Summer was gradually fading. Dew had begun to gather in the cool autumn air, and a golden breeze rustled through the trees.
Gu Yunrong glanced out the window, and for some inexplicable reason, her mood grew even more despondent.
The emperor was unwell. Today, Empress Feng would lead several of her daughters-in-law to Chaotian Palace to offer incense and pray for his recovery. As the Princess Consort of Prince Heng, Gu Yunrong was among those required to accompany her.
When her maids helped her climb into the carriage, she bent forward slightly and couldn’t help letting out a soft gasp.
Once again, she thought of Huan Che, who had left the capital six days ago.
Ever since marrying him, she had rarely enjoyed a peaceful night. Her waist often ached from their frequent intimacy. Huan Che’s desire for her was intense, and she couldn’t help wondering whether he had deliberately decided to satisfy himself as much as possible before leaving. On the night before his departure, he had kept her busy until dawn. Even after several days had passed, she still felt a dull ache whenever she exerted herself.
Perhaps that was also why outsiders always said that Huan Che doted on her immensely.
After all, a prince who had never shown any interest in women had suddenly decided to marry. Not only that, but he spent nearly every night with his wife, and there were no other women in his household competing for his attention.
If that wasn’t a sign of extraordinary affection, what was?
At first, Gu Yunrong had also believed that Huan Che must like her to some extent. However, after nearly half a year of marriage, she was beginning to suspect that she had simply been imagining things.
Thinking about it made her feel even more miserable.
She had intended to take a short nap during the journey, but even after leaning against the brocade cushion for a long time, she couldn’t fall asleep. Instead, memories of everything that had happened to her over the years filled her mind.
Gu Yunrong came from a modest family in Jiangnan. Her father had been framed by someone and thrown into prison. Although he eventually managed to clear his name and regain his freedom after much hardship, the family had already fallen into severe financial difficulties.
Just when she had reached the end of her rope and was about to be forcibly taken away by a local tyrant, she encountered Huan Che, who had been injured and separated from his companions.
Whenever Gu Yunrong thought about how the two of them had become entangled, she felt deeply embarrassed.
When she first encountered Huan Che, she had regarded him as her savior. After all, she knew his identity and background better than almost anyone else.
She saved his life, but she also began worrying about how to persuade him to help her escape her own predicament.
It was true that she had done him a favor. Unfortunately, that favor alone wasn’t enough to free her completely from her troubles.
While she was desperately trying to think of a solution, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Huan Che lost control of himself under unusual circumstances, and the two ended up spending a single night together.
That night, Gu Yunrong could have left.
She had the opportunity to escape, but after hesitating, she ultimately failed to push him away. Instead, she spent the entire spring night in the countryside of Jiangnan with him.
It had been her first experience of intimacy. Huan Che’s desire had been fierce and urgent, and she had been in so much pain that she scratched and bit him throughout the night.
Afterward, she was consumed by anxiety.
Although she was exceptionally beautiful, her family background was humble. There was no guarantee that Huan Che would be willing to give her a proper status.
She had essentially gambled everything on that one night.
If Huan Che refused to acknowledge her, her situation would become even more miserable than before.
Once he had regained his senses, Huan Che remained silent for a short while. He then asked about her family’s circumstances and told her to wait for him in the capital.
Half a month later, the entire Gu family arrived in the capital.
Not long afterward, an imperial decree was issued, officially appointing Gu Yunrong as the Princess Consort of Prince Heng.
The entire experience felt like a dream.
She had actually married Huan Che. Not only had she become his wife, but she had also received the prestigious position of his principal consort.
On their wedding night, Huan Che asked her why she hadn’t been surprised to discover that he was a prince.
Gu Yunrong had no idea how to answer.
Of course, she hadn’t been surprised. She had known his identity from the beginning, and she knew many other things about him as well.
Unfortunately, those were things she could never explain to him.
At the time, Gu Yunrong had believed that Huan Che must harbor at least some affection for her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have married her, nor would he spend every night in her chambers.
But as time passed, she increasingly suspected that he had married her for reasons other than love.
Perhaps he had simply felt responsible for what had happened between them. Perhaps he had wanted to repay her for saving his life.
Whatever the reason, it probably wasn’t because he loved her.
Naturally, she felt disappointed.
Still, she quickly pulled herself together and convinced herself that if she made enough effort to grow closer to him, she might eventually win his heart.
Gradually, however, she discovered that all her efforts seemed useless. No matter how hard she tried, Huan Che continued to maintain a subtle, almost imperceptible distance between them.
He always seemed completely unaffected by anything around him, as though nothing in this world could truly move his heart.
Once, unable to suppress her feelings any longer, Gu Yunrong gathered the last of her courage and asked him directly whether he liked her, even a little.
At the time, Huan Che had been writing with his head lowered. When he heard her question, his brush paused briefly.
Without looking up, he simply said, “Go and get some rest.”
She had offered him her heart, only to receive a cold response in return.
Gu Yunrong stood there stiffly, overwhelmed by disappointment. She even felt a little like crying.
Yet she knew she had no right to feel wronged.
Huan Che had never promised to love her. He had no obligation to return her feelings. The fact that he had married her and given her the position of his principal consort was perhaps already more than she could reasonably have expected.
In truth, Huan Che had never treated her badly.
He provided everything she needed, and the servants in the prince’s residence treated her with the utmost respect. There wasn’t even another woman in the household to make trouble for her.
The inner residence of Prince Heng had been empty for a long time. Countless women in the capital had dreamed of marrying him, and many influential families had tried their best to send their daughters into his household.
In the end, however, the position had gone to Gu Yunrong, a woman from a modest family who had appeared out of nowhere.
The more fortunate outsiders considered her, the more they envied her. And the more they envied her, the more criticism they directed at her humble origins.
Yet Gu Yunrong couldn’t bring herself to feel happy.
She genuinely loved Huan Che, but he didn’t love her.
To her, he was like a stone that remained cold no matter how long she tried to warm it with her own affection.
One day, Huan Che might meet a woman he truly loved. When that happened, Gu Yunrong had no idea what she would do or how she would face her own situation.
Perhaps the most urgent thing was to give birth to an heir as soon as possible. If she had a child, at least she might secure her position in the household.
But having a child wasn’t something she could simply decide to do.
The more she thought about it, the more her head began to ache.
Exhausted, she closed her eyes.
Perhaps she had simply been too greedy.
If she stopped hoping to win Huan Che’s heart, her life would become much easier. Maybe it was time to give up on those unrealistic expectations and focus on fulfilling her duties as his wife.
As long as she didn’t ask for too much, she wouldn’t be hurt.
When they arrived at Chaotian Palace, Gu Yunrong followed her sisters-in-law as Empress Feng led them to the Hall of the Three Pure Ones.
The current emperor was a devout believer in Taoism. To please him, the empress had personally arranged this visit to the Taoist temple to pray for his recovery.
Gu Yunrong could sense that Empress Feng disliked her. However, as far as she knew, she had never offended the empress. The only explanation she could think of was that Empress Feng looked down on her humble family background.
Knowing that the emperor’s female relatives would be visiting that day, the Taoist official in charge of Chaotian Palace, Li, had cleared the grounds in advance to prevent ordinary worshippers from disturbing them.
To demonstrate her sincerity, Empress Feng chose to walk the entire way.
When they reached the entrance of the Hall of the Three Pure Ones, she stopped and glanced back at her daughters-in-law. She reminded them to bow and pray with sincere hearts before leading them into the hall in an orderly procession.
When Gu Yunrong knelt before the statues of the Three Pure Ones, she prayed with all her heart.
She also wanted to pray for her father.
The illness he had suffered since being framed years ago had gradually worsened. Recently, his condition had become increasingly serious, and it was becoming clear that his health was deteriorating rapidly.
After completing the ceremony, everyone returned to the meditation courtyards that had been prepared for them. A Taoist ritual and prayer service would also be held at the temple that evening.
Chaotian Palace had been built by Emperor Xuanzong of the previous dynasty, modeled after the famous Chaotian Palace in Nanjing. It was a place frequently visited by members of the imperial family, so Gu Yunrong was quite familiar with the grounds.
Feeling restless, she wanted to take a walk and look around. After obtaining Empress Feng’s permission, she left the meditation courtyard.
Chaotian Palace was situated in the western part of the city. Its architecture was elegant and imposing, while its winding paths led to secluded corners. Behind the meditation courtyards stood beautiful trees whose thick branches provided ample shade. The scenery was peaceful and refreshing.
As Gu Yunrong breathed in the delicate fragrance of osmanthus flowers, she began to feel slightly better.
Then, halfway along the path, she encountered Shen Biwu, the Crown Princess.
Shen Biwu was several years older than Gu Yunrong and came from the prestigious Runan Marquis’s household. She was also Empress Feng’s cousin’s daughter.
As a noblewoman who had received careful training in proper etiquette, Shen Biwu paid great attention to her appearance and conduct. Every movement she made was graceful and dignified, and not a single detail about her seemed out of place.
Empress Feng had once compared Shen Biwu to Gu Yunrong in a roundabout way, using the former’s noble family background to make a pointed remark about Gu Yunrong’s humble origins.
Perhaps most noblewomen from powerful families were naturally proud and looked down on those beneath them. However, Empress Feng’s dislike of Gu Yunrong might also have stemmed from her tendency to dislike anyone associated with a person she resented.
The empress had no sons of her own, and at her age, it was unlikely that she would have another child. Apart from the crown prince, whom she had raised under her care, she didn’t particularly like the other imperial princes.
Prince Heng was especially troublesome in her eyes.
Still, she didn’t dare reveal her true feelings in front of the emperor.
Shen Biwu was beautiful, came from an excellent family, and had become the Crown Princess. By all appearances, she had everything a woman could wish for.
However, Gu Yunrong’s arrival had suddenly made Shen Biwu’s beauty seem less remarkable by comparison.
People often compared the two women, although Shen Biwu was so proud that she behaved as though the matter meant nothing to her.
After exchanging the appropriate greetings, Gu Yunrong was about to leave when Shen Biwu smiled and called after her.
“Seventh Sister-in-law, please wait. There’s something I’d like to ask you.”
As she spoke, she gestured for the attendants nearby to withdraw.
However, Gu Yunrong’s two maids, Furong and Qingdai, remained firmly by her side.
Shen Biwu smiled and subtly indicated that Gu Yunrong should dismiss her maids as well.
Gu Yunrong politely declined.
After thinking for a moment, Shen Biwu decided to speak directly.
“Then I’ll be frank. Our families have some connections dating back to our ancestors, and as sisters-in-law, you and I should naturally be closer than most. So, although this is a little embarrassing, I’d like to ask you something.”
It was true that the Gu and Shen families had been acquainted generations ago.
However, Gu Yunrong had no intention of using that distant connection to become closer to Shen Biwu.
She had only just thought of this when Shen Biwu asked her a question that made her heart tighten.
“Does Seventh Brother have some hidden ailment that he cannot speak of?”
Gu Yunrong’s heart skipped a beat.
Huan Che had no such hidden illness.
However, he did have a weakness that must never be revealed to outsiders.
Could Shen Biwu—or perhaps the crown prince—have discovered something?
Gu Yunrong’s thoughts churned rapidly, but she showed no sign of alarm. Instead, she looked puzzled and asked Shen Biwu what had prompted such a question.
Shen Biwu studied her expression as she answered.
“Actually, His Highness the Crown Prince asked me to speak with you privately. He said he has noticed that something about Seventh Brother seems unusual. He’s worried that Seventh Brother is stubborn by nature and might keep his troubles to himself rather than tell anyone.
“As his elder brother, His Highness is concerned about him. That’s why he asked me to come and inquire about his situation.”
Gu Yunrong replied calmly, “The Crown Prince is worrying unnecessarily. My husband is perfectly fine.”
Shen Biwu continued to observe her without revealing her thoughts.
Gu Yunrong had been born in the watery landscape of Jiangnan, and she truly seemed as though she had been made of water herself.
There was a delicate, indescribable sadness in her features. Whenever her eyes moved, they seemed to shimmer like ripples across a lake.
Her skin was smooth and fair, and her figure was slender yet curvaceous. Her full chest and rounded hips gave her a strikingly feminine appearance. Even her voice carried the soft, sweet accent of the Jiangnan region.
She was the sort of woman who could make most men forget how to behave the moment she appeared before them.
No wonder the usually restrained Prince Heng had specifically chosen her as his wife.
Looking at Gu Yunrong’s tender expression, Shen Biwu couldn’t help thinking that she had clearly been thoroughly cherished by a man.
When Gu Yunrong once again indicated that she wished to take her leave, Shen Biwu suddenly lowered her voice.
“There’s one more thing I’d like to ask you, Seventh Sister-in-law. Seventh Brother has always been cold and distant. In the past, no woman was ever allowed near him. Yet he eventually married you, and since your wedding, he has devoted himself exclusively to you.
“Tell me, what clever method did you use to win his favor?”
Gu Yunrong pressed her lips together slightly.
Why had Huan Che insisted on marrying her?
She had asked herself the same question many times. She had even managed to guess part of the answer.
But she could never tell anyone what she knew.
She gave Shen Biwu a few vague replies and then fell silent.
Shen Biwu didn’t believe that Gu Yunrong had become the one exception in Huan Che’s life merely because of her beauty.
She had seen the concubines around the crown prince using every possible charm to win his attention. Their seductive expressions and calculated gestures were enough to make any man lose his composure.
A thought crossed Shen Biwu’s mind.
Could Gu Yunrong possess some extraordinary talent for seduction? Perhaps she knew exactly how to please a man, both in her gestures and in the bedroom.
But even Shen Biwu knew better than to ask such a question aloud.
When Gu Yunrong noticed Shen Biwu staring at her thoughtfully, she no longer wished to exchange polite words with her. She offered a brief farewell and left.
Shen Biwu’s first question had clearly been an attempt to extract information.
The second, however, seemed to reflect genuine curiosity.
Unfortunately, neither question would receive a useful answer from Gu Yunrong.
After Gu Yunrong departed, Shen Biwu gazed at the autumn leaves trembling in the breeze. Her expression was complicated, and she murmured softly to herself.
“People of low birth should remain where they belong. So what if those things were originally meant to be yours? Does that mean you can simply take them away?
“Such immense wealth and glory are not things someone like you deserves.”
Meanwhile, Gu Yunrong continued walking slowly along the path, calculating when Huan Che would return to the capital.
The crown prince might already have noticed some clues. She needed to warn Huan Che.
The problem was that he had no idea she knew so much about his true circumstances. If she accidentally revealed too much while trying to warn him, she would have a great deal of explaining to do.
Gu Yunrong lowered her head and sighed.
Perhaps she should find an opportunity to tell him the truth.
What if she confessed everything and revealed her own secret as well?
The biggest problem was whether he would believe her.
She was still wrestling with these thoughts when a sharp sound suddenly tore through the air.
Before she could react, a terrible pain pierced her chest.
Warm blood began pouring from the wound, while a searing agony spread through her chest and internal organs, as though her insides were being burned by fire.
Furong and Qingdai seemed to rush forward and catch her. She could vaguely hear their panicked cries, but their voices quickly became indistinct.
As darkness closed in, countless confused thoughts flashed through Gu Yunrong’s mind.
Yet the final thought that crossed her mind was unexpectedly about Huan Che.
I wonder how he’ll react when he learns that I’m dead.
Then she thought of something else.
Well, whatever his reaction might be, that man has always been so difficult to deal with.
At least now I won’t have to keep trying to win him over. I won’t have to exhaust myself anymore.
As Furong and Qingdai hurriedly carried their mistress away in search of medical help, they stared in horror at the lifeless woman in their arms.
Their faces had gone deathly pale.
How could this have happened?
How were they supposed to explain this to His Highness?