On the same tranquil spring night, the imperial palace several miles away presented a scene of opulent splendor.
Yonghe Hall.
Palace music played softly, while rows of candle stands illuminated the space.
From the throne downward, two long rows of seating tables were arranged, laden with countless delicacies and fine wines.
High-ranking ministers and nobles of the court exchanged toasts, chatting and laughing merrily.
Eunuchs, palace maids, and close attendants waited nearby, heads bowed and eyes lowered, not daring to act out of turn.
Tonight’s banquet was held to celebrate Grand Commandant Shen’s recapture of Tongzhou and his defeat of the bandits. Thus, Shen Xiuwang naturally occupied the first seat to the right of the emperor.
Zhao Zhen, the Crown Prince, held a position of inherent nobility and sat in the first seat to the emperor’s left.
The Fifth and Sixth Princes, long out of favor and with mothers of low status, sat meekly below the Crown Prince.
The Emperor, now over fifty with graying temples, had sharp eyes that shone brightly beneath a pair of sword-like eyebrows.
He commanded authority without needing to show anger.
After several drinks, he inevitably grew more cheerful, the wine tempering much of his imperial majesty.
Holding a cup in one hand, he looked down at Shen Xiuwang and laughed heartily, “Xingzhi, I toast to you.”
The young Military Governor raised his cup, composed yet humble. “Your servant dares not accept such honor. Thank you, Your Majesty.”
With the Emperor’s praise leading the way, the ever-opportunistic ministers took turns toasting to Military Governor Shen.
For a time, Shen Xiuwang found himself at the center of attention, drinking quite a few cups.
The Emperor then turned his gaze to Prime Minister Yang, his words carrying hidden meaning. “Zhonghuai, Xingzhi rushed back to the capital overnight, injured, to save your son. You should toast him an extra cup.”
Prime Minister Yang, seated opposite, gritted his teeth in silent fury.
Shen Xiuwang, over a mere courtesan, had dared to sever Qian’er’s manhood!
He had reduced him to a state neither human nor ghost, causing him to attempt suicide and beat servants within the mansion.
While outwardly the Prime Minister’s residence remained peaceful, inside it was already in utter chaos.
Yet not a word of this could be revealed.
Tongzhou’s Qu County should have been thoroughly cleaned up by now.
It was unclear whether Shen Xiuwang truly held some evidence or was merely bluffing based on rumors.
But he had indeed made the trip.
Prime Minister Yang dared not gamble the grand plan for Yang Qian’s sake. If he truly disrupted Crown Prince Zhao Zhen’s affairs, it would mean the ruin of the entire Yang clan.
Not even ten sons born of concubines could make up for such a loss.
Crown Prince Zhao Zhen glanced at him as if nothing were amiss, dotingly serving dishes to the Crown Princess beside him.
In an instant, Prime Minister Yang swallowed his resentment. His plump double chin trembled slightly as he forced a smile.
“Your Majesty’s reminder is most apt. This old minister indulged in a few too many cups, grew dizzy, and neglected the Grand Commandant. I deserve to be punished.”
He stood up with his cup, looking at Shen Xiuwang with a dignified, smiling expression. “Military Governor Shen, thank you for saving my son. This old minister is deeply grateful.”
Shen Xiuwang could not help but let out an almost imperceptible snort through his nose. Raising his cup from across the room, he said, “The Prime Minister is too courteous. It was but a trivial effort, hardly worth mentioning.”
Prime Minister Yang’s smile did not waver. “Once my son recovers, I will surely bring generous gifts to your door to express our gratitude. Military Governor, please.”
Shen Xiuwang tilted his head back and drained his cup, too weary to continue this hypocritical exchange.
A group of stunning dancers flooded into the hall, and for a time, singing and dancing filled the air, bringing the banquet to its peak.
Shen Xiuwang rested his elbow on the table, his large hand supporting his temple. He glanced up briefly at the dancers, his interest lacking.
Beautiful they were, yes—but they possessed form without spirit.
In the past, he had considered the palace dancers to be of the highest quality. Now, he could not help but think of that figure whose bending waist had once captivated like a fleeting swan.
He lazily withdrew his gaze, just in time to catch a glimpse of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess across the room, drinking affectionately together.
His eyes turned cold.
Hah, how dull.
Shen Xiuwang simply rose and excused himself to the emperor and empress, claiming drunkenness, then went outside the hall to clear his head.
The current empress was a stepmother, but her own fourth prince was as close to Shen Xiuwang as brothers.
Now that the fourth prince had accompanied the empress dowager south for Buddhist rites and spring travels and had not yet returned to the capital, she looked upon Shen Xiuwang with fondness.
Pointing to four capable eunuchs, she instructed: “Take good care of the Military Governor. If he gets too drunk or catches a chill, you will be punished!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As the graceful young man left the banquet on his own, naturally some could not help but follow him with lingering glances.
Xu Yunshu had patiently stayed by the crown prince’s side all evening, but her heart felt as if scratched by a cat’s claws.
After watching one more dance, she quietly raised her eyes to signal the palace maid attending her closely.
Shen Xiuwang had frequently entered the palace since childhood and knew every main path, side path, and gate like the back of his hand.
After leaving Yonghe Hall, he dismissed the accompanying eunuchs and strolled alone toward the willow embankment by the imperial river.
At this moment, the moon was bright and the stars sparse, the new willows swayed gently, their deep green not yet fully matured, yet they carried their own charm and ease.
He had loved coming here since he was young.
Beneath the jade bridge was a hidden world. The young master leaned against the railing, sitting alone to admire the flowing water, pinching a few thin stone pieces between his fingertips.
With a light flick, they could skip across the lake surface, creating over a dozen consecutive ripples.
In his childhood, Shen Xiuwang was the leader among the children, often winning first place, while the princes would frequently lose and cry loudly.
Back then, there were none of these covert and overt struggles of today.
He tossed several thin stone pieces one after another. No matter how far they skipped across the water, they would eventually sink into the lake with a “plop.”
In just a moment, the lake surface returned to its usual calm.
Just like the ninth prince who had drowned back then—dead was dead, unable to stir even half a ripple.
Shen Xiuwang’s ink-dark eyes stared into the deep water, lost in thought for a long while.
Then he raised his hand to brush the dust from his palm, intending to return to the hall to take his leave and exit the palace.
Being alone was truly dull. At least back at his residence, there was a sharp-tongued one he could tease.
During the banquet earlier, there was a flower pastry made in the imperial kitchens that was quite exquisite. On the night of the Flower Festival, she had finished an entire plate of rose pastries, so it seemed she liked them.
Then he might as well bring a plate back to feed the “kitten.”
With such thoughts, Military Governor Shen curled the corners of his lips and slowly turned around.
A woman walked along the gravel path, her figure slender, holding a silk lantern. Her delicate and lovely face gradually became clear.
Shen Xiuwang halted his steps, his gaze sharpening.
This face, he was all too familiar with it.
Xu Yunshu approached, set down the silk lantern, and gave him a gentle smile: “Brother Xianzhi, I knew you would be here.”
“Last month during the Flower Festival, I accidentally broke the railing of your Painted Pleasure Boat. I’ve been wanting to find an opportunity to apologize.”
Shen Xiuwang shifted away from their face-to-face stance, taking half a step back, and said lightly: “It’s fine. The Crown Princess need not dwell on it.”
Xu Yunshu felt as if something were stuck in her throat.
He called her Crown Princess—he must be upset about her marrying the crown prince.
Her voice choked, she whispered softly: “Brother Xianzhi, please don’t ignore me.”
“All the faults are mine. If I had resisted with my life back then, sworn never to marry, Brother Xianzhi wouldn’t avoid me so much now.”
Hearing this, Shen Xiuwang couldn’t help but frown.
“Xu Yunshu, you are now the Crown Princess. Fulfill your duties in your position, and don’t speak nonsense in a daze.”
This cold indifference caught Xu Yunshu off guard. She stood stunned for a moment, her eyes filling with tears.
Several years ago, the Shen and Xu families had been close, and their parents had intended to arrange a marriage between them.
Father Shen had two ruyi pendants custom-made, one for each child, with the agreement that once the young lady reached her coming-of-age ceremony and the young man his capping ceremony, they would marry.
At that time, Shen Xiuwang was only three or four years old, and Xu Yunshu was still a baby in swaddling clothes.
He simply considered her an additional younger sister.
As they grew older, the reputation of their childhood friendship spread further.
At that time, Shen Xiuwang was thirteen or fourteen, a young man full of vigor, riding spirited horses and acting with unrestrained freedom. His heart held no room for matters of love.
At most, he did not dislike Xu Yunshu.
Later, when Father Shen was defeated and died on the battlefield, Shen Xiuwang resolutely traveled to Yong City.
Just as the Shen family teetered on the brink of collapse, Lady Xu arrived at their doorstep to return the jade pendant.
From then on, the relationship between the two families plummeted.
It is often said that adding flowers to brocade is easy, but offering charcoal in snowy weather is hard.
While the Shen family struggled to stand alone, the Xu family soared to great heights.
Xu Yunshu’s marriage into the Eastern Palace meant that the Xu clan had completely abandoned the political alliance once forged between the Shen and Xu families. Loyalty to the sovereign had turned into taking sides in the struggle for succession.
The word “betrayal” had become a reality.
Shen Xiuwang raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, his tone displeased: “Do not meet in private again from now on. It is improper.”
Xu Yunshu could not hold back her tears, which streamed down her face in a torrent.
How could she forget the one who had occupied her heart for over a decade?
Once, he had called her “Yunshu, little sister” and smiled warmly at her.
Xu Yunshu took a step forward and grasped his sleeve.
“Brother Xinzhi—”
Shen Xiuwang felt deeply uncomfortable. He pulled his wide sleeve free and said word by word: “Crown Princess, please maintain your dignity.”
He turned and strode away without looking back. After a few steps, he paused briefly.
Xu Yunshu wept pitifully, her sobs choking her voice.
Seeing him suddenly stop, she thought he might still be reluctant, that perhaps there was still a chance for reconciliation.
But then she heard the man’s cold voice: “Even if your mother had not come to return the jade pendant back then, I would have gone to retrieve it myself upon my return to the capital.”
Like a sudden clap of thunder on a spring night, the words struck her ears.
Xu Yunshu staggered, her spirit broken, nearly losing her balance.