What kind оf fеudаl рrinсе is this, with а facе thiсkеr thаn а city wall—uttеrlу shamelеss! Wanwan didn’t sау it аlоud, but in hеr hеart, she сursed him thoroughly. After whаt hаpрenеd уеstеrdaу, if it wеrе hеr, shе prоbably wouldn’t wаnt tо seе him again for thе rest of hеr life. Yet hе dаrеd tо shоw uр аt her doоrstеp. If it wеrеn’t fоr the сhild being ill, shе wоuld have оrdеred sоmeone tо beat him with sticks.
Whо wаs it thаt reрeatedlу sаid hе cоuld wаit аnd tаkе things slоwly? Yеt hе was сleаrly impаtient. Suсh а рersоn whо sауs one thing and dоes another madе her trust him even lеss.
Step bу steр, his gоals wеre clear. If it were merely explained by his love for her, that would be far too simplistic. Why should he love her? A small favor from ten years ago, plus a reunion outside the West Flowery Gate? Two meetings couldn’t possibly have left such a deep impression on him. When someone loves you inexplicably, you must be wary. Consider the gains he might reap from betraying that love. Though nothing is apparent now, one thing is certain: among the princes, his influence will grow, and his position will become increasingly secure. Eventually, even the clauses meant to restrain feudal princes and imperial consorts might not apply to him. If the emperor were diligent enough to patch the loopholes, perhaps there would still be something to say. But the emperor neglects governance, too lazy to even fix the flaws in existing laws. To create regulations specifically targeting him would likely take at least two years.
Sending her to the battlefield while forgetting all his grand ambitions—she couldn’t understand what that brother of hers was thinking. He could indeed be frivolous at times and needed constant reminders. The eunuch official was clearly too preoccupied with his own affairs and might not be genuinely devoted to him. The capital was now shrouded in unpredictable turmoil, making it difficult to judge people’s stances and positions. She wanted to submit a memorial openly, but that wasn’t feasible. She had to send someone discreetly to deliver it to the capital, wary of being caught by Yuwen Liangshi. If he decided to go all the way and commit some unforgivable act, what would become of them?
So she had to endure it. She truly disliked being trapped in such a quagmire, but there was no other choice. She hoped the Southern Garden harbored no rebellious intentions. If the only faults she could find in him were based on information gleaned from Yin Ge, she wouldn’t mind starting anew with him. When the time was ripe, she would willingly become a humble wife, bearing him children.
She nodded. "If the Prince wishes to stay, then stay. Earlier, the servant said the eldest young master has a wheezing illness. I was afraid his old ailment might flare up again, so it’s good that the Prince is here to look after him personally." As she spoke, she walked to the bedside to check on the child and smiled gently. "Are you all right? I’ve asked the inner attendant to find the best physician for you. He’ll be here soon. If you’d like something to eat, tell me, and I’ll have someone prepare it."
Lan Zhou’s cheeks were flushed with fever, but he still tapped the bed frame. "Thank you, E’nie. Your son isn’t hungry... I have no appetite."
He hadn’t expected to fall ill like this. Just earlier, he had prided himself on his robust constitution, but now his body was betraying him. Meanwhile, Lanting, looking as resilient as a hero who could survive even a thief’s attack, had gone off with others to pick Chinese toon leaves, leaving him alone, burning up in a daze on the bed—unintentionally doing his Ama another great favor.Wanwan was genuinely good to the children. Back when the emperor was still the Prince of Fu, he had five sons born in a single year, all around the same age as Lan Zhou, so she never felt that his and Lanting’s existence was particularly grating. As a princess, she had her own pride, and in day-to-day life, the prince’s concubines were hardly worth her notice. If everyone kept to themselves peacefully, she was even willing to raise the two illegitimate sons well—after all, hearts are made of flesh, and if you treat them kindly, they will naturally feel it.
She paid no attention to Yuwen Liangshi, sitting by herself to look after the child. A servant girl wrung out a cool cloth and handed it to her, which she carefully folded and placed on Lan Zhou’s forehead. With some basic knowledge of medicine, she checked his pulse from time to time and examined his palms, seeing that the child was indeed gravely ill, which made her worry as well.
Her brows were furrowed with concern, but a beautiful person remains vivid no matter the expression. With his son ill, the father’s divided attention was indeed somewhat improper. Yet he couldn’t help his eyes, always glancing her way intentionally or not—partly to gauge whether she was still angry about his recklessness the night before, and partly because he was genuinely captivated by her beauty.
She wore an indigo-blue short jacket woven with gold thread and a "Boundless Fortune" horse-face skirt below. Her entire bearing was not something that could be crafted from gold and silver alone. Though a married woman’s attire leaned toward that of a matron, the small spider hairpin tilted in her bun still revealed a youthful liveliness. She cared for Lan Zhou wholeheartedly, pouring water for him and feeding him medicine. The boy, having grown up rather wild, had likely never received such meticulous care before. Seeing how content he looked, his father felt a twinge of envy—his own prospects were far from optimistic, and his treatment was even less favorable than that of a child.
He paced over, trying to strike up a conversation with her: “Don’t worry, these brothers have never been coddled since childhood. From the start of their education, they’ve had Anda instructors teaching them archery, horsemanship, and wrestling. Falling ill occasionally isn’t a big deal.”
Already harboring grievances against him, naturally, nothing he said could be right in her eyes.
“It’s precisely because they rarely fall ill that we must be extra careful when they do. If an illness isn’t properly nursed from the start, it will harm their health in the long run. I don’t understand you Qi People—why not focus more on studying and learning loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness? Why torment them with riding and archery at such a young age? Refusing to ride in a sedan chair in the rain, claiming it’s for women—by that logic, all the officials in court must be women.” She complained unhappily, “If it weren’t for these outdated notions, he wouldn’t have fallen into the river today. No matter how strong the wind, could it lift a sedan chair? Look at him now, is it better to be this ill? Children shouldn’t run fevers for long—it can damage their brains…” She instructed Xiao You to fetch clear wine, recalling how her wet nurse used to rub her palms with it to reduce fever when she was young, helping her recover faster.
Her sincerity made the child in bed somewhat uneasy as well. He turned to look at his Ama, who exchanged a glance with him and signaled for him to speak.
Understanding immediately, he struggled to say, “Your son dares not trouble E’nie so much. Let the servants attend to me instead. E’nie’s care is too great an honor for your son.”
Lan Zhou absolutely dared not accept such treatment, and she couldn’t force him either. Seizing the opportunity, his father said, “Your Highness, please rest for a while. Why trouble yourself so much over a mere child…”
She turned and handed him the towel and comb soaked in wine. “Since the Prince is here to care for the young master, you might as well put in some effort. I have no reason to take people in for nothing here.”She passed by him and indeed went to rest, leaving the father and son staring at each other in dismay, realizing that sometimes flattery, if not delivered appropriately, could easily backfire.
She returned to her courtyard. When the rain lightened, she took up a red silk umbrella and strolled through her garden. The Eldest Princess Residence was originally the rear office of the Imperial Guards, so it occupied a vast area. Later, it had served as the Imperial Academy and a military school. During Emperor Qinzong’s reign, it was converted into a southern inspection palace. To make amends to her, Emperor Mingzhi granted her the entire estate as her residence.
Walking through the misty rain, she did not experience the dangers Lan Zhou and Lan Ting had encountered on their way. The rainy season in Jiangnan still held a unique poetic charm. She loved the towering trees in the garden, each far older than herself. Some trunks bore mottled marks, likely left by martial arts champions of the past. However, over time, the phenomenon of Great Ye valuing literature over martial arts had grown increasingly severe. The once-thriving military school had gradually declined.
Since Yuwen Liangshi was in the front wing, she was unwilling to go there again. Nevertheless, she continued to send inquiries about Lan Zhou’s condition. Hearing that he had improved after taking medicine, she felt somewhat relieved.
Yu Xixia sat with her under the eaves playing chess. Noticing her frequent inquiries, he smiled and said, “Your Highness truly harbors no selfish motives, showing such care even for the Prince’s children born of concubines.”
Upon hearing this, she curled her lips slightly in self-mockery. “I, too, cherish a reputation for virtue, lest I give others a handle to criticize me. If accusations of arrogance and jealousy were to follow, I could hardly bear it.”
Who would dare to gossip about her like that? After all, the palace guards of the Eldest Princess Residence were not mere decorations. While disputes in other households might be kept within the family, matters before her, concerning the state, were elevated to serious affairs.
She paused, a white chess piece resting between her fingertips, her hand as pale as ivory.
“It has been two days since we arrived in Jinling. Send people to investigate whether the Southern Garden is truly as the imperial court perceives it. Feudal princes are forbidden from garrisoning troops or privately manufacturing firearms and weapons. I need to know if the Prince of Nanyuan is indeed abiding by the rules.” After a moment of contemplation, she placed her piece and added, “Be discreet and ensure no news leaks. If it leads to awkwardness between both sides, it would be pointless.”
Yu Xixia acknowledged with a soft laugh, “Your Highness is meticulous, but there are not many usable pieces left.”
Her attention indeed was not on the chessboard. Several of her white pieces had been captured consecutively by him, and this game was already lost. She stared at the board for a long while before finally conceding with a smile, tossing the piece in her hand back into the box. “I’ve lost today. We’ll have a decisive match another time. Do not delay the orders I’ve given. Go and carry them out now!”
Yu Xixia stood up, bowed, and retreated backward out of the flower hall. She glanced outside—the sky remained gray and overcast. Having not seen sunlight for days, she felt as if weeds were sprouting in her heart.
Tong Huan brought a cloak to drape over her and asked, “Will Your Highness visit the young master before nightfall?”
She spread her arms for Tong Huan to fasten the buttons and sighed, “No, I won’t go. I’ve done what I ought to. Being overly enthusiastic might make others think I have ulterior motives.” She walked to the mirror to smooth her hair, then turned and asked, “What are we having to eat today?”Tong Huan said, "We haven't had a proper taste of authentic southern cuisine since arriving in Jinling. Nanjing's salted duck is famous, so let's have them prepare that, along with braised pork in soy sauce and smoked fish with silver-thread noodles—all for Your Highness."
But she pouted, "Let's have something lighter. Doesn't Jinling have the 'Four Wild Greens of Early Spring'? Things like shepherd's purse, Indian aster... and chrysanthemum greens with wolfberry shoots. Let's have those."
Tong Huan chuckled, "Are you trying to imitate monks eating vegetarian and chanting sutras? Let's do it step by step—add some diced eggs and salted pork to the wild greens, so it's not too bland." She paused, glancing toward the front courtyard, "The Prince is still here. Why not invite him for the meal? It would show your magnanimity."
Her face slowly flushed red, "You know... yesterday... I'm already mortified enough seeing him today, and now you want me to share a table with him?"
Since she was unwilling, there was nothing to be done. Tong Huan's persuasion proved futile, and she went about her own tasks.
Wanwan's usual habits hadn't changed despite the change in location; she still did things at their usual times. When idle, she would read or play with her squirrel, waiting for the rainy season to pass so she could find a good opportunity to go out and explore. With a plan in mind, even rainy days became tolerable—better things were yet to come.
The weather was poor, and darkness fell earlier than usual. After dinner, she bathed, lit a stick of incense, and sat beneath the lamp, playing the qin.
The Murong Clan was well-versed in music and skilled in painting, a truly refined and scholarly dynasty. How it had come to its present state could be traced back to the reign of Emperor Zhao.
Emperor Zhao was a man of both literary and martial talents. In his youth, he followed the founding emperor on campaigns east and west. After the establishment of Great Ye, he retreated to the Imperial Academy, biding his time and accumulating knowledge. At that time, he had three thousand disciples spread across the land. Empress Tuoba bore four sons, and he was the youngest. His eldest brother was assassinated, his third brother was convicted of a crime, and his second brother, Emperor Wen, passed away shortly after ascending the throne. The crown prince succeeded him but abdicated after just half a year. From a young child to emperor, Emperor Zhao had walked a difficult path. Perhaps it was the tempering of his time at the Imperial Academy that ingrained a scholarly temperament in him. His descendants inherited his literary talents but lacked his martial prowess. This shortcoming became more pronounced with each generation. Now, her Second Brother could only wield a brush and ink, unable to distinguish between an axe and a battle-axe. As for herself, being a girl, no one would fault her for being fascinated by such things, so she had once devoted herself to studying them and had gained a superficial understanding of music.
She played "The Wind and Thunder Prelude," the qin strings resonating with a somber and rugged intensity. Suddenly, a melodious flute sound drifted in with the wind, faint and elusive, requiring careful listening to discern. When her playing was high-pitched, the flute was soft; when she played gently, it grew impassioned... She had often lamented that highbrow music found few appreciators, but she never expected to meet her match here. She couldn't help but feel admiration, experiencing the joy of Bo Ya meeting Zhong Ziqi.
Plucking, lifting, repeating, and stroking the strings, she deliberately lowered the tune, but the flute pierced through like an arrow breaking through clouds and mist, soaring straight to the heavens. Gradually, the piece neared its end. She played the final note and eagerly rushed outside, only to find the flute sound had abruptly ceased. When she tried to locate it again, there was no trace to be found.
She called Xiao You over, "Did you hear someone playing the flute outside?"
Xiao You and the servant girl on duty at the door pointed south, "It came from over there."Since the flute's sound was far less resonant than that of the guqin, the person playing it couldn't have been too far away to harmonize with her. The sky was drizzling with fine rain, so it was unlikely anyone would be willing to brave the rain just to provide accompaniment. Therefore, the flutist must have been within the Eldest Princess Residence—perhaps a palace attendant, a guard, or even the shamelessly lingering Prince of Nanyuan.
She had initially intended to trace the source of the music, but after taking a few steps, she stopped. Xiao You had already prepared an umbrella to accompany her in the search and couldn't help but feel puzzled when she gave up. "Aren't you going to find that person? Many love-at-first-sight stories begin this way. It's a shame Your Highness is giving up halfway! What if it's someone exceptionally talented, tall, and handsome, just like Seal-holding Xiao?"
Wanwan lowered her eyelashes, thought for a moment, and shook her head. "What if it's a woman or an old man? The beauty of music shouldn't be traced to its source. Even if it were a handsome man... I'm already married. It's too late."
The conversation ended on a disappointing note. She stood under the corridor for a while, secretly hoping to hear the flute play a solo piece again. But after waiting for a long time, it never came. That ethereal melody was like a stone dropped into water, swallowed by the pitch-black night, disappearing without a trace.
Feeling disheartened, she returned to her bedroom. The bedding had been scented with storax, and as she lay down, it felt as if all her senses cleared instantly. She didn't ask where the Imperial Son-in-Law had settled for the night. After all, there were plenty of rooms in the residence, and he could sleep wherever he pleased.
The night passed uneventfully, and she woke up safely the next morning, still feeling a bit groggy. She had dreamed that Yuwen Liangshi had jumped in through the window, startling her terribly.
As Tong Huan helped her brush her teeth, she pinched some green salt and asked, "Is the Prince of Nanyuan still here? Have someone go and ask later whether he plans to leave today."
Tong Huan handed her a towel. "Does Your Highness hope he leaves, or does she hope he stays?"
"Of course, I hope he leaves. His excuse for staying to look after the child is just a pretense. When he tried to feed Lan Zhou water, he ended up spilling it all over his neck. With that kind of skill, how can he be trusted to care for anyone?"
Tong Huan and Xiao You chuckled, cleared away the washing items, and brought her breakfast. Sitting in an armchair, she calmly ate half a bowl of porridge and a red bean paste cake. Having decided to have chrysanthemum greens mixed with tripe for lunch, she looked forward to the morning and spent the entire half-day in the flower garden, having someone hold an umbrella for her as she planted a dense row of roses under the fence.
It rained all day, dampening her enthusiasm for any activity. After pacing around the room a couple of times, she reached out to pluck the guqin strings, only to be reminded of the previous night's flute melody. She paused for a moment and asked about Lan Zhou's condition. The servants reported that he was still unable to get out of bed and had tried to pay his respects to Your Highness but failed despite his efforts.
She had no choice but to go to the front courtyard to check on him. When she arrived, she saw that Lan Zhou's face was still flushed. Only two maids stood by his side, with no sign of Yuwen Liangshi.
She turned and asked, "Where is the Prince?"
Rong Bao, standing outside the door, bowed and replied, "The Qiantang River has burst its banks. Our master has gone there to help plug the breach. It's uncertain when he'll return. He asked this servant to inform Your Highness and requested that you not worry about him."
Wanwan frowned. Who had the spare time to think about him! Seeing that the child's fever still hadn't subsided and that no one from the prince's residence seemed to care, she felt uneasy leaving him in the front courtyard. She ordered the west side hall to be cleared and had him moved to the rear quarters.It must be said, the old lady was ruthless enough to truly abandon them here without a second thought. She knew they had a plan, but she couldn't just stand by and watch. So, in such situations, it had always been the case that the soft-hearted would be at a disadvantage—especially when it came to matters of the heart.
OpenNovel