Hua Zhuyu had suddenly gained a brother—and such a cold, domineering brother as Xiao Yin at that. The feeling was still very strange. But no matter how strange it felt, she had to continue playing Jin Se’s identity. She didn’t want to be used by Xiao Yin again, or be pressed down on a bed by him again. Whichever situation it was, she couldn’t guarantee she’d escape unscathed next time. Moreover, she didn’t know how to tell Xiao Yin about Jin Se.

Jin Se was dead—his real sister was dead. If he knew, who could say how grief-stricken he would be? If he further learned she had died in her place, he might strangle her. She wasn’t afraid of death—this life had been saved by Jin Se anyway. But she still had many things to do; she couldn’t die yet.

On the day Hua Zhuyu recovered, Xiao Yin brought her to the palace to see the Northern Emperor.

In the Northern Dynasty’s majestic palace halls, Northern Emperor Xiao Chong sat upright, with Consort Ye no longer beside him. That night, Consort Ye had been confined, her father Ye Di had raised troops in rebellion, engaging in a life-and-death battle with Xiao Yin’s forces. Ultimately, Ye Di was defeated and killed, while Consort Ye took her own life.

After all, they had been husband and wife for many years—there was always some affection. The Northern Emperor was certainly saddened. Hua Zhuyu’s appearance was like a ray of sunlight through gloomy skies, brightening the Northern Emperor’s darkened mood.

The little princess, lost and found again, brought him great joy. That very day, he wanted to hold an investiture ceremony for Hua Zhuyu. However, Hua Zhuyu refused, saying she temporarily couldn’t accept the suddenly appearing father and brother.

Of course, only Hua Zhuyu knew the real reason.

The Northern Emperor and Xiao Yin, having no choice, both chose to respect Hua Zhuyu’s wishes. After all, when she disappeared, she was not yet two years old and remembered nothing. To her, they were strangers—perhaps even enemies. After all, she had grown up in the Southern Dynasty.

Hua Zhuyu still lived in the Crown Prince Manor. Though not officially invested, her identity had spread and become known to many. In the Crown Prince Manor, she was no longer ordered about like a servant.

Xiao Yin had unified the grassland and toppled Consort Ye, gaining ever greater prestige in the Northern Dynasty. The Northern Emperor began having him assist with state affairs, reviewing memorials daily. He was very busy, but still tried to spare time to accompany Hua Zhuyu.

Days flowed by as calm as water.

This afternoon, Hua Zhuyu went to Xiao Yin’s study to find books to read. Now she could freely enter and exit such places.

Xiao Yin’s study contained quite a few books, most in Chinese characters that Hua Zhuyu could understand. Taking a book from the long bookshelf, she accidentally knocked a scroll painting to the floor. The scroll unrolled on the carpet, revealing a beauty portrait.

Under a magnolia tree stood a graceful woman in flowing rainbow robes. The woman was very beautiful with a perfectly proportioned figure and a face like peach blossoms with dew. She looked up with a gentle smile as pure white petals fell abundantly on her shoulders.

Just a portrait, yet viewing it stirred one’s imagination.

Hua Zhuyu’s clear eyes swept over it, discovering a line of poetry in the lower right corner: “Wen Wan’s gentle smile outshines spring’s colors.”

So this was Wen Wan’s portrait.

She gazed at the woman in the painting—this was the Southern Dynasty’s foremost beauty. Her appearance was indeed as the rumors described, elegant as a painting.

Xiao Yin had chosen Wen Wan as Crown Princess after seeing this portrait. This had led to her own substitute marriage. One couldn’t say her current fate was unconnected to this woman.

Hua Zhuyu sat cross-legged on the carpet, staring at the woman in the painting with complex emotions, her heart feeling stuffed with thick paste that couldn’t be smoothed away or wiped clean.

Cool wind struck her face as Xiao Yin entered the room with steady steps. Seeing her sitting dreamily on the carpet, he was somewhat surprised. When he saw the scroll before her, his expression slightly stiffened.

“What? Envious of her beauty?” Xiao Yin removed his cloak and sat leisurely in a chair.

Hua Zhuyu looked up at Xiao Yin and smiled calmly: “I never envied her appearance—I envied her luck!”

Xiao Yin stretched out his legs, changing position to sit more comfortably: “I’ve now discovered that appearance truly doesn’t matter much.”

Hua Zhuyu took the scroll and stood, displaying the entire painting before Xiao Yin, smiling with narrowed eyes: “I don’t believe your words. You men all like beautiful women. Didn’t you fall for her after seeing this painting?”

Xiao Yin raised his eyebrows: “That was before. Now when I see her, I feel nothing—nothing at all.”

Hua Zhuyu stared blankly, then smiled lazily: “Since you don’t like her, I can tear up this painting!”

Xiao Yin didn’t look up, taking a book from the table and quietly turning a page: “Tear it then!”

Seeing Xiao Yin so indifferent, Hua Zhuyu lost interest. She rerolled the scroll and placed it back on the bookshelf: “Such a pleasing beauty portrait—tearing it would be too wasteful.”

She found another book from the shelf and held it: “I’m leaving now, won’t disturb your reading anymore.”

After Hua Zhuyu’s figure disappeared, Xiao Yin put down his book and leaned back in his chair, sitting quietly for a long time. Eventually, he picked up the horsehead fiddle beside him and began playing. No specific tune, no particular meaning—just light as clouds, gentle as wind, better than sitting idly.

His heart suddenly felt empty, as if something important was missing that could never be recovered in this lifetime. From now on, only boredom remained.

Leaving the study, Hua Zhuyu saw Liu Feng hurrying toward it, seemingly with important news for Xiao Yin. Hui Xue happened to walk by from outside. She pulled Hui Xue aside and asked: “What’s happening?”

Hui Xue smiled mysteriously: “Hui Xue will take you to see.”

Together they went to the Crown Prince Manor’s main gate, discovering that Western Liang had sent envoys with betrothal gifts to propose marriage—and the intended bride was none other than Hua Zhuyu.

Hua Zhuyu really wanted to consult a fortune-teller about whether her red phoenix star was particularly active this year, with successive marriage proposals. First, the Southern Dynasty Emperor had wanted to marry Third Princess to her. To avoid exposure of her male disguise—which would be deceiving the emperor, a capital crime—she had to fake her death in battle. Then Emperor Yan arranged her marriage to Ji Fengli, followed by the marriage alliance with Xiao Yin.

Which of those previous marriages hadn’t ended with her being hurt?

Now Western Liang was proposing again! Western Liang, where she had spent years in the west and killed quite a few Western Liang soldiers. The former ruler had been forced to cede five cities after losing to the Hua Family Army, then reportedly died of anger after returning home. The current ruler was the former ruler’s brother, probably wanting to form an alliance with the Northern Dynasty through marriage. But he never could have imagined that the woman he wanted to marry was Yinmian Xiuluo, who had decimated their forces.

She looked at the leading envoy—actually a Western Liang official she recognized who had once come to Liang Zhou to negotiate with her father. Hua Zhuyu calmly adjusted the pearl veil over her face. Fortunately, she had always worn a mask before and now wore a pearl veil daily, so she needn’t fear recognition.

While the Crown Prince Manor was wondering how to receive this marriage proposal delegation, another lantern-decorated, lively procession approached. This procession had no cattle or sheep—cart after cart was piled with boxes. Upon reaching the Crown Prince Manor gates, people carried down the boxes one by one. All were inlaid with gold and silver, clearly containing valuable items.

Dou Qianjin sat upright on a black horse in luxurious, extravagant brocade robes. He looked up, his enchanting peach blossom eyes sweeping over Hua Zhuyu’s face before his face bloomed in a brilliant smile.

So Dou Qianjin had also come to propose—the God of Wealth was indeed wealthy and imposing, thoroughly outshining Western Liang’s national ruler.

But Hua Zhuyu’s heart began feeling infinite sadness. She sensed she would soon become a political tool once again. Whether Xiao Yin or Northern Emperor Xiao Chong, how could they pass up such a good alliance opportunity? Moreover, she suddenly realized a more serious problem—with this princess identity, she seemed even less able to escape easily.

As Hua Zhuyu was fretting, a cool breeze swept past as a tall, upright figure appeared at the gates. His dark blue robes emanated undeniable cold aura, instantly freezing the joyful atmosphere at the entrance.

Xiao Yin’s purple eyes swept lightly over Hua Zhuyu’s face as his low, cold voice drifted over: “Zhuo Ya, go back inside first!”

Hua Zhuyu smiled slightly and walked toward the manor with Hui Xue. In such circumstances, she indeed wasn’t suitable to appear here—better to let Xiao Yin handle this matter first.

Hua Zhuyu had just returned to her quarters with heavy thoughts when a maid came to report that Madam Bai Ma had come to see her.

Madam Bai Ma was Xiao Yin’s wet nurse. When Hua Zhuyu first arrived in the Northern Dynasty, she had seen her welcoming Xiao Yin at the manor gates and once at her birthday banquet. Afterward, she heard the woman had gone to a temple to pray and hadn’t been at the manor since.

Xiao Yin had always respected Madam Bai Ma greatly. She wasn’t just his wet nurse—with Xiao Yin’s mother dying early, he had been raised by Madam Bai Ma.

Madam Bai Ma slowly entered. Upon seeing her, she curtsied. Hua Zhuyu quickly stopped her: “Madam, no need for courtesy!” Of course, she could never bring herself to call her “wet nurse,” continuing to address her as “Madam.”

Madam Bai Ma looked up at her with a joyful expression, her deep eyes sweeping around Hua Zhuyu’s face before suddenly fixing on her left ear, her expression subtly adding confusion and faint wariness.

“Are you really Zhuo Ya?” she asked calmly, her voice revealing no emotion.

Hua Zhuyu’s clear eyes focused. Madam Bai Ma’s question showed she suspected her. After all, when Jin Se disappeared, she was still a baby in swaddling clothes. Xiao Yin was young then and naturally wouldn’t remember what his sister looked like. Xiao Chong was busy fighting wars then and probably had no time to observe his children. But Madam Bai Ma was wet nurse to both Xiao Yin and his sister—like a birth mother. This fake probably couldn’t escape her keen eyes.

Hua Zhuyu smiled and sat in a chair, saying calmly: “I can’t remember childhood events clearly. I don’t know if I am—everyone just says I am. What do you think?”

Actually, she had never personally admitted to Xiao Yin that she was Zhuo Ya, only saying she couldn’t remember childhood.

Madam Bai Ma gazed at Hua Zhuyu with seemingly kind but actually sharp eyes, saying calmly: “What exactly are your intentions? I absolutely won’t allow you to harm His Highness!”

So Madam Bai Ma had determined she wasn’t the real princess—she wondered how she’d been exposed. But she had to calm Madam Bai Ma and absolutely couldn’t let her reveal this matter.

“Since you say I’m not, then perhaps I’m not. I swear to heaven I have no ulterior motives and don’t want to stay here. I only want to leave.” Since she’d been discovered, Hua Zhuyu might as well speak frankly. Her daughter Xue Ji liked Xiao Yin—she believed Madam Bai Ma certainly wouldn’t want her staying in the Northern Dynasty.

Madam Bai Ma was stunned, clearly not expecting Hua Zhuyu to speak so directly and candidly. She asked incredulously: “You really want to leave?”

“You should have heard about the Muda Assembly incident. Whether I’m now Zhuo Ya or Dan Hong, it’s very difficult to leave here. Since you’re uncomfortable with me staying, do you have any way to help me leave?” Hua Zhuyu said slowly.

Madam Bai Ma pondered briefly: “Very well, I can help you leave. I hope you’ll never return and never say I let you go.”

Hua Zhuyu nodded in agreement. Before Madam Bai Ma left, she suddenly asked: “I want to know—how did you know I’m not Zhuo Ya?”

Madam Bai Ma turned back with a smile: “Zhuo Ya has a red birthmark behind her left ear.”

Night wind blew, wild grass swaying in the breeze.

Hua Zhuyu gazed at the deep blue sky where small stars shone clear and bright like bright eyes.

“I’ve decided—I agree to marry Eastern Yan’s Prince Rui.” Hua Zhuyu lay face-up on the grass, head pillowed on her arms, speaking slowly.

Hearing her words, Xiao Yin turned around as if startled, his purple eyes showing indescribable emotions—anger and sadness. “Girl, do you really want to marry Dou Qianjin? Do you want to leave me so badly? Don’t you feel even a little reluctant?” Xiao Yin said, his low voice actually hiding a trace of bitterness.

Since learning Hua Zhuyu was his sister, he had called her “girl”—intimately and tenderly, as if he’d wanted to call her that for a long time. These days, he had accompanied her on hunting trips and horseback rides across the grassland, extremely protective and thoroughly doting.

He had firmly refused both Dou Qianjin’s and Western Liang’s marriage proposals—very decisively, with no room for negotiation. Hua Zhuyu had originally thought he would use her as a political tool. Unexpectedly, he hadn’t. This surprised her greatly and moved her somewhat. Speaking truthfully, truly leaving him did create a faint reluctance deep in her heart. But she couldn’t stay here.

“I have to marry someone eventually. I think Dou Qianjin is good—if I refuse, where will I find such a good man later? Besides, marrying Dou Qianjin would help create an alliance between the Northern Dynasty and Eastern Yan. What a good thing!” Madam Bai Ma had said that to escape safely, marriage was the only route. If she fled rashly, she couldn’t escape Xiao Yin’s grasp.

Xiao Yin looked back at her, his expression still cool as he gently persuaded: “Girl, I don’t want you serving the Northern Dynasty’s interests—I only want you to live well and happily in the future. Do you really like Dou Qianjin? Since when? I don’t believe you could fall for a stranger so quickly!”

“Actually, at the Muda Assembly, when he risked danger climbing the snow mountain to pick snow lotus for me, I began to like him somewhat.” As soon as Hua Zhuyu finished speaking, she saw Xiao Yin’s face instantly turn pale, reflecting cold marble-like luster in the moonlight.

He stared fixedly at Hua Zhuyu, emotions shifting unpredictably in his eyes, as if he had much to say but ultimately couldn’t speak.

“Love at first sight?” he said through gritted teeth, his voice cold enough to freeze the surrounding air. Facing the cold moon on the horizon, he stood with hands behind his back in the night, silent for a long time. The moonlight stretched his shadow long—he looked like a solitary hawk.

He stood there so long that Hua Zhuyu almost thought he’d become an ice sculpture before he suddenly turned, saying word by word: “Girl, I once swore that in this life, whatever you want to do, even if it means going through fire and water, I’ll accomplish it for you. Since you’re willing to marry him, I’ll report to Father Emperor that you’ve accepted Dou Qianjin’s proposal.” Having said this, as if he’d exhausted all his strength, he left without looking back.

Hua Zhuyu watched his lonely departing figure, her heart immediately filled with mixed emotions. In the following days, she never saw Xiao Yin again—or rather, Xiao Yin never came to see her.

Finally, the wedding day arrived.

Early in the morning, wedding attendants woke Hua Zhuyu to begin her grooming.

Madam Bai Ma, as Hua Zhuyu’s nominal wet nurse, came early. She stood before the bronze mirror, loosening Hua Zhuyu’s black hair and slowly combing it with a brush.

“The little princess has such beautiful hair, like satin,” she sighed softly, probably thinking of the real Princess Zhuo Ya.

Hua Zhuyu also felt some bitterness, letting Madam Bai Ma comb her hair smooth, arrange it in a beautiful chignon, then dress her in wide brocade wedding gowns as she sat quietly before the dressing table.

Sunlight streamed through the window onto her red wedding dress, dazzling like steaming clouds and rosy dawn.

The auspicious time was approaching. Two wedding attendants surrounded Hua Zhuyu with auspicious words when suddenly the door was pushed open and Xiao Yin stumbled in.

“All of you… get out!” As soon as he spoke, strong wine fumes assaulted them.

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?” Madam Bai Ma supported Xiao Yin worriedly.

“His Highness has been drinking all night and is drunk!” Hui Xue, following behind Xiao Yin, said softly.

Hua Zhuyu stared at Xiao Yin blankly—this was the second time she’d seen him drunk. At the Muda Assembly, she hadn’t known if he was truly drunk, but this time she could be certain he really was. His lips curved in a smile—a brilliant smile—his mouth seeming unable to close, smiling continuously. His beautiful purple eyes were hazy and confused, drunk and misty.

“All of you… get out. I want to… talk with girl.” He shooed everyone from the room and shut the door with a slam.

He turned to look at Hua Zhuyu, walking step by step before her, grinning as he looked at her.

“Dan Hong, no, girl, my sister, no, Yinmian Xiuluo, you… look so beautiful today!” He lifted her face veil, smiling as he gazed at her.

Hua Zhuyu was shocked by his words. Yinmian Xiuluo! When had he learned she was Yinmian Xiuluo?

Hua Zhuyu’s thoughts flashed like lightning. She suddenly remembered meeting him hunting on the grassland at night when returning from Liang Zhou. Not thinking carefully then, now it seemed he might have gone to Liang Zhou. So he had seen Yinmian Xiuluo rescue the prisoners, and connecting this with her also going to rescue prisoners, he guessed she was Yinmian Xiuluo. But he had never asked about her past. Perhaps he simply didn’t care about her identity.

After speaking, Xiao Yin suddenly reached out to remove the phoenix crown from Hua Zhuyu’s head, roughly pulling her into his embrace. “No matter who you are, you’re the woman I love most, most beloved…” He stared greedily at her exquisite face, his drunken purple eyes like a beast’s, seeming ready to devour her.

“Do you know? I once hated you, hated you for replacing Wen Wan. I also once admired you. But that night, when you endured the curse poison’s torment and I watched your suffering, I felt more pain than you. Only then did I discover that somehow, you had begun affecting my emotions and occupying my heart, yet I never knew. You’re like poppy poison—I became addicted unknowingly, and when I realized, it was too late to quit. Why are you my sister? Why?” He seemed to be accusing, his purple eyes full of grief, heartbreaking to see.

“Why does heaven play such tricks on me! Not even giving me the right to love! Whether you’re my sister or not, as long as I can see you daily, I’ll dote on you, love you forever. But why must you marry? Why must you leave me!” He embraced Hua Zhuyu’s waist, holding her tightly.

In matters of love, Hua Zhuyu was a blank slate. She had once admired Ji Fengli but had never tried to love or been loved. But seeing Xiao Yin like this, her heart faintly felt something sour.

Perhaps toward Xiao Yin, she wasn’t entirely heartless either. But now, she simply couldn’t love.

She struggled, pushing Xiao Yin away forcefully.

Drunk Xiao Yin was no match for Hua Zhuyu. He staggered and fell to the ground, his sleeve sweeping across the table and overturning rouge, spilling it on the pure white carpet.

His misty purple eyes had a moment of clarity. He lowered his head, repeatedly pounding his paste-like head. Black hair hung down as crystalline drops fell through the hair gaps onto the rouge on the carpet, spreading into patches of seductive red plum blossoms.

Hua Zhuyu had seen men cry before. On battlefields, some wailed when injured, some were grief-stricken when brothers or relatives died—among them were stalwart men too. But she still hadn’t imagined that a man like Xiao Yin would shed tears.

He was domineering, cold, and ruthless. Yet he could cry too—and for her!

Hua Zhuyu stood frozen, never having thought he truly liked her. This left her somewhat at a loss.

After crying, Xiao Yin seemed somewhat more sober. He looked up at her, his purple eyes still somewhat confused but much clearer than before. His thick eyelashes curved upward, his purple eyes moist. He patted the carpet beside him, lips curving as he smiled: “Girl, come sit!” The wine still wasn’t completely gone—his speech remained somewhat slurred.

Thinking that once she left, they might never meet again in this lifetime, Hua Zhuyu slowly walked over and sat on the carpet, not caring if her bright red wedding dress got dirty.

Xiao Yin looked at her with a lazy smile: “Girl, you like me too, right?” He seemed certain Hua Zhuyu also liked him, not waiting for her answer before his body tilted slightly, using Hua Zhuyu’s legs as a pillow and lying very comfortably on her lap.

Hua Zhuyu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She shook his shoulders vigorously, shouting in his ear: “Xiao Yin, get down!”

“Call me big brother, be good… you’ve never called me big brother…” He ignored Hua Zhuyu’s shaking, instead reproaching her for this form of address, muttering softly, his voice growing lower, especially the last sentence, but Hua Zhuyu heard it clearly.

“Actually, I’d rather you never call me brother—just call me Yin.” This was his final sentence.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart trembled. She shook him again but discovered he seemed very comfortable pillowed on her lap—he had fallen asleep. Looking at Xiao Yin sleeping on her knees, her heart felt confused, unable to sort out her feelings toward him.

There was hate, anger, and annoyance, but she had to admit she felt something else special toward him. As for what—she wasn’t clear. Perhaps admiration, perhaps appreciation, or perhaps some affection.

So she had to stay away from him. Otherwise, if he learned she wasn’t truly his sister, she’d never escape the Northern Dynasty in this lifetime.

After Xiao Yin was deeply asleep, Hua Zhuyu carefully extracted her legs from under his neck, not daring to move him lest she wake him. She casually pulled a brocade cushion to place under his head.

Xiao Yin mumbled and turned over, sleeping soundly.

Hua Zhuyu arranged her hair and smoothed the wrinkles from her wedding dress. She put the phoenix crown back on and covered her face with the pearl veil before slowly walking out.

Madam Bai Ma and two wedding attendants had been waiting respectfully in the courtyard. They had all seen Xiao Yin’s condition earlier but none dared speak, only looking at Hua Zhuyu with puzzled eyes. Seeing her emerge, they still joyfully came forward.

Madam Bai Ma walked before Hua Zhuyu and said softly: “The wedding procession has arrived. The princess should board the sedan.”

Hua Zhuyu nodded with a gentle smile. Supported by two wedding attendants, she walked through corridors and courtyards to the gates and boarded the wedding sedan.

The marriage alliance between the Northern Dynasty and Eastern Yan was a grand affair, especially with the groom being Eastern Yan’s Prince Rui Dou Qianjin—the Eastern God of Wealth! The wedding was extremely luxurious—not only were the betrothal gifts precious, but the wedding procession vehicles and sedan were inlaid with gold and silver, extraordinarily extravagant. Therefore, the capital’s streets were packed with crowded onlookers, layer upon layer wanting to witness this grand event.

When the crowd was most dense, a woman dressed as a wedding attendant emerged from the sedan. Her figure flashed and disappeared into the crowd of spectators.

This woman dressed as a wedding attendant was precisely Hua Zhuyu. According to plan, she was to secretly slip away when no one noticed.

According to Northern Dynasty customs, the wedding sedan also contained two attendants as part of her dowry. She had one attendant impersonate her—able to deceive for a while was enough. She believed this deception might last quite long.

Before the matter was exposed, no one would pursue her. After exposure, that attendant need only say she was coerced—no innocent person would be implicated.

Hua Zhuyu stood on the street as crowds surged around her in the lively scene, as if all of the capital was lost in this grand, prosperous celebration.

With guilty feelings, she glanced at Dou Qianjin sitting upright on his horse in groom’s attire. He seemed naturally suited for bright colors—red wedding robes made his handsome, rakish face even more striking. Bathed in sunlight with a joyful smile, he slowly rode through the dense crowds.

If the previous two marriages had harmed her, then this marriage wronged Dou Qianjin. But she had no choice.

Hua Zhuyu left the capital with the spectating crowds. Madam Bai Ma had already prepared horses outside the city. Receiving provisions from her contact, Hua Zhuyu mounted and left the Northern Dynasty.