Не could not rеmаin in the cаpital fоr lоng, fоr thе Еmрeror wоuld not allow it. The spring silkwоrms hаd alrеadу sрun thеir сoсооns, аnd thе hundred оr so looms in thе Sоuthern Gаrden could nоt be left idlе. Soon, thе riсе wоuld аlsо bе readу fоr harvеst, аnd thе cаpitаl wаs still waiting for him tо аrrangе for grain reliеf. The impеriаl сourt hаd previouslу sеnt оfficiаls tо thе sоuth tо hаndle suсh mаtters, but tо no аvail—the сommоn реoрlе оnlу recognizеd the authority of thе Prince оf Nanyuаn. Thus, thе sоuth cоuld not do without him.
The Emperor’s words struck at the heart of the matter: "The Yuwen Clan holds an ironclad hereditary title, passed down for over two hundred years. The people recognize their authority. Since you hold this position, you must fulfill its duties. Though this princely title cannot be taken from you, the black gauze cap is not something only you can wear. The Yuwen Clan has many capable individuals. With so many sons of the old prince, any one of them could take up the mantle. If Liangshi delays his return to his post, he should not stand in the way of his brothers’ advancement. It would not be impossible for the court to appoint someone else in his place."
In the end, the situation shifted, forcing him to choose between his wife and his position. It was not that the Emperor was foolish—he knew how to apply pressure, understood psychological warfare, and when it came to shrewdness, no one was his match.
Wanwan was reluctant to part with Liangshi, yet she had no choice. She understood all too well how important status was to a man. To ask him to give up such a vast fiefdom as the Southern Garden and content himself with being her Imperial Consort—she could not bear the thought, not only for how he might feel but also for the pity she felt on his behalf.
Unwilling to put him in a difficult position, she urged him to return. "I will be fine. As you can see, this mansion is well-built, spacious, and beautifully landscaped. I am surrounded by loyal attendants, so you need not worry. Return to the Southern Garden. We will surely meet again—how could the Emperor force us to divorce? I am only saddened, not knowing when you will be able to return. After some time has passed, I will plead with the Emperor. When the time comes for the child to be born, I will ask him to permit you to come to the capital, to see the child and care for me during my confinement."
Only after hearing this did a smile finally appear on his face. "When the time comes, I will also submit a memorial. If the Emperor has any compassion, he will not keep us apart at such a critical moment. If pushed to the brink, I would rather give up the title." He grasped her hand firmly. "Wanwan, before your delivery, our situation must be resolved. Wait for me—I will spare no effort to bring you back to my side."
She wrapped her arms around his waist, choking back tears, unable to speak. She did not know if passion had an expiration date, only that their true love had blossomed just three or four months ago, still in its sweet, inseparable beginnings. To have this bond severed so abruptly—perhaps even her mother, who had taught her to hang red silk on flowering trees, had never imagined that the one to obstruct her marriage would be Gaogong. Why must siblings torment one another so? The strife within the imperial family was not limited to brothers; it seemed sisters and brothers were no different.
Unable to let go, yet forced to part, her heart felt as though it were being torn apart. Her hands slowly slid from his shoulders, lingering as she straightened his collar and then his belt. Spotting the gourd-shaped ornament hanging among the seven accessories, she traced the bat pattern over and over. "My needlework is not the best, and I have never embroidered a pouch for you. Next time—when we meet again, I will surely give you a full set."
He agreed, "But there is no need for a full set—just one will do. Do not strain your eyes. Rest when you can—that is more important to me than any gift."He still left. She disregarded her dignity as a princess and saw him off all the way outside the main gate. Watching him whip his horse and ride into the distance, she stood in the autumn wind, tears streaming down her face. Later, when chatting idly with Tong Huan and the others, she also said that she owed a debt of tears—the number of times she had cried this year surpassed the total of the past fifteen years combined.
In truth, women were quite vulnerable. No matter how high their status, they still needed someone to rely on psychologically. With Liangshi gone, she felt incomplete. Sometimes, when female relatives from the clan came to visit and spoke of their husbands and children, she secretly envied them. If she encountered someone tactless who asked why she hadn’t returned to the Southern Garden, she could only cover up by saying she preferred to give birth in Beijing.
“The south is damp, and I never adapted well there—my arms would always break out in rashes. Now that I’m pregnant, I can’t take medicine recklessly. The Emperor, out of compassion, allowed me to return to the capital to rest during my pregnancy. Once the child is born, it won’t be too late to return to the Southern Garden.”
As she said this, her face betrayed embarrassment. Since childhood, she had never been fond of lying. Speaking falsehoods with open eyes, even before others could offer polite agreement, she would already blush with shame.
“They all know the truth. When I say such things, eight out of ten of them probably laugh at me behind my back,” she complained to Yu Xixia. “Why do I have to gild my own image? I’m clearly under house arrest, yet I still try to put on a facade of peace.”
Yu Xixia said, “You possess great wisdom, knowing that complaining solves nothing. All you can do now is endure humiliation alongside the Prince. Throughout history, there have been many tragic princesses and Imperial Consorts. Your current situation isn’t the worst. As long as you persevere, one day the clouds will part and the sun will shine again.”
She nodded. “I know the story of Princess Ningguo. Her brother usurped the throne, and her Imperial Consort, Mei Yin, remained loyal to the former ruler. The new emperor forced the princess to write a blood letter summoning her Imperial Consort to court. Upon receiving the letter, the Imperial Consort wept bitterly. On his way, at Da Bridge, he was ambushed and pushed into the water, where he drowned… That was the fate of another princess and her Imperial Consort. Compared to them, it seems I should harbor no more resentment.”
Once she learned to see things clearly, her heart felt more at ease. For those at the pinnacle of power, a happy marriage was never an easy thing to attain. Even ordinary families fought tooth and nail over minor property disputes, while in imperial households, life and death were often at stake. In comparison, a temporary separation between husband and wife was hardly worth mentioning!
Wanwan’s body grew heavier day by day. She kept to herself within the mansion, rarely venturing out, and no longer concerned herself with whatever new schemes the Emperor might be plotting.
For instance, when she heard that he had elevated Tongyun to the rank of Imperial Consort, her expression remained unchanged. After the battle of Greater and Lesser Ryukyu concluded, Tan Jin led the navy back to court and submitted a memorial listing the names of fallen officials, among which was Xiao Duo’s name. The Emperor mourned silently for a long time before sighing deeply, “With the Eunuch Official gone, it feels as though I have lost an arm.” Two days later, he conferred honors upon the wives of the meritorious officials to console the widows. When people heard the news, they merely chuckled and called him a sentimental emperor. What else could they say? What else could they do?"The fortunes of Great Ye, I wonder what path they will take in the future. I have urged him several times to be diligent in governance, but I can see he is quite impatient, likely already tired of hearing it. Honest advice is hard to swallow; saying too much breeds resentment, and in the end, all the blame falls on me. Wouldn’t I just be lifting a stone only to drop it on my own foot?" She sat by the window doing needlework—Liangshi’s pouches, sachets, and the saddlebags favored by the Qi People—each stitch and thread filled with longing. As time passed, the sun slowly shifted, casting light on her hands, its golden glow dazzling. She moved slightly away. Tong Huan urged her to rest, and though she agreed, she soon switched the embroidery hoop to a small garment for the child.
Calculating carefully, the time of conception must have been around the Dragon Boat Festival, with the due date likely in February of the following year. February would require lined clothing, and she worked meticulously, embroidering flowers on the corners. Whether it was a girl or a boy, she would cherish them dearly.
Xiao You said that Your Highness seemed like a different person, not the same as before. Wanwan paused to reflect, remembering her time in Cultivating Virtue Palace, when she would close the doors in the afternoon and lose herself in singing opera, as if she were the only person in the world. How good it was to have no attachments, she sighed. "I have no choice now. Apart from needlework, all I do is cry. Would you like to see me cry?"
So she continued with her needlework. She had a box where she kept all the little trinkets prepared for Liangshi. Pouch after pouch was neatly arranged, but indulging too much strained her eyes, and staying hunched over was indeed not good for the child. On clear, sunny days, she also enjoyed strolling around the residence.
The residence was vast, with some areas she had rarely visited. The lack of a man to hold things together made it feel somewhat desolate. Fortunately, there were many people handling affairs, each with someone overseeing their duties, so apart from the loneliness in her heart, the Eldest Princess Residence still appeared prosperous and flourishing.
She wandered aimlessly, stepping beyond the second gate into another world. The Silver Peace Hall was the face of every princely residence, different from the delicate inner quarters—it had to be built with grandeur and solemnity. Residences built to princely standards came with a dedicated set of arrangements, just as she, with her ceremonial rank equivalent to the Three Excellencies, had an imperial procession for her comings and goings. Inside the second gate, it was a world of flowers and splendor; outside, it was one of unyielding strength. The residence’s military posts included duty rooms and map rooms. As she passed, the guards on duty bowed to her from a distance. She nodded slightly and walked around them. Sometimes she would encounter Jinshi, this Silk-clad Guard Thousand Household Commander with an unsmiling face, who would bluntly ask each time he saw her, "Is Your Highness going out?" Wanwan would not give him a pleasant look either, replying coldly, "If I were going out, I would send someone to inform you. Commander Jin need not worry that I might run away."
But this day, when he approached, his words were different from before. He said, "Your Highness should go out for a walk. The maple leaves on Fragrant Hill have turned red. If Your Highness is willing, I will gather the men immediately to escort you to enjoy the scenery."
Perhaps everyone thought she was not quite normal now, even this man tasked with guarding her pitied her. Wanwan smiled mockingly, "Commander, are you not afraid that The Emperor will blame you if he finds out?"
Jinshi avoided her gaze, lowering his head as he said, "The Emperor ordered us to protect Your Highness. As long as Your Highness is safe, The Emperor will not blame us."The red leaves of Xiangshan must be quite beautiful, but unfortunately Liangshi was not by her side. Even if the entire mountain was filled with romance, it held little meaning for her. She shook her head and said, "Next time." After a moment's thought, she realized next time would likely have to wait until next year. How could she still be in Beijing by next autumn? She would surely have returned to the Southern Garden by then.
Tong Huan also encouraged her to go out and relax. "Is Your Highness worried about the bumpy ride? Although it's a bit far from the city to Xiangshan, the road isn't difficult. I'll make sure to pad the cushions thickly, and we'll take it slow. It shouldn't be a problem."
After some consideration, she wavered and smiled, saying, "Let's keep it simple and just take a look before returning... Staying cooped up indoors all the time, my heart is starting to feel moldy."
From the Princess's Residence to Xiangshan was about fifty li. If they were to go and return in a single day, it might be too rushed. Though she had said to keep it simple, in the end, it wasn't so simple after all—the retinue remained unchanged, but the Silk-clad Guards exchanged their official uniforms for ordinary civilian clothes to avoid drawing attention.
Wanwan didn't know whether her whereabouts had been reported to The Emperor, but in any case, she left Beijing City without any trouble. She brought Tong Huan, Xiao You, two Nurse Matrons, and once free from that environment, she no longer felt stifled. Only then did she realize how crisp and clear the autumn air was outside—it was already October.
The carriage moved slowly. Jinshi, fearing the subordinates might be careless, personally took the reins, driving with great caution along the way. Wanwan's impression of the Silk-clad Guards also began to change. She had often heard that they arrested and tortured people arbitrarily, thinking these killing machines were heartless and cold. But now, it seemed that wasn't entirely true. At least those in her residence weren't responsible for judicial matters and likely didn't have as many lives on their hands.
Fifty li at a slow pace took most of the day. By the time the carriage climbed the hillside, it was the hour of infinite sunset. The mountainsides of maple leaves, illuminated by the fiery clouds, blazed like flames. Sitting in the carriage and looking out, she felt a grand stirring in her heart, along with an indescribable desolation and sorrow. Once this season passed, those leaves would slowly wither, fall into the soil, decay, and eventually turn to dust. People were the same—their prime didn't last long, and before they knew it, they too would drift away, not even as enduring as these maple leaves.
Her spirits remained low. Leaning against the window, she watched for the time it took two incense sticks to burn, her slightly pale face still lacking color. At first, there was a glimmer of delight in her eyes, but it soon faded, replaced by listlessness and boundless loneliness.
Seeing her expression, Jinshi knew comforting words weren't his place to offer. Instead, he cupped his hands and said, "I have already sent someone ahead to notify Jingyi Garden. If Your Highness is tired, you may rest there."
Jingyi Garden was an Imperial Park. In previous dynasties, emperors and consorts would occasionally stay there for short visits. But by the time of Second Brother's reign, his entire world was confined to the Western Sea. He could travel the world in his mind without ever leaving his residence, so this Imperial Park had long been forgotten.
Wanwan nodded, then turned and said, "This trip to Xiangshan was very well arranged by the Thousand Household Commander. Let me guess—was it all actually under The Emperor's orders, wasn't it?"Jinshi fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded. As a mere Thousand Household Commander of the Silk-clad Guard, he lacked the audacity to encourage the Princess Royal to venture out. No matter how absurd The Emperor might be, he still cherished this younger sister dearly. Setting aside matters of state, the siblings had never stood on ceremony with each other. His imperial decree had left his sister isolated, so he did everything he could to lift her spirits. Taking her out of the manor to enjoy the scenery was the only good idea his mind, steeped in Confucian doctrine, could conjure.
Wanwan couldn’t quite articulate the feelings in her heart, nor could she easily describe her emotions toward this Brother. Resentment toward him certainly existed, but they were siblings born of the same mother, raised together since childhood. No matter how deep the resentment, how far could it truly go?
Since she was already here, she might as well make the best of it. After viewing the maple leaves, she settled into the garden. She had originally intended to visit Xiangshan Temple to offer incense, but seeing that it was getting late, she decided it would be better to aim for the first offering tomorrow instead.
She stayed at Jianxinzhai, a place she had visited before with her father, and was quite familiar with this Jiangnan-style garden courtyard. Having recently traveled to Jinling, returning here now and seeing these blue-tiled roofs and white walls stirred a different kind of emotion within her. Xiao You and Tong Huan were tidying up inside the room, while she stood at the doorway for a while, her heart feeling hollow. She slowly strolled along the Covered Winding Corridor ahead. Not far ahead was the Glasses Lake. She remembered the pool of koi carp there; she had once fished with her two brothers, and her skill at catching crabs had been honed during those childhood days.
The Glasses Lake was named for its shape. Over a decade had passed, and although the garden had gradually fallen into decline, revisiting the old place still evoked memories of the past. Standing on the pavilion and looking down, she saw that the koi in the water had dwindled in number, appearing thin and small, with only a sparse few remaining. Moss grew thick along the edges of the pond, obscuring its former glory and evoking a sense of panic akin to the twilight of an empire. A fleeting thought crossed her mind—a momentary feeling that the fate of this realm truly was nearing its end. Her eyes gazed blankly into the pond when suddenly, a large ripple stirred in the water, and a cloud of ink-like pond mud churned upward, startling the koi into scattering. She, too, felt a pang of panic and instinctively took a step back in alarm, only to slip underfoot and tumble backward.
This fall was likely to spell trouble. Panic-stricken, she instinctively tried to grab onto something, but the railing was too far away, and she couldn’t reach it. Just when she thought there was no escaping disaster, someone caught her from behind. As the world spun around her, she cried out in fright, her ears ringing with a buzzing sound. This, she realized, was what it felt like to be utterly terrified.
The person above her asked if she was all right. Her limbs trembled uncontrollably as she pressed a hand to her belly, sensing that nothing seemed seriously amiss. Only then did she get a clear look at the person who had caught her—it was Jinshi, the Thousand Household Commander of the Silk-clad Guard. She hurriedly struggled to her feet, steadied her breath, and said she was fine, though tears still streaked her face. In that moment, she thought of Liangshi, longing for him so intensely she could hardly bear it.
Jinshi watched as she struggled to compose herself for a while before finally covering her face and bursting into sobs. Her figure, heavily pregnant under the setting sun, appeared so frail. Yet all he could offer was a look of pity and silent companionship.
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