То рlacе оnеsеlf in а fatal situatiоn аnd then seеk survival—this was likеlу his finаl rеsоrt. Wаnwan understоod clearly in her hеаrt that bоth of thеm hаd rеаchеd thе еnd оf thеir roрe, forcеd intо a сorner with no wаy out. Sоmeonе hаd tо tаkе thе first stеp.
She hаd lоng beеn аwаre оf thesе intеrnal cirсumstаncеs, though she had nеver voicеd thеm оpеnly. Therеfоrе, evеn whеn hе lаid еvеrything bаrе, she fеlt no surрrise. Insteаd, she аdmirеd his сourаgе. In truth, аftеr a princеss’s marriage, there wеre still paths оf retreаt. It seеmеd he intеnded to endure short-term pain rather than prolonged suffering.
"Has Your Highness considered the consequences of saying these words? Are you not afraid that I might submit a memorial to the imperial court, requesting a divorce?"
His eyes flickered slightly, and he finally nodded slowly. "I have thought about it. Given Your Highness’s temperament, it is highly possible. However, I urge Your Highness to consider carefully. After all, marriage is no trivial matter. The marriage of a Princess Royal is a grand affair, watched closely by everyone from the emperor and ministers down to the common people. On a smaller scale, Your Highness’s reputation is at stake. On a larger scale, the Southern Garden is a feudal territory. If a Princess Royal marries and then divorces, it could become a weapon for insinuations in the mouths of those with ulterior motives. Nowadays, everyone in Great Ye lives in fear. Your Highness must have seen many refugees on your journey, no? They only grow sparser the further south you go because I have blocked them west of Anqing Prefecture."
Wanwan was greatly astonished. "Does Your Highness intend to seek temporary peace in one corner, separating the Southern Garden from Great Ye? I beg Your Highness not to forget that whether the Southern Garden is prosperous or impoverished, it is still part of Great Ye’s territory. The imperial court is even allocating funds for disaster relief, yet the Southern Garden is refusing disaster victims outside its jurisdiction. What exactly are Your Highness’s plans?"
He fixed his gaze on her and slowly curled one corner of his lips. "Does Your Highness know where these disaster victims come from? Famine has struck the north. Seven feudal princes have been spreading rumors everywhere, claiming that Jinling is prosperous and can support people. They repeatedly drive the disaster victims who enter their territories into the Southern Garden. Even if the Southern Garden were made of iron, how many nails could it forge? Over the years, I have emptied the treasury and granaries. Your Highness, far away in the Capital Region, likely has no way of knowing. Now, I am left with nothing but an empty shell. If Your Highness blames me, I can hardly defend myself. Blocking people west of Anqing Prefecture was an act of desperation. Qianshan is Prince Chu’s feudal territory, and I only have the Huaining line left to settle the disaster victims, providing them with clothes to ward off the cold and porridge to fill their stomachs. I have already done my utmost. You have married into the Southern Garden. I cannot let you grieve, nor can I let you see fields strewn with the bodies of the starved. I am also human, and I must look after my family. Is there anything wrong with that? The Southern Garden stands out like a tree that attracts the wind. Countless people are eager to suppress me. Since Your Highness has married me, why not consider my perspective and see my difficulties?"
Wanwan was left speechless by his words. He was rather cloying when it came to matters of love, but when discussing politics, he spoke with clarity and logic. She began to reflect on whether she had been too selfish, never putting herself in his shoes. After all, there were eight feudal princes in Great Ye, yet the emperor and the imperial court focused solely on him, burdening him to the point of collapse. Was the reason simply that the Southern Garden was wealthy?
Was wealth a crime, something that must be suppressed? When the people suffered, the first thing that came to mind was this. How was it any different from fearing that a military general’s achievements might overshadow the ruler?
She let out a long sigh. "Actually, I had long known about the matter of marrying a princess. I originally had no intention of bringing it up, but since Your Highness has been open and honest, this knot should be untied. I did indeed have some grievances against Your Highness because of this, and I thought that if it weren’t for Yin Ge, I might have been willing to marry you... But later, you added unnecessary complications, making me feel as though I was being forced. It truly weighed heavily on my heart..."Hearing her say "I would have been willing to marry you even without Yin Ge," his spirits instantly lifted. So it wasn't just his one-sided affection—her attitude at Tanzhe Temple had truly expressed her genuine feelings. Though she had hesitated due to the Late Emperor, she had indeed developed feelings for him.
He grasped her shoulders firmly. "Tell me, you're not completely indifferent to me, are you?"
Wanwan realized she had spoken carelessly, her face flushing crimson. How could she admit such a thing? Only a fool would confess! She averted her gaze. "What does the Prince plan to do about those refugees?"
A troubled expression returned to his face. "I'll do what I can. The imperial court isn't well-off these days. I submitted a memorial three months ago, but there's been no response. It seems they expect me to handle it myself."
Wanwan murmured, "What can be done... How many disaster victims are there in total?"
He said fifty thousand, "and more keep pouring in. When I was in the capital last winter solstice, I noticed that although there were some on the streets, they numbered less than a tenth of those in the Southern Garden. So the capital likely thinks I'm making a fuss over nothing, since the city itself remains safe and sound."
He wore a bitter smile, looking utterly helpless. Fifty thousand mouths to feed—such a massive burden was truly overwhelming.
"I'll submit a memorial to the Emperor as soon as I return. This can't go on any longer." While the people starved, her brother still had the mind to build that Star-Reaching Tower. For the first time, Wanwan felt the crushing weight of responsibility, almost suffocating. Remembering her dowry, she quickly added, "See if there's anything I can do to help. I still have some money. I'll have it sorted and sent here."
He laughed, his eyes sparkling like rippling water. "I know Your Highness cares for the people, but if a man can't handle his own troubles and instead schemes for his wife's dowry, wouldn't that become a joke if word got out? Don't worry, I can manage for a while. There's leftover grain from last autumn's harvest. At worst, I can sell the annual output of the Weaving Bureau's one hundred and twenty looms in advance, converting it into silver and grain. That should tide us over until this autumn's harvest, giving us some breathing room."
A single coin could break even a hero. She felt dazed, her gaze toward him dimmed. "How did it come to this... I always thought that even in times of famine, at most people would just tighten their belts."
He smiled faintly. "You were raised deep within the palace, shielded by those high walls. Naturally, you wouldn't know what it's like outside. It was my fault for telling you today—just adding another person to worry, though it doesn't really help matters."
She shook her head. "That's not how you should put it. I've been too sheltered, which led me to believe the people could at least live in peace. I never imagined..."
She never imagined that while the heart of Great Ye appeared splendid and prosperous, its foundations were already riddled with holes. This reality was somewhat cruel for the pampered Princess Royal, but if she remained unaware, she would forever dream of the Murong Clan's reign bringing favorable weather and peace, believing the people's hearts still leaned toward them. In her eyes, any future actions of his would be immoral, the deeds of a traitor.
But everything must proceed step by step. If he revealed things to her gradually, one matter at a time, it would be easier for her to accept emotionally. He comforted her gently, "This is just a hurdle for now. As long as the Emperor governs diligently and devises solutions early, we'll get through this slowly, and things will improve."
Wanwan knew her brother's flaws all too well. Diligent governance? How could he ever manage that!
"When are you going to Huaining? Take me with you," she said dejectedly. "Even if going there is useless, seeing it with my own eyes will at least give me some clarity."He pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "However, with so many people and the hot weather, there is a risk of epidemics. I would be uneasy if you went."
She quickly grabbed his sleeve. "I’ll stay by your side and won’t wander off."
Her expression was sincere, filled with anticipation. He couldn’t help but think with some regret that perhaps Xiao Duo had once been the one she relied on like this!
A breeze blew over, brushing the strands of hair at her temples against her face—her sorrowful, gentle, and beautiful eyes, her cheeks as pale as frost and snow. He reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear, treating her with utmost care, as if she were a child. What more could he say? Naturally, he agreed: "We’ll leave after the birthday banquet. I was just worried about leaving you behind and not having time to accompany you. If you’re not afraid of the journey, I’ll take you along. But let’s be clear: once we’re there, you must follow my instructions. You cannot argue with me or contradict my words. Can you do that?"
She said she could. "Then I’ll give the order right away to have them prepare steamed buns for me. We’ll transport them to Huaining by cart. Even if we can’t help everyone, at least we can ensure the children are fed."
Hearing this, he chuckled. "You can only travel by carriage. It will take at least four or five days to get there from Nanjing. With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, the steamed buns would likely spoil by the time we arrive." Seeing her disappointment, he added, "I’ve set up several porridge kitchens, which can sustain things for now. If you want to go and see, I’ll let you observe, but you absolutely cannot get involved. Those disaster victims are pitiable, but they are not clean. If you get too close and pick up lice, it would be troublesome."
The princess, unfamiliar with hardship, seemed astonished at the mention of lice, likely finding it incredible that people could be infested with them. In truth, the myriad facets of human life held no surprises in terms of wealth for those born into glory, only unimaginable suffering. Taking her to see the decaying State Altars might not be such a bad thing.
To be able to accompany him, Wanwan naturally agreed to everything. The afternoon passed harmoniously, and she saw a side of him entirely different from Second Brother and the Eunuch Official—one who was deeply concerned for the nation and its people, even to the point of exhaustion.
When Tong Huan came to take her back, she felt an unprecedented sense of calm. Previously, she had worried about his rebellious intentions, fearing that Second Brother couldn’t control him and that, as his wife, she would be caught in the middle. Now, it seemed her worries were unfounded. Anyone plotting to seize the world must first conserve their strength, as rebellion requires resources. Spending vast sums on disaster victims—what use were the elderly, weak, women, and children in donning armor or conquering lands for him?
Tong Huan hadn’t seen her so composed in a long time, so she assumed the afternoon had gone well. Glancing at her expression, she asked, "Has Your Highness changed her view of Yuwen?"
She smiled faintly. "He is calculating, but not utterly wicked. He admitted to the incident with Yin Ge. I thought he would keep hiding it, but now I’m at a loss. Since he has acknowledged his mistake, it seems unreasonable for me to keep pressing the matter."
Her meaning was clear—she was gradually accepting him. A man lowering himself to appease others truly was an effective way to win someone over.
Tong Huan nodded. "That’s good. I’ve often told Your Highness that since you’re married, for better or worse, you’re a family now. Being too calculating in life only makes things worse."She entered the Tower of Profound Grace, where Xiao You brought water for her to wash her hands. She glanced at her and asked, "I told you to find the master. Where did you hide to enjoy yourself?"
Xiao You giggled, "Heaven and earth bear witness, if I had stood there like a sore thumb, the Prince would have pickled me alive! I saw you two flying kites, so I sneaked to the side and sat for a while. The Prince is truly close to you, even like this..." She opened her arms and hugged her, "He was holding you!"
Wanwan blushed and stamped her foot, "Stop talking nonsense! Which eye saw that?"
"Both eyes saw it, and I didn’t mistake it. When the pug in the Palace of Celestial Favor went missing, I found it in the pitch-black night without even carrying a lantern. You tell me, with these two eyes of mine, I can see from half a mile away. As for you... hehe!"
Tong Huan watched them banter with a smile. The Princess Royal had not been happy since her marriage, but seeing her so cheerful now, even if the Prince of Nanyuan was a bit overbearing, they, as servants, felt it was worth it.
After she finished washing up, they invited her to sit by the south window and served her a cup of almond tea. Tong Huan said, "Steward Yu has been gathering news from the capital. It’s said that Consort Bu has gone completely mad, and the Empress Dowager has ordered her locked up in the corner tower."
She was taken aback. "With so many places in the palace, is there not even a courtyard to accommodate her? A queen locked up in a corner tower—when has such a thing happened in any dynasty? The Empress Dowager acted without consideration, and the Emperor went along with it. Poor Yin Lou."
Xiao You sighed upon hearing this. "If you were there, you could have spoken a few words on her behalf. But now you’re so far away, everyone must fend for themselves."
She truly had no way to help. Even if she were in the capital, let alone Nanjing, no one might be willing to listen to her. After sighing for a while, she resigned herself to the situation. "I heard that refugees have become a disaster in Anqing Prefecture. After the Prince’s birthday, he plans to go there, and I’ll accompany him. I’ll see the local situation for myself and plead for her in my memorial to the Emperor. I hope Second Brother will show mercy for old times’ sake. Even if she’s truly beyond help, at least find a place and assign a couple of people to care for her properly."
The Empress’s situation was secondary; when they heard she was going to Anqing Prefecture, they were both shocked.
"You are a Golden Branch and Jade Leaf. Why go to such a filthy place?" Xiao You said. "You’ve never seen what disaster victims look like—ragged clothes, yellowed hair, like beggars on the streets. When they see someone dressed decently, they rush up wailing, ‘Master, you’re wealthy, spare some food, I’m starving to death...’ If you don’t give, they dare to snatch it. A whole crowd swarms from all sides, breaking arms and legs without a care. The law doesn’t punish the multitude, you know?"
Wanwan frowned. "Have you seen disaster victims?"
Xiao You nodded. "Yes, I have. Before entering the palace, I was one. Later, a family took me in, and we must repay kindness. When the palace selected maids, I entered in place of their daughter. Anyway, it’s the same wherever I go—as long as there’s food."
Xiao You rarely spoke of her pitiful past, and this was the first time Wanwan had heard it. This only strengthened her resolve to go and see for herself—not to witness a spectacle, but to verify whether what Yuwen Liangshi said was true.
The next day, the Prince’s residence celebrated his birthday, and Wanwan was carried from the Tower of Profound Grace to the Silver Peace Hall.The customs of the Qi People revolve around kowtowing—first, the birthday celebrant kowtows at the Ancestral Temple, followed by servants kowtowing to their masters. Even a gatekeeper of a prime minister holds the rank of a seventh-grade official, and those under the Yuwen Clan are exceptionally formidable. Among the Qi People, there exists a type of household servant known as baoyi, passed down from generation to generation: the father serves as the old master’s servant, and the son serves the young master. The status of such household servants differs from that of ordinary banner members, as they belong to the most trusted inner circle of their masters. At a single command from their master, they would not hesitate to die on the spot, earning them special favor and ensuring a smooth and unimpeded career path.
Kowtowing, endless kowtowing—one group after another came and went. Wanwan and him sat above, resembling two statues of Bodhisattvas. Flanking them were Qi People eunuchs in tasseled caps, official boots, long robes, and gauze jackets. She and he wore the most formal ceremonial attire, layered inside and out, sweltering to the point of dizziness.
Those entering offered double salutations, then knelt with a thud, proclaiming loudly, "We kowtow to Master and Mistress." A long string of birthday wishes followed, each painstakingly crafted and unique. In the understanding of the Qi People, "Master" and "Mistress" are formal titles used when servants meet their masters. Regardless of the Mistress’s background, once she becomes the wife of their "Master," she is addressed as "Mistress." Of course, this "Mistress" is entirely different from the term used to address one’s mother. Here, it signifies the female head of the household, much like "consort" is a formal title for public occasions, while "Mistress" is an intimate, affectionate term used in everyday settings.
At the master’s birthday banquet, the servants did not regard themselves as outsiders, a trait that distinguished them from the Xianbei People. This made the Qi People more tightly knit, allowing Wanwan to see clearly what a formidable and cohesive group they were—truly a body where pulling one hair would move the entire frame.
She tilted her head to glance at him. He sat beside her, his expression solemn. Fine beads of sweat gathered beneath his Winged Virtue Crown, trickling down and disappearing into the snow-white collar of his robe. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing distinctly, and Wanwan inexplicably flushed.
Feeling guilty for subjecting her to the heat, he gave her an apologetic smile. Wanwan responded with a slight curl of her lips and a raised eyebrow. Soon after, she noticed a rustling beneath her wide sleeves as a hand reached over and clasped hers through the embroidered fabric. Her heart skipped a beat, but fearing discovery if she pulled away, she had no choice but to let him hold it.
Lan Zhou and Lanting, the two brothers, stepped forward and performed a deep kowtow, wishing their Ama and E’nie many more years of joy and prosperity. The women of the clan smiled and remarked, "These two young masters are so sensible. Look at their demeanor and bearing—they seem as if they were born to Princess Chang herself."
Wanwan smiled awkwardly. She was eight years older than Lan Zhou and nine years older than Lanting, and she wondered what kind of eyes these ladies possessed to see these two children as her own.
But Lan Zhou was exceptionally clever. After rising, he naturally positioned himself beside her, slightly bowing as he said, "In this son’s heart, E’nie is my true mother. When I grow up, I will honor and care for E’nie. When little brothers come along, I will be their vanguard. My words are sincere, and I ask the elders present to bear witness. I also beg E’nie to regard me as her own. If I make mistakes, please teach me, so I may improve and grow into a true man who stands tall and lives with a clear conscience."
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