The father and son duo steeled themselves for their unknown journey, unaware that dark forces had taken hold of Wang Jianhong - the malevolent, wily spirit, Gui, the nine-tailed fox shapeshifted as ZhenZhu, the ethereal pearl.
At long last, after days of travel, Wang Shuaiyue, Wang Jianhong and their company reached Qingyang and stood before the formidable Knight Magenta Winding Wolf. Ready and eager to impress the noble warrior, they presented themselves before him with the utmost respect.
Upon seeing Wang Shuaiyue position his troops outside the city, Zi Cheng was enraged by the general's insubordination in disregarding the Queen's command on his arrival. Thus, he successfully persuaded Queen Kuang Lingxuan to sentence Wang Shuaiyue to death the following day.
On the following day, Wang Jianhong remained in the Platinium Fete Palace while Wang Shuaiye marched in, resplendent in his Regal robes, yet with an air of humility and exceptional grace. His head bowed in recognition of his past transgression and, vocalizing his surrender, he knelt before the Queen and declared in wireless but utter solemnity that he deserved nothing less than death for his insubordination.
''Your Highness, this servant deserves death!'' Wang Shuaiyue knelt in front of the queen.
A solemn silence prevailed in the throne hall, until, a gust of wind stirred the heavenly canopy and it was then that a voice could be heard from the corner.
"There must be reason in mercy, Your Majesty!" The voice spoke.
Royal Minister Tan Rougang, poised elegantly in his golden tangzhuang, stepped forward, his black hair shining like the sun, to intercede on Wang Shuaiyue's behalf. He argued that Wang Shuaiyue's insubordination was not intentional, but rather a sign of utmost loyalty to his Queen.
He further reasoned that as the Kingdom of Kang prospers through Wang Shuaiyue's victories and achievements, so too, should the Queen show mercy and clemency to this exemplary Duke.
After a few moments of deliberation, Queen Kuang Linxuan relented. She allowed Wang Shuaiyue to live. ''You shall be forgiven if your son agrees to marry the princess within five days span!''
Wang Shuaiyue raised his head to look at the queen-he let out a cold sigh. Bowing his head again, he nodded silently.
He heard the queen speaking again, ''If you don't agree, you would be stripped of your rank, forbidding you from ever commanding an army again. And-!''
She continued, ''Your son would be executed and his head would be hung above the capital gates!''
Wang Shuaiyue's eyes widened, not expecting the queen to make such an ultimatum. He clenched his fists as tears stung his vision. He knew his only son, Wang Jianhong, would be the one to bear the brunt of the punishment if he didn't agree to the demand.
Wang Shuaiyue knew he had no choice but to accept the Queen's decree. So, with an agonizingly heavy heart, Wang Shuaiyue quietly spoke, ''I accept the royal decree.'' His voice was low but clear.
With these words, Wang Shuaiyue stood and bowed deeply to the Queen before departing the throne hall.
Wang Jianhong was still in the Platinium Fete Palace- pacing around the room-panicking! Just then Zhenzhu arrived.
''Young master!'' She let out a cry. Worried written on her face, ''The royals are planning to execute you if you don't marry the princess within a few days''. ZhenZhu informed him.
Upon meeting his son, Wang Shuaiyue informed him that the Queen has demanded that he marry the princess or face death. Wang Jianhong sat, silent and crestfallen.
His father reassured him that it was his sole duty to fulfil the decree, as it was to protect him. Jianhong could not help but feel a heavy burden surge onto his shoulders.
The next day, Wang Jianhong was presented in the throne hall, in front of Queen Kuang Lingxuan.
The scene was abuzz with conversation as everyone within the court waited to view the spectacle they had heard of—young Master Wang Jianhong.
Then, all of a sudden, a hush descended over the court. Everyone seemed to be holding their breaths, their eyes transfixed on the door leading to the throne room.
Slowly, the heavy wooden doors opened, allowing Master Wang Jianhong to step elegantly into the room. All eyes were upon him, his beauty blinding those present with its grandeur.
His tattered clothing rippled with every move. His skin was a sun-kissed caramel, his hair the colour of the finest silks.
Queen Kuang Lingxuan and her daughter, Princess Kuang Yufei, watched with the same wonderment as everyone else. They were both in awe of his magnificence, mesmerized like everyone else around them.
Even in such austere surroundings, Master Wang's beauty seemed to be a beacon of light, a reminder of a world outside of the court walls.
The queen finally broke the silence. "Behold, a living, breathing god among men!".
The princess further admired and echoed her mother's remarks in her mind. Everyone present looked on in awe of Master Wang Jianhong's undeniable beauty.
In that instant, the princess had fallen in love- in love with the enigmatic, handsome Young Master Wang Jianhong. The princess of Wei herself seemed to be almost envious of Master Wang's presence within his realm.
Wang Jianhong—unaware of the influence his beauty had—meekly bowed before them both, causing Princess Kuang Yufei to witness the sincere sense of humbleness and servitude emanating from the depths of his being.
Without warning, she found herself drawn to his kind-hearted nature in addition to his stunning attributes. She looked over to her mother, her eyes gleaming with an intensity rarely seen before, as she quickly declared her affection for him out loud.
''My beloved Wang Jianhong, he is the one that I will marry!"
The Queen, taken aback by her sudden proclamation, slowly composed herself and turned to her daughter beneath the canopy.
''My Daughter, thou hast thine wish!''. She then proceeded to inform Wang Jianhong of the fact that he was to be betrothed to Princess Kuang Yufei.
Wang Jianhong, still slightly puzzled as to the nature of the announcement, gratefully bowed in acceptance. He silently wondered if someone as distinguished and beautiful as the princess would ever wish to betroth herself to a lowly stablehand such as himself.
Suddenly he heard a voice in his ear, ''Young master, don't forget; You can marry her but you can not love her. The princess is her mother's golden puppet!''.
Either way, the Princess's attraction to him was mutual, and soon the two would be betrothed.
The royal court erupted into exuberant cheers as the fate of the two young stars-to-be was set.
Queen Kunag Lingxuan thought Wang Jianhong and Princess Kuang Yufei had found joy in each other and the bond between the two was sealed under the blessing of the Queen- little did she know, she invited her death with open arms.
With an authoritative air, the Queen commanded the servants to bring wine and summon Minister Tan Ruogang to her chamber. Biding them to not tarry, she awaited the Minister's arrival.
Minister Tan Ruogang stood in front of her and cleared his throat and declared loud and clear, ''Your Highness, Wang Shuaiyue's son undeniably has remarkable skills and his beauty is wondrous, yet I cannot recommend this match for the princess.''
Queen stared at him, ''What do you want to say?''
Minister Tan Ruogang paused, then said, The late Duke of North districts Jiang Yao Shan's son has returned''.
"The late Duke of North district," Queen spat out mockingly. "Minister Tan Ruogang, I suggest you not forget his unexplained demise."
''But the Jiang Famly's graveyard cannot lie!'' Minister Tan Ruogang put weight in his words,
''His son, Jiang Xicheng, the Dao child has returned to Earth. He was spotted near his sect. Your Highness, he's the best match for our crown princess''.
The Queen thought deeply and nodded her head quietly.