“Silly girl.” Xiao Shi caressed that face which looked so much like her own, speaking with tender pity: “Mother will grow old and die, and cannot accompany you for a lifetime. Only a husband is the one who can walk hand in hand with you until old age.”

“This daughter knows this, but waiting a few more years wouldn’t matter. Must Mother really drive this daughter away so early?”

“Mother loves you dearly and couldn’t bear to drive you away, but dragging things on year after year is truly not proper. Mother still hopes to hold grandchildren soon.”

“Mother!” Faced with Yunyi’s coquettish manner, Xiao Shi drew her into an embrace and said: “Today the matriarch of the Cui clan came to see Mother. Her son, Cuiji, wishes to marry you.”

“Cuiji again.” Yunyi frowned: “Just how many people has he asked to speak on his behalf?”

“Again?” Xiao Shi asked in puzzlement: “What do you mean by that?”

Ruyi laughed: “Your Majesty doesn’t know, but just now Young Master Du came over, also for Young Master Cui’s matter. However, the Princess showed no favor and after just a few words, drove Young Master Du away.”

“You’re getting more and more talkative!” Yunyi lightly scolded Ruyi, then said: “Mother, let’s discuss this matter later.”

Xiao Shi looked at her for a while, then said: “Yunyi, do you know how all of Luoyang is talking about you now?”

Yunyi lowered her eyes: “This daughter knows. They’re all saying this daughter has a fate that brings misfortune to husbands, that Young Master Zheng was killed by this daughter’s curse.”

“Then do you also know how many wives from scholarly and official families Mother has invited to the palace these past few days? Every time I speak with them about your marriage, they all deflect and change the subject. Why? Because they all believe that rumor and fear that marrying you would bring misfortune to their sons.”

Yunyi frowned: “If they’re willing to believe such nonsense, then let them believe it. Mother need not pay them any mind.”

Xiao Shi sighed deeply: “It’s not that Mother wants to pay attention, but Mother doesn’t want that rumor to continue harming you. Simply denying it is useless. The best method is to choose a new consort. Once you two are safely married and living happily, the rumor will collapse on its own.”

“Compared to those people Mother considered before, Cuiji is first-rate in character, family background, and learning. He couldn’t be more suitable for you. Most precious is his deep and sincere feelings for you. With him taking care of you in the future, even if Mother is gone, I can rest in peace.”

The melancholy that seeped through Xiao Shi’s words caused Yunyi’s heart to panic, and she hurriedly said: “Mother will always be well and live for a thousand years. How could you not be here?”

Xiao Shi’s gaze softened as she patted her hand: “Even if Mother truly lives for a thousand years, you still must marry. You cannot cling to Mother’s side for your entire life. If we continue dragging this out, who knows what that rumor will become.”

Yunyi lowered her head without speaking. Xiao Shi knew she was considering the matter of Cuiji and didn’t press her, waiting quietly. Rain pattered against the trees, washing the tender leaves that had just emerged. In such rain sounds, Yunyi said: “Does Mother truly think this daughter should marry Cuiji?”

“Mother cannot think of a reason why you shouldn’t marry him, unless… you still harbor feelings for someone you shouldn’t.” With these words, Xiao Shi’s gaze gradually turned cold and sharp. Yunyi met her eyes for a moment, then quickly looked away, saying in a low voice: “Since Mother thinks I should marry, then this daughter will comply.”

Her answer made Xiao Shi say with relief: “Good. Since you’ve agreed, Mother will speak with your Father Emperor later. All your dowry and ceremonial preparations are almost ready, and the princess residence is also built. We only need the Cui family to prepare their side, then the wedding can take place. By calculation, the wedding date shouldn’t need to be delayed too long.”

Yunyi forced a smile: “Everything according to Mother’s wishes.”

After seeing off Xiao Shi, Yunyi stood under the eaves gazing at the continuously falling raindrops, not speaking for a long time. Ruyi tentatively said: “Princess, you… truly are so unwilling to marry Young Master Cui?”

Yunyi withdrew her gaze and shook her head: “I can’t say willing or unwilling. I simply cannot accept it for the moment. But Mother is right – Cuiji truly is the most suitable choice.”

Jixiang interjected: “Since both Her Majesty the Empress and Young Master Du say Young Master Cui is good, he must truly be good. Princess, you’ll surely be very happy after marrying him.”

Yunyi gazed at the endless rain lines, her thoughts drifting toward some unknown distance…

On the twentieth day of the second month, Yang Guang issued an imperial edict proclaiming to the world that due to Zheng Yang’s accidental death making it impossible to marry Princess Jinyang, the marriage was therefore bestowed instead upon Cuiji, son of the Cui family of Heqing, with the grand wedding ceremony to be held on the ninth day of the third month.

After Du Ruhui and Pei Qiancheng learned of this edict, they arranged to visit the Cui residence to congratulate Cuiji. Upon seeing them, Cuiji’s first words were: “The Princess has consented to marry me!”

Du Ruhui said with amusement: “We know. Not only us, but all of Luoyang knows. On our way here, many people were saying that this young master of the Cui family must not value his life, knowing that Princess Jinyang brings misfortune to husbands yet still daring to marry her!”

Cuiji said excitedly: “The Princess doesn’t bring misfortune to husbands at all. Once the Princess and I are married, they’ll know that’s nothing but an absurd rumor!”

“Yes, yes, yes, future Prince Consort.” Pei Qiancheng teased: “Old Du, look – he’s not even married yet and already defending the Princess like this. What will it be like in the future?”

Du Ruhui continued his words: “Need you ask? He’ll certainly obey only the Princess’s commands. In the future, when we want to find him for drinks, it’ll be difficult. We might even get thrown out by the Princess.”

Cuiji’s cheeks reddened slightly from their teasing, and he said uncomfortably: “The Princess is learned and well-mannered, gentle and virtuous. How could she do such a thing?”

Seeing him like this, Du Ruhui and the other couldn’t help but laugh heartily, then said: “Alright, alright, we’re just joking with you. That you can achieve your heart’s desire makes us both happy for you too.”

Pei Qiancheng said: “Indeed! I’ve already prepared a congratulatory gift and will send it over in a couple days, wishing you and the Princess to grow old together with hearts forever united.”

Cuiji’s eyes reddened slightly with emotion: “Thank you both, elder brothers.” Then he bowed deeply to Du Ruhui: “Thank you, Brother Du, for speaking well of me before the Princess. This kindness and virtue, I, Cuiji, will surely remember.”

Du Ruhui smiled: “Enough. Since we’re brothers, don’t speak such formal words. Remember, you must treat the Princess well. I don’t want to see the Princess crying or sad.”

Cuiji said solemnly: “Brother Du, rest assured. The Princess is the most beloved person of my life. I absolutely will not let her shed a single tear.”

“That’s good.” As they were speaking, a servant approached – Cuiji’s father was calling him to discuss matters for the wedding day. There were only twenty days until the ninth day of the third month, and preparing everything in such a short time would undoubtedly be rushed.

“Brother Pei, please sit here for a moment. I’ll go and return shortly.” Faced with Cuiji’s words, Pei Qiancheng laughed: “Go on, attend to your business. Old Du and I will leave now. With the wedding approaching, you probably don’t have time to gather with us anyway. After you and the Princess are married, we’ll have a proper drink together.”