Chapter 114: The Japanese Princess—Hime Ryoka

"Welcome!" As I entered, two young women in kimonos bowed slightly and greeted me in Japanese.

Senbon Sakurako stepped out from the side. "Zhu Jun, I am very glad you could come!"

Just like last time, Senbon Sakurako was wearing a kimono; it seemed she was quite fond of this traditional attire. Compared to our previous meeting, today she wore a white kimono adorned with scattered floral patterns and embroidered cherry blossoms. Her hair was tied back with a bow, which elevated her refined aura significantly.

"Miss Sakurako, it has been a long time."

"Please, this way, Zhu Jun."

Zhu Lan nodded, bringing only Kong Yan inside while leaving the other two behind.

After walking through a Showa-style corridor, Senbon Sakurako carefully pushed open a door and gestured for Zhu Lan to enter with a respectful bow. Zhu Lan said nothing and walked in.

The room was decorated beautifully. In the center, a small courtyard featured several miniature cherry blossom trees. Through some unknown method, they had been made to bloom out of season. The entire room felt incredibly warm, and with the flowers and plants in the courtyard, it felt as though it were summer.

"Please, have a seat, Zhu Jun."

Zhu Lan nodded. Although he wasn't quite accustomed to it, he sat down. Senbon Sakurako sat beside him.

"Zhu Jun, thank you for coming today."

Zhu Lan shook his head. "Miss Sakurako, I think it would be better if we got straight to the point."

Senbon Sakurako did not take offense; Zhu Lan's personality was well-known to many.

"Hai, Zhu Jun."

*Clap, clap, clap.*

Senbon Sakurako clapped her hands. A young woman in a sky-blue kimono emerged from the side. When Zhu Lan saw her, he was instantly stunned.

Beautiful? That word was no longer sufficient.

She was around 1.6 meters tall, but that wasn't the point. The point was her face, which was as white and flawless as an infant’s. Her nose, eyes, lips, and chin were all of the highest order, and Zhu Lan could guarantee that this was her natural face, not makeup.

The young woman kept her head bowed, looking a bit shy. "Hello, Zhu Jun."

Her voice was as clear and melodic as a bird singing in the morning. Zhu Lan had never heard such a wonderful sound; it was a pure delight to listen to. He lost his composure.

Seeing Zhu Lan's reaction, Senbon Sakurako merely smiled. She didn't tease him; in her presence, almost everyone lost their composure.

"Zhu Jun, let me introduce you. This is my cousin, Ji Ruxiang."

"Ji Ruxiang? A beautiful name!"

Zhu Lan looked at Ji Ruxiang from time to time, while she remained too shy to look back at him. Zhu Lan suppressed the shock in his heart, regained his composure, and looked up at Senbon Sakurako.

"Are you satisfied, Zhu Jun?" Senbon Sakurako asked with a smile, gesturing toward Ji Ruxiang.

Zhu Lan was silent for a moment. "Is she your mysterious guest?"

Senbon Sakurako nodded. "Ji Ruxiang is the most gifted member of the Imperial family. Her voice is like that of a fairy. It took a great deal of sincerity on my part to convince my father to let her come."

"A member of the Imperial family?" Zhu Lan was astonished. Was Ji Ruxiang a Japanese princess?

This left Zhu Lan utterly shocked. Everyone knew the situation in Japan; there were countless princes and princesses, but very few were truly recognized. In reality, there were twenty or thirty princesses in the Japanese Imperial family, but likely only a few were officially acknowledged. The others were merely listed under the branch families rather than the Imperial household itself, even if their status as princesses was legitimate.

When Zhu Lan received the files on Ji Ruxiang, he finally understood that "Aristocratic Schools" truly existed. One such school was located on an island in the Atlantic Ocean, very close to the UK. This island did not appear on any map. It was massive, and it housed only one school, where every student was a member of a royal family from around the world. That was where Ji Ruxiang studied.

At fifteen, Ji Ruxiang had no fame in Japan because she would only be eligible to be formally tested for the status of a Japanese princess when she turned sixteen next year. While one might say she had no reputation, Zhu Lan disagreed. Her beauty alone was enough to crush anyone else, surpassing even the "beauty once in four thousand years" currently hyped on the internet.

Not only was she beautiful—like a girl who had walked straight out of a two-dimensional world—but her voice was even more astonishing to Zhu Lan. It was more pleasant than any sound in the world. If those two points weren't enough, there was the status of being a princess.

Zhu Lan finally understood why Senbon Sakurako had said the mysterious guest would surprise him—it was indeed a huge surprise! A Japanese princess who was beautiful and possessed an enchanting voice. Combining these factors, Zhu Lan couldn't find the adjectives to describe Ji Ruxiang.

"I remember the Imperial family has rules against members appearing in the public eye, don't they?"

Senbon Sakurako nodded, then shook her head, sighing. "Zhu Jun, you don't understand. Once Xiang returns to Japan, she faces an unknown destiny. As her cousin, I know all too well what her fate will be in this society. I can only do this much to give her another path."

Zhu Lan understood instantly. Senbon Sakurako wanted to "dump" Ji Ruxiang on him. While Fantasy Technology wasn't all-powerful, the things they possessed were enough to ensure the Japanese Imperial family wouldn't act rashly. To those in power, what was one woman? If the benefits were sufficient, they would gladly offer anything—even their own wives. One shouldn't underestimate the twisted logic of the Japanese elite.

"Miss Sakurako, you think too highly of me!"

"No, Zhu Jun. Your achievements are already beyond what many can compare to. I entrust Xiang to you!"

*Good grief,* Zhu Lan thought, speechless. She was forcing a woman on him—was this a variation of a honey trap?

"Please, Zhu Jun!"

Beside them, Ji Ruxiang kept her head down, saying nothing and offering no objection.

Zhu Lan thought for a moment and shook his head. "Miss Sakurako, I’m afraid I cannot help with this matter."

Was he unmoved? A beauty delivered to his doorstep—a shy, anime-like girl. He was tempted, of course, but he had to consider the bigger picture.

"Zhu Jun, I know what you are worried about. Xiang's situation is purely a personal matter. It will not involve any politics, nor will it affect the business dealings between Fantasy Technology and the Sakura Group. The Sakura Group will not use this to raise any demands with Fantasy Technology. This is entirely my own doing and has nothing to do with my country or my company!"

Zhu Lan still shook his head. "I cannot make a decision on this. Let's leave it at that for today. The tea was truly excellent."

"Zhu Jun!!!"

Zhu Lan waved his hand, said nothing further, pushed the door open, and walked out.

After Zhu Lan left, Ji Ruxiang looked up, her eyes welling with tears. "Cousin, did we fail?"

Senbon Sakurako was not discouraged. She smiled and shook her head at Ji Ruxiang. "Xiang, you are still too young. Zhu Jun is already tempted; it’s just that Chinese people are very reserved. I will apply a little more pressure, and your matter will definitely be resolved."

"Okay, cousin, I'll listen to you."

"Cousin, is this Zhu Jun really as the files described?"

"Xiang, would your cousin lie to you? I selected many people before choosing Zhu Jun. In terms of conditions, the princes of Europe have better prospects. In terms of wealth, any of the people I considered had assets greater than Zhu Lan's."

"And in terms of looks, the princes of several Asian countries are much more handsome than Zhu Lan."

"If that’s the case, cousin, why did you still choose him?" Ji Ruxiang did not understand. If he didn't meet the top criteria, why choose him?

Senbon Sakurako shook her head. "Xiang, you are still too young to understand. While other princes are fine, they have little chance of inheriting the throne. And while those crown princes have a chance, you couldn't possibly compete with your seniors for their favor."

Ji Ruxiang nodded, possessing self-awareness. In terms of background, a Japanese princess was certainly good, but there were many others with royal backgrounds. The most powerful was the British royal family, and almost every country in Europe had some blood ties to them.

Wasn't World War I a bit absurd? In the end, it was just a family feud. Did you really think it was about survival? At the time, Germany wanted land, but the British grandmother wouldn't allow it, and Germany was unhappy. Why should France have so much? Britain was even less happy when they heard that, telling them to go seize it themselves if they were capable.

Ultimately, the World War was just an internal conflict of the British royal family. Which country in Europe or the Americas didn't have any ties to the British royal family? Wealth? The so-called financial groups of the world were nothing compared to the British royal family. If the royal assets were ever revealed, they would be unimaginable. At the peak of the British Empire, the titles granted by the British throne were the most authoritative in the world. From high officials to commoners, everyone aimed to receive a title. To get one, one had to make sufficient contributions, and many chose to donate precious treasures. Imagine how many rare items the British Empire acquired! Now, each one is worth a fortune.

Ji Ruxiang's status was decent, but compared to the British princesses, she was far behind. Because of this, the only princes Ji Ruxiang could choose were those low in the line of succession. These princes, aside from their annual stipend, might hold one or two businesses, but they would never have a chance at the throne. Even if Ji Ruxiang married one, it would bring very little benefit.

To an ordinary person, marrying a prince might be the height of happiness, but from an Imperial perspective, low-ranking princes had little value. Only those at the front of the line held weight. Princes were rare, while princesses were abundant globally. Furthermore, some princes disliked arranged marriages and sought out their own loves; there were many such cases in Europe.