Led by Imperial Noble Consort Xue and Zheng Biyu, the palace consorts and female relatives stood atop the connecting wall, watching the gold-trimmed carriage disappear into the western horizon, escorted by guards in black armor.
When a rabbit dies, the fox grieves – creatures empathize with their kind. The palace consorts watched in silent sorrow.
Zheng Biyu turned away from the crowd and asked her maid, “Why didn’t Princess Fukang come to see Princess Wenzhao off today?”
The maid whispered, “Your Highness, Princess Fukang is ill.”
Zheng Biyu gave a cold laugh. “Go to the Princess’s residence.”
The Princess’s Chief Steward dared not let Zheng Biyu’s group enter: “Your Highness, the Princess is ill and cannot receive visitors.”
Without even glancing at the steward, Zheng Biyu ordered the Eastern Palace guards to force their way in.
“Even if Princess Fukang were on her deathbed, she must go see Princess Wenzhao off! If she can’t walk, have people carry her!”
The steward’s eyes widened in shock: “Your Highness, aren’t you afraid of the Crown Prince’s anger?”
Zheng Biyu’s maid stepped forward and slapped the steward’s face: “Insolent slave, are you threatening the Crown Princess?”
The steward hadn’t expected the usually gentle and dignified Crown Princess to publicly humiliate him. Caught off guard, he stumbled several steps before regaining his balance, dazed for quite some time.
The guards quickly found Zhu Lüyun and dragged her out of the Princess’s residence.
Her face was pale, marked with traces of tears, looking frail as if truly ill.
Zheng Biyu cast her a cold glance: “Princess Wenzhao is going to marry the Yelu tribe in your place. Won’t you see her off?”
Zhu Lüyun bit her lip as tears streamed down her face: “I’ve wronged the Seventh Princess… I never thought it would turn out like this… My aunt’s servant deceived me…”
Zheng Biyu’s lips twitched slightly as she gestured for the guards to help Zhu Lüyun up and bring her to the connecting wall.
When the consorts saw Zhu Lüyun, their well-maintained faces immediately darkened with storm clouds. The younger princesses and noble ladies’ faces showed clear disdain.
Zhu Lüyun heard the deliberately raised voices of mockery and ridicule from the palace consorts and clan women, but she forced herself not to lower her head.
Zheng Biyu pointed to the western horizon, her vermillion-painted nail gently tracing across Zhu Lüyun’s delicate face.
“Look carefully. The person sitting in that carriage should have been you.”
This all started because of her reckless marriage promise, which led Wei Ming to set his sights on the Seventh Princess.
Zhu Lüyun’s lips turned blue-white.
Zheng Biyu suddenly flicked her finger.
Zhu Lüyun felt a sharp pain on her face and shuddered, clutching her cheek tightly.
Zheng Biyu grabbed her hand, gently rubbing the small wound she had made on her face: “Zhu Lüyun, no matter how much the Crown Prince indulged you before, I never complained once.”
As a daughter of a noble family, she dared not hope for her husband’s undivided love. What she needed was her husband’s respect and the benefits this marriage brought to her family.
Since the Crown Prince favored Zhu Lüyun, she could be magnanimous enough to accommodate Zhu Lüyun, tolerating her arrogance and willfulness that came from the Crown Prince’s favor.
But clearly, her tolerance hadn’t earned Zhu Lüyun’s proper behavior.
The Crown Prince treated Zhu Lüyun as an extension of himself, repeatedly cleaning up her messes. Who knew what other catastrophes Zhu Lüyun might cause if this continued?
As the Eastern Palace’s mistress and the Crown Prince’s son’s mother, she couldn’t allow Zhu Lüyun to continue acting recklessly.
“I’ll give you two choices.” Zheng Biyu wiped away the blood from Zhu Lüyun’s face. “Leave Chang’an and never set foot in the imperial city again, or move properly into the Eastern Palace’s inner courtyard to serve the Crown Prince.”
Zhu Lüyun’s eyes were filled with tears, but she remained silent, her expression defiant.
Zheng Biyu sneered: “Zhu Lüyun, the previous dynasty is long gone.”
Did Zhu Lüyun think the court officials truly supported the previous dynasty?
No, noble families were only ever loyal to their clans.
The reason they were willing to protect Zhu Lüyun was only partly due to guilt toward the former emperor. Their real purpose was to use her as leverage, reminding the Li family that they were former officials of the previous dynasty, thus limiting imperial power.
When she became just another consort by the Crown Prince’s side, she would understand that being a princess of the former dynasty wouldn’t bring her much dignity or respect.
Zhu Lüyun clenched her jaw, her expression humiliated.
…
The carriage left the city, leaving behind the rising waves of clamorous voices in the autumn sun’s golden light.
The armored Imperial Guards silently escorted the carriage, followed closely by the ceremonial music band playing lively tunes. The music mingled with the monotonous sound of horse hooves, while colorful banners unfurled in the wind, fluttering noisily.
Qin Fei told Yaoying that after leaving Chang’an, it would take three or four days to reach the Yelu tribe’s temporary camp.
Yaoying slept against an armrest, waking up at dusk.
The unrest in the realm, even within Great Wei’s borders wasn’t entirely peaceful after leaving Chang’an. The group stopped at an official relay station to rest. The local station master had specially prepared a congratulatory gift for Yaoying and wanted to present it to her in person, but Qin Fei firmly refused, so the station master had to ask him to pass it on instead.
Yaoying had been jostled in the carriage all day and was exhausted. She ate some soup and bread hastily before going to bed.
She slept until late at night when she was suddenly awakened by a noisy commotion outside.
Yaoying put on her clothes and got up, seeing bright flames reflected in her window. She could hear the sound of a large fire burning, with shouts of alarm, roars of anger, and footsteps echoing from above and below.
With a bang, the door was kicked open, and then gently closed. In the dim light, several young men wearing light armor rushed before Yaoying and cupped their hands in greeting.
“Princess, quickly, come with us!”
Yaoying recognized them as Imperial Guards escorting her, including two young masters from noble families. She frowned slightly and stepped back.
The young front man was covered in sweat and stamped his foot: “Princess, there won’t be another chance if we don’t leave now. We set fire to the stables and several tents to create a diversion. Commander Qin has led his men to fight the fire – we can take you away now.”
Yaoying remained composed, saying worriedly: “Where could we go? No matter how far we run, we’ll still be caught and brought back.”
The young man, thinking he had convinced her, was overjoyed and said: “Princess, don’t be afraid. We’ve arranged for people to help us. After rescuing you, we’ll head south straight to Southern Chu! Once we reach Southern Chu, not even His Majesty and the Crown Prince can do anything about it!”
Yaoying’s heart stirred as her gaze swept across their faces: “You’re all so young with bright futures ahead. You shouldn’t risk so much for me.”
The young man nervously wiped his sweat, keeping an ear out for movement outside while saying: “We have long admired the Princess and cannot bear to see you married off to a distant land. Even if we risk our lives to save you, it would be worth it.”
Yaoying smiled faintly and asked: “Where are my guards?”
The young man was stunned for a moment. Suddenly, horses neighed downstairs, startling them all. They looked at each other in alarm. The young man gritted his teeth and stepped forward to grab Yaoying: “Princess, we truly won’t have another chance if we don’t leave now!”
Yaoying shook off her sleeve, avoiding his hand, and spoke clearly: “I appreciate that you’re all willing to risk danger to save me, but the alliance between Great Wei and the Yelu tribe has been established. The Yelu tribe has kept their word to help Great Wei recover Liangzhou, and Great Wei cannot break faith with them. As a princess of Great Wei, I cannot leave with you.”
The young man’s face darkened as he reached out to grab her.
Yaoying raised her voice, her eyes deep and stern as she stared him down: “Are you planning to kidnap me by force?”
The young man wilted under her clear, piercing gaze, his momentum suddenly failing.
At that moment, laughter came from outside the window. Footsteps approached rapidly as Qin Fei, in military dress, pushed open the door and entered, followed by dozens of soldiers carrying torches.
“Did you think that little trick would distract me?”
Qin Fei slowly drew his sword, his lips curled in a sneer.
As one of Li Xuanzhen’s most valiant generals, he quickly subdued the noble sons who only knew basic martial arts. He ordered his men to tie them up securely and carry them away.
“My apologies for frightening the Princess.”
Having dealt with the pampered young masters, Qin Fei sheathed his sword and turned to salute Yaoying.
Yaoying stood by the window, her expression calm: “Where are my guards?”
Qin Fei said: “Perhaps they went to relieve themselves somewhere.”
Yaoying’s gaze fell on Qin Fei’s face: “Commander Qin, no need to evade. You knew they would make their move and deliberately sent Xie Qing and the other guards away, pretending to fall for their trap so they could break into my chambers…”
Qin Fei’s face showed surprise.
Yaoying paused before stating her guess: “Commander Qin, you deliberately delayed earlier to test me, to see if I would leave with them?”
Qin Fei scratched his head and frankly admitted: “Indeed, the Princess is truly brilliant!”
He bowed deeply to Yaoying.
“Please forgive me, I was following orders.”
Yaoying said coolly: “Go tell the Crown Prince that our deal is between the two of us, while the marriage alliance between Great Wei and the Yelu tribe is a matter of state diplomacy. I won’t go back on my word, nor will I jeopardize the alliance between our nations for personal reasons.”
Qin Fei repeatedly agreed.
Yaoying glanced at him: “How do you plan to deal with them?”
Qin Fei shrugged: “They acted on impulse. We’ll take them back tied up and let their fathers give them a good beating.”
Yaoying thought for a moment, her voice softening: “Tell Minister Zheng that these men might have connections with Southern Chu. This needs to be investigated carefully – don’t let anything slip through.”
Qin Fei was stunned.
The stable fire had been extinguished, leaving the window in darkness. Yaoying said quietly: “They just said they would take me to Southern Chu, with people arranged to help along the way. We don’t know who encouraged them to rescue me, but that person likely has ulterior motives. If I had gone with them, the Yelu tribe would surely be furious. The alliance would collapse, leaving Great Wei in chaos. Who would benefit most from that?”
Qin Fei’s mouth fell open. Thinking of the possible consequences, he broke into a cold sweat, his forehead covered in tiny beads of perspiration.
“I was careless!”
He slapped his forehead and turned to leave. At the doorway, he turned back and bowed deeply to Yaoying.
His earlier bow had been to appease her, but this one was from genuine admiration.
Even at this point, the Princess was still thinking of the bigger picture.
Yaoying maintained her composed expression: “Please have Commander dispatch someone to explain this clearly to the Yelu tribe’s Crown Prince, to prevent any suspicion. If Southern Chu could incite the Imperial Guards to rescue me, they might also be stirring up trouble with the Yelu tribe.”
Sweating profusely, Qin Fei agreed and sent someone to report to Chang’an. He went to find the Yelu tribe’s Crown Prince to tell them about the stable fire, assuring them that Princess Wenzhao had not been disturbed.
The next day, Yaoying appeared before the Yelu tribe’s envoys, still in magnificent attire, radiating noble grace.
The Crown Prince had heard the commotion of fire and shouting at the relay station last night and couldn’t help but be suspicious. Now, seeing Yaoying’s dazzling presence, like a divine being, his heart was thoroughly stirred. He only wished he could get closer to look at her more, completely forgetting his earlier suspicions.
He laughed heartily as he watched Yaoying board her carriage, his gaze unrestrained.
Qin Fei quietly sighed in relief, then felt his chest tighten.
It seemed the Yelu tribe wouldn’t be suspicious.
However, the Crown Prince’s desire for the Seventh Princess was as clear as day to all. The Yelu chieftain was elderly, and once the escort of Imperial Guards and ceremonial guards left, what would stop the Crown Prince from taking advantage of the Seventh Princess?
No matter how worried Qin Fei was about the Seventh Princess’s safety, three days later, when they reached the encampment and saw the towering mountain ranges on the horizon, he had to count his troops and bid farewell to Yaoying.
“Princess, this is as far as I can accompany you.”
Qin Fei spoke with difficulty.
“From now on, you’ll only have Xie Qing and a few dozen personal guards… Please take care.”
Yaoying smiled and lifted the carriage curtain, gazing toward the east.
“Take care, Commander.”
Qin Fei’s heart felt heavy. He dared not look at her as he mounted his horse and galloped away as if fleeing for his life.
The Yelu tribe’s cavalry quickly approached and surrounded the carriage. The Crown Prince’s voice reached Yaoying’s ears: “Beautiful lady, the road ahead won’t be easy.”
This was followed by loud laughter.
The carriage shook violently several times.
Yaoying sat in the carriage, silent.
…
Chang’an.
Zheng Biyu finished managing palace affairs, fed her son a bowl of hot millet porridge, put him to sleep, and had just wanted to lie down for a moment when a maid hurriedly crossed the corridor and knelt before her.
“My lady, there’s some movement in the palace.”
“What movement?”
The maid dared not speak.
Zheng Biyu gestured for the corridor attendants to withdraw.
The maid rose and stepped forward, whispering: “This servant heard from people in Imperial Noble Consort Xue’s palace that Noble Consort Rong is dead!”
Zheng Biyu looked down at her nails: “What’s there to make such a fuss about?”
Noble Consort Rong had poisoned Empress Xie and was imprisoned for her crimes. Having offended so many consorts over the years, she certainly wouldn’t live to see the new year.
The maid caught her breath and moved closer: “Your Highness, Noble Consort Rong’s death isn’t strange, but she said some delirious things before dying that frightened Imperial Noble Consort Xue.”
Zheng Biyu raised an eyebrow: “What did Noble Consort Rong say?”
The maid lowered her head and said: “Noble Consort Rong said that Princess Wenzhao is not of His Majesty’s bloodline!”