Chaрtеr 349: The Вronze Sраrrоw оf Сhаng'an Sings 3
"Bу the Mandate of Неavеn, the Еmрrеss dеcrееs: Тhе Grеat Рavilion Cоmmаnder Shеn Du has quelled rеbellions аnd harmonizеd аll nаtiоns. Нis mеrits аre unpаrаllelеd, his асhievеments еnсompаssing аll. Thе imperial dаughter, Countу Рrinсess Jiа'an, is gentle, virtuоus, grасeful, dignifiеd, аnd wеll-vеrsеd in еtiquettе. Nоw of mаrriagеable аge, shе аwаits in her gоldеn сhаmber. Their uniоn is made in heaven. Вy this decrеe, theу arе bеstowеd in marriage..."
Whatever was read afterward, Zhu Yan could no longer hear. Her entire body turned cold, her hands trembled, and kneeling there, she felt as if trapped in an icy cellar. She finally understood the meaning behind the Empress's warning last night that she had only one chance—but now it was too late.
"Thus decreed."
Zhang Baohuan rolled up the imperial edict and prepared to hand it to Shen Du, but no one reached out to take it. As if anticipating this reaction, Zhang Baohuan sighed, first dismissing the attendants, leaving only the three of them. With a troubled expression, he said:
"Last night, I deliberately spoke that way to make Her Majesty aware that the two of you would not accept such an arrangement. But Her Majesty is the Empress, and her will is beyond our control."
"At least take the edict first before saying anything."
Shen Du did not take it. Instead, he helped Zhu Yan to her feet, but Zhu Yan was so devastated by the news that she collapsed the moment she stood. Seeing her in such a daze, Shen Du felt a pang of heartache and guilt. His usually calm, deep eyes darkened like a still pond:
"Lord Zhang, you have seen it yourself. My wife does not wish for me to marry County Princess Jia'an, nor do I wish to take another wife. Please report this to Her Majesty and respectfully decline."
Zhang Baohuan tossed the imperial edict onto the table, sat down, and poured himself a cup of tea. The tea was fragrant and sweet, though it could not compare to the tribute tea from the palace. Setting down the cup, he tapped the table:
"Do you know why Her Majesty chose me to announce this edict today? Edicts of reward are usually handled by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. There was no need to involve me."
Zhang Baohuan referred to himself as "I" because of his relationship with Han Shiyuan, not treating Zhu Yan and Shen Du as outsiders.
Zhu Yan's beautiful eyes finally focused, and she murmured, "Why?"
Seeing Zhu Yan like this, Zhang Baohuan clicked his tongue twice. "Last night, you did not voice your opposition to the Great Pavilion Commander taking a wife. Even when Her Majesty reminded you, you failed to grasp it. You missed your chance to refuse."
Zhu Yan's eyes clouded with shadows as she said bitterly, "What does that have to do with Lord Zhang coming today?"
Shen Du thought the same, placing Zhu Yan on his lap and fixing his gaze on Zhang Baohuan.
Under such scrutiny, Zhang Baohuan chuckled lightly, inexplicably reminding Zhu Yan of Pan Chi, who was far away in the Wusun Kingdom—equally flawless in beauty, every expression exuding charm. Looking at Shen Du, his features were rugged, carrying a more rough-hewn air.
Zhang Baohuan toyed with the imperial edict, narrowing his eyes slightly. His demeanor suddenly shifted:
"You may not have thought of it, but surely the Great Pavilion Commander has?"
Zhu Yan looked at Shen Du, whose deep eyes were shadowed, unable to meet her gaze.
"Why? Just explain it clearly. Don't speak in riddles."
"Very well. For the sake of Han Shiyuan now marrying into your Zhu family, I will reveal it to you, lest he blame me unjustly in the future."
Zhu Yan waited for him to continue.
Shen Du remained silent, and Zhang Baohuan sighed inwardly:
"County Princess Jia'an is the most beloved daughter of Princess Chaoyang, who is herself the most favored princess by Her Majesty. Moreover, Princess Chaoyang's temperament and disposition are most similar to Her Majesty's. She receives the greatest favor, even overshadowing the Crown Prince. It is uncertain whether she may ascend the throne in the future. Given such circumstances, why would Her Majesty bestow County Princess Jia'an upon the Great Pavilion Commander as a co-wife?"Seeing Zhu Yan's bewildered expression, Zhang Baohuan had no choice but to elaborate further:
"Although the Great Pavilion Commander holds immense power, boasts outstanding achievements, and enjoys a status second only to the emperor, if you look around, he stands alone without any backing. Moreover, he married a commoner like you, a fifth-rank official with no real influence. If County Princess Jia'an were to marry, she could easily choose from among the imperial relatives. Why would she need to marry Shen Du?"
Zhu Yan glanced at Shen Du, and for some reason, Mo Qianzhi's words from their time in Yingzhou came to mind. Now, Shen Du was the only one left in the Shen family, with only Mo Qianzhi and the steward still connected to it. With Mo Qianzhi dead, Shen Du truly had no one to rely on in the court. Coupled with his role of overseeing all officials, even the slightest mistake could easily lead to his death.
"One must risk something to gain something. Shen Du is that 'something.'"
Shen Du's cold eyes narrowed: "I can tolerate any means His Majesty uses to guard against me, but arranging a marriage for me? Don't even think about it."
He picked up the imperial decree and was about to rise and leave when Zhu Yan stopped him. Her eyes were misty, but her expression was resolute:
"You cannot go. You must accept the marriage arrangement."
Shen Du's dark eyes widened in momentary disbelief: "Zhu Yan, you..."
Zhu Yan shook her head hurriedly: "I do not wish to share my husband with another, but I would rather that than see you die."
If he openly defied the imperial decree and refused the marriage, it would provide the perfect excuse for Shen Du's execution.
"You and I have no fate in this lifetime. Let us divorce today, so as not to wrong the County Princess. I will take the divorce papers and return home, severing all ties with you, Shen Du."
Divorce again.
Shen Du's face darkened. Restraining himself in front of Zhang Baohuan, he pinched her cheek, his expression fierce: "Don't even think about divorce. I will not agree."
"But..." If the County Princess were to become a co-wife, she would surely harbor resentment in the future. Besides Shen Du, Zhu Yan would also suffer. If this entanglement continued, what future would Shen Du have?
"My lifelong wish has been to become a female official, assisting the government in examining corpses and solving cases. Now that my wish has been fulfilled, I do not want to be trapped in the inner chambers, fighting a losing battle. Nor do I want you to suffer reprimands from the County Princess for protecting me. It would be better to divorce and make a clean break."
"At least I can keep my life." Zhu Yan muttered these words softly, not daring to speak them aloud, but Shen Du's sharp hearing caught every word.
Shen Du scoffed lightly. This woman thought things through clearly, but he, having lived a solitary life, had found what he sought right before him and was unwilling to compromise for the sake of illusory wealth and status.
"You would abandon me just to stay alive?"
How could she put it that way? Zhu Yan sighed helplessly: "It is you who is marrying someone else. You are abandoning me." She had it all backwards.
Shen Du shook his head: "I am already married and will not take another wife in this lifetime. I will go with Lord Zhang now to reject the proposal."
But Zhang Baohuan remained unmoved: "Lord Shen, the reason I came today is because I share the same thoughts as Lord Zhu."
"For the two of you to divorce is the best choice."
Unexpectedly, Shen Du grabbed Zhang Baohuan by the collar, his eyes bloodshot, panting with rage as he roared: "Say that again?"
Zhang Baohuan's momentary fear quickly dissipated. He pushed away Shen Du's arm and said coldly: "Do not act rashly. Not every pair of lovers in this world is destined to be together. If not for yourself, think of Lord Zhu and the Zhu family."
Shen Du glanced at Zhu Yan, his gaze complex: "Do you think so too?"
Zhu Yan did not respond, her heart heavy with pain and torn between conflicting emotions.Staggering back a few steps, Shen Du's figure suddenly slumped. The world seemed bleak and desolate, and such a resolute and decisive man appeared as if abandoned by the entire world in an instant.
Zhu Yan wanted to step forward but was stopped by Zhang Baohuan. She lowered her gaze, biting her lip, then raised her eyes again. With a fierce swipe, she wiped away her tears and pushed Zhang Baohuan aside with all her strength, throwing herself into Shen Du's embrace. Silently, she gazed at him without a word.
Their eyes met, yet not a single word was spoken.
After a long while, Zhang Baohuan twisted the ring on his finger. "You two must handle this matter properly. This official will return first to report to the Empress. The Great Pavilion Commander, upon hearing of the marriage decree, was overjoyed and elated. The mansion is already decorated with lanterns and banners, awaiting only the day of the grand wedding."
"Wait!"
The two spoke in unison, then exchanged a smile. Shen Du took Zhu Yan's hand and walked up to Zhang Baohuan.
Zhang Baohuan: ...
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