Chapter Four: The Ambassador of the Bridal Procession

"Hey, hey, hey! Second Brother, give it back to me!"
In the vast courtyard, Rong Jiu was panting heavily as she chased after Rong Xian.
"Let me touch it one more time, I’ll give it right back," he pleaded.
"No way, you’ve touched it ten times already today!"
"I swear, this is the last time!"
"I’ve heard that promise nine times already!"
"This time it’s true."
"No, give it back!"
"Don’t be so stingy!"
"Ah—!" A sharp cry rang out as Rong Xian collided with Ah Mu, who was running over in haste.
"Ouch, that hurts," Rong Xian groaned, rubbing his forehead.
"Haha, serves you right!" Rong Jiu picked up the short dagger lying nearby, gloating over his misfortune.
"Are you alright, Second Prince? I’m sorry, it was my fault. Please punish me," Ah Mu said, ignoring his own pain as he hurried to help Rong Xian up.
"It’s nothing, really, just a small matter. By the way, why are you in such a rush?" Rong Xian brushed the dust from his sleeve.
"The bridal escort from Youzhou has arrived. The King is searching everywhere for the Princess."
"So soon?" Rong Xian frowned.
The bridal escort from Youzhou? I wonder if there are any handsome men among them. The more Rong Jiu thought about it, the more excited she became, tugging eagerly at Ah Mu’s sleeve. "Take me there, Ah Mu, quickly!"
...
Inside the grand hall paved with fine white jade, the King and Queen of Xining sat in lofty positions. A handful of men dressed in Youzhou attire stood at the center of the hall.
"You have all endured a long journey. Thank you for your efforts," the King of Xining spoke.
"To visit Xining and see its wonders is an honor for us. The journey was hardly a hardship," replied the young leader, his broad and resonant voice particularly pleasing to the ear.
"You flatter us, Ambassador. Youzhou is vast and prosperous—how could little Xining compare?"
"Father." As soon as the King finished speaking, Rong Jiu rushed into the hall with Ah Mu in tow. "Your daughter greets you, Father, Mother."
"You! Always so loud and careless, never showing proper manners. You’re letting the ambassadors see a joke," the King scolded, though his tone was full of affection.
Mo Ningshu turned to examine the impetuous young woman beside him. Her face was delicate, skin like jade, features exquisite, and she radiated a freedom and ease unseen in Youzhou’s women. She was, by far, the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.
This Princess of Xining—she was quite unique.

"Jiu, give your respects to the ambassadors," the King urged, and even the usually cold and dignified Queen let a faint smile slip.
"Rong Jiu, Fifth Princess of Xining, greets the ambassadors," she said, cupping her hands in salute to Mo Ningshu and the others, sneaking a sly glance as she bowed.
My goodness, this man is so handsome! Rong Jiu stole a glance at Mo Ningshu, her face alight with excitement and adoration, unable to stop herself from swallowing nervously.
"Mo Ningshu, at your service, Princess Jiu," he replied, returning her greeting.
Oh heavens, even his voice is so masculine! How can there be so many beautiful men in ancient times? Rong Jiu was utterly captivated...
"How should I address you, Ambassador?" she asked, smiling foolishly.
"You silly girl, how can you ask someone’s name so directly? You should be reserved," the King said, helpless and amused.
"Father, it’s just a name. How is that unseemly? They didn’t complain, it’s always you finding fault with your daughter," she pouted, thinking that if she couldn’t learn his name, she’d ignore him all day.
"My name is Mo Ningshu. I am responsible for escorting the Princess to Youzhou and ensuring her safety on the journey," he replied.
"Mo Ningshu—what a fine name!" she praised.
...
The next day, in the guesthouse where the bridal escort resided...
"General Mo, please try our special Xining tea," a certain young lady said, trying to curry favor.
"Thank you, Princess, I have already tasted it," Mo Ningshu replied, expressionless.
"Ah, alright. What did you think of it?" Rong Jiu asked expectantly.
"It was excellent..."
"Jiu, I want to try it too. Pour me a cup, I’m dying of thirst," Rong Ying said, looking at her hopefully.
"Here, pour it yourself," Rong Jiu said, tossing the teapot rudely in front of him.
With a loud bang, the startled pair stared at Rong Jiu in shock.
Damn it, my image!
Rong Jiu glared at Rong Ying, then handed over the plate of pastries she had made to Mo Ningshu, trying to ingratiate herself. "Hehehe, General Mo, please try these snacks."
Rong Ying eyed the strange-looking pastries in horror, unable to stop himself from spraying his tea—then looked at Mo Ningshu with sympathy, wishing him luck.
Mo Ningshu stared at the oddly shaped pastries, swallowing nervously and hesitating to accept them. "Are these... a Xining specialty?"
"Of course not! I made them myself," Rong Jiu said proudly. She hadn’t tasted them yet, but since Rong Ying called them delicious, they must be decent.
Under her eager gaze, Mo Ningshu had no choice but to brace himself and take the plate.
"Well, how do they taste?"
So... terrible! Mo Ningshu was nearly in tears.
"Really? Then General, please finish them all," Rong Jiu said.
"No, no, that’s unnecessary. I don’t care for pastries," Mo Ningshu exclaimed, waving his hands to refuse.
"That’s a pity—maybe Cousin, you should have them?" Rong Jiu offered the plate to Rong Ying.
"No, no, no, such wonderful treats should be left for General Mo," Rong Ying pushed the plate back, wanting to survive another day. If it weren’t to please Rong Jiu, he wouldn’t have lied about their taste.
"No need, I don’t like pastries," Mo Ningshu pushed the plate back, quietly dreading all pastries for life.
"General Mo, don’t be shy," she insisted.
"Let’s leave them for the heir..."
And so, after much back and forth, the plate of pastries finally tumbled to the floor.
"Oh dear, what a pity," Rong Ying said, struggling not to laugh.
"Indeed, such a pity," Mo Ningshu breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"Ah, my pastries!" Rong Jiu stared at the ruined treats, her heart bleeding—she had worked so hard on them.
Thus, Rong Jiu’s first attempt at catching a handsome man ended in utter failure.
...
"Ah Mu, what excuse should I use to get close to General Mo?" Rong Jiu lay on her bed, watching Ah Mu massage her feet as she spoke.
"Ah? Well..." Ah Mu, busy embroidering a handkerchief, was startled. Although she didn’t understand why her Princess wanted to approach Mo Ningshu, she tilted her head in thought and suggested happily, "General Mo’s martial arts must be excellent. You can ask him to teach you—then you’ll be able to protect yourself and get closer to him."
"That’s right! Why didn’t I think of it? I can become his disciple!"
"Princess, you mustn’t. You are Xining’s most noble Princess. How can you become the disciple of someone from Youzhou, and just a general at that? The King and Queen would never agree," Ah Mu protested, dropping her work and rushing to Rong Jiu’s side.
"Never mind, I’ve already decided. Don’t try to dissuade me, Ah Mu. Tomorrow I’ll tell Father and Mother myself. Father dotes on me—he’ll surely agree. You can rest easy," Rong Jiu said with a smile.
She thought to herself, this life cannot go to waste. With so many handsome men in ancient times, she must treasure every opportunity. In her mind, she was already imagining a palace full of beautiful men, just like in the dramas!
Ah Mu, unable to convince her, could only stew in anxiety and silently curse her own meddling.