Chapter Twenty-Three: A Bestowed Marriage?

Once the ministers and their families had all arrived, it was not long before a eunuch called out in a shrill, piercing voice, "His Majesty has arrived!"

Drums resounded throughout the hall, and two rows of palace maids entered gracefully, bearing light clouds of incense that wreathed the air in a serene fragrance. Everyone rose in unison to perform the ritual kowtow.

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live ten thousand years."

Lin Zhaoyan bowed her head low, following the crowd. She could see nothing, yet in her peripheral vision, she caught a glimpse of bright yellow fabric embroidered with dragon motifs—the very symbol of supreme power.

Su Chengyun walked with a steady, measured gait across the long hall. He took his seat with an air of ease and raised his right hand slightly. "Rise."

Only then did the guests stand and settle quietly into their places.

"Though this banquet is nominally held to welcome General Zhaoran, it is, in truth, a private gathering for me and my dear subjects. There is no need for formality; please, enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"

With Su Chengyun’s permission, the guests exchanged smiles, though it was unclear how many truly felt at ease. Accompanied by the music of strings and pipes, a soft murmur of conversation began to fill the room.

Su Chengyun sat alone on his high throne. To his right sat the current Chancellor, Xu Zhenjiang, a man in his fifties who had been a trusted confidant of the late Emperor during the expansion of the empire and a minister highly valued by Su Chengyun.

To the left, in the seat of honor, was Noble Consort Li Xianyu. She wore a nine-phoenix crown and a crimson robe, looking both magnificent and dignified. Further down sat seven or eight other concubines, whom Lin Zhaoyan did not recognize. Behind them were the female relatives, obscured from Lin Zhaoyan’s view.

On her own side were the princes and high-ranking officials. The Prince of Zhou sat with Zhou Jingxuan slightly ahead of Lin Zhaoyan; Zhou Jingxuan turned back frequently, casting his gaze toward her. Lin Zhaoyan kept her eyes forward, sitting with rigid propriety.

Li Xianjin, on the other hand, tried to strike up a conversation with her from time to time, to which Lin Zhaoyan responded with polite detachment.

"Does Lord Lin enjoy this pheasant soup so much?" Li Xianjin glanced at the dishes on her table; the ginseng pheasant soup was the only thing she had sampled.

Surprised that he had noticed, Lin Zhaoyan nodded. "It is acceptable."

Li Xianjin smiled, lifting his sleeve with one hand as he picked up the bowl of soup from his own table with the other. "Then perhaps, my lord, you might take mine..."

A hand moved faster than his. Zhou Jingxuan had already leaned over and placed his own bowl of soup onto Lin Zhaoyan's table. He smiled at her, saying, "General, drink this bowl instead."

He then shot a glance at Li Xianjin, his eyes filled with warning. Lin Zhaoyan paused, momentarily stunned. Li Xianjin’s smile froze, his hand hovering over the soup, unsure whether to hold it or put it down.

Noble Consort Li Xianyu was kept busy, watching the other concubines while simultaneously keeping a sharp eye on Li Xianjin and Lin Zhaoyan across the room. She craned her neck, trying to discern the situation.

"Yu-er, I see you haven't touched your food. Is it not to your liking?" Su Chengyun asked, his eyebrows slightly raised as he stared at her with a faint smile.

Li Xianyu was startled and immediately adopted a demure expression. "Your Majesty, I was merely wondering what words I might use to offer you a toast." She raised her wine cup, offering a charming smile.

Lin Zhaoyan glanced at Zhou Jingxuan, then accepted the bowl of soup from Li Xianjin. "My thanks for your kindness, Lord Li. You are most attentive." She turned to the Prince’s son, adding, "As for your bowl, Heir, I am afraid I cannot partake. Pray, take it back."

Zhou Jingxuan silently reclaimed his bowl. Lin Zhaoyan masked her amusement, while Li Xianjin, seeing her accept his soup, wore a look of confident satisfaction and straightened his posture.

Su Chengyun’s gaze swept briefly over them before returning to Li Xianyu. She stood with her cup raised, offering auspicious well-wishes before draining it in one go. The golden phoenix crown glowed brilliantly in the candlelight, showcasing her splendor. After exchanging a symbolic toast with her, Su Chengyun drank, the smile on his lips vanishing almost as quickly as it had appeared.

With the Noble Consort having broken the ice, others began to offer toasts as well. Su Chengyun accepted them all, appearing to be in high spirits.

After three rounds of drinks, Su Chengyun called out, "Zhaoyan."

Before she could react, Li Xianjin leaned in to whisper, "Lord Lin, His Majesty is calling you."

She stood up and looked toward the throne, noticing that Su Chengyun was now leaning lazily on his chin. His demeanor was relaxed, lacking the rigid formality of earlier, which had allowed the rest of the room to loosen up as well.

"Zhaoyan," Su Chengyun said, his tone drifting as if he were slightly intoxicated, "you have performed a great service. What reward do you desire?"

"Your Majesty has already bestowed upon me many honors. I have no other requests."

*Ask, ask, ask—what could possibly come of this?* Lin Zhaoyan thought. *Does he really think I would dare to make an exorbitant demand?*

"Zhaoyan..." Su Chengyun murmured. As his lips parted, he uttered the name with a lingering, intimate cadence that invited all sorts of speculation.

Li Xianyu looked at Su Chengyun, her expression darkening. Zhou Jingxuan turned back, his gaze complex, deep in thought.

"You are not young anymore. Many ministers of your age already have families. Do you... have anyone in your heart?" Su Chengyun squinted, asking the question with sudden bluntness. "I can act as your matchmaker and betroth you to a good house." He waved his hand lethargically and set his cup down with a sharp *clack*.

Li Xianyu immediately looked at Li Xianjin, her intense gaze practically ordering him to step forward and ask for her hand. Li Xianjin wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief; his sister was far too impatient. He had barely spoken three words to Lin Zhaoyan, and given her cold, distant nature, how could he possibly win her over so quickly?

Zhou Jingxuan did not turn back; he simply crossed his arms, unable to fathom what Su Chengyun was plotting.

"Son," the Prince of Zhou whispered, leaning in, "are you not anxious?"

"Me?" Zhou Jingxuan asked, surprised. "Why would I be?"

"Do you not like the General?" the Prince asked with gossipy intent.

Zhou Jingxuan scoffed, his tone drawling and confident. "The General will never marry anyone."

As expected, Lin Zhaoyan clasped her hands respectfully. "Your Majesty, I wish only to serve the Anchu Kingdom and devote myself to you. I have never considered matters of personal romance. I hope for your understanding!"

Su Chengyun remained noncommittal. He pointed to Li Xianjin, who sat beside her. "I think Xianjin and Zhaoyan are a talented and beautiful match. Why don't I play the matchmaker and bring you two together?"

Li Xianjin felt a murderous glare land upon him. He jumped and quickly stood up. "Your Majesty..."

"Xianjin, are you willing?" Su Chengyun interrupted, asking calmly.

"My Lord..." Li Xianjin steadied himself. "As General Zhaoran just said, she does not wish to be distracted by personal affairs. Like the General, I wish only to be loyal to you and serve as a pillar of your court."

Li Xianyu’s face twisted, but realizing they were in public, she quickly smoothed her expression. *What is this?* she wondered, deeply confused. *Why didn't he just agree?*

Su Chengyun did not speak for a long time, his gaze darting between the two of them. Finally, he burst into laughter. "Good! To have two such ministers is the fortune of the Anchu Kingdom!"

"Enough of this," Su Chengyun said with a smile. "Drink, let us drink."