The moment those words fell, the guests present looked at each other in astonishment. They stared in disbelief at the scene before them, unable to accept that Shang Shiyan would actually speak of breaking off the engagement.
After all, who in the capital didn’t know that Shang Shiyan followed the Crown Prince everywhere, devoted to him with deep affection, vowing to marry no one else? And now she wanted to cancel the betrothal.
Shen Shian was stunned when he heard this. Narrowing his eyes in shock, he looked at Shang Shiyan.
She truly intended to dissolve their engagement?
Shen Shian’s fingers curled slightly. If Shang Shiyan herself initiated the annulment, and if he could persuade his mother to agree, then the marriage would most likely be dissolved—and he could marry Rou’er instead!
At this thought, Shen Shian felt a flicker of anticipation. Yet when he saw the resolute look in Shang Shiyan’s eyes, an inexplicable complexity stirred in his heart. He frowned. Could this be because of the cliff incident? Just because he hadn’t brought her back, she had lost all hope and now wanted to break off the engagement?
To Shen Shian, that matter was trivial, never worth his concern. But Shang Shiyan wanted to annul the marriage because of it. He couldn’t understand. He lifted his gaze toward Shang Yunrou, joy flashing in his eyes.
Shang Yunrou immediately curved her eyes into a smile. Their gazes met, brimming with affection.
“Do you even know what you’re saying?” Empress Song’s expression changed. She looked gravely at Shang Shiyan. “Your marriage with the Crown Prince was arranged by your parents and matchmakers! It is not a matter to trifle with!”
“Your Majesty, I am not treating it lightly,” Shang Shiyan replied firmly. “The Crown Prince’s heart belongs elsewhere. I do not wish to entangle myself further. I am willing to let him be with the one he loves—and to free myself as well.”
Never before had Empress Song seen such determination on Shang Shiyan’s face.
Shang Changhe’s expression grew anxious. He gave the ceremonial officer a look, and the officer leaned close to Empress Song’s ear to whisper, “Your Majesty, the auspicious hour has arrived. If this continues, we will miss it.”
Shang Shiyan naturally understood why Shang Changhe was so impatient. It wasn’t because she wanted to break off the engagement, but because of the grand gift he had prepared. Today, with all the elders of the Shang clan present, he intended to inscribe Shang Yunrou’s name into the family genealogy.
As long as Shang Yunrou was entered into the genealogy, even if Shiyan annulled the marriage, it wouldn’t matter—on the contrary, it would pave the way for Yunrou and Shen Shian.
But Shang Shiyan sneered. The marriage she would indeed dissolve, yet Shang Changhe and Shang Yunrou would not succeed in their scheme.
Empress Song calmly withdrew her gaze. “Today is your coming-of-age ceremony. We will not discuss marriage. Whether your betrothal to the Crown Prince succeeds or not, as someone who watched you grow up, I am willing to preside over your hairpin ceremony.”
Not wishing to disrupt Shang Shiyan’s rite of passage, Empress Song temporarily set aside her complicated emotions.
“On this auspicious day, you don the adult’s attire. Cast aside childish thoughts, embrace virtue. May longevity and blessings be yours.” With these words, Empress Song picked up a plain jade hairpin and placed it into Shiyan’s hair.
The ceremony required three additions and three bows.
Shang Shiyan changed into a long gown of satin red embroidered with golden apricot blossoms and winding branches. At her waist hung a jade pendant gifted by Empress Song, woven with golden thread and set with a brilliant red gem. Her entire headpiece had been given by her grandmother, adorned with dazzling pearls, every detail radiating nobility.
After the bows, the officiant presented wine. Empress Song received it and intoned, “Sweet wine, fragrant offering. Accept this blessing, and may fortune be secured. Heaven’s favor endures, longevity remembered.”
Shang Shiyan performed the ritual bow, took the wine, and sprinkled it upon the ground as a libation.
Empress Song had long prepared a courtesy name for Shang Shiyan: *Guiyi*—meaning “to follow one’s heart and return to oneself.” She hoped Shang Shiyan would live true to her nature, unbound by worldly conventions, and pursue what she truly desired.
Empress Song was a kind and noble person, but Shang Shiyan and the Crown Prince were no longer possible.
Once Empress Song returned to her seat, Shang Shiyan listened to Shen Zuizhi’s admonitions.
When the instructions ended, the ceremony was complete.
The officiant withdrew, and the guests rose to congratulate Shang Shiyan.
Just as everyone was preparing to disperse for the banquet, Shang Changhe spoke up to halt them. “There is still one important matter today. I must ask all of you present to bear witness.”
Shang Yunrou knew her father intended to inscribe her into the family genealogy. A moment ago, jealousy had reddened her eyes at Shang Shiyan’s splendor, but now they suddenly lit up with excitement. From now on, she too would be a legitimate daughter of the Shang family!
Just as Shang Changhe was about to speak, a sudden shout came from outside: “Who are you!”
“You dare trespass into the Marquis’ residence! Tired of living, are you?”
“Take her to see the Marquis!”
The servants outside were clamoring as they dragged a middle-aged woman into the courtyard.
“Let me go! Why are you arresting me? Release me!” The woman struggled violently, but was forced into the main hall.
A servant stepped forward to report to Shen Zuizhi, “Madam, this woman sneaked into the Marquis’ residence suspiciously. We did not know her intentions, and fearing it might affect the young lady’s coming-of-age ceremony, we brought her in.”
Shen Zuizhi lowered her gaze to the kneeling woman. “Who are you? Why did you sneak into the Marquis’ residence?”
Hearing her voice, the woman quickly glanced at Shen Zuizhi, then immediately noticed Shang Changhe and Shang Yunrou. She swiftly lowered her head. “I…I heard that the young lady of the Shang family was holding her coming-of-age ceremony today, and I wanted to join in the festivities. I accidentally offended.”
Her words were stammered and hesitant. The moment Shang Changhe and Shang Yunrou saw her, their expressions changed drastically.
Shang Changhe’s back went rigid, and he dared not utter a single word.
Shen Zuizhi looked at the woman, her head bowed, not daring to raise her eyes. “If you wished to share in the joy, you could have simply reported to the gatekeeper. The ceremony is now over. Go to the steward and collect a red envelope.”
The woman nodded repeatedly and turned to leave.
But then another voice came from outside: “Why does this woman look familiar to me?”
That single remark made Shang Changhe and Shang Yunrou’s hearts leap in alarm. They raised their eyes toward the speaker.
It was one of the servants in the courtyard. “Madam, when I went to the western alleys of the capital to buy freshly slaughtered lamb, I saw this woman. The butcher told me her husband works away from home and only returns once or twice a month. She also has a daughter, whom she hasn’t seen for a year.”
At these words, Shang Changhe’s heart nearly jumped into his throat.
“What day is it today, that you dare spout nonsense here? What does this woman’s identity have to do with the Marquis’ residence? Hurry and escort her out!”
The servant, having achieved his purpose, obediently led the woman away.
Shang Shiyan’s gaze fixed steadily on Shang Changhe’s face. She saw him silently wipe the sweat from his chin. Her dear father—just the sight of his mistress was enough to frighten him into such a state. No wonder she had gone to such lengths to bring this woman into the Marquis’ residence.
The matter of inscribing Shang Yunrou into the family genealogy—Shang Changhe no longer dared to mention a single word of it, fearing that others might connect Shang Yunrou with that woman’s husband and daughter from earlier.
“Just now, Marquis, you said there was another important matter. What was it?”
Shang Changhe forced a strained smile at the corner of his lips. “It was nothing important. It’s getting late today. Everyone, please proceed to the banquet.”
The guests did not speculate further and rose to leave the main hall.
Once everyone had gone, Shang Yunrou followed Shang Changhe behind the screen, her face dark. “Father! Why didn’t you inscribe me into the genealogy just now?”
“Why did your mother suddenly come to the residence?” Shang Changhe demanded, his expression grim.