"Miss, I'm not getting married! Capital City is so dangerous, I need to be there to make sure you're safe!" Baizhi declared resolutely.
"Capital City is too dangerous, you wouldn't be able to handle it!" Gu Yan refused.
"The Jianghu is also dangerous, haven't I been accompanying you? I'm not leaving!"
Gu Yan smiled helplessly. This little girl was truly stubborn!
Wanyi City was only half a day's journey from Capital City. They'd already sent someone to report, so delaying further was unwise.
His Majesty had decreed that they were only allowed to bring five hundred guards into Capital City.
They only had fifty personal guards with them, the rest were waiting at the city gates.
Gu Yan was currently in a woman's guise, so riding a horse wasn't appropriate.
She sat in the carriage, lifting the curtain to watch the receding scenery. The Capital City was truly just ahead.
She drifted off to sleep.
After an unknown amount of time, the loud voice of a soldier rang out, "We welcome General Gu back to the Capital!"
Had they arrived already?
Gu Yan tidied her appearance, put on her veil, and stepped lightly from the carriage.
The commoners beside couldn't see Gu Yan's face, but from her figure alone, they could tell she was a woman of exceptional beauty.
His Majesty personally welcoming her showed how much he valued General Gu.
After all, in the eyes of the commoners, General Gu was a great hero who protected the country. The Emperor had to put on a good show to comfort the people's hearts.
Gu Yan glanced at the person in the dragon robe, his expression stern, the pressure of a superior radiating from him.
She knelt with her father, shouting, "May His Majesty live ten thousand years!"
The Emperor walked down, personally helping General Gu up. "My esteemed subject, you've had a long journey, you must be tired! The Imperial Palace has already prepared a banquet to reward all the soldiers."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. This subject will certainly do his utmost to protect the territory of the Great Xiao Kingdom!"
The ruler and his subject exchanged a few more pleasantries before they were welcomed through the palace gates.
Gu Yan disliked these meaningless formalities; they were exhausting to watch, but as the Gu family's daughter, she had to play the part.
The palace road was long and imposing, creating a sense of pressure. They followed the eunuchs, slowly passing through the palace walls.
They would rest in the Imperial Palace today and make their official appearance at the Annual Banquet tomorrow.
Every year, the Gu family would report to His Majesty at the end of the year and attend the Annual Banquet in the Imperial Palace with the Capital City's dignitaries.
The banquet was already filled with people, and the Gu family took their seats.
Gu Yan glanced around. It seemed that everyone of note in the Capital City was present today!
Gu Yan followed the eunuch to a relatively forward position at the banquet. Their seats had been moving forward every year recently!
It seemed the Emperor wanted to show everyone how much he valued the Gu family!
However, the current Emperor was highly suspicious. Perhaps he also wanted to keep the Gu family under his watchful eye!
As soon as Gu Yan sat down, she sensed an examining gaze.
She looked up and immediately realized the source of that gaze.
Isn't this the handsome man she saved last night?
That seat... it must be the Crown Prince!
He's actually the Crown Prince!
But, he was unconscious at the time. He probably didn't recognize her!
Gu Yan lowered her eyes and sipped her wine.
After a moment, she looked up and saw that the Crown Prince was still looking at her with interest.
He raised his cup from afar, as if inviting Gu Yan to drink with him. He then downed the wine in one gulp, a gesture both unrestrained and captivating.
Indeed, a beautiful person could make a simple movement pleasing to the eye.
Gu Yan could only lower her head and shift her gaze elsewhere.
Seated at the head was His Majesty, with the Empress on his right. The person next to His Majesty was likely Noble Consort Li.
The Empress was dignified, her headdress proper, without a single flaw.
Noble Consort Li, on the other hand, was alluring, exceptionally beautiful. Dressed in luxurious attire, her head adorned with jewels, she almost outshone the Empress.
Rumor had it that Noble Consort Li was the sole favorite; it seemed this wasn't an exaggeration!
After all, the other concubines were seated far away, while only Noble Consort Li was almost seated with the Empress.
Next came the princes' seats.
The Crown Prince was graceful and elegant, every gesture exuding nobility.
I suppose the Second Prince is next to the Crown Prince.
He looked spirited and radiant, a stark contrast to the Crown Prince's composure and restraint. His gaze towards Gu Yan was also filled with possessiveness.
Gu Yan disliked his look; it made her feel uneasy.
She didn't see the younger princes; they must be sitting with their mothers!
Next were the princess's seats.
Gu Yan knew the Great Princess.
This princess was once forced to marry into the Nanling Kingdom, and later, after the Nanling Kingdom's ruler passed away, she was brought back to the Great Xiao Kingdom.
At that time, the Great Princess looked as if she wanted to die. She stayed in the Southern Frontier for a few months, frail and sickly. It was Gu Yan who often comforted her!
Today, the Great Princess, though sitting upright, showed no trace of sorrow in her eyes.
Seeing her, the Great Princess noticed her gaze and raised her cup in a gesture of greeting.
Gu Yan smiled and drank the wine in her cup.
She looked up again, and the Great Princess's gaze was on her, but it seemed like she was looking at someone else.
She glanced around. Could she be looking at her brother?
After all, they had spent a few months together in the Southern Frontier, so Gu Yan didn't find it strange.
The banquet was filled with toasts and pleasantries.
Gu Yan found it all a headache, but thankfully, she could hide behind her parents and pretend to be a lady, nibbling on her food.
As Gu Yan was hiding behind someone, secretly sizing up the people in the hall, she heard a gentle voice.
"I heard that the Gu family's daughter is both beautiful and intelligent. Seeing her today, the rumors are indeed true!"
Gu Yan looked up and saw that it was the Empress speaking.
She rose to her feet with a graceful bow, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty the Empress."
The ladies seated there, seeing this, also chimed in with compliments.
"Miss Gu's beauty is exquisite; she's a rare beauty!"
"Yes, indeed! Though Miss Gu is from the Southern Frontier, her bearing is impeccable!"
"Miss Gu's figure is graceful and her demeanor is proper. One can see she's been raised very well!"
"..."
Gu Yan thought to herself, what was meant to happen would happen.
Then she heard the Empress ask, "I wonder, has Miss Gu been betrothed?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, I have not been betrothed!" Gu Yan's voice was neither servile nor overbearing, like a clear stream in a mountain valley, particularly clear in the hall.
The Empress looked at General Gu. "Such a wonderful person as Miss Gu, how can she always suffer in the Southern Frontier? This Palace is very compatible with this girl, I wonder if General Gu can bear to part with her and let her accompany this Palace for a while?"
"This?" General Gu hesitated.
The Empress smiled softly, "Does General Gu still fear that I will treat Miss Gu poorly?"
"Of course not. It's just that my daughter is used to being undisciplined at home, and I'm afraid she will cause trouble for Your Majesty." General Gu pondered and spoke.
"Such a beautiful girl as Miss Gu, I can't help but adore her, how could I possibly find her troublesome? The Southern Frontier is a harsh place, how could such a delicate girl endure suffering alongside you all? I, on the other hand, can choose a good husband for her in the Capital City and let her enjoy a life of wealth and honor there!"
His Majesty saw General Gu hesitating, fearing he would refuse in public.
He then spoke, "Rest assured, with me watching over, she will certainly not be mistreated!"
General Gu's expression was filled with gratitude, "This subject naturally trusts His Majesty! My daughter lacks discipline, if she offends any dignitaries in the Capital City in the future, I hope His Majesty can look after her."
"Of course!" The Emperor was very pleased to see General Gu nod.
"My daughter has been cherished since childhood, please, Your Majesty, make the decision and choose a good husband for her. Nothing else matters, the most important thing is that my daughter agrees, as long as she is willing!" General Gu had a sincere expression.
The Emperor was also very satisfied, to be able to keep the person so smoothly.
He then laughed heartily, "I didn't expect that you, General Gu, love your daughter so much. Rest assured, your daughter's marriage will definitely be decided by her!"
"Gu Yan thanks His Majesty!"
"I wonder what kind of husband Miss Gu is looking for?" the Empress asked.
"Someone whose eyes are only for me!" Gu Yan replied, looking innocent and carefree.
This made the Emperor feel even more at ease.
Just a naive young girl. Handling her would be a piece of cake!
Rumor had it that Gu Hongshan indulged his daughter. It seemed the rumors were true.
The Emperor was even happier. Having a handle on Gu Hongshan's weakness meant his kingdom would be more secure.
"Empress, arrange accommodations for Miss Gu, and treat her according to a princess's standards!" the Emperor instructed.
General Gu, flattered, knelt down, "Your subject is terrified..."
"General Gu, you are the great general who protects our Great Xiao Kingdom. Your daughter is certainly worthy of these honors!" His Majesty looked at Gu Hongshan's respectful demeanor and was very pleased.
"Your subject thanks His Majesty for his great favor!"
"Gu Yan thanks His Majesty!"
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