That night, Xie Yao tossed and turned in bed. It wasn’t until the sky began to lighten that she finally fell asleep.
Around the Hour of Chen (approximately 7–9 a.m.), Qingyu had just reached the doorway when she heard Xie Yao’s muffled voice from inside. “Help me get dressed.”
“You’re up so early today, Miss?” Qingyu pushed open the door and hurried in to help her wash and dress.
Xie Yao rubbed her brow but said nothing about having been awake nearly the entire night.
“Do you know whether there are any secondary consorts or concubines in the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace whose names contain the character Yao?”
The sudden question caught Qingyu off guard. Then she laughed. “What are you talking about, Miss? There are no secondary consorts in His Highness’s Eastern Palace. I’m afraid even the sight of women there is rare.”
No consorts or concubines? Xie Yao pursed her lips, somewhat surprised by the answer.
“Why are you suddenly asking about this? Are you worried that after you marry into the Eastern Palace, someone there might share your name?”
Qingyu’s teasing made Xie Yao avert her gaze. Lowering her voice, she said,
“Don’t spread this around. Go investigate something for me. Find out why His Highness suddenly came to Shanglin Garden yesterday. Also look into the people he has known in the past and see whether anyone had the character Yao in their name.”
After giving these instructions, Xie Yao rose and headed outside.
Today was the day the Emperor would lead the ministers and princes to Xishan for the spring hunt. The Empress, the noblewomen, and the ladies of the court were also meant to accompany them.
Xie Yao arrived at the Empress’s courtyard at just the right time, neither too early nor too late, only to be informed that the schedule had been moved up and that the Emperor and Empress had already departed for Xishan.
“Her Majesty said that the winds in Xishan s are strong, and she feared Miss Xie’s health might not withstand them. Coincidentally, the Empress Dowager wishes to meet you, so you have been asked to remain behind and keep the Empress Dowager company.” After the elderly nanny finished speaking, she lowered her head and said, “Miss Xie, this way please.”
The last time Xie Yao had avoided going to Cining Palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager had been only three days ago. She hadn’t expected to be unable to avoid it this time, after all. Following the nanny, she made her way to the Empress Dowager’s chambers. The moment she stepped inside, she heard a familiar voice.
“Grandmother, you seem to be in excellent spirits today.”
“I look the same every day. You’re the only one who says such things to make me happy.”
The Empress Dowager chuckled and tapped his forehead lightly.
Gu Changze smiled, then turned his gaze toward the entrance. “Grandmother, someone has arrived.”
A fair, delicate hand lifted the hanging curtain. A young noblewoman of striking beauty and gentle features stepped inside. “May Your Majesty the Empress Dowager enjoy peace and good health.”
“So this is Miss Xie?” The Empress Dowager leaned forward slightly to examine her.
“Yes, Your Majesty. This subject is indeed Xie Yao.”
It was Xie Yao’s first time meeting the Empress Dowager, and she could not help feeling nervous. She also worried the Empress Dowager might be displeased because she had not come to pay her respects at Cining Palace before.
“Rise and take a seat.”
Xie Yao hurriedly thanked her and stood up. Looking around, she spotted the nearest stool more than twenty feet away. Just as she was about to move it over, the Empress Dowager glanced at the situation and immediately laughed.
“You’ll soon be one family anyway. Why is it that you two betrothed youngsters aren’t saying a word to each other?”
“Or is it because I’m sitting here that you’re both feeling shy?”
“Yao’er, come sit beside me.”
Gu Changze sat beside the Empress Dowager, smiling without speaking.
Directly instructed, Xie Yao had no choice but to move closer.
An empty seat remained on the Empress Dowager’s other side, and another beside Gu Changze. Since Xie Yao was doing everything she could to avoid him, she deliberately took the longer route and sat on the side opposite him.
The Empress Dowager immediately laughed again. “Ze’er, it’s one thing to put on your Crown Prince airs in front of outsiders, but it seems even your future Crown Princess is a little afraid of you.”
At those words, Xie Yao immediately bit her lip and lowered her head.
Setting down his teacup, Gu Changze looked up and noticed the blush creeping along her ear. Amusement flashed through his eyes. “Miss Xie, do I really look that frightening?”
Xie Yao quickly shook her head. “Certainly not.”
“You two are about to be married. Such distance between you won’t do. Ze’er, when you return, don’t spend every day cooped up in the Eastern Palace recuperating. I see that you’ve had some free time recently. You should visit the Xie residence more often and show some concern.” As she spoke, the Empress Dowager gently took hold of Xie Yao’s hand.
Xie Yao had never expected the Empress Dowager to be so kind and approachable. Much of the nervousness she had felt upon entering faded away. She curved her lips, about to respond softly—but in the next instant, her eyes widened in shock, and she nearly cried out.
The Empress Dowager took Xie Yao’s hand with one hand and Gu Changze’s with the other, then placed them together and gave them a gentle pat. A warm, large hand settled over hers.
Gu Changze’s hand almost completely enclosed her own. His long fingers wrapped around her palm, brushing it lightly.
Suddenly, Xie Yao felt an inexplicable tickle at the tip of her heart. She shifted awkwardly, but did not dare pull her hand away.
The Empress Dowager looked at their joined hands and smiled in satisfaction. “Good child, the two of you are truly well matched.”
The Empress Dowager released their hands with a cheerful smile. Just as Xie Yao was about to withdraw hers, Gu Changze naturally clasped it again and said to the Empress Dowager with a smile, “Girls are thin-skinned, Grandmother. Please don’t frighten her.”
“You’re certainly considerate. I only just told you to cherish your future Crown Princess more, and you’re already protecting her.”
Their teasing only made Xie Yao blush even deeper. Taking advantage of the Empress Dowager’s inattention, she shot Gu Changze a glance. The embarrassment and annoyance shimmering in her watery eyes stirred something in his heart. At last, though somewhat reluctantly, he let go of her hand.
Only then did Xie Yao let out a quiet sigh of relief.
But the Empress Dowager immediately took her hand again and asked, “Have you been busy lately? I heard you were ill a few days ago. Are you feeling much better now? The palace has already begun preparing for your wedding with Ze’er. If there’s anything you want, just tell him. Even though the arrangements are being made rather hastily, we certainly cannot allow you to feel wronged.”
The Empress Dowager held her hand and chatted with her for a long time. Eventually, signs of drowsiness appeared on her face, yet she still smiled and said, “I like you very much. When you have time in the future, come and sit with me more often.”
She even ordered a large quantity of nourishing tonics to be sent to Xie Yao’s residence.
Unable to refuse such generosity, Xie Yao found herself deeply moved. Since Prince Xie and his wife passed away, this was the first time she had felt such genuine kindness from an elder.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This subject will certainly come visit again when I have the opportunity.”
“Ze’er, see Yao’er out.”
Gu Changze followed her outside.
Still thinking about last night’s teasing and her own hasty retreat, Xie Yao lowered her head as they reached the corridor. “The wind is strong outside, Your Highness. You should go back.”
Gu Changze paid it no mind and kept walking beside her. “One of Grandmother’s nannies is standing right at the gate. If I don’t see you out, she’ll surely go back and complain to Grandmother.”
Xie Yao glanced back and, seeing it was true, could only continue walking beside him.
The two walked in silence for a while. Strangely enough, their footsteps remained perfectly in sync.
After some time, Xie Yao asked, “Is Your Highness’s old illness any better? Why did you come out today?”
“My head still aches a little, but it is nothing serious. Grandmother said she wanted to meet her future granddaughter-in-law. As her grandson, I could hardly refuse to come.”
His tone was calm and gentle as always, yet Xie Yao could still hear a trace of laughter hidden within it.
Remembering how the Empress Dowager had already released their hands inside, only for Gu Changze to clasp hers again, and how he continued teasing her now, Xie Yao finally could not hold back. “Your Highness! A few days ago, you clearly said…”
Only a few days earlier, he had promised her. Three days had passed without a word from him, and now he was joining the Empress Dowager in teasing her.
Xie Yao couldn’t help but wonder whether this was truly the same Crown Prince everyone described as a refined gentleman whose word was as good as gold.
“Said what?”
Xie Yao bit her lip, about to answer when a carefree, teasing voice suddenly interrupted her. “Oh? Where are you taking Ah Yao, Elder Brother?”
The moment she heard that voice, Xie Yao’s body stiffened. Instinctively, she took two steps backward and lowered her head.
The smile in Gu Changze’s eyes faded bit by bit. “Sixth Brother.”
Dressed in luxurious brocade robes, the newcomer wore a reckless, roguish smile. Instead of greeting them first, he looked straight at Xie Yao. His eyes slowly swept over her, taking in everything from her beautiful face to her graceful, slender figure. He lightly licked his dry lips. “Ah Yao, it’s been quite some time since we last met.”
Back then, the Sixth Prince’s pursuit of the young lady of the Xie residence had been the talk of the entire capital. In the end, however, Xie Yao had become engaged to Xiao Min. From then on, the Sixth Prince never again mentioned his past with the Xie family’s daughter, though he had carried thoughts of her in his heart for years. The last time he had seen Xie Yao was at her coming-of-age ceremony.
Now, a year later, the young noblewoman had grown even more breathtaking. Her figure was slender, her skin fair, and every feature seemed perfectly suited to his tastes. Why did she have to be the Crown Princess?
The regret in Gu Xiudun’s eyes had not yet faded when Gu Changze suddenly reached out. With a turn of his wrist, he pulled Xie Yao to his side, completely blocking Gu Xiudun’s view of her. His voice remained gentle, but his eyes were cold and dark. “At this hour, Sixth Brother should be hunting with Father Emperor in Xishan. Why have you returned? Though it matters little that you’ve come back, you should keep a clear head. Don’t wander down the wrong path and start thinking about people you shouldn’t.”
With that, Gu Changze took Xie Yao’s hand and walked past Gu Xiudun.
Left standing alone, Gu Xiudun watched their backs. His smile vanished, replaced by a vicious glare.
That aggressive, possessive gaze clung to Xie Yao’s back like a thorn, making her deeply uncomfortable. Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Gu Changze’s hand and quickened her pace.
Gu Changze escorted her all the way back to her residence. After giving a few thoughtful instructions, he turned away.
The warm smile that had lingered on his face disappeared completely, leaving only coldness and menace behind.
“Gu Xiudun has truly been enjoying life far too comfortably.”
For the rest of the day, Xie Yao remained in her quarters, resting. Just as promised, the Empress did not send for her again. It was not until shortly before the Hour of Xu that someone arrived with the message that the Empress Dowager wished to see her.
Not daring to delay, Xie Yao hurriedly tidied herself up and followed the palace attendant.
The Empress Dowager’s residence was not close to where she was staying. Night had already fallen, and the lantern the attendant carried ahead swayed unsteadily.
Xie Yao kept her head lowered, watching the road beneath her feet. She paid no attention to the fact that they had already turned onto a remote and deserted path.
After nearly half an hour of walking without arriving, Xie Yao frowned and looked up. “We’re still not there…? Ah!”
Before she could finish speaking, her vision suddenly went dark as she collided with someone’s chest.
“Yao’er, have you missed me?”
That voice…
Xie Yao’s breathing caught. Instinctively, she shoved him away with all her strength and turned to run. She had barely taken two steps before Gu Xiudun caught up with her. He seized her slender wrist and wrapped an arm around her waist, dragging her back against him. The aggressive gaze she had seen earlier that day swept over her openly and without restraint.
Gu Xiudun reached toward the collar of her robe. “Good Yao’er, what use is there in marrying a sickly man like the Crown Prince? You’d be better off following me. This prince can give you a good life too.”
His greedy eyes remained fixed on her. Grabbing her chin, he forced her face upward and leaned in as though to kiss her.
Xie Yao felt as though she had plunged into an icy abyss. Her eyes widened in terror.
“Someone, help—!” Her voice rang out in panic.
Hardly anyone ever passed through this remote pathway. Even her tone had become distorted with fear.
She tried to retreat desperately, but Gu Xiudun’s grip on her wrist was too tight. She could not break free.
“There’s no one around, Ah Yao. In a place like this…”
The enlarged face before her was smug with satisfaction.
Tears of fear welled up in Xie Yao’s eyes as she watched Gu Xiudun reach for her collar, about to touch her skin—suddenly, a large, well-defined hand shot out from the side and clamped tightly around his wrist.
The next moment, Xie Yao was pulled into someone’s embrace. With tears still glistening in her anxious eyes, she stared blankly at the man’s profile. Her heart pounded violently in her chest. The tall figure standing before her completely shielded her within his arms.
Under the moonlight, the usually gentle eyes she knew were now filled with fury and icy indifference.
In the next instant, a dazzling flash of white streaked through the darkness.
A sharp crack rang out. Warm blood sprayed into the air, and Gu Xiudun’s agonized scream echoed down the narrow path.
Gu Changze’s voice was cold and sinister. “Sixth Brother, have I not already warned you to stay away from my people?”