The Golden Hairpin

Huang Zixiao was momentarily stunned by such an undisguised reason and after a long pause, she finally said, "Perhaps... Your Highness should be more cautious?"

"You're mistaken. This is the most cautious choice. After all, matters of family background and moral character have already been vetted by others. So all I need to do is choose the one who pleases my eyes the most. Don’t you think so?"

She could only reply, "Congratulations to Your Highness for finding a perfect match."

He extended his hand toward her without a word.

At first, Huang Zixiao didn’t understand what he wanted. Only when she turned and saw Wang Ruo being guided by the palace maids toward the rear hall did she suddenly realize.

A small commotion arose in the front hall. It turned out that when Princess Qile saw Wang Ruo rise and follow the maids to the rear hall, she immediately understood Li Shubai’s choice. Her hand trembled, spilling a cup of warm soup onto the daughter of Grand Tutor Liu beside her.

Hurriedly grabbing her own handkerchief to wipe the young lady’s dress, she stammered, "Oh, how careless of me—" Before she could finish, her eyes suddenly reddened, and she bit her lower lip hard, turning away to snatch a jade basin from a maid behind her. Pretending to rinse her mouth, she forcibly held back her tears.

Huang Zixiao had no time to attend to her. She quickly opened the brocade box in her hand and took out the branch of qiliuli, handing it to Li Shubai.

Wang Ruo approached with her head slightly bowed, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Up close, she appeared no more than sixteen or seventeen years old. Her dress was embroidered with lush crabapple blossoms, and her pale yellow shawl bore intricate cloud patterns. Six rows of golden hairpins adorned her head, with dangling step-shakers and glittering jeweled tassels. Yet such resplendent attire only accentuated her youthful innocence, giving her an air of unworldly naivety.

Step by step, she walked forward, too shy to lift her gaze.

When she finally stood before him, Li Shubai handed her the peony and for the first time, his voice carried a trace of gentleness: "Your name is Wang Ruo?"

Her entire body shuddered as if struck by lightning. Huang Zixiao saw her clench her hands, then raise her head in shock and excitement to gaze at Li Shubai. A thin layer of moisture quickly gathered in her eyes, and she seemed to fall into a daze, trembling slightly. Her hands clutched tightly at her collar, unable to utter a single word.

Huang Zixiao glanced at Li Shubai. The Penglai Hall stood atop a high platform, and he stood by the rear hall’s window, bathed in the slanting sunlight. The light rendered his entire being translucent, like a celestial being carved from glass and jade. The blazing crimson peony in his hand was in full bloom, yet it couldn’t steal even a fraction of his radiance. Instead, it only heightened his ethereal grace and unparalleled beauty.

Huang Zixiao thought to herself, At the very least, he shouldn’t frighten any young woman—even if he doesn’t make them fall head over heels at first sight.

Li Shubai, too, noticed Wang Ruo’s strangely intense reaction and frowned slightly.

Only then did Wang Ruo seem to realize her own overwhelming emotions. She raised both hands to cover her lips, stammering in flustered agitation, "Prince Kui... It’s really... really you."

Li Shubai arched a brow but remained silent.

"I... I never imagined I would be so fortunate. That’s why... why I’ve behaved so improperly today. Please forgive me, Your Highness..." Her words tumbled out incoherently, her entire being at a loss. When she looked up and saw Li Shubai’s lack of response, her eyes instantly brimmed with tears, threatening to spill over.Li Shubai did not speak, but the expression on his face visibly softened. He handed her the exquisite glass flower he was holding and said, "It's alright. I imagine you are accustomed to a quiet and peaceful life at home and must find this environment unsettling. It was my fault for startling you without warning."

Wang Ruo nodded with tearful eyes, smiling as she curtsied deeply in gratitude. Then, with both hands, she carefully took the glass flower and held it tightly to her chest, her face flushed like a newly bloomed crabapple blossom.

"What do you think of that Wang Ruo?" Li Shubai asked Huang Zixiao on their way back in the carriage.

Huang Zixiao hesitated before replying, "I am merely a minor eunuch in the prince's household. It is not my place to comment on the future princess consort."

Li Shubai ignored her words, picking up the small glass bottle in the carriage and staring at the red fish swimming lazily inside, not even bothering to refute her.

Huang Zixiao had no choice but to say, "There seems to be something amiss."

"Seems?" He tapped the glass bottle lightly with his finger, his tone indifferent. "Before she saw me, her ease and composure were absolutely genuine—she truly didn’t care whether she would be chosen as the princess consort."

"Yet after she was summoned by the court ladies and saw Your Highness, she changed completely. That shock and joy were too intense, almost as if they weren’t real."

"Hmm." Li Shubai nodded, finally shifting his gaze from the fish to her. "Also, when we exchanged betrothal cards upon leaving Penglai Hall, I noticed something concerning on hers."

He retrieved a red card from the carriage drawer, pressed it onto the small table, and slid it toward her.

Huang Zixiao took it and read the inscription:

Wang Ruo, youngest daughter of the fourth branch of the Langya Wang family, born at the second quarter of the hour of Mao on the thirtieth day of the intercalary tenth month of the fourteenth year of the Dazhong era. Father: Wang Zhong. Mother: Lady Jiang. Elder brothers: Wang Jia, Wang Xu. Younger brother: Wang Fu.

It was just a few lines. After reading it, she quickly calculated in her mind and returned the card to him, saying, "This betrothal card is forged."

He gave a slight nod. "You noticed it too?"

"Yes. In the fourteenth year of Dazhong, the intercalary tenth month only had twenty-nine days, not thirty."

Li Shubai finally allowed a faint smile. "Correct."

"The date can be calculated, which shows the forgery was rather careless." She glanced at the card again and added, "The character for 'intercalary' is slightly smaller. Normally, there should be a space between the year and month in such documents, but here there isn’t. It’s clear the 'intercalary' was added later. I’m not sure why, though."

"Because the thirtieth of the tenth month is my mother’s death anniversary—an inauspicious day," he said flatly.

She nodded. "So, to avoid this, they hastily altered it, hoping to slip through unnoticed."

"It makes sense emotionally, but procedurally, it raises more doubts." He pressed his finger against the red card, his expression icy. "Betrothal cards must first be examined by the Grand Astrologer for compatibility. If he had seen the thirtieth of the tenth month, he would have immediately pointed out it was my mother’s death anniversary and disqualified her. Even if someone helped forge this, they wouldn’t have been so careless as to make such a glaring mistake. If the original submission had the intercalary tenth month’s thirtieth day, the Grand Astrologer would have noticed the nonexistent date while assessing the candidates’ fortunes and would never have allowed this card to reach me.""So, this Wang Ruo might not have originally been among the candidates, nor gone through the vetting process, yet she ended up standing before me in the end," Huang Zixiao speculated. "Perhaps because she's the Empress's cousin, the Empress arranged for her to bypass all the tedious procedures for convenience."

"Perhaps. But Wang Ruo herself doesn't concern me—she's merely a pawn. What I care about is who placed her before me and what lies behind it." Li Shubai pondered for a long while before finally saying slowly, "Perhaps, like hidden clues in the grass, this selection of consorts is deeply connected to that talisman I received years ago."

Huang Zixiao nodded, recalling the shock in Wang Ruo's expression when she saw Li Shubai, the tearful smile on her shy face. As a woman, she felt that emotion was far beyond what a mere pawn could possess. But exactly what it was, she couldn't yet say for certain.

Seeing her silent contemplation, Li Shubai remarked, "It seems the situation you'll face regarding my consort selection is far more complicated than expected."

"The more complex the truth, the more loopholes it reveals, giving us more threads to grasp. So complexity isn't necessarily a bad thing," Huang Zixiao replied.

Li Shubai gazed at her. There wasn't a trace of hesitation on her face—only calm and composure. It was the kind of confidence that came from a deep understanding of one's own abilities, unconsciously exuded and impossible for others to question. He felt a faint stirring in his heart, making him involuntarily avert his gaze. To mask it, he lifted the carriage curtain and glanced behind.

The consort selection had concluded, and the young ladies had all returned home. The procession of carriages had left Daming Palace and was now entering Chang'an City.

Last year's withered grass still lined the roadside, while this year's new growth was only a few inches tall. The hills were a mix of yellowed desolation and patchy green, the wind causing layers of grayish-yellow and tender green to shift slowly.

Following closely behind them was the carriage of the Langya Wang family, driven by an elderly servant with two sturdy piebald horses at a steady pace.

He lowered the curtain and said, "The Wang family's carriage is right behind us."

Huang Zixiao thought for a moment, then stood and opened the carriage door. "When we reach the intersection ahead, I'll get off first."

"Why the hurry? I haven't set any time limit."

"Of course I'm in a hurry. Even one day sooner back to Shu would be better!" As she spoke, the carriage slowed to turn at the intersection, and she jumped off.

Through the curtain, Li Shubai saw her stumble slightly before steadying herself, then he lowered his head to focus on the small red fish in his hand.

Huang Zixiao watched as the Kuiwang residence's carriage headed toward Yongjia Ward, while she turned toward Anxing Ward.

Sure enough, the Wang family's carriage gradually came to a stop beside her. A middle-aged woman lifted the curtain and asked, "Aren't you the little eunuch serving His Highness Prince Kui? Where are you headed?"

She looked up and smiled. "Thank you for your concern, madam. I'm going to the West Market to buy some things."

The woman turned to speak with someone inside the carriage, then smiled and said, "We're heading to Guangde Ward, right next to the West Market. If you don't mind, young master, we can give you a ride. What do you think?"

Huang Zixiao declined politely, "That wouldn't be appropriate. How could I share a carriage with such esteemed ladies...""Oh dear, we'll be family soon. Since you serve by His Highness's side, we'll have plenty of chances to meet," the woman said with a beaming smile as she opened the carriage door without hesitation, ushering Huang Zixiang inside.

Upon entering, Huang Zixiang saw Wang Ruo seated inside and promptly greeted the princess consort before thanking the woman. The woman appeared to be in her forties but carried an elegant charm. Though faint wrinkles framed her eyes, they only added to her allure, hinting at the beauty she must have been in her youth.

Huang Zixiang took a seat near the carriage door and stole a glance at Wang Ruo. Her posture was exquisite—her hands gently clasped over her left knee, the wide sleeves of her pale lilac silk robe revealing delicate, slender fingers with perfectly rounded pink nails.

As Huang Zixiang studied those hands, she thought back to her days in Shu Commandery. Though she had been the daughter of a high official, she had spent her time riding and roaming the countryside with her brother and Yu Xuan, even playing polo and cuju more fiercely than the men. She had never bothered with such meticulous hand care.

Lost in thought, she was startled when the older woman asked, "Young eunuch, have you always served by His Highness's side?"

She quickly shook her head. "Only a few days. Other eunuchs usually attend to him, but they all fell ill recently, so I was temporarily assigned."

"Then you must be quite capable to earn His Highness's trust," the woman said with a smile before probing further. "So you must know about His Highness's daily habits?"

"Daily habits... not particularly well," Huang Zixiang admitted honestly. "I'm rather clumsy at serving and only occasionally accompany His Highness on outings."

"But you're still close to him and must know him well," the woman pressed, her eyes crinkling with delight. "Tell us, what colors does Prince Kui prefer? What flavors does he enjoy? What are his maids like?"

Huang Zixiang suddenly found herself in an unexpectedly tricky situation. "Prince Kui... doesn't like being followed around much. He prefers solitude, so maids and such..."

"Nanny," Wang Ruo finally interjected softly, her voice barely audible.

Huang Zixiang noticed the princess consort had nearly buried her face in her robes, her flushed cheeks as enchanting as a light intoxication.

"Oh, my dear girl, there's no need for shyness! You're already his princess consort—it's only natural to learn more about your husband, isn't it?" The woman quickly wrapped an arm around Wang Ruo's shoulders, laughing.

Seizing the opportunity, Huang Zixiang added, "There's no need for concern, my lady. Prince Kui is very amiable, and you are the esteemed daughter of the Langya Wang family, with such striking beauty. Since His Highness chose you among so many, he will surely cherish you as his most precious treasure, never parting from you till old age."Wang Ruo looked up at her and said softly, "Thank you, young eunuch. I hope... your kind words come true." As she spoke, a stiff smile appeared at the corners of her lips, and her face was once again clouded with anxiety. "I... I completely lose my composure the moment I see the Prince. Even walking becomes rigid... As you saw, I'm sure Prince Kui must think I'm foolish, and that makes me even more nervous. I'm afraid he won't be satisfied with me, yet I don't know what to do—even my back is drenched in sweat..."

Huang Zixiang, noticing her growing distress, quickly reassured her, "Don't worry. The Prince won't mind. He must understand you."

The woman immediately chimed in, "Indeed, marrying Prince Kui is the dream of countless young women in the capital. Our young lady has admired him since childhood. This mix of hope and fear—surely you understand, young eunuch."

Huang Zixiang nodded. "Yes, anyone with eyes can see that."

Wang Ruo took a deep breath and murmured, "Thank you."

Beyond that, she said not another word.