Chang Wuji was slightly stunned. More than ten years ago, the Pei clan had pulled a similar move, except that time they had demanded a princess. It had frightened the previous emperor and Empress Dowager so badly that they sent Princess Jianing into a Daoist convent overnight, forcing her to become a nun and pray for the nation.
And now they had set their sights on the second daughter of the Cheng family.
After weighing his words, Chang Wuji said, “The second daughter of the Ding’an Marquis’s household…”
They must be lusting after the beauty of the Cheng family women.
“Yes, the second daughter of the Ding’an Marquis Cheng family,” Gao Yao replied. “Please inform your emperor. I will await good news at the post station.”
Chang Wuji paused for a moment, clearly troubled. He had heard rumors that very morning that a Cheng daughter from the Ding’an Marquis household had already entered a Daoist convent.
“Lord Chang,” Gao Yao said, his tone sharpening with faint irritation despite his forced smile, “our Third Prince does not seek to marry into your royal clan. A mere daughter of the Ding’an Marquis should not be a difficulty, yes?”
“Lord Gao speaks too harshly,” Chang Wuji replied lightly, masking his thoughts.
Gao Yao continued, “However, Lord Chang should also understand that the northern lands are poor and cannot compare to the wealth of Jiangnan. After the marriage alliance, your court should annually provide gold and silver to support the woman we marry, so she does not suffer.”
He stated his demands bluntly, without any attempt to conceal them.
Chang Wuji’s smile stiffened slightly. “I will report everything truthfully to His Majesty.”
“Much appreciated.”
After seeing him off, Chang Wuji immediately returned to court and relayed the message.
Song Yu was greatly alarmed upon hearing it. “How unfortunate. This morning, Consort Chen’s younger sister, Cheng Yunxiang, has already become a Daoist nun, entering the convent to pray for blessings for Consort Chen and for me to be granted an heir.”
But inwardly, he let out a long breath of relief. Beicang had not immediately threatened war, which was better than he had feared.
The court officials exchanged uneasy glances.
One minister said, “Your Majesty, the only solution now is to ask the Cheng lady to leave the convent and marry the Third Prince of Beicang.”
Many voices immediately agreed, insisting that national affairs must take priority.
However, a dissenting voice came from an official of the Ministry of Rites. “Do you truly believe that if we give them one Cheng daughter today, Beicang will stop?”
“If we give them one today, they will demand another tomorrow. It will never end.”
Chancellor Fan Ying, standing at the head of the officials, naturally understood the principle of “surrendering cities one after another to gain temporary peace.” His expression darkened. “Our state is weak in soldiers. If we do not accept this compromise, what else can we do?”
There was no answer.
He then asked, “Lord Chang, is it confirmed that the Beicang emperor specifically requested the second daughter of the Cheng family for his third son?”
Chang Wuji replied, “I have confirmed this repeatedly. Lord Gao stated it very clearly.”
Fan Ying frowned deeply. “Since the Cheng daughter has already entered the convent for prayer,” he stepped forward with his ritual tablet, “then we should simply report this truthfully and ask them to choose another candidate.”
“But would Beicang agree?” someone asked immediately.
“In my view, their true goal is tribute,” Fan Ying said. “As long as we show sincerity and propose an alternative marriage candidate in addition to tribute, it may still be negotiable.”
“But wouldn’t that encourage them to demand even more tribute?” another official argued.
The court descended into heated argument. The noise filled the hall so intensely that birds perched on the roof beams fluttered away in agitation.
Song Yu pressed his hand to his temple. “Enough, listen to me.”
When the hall finally quieted, he looked at Fan Ying. “Lord Fan, you will personally meet Lord Gao and negotiate as you suggested. Go.”
He immediately ended the session and fled back to the inner palace.
Ganquan Temple.
At the auspicious hour, a young Daoist attendant brought three cups of tea on a tray. “Please offer tea to your initiation master, Daoist Li.”
The Daoist who introduced her into the order was called a “du shi,” a preceptor.
Cheng Yunxiang picked up the first cup and offered it respectfully to Li Lingzhu. The latter did not drink, merely placing it on the table.
When she reached the second cup, Li Lingzhu took a sip and said, “Call me Master from now on.”
“Yes, Master.”
Cheng Yunxiang bowed. After the ritual was completed, she offered another cup of tea.
Perhaps because of Li Lingzhu’s hidden identity as a covert operative, Cheng Yunxiang could not help but glance at her a few more times. There was an indistinct aura of authority about her.
Li Lingzhu acted as though she noticed nothing. She dipped her middle finger into the tea and lightly touched Cheng Yunxiang’s forehead. “Good.”
After the ceremony, she pointed at Cheng Yunxiang’s hair. “A Daoist nun’s hairstyle is tied at the Baihui acupoint on the crown of the head.”
“Yes, Master,” Cheng Yunxiang replied, studying her own hair.
A young attendant brought out a tray holding a purple sandalwood whisk, its handle inlaid with a red cinnabar bead, its fine tassels long and soft.
“Go change your robes,” Li Lingzhu said.
When Cheng Yunxiang reappeared in her Daoist robes, her hair now styled as a nun and a whisk in hand, Li Lingzhu smiled in satisfaction. “It is done.”
Her initiation was complete. From this moment on, Cheng Yunxiang was a Daoist nun.
After the formal farewell, Li Lingzhu departed with Liu Fang.
Before leaving, Liu Fang once again subtly reminded Cheng Yunxiang that if she disliked the eunuch Shen Lanzhi, who had once served Princess Jianing, she could dismiss him at any time.
Cheng Yunxiang did not respond directly.
After they left, Suli asked, “My lady, that Daoist Shen…”
“Let’s wait for now,” Cheng Yunxiang said. “He once served Princess Jianing. It would be improper to drive him away immediately.”
After a long, busy day, she finally sat down with a cup of tea as dusk arrived.
A knock sounded at the door.
It was Chen Baomiao’s maid, Axi, who arrived with servants carrying two large sandalwood chests. “Madam heard that the weather will get warmer day by day. She asked us to bring your bedding and summer mats.”
Among the items was an ivory cooling mat, a tribute from a foreign land, once gifted by Consort Chen to Cheng Yunxiang. It was cool to the touch in summer and even beneficial for the skin.
Cheng Yunxiang thanked her, then asked, “Sister did not only send these, did she?”
Axi hesitated before nodding. “Madam heard that a Beicang envoy has arrived, saying they wish to propose marriage on behalf of their Third Prince…”
Before she could finish, Cheng Yunxiang froze.
Marriage proposal from Beicang’s Third Prince.
No, not a proposal. A political marriage.
The word struck her like lightning. Her body stiffened, cold sweat breaking out instantly.
Beicang had sent an envoy to propose marriage to her?
Why her? This should have been a princess, or at least a royal clan daughter.
Her thoughts raced. Could it be connected to the Song household’s attempt to adopt her?
Her elder sister had rushed her into becoming a Daoist nun. Had she already anticipated this?
Her mind grew chaotic, gratitude and fear intertwining. If not for her sister’s foresight, she might already have been trapped in this fate.
Cheng Yunxiang clutched her Daoist robes tightly. “Tell Grandmother and Madam I have never blamed my sister. Please reassure them.”
After Axi left, silence returned to the convent.
In the stillness, Cheng Yunxiang’s thoughts sharpened. The Beicang Third Prince… who was he?
She had never heard of him.
Was he truly drawn by her beauty, or something else entirely?
Unable to understand, she curled up, burying her face in her knees, trembling slightly from lingering fear.
That Night, under the crescent moon and the sound of chirping insects, at the Mei Residence in Sweet Water Alley.
“Your Highness…” Zhao Cheng looked somewhat regretful. “Lady Cheng… she entered a Daoist convent this morning.”
Mei Yan froze slightly. His brows drew together. “She became a Daoist nun?”
“What a coincidence,” Zhao Cheng continued. “Right as Lord Gao arrived in Lin’an, she entered the Ganquan Temple.”
She had become a nun in a single day.
If only Gao Yao had arrived a day earlier, even by half a day, everything would have gone differently.
Mei Yan’s fingers tapped lightly on the table.
“I understand,” he said at last.
After a moment, Zhao Cheng spoke again. “Your Highness, if they reject this marriage, it may actually benefit us.”
“Beicang is no longer what it once was. The Later Yue emperor is already anxious. Even without marriage, they will likely offer tribute and concessions.”
Mei Yan smiled faintly. “We shall see what Later Yue decides.”
He then added, “Our army is already stationed north of the river, ready to advance toward Chuzhou. Once Yangtai and Jianghai are taken, Lin’an will be within reach.”
“Sir speaks too confidently,” Mei Yan said calmly. “Jiangning has natural river defenses. Beicang is not skilled in naval warfare.”
He sighed softly. “Jiangning is near yet far.”
“I have heard His Majesty is already building a naval force at the Viewing Lake in Yanzhou.”
If they could cross the river and take Jiangning, then Lin’an would be isolated and doomed.
Gao Yao’s mission would determine everything.
Mei Yan gave no clear reaction. “Mm.”
That night, he sat alone in silence for a long time, repeating the name over and over in his mind.
Cheng Yunxiang.
Yunxiang… Yunxiang…
The more he was told he could not have her, the less willing he became to let go.
Something like claws scratched at his heart, restless and insistent. Yet for now, there was nothing he could do.
Zhao Cheng noticed his expression and tried to comfort him. “One day, when Jiangnan belongs to Beicang, that woman will naturally be within Your Highness’s reach. You only need to wait.”