Shе оffеrеd no rebuttаl, but hеr wоrds аnd thоughts were at оdds. "Dоn't worry, Вrother. I knоw thе аnсеstrаl rule: prinсesses of the Murong Сlаn do nоt marrу intо thе Yuwеn Clаn. Аlthоugh thе Yuwеn Clаn often intermаrriеs with the imрerial familу, to this daу, only twо wоmеn frоm thеir сlаn have еvеr entеrеd thе pаlaсе as cоnsоrts."
Thе number was so smаll that mentioning it еvоkеd a sеnse of desоlаtiоn, as if ассерting twо cоnsоrts was аlreаdy an immеnse fаvоr.
Тhe Еmреrоr still seemed unеasy. He stoоd up, clasрed his hands bеhind his baсk, аnd pаced around the Warm Pavilion. Stack incense burned in the bronze pixiu incense burner, its light smoke swirling with the hem of his robe. As he fiddled with his prayer beads, he spoke earnestly: "Jiangnan is a land of fish and rice. Back then, the Yuwen Clan was enfeoffed there to showcase Emperor Taizu's benevolence. Great Ye has unified the realm for over 250 years now. For as long as the Murong Clan has sat on the imperial throne, the Yuwen Clan has been recuperating and building strength in Jiangnan. In truth, I have always wanted to reclaim their fiefdom, but I have lacked the opportunity. Even if I cannot find a way to smoothly revoke their enfeoffment, I am utterly unwilling to make further concessions. You are my only sister, and you should stand with me. Remember what you promised your brother today: the Yuwen Clan remains a hidden danger at heart. If you were to marry into their clan, they would gain wings like a tiger, and your brother would lose a vital ally. Keep this in mind."
Wanwan was taken aback by his words and only managed to nod hesitantly after a long pause. "I remember. With so many officials in the imperial court, why would I ever take a fancy to a monster? Don’t worry, Brother. I know what’s important."
After leaving the Palace of Heavenly Purity, she was still puzzled. "What’s the deal with the Yuwen Clan? If the Emperor fears them, why not just find an excuse to strip them of their positions?"
Wu Qi hunched slightly and replied, "It’s not that easy, Your Highness. The Emperor has his own difficulties. To put it simply, even a moderately wealthy local gentry is hard to topple, let alone a Feudal Prince with an enfeoffment. They not only have wealth but also power. Feudal Princes command troops. If the rules weren’t set properly from the start, over time, it becomes like raising a tiger that turns into a threat."
Wanwan glanced at Wu Qi. "How do you, a eunuch, know so much about these matters?"
Wu Qi sighed. "Your Highness, although I have been castrated, my mind is still that of a man. Just as young ladies naturally love flowers and cosmetics, I became sworn brothers with a fellow from the Silk-clad Guards. I enjoy studying weapons like swords and spears, and occasionally, I hear about the current state of affairs outside."
Wanwan didn’t press further. The Great Ye before her eyes was peaceful. Aside from being wealthy, the Prince of Nanyuan had not caused any trouble in over two hundred years and was said to be the most subdued among all the Feudal Princes. Still, if he could draw the attention of the imperial court, he must have some exceptional qualities.
"Have you ever seen the Prince of Nanyuan?"
Wu Qi shook his head. "How old do you think I am? The last time the Prince of Nanyuan came to the capital to pay tribute, I hadn’t even entered the palace yet!"
As they spoke, they entered the Cultivating Virtue Palace. The Nurse Matron helped her remove her bracelets, and she turned to ask, "Do you know why the palace does not intermarry with the Yuwen Clan?"
Wu Qi shook his head. "I only know that during Emperor Qinzong’s reign, the last Imperial Consort from the Yuwen Clan passed away. After her death, Emperor Qinzong decreed that men of the Yuwen Clan could not marry princesses, and women of the clan could not enter the palace. But I don’t know the reason behind it."Wanwan's wet nurse, Nurse Matron Jiang, brought a hot towel to wipe her face, saying as she did so, "That's old history, why bother asking about it? Since the late Emperor forbade the marriage alliance, he must have had his reasons. You just need to obey."
Wanwan studied her in the mirror. "Mama, you're an old-timer in the palace, you must know the reason behind it." Those curious enough to seek answers would stop at nothing, so she shook Nurse Matron's arm, cooing, "Mama, tell me in detail. What exactly went wrong between Imperial Consort Yuwen and Emperor Qinzong, that he issued such an edict?"
Nurse Matron was utterly helpless, groaning pitifully, "If you shake me any more, my old bones will fall apart! What could have gone wrong? Probably they just didn't suit each other, so he forbade further entry into the palace. The Yuwen Clan are Qi People; Qi People look different from Central Plains folk. Besides, those raised in the south have temperaments that don't quite mesh."
But since Imperial Consort Yuwen had died of illness, with no records of her being punished or confined to the cold palace during her lifetime, it was clear that something must have gone awry during their time together.
"Perhaps Imperial Consort Yuwen passed away from homesickness, and Emperor Qinzong, unwilling to let other girls from her clan follow the same path as his beloved consort, specially granted this grace—who knows?" She sat before the mirror, undoing her own hair, pulling out a gold cicada and paulownia leaf hairpin and fiddling with it repeatedly. The high walls of the palace couldn't confine her imagination; she believed there were hidden truths behind every piece of history. Perhaps people today misunderstood, and the reality was far more understandable than what met the eye.
Nurse Matron didn't argue with her, turning instead with a smile. "Who knows? There must have been some inside story. It's been several decades now. Imperial Consort Yuwen left no children behind, and once she died, her natal family was too far away to intervene. Who would still care about such things?"
Wanwan sighed. "That's how it is for girls. Once you marry out, no one cares whether you live or die. That's why I don't want to marry. At least in the palace, I have a place. Once I enter someone else's household, if they give me a hard look or withhold my meals, I'd be too embarrassed to complain. That would surely be unbearable."
Everyone laughed at her, saying she was still young and hadn't met the right person yet, so it was easy to talk about not wanting to leave the palace. In the future, once she found a good Imperial Consort, she probably wouldn't even want to wait a moment longer.
As for Wanwan, she was simple and pure, incapable of hiding or concealing things. Whatever worried her heart, she spoke with her mouth. Matters the Emperor mentioned to her didn't weigh on her mind until they were truly imminent; she continued living her days, leisurely recounting the blossoms of spring and the moon of autumn. In her free time, she studied with her attendants how to burn incense, saying wisteria wasn't fragrant when first lit—it needed other fragrances added. Even the most common pinewood, when blended with it, could become exceptionally beautiful. So she secretly went to the Palace of Benevolent Peace Garden to find pine trees, using a small cosmetic knife to pry off bark. The blade slipped and cut her hand, and the second batch of incense in the Boshan censer carried the scent of blood. She named this incense "Wild Goose Blood."
Why Wild Goose Blood and not Phoenix Blood? Because a princess's phoenix is only half a phoenix; once she leaves the Forbidden City, she is nothing.Before long, May approached. The eve of the Dragon Boat Festival marked a seasonal transition, and the palace was preparing for summer. The Imperial Wardrobe Bureau delivered newly made robes and summer accessories, saying it was the Empress Dowager’s order to add more items. The Princess Royal was growing taller—in just half a year, her skirts already hung above her calves. Coincidentally, skilled tailors from outside the palace had been invited this year. Tired of the usual imperial styles, she decided to try the latest fashion. As for accessories, gold was worn in winter and jade in summer. There were hairpins shaped like cordyceps, as well as hair ornaments and earrings carved into pavilions and towers.
Wanwan entered the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility to express her gratitude and happened to find Consort Shao there as well. Upon seeing her, Consort Shao’s lips curled into a faint smile, likely still displeased about the previous incident.
Ignoring her, Wanwan curtsied to the Empress Dowager, who asked if she liked the gifts. Sweetly, Wanwan replied, “As long as Your Majesty approves, Wanwan loves them all. In two days, it will be the Dragon Boat Festival. The people in my palace are making red bean rice dumplings, and I will present some for Your Majesty to taste.”
The Empress Dowager nodded. “Your two Nurse Matrons are from the south, skilled at making Jiangsu and Zhejiang-style rice dumplings. The ones here are far inferior. The Emperor has a weak stomach but loves glutinous rice dishes. Eating too much gives him acid reflux, so give him just a few to sample.”
Wanwan agreed. Consort Shao seized the moment to interject, “Listeners deserve a share too—don’t forget my Palace of Celestial Favor. I won’t take Your Highness’s gifts for nothing; I’ll have a return gift for you.”
Although Wanwan disliked their covert rivalry and hated being dragged into their disputes, she maintained a graceful facade and smiled. “Of course, they’re just a few rice dumplings, nothing of great value. I wouldn’t dare accept a return gift from Your Ladyship.”
Consort Shao sighed with emotion. “Your Highness grows more sensible and delightful with each passing day. Look at your height—you’ve shot up and already look like a young lady. I heard that for the Dragon Boat Festival’s imperial banquet, the Emperor has specially allowed Your Highness to attend. Perhaps he intends for you to choose an Imperial Consort? In my opinion, the outer provinces are too far. Once you leave the capital, returning won’t be easy. Your Majesty only has one daughter by your side. If she marries far away, how will you ever see her again? I can’t fathom what our Emperor is thinking. Even I can’t bear the thought, yet he seems entirely unconcerned.”
The Empress Dowager had just washed her hands and was putting on her pearl nail guards. Upon hearing Consort Shao’s words, she gasped sharply. Removing the nail guard, she saw that a nail about an inch long had broken clean off at the root. Her expression immediately darkened. She tossed the nail guard into its box, where the hollow, engraved design struck a silver pair of scissors with a dull thud.
Wanwan stood up anxiously, and Consort Shao also grew fearful. The two exchanged glances, their hearts pounding.
The Empress Dowager’s face was like still water. “Marry to the outer provinces? A proper princess has no reason to leave the capital. Though she is not my own flesh and blood, I’ve watched her grow up since childhood. Sending her so far away in one go would make me feel I’ve failed the Late Emperor.”
Consort Shao regretted her earlier words and stammered, “These are merely my speculations, not to be taken seriously. Please don’t be angry, Your Majesty.”
Wanwan forced an awkward smile. “Your Majesty, I am still young; it’s too early to speak of such matters. The Emperor simply dotes on me and wants me to broaden my horizons. There is no other meaning.”The Empress Dowager sighed, "Earlier, when your father took you to the grand banquet for the ministers, you were only four or five years old—just a child, so it was forgivable. But now that you're older, it's improper to appear in public. The Emperor meant well, and likely had that intention, but he didn't think it through carefully enough. It was inappropriate." She turned and instructed her attendant, "Inform the Emperor with my exact words: the Princess Royal is not to attend the banquet. If there are suitable candidates, I will naturally keep an eye out for her. Tell the Emperor not to worry about this."
Wanwan felt a bit disappointed. The Empress Dowager was taking charge of her marriage, and she had no idea which family she would be betrothed to in the end. In truth, the Emperor had genuinely meant well—it was just Consort Shao's meddling that had ruined her opportunity.
After returning, she sulked, sitting alone by the window in frustration. Missing out on the chance to join the excitement was one thing, and not being able to choose her own Imperial Consort wasn't the most pressing issue either. What truly saddened her was missing the opportunity to see the Prince of Nanyuan. A Qi person with red eyebrows and green eyes, probably wrapped in fox fur like in the picture books, wearing a large bronze gong on his chest, and with four rows of teeth when he opened his mouth... It was such a pity not to see such a creature in person.
Xiao You, however, didn't think her troubles were troubles at all. "If we're not allowed to go, we can think of another way. Isn't it just about seeing what the Prince of Nanyuan looks like? That's simple enough! Let Wu Qi find out which gate the Feudal Princes will enter through—it's either the East Flowery Gate or the West Flowery Gate. Since we can't do much inside the inner palace, we'll go there instead. I'll dress you in a eunuch's cap and robe, and if you walk with your head lowered a bit, who would know you're the Princess Royal? They'll all think you're a eunuch."
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