“By the grace of Heaven, the Empress Dowager decrees: The Grand Chancellor Shen Du has pacified the rebellion and brought harmony to all nations. His meritorious service is exceptional, and deserving of the highest honors. The Imperial Princess Jia’an Roujia possesses wisdom, grace, and propriety. She has reached the age of marriage. These two are a match made by Heaven. Thus, We hereby bestow this marriage…”
Zhu Yan could not hear the rest of the decree. Her body turned cold, her hands trembling as she knelt there, feeling as if she were in an ice cellar. She now fully understood the Empress’s warning from the previous night about having only one chance. But this realization came too late.
“By Imperial command.”
Zhang Baohuan rolled up the Imperial edict and attempted to hand it to Shen Du, but he did not take it. Seemingly anticipating this reaction, Zhang Baohuan sighed, and dismissed everyone else, leaving only the three of them. With a worried expression, he said:
“Last night, this official deliberately spoke in such a manner to inform Her Majesty of your attitudes, hoping she would not make such an arrangement. But Her Majesty is Her Majesty, and neither you nor I can sway her will.”
“You should at least accept the edict before speaking further.”
Shen Du did not take it. Instead, he helped Zhu Yan to her feet, but she was so devastated by the news that she collapsed immediately after standing. Seeing her in such a daze, Shen Du felt a pang of pain and guilt in his heart. His usually calm eyes were as deep as a hidden pool:
“As Lord Zhang can see, my wife does not wish for me to marry Princess Jia’an, nor do I wish to take another wife. Please report back to Her Majesty that we must respectfully decline.”
Zhang Baohuan tossed the edict onto the desk and sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea. The tea was fragrant and refreshing, though not comparable to the tribute teas in the palace. Putting down the teacup, Zhang Baohuan tapped the table:
“Do you know why Her Majesty chose me to read this edict today? Such rewards are usually announced by officials from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Why use me?”
Zhang Baohuan referred to himself as “I,” due to his relationship with Han Shiyuan, not treating Zhu Yan and Shen Du as outsiders.
Zhu Yan’s beautiful eyes finally focused as she asked weakly, “Why?”
Seeing Zhu Yan like this, Zhang Baohuan clicked his tongue twice: “Last night, you didn’t voice any objection to the Grand Chancellor marrying. Even with the Empress Dowager’s hint, you failed to grasp the opportunity to refuse.”
Shadows clouded Zhu Yan’s eyes as she said bitterly, “What does that have to do with Lord Zhang coming today?”
Shen Du shared this thought, placing Zhu Yan on his lap and looking at Zhang Baohuan.
Under their gaze, Zhang Baohuan chuckled lightly, inexplicably reminding Zhu Yan of Pan Chi, who was far away in Wusun. They shared the same flawless handsomeness, every expression exuding charm. In contrast, Shen Du’s features were more rugged, with a touch of a rough man’s aura.
Zhang Baohuan played with the edict, narrowing his eyes slightly, his demeanor suddenly changing:
“If you can’t figure it out, surely the Grand Chancellor can?”
Zhu Yan looked at Shen Du, whose deep eyes avoided her gaze.
“Why? Just tell me clearly, don’t speak in riddles.”
“Very well. For the sake of Han Shiyuan marrying into your Zhu family, I’ll reveal this to you, lest Shiyuan blames me unnecessarily in the future.”
Zhu Yan waited for him to continue.
Shen Du remained unresponsive. Zhang Baohuan sighed inwardly:
“Princess Jia’an is the most beloved daughter of Princess Chaoyang, who in turn is Her Majesty’s favorite princess. Princess Chaoyang’s temperament and personality are most similar to Her Majesty’s, receiving the most affection, even overshadowing the Crown Prince. Her future ascension to the throne is not impossible. Given this, why would Princess Jia’an be bestowed upon the Grand Chancellor as a secondary wife? Why is this?”
Seeing Zhu Yan’s confused black eyes, Zhang Baohuan had to provide further hints:
“Although the Grand Chancellor wields immense power and has achieved great merit, enjoying a status second only to one, he stands alone when looking around. He has no backing and has even married you, a commoner of the fifth rank, as his wife. If Princess Jia’an were to marry, she should be free to choose among the imperial relatives. Why must she marry Shen Du?”
Zhu Yan looked at Shen Du, suddenly recalling what Mo Qianzhi had said in Yingzhou. Now, only Shen Du remained of the Shen family, with only Mo Qianzhi and that steward having any connection to the Shen household. Mo Qianzhi was dead, and Shen Du was indeed the most vulnerable person in the court, coupled with his duty to monitor all officials. If even the slightest mistake were made, death would come easily.
“You can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing a child. Shen Du is that wolf.”
Shen Du’s eyes turned cold: “I can endure any measure Her Majesty takes to guard against me, but a forced marriage is out of the question.”
He picked up the edict and was about to leave when Zhu Yan stopped him. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears, but her expression was resolute:
“You can’t go. You must accept this marriage.”
Shen Du’s dark eyes showed a moment of bewilderment: “Zhu Yan, you…”
Zhu Yan shook her head hurriedly: “I don’t want to share my husband with another, but I want even less for you to die.”
If he openly defied the edict and refused the marriage, it would provide the perfect reason for Shen Du’s death.
“You and I are not fated to be together in this life. Let’s divorce today. We can’t slight the Princess. I’ll take the divorce papers and return home, having no further connection with you, Shen Du.”
Divorce again.
Shen Du’s face darkened. In Zhang Baohuan’s presence, he restrained himself, only pinching Zhu Yan’s cheek with a fierce expression: “Don’t even think about divorce. I won’t agree to it.”
“But…” Making the Princess a secondary wife would surely embitter her, and besides Shen Du, she would suffer too. If this entanglement continued, what future would Shen Du have?
“All I’ve ever wanted in life was to be a female official, helping in the yamen to examine corpses and judge cases. Now that my wish has been fulfilled, I don’t want to be trapped in the inner court, fighting a losing battle. Nor do I want you to defend me against the Princess’s resentment. It’s better to divorce and be done with it.”
“At least I can keep my life.” Zhu Yan only muttered this softly, not daring to speak loudly, but with Shen Du’s keen hearing, he heard it all.
Shen Du scoffed lightly. This woman thought things through clearly, but he had lived a solitary life, and now that his desire was before his eyes, he was unwilling to compromise himself for the sake of illusory wealth and status.
“You would abandon me to save your life?”
How could he say that? Zhu Yan sighed helplessly: “It’s you who’s taking another wife. You’re abandoning me.” He had it all backward.
Shen Du shook his head: “I’m already married. I won’t take another wife in this lifetime. I’ll go with Lord Zhang to cancel the engagement.”
But Zhang Baohuan didn’t move an inch: “Lord Shen, the reason I came today is that I share the same thoughts as Lady Zhu.”
“Your divorce is the best choice.”
Unexpectedly, Shen Du grabbed Zhang Baohuan’s collar, his eyes red, breathing heavily as he roared: “Say that again?”
Zhang Baohuan’s fear dissipated in an instant. He brushed off Shen Du’s arm and said coldly: “Don’t be rash. Not every pair of lovers in this world can end up together. If you don’t think of yourself, think of Lady Zhu and the Zhu family.”
Shen Du glanced at Zhu Yan, his eyes complex: “Is this what you think too?”
Zhu Yan didn’t answer, her heart aching, torn between two difficult choices.
Staggering back a few steps, Shen Du’s figure suddenly seemed defeated. The world felt desolate. This strong and decisive man suddenly looked as if he had been abandoned by the entire world.
Zhu Yan moved to approach him but was stopped by Zhang Baohuan. She lowered her head, biting her lip. When she looked up again, Zhu Yan fiercely wiped away her tears, pushed Zhang Baohuan aside with all her might, and threw herself into Shen Du’s arms, silently looking at him without a word.
Their eyes met, no words were needed.
After a long while, Zhang Baohuan twisted his ring: “Once you two have settled this matter, I will return to report to the Empress Dowager that the Grand Chancellor, upon hearing of the bestowed marriage, was overjoyed, with his household adorned with lanterns and decorations, awaiting only the day of the grand wedding.”
“Wait!”
They spoke in unison, then looked at each other and smiled. Shen Du took Zhu Yan’s hand and walked to Zhang Baohuan.
Zhang Baohuan: …