Chapter 157: The Gift, the Ferocious Fire Beast

The man dressed in a simple smoky blue brocade robe, his features taut and expressionless, could not conceal his outstanding and heroic demeanor. He was none other than Helian Cheng, the youngest National Guard General of the Northern Di Kingdom.

Hearing Wanyan Ping’s words tinged with regret, his grip on the wine cup suddenly tightened.

Suppressing the urge to crush the cup in his hand, Helian Cheng raised his head and forced a faint smile, saying lightly, “Prince Liù, you flatter me.”

A woman as exceptional as she was! Helian Cheng gave a bitter smile, tilting his head back to drain the wine, swallowing down a flood of bitterness along with it.

She was who she was. Even if a woman like her truly existed in this world, she was not that woman.

He had originally thought their next encounter would be on the battlefield, facing each other in mortal combat. Yet, who would have thought it would be like this.

If not for Wanyan Ping insisting he accompany him, how could he have come to Jingzhou City to witness that woman’s wedding to Meng Yuanheng with his own eyes?

His gloomy gaze swept over the woman in the grand seat, dressed in a crimson wedding gown. The peony embroidered on her dress overlapped with the image in his mind of her standing atop the Jin Yang Pass city tower, draped in a red cloak, making his eyes ache.

From her lofty position, Shen Qianmo naturally noticed Helian Cheng sitting below. Her delicate brows arched slightly—why was he here as well?

Glancing at the two men in splendid attire beside him, she deduced they must be Northern Di’s Crown Prince Wanyan Lü and Sixth Prince Wanyan Ping. So, they had come as escorts.

These three were all pivotal figures in the Northern Di Kingdom. It seemed Northern Di’s interest in the previous dynasty’s treasures far surpassed that of other nations.

Seeing the slight frown on the woman beside him, Meng Yuanheng leaned over and whispered, “Are you tired, Mo’er?”

Shen Qianmo shook her head, smiling gently. “It’s nothing, just appreciating the dignitaries from various nations. The Northern Di Crown Prince, Sixth Prince, and National Guard General are all present. Western Liang dispatched Prince Yanping, second only to the Regent. Southern Zhan sent Princess Yongle, the most likely heir to the throne. Your Grace’s reputation is indeed considerable.”

Or perhaps it was the previous dynasty’s treasures that were too alluring.

“Hmph. If it weren’t for the fact that their gifts are presentable and that they’ve tirelessly helped me break new ground these days, I wouldn’t even want to entertain them!” Meng Yuanheng’s handsome face darkened as he snorted coldly.

“You really... are shameless after profiting from others!” Shen Qianmo rolled her eyes, half amused. “You just spread a few exaggerated rumors and reap all these benefits. Be grateful, Your Grace.”

Since rumors of the previous dynasty’s treasures began circulating, many had been coming and going in the northwest under the radar, keeping Yan Mo and his secret guards constantly busy. Now, taking advantage of the wedding, Meng Yuanheng openly welcomed these people, making surveillance easier.

Meng Yuanheng’s expression, however, remained gloomy and displeased. How could he be in a good mood seeing so many men leering at his wife?

After the song and dance ended, the hall quieted for a moment before a deep, resonant voice shattered the silence.

“Prince Xuan and Princess Xuan make a perfect match of talent and beauty. I also heard that Princess Xuan is with child. Such a double blessing is truly worthy of celebration,” said Northern Di Crown Prince Wanyan Lü, his words polite but eyes sharp and sinister.

He held himself in high esteem, ambitious beyond measure, and since being appointed crown prince, had always regarded Meng Yuanheng as a formidable rival in expanding his territory and making achievements.

Originally, he had come to the northwest to see Meng Yuanheng’s downfall, curious to see how the once arrogant young master of the Xuan Prince’s mansion fared in this barren corner.

He was also determined to seize the imperial jade seal and the previous dynasty’s military treasures.

But upon arriving in Jingzhou City, he found the reality entirely different from his expectations. How could he not be furious?

Wanyan Lü’s words caused quite a stir in the hall. Although the Xuan Prince’s mansion never deliberately hid the news of Shen Qianmo’s pregnancy, few outside the household knew.

So, it seemed the Xuan Prince and Princess had married because of the pregnancy!

Everyone exchanged glances, unsure how to react. The two at the main seat remained expressionless. Shen Qianmo looked calmly at Wanyan Lü, smiling softly, “Thank you for your concern, Prince Wanyan. You haven’t been crown prince for long and must be very busy. Yet to care so deeply about such trivial matters of the Xuan Prince’s household touches both me and His Grace.”

The implication was clear: You’re a Crown Prince of Northern Di, yet instead of focusing on state affairs, you fixate on women’s pregnancies and childbirth. Is this fitting for your image?

Everyone present was clever enough to catch Shen Qianmo’s underlying sarcasm. While marrying due to pregnancy was uncommon in Da Sheng, in open-minded nations like Northern Di, Western Liang, and Southern Zhan, it was not unusual. Seeing Shen Qianmo respond so gracefully and without embarrassment made Wanyan Lü’s petty attack seem childish and unbecoming of a crown prince.

Wanyan Lü was no fool; he detected the mockery in Shen Qianmo’s words and his face darkened. In his view, women had no place to speak in such formal occasions. Yet Meng Yuanheng seemed unfazed, calmly toying with his wine cup, eyes quietly fixed on Wanyan Lü’s direction, lips curved in a serene smile, as peaceful as a clear sky.

Only a few, like Yun Yi, who knew Meng Yuanheng well, understood that the more composed the prince appeared, the more dangerous he truly was.

Yun Yi silently lit a candle in his heart for Wanyan Lü. Northern Di Crown Prince, you can provoke anyone, but never dare to offend the princess. You think exposing their marriage due to pregnancy would disgrace them? When has His Grace ever cared about reputation? And the princess’s strong mental fortitude is no ordinary matter. No matter how sharp your sarcasm, you cannot bring them down.

Unfortunately, Wanyan Lü was a man obsessed with face. If a woman publicly rebuked him, he would lose his standing as Crown Prince. After a moment of embarrassed anger, he rose and smiled, “Since there is double joy, my gift must be doubled. Guards, present my gift to the young master of the Xuan Prince’s mansion.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” a guard behind Wanyan Lü whistled sharply. Like a blazing flame, a figure dashed swiftly into the hall from outside, leaping several steps to the foot of the main stage.

Everyone felt a gust of wind sweep past and involuntarily drew a deep breath upon seeing what appeared.

Before them was a small beast covered in red bristles, with bulging round eyes and bared fangs, fierce and menacing.

“Father, is this... a Fire Hound?” Western Liang’s Prince Yanping’s heir, Murong Jing, exclaimed, turning to Murong Zhao, the Prince of Yanping, beside him for confirmation.

“That’s right,” Murong Zhao nodded, maintaining a dignified expression but secretly eager to watch the spectacle.

The Fire Hound was an ancient ferocious beast of Northern Di, small but extremely fierce, known as a “man-eater.” Though revered as a divine beast in Northern Di, for Wanyan Lü to bring such a savage creature on the Xuan Prince’s wedding day as a gift to the young master was clearly ill-intentioned.

The Fire Hound crouched below the steps, raising its head to emit a sharp, piercing shriek. Shen Qianmo frowned slightly. The azure-eyed spirit fox on her shoulder could no longer contain itself and leapt down with a “whoosh,” responding with a clear, high-pitched cry toward the aggressive Fire Hound. Its emerald eyes gleamed fiercely, as if challenging the beast.

“Xiao Guai, down!” Shen Qianmo called urgently.

Though Xiao Guai’s size was comparable to the Fire Hound’s, it was far less ferocious. Moreover, the azure-eyed fox was a coveted prey for all savage beasts, the Fire Hound included.

Sure enough, the Fire Hound’s eyes lit up instantly at the sight of the fox. With an excited howl, it hurtled like a fireball toward Shen Qianmo, its target clearly the fox on her shoulder.

“Impudent!” Meng Yuanheng roared. With a sweeping motion of his wide sleeve, a gust of wind caught the charging Fire Hound and forcefully flung it away — straight toward Wanyan Lü’s seat.

Seeing the defenseless Fire Hound hurtling toward him, Wanyan Lü had no choice but to rise and dodge backward. The beast landed with a dizzying thud in the empty seat, thoroughly agitated by Meng Yuanheng’s powerful strike and the failure to catch the fox.

Its ferocious nature fully unleashed, it lunged blindly at Wanyan Lü.

Pale with fright, Wanyan Lü frantically used his lightness skill to evade. The Fire Hound was Northern Di’s fiercest beast, notoriously difficult to tame. If it bit, it wouldn’t just take a piece of flesh—it would devour its prey completely.

As he dodged, he shouted at the guard who had whistled earlier, “You fool! Hurry and chase this beast away!”

However, no matter how much the guard whistled, the Fire Hound ignored him, relentlessly pursuing Wanyan Lü. The onlookers could only watch as the crown prince was chased, dodging and leaping in disarray. The more discreet exchanged glances, secretly amused, while the Meng family’s military officers laughed heartily and cheered—applauding their prince’s decisive strike earlier.

Meng Yuanheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, casually enjoying the farce unfolding in the hall. Shen Qianmo, holding Xiao Guai, also watched with calm detachment as Wanyan Lü scrambled helplessly.

Meng Yuanheng’s sweeping sleeve movement had been no mere flourish. She clearly saw him sprinkle some white powder onto the Fire Hound.

Judging by the beast’s current behavior, Shen Qianmo knew exactly what the powder was. But so what? The Fire Hound was a gift brought by the Northern Di themselves. Even if later investigations found something on it, it was their own affair, not Meng Yuanheng’s concern.

When Wanyan Lü had been sufficiently tormented, Shen Qianmo turned to a woman dressed in light aqua clothing standing in a corner and smiled gently, “Qing Lan, the Crown Prince’s gift is yours now. Go collect it.”