8 Egypt (3)

After that night, Ramesses sent countless pieces of jewelry and exquisite dresses. Among them was a golden serpent bracelet, its eyes set with rubies. Yun Yao loved it dearly and wore it every day.

It had been a month since she arrived at the palace, yet she still could not understand the Egyptian language. To her, all spoken words were a jumble of nonsense. She was too lazy to learn anyway; after all, learning a new language was exhausting. Playing games was meant for relaxation, not study.

Yun Yao was wilful, speaking her own tongue without concern for whether others understood. Language barriers formed the deepest chasm, a locked door between her and the world. She would not step through it, so naturally others sought to come over to her side.

Ramesses, eager to get close to her, sought every means to learn Chinese. Soon, he mastered some vocabulary, and through half-guesswork and half-understanding, they managed simple exchanges.

Yun Yao finally learned that she was believed to be the Daughter of the Nile, which she outright denied. She said, “I am not the Daughter of the Nile. I come from a distant eastern empire: Huaxia.” She pointed toward the rising sun, where the light shone brilliantly.

She explained, “I sailed the world by ship, was caught in a storm, hid inside a box, and drifted here. When I opened my eyes, I saw you.” Yun Yao shattered the divine halo around her with her own hands, yet her radiance remained undiminished. She scorned deceit and false fame, even if it would have brought her unparalleled honor.

She hailed from the greatest empire in the East, its vast lands rivaling those of Egypt. She was not the Daughter of the Nile—she was the daughter of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers! This identity filled her with pride.

Her sincerity and confidence struck Ramesses like an arrow, deepening his fascination. He took her hand, pressed a kiss upon it, and declared firmly, “Even if you are not the Daughter of the Nile, it must be the will of the Nile itself that brought you to me.”

Yun Yao could not deny this and smiled, nodding in agreement.

........................................................................

To help Yun Yao communicate better, Ramesses decreed that everyone in the palace, including officials, must learn the divine language. Yes, even though he knew she was not the Daughter of the Nile.

But from a political standpoint, he would not clarify this to the public. In the future, having the Daughter of the Nile as his queen would further solidify his reign.

........................................................................

At first, only the palace learned the divine language, but somehow the news spread. Everyone wished to be closer to the gods, so the entire nation began learning it.

At last, Yun Yao truly assimilated into Egypt.

Where others would adapt to foreign customs and learn the local tongue, she made the foreign land adapt to her instead. It was not that she integrated into Egypt; Egypt integrated into her.

........................................................................

After some time, Ramesses’ Chinese improved greatly. One night, as Yun Yao was about to sleep, singing came from outside the window. This time, it was in Chinese.

“My love is unique; no one can replace her. She is the most beautiful woman in the world. When she passed by me, she stole my heart. Because of her, the sun shines bright. Gods of Egypt, please hear my plea and grant me her love.”

Yun Yao finally understood. She felt the passionate love in the song and had her maid open the door.

Ramesses stepped in under the moonlight.

Unsure of her meaning, he quietly watched her. Perhaps she only wanted him to come in and sit.

Until a hand rested upon his chest.

The muscular chest bore a luxurious necklace that gleamed brilliantly, striking in appearance. This body was like a perfect work of art, yet exuded a wild allure.

Ramesses generously allowed her touch, even smiling faintly.

The maid silently drew the curtain and withdrew.

........................................................................

Half a month later,

Within the Hittite palace, a handsome young man entered the great hall and bowed before the king.

The king, holding a scepter, stood tall, his figure cloaked in radiance.

“Slut, have you heard that the Pharaoh of Egypt is to marry the Daughter of the Nile?”

Slut replied, “I heard that on the day of Ramesses’ sacrifice, a stunning woman drifted down the Nile with many treasures. It is said the Nile loves Ramesses and will give him his daughter. Those treasures are her dowry.”

The king asked, “What do you think?”

Slut said, “I think Ramesses is staging a spectacle. He found a beautiful woman, hid her in a box, and floated her down from upstream, claiming she is the Daughter of the Nile to strengthen his power. His reputation in Egypt has already peaked, far surpassing his father.”

At this, Slut could not help but admire him. To devise such a scheme showed cunning.

The king said, “I hear Nubia, Syria, and Palestine have sent envoys with gifts. Hittite must not be rude. You will be our envoy to Egypt to see this so-called Daughter of the Nile.”

Slut immediately grasped the deeper meaning and said, “As you command.”

He led the delegation across the desert, enduring a long and arduous journey to Egypt.

Dust-covered and weary, Slut found an inn to rest.

The next day, by chance, it was the Pharaoh’s wedding day. The streets swarmed with crowds, shoulder to shoulder.

People whispered excitedly, their eyes shining with anticipation.

“The Pharaoh has married the Daughter of the Nile. Egypt will surely be blessed by the gods!”

Slut sneered inwardly at the people's foolishness. He did not believe in any Daughter of the Nile.

After a long wait, the procession finally appeared.

Soldiers cleared the way on both sides; a palanquin carried the Pharaoh and his queen.

At first, she was but a vague shape, but as she drew closer, her figure grew clear.

Her skin was as white as snow, her face gentle and graceful, her eyes like stars in the sky.

She was unbelievably beautiful, like a miracle.

As she came before him, all rumors seemed believable.

Slut stood frozen, as if struck in the soul.

Heavens above, could she truly be the Daughter of the Nile?

When the figure passed before him, Slut finally regained his senses.

He watched the procession fade into the distance but followed with his men.

Hittite and Egypt were rivals, vying for supremacy. As an envoy, he had a mission.

The Daughter of the Nile had raised Ramesses’ prestige—a sight Hittite did not wish to see. He would shatter this myth and bring the beauty down from her pedestal.

If Ramesses abandoned her, Slut would take her back to Hittite to become his prince’s consort.