Yangling Princess was most adept at reading expressions, and Liu Sanzhi's reminder signaled that His Majesty did not wish to hear more from her: "Understood."
Only after Yangling Princess departed did Youning Emperor snort coldly: "I deliberately leaked the intention of a marriage alliance to gauge their reactions. Never did I expect my own daughter to be the first to lose composure—discarding all propriety to avoid the alliance."
Had Youning Emperor not tacitly permitted it, how could the news of Tubo's marital intentions have leaked so early?
The emperor used this to test the court's stance, yet these slippery officials remained silent.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger," Liu Sanzhi hurriedly soothed. "The princess is young and delicately bred. Even common maidens would fret over distant marriages—her reaction is only natural."
Youning Emperor descended the dais and entered the side hall, hands clasped behind his back as he studied the territorial map, his gaze fixed intently on Tubo.
Tubo bordered the northwest to its left and Shu'nan to its right. If Tubo could be conquered...
"This time, there will be no marriage alliance!"
The emperor's eyes sharpened like a falcon's, though a flicker of pain crossed them.
Twenty years ago, newly enthroned and constrained from all sides, he could only watch helplessly as his beloved was forced into a political marriage.
All these years, midnight dreams would resurrect that day—her tearfully prying his fingers open: "Your Majesty, this humble one has known no regret in this life, having been graced by Your Majesty's regard. Possessing nothing of worth, I bitterly regret my inability to share your burdens. That I may now offer this meager service for Your Majesty and our people is my fortune.
Do not grieve, Your Majesty. I depart never to return, praying only that you bring stability to the realm, elevate our nation's prestige, strengthen its might, and revive its spirit!
May I be the last daughter of Han forced into political marriage—may Han maidens never again suffer this fate!"
Tears streaked like meteors behind the emperor's eyes. All believed the sovereign could act as he wished, yet he had failed to protect even one gentle woman.
He was no longer that puppet emperor manipulated by eunuchs, ministers, and warlords. In twenty years he had achieved his goals—never again would Han maidens be sent away in marriage alliances. If war came, then let it be war!
"Save me, Youyou!" Bu Shulin's distant cries interrupted Shen Xihe's contemplation of further schemes against Yangling Princess.
Shen Xihe had grown accustomed to her dramatic entrances, not even looking up as she meticulously trimmed her plants.
"Youyou, Youyou!" Bu Shulin rushed forward to grasp Shen Xihe's wrist. "Yangling Princess has gone mad—she actually petitioned His Majesty to grant marriage! To me!"
Only then did Shen Xihe still her hands, lifting her eyes through dappled leaf-shadows: "To you?"
"Yes, she wants to marry me!" Bu Shulin fumed, her cheeks aching with frustration.
At this moment Mo Yuan entered, nodding slightly to Shen Xihe.
When Yangling Princess sought the marriage decree, Youning Emperor hadn't dismissed his attendants. News spread rapidly through palace and city alike. Mo Yuan had come to deliver this information, overhearing Bu Shulin's exclamations from afar and thus confirming them to Shen Xihe.
"Where did I slip up?" Bu Shulin couldn't comprehend why Yangling would suddenly conceive such an idea.
Unlike Youning Emperor, she didn't believe the princess was merely avoiding political marriage. The capital teemed with suitable young men—many could wed a princess, though taking a royal bride was like inviting an ancestor into one's household. Still, if the princess herself acted reasonably and respected elders, even reluctant grooms might soften over time.Yangling Princess had no shortage of suitors to marry, yet she insisted on marrying a profligate who preferred men! Bu Shulin could only wonder where she had slipped up.
"It's not because of you." Shen Xihe let out a short, cold laugh. "She truly is clever."
Never would she have imagined that Yangling Princess would resort to such a move to save her own life.
By publicly seeking the imperial decree for marriage, Yangling Princess made it impossible for Shen Xihe to act against her now. If anything were to happen to the princess, Bu Shulin wouldn't be able to explain herself even with ten mouths. This would be extremely disadvantageous for Bu Shulin—even without evidence, His Majesty would likely order the Embroidered Uniform Envoys to keep constant watch over her.
If Bu Shulin were truly a man, it wouldn't matter. But she was an imposter, unable to withstand the relentless scrutiny of the Embroidered Uniform Envoys.
"Huh?" Bu Shulin was utterly confused. "Is there something I don't know?"
Shen Xihe lowered her head again to trim the branches and leaves. "This matter began because of me. You needn't worry—I will resolve it for you."
"Youyou, you're my own sister! You treat me best in this world!" Bu Shulin beamed with happiness, completely missing the first part of Shen Xihe's words and only hearing that she would solve the problem. She immediately threw herself toward Shen Xihe.
She wanted to hug her, but Shen Xihe, no longer the frail young woman who had just arrived in the capital and needed to avoid sudden movements, sidestepped deftly. Bu Shulin stumbled forward, nearly falling headfirst.
"Youyou!" Bu Shulin pouted.
Setting the scissors on the tray held by her maid, Shen Xihe turned to wash her hands. Bu Shulin followed, scooping some of Shen Xihe's fragrant balm and washing up as well. Afterward, she couldn't resist sniffing her hands. "Youyou, this balm is different from the one I bought at Living-Alone Pavilion."
"This is a fragrant balm for young ladies," Shen Xihe replied indifferently.
Bu Shulin:
Her eyes darting around, Bu Shulin noticed the sewing nearby—a ruqun skirt, with a white hem embroidered with golden Eucommia leaves, paired with a xiangfei-colored blouse and a crimson shawl. No matter how she looked at it, it was exquisite.
"This is for women to wear," Shen Xihe said, taking it from her hands.
Bu Shulin's heart clenched. "Youyou, your needlework is truly exceptional!"
Since she could remember, she had been raised as a boy. She was skilled in martial arts and weaponry but had never learned any of the feminine arts expected of women.
"Youyou, could you give this set of clothes to me?" Bu Shulin couldn't resist stroking the fabric, unsure what material it was—smooth and cool to the touch, undoubtedly lightweight and sweat-free for summer wear.
"To store away at the bottom of your chest?" Shen Xihe cast her a faint glance.
"I'll wear it! I'll wear it in secret!" Bu Shulin pleaded eagerly. "I've never worn a dress in my life. I've never been interested in women's attire before, but for some reason, this set looks so beautiful to me—I want to try it on."
The fervor in her eyes was genuine. Since childhood, she had never worn feminine robes or gold hairpins, having ingrained the identity of a young man into her very bones. She had no skill in needlework, but she had to learn even more arduously than real women. Take calligraphy, for instance—she couldn't afford the delicate, graceful strokes typical of women.
"I can give it to you," Shen Xihe relented, her heart softening. "But keep it hidden. Don't try it on."
The slightest misstep could mean a fatal charge of deceiving the emperor.
Warmth flooded Bu Shulin's chest. She wrapped her arms around Shen Xihe's shoulders, holding her gently and resting her head against Shen Xihe's shoulder. Tears glistened in her eyes. "Youyou, you treat me so well."She lived her life in solitude, guarding a life-or-death secret, never daring to form deep connections with anyone. Sent to the capital at the age of three, she spent every day in constant fear and anxiety.
OpenNovel