Within two days of the imperial decree, news that Xie Yao would become the Crown Princess had spread throughout Shangjing.
No matter how jealous people might be behind closed doors, everyone smiled and came to Prince Xie’s Manor to offer their congratulations.
The manor’s entrance was crowded with visitors from morning till night. Congratulatory gifts piled up until even Xie Yao’s private storerooms were filled to the brim, a stark contrast to the deserted quiet of just a few days earlier.
Even Xie Yao’s aunt by marriage, Madam Cao, eagerly brought her two daughters to visit in person and offer their congratulations.
“I’ve always said that our Yao’er is blessed with good fortune. It was the Xiao family who failed to appreciate what they had. When you become Crown Princess in the future, don’t forget your two cousins. It would make all the worry worthwhile. These past days I’ve been so concerned about you that I could hardly eat.”
Madam Cao clasped Xie Yao’s hands warmly. Hardly three sentences escaped her lips without mentioning her two unmarried daughters. At the most emotional moments, she even dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief.
Throughout it all, Xie Yao responded politely and graciously, but she never actually promised anything.
The steward spent the entire day cataloging and recording the gifts one by one.
After courteously seeing Madam Cao and her two daughters off, Xie Yao turned around and immediately dropped the handkerchief she had just used to wipe Madam Cao’s tears onto the ground.
“Bring me some water.” After washing her hands clean, she finally sent away the last of her visitors. Only when she returned to her chambers did a trace of exhaustion appear on her face.
Qingyu helped her change into a fresh set of clothes and gently combed her hair while asking, “Why don’t you refuse visitors tomorrow and take a proper day to rest?”
Her illness had only recently improved, yet she still had to exhaust herself navigating all these social niceties. Qingyu couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
“Now that the imperial betrothal has been announced, everyone’s attention in the capital is fixed on our manor. If we close our doors and refuse visitors, people will inevitably gossip that you’ve become arrogant.”
Xie Yao took a sip of tea from the cup beside her. Though she said as much, she truly had little desire to deal with these people.
When Prince Xie died, none of them came to pay their respects. When she had been bedridden with illness, none had come to visit. Yet now, with a single imperial decree of marriage, they all suddenly lamented her father’s untimely death and pitied her as an orphaned young woman with no one to rely on.
“Prepare some offerings tomorrow. Accompany me to Qingming Mountain to pay respects to Father and Mother.”
She could not avoid these people forever, but she could at least avoid them for a little while longer. The imperial decree had thrust her into the center of public attention. Countless eyes watched her every move. In such circumstances, the more she did, the more opportunities for mistakes she created. Better to take this chance to visit her parents’ graves once more. After all, if she truly entered the imperial palace in the future, she might have few opportunities to leave again.
The thought weighed on her heart like a heavy stone.
Ever since issuing the decree, the Emperor had made no further indication of his intentions. The Empress had not summoned her again. And her nominal future husband, the Crown Prince, remained sequestered in the Eastern Palace, recovering from illness and not setting foot outside, as though he were entirely unaware of the decree.
Palace regulations were strict. Without a summons, she could not enter the palace freely. Gu Ming had promised to help sound out the situation for her, so no matter how anxious she felt, Xie Yao had no choice but to wait at home.
The hand holding the comb tightened slightly.
In the dim bronze mirror, a beautiful face appeared, tinged with weariness and melancholy. Candlelight flickered between bright and shadowed. Her long black hair cascaded down her neck. Pearl hairpins and golden ornaments swayed gently in the breeze. A thread of sorrow lingered between her brows, refusing to fade.
Early the next morning, Xie Yao boarded a carriage bound for Qingming Mountain.
Qingming Mountain lay near Huguo Temple some distance outside the capital. Prince Xie’s Manor had closed its gates early that morning, causing all those eager to curry favor with the future Crown Princess to make the trip in vain. Frustrated, they could only return home empty-handed.
Meanwhile, as Xie Yao’s carriage rolled through the city streets, she listened to the endless discussions about her wherever she went.
Most people spoke with envy and jealousy. Everyone thought she was extraordinarily fortunate. Her parents had died, she had lost her family’s backing, and her fiancé had broken off their engagement. Yet in the blink of an eye, she had climbed onto the imperial family’s highest branch.
“If it were anyone else, would they be so lucky? Our Emperor is benevolent. He’s taking care of the descendants of loyal ministers.”
“The Xiao family simply lacked the fortune for it. Not only did they anger the Emperor, but the woman they looked down on has now risen to prominence. If I were Chancellor Xiao, I’d regret it until my intestines turned green.”
“But I heard that even the princes are reluctant to give up the position of principal wife. So why would the position of Crown Princess…?”
“Isn’t it because the Crown Prince has been ill for years? I’m afraid he may no longer have any chance at that position, so His Majesty…”
Whether the comments were favorable or unfavorable, Xie Yao let them pass by like the wind. Still, it was the first time she had heard commoners speak so freely about the Crown Prince.
“Has His Highness truly been recuperating in the Eastern Palace all these years?”
“Yes. They say His Highness has been bedridden for a long time. Under normal circumstances, he scarcely even leaves his residence, much less participates in state affairs. Some even say that out of ten court sessions, he misses nine.”
Qingyu repeated what she had managed to gather, though she felt uneasy inside.
The Crown Prince might indeed be the legitimate occupant of the Eastern Palace, but everyone knew he had few political supporters. Coupled with such a frail constitution, he seemed to have little hope of inheriting that supreme position.
At a quarter past ten in the morning, the carriage arrived at Qingming Mountain.
Prince Xie and his son had fallen in battle, earning the highest honor. The Emperor had personally bestowed their coffins and ordered several princes to accompany and support the funeral procession. Originally, they had been intended for burial in one of the capital’s most auspicious resting places. However, the entire Xie family’s ancestral graves lay on Qingming Mountain. In the end, the Emperor respected the Xie family’s wishes and allowed them to be laid to rest there instead.
Early that morning, after a night of rain, the mountain paths had become slick with mud. Once Xie Yao had finished paying her respects at the graves of Prince Xie and his wife, her mood grew as gloomy as the leaden sky overhead, shrouded in a heavy layer of melancholy.
Her father had been kind and generous, deeply affectionate toward all his children. Though her mother had possessed the cool beauty of an ice sculpture, her temperament had been exceptionally gentle. Her elder brother had only entered the Ministry of War two years ago, a promising young official full of ambition and vigor. Yet in a mere three months, the world had changed, and life and death now separated them forever.
Even after all this time, Xie Yao still dreamed each night of the happy days when the entire family had been together. The loss of her closest loved ones remained a scar across her heart, one that ached every time she thought of it. She remained silent throughout the journey.
Qingyu and the guards also refrained from speaking.
By the time they reached the mountainside, a fine drizzle had begun to fall from the sky.
“Miss, please wait here. I’ll go find an umbrella.” Qingyu hurriedly took off her outer robe, ready to shield Xie Yao from the rain, while the guards anxiously ran downhill.
“There’s no need. Cough, cough…” Xie Yao had barely spoken when a gust of mountain wind swept toward her, making her lower her head and cough several times. Her complexion turned noticeably pale. She had only recently recovered from a serious illness. Combined with the sorrow caused by the broken engagement and the deaths of Prince Xie and his wife, she had spent many sleepless nights grieving. Now, even a little wind was enough to make her feel unwell.
“Isn’t that Huguo Temple ahead?” She pointed forward.
The rain was steadily growing heavier. By the time anyone found an umbrella, they would likely have to travel all the way back to the capital. It was still late February, and everyone was wearing padded winter clothing. Xie Yao did not want the guards troubling themselves any further. It would hardly be worthwhile if they caught a chill because of it.
“Why don’t we go burn incense and offer prayers at the temple today? We can also stay there temporarily and wait for the rain to pass.”
Since she had spoken, the guards naturally dared not object.
Xie Yao boarded the carriage once more, and soon the guards drove it to the gates of Huguo Temple.
As for the late Princess Consort Xie, she had been a devout Buddhist during her lifetime and was on friendly terms with the temple’s abbot. Upon hearing that Xie Yao had arrived, the abbot immediately ordered ginger soup and clean clothes to be prepared, then greeted her with a benevolent smile.
“Since Miss Xie has honored us with her visit, we ought to arrange our finest courtyard for you. However, an esteemed guest is staying at the Huguo Temple today. To avoid disturbing them, we can only offer the North Courtyard for your accommodation.”
Huguo Temple was renowned for its thriving incense offerings. Every day, countless nobles and dignitaries came and went. Xie Yao merely nodded, unconcerned, and returned half a bow. “I am already imposing upon you, Abbot.”
After exchanging a few polite words, she went to the North Courtyard to change clothes before proceeding to the main hall to worship.
Wisps of incense curled through the air. Distant bells tolled softly, accompanied by sutra chanting. Gradually, the sacred atmosphere soothed the heaviness weighing on Xie Yao’s heart. She remained kneeling before the Buddha, offering prayers for nearly two hours.
Around half past two in the afternoon, Xie Yao finally left the prayer hall.
Outside, a drizzle was still falling. Qingyu stepped forward and raised an umbrella over her head.
“I’d like to walk around by myself for a while.” Looking at the scenery within the temple grounds, Xie Yao suddenly spoke.
It had been some time since her last visit to Huguo Temple. She vaguely remembered that the previous time she had come, she and Xiao Min had accompanied Princess Consort Xie and Madam Xiao. Back then, the lotus flowers in Qing Garden’s pond had been blooming in magnificent abundance.
Now, everything had changed. On her second visit, only she remained.
Xie Yao dismissed Qingyu and, carrying her umbrella alone, found herself unconsciously walking back to the lotus pond.
It was early spring—chilly winds mixed with a gentle rain. The lotus flowers had not yet reached their season of bloom, and only broad green lotus leaves filled the pond, swaying beneath the wind and rain.
The pavilion stood empty.
She stopped beside the bridge, her slender fingers gliding over the cold stone railing as raindrops splashed against her fingertips. Suddenly, she thought of Princess Consort Xie.
When Gu Changze approached, this was the scene that greeted him. The young woman was graceful and slender, holding an umbrella in one hand. Her pale blue dress mingled with the misty rain and wind. Her long black hair flowed down her back, and her eyes were lowered as though she were lost in thought. The lotus buds had yet to emerge, leaving the pond covered only in a sea of emerald leaves. Beside the pavilion, willow branches had begun to sprout fresh spring growth. Amidst the expanse of green, that touch of pale blue stood out all the more vividly.
Her beauty was breathtaking. Her features were exquisite, her gaze as clear and fluid as rippling water. Even with her brows lightly furrowed and her head bowed in melancholy, she seemed a beauty capable of eclipsing all others, past and present.
“Though it is already mid-spring, the weather is still cold. Even if you enjoy the lotus scenery, Miss Xie should take care of her health.” A clear, gentle voice sounded from behind her.
Xie Yao subconsciously turned around and saw Gu Changze walking toward her from the far end of the pavilion.
The last time she had seen him was in the imperial garden, where he had appeared as the noble and distinguished Crown Prince. Stepping down from his carriage, he had carried the innate pride and elegance of royalty. Though physically frail and gentle in his dealings with others, he had still shone so brightly that people scarcely dared meet his gaze directly.
But now, Gu Changze had set aside his jade crown and ceremonial robes. Dressed only in a moon-white robe, he walked alone through the wind and rain beneath an umbrella. His eyes were calm and refined. Gone was some of the untouchable nobility he had once projected, replaced by an air of quiet approachability.
“Your Highness.” Xie Yao had never expected to encounter him here. After a moment of surprise, she lowered her head and curtsied.
Before she could fully bend down, Gu Changze had already reached her side. As he had before, he raised a hand and offered her a handkerchief.
Only then did Xie Yao notice the rain spots dampening her sleeves. Lost in thought, she hadn’t realized it herself. After their previous meeting, she had come to understand something of his temperament. Not wishing to refuse his kindness repeatedly, she accepted the handkerchief and wiped away the moisture. At the same time, she could not help thinking that His Highness was remarkably considerate and attentive.
“This subject’s daughter came to Huguo Temple to avoid the rain and spend the night here. I never imagined I would meet Your Highness.”
By all rights, Gu Changze should have been recuperating in the Eastern Palace. Why had he come to Huguo Temple on such a rainy day?
“I went to Western Mountain yesterday to consult that renowned physician. On my return journey, I also stopped at the Protectorate Temple to shelter from the rain.”
Seeing the hidden frailty between his brows, the bloodless pallor of his face, and even the unusual whiteness of the fingers holding out the handkerchief, Xie Yao could not help feeling concerned. “The spring cold is still harsh. Your Highness ought to rest properly in your quarters.”
Rain pattered softly on the pavilion eaves. Through the misty drizzle, Gu Changze turned to look at her and smiled gently. “A spring shower arrives with the season. I avoid the rain, but not an honored guest.”
Xie Yao’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. Yet when she looked up, his expression remained perfectly natural and elegant, as though it had merely been a polite remark spoken in passing. Still, as she looked at him, she abruptly remembered something.
The man standing before her was not only the lofty Crown Prince of the empire. He was also the husband she had been ordered to marry by imperial decree.
“This Qing Garden is usually visited by very few people. I heard that the lotus pond was planted only after Miss Xie, Princess Consort Xie, Madam Xiao, and Young Master Xiao suggested it to the abbot during your visit last year. Just now, I noticed the sorrow in your expression. Were you thinking of someone?”
Xie Yao’s train of thought was interrupted. She failed to notice that Gu Changze’s gaze had fallen upon the matching-heart bead bracelet hanging at her waist. A shadow briefly passed through his eyes.