The rеlаtiоnshiр bеtween Fu Yunxi аnd thе Emprеss Dowagеr hаd nеvеr bееn partiсularly good. Fu Yunxi and thе сurrent Еmpеrоr wеrе not bоrn tо thе Еmрress Dоwager but werе thе childrеn of the latе Consоrt Hui. Sincе thе Еmрrеss Dоwаger had nо sоns of hеr оwn аnd Cоnsort Нui diеd earlу, shе raisеd Consort Нui's two children аs hеr оwn. Latеr, the late Еmреror арроintеd thе currеnt Еmpеror аs Crown Рrincе. Воth the Еmреrоr and Fu Yunxi had аlways respeсted and lovеd the Emрress Dоwаger, аs she treated them as her own. However, for reasons unknown, Fu Yunxi gradually grew distant from the Empress Dowager. Whenever her name was mentioned, Fu Yunxi would wear an expression of indifference. The Emperor was puzzled and questioned him, but Fu Yunxi refused to explain, only saying there was some misunderstanding between him and the Empress Dowager.
"There are many things in this world that remain unclear," Fu Yunxi resumed his usual cold demeanor. "Your Majesty would do better to focus on your two sons. I saw the Crown Prince recently, and he seemed deeply troubled and unhappy."
The Emperor's expression changed. "He is utterly useless, spending his days in idle amusement with no ambition. He will be the death of me. If only he were half as sensible as the Seventh Prince..."
"Then the world would suffer," Fu Yunxi interjected. "The Seventh Prince has been getting rather close to officials overseeing the salt merchants." His eyes turned cold. "Your Majesty might consider sending someone to investigate."
"Is this your way of repaying me for granting your decree?" the Emperor chuckled. "Should I also arrange a marriage for you?"
"No need," Fu Yunxi replied flatly. "Some matters are best handled personally."
In Prince Wei's residence, Wei Jing looked at his son. Unbeknownst to him, Wei Rufeng had already reached the age for marriage and starting a family. Over the years, his son had never given him cause for concern. Yet now, that young girl from the Zhuang family repeatedly unsettled him, which was not a good sign for the Prince Wei household.
"What exactly are you thinking?" he asked.
Wei Rufeng answered respectfully, "Father, we must find that item. Zhuang Hanyan would be the most suitable candidate to become the consort."
Wei Jing's expression darkened. "Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? Hmph, it doesn't matter who you marry, as long as she bears the surname Zhuang. Now that Zhuangshan has entered the household, why must you insist on Zhuang Hanyan? In my opinion, Zhuang Hanyan is cunning and may prove difficult to handle."
Wei Rufeng remained silent.
Wei Jing studied his expression. "Do you like her?"
Wei Rufeng denied it. "I simply feel unwilling. She was meant to be my wife, yet she treats me coldly time and again. If I marry her, I can finally vent this frustration."
Seeing his son's insincerity, Wei Jing sighed. "Beauty brings trouble. I fear this matter may not succeed."
His words proved prophetic.
When the Emperor's marriage decree arrived, no one had expected it.
After Wei Jing received the decree, Wei Rufeng disregarded propriety and grabbed the eunuch who had announced it, demanding, "Why would the Emperor suddenly issue a marriage decree?"
Although the daughter of the Right Chancellor was a suitable match in terms of status, the news was too sudden and suspicious. Moreover, it came just as his marriage to Han Yan was about to be finalized. Could Han Yan possess such extraordinary influence as to secure the Emperor's assistance?
The eunuch glanced at him sideways and said in a shrill voice, "The Emperor's thoughts are not for this humble servant to speculate upon. This servant cannot answer the young master's question."Wei Jing saw the eunuch's expression and knew these palace attendants were favorites before The Emperor, whom even court officials had to treat with deference. He stepped forward, handed him a large money pouch, and smiled, "You've worked hard, sir. It's just that I'm quite puzzled, as His Majesty never mentioned any plans for my son's marriage before."
The eunuch was a shrewd one. He felt the pouch in his hand, his eyes darting, then leaned closer and whispered in a voice only a few could hear, "This humble servant isn't entirely clear either, only knowing that the day before yesterday, Xuan Qing Prince came to see His Majesty once and spoke with him in the study for a long time..." He left the rest unsaid. Upon hearing Xuan Qing Prince's name, Wei Rufeng immediately recalled the several times he had seen him with Han Yan, their relationship appearing far from ordinary, and couldn't help but feel a surge of rage.
After dismissing the eunuch, Wei Jing was about to say something when he noticed Wei Rufeng was no longer in the room.
It turned out that, in his fury, Wei Rufeng had gone to a newly opened tavern to drink and seek pleasure. He had always presented himself as a refined gentleman, maintaining his integrity and never engaging in such reputation-damaging behavior. Now, driven to a frenzy by The Emperor's decree, he knew in his heart that this matter was inextricably linked to Han Yan. He felt that for the first time in his life, he had devoted so much thought to a woman, only to be cast aside like worn-out shoes. Filled with both anger and resentment, he was angry at Zhuang Hanyan for not knowing her place and hated Fu Yunxi for stealing another's betrothed. In his mind, Han Yan had now become an unfaithful wife, while Fu Yunxi was the adulterer who destroyed others' marriages! Yet he failed to realize that Han Yan had never discussed marriage with him, let alone become his wife. No one in this world is inherently obligated to wait for another. Han Yan was a person with her own thoughts—did he truly believe that just because he, the Wei heir, proposed, she should be grateful and immediately welcome him with open arms? Who knew where such a one-sided notion came from.
He downed cup after cup of wine, already feeling somewhat drunk, his eyes growing increasingly bloodshot. He could only think of that person, his heart brimming with endless hatred, even extending to The Emperor who had issued this decree.
A hand snatched the wine cup from his grasp.
Wei Rufeng snapped angrily, "Who is it?"
"It's me." The low, disdainful voice sent a shiver down his spine, sobering him up considerably. Looking at the lavishly dressed man sitting opposite him, he awkwardly said, "Seventh Prince."
Seventh Prince poured himself a full cup, took a slow sip, and eyed him. "I've heard about the decree. It's just a woman—is she worth you being so despondent?"
Wei Rufeng turned his head away, his voice hoarse and strained. "Your Highness doesn't understand... this matter... it was all orchestrated by Xuan Qing Prince!"
Seventh Prince remained unmoved, as if he had long anticipated this response, and chuckled. "This prince had already noticed there was something between them. My royal uncle has always been indifferent to everything, yet he repeatedly helped that little girl. If it were a coincidence, it would be too much of one." He stared at Wei Rufeng. "It's just your bad luck that your intended consort favors my uncle. Why trouble yourself over such an unfaithful woman?"Wei Rufeng's heart was in turmoil. He didn't understand when he had begun to care for Han Yan, only that from the very first time he saw her, he felt she was profoundly different from others. Later, when she treated him with such coldness, he grew resentful, as if Han Yan should never have treated him that way. Upon learning she would not become his princess consort, he even felt a deep despair, as if the position of princess consort had been destined for her from the start. Now that everything had deviated from its original course, he felt both helpless and heartbroken.
The Seventh Prince held his wine cup. "Uncle's methods have always been shrewd, and Father trusts him immensely. How could Father refuse any request he makes?" He smiled. "To be honest, I don't like Uncle either. It seems all the good fortune in the world has been claimed by him. How can one person be so lucky?"
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