Within the Ethereal Chasm, a majestic Phoenix soars – 2

 His words brought an immediate silence to the chamber.
 Huang Ti’s eyebrows furrowed as he downed his cup of tea as if it were wine. Bai Yima and Hua Jingtai followed suit, lifting their tea to drink in unison. Even Nan Pianyue’s brows slightly relaxed.
For a moment, the room was enveloped in stillness.
 At that moment, the sound of knocking was heard from outside the door. Xie Zhu, leading the servant, entered with a procession of dishes and wine, instantly filling the air with delectable aromas.
 “How fragrant,” Hua Jingtai inhaled through his nose.
“This wine is a twenty-year-old “Maiden’s Blush”, it should be strong enough,” Xie Zhu said as she arranged the dishes. “While these dishes may not be considered delicacies, they are our humble establishment’s specialties, much loved by our regular patrons.”
 Hua Jingtai was the first to pick up a piece of “Jade Dragon Fragrant Loist” with his chopsticks and praised it upon tasting, “Tender! Aromatic!”
 Hearing his words, Xie Zhu smiled, her dimples brimming with joy. She poured wine for each person at the table, and when she reached Nan Pianyue, they exchanged a secret glance and shared a smile. The elder brothers all noticed and chuckled in unison.
 “Please enjoy your meal, and call me if you need anything,” Xie Zhu said after pouring the wine and withdrew.
 “Let’s have a toast,” Hua Jingtai raised his cup.
 And so, the brothers raised their cups together, tilting their heads back to drain the wine in a single gulp, and then all praised in unison, “Excellent wine!”
 “Eighth Brother, when do you plan to marry?” Bai Yima asked as he put down his cup.
 Nan Pianyue stroked his head contemplatively, “Xie Zhu mentioned that the beauty of peach blossoms is unrivaled during springtime, thus I have decided that, if possible, I shall hold the wedding next spring.”
 “Mmm, a fine choice,” Bai Yima nodded in agreement, “If you have truly set your heart on this young lady, it would be best to inform your Elder Brother as soon as possible. A hastily arranged wedding would not do; preparations must begin early.”
 Upon hearing this, Nan Pianyue cast a sidelong glance at his elder brothers, “You all better not interfere as you did in the past, ruining my prospects.”
 The elder brothers could not help but laugh heartily upon hearing this.
 “Rest assured, Eighth Brother, it will not happen again,” Feng Ji spoke with laughter in his eyes, “Miss Xie is unlike those you fancied before, so you can put your mind at ease, and simply look forward to being a groom next spring.”
 Delighted by Feng Ji’s words, Nan Pianyue beamed, “I trust in Fourth Brother’s words.”
 “Eh, speaking of matrimonial matters, I just remembered something,” Hua Jingtai suddenly chimed in, “If the king of Meng Cheng were to propose a marriage alliance during Third Brother’s diplomatic mission, do you think he would accept?”
 The men paused with their drinks, contemplating Ning Jingyuan’s intentions.
 Nan Pianyue was the first to respond, “Ah, Third Brother… if such a proposition offered him substantial benefits with minimal effort, he would surely be amenable. However, since his nieces are still too young, it would have to be a princess from Meng Cheng coming to marry into our family.” Having said this, he promptly snatched a chicken leg and placed it in his own bowl.
 Bai Yima solemnly stated, “As far as I am aware, the current King of Meng Cheng is in his prime years, with seven sons, the oldest being fourteen years of age, and just one daughter who is a mere seven years old. Furthermore, his sisters have all married and borne children. Thus, the likelihood of forging an alliance through marriage seems rather slim.”
 “Ah, Fifth Brother, you have overlooked the existence of our princess,” interjected Hua Jingtao, deftly snatching a chicken leg from Nan Pianyue’s chopsticks before he could take a bite.
 Nan Pianyue’s nose crinkled in dissatisfaction as he watched the chicken leg being taken away by Hua Jingtao, but he settled for a chicken wing instead. He continued, “Indeed, our Seventh Sister is also a princess. In terms of age, she would be well-matched with the King of Meng Cheng.”
 Upon hearing this, the previously silent Huang Ti took a sip of wine and remarked, “He wouldn’t dare.”
 Nan Pianyue took a large bite of the chicken leg and chewed thoughtfully, inquiring, “Third Brother… hmm… regardless of whether he dares or not, what do you think… hmm… would be Seventh Sister’s reaction if this were true?”
 The brothers couldn’t help but simultaneously imagine Feng Duying’s potential reaction, and they all shared a smile of understanding.
 Following that, Hua Jingtao said with a tinge of nostalgia, “Speaking of Seventh Sister’s marriage prospects, I am reminded of Gu Yunyuan.”
 As soon as his words fell, Nan Pianyue became excited, abandoning his chicken leg and exclaiming, “Ah, that audacious Gu! I truly admire him! Time and time again, he has sought permission to marry from our eldest brother, only to be repeatedly scolded and demoted. Yet, the young man has shown not the slightest hint of fear or hesitation. His courage is admirable, and his resolve unyielding! Alas, I would rather call him Gu the Madman!”
 The group of brothers contemplated Gu Yunyuan, with some furrowing their brows, others shaking their heads, and still others sighing. When mentioning this person, it was genuinely uncertain whether to praise his courage or to call him foolish beyond measure, or perhaps, as the Eighth Brother said, a downright madman.
 In the first year of the Yuan Ding era, the Great Eastern Empire issued an edict seeking talented individuals. In that time, talented scholars from all corners of the realm gathered in the imperial capital, and Gu Yunyuan arrived from Qingzhou. In that year, during the Golden Hall debate, from the Emperor to the ministers, all praised this man as possessing the talent to govern the nation.
 The Dong Shixiu Emperor first granted him a sixth-rank Lantai historian position. However, in less than half a year, Gu Yunyuan compiled the “Dantai Elegant Collection,” which was said to take five years to complete, and thus he was promoted to a fourth-rank position as a junior officer to reward his merits. At that time, countless people envied him, believing that he would have a meteoric rise. But as soon as the Dong Shixiu Emperor granted him the fourth-rank position, Gu Yunyuan requested to marry the “Princess Feng Ying.” As one could imagine, this bold request not only displeased the group of brothers but also provoked Dong Shixiu Emperor’s wrath. Not only did the emperor refuse the request, but he also demoted Gu Yunyuan from his recently attained fourth-rank position to a seventh-rank court supervisor.
 For any other person, this would have been a cause for mourning, but Gu Yunyuan seemed unconcerned. Instead, he told Feng Duying: “My request to marry the Princess was made because an elder brother is like a father. In fact, as long as the General agrees, I can marry the Princess right now.” As a result, before the shocked Feng Duying could react, the furious Dong Shixiu Emperor ordered his guards to expel Gu Yunyuan from the Palace.
 Unexpectedly, upon arriving at the Jiezhi Mansion, Gu Yunyuan solved several baffling cases. Not only did the common people hail him as a heavenly judge, but even Bai Yima greatly praised him, personally recommending him for a promotion. Dong Shixiu initially demoted Gu Yunyuan merely because the young man dared to covet his beloved sister, but he still appreciated Gu Yunyuan’s talents. Thus, he agreed to Bai Yima’s request, promoting Gu Yunyuan to a fifth-rank official.
 After working hard to regain his rank, others would have been filled with gratitude and fear. Yet, Gu Yunyuan, once the Emperor had bestowed the promotion, he once again requested to marry “Princess Feng Ying.” This time, the Dong Shixiu directly sent him back to his hometown of Qingzhou to serve as a minor seventh-rank official in Hucheng Prefecture.
 Falling from the foot of the Celestial Emperor, banished to a remote and small town, this would have been a crushing blow for any courtier, for it meant that their lifelong path of officialdom had reached a dead end. Yet, Gu Yunyuan remained undaunted. As the palace guards approached to escort him out, he couldn’t help but call out to Feng Duying, “Although His Majesty disagrees, if the General is willing, why not elope with me to Hucheng?” Naturally, Feng Duying paid no heed, but Emperor Dong Shixiu’s face turned green with anger. The officials in the hall couldn’t help but laugh, while the rest of his six brothers could only sigh in helplessness. When Gu Yunyuan left the Imperial City, not a single person bid him farewell. Carrying a bundle on his back, he rode a thin horse and set off alone to assume his new post.
 It’s hard to say if Gu Yunyuan was fortunate or unfortunate, for within just two months of his arrival, Hucheng was beset by torrential rains, causing the Lan River to break its banks. He managed to control the floods, provide relief to the disaster-stricken, and ensure the people’s safety. After the floods, he led the people to rebuild the dykes and divert water, not only resolving Hucheng’s future flood concerns but also cultivating hundreds of acres of fertile land along the river. It is no wonder that the people of Hucheng adored this official who acted as their loving parent. The scholars and gentry of the city jointly submitted a memorial to the court, praising Gu Yunyuan for his kindness. The memorial was passed up layer by layer until it reached the hands of the Prime Minister, Feng Ji, who, considering Gu Yunyuan’s outstanding performance despite numerous setbacks, deemed him a rare talent. The memorial was then handed to Emperor Dong Shixiu, who also praised him, saying, “A fine talent indeed.”
 Dong Shixiu was not a foolish ruler, and he naturally rewarded those who had made meritorious contributions. Therefore, he summoned Gu Yunyuan back to the Imperial City and restored his previous rank as a fourth-rank official. However, Gu Yunyuan persisted in seeking to marry the “Princess Feng Ying”, and as a result, Emperor Dong Shixiu, no longer willing to waste his anger on him, waved his hand and demoted Gu Yunyuan to the position of an eighth-rank literary officer in the Imperial Guard’s Northern Army.
 The supreme commander of the forty-thousand-strong Imperial Guard’s Northern Army was none other than the first-rank General Feng Duying. Naturally, this eighth-rank literary officer was just an insignificant official under his command. The courtiers understood that the Emperor’s actions were meant to convey to Gu Yunyuan that the “Princess Feng Ying” was a celestial phoenix, while he was merely a humble toad on earth. There was an insurmountable gulf between them, and Gu Yunyuan should no longer entertain any delusions of ascending to the heights of the phoenix.
 In the face of the Emperor’s strict actions, Gu Yunyuan’s countenance beamed with delight. Kneeling in gratitude for the Emperor’s grace, he turned to Feng Duying, saying, “Henceforth, I shall accompany you day by day, General.”
 Upon hearing his words, not only did Dong Shixiu’s face turn a ghastly green upon his jade throne, but his six brothers’ eyes also reddened with anger. Consequently, once Gu Yunyuan arrived at the Forbidden Guard’s Northern Camp, the six brothers often found pretexts to visit, making life difficult for him. Yet, Gu Yunyuan remained composed, handling the camp’s bureaucratic affairs with order and efficiency, and occasionally brought gifts to Feng Duying’s tent. One day, he brought soup-filled buns from Zhou’s shop; the next, a wooden puppet carved with a naive charm from Li’s shop; and the day after, rouge crafted by Aunt Liu from the West Street. Although these items ultimately met their demise at the hands of Du Kang, Gu Yunyuan persevered relentlessly.
 “Nowadays, when the colleagues of the Northern Army mention him, they give him a thumbs up. It seems that this daring Gu will soon be promoted again. I wonder if he will once again propose to the ‘Princess Feng Ying’?” Hua Jingtai’s eyes shone with excitement. He seemed quite eager to witness such a scene, as Gu Yunyuan had managed to repeatedly provoke their Emperor’s wrath without being executed, earning him the status of an extraordinary individual.
 “Eh, what do you think is the reason behind Gu’s repeated proposals? Does he truly love the Seventh Sister? I can’t see it at all,” said Nan Pianyue.
 “Whether Gu Yunyuan loves the Seventh Sister or not, you can tell by the way he looks at her,” Bai Yima patted his brother’s head, wiping away crumbs from his cheek.
 Nan Pianyue rubbed his forehead, “I’ve never really noticed any particular gaze. Don’t all the men in the court look at the Seventh Sister in a similar manner—both respectful and fearful?”
 “Gu Yunyuan is different,” Bai Yima said, picking up his chopsticks to reach for a plate of “Pipa Shrimp.”
 Thus, unexpectedly, Huang Ti spoke, “If Gu Yunyuan dares to propose marriage once more, I shall lend him a hand in his endeavor.”
 Upon these words, Bai Yima’s movements halted while grasping the vegetables, Nan Pianyue’s chicken leg fell from his mouth, Hua Jingtai choked on his wine, coughing out tears, and the tremble of Feng Ji’s hand holding the cup caused ripples within.
 All stared at Huang Ti, seeing no hint of jest in his expression. Nan Pianyue was the first to exclaim, “Second Brother, is this true or false? Are you willing to let that Gu madman marry our Seventh Sister?”
 Hua Jingtai chimed in, “Second Brother, every time you speak, you give us quite the fright.”
 Huang Ti’s brow remained unfrowned as he replied, “My words, of course, are true.”
 Huang Ti was known for his unwavering decisiveness, so his siblings understood he was serious. Thus, Nan Pianyue’s eyes widened in disbelief, “That Gu madman is not worthy of our Seventh Sister!”
 “Where does he fall short?” Huang Ti retorted.
 “He is inferior to Seventh Sister in every way,” Nan Pianyue pouted. He was extremely displeased. His Seventh Sister was like a phoenix in the heavens, unmatched by any man in this world! It would be best if she stayed at home forever, with her seven brothers by her side, living a life of mutual love and affection!
 “Indeed, Gu Yunyuan is audacious, but in all other aspects, he is no match for our Seventh Sister,” Hua Jingtai concurred, “If we were to marry our sister to him…” He imagined a scene of his sister and Gu Yunyuan living together, singing and following each other, raising children, and then shook his head like a rattle drum, “I wouldn’t be happy either!” Hmph! Although his sister could be fierce and strong at times, she was still a unique treasure in this world, not to be tarnished by other despicable men!
 Huang Ti’s sword-like eyebrows narrowed, “Though Gu Yunyuan’s status and appearance fall short of ours, and his martial prowess and strategy are no match for Seventh Sister, his devotion to her is beyond that of ordinary people.” His gaze swept over Feng Ji, seemingly intentional yet unintentional, continuing, “In this world, there are few who would dare to propose marriage to the Emperor, knowing it would incur his wrath, let alone fearlessly face death. Merely for his courage and temperament, he is already rare among men. Besides, he possesses a wealth of talents. If such a man were to become our brother-in-law, what more could we ask for?”
 Upon hearing the words, both Nan Pianyue and Hua Jingtao fell silent. It was true what Huang Ti had said – Gu Yunyuan’s fearless demeanor and unwavering resolve, constant as the years, had surpassed many of his peers.
 “Frankly speaking, I quite admire Gu Yunyuan,” Bai Yima, who had remained silent all this while, suddenly spoke up. “However… when I think of him marrying our Seventh Sister, my heart… suddenly feels as if his countenance has become detestable.”
 “Hahaha…”
 Hua Jingtao and Nan Pianyue burst into laughter simultaneously, for they too shared the same sentiments.
 “Even you, Fifth Brother, would utter such capricious words,” Huang Ti looked helplessly at Bai Yima, who among his brothers, was usually the one to bring him the least trouble.
 Bai Yima rubbed his temples with a wry smile, feeling uninhibited amongst his siblings. “We raised Seventh Sister with our own hands. The thought of her marrying into another family makes my heart uneasy.”
 “Don’t be too upset, Old Fifth,” Hua Jingtao took a swig of wine. “Before considering whether we agree or not, our Eldest Brother certainly won’t.”
 As Huang Ti poured wine, he spoke, “Even if Eldest Brother is reluctant to part with Seventh Sister, he cannot hinder her marriage. No matter how exceptional she may be, she is still a woman, and marrying to establish a family is inevitable.”
 “But…” Bai Yima gazed towards Feng Ji, who remained silent with downcast eyes, feeling an uncontrollable sigh of regret in his heart. “Second Brother, you should ponder this matter more thoroughly before acting. Otherwise, you will only achieve the opposite effect with Elder Brother.”
 “Thud!” The wine cup was slammed heavily onto the table, and Huang Ti’s hand resting on the table slowly clenched into a fist. “Until when do you wish for Seventh Sister to waste her life?”
 Seeing the anger flickering across Huang Ti’s face, everyone present couldn’t help but freeze in shock.
 “Our party of eight, though not bound by blood, became brothers and sisters the day we pledged our alliance. Over the years, we have grown even closer than kin. However, we cannot accompany our Seventh Sister for the entirety of her life, for eventually, she will need someone else to keep her company and protect her. As his gaze settled upon his younger brothers, he said, “We all cherish our Seventh Sister. How could we bear to see her lonely for the rest of her days? If a worthy suitor admires her and is willing to protect her, we should be glad to see such a union. Thus, no matter how reluctant our Eldest Brother may be, he cannot keep her by his side forever and bring misfortune upon her life.”
 As his words fell, his gaze landed upon Feng Ji, who seemed to sense it and looked up. Their eyes met, one sharp as a sword, the other deep as a pool, neither yielding nor wavering in their convictions, both intent on the same person’s well-being. Bai Yima, Hua Jingtai, and Nan Pianyue stared at the two, at a loss for words.
 For the matter of Feng Duying’s marriage had always been a weight upon their hearts, a subject they could not bring up, nor let go. They had been treading carefully, maintaining a fragile peace, but now, would the Second Brother finally shatter this tranquility? And could one Gu Yunyuan suffice? Even if he were a rare talent with unwavering determination, the Elder Brother’s repeated attempts to discourage the match had made his stance clear, and yet…
 The three felt a heavy burden in their hearts, torn between agreeing with Huang Ti’s approach and fearing to act rashly. After a long silence, Feng Ji spoke softly, “Seventh Sister will not agree.” His voice was steady, but under Huang Ti’s piercing gaze, it seemed as fragile as thin ice under a blazing sun, vulnerable to a single blow.
 “How would you know if she would agree or not if you haven’t tried?” Huang Ti’s voice was cold and resolute.
 Feng Ji’s lips moved, but he fell silent again. As he looked at Huang Ti, his elder brother’s gaze seemed sharp enough to dissect his heart, and chills spread across his chest.
 The room became eerily quiet for a moment.
 Bai Yima, Hua Jingtai, and Nan Pianyue gazed at one another, each with their own intentions conveyed through the glint in their eyes. Finally, Nan Pianyue shattered the silence and addressed Huang Ti: “Second Brother, Seventh Sister…” As he began to speak, the door creaked open.
 “What summons me?” Feng Duying strode in with an imposing presence, while Du Kang closed the door behind her. Nan Pianyue paused, then beamed at Feng Duying, “Seventh Sister, we were just discussing, if Third Brother were to establish an alliance with King Meng Cheng, would you be willing to marry him and become his Queen?”
 Feng Duying glanced at Nan Pianyue from the corner of her eye, her lips curving into a disdainful smirk, “Becoming a queen holds no interest for me, but I might consider taking the position of King Meng Cheng himself.”
 The laughter of the five siblings filled the room, dispelling the tension and sweeping away the gloom in their hearts. “As expected of our Seventh Sister,” Nan Pianyue wiped away a tear of mirth from the corner of his eye.
 “Seventh Sister, look at this ‘lotus carp’ we haven’t touched; we’ve saved it just for you.” Hua Jingtai offered the dish to Feng Duying. “This Maiden’s Blush wine is quite fragrant; here, let Fifth Brother pour you a cup.” Bai Yima poured her a cup of wine. “Seventh Sister, I saved a chicken wing for you,” Nan Pianyue handed her the last wing from the plate.
 Feng Duying raised an eyebrow, observing the sudden attentiveness of her siblings, then caught the gaze of Huang Ti and Feng Ji across the table, filled with affection and concern. Suspicion arose in her heart, “What have you all been doing behind my back?”
 Nan Pianyue blinked innocently, “Seventh Sister, how can you question our heartfelt devotion and affection for you?” “Indeed, Seventh Sister, you’re overly suspicious. Can’t we, as your brothers, show kindness to our own sister?” Hua Jingtai chimed in with laughter. “That’s right, come, let’s drink,” Bai Yima offered her a cup.
 How could the siblings admit their reluctance to part with her, born from the earlier mention of her marriage? Feng Duying cast a doubtful glance at them, then gave up, raising her cup in a toast. They ate and drank together, their spirits lifted by the long-awaited reunion. Sharing tales of amusing incidents from their families and the court, they jostled over dishes and refilled each other’s cups, their merriment lasting until the sun dipped below the horizon.

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