Shen Wei set down the illustrated album in her hand and asked Cai Lian, "Has there been any unusual activity from her in the palace these past two days?"
Cai Lian replied, "Princess Zhenmin has been staying in the palace gardens and rarely steps out. She often asks the old palace maids about the deeds of the Zhao Yang Princess. Additionally, Consort Shu sent her a box of Wuyi rock tea, which Princess Zhenmin accepted but stored away without drinking."
Shen Wei fell into thought for a long moment before saying, "Invite her in."
Before long, light footsteps echoed outside the study. Princess Donglin, dressed in a goose-yellow autumn gown, fluttered into Shen Wei’s study like a dancing butterfly.
A bright smile graced Princess Donglin’s lips as she spoke in an innocent, lively tone, "Greetings, Noble Consort Chen. The Shu brocade you sent me today is absolutely lovely. Zhenmin has come to thank you."
Shen Wei replied, "I’m glad the princess likes it."
Princess Donglin took a seat, her curious gaze drifting toward the album in Shen Wei’s hands.
Shen Wei said, "I was just selecting potential husbands for the princess. You may choose for yourself—if any young master catches your eye, I can request His Majesty to arrange the marriage."
Cai Lian stepped forward and presented albums containing portraits of young nobles from the Ministry of Rites and several ducal families to Princess Donglin.
Princess Donglin did not take them. Instead, her beautiful eyes fixed pleadingly on Shen Wei. "I dare not hide it from Noble Consort Chen—Zhenmin’s heart already belongs to someone."
Shen Wei feigned surprise. "Which young master has caught the princess’s eye?"
A blush spread across Princess Donglin’s delicate face as she shyly twisted the embroidered handkerchief in her hands. "His name is Yan Yunting, an official in the Ministry of Rites. When I first arrived in Yanjing City, I spotted him in the crowd from afar—such a handsome gentleman! I refuse to marry anyone but him!"
Shen Wei: "..."
So it was love at first sight.
The bashful, lovestruck look on Princess Donglin’s face reminded Shen Wei of the infatuated Zhao Yang Princess from years past.
Shen Wei cautioned, "Vice Minister Yan is already married. He has a wife at home."
Princess Donglin declared without hesitation, "So what? I’m willing to marry him even as a secondary wife! Noble Consort Chen, please, do me this favor."
Shen Wei studied the foreign princess intently before suddenly remarking, "During your two days in the palace, you’ve been inquiring extensively about the Zhao Yang Princess’s past."
Princess Donglin’s heart skipped a beat.
She twisted her handkerchief silently, lowering her head. Under Shen Wei’s scrutiny, she knew she had been seen through.
Upon arriving in Yanjing City, she had discovered her resemblance to the Zhao Yang Princess.
Thus, she had diligently studied and imitated the late princess’s makeup, attire, gait, and mannerisms. Originally, she bore only a passing resemblance, but after careful practice, the likeness had grown to seventy or eighty percent.
As a princess from a weak nation, she had nothing—she was merely a tribute gift from Donglin to Da Qing. With no backing, she had to carve out her own future.
After a long silence, Shen Wei finally spoke. "Regarding your matter with Yan Yunting, I will discuss it with His Majesty and let him decide."
Princess Donglin exhaled in quiet relief, her face brightening with an innocent, charming smile.
Choosing Yan Yunting as her husband was the best outcome after careful consideration.
As an official in the Ministry of Rites, Yan Yunting was rarely involved in state affairs. Marrying him would significantly reduce Emperor Qing’s suspicions toward her.
Moreover, Yan Yunting seemed to harbor some affection for her. A man in love would make her married life easier.
...
Night fell. After dinner, Li Yuanjing and Shen Wei strolled through the chrysanthemum-filled courtyard to aid digestion.
The autumn moon hung high, bathing the garden in fragrance.
Shen Wei recounted Princess Donglin’s infatuation with Yan Yunting. Li Yuanjing raised a brow in surprise. "This Princess Donglin not only resembles Zhao Yang in appearance but also shares her taste in men?"
Back then, the Zhao Yang Princess’s pursuit of Yan Yunting had been the talk of the capital.
Who would have thought history would repeat itself?
Clutching a warm hand warmer, Shen Wei said to Li Yuanjing, "Your Majesty, Vice Minister Yan already has a wife. Officials in the Ministry of Rites value propriety—demoting his lawful wife to secondary status would be a great injustice."
Li Yuanjing pondered for a moment. "Tomorrow, I will summon Yan Yunting to the palace."
The next day, after the morning court session, Yan Yunting was called to Chang’an Palace. Upon learning that Princess Donglin had fallen for him at first sight and insisted on marrying him, he froze in place.
Years ago, Zhao Yang had also fallen for him at first sight and sworn to marry no one else. Had the heavens taken pity on him, sending another "Zhao Yang" to ease his years of longing?
Yan Yunting’s heart pounded wildly. He wanted nothing more than to bring Princess Donglin home. But there was already Tantai Rou.
Rou had been devoted to him. If he married Princess Donglin, Tantai Rou would be demoted. The thought pained him—his gentle Rou had already suffered enough.
On one side was a vibrant, beautiful replica of the Zhao Yang Princess; on the other, his kind and virtuous wife. His thoughts tangled in chaos, leaving him utterly torn.
Li Yuanjing took a sip of chrysanthemum and wolfberry tea sent by Shen Wei and smiled. "The Noble Consort and I have discussed it. They can be equal wives—Princess Donglin and your current wife will share the same status, with neither suffering injustice."
Yan Yunting’s eyes lit up.
He knelt hastily in gratitude. "This subject obeys Your Majesty’s decree!"
As he left Chang’an Palace, Yan Yunting’s steps were light, his mood euphoric. Marrying Princess Donglin felt like fulfilling a long-cherished dream, mending the regrets of his past with the Zhao Yang Princess.
A cool autumn breeze brushed against his crimson official robes as he strode briskly down the palace path.
At a turn, a lively, soft voice called out, "Vice Minister Yan!"
Yan Yunting halted and turned.
At the other end of the path stood Princess Donglin, radiant as a flower, her every feature reminiscent of someone from the past.
She skipped over cheerfully and stood before him with a playful smile. Handing him a small pouch, she said, "This is a pouch Zhenmin made herself. You must keep it safe—don’t lose it!"
Yan Yunting took the green pouch in a daze.
The stitching was rough, the threads uneven, and the mandarin ducks embroidered on it looked more like ducks.
The Zhao Yang Princess had once forced him to accept her poorly made pouches and handkerchiefs, demanding he treasure them.
Back then, he had scorned them and tossed one into a lake. Now, he accepted this token of mended regrets. "This subject will certainly safeguard the princess’s pouch."
Princess Donglin beamed, then turned and fluttered away, her yellow sleeves billowing like peonies in spring.
Yan Yunting clenched the pouch tightly, his heart surging with emotion, unable to forget the encounter for a long time.
Once Princess Donglin returned to her quarters and the palace gates closed behind her, her innocent, lively demeanor vanished. Her eyes cooled into a still, unreadable pool.
Calm and composed.
"Princess, please have your midday meal first," a maid approached. "Noble Consort Chen instructed this servant to continue recounting the Zhao Yang Princess’s past to you."
Princess Donglin nodded. "I am grateful for Noble Consort Chen’s kindness."
...
Soon, Li Yuanjing issued an imperial decree betrothing Princess Donglin to the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites as an equal wife.
The wedding procession would depart from the palace.
Shen Wei visited Princess Donglin’s temporary residence to gift her a precious gem-studded hairpin. Princess Donglin adored it and thanked her profusely.
The room fell quiet as the attendants withdrew.
Shen Wei took her seat and spoke leisurely, "I feel an instant connection with you. Since you are to be wed in three days, I shall bestow upon you two seasoned palace matrons from my household. They are well-versed in the etiquette of Da Qing—and more importantly, they once served the Zhao Yang Princess."
Princess Donglin tightened her grip around the jeweled hairpin in her hand, the smile in her lovely eyes freezing.
Between clever minds, there was no need for roundabout words—they understood each other swiftly. Princess Donglin was like driftwood on water, adrift and vulnerable, desperate to secure a patron who could offer her a foothold in this foreign land. Shen Wei was willing to extend her protection, provided the princess pledged her loyalty.
Princess Donglin asked, "Might I ask what you require of Zhenmin?"
