In the third month of spring, the ice and snow melt, and all living things begin to grow.
Since the previous dynasty, it had been a tradition among noble families to go out on the Shangsi Festival, gathering by the water to perform purification rituals and enjoy the “floating cups along winding streams.” Over time, the idea of warding off misfortune faded. Influenced by metaphysical thought and Daoist philosophy, the aristocracy instead came to indulge in nature—spending the day wandering, composing poetry, and celebrating.
Tents would be set up along rivers, sometimes stretching for miles. Carriages and garments shone brilliantly, and horseback riding and archery contests were held for entertainment. Some feasted from dawn till dusk.
This was not only a custom among the nobility—it was also an important royal outing. In past years, princesses, consorts, and noble ladies would all attend.
This year, because of the Northern King’s visit, the Emperor of Liang chose Tongling Garden as the venue.
Located twenty li outside Chang’an, Tongling Garden was a vast royal hunting ground built against the mountains, filled with rare beasts. Every year, the emperor held spring hunts and autumn expeditions there with his officials.
Still brooding over the humiliation he suffered in Taiji Hall, the Emperor of Liang was eager to regain face. Thus, he specially invited Tuoba Xiao to hunt there.
The nomadic tribes were naturally skilled in riding and archery—but the emperor had his own calculations.
The Liang court held hunts here every year. Their young nobles knew the terrain well—where to find prey, how to coordinate with attendants—making hunting almost effortless. The Xianbei, unfamiliar with the land, would waste time even locating animals. In this way, they would be at a disadvantage.
That morning, the imperial procession set out from the palace.
Banners filled the sky, ornate canopies adorned countless carriages. Nobles and officials in splendid attire traveled in an unbroken line stretching for miles.
Tuoba Xiao rode among them on his jet-black Wusun steed.
Looking around, the citizens of Chang’an were also dressed in festive clothes, bringing their families to the riverside to set up tents, laying out wine and pastries, their faces filled with contentment.
So this is the prosperity Mother once spoke of…
The southern lands were indeed far more fertile than the steppe—capable of sustaining such a vast population, producing exquisite crafts, and building grand palaces. No wonder the southern courts were so prone to indulgence.
Tuoba Xiao rode leisurely through the capital’s main road. His horse gleamed under the sun, its powerful muscles rippling, head held high in a way that inspired awe. And upon it sat the feared King of the Northern Desert, followed by equally fierce warriors.
The common people kept their distance, only daring to whisper once he was far away.
“Since the Northern King seeks a marriage alliance, why hasn’t the court made a decision yet? Which princess will be chosen?”
“I heard he wasn’t satisfied with any of them.”
This sparked outrage.
“For him to even marry into our great Liang is already a blessing! And yet he dares to be so arrogant—does he expect all noble ladies to line up for his choosing? Even the emperor doesn’t do that!”
“Then why didn’t you say that when he passed just now?” a young man mocked.
Despite Liang’s decline, its people still clung to a sense of cultural superiority, looking down on the so-called “barbarians,” even while fearing Tuoba Xiao—a contradiction they did not realize.
They also did not know that within a few short years, this flourishing city would fall into ruin, its people decimated by war.
Upon arriving at Tongling Garden, the emperor soon arranged a hunting competition.
A general stepped forward. “The Northern King is renowned for his prowess. I have trained in archery for eighteen years—may I challenge you?”
Tuoba Xiao rose slowly from his seat, towering over everyone.
“How do you wish to compete?”
“Whichever side hunts more prey wins.”
“Agreed!”
With that, the signal was given. Two elite teams shot into the forest like arrows.
Jiang Congyan arrived with the Prince of Chu’s household. Soon after, the Sixth Princess came to find her.
When she heard about the hunting contest, she thought calmly: With Tuoba Xiao’s abilities, this will likely only embarrass the emperor.
Two hours later, the hunters returned.
The Xianbei side erupted in laughter—while Liang’s side fell silent.
The result was obvious.
As night fell, the banquet began.
Soft cushions and tables were laid out, fires burned brightly, and freshly hunted game was roasted and served immediately. The atmosphere was lively.
Having lost face again, the emperor no longer stirred trouble. The officials, too, no longer dared criticize Tuoba Xiao. For once, the atmosphere became peaceful.
At that moment, the court musician called out:
“Present the dance!”
A group of dancers entered gracefully.
The Xianbei soldiers watched with fascination. Only Tuoba Xiao remained indifferent, sipping wine in boredom.
After the performance, Zhao Zhen smiled slyly. “What does the Northern King think of Liang’s music and dance?”
“Nothing special,” Tuoba Xiao replied flatly.
Zhao Zhen did not mind. “Ordinary beauties cannot impress you—but Liang has unparalleled beauty. I wonder if this one will catch your eye?”
Tuoba Xiao scoffed inwardly.
The princesses and noblewomen he had seen were delicate flowers—fragile and unremarkable.
The only one worthy of the title peerless… was that woman from before.
Just as he dismissed it—
He looked up.
And froze.
At the far end of the banquet, a woman in white emerged from the night.
His pupils dilated sharply.
The wind suddenly surged, extinguishing half the candlelight. Shadows cut across his face, his features growing sharper, his hair whipping wildly like blades.
It’s her!
Even from a single glance—he knew.
His gaze locked onto her like chains.
The figure before him gradually overlapped with that fleeting glimpse from before. His throat tightened, veins standing out along his neck.
The lively banquet fell into an eerie silence.
Jiang Congyan felt countless eyes upon her—one in particular, intense and predatory, as if it would strip her to the bone.
Her heart skipped. Her body tensed—but she could only keep walking forward.
A quarter of an hour earlier, at the women’s banquet, the Princess Consort of Chu had suddenly said:
“Shun’an wishes to celebrate the alliance by offering a dance before His Majesty.”
Before Jiang Congyan could refuse, Consort Zhao eagerly agreed and had her brought over.
She had no choice but to come.
Clearly, they were plotting against her.
But why?
After a flurry of thoughts, only one answer emerged:
A marriage alliance with Tuoba Xiao.
Rumors said he had taken an interest in the Fifth Princess—who was now sick with worry. Perhaps Consort Zhao, unwilling to sacrifice her daughter, had shifted her attention to Jiang Congyan.
But why would she think Tuoba Xiao would favor her?
And forcing her to dance… was that really enough?
With doubts swirling in her mind, Jiang Congyan stepped forward into the blazing firelight of the night banquet…