saying, "Thank you, Master Wen, for your care along the way."
"It was nothing, nothing at all."
Jun Ce directed his men to unload the carriages first, then said to Pingyang inside the carriage, "Fei'er, you go on in first. Your Third Brother will settle them."
"Alright," Jun Fei's gentle voice came from within the carriage.
Wanyan Xue peered curiously into the carriage. Just from the voice, she could tell this was a woman gentle and refined.
The female official helped Jun Fei alight from the carriage and walk inside. Upon entering the post house and seeing no one around, Jun Fei removed her veil.
"Princess, you cannot remove your veil before the grand wedding," Ziyue's voice chimed in.
Jun Fei had tolerated this maid for too long. A mere maid, constantly telling her what she couldn't do. Just as she was about to reprimand her, Wanyan Xue stepped forward quickly.
"You look like a Northern Flame person. Which palace are you from?"
Facing Wanyan Xue, Ziyue instantly changed her tune. "To answer Seventh Princess, this servant is from the Crown Prince's Palace."
Wanyan Xue frowned, then suddenly said coldly, "Where do we have so many rules in Northern Flame! Did Imperial Brother send you to teach rules?"
Ziyue meekly lowered her head.
Liuyun stepped forward and said, "To answer Seventh Princess, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince sent us because he feared the future Crown Princess might be unfamiliar with Northern Flame. We are here to assist, not to teach rules."
Wanyan Xue nodded. "That's more like it." From all indications, Imperial Brother was very attentive to this princess from Tianqi. He even personally had the post house redecorated in Tianqi style. Why would he send a maid to cause trouble?
Wanyan Xue looked at Ziyue and said, "You! Get back to the palace. And don't appear in Imperial Brother's palace again. You'll go to the Royal Kitchen."
Ziyue immediately knelt down, kowtowing and begging for mercy, "Please, Seventh Princess, have mercy! This servant will never dare again! Please, Princess, spare this servant this one time..."
Wanyan Xue simply waved her hand. "Drag her away. Don't offend Imperial Sister-in-law's sight."
Soon, Ziyue was dragged away.
Jun Fei looked at Wanyan Xue, who gave her a friendly smile. "Imperial Sister-in-law, you must be tired. Go back to your room and rest quickly." This Imperial Sister-in-law was clearly a delicate beauty, looking as if a gust of wind could knock her over. No wonder even a maid could lord over her.
Jun Fei nodded faintly and said, "Thank you." Then, supported by the female official, she entered the post house.
Wanyan Xue touched her nose, then turned to look at Jun Ce, who had just entered. "Does Imperial Sister-in-law dislike me?"
Jun Ce watched Jun Fei's retreating back and said, "No, she just doesn't like strangers."
"By the way, what was going on with that maid just now?" Jun Ce asked.
Wanyan Xue replied, "She was disrespectful to Imperial Sister-in-law, so I sent her back to the palace."
Jun Ce frowned. He hadn't noticed the maid being disrespectful to Fei'er, perhaps the maid had been arrogant behind his back.
Jun Ce looked earnestly at Wanyan Xue and said, "Seventh Princess, Fei'er appears cool and aloof on the surface, but in reality, she is a very kind girl. Being married so far away to Northern Flame, she will have no family here in the future. I hope you will lend her more support." The people of Northern Flame looked down on Tianqi people deep down, so Fei'er's life would surely be difficult in the future. Wanyan Xue was someone trustworthy, deeply beloved by the Northern Flame Emperor and Empress. With her help, Fei'er should have an easier time.
Wanyan Xue blinked and said, "Don't worry. Imperial Sister-in-law is so beautiful that even I can't help but feel a fondness for her. My Imperial Father, Imperial Mother, and Imperial Brother will certainly like her."
Jun Ce looked in the direction of Jun Fei's room and murmured, "Let's hope so."
At dusk, Jun Fei, dressed in light attire, pushed open her door and stepped out. This post house had a private courtyard, built with exquisite elegance. Especially the courtyard where she resided, standing within it, it didn't feel like Northern Flame at all, but rather like she was still in Tianqi.
Jun Fei surveyed the courtyard. Daylily railings, a pomegranate blossom courtyard. Birdsong echoed, and water murmured. The setting sun shone in, and the garden was so tranquil it filled one with joy. She hadn't expected Northern Flame to have such a courtyard.
"Fei'er," Jun Ce's voice came from behind her.
Jun Fei turned around to look, "Third Brother."
Jun Ce approached and said, "I'm going to the Northern Flame Imperial Palace later. Don't go out. Northern Flame is not like Tianqi." Until the wedding ceremony, Pingyang would need to stay in the post house.
Jun Fei nodded and said, "I know. Don't worry." Even if he hadn't told her, she didn't plan on going out.
Jun Ce nodded. "Then Third Brother will be leaving first."
"Okay."
Jun Ce boarded the Imperial Palace carriage provided by Northern Flame and headed towards the Imperial Palace. The Emperor of Northern Flame was not overly enthusiastic towards him, but neither was he neglectful. The imperial banquet began, yet there was no sign of the Northern Flame Crown Prince.
Jun Ce lowered his eyes. Could the Northern Flame Crown Prince truly be as unbearable as the rumors claimed? Wouldn't his delicate younger sister be too wronged?
As he was thinking, a loud announcement came from outside: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
Jun Ce looked up to see a tall man enter. He wore a dark narrow-sleeved python robe, with deep-set eyes and a high-bridged nose, exuding an imposing presence. Jun Ce was startled. Is this the rumored brutal Wanyan Cheng? Rumors were indeed just rumors, and he was fortunate they were. This man could be considered a distinguished individual, perhaps just a little inferior to him. His appearance was acceptable, but what about his character?
"Greetings to Imperial Father, Imperial Mother. Your son is late; I pray Imperial Father and Imperial Mother pardon my transgression."
"Rise."
"Thank you, Imperial Father." Wanyan Cheng rose and sat opposite Jun Ce.
"You must be the Third Prince of Tianqi, then? You've traveled a long way; it must have been arduous. This prince raises a toast to you." After speaking, he raised his wine cup and drained it in one gulp.
Jun Ce also drank the wine in his cup and said, "Crown Prince is too kind."
The welcome banquet continued until the Hai hour (between 9 and 11 PM) before Jun Ce finally returned to the post house. Seeing the light still on in Jun Fei's room, he walked over, leaned against the door, and asked, "Fei'er, have you gone to bed?"
Jun Fei's voice came from inside the room, "Not yet. Did Third Brother just get back? Would you like to come in and sit?"
"No, I'm just happy." Yes, he was happy for Jun Fei. Although a marriage alliance was terrible, at least Wanyan Cheng wasn't as unbearable as the rumors suggested.
"Happy about what?"
Jun Ce laughed, "Wanyan Cheng is quite good-looking, though a little inferior to your brother. From your brother's observation, his character is forthright, and he seems decent so far."
After a moment, a sigh seemed to drift from within the room. "Third Brother, whether he is handsome or ugly, good-tempered or ill-tempered, it makes no difference. It's late. Third Brother should go back and rest."
Jun Ce was momentarily stunned, a sigh echoing in his heart. For her to let go, it was truly harder than ascending to the heavens.
"Then you should also go to bed early. I'm heading back to my room."
"Alright."
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