When Jiang Yuanbai emerged from the Imperial Study, his palms were soaked with sweat. The words he had just spoken were what Jiang Li had told him that day. He had initially held a doubtful attitude but was ultimately persuaded by her.

Rather than let Prince Cheng win over another Shen Yurun, it would be better to have Prince Cheng form a marriage alliance with the Li family, who already belonged to him. Once the Li family and Prince Cheng formed this marriage alliance, it would be tantamount to openly declaring to the world that the Right Chancellor belonged to Prince Cheng.

When the Li family had initially allied with Prince Cheng, they did so secretly. Now, although everyone in the court tacitly understood this, it wasn’t openly displayed. If Emperor Hongxiao agreed, it would be equivalent to completely binding the Right Chancellor to Prince Cheng. This seemed like a good thing for Prince Cheng—strengthening the alliance through marriage. But once it was declared to the world, if one day Prince Cheng staged a revolt and was defeated, the Li family wouldn’t need a reason—they would accompany Prince Cheng straight to hell.

Share blessings together, and naturally share hardships together as well.

For Emperor Hongxiao, this should also be a convenient decision.

Jiang Yuanbai thought this as he walked on without stopping. He had already said what needed to be said. As for how Emperor Hongxiao would decide, that was beyond his control.

In the Imperial Study, Emperor Hongxiao was looking at the memorial before him, deep in thought.

Eunuch Su attended at his side. Emperor Hongxiao suddenly asked, “The eldest son of Right Chancellor Li’s family, Li Xian—how old is he now?”

Eunuch Su quickly replied, “In answer to Your Majesty, Young Master Li is twenty-three years old.”

“Twenty-three…” Emperor Hongxiao murmured. “Shen Yurun is a year older than him. In that case, he’s even more suitable than Shen Yurun.” He said, “I shall draft an edict.”

Eunuch Su hurried to grind ink. He heard the young emperor say again, “To bestow a marriage.”

…

After leaving the palace, the first thing Jiang Yuanbai did upon returning to the Jiang residence was find Jiang Li, who was reading in Fangfei Garden, and call her into his study.

“How did you know the palace was planning to arrange Princess Yongning’s marriage?” Jiang Yuanbai asked.

When Jiang Li had spoken of it before, he hadn’t taken it to heart. But now that her words proved true, Jiang Yuanbai had to take it seriously.

“Does Father remember,” Jiang Li said, “I once went to the Duke’s residence for Old General Ji’s birthday banquet.” Jiang Li calmly pushed everything onto the Duke’s residence. After all, Jiang Yuanbai wouldn’t go to the Duke’s residence to verify. She said, “At the birthday banquet, I heard fragments of conversation about these matters. Actually, what I told Father that day—that Li Xian was the best candidate—wasn’t something I said. It was what those people at the Duke’s residence said. I just thought these words made great sense, and since Father frequently moves about the palace, you might be asked about this matter. If you could help, that would be very good.”

“The people at the Duke’s residence said this?” Jiang Yuanbai didn’t believe it. “Why would the people at the Duke’s residence concern themselves with such matters?” Ji Heng had no grievance with Prince Cheng, nor was he close to the Jiang family. In fact, throughout the entire court, aside from Emperor Hongxiao trusting him, everyone else failed to catch Ji Heng’s eye. For the people at the Duke’s residence to say such things appeared to place them in opposition to Prince Cheng. Although this was natural—if Ji Heng supported Emperor Hongxiao, he would naturally be incompatible with Prince Cheng like fire and water. But Jiang Yuanbai also felt that what Ji Heng did on ordinary days seemed too ambiguous and untrustworthy.

“Father, if you ask me these things, I truly cannot answer.” Jiang Li said honestly. “It was only the span of one meal. I really don’t know more. If Father wants to know more about why the people at the Duke’s residence said such things, you might as well personally visit the Duke’s residence and ask clearly.”

Jiang Yuanbai was at a loss for words. How could he visit the Duke’s residence? What would others think if word reached their ears? Others would think the Jiang family and the Duke’s residence had some private dealings. The emperor was already suspicious—wouldn’t this add fuel to the fire?

“However, Father,” Jiang Li looked at him searchingly. “Do you mean that the palace is truly preparing Princess Yongning’s marriage?”

Jiang Yuanbai glanced at Jiang Li. She looked at him curiously. Thinking that this matter would be known sooner or later anyway, Jiang Yuanbai sighed and nodded. “Today His Majesty asked me who would be a suitable candidate. I told His Majesty that I thought Young Master Li and Princess Yongning were very well-matched. As for how His Majesty will decide, I don’t know.”

Jiang Li said, “His Majesty will certainly bestow marriage between Young Master Li and Princess Yongning.”

“How do you know?” Jiang Yuanbai looked at her doubtfully.

“Could the court possibly find a second person more suitable than Young Master Li?” Jiang Li said matter-of-factly.

Jiang Yuanbai was speechless for a moment before saying, “Consort Dowager Liu hopes for the Palace Secretary to become Princess Yongning’s prince consort.”

Jiang Li sneered inwardly, though her expression remained unchanged. She said, “Lord Shen’s family background is too thin, isn’t it? Moreover, His Majesty thinks so highly of Lord Shen—how could he bear to hand him over to others? I imagine that the moment Father proposed Young Master Li, His Majesty decided to change the person for the bestowed marriage.”

Jiang Yuanbai sighed. “I think so as well.”

“Why is Father so troubled?”

“Prince Cheng’s side will sooner or later learn that I played a role in pushing this matter forward. If they had their sights set on Shen Yurun from the start, and I disrupted this matter, I’m afraid they’ll resent me.”

Jiang Li said coolly, “Even without this matter, Prince Cheng and our Jiang family aren’t friends. Since that’s so, why worry about such things? Better to clearly see who the master is and focus on following one person.” Her words carried implication. “Fence-sitters ultimately please neither side.”

Jiang Yuanbai had always been smooth and tactful. Jiang Li’s words were warning him not to harbor any lucky thoughts—since he had decided to support Emperor Hongxiao, he shouldn’t think he could coexist peacefully with Prince Cheng. Jiang Yuanbai naturally heard the subtext in Jiang Li’s words. Being lectured by his own daughter made him somewhat angry. But seeing Jiang Li’s gentle expression, as if she truly had his best interests at heart and was thinking of the entire Jiang family’s fate, he swallowed back the rebuke that had reached his lips.

Fine. Now he only had this one daughter by his side.

Walking out of Jiang Yuanbai’s study, Jiang Li’s expression grew cold.

Princess Yongning’s actions were even faster than Jiang Li had imagined. It seemed she greatly anticipated this unborn “life.” That was why she was so eager to bring about the marriage with Shen Yurun.

But her scheme was destined to fail.

As Jiang Li walked forward, her thoughts turned again to Xue Huaiyuan at the Ye residence. Ye Mingyu had sent word that Xue Huaiyuan still hadn’t awakened, but Situ Jiuyue said it wasn’t a bad thing. Jiang Li very much hoped that before Xue Huaiyuan woke up, her plan could proceed smoothly.

When Xue Huaiyuan truly awakened, he would face the chief culprit responsible for the Xue family’s fate, finally beginning to pay the real price after getting away with it for a year.

…

In spring, all things grew, grass and trees were fresh, and many new things happened in the capital.

But the news that came this morning was too sudden, leaving many people unprepared.

When Emperor Hongxiao held morning court, just before dismissal, he suddenly issued an edict bestowing marriage between the eldest son of the Right Chancellor’s residence and Prince Cheng’s sister, Princess Yongning, with the wedding to take place next month.

This bestowed marriage came so abruptly that Young Master Li’s expression changed instantly in the Golden Throne Hall. Even when the Right Chancellor later reminded him to come forward to receive the edict, Young Master Li nearly stumbled when accepting it.

Prince Cheng’s expression also looked very displeased. It seemed no one had notified him of this matter. That made sense—his own sister’s lifelong happiness had suddenly been decided, and Prince Cheng had known nothing beforehand. But before all the civil and military officials, Prince Cheng couldn’t say anything. Moreover, Emperor Hongxiao gave him no opportunity to speak. After issuing the marriage edict and seeing Young Master Li accept it, he dismissed court with a smile.

The young emperor’s mood was rarely this good.

Leaving behind the people involved with somber expressions. At the same time, standing in the crowd, Shen Yurun, who had always been favored by Emperor Hongxiao, now had a heavy look in his eyes. He was always refined and cultured, maintaining a faint smile on his face at all times, but today, this smile seemed very difficult to maintain. After court dismissed, he didn’t exchange pleasantries with his friendly colleagues. After a pause, he strode away as if he couldn’t stay there a moment longer.

Upon learning the news, Consort Dowager Liu immediately went to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility to confront the Empress Dowager.

“Elder Sister,” she looked at the Empress Dowager fingering her prayer beads and said, “I clearly told you it was about Yongning’s marriage to Lord Shen. How did His Majesty end up bestowing marriage with Young Master Li? How can I explain this to Yongning? Elder Sister, you didn’t do this deliberately, did you?”

The Empress Dowager looked at her calmly, her voice like stagnant water, unable to stir up the slightest ripple. She said, “This dowager did not deceive you. What this dowager told His Majesty was indeed about Lord Shen. But His Majesty is not a child. He has his own judgment. This dowager also doesn’t know His Majesty’s thoughts. If you don’t believe it, go confront His Majesty. Perhaps His Majesty will change his mind.”

Consort Dowager Liu was both anxious and angry. How could she confront Emperor Hongxiao? Emperor Hongxiao had long hated them, mother and son, to the core. As if he would listen to her.

“Actually, changing it to Young Master Li may not be a bad thing.” The Empress Dowager said slowly. “Right Chancellor Li’s family has a far more substantial background than the Shen family. The point you care about most—for the Li family, it’s nothing at all.”

Consort Dowager Liu’s heart stirred. This was indeed true. Although the emperor’s arbitrary bestowal of marriage made her angry, Consort Dowager Liu hadn’t liked Shen Yurun to begin with. First, he was formerly a commoner. Second, Yongning marrying him would make her a second wife, which she was unhappy about. Li Xian was different. No matter what, the Right Chancellor was still a chancellor. Li Xian was also talented and handsome—no worse than Shen Yurun.

“But Yongning doesn’t know about this matter,” Consort Dowager Liu thought of Princess Yongning’s temperament and still felt uneasy. “How can I explain this to her?”

The Empress Dowager maintained her calm appearance. “In matters of marriage, parental command and matchmaker’s words have been the principle since ancient times. Even though Yongning is a princess, it doesn’t mean she can arbitrarily choose a prince consort. Compared to those princesses who marry far away for diplomatic alliances, she’s already very fortunate. Moreover, the fault in this matter lies neither with you nor with this dowager. This is His Majesty’s decree. If Yongning refuses to marry, it would be defying the imperial decree.”

Consort Dowager Liu was also troubled. If Prince Cheng truly succeeded in his undertaking, who would care about Emperor Hongxiao’s decree? Unfortunately, Yongning was in such a hurry and proposed the bestowed marriage at this critical juncture. For now, everyone still had to listen to Emperor Hongxiao’s words.

“Young Master Li appears quite excellent. Yongning is only being stubborn for a few days. Once she truly marries over, she’ll naturally understand you did this for her own good. No need to worry so much about this,” the Empress Dowager said. “More worry is futile. This dowager has said all there is to say. If you’re still dissatisfied, then take Yongning and go cry to His Majesty.” After finishing this sentence, the Empress Dowager closed her eyes, looking as if she was unwilling to say more to Consort Dowager Liu.

Consort Dowager Liu felt resentful, but she also understood the Empress Dowager wasn’t speaking falsely. Standing before the Empress Dowager, thinking it over, she felt it made sense. Compared to Shen Yurun, she had always favored Li Xian more. Yongning was just being childish for the moment. After making a fuss for a few days, she would naturally understand. She said no more, turned and walked out, planning to first return to her own side palace. If Princess Yongning came looking for her, she should be in her palace by now.

…

In Consort Dowager Liu’s side palace, servants were currently all kneeling on the floor. The palace maids trembled, and the ground was in complete disarray.

Princess Yongning had suddenly stormed in demanding to see Consort Dowager Liu. Upon learning Consort Dowager Liu wasn’t there, she began smashing things on the tables. She was obviously extremely angry. The palace maids, who knew this princess’s temperament well, didn’t dare say a word and only hoped Consort Dowager Liu would return quickly. Although Consort Dowager Liu was usually domineering and tyrannical, at this moment, only she could make Princess Yongning stop.

Princess Yongning’s heart was in a panic.

No one knew how she felt the moment she learned of the marriage bestowal edict. What had seemed like a sure thing—she had even heard that the Empress Dowager had gone to see His Majesty, and surely His Majesty wouldn’t contradict the Empress Dowager’s words even for the sake of appearances. Who knew Emperor Hongxiao would be so audacious? He indeed didn’t contradict her, but he changed the person!

How could this work?

She still had Shen Yurun’s child in her belly. How could she marry someone else? Princess Yongning wanted to understand what was going on. She had originally wanted to explain to Shen Yurun. But after court dismissed, Shen Yurun was nowhere to be found in the palace. Princess Yongning couldn’t find him. Thinking he might be angry, her heart grew more panicked. But more urgent was that she had to quickly correct this mistake.

The most direct method was to have Consort Dowager Liu step forward.

Just as she was waiting impatiently, a palace maid came to report from outside, “The Consort Dowager has returned.”

Princess Yongning sprang to her feet and rushed forward. “Mother Consort!”

“What are you doing?” Consort Dowager Liu frowned, looking at the mess all over the floor and said with displeasure, “Yongning, it’s one thing for you to make a scene normally, but this isn’t your princess’s residence!”

Princess Yongning remained unmoved, her eyes red-rimmed. “Mother Consort, you still care about these things? I’m about to be sold off, and you still care about these material possessions?”

“What do you mean ‘sold off’?” Consort Dowager Liu said while stepping over a broken vase, ordering the palace maids to clean up the place. She sat down and said, “Don’t speak nonsense.”

“The marriage decree!” Princess Yongning said loudly. “I clearly told you it was Shen Yurun. How did it become Li Xian? Mother Consort! I won’t marry Li Xian. In this life, I will only marry Shen Yurun!”

Consort Dowager Liu quickly had all the palace maids leave and glared at her. “You dare say anything. The palace is full of spies everywhere. If you’re not afraid of being overheard, I am.”

Seeing Princess Yongning looking as if she would truly cry, Consort Dowager Liu explained, “I did tell the Empress Dowager that I hoped to bestow marriage between Shen Yurun and you, and the Empress Dowager agreed. All these years, though I look down on her, I know she won’t do one thing to your face and another behind your back. She doesn’t care about these palace matters. The one who privately changed the person was Emperor Hongxiao.” Speaking of this, a flash of malice appeared in Consort Dowager Liu’s eyes. “That little wolf cub—whenever he gets a chance, he tries to trip us up. I told you long ago he’s a disaster if left alive!”

“Why would His Majesty do this?” Princess Yongning said. “I only wanted a prince consort. How does it hinder him?”

“Who knows? Perhaps he just wanted to vex us.” Consort Dowager Liu said carelessly. “Yongning, I think Li Xian is actually quite good. His father is the Right Chancellor. The Right Chancellor is quite sensible and gets along well with your brother. If you marry into the Li family, they won’t mistreat you.”

“I already said,” Princess Yongning’s tone was resolute, “I won’t marry Li Xian. The only person I will marry is Shen Yurun!”

“Then what will you do? That’s an imperial decree. If you don’t obey, it’s defying the decree. Furthermore, even if you’re a princess and fear nothing, not even defying the decree, what about Shen Yurun? Shen Yurun is a subject. When the ruler wants a subject dead, the subject cannot refuse. Shen Yurun’s life and death are in the emperor’s hands with just a thought. Even if the emperor is wary of other concerns and doesn’t dare act against you, Shen Yurun—he can certainly act against him.”

Hearing this, Yongning immediately panicked. “He can’t act against Shen Yurun!”

Consort Dowager Liu looked at her. The panic in Princess Yongning’s eyes grew thicker. Indeed, perhaps Emperor Hongxiao, constrained by Prince Cheng’s power, couldn’t do anything to her, but with Shen Yurun, he could easily dispose of him.

Princess Yongning nearly burst into tears, murmuring, “Then what should I do?”

She had always been arrogant and domineering. When had she ever been this vulnerable and helpless? Watching her, Consort Dowager Liu couldn’t bear it and asked, “Do you truly want to marry no one but Shen Yurun?”

Princess Yongning nodded.

“I do have one method.”

Princess Yongning seized upon this like grasping a lifeline, eagerly pursuing, “What method?”

“When I spoke to the Empress Dowager before, I didn’t mention when the marriage should take place. When the Empress Dowager told His Majesty, she probably didn’t mention this either. Since the decree states the marriage shall take place on an auspicious date, I can tell His Majesty to postpone it somewhat—say, until this winter. By then…” Her voice lowered. “Heaven and earth will have already changed. Who will still care about this decree?”

Princess Yongning was stunned but understood Consort Dowager Liu’s meaning.

Prince Cheng would stage his revolt soon, at least before this winter. As long as the revolt succeeded, this decree would be worthless. The emperor would have changed—what did one decree matter?

This was the only method Consort Dowager Liu could think of—have Yongning delay this marriage until the decree became invalid, and the betrothal would naturally not count.

But… Princess Yongning shook her head. “That won’t work.”

“Why not?” Consort Dowager Liu was puzzled.

Princess Yongning was about to speak when she suddenly felt nauseous in her throat. She bent over at once, covering her mouth and dry heaving. Consort Dowager Liu was startled and quickly had people support her, wanting to summon the imperial physician to see if she was unwell.

Princess Yongning grabbed Consort Dowager Liu’s hand. “Don’t summon the physician!”

Consort Dowager Liu looked at her. Slowly, her gaze changed. She said, “Yongning, you couldn’t be…”

“Mother Consort,” Princess Yongning looked at her, somewhat panicked and at a loss. “I’m carrying Shen Yurun’s child.”

…

Shen Yurun was on his way home.

Walking toward the emperor-bestowed residence, there were also some official households in the neighboring residences. When he usually walked this way, people recognized him and always looked at him with envious eyes. But today, walking home, he felt surrounded by mocking gazes.

This was of course impossible, Shen Yurun knew. These people couldn’t possibly know about his relationship with Princess Yongning. Therefore, they also wouldn’t know what tremendous waves that marriage decree this morning had stirred up in his heart.

That feeling of being constantly watched was an illusion, yet it reminded him of another time. When Xue Fangfei was caught having an illicit affair, the people of the capital had looked at him with that same pitying yet amused gaze.

Today, the past and present had reunited once again. So much so that he almost couldn’t distinguish whether this was a dream or reality, or perhaps the events of the past year had all been an absurd dream. When he pushed open the door, his beautiful, intelligent Madam Shen would still come forward with a smile, gentle and welcoming.

Like a joke, Shen Yurun thought.

He didn’t love Princess Yongning. Every moment he spent with Princess Yongning was reluctant appeasement to him. When Princess Yongning clung to him obsessively, he wanted to push her away. Now that Emperor Hongxiao’s marriage decree had come down, without him having to push her away, Princess Yongning could no longer approach him. Suddenly, his heart filled with panic.

It was like spending a very long time raising a beast. He found the beast too clingy, consuming too much of his time. He had to wait for the beast to slowly grow, become fat and meaty, before slaughtering it. But before harvest season arrived, the beast suddenly ran away. Drawing water with a bamboo basket—all efforts had been in vain.

Including his beautiful wife—her sacrifice had also become worthless.

Emperor Hongxiao’s marriage decree had already been issued. Shen Yurun saw more clearly than others. He knew this matter had no room for negotiation. Princess Yongning had to marry Li Xian. Even if Prince Cheng succeeded in his revolt later, Prince Cheng wouldn’t wrong the Li family, this source of support. He himself would become a stumbling block between Yongning and Li Xian. Between the Li family and himself, Prince Cheng would certainly choose one.

It seemed he had no chance of winning, because the Li family had a substantial background while the Shen family’s past was nothing. But even if he relied on his abilities to gain Prince Cheng’s favor and make Prince Cheng believe the Li family wasn’t as valuable as himself, that was comparing a man to a tiger. For Princess Yongning to marry him again, she would have to break off the betrothal with Li Xian.

This time, Shen Yurun had truly been cuckolded.

Two “cuckold” incidents. The first time was his initiative, not hesitating to become everyone’s pitiful laughingstock just to climb upward. The second time, he was still climbing upward, but the higher he climbed, the less willing he was to let others ridicule him.

The higher one climbs, the more unwilling one becomes to lose more.

Shen Yurun reached his doorstep but was unwilling to enter. He knew very clearly that as soon as he entered the Shen residence, his mother would come forward, and Shen Ruyun, having received the news, would also rush back. They would press him about what had happened. They regarded Princess Yongning as a great tree, and he was the person clinging to that tree. Now this tree was about to fall, so they would rush over in panic to demand why from him.

Why indeed?

Absurd like a joke. Everything felt like such a coincidence, as if heaven were deliberately punishing him for what he had done in the past.

He had no solution. He was helpless.

…

Princess Yongning returned to the princess’s residence in a daze.

Consort Dowager Liu had said all the good and bad words possible, finally making Princess Yongning understand one fact. This marriage was unavoidable, as long as she still wanted the child in her belly to be born legitimately.

The first thing Consort Dowager Liu did upon learning Princess Yongning was pregnant was to have someone brew medicine. One bowl down, and it would be as if nothing had happened.

It was Princess Yongning kneeling on the ground, hugging Consort Dowager Liu’s legs, weeping bitterly, that softened her heart and changed her mind. She had never begged anyone so humbly in her life, but these past few days, for this child, she seemed to have done all the impossible things.

Princess Yongning touched her lower abdomen, recalling how in Consort Dowager Liu’s palace, she had desperately asked, “Mother Consort, is there truly no other way? Can elder brother think of another method?”

Consort Dowager Liu had answered her, “This matter cannot be told to your brother. Your brother has been very busy recently and cannot be distracted by these things… Moreover, the Right Chancellor has close dealings with him. If your brother learns of this, there’s no guarantee the Right Chancellor won’t find out. No matter how good the relationship, what family could be so magnanimous as to accept you marrying into their household carrying someone else’s child? If Li Xian doesn’t know, on the wedding night, I’ll find someone to think of a way to get you through it. Later, we’ll figure out how to give birth to the child. If you tell your brother, beware of causing trouble.”

Left with no choice, Princess Yongning could only accept this method. Moreover, to prevent herself from showing pregnancy and arousing suspicion, Consort Dowager Liu would have to take the initiative to tell His Majesty, hoping for marriage next month.

In other words, next month, Princess Yongning would marry into the Li family, become the eldest young madam of the Li family, and nurture this life in the Li household. When the child was born, his father would be Li Xian, not Shen Yurun.

Princess Yongning felt as if all the strength in her body had been exhausted. She could barely sit steady. Her face pale, she suddenly felt everything was so powerless.

She had been fixated on marrying into the Shen family, even planning long ago. From the first moment she saw Shen Yurun, she knew this man belonged to her. She had caused Xue Fangfei’s death, cleared away all obstacles early on. Yet now, when everything seemed to be going smoothly, how had it all fallen apart at the last moment?

Before her eyes suddenly floated the image of when she had gone to see Xue Fangfei before her death. Xue Fangfei had lain in bed, looking at her, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Now that smile also seemed mocking.

Was she mocking how, after scheming with all her might, it had all come to nothing in the end? She had married someone else and still didn’t become Madam Shen.

Shen Yurun still didn’t know she was carrying his child. Upon learning of the marriage decree, he hadn’t come to see her. Princess Yongning didn’t know what Shen Yurun was thinking. Was he angry, or did he simply not care? Or perhaps he, like her, found all of this absurd?

Her greatest confusion was—how had things turned out this way?