With that, Xiao Changning turned and left without a backward glance. She believed that her Yanchen-gege would surely come for her.
Yuan Yanchen watched her retreating figure, his mind awash with memories of their childhood friendship. He fumbled for the faint, crescent-shaped scar on his palm. He had gotten it at the age of ten, when he’d scraped his hand on a branch while picking green plums from the wall for Xiao Changning.
Xiao Changning’s eyes had turned red with fright, but she had gripped his hand tightly, dabbing his wound with her saliva-moistened osmanthus candy and saying, “This way, it won’t leave a scar.”
After that, the two of them often shared candy under this very tree…
In the Beiyuan army camp outside the city, the Emperor, Murong Yao, read the report delivered by his secret guard. His brow furrowed, and his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Murong Yao’s fingers kneaded the corner of the paper. “Changning, you cannot escape.”
His mind recalled the sight of Xiao Changning dancing with ethereal grace. Back then, he had been undercover in Nanxiao, using a false name to gather intelligence, waiting for the day he would lead his army to annex the state.
However, on a Painted Pleasure Boat in Jiangling, Xiao Changning’s performance of “Longing for My Lord”—The mountains have trees, oh; my heart delights in you, oh—had utterly conquered him. He had resolved then and there that he must have her, no matter the cost.
Ever since ascending the throne, he had collected many beauties with eyes or lips that resembled Xiao Changning’s, yet he had never touched any of them.
Murong Yao’s gaze fell back upon the letter. “Since you’ve come up with such an idea, Zhen must do something in return.”
“Lu Ran.”
A man in silver-gray armor from outside the tent entered and leaned close to Murong Yao’s ear.
Master and servant murmured to each other for a while.
The next morning, the crisp crow of a rooster awoke the slumbering sun, while the Crown Prince’s Mansion was roused by the sound of commoners weeping at its gates.
Xiao Changning stood under the scholar tree behind the gate, watching the dense crowd as a wave of sorrow washed over her.
Old men were hunched over, and women held wailing infants in their arms, repeatedly chanting, “We beg Princess Changning to show mercy and save the people from this fiery ordeal!”
Even half-grown children clutched strips of cloth, their childish voices echoing the pleas.
The thousands of commoners kowtowed in unison, the thudding sound on the stone slabs striking Xiao Changning’s heart with every beat.
As Xiao Changning looked at them, a sour feeling spread from her heart to the tip of her nose. As if possessed, she walked to the gate.
An old, white-haired woman dressed in coarse linen, supporting her son whose leg was broken, struggled to crawl a few steps forward, crying out in a hoarse voice.
“Princess Changning, this old woman had three sons. Two died in battle, leaving only my youngest with his broken leg for us to depend on each other. I beg you, show some compassion. Don’t let more families be torn apart.”
The weeping grew more wretched, each plea a hammer blow to the heart.
Xiao Changning helped the old woman up, feigning suspicion as she asked, “Nanxiao has been defeated. What can a weak woman like me do? Why come to me for help?”
She was certain that her imperial grandfather’s edict had not yet been announced to the world. The people’s actions must be the work of someone fanning the flames behind the scenes.
If she could just catch that person, there might still be a chance to turn things around.
The old woman wiped away a tear. “This morning at the city gate, someone was shouting that the Emperor of Beiyuan will cease hostilities and retreat to discuss peace, if only he can have Princess Changning.”
“We are but lowly commoners, women, children, and the elderly. How can we possibly run? If the enemy army enters the city, only death awaits us.”
The others chimed in with agreement.
“Your Highness, please have mercy. This old woman will kowtow to you.”
With that, the old woman took two steps back, her forehead thudding against the ground.
Xiao Changning hurriedly stopped her. “Please, rise quickly.”
“I…”
“Changning!”
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, she was stopped by the Crown Princess, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
The Crown Princess looked at the weeping commoners covering the ground. “This Princess has ordered people to prepare hot congee and clothing.”
“You are all citizens of my Nanxiao. We will certainly not abandon you.”
At the mention of food, the faces of the famished crowd instantly lit up with joy.
The Crown Princess pulled a dazed Xiao Changning into the house.
“Mother, those people…”
“I know what you are going to say,” the Crown Princess interrupted her. “For an imperial edict to leave the palace, it must be drafted by the Ministry of Rites and reviewed by the Three Judicial Offices.”
She took Xiao Changning’s hand. “Before that happens, you must not say another word.”
Her eyes brimming with tears, Xiao Changning looked at her and nodded heavily.
The Crown Princess continued, “I know you saw Yuan Yanchen last night. As a mother, I only wish for my daughter’s happiness.”
“Go and do what you must. Mother will support you.”
With that, she produced a travel bag she had prepared long ago. “Inside are a Travel Pass and money. Run.”
Xiao Changning stared at the bulging bag, her mind replaying the tragic scenes of ruin and rubble. A hesitation rose from the bottom of her heart.
She stared blankly at the bag, her eyes gradually welling with tears.
Who isn’t selfish? Just this once!
Night fell quietly, the watchman’s clapper echoing through the empty streets.
Ali sat across from Xiao Changning. “Your Highness, it is time.”
“If we don’t leave now, I’m afraid we won’t make it out of the imperial city before dawn.”
Xiao Changning sniffled, pushed open the door, and stepped out. Ali followed behind, carrying the bag.
The two of them drove a carriage to the south of the city.
Xiao Changning gazed at the star-filled sky, murmuring, “To roam the world, free from all worries.”
At that very moment, Yuan Yanchen was also in torment.
The instant he opened his door, he was stunned by the people in his courtyard. Rows of household servants stood in grim formation.
At their head was none other than the matriarch of the Yuan family, Yuan Yanchen’s mother.
Startled, Yuan Yanchen tossed the bundle in his hand back into the room and stammered, “Mother, it is already late. Why are you…” Why are you not asleep, and in my courtyard?
Mother Yuan stood with her back to him. “My son became the top scholar at eighteen and has been called a child prodigy since he was young. Why are you being so foolish today?”
Yuan Yanchen lowered his head. He knew what his mother meant and was naturally at a loss for words.
Mother Yuan walked past him into the room and sat down on a rosewood chair. Her hands clutched a handkerchief tightly, her tone calm yet admitting no argument. “My son, Princess Changning is of noble birth. The two of you are as different as clouds and mud.”
“If this were any other time, I would have indulged you.”
She held up a hand to stop Yuan Yanchen, who was about to speak. “But things are different now. How can the lives of the several hundred members of the Yuan clan be gambled away for your youthful romance? You are a grown man now. You should understand the meaning of ‘sacrifice’.”
Yuan Yanchen said nothing, staring at the floor as tears streamed silently down his face.
Seeing her son’s downcast silence, Mother Yuan’s tone softened. “It is not that your mother is cruel,” she said gently. “The idea that man can conquer destiny is but empty talk. Some things cannot be forced.”
“Let’s not even mention His Majesty. There is also that Emperor of Beiyuan, who will not rest until he achieves his goal.”
“Let her go. It is to ensure the safety of the Yuan clan, and also to give yourself a way to live.”
Yuan Yanchen closed his eyes in despair. “I want to see her.”
“What is the use in seeing her? It won’t change anything.”
Yuan Yanchen’s indifferent tone was filled with sorrow. “Just to watch from afar. Your son has no other designs.”
Mother Yuan looked at her son and nodded silently.
The carriage wheels creaked along the stone-paved road. In a small alley in the south of the city, Xiao Changning waited with a heart full of anticipation, looking forward to a brand-new future.