Ultimately, the marriage was delayed.
After much negotiation, Feng Ying’s bridal sedan was temporarily carried through the side gate into the Yan family’s second branch.
Yan Chengwu, his face swollen like a pig’s head, gazed at her with deep affection and declared, “Ying’er, don’t worry. I’ve already spoken to Father. Once you enter our household, you’ll be mine, and I’ll make sure to hold a grand wedding for you someday to make up for this!”
Feng Ying’s heart bled with hatred. With Duke Zou’s reckless heir in the picture, how could she ever hope for a grand wedding? Even if it happened, her reputation was already ruined—what good would it do?
Yet, she forced a tender, watery-eyed expression and replied, “Thank you, my lord. Once I enter your household, I’ll devote myself to serving you and your parents, so as not to betray your kindness.”
Hearing this, Yan Chengwu was moved to tears. Even Yan Lin and Lady Xue, who had been holding back their displeasure, could say nothing more and simply let them rest.
Soon, the day of the royal hunt arrived.
Aside from the Empress Dowager and Dowager Noble Consort, who were too frail to attend, Prince Qin, Prince Yu, several adult imperial princes, Princess Jiahui, Princess Roumin, and others all participated. Unlike previous years, officials were also permitted to bring their families and servants, making the event even grander. The procession of nearly a thousand people set out at dawn and took half a day to reach the imperial hunting grounds.
Seated in his imperial carriage, the Emperor reviewed the list of participants and nodded in satisfaction. “The Imperial Park has done well. I was concerned that with so many officials’ families attending, the arrangements might be chaotic, but everything is impeccably organized.”
The director of the Imperial Park hurried forward. “Your Majesty, this is all thanks to the Chief Minister. Without his orders for the Ministry of Rites and the Five City Military Command to assist, my humble self and the Imperial Park staff could never have managed such meticulous preparations!”
The Emperor smiled approvingly. “The Chief Minister has indeed served well! After Chancellor Gu stepped down, I initially considered Minister Cao, but Yan Zheng has proven himself equally capable. Truly, a pillar of the court!”
Yan Zheng bowed slightly. “Your Majesty flatters me. However, regarding the Feng family’s inclusion in the hunting party, I must advise—”
“Ah, Chief Minister, I just praised you—don’t be so narrow-minded!” The Emperor feigned sternness. “I know the Feng girl slandered your wife, and you hold a grudge, but they’ve already been punished. Surely they’ve learned their lesson. Must you dwell on the past?”
Yan Zheng inwardly scoffed. The Emperor’s leniency was clearly meant to elevate Feng Huan’s standing.
What choice did he have? After his father’s death, Great Xia had too few capable generals. With no alternatives, the Emperor had to rely on old hands like Feng Huan.
But this very reliance had given the Feng family an opening.
“If Your Majesty believes I am acting out of personal resentment, then I shall withdraw from overseeing the hunt to avoid further conflict with the Fengs and displeasing Your Majesty.”
His words darkened the Emperor’s expression.
Empress Pei quickly interceded, “Chief Minister, why go so far? His Majesty only wishes for reconciliation, not to strip you of authority!”
Yet Yan Zheng remained resolute. “Your Majesty, my enmity with the Feng family runs deep. I have no desire for reconciliation. If this displeases you, I beg for punishment.”
How could the Emperor punish him for a private feud?
Yet the Emperor’s voice turned icy. “Since the Chief Minister insists on obstinacy, I hereby relieve you of your duties temporarily. You need not oversee the hunt. Use this time to reflect on whether personal grudges outweigh matters of state!”
Yan Zheng bowed, surrendered his seal of office, and departed.
The courtiers exchanged bewildered glances. How could their usually astute Chief Minister make such a misstep?
After all, it was just a matter of superficial harmony—the Emperor didn’t truly expect the two families to reconcile.
Only Chu Huaishan sensed something amiss. When the Emperor turned to him and said, “Then let Minister Chu oversee the hunt,” he quickly declined. “Your Majesty, the Chief Minister is also my son-in-law. If he is at fault, I too am responsible. Please appoint someone else.”
The Emperor didn’t press him. “Then who will shoulder this duty for me?”
The officials hesitated, but Prince Yu stepped forward. “Imperial Brother, let me handle it. The Imperial Park director has already arranged everything. I’ll simply oversee security and ensure all goes smoothly!”
The Emperor agreed and dismissed the court. Once alone with Empress Pei, he muttered, “See how unruly Yan Zheng has become? For a petty grudge, he dares defy me!”
Empress Pei soothed, “Your Majesty, the Chief Minister is newly wed. It’s natural for him to be protective of his wife. And the Feng family did go too far before—”
“Hmph!” The Emperor’s anger cooled slightly, but he shook his head. “To neglect state affairs for a woman—how can this be allowed? After the hunt, I’ll consider bestowing him with a few concubines. That should keep him from wasting his ambition on doting on his wife!”
Empress Pei’s heart ached at his words.
To men, women were mere playthings. If they interfered with “greater matters,” they became less than worthless.
She ventured softly, “Your Majesty, isn’t it too soon to gift concubines so soon after their marriage?”
“Too soon? When you entered the palace, I already had two consorts. The Chief Minister’s household is empty—what harm is there in granting him a few beauties?” The Emperor’s tone brooked no argument, leaving Empress Pei to sigh inwardly.
Meanwhile, at the rear of the procession—
Prince Qin rode on horseback, trailing behind Chu Ruoyin’s carriage.
Changhua couldn’t hold back any longer. “Your Highness, we’ve been following for nearly two hours. The hunting grounds are ahead—why not speak to Miss Chu the Second?”
Prince Qin glared but before he could retort, a maid approached. “Your Highness, my lady requests your presence.”
Overjoyed, Prince Qin urged his horse forward.
But as he reached the carriage, a soft, melancholic voice drifted out:
“Your Highness, why persist? The past is gone. I’ve let it go—please do the same.”
His grip on the reins nearly faltered. “You… truly cannot forgive me?”
“There was never hatred to begin with, so how could there be forgiveness? Your Highness overestimates the matter.”
Her tone was serene, as if she had truly moved on.
Prince Qin stared at the carriage curtain, as though his gaze could bore through it. “But I cannot forget! Ruoyin, I was wrong. I thought I loved Feng Ying, that you were merely her shadow—but now I know the truth. The one I love is—”
Before he could say “you,” she cut him off urgently: “Your Highness! What’s done is done. Let it rest, and spare me further pain.”
His face paled. Even the revelation of Feng Ying’s deceit had not wounded him as deeply as this.
Hoarsely, he pleaded, “Is there truly no hope? I admit my faults—name any reparation, and I’ll fulfill it. Only don’t speak of ‘sparing’ me again!”
That word was a blunt knife to his heart. Since when had it come to this between them?
A long silence followed.
Just as he dared to hope—
Her voice came again, soft but final.
