That way, no one would ever know that Yan Shiyao was in fact the daughter of the General’s household — and Yuè’er’s calamity could still be resolved.

This was why he had insisted that Yuè’er must marry her.

“Your Majesty, the Master divined only half the picture in those years. He knew that if the young lady of the Yan family were together with the Crown Prince, it would be resolved — but that is not the whole truth. It is one life, given in exchange for one calamity.”

The Imperial Diviner spoke calmly. “The Crown Prince has come to care for his destined benefactress, and so his calamity may be resolved. But it is either his death, or hers. The Crown Prince will have to endure the loss of the one he loves — which, in a certain sense, is also a calamity without resolution.”

There had been more than one occasion these past days when he could not stop himself from wondering: was the young lady of the Yan family born into this world solely for the Crown Prince’s sake? Was that fair to her?

Had she come into this world only to save the Crown Prince? But this was their fate.

Unless one could identify and eliminate the key figure who would ultimately bring about the Crown Prince’s calamity.

Yet that was far easier said than done. That key figure wielded enormous influence. Neither he nor the Master had been able to divine where that person was to be found.

What was strange was that the Master, twenty years ago — around the time the young lady of the Yan family was born — had divined that she could resolve the Crown Prince’s calamity. Yet in all the years of divination that followed, it was not until just recently that the Crown Prince’s destined benefactress had been divined at last.

He had been unable to find her in any of his calculations before.

“What?” Prince Xuan’s heart shuddered inwardly.

The General’s household had only Shiyao as blood kin. If she too were to be lost, the great General’s household would be truly finished.

“Your Majesty, I hear the Crown Prince has gone to Qilan again. Perhaps let the Crown Prince stay with her until the very end.” The Imperial Diviner sighed softly.

Prince Xuan pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is understood. Unless it is a matter of urgency, Yuè’er will not be recalled.”

“Then, Your Majesty, this subject takes his leave.”

Prince Xuan waved his hand.

“Your Majesty, do not grieve too deeply.” Eunuch Feng raised a teacup and offered it to Prince Xuan.

Prince Xuan murmured in a low voice, “Eunuch Feng, do you know what is on this emperor’s mind right now? He is rejoicing — rejoicing that Yuè’er never came to love Shiyao.”

It was fortunate, too, that he had never told Yuè’er the reason he was to marry Shiyao. If Yuè’er had fallen in love with Shiyao, he truly would not know what to do now. So he was glad that Yuè’er had not fallen in love with her.

That way, when the time came for Shiyao to… Yuè’er would not have to suffer.

Setting aside his identity as the Emperor, he was a father too. He would admit that he had always shown far more indulgence toward Yuè’er than toward the imperial daughters.

Now, more than ever, he could not tell Yuè’er of this matter. Yuè’er had feelings for the second daughter of the Yan family. If the second daughter were to learn that her elder sister would die to avert Yuè’er’s calamity, it would surely drive a wedge between her and Yuè’er.

“Your Majesty.” Eunuch Feng let out a soft sigh.

Prince Xuan massaged his temple. “Prepare the betrothal gifts again, this time in accordance with the full Crown Princess ceremonial standard. When Yuè’er returns, this emperor will go with him to Qilan to propose the match.”

In a position such as his, having a woman one’s heart desired by one’s side — that was a rare blessing. When Yuè’er returned to Xuanzhao, he would accompany him to propose the match to the Qilan Emperor, and bring the second daughter of the Yan family to Xuanzhao as his bride.

Let the marriage rites be completed early, and with luck, he would hold a grandchild in his arms before long.

“Your Majesty, is the position of Crown Princess to be given to the second daughter of the Yan family?” Eunuch Feng bent at the waist and presented the memorials.

The proposal for the eldest daughter, Yan Shiyao — the Empress had already prepared that betrothal long ago. Now that His Majesty was speaking of proposing again, it surely meant the second daughter.

Prince Xuan took the memorials and leafed through them unhurriedly. “Mm. Yuè’er loves her — the position of Crown Princess is hers.”

With the calamity lifted, Yuè’er could marry whoever he wished. He had no objection, so long as he was given a grandchild to hold.

“This servant understands. It will be seen to immediately.”

“As for Shiyao — find some way to send her compensation.” Prince Xuan tossed down the memorials in his hand with an air of vexation.

The General had given his life for Xuanzhao, and now his daughter would have to give hers for Yuè’er…

Forgive him his selfishness. For the peace of Xuanzhao’s people, and for Yuè’er — he had no choice but to sacrifice Shiyao.

“This servant understands.” Eunuch Feng nodded.

…

Kingdom of Qilan — Pingshi Town.

Yan Shiyao had devoted herself wholeheartedly to caring for Mother Nan over these past few days. Seeing Mother Nan’s spirits lift brought her genuine happiness.

“Yaoyao, what do you think of my Nanhua?” Mother Nan patted her hand with warm affection.

She truly adored this girl. How wonderful it would be if she could become her daughter-in-law. The whole business with A’Chu was not something that could be blamed on Yaoyao — the blame lay entirely with Wenjing. It was Wenjing who had bewitched her daughter and set all of this in motion. The moment A’Chu and Wenjing had left, she had written that daughter off entirely.

“A’Nan, Elder Brother Nanhua is wonderful, of course.” Yan Shiyao smiled.

Over these past few days, Elder Brother Nanhua had looked after her with great care — he was just as good a person as Yuè’er.

Mother Nan smiled so broadly that the lines at the corners of her eyes deepened. “Yaoyao, have your Elder Brother Nanhua take you to the market and get you some food you enjoy, and a few new sets of clothes.”

Let the two of them spend a little time alone together — perhaps by the time they came back, sparks would have flown.

Yan Shiyao shook her head. “A’Nan, there is no need to trouble Elder Brother Nanhua.”

A’Nan did not blame her, and she was already more than grateful. She could not impose on Elder Brother Nanhua any further.

“No trouble at all. If we are speaking of trouble, it is you who has been caring for A’Nan — it is A’Nan who has imposed on you.” Mother Nan laughed warmly.

“Mother.” Nanhua pushed open the wooden door and placed the tonic he held in his hands on the round table. “Mother, your health is not strong — eat more and build up your strength.”

He had only been able to buy these because he had taken Yan Shiyao’s betrothal money.

Not that he could be blamed. If Yan Shiyao had not meddled, how would his younger sister have come to grief? And if his sister had not come to grief, would he have had no silver to his name?

“Very good, very good.” Mother Nan squinted with a smile. “Nanhua, take Yaoyao to the market and buy her a few new sets of clothes.”

Nanhua looked Yan Shiyao over assessingly. New clothes were indeed in order — a proper dressing up, so she would not be sent back as returned goods.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Yan Yunning and the others were still some distance from Pingshi Town. They had stopped at a roadside inn for a rest.

At a wooden table, the four of them sat gathered together, the table covered with the inn’s signature dishes.

“Xuan Yanyu, that look on your face — are you unhappy about coming to find my elder sister?” Yan Yunning cradled a bowl of soup in both hands and brought it to her lips, puffing at the steam to cool it.

She had wanted to come by herself, and he had not allowed it. He had followed along with her to find her elder sister, yet he wore this air of grudging reluctance about him.

Xuan Yanyu reclined casually in his chair, eating unhurriedly, and gave a faint hum.

Yan Yunning’s eyes shifted, and she smiled as she spoke. “Did you not say you were worried about leaving my elder sister on her own? That she was careless and scatterbrained, and you did not feel easy in your mind?”

That was what he had said when she had first been brought back.

“A’Yao, you really are careless and scatterbrained. Without me by your side, I worry about you.”

And how long ago had that been? Look at this reluctant, put-upon expression of his — coming along with her to find her elder sister as though he were being dragged there by force.

Tsk tsk tsk. Yan Yunning clicked her tongue. What a fickle change of heart. He used to insist on staying by her elder sister’s side, and now here he was, so unwilling.

Xuan Yanyu pressed his thin lips together and gave her a faint sidelong glance.

Had he ever said anything about worrying about her? Was she not just making things up?

Yan Yunning lightly raised a brow and looked over at Ye Chen and Ye Jian. “Am I right?”

Ye Jian quickly raised his teacup to his lips and took a sip.

He was drinking tea and could not open his mouth to answer her. Quite reasonable, wasn’t it.

Chapter 70: Yuè’er Loves Her — The Position of Crown Princess Is Hers

That way, no one would ever know that Yan Shiyao was in fact the daughter of the General’s household — and Yuè’er’s calamity could still be resolved.

This was why he had insisted that Yuè’er must marry her.

“Your Majesty, the Master divined only half the picture in those years. He knew that if the young lady of the Yan family were together with the Crown Prince, it would be resolved — but that is not the whole truth. It is one life, given in exchange for one calamity.”

The Imperial Diviner spoke calmly. “The Crown Prince has come to care for his destined benefactress, and so his calamity may be resolved. But it is either his death, or hers. The Crown Prince will have to endure the loss of the one he loves — which, in a certain sense, is also a calamity without resolution.”

There had been more than one occasion these past days when he could not stop himself from wondering: was the young lady of the Yan family born into this world solely for the Crown Prince’s sake? Was that fair to her?

Had she come into this world only to save the Crown Prince? But this was their fate.

Unless one could identify and eliminate the key figure who would ultimately bring about the Crown Prince’s calamity.

Yet that was far easier said than done. That key figure wielded enormous influence. Neither he nor the Master had been able to divine where that person was to be found.

What was strange was that the Master, twenty years ago — around the time the young lady of the Yan family was born — had divined that she could resolve the Crown Prince’s calamity. Yet in all the years of divination that followed, it was not until just recently that the Crown Prince’s destined benefactress had been divined at last.

He had been unable to find her in any of his calculations before.

“What?” Prince Xuan’s heart shuddered inwardly.

The General’s household had only Shiyao as blood kin. If she too were to be lost, the great General’s household would be truly finished.

“Your Majesty, I hear the Crown Prince has gone to Qilan again. Perhaps let the Crown Prince stay with her until the very end.” The Imperial Diviner sighed softly.

Prince Xuan pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is understood. Unless it is a matter of urgency, Yuè’er will not be recalled.”

“Then, Your Majesty, this subject takes his leave.”

Prince Xuan waved his hand.

“Your Majesty, do not grieve too deeply.” Eunuch Feng raised a teacup and offered it to Prince Xuan.

Prince Xuan murmured in a low voice, “Eunuch Feng, do you know what is on this emperor’s mind right now? He is rejoicing — rejoicing that Yuè’er never came to love Shiyao.”

It was fortunate, too, that he had never told Yuè’er the reason he was to marry Shiyao. If Yuè’er had fallen in love with Shiyao, he truly would not know what to do now. So he was glad that Yuè’er had not fallen in love with her.

That way, when the time came for Shiyao to… Yuè’er would not have to suffer.

Setting aside his identity as the Emperor, he was a father too. He would admit that he had always shown far more indulgence toward Yuè’er than toward the imperial daughters.

Now, more than ever, he could not tell Yuè’er of this matter. Yuè’er had feelings for the second daughter of the Yan family. If the second daughter were to learn that her elder sister would die to avert Yuè’er’s calamity, it would surely drive a wedge between her and Yuè’er.

“Your Majesty.” Eunuch Feng let out a soft sigh.

Prince Xuan massaged his temple. “Prepare the betrothal gifts again, this time in accordance with the full Crown Princess ceremonial standard. When Yuè’er returns, this emperor will go with him to Qilan to propose the match.”

In a position such as his, having a woman one’s heart desired by one’s side — that was a rare blessing. When Yuè’er returned to Xuanzhao, he would accompany him to propose the match to the Qilan Emperor, and bring the second daughter of the Yan family to Xuanzhao as his bride.

Let the marriage rites be completed early, and with luck, he would hold a grandchild in his arms before long.

“Your Majesty, is the position of Crown Princess to be given to the second daughter of the Yan family?” Eunuch Feng bent at the waist and presented the memorials.

The proposal for the eldest daughter, Yan Shiyao — the Empress had already prepared that betrothal long ago. Now that His Majesty was speaking of proposing again, it surely meant the second daughter.

Prince Xuan took the memorials and leafed through them unhurriedly. “Mm. Yuè’er loves her — the position of Crown Princess is hers.”

With the calamity lifted, Yuè’er could marry whoever he wished. He had no objection, so long as he was given a grandchild to hold.

“This servant understands. It will be seen to immediately.”

“As for Shiyao — find some way to send her compensation.” Prince Xuan tossed down the memorials in his hand with an air of vexation.

The General had given his life for Xuanzhao, and now his daughter would have to give hers for Yuè’er…

Forgive him his selfishness. For the peace of Xuanzhao’s people, and for Yuè’er — he had no choice but to sacrifice Shiyao.

“This servant understands.” Eunuch Feng nodded.

…

Kingdom of Qilan — Pingshi Town.

Yan Shiyao had devoted herself wholeheartedly to caring for Mother Nan over these past few days. Seeing Mother Nan’s spirits lift brought her genuine happiness.

“Yaoyao, what do you think of my Nanhua?” Mother Nan patted her hand with warm affection.

She truly adored this girl. How wonderful it would be if she could become her daughter-in-law. The whole business with A’Chu was not something that could be blamed on Yaoyao — the blame lay entirely with Wenjing. It was Wenjing who had bewitched her daughter and set all of this in motion. The moment A’Chu and Wenjing had left, she had written that daughter off entirely.

“A’Nan, Elder Brother Nanhua is wonderful, of course.” Yan Shiyao smiled.

Over these past few days, Elder Brother Nanhua had looked after her with great care — he was just as good a person as Yuè’er.

Mother Nan smiled so broadly that the lines at the corners of her eyes deepened. “Yaoyao, have your Elder Brother Nanhua take you to the market and get you some food you enjoy, and a few new sets of clothes.”

Let the two of them spend a little time alone together — perhaps by the time they came back, sparks would have flown.

Yan Shiyao shook her head. “A’Nan, there is no need to trouble Elder Brother Nanhua.”

A’Nan did not blame her, and she was already more than grateful. She could not impose on Elder Brother Nanhua any further.

“No trouble at all. If we are speaking of trouble, it is you who has been caring for A’Nan — it is A’Nan who has imposed on you.” Mother Nan laughed warmly.

“Mother.” Nanhua pushed open the wooden door and placed the tonic he held in his hands on the round table. “Mother, your health is not strong — eat more and build up your strength.”

He had only been able to buy these because he had taken Yan Shiyao’s betrothal money.

Not that he could be blamed. If Yan Shiyao had not meddled, how would his younger sister have come to grief? And if his sister had not come to grief, would he have had no silver to his name?

“Very good, very good.” Mother Nan squinted with a smile. “Nanhua, take Yaoyao to the market and buy her a few new sets of clothes.”

Nanhua looked Yan Shiyao over assessingly. New clothes were indeed in order — a proper dressing up, so she would not be sent back as returned goods.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Yan Yunning and the others were still some distance from Pingshi Town. They had stopped at a roadside inn for a rest.

At a wooden table, the four of them sat gathered together, the table covered with the inn’s signature dishes.

“Xuan Yanyu, that look on your face — are you unhappy about coming to find my elder sister?” Yan Yunning cradled a bowl of soup in both hands and brought it to her lips, puffing at the steam to cool it.

She had wanted to come by herself, and he had not allowed it. He had followed along with her to find her elder sister, yet he wore this air of grudging reluctance about him.

Xuan Yanyu reclined casually in his chair, eating unhurriedly, and gave a faint hum.

Yan Yunning’s eyes shifted, and she smiled as she spoke. “Did you not say you were worried about leaving my elder sister on her own? That she was careless and scatterbrained, and you did not feel easy in your mind?”

That was what he had said when she had first been brought back.

“A’Yao, you really are careless and scatterbrained. Without me by your side, I worry about you.”

And how long ago had that been? Look at this reluctant, put-upon expression of his — coming along with her to find her elder sister as though he were being dragged there by force.

Tsk tsk tsk. Yan Yunning clicked her tongue. What a fickle change of heart. He used to insist on staying by her elder sister’s side, and now here he was, so unwilling.

Xuan Yanyu pressed his thin lips together and gave her a faint sidelong glance.

Had he ever said anything about worrying about her? Was she not just making things up?

Yan Yunning lightly raised a brow and looked over at Ye Chen and Ye Jian. “Am I right?”

Ye Jian quickly raised his teacup to his lips and took a sip.

He was drinking tea and could not open his mouth to answer her. Quite reasonable, wasn’t it.