Just likе thе lаst timе when Empеrоr Yuanzhen рassed аwау аnd fеudаl princеs were not allowed tо еnter thе cарitаl fоr mourning, this timе with thе dеаth оf the nаtion's mother, thеrе werе still no speсial pеrmissions grantеd.
Тhоsе аt thе сenter оf рowеr knеw thаt the mоre turbulеnt thе court аnd thе publiс becamе, the less theу соuld allоw the princеs tо сomе аnd gо аs thеу plеаsed. Тhe ninе gates hаd to bе hеаvily guаrdеd, аnd thе troops аround the capitаl had to be dеploуed likе а living chеss game. Ordering the feudal princes to guard their fiefdoms to prevent any changes was actually not aimed at others but precisely at these powerful lords.
Upon learning of Yin Lou's death, Wanwan cried herself into a daze in her room. At such a time, she had no mind to consider anything else. No matter what, this person was gone forever, and all the past had been burned clean by a great fire, leaving nothing behind. What saddened her even more was that the obituary did not mention allowing the Prince of Nanyuan to enter the capital, meaning she could not return to pay her respects either, for a married woman must follow her husband—even the Princess Royal had to abide by this rule.
Losing a dear friend was one blow, but being abandoned by her family saddened her even more. It seemed that after Second Brother sent her to Nanyuan, he no longer intended to reclaim her. She was already a member of the Yuwen Clan, like a gecko's severed tail—it caused no great harm to the body itself, only a momentary pain, and it would grow back later.
Xiao You and Tong Huan tried tirelessly to console her, but it had no effect at all. They did not understand that she was crying for Yin Lou and also for herself. Sometimes she felt useless, having been useless her whole life, with only the empty title of a princess—what was it worth? Now Yin Lou's life was over, but what about her own? She did not know how long she would have to endure.
Tong Huan, at a loss, went to the Southern Park Administrative Office and asked the Prince to come to the Eldest Princess Residence to think of a solution. Upon receiving the news, Yuwen Liangshi dropped everything he was doing and rushed to her bedchamber, where he found her with disheveled hair, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Startled, he quickly dismissed all the attendants, fetched a warm towel himself, and came forward to wipe her face.
She pushed him away forcefully, refusing to let him near. It was all his fault that she could never return to the capital again.
He was helpless, stiffening as she pushed him against the door. With one hand gripping the doorframe, he stubbornly refused to step outside the threshold.
"Don't be like this. I know you're grieving, but you must take care of yourself. Life is full of unforeseen joys and sorrows—who can predict what the future holds? So cherish those before you now... Look at me, I came especially to wipe your face."
Wanwan showed no gratitude for his kindness. "I don't want your false sympathy. I want to return to the capital. I want to go back and see Yin Lou. Is that person really her? How could she die so suddenly?"
She cried as she spoke, losing the dignity of the Princess Royal and now appearing like a child.
He understood her sorrow. Empress Bu was her only close friend. The two had eaten, played, and sometimes even lived together, sharing an extraordinary bond. The ancestors emphasized a peaceful end, and being burned by fire to the point where one could not distinguish nose from eyes was essentially no different from dying without a whole body. Thus, Empress Bu's death was filled with tragic undertones. Because of him, she could not bid farewell to her dear friend one last time, and it was only natural for her to blame him.He could only continue to console her, "The Empress has passed away, and your wish to offer incense to her is only natural. If you insist on returning to the capital, it is not impossible for me to take you there. However, the journey is long and arduous, and by the time we arrive, the imperial coffin will likely already be in the Ancestral Hall. Moreover, given my current status, although I am not restricted from coming and going, I still rely on the boundless grace of the heavens. After all, I bear the title of Feudal Prince, and violating the decree that feudal princes must remain in their fiefdoms could provoke the Emperor's wrath, leading to catastrophic consequences. I urge Your Highness to consider carefully: is it truly necessary to take such a risk? Would you bear to see the entire Yuwen Clan destroyed over a single stick of incense?"
Wanwan was not foolish. No matter how dissatisfied she felt, she could not possibly do something so absurd. She was simply overwhelmed with pent-up frustration, and his arrival provided her with an outlet to vent, for her heart remained unsettled.
She stood there with her hands hanging, calming down after a long while. She rolled up her sleeves and wiped her face. "I lost my composure, acting recklessly and frightening those around me. I must have made a fool of myself in front of the Prince."
He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, wrung out a towel again, and handed it to her. "Don’t say that. Who hasn’t had moments when emotions become uncontrollable? But I must advise you: let go of the people and matters from your days in the inner chambers. Marriage is like being reborn; what you hold in your hands now is what truly belongs to you."
She nodded sorrowfully and murmured, "She left just like that, leaving behind her affairs. How will they be handled?"
The so-called "affairs" she left behind—the first thing that worried him was Xiao Duo being left alone and whether her feelings for him might rekindle. He had already ordered Lao Wu to secretly rush to the capital. If Bu Yinlou’s death was a ruse, Xiao Duo would naturally flee with her soon enough, and for now, he posed no immediate threat. But if Bu Yinlou was truly dead, this fake eunuch might turn his attention to Wanwan, and then he could not be allowed to remain. He must be dealt with early to sever her lingering attachment.
He pursed his lips, contemplating. "Has Your Highness ever considered that Empress Bu might still be alive? Seal-holding Xiao is no ordinary man. He would never let her go mad, nor would he let her die."
Wanwan raised her eyes, surprised that he had thought the same as her. Xiao Duo was a capable man. Since he and Yinlou had reached that point, how could he sit back and watch her be confined to the corner tower? It was all too coincidental—not long after her confinement, a fire broke out, burning her beyond recognition. There must be some trickery involved. Yet she feared it might be true, and her own speculations felt too cold-hearted, so she habitually leaned toward pessimism, always expecting the worst.
As for him, regardless of the truth, he had to make her believe that Bu Yinlou was still alive. Upon careful reflection, it was truly pitiable—his own woman thinking of another man, yet he dared not expose it, dared not question her, and could only resort to such a passive approach.
He took a few steady breaths to adjust his emotions and stood by her side, saying, "Crying like this, only to find out it was all a lie—how unworthy! And another thing: isn’t it too much for them to deceive the Emperor like this? I know Your Highness was deeply cared for by Seal-holding Xiao in the palace, but there is a distinction between closeness and distance. To manipulate the ruler of a nation so effortlessly—is such behavior truly due to the overwhelming power of the Directorate of Ceremonial?"Wanwan sniffled, her mind also calculating. If one spoke of Xiao Duo’s manipulation of power, she had long known of it. A man holding the Authority to Endorse Memorials in Red was bound to have inflated desires, which was why he had been given the nickname “Standing Emperor” outside. His domineering control could not be wiped away simply because he had shown her much care.
But now they were discussing Yin Lou’s death—why drag Xiao Duo into it again!
“Saying The Empress is still alive is merely our speculation; how can it be taken as certain? At this moment, let’s not involve such matters. Isn’t the situation chaotic enough already?”
So her defense of Xiao Duo was evident to anyone with eyes. He felt somewhat disheartened and fell silent for a moment before saying, “There’s no need to pay condolences to The Empress. The trivial matters under my jurisdiction must still be handled as usual. Tomorrow, I must set off for Huaining. Your Highness has been deeply wounded, so please rest at the residence.”
Yet she refused, saying, “I’ll go with you. I’m just afraid you’ll find me a burden and that I’ll cause trouble for you later.”
He smiled, lifting his lips. “I’ve long said I would take you to enjoy the scenery, but then we encountered the rainy season, and the river embankment breached, delaying us there for over ten days. If you follow me to Huaining, that place is filled with disaster victims—it’s not a comfortable destination. We’ll travel light and cannot bring too many people. I fear Your Highness may find it difficult to adapt and end up returning disappointed.”
Yet she appeared very determined. “I’m not going there for the scenery; how can I expect complete comfort? If you say we cannot bring attendants, I’ll go alone with you. I have hands and feet; I don’t need anyone to serve me.”
Hearing this, he clapped his hands. “Excellent! That’s the spirit of our Yuwen Clan!”
She felt somewhat bashful and turned away, plucking a branch from the potted pine tree until it was bare.
Her lack of rebuttal meant she acknowledged herself as a member of the Yuwen Clan, didn’t it? He was greatly encouraged. Although the future remained unclear, at least she had this willingness, making subsequent matters easier to handle. Even though things were far from settled, he began to plan alone. It was a pity that the upcoming national mourning meant no pregnancies were allowed within a year; otherwise, by the end of next year, he should have had his first son...
No rush, no rush. They could take it step by step. He assumed a thoughtful expression. “We must set off early tomorrow morning, so I won’t return tonight to avoid traveling back and forth.”
Wanwan looked at him with a downturned mouth. Though he appeared utterly candid, he still felt guilty under her gaze and touched his forehead before adding, “I have a separate estate in Songjiang Prefecture, where the fields and properties are all ready. However, the house has been vacant for too long and lacks care. Earlier, I was busy with the grand wedding and truly had no time to attend to it. Later, I sent people to renovate it, and I’ll send the three Secondary Consorts there afterward.”
Wanwan’s expression remained indifferent. He had mentioned sending them away before, so she wasn’t surprised now. According to the rules, an Imperial Consort must clear out the women in his chambers before Marrying a Princess. Unless the princess permitted it, the Imperial Consort was not allowed to have concubines. However, marrying him had been an accident in the first place. After all, he already had two sons, making it difficult to deal with those Secondary Consorts—they had to consider the children’s sake.She had always been a kind-hearted person, unwilling to push others too far. But the dream she had yesterday at the Princely Mansion had left her unsettled ever since. If she hadn’t prepared to live a proper life with him, she wouldn’t have cared even if he kept ten concubines. But once she accepted her fate, she had to think more for herself. He lived in the Princely Mansion and would inevitably cross paths with those women, and then there would be the mother-in-law and children—what kind of situation would that be!
So this time, she didn’t intend to pretend to be magnanimous. She hummed in agreement and said, "Assign more people. Songjiang Prefecture is quite a distance from Nanjing. If anything is lacking or needed, there should be someone to run errands."
Both of them were accustomed to keeping their emotions hidden, never showing joy or anger on their faces. When discussing matters related to each other, they would adopt a falsely serious demeanor—one sitting alone, the other standing apart—yet it all seemed quite harmonious.
"But Lan Zhou and Lanting..." He frowned slightly. "They’re at an age where they need guidance. If they’re sent there, firstly, the old lady won’t be willing, and secondly, I’m afraid it might delay their development. Do you remember what E’nie said yesterday?"
She nodded. "She wants the eldest son to be registered under my name."
He agreed, "Yes, she wants to keep the child but is afraid you won’t like it, so she deliberately tested you with her words. My opinion is that both children are no longer young and don’t need to follow anyone around. Instead of sending them to Songjiang Prefecture, it would be better for them to learn official duties at the Yingtian Prefecture Administrative Office. Men who grow up under the care of women won’t achieve much in the future—not just them, but our sons as well." He paused and glanced at her. "What do you think about keeping them in Nanjing? I came today to discuss this with you. If you think it’s unsuitable, they can follow Sixth Brother to Xuzhou Prefecture instead."
Though they bore the title of husband and wife, there had been no real progress in their relationship. Yet, when discussing household matters, they seemed very much like a proper couple.
She glanced at him. "What you’re saying makes it sound as if I can’t tolerate children. E’nie wanting Lan Zhou to be raised by me isn’t such a big deal. He stayed at the Eldest Princess Residence for over ten days, well-behaved and obedient, and I like him very much. As for recognizing me as his mother, it’s just a change in the family registry. He’ll still call me E’nie—what’s the big difference? As you said, boys need to gain experience. If it won’t work under Madam Tala, then they shouldn’t go to Songjiang Prefecture. As for Xuzhou Prefecture, they’re still too young. It won’t be too late in another two years. As for their living arrangements, whether it’s the Princely Mansion or the Eldest Princess Residence, Lan Zhou and Ting can stay wherever they prefer. I’ve kept rooms for them here, and they’re free to come and go."
He fiddled with his bead bracelet and nodded only after seeing no anger on her face. "It’s all up to you, as long as you don’t throw a tantrum. To be honest, not letting Lan Zhou be registered under your name is partly due to my own selfishness. In time, you’ll naturally have your own children. If he’s here, people will inevitably compare them. No matter how well you treat him, you’ll still be suspected of favoritism. I don’t want you to suffer any injustice."
Wanwan had been blushing more easily lately. She was deeply moved that he thought so far ahead for her, but his constant talk of children made her feel quite embarrassed.Seeing her embarrassment, he was about to smile but quickly coughed to cover it up, adopting a serious tone: "I was thinking, after everyone is sent away, I should still bring you back. Wherever you are, I will surely be there. The Prince's residence is too large, and leaving E'nie alone might make her feel lonely."
These matters were easy to discuss. If the residence were truly vacated, she wouldn’t necessarily have to stay at the Eldest Princess Residence.
That night, she relayed the matter to those around her, asking them to prepare early. By the time she returned, they would likely be moving to the Prince’s residence. Xiao You was delighted, "Remember last year when we watched the monster at West Flowery Gate? It was so amusing. Now it’s perfect—our mistress plans to live behind closed doors with the monster."
As soon as she finished, Tong Huan glared at her fiercely, "What monster? Stop talking nonsense, or do you want a spanking?" She then grew deeply worried about the Princess Royal traveling alone to such a distant place. "In those kinds of places, what won’t starving disaster victims do? You can’t go without someone to protect you. Either I or Steward Yu, you must take one of us. Although the rules aren’t as strict as they were in the palace, you still can’t be so careless. How can you do rough tasks like washing clothes and fetching water yourself? You’re going to Southern Garden as a princess consort, not as a laborer. It’s inconvenient for a young lady to be out alone. In my opinion, it’s best not to go at all. If you must go, take someone with you. You can’t go all by yourself."
Wanwan had always been pampered and surrounded by attendants since childhood. Even without servants, she didn’t mind as long as she was willing, so she smiled and said, "He has attendants. I won’t need to do the rough work."
Tong Huan’s expression darkened upon hearing this, "But attendants can’t wash your personal clothes. Will the Prince do it himself and personally attend to you? If that’s the case, then I’m reassured. You can go, just come back safe and sound."
Wanwan couldn’t answer, thinking to herself that she loved washing handkerchiefs as a child, so washing clothes shouldn’t be too difficult for her!
Glancing outside, she saw it was already late. Although he was staying at the Eldest Princess Residence, he was considerate and tactful. When the time was right, he went to the neighboring courtyard. Without her permission, he even dined alone.
Wanwan lingered on the corridor for a while, watching the half-moon hanging over the willow branches in the east—so large and bright. Today was the fifteenth.
"Alright then, I’ll go discuss it with him again. He said he wants to travel light, and I’m afraid of disrupting his plans."
Tong Huan and Xiao You brought a glass lantern. After crossing the courtyard, they stopped following her, handing her the lantern. "The Prince’s quarters are just ahead. Go on your own, and watch your step so you don’t trip."
Wanwan held the lantern, feeling puzzled. "Why…"
Tong Huan smiled faintly, "He’s your Imperial Consort. If you go to see him, you’ll surely have private matters to discuss. Wouldn’t it be tactless for us to be there?"
It seemed a bit inappropriate to visit him so late at night… She was about to give up when Xiao You gently nudged her from behind. "Go ahead, Mistress. Ask the Prince if he can take one more person. I’ll go with you. After all, it’s your first time going to such a remote and harsh place. I’m worried. Though I don’t know martial arts, I can shield you with my body if needed. I’ll be useful in a crisis."Wanwan then turned and walked into the courtyard. Southern gardens were full of winding paths, unlike the straightforward layout of Beijing’s courtyard houses, where everything was visible upon entering. She made her way along a path lined with lush jade hairpins, but halfway through, a melodious flute melody drifted over—the southern-style "Flying Partridge." She couldn’t help but stop and listen carefully. Each player had their own technique, with trills and overlapping notes used in distinct ways. This flute was unmistakably the same one that had harmonized with her zither that day. She sighed without reason—true musical companions were hard to find, and it turned out that companion was indeed him.
Following the lamplight forward, she rounded a cluster of emerald bamboo and saw the figure beneath the lamp leaning against a corridor pillar, relaxed and at ease. The crimson Dragon-returning Beard at the flute’s end fluttered in the evening breeze, strand by strand, as if plucking at one’s heartstrings. Sensing her arrival, the flute music abruptly ceased, and he turned to look at her. His pale blue robe accentuated his cool, refined features, and as a gust of wind slipped into his collar, his wide sleeves billowed. Upon closer inspection, warmth had returned to his eyes, yet they remained unfathomable, impossible to see through.
OpenNovel