Urna trembled all over, tears welling up in her eyes.
"If you are unwilling, I will not force you." The princess gazed at her. "But I need one truth from you—for the sake of the tribe, are you willing... to walk this path with me?"
Urna closed her eyes, and tears finally streamed down her face. After a long while, she opened her eyes:
"I...Ulna, swear to serve Princess Uloran and the Grey Fox tribe she protects. The princess's command is my command. The tribe's needs are my needs."
"Very well." The princess's voice trembled slightly. "Then it is so. The rest will be left to the old clan chief and the others. As for Commander Lin... I will speak with him personally."
Three days later, in the royal court's council tent.
When Lin Feng arrived as summoned, the tent was already full of people.
"Commander Lin, please have a seat." The princess gestured with her hand.
Lin Feng sat down in the empty seat on the right.
"I have summoned you here today because there is a major matter concerning the future of both tribes and the peace of the northern frontier that I need to discuss with you."
Sukhbaatar, as the representative, spoke first.
"Our Gray Fox tribe suffered a great calamity, but fortunately the garrison commander came to our aid. We, the thousands of our tribe members, will never forget this kindness."
Lin Feng cupped his hands in greeting: "Elder Chief, you flatter me."
"However, everything is in need of rebuilding. His Highness has returned at a young age, and there are still hidden worries both inside and outside the country. To repay the great kindness of the garrison commander, and to further solidify the alliance between the two tribes, so that our northern frontier may enjoy lasting peace—"
He paused, then continued, "After deliberation by all the chieftains of my tribe, and with the permission of Her Highness the Princess, we humbly request that the garrison commander accept our tribe's most sincere respect and request—"
He stood up and, together with several other chieftains, solemnly bowed to Lin Feng, patting his chest.
"I humbly request the garrison commander to marry Princess Ulolan of my Gray Fox tribe! And, according to the ancient customs of my grasslands, also marry Urna, the princess's chief guard! Through this marriage, we may forge an eternal bond, jointly defend against foreign invaders, and secure the northern frontier!"
As soon as the sound faded, you could hear a pin drop inside the tent.
Lin Feng raised his eyes and looked at the princess at the head of the tent.
The princess met his gaze and nodded slightly. Beside her, Urna kept her eyes downcast.
Lin Feng slowly spoke: "This matter is of great importance. Is this a tribal consensus, or Your Highness's own intention?"
The princess looked directly at Lin Feng: "This proposal is indeed a tribal consensus, and also... my own intention. Commander Urna also volunteered to do so."
Voluntary. Two words, yet they carry immense weight.
"I already have six virtuous wives in my family," Lin Feng said slowly.
"I understand," Sukhbaatar said solemnly. "His Highness has said that he wishes to address all the ladies as sisters, without distinction of age. The people of the grasslands respect heroes. The garrison commander is a hero of our time, and it is only natural that he has several virtuous wives and beautiful concubines."
Lin Feng's gaze slowly swept over every face in the tent, finally settling on the princess.
"Your Highness, Elder Chieftain, and all the leaders. I, Lin, am deeply honored by your high regard, treated as a national hero, and entrusted with the responsibility of marriage. I, Lin, am unworthy of such trust."
"This proposal concerns the alliance between the two tribes, the peace of the northern frontier, and even the lifelong happiness of the princess and the commander. I dare not act rashly."
He stood up, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to the princess, and then nodded slightly to Sukhbaatar and the others:
"I, Lin, hereby accept this marriage agreement."
As soon as she finished speaking, Urna swayed slightly. The princess's hands, which had been resting on her knees, finally slowly loosened.
"Good! Good! Good!" Suhebalu exclaimed three times, then shouted, "May the Eternal Heaven bless us! The Gray Fox Tribe is saved! Commander Lin, from this day forward, you will be the most honored consort of our Gray Fox Tribe, the eagle of our grasslands!"
The atmosphere inside the tent suddenly relaxed, and was immediately replaced by enthusiastic cheers and discussions.
Lin Feng raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. The tent quickly returned to silence.
"However," Lin Feng continued, "although the marriage agreement is made, the proper etiquette cannot be disregarded. Such a marriage must be reported to the imperial court for a decision. This is the first point."
"Secondly, the ceremony, rules, and specific details of the princess's marriage to the commander should be carefully discussed by a designated person."
The princess met his gaze: "This vow, witnessed by heaven and earth, will never be broken."
The dust has settled.
Iron Wall City, the garrison commander's study.
Lin Feng was writing a memorial to the throne. Shen Qingyi silently ground ink beside him, Yun Li tidied the bookshelf, and Su Wanyue was mending a torn inner shirt belonging to Lin Feng.
"My lord," Shen Qingyi paused grinding ink, "the memorial...does my permission require you to refine the wording?"
Lin Feng continued writing: "No need. This matter needs to be addressed frankly."
Su Wanyue raised her head, her bright eyes filled with a complex emotion: "Husband, marrying two at once, a princess and a female general... the house is going to be very lively from now on." Her words were a light teasing tone mixed with a hint of melancholy.
Yun Li said softly, "My husband has considered everything carefully. I'm afraid some people in the court might use this as an excuse to cause trouble."
"It's alright." Lin Feng finished writing the last sentence. "This is a border matter, and the interests lie with the frontier. His Majesty is wise and will make a fair judgment. Even if there are criticisms, they cannot shake the real interests of the northern frontier."
Bringing the Grey Fox tribe completely under control was a sure-fire deal for the imperial court. A few empty titles and disputes over etiquette were insignificant compared to the real peace and security on the border.
a few days later.
The imperial envoy arrived.
The imperial decree granted Lin Feng permission to marry Princess Ulolan and Ulna with the rites due to a wife of equal status. Lin Feng was also granted the title of "General Who Pacifies the North, Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs, and Bestowed with a Purple Gold Fish Bag," while Ulolan was granted the title of "Princess Hejing" and Ulna the title of "Lady Zhongyong." These were all honorary titles, but their symbolic significance was immense, signifying the court's recognition and equality of this marriage alliance.
The imperial envoy handed the imperial edict to Lin Feng, and then took out two official documents and robes issued by the court, which he bestowed upon the princess and Urna respectively. The ceremony was impeccable, showing them great respect.
The wedding is scheduled for March.
For the past three months, both the royal court and Ironwall City have been busy. The Han rites officials and the Di Rong shamans discussed the matter repeatedly and finally settled on the rule of "first the grassland rites, then the Han rites".
The next day, the sky was clear and the grassland was lush and green, with wildflowers just beginning to bloom.
The first event was a wedding on the grasslands.
The bugles sounded loudly, and the drums thundered.
Lin Feng, dressed in a magnificent wedding gown in the style of the Di Rong people, rode his horse around the field three times, receiving cheers and blessings from the crowd.
Then, the princess and Urna appeared, surrounded by their respective female relatives. Both were dressed in their finest attire, and rode side by side, circling the field twice before finally stopping in front of the altar.
The high shaman, his face painted with colorful patterns and holding a staff, chanted ancient and long prayers, beseeching the Eternal Heaven to bless the newlyweds and protect the tribe's prosperity.
Then, Lin Feng dismounted and walked to the horses of the princess and Ulna, and in accordance with Di Rong etiquette, helped them down from their horses one by one.
The three of them walked together to the altar, cut their fingertips with silver knives, and dripped their blood into the same bowl of boiling milk wine. The blood droplets blended into the pure white milk wine and quickly spread.
"Drink this wine, and you will be bound by blood! You will share both fortune and misfortune, and you will never be apart in life and death!" the great shaman proclaimed.
Lin Feng took a large gulp first, then handed the bowl to the princess. The princess took it with both hands, drank it down without hesitation, and then handed the bowl to Ulna. Ulna tilted her head back and drank the rest of the milk wine in one gulp, turning the bowl upside down, not a drop left.
"Awooo—!" A deafening roar and cheers erupted from all around. Countless flowers and ribbons were thrown into the air.
Then came a lively banquet.
Lin Feng, the princess, and Urna sat in the main seats, continuously receiving toasts and blessings from various departments.
The banquet lasted from noon until nightfall, with bonfires lit and singing and dancing continuing.
The second event, a Han Chinese wedding, was held the following day in a temporary "wedding hall" set up within the royal court.
Lin Feng was dressed in a bright red auspicious robe, while the princess and Urna had changed into phoenix coronet and embroidered robes. They bowed to heaven and earth, then to their parents, and finally to each other.
After the ceremony, the guests were led into two specially decorated, interconnected wedding tents.
The noise was gradually shut out.
Inside the two tents, red candles burned brightly, thick wedding carpets were laid out, and a faint aroma of spices filled the air.
Lin Feng entered the princess's tent first.
The princess sat gracefully beside a couch covered with a large red brocade quilt, wearing a phoenix coronet and wedding robes, her veil still up.
Lin Feng picked up the scale and gently lifted the bright red veil.
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