Chapter 1452: Arriving at Qingdi
Chapter 1452: Arriving at Qingdi
Editor: Henyee Translations
Luckily, the weather at this time of the year was quite favorable, gradually warming with each passing day. Sprouts of grass covered the land, and in some areas, there were expansive patches of beautiful wildflowers in full bloom. While the people from Great Qin found this breathtakingly beautiful,
On their journey, even though they had to set up tents every night, and their accommodations were simple and austere, and their meals were modest, they found it to be an unforgettable experience. They had no regrets as long as they remained safe.
The princess’s marriage was a significant event, and their journey to Qingdi was expected to be very safe. Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan were well aware of this. They didn’t believe that even the Fourth Prince would be foolish enough to attempt anything illicit during the trip there, but the journey back held more uncertainty.
By the time they reached Qingdi, it was already the 12th of June.
Qingdi’s city walls appeared rugged and unrefined. The mud walls, eroded by the elements, had taken on a mottled appearance and were showing signs of deterioration. The city walls were not particularly tall, embodying a casual and unconcerned air.
Qingdi was known for its bravery and martial prowess. They had constructed the imperial city with convenience in mind rather than defense. In the event of an enemy invasion, they believed it was more advantageous to engage in open combat than to defend the city.
The arrival of Princess Shuangfu brought a momentary liveliness to the royal city. Countless commoners crowded along the streets to catch a glimpse of the spectacle.
Engaging in animated discussions in a language incomprehensible to outsiders, people pointed and stared in curiosity at the Qin Princess’s conveyance.
The people of Qingdi lacked rigid rules and protocols. The scene was chaotic and uproarious. Onlookers nearly blocked the road, and they seemed on the verge of swarming the princess’s phoenix carriage, creating considerable difficulty for the procession’s progress.
Prince Nuo Nuo didn’t seem to find this situation unusual. In fact, he appeared rather pleased with the commotion, laughing heartily, his smile never fading from his face.
Unbeknownst to him, within the carriage, Princess Shuangfu had already turned pale from fear and unease. She was struggling to contain her anxiety, fearful that Prince Nuo Nuo might insist on lifting the curtain for all to see.
This was utterly beyond her comprehension! Were these commoners really this impolite? Was Qingdi so uncouth?
Having grown up in the palace with strict rules and etiquette, she had never encountered such a situation before.
Qiao Xuan gently held her hand and explained with a warm smile, “Princess, they mean no harm. They’re merely curious and eager to catch a glimpse of you and the Empire, which is why they’re so enthusiastic. Princess, you’re familiar with the principle of ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ Please don’t take it to heart.”
Princess Shuangfu’s complexion had paled, and she forced a smile, replying in a hushed tone, “I understand, Madame Shao…”
Yet, understanding was one thing; putting it into practice was quite another.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. It was a straightforward saying, but adhering to it wasn’t always easy!
Taking a deep breath, Princess Shuangfu recognized that, no matter how challenging it might be, she had no choice but to adapt to the local customs…
They entered the imperial city around noon, arriving at the palace nearly by nightfall.
Shao Yunduan had also been accommodated in the palace by the Qingdi princes and ministers, who provided temporary lodgings for them.
The Qingdi royal family warmly welcomed Princess Shuangfu and the others. That evening, they held a grand bonfire celebration.
The participants sang and danced, and after slaughtering cattle and sheep, they skewered large portions of meat over the fire to roast. In addition, large cuts of meat were thrown into a massive pot, almost two meters wide, and roughly stewed. The meat was then ladled onto a large platter, and people served themselves using their hands, dipping the meat into a powdery seasoning mixture.