CHAPTER 670: CHAPTER 650 PRINCESS

Fengyu met the two princesses in Yuhua Palace beside Changshou Palace, separated by the imperial garden. In the winter, the garden lacked flowers. Yuhua Palace was Fengyu’s reception place for female guests, lavishly decorated and warm. Fengyu, who feared the cold, had already wrapped herself in a thick mink fur cloak.

The Third Princess and Fourth Princess of Beiman were the daughters of the current Beiman King, and also Dugu Jing’s nieces. They had just turned fifteen, and were strikingly tall, towering a head above Fengyu. Their thick, long hair was styled in numerous braids adorned with jade and gemstones; they also wore gem-studded forehead ornaments. Beautiful, radiating exotic charm, dressed in bold red winter outfits with golden bells at their waists, they jingled with youthful vitality as they walked.

Both girls had fair skin, athletic and proportional physiques, differing from the Beining preference for slenderness. Their features were deep-set, and the Third Princess possessed a pair of heterochromatic eyes: one blue, one brown. The blue eye was as stunning as the saline lakes of Salt City. With a high nose and thin lips, she was extraordinarily attractive; each detail seemed like Nüwa’s meticulous creation. Even Fengyu couldn’t help but marvel at the creator’s favoritism.

Beiman was renowned for producing beauties—tall, healthy, and striking women. Due to regional factors, their noses were high-bridged and eyes deeply enchanting. Fengyu recalled hearing generals in Ningzhou talk about Beiman’s female generals, who were incredibly strong and muscled yet exceptionally gorgeous.

The two princesses performed the Beiman Royal Family’s ceremonial greeting for Fengyu. Raising her hand, Fengyu granted them seats and asked Qiuxiang to serve them milk tea along with some refreshments.

The Third Princess observed Fengyu with curiosity, as this was her first time meeting her. During the reception of the Beiman envoys hosted by Fengyu and Xie Xun, the princesses hadn’t been present.

This was their first glimpse of Fengyu, and they were struck by how petite and youthful she looked compared to themselves. With curiosity, the Fourth Princess asked, "Are you truly the Empress of Beining?"

The Fourth Princess spoke Beining’s language with a heavy accent, stammering through her words, reminiscent of Dugu Jing’s speech several years ago. It was said that over the past three years, many in Beiman had started learning Beining’s language, and most could now manage basic conversations. It would smooth integration should they submit to Beining in the future.

Despite the thick accent, her tone carried a charming innocence. Raised in pampering, she exuded an unrelenting boldness typical of someone spoiled from childhood.

"Yes!" Fengyu replied softly, with a smile upon her face. She enjoyed admiring beauty, rare as it was, especially the kind the princesses embodied. If the emperor weren’t Xie Xun, she might even have commented on his fortunate fate. Such vibrant and energetic young ladies were indeed appealing to her. "You’ve traveled thousands of miles from Beiman to the capital; have you grown accustomed to life here?"

"Not really. There are no snowy mountains here, no ice lakes, no snow leopards racing across the icy plains. Father said we must learn to adapt to everything here since we will live in the Capital City in the future. My sister and I have been working hard to like everything here." The Third Princess’s accent was slightly lighter, her pronunciation clear. "But why does the Empress not like us?"

"When did I ever say I didn’t like you?" Fengyu responded with the same gentle smile.

Beiman girls were truly straightforward—completely oblivious to delicacy in their speech, their demeanor starkly contrasting Fengyu’s own.

"The High Priest said the Empress doesn’t like us, hence, refused to let us into the palace," the Third Princess asked with an innocent and guileless tone. "Our entry into the palace pertains to the union of our two peoples. Does the Empress not hope for peace between our nations?"

Qiuxiang, standing by, was furious but dared not speak. Were the princesses deliberately here to provoke her mistress?

Fengyu, however, maintained her composure. Having served as the City Lord in West State for several years, she was no stranger to handling trivial matters; her temper had softened with time. "As for the two princesses, you seem unaccustomed to the capital. Do you truly desire to live within the palace, confined here for the rest of your lives?"

The princesses exchanged a glance, and the Third Princess spoke, "I like Beiman’s ice lakes and snowy mountains. I enjoy galloping across the icy plains, skating, catching fish in the rivers during summer, searching for treasures in the mines, and training hunting beasts in the snow mountains. I dislike the capital, but for the sake of peace between our peoples, I must come here."

"Entering the palace doesn’t simply mean residing in the capital. You must learn Beining’s etiquette, wear our clothing, speak our language. Look at the milk tea on the table—I specially prepared it for you. You might never taste the flavors of your homeland again. Are you truly willing to stay here forever?"

"Yes, we are!" the princesses answered in unison.

Fengyu thought to herself, young girls are indeed easy to coax; the High Priest must have briefed them well. "Knowing I am unwilling, why did you still come to the palace?"

The Third Princess replied, "In Beiman, we choose spouses through martial duels. We challenge you: if you win, we concede and will not enter the palace. But if you lose, you must share your husband with us."

Fengyu: "..."

She had never heard of such a ridiculous challenge in her life!

Someone wanted to challenge her with brute strength?

Was this a joke?

She was famously fragile, as weak as a feather. She couldn’t lift a bucket or carry a load; whom could she possibly challenge? She wouldn’t even win against a ten-year-old girl from her clan.

"Does the Empress accept our challenge?" The Fourth Princess’s eyes sparkled with excitement; she hadn’t yet fought a woman from Beiman’s outside realm.

"Wait... who said I possess martial skills?" Fengyu asked, bewildered.

"The High Priest said you commanded troops to defend West State City, repelled Sannan’s vanguard, and are a heroine among women. Surely your martial prowess is formidable, and you wouldn’t refuse our challenge!"

The Fourth Princess noticed Fengyu’s peculiar expression and provocatively asked, "Or is the Empress afraid?"

"Rumors abound, but they are unreliable. I did defend West State, but I couldn’t even draw a bowstring; my health is somewhat frail." Fengyu smiled at the two princesses. "Moreover, this is Beining. In Beining, marriages are decided by parental decree and matchmaker arrangements. There is no such thing as challenges followed by sharing a spouse. Since you intend to reside in Beining, you must adhere to our customs. We don’t abandon Beining traditions to follow Beiman practices."

"The Empress is afraid!" the Third Princess declared definitively, "You won’t beat us!"

"Yes, I must admit, I cannot beat you!"

"How can you admit that?" The Fourth Princess widened her eyes, finding it disgraceful, puffing with frustration as if she herself were embarrassed, which looked rather adorable.

"You appear to be skilled warriors; I cannot beat you. Why wouldn’t I admit such a thing?"

"In Beiman, admitting defeat is disgraceful. It’s better to die in battle than surrender!" the Third Princess exclaimed.

Fengyu finally understood where the ferocity of the Beiman Army came from—it was ingrained education for all, regardless of age. No wonder they were all so resilient.

"Acknowledging one’s limitations is not an embarrassing act." Fengyu shifted her tone and laughed lightly, "We must all have a clear understanding, just as Beiman must realize the harsh weather has impacted citizens’ livelihoods, and migration to Ningzhou’s borders has become a necessity. The region around Sha Ling Tian Mountain may no longer be suitable for human habitation. And the princesses must realize that this is Beining, not Beiman; you are guests here. Beining is a land of civility, where dealings follow etiquette. Using brute force to seize what one desires would be considered the behavior of bandits and pirates in Beining."

"We are not bandits or pirates!" The Fourth Princess angrily protested, "Sister, she is insulting us."

The Third Princess wasn’t sure how to argue back and appeared equally indignant. "Cunning Beining people!"

Fengyu: "..."

This remark... she hadn’t heard it in many years. Had it become a Beiman catchphrase that everyone could wield?