Shen Mieyue set down his chopsticks and said, "Mother, I already have a girl I like in Liangzhou City. She just isn’t willing to marry me yet. After I return to Liangzhou City, I’ll try harder."
Shen's Mother felt slightly relieved and said gently, "If the girl isn’t willing, don’t force her."
Shen Mieyue lowered his head and continued eating the braised pork.
Shen's Mother then turned her gaze to Shen Xiuming, who was sipping soup. She frowned and said, "You’re not getting any younger. Settle down soon so I can rest easy."
Shen Xiuming paused mid-sip, and a delicate face suddenly flashed through his mind.
A few days ago, during the welcoming banquet at Qinghua Hall, Shen Xiuming hadn’t drunk, but Moxun from the Yue Kingdom delegation had gotten thoroughly drunk.
Shen Xiuming escorted Moxun back to the embassy. When he tossed Moxun onto the bed, the belt loosened, and the clothes slipped askew. Shen Xiuming accidentally caught a glimpse of Moxun’s curved chest.
Moxun was actually a woman!
These past few days, Shen Xiuming couldn’t help but think of Moxun. He had never met such an intriguing girl before...
But he was an official of Da Qing. Marrying a girl from Yue Kingdom would likely face opposition from his entire family and stir up court gossip.
Shen Xiuming could only wipe his mouth and feign indifference. "Mother! A real man establishes his career first, then his family."
Shen's Mother shook her head helplessly.
After a hearty meal, Shen Wei took a stroll in the courtyard to aid digestion, with Shen Mieyue accompanying her.
The Shen family’s courtyard was sparse in flowers and plants, the scenery rather plain. Walking beside Shen Wei, Shen Mieyue reminded her softly, "Be careful with everything in the palace."
Shen Wei smiled. "Don’t worry, elder brother. Just hold onto your military authority firmly. When Chengtai and Chengyou grow up, they’ll need their uncle’s support."
Shen Mieyue stiffened slightly and nodded quickly. "I understand."
A breeze swept through the courtyard’s plants, and suddenly, Shen Wei’s vision darkened, her head spinning as she nearly fainted. Shen Mieyue hurriedly stepped forward. "Little sister, what’s wrong?"
Shen Wei rubbed her temples. "I must not have slept well last night."
Lately, she had been feeling exhausted, occasionally plagued by nightmares that left her drained the next day. Shen Wei decided to consult the imperial physicians upon returning to the palace to find out what was wrong.
Her time visiting home was limited, so Shen Wei didn’t linger. After handing over chests of medicinal herbs and fine silks to Shen's Mother, she quickly left the Shen residence and returned to the palace.
...
A few more days passed, and the Emperor issued several decrees in succession.
Shen Wei’s younger brother, Shen Xiuming, was promoted to Chief Administrator of Nanhai Prefecture, a fifth-rank official responsible for overseeing Nanhai Prefecture’s administrative affairs and managing trade with Donglin Kingdom.
The deceased wife of the Duke of Lu was posthumously granted the title of First-Rank Noble Consort.
Yan Yunting, the most accomplished of the Yan Family, had achieved remarkable military feats. The Emperor initially intended to exceptionally appoint him as Minister of Rites. However, Yan Yunting had the audacity to request Zhao Yang Princess’s hand in marriage. Enraged, the Emperor only granted him the position of Vice Minister of Rites.
Additionally, the Emperor promoted many officials from humble backgrounds while demoting dozens of incompetent ones.
Anyone with a slight understanding of court affairs would notice that the Emperor was elevating new talents from common backgrounds while suppressing the bloated aristocratic officials.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yang’s marriage to the Yue Kingdom was finalized. The Imperial Household Department began busily preparing dowry items for the princess.
Zhao Yang was the Emperor’s beloved younger sister, revered by the people. Her dowry was extravagantly rich—countless gold, silver, and jewels filled dozens of carriages. She was also accompanied by numerous maids and servants, and the Emperor even assigned her a capable hundred-man guard.
After the Imperial Astrologer divined an auspicious date, General Shen Mieyue of Da Qing was appointed as the envoy to personally escort Princess Zhao Yang to the Yue Kingdom.
Zhao Yang’s departure was set for the first day of the fifth month.
On the eve of her departure, the princess’s residence was decorated with lanterns and banners, brimming with festivity. Zhao Yang was in the backyard storeroom, inventorying the dowry items while servants busily loaded chests onto carriages.
The journey would be long and arduous, with the slow-moving caravan taking at least two months to reach the border between Da Qing and Yue Kingdom. Besides the valuable dowry, ample provisions had to be prepared.
"Princess, Young Master Yan requests an audience," a palace maid reported.
Zhao Yang replied impatiently, "Drive him away. If he forces his way in, have the guards kill him."
These past few days, Yan Yunting had been coming daily to seek an audience, sometimes even standing outside the residence for an entire day. Rumors had spread like wildfire throughout Yanjing.
Zhao Yang found it utterly distasteful.
As she continued counting the dowry items, a loud commotion erupted outside. Zhao Yang turned to see Yan Yunting barging in, covered in blood, his clothes slashed by the guards’ blades.
His hair was disheveled, his crown lost.
A pitiful, wretched sight.
Yan Yunting rushed forward desperately, trying to seize Zhao Yang’s hand. "Zhao Yang, I know you’re being forced! The Emperor is pressuring you, the Empress Dowager is pressuring you—"
"Silence! Stop your nonsense!" Zhao Yang scowled in disgust. "This princess is willingly marrying the Emperor of Yue Kingdom."
Yan Yunting was nearly deranged. "Impossible! You love only me! That day at the Yan Family’s villa, when you saw me with Rou'er... I know you’re angry! But I swear, I’ll make you my principal wife! Rou'er is just a concubine—she’ll never replace you!"
He knew Zhao Yang wanted him exclusively.
But what man in the world would take only one wife? Every prominent family in Yanjing had men with multiple wives and concubines.
He couldn’t understand Zhao Yang’s thinking.
Wasn’t it enough that he reserved the position of principal wife for her? Yet she stubbornly chose to marry far away, throwing away her happiness just to spite him.
Zhao Yang’s temples throbbed. "Guards! Drag this dog out! If he barges in again, kill him on the spot!"
The princess’s guards immediately moved to expel him.
Yan Yunting was aggrieved, filled with resentment. He had already humbled himself, swallowing his pride to seek forgiveness—even enduring the Emperor’s reprimands—yet she still refused to relent.
So stubborn!
A man’s patience had its limits.
Seeing Zhao Yang’s unyielding attitude, Yan Yunting’s anger flared. He flicked his sleeve and snapped, "Fine! Fine! Since you’re so heartless, I won’t come looking for you anymore! I’ll petition the Emperor to marry Rou'er as my principal wife!"
