Chapter 47: The Dowry of the Han Dynasty

“Hmph!” Empress Dowager Li snorted coldly and swept her sleeves as she left.

With her departure, Xiang Chong’s embarrassment became all the more pronounced. Once the regent minister, now merely a fifth-rank councilor, he truly had no right to stand beside the dragon throne atop the imperial stairs.

Fan Li pointed to the farthest corner of the court’s ranks.

“Councilor Xiang, go stand in your own place.”

A fifth-rank councilor was but a paltry official; especially within the palace court, hardly worth mentioning, barely allowed to stand at the very end.

How could Xiang Chong endure such humiliation? Gritting his teeth, he declared, “This prince... This official has caught a chill and requests leave for illness, so I shall not attend court today!”

With that, Xiang Chong turned and walked away. His stride was firm and powerful, as if each step could shatter the floor, hardly the gait of a man beset by illness.

But no one tried to detain him. Least of all Xiang Ning, who wished fervently that this convenient brother never attend court again.

The Empress Dowager had left. Xiang Chong had left. The court of Great Chu seemed to return to its former, tranquil state.

Xiang Ning’s eyes curved into crescent moons, her gaze fixed delightedly upon Fan Li.

“He truly still protects me,” she thought happily, just as Fan Li heaved a sigh.

“If there were no orphan in this world, who knows how many would call themselves emperor or king?”

Xiang Ning: ???

Court officials: ???

Was this, before the entire court, an insult to Xiang Ning’s incompetence?

Fan Li seemed not to notice, proceeding earnestly to discuss state affairs.

“Your Majesty is soon to wed Princess Changle. The identities of the envoys sent by the Han Emperor are confirmed.”

“Minister Cao Cao will act as chief envoy, General Liu Bei and Commander Sun Quan as his deputies.”

“After Your Majesty’s wedding, these three will represent the Han, joining us in excavating the suspected tomb of the last Qin Emperor.”

As Fan Li spoke, he shook his head inwardly.

Emperor Liu Xie of Han truly had no one else to use; whenever important matters arose, he could only dispatch Cao, Liu, and Sun.

Their cultivation and intellect were unquestionable, but loyalty...

Fan Li would not judge today’s Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Quan by the stereotypes of his previous life.

But last time in Lü City, when the Han Emperor learned that these three had visited the Emperor of Jiajing, he flew into a rage—only to be caught in the act by their return.

Suspicion from the emperor is the spark that sets ministers’ hearts astray.

Fan Li genuinely worried that, even if today’s Cao, Liu, and Sun were loyal ministers, they might not remain so forever.

In the days that followed, Fan Li attended court daily.

Xiang Chong did not appear again, vanishing as if he never existed.

The court of Great Chu seemed to return to its original form.

“The Han envoys—Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Quan—pay respects to the Emperor of Chu!”

The three heroes of the late Han finally arrived in Peng City, presenting themselves at court.

Due to the alliance through marriage between Chu and Han, although officially foreign ministers, Xiang Ning was considered half their sovereign, so they performed the full kneeling ritual.

Xiang Ning was in high spirits today, about to raise her hand to bid them rise, when she saw the trio turn in unison toward Fan Li.

“Greetings, Duke Jin.”

They actually offered him a half-kneel in homage.

Xiang Ning’s right hand, poised midair, felt especially awkward.

“Rise, gentlemen,” Fan Li said. “I hear your caravan is immense—the first carriage reached the palace gates just as the last entered the east gate of Peng City?”

Cao Cao laughed. “All for Princess Changle’s dowry, prepared by our emperor. Though the gifts are many, they pale beside the deep affection and alliance between Chu and Han.”

Fan Li chuckled inwardly.

Deep affection and alliance? In the days of the Three Kingdoms, the founders of Chu and Han fought the fiercest battles.

Had they not slaughtered each other with such ferocity, the weakest Ming would never have seized the chance to rise and found its dynasty.

Yet, with thousands of years gone by, Fan Li would not speak of such things now.

Soon, the three Han envoys invited Fan Li to inspect the dowry.

Outside the palace, the procession of dowry vehicles formed a long line. Each chest was unloaded and presented.

“Eastern Sea dragon pearl, White Mountain snow ginseng, jade silkworm brocade... one hundred chests.”

“Tri-colored deer antler, fire bear gall and various rare herbs and fruits... one hundred chests.”

Fan Li yawned as a subordinate of Cao Cao reported, while others opened the chests to verify the gifts.

A marriage alliance between Chu and Han was a major event; no error could be permitted in the dowry, though the procedure felt much like flaunting wealth. Fan Li could only endure.

By this time, the court session had ended.

The emperor returned to her palace; officials dispersed.

Fan Li was pondering what to have for dinner when he noticed a ghostly figure approaching.

“What the hell is she up to?!”

It was none other than Xiang Ning, disguised in palace maid attire.

This foolish girl thought Fan Li wouldn’t see through her ruse. On a whim, she shed her imperial robes for maid’s garb, eager to join Fan Li in the spectacle.

Most of those present, aside from Fan Li, were attendants of the Han envoys. Seeing a maid wandering freely in the Chu palace, they felt it improper but did not interfere.

“Duke Jin, long time no see—do you still remember Ning’er?”

Dressed as a woman, Xiang Ning seemed an entirely different person.

All dignity as emperor vanished; her eyes sparkled with greed at the mountain of dowry gifts.

Fan Li was speechless—he’d know her even if she turned to ash.

He nodded, and Xiang Ning grew even happier.

Having successfully engaged Fan Li in conversation, she could now admire Princess Changle’s dowry without restraint.

“Wow! That dress is beautiful, but it’s a bit thin, a bit sheer. If she wore only this, wouldn’t everyone see everything?” Xiang Ning whispered.

Fan Li retorted, “It’s for Princess Changle—why do you care?”

“Oh heavens! What a huge Eastern Sea dragon pearl—it’s brighter than... brighter than the palace lanterns! It could light up the night!”

Xiang Ning spotted a massive dragon pearl emitting a gentle, warm glow, longing to play with it.

Fan Li shook his head.

If she kept babbling, her true identity would soon be exposed.

The Emperor of Chu was a woman, set to marry the Han Princess—what a blatant sham marriage!

If the truth came out, with Emperor Liu Xie’s temper, he might sever ties with Chu immediately and even start a war.

“Quiet! Is this a place for your chatter? Say one more word and I’ll have you flogged,” Fan Li threatened.

Xiang Ning stamped her foot in frustration, but had no recourse.

Her disguise was so ‘perfect’—now just a powerless palace maid, and truly at risk of being punished.

After half a day, the gifts were finally tallied.

Yet Fan Li felt puzzled.

The Han dowry was vast, but the caravan seemed insufficient to stretch from the palace gates all the way to the city gate.

As he wondered, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan approached.

Cao Cao glanced at Xiang Ning, clearly wishing to speak privately, but there was no way to dismiss her now.

Fan Li relented, “She’s with me—gentlemen, speak freely.”

The three exchanged a knowing smile.

Cao Cao bowed. “Duke Jin, the three of us brought a hundred and eight wagons of gifts to Chu. Thirty-six wagons as dowry are here. The remaining seventy-two are our Han Emperor’s tribute to you, Duke Jin—all delivered to your residence.”