Chapter Fifty-Six: The Gathering

After Zhu Yu departed, the din within the hall gradually swelled as officials began casting glances toward Princess Taka and Hua Wuque, whispering among their trusted companions. In a matter of mere breaths, they gathered in small groups and took their leave, until at last the vast chamber was left with only Princess Taka and Hua Wuque.

Princess Taka looked around the empty hall. She recalled the confidence with which she had journeyed from her tribe to the capital, and the promises she had made to her people. A deep sorrow welled up within her, moistening her eyes. All Hua Wuque could do was stand by her side, offering a comforting pat on her shoulder.

Just then, a eunuch entered, announcing that he was to escort them to the Imperial Medical Bureau. Forcing a smile, Princess Taka declined the courteous offer from Jing, saying she was fine and that a bit of rest would be sufficient. The eunuch confirmed her answer several times, but seeing her resolve unshaken, pursed his lips and left on his own. Even from a distance, Hua Wuque, with his profound inner strength, could still hear the eunuch's muttered sarcasm.

With the hall now deserted, Princess Taka and Hua Wuque began to make their way back to the guest quarters. On the way, the princess, still lost in sorrow, suddenly spoke, “When I remember the promises I made to my people, I wonder how I can possibly face them after this outcome.”

Hua Wuque, following behind, opened his mouth as if to speak, but finding himself ill-suited to words of consolation, closed it again and simply stayed by her side, silent as a shadow.

Princess Taka seemed to expect no answer from him. After a brief silence, she spoke again. “To think I once fancied myself clever, gathering the wisdom of the entire tribe to devise three difficult challenges, hoping to force Jing to exempt us from a year’s tribute. Now it all seems so laughable. The Emperor was right—this is the price of defeat.”

“Don’t lose heart,” Hua Wuque finally managed to say. “It’s only the first day; things may yet turn around.”

At his words, Princess Taka smiled wryly, saying nothing more, but it was plain that her spirits had lifted somewhat.

Yet as soon as Princess Taka recovered a little, Hua Wuque’s mind began to wander. Was the man on the dragon throne truly the one from his memories?

...

The next day, at the palace guesthouse.

Princess Taka was asking Hua Wuque if he had any ideas to help the tribe, when a eunuch arrived to announce that the Emperor had invited the Prince Consort of the Kunlun Tribe to a banquet. At first, Princess Taka did not catch his words and was about to accompany Hua Wuque, but the eunuch stopped her, repeating that only the Prince Consort was invited.

Exchanging a glance, Princess Taka and Hua Wuque each harbored their own thoughts. Princess Taka felt uneasy, though she could not say why. Hua Wuque, on the other hand, realized that the time had come to verify his suspicions from the day before. With the Emperor inviting only him, his confidence grew.

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen,” he reassured Princess Taka, then followed the eunuch out.

At the Imperial Banquet Hall, a dazzling array of dishes was set at the center, and Zhu Yu sat at the head, waiting for Hua Wuque’s arrival. Soon, Hua Wuque appeared, bowing his head slightly in greeting.

A eunuch serving Zhu Yu turned pale with indignation at such informality from a mere tribal prince consort, and was about to rebuke him loudly when Zhu Yu intervened, instructing all attendants to leave.

Once they were alone, Zhu Yu gestured to a nearby seat with a smile. “You don’t seem the nervous sort. Sit wherever you like.”

Hua Wuque bowed again and took a nearby seat. Several breaths passed. Zhu Yu observed him sitting motionless, not eating or speaking, and could not help but feel exasperated.

With no other recourse, Zhu Yu decided he must break the ice, lest they continue sitting in awkward silence. After all, they were not truly alone in the hall.

“That Princess Taka—she’s not particularly beautiful, is she? Why did you go to the Kunlun Tribe? My Jing is full of beautiful women. Were they not to your liking?” Zhu Yu began.

At this, Hua Wuque finally reacted, turning to Zhu Yu. “I am of the Kunlun Tribe. The beauties of Jing have nothing to do with me.”

“I see. Then I’m curious about your iron mask. Would you take it off and let me have a look?”

“I’m afraid not. I have been ugly since childhood—removing the mask might frighten Your Majesty.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yu slapped his forehead in exasperation. “Hua Wuque, are you determined to keep up this act forever, or do you misunderstand the meaning of ‘ugly’?”

Zhu Yu made his intentions plain, wanting to see just how far Hua Wuque would go for Kunlun.

At these words, Hua Wuque was momentarily taken aback. After a moment’s hesitation, he replied, “Your Majesty has mistaken me for someone else. I am not Hua Wuque.”

At this, Zhu Yu congratulated himself on his foresight—he would never have managed this alone. He clapped his hands theatrically.

Moments later, Jiang Yuyan, Little Fish, and Su Ying entered from the back.

“Old Hua, what’s this? Have you become a prince consort and forgotten your old friends already?” Little Fish called out before even sitting down.

Hua Wuque fell silent at Little Fish’s words, and Zhu Yu, losing interest in the charade, spoke up.

“That’s enough, stop pretending. I’ve seen all sorts in my life—from princes and nobles to peddlers and laborers, from minor martial artists to grandmasters—but only you are this cold and aloof.”

This remark seemed to be the final straw. Hua Wuque removed the mask he had worn for so long, revealing a face of striking, almost unreal, handsomeness.

From the moment Hua Wuque entered the banquet hall and Zhu Yu said “I,” the tone of the gathering had been set—not as a royal banquet, but as a reunion of old friends.

But it seemed they had forgotten Zhu Yu entirely. Each one spoke of their own recent experiences, leaving Zhu Yu on the sidelines.

This sort of thing had happened often in their previous lives, but for Zhu Yu, it was the first time in this one. The long-forgotten feeling of being ignored turned out to be rather amusing, and Zhu Yu watched the others’ conversation as though enjoying a play.

Until Jiang Yuyan’s words broke the harmonious atmosphere.

“Where is Sister Tie Xinlan? Didn’t she come with you?”