Chapter Twenty-One: The Grand Alliance Ceremony of the Five Nations (Part One)

On the fourth day after the splendid banquet for a hundred, under clear skies and gentle breezes, the assembled guests proceeded together to the grand Kunsan Parade Ground, vast enough to accommodate ten million souls.

The parade ground lay on the outskirts of the imperial capital, its terrain broad and level as far as the eye could see. Viewed from a height, it formed a perfect circle, with a guard stationed every five meters. Each guard wore gleaming silver armor and helmet, and grasped a silver halberd.

To the west, facing east, a platform of stone rose, with large drums placed at either end. The center was furnished with seats for a hundred, along with tables laden with fruit and fine wine.

The platform stood three meters high, granting an unobstructed view; those upon it could easily take in all the scenery below. The grasslands and deep forest split the landscape, pale and dark greens reflecting one another.

If one listened intently, even the distant sounds of game stirring in the woods could be heard.

Here, the talents, abilities, and character of each prince would be put to the test. From this moment, they ceased to be mere individuals, but became representatives of their nation—one's honor was everyone's honor, one's disgrace everyone's disgrace.

Glory and shame would be theirs to choose, and whichever they chose would be recorded in the annals of history, their names preserved for a thousand generations.

When the last person entered, the guards outside struck a half-gold gong, its resonant sound shaking the hearts of all present.

As the echo faded, the gates to the parade ground closed, barring entry to any latecomers.

Ten storytellers and the sons and daughters of the kingdom's nobility waited below the platform, ready to witness the grand ceremony.

The Minister of Rites and the Minister of War announced the imperial decree and clarified the rules. All present, except the Emperor of Baixi, bowed their heads.

"By imperial command, the Five Emperors proclaim: In the sixty-fifth year of the Zhaoyue era, eighth month, the Grand Alliance Ceremony shall convene in Baixi, testing six arts—rites, music, archery, horsemanship, calligraphy, and mathematics. Each art shall be judged by its foremost master, with the emperor abstaining, so that fairness may be seen by all and declared to the world. Moreover, the champion may claim a boon from each of the four neighboring kingdoms. Thus decreed, let all hear and obey. This is the imperial order."

The assembly raised their heads and replied, "We obey."

Thereafter, the Minister of War placed the imperial edict upon the emperor's table.

The ceremony officially began.

The Minister of Rites clapped thrice, and a youth in white robes emerged slowly into the arena. He bowed to the kings and princes on the platform, then drew a jade flute from his wide sleeve, placed it to his lips, and blew softly. At once, the music soared—clear, resonant, and brisk.

From all directions, a dozen women in blue robes began to dance, their forms graceful and supple as willow branches. Their long sleeves trailed behind as they moved in delicate steps, and when they parted, a woman in red appeared among them.

Suddenly, the flute's tempo quickened. The dancers followed suit, their movements growing swifter. The woman in red, her hands as delicate as jade, moved with fluid elegance; her skirt fluttered, her enticing eyes promised secrets untold, her smile radiant, her gaze enchanting.

Light glimmered around her, as if she were a fairy who had accidentally fallen to earth, her presence ethereal and veiled, her robes billowing without wind, exuding endless charm.

Her dance was as light as a swallow, her sleeves swirling like clouds emerging from the mountains, her arms supple as if without bone, her steps blooming like lotus flowers. She danced like a butterfly among blossoms, like a stream rippling through stones, like the cold moon shining in deep forests... intoxicating all who watched, as if they had sipped the finest wine and lost themselves completely.

...

The audience watched, stunned and speechless; more than one soul seemed spellbound by her beauty and artistry, even the women found themselves envious or entranced—let alone the men, so often dazzled by appearances.

At once, murmurs broke out below the platform.

"Who is that woman in red? Why have none of us seen her before?"

---

"Anyone who can dazzle at such a grand ceremony is surely no ordinary person. I wager she's either a princess or a noblewoman..."

"Speaking of princesses, do any of you recall the Third Princess of North Xiao? I heard she was originally meant to perform the ceremonial dance, but alas, beauty rarely escapes tragedy..."

"Indeed. Had she lived, who knows how she would compare to this woman in red?"

"Hush, don't speak of it." One man quickly covered his face with a folding fan and whispered.

They seemed to realize something all at once and looked up at the platform—just in time to meet Shen Xinan's venomous gaze.

Immediately, they fell silent and lowered their heads.

Standing behind Shen Xinan, Mu Chengyan stuck out his tongue, thinking to himself: These people are hopeless. They know the Second Prince detests any mention of Shen Xiruo's death, yet they insist on courting disaster. Are they tired of living?

As the flute fell silent, the dancers stilled. The man in white glanced at the woman in red, who smiled and stepped beside him. Kneeling side by side, they spoke:

"Bai Cheng, son of Bai Tiankuo, from Nansheng Kingdom."

"Bai Qingye, daughter of Bai Tiankuo, from Nansheng Kingdom."

"Greetings to the Emperor of Baixi," they said in unison, their voices strong and clear.

"It's her?"

Fuhua frowned, surprised to discover that the woman he had bumped into on the street was the one he would soon take as his official consort.

As the siblings spoke, many who had been lost in the splendor of the dance came to their senses.

The Emperor of Baixi smiled kindly. "Rise and be seated."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Though Bai Qingye, eldest daughter of Bai Tiankuo, was rumored to possess some talent, seeing her today revealed that her beauty and grace were truly exceptional.

Changsun Chengmin applauded, "The sons and daughters of Nansheng are indeed gifted in both talent and beauty. Splendid, splendid, ha ha ha!"

"So she is to be my Fifth Brother's consort. Charming when she dances, dignified at rest," Fuchen exclaimed, delighted for Fuhua.

From the moment she appeared, Gu Nanyuan had not taken his eyes off her, his gaze filled with an unspoken, lecherous desire.

Fuhua ignored his repulsive expression, took the wine Fuchen offered, and sipped it calmly.

The Bai siblings, led by a eunuch, ascended the platform. As they passed Fuhua, Gu Nanyuan blocked their path.

The eunuch hesitated, unsure what to do. "Second Prince, this..."

"Out of my way," Gu Nanyuan said impatiently, dismissing the eunuch, then turned to Bai Qingye with a fawning smile. "Would Miss Bai honor me with a drink?"

Bai Cheng's face darkened and he was about to speak, but Bai Qingye tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to remain silent.

---

"Second Prince, your favor is too much for me to bear. Please allow me to pass," Bai Qingye replied with a polite smile.

Gu Nanyuan's smile froze; anger and humiliation flashed across his face as he reached out to touch her.

Though Fuhua had not raised his eyes, his attention remained fixed on her every move. Seeing that Gu Nanyuan's lecherous hand was about to touch Bai Qingye, Fuhua moved swiftly, pulling Bai Qingye to his side. Caught off guard, Bai Qingye stumbled into Fuhua’s embrace.

Gu Nanyuan's hand hung awkwardly in the air before he withdrew it with a clenched fist.

Bai Qingye, surprised and unsteady, found herself face to face with Fuhua. Her cheeks flushed instantly, her shyness evident.

The sudden scene stunned everyone present; the air seemed to freeze, time itself suspended.

Fuhua glanced at the furious Gu Nanyuan, a sharp glint in his eye.

He then looked at the woman in his arms and said, unhurriedly, "Whoever dares touch what is mine—dies."

Everyone knew he was not joking; just look at how he had slain Qin Gun in anger.

As he finished speaking, he lifted Bai Qingye’s chin with slender fingers, his lips curling into an ambiguous smile.

"Father recently granted Fifth Brother and Miss Bai a marriage. Perhaps the Second Prince is unaware?" Fuchen, seeing the tension rise, kindly reminded him.

Gu Nanyuan, though unwilling, returned to his seat, recognizing the situation.

Bai Cheng took a seat at the back, wishing he could take Bai Qingye with him, but with the engagement in place, he could not interfere.

Seeing the disturbance had subsided, Fuhua looked at the beauty in his arms and sneered, "Are you not going to get up?"

Bai Qingye, finally regaining her composure, released her grip on his arm and quickly sat beside him.

Thus, the incident concluded without further turmoil.

Behind the Emperor of Baixi, the empress paid no heed to the drama, focusing intently on the ongoing performances.

On the parade ground, a hundred drummers—all burly men—beat their drums, their thunderous rhythm shaking the skies but stopping short of hurting the ears...

Despite the excitement, Bai Qingye had lost all interest in the spectacle. Whenever she recalled what had just happened, her face burned, her mind blank.

Though she had danced without blushing or breathlessness, now she could hear her own rapid breathing and pounding heartbeat.