The golden hall erupted in uproar.
“Prince Jing?”
“She actually wants to marry Prince Jing…”
“Marrying the Crown Prince would be so much better. Why would she choose Prince Jing of all people?”
“Doesn’t she know what happened to Prince Jing?”
Shen Yao heard their whispers. Even the Emperor kindly advised her, “This would likely be a great injustice to you. I shall instead select a suitable husband for you from among the other imperial relatives.”
Yet Shen Yao remained resolute. “This humble subject is deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s compassion. However, I have long made a vow before the Buddha: in this life, I will marry none other than Prince Jing. I beseech Your Majesty to grant me this wish.”
She lowered her head and struck the ground heavily with her forehead, producing a dull thud.
Prince Jing, Xie Yuan, was the Emperor’s younger brother by the same father and mother, the ninth in the clan’s seniority.
Back when the Emperor was still just a prince, competing with his many brothers for the position of Crown Heir, Xie Yuan stood firmly by his side. He repeatedly rescued the Emperor from peril, supporting him with all his might until he ascended the throne. Later, Xie Yuan campaigned east and west, quelling rebellions, expanding the empire’s borders, and achieving illustrious military feats.
Earlier this year, while fighting in the northwest, Xie Yuan suddenly fell into a coma. He still lay in Jingwangfu, showing no signs of waking.
Physicians who examined him said he might remain like this for the rest of his life.
Shen Yao knew all of this.
She also knew that in her previous life, three years after her marriage, Xie Yuan woke up.
That year was particularly difficult for Shen Yao. She had never conceived a child, and the Empress had taken a Side Consort for Xie Jingchu.
Compared to Shen Yao, the Side Consort enjoyed greater favor from Xie Jingchu, and everyone in Donggong held her in high regard.
After Xie Yuan awoke, Xie Jingchu took Shen Yao and the Side Consort to visit his uncle at Jingwangfu.
On the way back, the Side Consort deliberately schemed against Shen Yao. Without waiting for her, she had the carriage depart swiftly, leaving Shen Yao behind.
Shen Yao did not know the way back. She hoped someone else might give her a ride to Donggong, but everyone in the Xie imperial clan knew the Crown Prince disliked her. Unwilling to offend him, no one offered help.
Just as Shen Yao was nearly despairing, a weak yet pleasant male voice came from behind her: “A carriage has been arranged. Come here.”
Shen Yao turned around in disbelief.
Xie Yuan, dressed in loose black robes, sat in a wheelchair. His handsome face was pale and gaunt. Seeing her expression, he smiled faintly. “How about my niece-in-law stays at Jingwangfu for dinner?”
“No…”
Shen Yao wanted to refuse, but as soon as she opened her mouth, tears uncontrollably streamed down her cheeks.
She simply could not understand: why did everyone bully her? What wrong had she done? It was just that she no longer had anyone to support her, yet her family had sacrificed themselves for the nation and its people.
All the grievances that had accumulated in her heart for so long crumbled helplessly before Xie Yuan.
Xie Yuan seemed to sigh softly, then took a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her.
For as long as Shen Yao wept, he remained by her side, keeping her company.
After that day, Shen Yao never saw Xie Yuan again.
Yet she remembered that incident for a very long time.
Above her, the Emperor frowned in silence. It was the Empress beside him who spoke softly with a smile, “Since the young lady of the Shen family is wholeheartedly determined to marry the Ninth Uncle, we should honor her sincerity.”
The Emperor glanced at the Empress, then looked down at Shen Yao, who remained kneeling motionless on the ground. Finally, he relented. “So be it.”
With a furrowed brow, he declared, “You are the only one left in your family, and Prince Jing remains unconscious. The arrangements for your wedding shall be handled entirely by the palace.”
Shen Yao kowtowed once more. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s gracious favor.”
She did not wish to marry Xie Jingchu again and repeat the same mistakes. Xie Yuan was the best choice.
Firstly, Xie Yuan had been unconscious for the past two years, and Shen Yao could take this opportunity to carve out a path for herself.
Secondly, in her previous life, although Xie Yuan eventually woke up, due to inadequate care from the household, his legs were permanently crippled, leaving him confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Xie Yuan had once shown Shen Yao rare kindness, and she was willing to care for him in his time of hardship, at least ensuring he could stand again.
Once Xie Yuan awoke, Shen Yao would discuss separation with him.
She assumed he did not want to marry her either.
Before Xie Yuan fell unconscious and before her father and brothers died in battle, Shen Yao had heard them mention that Xie Yuan likely had someone he loved, though no one knew who it was.
On the other side.
Xie Jingchu sat upright at the table, watching Shen Yao kowtow and plead in the distance, declaring her intention to marry Prince Jing.
For some reason, an inexplicable irritation stirred within him.
“Marrying Ninth Uncle, Shen Yao is truly foolish…”
Fifth Princess muttered under her breath.
Xie Jingchu furrowed his brows.
Fifth Princess added with a hint of anticipation, “Crown Prince brother, don’t you think? In just a few days, Shen Yao will surely regret this to death!”
Xie Jingchu curled his lips coldly, “It has nothing to do with me.”
…
After the palace banquet, Shen Yao returned to the General’s Manor.
Back in her long-unseen courtyard and chamber, she collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.
No longer having to marry Xie Jingchu and finally returning home, Shen Yao felt a sense of peace. She slept soundly for several nights in a row, replenishing her energy and spirits.
A few days later, Nanny Xiang, from the Empress’s side, arrived at the General’s Manor. She spoke gently to Shen Yao, “His Majesty has entrusted Her Majesty the Empress with arranging your marriage. Her Majesty has been meticulously preparing these past few days. Today, the wedding date is to be chosen, and Her Majesty has specially invited you to the palace to select it together.”
Shen Yao was reluctant to enter the palace. “I don’t know much about selecting wedding dates. Her Majesty may choose an auspicious day as she sees fit. I am fine with anything.”
Nanny Xiang smiled, “Even in common households, when the groom selects a date, he must seek the bride’s approval. Miss Shen, you should still go. Her Majesty also mentioned she hasn’t seen you in a while and wishes to share some intimate words with you.”
What intimate words could Shen Yao possibly share with the Empress?
Whether in her previous life or this one, the Empress had never liked her.
But Nanny Xiang’s words were earnest, and Shen Yao could not refuse.
She entered the palace at dusk, following the path to the main hall of the central palace, Changqiu Hall.
The evening glow was truly beautiful. Shen Yao lowered her gaze, watching the golden light spread across the ground beneath her feet.
“Greetings to the Crown Prince.”
Suddenly, Shen Yao heard Nanny Xiang’s respectful greeting.
Startled, she looked up, and Xie Jingchu’s handsome yet cold face abruptly came into view.
He was tall and imposing, silently watching her, his brow furrowed, his eyes carrying a cold scrutiny.
This gaze made Shen Yao feel suffocated. She quickly lowered her head again, offering a distant curtsy. “Crown Prince.”
Xie Jingchu frowned in displeasure.
He knew Shen Yao liked him.
Thus, Shen Yao had found out the time Xie Jingchu visited the central palace daily to pay respects to his mother. Each time, she would personally prepare pastries, arriving precisely at that moment, pretending it was a coincidence, but in reality, it was only to hand the pastries to him.
In truth, Xie Jingchu never even glanced at those pastries, either discarding them or giving them to his subordinates.
However, today, Shen Yao was not carrying a food box.
It seems she came just to see him.
At the palace banquet that day, she swore she didn’t like him. Now she must be regretting it, right?
And even deliberately putting on this distant act…
Xie Jingchu clicked his tongue and said, “Shen Yao, is this really necessary?”