“There is no room for discussion. Return to your Palace of Eternal Peace and reflect deeply on your conduct,” Emperor Jiaping declared, his tone allowing no argument.
Si Huahuan bit her lower lip stubbornly and performed a hasty, barely proper bow. “This daughter takes her leave.”
As the sound of her footsteps faded into the distance, Emperor Jiaping stood by the table, holding his forehead in his hand, for a long while.
What misfortune had befallen him?
He had not one, but two daughters who defied all tradition and propriety!
The Empress entered the hall just in time to see the Emperor’s troubled expression. She sighed silently to herself and walked to his side.
After years of marriage, they understood each other perfectly without the need for many words. She simply held his hand gently.
The Emperor spoke in a low voice, laced with a rare trace of hesitation. “I have just punished Zhenzhen by confining her to her palace… I wonder if I was too harsh?”
This ruler, who usually made decisive, ruthless judgments in matters of state, now wore an expression of worry no different from that of any ordinary father.
The Empress smiled, her lips pressed together. “Is His Majesty feeling distressed now? Was it not only moments ago that you insisted she must reflect on her actions?”
“It seems I must select a consort for Zhenzhen very soon,” Emperor Jiaping murmured after a long pause of thought. “Lingxiu, tell me… given her temperament, what kind of husband should we look for?”
“Is Your Majesty truly willing to let Zhenzhen marry and leave home?”
“Of course I am not willing,” the Emperor sighed.
“It is not that I forbid her from keeping male companions. But most such men attach themselves to the powerful and wealthy only out of self‑interest, and their intentions are deep and cunning. Zhenzhen is far too innocent and simple‑hearted; I fear she will suffer at their hands.”
The Empress nodded in agreement. “Does Your Majesty already have a plan in mind?”
The Emperor considered briefly. “This consort must be someone who will not strike back when hit, nor speak back when scolded. He must also be a man of upright character, from a good family, and pleasing in appearance.”
He paused to think further, then added, “Ideally, his mother should have passed away early, so she need not suffer the control or criticism of a mother‑in‑law…”
“Your Majesty,” announced Eunuch Zhang, stepping into the room and interrupting him. “The Marquis of Ming’an requests an audience.”
The Emperor thought for a moment, then nodded, speaking casually. “Very well. Let him enter.”
Xie Yun walked in, looking as if he had hurried straight from official duties. He was dressed in deep purple court robes, wore his official cap, and still carried his ceremonial tablet tucked into his belt.
“The morning assembly was dismissed quite some time ago,” Emperor Jiaping said, looking at him with confusion. “Jingchu, have you rushed back because of some urgent matter?”
“Your Majesty,” Xie Yun replied, lifting his robe to kneel on the floor and performing a perfectly proper bow. “I seek permission to marry Princess Kangle.”
“What?” The Emperor, who had been about to sit down, instantly shot back up to his feet. “You wish to marry Kangle?”
He and the Empress exchanged a glance, and without speaking, each saw the utter shock mirrored in the other’s eyes.
Emperor Jiaping let his gaze travel slowly over Xie Yun.
*Will not strike back when hit, nor speak back when scolded…*
It was true that he and Zhenzhen had been at odds since childhood. But upon careful reflection, it seemed the boy had never truly lost his temper or quarreled seriously with her. To have endured her temperament for so many years showed remarkable patience and forbearance.
Moreover, he had practically grown up under the Emperor’s own eyes; his character and conduct were known thoroughly and without doubt.
As for his family background and appearance, there was nothing to discuss—he was among the very best in every respect, openly recognized and admired throughout the court. Looking across the entire capital, it would be difficult to find another unmarried young man as handsome or accomplished.
And not only had his mother passed away long ago, leaving no mother‑in‑law to cause trouble, but the vast Marquis’s residence was occupied by Xie Yun alone. There were no elders above him, nor brothers or sisters beside him. Zhenzhen would never have to suffer the displeasure or criticism of anyone in his family.
He seemed almost like a husband tailor‑made specifically for her…
The Emperor stood with his hands clasped behind his back. “Do you… hold affection for Zhenzhen?”
“I do,” Xie Yun answered clearly and decisively, without the slightest hesitation.
A look of pride appeared on Emperor Jiaping’s face. He glanced toward the Empress as if showing off. *See? I was right about him all along, wasn’t I?*
The Empress responded with a look of helplessness.
The Emperor straightened his posture and cleared his throat. “Then tell me… since when? And what is it about Zhenzhen that you admire?”
Xie Yun answered smoothly, as if reciting something he had long prepared. “The Princess is exceptionally intelligent, mastering poetry, literature, and classics with ease. Her insights are so unique and brilliant that even the Imperial Tutor has sighed in admiration before her wisdom. She is straightforward and genuine in her conduct; unlike the pretentious, artificial daughters of other noble houses, she expresses joy or anger exactly as she feels it, from the bottom of her heart. Furthermore, she possesses a kind and pure nature. She never abuses her status to oppress others, and whenever she sees the poor or suffering, she is always ready to offer aid and support. Such character and bearing are beyond comparison with ordinary women.”
“I have long held deep admiration and affection for the Princess,” he continued. “Now that unfounded rumors are spreading throughout the capital, and Censors have openly criticized and humiliated her in court, I cannot bear to see the Princess suffer such wrong and grievance.”
As the Empress listened, the smile on her lips gradually faded into a look of doubt. Something about his words felt… off.
What he said lay somewhere between truth and falsehood.
It was true that Zhenzhen was exceptionally intelligent. But when he mentioned “making the Imperial Tutor sigh in admiration,” did he perhaps refer to that incident ten years ago, when her “unique insight” had nearly given the old Tutor a stroke from rage?
It was also true that she was straightforward and genuine. Yet describing her tendency to show joy or anger exactly as she felt it was certainly a very polite way of explaining her “arrogance and willful temper.”
Nor was it untrue that she was kind and pure‑hearted, though the claim that she “never abused her status to oppress others” was open to debate.
And “offering aid to the poor and suffering”… perhaps he was thinking of the time she had been annoyed by a beggar blocking her carriage, and had thrown a large bag of silver at him without hesitation, simply to make him move out of the way faster?
They say that love blinds one to faults and makes a beauty out of ordinary features… but surely not *this* much?
Emperor Jiaping, however, listened and suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
*Yes! That is exactly right! My precious daughter is truly this outstanding and wonderful!*
He looked proudly at the Empress, but upon receiving a warning look from her, he composed himself slightly.
He stepped forward and personally helped Xie Yun to his feet, unable to hide the look of deep appreciation in his eyes.
*Good lad. You certainly have good taste and judgment!*
Xie Yun spoke with such sincerity and earnestness, and he was the only son of a long‑time, trusted friend. The Emperor had long felt that the two young people were perfectly matched. Looking him over from head to toe, left to right, he found himself more satisfied than ever. With a wide sweep of his hand, he announced, “I grant your request.”
Having received his confirmation, Xie Yun’s expression shifted to one of difficulty and dejection. “However… the Princess holds certain misunderstandings toward me. I fear she may be unwilling to consent…”
The Emperor fell into thought.
He remembered clearly how and when their mutual dislike had begun years ago.
It was that winter. Xie Yun had noticed Si Huahuan alone by the window, watching them play cuju with eyes full of longing she could not hide.
Xie Yun had come up with an idea. He had casually kicked the ball toward her, intending to invite her to join the game. But he had misjudged the force of his kick, and the ball had flown straight and true, hitting her directly on the forehead.
Si Huahuan, being naturally weak and delicate, could not withstand such a blow. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot.
When she woke up, she was so furious she nearly exploded. Xie Yun had come to the Palace of Eternal Peace bearing pastries as a peace offering, but she had screamed and cried until he was chased out.
From that day on, Si Huahuan had always targeted and opposed Xie Yun.
One refused to listen to explanations; the other eventually stopped trying to explain.
Both were young and proud, and Xie Yun was not one to back down easily. And so they had become irreconcilable rivals, clashing and arguing every time they met.
Emperor Jiaping shook his head and smiled. “Do not worry. I will make your true feelings and intentions clear to Zhenzhen.”
“Could Your Majesty please refrain from telling her for now?”
The Emperor looked confused. “Do you not wish for Zhenzhen to know of your affection for her?”
“It is not that,” Xie Yun replied with difficulty. “I merely fear she may be unable to accept it all at once. It is better to let things progress slowly.”
The Emperor laughed heartily. *This boy is actually being shy!*
“Ah, is that all it is? I understand. I will tell Zhenzhen that this decision was entirely my own idea. In the days to come, you may tell her of your feelings yourself, in your own time.”
Xie Yun performed another deep bow. “I thank Your Majesty.”
Outside the Zichen Hall, two ministers who had originally come to discuss state affairs had been asked by Eunuch Zhang to wait or return later, as Xie Yun had arrived urgently for an audience.
One of the ministers realized halfway home that he had left his ceremonial tablet behind. He turned back to the hall to look for it. Just as he approached, he clearly heard the Emperor raise his voice and exclaim, “What? You wish to marry Kangle?!”
Both ministers were stunned. They pretended to search the ground for the lost tablet, but in reality, they stood close by, ears pricked, listening carefully to the conversation inside. The longer they listened, the slower their movements became, until finally their eyes nearly popped out of their heads in shock.
When they saw Xie Yun step out of the hall, they forgot all about the tablet, turned around, and hurried away as fast as they could.
*Good heavens! What incredible news we have heard! We must go back and tell everyone at once!*
Xie Yun walked out of the Zichen Hall with a calm, composed expression. Only then did he slowly relax his fingers, which had been clenched so tightly behind his back that they had gone stiff and numb.
A light breeze brushed past, cooling his palms. He realized they were damp with cold sweat; he had never been this nervous before.
*When did I become so weak and unsteady? It was all just lies I made up on the spot anyway… what was there to be nervous about?*
He exhaled slowly, regained his usual calm demeanor, and walked toward the palace gates. Deep in his eyes, a faint, barely detectable smile of satisfaction flickered and vanished.
He could already guess exactly how she would react when she found out about this.
Emperor Jiaping watched Xie Yun’s departing figure, then moved closer to the Empress, his face beaming with pride. “I knew it. It was bound to happen sooner or later.”
The Empress laughed softly, shaking her head. “Your Majesty, surely you understand Zhenzhen’s temperament better than anyone? She never cares whose idea something is; she always follows her own mind and will.”
“It is time for Zhenzhen to settle down and focus on proper matters. Otherwise, she might go looking for more of those male companions again—it is simply too unbecoming.”
The Empress’s delicate brows drew together slightly. “Those two children have been as incompatible as fire and water for years. Even if Jingchu holds sincere intentions, how could Zhenzhen agree to marry him simply because of a few words from Your Majesty?”
“That is simple.” The Emperor rubbed his chin, his eyes rolling with amusement. “Lingxiu… shall we make a wager?”
“A wager? On what?”
The Emperor puffed out his chest proudly. “I wager that those two are a perfect match, created by Heaven itself. In the future, they will both come to thank me personally for arranging this marriage.”
Just wait and see… I have never been wrong about people before.
*****
Forbidden to leave the palace, Si Huahuan wandered aimlessly about the grounds, thoroughly bored.
Early that morning, as she turned a corridor, she caught sight of Eunuch Zhang, the Emperor’s personal attendant, hurrying toward the palace gates holding a bright yellow scroll. The moment he saw her figure, he froze in his tracks.
“Greetings and blessings to Your Highness.” Eunuch Zhang quickly tucked the imperial scroll deep inside his robes to hide it from view.
Si Huahuan asked casually, “Where are you off to in such a hurry, Eunuch Zhang?”
“To reply to Your Highness… I am heading to the residence of the Marquis of Ming’an,” Eunuch Zhang answered, keeping his head bowed low.
Huahuan thought carefully. In her previous life, no decree had ever been issued to him during this year. Why would one suddenly appear now? And why was Eunuch Zhang himself sent to deliver it?
“What is written on that scroll?”
Eunuch Zhang swallowed hard, and his hands holding the scroll curled inward involuntarily.
Seeing him stammering and afraid to speak, a sudden, terrible premonition rose sharply in Huahuan’s heart.
She took two steps forward, held out her hand with the palm facing upward directly before him, and commanded, “Hand it over.”
Eunuch Zhang’s features crumpled in distress. “Y‑Your Highness… this is against all rules and protocol…”
“This Princess’s word *is* the law and protocol. Hand it over.”
Huahuan reached out and firmly grasped one end of the scroll. Eunuch Zhang dared not struggle or pull back with force, and could only watch helplessly as the bright yellow silk scroll fell into those slender fingers, nails painted bright red.
When the words *Imperial Bestowal of Marriage* and *Xie Yun* leaped into her eyes, a loud buzz exploded in her ears.
*No wonder they tried to keep this from me! My own father intends to bind me together with my greatest enemy for life!*
“Your Highness, please restrain your anger!” Eunuch Zhang trembled under her glare, his knees instantly turning to jelly. He fell to the ground with a heavy thud. “His Majesty specifically instructed…”
Huahuan knew Eunuch Zhang was only acting on orders, so she made things difficult for him no further. Clutching the scroll tightly in her hand, she strode past him and headed straight for the Zichen Hall.
Eunuch Zhang dared not stop her. He scrambled awkwardly to his feet and hurried after her back to the hall.
*I had already advised His Majesty not to keep this secret from the Princess*, he thought ruefully. *If she discovered she was the very last person to know about being betrothed to the Marquis—her rival since childhood—she was bound to come making a scene.*
Alas… it was bound to happen sooner or later anyway!