Тhе jоurnеу from Beijing tо Nаnjing took а long time. Wаnwаn wаs unfаmiliаr with thе waterwаys and only gained а rоugh sensе of dirесtiоn аfter соnsulting а mар. With manу soldiers on bоаrd, the shiр could travеl day аnd night. She sat in thе саbin оn а rоsеwood сhаir, watсhing thе sunrisе and sunsеt and rеаding books, tеmрorаrily forgetting hеr worries. Evеrуthing sеemеd tolerablе fоr thе time bеing.
Yu Хiхiа sаid thаt if theу wеre nоt in a hurrу, the journеy wоuld tаkе abоut а mоnth, but аt their current рace, they shоuld reach Zhеnjiang in arоund twentу dаys.
Shе turned to look at a porcelain dish placed on a low table, containing Maofeng tea that Xiao You had exchanged for two large coins when they docked earlier. Such tribute tea was not commonly found in the palace—it was considered of lower grade and not top quality. Even if it were available, it would be stored in bags and tucked into the corners of trunks to scent clothes. Now, on the road, the princess’s usual delicate habits vanished instantly. She stirred the tea leaves with her fingers, admiring the fine white tips and graceful green leaves. With a small stove lit, she could slowly brew and enjoy it.
She lifted the teapot lid and tossed a pinch of tea leaves inside. “How do we travel from Zhenjiang to Nanjing? By carriage or by boat?”
Yu Xixia replied, “Last year, the Superintendent traveled entirely by water to avoid excessive fatigue. It’s fortunate that Your Highness does not suffer from seasickness. The Superintendent has already notified local authorities in advance, concerned that some waterways might be too narrow for the fortune ships to pass through. He has ordered them to build new painted boats for Your Highness’s use.”
Building new painted boats, ensuring they were luxurious and exquisite—this was Xiao Duo’s thoughtful consideration, yet it was undeniably extravagant. Her marriage of a princess took her far from the north, and she could not concern herself with such matters. She only felt that time passed swiftly on the ship. Occasionally, she would step out of the cabin to look around. The bow of the fortune ship was so high that walking along the gunwale felt like standing in mid-air, which was somewhat unsettling. Over time, she grew accustomed to it. When no one was around, she would quietly sit on the deck for a moment before quickly standing up, afraid that the Nurse Matron would notice and start scolding her.
During the journey south, she had no other impressions except that the weather had grown noticeably warmer compared to when they set out. The air in the south was more humid, and rain was frequent. After six or seven days of clear weather, they suddenly encountered a heavy downpour. At that moment, they were in the widest part of the river, with faint thunder rumbling in the wind. Countless raindrops fell straight into the water like arrows, creating overlapping ripples and splashes half a foot high.
As a child, she loved the sound of flowing water and would often lean over the railing of the Duanhong Bridge to watch the white jade dragon heads spouting water. That was rainwater collected from thousands of drainage holes in the Forbidden City after a storm—impressive in its own right, but far less magnificent than the scene before her now.
Wanwan stood by the window and sighed, “If I had never left the Forbidden City, I would never have seen such landscapes… The Emperor should also travel and see the world.” Her voice gradually softened. After a moment, she turned to Yu Xixia and asked, “Steward Yu, what position did you hold before? How come I’ve never seen you?”
There was once a joke in the palace about descriptions of eunuchs’ appearances. People from the Twelve Directorates often came and went for purchases, and when verifying identities at the palace gates, they would present their name plaques. The first line often read “pale-faced and beardless,” which applied to eight out of ten eunuchs. Yu Xixia’s appearance fit that description quite well. He was slightly older than Xiao Duo, with a long, gentle face and mild features. He always spoke at a measured pace, as if no matter how urgent the situation, he could resolve it effortlessly.
He clasped his hands respectfully and replied, “Your Highness, after the Eastern Factory took charge of the Silk-clad Guards, I have been stationed outside, handling matters for the Superintendent in the Town Pacification Office. That is why Your Highness has rarely seen me.”That explains it, but the Imperial Guard is responsible for investigation, arrest, and interrogation. How could someone accustomed to such duties serve as an Inner Attendant in the Princess's Residence?
"It seems a waste of talent to have you here."
Yu Xixia bowed even lower. "I dare not think so. I was originally a Palace Attendant in the palace. Now that the Princess Royal is to be married, the Eunuch Official trusted me enough to assign me to attend to Your Highness's daily needs. I am deeply honored—how could I speak of wasted talent? Your Highness is heading to Nanjing, a place unfamiliar to you. Having spent three or four years in the Jiangnan region, I still have some connections there. Should Your Highness ever need assistance, you won’t be left flustered."
Wanwan gave a faint smile and said nothing more, merely squinting into the distance. A faint shimmer of moisture glistened in her eyes—not a reflection of light, but an unspoken sorrow.
Tong Huan had asked about her plans. Having suffered repeated blows before the marriage—the man she was to marry was scheming, and her own brother seemed intent on using her as a spy—she was caught in a difficult position, and Tong Huan feared she might buckle under the pressure.
Wanwan lowered her head to watch the squirrel, listening to the lively sound of its teeth cracking pine nuts. After a long pause, she replied listlessly, "Since we’ve arrived in Jinling, the wedding ceremony must proceed as usual. I cannot cause trouble for The Emperor. As for that Prince of Nanyuan, his deep scheming isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Eunuch Official is also someone whose depths cannot be easily fathomed. The difference is that the Eunuch Official would never plot against me, while he does the opposite. It’s clear he’s merely seeking to climb the social ladder, treating me as nothing more than a bestowed object."
So even if it wasn’t a Blind Marriage Silent Wedding, it wouldn’t make much difference. If one could truly see into another’s heart, there wouldn’t be so many unhappy couples.
A princess had her own constraints. Once her marriage was decided, there was almost no turning back. Even if husband and wife were incompatible, they had to maintain appearances, especially since Yuwen Liangshi was a Feudal Prince, not some insignificant minor official.
During the journey along the canal, they encountered two brief rain showers. After the rain cleared, the sky was so brilliantly clear it felt almost suffocating. Under the vast blue sky, the fortune ships arrived at Zhenjiang, a delicate and charming small town with stone-built city walls and a faint, sweet yet sour scent lingering in the air.
Unfortunately, she didn’t have the chance to explore it properly. They stayed on shore for no more than the time it takes an incense stick to burn before boarding a painted boat under layers of ornate canopies, swaying gently as they headed west.
The people of Jiangnan rarely saw those from the palace, so the riverbanks along their route were crowded with onlookers, jostling shoulder to shoulder, waving handkerchiefs toward the painted boat.
Wanwan felt somewhat embarrassed and hid upstairs, unwilling to show herself. Fiddling with the corner of her robe, she asked Tong Huan, "They all know I’m marrying the Prince of Nanyuan, who already has concubines and children. As a Princess Royal filling that gap, will they laugh at me?"
So she did care after all. What young woman didn’t hope for a fulfilling marriage? Becoming a stepmother to others’ children was particularly awkward for her.
She had already endured enough hardship; they could only try to comfort her and not add to her burdens. Tong Huan said, "That shouldn’t matter. Since you won’t be living in the same residence, you can think of those two young masters as nephews, just like the princes in the palace. You didn’t dwell on this before, so don’t let your thoughts narrow now."
She smiled shyly. "When you have no choice about a person, you can make do with anything. But once resentment arises, you start finding fault with everything."She spoke nothing but honest words, having never learned to disguise herself, nor understanding why people needed to employ so many schemes between one another. Now she had finally experienced it firsthand. Amidst the heartache, her mind and eyes remained clouded with confusion.
The journey from Zhenjiang to Jinling by waterway was not far, yet compared to the broad expanse of the canal, this route felt distinctly narrow and cramped. The imperial painted boat was built tall and large, grand in its display, but its speed had to be slowed accordingly. After all, a vessel meant for leisurely sightseeing could hardly be expected to race like a patrol ship. Thus, drifting leisurely downstream, they arrived at Peach Leaf Ferry three days later. Switching from water to land, the Princely Administration and palace guards had already cleared the way. As she disembarked, she saw the imperial procession had been meticulously prepared, with ceremonial fans and ornate banners lining both sides of the road, filling the view with an aura of imperial majesty.
Vermilion lanterns were held aloft on curved poles, casting a rosy glow over everyone beneath them as if they were dusted with rouge. She paused briefly, and at the far end of the road, a solitary figure approached. Clad in crimson gauze robes and wearing a crown reaching toward the heavens, he knelt and bowed deeply upon reaching her, then straightened up. The faint shimmer in his eyes seemed even more radiant than the golden mountain patterns adorning his crown.
A small triumph indeed, filling him with an air of pride and vigor. If he had once been a tranquil sea, he now resembled a bubbling spring.
Wanwan observed him through her veil. Already unfamiliar, her complete prejudice made it impossible for her to regard him favorably any longer. He paid his respects to her, and she responded with a perfunctory, shallow bow. According to protocol, he should not have appeared here at all. The Princess's Residence had its Master of Ceremonies, and all rituals were to be conducted at an auspicious time. Now that the plan had been disrupted, she felt displeased, further convinced of his arrogance and impropriety.
Leaning on Tong Huan's hand, she moved forward. The carpet laid beneath her feet felt soft and yielding, as if she were treading on clouds. She paid him no mind, unwilling to utter a single word, and even the corners of her gaze were swiftly withdrawn.
She was not a girl of cunning, so once she distanced herself from someone, it emanated from every bone and every gesture, striking harshly at the heart. He had long known she refused to read his letters and would not even speak of him. As for where it began, he had inquired in detail, only to find the fault lay with Yin Ge's unreliable tongue. Had he known earlier, he would not have kept her after the marriage decree was issued, sparing all this unnecessary turmoil.
Having employed such schemes to pressure her into marriage, her anger was justified. Though somewhat unkind, it had been the quickest and most direct method, and he felt no regret even now. Watching her retreating figure, he suspected this matter might not be easily resolved. No matter how much influence he wielded in the Southern Garden, facing this proud princess, he could never stand tall. Even as husband and wife, they were never equals—one side dominant, the other learning to yield.
He smiled bitterly and hurried after her, personally lifting the sedan chair curtain and assisting her inside. As he was about to lower the curtain, he hesitated, wanting to look at her but not daring to. She, however, turned her face away with disdain, as if even a glance at him was beneath her.
The imperial procession remained silent, save for the rustle of garments and the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the ground.He cleared the way for her, almost to the point of helping her sedan chair, yet she showed no appreciation. The March night still carried a slight chill. He turned his gaze to the roadside, where pear blossoms, illuminated by lanterns, took on a watery hue, momentarily indistinguishable from peach blossoms.
The wedding procession stretched for miles. As a princess descending in marriage, she entered the Princess's Residence, with no need to lower herself to his Princely Mansion, nor to enter the Ancestral Temple or pay respects at the Ancestral Shrine. The most elaborate ceremonies had already been completed in the palace. All he had to do was fulfill his duty as a subject, for even after her marriage, the Princess Royal’s status remained one to be revered.
Fortunately, everything in the Princess's Residence was ready, and the timing was auspicious—ideal for marriage and for preparing the bridal chamber. While ordinary families had elders to bow to during weddings, here, after bowing to heaven and earth, the couple exchanged bows, and the princess entered the bridal chamber. Adorned in grand robes and jade pendants that chimed with every step, her dignity was something many could scarcely imagine in a lifetime.
And so, she was married, as if in a dream. All her energy had been spent on the journey, and when the grand ceremony finally arrived, it felt almost insignificant. Wanwan sat on the bed. Fortunately, she was accustomed to sleeping in a Step-out Bed in the palace, so she did not fret over the lack of a heated kang. Yet the mattress was too thickly padded, and she disliked the bed frame’s ornate design. Running her hand over the quilt, she found it covered with piles of dates and peanuts, leaving her utterly at a loss.
"Xiao You," she frowned, "sweep the bed clean…"
Nanny Jingqi, seeing Xiao You frantically searching for a broom, quickly stopped her and turned to say, "My lady, these are auspicious symbols, wishing you an early birth of noble sons. We must wait until the Prince enters, drinks the nuptial wine, eats the fertility dumplings, and is about to retire before sweeping the bed. If you rush now, you’ll only invite ridicule."
Dissatisfied, she remained sullen. She had thought that after so much time had passed, she would not lack grace, yet upon seeing him, her heart still churned with turmoil. She could accept him as dull and ordinary, but she could not bear his calculated maneuvers. Already eight years her senior, with his cunning ways, was he not the very picture of an old and cunning man!
Just as her impatience peaked, footsteps sounded outside the door. She glanced over and saw a tall, elegant silhouette cast upon the sheer silk curtain. The attendants in the bridal chamber immediately raised their voices in announcement: "The bridegroom has arrived. Share the feast, equal in honor and humility, bound together in closeness, never to part."
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