In the Kunning Palace, Emperor Jingyou dined with his wife and son.
The Empress soon learned of King Moshan's request to marry Yun Kui and was thoroughly disapproving. "Though King Moshan claims he will treat her with the dignity of a principal wife, the truth is he already has a harem of concubines. Moreover, Xiliang is thousands of miles away. The Marquis of Wuning is a pillar of the state, and Yun Kui is his only daughter—how could he bear to send her so far from home? Your Majesty must not break the heart of a loyal subject."
Emperor Jingyou nodded. "That is precisely my concern. However, King Moshan is crude and obstinate. I fear he will persist relentlessly. That is why I summoned the Marquis of Wuning to the palace—to discuss arranging a marriage for his daughter as soon as possible. This way, we can deflect King Moshan’s advances."
The Empress recalled the composed young girl from the banquet. "She is a good girl, but..."
But the noble families of the capital prized decorum, virtue, and propriety in their daughters-in-law. Finding a suitable match—one of equal status, impeccable character, and willing to hastily engage in a betrothal to aid the Marquis of Wuning’s family—would be no easy task.
As the Emperor and Empress pondered a solution, the sound of a teacup being set down interrupted their thoughts.
The Crown Prince rose slowly. "I still have case files from the Ministry of Justice to review. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
His movement reminded the Empress of something. "Wait. I have a question for you."
The Crown Prince halted. "Yes?"
The Empress’s tone turned stern as she recalled the previous day’s banquet. "Yesterday, Princess Qionghua went out of her way to entice you, and your indifference was understandable. But when she choked on a cherry and was right before you, how could you not recognize her distress? With your sharp instincts and quick reflexes, why did you wait until Yun Kui stepped in to save her?"
The Crown Prince lowered his gaze.
He had indeed hesitated for a moment when he noticed her choking—an indisputable fact.
It wasn’t that he had wanted to watch her suffocate. Rather, he had assumed any palace attendant could intervene, and he could instruct them from the side to avoid unnecessary physical contact and the complications it might bring.
What he hadn’t expected was that before he could give orders, that bold girl had taken matters into her own hands—quite literally. Her technique had been surprisingly effective, successfully dislodging the cherry pit from Princess Qionghua’s throat.
The Empress pressed on. "Ultimately, if you hadn’t delayed, Yun Kui wouldn’t have needed to step forward. And if she hadn’t, King Moshan would never have noticed her."
The Crown Prince replied dryly, "So, Mother is saying that King Moshan’s pursuit of her is my fault."
"Naturally," the Empress said. "Yesterday, I intended to reward her for her bravery, but instead, her act of kindness has drawn the attention of that wolf, King Moshan. If she ends up sacrificing her happiness for this, I would never forgive myself."
She studied her son carefully. "However, when she was saving Princess Qionghua, King Moshan tried to interfere without understanding the situation and nearly harmed her. I saw with my own eyes how you shielded Yun Kui, allowing her to focus on saving the princess without distraction..."
At this, Emperor Jingyou also recalled something. "Ah, yes. She toasted you during the banquet, didn’t she? I noticed the two of you conversing quite amiably..."
The Crown Prince sighed. "Father."
He hadn’t spared her a single glance, let alone a smile. If anything, he had found her chatter grating. Where was this "amiability" coming from?
After a moment of contemplation, Emperor Jingyou turned back to the Empress. "The Marquis of Wuning is a pillar of the court, and his wife even cured your headaches. Their only daughter would certainly be a worthy candidate for Crown Princess—though her temperament..."
A vein throbbed in the Crown Prince’s temple. "The Marquis’s daughter is still young—naive and immature. How could she possibly be fit to be Crown Princess?"
The Empress countered, "I find her intelligent, kind-hearted, and courageous. Amidst the chaos of yesterday’s banquet, she remained calm and acted decisively—something none of the other noble ladies could claim. Though she is young, she will come of age next year. We could arrange the betrothal now, and once she enters the palace, I can guide her properly."
The Crown Prince thought of the girl’s hidden, mischievous thoughts and felt another headache coming on. "She lacks every quality a Crown Princess should possess—grace, refinement, wisdom..."
The Empress raised a brow. "Then name someone else. Yesterday’s banquet was filled with noble ladies, all gathered for your consideration. If she is unsuitable, who is?"
The Crown Prince pressed his lips together. "I paid no attention, as I have no interest in the matter."
The Empress exhaled. "You once told me you had no particular requirements for your future wife and left the decision to me. Very well. I will give you three days. If, by then, you have not found a more suitable candidate, and if the Marquis of Wuning has not secured a match for his daughter, your father and I will arrange this marriage on your behalf. You are our only son. If you delay taking a wife, the Great Zhao dynasty will lack an heir, and the stability of the realm will be at risk. That, too, would be your filial failure!"
The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed. After a long silence, he acquiesced. "As you wish."
Returning to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince attended to state affairs as usual. Yet, unbidden, the image of that innocent, smiling face kept intruding upon his thoughts.
It had nothing to do with affection. Yet, through sheer coincidence, she might very well become his wife. No matter how indifferent he was, he could no longer ignore the possibility.
After much deliberation, he discreetly sent someone to investigate the Marquis of Wuning’s progress in finding a son-in-law.
On the evening of the third day, his personal guard, Qin Ge, returned with a report.
"The Marquis of Wuning has indeed approached several noble families in secret, but all have declined, citing prior betrothal arrangements."
"Among military families of equal standing, none have sons of suitable age who meet Lady Sheng’s… preferences."
The Crown Prince glanced up. "What preferences?"
Qin Ge hesitated before answering. "Lady Sheng insists on a handsome appearance and a well-proportioned figure. The young masters from these military households are either too burly, too dark-skinned, or too rugged in appearance. There was even one… whom she dismissed for sweating too much and having an unpleasant odor."
The Crown Prince: "..."
At such a critical time, the Marquis and his wife were still indulging their daughter’s pickiness. Truly excessive.
Qin Ge added, "There are a few candidates serving in the Imperial Guards—presentable in appearance and skilled in martial arts, meeting Lady Sheng’s standards. However, some come from complicated family backgrounds, others have questionable character, some are drawn to her beauty, and others seek to climb the social ladder. The Marquis and his wife are still weighing their options."
The Crown Prince tapped his fingers lightly against the desk, deep in thought, when he overheard Deshun’s internal muttering.
What are we to do? The three-day deadline is almost up. If the Marquis of Wuning fails to find a son-in-law, and His Highness has no preferred candidate, won’t he have to marry Lady Sheng?
That said, in terms of looks, Lady Sheng takes after her father—truly a rare beauty, unmatched in grace. She and His Highness would make a striking pair.
Her temperament is also excellent. Not only does Her Majesty the Empress adore her, but even the two princesses are fond of her…
The next morning, the Crown Prince attended to state affairs in the Chongming Hall. Yet, seated in his sandalwood armchair, his mind wandered uncharacteristically, and the documents before him remained untouched.
For years, he had immersed himself in duty, indifferent to matters of the heart. Names of noble ladies floated through his memory, but none conjured a face—not even those who frequently visited the palace or served as companions to Xuan He and Wanning.
The only one who left any impression was that little girl from the Marquis of Wuning's household.
But the few memories he had of her were far from favorable.
Their first encounter was at Wanning's birthday celebration. Several titled noblewomen had brought their daughters to the palace banquet. While other girls of five or six years old already understood etiquette and decorum, she alone not only failed to greet him properly but also blurted out something utterly audacious—
"Mother, this young master is so handsome. Can I take him home?"
Ever since the Marquise of Wuning received her title, the girl seemed to haunt every major and minor palace banquet like an unshakable shadow.
The Marquis doted on his daughter, frequently bringing her to palace events—whether it was the polo matches or the dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival.
At such a tender age, the girl had a peculiar fondness for bare-chested men—a scandalous preference no proper young lady should ever admit to.
Whenever she encountered him in the palace, her face wore an obedient mask, but her heart brimmed with irreverence and shameless admiration for his looks. If not for his ability to read minds, even he might have been fooled by her innocent facade.
Yet he couldn’t voice these thoughts to others. If he told the Emperor or the Empress, it would only make him seem petty and narrow-minded. They wouldn’t believe him; instead, they’d assume he was fabricating lies to avoid marriage and slandering an otherwise impeccable young lady.
But if he were to marry her—how could such a girl be expected to manage the affairs of the Eastern Palace with order and fairness?
As he pondered, Cao Yuanlu, the chief eunuch of Kuning Palace, arrived to deliver a message.
"Her Majesty commands that the three-day deadline has arrived. Your Highness must… give her a clear answer."
The Crown Prince’s expression darkened before he could respond. Just then, Qin Ge hurried into the hall with urgent news: "King Moshan has just gone to the Marquis of Wuning’s residence, seeking an audience with Lady Yun Kui. The Marquis is not at home—the servants have gone to the Ministry of War to fetch him."
The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed. Beside him, Cao Yuanlu grew uneasy and couldn’t help interjecting, "That means only the Marquise and Lady Yun Kui are in the residence. How can they possibly handle King Moshan alone…?"
Before the eunuch could finish, the Crown Prince had already risen to his feet and strode out of Chongming Hall.
---
Marquis of Wuning’s Residence
The Marquise of Wuning had not expected King Moshan to arrive with gifts mere moments after her husband left the estate.
Given the diplomatic relations between their nations and the fact that King Moshan had yet to overstep, the household could hardly refuse him entry.
Reluctantly, the Marquise instructed Yun Kui to stay hidden while she received the guest in the main hall.
King Moshan stood nine feet tall, his towering frame and thick beard exuding the overpowering musk of a Xiliang man. The Marquise discreetly covered her nose with a perfumed handkerchief, silently agreeing with her daughter’s distaste.
Even setting aside the thousand-mile distance to Xiliang, sharing a bed with such a man would surely bring nightly nightmares.
Despite her thoughts, she maintained a courteous smile. "Your Highness need not trouble yourself with formalities. My daughter’s actions were but a trivial effort, hardly worth mentioning."
King Moshan grinned. "Lady Yun Kui saved my life, yet in my haste, I wrongfully accused her and nearly harmed her. My conscience weighs heavily. These humble gifts are but a token of my apology—please accept them, lest you condemn me for my rudeness."
Unable to refuse, the Marquise reluctantly accepted.
King Moshan glanced around, unwilling to leave without seeing the girl. "Might the Marquise summon the young lady? I wish to offer my apologies in person."
The Marquise replied smoothly, "Your Highness may not be aware, but noblewomen of Dazhao are raised in seclusion, seldom stepping beyond their inner courtyards. A private meeting with a man would violate propriety and damage her reputation. I appreciate your kindness and will convey your sentiments to her. Please, take your leave."
King Moshan’s pulse quickened at the memory of the girl’s fair complexion and sweet voice. "Does the Marquise not know? I have already sought His Majesty’s permission to wed your daughter. Once she becomes my princess in Xiliang, she need no longer abide by Dazhao’s rules. How, then, is meeting my future bride a breach of propriety?"
The Marquise stiffened at his bluntness. "I fear we must decline your generous offer. My daughter was betrothed long ago and will marry upon her coming of age. How could we break such an engagement?"
King Moshan’s jaw clenched. "First, you claim she is too young. Now, you say she is promised. Tell me, then—to whom is she betrothed? Or is this merely an excuse to deceive me?"
Behind the wall, Yun Kui trembled.
If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have been so picky earlier. I should’ve settled on someone—anyone!
Maybe that son of the Imperial Guard commander?
Even if he’s just after status or my looks, at least he’s decent-looking. He could get me out of this mess, and Father can deal with the fallout later.
Steeling herself, she prepared to step out and reject King Moshan outright—until the guards outside suddenly announced: "The Crown Prince!"
Yun Kui froze mid-step and hastily retreated.
Inside the hall, both the Marquise and King Moshan were stunned.
Lady Qi was more baffled than anything—the Crown Prince had never visited their estate before. Why today?
King Moshan, however, felt a phantom ache in his wrist where the Crown Prince had once restrained him.
Both bowed in greeting, but the Crown Prince extended a hand only to the Marquise. "Rise, my lady."
Then, his icy gaze locked onto King Moshan. "To spare you further doubt, the man betrothed to Lady Yun Kui is none other than myself."
The declaration struck like thunder.
The Marquise swayed, nearly collapsing.
"Did His Majesty send the Crown Prince to help us? This is too much!"
Behind the wall, Yun Kui’s mind spun. Her palms, pressed against the wall, grew clammy with sweat.
"Am I dreaming…?"
"Have Father and Mother been pretending all along to scare me? How could they not tell me I’m engaged to the Crown Prince?!"
"No wonder His Highness always ignored me—he was avoiding impropriety!"
The Crown Prince: "…"
King Moshan’s fists clenched, barely containing his fury. "If she is promised to Your Highness, why was His Majesty unaware? And why did the Marquise hesitate to answer earlier? Could it be that the Crown Prince only stepped in after learning of my intentions—?"
"Mind your words," the Crown Prince cut in coldly. "The Marquise once cured my mother’s chronic headaches. In gratitude, an oral betrothal was made, awaiting Lady Yun Kui’s coming of age before formalizing the union. His Majesty is now aware and has sent me to the Sheng residence to finalize the marriage arrangements."
The Marquise, barely suppressing her delight, bowed. "Our household naturally defers to the will of Their Majesties and Your Highness."
King Moshan’s face twisted with suppressed rage, but he could hardly challenge the heir of Dazhao. With a stiff bow, he stormed out.
Once he was gone, the Crown Prince heard light footsteps behind him. Turning, he found Yun Kui standing there, her cheeks flushed and eyes glistening with unshed tears as she stared at him.
"My fragrant husband… here I come."
