The dressing table was set up in the adjacent room, evidently newly purchased. Made of nanmu wood with exquisite craftsmanship, its entire surface gleamed with a glossy sheen.
On the table sat a clear, polished rhombus-patterned mirror and a carved cosmetic box.
“It’s such a pity His Highness couldn’t see how beautiful you looked on your wedding day, miss.”
Shen Yao’s dowry maid, Qingque, helped her take down her hair bun, speaking in a soft voice.
Shen Yao smiled faintly. “There’s nothing to pity. The world is full of beauties; I’m nothing special.”
She was only seventeen, while Xie Yuan was a full ten years older than her.
In those extra ten years, Xie Yuan had seen countless beauties—some enchanting, some delicate. Compared to them, Shen Yao’s face must seem utterly ordinary.
Moreover, even surrounded by such beauties, Xie Yuan had remained unmarried for many years.
It was said that his heart already belonged to someone else.
Shen Yao found it hard to imagine what kind of astonishing beauty could make a man as esteemed as Prince Jing love her so deeply.
After washing up, Shen Yao changed into a moon-white sleeping gown.
Qiushan had already taken out brand-new pillows and brocade quilts, laying them beside Xie Yuan.
Once everything was arranged, the attendants tactfully withdrew.
Shen Yao climbed lightly onto the bed and lay down beside Xie Yuan.
The wedding bed was spacious enough, leaving a distance between them. Shen Yao caught the scent of medicinal herbs and felt waves of warmth radiating from Xie Yuan’s body.
Like her father and brothers, Xie Yuan trained regularly, so his body temperature was naturally higher.
Shen Yao turned onto her side.
The night was deep now, with only faint moonlight, but the wedding candles burned brightly, illuminating the entire room.
Under the warm glow of the candlelight, Shen Yao gazed at Xie Yuan’s profile.
His bone structure was sharp and defined, like the rise and fall of mountain ranges. His eyelashes were dark and thick, casting a faint shadow.
Due to his prolonged unconsciousness, Xie Yuan’s lips were pale, and a faint stubble of beard shadowed his jawline.
Shen Yao stared for a moment before speaking softly, “I’m truly sorry for proposing to marry you while you were unconscious…”
Nearby, a candlewick crackled softly, sending a spark into the air.
Shen Yao paused briefly. “But I promise, I’ll take good care of you. I’ll be a proper Princess Consort Jing.”
Compared to the festive atmosphere of Jingwangfu, Donggong felt somewhat lifeless.
The Crown Prince had been ill for many days. The imperial physicians had examined him, and he had been taking medicine, yet he showed no signs of recovery.
The Empress was displeased and often reprimanded him. Recently, everyone in Donggong was on edge, keeping their heads down and working cautiously, afraid to speak freely.
Xie Jingchu knew nothing of this. Lying in bed, his mind was in turmoil.
He dreamed of a wedding, and the groom was none other than himself.
That day, rain poured down in torrents. His shoes, socks, and the hem of his robes were soaked and filthy, making him feel utterly miserable.
Entering the bridal chamber, Xie Jingchu saw Shen Yao sitting upright on the wedding bed at first glance.
Her dark hair was completely swept up into a bun atop her head, adorned with an elaborate and luxurious phoenix crown.
Her wedding gown was fiery red, embroidered with white birds and clouds, shimmering brilliantly under the candlelight.
This wedding gown was her own handiwork.
The general’s youngest daughter knew how to ride horses and shoot arrows, as well as practice calligraphy, painting, and needlework.
At that moment, her cheeks were flushed, and she lowered her head with a gentle smile, the dimples on both sides brimming with sweetness.
Xie Jingchu stared at her for a long time, unable to look away, completely forgetting about the annoying rain. All he could hear was the increasingly rapid beating of his own heart.
Startled awake, Xie Jingchu’s vision was dark, and he could only see the stone-blue gauze canopy above him.
His entire body was sticky with sweat, and it took him a long time to regain his senses.
“Has His Highness the Crown Prince awakened?”
His personal attendant entered from outside.
Xie Jingchu spoke, his voice slightly hoarse. “What time is it?”
“It is almost the end of the Xu hour, Your Highness. Her Majesty the Empress will soon return to the palace from Jingwangfu.”
Jingwangfu.
Xie Jingchu suddenly propped himself up. “What day is it today?”
“The third day of the sixth month, the day Prince Jing marries the daughter of the General’s household.”
Xie Jingchu was momentarily stunned. Before his eyes appeared the image of Shen Yao in her wedding robes, smiling gently. His heart felt as if something had gouged it, aching with a dense, throbbing pain.
“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”
The announcement came from outside the door.
Not long after, the Empress entered with measured steps, supported by a matron.
Seeing Xie Jingchu, she could not help but show delight. “Jingchu, are you feeling better?”
Xie Jingchu absentmindedly hummed in acknowledgment.
A servant lit the nearby candles. The Empress observed that Xie Jingchu’s complexion did not look well, though she was unsure if it was still due to his illness.
She sat down at the edge of the bed and spoke gently, “Now that Prince Jing’s wedding to the Shen girl is over, I can finally relax a little. From now on, what I must focus on wholeheartedly is your marriage.”
Xie Jingchu was slightly taken aback. “Your son…”
“You are the Crown Prince of Donggong, already past the age of twenty. Your father often speaks to me about your marriage, and all the court officials are watching closely.”
The Empress gently interrupted him, a kind smile on her face. “Once you have recovered a bit more, I will make arrangements for you. There are so many noble daughters from prominent families in the capital. We will take our time choosing; there is bound to be a suitable one. Gentle and refined, cultured and well-mannered—each one is far better than Shen Yao.”
Hearing her name, Xie Jingchu felt a sharp pang in his heart.
Speaking of this, the Empress opened up further. “Back then, you were young, at an age when you should have been focusing on your studies, but Shen Yao was always dragging you off to play, even sneaking out of the palace, nearly getting injured. From that time on, I disliked her.
“Over these years, you devoted yourself to state affairs, yet she clung to you like a stubborn plaster. I truly wanted to drive her out of the palace. But with the General’s household behind her, I had to show some consideration… Now that the Shen family members are all dead, she is of little use. Fortunately, she knows her place and did not shamelessly insist on marrying you.
“As for Jingwangfu, it is no blessed paradise either. Prince Jing lies unconscious, and the manor has been thrown into chaos by those relatives. If not for my presence keeping order, how could the wedding have proceeded so smoothly? From now on, Shen Yao will have a hard time of it.”
Xie Jingchu could not speak.
Having unburdened herself, the Empress felt much more cheerful. She stood up. “Well, you should rest early. Recover your health as soon as possible. I will arrange for you to meet those young ladies. With your mother here, your position as Crown Prince will remain secure and steady.”
The next day, before dawn had fully broken, Shen Yao awoke.
Qingque entered to comb her hair, glancing at her face. “Did the Princess Consort not sleep well?”
Shen Yao blinked slowly. “The bed is unfamiliar.”
Moreover, lying beside a man made her uncomfortable, so she had not slept well.
She looked at her reflection in the rhombus-patterned mirror, rubbing her eyelids. “Qingque, style a concentric bun for me. Later, we…”
“Is the Princess Consort awake?”
An aged yet vigorous voice came from outside the door.
Shen Yao glanced sideways and saw a matron dressed respectably.
Without offering a greeting, the matron spoke directly. “Aunt Zhou’s meaning is that on the first day after the wedding, the Princess Consort should go and pay respects.”
Shen Yao had heard about the situation in Jingwangfu.
Xie Yuan and the current Emperor were born of the same mother, both sons of Empress Dowager Shuxian.
The Empress Dowager’s maiden name was Xue. She had a younger brother and sister. The sister married into a marquis’ household and lived far away in Yangzhou, while the brother joined the army, following Xie Yuan onto the battlefield, where he died saving Xie Yuan’s life.
Perhaps out of a sense of guilt, Xie Yuan brought his uncle’s wife and children into the prince’s residence.
Aunt Zhou was General Xue’s lawful wife.
Xie Yuan was often away on military campaigns and could not manage the residence, so Aunt Zhou volunteered to take on the duties of housekeeping.
In other words, Jingwangfu was currently “under the charge” of Aunt Zhou.
Shen Yao had also heard that Aunt Zhou had originally intended to marry her younger daughter to Xie Yuan. She had brought it up before, but Xie Yuan had refused.
And now, Shen Yao had married into the household.