Chapter 79
The following afternoon, Aurora and Duke Owen travelled to the palace for the welcome banquet Her Majesty had arranged in honour of Lady Aurora and Lady Katherine's return from the East.
The capital was alive with excitement.
Merchants called out from colourful stalls, children darted through the busy streets laughing, and travellers from neighbouring kingdoms admired the bustling city.
Aurora rested her chin against the carriage window and smiled.
"I've missed this," she said softly.
Owen glanced at her, "The noise?"
"The people," Aurora replied. "There's something comforting about seeing everyone living their ordinary lives."
The duke smiled proudly, "You've changed."
Aurora laughed, "I hope that's a compliment."
"It is."
Their carriage slowed as it approached the palace gates.
Suddenly...Raised voices echoed ahead.
A richly dressed foreign merchant stood beside several beautifully decorated wagons filled with carved wooden crates. His attendants looked equally anxious while several palace guards stood in front of them, completely bewildered.
One guard rubbed his forehead.
"I have no idea what he's saying."
Another sighed.
"I don't even know what language he's speaking."
The merchant tried again, speaking rapidly.
"我们是应国王邀请来的！货物不能一直留在外面！"
The guards exchanged another helpless look.
Aurora blinked, "Father..."
Owen followed her gaze, "What is it?"
"I think they need help."
Before Owen could answer, Aurora stepped gracefully from the carriage.
Emily hurried after her.
The merchant noticed Aurora approaching and immediately began speaking again.
Aurora smiled warmly before answering in fluent Mandarin.
(Greetings. Please don't worry. I can translate for you.)
The merchant froze. His eyes widened. Then relief flooded his face.
"You... you speak Mandarin?"
Aurora laughed softly.
"I studied in your country for two years."
The merchant's entire expression brightened.
"Wonderful!"
He clasped his hands together gratefully.
One of the guards looked between them, "You... understand all that?"
Aurora nodded.
"He says His Majesty invited him to discuss trade. He's been waiting nearly half an hour because no one could understand him."
The guards looked embarrassed.
"Our apologies..."
Merchant Liang waved his hands.
"No! No! Not your fault."
Aurora translated with a smile.
"He says there's no need to apologize."
The guards visibly relaxed.
Just then...Brian arrived with several royal knights.
King Lucian had personally ordered him to escort the merchant safely into the palace.
Instead...
Brian found Aurora calmly chatting in perfect Mandarin.
He pulled his horse to a stop.
"...Lady Aurora?"
Theo, riding beside him, frowned in disbelief.
"She's speaking Mandarin."
Brian blinked, "Fluently..."
Theo scratched his head, "I suddenly feel very uneducated."
Aurora turned and smiled, "Young Duke Brian."
Brian dismounted, "My Lady..."
He looked toward the merchant, "What exactly is happening?"
Aurora gestured politely.
"This is Merchant Liang. His Majesty invited him to discuss trade between our kingdoms, but unfortunately no one here speaks his language."
Merchant Liang bowed politely.
Aurora translated.
"He says he's honoured to finally meet the King's trusted knights."
Brian chuckled, "I think His Majesty owes you thanks."
Aurora shook her head.
"I only happened to be passing."
Merchant Liang laughed heartily.
"Lady Aurora is far too modest."
Aurora translated his words, making Brian grin.
"I believe him."
Turner finally spoke, "My Lady..."
Aurora looked at him.
"I knew you studied medicine...", He smiled, "But somehow you forgot to mention you also learned another language."
Aurora laughed, "There wasn't enough time to mention everything."
Brian folded his arms, "At this rate I'm expecting you to tell us you've learned to fly."
Aurora tilted her head thoughtfully, "I didn't quite master that."
Theo nodded seriously.
"Shame."
Everyone laughed.
Even the tense guards couldn't help smiling.
Inside the palace...
Merchant Liang entered the audience chamber.
King Lucian rose from his seat to welcome him.
Merchant Liang bowed deeply before speaking rapidly.
"陛下，感谢您的邀请。我非常期待与贵国建立长久的贸易关系。"
The ministers looked completely lost.
Aurora stepped forward calmly.
"Your Majesty, Merchant Liang thanks you for your gracious invitation and says he looks forward to establishing a long and prosperous trade relationship between our kingdoms."
Lucian nodded, "Please tell him the feeling is mutual."
Aurora translated.
Merchant Liang smiled broadly before continuing.
His speech grew longer.
Aurora listened patiently before turning back toward the King.
"Merchant Liang also wishes to express his gratitude for allowing me to study in his homeland."
She smiled modestly.
"He says I earned the respect of many scholars, physicians, and merchants because I never looked down on anyone and was always eager to learn."
Soft murmurs spread through the ministers.
One elderly minister whispered,
"I thought she merely studied medicine."
Another quietly replied, "It seems Lady Aurora studied everything."
Merchant Liang continued enthusiastically.
Aurora laughed before translating.
"He says many people still speak fondly of the young foreign noblewoman who insisted on carrying her own books instead of letting servants do it."
Several ministers chuckled.
Even King Lucian smiled, "I can believe that."
Merchant Liang pointed playfully toward Aurora again.
More Mandarin followed.
Aurora covered her face slightly.
"Your Majesty...", Lucian smiled, "What did he say?"
Aurora looked mildly embarrassed.
"He says... I once argued with three professors because I believed one of their treatments could be improved."
Merchant Liang nodded enthusiastically.
"对！她赢了！"
Aurora sighed.
"He says... I won."
The room erupted in warm laughter.
One elderly physician laughed so hard he nearly dropped his spectacles.
King Lucian couldn't stop smiling, "So, you've been challenging doctors overseas as well?"
Aurora gave an innocent smile, "They eventually admitted I was correct."
The laughter grew louder.
Merchant Liang added one final sentence.
Aurora's expression softened.
"He says..."
She paused.
"...that although I was born in another kingdom, China will always consider me family."
Silence settled over the room.
Aurora bowed respectfully toward Merchant Liang.
"And I shall always consider your homeland my second home."
Merchant Liang returned the bow. 你永远都是受欢迎的。
"You will always be welcome." (Mandarin )
As the meeting concluded, Merchant Liang and his attendants were escorted away.
The ministers slowly dispersed.
Lucian remained standing. His eyes followed Aurora.
Not the merchant.
Aurora.
Her confidence...Her kindness...The effortless way she moved between two cultures.
When had she become so remarkable?
He finally spoke, "Lady Aurora."
She turned gracefully, "Your Majesty?"
"If you have some time after tonight's banquet..."
He hesitated, "...would you honour me by joining me for tea in the royal gardens?"
Aurora studied him quietly, "For official business?"
Lucian smiled faintly, "No."
A brief silence followed.
"For something... personal."
Aurora held his gaze for a moment before giving a respectful nod.
"Very well, Your Majesty."
"I will come."
She curtsied before walking away with Emily.
Brian watched her disappear down the corridor.
He slowly shook his head, "I almost forgot..."
Theo looked at him, "What?"
Brian smiled, "She left us as a curious sixteen-year-old girl."
He looked toward the palace doors where Aurora had vanished.
"But she didn't return as the same person."
Turner watched silently, unable to take his eyes off the corridor.
"No..."
A smile of quiet admiration crossed his face.
"She returned as a woman capable of changing an entire kingdom."
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