I heаr thе wintеrs in thе nоrth are esреciallу long, with snow bеginning tо fаll еасh Septеmber and lasting until March оr Аpril оf the fоllоwing уеar bеfоrе thе iсe аnd snow graduallу mеlt awаy. Comрared tо such harsh соnditiоns, thе сlimаtе of the Сеntral Рlаins is tеmpеratе, trulу a pаrаdise оn earth.
Willow brаnches sprоutеd tеnder buds, thеir newly grown lеаvеs soft уеt rеsiliеnt, реrfeсt fоr weаving into vаrious pаtterns. Хiао You, with hеr skillful hаnds, wоvе a flower bаsket, while Wanwan cоuld only manаge a flоwer сrоwn, which shе wore on her head as she danced for Dongli under the bright spring sunlight.
Dongli was already six months old, unlike his Ama, he was lively and loved to smile. Seeing his mother make funny faces, he laughed so hard his whole body trembled. But one must not overdo it with children, otherwise they’ll laugh endlessly, almost to the point of losing their breath. After playing with him for a while, Wanwan took him in her arms and sang nursery rhymes to him—songs about the weaver girl, melodies that lingered… Dongli listened for a while, grew tired, and nuzzled against her chest, searching for milk.
Wanwan simply smiled, “This child, is his stomach a straight line? He’s hungry right after wetting himself.”
The wet nurse loosened her collar and cradled him, rocking back and forth as she replied, “Of course he wants to eat. Eat, then sleep—that’s how he’ll grow. But there’s one thing the Qi People don’t do well. I’ve heard that once the young masters grow older, they aren’t allowed to eat their fill. They have to go hungry to understand the hardships of life. Master Rong’s family on Mafu Street once had a mishap—the little master was so hungry he caught grasshoppers to eat. Later, for some reason, he contracted malaria and died just like that.” As she spoke, she gently stroked the small head beneath Dongli’s tiger hat. “Thankfully, our family isn’t like those outside. We let the young master eat as much as he wants. Feed my precious little master well, and he’ll marry a consort by the age of ten.”
Wanwan chuckled, “You’re even more impatient than I am. Ten years old…”
“Not even a hair fully grown yet,” Xiao You blurted out, drawing unanimous disdain from everyone present.
The sun grew stronger, its direct rays becoming uncomfortable, so they moved indoors. Recently, Madam Tala hadn’t been visiting often, seemingly unwell herself. Wanwan sent a servant girl to check on her, and it was said she was fine, already up and about as usual.
The spring scenery was lovely. Wanwan leaned on the scroll-ended couch, with the moon cave window right above her head. Beneath the corridor outside the window hung a birdcage. She loved listening to the birds’ songs; even in her dreams, there was a lively flavor. The days were too long, and she couldn’t think of anything to do, much like Dongli—aside from eating and drinking, there was only sleep.
She dozed off with her head resting on a hidden pillow, drifting into bizarre and chaotic dreams. She dreamed of The Emperor slamming the table, of the Inner Cabinet members arguing until their faces turned red. Then a sharp voice cried out, “The great army of Andong Guard is entirely in my hands. Why fight the Northern Barbarians? Let’s march straight to the Capital.”
With a start, she jolted awake, her heart pounding, momentarily unable to distinguish between dream and reality. She sat up, looking around in confusion, and saw Tong Huan’s shocked face, staring outside in astonishment, her gaze fixed on the parrot stand.
A sense of foreboding rose within Wanwan, as if dark clouds had gathered, making the sky itself feel lower. She slipped on her shoes and walked over, hesitating as she said, “How strange, it seemed like someone was speaking just now… Tong Huan, did you hear it?”
Tong Huan remained silent for a moment before replying, “The weather is getting warmer, and bird droppings are falling everywhere. It’ll start to smell soon—we should hang it somewhere else.”
As she tried to leave, Wanwan stopped her. “Was it the bird? I didn’t hear it clearly. Make it say it again.”
Leaning against the windowsill, her hands damp with nervous sweat, the bird did not disappoint. Flapping its wings twice, it laughed again: “Hahaha… I, together with my generals, shall plot to seize the world.”Her mind buzzed, then a vast, howling wind swept through, tearing everything apart. Her legs went weak, almost unable to support her. What was happening? What was going on? Tong Huan rushed forward to steady her. Clutching her wrist, Wanwan asked, "Is this parrot the one that was just moved here? Where was it kept before? Where did you bring it from?"
Tong Huan was also flustered. She turned and called to the servant standing outside, asking about the parrot's origins. The servant girl stammered, "From... the Prince's study... we moved it from there."
Tong Huan was shocked, but fearing Wanwan would be hurt, she hurriedly tried to console her, "It's just a bird. Why take its words seriously?"
Wanwan stared blankly, her face deathly pale. At that moment, she couldn't even articulate her thoughts. Her legs trembled, her body swayed like a bow stretched to its limit, ready to snap at any moment.
A bird moved from Liangshi's study, speaking words of rebellion—who had taught it?
Her heart pounded with fear, almost unable to believe it all. She had been trying to convince herself to trust him, grateful for his loyalty in times of national crisis. Could it all be false? He had been acting in front of her but spoke freely before the parrot. What did this little bird understand? It was merely a copy—repeating whatever it heard in front of it. That was its talent, its way of pleasing people.
She pushed Tong Huan away and walked step by step to the bird stand. She hoped she was mistaken. This was a matter of great importance; she needed to confirm it carefully. Controlling her tone as much as possible, she mimicked the parrot's words, trying to lure it into repeating them. "March straight to the Capital..."
The parrot hopped about again, its voice coarse and rough, "The Andong Guard army is entirely in my hands. Why fight the Northern Barbarians? March straight to the Capital!"
Wanwan collapsed to the ground, her heart bleeding, her mind empty. She didn't even know why she was still alive at that moment. She should have turned to ashes, her soul scattered to the winds.
So she had been treated like a fool. Was this all true? Was it really true...
While he was meticulously plotting to seize the realm, she had been kept in the dark, dreaming of a harmonious and blissful life. The man beside her pillow was an ambitious schemer with insatiable desires. He had pretended to be loyal, filial, and righteous, all for the sake of having both fish and bear's paw. Such a cunning rebel, and she had never noticed, thinking him a good match she could rely on for life.
What irony! She laughed through her tears, her eyes empty as she looked at Tong Huan. "The good days... are over."
Tong Huan had long been in cahoots with Yu Xixia, both tacitly aware of the Prince of Nanyuan's rebellious intentions. They had thought they could keep it hidden for a while, prioritizing the Princess Royal's safety above all else. Never did they expect it would be revealed in such a manner. If there was anyone to blame, it was the Prince of Nanyuan for his carelessness, forgetting that parrots can talk and secrets can leak.
The sky had fallen, and she didn't know where to turn. Tong Huan tried to comfort her, "Don't panic yet. Wait until it's confirmed before you hate him. Don't wrong an innocent person."
Wanwan only shook her head. "Raised by his side, it learned his words. What more confirmation is needed? I was blind, mistaking him for a loyal subject. Now, when I think of the curses from the common people, I deserve it. It's my just punishment."What Tong Huan feared most was seeing her blame herself for everything. What did any of this have to do with her? She was a victim too. Compared to those like them, who cared little about who ruled the land, she had suffered personal harm. The world through her eyes was different from theirs, something they could never truly understand.
The tears on her face had dried in the wind. She had loved, she had hated, and now only boundless pain remained. If she had never held any illusions about him, she would not be facing this heart-wrenching agony today. She recalled her time in the capital—every memory from the past now served as the clearest proof of her own foolishness. Her once-righteous words now felt like merciless slaps, leaving her utterly disheartened. She had even lost her child because of it. She had hated The Emperor, hated the officials of the Inner Cabinet, but who could have known that he was the mastermind behind it all? How could she possibly accept this reality?
She was utterly distraught, struggling to steady herself. Summoning her strength twice, she finally stood up and pointed at the bird. "Dispose of it. It cannot stay."
Tong Huan looked at her hesitantly. "Your Highness means...?"
With her hands hanging limply, she walked into the room, saying as she went, "What happened just now must not be revealed. If word reaches the Prince's ears, you will answer with your head."
What she intended, Tong Huan did not know. It seemed she wanted to keep it hidden, to act as if nothing had happened. Perhaps that was for the best. As the saying goes, "Marry a chicken, follow a chicken; marry a dog, follow a dog." The situation had already changed drastically, and she was powerless to reverse it. It was better to take care of herself, at least knowing that the Prince of Nanyuan's feelings for her were genuine.
Tong Huan accepted the order and left. She sat alone on the couch for a long time, her mind spinning like a windmill as she considered what to do next.
She must remain calm and not alert the enemy. He had hidden himself well, thinking he could deceive her forever. Very well, she would let him have his way. But as a princess of the empire, she could not lose her dignity. She had once said that whoever plotted rebellion would become her mortal enemy—even if it was her own husband, sharing her bed.
She summoned Yu Xixia and carefully inquired about the situation outside. It was true that the imperial court had dispatched troops to suppress the rebellion. It seemed he might very well take advantage of this opportunity to send his troops into Beijing City. If that were indeed the case, it was truly alarming. While Wang Ding still had to fight his way through, he could advance unimpeded. No wonder he had spoken of "marching straight to the Capital."
Such a deep scheme! His foolish Brother was likely still dreaming of peace, while the enemy's blade was already at his throat.
Wanwan closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. Yu Xixia asked her anxiously, "What does Your Highness plan to do?"
Clenching her hands, she said through tears, "No matter how useless my Brother may be, he is still my own flesh and blood. I will not allow anyone to harm his life. How much of what Liangshi said was true? He claimed they would set out at the beginning of the year, so why did the Young Mistress say Lan Zhou had only recently departed? If I am not mistaken, the troops of the Andong Guard must have been divided into two groups. One group set out long ago, while Lan Zhou was in the second group—the one that would serve as the main force to capture the capital."
Yu Xixia was almost astonished. For a young woman to have such meticulous thinking—indeed, she possessed an innate nobility in her bones. Despite being cherished for so long, she had not lost her judgment.He replied, "From what I know, the army of the Andong Guard far exceeds two hundred thousand. The numbers dispatched on the surface follow the imperial court's decree, but since the Inner Cabinet has not sent an imperial envoy to verify the count, even if four hundred thousand troops were mobilized, no one would know."
She nodded, slowly furrowing her brow. "No matter what, we must warn The Emperor. In his desperation, he might grasp at any straw; as long as he hears the Andong Guard has dispatched troops, he'll likely think all is safe."
She went to the desk to write a letter, sincerely urging The Emperor to prioritize state affairs to prevent bandits from gathering and war from breaking out. Handing the letter to Yu Xixia, she instructed, "Choose someone reliable and send it to the capital by urgent courier, ensuring it is personally delivered to The Emperor. The letter is to handle inspections and avoid raising suspicion. The crucial message must be delivered orally: ask The Emperor to immediately mobilize the Xining Guard and Taiyuan Prefecture garrison to support the emperor, in case the Andong Guard army mutinies."
They were now grasshoppers tied to the same string. The Princess Royal was their master; if she chose to accept fate, they would follow her and drift along; if she chose to fight, they would obey her even if it meant being crushed to pieces.
Yu Xixia cupped his hands respectfully. "Your Highness, rest assured. I will handle this swiftly."
As he left the bedchamber, he coincidentally ran into the Prince of Nanyuan. Yu Xixia, having weathered many storms, remained composed, respectfully stepping aside and bowing to him. He only worried whether the princess might slip up and let him catch a clue.
Fortunately, she remained calm as usual, stepping forward to take his arm with a smile. "You're back so early today, what a rare occasion."
He noticed nothing amiss, patting her hand. "I've been busy for so long, neglecting you. All my duties are done, so I returned early today to have dinner with you."
Her smile felt strained, but she still managed to chide in a sweet tone, "Why didn't you send word ahead? Nothing is prepared now. I was just planning to have a simple meal... Look, you'll have the two cooks scrambling..."
Yu Xixia breathed a sigh of relief, feeling an indescribable emotion. It was truly difficult for her, putting on such an act, not knowing how long it would last.
He hurried out through the second gate to the duty room to find Jinshi, handing him the letter. "Her Highness's orders: the letter is the overt message, the oral instruction is covert. Ask The Emperor to dispatch troops from the Xining Guard and Taiyuan Prefecture to support the emperor. If we delay, it will be too late."
Jinshi was startled. "Her Highness already knows?"
Yu Xixia nodded grimly. "The news came from a parrot's mouth, of all things... Human plans are no match for fate!"
Jinshi picked up his sword from the table. "I'll set off immediately."
Yu Xixia stopped him. "Don't make such a grand show of it. You're a Thousand Household Commander—what urgent letter requires you to deliver it personally? Send someone under you, pick a clever one, just like usual."
Jinshi's subordinates were all brothers who had fought alongside him through life and death, trustworthy to the core. However, given the gravity of the matter, they could not afford carelessness. For now, the Princess Royal and the Prince of Nanyuan had not yet broken openly, so leaving at this time was relatively safe. After careful consideration, he chose the most reliable squad leader, Wu Qu, explaining the whole situation to him. Finally, he patted him on the shoulder. "Can you handle it?"
Wu Qu grinned. "Delivering a family letter, what's the big deal! Not just to the capital—even if it were the gates of hell, us men would dare..."He didn't finish his sentence before receiving a kick from Jinshi. "Nonsense! Do more work and less talking. Now go!"
After seeing Wu Qu off, he and Yu Xixia exchanged bleak glances. "What must come will come. Better a clean cut than a slow, agonizing death."
Yu Xixia sighed deeply. "It's just a pity for Your Highness. No matter what, a choice must be made. Three years ago, she might have understood the Prince of Nanyuan, but now it's likely too difficult."
Indeed, it was difficult. When Wanwan faced him now, she was somewhat at a loss. The person who had once promised to rely on each other for life had abandoned her midway. He had grander ambitions, and now it seemed that marrying a princess was not so simple—it was preparation for gradually approaching Imperial Power.
He poured wine for her, but she took the wine pot from him. "How could I drink? I'm just keeping you company. You've worked hard lately; can you rest a bit from now on?"
He grunted in acknowledgment. "The campaign against Nuergan is long and arduous, and provisions must be sent continuously. Originally, the imperial court should have allocated supplies locally, but who knew the Yulin granary would be flooded? This heavy burden has fallen on us again."
In the past, Wanwan would have felt deeply distressed by his toil and effort. But now, as he spoke such blatant lies with open eyes, she felt not the slightest bit moved—instead, she found it utterly ridiculous. Was this what he called love? Long-term deception, covering up for a while, only to make her suffer heart-wrenching pain. He had sworn so solemnly and spoken so convincingly—did he not feel the slightest bit guilty?
She lowered her eyes and served him dishes, saying softly, "The capable bear more burdens. When you achieve great victory, the imperial court will surely reward the Southern Garden. And Lan Zhou..." She smiled bitterly. "Such a young child charging into battle—truly, a tiger father does not beget a dog son. I have no children of my own, so I'll rely on him in the future. He must take good care of himself."
Having no children didn't seem so bad now. Having children with such a heartless, ungrateful person would only produce another Lan Zhou—what was the point?
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