Only when the eunuch placed the imperial decree in her hands did Xie Yao finally realize what had happened. Qingyu shoved her, and only then did she instinctively tighten her grip on the decree. “Eunuch,” she greeted the eunuch.
The eunuch who had come to deliver the edict looked at her with a broad smile, wearing an expression that practically proclaimed, “What an unparalleled honor for the young lady.”
Xie Yao opened her mouth, intending to cautiously probe for more information. Unfortunately, the eunuch claimed ignorance about everything she asked. He played dumb so perfectly that she had no choice but to maintain a polite smile and see him out.
The moment the door closed behind him, she froze in place.
“Miss, didn’t you say the Empress had already agreed not to marry you off to any of the princes?” Qingyu looked just as stunned, still struggling to process the situation.
That was a question Xie Yao wanted answered even more than Qingyu did.
Logically speaking, after everything that had been said in the main hall, the Empress should have abandoned such an idea. So how was it that, the very next moment, the Emperor had issued an imperial decree of marriage? And not just to any prince, but to the Crown Prince?
Xie Yao’s thoughts were in complete disarray. No matter how hard she tried, she could not make sense of it. She could only clutch the decree tightly in her hands. Looking at the imperial seal stamped upon it, she knew this was truly happening.
In the span of a single afternoon, she had gone from being an orphan whose engagement had been broken off by Chancellor Xiao’s Manor to becoming the future Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince? Only when those words crossed her mind did Xie Yao remember the name bound to hers in the imperial decree.
The Crown Prince, Gu Changze. They had met only once before, that very afternoon outside the Imperial Garden. Could that single encounter have led to this decree of marriage?
The moment the thought arose, Xie Yao could not help laughing at herself for indulging in such wishful thinking. They had exchanged only a few brief words. How could that possibly be enough for the dignified Crown Prince to personally seek an imperial decree to marry her? But if that wasn’t the reason, had the Emperor already decided long ago that she would marry into the imperial family? If so, why had he sent the Empress to ask for her opinion?
The imperial family’s thoughts were as deep and unfathomable as the sea. Xie Yao did not dare speculate, and Qingyu looked even more lost and anxious as she stared at her.
“Miss… at least say something.” Qingyu had guessed that her mistress was unwilling, but Xie Yao’s silence still frightened her.
After perfunctorily responding to the servants’ congratulations, Xie Yao pulled Qingyu into her room and shut the door behind them with a sharp click.
Once only mistress and maid remained, Qingyu finally gathered the courage to speak. “If you’re unhappy, then cry if you need to. This servant will stay with you.”
Thinking of her mistress’s misfortunes, Qingyu’s heart ached. The Prince and Princess Consort had only recently passed away. Then Young Master Xiao had broken off their engagement. Now she was being forced to marry into the very imperial family she disliked most. The thought of her spending the rest of her life trapped within those deep palace walls, tied to the frail and sickly Crown Prince, was heartbreaking. And if something happened to the Crown Prince one day, her young mistress might even be left a widow.
Qingyu thought about it more and more, and the more she thought, the more pitiful her mistress seemed. Unable to hold it in any longer, she burst into tears. “Miss, you truly are…”
Hearing her cry, Xie Yao looked over and couldn’t help but laugh. “Weren’t you supposed to be comforting me? How come you’re the one crying first?”
“Th-this servant… this servant is grieving for your sake.”
Who in the capital didn’t know of the Crown Prince’s condition? He was said to cough up blood every few steps. The poison in his body, compounded by old injuries, had utterly ruined his health. He rarely even left his residence, and no one knew whether he would live to see his twentieth birthday.
On the surface, the Emperor’s decree seemed like overwhelming imperial favor. But upon closer examination, if fate proved especially cruel, Xie Yao might lose her husband shortly after marrying into the Eastern Palace. Worse still, she could end up bearing the reputation of bringing misfortune to her spouse.
The thought only made Qingyu cry harder.
“The decree has already been issued. No matter what happens, it can’t be changed. Keep your voice down when you cry. Don’t let anyone outside hear you.”
Walls had ears. Even speaking privately required Xie Yao to bring Qingyu into her room first. Naturally, she did not dare let the girl wail too loudly.
The broken engagement had already been the talk of the town over the past few days. Now that the imperial decree had betrothed her to the heir of the Eastern Palace, the matter would undoubtedly spark even greater discussion.
The Emperor’s grace was immense. He had gone so far as to bestow one of his own sons upon her in marriage. Regardless of her true feelings, she was expected to appear delighted.
Xie Yao understood that all too well. She sat quietly, neither crying nor protesting. After Qingyu cried for a while, the maid sniffled and asked, “Miss… don’t you feel wronged at all?”
Could she really make a scene over something that could not be changed?
Xie Yao stared at the imperial decree lying on the table. After a moment of stunned silence, she smiled faintly. “The Emperor’s bestowal of marriage is a good thing. Just yesterday, Chancellor Xiao looked down on us. Then, in the blink of an eye, His Majesty and the Crown Prince have shown me favor. The rumors outside will naturally disappear on their own. Shouldn’t I be happy?”
Qingyu immediately grew anxious. “But the Crown Prince is…”
“Is what?” Xie Yao interrupted. “The Crown Prince is the heir apparent. His frail health is merely the lingering result of the wounds he suffered in battle for Great Sheng years ago. Now that the Imperial Physicians are caring for him attentively, and with the blessings he enjoys, there will surely come a day when he recovers.”
As she spoke, she shook her head. “Qingyu, whether in public or in private, discussing the imperial family carelessly is a capital offense. You must be more careful.”
The reminder immediately drained the color from Qingyu’s face. Too frightened to continue, she dared not say another word.
The sight of her tear-streaked face, mixed with lingering fear, made Xie Yao curl her lips in amusement. “Think of the bright side. If we move into the Eastern Palace, you won’t lack good food or comforts. Life will likely be even better than it was in the Prince’s Manor. Shouldn’t you be happy?”
“But that’s different, Miss! The Prince’s Manor is our home!”
Home? At those words, the smile on Xie Yao’s lips faded, and confusion flashed through her eyes. What home did she have left?
Qingyu also realized she had said the wrong thing. Stammering, she tried to comfort her mistress, but Xie Yao merely shook her head and dismissed her. “I’m a little hungry. Go see whether there’s any food being kept warm in the front courtyard and bring some over.”
Qingyu turned and left.
Soon, Xie Yao was the only person remaining in the room. She rose to close the door. The moment she turned around, all the strength seemed to leave her body. She slid to the floor and crouched, wrapping her arms tightly around herself. The smile and easy composure she had maintained vanished completely. Only then did the helplessness and panic she had been suppressing finally show through.
“How… how did it end up being the Crown Prince…?” she murmured.
Marrying into the imperial family was something she had never imagined, neither then nor now. Beyond those palace walls stood the exalted imperial clan, with its harsh rules, scheming hearts, and a future husband who was the heir apparent, a man she had met only once.
Three months ago, the deaths of her father and elder brother, followed by her mother’s suicide by hanging, had shattered the once warm and happy Prince Xie’s Manor.
Maternal uncles and half-uncles plotted to seize her family estate; powerful, long-time family acquaintances pressured her into dissolving her engagement; and her fiancé grew increasingly cold toward her over the past month. She had been forced to shoulder everything alone, handling the family’s funeral affairs and managing the entire household. She had thought that if she could simply endure this difficult period, things would eventually get better.
Yet she had never expected Chancellor Xiao’s annulment of the engagement to thrust her into the center of public gossip. And now, the imperial decree bestowing marriage upon her had struck her like a bolt from the blue, completely disrupting every plan she had made for the future. She would have to face, alone, a world she had never once imagined entering.
“Father… Brother…” she whispered. Pressing a hand tightly against her chest, the confusion and helplessness in her eyes spilled forth unchecked.
Naturally, she lacked the courage to refuse an imperial marriage. Nor was this a match she could withdraw from simply because she wished to.
But why her? Was it because she was the daughter of a loyal minister’s family? Or was she merely being used to silence the criticism and gossip of the people?
Xie Yao clenched her sleeves tightly, unable to utter a single word for a long time. Only after quite a while, when approaching footsteps sounded from outside, did she finally collect herself and compose her emotions.
When Qingyu pushed open the door, she saw Xie Yao seated at the table, carefully putting away the imperial decree. “The dishes are hot, Miss. Please eat something.”
Xie Yao nodded and took her seat, lifting a spoon.
As Qingyu served food onto her plate, she asked. “And why would the Crown Prince choose you?”
Xie Yao set down her spoon. “Later, bring me some paper and ink. I want to write a letter. Find a way to send it to the Fifth Princess.”
“You mean to…?” Startled, Qingyu widened her eyes.
“To ask.”
“Miss!”
“What are you afraid of?” Xie Yao’s mood had eased somewhat by now, and she appeared unconcerned.
“Even though we’ve always been close with the Fifth Princess, so many people are watching us now. If His Majesty or Hthe Crown Prince discovered the letter..”
Well, it’s not as though I can go ask the Emperor myself.
Xie Yao muttered inwardly before saying aloud, “If the Crown Prince truly learns of it and becomes angry over a single question of mine, then so be it. And if he isn’t angered by it, then there’s no harm in asking.”
Not long after, a letter was delivered to the Fifth Princess’s residence.
The Eastern Palace, near dusk
Wisps of smoke drifted through the air. Fierce charcoal fires burned inside the chambers, yet Gu Changze stood by the window, quietly watching the people bustling about in the courtyard.
“Your Highness seems to be in quite a refined mood today. You’ve even taken out pen and ink.” His attendant glanced at the letter spread open on the desk and looked surprised.
“The strong winds outside have disturbed even the flowers I’ve nurtured. Since I don’t wish for her to burden herself with anxious speculation, naturally I must put in a little effort.”
Gu Changze chuckled softly.
The attendant felt there was a deeper meaning behind those words, but he could not fathom his master’s thoughts and could only laugh along.
“Your Highness seems to be in a very good mood today.”
Originally, he had assumed that after the discussion in Qianqing Palace, where several princes had worked together to push the young lady of Prince Xie’s Manor onto the Crown Prince, his master would be displeased. Who would have thought he would still have the leisure to write letters?
Yet when the attendant looked outside at the palace maids busily moving flowers and plants about, he found the Crown Prince’s mood even harder to understand.
Those magnolia trees had been growing in the Crown Prince’s courtyard for three years. Whenever he had free time, he personally pruned and cared for them. Yet today, the moment he returned, he ordered them all moved to the rear courtyard for safekeeping.
“The magnolias are just about to reach their most beautiful blooming season. If they’re moved to the rear courtyard, how will Your Highness enjoy them afterward?”
“I’ll still be able to see them.” Gu Changze seemed unconcerned. Stepping out of the room, he was immediately met by a gust of cold wind. His complexion turned even paler, and he coughed twice.
“Oh dear, please go back inside, Your Highness. Don’t catch a chill.”
Everyone knew the Crown Prince’s health. A man who grew short of breath after only a few steps hardly should be standing out in the wind.
Gu Changze waved a hand dismissively. Standing beneath the corridor, tall and elegant as jade, he spoke gently to the attendant.
“The flowers in the eastern courtyard are blooming best. Move those to the inner courtyard as well in a few days.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“The palace maid who entered my study without permission yesterday. What became of her?”
“She was caught. She’s being interrogated in the dungeon.”
“Beat her to death. Flay her and break her bones. Then send what’s left to the Third Prince’s residence.”
Gu Changze delivered the order as casually as if discussing the weather.
The sun neared the horizon. The last trace of crimson light spilled across the magnolia blossoms in the courtyard.
The flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their fragrance drifting through the air. The man stood beneath the corridor, his sleeves fluttering lightly in the wind, a hint of pleasure showing between his brows.
“Today is the twenty-first day of the second month.”
“Yes, Your Highness has quite the memory.”
Gu Changze suddenly took a couple of leisurely steps forward. His pale fingers brushed against a blossom beside him as he smiled. “The scenery of Shengjing is at its finest. In a few months’ time, it will be the height of spring.”