“Your Highness is a clever man, so let’s be straightforward. The truth is… I can’t really be called the Duke’s concubine-born daughter. Before all this, I lived in a small village for twelve years, as an honest and simple farm girl. Only three months ago did the Duke’s manor send people to bring me, my mother, and my younger brother back — all for the purpose of marrying me to Your Highness.”
Of course Lin Zhuo already knew this, but the fact that Ruan Mianmian would tell him so directly caught him off guard. He remained calm on the surface. “Oh? Is that so?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Ruan Mianmian smiled faintly. “There’s no need to spell things out too clearly. I don’t understand court politics or the struggles of the harem. All I know is that I’m not worthy of Your Highness, and I don’t expect a happily-ever-after from this marriage. Her Majesty the Empress truly supports you, but if you think her support can be traded for something more, that’s a bit wishful, isn’t it? I can tell Your Highness isn’t one to lower himself to please anyone. So, to be safe in the future, I’ll naturally take a step back. That’s fine by me — I know how to read the room.”
“You said… you don’t understand politics or schemes?”
Lin Zhuo suddenly interrupted. Ruan Mianmian blinked and nodded. “That’s right. What’s wrong with that? I’m a village girl — it’s normal, isn’t it?”
Are there village girls like you?
Lin Zhuo sneered inwardly, saying instead, “The way you speak — calm, insightful, and strategic — is hardly the talk of a peasant girl. You sound more like a seasoned strategist.”
“Don’t look down on people, Your Highness. Even a village girl can have a clear head now and then. Haven’t you heard? When a person’s life is on the line, they can unleash their hidden potential.”
Lin Zhuo chuckled. “That’s quite an injustice then. If that’s how you feel, why agree to marry me? In the end, you’ll gain nothing but heartache. Are you truly willing to accept that?”
“Of course I’m not willing.” Ruan Mianmian’s eyes lit up mischievously. “Your Highness is brilliant, graceful, and handsome — a man like you is one in a million.”
Her words were sincere, but when Lin Zhuo’s expression stiffened, she felt inwardly delighted. Oh? Trying to play games with me? Then I’ll play along.
Outwardly, she put on a pitiful face. “But if I cling to you because of that, wouldn’t that make you unhappy? Especially once Your Highness achieves everything you desire. If I then forget my place and start thinking myself a phoenix, those women by your side will spread my ‘village girl’ past across the empire. Tell me then — would you grant me a white silk scarf or a cup of poison?”
She spread her hands. “As for saying I didn’t want to marry — ha! Do you think that was ever up to me? My mother and brother are still in the Duke’s manor. Who knows how they’re faring?”
“It has indeed been difficult for you.” Lin Zhuo nodded slowly. “But then, what are you trying to say by telling me all this?”
“Your Highness is so intelligent — must I spell it out?”
Tch. She rolled her eyes inwardly. If you can’t even figure this out, then fighting for the throne with that IQ is suicide.
Not an easy woman, he thought. This sharp defiance reminded him faintly of the Empress — though unlike her, Ruan Mianmian didn’t reek of arrogance or greed. Interesting.
At last Lin Zhuo smiled faintly. “Very well. I’ll promise you this — as long as you know your place and act wisely, I’ll guarantee your safety and a life of comfort.”
“Deal! That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.” Ruan Mianmian clapped her hands. Then she added, “No, wait. My mother and brother too. I hope Your Highness will see to their safety and proper arrangements.”
Lin Zhuo looked at her, puzzled. “You’re already my princess consort. The Duke’s family expects to rely on you in the future. Even if they won’t flatter your mother, they wouldn’t dare mistreat her.”
Ruan Mianmian paused, exhaling softly before replying in a low voice, “Your Highness acts with virtue, but not everyone in this world does. If you and I are to rely on each other, do you think the Duke’s family would let me keep other attachments? Divided loyalties are always what nobles fear most. You must know that.”
Lin Zhuo thought for a moment, then nodded. “You are surprisingly perceptive. Very well, since you’ve thought this through, I’ll handle that matter for you.”
“In that case, thank you, Your Highness.”
Ruan Mianmian rose, bowed respectfully, then sat back down.
Lin Zhuo looked at Ruan Mianmian.Ruan Mianmian looked at Lin Zhuo.
And so they sat, staring at each other.
Finally, it was Ruan Mianmian who couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Your Highness… do you still have something to say?”
Lin Zhuo: “…”
“I’ve nothing more to say. So?”
“So… um, shouldn’t you… leave now? I’ve had a long day and need to rest.”
“Leave? And where should I go?”
He hadn’t planned to stay long in the first place. In fact, he’d come intending to make a token appearance and then leave — balancing both the secondary consort chosen by his father and the main consort chosen by the Empress. That would’ve been the wise, diplomatic move.
But now that his new bride had so plainly told him to go, his pride wouldn’t let him.
“Although it’s my first night in Anlexuan,” he said smoothly, “I believe there are still plenty of empty rooms here…”
Before she could finish hinting, Lin Zhuo scooped her up suddenly, cradling her across his lap.
“Has the Princess Consort forgotten?” he said softly. “Tonight is our wedding night — our night of the bridal chamber.”
“So what? Didn’t we already make everything clear? This is just a political marriage — we only need to go through the motions.”
“You’re right,” he said, smiling faintly. “And since it’s a political marriage, the proper motions must be observed.” His gaze stayed on her, deep and unreadable, without even a trace of lust.
“That won’t do! I’ll be at a total loss.”
Ruan Mianmian caught his hand mid-motion — long, strong fingers, beautifully shaped. Tch, even his hands are perfect. Heaven really plays favorites.
She found herself reluctant to let go, but forced herself to continue with righteous indignation. “Your Highness, I plan to step aside voluntarily. Do you know what that means?”
“What does it mean?” Lin Zhuo arched an eyebrow. “That after you step down, you plan to find a lover and fly off into the sunset?”
Oh, sure. You get your three palaces and six courts of beauties, but I can’t even have one confidant? How is that fair?
But realizing such reasoning would never work on a man like him, she quickly changed tactics. “Your Highness, do you realize how irresistible you are?”
“Hm?”
As expected, Lin Zhuo’s gaze flicked toward her, intrigued.
Ruan Mianmian smiled sweetly. “A man like you — how many women would throw themselves at your feet? Perhaps just one night in your arms could make her utterly devoted. If you and I keep things polite and distant, then when the time comes for me to leave, I’ll do so without regret. But if we become too close, if I come to crave what I’ve tasted… who’s to say I’d ever be willing to go? People are greedy creatures — give them an inch, and they’ll want a mile.”
(End of Chapter)