The Crown Prince’s wedding filled the Eastern Palace with festive red decorations, awaiting the arrival of the Crown Princess.
There were no other concubines in the Eastern Palace, only Liangdi Xiao. She had been placed in Wutong Courtyard by the Crown Prince, forbidden to wander about.
From within Wutong Courtyard, Xiao Hanyan faintly heard the sound of suona horns and the noisy bustle outside.
Qingdai stayed close to her, afraid she might fall into despair or overthink.
But Xiao Hanyan was indifferent. Shen Qingchen was bound to marry sooner or later, and there would be more women in the future.
With Liu Meizhao entering the Eastern Palace, life was only just beginning.
“Liangdi, His Highness said if you feel tired, you may rest early.” Qingdai saw her staring outside and thought she was brooding.
“Qingdai, tell me—has His Highness gone to receive the Crown Princess by now?” Xiao Hanyan’s eyes were vacant as she murmured, almost to herself.
To outsiders, she was the deeply devoted Liangdi Xiao. On this day, she had to play her role well.
Qingdai checked the time, hesitating: “Liangdi, by now the Crown Princess should have entered the Eastern Palace.”
“Is that so?” Xiao Hanyan blinked, tugging her lips into a bitter smile. “Then that’s good.”
With that, she turned toward the bedchamber. “I’ll rest for a while. Don’t follow.”
Qingdai stopped at the outer room. Just as she worried, inside came the sound of muffled sobs—half grievance, half sorrow. She lifted her foot to go in, but remembered Liangdi’s order. If she entered now, Liangdi would lose even the chance to vent. So she stayed outside, worried.
Meanwhile, Liu Meizhao entered the Eastern Palace in full bridal regalia, phoenix crown and crimson robes. The Emperor and Empress personally attended, seated at the main place of honor.
Shen Qingchen, dressed in bright red wedding robes, stood among the festive decorations and smiling faces. Yet none of it brought joy to his expression. He stood cold and indifferent, eyes straight ahead, showing no happiness for his wedding.
At that moment, what filled his mind was the thought of Xiao Hanyan—was this how she had entered the Eastern Palace, too? Unfortunately, he had not been present then. Though he later made up the ceremony, he still felt he owed her.
The Empress, seeing her son unhappy, lost much of her own joy. Her interest waned, and after only a few words, she returned to the palace with the Emperor.
Outside, Shen Qingchen offered wine to the guests. None dared to act improperly, nor did anyone dare to press the Crown Prince to drink more.
After three rounds of wine, the lively atmosphere gradually dispersed.
Shen Qingchen lingered for a long time before, urged by the attendants, he finally went to Qiwu Hall.
Inside Qiwu Hall, Liu Meizhao sat upright on the grand bed, feeling somewhat anxious.
After a long while, footsteps approached. Shen Qingchen, dressed in splendid wedding robes, his face stern and cold, strode into the hall.
The attending matron respectfully handed him the ceremonial stick, smiling: “Your Highness, please lift the bridal veil.”
Shen Qingchen took it and lifted the red veil.
Liu Meizhao lowered her head shyly. When light reached her eyes, she bit her lip and slowly raised her gaze. Seeing the Crown Prince clearly, her eyes showed both surprise and delight. She had not expected His Highness to be so strikingly handsome, refined in bearing. His physique, tempered by years of training at Zhanyang, was unlike ordinary men—strong and masculine, yet not overly so.
They had met as children. Liu Meizhao had long been told she would one day be Crown Princess, and her marriage to the Crown Prince had been arranged early on. Her impression of him had remained that of a youthful boy. Now, seeing him again, she was astonished at how much he had changed. Her hands twisted nervously, lips parting: “Your Highness…”
Shen Qingchen’s expression remained calm. He only remembered that his father and mother had arranged for him to marry the Prime Minister’s daughter, whom he had met a few times. Later, he had gone to Zhanyang, and many things faded from memory. Now, seeing her again, he could not recall any past moments they had shared.
“Your Highness and Crown Princess, please drink the nuptial wine. May you live in harmony for a hundred years and soon bear a noble son.”
The maidservants presented the ceremonial wine.
But Shen Qingchen still stood there, showing no intention of sitting down.
Liu Meizhao felt a trace of unease—if His Highness did not sit beside her, how could they drink the nuptial wine together?
“Your Highness, please sit next to the Crown Princess and drink the nuptial wine with her,” Nanny Zhang respectfully reminded.
Shen Qingchen sat down expressionlessly and took the wine cup.
Liu Meizhao’s face glowed with joy and the shyness of a new bride. She lifted her cup and leaned forward slowly. “Your Highness…”
Shen Qingchen glanced at her and reached out.
Just as their cups were about to meet, noise erupted outside.
“What is going on!” Shen Qingchen’s face darkened, his voice sharp.
Liu Meizhao’s expression changed, her raised hand frozen in midair.
“Your Highness, the Empress has suddenly fallen unwell. Please, come quickly.”
An attendant reported urgently from outside.
Shen Qingchen did not pause to think, nor did he say a word. The moment the report ended, he was gone.
Fushun hurried to meet him and quickly explained: “Your Highness, after returning to the palace, Her Majesty suddenly felt unwell. At first, she thought to summon the imperial physician, but her condition worsened. She kept calling for Your Highness. Liangdi Xiao could not manage, so she sent me to report.”
“Liangdi Xiao?” Shen Qingchen stopped in his tracks, turning to look at Fushun.
“Your Highness, the palace attendants said Liangdi Xiao went to the Empress to avoid disturbing your wedding. She hadn’t planned to trouble you, but since Her Majesty grew worse…”
Shen Qingchen quickened his pace, hurrying toward Kunning Palace.
Liu Meizhao’s face remained tight with displeasure. But with the Empress—her mother‑in‑law—unwell, what could she say?
“To Kunning Palace,” Liu Meizhao said, rising and adjusting her expression.
Nanny Zhang comforted her: “Crown Princess, the Empress’s illness is not deliberate. No one could have foreseen it. If you go and show concern, Her Majesty will surely recognize your goodness.”
“Nanny, let’s go.” Nanny Zhang had been sent by her mother to serve her, so Liu Meizhao naturally listened.
Liu Meizhao, accompanied by Nanny Zhang and Molan, went to Kunning Palace.
When Shen Qingchen arrived at Kunning Palace, Xiao Hanyan was attending the Empress, helping her drink medicine. The Empress lay weakly against her pillow, looking very unwell.
“Mother, what has happened?” Just a short while ago, she had been at the Eastern Palace, watching the ceremony.
Hearing the Crown Prince’s voice, the Empress weakly lifted her eyelids: “Chen’er.”
Xiao Hanyan’s movements paused. She slowly set down the medicine bowl, turned, and bowed: “Your concubine greets His Highness.”
“Rise.” Shen Qingchen stepped forward and helped her up.
Xiao Hanyan lifted her gaze. Seeing him in his splendid wedding robes, noble and unattainable, a trace of sorrow flickered in her eyes before vanishing. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Shen Qingchen did not miss that look. He tightened his grip on her hand, suppressing the heaviness in his chest, then turned to the imperial physician: “What is wrong with my mother?”
“Your Highness, Her Majesty suffers from an illness brought on by worry and grief.” The physician hesitated, then added: “I can only do my utmost to nurse her health. Forgive me, Your Highness.”
Shen Qingchen had not expected this. His expression shifted, and he knelt before the Empress’s bed, holding her hand. “Mother, why?”
“Chen’er, I am fine… cough, cough…” The Empress’s face bore a weak smile. “I am only a little tired. Do not worry. Yan’er has already given me medicine. I will be alright.”
“Today is your wedding. I truly should not… cough…”
“Mother.” Shen Qingchen’s expression softened, moved. “It is my fault for not being at your side to serve you.”