Chapter Twenty: “The Crown Princess is naturally excellent; as for me and her…”
“Please, Father Emperor and Mother Empress, grant your blessing to me and Chengxiu!”
Pei Shang’er knelt upright on the gilded tiles of the Imperial Study. She had deliberately chosen a high-waisted ruqun today to conceal her abdomen; beneath the light gauze, her four-month pregnancy was faintly visible.
Pei Lian slammed the table and rose to his feet. The teacups on the desk rattled with a sharp clatter as he scolded her in fury, his disappointment evident. “You are a dignified princess—pregnant before marriage! What sort of conduct is this!”
It was the first time Pei Shang’er had ever seen Pei Lian angry with her. She was startled, fear flickering across her face.
Seeing this, Chen Xiang hurried forward to steady her daughter, her voice trembling with distress. “Shang’er, get up quickly. The floor is cold—be careful not to harm yourself…”
“Mother, Chengxiu and I truly love each other!”
Pei Shang’er lifted her face, tears glistening in her eyes. “Have Father Emperor and Mother Empress forgotten how Yang Mingkong tormented me in the past? If not for Chengxiu, how could I have lived to see you reclaim the throne!”
She paused deliberately, then began to hint at blame toward the Crown Princess, Xue Yingyue.
“That day, only the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess saw us. If they had truly considered my welfare and kept this matter hidden, how would it have become known throughout the entire city!”
“Get up first,” Pei Lian said at last, unable to harden his heart. His tone softened.
Chen Xiang helped Pei Shang’er to her feet, examined her carefully, and sighed. “Everything we do is for your own good, Shang’er. Could Father Emperor and Mother Empress possibly wish you harm?”
“Your Majesty!”
A sudden announcement came from outside the hall.
“The Prince of Huainan requests an audience.”
At the mention of Yang Chengxiu, Pei Shang’er’s eyes immediately lit up. Her undisguised delight softened Pei Lian and Chen Xiang’s hearts once more.
They had only this one daughter. As long as she wished for it, there was nothing they would not give her.
Yang Chengxiu entered the hall in full court dress. Upon reaching the proper position, he knelt and kowtowed to Pei Lian, pleading guilty.
“This subject knows that my present status is worlds apart from that of the princess and dares not presume upon her. I beg Your Majesty to see clearly—this matter has nothing to do with the princess. It is entirely my fault. I repeatedly coerced and enticed the princess, desecrating the imperial bloodline. This is a capital crime, and I am willing to accept punishment. I await Your Majesty’s judgment.”
Pei Shang’er was stunned by his words, staring at him in disbelief.
“Chengxiu, what are you saying? Get up!”
Seeing that Yang Chengxiu truly meant to plead guilty and would not relent, Pei Shang’er panicked and rushed forward to embrace him, terrified that the emperor would actually have him executed.
“Father Emperor, if you kill Chengxiu, then I will not live either.”
When Emperor Wen had faced the collapse of her reign with enemy forces at the gates and ordered Pei Shang’er’s death, Yang Chengxiu had held her just as tightly, shielding her with his body and refusing to let anyone approach her.
From that moment on, Pei Shang’er had resolved that Yang Chengxiu was the one.
Pei Lian stared at Yang Chengxiu for a long while, then looked at Pei Shang’er. After a long silence, he let out a deep sigh.
He recalled fifteen years ago, when he himself had knelt before Emperor Wen, begging her to consent to the enfeoffment of Chen Liniang—already pregnant—as empress.
“Shang’er, how could you be so foolish!” Chen Xiang said anxiously, though her eyes already held a reluctant concession. “Get up, quickly.”
“Both of you, get up,” Pei Lian said wearily, waving his hand. “Get up, Shang’er. Listen to your mother.”
Chen Xiang once more went to help her daughter up, then turned to Pei Lian, her exhausted gaze revealing her unwillingness to be cruel.
“Since your feelings for one another run so deep, I shall grant this marriage.”
Though unwilling, Pei Lian ultimately compromised.
Pei Shang’er’s wish was fulfilled at last, and genuine joy bloomed on her face. “Thank you, Father Emperor! Thank you, Mother Empress!”
“As long as you are happy, Father Emperor and Mother Empress will give you anything,” Chen Xiang said, smoothing her daughter’s glossy black hair.
Pei Lian instructed Yang Chengxiu at length, urging him to treat Pei Shang’er well. Yang Chengxiu accepted every admonition without exception.
Before long, the news of the princess being granted a consort spread throughout the capital…
…
In the rear courtyard of the Eastern Palace, Ling Zhenli was playing the pipa for Pei Xuanlin. Upon hearing the news, she suddenly stopped mid-strum.
Pei Xuanlin, who had been listening with his eyes closed, immediately sensed her displeasure and laughed softly.
“Why have you stopped playing, my love?” he teased.
“I only had the news spread to vent your anger!” Ling Zhenli pouted. “How did His Majesty and the Empress end up granting their wish instead?”
“I know you meant to stand up for me,” Pei Xuanlin said, rising and moving closer to soothe her. “But Ah Li, you’ve underestimated Jin’an. Do you think it insignificant that civil and military officials alike bow before Princess Jin’an? Is that not proof of how much His Majesty and the Empress dote on her? Throughout history, few princesses have been allowed to wield power as regents—yet she is a princess of the current dynasty. In everyone’s eyes, she is the next Grand Princess Wuyang.”
“Grand Princess Wuyang committed countless injustices. Princess Jin’an hasn’t yet reached that level of wickedness.”
At the mention of Grand Princess Wuyang, Ling Zhenli’s fury surged.
Pei Xuanlin knew that the Chancellor had long been at odds with the Grand Princess and did not suspect Ling Zhenli’s anger at hearing her name.
In truth, Ling Zhenli did not care much about Princess Jin’an’s affairs. She simply felt that Pei Xuanlin treated her well, and she needed the authority he could give her. Naturally, she would do for him what he could not do himself. Though the outcome was less than ideal, at least she had shown him her effort.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. Under the name of the Duke of Yan’s residence, Xiao Chongheng secretly sent invitations to Ling Zhenli four or five times. She declined them all.
But on this day—the wedding of Princess Jin’an—there was no avoiding it.
Ling Zhenli had thought her own wedding already exceeded all protocol, unmatched in the court. Yet Princess Jin’an’s wedding was conducted according to the rites of an empress: she rode in a golden-root carriage when she married out, placing her, in terms of status, one rank higher even than Ling Zhenli.
The emperor and empress personally attended, granting a general amnesty.
Xie Daojian, as Princess Jin’an’s nominal cousin, served as one of the ceremonial attendants. Ling Zhenli stood atop the city wall, ostensibly observing the ceremony, though in truth her gaze followed Xie Daojian the entire time.
On the city wall, Pei Xuanlin and Xiao Chongheng stood together watching the festivities.
They were of similar age and had grown up together like brothers, sharing everything. Pei Xuanlin knew that Xiao Chongheng had a woman he loved deeply, but because she was a courtesan, he could not marry her. Forced by the trouble caused by his elder brother, he had instead married County Princess Roujia. Seeing Princess Jin’an’s grand wedding today surely reminded him of the woman he could not wed.
In the past, Pei Xuanlin had comforted Xiao Chongheng by saying that there were many women in the world and that one need not cling to a single flower. Now that he himself had a wife, he realized that every person was unique and irreplaceable.
“Chongheng, are you thinking of that woman again?”
Seeing Xiao Chongheng staring blankly at the bridal procession, Pei Xuanlin stepped forward to console him.
“Mm.” Xiao Chongheng gave a slight nod.
At the sight of Pei Xuanlin, jealousy welled up in Xiao Chongheng’s heart. Ling Zhenli had repeatedly rejected his invitations, choosing instead to remain day and night in the Eastern Palace with Pei Xuanlin. This only deepened his resentment.
Pei Xuanlin suddenly recalled that the Crown Princess was particularly fond of cats. A few days earlier, when he accompanied her to Yipin Pavilion for wine, she had been captivated by a cat held by the magistrate’s daughter—calling it over, cradling it, and refusing to let go. She had even told him that she once secretly kept a cat, only for it to be thrown out by the Chancellor when discovered, an incident that weighed heavily on her heart.
Since she loved them so much, Pei Xuanlin thought to ask Xiao Chongheng about raising cats, so he could bring one home for her.
“I remember you had a Persian cat?” Pei Xuanlin asked.
“No,” Xiao Chongheng snapped.
“I’m not asking you to give it to me. I just want to—”
“Not allowed. Even thinking about it is a crime,” Xiao Chongheng retorted angrily.
Pei Xuanlin was momentarily stunned. He knew how dearly Xiao Chongheng cherished that cat, keeping it in his bedchamber and tending to it personally, but he hadn’t expected it to go this far.
Cat lovers really were… well, never mind. The Crown Princess liked them too.
“I saw that the Crown Princess likes cats and thought to raise one for her.”
At the mention of “Crown Princess,” Xiao Chongheng’s anger dissipated.
He probed indirectly, “The Crown Princess? You two still address each other so formally—are you not fond of her? Or is your relationship strained?”
Pei Xuanlin laughed lightly. “The Crown Princess is naturally excellent. We are harmonious as husband and wife. What is there to speak of in terms of liking or not liking?”
That was good.
Xiao Chongheng felt reassured.
If Pei Xuanlin did not love Ling Zhenli, then Ling Zhenli would not feel his love either—and thus would not fall for him.
He still had a chance. As long as he compensated her doubly, given time, she would choose to forgive him. After all, she had once harbored affection for him. He did not believe her heart could remain hard forever.
Most importantly, they had once had a child—
The thought of their unborn daughter sent a dull ache through Xiao Chongheng’s heart.
He had to find Ling Zhenli and bring her back.
At that moment, the emperor summoned Pei Xuanlin for urgent business. Unable to attend to anything else, Pei Xuanlin followed the messenger to the audience.
A heaven-sent opportunity—Xiao Chongheng would not let it slip away. He walked to Ling Zhenli’s side. Seeing him approach, she was about to retreat when he grabbed her sleeve.
Fortunately, most people on the city wall were focused on Princess Jin’an’s magnificent bridal procession, and no one noticed the two of them.
Ling Zhenli’s expression turned cold as she calmly shook off his hand.
Her skin was fair. As she pulled away, Xiao Chongheng noticed the scar on her palm.
“What happened to your hand?” he frowned, concern seeping into his voice.
Hearing his concern, a surge of grievance welled up in Ling Zhenli’s heart. She wanted to reproach him for abandoning her—when she needed him most, he had married another. Why was he seeking her out now?
She neither wanted to answer him nor speak to him. She said nothing, only looked at him calmly.
When she remained silent, Xiao Chongheng grew anxious. “Ah Li, why have you been avoiding me these days?”
“I don’t want to see you.”
Ling Zhenli was in turmoil, forcing herself to suppress her emotions. Xiao Chongheng, desperate for results, was so intent on being alone with her that he was nearly driven mad, resorting to any means.
“You don’t want to see me? Why not? Is it because you spend every day with Pei Xuanlin now?”
“Stop pestering me. I just don’t want to see you,” she said, turning her head away.
“Don’t want to see me? Then are you with Pei Xuanlin every day? Look at me—I’m asking you!” Xiao Chongheng pressed.
Provoked beyond endurance, Ling Zhenli lashed out without restraint. “Yes! I am his wife, he is my husband. Why shouldn’t we be together? What we have is rightful and proper—what are you to me?”
Already jealous of Pei Xuanlin, Xiao Chongheng was driven nearly mad by her words. “What am I to you?! In your heart, am I already nothing to you?!”
Seeing his furious, aggressive expression, Ling Zhenli felt driven to madness herself. At last, she could no longer endure it.
“Yes! There’s been no place for you for a long time! Can’t you see that I loathe you? Why do you keep bothering me? Go—go be with your wife, County Princess Roujia! She must be looking for you already! One after another, all of you are so vexing. Don’t let me see you again—go! Go!”
The final words were nearly screamed, and Xiao Yuzhen, standing nearby, heard every word clearly.
…
Xiao Yuzhen awkwardly turned and smiled, pretending not to have heard, and tactfully gave them space.
With no one else nearby, words flowed more freely.
“There is nothing between Roujia and me! Didn’t I tell you? Can’t you understand me? I was forced to marry her!”
“What does that have to do with me? Why should I understand you? Everything has already happened between Pei Xuanlin and me—do you still want me? I belong to another man now. I share pleasure with him every day. Have you heard enough? Are you satisfied now…?”
Ling Zhenli’s words made Xiao Chongheng’s heart spasm painfully, his pulse racing. In a rage, he cut her off.
“Do you believe I wouldn’t go straight to Pei Xuanlin right now and tell him everything that happened between us? Let’s see if he’d still treat you the same!”
At those words, Ling Zhenli felt dizzy and nauseated.
How could he do this to her? Why did he still want to ruin her? What did she owe Xiao Chongheng? Was losing her child for him not enough? Now that she had finally enjoyed a few days of peace, he came to disturb her again.
In that instant, it felt as if all the strength had been drained from her body. Her voice was barely a whisper.
“Tell Pei Xuanlin? You might as well just say you want me dead.”
“You know I never wanted you dead.”
“Then what do you want, Xiao Chongheng?”
“Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to fetch you to my estate outside the city. Let’s talk properly and clear everything up,” Xiao Chongheng said urgently.
“…Fine. I agree. Just don’t tell Pei Xuanlin.”
Ling Zhenli lowered her eyes, their light extinguished, a bitter smile at the corners of her lips. She dared not refuse—this was a helpless concession to Xiao Chongheng.
She could not let him tell Pei Xuanlin about her past. She did not want to lose the gentle, attentive Pei Xuanlin.
And between the two of them… there truly were things that needed to be said face to face.
Xiao Chongheng had never wanted to force her, but he could not bear her indifference. He longed for the Ling Zhenli who once looked at him with eyes full of love. Even if his methods were despicable, he would not hesitate.
Since many had only seen the Crown Princess arguing with the Duke of Yan without knowing the content of their dispute, rumors of discord between them spread rapidly at Princess Jin’an’s wedding banquet.
Pei Shang’er, having achieved her wish of marrying Yang Chengxiu, enjoyed boundless pride. With a wedding grand enough to rival an emperor’s, she initially paid little heed to whether the Crown Princess and the Duke of Yan were at odds.
However, during the banquet, Pei Shen’ai took it upon herself to have Xiao Chongheng and Pei Chanlian take the stage together to perform a paired sword dance. Seeing Xiao Chongheng again reminded Pei Shang’er of certain matters.
Before the dance began, people praised them as a perfect match. Once the swords were drawn, the hall fell silent.
They each danced their own routine.
Twice, Xiao Chongheng failed to respond to Pei Chanlian’s movements, focusing only on his own. Left with no choice, Pei Chanlian danced on with a cold expression.
By publicly embarrassing her like this, Xiao Chongheng enraged Pei Chanlian to the point that she wanted to strike him with her sword.
Pei Shang’er had never liked this cousin of hers much to begin with. Seeing the scene, she stifled a laugh, then quickly adjusted her pearl hairpin, pretending nothing was amiss.
Her eyes shifted toward Ling Zhenli seated in the Crown Princess’s place. A thought struck her, and a malicious smile curved her lips.
She rose and clapped her hands, calling an end to the farcical sword dance. Then, in her scarlet wedding robes, supported by palace maids, she walked slowly toward the center of the stage.
Pei Chanlian glanced at the approaching Pei Shang’er, puzzled.
Smiling, Pei Shang’er reached Pei Chanlian, took the sword from her hand, raised a brow, and spoke with faint disdain.
“County Princess Roujia seems to have had too much to drink. As for sword dancing…”
With that, Pei Shang’er twirled the sword in one hand. Her movements were crisp and forceful, carrying a hint of lethal sharpness. The audience was stunned, gasping in unison.
Ling Zhenli, seated below, was equally shocked. She had always thought Pei Shang’er a brainless, pampered princess—she had not expected her to truly possess such skill.
“This is how sword dancing should be done,” Pei Shang’er said with a provocative smile.
Pei Xuanlin laughed softly from below.
Yang Chengxiu truly loved Pei Shang’er. Emperor Wen had forbidden her from learning anything, yet he had secretly taught her everything.
The emperor and empress were both alarmed and delighted—fearful she might injure herself, yet amazed at how skillfully she wielded the sword.
Sword in hand, Pei Shang’er suddenly tilted her head and cast a sidelong glance toward Ling Zhenli, ready to exact revenge for the spreading of her pregnancy.
She took a few steps toward Ling Zhenli’s direction, fixed her gaze upon her with unmistakable resolve, and smiled brazenly.
“I have heard that when the Crown Princess lived in the Chancellor’s residence, she already knew how to wield a sword and once danced with it to celebrate Madam Cui’s birthday. May I be so fortunate today as to have the Crown Princess perform a sword dance to celebrate this wedding?”
Seeing that she was deliberately putting the Crown Princess in a difficult position, Yang Chengxiu frowned anxiously and looked toward Pei Xuanlin, worried the Crown Prince might turn hostile.
Ling Zhenli was not the real Xue Yingyue—how could she know any sword dance?
Cold sweat broke out instantly. If she refused, Pei Shang’er would surely not let the matter rest. Yet if she agreed, she feared her true identity would be exposed.
In that moment, Ling Zhenli was trapped in an impossible dilemma.