Nanning.
The Imperial Palace.
Yu Ruo had barely returned when he was summoned by the Emperor.
The decor of Nanning's imperial palace was vastly different from that of the Great Zhou palace. Layers of black gauze curtains, embroidered with dragons symbolizing imperial authority, hung heavily.
The hall was empty, save for a long bench placed in the center.
Two palace attendants stood beside it, holding court punishment rods.
The Chief Eunuch glanced at Yu Ruo and said in a shrill voice, "Your Highness, His Majesty says you were disrespectful before the throne and must be punished." He pointed to the long bench. "If you please."
Yu Ruo said calmly, "This son accepts his punishment."
He lifted the hem of his robe and lay prone on the bench.
The Chief Eunuch commanded, "Strike!"
The executioners immediately positioned themselves front and back. The rods landed heavily on Yu Ruo's lower back and buttocks. In the quiet hall, there was only the sound of flesh being struck and the occasional muffled groan.
Blood gradually seeped through his clothes, dripping onto the floor.
Yu Ruo's face grew paler by the degree.
It was impossible to tell how long it lasted before a low voice came from within: "Enough."
The palace attendants halted immediately. The Chief Eunuch waved his hand, and they withdrew.
From behind a screen emerged a man with a half-bared chest. He appeared considerably younger than Emperor Chongzhao. Wearing wooden clogs, he walked to the front of the bench.
"Ruo'er, you're back."
The Emperor of Nanning smiled slightly. "Five years without seeing your father. Won't you pay your respects?"
A layer of cold sweat beaded on Yu Ruo's forehead. His vision blurred with overlapping shadows, and a faint ringing filled his ears. He closed his eyes, strained to move, and the next moment tumbled from the bench onto the floor.
The Emperor of Nanning raised an eyebrow slightly.
Sprawled on the ground, Yu Ruo said with difficulty, "This son... pays his respects to Father."
The Emperor of Nanning said, "The people under my command grow increasingly heavy-handed. I merely wished to teach you a slight lesson. Look how they've beaten you. Pitiful."
"Now that you are back, what I had you give away must slowly be made the Great Zhou spit back out. Understand? Very well, have him carried away first. I am weary."
As he stood up, Yu Ruo suddenly grasped his ankle.
The Emperor of Nanning frowned. "You've dirtied my foot. Is there something else?"
Yu Ruo's knuckles turned white. With great effort, he lifted his head. Sweat ran into his eyes, stinging intensely. He asked weakly, "The plague... was it Father's doing? And I also wish to ask, was the Nanning dam truly destroyed by rain?"
The Emperor of Nanning looked down. "Ruo'er, what are you trying to say?"
Yu Ruo took a deep breath. The pain made his whole body tremble. He spoke word by word, "This son wishes to ask, was the damage to the Nanning dam caused by Father?!"
The Chief Eunuch's eyelid twitched.
The Emperor of Nanning sighed. "Ruo'er, if I said yes, would you still dare to rebel against me?"
Yu Ruo: "This son... would not dare."
The Emperor of Nanning: "Before you say anything, think of your mother first."
Yu Ruo's pupils contracted sharply.
The Emperor of Nanning: "Regarding the matter of sending messages, I do not wish to dwell on it with you. Fortunately, you still remember your surname and did not speak recklessly in the Great Zhou. Otherwise..."
A few seconds later, Yu Ruo's hand, gripping the emperor's ankle, slowly loosened and fell away.
The Emperor of Nanning: "Recover well from your injuries. I have a task for you."
Four months later.
Falling leaves heralded autumn, with white dew and thin frost.
The capital of Great Zhou.
Princess Manor.
Since Zhiyi had moved into Princess A'xiang's manor, she had found considerably more peace and quiet.
But she was seventeen this year, truly of marriageable age. Emperor Chongzhao had also, for once, turned his attention to her matrimonial affairs, bluntly stating that if she could not select a satisfactory husband within six months, he would directly choose one and issue an imperial decree for the marriage.
Better to choose herself than to be assigned a husband by decree.
Zhiyi prepared to begin her life of matchmaking meetings.
This dynasty had no rule that marrying a princess barred one from political participation. On the contrary, forming a marital alliance with a princess was a tremendous shortcut to soaring success. Therefore, once the news spread, it swiftly rose to the top of the capital's trending topics.
The fervor even spread to several prefectures surrounding the capital.
Such a spectacle had never been seen before.
But everyone understood clearly in their hearts: Zhiyi was nominally raised under Consort Xuan's care, and Consort Xuan was the adoptive mother of the Seventh Prince. They had grown up together since childhood and were exceptionally close.
If one could climb the great tree that was the Princess, this entire web of relationships could instantly be leveraged for their own use.
This matchmaking banquet was held at the Cuju grounds in the capital's outskirts.
A vast open grassland, with carriages of the invited young masters parked outside.
On both sides of the grassland were raised platforms, seating spectators who had come to watch the excitement.
Right in the center was Princess Zhiyi's phoenix carriage.
Seasonal fruits were arranged on the platform. The Princess sat behind gauze curtains, her elegant figure only faintly visible, her face obscured.
The young masters preparing on the field all cast occasional, subtle glances in this direction.
The two Wang brothers had both come, hoping to improve their odds through numbers.
"I heard Her Highness Zhiyi prefers cheerful, outgoing men. Remember to smile more when we take the field later."
"Brother, tell me, do I look better smiling like this, or like this?"
"Hmm..." The elder Wang brother stroked his chin. "The first one, I suppose."
"No way you smile looks good," a cool voice came from behind.
A youth in red pushed them apart. "Move, move, move! Don't block the way!" He looked slender but was extremely strong, shoving the two so they staggered back.
The younger Wang brother glared angrily at the jade-beaded colored cords in the youth's hair. "Hey! Who do you think you are? You had to pass right between us? What kind of attitude is that!"
"Stop! That's Her Highness Zhiyi's phoenix carriage over there."
The red-clad youth didn't even look back. He headed straight for the platform and was respectfully ushered inside.
The younger Wang brother was stunned. "Could it be the Princess has already chosen a consort?"
Someone nearby scoffed. "Clueless fool. The one who just passed was the Seventh Prince, who grew up in the same palace as Princess Zhiyi."
"So it was the Seventh Prince!"
"I've long heard of his deed of testing medicine on himself. I never thought I'd see him just like this."
"Hey, go greet him? We're here to seek his sister's hand in marriage. It'd be strange if he looked upon us favorably. I advise you, brother, it's better to steer clear of His Highness."
On the high platform.
Qu Dubian sat beside Zhiyi, popping grapes into his mouth.
Zhiyi fanned him amusedly. "Little Seven, your face is all scrunched up like a bun."
Qu Dubian: "Elder Sister, I think none of them are any good. Anyway, Father gave you half a year to decide. Let's take our time looking, alright?"
Zhiyi: "I have to choose eventually. Choosing one early allows some time to foster feelings," she complained. "Isn't that better than Father randomly pointing at one?"
Delaying until seventeen to start selecting a husband was already quite late. Once chosen, more time would be needed to prepare for the wedding.
"I don't need a new princess manor either. Aunt A'xiang's here is quite nice. The state treasury is strained, better to save a bit."
Qu Dubian gave a thumbs up. "Elder Sister."
Zhiyi: "I know you sent all the pocket money you've saved over the years to Xianghe. That's no small sum. Your elder sister can't fall behind either."
Qu Dubian grinned, but when he looked towards the Cuju field, his face fell again. "Do you really have to choose from among them?"
Yuan Jie'er came in and, hearing this, couldn't help but laugh. "Your Highness, practically all the unmarried, well-born, and talented men in the capital are here. Do you still want to pick a celestial being descended to the mortal world for Zhiyi?"
Qu Dubian: "Sister Yuan Jie'er."
Yuan Jie'er sat down on Zhiyi's other side.
"The Cuju match is starting. Only the winners get to meet your elder sister. Let's watch first."
Qu Dubian rested his chin on his hand. "Alright. If Elder Sister doesn't fancy any of them, I'll go down and play a match myself. I'll kick them out fair and square, and I guarantee they won't utter a single word of complaint."
Zhiyi leaned over with a smile. "Good."
Second Prince's Manor.
Advisor Chen: "The carriage park outside the polo grounds in the capital's outskirts is packed. The scene is truly lively."
"It is indeed lively."
"Your Highness, Princess Zhiyi is not like other princesses. The family of the man who marries her will naturally align with the Seventh Prince's faction."
The Second Prince took a sip of tea. "When a man is grown, he should take a wife; when a woman is grown, she should take a husband. Can you, Master Chen, prevent a princess from marrying?"
"His Majesty's attitude is quite clear. If I make a move at this juncture, I'll only ruin His Majesty's favor towards me and let my elder brother benefit."
Advisor Chen: "So Your Highness will just leave it be?"
Second Prince: "They're not married yet, are they? Even if they do marry, they can still divorce."
It's much easier to ruin a marriage than to arrange one. Even after marriage, there are couples who maintain appearances but are estranged at heart.
He looked up. "Master Chen, you sought refuge with me, and you've come to understand my temperament. One shouldn't act in haste. Boiling water to brew tea requires a proper sequence."
Advisor Chen straightened up respectfully. "Yes, Your Highness."
Evening.
The polo match in the capital's outskirts came to a close.
With Qu Dubian's skills on display, he played a round and thoroughly humiliated those men who, after losing, still shamelessly begged for an audience with his elder sister.
The list of winners from the polo match was finally formally presented to Zhiyi.
Qu Dubian: "How about trying them out one by one? If you're not satisfied, we can hold another polo match."
Zhiyi laughed. "Being so picky, even as a princess, isn't quite proper."
Qu Dubian: "Who dares say it's not proper? I'll pay them a visit for a chat."
"Alright, alright," Zhiyi took his hand. "Come back to the manor with your elder sister. You're all sweaty and need to change before you leave. You can even stay at the Princess's manor tonight."
Qu Dubian: "Good. I'll come for tomorrow's banquet too."
The siblings returned to the manor.
After washing up, Qu Dubian took the profiles of the winning young masters back to his room.
Name, place of origin, whether they had passed the imperial examinations, family land and assets, appearance and character... He listed several criteria.
"Liuliu, come, sit, help me."
Yi Shier sat down opposite him. "How can I help?"
Qu Dubian: "Help me score them. Give these would-be consorts a rating. That method of Xi Zixing's is quite good; I'll borrow it."
"...Alright."
Meanwhile.
Outside Zhiyi's bedchamber.
In the small courtyard, by the stone table.
Zhiyi looked at the portraits of the selected candidates on the list, but her gaze was unfocused, clearly lost in thought.
A maidservant said, "Your Highness, whichever one you find most pleasing to the eye, just choose him at tomorrow's banquet. Try getting along first."
"Today was so lively! All the eligible young men in the capital want to be your consort. You're the envy of many young ladies from noble families."
Zhiyi: "They're just drawn to my status. What they'd marry is merely the title. Marrying me turns them into imperial relatives," the young girl sighed. "Otherwise, why are they fighting so hard? Isn't it all for gain?"
The maidservant thought for a moment. "That's true, but Your Highness, feelings can develop over time. And look, the princes are all the same."
Zhiyi: "Yes, everyone is like that."
A hint of confusion flickered in her eyes, then she shook her head, regaining clarity. Her fingertip tapped the list, and upon closer inspection, she showed slight surprise.
"Huh? A young man from the second branch of the Xie family is also selected."
"..." The maidservant said, "Your Highness, you only noticed now?"
"When I used to visit the Xie household to see Sister Yuan Jie'er, he was always hiding in the back, never coming forward. After Sister Yuan Jie'er married, I had even less impression of him," Zhiyi coughed a few times. "Besides, once they put on those polo uniforms, they all started to look alike. It's normal I didn't distinguish them."
"Ah, Sister Yuan Jie'er was also at the polo grounds today. Why didn't she remind me?"
The maidservant: "She probably didn't want to influence Your Highness's impartial attention, as this is your marriage after all."
Zhiyi: "Hmm..."
She pondered for a moment.
Whoever she chose, new interests would inevitably become involved.
The Xie family was Consort Xuan's maternal family, already naturally aligned with their own faction. If she chose a young man from the Xie family, it would merely strengthen existing ties without disturbing other relationships.
Since there was no affection involved, it would be better to choose a consort beneficial to those around her.
After consideration, she said: "Tomorrow, move this young master from the Xie family's seat forward."
The next day.
After the banquet.
Zhiyi invited Xie Lishan, the young master from the second branch of the Xie family, for a conversation.
Under the pavilion, the two sat facing each other.
Zhiyi: "Master Xie."
Xie Lishan seemed a bit nervous. "Your Highness."
They exchanged some polite pleasantries.
"To be honest, I'm also under pressure from my father and mother to choose a husband," Zhiyi got straight to the point. "After all, having some choice is better than an imperial decree."
Xie Lishan was silent for a few seconds. "Then why did you choose me?"
"The Xie family is already connected to Shunning Palace and the imperial house. Choosing you won't entangle other interests; it's the most stable option," Zhiyi blinked, showing a bit of liveliness. "But it's not necessarily final. Even without affection, marriage involves two people. I've made my intentions clear; the rest depends on you, Master Xie."
Xie Lishan stumbled slightly over his words. "Affection... can be cultivated."
Zhiyi: "?"
Xie Lishan proactively poured a cup of tea for her. The earlier stumble seemed like an illusion as he spoke steadily: "If I am your best choice, and we are to spend a lifetime together, there must be a foundation of affection, even if it's just the bond of friendship."
"If Your Highness doesn't mind, we can try getting to know each other first."
Zhiyi thought about it. "That could work too."
Qu Dubian attended the banquet but did not stay by Zhiyi's side to listen to her conversation with Xie Lishan.
He sat in the courtyard, a blade of grass between his teeth.
Xie Lishan... He didn't have much of an impression before.
He'd only seen him a few times at the private school in Xie Jingshan's home. His memory was of a quiet person, not fond of stepping forward to speak, who had given off a very steady feeling since childhood.
His temperament didn't seem like someone who would participate in a polo competition.
Qu Dubian: "He's not even that good-looking. Why did Elder Sister pick him?"
Ye Xiaoyuan: "His character and appearance are still proper. He also achieved a good ranking in the last imperial examination and now holds a post in the Hanlin Academy."
Qu Dubian: "The Hanlin Academy is said to be prestigious, but how many are waiting to be assigned official posts outside? Marrying Elder Sister would save him several years of detours."
Ye Xiaoyuan didn't respond further.
After all, the young masters on Princess Zhiyi's list had been picked apart from head to toe by his own lord. He glanced at the scoring booklet given to him by Lord Liuliu—
Not a single one passed.
This young master from the Xie family, because his looks were merely considered clean-cut, had been ranked near the bottom by His Highness.
About half an hour later.
Xie Lishan came out. Seeing Qu Dubian, he paused for a moment, then bowed. "Greetings, Seventh Prince."
Qu Dubian: "At ease. Finished talking with my elder sister?"
Xie Lishan smiled. "Yes."
Qu Dubian narrowed his eyes. "...What are you smiling about?"
Xie Lishan hesitated: "Your subject... this is, a polite smile."
Qu Dubian did not respond. Ye Xiaoyuan gave a helpless smile. "Lord Xie, please proceed. His Highness has practiced a set of fist techniques and is somewhat tired."
Xie Lishan: "Then I shall take my leave."
Zhiyi stood under the corridor, waving: "Little Seven, why are you sitting there? Come here."
Qu Dubian: "Elder Sister, have you taken a liking to him?"
"Hmm..."
Zhiyi recalled the earlier moment: "In any case, let's get to know each other as friends first and see."