She Slept So Soundly, Resting Beside Him…
Xiao Yuzhen had brought Xiao Chongheng’s cat with her to chat and eat with her girlfriends. In a moment of inattention, the cat ran off, and now a whole group of people were searching the building for it.
A guard came to report that County Princess Yongtai had come to borrow manpower to look for the cat.
The moment Pei Xuanlin heard the word “cat,” he felt a headache coming on. He waved his hand. “The Duke of Yan treasures that cat the most. Have the guards help search—don’t let it get lost.”
Ling Zhenli felt a little worried. Baiyun had originally been given to her to raise; she loved that cat deeply. It had accompanied her through lonely, difficult days, playing with her.
“Sanlang, I’d like to go help Yongtai and the others too…”
Before she could finish speaking, a cat’s cry sounded.
It poked its head in through the doorway. When it saw Ling Zhenli, its amber eyes instantly lit up. It stood upright, tail held high, and trotted straight toward her.
The cat ran over joyfully and leapt at Ling Zhenli.
She hurriedly reached out to catch it, and the fluffy head bumped straight into her arms.
Ling Zhenli pinched the back of its neck. The cat lay in her arms, rolling around coquettishly, leaving Pei Xuanlin staring in amazement.
Well… cats really were adorable. No wonder everyone liked them.
Downstairs, Xiao Yuzhen was frantic after failing to find the cat. When she heard someone say they had seen it run upstairs, she immediately lifted her skirts and hurried up.
That cat was her second brother’s precious treasure—if she lost it, she would be finished.
“Minmin, isn’t His Highness the Crown Prince upstairs?” Lu Xin felt a little intimidated and did not dare go up.
“It’s fine, A-Xin. My cousin won’t scold me. If the cat isn’t found, though, my second brother really will skin me alive.”
Xiao Yuzhen ran ahead, Lu Xin following behind. When they entered the private room, they saw the cat lying comfortably in the Crown Princess’s arms.
Lu Xin immediately crouched and saluted. “Greetings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. Lord Xie, peace to you.”
Xiao Yuzhen, however, froze. Lu Xin didn’t know, but she did—this cat’s original owner was the Crown Princess before her, “Xue Yingyue.” For a moment she did not know what to say, until Lu Xin tugged at her skirt. Only then did she realize she had forgotten to salute.
“Ah—greetings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess… I came to look for the cat… so it’s here after all… haha. It seems quite taken with Sister-in-law the Crown Princess… ah, it’s so cute. I really like it. The Crown Princess seems to like it a lot too, doesn’t she?”
Xiao Yuzhen laughed awkwardly, not quite sure what she was saying—just blurting out whatever came to mind.
Ling Zhenli could tell how awkward Xiao Yuzhen felt. She must know about her relationship with Xiao Chongheng, yet was helping her keep the secret.
Thinking of this, Ling Zhenli smiled faintly and stroked the cat. “You must have been anxious not finding it, County Princess—look at all that sweat. I only kept it a moment because I dote on it. Since you’re here now, take it back.”
“Ah… no need. If the Crown Princess likes it, then keep it,” Xiao Yuzhen said with an innocent smile. “My second brother would surely be willing to give it to the Crown Princess.”
Others might not understand the meaning of these words, but Ling Zhenli did. When Xiao Chongheng brought the cat with him to the residence that day, she had already known he meant to use the little thing to please her.
Later, when matters were to be attended to and he feared the cat might get in the way, he had the guards take it away and give it to Xiao Yuzhen to look after. Xiao Yuzhen knew all of this.
“You really know how to offer flowers grown in another’s garden. Aren’t you afraid your second brother will scold you?”
Pei Xuanlin smiled, thinking Xiao Yuzhen was currying favor with the Crown Princess. Though Princess Wuyang was domineering and greedy, her daughter was pure and lovable, without ill intent.
“Since it’s being offered to the Crown Princess, my second brother certainly won’t scold me. He and Crown Prince Brother are closest of all—giving Sister-in-law a cat to make her happy should be no problem. Would Sister-in-law the Crown Princess be willing to accept it?”
“Then I shall accept with thanks,” Ling Zhenli said with a smile.
Today could be considered a fruitful one—the cat was back, and she had even run into Xie Daojian. Though she hadn’t spoken with him, at least she had seen him.
In good spirits, even the wind on the way back felt sweet.
Seeing her so happy, Pei Xuanlin decided that once they returned to the sleeping chambers, he would put in a bit more effort in bed to make her even happier.
He reached out and undid Ling Zhenli’s sash, pressing close to her.
It was sudden. Before she could react, Pei Xuanlin’s lips had already brushed her neck, ticklish.
“Sanlang, why are you—ah, that hurts.”
Before she could ask why he was being so sudden today, a sharp pain flared at her neck.
Pei Xuanlin rose in alarm. By the flickering candlelight, he could see a red mark on that patch of skin, as if it were injured. But he had only sucked lightly—surely it couldn’t be that serious?
Ling Zhenli knew it was a mark left by Xiao Chongheng earlier that day. Feeling guilty, she quickly made an excuse. “I was bitten by a mosquito during the day and scratched it open—it hurts.”
“I see…”
A flicker of unreadable emotion passed through Pei Xuanlin’s eyes, unnoticed by Ling Zhenli.
She was tired and didn’t want to continue, so she said directly, “Sanlang, I’m sleepy. Hold me and sleep.”
“All right.” Pei Xuanlin still complied with her.
After getting up to blow out the candles, Pei Xuanlin returned to the bed and wrapped his arms around Ling Zhenli, but a faint doubt arose in his heart.
Though his Crown Princess would occasionally show a spoiled, girlish side before him, most of the time she was gentle and respectful toward him—one might even say cautious and eager to please.
Today, she was truly strange.
From observation, the Crown Princess was the sort who softened when treated gently and hardened when confronted harshly. Normally, when he questioned her coldly, she would already have grown upset at being suspected without cause. Yet today, she had smiled and explained herself sweetly.
Strange—far too strange.
Though Pei Chanlian was suspicious by nature, her words were not necessarily false. After all, she wouldn’t be mad enough to spread idle gossip about the Crown Princess and sow discord between the future emperor and empress.
Moreover, Xue Yingyue had told him many times that she had admired him while still unmarried, longing to marry him. But she had never even met him—how could that be admiration?
At that time, she was engaged to Yang Chengxiu. Compared objectively, Yang Chengxiu was hardly inferior to him. Why would she abandon a fiancé of excellent character to admire a destitute commandery prince targeted by the emperor, one who fought on the battlefield not knowing if there would be a tomorrow?
Quiet moonlight streamed into the room, falling upon Ling Zhenli’s face. By its light, Pei Xuanlin gazed at her sleeping features, pondering for a long time.
She slept so peacefully, resting beside him without the slightest guard.
At last, he sighed inwardly.
It was his own deep-seated insecurity. After encountering someone who treated him with genuine sincerity, he became suspicious at the slightest rumor. This was his fault.
He was no worse than Yang Chengxiu—so what if Xue Yingyue admired him?
Thinking this way made him feel much better, and Pei Xuanlin gradually drifted into sleep…
It was already late at night, yet lanterns still burned in Zhaohua Hall at Princess Jin’an’s residence.
Pei Shang’er reclined against the bedhead, watching the bright moon outside slowly climb above the eaves.
Yang Chengxiu had changed into moon-white sleepwear and sat at the bedside, massaging her calves.
Pei Shang’er had been suffering from leg pain recently. The imperial physician had left some ointment, instructing that after applying it, gently massaging with the fingertips at regular intervals would help.
Yang Chengxiu chatted and joked with her for a while before getting to the main point.
“Shang’er, the south has had continuous rains of late, and signs of flooding along the Yellow River are emerging. Father has approved my request to go repair the riverbanks. It’s a long journey—mountains and waters ahead. I’m afraid it will take nearly two months before I return.”
“What?!” Pei Shang’er, who had been cheerful just moments ago, immediately sat upright, angry and anxious. “I’m pregnant—who was blind enough to transfer you away from my side at such a critical time?!”
Yang Chengxiu hurried to soothe her. “Don’t get worked up. I took the initiative to petition Father. Recently the court has been discussing Emperor Wen’s enshrinement in the ancestral temple. I need to stay away from court to avoid suspicion.”
“I’m going with you,” Pei Shang’er said unhappily.
“How could that be? The journey will be exhausting, and you’re with child—you must be careful. If anything happened along the way, it would be disastrous. Besides, staying in the capital under Father and Mother’s protection puts me at ease to do my work. When I return, Father will also have reason to promote me.”
Yang Chengxiu understood all too well: as the former Crown Prince’s grandson, he posed a considerable threat to the throne. No matter how much he did, it would not truly be acknowledged.
Pei Shang’er, after becoming a princess, had grown extravagant and willful. But Yang Chengxiu had seen the injustices she endured growing up and could not bear to reproach her, so he tried to accumulate virtue and merit for her sake.
After much persuasion, Pei Shang’er reluctantly nodded in agreement. Yet moments later, she grew sad again, her eyes full of worry.
“Chengxiu, we’ve never been apart for so long… You must take care of yourself and come back early.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll return as soon as possible. While you’re alone in the capital, don’t clash with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. If there’s nothing to do, spend more time accompanying Father and Mother.”
“Speaking of that Crown Princess—she hasn’t known Pei Xuanlin for long. Why offend me for his sake? Is it really worth it?”
Pei Shang’er twirled a lock of Yang Chengxiu’s hair around her finger, a hint of cunning in her gaze.
Still uneasy, Yang Chengxiu continued advising her. “No matter what, she is the Chancellor’s daughter, from a prestigious clan backed by the Five Great Families. Don’t contend with her—lest the cost outweigh the gain.”
“Of course I know. Don’t worry, Chengxiu.”
Pei Shang’er smiled obediently.
Over the next two months, the most significant event was the posthumous elevation of Emperor Wen with the temple name Shizong.
Though Pei Xuanlin resented his grandmother Yang Mingkong for persecuting his parents, he still acknowledged her achievements. As the court censors had said, throughout history there were many emperors who killed their sons—who dared to erase their accomplishments because of that?
While Yang Chengxiu was away on disaster relief to avoid suspicion, the emperor and empress had Pei Shang’er move back into the palace so they could personally care for their daughter.
During this period, Yang Chengxiu went to meet someone he had searched for a long time and finally managed to locate.
…
Dark tiles hung with beaded rain, slanted threads of rain weaving into a curtain.
Distant mountains rose and sank in gauzy mist. Smoke from cooking fires tangled with fog. Outside the window, a figure holding an oil-paper umbrella appeared briefly at the arch of a stone bridge, then vanished into the haze.
The woman’s slender fingers lightly pinched the rim of her cup, blowing away the steam.
“I truly didn’t expect the first person to find me would be you… Chengxiu, you really surprise me.”
Yang Chengxiu remained composed, expressionless as he lifted his teacup and took a sip.
“When I saw her, I really was shocked.”
The woman’s eyes were like apricot blossoms touched by rain. Leaning by the window, she picked up her teacup and swirled it gently. “So who exactly is she, then? I’ve never heard of my own death…”
“Mm. You never died to begin with.” Yang Chengxiu forced a smile. “So she is Xue Yingyue.”
“Then what do you plan to do with me? There can’t be two Crown Princesses in one reign.”
Yang Chengxiu looked up, meeting Xue Xianzhu’s slightly provocative gaze.
“Everyone says Xue Yingyue was born with the destiny of a phoenix, fated to become empress.”
As he spoke, Yang Chengxiu carefully observed her expression. She looked entirely unconcerned—almost amused—and shook her head with a laugh.
“But I don’t believe it.”
“Mm. Your fate is in your own hands,” Yang Chengxiu nodded slightly, smiling in turn. “Still, she is now Xue Yingyue, the Crown Princess-to-be, while you are Xue Xianzhu. That does suggest the ‘phoenix destiny’ of Xue Yingyue isn’t false.”
“How ridiculous. So why did you come looking for me? Don’t tell me Princess Jin’an can’t beat the Crown Prince, and you’re here to help her threaten the Crown Princess?” Xue Xianzhu sneered.
Yang Chengxiu countered calmly. “Do you usually speak like this to the man waiting outside for you as well? Should I consider telling him your true identity?”
“He wouldn’t believe you.”
“Then shall we try?” Yang Chengxiu smiled—rare for him.
“Then go ahead and try,” Xue Xianzhu said without fear. “I know you’re just an empty shell now. Pei Le is only a princess. Once Pei Zhen ascends the throne, she’ll be nothing—she might not even keep her life.”
“Whether Shang’er can keep her life depends on my abilities. That’s not something you need to worry about.”
Yang Chengxiu felt displeased but maintained perfect courtesy, pouring her another cup of tea. “What about you—are you living the life you truly want now?”
“I think one only knows what kind of life they want after they’ve lived it.”
Xue Xianzhu spoke without her usual flippancy, her tone weary yet sincere. She supported her forehead and smiled faintly.
“The first thing I did after fleeing the capital was change my name. I don’t like the name Xue Yingyue. She was a Crown Princess-to-be, a woman who lived only to become empress… She wasn’t me.”
Yang Chengxiu quietly watched her. She was prone to anxiety, and now her heart was clearly in turmoil. She had lived accustomed to noble status and luxury. Now, following a man from place to place, she had seen the vast world—but could no longer choose freely from silks, gold, and jewels as before.
“I was always lost, because in the past there was nothing I truly cherished… but now there is. And as long as I have him, that’s enough. Everything else I can give up.”
When she mentioned that man, the corners of her lips lifted unconsciously—visible happiness, genuine happiness.
This was exactly what Yang Chengxiu hoped for.
Though they had never met before, they had borne the title of betrothed. After Yang Chengxiu decided he would marry none but Pei Shang’er in this life, he had climbed over the wall at night to visit the Chancellor’s residence and explain everything to her.
It was that nightlong conversation that allowed him to determine, the moment he first saw the Crown Princess, that she was not the real Xue Yingyue.
But even if the Crown Princess’s true identity were discovered, so what? The Crown Prince liked her very much and would surely protect her. Perhaps even the Crown Prince himself had not realized how much he cared for his Crown Princess.
It was not surprising. Pei Zhen lacked love.
“The Chancellor and Madam Cui are still looking for you.”
“I know…” Xue Xianzhu fell back into anxious agitation. “Someone has already replaced me as their daughter. Xue Run is no longer me—why are they still looking for me?!”
Seeing her emotional distress, Yang Chengxiu stopped pressing and softened his tone. “Because they are your parents.”
Hearing this only made Xue Xianzhu more agitated. Her brows knotted, her breathing grew short and heavy, and the cup in her hand creaked under her grip.
In her understanding, her parents had only ever used her, never loved her. She had run away, lost all use—why summon her back?
She could not believe her parents actually loved her.
After struggling internally, Xue Xianzhu regained her composure. “I won’t go back. Never. Don’t think you can use me to deal with Pei Zhen.”
Yang Chengxiu looked unconcerned. “Suit yourself. But if you ever tire of being a rustic village woman, you might consider returning to the capital. The Chancellor and Madam Cui… they miss you very much.”
At these words, the tears she had been holding back welled up again. “I’ve said it already—I’m not going back. Someone else is already their daughter. There’s no need for me to return.”
Catching the opening, Yang Chengxiu pressed on, striking at what mattered most to her. “The Chancellor and Madam Cui don’t associate with the Crown Princess at all—as if she doesn’t exist.”
Seeing Xue Xianzhu’s shock, he continued. “You’ve experienced a life of changing names, drifting without roots. Are you sure it’s what you want? Whether Yingyue or Xianzhu… think it over. Both paths have drawbacks, but I hope you won’t make a choice you’ll regret.”
Yang Chengxiu was precise in grasping people’s weaknesses. Xue Xianzhu knew it was his strategy, yet still found herself unable to resist taking the bait.
“You came today to provoke me into returning to the capital, to stir chaos in the Eastern Palace and the Chancellor’s residence.”
“If you did so, it would indeed benefit Shang’er. Anything that benefits Shang’er is my purpose. But the choice is yours… Yingyue, you and I understand each other. I know you won’t go back to be Crown Princess. But I hope you won’t leave regrets with the Chancellor and Madam Cui over that bond of parenthood.”
After Yang Chengxiu left, Xue Xianzhu no longer restrained herself and wept silently in sorrow.
All along, she had tried so hard—exhausting herself to meet every demand her parents placed on her. To become the perfect Crown Princess-to-be, she had burned through all the time and energy of her life, all to make her parents happy, hoping that once she became Crown Princess-to-be, they would love and cherish her as their daughter.
As long as she became Crown Princess-to-be, they would love her.
Yet Yang Chengxiu told her they did not love the Crown Princess-to-be either.
Because the Crown Princess-to-be was not their biological daughter.
They loved their real daughter—loved her.
Xue Xianzhu wavered. She missed her parents.
The man who had been waiting outside for a long time could not bear to see her like this. “Xianzhu, let’s go back.”
“Go home?” Xue Xianzhu was still dazed.
“No. Back to the capital,” the man said calmly.
She slowly lifted her head. Her tear-filled eyes met his resolute gaze.
“No, Zhaoye. We’re not going back,” Xue Xianzhu said suddenly, lucid and serious. “If someone is willing to commit the crime of deceiving the emperor to marry in my stead, then if I go back, wouldn’t I be ruining her?”
“I know you miss your parents deeply. Is it really all right not to see them even once?”
“It’s fine. I have my own way.”
Her eyes flickered as an idea instantly took shape.