Chapter 2
I rose in silence and made my way toward Ganlin Temple on Mount Wutai.
The Shen family had produced beauties for generations. Everyone said that bringing forth Shen Miaomiao, the capital’s greatest beauty, had exhausted all the blessings our ancestors had accumulated.
No one knew that besides Shen Miaomiao, the Shen family had another daughter hidden deep within its women’s quarters—Shen Zhuozhuo, every bit her equal.
Every spring, the emperor came to Ganlin Temple for two months of spiritual retreat.
In all the realm, only the emperor could oppose the Marquis of Cheng’en and the Empress Dowager.
A light breeze stirred, scattering peach blossoms through the air. I rose on tiptoe to pluck a blossom from the grove.
With willow-leaf brows and skin fairer than snow, I caught the emperor’s eye exactly as I had expected.
He approached without betraying his interest. I dipped into a slight curtsy, then hurried away first, leaving him only the sight of my slender back.
What came too easily was seldom valued enough to tame a man.
The best strategy was to draw close and then retreat, leaving him endless room to imagine.
Our second encounter came on a morning after the rain.
I carried a bamboo basket across a small bridge. The bluestone beside the bank was slick and rounded.
One careless step nearly sent me tumbling into the pond.
At the critical moment, a broad, powerful hand caught me around the waist. “How can you be so careless?”
My cheeks flushed. I lifted my eyes shyly to meet his amused gaze. “Th-thank you, sir.”
The emperor still did not release me. Lowering my head bashfully, I placed the lotus in my hand into his, then hurried away.
Only my soft, sweet voice lingered in the air. “Th-this is to thank you…”
The emperor froze, then let out a quiet laugh after a long moment.
Once I had left the lotus pond behind, my steps slowed, and my smile vanished.
The pleasure in his laughter told me that the second step had succeeded.
Sure enough, that very day the emperor sent men to investigate my identity.
Three thin pages were laid upon his desk. His gaze darkened, and his face turned black as ink.
Two days later, carrying my vegetarian meal, I passed the lotus pond—a place where the emperor often lingered.
“Sir…”
Before I could finish, he gave a cold snort, swept his sleeve, and walked away.
I watched his retreating back, laughter gathering in my eyes. Everything was unfolding exactly as I had predicted.
An emperor did not let his emotions rise and fall so easily—unless someone had entered his heart and stirred his affections.
I hurried after him. “Sir, I will be leaving Ganlin Temple…”
The emperor stopped short.
“When?”
His seemingly indifferent gaze settled on me. After a moment, he asked the question with his feelings tightly suppressed.
“Tomorrow, I think.”
I replied softly.
He stared at me for a long time before asking slowly,
“Did you not come here to search for the fiancé betrothed to you before birth?”
I nodded and looked at him in puzzlement, my eyes plainly asking, How did you know?
The emperor frowned deeply. “If you return without finding him, how will you explain it to your family?”
Embarrassed, I said, “I mainly came to the capital to accompany my brother for the imperial examination. Looking for my fiancé was merely convenient. Besides, my parents passed away long ago. Even if I found that family, they might no longer acknowledge the betrothal.
“My brother says that if the other party cares, he will come find us. Since we cannot find him, the marriage can simply be forgotten. It was only drunken talk between our elders, after all. There is no proof.”
The emperor had already investigated me. My present identity was naturally not the younger daughter of a restaurant owner, but the sister of a poor scholar named Shi Lin.
Shi Lin had lost both parents as a child. Only the aid of a benefactor had enabled him to support his little sister and continue his studies.
What the emperor did not know was that his benefactor had been my father—
the proprietor of the Shen family restaurant, whose household the Marquis of Cheng’en had ordered exterminated.
The emperor’s expression relaxed. “Then tomorrow I will escort you down the mountain and take the opportunity to meet your brother.”
I glanced at him in surprise. The emperor grew visibly uncomfortable and, after a long silence, forced out an explanation.
“I… I have always found scholars congenial.”
I lowered my head with a faint smile but offered no polite refusal.
“My brother is exceptionally learned. The head of his academy holds him in the highest regard. I am certain you and he will have a delightful conversation.”
The emperor gave a light, relieved hum of agreement.
I lowered my eyes. The corner of my mouth curved upward, and a flash of madness crossed my gaze.
Had I not spent all this time acting precisely to hear that declaration from you?
Without it, the next step of my plan could never begin.