Princess Yangling was most adept at reading faces. Liu Sansi was hinting that His Majesty didn’t want to hear more on this matter: “Yes.”
After Princess Yangling left, Emperor Youning let out a cold laugh: “When I leaked the news about potential marriage alliance plans, it was to observe their reactions. I never expected my daughter would be the first to show her hand. She’s willing to disregard everything just to avoid the alliance marriage.”
How could news of Tibet’s interest in a marriage alliance leak so early without Emperor Youning’s tacit permission?
Emperor Youning was using this to test the court officials’ reactions, but these cunning individuals, not one of them had stepped forward to take a stance.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The princess is young and precious – even ordinary young ladies are anxious about marrying far away. The princess’s reaction is only natural,” Liu Sansi hurried to pacify him.
Emperor Youning descended from his throne and entered the side hall. Standing with his hands behind his back, he gazed at the map before him, his eyes fixed on Tibet.
Tibet had the northwest to its left and southern Shu to its right. If Tibet could be conquered…
“This time, I absolutely will not agree to a marriage alliance!”
The emperor’s gaze was sharp as a falcon’s, though a flash of pain crossed it momentarily.
Twenty years ago, when he first ascended the throne, he was constrained on all sides and could only watch helplessly as his beloved was forced into a marriage alliance.
During these years, whenever he woke from midnight dreams, he would recall that day when she tearfully pried his hands away: “Your Majesty, this humble one has been blessed to meet you and receive your favor in this life – I have no regrets. I have nothing to offer and regret that I cannot share your burdens. Now that I can contribute what little I can for Your Majesty and our people, it is my fortune.
Please do not grieve, Your Majesty. I go with no hope of return. I only wish that Your Majesty will secure the nation, raise its prestige, strengthen its power, and revive its spirit!
May I be our dynasty’s last marriage alliance bride – may no more Han women suffer this fate!”
Tears like falling stars traced down the emperor’s face. Everyone thought an emperor could do as he pleased, yet he couldn’t even protect one fragile woman.
He was no longer the emperor of those years, controlled by eunuchs, powerful ministers, and warlords. In twenty years, he had achieved his goals. Never again would Han women be sent for marriage alliances – if it meant war, then let there be war!
…
“Help! Youyou—” While Shen Xihe was contemplating how to deal with Princess Yangling next, Bu Shulin came running in from afar, calling out.
Shen Xihe could now calmly ignore her dramatic behavior, not even lifting her head as she continued carefully trimming her flowers and plants.
“Youyou, Youyou.” Bu Shulin rushed forward and grabbed Shen Xihe’s wrist. “Princess Yangling has gone mad – she asked His Majesty to grant our marriage. She wants to marry me!”
Shen Xihe finally paused her work, looking up through the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves: “Marry you?”
“Yes, she wants to marry me!” Bu Shulin’s cheeks hurt from anger.
At this moment, Mo Yuan also entered. He gave Shen Xihe a slight nod.
When Princess Yangling went to request the marriage decree, Emperor Youning hadn’t dismissed his attendants, so many people knew. The news quickly spread both inside and outside the palace. Mo Yuan had come to deliver this news and, hearing Bu Shulin’s words from afar confirmed it to Shen Xihe.
“Where did I slip up?” Bu Shulin couldn’t understand how Yangling had suddenly developed such intentions.
Unlike Emperor Youning, she didn’t think Princess Yangling was trying to avoid a marriage alliance. The capital had many young men, and quite a few could marry a princess. Though taking a princess as wife was like taking in an ancestor, as long as the princess knew propriety and respected her elders, even if the consort was unwilling before marriage, he would soften after living together for a while.
Princess Yangling wouldn’t struggle to find someone else to marry, yet she insisted on marrying her – known for preferring men! Bu Shulin assumed she must have revealed her secret somehow.
“It’s not because of you.” Shen Xihe let out a short, amused snort. “She’s quite clever indeed.”
She never imagined that Princess Yangling would make such a move to protect her life.
With Princess Yangling making such a public gesture of requesting marriage, Shen Xihe couldn’t move against her now. If anything happened to Princess Yangling, Bu Shulin couldn’t explain it away even with ten mouths. It would be extremely disadvantageous for Bu Shulin – even without evidence, His Majesty would likely have the Imperial Investigators watching Bu Shulin constantly.
If Bu Shulin were truly a man it wouldn’t matter, but she was pretending – she couldn’t withstand daily scrutiny from the Imperial Investigators.
“Hmm?” Bu Shulin’s head was full of questions. “Is there something I don’t know about?”
Shen Xihe lowered her head again to trim the branches and leaves: “This matter started with me. Don’t worry about it – I will resolve it for you.”
“Youyou, you’re my dearest sister. You treat me better than anyone else in this world!” Bu Shulin’s face lit up with happiness. She hadn’t caught Shen Xihe’s first half-sentence, only hearing that she would resolve it, and immediately tried to throw herself at Shen Xihe.
Wanting to hug Shen Xihe, she didn’t expect that Shen Xihe was already prepared. No longer the frail young lady who had just arrived in the capital with limited movement, Shen Xihe stepped aside, causing Bu Shulin to hug empty air and nearly fall headfirst.
“Youyou~~” Bu Shulin pouted.
Placing the scissors on the tray held by her maid, Shen Xihe turned to wash her hands. Bu Shulin followed, scooping some of Shen Xihe’s fragrant cream to wash her hands too. After washing, she couldn’t help but smell her hands: “Youyou, this fragrant cream is different from what I bought at Duhuo Tower.”
“This is for ladies to use.” Shen Xihe replied softly.
Bu Shulin: …
Her eyes darting around, Bu Shulin spotted some needlework nearby – it was a woman’s dress. The white skirt was embroidered with golden Pingzhong leaves, paired with a rose-colored upper garment and crimson silk shawl. It looked beautiful.
“This is for ladies to wear.” Shen Xihe took it back from her hands.
Bu Shulin’s heart caught: “Youyou, your needlework is really good!”
Since her earliest memories, she had been raised as a man. She was accomplished at martial arts and weapons but had never learned any of the skills proper for ladies.
“Youyou, could you give me this set of clothes?” Bu Shulin couldn’t stop touching it, wondering what fabric it was – it felt smooth and cool, surely perfect for staying fresh and dry in summer.
“For you to keep in storage?” Shen Xihe gave her a bland look.
“I’ll wear it! I’ll wear it in secret!” Bu Shulin looked at her eagerly. “I’ve never worn women’s clothes in my entire life. I’ve never been interested in women’s ornaments and dresses before, but somehow I find this outfit so beautiful. I want to try it on.”
The yearning in her eyes wasn’t fake. Since childhood, she had never worn red clothing or golden hairpins, having the identity of a young man carved into her bones. She didn’t know women’s needlework, but she had to learn to be even more disciplined than real men – take calligraphy for example, she couldn’t show any of the gentle, graceful strokes typical of women.
“I can give it to you.” Shen Xihe softened. “But keep it stored away. Don’t try it on.”
Any single slip would be a fatal crime of deceiving the emperor.
Bu Shulin’s heart warmed. She wrapped her arms around Shen Xihe’s shoulders, holding her gently and resting her head on Shen Xihe’s shoulder, tears glistening in her eyes: “Youyou, you’re so good to me.”
She had lived her whole life alone, hiding a life-and-death secret, never daring to form deep friendships. Sent to the capital at age three, she had lived every day in fear.