Princess

"Gonggong? Could it be a eunuch?" Yuan Xi asked, slightly surprised.

"Impossible. If so, then this girl must be a princess from the imperial palace. No wonder she said her home is in Luoyang. Heh, I'm done for!"

One mountain is always higher than the next, Yuan Xi thought. A wise man does not fight when the odds are against him. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Yuan Xi pays his respects to Her Highness the Princess!"

"Rise," Liu Yan said, waving her hand. "Someone, come here!"

"At your service!"

"Tie him up. We're going home!"

"As you command!"

"You've got to be kidding me! You just told me to rise, and now you want to tie me up?"

Yuan Xi was completely bewildered. He had never seen anyone play like this.

He looked pitifully at the old man with the white beard standing in front, only to see the old man return a look of helpless resignation.

Duan Gui said cautiously, "Your Highness, this is the grandson of Situ Yuan Wei."

He thought to himself that it probably wouldn't matter what he said now. Sorry, kid; your sacrifice will ensure our collective happiness.

Liu Yan said proudly, "I don't care who he is, take him back!"

In her little head, she couldn't help but think: is there anyone in Luoyang more noble than the imperial family? Probably not! Actually, come to think of it, there really was: the Yuan family, who had served as the Three Excellencies for four generations, and this young master, Yuan Xi.

"Liu Yan, you just wait, we..." Before Yuan Xi could finish, his mouth was covered.

In front of the palace gates, Yuan Xi realized the gravity of the situation. Within the red-walled courtyards, the streets were lined with palaces and pavilions. In a bizarre contrast, the streets themselves were filled with commoners setting up street stalls.

The more Yuan Xi looked, the more wrong it felt. He thought, what kind of chaotic mess is this? He pointed at the street, looking at Liu Yan in shock. "What is this?"

Liu Yan was satisfied with Yuan Xi's expression and curled her lips. "How about that? My father the Emperor is impressive, right? This bustling market was created by him personally."

Wait a moment, did he actually open a vegetable market inside the imperial palace?

This is absolutely ridiculous. Even if that old Emperor is dim-witted and incompetent, he shouldn't be doing something like this. Speechless.

Yuan Xi looked up and saw that the vendors were indeed women or half-dressed women—could they be palace maids and eunuchs in disguise?

The buyers were all concubines and beauties dressed in palace attire. Everyone wore a look of novel amusement and satisfaction, including Princess Liu Yan herself. Looking at Liu Yan’s profile, Yuan Xi thought, fine, you spoiled little princess; you take pride in what should be a disgrace.

Yuan Xi took a deep breath and collected his thoughts.

He said to Princess Liu Yan, "Your Highness, whoever came up with this 'Heavenly King's' idea, I must say, I am truly humbled by such ingenuity."

The naive Princess Liu Yan didn't catch the sarcasm.

She smiled and said, "Exactly, exactly! Isn't it fresh and fun? Come, come, I'll take you around and show you the world. Let's go."

With that, the Princess of Wannian, ignoring the boundaries between men and women, grabbed Yuan Xi's hand and walked forward. The attendants behind them all widened their eyes, watching as Liu Yan and Yuan Xi disappeared into the crowd. They silently wondered what kind of status this young master held to be so favored by the princess.

The journey was a feast for the eyes. Alright, it wasn't a wasted trip; just walking through this place made life worth living. He finally understood what it meant to be "so happy one forgets home."

"Just go, don't look back," he thought.

"What are you thinking about?" Liu Yan interrupted his daydreams.

"Nothing, just thinking about how understanding Your Highness is."

Yuan Xi never needed a draft to lie; he improvised on the spot.

The naive Princess Liu Yan had never heard such flirtatious words. She actually believed him, and for once, her pretty face flushed red.

Yuan Xi, without further ado, took the initiative, grabbed the princess's hand, and walked forward, beginning his exploration of the imperial palace—and the princess's private chambers.

Looking at the room filled with gold carvings and jade ornaments, Yuan Xi couldn't help but fantasize. If he could take all this out, how much could he accomplish?

Liu Yan looked at this cheerful young boy and said softly, "Hmm, I find you quite amusing. Would you be willing to serve me?"

Hearing this, Yuan Xi shuddered. The mood suddenly soured. He turned his head and said, "No, no, I'm not right for you."

Yuan Xi thought that if he were targeted by someone with ulterior motives, it would be used as ammunition against the Yuan family. The crime of seducing a princess was no small matter; he had to be careful.

"Why wouldn't you be right for me? I think you're perfect." Being rejected only made the Princess of Wannian more curious.

"You haven't fallen for me at first sight, have you? I... I'm not that kind of person, don't even think about it." Yuan Xi rejected her with a haughty air.

Hearing this, Liu Yan said in confusion, "What are you talking about? I don't understand, but as long as you agree, I'll give you a high-ranking official position!"

Yuan Xi shook his head without a second thought. "Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness, but my family affairs are pressing, and there is much I need to handle upon my return. I truly cannot get away. You should ask someone else."

*Hmph*, the palace is already in such a state of decay, and you want me to clean up this mess? Besides, you're just a young girl; what kind of position could you possibly offer? The highest rank would probably be the Princess's Consort. And how long have we even known each other?

"That won't do. It took me so much effort to catch you. You can't just leave as you please." The Princess of Wannian, Liu Yan, was immediately displeased.

Emperor Xuanwu of the Taizong era, Yuan Xi, and the Princess of Wannian, Liu Yan, were childhood sweethearts. Unfortunately, Princess Liu Yan was deeply in love with the second young master, Yuan Xi, but in the end, it was Yuan Xi who betrayed her.

According to folk rumors and the unofficial history of the Jin Dynasty, the truth behind the sudden death of the Princess of Wannian in her chambers was that she was poisoned by Emperor Xuanwu, Yuan Xi. This was allegedly to avenge Empress Gao Yue. But in the end, the guilt lay with the political faction protecting Liu, and what did a young woman have to do with it? Alas, the imperial family is truly the most heartless of all.

...

The next day, during the morning court session.

"I have another matter to report," Yuan Wei said, stepping forward.

Emperor Ling of Han asked curiously, "Oh, what is it, Minister?"

Yuan Wei paused and said, "Your Majesty, I don't know if I should say it."

Emperor Ling of Han said impatiently, "Situ, speak freely."

"It is said that Her Highness the Princess has brought my grandson into the palace."

Yuan Wei's voice was not loud, but it was firm and certain.

For a moment, the court erupted in whispers and commotion. Duan Gui's expression tightened. He thought, this old fool, didn't he promise not to expose me? Emperor Ling of Han glanced at the bowed Duan Gui and asked Zhang Rang beside him, "Let-father, is this true?"

...

Jueying, a white horse with a fiery temper, was the steed of Emperor Xuanwu.

After Yuan Shao allied with the Wuhuan and destroyed Gongsun Zan, he obtained it from a grassland tribe.

It was chosen by Emperor Xuanwu and tamed together with Xu Chu. He named it "Xiaobai." Later, it accompanied Yuan Xi through his life of battles in the south and north.

When he was chased by Lu Bu, he owed much to Jueying's stamina. It was as famous as the Red Hare and Dilu at the time. After Emperor Xuanwu passed away, it was buried in the Qianling Mausoleum.

Ever since he had Xiaobai, Yuan Xi no longer feared being chased by Lu Bu on the plains. Thus, Jueying was the true source of Yuan Xi's confidence to act as he pleased.