For the remainder of that day, Li Hui’er did not leave her side for a single moment, and Li Xuandu had no further opportunity to be alone with her. By evening, their outing came to an end, and he first escorted her home.

Meng Shi, just as that morning, came out personally to receive her daughter, and again and again thanked Li Xuandu, saying he had been put to great trouble.

Li Xuandu glanced at the young girl who stood at her mother’s side with her head bowed, a handkerchief twisted between her hands, and thought of what had happened at the old scholar tree earlier that day. Suddenly a vague sense of unreality came over him, as though it had all been a dream.

As he exchanged polite words with Meng Shi, he could not help stealing glances at her. At last he saw a small reaction — her lashes gave a faint tremor, and she quietly lifted her lovely eyes, stealing a quick glance at him.

Their eyes met for an instant. He caught at once the glimmer of mischievous amusement hidden in the depths of her eyes — exactly the same as when she had faced him alone that afternoon. He was so captivated he could only stare.

Pu Zhu had sensed him looking at her ceaselessly and could not help looking back — but she had not expected that he was entirely absorbed in watching her and had grown inattentive even to her mother’s conversation.

Meng Shi finally noticed that Prince Qin seemed to have drifted off in thought. She followed his gaze and looked at the daughter standing beside her.

Pu Zhu felt a sudden rush of panic and could not help giving a light cough.

Li Xuandu startled back to awareness and immediately withdrew his gaze. He said to Meng Shi with great respectfulness: “Please, Madam, do not stand on ceremony. Today it was my good fortune that your daughter accompanied my niece on this outing, and she had a wonderful time. It is only right that I see to her well-being. It is getting late — Madam, please go inside quickly. There is no need to see me off.”

Meng Shi at last brought her daughter inside, though she could not quite shake the feeling that something was not right — though she could not say exactly what. Just as she was stepping over the threshold, she could not help glancing back once more at the departing figure of Prince Qin riding away on horseback. She shook her head, inwardly laughing at herself for being overly suspicious. She asked her daughter a few questions about how the outing had gone, then, worried she might be tired, told her to go back to her room to rest early.

As for Li Xuandu — after leaving the Pu residence and sending Hui’er back to Penglai Palace, he had originally intended to go directly to his imperial grandmother to raise the matter. But thinking of what she and Lady Chen had said that day, he felt he could not bring himself to do it. After a brief moment’s thought, he turned his horse and rode to the imperial palace, requesting an audience with the Emperor.

As the lanterns were first being lit, the Emperor was in the imperial study of the Purple Phoenix Palace reading through memorials. When a palace attendant informed him that Prince Qin sought an audience, he commanded him to enter. Li Xuandu paid his respects, and the Emperor looked up at his son. Seeing him in everyday dress, as though returning from an outing, he asked where he had been.

Li Xuandu said that today he had escorted Hui’er to Guo’an Temple to view the flowers and had just returned. He said he had suddenly thought of Father Emperor and, rather than return to his prince’s mansion first, had come specially to the palace to pay his respects. He then said with concern: “These past few years when I was away, there was not a day when I was not thinking of Father Emperor. Father Emperor must not overwork himself — for some matters, you can delegate them to the ministers below and let them handle things. Please do get more rest.”

The Emperor thought: fine words easily spoken — these past few years you never once thought to send me a letter of your own accord.

He also thought of how when Li Xuandu had first returned to the capital, and he had mentioned that the time had come for him to establish a consort and marry, his son had gone on making one excuse after another and simply would not agree. The more he looked at him now, the more dissatisfied he felt. He gave a cold grunt and raised an eyebrow: “What a rare show of filial devotion. What brings you to the palace?”

His Emperor knew this youngest son of his, had watched him grow from boyhood. Seeing him behave so out of character now — all sweet words and flattery — there was surely something up his sleeve.

Li Xuandu, seeing through with a single remark, scratched his face with some embarrassment and gave a cough. “Father Emperor, a few days ago when I went to Penglai Palace to visit imperial grandmother, she brought up the matter of this son’s marriage, expressing a good deal of concern. She said that this son is no longer young, and that due to the wars all these years, such a long time has been delayed — and yet I still have not so much as a consort, which is simply not fitting. This son was reminded that Father Emperor had recently offered the same reprimand, and felt deeply ashamed. Forgive this son for being so ignorant — at my age, I have still been causing imperial grandmother and Father Emperor to worry on my behalf. I am truly remorseful.”

The Emperor set down his memorial and looked up, staring at him in surprise: “You’ve come around? You’re willing to establish a consort and marry?”

He had previously even wondered whether his son — this grown man who had never shown any interest in women — might have particular tastes of a different kind, and have some improper relationship with that personal attendant of his who had served him since childhood, the one called Luo Bao. If it were proven true, he would not hesitate to have that attendant beaten to death.

“Yes. This son has come to his senses. It would be truly improper to go on longer without a consort.”

The Emperor was finally pleased. A smile appeared on his face and he stroked his beard and nodded: “Good that you’ve come to your senses.” He considered for a moment. “I’ll summon the Imperial Clan Court director at once, and we’ll see which noble families have suitable young ladies…”

Li Xuandu hurriedly said: “Father Emperor need not trouble yourself. To tell you the truth, I already have someone in mind.”

The Emperor was even more surprised. “Which family’s daughter?”

Li Xuandu said: “The daughter of the Pu family.”

“Pu Yuanqiao’s daughter? Why would it be her? I remember she’s still very young!”

The Emperor blurted it out.

His impression of the Pu family’s daughter was still based on what he had seen some years ago when he had encountered her at Empress Dowager Jiang’s, and he remembered her only as a small child.

Li Xuandu could not help feeling a touch of awkwardness, and corrected him: “Father Emperor, she is not that young! In two days she will be turning fourteen, and the Pu family is already looking into a betrothal for her.”

The Emperor exclaimed: “Is that so! How quickly time passes…”

Li Xuandu saw his father go quiet, seeming to drift into thought. He waited a moment, feeling a little uneasy: “What is it? Father Emperor thinks it is not suitable?”

The Emperor naturally did not think it unsuitable at all.

Though the Pu girl and his son had a somewhat wide age gap, as long as his son liked her, that was no issue whatsoever.

He had only just been thinking about how to arrange the wedding. He immediately said: “Excellent! Pu Yuanqiao’s daughter — no problem at all. As long as you like her, I shall issue a decree tomorrow, bestowing the marriage, and have the wedding held as soon as possible!”

Li Xuandu was startled — he had not expected his father to be even more eager than himself — and refused at once: “No, no! Father Emperor, please don’t issue the decree yet! It’s better for me to go and propose marriage first. After General Pu gives his approval, there will still be time for Father Emperor to bestow the marriage.”

His son’s wish to do things this way was no doubt out of respect for Pu Yuanqiao. The Emperor thought it over and nodded: “Very well, you may go and speak with Pu Yuanqiao yourself first. If he does not agree, you need only tell Father Emperor, and Father Emperor will make the decision for you.”

Li Xuandu responded dutifully.

One great concern of the Emperor’s had suddenly been resolved, and in fine spirits he could not resist his curiosity, beginning to pry into his son’s private affairs: “Yulin’er, how is it that you came to set your heart on Pu Yuanqiao’s daughter?”

Li Xuandu dared not let the Emperor know about his private correspondence with the little girl going back to when he was fifteen or sixteen, and said with perfect composure: “Back when I was serving alongside General Pu beyond the passes, he often spoke of his daughter in front of me. Today at Guo’an Temple to view the flowers, she came along as well, and I fell instantly in love with her. Since I must marry sooner or later, why not her?”

The Emperor nodded approvingly: “Good, good — the Pu family’s daughter could hardly be lacking in any way. And I hear your imperial grandmother is also quite fond of that little girl. So, when do you plan to go and speak with Pu Yuanqiao?”

“In a few days it will be her birthday. I intend to call upon them that day to propose marriage.”

The Emperor nodded: “Good — Father Emperor will also prepare some birthday gifts for you. I won’t have you lose face and be outdone by someone else!”

—

After returning from Guo’an Temple and the peony viewing, two more days passed, and it was Pu Zhu’s fourteenth birthday. That day the Pu family threw open their gates wide, hung lanterns and colorful decorations, and prepared festivities. Pu Zhu had invited several of the close friends she had made over the years, and Li Hui’er came as well. The young girls played on the swings in the rear garden, played chess, and competed in flower matching, their laughter ringing bright. The women who moved in Meng Shi’s social circles gathered in the front reception hall. As for the wives who had called to propose marriage — the Princess Consort of Prince Duan’s residence, the Marchioness of Qi’yang, the wife of the Grand Physician’s residence, and others — not a single one was absent. Each came bearing birthday gifts for the Pu family’s daughter.

Meng Shi summoned her daughter to come out, bidding her bow in thanks to all the ladies. The assembled women surrounded Pu Zhu, praising her beautiful appearance, her gentle temperament, her talents, her virtue, and her propitious bearing. Meng Shi demurred out loud while inwardly beaming with joy.

The atmosphere in the hall was light and festive — yet in truth, each of the ladies seated there harbored her own thoughts.

Everyone knew that the Pu family had an unmarried daughter, and that several households in the capital sought to propose a match. The Pu family had said they would give their answer after the daughter’s birthday, and this was common knowledge.

The ladies who had no stake in the marriage proposals had come to see the spectacle — they wanted to know which household would be the lucky one.

The proposing ladies each had their own calculations.

Princess Han of the Princess’s residence was obviously out of the running. Li Lihua hadn’t even come today — she’d only sent a steward to deliver a gift, which seemed to signal her withdrawal from the competition.

As for Prince Jin’s residence — they had only ever hinted at an intention to propose, and had never formally sent a matchmaker to call. Rumor had it that Prince Jin had considered that his younger brother had yet to take a wife, which greatly worried the Emperor, and so out of filial devotion, had ordered that his own son’s marriage discussions be temporarily set aside since the young master was still not very old. Thus Prince Jin’s residence was also out of the question. That left three families: Prince Duan’s residence, the Qi’yang Marquis’s household, and the Grand Physician’s residence.

Among these three, the wife of the Grand Physician’s residence had been the earliest to propose, but after learning that the other two families had also entered the picture, she had realistically assessed her own position and surmised that her son likely did not stand a chance in the Pu family’s eyes. She had not harbored great hopes, but there remained a touch of unwillingness — a sense of having been outclassed. Today she had come to see which of Prince Duan’s residence or the Qi’yang Marquis’s household would end up having the last laugh. In any case, whichever family the Pu family ultimately chose, one of the two would end up in the same position as herself, unable to secure the match. Thinking of it that way made her feel somewhat more at ease.

The Marchioness had full confidence in both her family’s standing and in her son — but she also knew that Prince Duan’s grandson was a very fine prospect, and the other party was also of the imperial clan, which made her somewhat apprehensive. She feared that if she lost to Prince Duan’s residence, she would be the one to lose face.

On the side of Prince Duan’s consort — she had previously thought that Meng Shi seemed quite interested in her grandson, but she also knew that the Marquis’s son was indeed a talented young man, and it was entirely possible the Pu family might choose him. If so, her side would be the one to suffer the embarrassment. Like the Marchioness, she was not entirely certain of the outcome.

As for Meng Shi, who had a daughter to marry off — she had originally been most drawn to Prince Duan’s grandson, but after her husband had spoken to her about it, she felt his reasoning was also sound and was now undecided, her heart troubled. But today was her daughter’s birthday, so of course she let none of this show, and kept to pleasantries with the guests.

A household servant came to announce that the banquet had been prepared. She invited everyone to take their seats.

The ladies rose and walked with Meng Shi, chatting and laughing, toward the banquet hall. Just then, a steward came running in from outside, saying that the palace had sent people with a birthday gift for the young mistress.

Meng Shi was greatly surprised.

From Penglai Palace — the residence of Empress Dowager Jiang — birthday gifts had already been sent that morning when Li Hui’er had arrived. Why was the palace now sending another separate gift? She hurriedly asked who had come. When she heard it was the eunuch named Song Changsheng who served at the Emperor’s side, Meng Shi was even more bewildered. She truly could not fathom how her daughter’s connections could be so remarkable that not only was she turning a mere fourteen years old, but even the Emperor himself had heard of it and sent someone to the house with gifts.

She hurried out to welcome the palace party into the main hall.

Song Changsheng led the procession of palace attendants, who carried in over ten trays of gifts and filed into the main hall. After the attendants had set everything down, he smiled and told Meng Shi that the Emperor had learned today was the Pu residence’s daughter’s fourteenth birthday and had specially sent him to offer congratulations, along with these birthday gifts. With that, he began to read aloud the bestowed items: two hundred bolts of silk and brocade, two sable-fur and white-fox-fur garments, two boxes of gold and jade ornaments from the imperial workshop, one ancient qin with a crystal bridge and carved phoenix head, and in addition, a set of twelve ivory, tortoiseshell, and sandalwood fans presented for the young mistress’s amusement, as well as numerous writing implements including paintings, a brush stand, a brush drum, a water dropper, a paperweight, and countless other small items too numerous to list.

Meng Shi and the ladies in the hall were still dazzled by all they had seen and heard, when Song Changsheng announced further that the Emperor was also bestowing upon the Pu family’s daughter the imperial garden known as Qionghua Garden as a birthday gift. From this day forward, it was hers.

In an instant, everyone was struck dumb.

Qionghua Garden was situated adjacent to the Western Garden. It covered a vast area: to the west lay meadows and woodlands with archery ranges, horse tracks, and polo grounds; to the east, the garden opened onto the imperial lake, where dragon boats and phoenix barges floated, connected by arching rainbow bridges — one could ascend its towers to enjoy the snow in winter, or take a boat out to gather lotus blossoms in summer.

All those other bestowed objects were one thing — but the Emperor had waved his hand and thrown in this famous imperial garden as a birthday gift for the Pu family’s daughter?

What extraordinary favor this was.

Song Changsheng finished delivering the gifts, had only a few sips of tea, and took his leave to return to the palace and report back.

Meng Shi saw the palace delegation off, then returned inside to find the assembled ladies surrounding her with congratulations and expressions of envy. She smiled broadly on the outside but felt confused and uneasy within. Once the last guest had finally been seen off, she immediately sent someone to fetch her husband from his office, and pointed to the Emperor’s bestowed gifts, asking him what on earth this all meant.

Pu Yuanqiao was equally at a loss and could not make sense of it.

After the couple had speculated for a while, Meng Shi suddenly hit upon a possibility and cried out: “Could it be that the princess went to the Emperor to request an imperially decreed marriage, and the Emperor agreed — and so he has bestowed all these gifts upon our daughter?”

With his wife’s prompting, Pu Yuanqiao also thought it extremely likely. Seeing his wife’s face full of worry, he thought for a moment and reassured her: “Don’t panic yet! Don’t say anything to Zhuzhu for now. I’ll go to the palace at once, using the pretext of giving thanks, and sound out the Emperor’s intentions to see what is really going on. If it truly is as you say, then even at the risk of offending His Majesty, I will decline this marriage!”

Meng Shi was worried both about her husband offending the Emperor and about their daughter being married off by imperial decree to someone unsuitable. Her mind was in turmoil. Then a steward came hurrying in to report that Prince Qin was at the door requesting a visit.

Husband and wife looked at each other.

Pu Yuanqiao said: “The Prince has come just in time. Don’t panic — let me ask him, and see if he knows anything of what’s going on.”

What else could be done now but this? Meng Shi, brow furrowed with worry, withdrew first. Pu Yuanqiao straightened his robes and hurried out to receive the guest. Sure enough, it was Prince Qin — in a golden coronet and magnificent robes, his face fair as jade, looking full of energy and high spirits. They exchanged a few pleasantries, and Pu Yuanqiao led him to the study and they took their seats.

Pu Yuanqiao spoke a few words with him and found that he too was not raising any particular matter — he seemed only to have come for idle conversation. So he turned the topic to the Emperor’s lavish gift to his daughter today, saying: “This subject and my wife are truly frightened by it all. Our daughter is nothing remarkable — this is merely a small fourteenth birthday — how could she presume to accept such extravagant gifts from His Majesty? We are truly ashamed! Does Your Highness know why His Majesty has suddenly bestowed such rich gifts upon our daughter?”

When he had finished asking, he saw Prince Qin rise from his seat, come to stand before him, and bow with great formality. He was baffled and hurriedly declined the gesture: “Your Highness, what does this mean? This subject dare not receive such a bow! Please be seated, Your Highness!”

“To be frank, I have called upon you today with a presumptuous purpose: I wish to make a marriage proposal. If the General would be willing to grant me his daughter’s hand, I would be deeply grateful beyond all measure!”

Pu Yuanqiao’s heart lurched. His first thought was that Li Xuandu had come personally on behalf of his nephew to propose marriage, and his face changed color at once. Suppressing his displeasure with difficulty, he said: “Your Highness, are you here to speak on behalf of Young Master Han? Our daughter is dull-witted and would not be a worthy match for the young master — she would not dare to aspire to such a connection. This marriage — no matter what — our Pu family simply cannot agree to it.”

He had finished speaking when he saw Prince Qin start, then say to him: “General, you have misunderstood. The one who wishes to marry your daughter is myself.”

Now it was Pu Yuanqiao’s turn to be dumbstruck.

Li Xuandu paused for a moment. “To speak plainly, I have harbored deep feelings for your daughter, and so today I have boldly called upon you to make clear my intentions with the utmost sincerity. If the General would be willing to grant his approval, it would be the greatest honor of my life — Li Xuandu’s.”

When he finished speaking, he gathered his robes and knelt before him, performing a full kowtow.

Pu Yuanqiao had at first thought he had heard wrong, and was simply astonished. Then, seeing that after speaking, Li Xuandu had actually knelt before him in the manner of a junior to a senior, he finally came back to his senses. He nearly jumped up from his seat, hurried over, and lifted the man from the ground.

He knew this young prince before him better than almost anyone.

From the time Li Xuandu was sixteen and set out beyond the passes, the two of them had worked alongside each other off and on ever since, fighting through countless battles large and small, weathering one crisis after another, and resolving them one by one.

This young man’s character and ability were beyond question — Pu Yuanqiao admired him greatly. What was more, when they had been beyond the passes, Li Xuandu had never used his status to demand any special treatment, which was all the rarer for it.

Yet however exemplary he was, in Pu Yuanqiao’s eyes, he had always regarded him as the Emperor’s fourth son, a friend across the gap of generations.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that the man had set his sights on his own daughter.

When had this happened?

No wonder the Emperor had been so generous today, bestowing such lavish gifts on his daughter.

So it was all just the Emperor getting a head start on his son’s behalf.

After helping Prince Qin to his feet, Pu Yuanqiao’s expression was peculiar, and for a moment he had absolutely no idea what to say.

Agree — it was all too sudden. Never mind whether his daughter knew what to make of it; even he himself found it somewhat difficult to take in all at once.

Refuse outright — after all, they had enjoyed a good relationship until now, and moreover, the other party’s identity was unusual. He could not quite bring himself to do it face-to-face.

Even Pu Yuanqiao — a man who had once traveled through the Western Regions, his tongue sharp as a sword, seasoned by countless brushes with life and death — was now at a complete loss for words. Seeing that Li Xuandu was still watching him, seemingly waiting for a reply, he finally managed to stammer: “…This… Your Highness, might you allow me some time to consider…”

“Of course — naturally!”

Li Xuandu, hearing that he had not outright refused, let out a breath of relief and nodded immediately.

“General, if I, Li Xuandu, should be so fortunate as to take your daughter as my wife, I swear that for the rest of my life I will be devoted to her and to her alone, with no divided heart. Heaven and the divine are my witnesses. I ask the General to convey my intentions to Madam as well, and I earnestly beg you both to give this matter your consideration.”

“I will not take up more of the General’s time. I shall take my leave and await good news.”

Li Xuandu finished speaking, bowed to him once more, and withdrew.

Pu Yuanqiao had forgotten to see his guest out, and only watched as he left on his own. Standing there in the study, he drifted into a daze. After a moment, he heard footsteps and looked up to see Meng Shi entering — and with that, came back to himself.

Meng Shi scolded her husband: “What is the matter with you — the Prince was leaving and you didn’t even see him off! I had to send him out myself.” Having scolded him, she saw him saying nothing, and asked: “Well? Did you ask him about it? Does he know what’s going on? Surely the Emperor isn’t really intending to give our daughter to Young Master Han, is he?”

Pu Yuanqiao leaned toward his wife and said a few words in a low voice.

Meng Shi cried out: “What? Prince Qin? He wants to marry our daughter?”

Pu Yuanqiao nodded.

Meng Shi suddenly understood everything: “Of course! No wonder that day when he sent our daughter back from Guo’an Temple, I always felt something was a little off about him. At the time I thought I was imagining things, but it was real after all! So he had developed such feelings for our daughter! When did this start?”

Pu Yuanqiao shook his head and said he didn’t know.

Meng Shi was quiet for a moment, then began talking almost to herself: “Prince Qin is actually wonderful! Even though he’s a prince’s son, he is remarkably humble — and his manners, needless to say — I’ve never seen a younger man with better manners than him. He’s capable too, and handsome as well — just right for our daughter! And there’s nobody messy around him! If there’s anything to say against it at all, it’s only that he’s a few years older than our daughter. But a few years older — doesn’t that just mean he’ll be more understanding and considerate…”

“And what’s more — today he actually came in person to make his intentions clear and propose to us. That shows how deeply he respects us!”

The more Meng Shi thought about it, the better it seemed. She had almost the feeling of searching far and wide for something, only to find it suddenly right before her eyes. She felt that compared to him, all those young men who had proposed marriage before truly each had their own shortcomings, and none of them were a worthy match for her daughter. As for when exactly Prince Qin had begun to have feelings for her daughter… well, what did that matter?

She abruptly turned to her husband: “You didn’t refuse him just now, did you?”

Pu Yuanqiao shook his head: “No — I only said I needed time to consider…”

Before her husband had finished speaking, Meng Shi breathed a sigh of relief: “Good, then! I’m going to ask our daughter right now and see what she thinks. If she agrees too, then I have no objection…”

Pu Yuanqiao had not even registered what was happening before he saw his wife abandon him and hurry out of the study to go find their daughter. He was left staring after her, dumbfounded, and then, afraid that his precious daughter might be frightened by the news, he anxiously went hurrying after her.