After completing the dimensional strike against the Third Princess, the Second Princess contentedly pulled her sister along with their servants and left the palace. Ling Buyi watched their departing direction from afar and said: “It seems the two Highnesses won’t be going to pay respects to the Empress and Consort Yue today.”

Shaoshang suddenly asked: “Has the Third Princess not been entering the palace often lately?”

Ling Buyi glanced at her: “That’s correct. How did you know?”

Shaoshang said indifferently: “Just now I heard the Second Princess say that the Third Princess had thirty percent of her fief revenue stripped away several months ago. Though I don’t know what offense Her Highness committed, from her words just now she still seems resentful, so father and daughter haven’t reconciled. Being such, given her temperament, naturally she wouldn’t frequently enter the palace.”

Ling Buyi was silent for a moment before saying: “Correct. However, the one who proposed stripping the Third Princess of thirty percent of her fief revenue as punishment wasn’t His Majesty, but Consort Yue herself. These past few months, besides the required family banquets, the Third Princess hasn’t entered the palace at all.”

Shaoshang was quite surprised: “Consort Yue is the Third Princess’s birth mother, isn’t she?” She had only ever heard of mothers covering up and speaking well of their children—this must be some kind of reverse operation.

“Consort Yue is extremely strict in raising her children. You’ll understand in the future.”

After saying this, Ling Buyi pulled Shaoshang along and walked. The personal guards he’d brought followed quietly and solemnly behind, always maintaining a distance of about ten zhang. Shaoshang stumbled along being pulled forward at a quick pace, occasionally looking back at this group of silent followers. She was very unaccustomed to such grand displays. She wanted to say something, but Ling Buyi walked in silence with large strides. Given the height difference, Shaoshang was practically dragged into a trot. She thought—could this be the legendary cold war phase between lovers?

“Lord Ling Buyi!”

Seeing the palace halls ahead in sight, Shaoshang forcefully stopped her steps, both hands gripping her fiancé’s arm tightly, panting: “…If you have something to say, just say it. I’m about to face the Emperor soon. You’re dragging me along until I’m breathless—if I can’t answer His Majesty’s questions properly… I don’t have thirty percent of fief revenue to be stripped away, only one head on my shoulders!” Then she really wouldn’t need to get married.

Ling Buyi stopped walking, his expression gloomy as he looked at her, saying slowly: “I rarely misjudge people in my life. Only now do I realize you’re a cunning and selfish woman! When you had use for me, your mouth was full of sweet words, praising me lavishly in every way. When you discovered I wasn’t the kind of husband you wanted, you discarded me like worn shoes.”

Shaoshang was silent: “…You’re not wrong.” According to the customs of this era, her previous excessive flattery could indeed easily mislead a man. In this regard, she was sorry, but what’s with this resentful woman’s tone?

“When you kept calling me ‘elder brother,’ I should have realized your intentions. You coveted the assistance I could give you, yet also disdained me. You didn’t want me as a person, so you only wanted me to be some ‘neither close nor distant’ damn elder brother!”

Shaoshang thought for a moment and sighed: “That’s also not wrong. However, I didn’t disdain you.”

How could she disdain him! It’s just that creatures like male gods—the most beautiful moment is when they’re placed on a pedestal. As long as he stays on the pedestal forever, he can become the comfort of your soul, the faith driving you forward, the guiding light on your path, blah blah blah…

She was very willing to treat Ling Buyi as such a perfect idol—not only could she worship him, but he could also be her backing. It was truly wonderful. She had it all planned out nicely. Who knew he wouldn’t follow her wishes and insisted on squeezing into her life? In the not-distant future, this beautiful and domineering deity would even sleep beside her—that prospect was simply unbearably sour.

Ling Buyi’s phoenix eyes contained anger, full of disbelief, glaring at her coldly.

Shaoshang smiled bitterly: “How could I disdain you? I disdain myself.” This was the truth. She knew she had many flaws, and the reason she couldn’t get along with people often lay with herself.

“Since you know your temperament is so bad, yet you have no intention of changing.” Ling Buyi stared at her.

Shaoshang sighed: “If it could be easily changed, why would there be the saying that rivers and mountains may change, but one’s nature is hard to alter?”

Ling Buyi smiled coldly: “This is exactly you. Clever enough to refuse advice, eloquent enough to gloss over faults.”

Hearing these familiar words, Shaoshang immediately laughed: “Mother often says this. You two must get along well.”

Ling Buyi said word by word: “However, I will not break the engagement.”

“Since you know my temperament is somewhat, somewhat unbearable… why must you marry me?” Shaoshang was speechless.

Ling Buyi looked at her for a while, then suddenly said something unrelated: “I fell from my horse and was injured the day before yesterday. You haven’t asked about my injury yet.”

Shaoshang raised her head to look. She saw the scattered bloody scratches on his slender neck and beautiful profile,映着他的肤色against his complexion like crimson staining white jade. Her heart inexplicably softened. She reached out her left hand to gently stroke his bandaged neck, saying quietly: “Does it hurt?”

The cold severity in Ling Buyi’s eyes eased. Having been angry for two days and two nights, it seemed he’d been waiting for just this simple inquiry, this gentle touch. He grasped the small hand the girl had placed on his neck and said tenderly: “When we’re before His Majesty shortly, you don’t need to be afraid. His Majesty is very benevolent. Say whatever you want to say. Even if you say something wrong, it doesn’t matter—I’m here.”

Shaoshang looked at the handsome, tall young man before her. Her heart seemed to instantly leap across thousands of mountains and rivers, trek through deep valleys and towering ridges. She suddenly felt exhausted: “…Actually, your temperament isn’t much better than mine. Being hot and cold like this, unpredictable—how can ordinary people stand it?”

Hearing this complaint, Ling Buyi’s eyes, like deep amber, overflowed with radiance, brilliant as stars. He touched Shaoshang’s soft, childlike hair and said gently: “If you treat me a little better, I won’t be like this.”

Shaoshang was momentarily speechless: “Shouldn’t I be the one saying this to you?”

“Because you don’t treat me well, I went riding after drinking.” Ling Buyi was very serious. “But I didn’t tell anyone—it was because of you that I fell from the horse.”

Shaoshang stared with wide round eyes, nearly shedding tears. I originally didn’t want to marry you, and now I’m reluctantly taking you in, yet you’re still being picky and demanding I treat you better! No wonder you were always worried I wouldn’t like you before—seems you understand yourself quite well—”Are you threatening me?”

Ling Buyi smiled but didn’t answer, only pulled the girl along to continue walking, except this time he slowed his pace.

Shaoshang followed behind him, muttering resentfully: “Your own skills are lacking, your horsemanship is poor, yet you’re blaming it on me. I won’t acknowledge it—your threats are useless…” Though she grumbled with her mouth, she could only let him pull her forward.

Arriving at the palace gate, the young eunuch on duty came forward bowing in greeting. Ling Buyi smiled in return, his posture upright and elegant, without the slightest condescension toward those of lower status. The young eunuch’s eyes gleamed with even more smiles as he repeatedly invited them in. Ling Buyi pulled Shaoshang up the steps, leaving his personal guards outside the hall.

As the two walked inside, Shaoshang could still hear faint whispers from several eunuchs behind them—

“Lord Ling is such a good person—he treats us all with such humility and kindness.”

“Eleventh Brother is different from other princes and nobles—he has no arrogant or harsh airs!”

“Several officials at the Secretariat often praise him as respectful and courteous, brave and benevolent, with the demeanor of ancient gentlemen!”

“That must be Miss Cheng. She’s quite beautiful, but I wonder if her temperament is gentle and virtuous. Eleventh Brother has had it hard being alone all these years—I only hope this Miss Cheng treats him well!”

…

The discussion gradually faded. Shaoshang held in a bellyful of anger. Ling Buyi suddenly stopped and pointed at the deep corridor ahead, saying: “Walk to the end of the corridor and turn—that’s where His Majesty rests after conducting daily affairs. Do you have anything else to say to me?”

Shaoshang lowered her voice indignantly: “…You really know how to handle people. Now everyone wants me to treat you well. Why doesn’t anyone say you should also treat me well? I’ve had it hard all these years too!”

Ling Buyi suppressed a laugh: “Is that all? We’re about to face the Emperor.”

“There’s more!” Shaoshang kept a straight face and took a deep breath: “It’s all because of you that I have so many troubles! In a moment, if His Majesty dislikes me or scolds me, it’s all your fault. If His Majesty punishes or reprimands me, that’s also your fault. If His Majesty tests me and I can’t answer, that’s still your fault! Remember that!”

Ling Buyi finally couldn’t hold back. He turned to the side, one hand supporting himself against the carved dark red lacquered wooden corridor wall, laughing softly.

Shaoshang was furious. She forcefully swung her sleeve to shake off his hand, childishly stamped her feet, and walked forward on her own.

Ling Buyi rested his forehead against the back of his hand, laughing softly for quite a while, his heart full of indulgence as he muttered to himself: “Fierce on the outside, timid within!”

When he raised his head again, he saw the girl had already disappeared at the end of the corridor. He strode to catch up. Walking to the end and turning, he suddenly saw about ten-some steps away his fiancée standing with her back turned, talking to a tall, jade-like young man. He paused slightly, then slowly walked over.

“Is there a fierce beast chasing you? Every time you get engaged, it’s like fleeing for your life…”

“Besides Master Huangfu sending my aunt a letter of music scores and poetry each month and my uncle writing home each month to complain, I have no other connection with Young Master Jianjian. Young Master Yuan, you should mind your own business.”

“…Then I congratulate Lord Shaoshang on another fine match.”

“Can you please remove that word ‘another’?!”

Before Yuan Shen could retort, Ling Buyi had already walked over, smiling: “So it’s Jianjian. I wonder what you were discussing with my wife?”

“…” Yuan Shen frowned slightly. “You and Lord Shaoshang aren’t yet married. Calling her ‘my wife’ now seems rather improper.”

Shaoshang’s eyes lit up. Actually, she had wanted to say this just now—’My what wife, I haven’t married yet!’ She clapped her hands and laughed: “Young Master Jianjian has very good insight!”

Ling Buyi glanced at her sideways and said in a low voice: “I see you also have good insight. Why don’t you go explain yourself to His Majesty in a moment?”

Shaoshang immediately softened and closed her mouth.

Seeing this situation, Yuan Shen inexplicably felt a surge of anger rising in his heart. Just as he was about to speak, Ling Buyi very politely clasped his hands toward him and smiled: “Jianjian is leaving the palace? The sun is blazing now—why not have someone prepare a bamboo hat for shade?”

Yuan Shen opened his mouth several times to speak, but finally held back. He bowed in return: “Your Lordship is too kind. This official will take his leave now.” After speaking, he couldn’t help glancing at Shaoshang once more, then departed with a flick of his sleeve.

Ling Buyi stared fixedly at the corridor where Yuan Shen departed, not moving for a long time. Shaoshang couldn’t help asking: “What are you looking at? Is something wrong with Yuan Shen?” Ling Buyi answered: “From when you and I separately walked here, it’s less than a hundred steps.”

Shaoshang didn’t understand his meaning and also estimated: “Right, about a hundred steps or so. So what?”

Seeing her completely confused expression, Ling Buyi sighed softly: “Nothing. Let’s go see His Majesty.”

After the eunuch’s bright voice announced them, the two entered the inner hall bowing. They saw the Emperor sitting high in the seat of honor wearing casual robes, beside him the Empress in simple dress and hair, and below sat the smiling Crown Prince and the refined, gentle Crown Princess.

Ling Buyi pulled Shaoshang to bow together. After rising to kneel, he smiled: “How did Your Majesty the Empress also come? Weren’t we supposed to meet at Changqiu Palace?”

The Empress smiled with dignity: “Just consider that I couldn’t wait to see your new wife.” She turned her head: “Your Majesty, everyone’s here. Whatever instructions you have, please speak.”

The Emperor looked at the small girl kneeling obediently below and slowly nodded: “Mm, finally performed the correct ceremony today.”

Shaoshang’s face flushed with embarrassment. Truly the ignorant know no fear—she only learned later that she’d been using incorrect court etiquette all along.

Seeing the Crown Prince couple laughing secretly on the side, Ling Buyi couldn’t help saying: “Your Majesty, the Cheng family originally had no intention of having her enter the palace. Naturally, they were somewhat lax in teaching her court etiquette.”

The Emperor ignored his adopted son and continued asking: “Miss Cheng, do you know what it takes to become Zicheng’s wife?”

Shaoshang was completely confused. Why did this sound like the opening speech at a job fair? Looking at these several important figures, she carefully considered her words: “This… to become Lord Ling’s wife, one must first get married…”

Before she finished speaking, the Crown Prince burst out laughing. Seeing the Emperor’s displeased gaze shoot over, he quickly lowered his head to suppress it—but the Empress and Crown Princess also turned their faces to cover their sleeves and laugh softly.

Shaoshang quickly apologized: “Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject is foolish and didn’t understand Your Majesty’s meaning. Just now I spoke rashly—I humbly beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness!” What are you laughing at? What did I say wrong?!

The Emperor remained silent, his face showing neither pleasure nor anger.

Ling Buyi sighed: “Your Majesty, just speak plainly. Shaoshang is young and untaught—she can’t understand.”

The Emperor’s eyes showed several traces of helplessness. He put on a smile and said: “Fine. Miss Cheng, I ask you—your etiquette is rough, your learning unremarkable, yet Zicheng is a pillar of the nation, and I regard him as my own son. Do you think you match Zicheng?”

Hearing this question, Shaoshang’s heart practically shed wide noodle tears—oh heavens, oh earth! Finally someone asks her this question! She really, really has so much she wants to say!

Ling Buyi was about to speak when the Emperor suddenly raised his hand to stop his adopted son from continuing, half-seriously, half-jokingly ordering: “You, don’t speak. Let Shaoshang talk.”

“We don’t match—naturally we don’t match!” Shaoshang gathered her breath, determined to say everything in one go, omitting even commas where possible. So with great enthusiasm, she spoke loudly—

“Your Majesty’s clear judgment—when this young woman was three years old, Father and Mother left the capital to campaign in distant battles. At home remained only my elderly, frail grandmother and my not-virtuous second aunt who was later divorced by my second uncle. For ten years, this young woman didn’t recognize a full ten characters or finish reading a single scroll! Only recently when my parents returned and saw this young woman was truly crude and uncouth, completely improper, did they hastily teach me some writings in panic—but even fully counted, this tiny bit of learning doesn’t fill even a winnowing basket! At that time, Mother said she would find me a husband of slightly lower status so if I were looked down upon, my natal family could still help support me… Heaven above, earth below—this young woman’s words are completely true without a shred of falsehood! From Grandmother to siblings, no one in the Cheng household imagined I would be engaged to someone like Lord Ling, such a rare talent! Truly, Your Majesty, this is all true! If I had known I would receive Lord Ling’s favor in the future, I definitely would have studied day and night with books suspended from my hair and awl piercing my thigh, never resting winter or summer—but now it’s too late! Thinking of marrying someone like Lord Ling with such disparity in talent and appearance, this young woman has more than once been unable to sleep at night, unable to eat, anxious and uneasy. Your Majesty, why don’t you persuade Lord Ling—this young woman truly doesn’t match him!”

After this speech, Shaoshang nearly lost her breath.

The Empress and Crown Prince were both shocked and amused, turning aside to wipe tears. The Crown Princess was stunned, not knowing whether she was frightened speechless or didn’t understand. The Emperor’s smile froze. Of course, this wasn’t the answer he’d been waiting for. His original intention was to admonish this young girl, tell her not to be arrogant from being favored or bully his adopted son’s magnanimity. But the result—how did it turn out like this…

Ling Buyi seemed completely unsurprised by his fiancée’s “brilliant discourse” and even smiled, saying: “Your Majesty, you see—though Shaoshang is young, how modest and self-aware she is, so naturally genuine!”