On one side, Yan Qingcheng pursed her lips, watching the person she had longed for day and night drawing closer and closer. Her heart felt as if it were about to leap into her throat.
Third Prince Helian Yuchen—the man she had admired for years!
Although his mother was a convicted criminal and he was not favored by the Empress Dowager, it was widely known that the Third Prince excelled in every aspect compared to the Crown Prince. If not for the fact that the Empress was the Empress Dowager’s niece, it was uncertain who would hold the position of Crown Prince.
Helian Yuchen soon entered the peony garden, first bowing to the Emperor, then glancing around.
His gaze flickered briefly when he caught sight of Yan Wuxin sitting beside Yan Qingcheng, and he quickly took a seat diagonally across from Yan Wuxin.
At that moment, Yan Wuxin happened to look up, her eyes meeting Helian Yuchen’s. She frowned slightly before swiftly shifting her gaze away.
This brief exchange between the two was almost entirely witnessed by Yan Qingcheng, especially the moment their eyes met. No wonder Yan Wuxin usually avoided the Crown Prince. It seemed she had feelings for the Third Prince.
No, absolutely not. The position of Third Princess Consort belongs to me.
The Crown Prince sneered sarcastically, “Third Brother, what brings you out today?”
Helian Yuchen calmly picked up his wine cup. “Boredom.”
“Third Brother, you couldn’t possibly have taken a liking to her, could you? You should know, she is this Crown Prince’s fiancée, and most importantly…” the Crown Prince whispered, “she’s an ugly waste.”
Ugly? A waste?
A mocking smile curled at the corner of Helian Yuchen’s lips. If she were considered ugly, then there were likely no beautiful people left in this world. As for being a waste, if he wasn’t mistaken, Yan Wuxin’s abilities were on par with those of his imperial sister.
To transform from a waste overnight into someone capable of cultivation—she was either hiding her true strength or feigning madness.
They say the imperial family is the most heartless, but in his view, these deep courtyards of noble mansions were no different from the imperial palace.
“Your humble servant, Yan Qingyu, pays respects to the Crown Prince.” Yan Qingyu composed her thoughts and, disregarding the eyes of others, walked over to greet the Crown Prince.
Having heard that the Crown Prince loved peonies, the Empress Dowager had specifically chosen the peony garden for her birthday celebration. For this occasion, Yan Qingyu had deliberately selected an embroidered brocade dress adorned with peonies, hoping to catch the Crown Prince’s attention.
Yet, to her dismay, the Crown Prince had been staring at her eldest sister the entire time, not even sparing her a glance.
Ignored by the Crown Prince, Yan Qingyu felt a pang of humiliation, her heart filled with bitterness. After all, she was the daughter of a general’s household, cherished and admired since childhood for her exceptional talent. Why did the Crown Prince favor her eldest sister instead?
“Now that everyone is here… Qingcheng, you and Xuan’er, take your seats over there. As for the others, you may arrange yourselves as you wish.”
Everyone present watched with amusement. It was well-known that the Crown Prince was engaged to the fourth young lady of Yan Jia. The Empress Dowager’s arrangement was nothing short of a slap in the face.
A group of people watched Yan Wuxin with teasing eyes, but she paid no attention, instead seeking out her father and insisting on sitting beside him.
“Mother, you know very well…”
Before the Emperor could finish, the Empress Dowager coldly interrupted, “With her being nothing but a waste and ugly in appearance, how could she possibly be worthy of becoming the future mother of the nation? Today, on the occasion of my birthday, I shall make this clear as well!”
After speaking, she glanced at Yan Wuxin and said to Yan Nantian, “This old one is not afraid of offending anyone. Just now, I have already discussed with General Yan that Yan Wuxin is truly unworthy of Xuan’er. Therefore, I have issued an imperial decree to change the Crown Princess candidate to Qingcheng.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Qingcheng was stunned, while Yan Qingyu was so angry she wanted to argue. Fortunately, Second Madam acted quickly and pulled her back, averting a major disaster.
“Mother…”
The Emperor was interrupted again, but this time, it was Yan Nantian who spoke. He knelt on one knee and said, “Your servant knows that my daughter is unworthy of the Crown Prince and dares not make presumptuous requests. Today, I came firstly for Yin’er, and secondly, to ask Your Majesty to revoke the decree. My daughter is accustomed to freedom; the outside world is her true life.”
At this moment, Yan Wuxin gave her father a big thumbs-up in her heart. Not only did he imply that the palace was a cage, but he also left the Emperor with no room for rebuttal. She had originally been thinking of finding an opportunity to annul the marriage, but she never expected it to be brought up so easily.
“Father, your son likes Qingcheng. I beg you to revoke the decree,” the Crown Prince quickly pleaded upon seeing the situation. He had dreamed countless times of shaking off this ugly girl.
“Your Majesty, Wuxin also asks you to revoke the decree,” Yan Wuxin walked up to Yan Nantian, though she did not kneel. Her knees bowed neither to heaven nor earth, nor even to her parents.
“You all… Ah, fine! From this day forward, the marriage between the Crown Prince and the Fourth Miss Yan is annulled. Each may marry as they please, with no further obligations. As for the Crown Princess…”
Yan Qingcheng’s face turned deathly pale. She looked pleadingly at Helian Yuchen, hoping desperately that her beloved would speak up and ask for her hand. Even if he had no power and his fief was distant, she was willing to accompany him.
Unfortunately, from beginning to end, Helian Yuchen did not spare her a glance. Instead, he looked thoughtfully at Yan Wuxin.
Yan Wuxin!
“Yan Qingcheng is virtuous, gentle, and talented in both character and ability. I hereby bestow her upon you as the Crown Princess. The grand wedding shall take place in early autumn.”
“Your old servant (servant) thanks Your Majesty,” Yan Heng, Yan Qingqiu, and the First Madam hurriedly expressed their gratitude.
As the saying goes, some rejoice while others grieve. Yan Qingyu hid to the side, nearly grinding her silver teeth to dust. Schemes began to brew in her heart.
With the matter settled, the Empress Dowager was overjoyed and asked everyone to take their seats. Everyone sat in pairs, except for Yan Qingyu. Seeing her fierce expression, Yan Wuxin slightly lowered her gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips.
It seemed that there would be plenty of drama to come!
That night, the Empress Dowager, feeling inspired and recalling that several princes still lacked consorts, decided to keep all the young ladies behind so the princes could make their selections. Yan Wuxin had no interest in this meat-market-like scene and requested to leave with her father.
The Empress Dowager was only too happy to see someone she disliked asking to leave and immediately agreed.
“Very well, then… Attendants, escort Third Master Yan and the Fourth Miss,” she said with a sarcastic tone, her raised orchid fingers exuding intense disdain.
“No need to trouble yourselves. Farewell,” Yan Nantian clasped his fists and declined.
Father and daughter quickly departed. At that moment, Helian Yuchen stood atop the city wall, his gaze fixed on the retreating figures of the two.
A eunuch appeared and, following his master’s line of sight, couldn’t help but cough softly. “Your Highness, could it be that you have taken an interest in this Fourth Miss Yan?”
Hearing this, Helian Yuchen cast a cold glance at the eunuch. “This prince is merely curious. What was her purpose in pretending to be mad and foolish all along?”
“Go follow behind them and ensure they leave the palace safely.”
The eunuch had no words to retort, pursed his lips, and headed in the direction Yan Wuxin had left.
Yan Wuxin and his father soon exited the palace gates. The eunuch secretly trailed behind, but just then, a powerful aura swiftly surged toward him. “How dare you covet this venerable one’s woman?”