Shen Zhao saw the dark calculation hidden in Xiao Xuanzhou’s eyes.
She recalled how, in her previous life, after her coming-of-age ceremony had concluded, Xiao Xuanzhou had followed the Empress’s wishes and publicly announced their engagement.
At this moment, even with her toes she could guess what he meant by an “unforgettable coming-of-age ceremony.”
In fact, she was rather looking forward to it…
If the Shen family and the Empress discovered that the person the Crown Prince intended to marry was Second Miss Shen, who could barely even speak properly, what wonderfully “spectacular” expressions would they show?
It would certainly…
Be unforgettable.
…
The coming-of-age ceremony that followed proceeded smoothly.
Old Madam Xie personally arranged Shen Zhao’s ceremonial hair once again.
As for Shen Qingrou…
With Cui Xuenian assisting from the side, Xiao Xuanzhou personally combed Shen Qingrou’s ceremonial hairstyle.
The tenderness and devotion on Xiao Xuanzhou’s face was something Shen Zhao had never seen in her previous life.
From childhood, she had known she was destined to become Crown Princess.
Likewise, the Crown Prince had always known he would one day marry her as his Crown Princess.
Because of that, everything Shen Zhao had done was viewed by Xiao Xuanzhou merely as the duty expected of a future Crown Princess.
He had never truly looked at her with his heart even once.
She had mistaken his indifference for the majesty expected of a Crown Prince. She never complained or caused trouble, handling everything perfectly and maintaining the grace expected of a noble young lady.
But now that she had stepped outside that illusion and looked at Xiao Xuanzhou again
It was not that he did not understand love between a man and a woman.
He simply did not love her.
The ceremonial hairstyles on both sides were completed at the same time.
However, in Xiao Xuanzhou’s hand was the phoenix hairpin that should originally have belonged to Shen Zhao.
Under the sunlight, the phoenix hairpin shimmered brilliantly with dazzling colors.
Xiao Xuanzhou’s indifferent gaze swept over Shen Zhao as he publicly announced:
“Today, the daughters of the Shen family have completed their coming-of-age ceremonies. The phoenix hairpin in my hand was prepared by the Empress for my future Crown Princess.”
“Now, I shall present this phoenix hairpin to Second Miss Shen and grant her the position of Crown Princess. As for Eldest Miss Shen…”
Xiao Xuanzhou turned to look at Shen Zhao.
“She shall be made the Crown Prince’s secondary consort…”
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Zhao had already risen from her seat and interrupted him.
“This subject daughter will not become a concubine.”
Just as in her previous life, she spoke firmly and decisively.
She would not become a concubine but neither would she covet the position of Crown Princess anymore.
Yet her words immediately enraged Xiao Xuanzhou.
“Qingrou saved my life. I must give her the position of Crown Princess. If you refuse to become my secondary consort, are you defying me and trying to compete with Qingrou for the position of Crown Princess?”
A storm of fury was already gathering beneath the Crown Prince’s voice.
The entire Shen household paled in fright.
In the past, Shen Zhao had always been sensible and obedient. What had happened to her today?
Cui Xuenian was furious.
“Zhaozhao…”
To the Shen family, it made no difference which daughter became Crown Princess.
Now that the Crown Prince was even granting the Shen family an additional position as secondary consort, it was already an honor unmatched among noble families.
“You should know your place. Hurry and thank His Highness for his grace.”
Even as a secondary consort, she would only rank slightly beneath the Crown Princess. Since the title still remained within the Shen family, Shen Zhao had no right to make a scene.
“Mother, this is what you taught me since childhood,” Shen Zhao said as she looked at Cui Xuenian. “You said that one day I would become Crown Princess. Father and my three brothers said the same.”
“Shen Zhao!” her father Shen Huaiming barked sharply.
Shen Zhao looked toward her father, brothers, mother, younger sister Shen Qingrou, and the Crown Prince standing opposite her.
This arrangement…
Was exactly right.
In her previous life, it had been just like this as well they had all stood against her.
In their eyes, there had only ever been power and status, never her.
And in this lifetime…
Why should she continue humiliating herself for the sake of their selfish desires?
Shen Zhao no longer feared her father.
She stepped forward slightly, lifted her chin, and declared each word solemnly:
“Father, your daughter will not become the Crown Prince’s secondary consort.”
“Zhaozhao, you…” Shen Huaiming suppressed his anger, intending to force Shen Zhao to first accept the position.
But Xiao Xuanzhou interrupted him.
“Fine.”
Everyone turned to look at the Crown Prince.
Shen Huaiming immediately grew uneasy.
“Your Highness…”
Xiao Xuanzhou raised a hand to stop him, then clasped one hand behind his back.
The smile on his lips deepened, full of malice.
“Since you are unwilling to become my secondary consort, then today, I permit you to search among those below the stage for a man willing to marry you as his lawful wife.”
The moment those words were spoken, Shen Zhao laughed inwardly.
So this was the “unforgettable coming-of-age ceremony” the Crown Prince had prepared for her public humiliation.
In her previous life, she would never have had the courage to oppose him.
But now that she had been reborn, she no longer wanted him.
So Shen Zhao bowed politely to Xiao Xuanzhou.
“Then this subject daughter shall respectfully obey.”
She turned to leave, only for someone to seize her arm tightly.
Shen Zhao turned back to see that it was her mother, Cui Xuenian.
“Zhaozhao, what nonsense are you saying? The Crown Prince was only joking, yet you took it seriously. You should apologize and yield to His Highness.”
Shen Zhao had heard such words far too many times.
Whenever she and the Crown Prince quarreled, regardless of whether she was at fault, she was always the one expected to soothe him, lower her head, and apologize first.
One lifetime bound by those chains had been enough.
In this lifetime, her prideful mother could use those chains on her younger sister instead.
Shen Zhao turned her face away and addressed the guests below the stage.
“Ladies, old madams, young masters, and noble lords today, His Highness the Crown Prince has graciously permitted me to seek a husband here.”
“In accordance with His Highness’s command, I shall now announce the requirements for a prospective husband: no concubines or bedchamber attendants in the household; no older than twenty-five; no shorter than eight chi in height; holding an official rank of at least fifth grade or, if without office, already possessing an inherited noble title; upright in character, handsome in appearance, healthy in body, and likely to produce heirs. Any man meeting these requirements may step forward and seek my hand, and I shall return the favor with a marriage blessed by everlasting harmony beneath embroidered curtains and jeweled veils.”
The moment those words left Shen Zhao’s mouth, an uproar swept through the crowd.
With such conditions, Shen Zhao had already eliminated more than half the eligible men present.
Cui Xuenian was utterly shocked and shouted angrily, “Shen Zhao, have you lost your mind?”
Lost her mind? Perhaps.
From the moment she realized that her family’s love depended entirely on whether she could become Crown Princess, they lost all authority in her eyes.
“Mother, His Highness the Crown Prince permitted me to choose another husband. Your daughter dares not disobey.”
“You…” Cui Xuenian gripped Shen Zhao’s arm tightly, as though she wanted to crush it. “And you claim you dare not?”
She was practically grinding her teeth to pieces in fury.
Just as Cui Xuenian’s anger reached its peak, Xiao Xuanzhou slowly approached while holding Shen Qingrou’s hand.
“Madam Shen, I already told you your judgment was poor. The daughter you personally raised for fifteen years is nowhere near as thoughtful and obedient as Rou’er.”
Then Xiao Xuanzhou lowered his head and said gently to Shen Qingrou,
“Rou’er, go comfort your mother properly. Let her know she still has another daughter who is obedient and considerate.”
Shen Qingrou glanced up at him, nodded, then walked from Xiao Xuanzhou’s side over to Cui Xuenian. She placed both hands lightly on Cui Xuenian’s arm and gently shook it.
Cui Xuenian, who had nearly exploded with rage moments before, suddenly calmed somewhat. She lowered her eyes to the hand on her arm, then looked up at the face identical to Shen Zhao’s. Her expression softened considerably.
That’s right. She still had another daughter.
Cui Xuenian released Shen Zhao’s arm and stepped back, lowering her voice as she warned:
“If you refuse to listen to your mother, you’ll only humiliate yourself.”
A woman rejected by the Crown Prince no matter how outstanding or beautiful would never be wanted by anyone else.
Xiao Xuanzhou was clearly enjoying the spectacle. He turned toward the guests below the stage and said mockingly:
“If any of you fancy Eldest Miss Shen, I can settle the marriage for you today. Later, I’ll ask Father Emperor to issue the marriage decree personally.”
Among the crowd were young noble sons and rising military heirs who clearly looked tempted.
Shen Zhao had been raised under Cui Xuenian’s strict and severe discipline since childhood.
Even a single strand of her hair had been treated as precious.
Naturally, she had grown into a woman with jade-like fair skin, snowy beauty, and stunning features of unmatched elegance.
With such family background and beauty, who could possibly dislike her aside from the Crown Prince?
Yet every spark of interest from the young men present was firmly suppressed by the elders of their families.
To marry Eldest Miss Shen was to offend the Crown Prince.
“So no one dares want her?” Xiao Xuanzhou gloated upon seeing the scene before him.
The entire Shen family silently watched, as though today’s humiliation had nothing to do with them.
After a brief silence…
Shen Huaiming, embarrassed by Shen Zhao’s actions, snapped:
“Someone come and take Eldest Miss away”
“Wait.”
At that moment, another voice rang out.
Like everyone else on the stage, Shen Zhao turned toward the guest seats below.
Xie Chenyu, the Duke Jin, slowly rose to his feet.
His gaze fixed steadily on Shen Zhao as he declared:
“I am willing to marry Eldest Miss Shen as my wife.”