Led by Consort Xue and Zheng Biyu, the palace consorts and noblewomen stood atop the partitioned wall, watching the gold-inlaid carriage disappear into the western horizon amidst the escort of Black-clad Armored Warriors.
Like foxes mourning the death of a hare, they grieved for their own kind. The consorts felt a pang of sorrow, silently gazing into the distance.
Zheng Biyu withdrew her gaze, turned away from the crowd, and asked her maid, "Why didn’t Fukang Princess come today to bid farewell to Princess Wenzhao?"
The maid whispered, "Your Highness, Fukang Princess has fallen ill."
Zheng Biyu let out a cold laugh. "To the Princess’s residence."
The chief steward of the princess’s residence dared not let Zheng Biyu and her entourage enter. "Your Highness, the princess is ill and cannot receive guests."
Without even glancing at the steward, Zheng Biyu ordered the Crown Prince’s Guards to force their way in.
"Even if Fukang Princess is on the verge of death, she must go to bid farewell to Princess Wenzhao! If she cannot leave her bed, have her carried there!"
The steward’s eyes widened in shock. "Your Highness, are you not afraid of the Crown Prince’s reprimand?"
Zheng Biyu’s maid stepped forward and slapped the steward across the face. "Impudent servant! How dare you threaten Her Highness the Crown Princess?"
The steward, caught off guard by the usually gentle and dignified Crown Princess publicly humiliating him, failed to dodge in time. Staggering from the blow, he swayed several times before steadying himself, taking a long moment to regain his composure.
The guards soon found Zhu Lvyun and dragged her out of the princess’s residence.
Her face was pale, tear-streaked, and she appeared frail and delicate, as if genuinely ill.
Zheng Biyu cast her a cold glance. "Princess Wenzhao is taking your place to marry into the Yelu Tribe. Shouldn’t you have seen her off?"
Zhu Lvyun bit her lip, two streams of tears trickling down. "I’ve wronged the Seventh Princess… I never imagined things would turn out this way… It was my aunt’s attendant who deceived me…"
A faint, mocking smile tugged at Zheng Biyu’s lips. She signaled the guards to support Zhu Lvyun and brought her to the partitioned wall.
At the sight of Zhu Lvyun, the meticulously maintained faces of the consorts darkened instantly, while the younger princesses and noblewomen sneered with disdain.
Hearing the deliberately loud, mocking whispers of the consorts and noblewomen, Zhu Lvyun forced herself not to lower her head.
Zheng Biyu pointed toward the west, her vermilion-painted nail lightly tracing Zhu Lvyun’s delicate cheek.
"Look carefully. The one who should have been in that carriage was you."
It all began with her reckless betrothal, which gave Wei Ming the idea to target the Seventh Princess.
Zhu Lvyun’s lips turned pale.
Suddenly, Zheng Biyu flicked her finger lightly.
A sharp pain shot across Zhu Lvyun’s face. She shuddered and clutched her cheek tightly.
Zheng Biyu seized her hand, her fingertips gently rubbing the small cut she had made on Zhu Lvyun’s face. "Zhu Lvyun, no matter how much the Crown Prince indulged you in the past, I never once complained about you."
As a daughter of a noble family, she dared not hope for her husband’s undivided love. What she needed was his respect and the benefits this marriage brought to her family.
Since the Crown Prince favored Zhu Lvyun, she could magnanimously tolerate her, allowing Zhu Lvyun to act willfully and spoiled under the Crown Prince’s affection.
But clearly, her tolerance had not earned Zhu Lvyun’s restraint.
The Crown Prince treated Zhu Lvyun as an extension of himself, repeatedly cleaning up her messes. If this continued, who knew what catastrophic mistakes Zhu Lvyun might make next?
As the mistress of the Crown Prince’s Palace and the mother of the Crown Prince’s heir, she could not allow Zhu Lvyun to continue running wild."I give you two choices." Zheng Biyu wiped the blood droplets from Zhu Lvyun's face. "Leave Chang'an and never set foot in the imperial city again, or obediently move into the Crown Prince's Palace's rear courtyard and serve the Crown Prince."
Zhu Lvyun's eyes were blurred with tears, but she remained silent, her expression stubborn.
Zheng Biyu sneered, "Zhu Lvyun, the previous dynasty fell long ago."
Did Zhu Lvyun truly believe all the court officials still harbored loyalty to the former dynasty?
No, noble families would always remain loyal only to their own clans.
Their willingness to protect Zhu Lvyun stemmed only partially from guilt toward the last emperor. Their true purpose was to use her as a bargaining chip—to remind Li De that the Li family were former officials of the previous dynasty, thereby limiting imperial power.
Once she became an ordinary concubine by the Crown Prince's side, she would come to understand that her status as a princess of the former dynasty would bring her little dignity or respect.
Zhu Lvyun clenched her jaw, her expression filled with humiliation.
...
The carriage left the city, leaving behind the roaring crowds that surged like waves in the golden autumn sunlight.
Armored Imperial Guards of Honor silently escorted the carriage, followed by a ceremonial band vigorously playing joyful music. The melodies mingled with the dull, monotonous clip-clop of hooves, while colorful banners unfurled and flapped in the wind.
Qin Fei informed Yaoying that it would take three to four days of travel after leaving Chang'an to reach the Yelu Tribe's temporary encampment.
Yaoying slept leaning against an armrest and woke at dusk.
With the turbulent times, even traveling within Great Wei's borders beyond Chang'an wasn't entirely safe. The party stopped to rest at an official courier station. The local stationmaster had prepared a congratulatory gift for Yaoying and wished to present it to her personally, but Qin Fei flatly refused, forcing the stationmaster to ask him to deliver it instead.
Exhausted from jostling in the carriage all day, Yaoying hastily ate some soup noodles and went to bed.
She slept until the middle of the night when she was abruptly awakened by noisy voices outside her window.
Throwing on her clothes, Yaoying rose to see a brilliant fiery glow reflected against the window, accompanied by the faint crackle of burning flames. Shouts, angry yells, and frantic footsteps echoed from both upstairs and downstairs.
With a loud crash, the door was shoved open and then gently closed. In the dim light, several young men in light armor rushed to Yaoying and bowed.
"Princess, quickly, come with us to escape this place!"
Yaoying recognized them as Imperial Guards of Honor assigned to escort her, including two young masters from noble families. Frowning slightly, she took two steps back.
The leader, his face slick with sweat, stamped his foot anxiously. "Princess, if we don't leave now, we'll miss our chance. We set fire to the stables and several tents to create a diversion. Qin Fei is leading the firefighting efforts—this is our opportunity to take you away."
Remaining calm, Yaoying replied with feigned worry, "Even if we leave, where can we go? No matter how far we run, we'll eventually be captured."
Believing he had persuaded her, the young man grinned triumphantly. "Don't be afraid, Princess. We've arranged for allies to meet us. Once we rescue you, we'll head straight south to Southern Chu! Once there, not even the Emperor or Crown Prince can hold us accountable!"
Yaoying's heart stirred. She scanned each of their faces carefully. "All of you are young with bright futures ahead. You really shouldn't take such a great risk for my sake."
The young man nervously wiped his sweat, listening intently for any movement outside. "We have long admired you, Princess, and couldn't bear to see you married off so far away. To rescue you, we would gladly risk our lives."Yaoying smiled faintly and asked, "Where are my guards?"
The young man was momentarily stunned when sudden horse whinnies erupted from downstairs. The group jumped in alarm, exchanging uneasy glances. Gritting his teeth, the man stepped forward to grab Yaoying. "Princess, if we don't leave now, it'll truly be too late!"
Yaoying flicked her sleeve, evading his grasp, and declared clearly, "I am grateful for your willingness to risk rescuing me. However, the covenant between Great Wei and the Yelu Tribe has been established. The Yelu Tribe has honored their promise by aiding Wei in recapturing Liangzhou. Great Wei cannot break faith with them. As a princess of Great Wei, I cannot depart with you."
The man's expression darkened as he reached out to seize her.
Yaoying raised her voice, her gaze steady and penetrating. "Do you intend to abduct me by force?"
Under her clear, moon-bright stare, the man faltered, his boldness deflating.
Just then, laughter echoed from outside the window, followed by hurried footsteps. Qin Fei, clad in armor, pushed the door open and strode into the room, followed by dozens of armored soldiers holding torches.
"Did you think such a petty trick could distract me?"
Qin Fei slowly drew his blade, a smirk tugging at his lips.
As one of Li Xuanzhen's most valiant generals, he swiftly subdued the pampered noble youths—who knew only rudimentary martial arts—and ordered his subordinates to bind them tightly and carry them out.
"My apologies for startling you, Princess."
After dealing with the spoiled young masters, Qin Fei sheathed his sword and turned to bow respectfully to Yaoying.
Yaoying stood calmly by the window. "Where are my guards?"
Qin Fei replied, "Perhaps they stepped away to relieve themselves."
Yaoying fixed her gaze on him. "Commander Qin, there's no need for evasions. You knew these men would act, so you deliberately sent Xie Qing and the other guards away, pretending to fall for their scheme so they could breach my chambers..."
Surprise flickered across Qin Fei's face.
Yaoying paused before voicing her suspicion. "Commander Qin, your earlier delay was likely a test to see if I would leave with them, wasn't it?"
Qin Fei scratched his head and admitted freely, "Indeed! The Princess is as sharp as ice and snow!"
He bowed deeply to her again.
"I beg your forgiveness, Princess. I was merely following orders."
Yaoying responded coolly, "Inform the Crown Prince that the transaction between him and me is our private affair. The marriage alliance between Great Wei and the Yelu Tribe concerns state relations. I will not go back on my word, nor will I sabotage the covenant between our nations for personal reasons."
Qin Fei repeatedly assented.
Yaoying glanced at him. "How do you plan to deal with them?"
Qin Fei shrugged. "They acted recklessly. We'll bind them first, then take them back for their fathers to discipline properly."
After a moment's thought, Yaoying softened her tone. "Inform Prime Minister Zheng that these men may have ties to Southern Chu. They must be investigated discreetly—no leniency."
Qin Fei stared in astonishment.
The stable fire had been extinguished, leaving the window dim. Yaoying murmured, "They claimed they would take me to Southern Chu with reinforcements along the way. Whoever instigated this 'rescue' likely has ulterior motives. Had I truly gone with them, the Yelu Tribe would have been enraged, the covenant shattered, and Great Wei plunged into chaos. Who stands to gain the most from that?"
Qin Fei's jaw dropped. Contemplating the potential consequences sent a chill down his spine, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.
"I've been careless!"
He smacked his own head and turned to leave. At the threshold, he paused, faced Yaoying, and offered one final, profound bow.The earlier bow was merely to appease Yaoying, but this current salute was genuinely heartfelt.
At such a critical time, the princess still prioritized the greater good in every matter.
Yaoying remained composed: "Please dispatch someone to explain clearly to the First Prince of the Yelu Tribe to avoid arousing their suspicion. Since Southern Chu could incite the Imperial Guards to rescue me, they might also stir trouble with the Yelu Tribe."
Qin Fei broke into a cold sweat, acknowledged the order, sent messengers to report to Chang’an, and personally sought out the First Prince of the Yelu Tribe to inform him that the stable fire had not disturbed Princess Wenzhao.
The next day, Yaoying appeared before the Yelu Tribe’s envoys, still adorned in resplendent attire, dignified and elegant.
Having heard the commotion of the fire and shouts at the official posthouse the previous night, the First Prince had grown suspicious. But now, seeing Yaoying’s radiant beauty, ethereal as a goddess, he felt his heart sway, wishing only to draw closer for a better look, all doubts from the day before forgotten.
He laughed heartily, watching Yaoying ascend her carriage with an unrestrained gaze.
Qin Fei quietly sighed in relief, yet felt a tightening in his chest.
It seemed the Yelu Tribe would not grow suspicious.
However, the First Prince’s covetous intentions toward the Seventh Princess were as plain as day. With the Yelu Chieftain aged and the escorting Imperial Guards and honor guards departing, how could the First Prince let the Seventh Princess go?
No matter how deeply Qin Fei worried for the Seventh Princess’s safety, three days later, as they reached their destination and glimpsed the towering mountain range on the horizon, he had no choice but to muster his troops and bid Yaoying farewell.
"Princess, I can accompany you no further."
Qin Fei spoke with difficulty.
"From now on, only Xie Qing and a few dozen personal guards will remain by your side… Take care."
Yaoying smiled, lifted the carriage curtain, and gazed into the eastern distance.
"Farewell, Commandant."
Qin Fei’s heart grew heavy. Not daring to look at her, he turned, mounted his horse, and galloped away as if fleeing for his life.
Yelu Tribe’s cavalry soon approached, surrounding the carriage. The First Prince’s voice reached Yaoying’s ears: "Beauty, the road ahead will not be easy."
Followed by raucous laughter.
The carriage jolted violently several times.
Yaoying sat inside in silence.
…
Chang’an.
After managing palace affairs, feeding her son a bowl of warm millet porridge, and lulling him to sleep, Zheng Biyu had just settled to rest when a maid hurried through the corridor and knelt.
"My lady, there is movement in the palace."
"What movement?"
The maid hesitated to speak.
Zheng Biyu gestured for the attendants in the corridor to withdraw.
The maid rose, stepped closer, and whispered: "I heard from Consort Xue’s servants that Rong Fei is dead!"
Zheng Biyu glanced at her nails: "Why the alarm?"
Rong Fei, who had poisoned Empress Xie, had been imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. Having offended so many consorts over the years, she was unlikely to survive until year’s end.
The maid caught her breath, leaning in: "Your Highness, Rong Fei’s death is no surprise, but before she died, she spoke deliriously, frightening Consort Xue."
Zheng Biyu raised an eyebrow: "What did Rong Fei say?"
The maid bowed her head: "Rong Fei claimed that Princess Wenzhao is not the Emperor’s bloodline!"
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