Fu Yunxi and the Empress Dowager had never maintained a good relationship. Fu Yunxi and the current Emperor were not the Empress Dowager’s biological children, but rather born to Imperial Consort Hui. Since the Empress Dowager was childless and Imperial Consort Hui passed away early, she raised both children under her name.

Later, when the former Emperor appointed the current Emperor as Crown Prince, both the Emperor and Fu Yunxi always showed great respect and love toward the Empress Dowager, primarily because she treated them as her own. However, for unknown reasons, Fu Yunxi gradually grew distant from the Empress Dowager, displaying indifference whenever she was mentioned. The Emperor was suspicious and questioned this, but Fu Yunxi would only say there was some misunderstanding between them.

“There are many things in this world that remain unclear,” Fu Yunxi returned to his previous cold demeanor. “Your Majesty should spend more time managing your two princes. I saw the Crown Prince recently, and he seemed extremely troubled.”

The Emperor’s expression changed: “He is simply incompetent, spending his days in idle play without any ambition. He’ll truly be the death of me. If only he had half the sense of Seventh Prince…”

“Then the world would be in trouble,” Fu Yunxi interrupted. “The Seventh Prince has been keeping close company with officials who manage salt merchants lately.” His cold eyes suggested, “Your Majesty might want to have someone investigate.”

“Is this your way of repaying my imperial decree?” The Emperor laughed. “Should I just issue a marriage decree for you and be done with it?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Fu Yunxi replied coolly. “Some matters are best handled personally.”

The Emperor issued an order to marry Li Jiaqi and Wei Rufeng, and by that time, there was no other option left. So, the Zhou family wanted to make Hanyan Wei Rufeng’s concubine. However, to everyone’s surprise, Hanyan firmly refused. In front of everyone, she declared that she would never be anyone’s concubine and that her husband could only marry her for life.

In Prince Wei’s residence, Wei Jing looked at his son. Without realizing it, Wei Rufeng had reached the age of marriage and children. All these years, he had never given his father cause for worry. But now, that little girl from the Zhuang family repeatedly caused him to lose his composure, which wasn’t good for the Wei Prince’s household.

“What exactly are you thinking?” he asked.

Wei Rufeng respectfully answered, “Father, we must find that item. Zhuang Han’yan would make the most suitable Young Mistress.”

Wei Jing’s expression darkened. “You think I don’t know what you’re thinking? Hmph, regardless of whom you marry, as long as they’re from the Zhuang family, you’re satisfied. Now that Zhuang Yushan has joined the household, why do you still need Zhuang Han’yan? In my opinion, Zhuang Han’yan is cunning – she might be trouble.”

Wei Rufeng remained silent.

Wei Jing studied his expression. “You like her?”

Wei Rufeng denied it: “Your son merely feels unsatisfied. She should have been my wife, yet she treats me with such coldness. If I marry her, I can finally vent this anger in my heart.”

Wei Jing saw through his son’s insincere words and sighed: “Beauty brings disaster. I fear this matter may not succeed.”

His words proved prophetic.

When the Emperor’s marriage decree came down, no one had anticipated it.

After Wei Jing received the decree, Wei Rufeng disregarded protocol and grabbed the announcing eunuch, demanding: “Why did His Majesty suddenly issue this marriage decree?”

Although the Right Minister’s daughter was also a suitable match for him, the news came too suddenly, raising suspicions. Moreover, it came just as his marriage to Han’yan was about to be settled. Could Han’yan possibly have such powerful connections to receive the Emperor’s aid?

The eunuch glanced at him sideways and replied in a shrill voice: “This humble servant dare not guess at His Majesty’s thoughts, nor can I answer the Young Master’s questions.”

Wei Jing noticed the eunuch’s expression, knowing these eunuchs were the Emperor’s favorites whom even court officials treated with respect. He stepped forward, slipped him a large money pouch, and smiled: “Thank you for your trouble, Sir. I’m also quite puzzled, as His Majesty had never mentioned any plans regarding my son’s marriage before.”

The eunuch was shrewd. Feeling the weight of the money pouch, his eyes darted about before he leaned in close and whispered so only a few could hear: “This servant isn’t entirely certain, but I know that King Xuanqing visited His Majesty a few days ago and spoke with him at length in the study…” He left the rest unsaid, but upon hearing King Xuanqing’s name, Wei Rufeng immediately recalled the seemingly close relationship between him and Han’yan, filling him with burning rage.

After dismissing the eunuch, Wei Jing wanted to say something, but Wei Rufeng had already vanished from the room.

Wei Rufeng, in his anger, went to drink at a newly opened pleasure house – something completely out of character for someone who had always maintained the image of a refined gentleman and kept himself pure. The Emperor’s decree had infuriated him, and he knew Han’yan must be involved somehow. He felt this was the first time in his life he had invested so much attention in a woman, only to be cast aside like an old shoe. He was both angry and resentful – angry at Zhuang Han’yan for not recognizing his worth, and resentful of Fu Yunxi for stealing his would-be wife. In his mind, Han’yan had become an unfaithful wife, and Fu Yunxi the scoundrel who ruined their marriage! Yet he failed to realize that Han’yan had never discussed marriage with him, let alone become his wife. No one is born destined to wait for another, and Han’yan was a person with her thoughts – why should she be grateful and joyfully receptive just because Young Master Wei proposed? Where did such one-sided thinking come from?

As he poured drink after drink down his throat, he began to feel drunk, his eyes growing increasingly red. Thoughts of that person filled him with endless hatred, extending even to the Emperor who issued the decree.

A hand snatched away his wine cup.

Wei Rufeng angrily demanded: “Who?”

“It’s me.” The deep, disdainful voice made him shudder, instantly sobering him halfway. Looking at the finely dressed man sitting across from him, he stammered: “Seventh Prince.”

The Seventh Prince poured himself a cup, taking a slow sip while observing him: “I’ve heard about the imperial decree. Is a mere woman worth such dejection?”

Wei Rufeng turned away, his voice bitter: “Your Highness doesn’t understand. This matter… was all manipulated by King Xuanqing!”

The Seventh Prince remained unmoved as if he had expected this response. He smiled: “I’ve long suspected there was something unusual between them. My Royal Uncle has never approved of anything, yet he repeatedly helps this little girl. If it’s a coincidence, it’s too coincidental.” He stared at Wei Rufeng: “You’re just unfortunate – your would-be wife fancies my Royal Uncle. Why trouble yourself over such an unfaithful woman?”

Wei Rufeng’s heart was a maze of complexity. He couldn’t pinpoint when he had begun to care for Han’yan, only knowing that from their first meeting, he had found her distinctly different from others. Her subsequent coldness toward him created even more resentment as if Han’yan shouldn’t have treated him that way. When he learned she wouldn’t become his wife, he felt deep despair, as though the position of Young Mistress had been created specifically for her. Now everything had deviated from its natural course, leaving him both helpless and heartbroken.

The Seventh Prince held his wine cup: “Royal Uncle’s methods have always been masterful, and Father trusts him completely. How could Father refuse any request he makes?” He smiled: “To be honest, I don’t like Royal Uncle either. It seems he gets all the good things in this world – how can someone be so fortunate?”