Engagement Day

The first ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and shone upon the imperial capital. The usually solemn and quiet First Avenue had become bustling, with nobles, both high and low, as well as common citizens, all making their way towards it.

It was normal for royal princesses to marry into noble families; it was usually just a matter of amusement for the upper echelons of society.

But this time was different. It was the engagement between the Fifth Young Master of the Nord Family, the foremost noble family of the Golden Leaf Dynasty, and Princess Mingyue, Emperor Hanmos's most beloved daughter.

To those with keen insight, the conflict between the Nord Family and the royal family was already known. And in the Nord Family's eight hundred years of history, had any of their descendants ever married into the royal family? This was truly peculiar to them.

The common folk, however, didn't have so much foresight. They only knew of the Fifth Young Master's reputation for being a profligate and womanizing scoundrel. His miraculous survival in the Undead Mountain Range for eight months had already become a legend, and the stories grew more outlandish with each retelling. They simply wanted to see this legendary figure for themselves.

Of course, some people came for Princess Mingyue's renowned beauty and talent. Weren't many who considered themselves dashing and suave sighing with regret?

According to tradition, engagements and weddings between the royal family and noble families were to be held at the Temple of the Goddess of Life, symbolizing the continuation and perpetuation of life.

First, Qi Bei had to personally drive a carriage to the Imperial Palace to pick up Princess Mingyue. Then, they would return to the Nord Family for the first ceremony, which involved familiarizing her with the environment she would soon call home.

After this ceremony, they would proceed together to the Temple of the Goddess of Life. After offering prayers to the Goddess of Life, the grand engagement ceremony would officially commence.

At this moment, Qi Bei, dressed in a black and white formal suit, was driving a carriage pulled by eighteen Flame Unicorn Horses along the Golden Leaf First Avenue, heading slowly towards the Imperial Palace at its end. Behind him followed a company of Black Armored Army soldiers serving as an honor guard.

Qi Bei watched the men and women of all ages pointing and gesturing at him from both sides, feeling utterly uncomfortable. This wasn't like an engagement; it felt more like he was a rare specimen on display for free.

Qi Bei waved his hand backward. An elder from the Nord Family responsible for etiquette approached him and asked, "What are your orders, Fifth Young Master?"

"Can we speed things up?" Qi Bei asked.

"How can that be? According to the rules, the carriage only needs to advance twenty zhang per minute. Not an inch more, not an inch less." The etiquette official shook his head. To him, the rules that had stood for a thousand years were akin to divine will and could not be altered.

Stubborn old fool! Qi Bei rolled his eyes.

"All troops, increase speed! Target: Imperial Palace," Qi Bei stood up and shouted loudly.

"Yes." The company of Black Armored Army soldiers behind him simultaneously raised their ceremonial staffs, in perfect unison.

"Giddy up!" Qi Bei flicked the reins. The eighteen Flame Unicorn Horses whinnied in unison and galloped forward.

The company of Black Armored Army soldiers, four hundred strong, moved as one, following closely behind and charging forward.

"Fifth Young Master, stop! You can't..." the etiquette official cried out in alarm, chasing after them. A dozen maids also looked on in dismay.

The onlookers on both sides, however, became excited, cheering and egging them on as if they had taken an aphrodisiac.

At this speed, the massive palace gates soon appeared in the distance.

The Imperial Palace guards at the gate only saw a carriage speeding towards them, followed by hundreds of soldiers charging in perfect formation.

Yes, it was a charge; their unstoppable momentum could be felt from afar.

"Wuu... wuu..." The Guard Commander at the palace gate trembled and instinctively blew his horn. It was a signal that the Imperial Palace was under attack.

In an instant, the entire festive Imperial Palace erupted into chaos, a scene of utter pandemonium.

Squadrons of fully armed Imperial Guards rushed towards the main palace gate from all directions. The festive atmosphere froze instantly, replaced by a chilling solemnity and murderous intent.

The Imperial Guard Commander, standing on the palace tower above the gate, saw the eighteen charging Flame Unicorn Horses and Qi Bei, dressed in his formal attire, on the carriage. He was stunned for a moment before slapping the head of the on-duty Guard Commander. "Are your eyes on your backside? This is the Fifth Young Master of the Nord Family coming to pick up Princess Mingyue. Lower the alert, open the palace gates."

"Yes, Commander." The Guard Commander felt incredibly wronged. What was this all about? If you're coming to pick her up, fine, but why charge like an enemy?

The alert was lowered, the gleaming Magic Crossbows were retracted, and the tightly shut palace gates slowly opened.

Qi Bei pulled back on the reins a hundred meters before the palace gates, and the carriage came to a steady halt.

He looked at the Imperial Guards who were gradually retreating from the palace tower, a smile playing on his lips. The effect was somewhat beyond his expectations, but he was pleased.

Anyway, he would be leaving the imperial capital after the engagement. He didn't care what others thought of him or how they saw him.

A short while later, the company of Black Armored Army soldiers who had been marching behind him came to a neat halt, all of them breathing steadily without a hint of exertion. Their physical fitness was indeed formidable, truly worthy of being the foremost army of the Golden Leaf Dynasty.

After waiting a little longer, another carriage arrived, carrying the etiquette official and the dozen dismayed maids.

"Fifth Young Master, you... what is this..." The etiquette official intercepted a carriage midway, but being advanced in age, he was still out of breath. Qi Bei was worried he might faint.

In fact, the etiquette official truly wished he could faint at that moment. An engagement was not a trivial matter, but it was clear that the Fifth Young Master of the Nord Family before him had no regard for etiquette.

"Let's go, we can talk inside." Qi Bei interrupted the etiquette official, not wanting to listen to the old man's nagging.

"Fifth Young Master, the time is not yet right. Fifth Young Master, Fifth Young Master... Alas, the times are changing, and people's hearts are not what they used to be." The etiquette official watched helplessly as Qi Bei drove the carriage through the palace gates, shaking his head and sighing.

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Inside the Imperial Palace's Hall of Political Affairs, Emperor Hanmos frowned as he listened to the report from the Imperial Guard Commander.

"Hmm, I understand. You may go." Emperor Hanmos dismissed the Imperial Guard Commander. Although displeased, he did not show it.

As soon as the Imperial Guard Commander left, an unremarkable middle-aged man emerged from a side hall.

"Your Majesty, the incident at Marquis Lanling's mansion the night before last has been investigated. It was caused by the two Giant Sun Elephants that the Fifth Young Master of the Nord Family, Qi Bei, gifted to Marquis Lanling suddenly going berserk, leading to the disturbance. However, it is rather peculiar that Marquis Lanling ordered his entire household not to reveal a single word." The middle-aged man said.

"Then why did Elder Weir, who has always been at odds with Marquis Lanling, go to Marquis Lanling's mansion?" Emperor Hanmos asked.

"Elder Weir went to examine the two Giant Sun Elephants. It is likely that Marquis Lanling suspects the elephants were drugged." The middle-aged man replied.

"Did you find out what was done to them?" Emperor Hanmos stared at the middle-aged man.

"This... I have not yet found out." The middle-aged man lowered his head.

Emperor Hanmos slammed the table and angrily said, "Go and investigate thoroughly what drug was administered to the two Giant Sun Elephants."

The middle-aged man trembled and repeatedly agreed, retreating in fear.

Emperor Hanmos paced back and forth in the hall, his eyes sharp and cold. He muttered to himself, "Marquis Lanling, Weir, do not let this Emperor discover that the undead mage is involved with you."

(I want votes! My ranking on the recommendation list keeps slipping.)