Today!
The Prince Regent must definitively choose the candidate for the Princess Consort!
Otherwise, this dowager empress will die right before your eyes!
In the twelfth lunar month, snowflakes fluttered down, painting Huanjing City in a pure, snowy white.
It was the season approaching the end of the year.
First came the La Festival, followed closely by the Great New Year.
The inner palace clearly had countless routine affairs to busy itself with, yet Empress Dowager Mei had run all the way to the Prince of Fu’s residence to throw a tantrum, crying, making a scene, and threatening to hang herself.
And she was truly hanging herself.
Can you choose a different way to die?
Mu Guanchun sat in a round-collared purple robe with wide sleeves, sitting peacefully upon the beauty’s couch within the Yaoshu Pavilion, asking in a tone that suggested all matters were open to negotiation.
This dowager will throw herself into the city moat.
The surface of the river is frozen solid.
Mei Zhao almost failed to catch her breath!
Tossing her head back, she continued to stand upon a stone table, throwing a white silk ribbon up toward the rafters.
A group of elderly nannies surrounded her, crying out and pleading with her not to act rashly.
Mei Zhao: The Prince Regent has racked her brains and worn herself to the bone for the sake of the country and its dynastic stability. After the late Emperor passed away, you first pacified the rebellions with sheer force, bringing Langyao and Qianxia into the territory of our Great Huan. Following that, you reduced the power of the feudal lords for His Majesty, and your marriage has been delayed for many, many years.
This is already the third round of selection.
Every single young noblewoman is sensible and tactful; won’t you at least show some consideration for this imperial sister-in-law’s heart?
Deep inside, Mu Guanchun chuckled inwardly, keeping a smiling yet silent facade.
The words sounded pleasant enough, but they undoubtedly aimed to use this opportunity to thrust a daughter of the Mei family into the Prince of Fu’s estate.
The Empress Dowager, who had just entered her thirties, immediately produced two watery, tear-filled pools in her eyes, looking like a pear blossom drenched in rain.
Regardless of what man in this world looked upon her, even a heart as hard as a boulder would soften by at least three parts.
Yet Mu Guanchun was no man, and at present, she felt nothing but a splitting headache,
During the past few evenings, she had happened to pick up her own little ancestor’s personal journal, inadvertently catching a glimpse of the sentence: I like Guanchun; even if she is of female birth, the position of Princess Consort shall belong to none other than me.
That single short sentence could only be described as shockingly startling.
Mu Guanchun’s usually robust physique failed to hold up. The moment she locked the journal away in her drawer, everything went pitch black before her eyes, and she fainted dead away.
She even scraped her forehead in the fall.
She had remained unconscious for an entire day and night.
Fortunately, she had fainted inside her own bedchamber without anyone noticing.
It was just that she had not yet recovered her strength and was still comforting herself with wishful thinking: The child has grown up; a bit of rebellion is only natural.
She reached out to touch the scar on her left temple, then looked back at Mei Zhao.
Oh, dear.
There truly were fires burning on both the inside and outside of the estate.
Mei Zhao’s white silk ribbon-throwing campaign was still ongoing.
She was throwing it with a face drenched in sweat.
Her figure was petite, making the throwing quite an arduous task.
Mu Guanchun summoned her trusted eunuch, Little Xiangzi.
Quickly, add a stool beneath the Empress Dowager’s feet.
Mei Zhao: She truly had no other tricks left.
When soft tactics failed, they resorted to hard ones.
Disregarding her dignity as an empress dowager, Mei Zhao forcefully dragged Mu Guanchun all the way to the East Warm Pavilion.
Two young eunuchs lifted the door curtain for them.
The greeting warmth made Mu Guanchun let out a comfortable shudder.
Meeting her gaze was an eight-fold satin screen.
Embroidered upon it was the sun rising in the east, yet it could not obscure the graceful figures of the young noblewomen.
Looking at each other across the screen, one could see their faint, hazy silhouettes.
Mei Zhao pointed at the jade ruyi scepter resting on the tray held by Nanny Fang: Whichever noblewoman the Prince Regent fancies as the primary Princess Consort, bestow this jade ruyi upon her; whichever one you fancy as a secondary consort, bestow this branch of pink plum blossoms upon her.
Mu Guanchun raised an eyebrow: We still need to select a secondary consort?
Mei Zhao smiled warmly: It is entirely the Grand Empress Dowager’s intention. With one primary and one secondary, the grand Prince of Fu’s estate will become much livelier.
The wound on Mu Guanchun’s left temple began to ache even more.
As for the Grand Empress Dowager… she was Mu Guanchun’s biological mother. Back then, seeing that her own imperial brother was frail and sickly, the mother had dressed Mu Guanchun as a boy immediately after her birth as a precautionary measure.
And her imperial brother had indeed turned out to be short-lived.
He passed away in the third year of his reign, leaving behind the messy burden of a vast empire for her alone to manage.
Now, that messy burden had been managed more or less into shape.
Yet rumors were flying thick and fast in the streets and alleys, saying that she and Lou Yunli, whom she had raised with her own hands, shared an ambiguous and unclear relationship.
The Grand Empress Dowager had been thoroughly angered by this, forcing Mu Guanchun to add a mistress to the rear courtyard of the prince’s residence, even if she had to marry someone just to make her live like a widow.
The auspicious hour has arrived; do not delay any longer, Mei Zhao said.
Mu Guanchun sat down in a rosewood armchair, holding the hot tea brought by Little Xiangzi, and continued her delaying tactics.
Mei Zhao’s expression suddenly gathered several dark clouds as she also took a seat: Why doesn’t the Prince Regent take this opportunity to win the Grand Empress Dowager’s favor and repair your past estrangement?
The hand with which Mu Guanchun held her teacup trembled imperceptibly.
You are a piece of flesh that fell from her old self’s body; how could she truly despise you?
These noblewomen are entering the prince’s estate for the third round already. If we don’t select one now, who knows what kind of gossip might arise again.
The Grand Empress Dowager is advanced in years; she cannot afford to fly into a rage, and neither can the Prince Regent act contrary to filial piety, can you?
Mu Guanchun furrowed her brow.
Though the words sounded unpleasant, they carried a grain of truth.
For a moment, she felt as though she were being roasted over a fire.
She set down her teacup, hesitantly picked up the jade ruyi scepter, and felt its icy-cold touch.
Mei Zhao hurriedly signaled the accompanying palace maids to swiftly remove the eight-fold screen.
The noblewomen instantly resembled flowers greeting the vernal wind, growing toward the sun, unfurling their pistils and spreading their petals.
True to form, they had been rigorously selected by the Empress Dowager.
Every single one of them was dignified, refined, and possessed an extraordinary grace.
Their delicate cheeks were all flushed and burning hot as they hurriedly lowered their heads, even whispering quietly among themselves.
The Prince Regent is truly as the rumors say, even three parts more beautiful than we women.
Her lips are like vermillion, her skin whiter than snow; she looks like a porcelain doll carved with exquisite detail.
This dowager has also passed through that age; a young maiden’s heart is always full of poetry, Mei Zhao smiled and called out, Lift your heads, every one of you, and let the Prince Regent take a good look.
Understood, the noblewomen replied, their voices wrapped in spring water.
Mu Guanchun felt a sense of pity for them. At the height of their youth and prime years, they were scrambling and fighting just to become widows within her estate.
She lacked the heart to choose any of them, yet if she truly had to make a choice, she could not simply pick at random. To appease her mother’s heart, the position of primary Princess Consort ought to be given to her mother’s maiden family, the Yan family.
She walked toward the Yan family daughter, who was both startled and delighted, her soft, delicate body trembling uncontrollably.
Seeing that the chosen one was a daughter of the Yan family, Mei Zhao’s face darkened with another cloud.
Yet she could not vent her displeasure.
She forcefully squeezed out an expression of joy: Don’t just stand there in a daze; hurry up and accept the jade ruyi.
Only then did the Yan family daughter collect her wits and extend both hands.
From outside the East Warm Pavilion, a loud, resounding proclamation suddenly rang out: , Her Highness Princess Huai-zheng arrives!
Mei Zhao’s heart skipped a beat!
During the previous two rounds of selecting a princess consort, it was precisely this little minx who had stirred things up and ruined them.
A young eunuch once again lifted the door curtain.
The wind whirled the fine snow, blowing it into the warm pavilion.
Beneath an oiled-paper umbrella, a celestial-blue, watery silhouette drifted in like a willow branch swaying in the wind.
Clad in gorgeous robes and light furs, she was in the prime of her youth, around twenty years old. Her delicate features wore a faint trace of powder, and her phoenix-like eyes carried a pristine, chilly aloofness.
The noblewomen cast sidelong glances, captivated by the newcomer’s stunning beauty.
Princess Huai-zheng, Lou Yunli, though nominally a hostage, had been raised personally by Mu Guanchun. Her imperial grandmother was the biological sister of the current Grand Empress Dowager.
Among all the young women under heaven, her nobility was second to none.
The noblewomen stared in a daze until a reminder from Nanny Fang prompted them to curtsy and pay their respects: Greetings, Your Royal Highness.
Rise, all of you.
Lou Yunli stepped into the East Warm Pavilion, first folding her oiled-paper umbrella and handing it to Little Xiangzi, then taking a few steps forward to perform a curtsy to Mei Zhao.
Afterward, she leaned toward Mu Guanchun, hooking her arm.
Mu Guanchun’s body stiffened slightly.
In the past, such gestures, though intimate, had never caused her to harbor any twisted thoughts.
Ah, Your Grace, how did you hurt your forehead? Lou Yunli murmured softly, her fingertips lightly touching the scarred spot.
It’s nothing, I accidentally bumped it.
Feeling the slight coolness of her fingertips, Mu Guanchun turned her face away to dodge.
You’re far too careless; really, you’re hopeless, Lou Yunli said, her ending note curling upward in a playful lilt.
Mei Zhao found the sight unbearable to watch, her lips moving silently: …What kind of decorum is this, what kind of decorum…
Lou Yunli even went so far as to straighten Mu Guanchun’s perfectly aligned jade crown, then smoothed out Mu Guanchun’s completely unwrinkled lapels.
Smoothing them out inch by inch.
Slowly and leisurely.
Her fingertips grazed against the fabric, rustling softly.
Mu Guanchun’s body grew even stiffer.
Lou Yunli parted her thin lips: Your Grace, has the primary Princess Consort been chosen yet?
I see that my sisters are all beautiful and certainly sensible, delightful maidens. I would love nothing more than for all of them to stay and become my little aunts.
From now on, the estate will no longer be a place where I alone accompany you to admire flowers, stroll through gardens, play the zither, blow the flute, brew wine, play chess, and converse through the night.
It was simply too much to listen to.
Mei Zhao swept her gaze up and down Lou Yunli.
Then she picked up her teacup and took a fierce gulp: You’ve come just in time; you can help the Prince Regent make a selection. Come, fetch a seat for the Princess.
Many thanks to the Empress Dowager, but I came specifically to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. I had already promised Sister Qitang to accompany her to go horseback riding in the suburbs today.
She was leaving?
Mei Zhao had never expected this.
And feeling mostly relieved that she was eager to go, she quickly said: How thoughtful of you. Once the Prince Regent is married, this dowager will personally select a驸马 (husband/consort) for you.
How could I dare trouble the Empress Dowager? My marriage should naturally be decided by the Prince Regent herself. The final four words were pressed out with heavy emphasis.
Mei Zhao was so infuriated that her back teeth itched.
Mu Guanchun had not expected her to leave either.
She attentively began to scrutinize whether Lou Yunli’s garments were too thin.
It’s still snowing outside, and your cold has just healed; don’t run around blindly.
Qitang sent the invitation card the day before yesterday; how could I go back on my word at the last minute?
I can have someone sent to the Duke of Yongguo’s estate to inform her, Mu Guanchun said. Or better yet, we can invite her to the estate, and the two of you watching a puppet show in the theater pavilion would also be immensely entertaining.
Your Grace, you are truly long-winded; puppet shows are the only thing you never tire of watching, Lou Yunli lightly furrowed her brows in a spoiled, reproachful tone.
Since that’s the case, take my carriage; it’s both spacious and warm. Let the four nannies, Jin, Yin, Zhu, and Bao, accompany you so that I can feel at ease.
Yet Lou Yunli acted as though she hadn’t heard a word, turning around and stepping out of the East Warm Pavilion.
The door curtain rolled up and fell back down.
Swaying gently.
Yunli really has been spoiled rotten by the Prince Regent, Mei Zhao remarked. Very well, the auspicious hour cannot be delayed any longer.
Mu Guanchun lowered her gaze to look at the jade ruyi scepter pinched between her palms.
Sigh, who was she thinking of choosing just a moment ago?
Her peripheral vision drifted inadvertently, and she noticed that Lou Yunli’s umbrella was still being held in Little Xiangzi’s arms.
This child, how could she forget her umbrella?
Taking the umbrella, she strode forward and lifted the door curtain.
Before her eyes lay a vast expanse of white snow.
Outside, there was nowhere to be seen of Lou Yunli’s figure.
Without a second thought, she took a long stride forward, intending to chase after her.
Mei Zhao grew frantic.
That damned little girl, as expected, she harbored no good intentions.
The moment she left, she hooked away the Prince Regent’s soul.
Someone come, chase after her for this dowager!
Clang, clang, clang!
A sudden burst of chaotic gongs sounded.
This is bad, there’s a fire!
Someone, come quickly!
Mu Guanchun halted in her tracks and saw billowing, thick smoke rising from the northeastern corner of the estate.
Wave upon wave rolled upward, billowing toward the firmament.
Mei Zhao led the crowd of noblewomen out in pursuit from behind the door curtain.
One of them let out a delicate cry of shock: Ah! It really is on fire.
Mei Zhao’s back teeth itched with rage.
It must be that damned little girl’s doing.
How could there be such a coincidence?
Suddenly!
A sharp pain struck the top of Mu Guanchun’s head, as if some heavy object had smashed down hard.
It made her see stars.
The pain brought tears to her eyes.
She bent over, clutching the injured spot, and shouted angrily: Who hit this prince?
Little Xiangzi spread his arms and rushed over, shielding her in front and shouting, There’s an assassin!
The East Warm Pavilion instantly fell into complete chaos.
The next instant, Mu Guanchun felt the world spin and her vision darken. Before losing consciousness entirely, countless images flashed through her mind.
It was a story from a vernacular novel.
A young woman, surnamed Yu, given name Qing.
When her father served as an imperial civil service examination examiner, he engaged in malpractice and bought and sold examination questions. When the matter was exposed, it caused scholars from the three prefectures of Jiangnan to go on strike, resulting in her entire family being sentenced to execution.
Yu Qing had managed to escape by a fluke.
She adopted the alias Yu Qingxiao.
Disguised as a man, she entered the capital and placed high in the imperial examinations, living solely to exact bloody revenge.
And she herself was the major villain within the story, the very target of Yu Qingxiao’s vengeance.
She had even become so obsessed that, disregarding Lou Yunli’s resistance, she forcibly married Lou Yunli to Yu Qingxiao.
After the marriage, Lou Yunli loathed Yu Qingxiao and refused to share a bed or grow close to her.
Because of this, Yu Qingxiao’s plan to use Lou Yunli’s hand to poison her fell through, leading Yu Qingxiao to push Lou Yunli off a cliff during a royal autumn hunt.
Upon learning the news of Lou Yunli’s sudden demise, Mu Guanchun had suffered unimaginable agony and fell gravely ill.
As for Yu Qingxiao, she utilized her mind-reading abilities to assist the Empress Dowager and the young emperor, sweeping back into her own hands the imperial court power that had slipped away.
The ending: she, the meritorious Prince Regent whose achievements overshadowed the sovereign, was stripped of her princely title and imprisoned within a subterranean dungeon.
For a full ten years, she never saw the light of day. After her death, her body was wrapped in a simple straw mat, tossed into a mass grave, and torn apart and devoured by wild dogs…
The next day.
The pink plum blossoms in the back garden were blooming in full splendor.
The fragrance of the flowers caught the breeze, drifting gently into the bedchamber and lingering around the royal couch.
Mu Guanchun abruptly snapped her eyes open.