Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Meng Yuanxi and I were both rescued from the great fire at Guiyuan Temple. After several days in a coma, we each woke in turn.

For the next six months, the entire Capital rang with praise of her name.

As for me, I fell silent for half a year and shut myself away.

Then, on the day of my coming-of-age ceremony, the Crown Prince came to my door in person. He said he wanted to break off our engagement.

That day, a thousand kites filled the sky and guests crowded the hall, all gathered to celebrate me.

But he came slowly in robes of cloud brocade, and with a mere sweep of his sleeves, he stole every gaze in the room.

In front of everyone, he said to me, “You and I grew up together for more than ten years. In our youth and ignorance, we thought we could promise each other a lifetime. Only now do I understand that what we shared was merely affection between siblings. Let this marriage arrangement end here.”

Whispers broke out all around us. Every kind of look fell on me, and what should have been a grand coming-of-age ceremony instantly became a joke.

My father flew into a rage on the spot and demanded, “Does Your Highness think there is no one left in the Jiang Clan?”

A trace of apology crossed the Crown Prince’s face. Then he bowed slightly and said, “Lord Jiang, I am sorry. To show my sincerity, I have already asked Father Emperor to issue a decree conferring Yanru the title of Princess Zhaoyan. From now on, I will regard her as my own sister, and I will never allow anyone to bully her.”

I stopped my impulsive elder brother, then walked step by step up to the Crown Prince. There were none of the tears everyone had imagined, no heartbreak, not even half a word of reproach. I only said calmly, “An engagement is easy to break and difficult to make. If you end it today, there will be no chance for regret.”

But his answer landed with absolute certainty. “I will not regret it.”

Hearing those words, I felt at peace.

In my memory, there had once been someone who knocked on the gates of Jiang Mansion in the middle of a torrential night, his splendid robes soaked through, all his majesty and dignity cast aside, just to tell me that he regretted it.

I ordered someone to pour wine, then raised my cup to him and smiled faintly. “Your Highness, once you drink this cup, our engagement will be void. The bond of growing up together will also end here. May all your ambitions be fulfilled, and may your beloved remain by your side.”

He seemed surprised by how calmly I accepted it, yet he still could not wait to drain the wine in his cup. Then he said, “Thank you.”

Perhaps he was thanking me for not clinging to him, for granting him his wish.

I set down my cup and met his astonished gaze. Calmly, I said, “Once, I was unruly by nature, willful and reckless. Later, you and I were betrothed, and everyone said I was the future Crown Princess. If I failed to conduct myself properly, I would embarrass you. So I worked hard to learn. Over the years, I became skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I studied the classics, histories, philosophers, and collections. I learned palace etiquette, all so I could be worthy of you as the Heir Apparent. Today, I thank you as well. At long last, I can cast off these shackles.”

When I finished speaking, everyone present looked somewhat moved and regretful.

The engagement between us had been arranged by the Late Empress before her death. I had carried it on my shoulders for years, never able to live freely.

Hearing all I had done for him, a complicated look flashed across his face, faintly tinged with guilt.

When he left, his back seemed a little flustered, without any of the calm resolve he had possessed when he arrived.

My elder brother asked why the Crown Prince had been so ruthless.

I said quietly, “Probably for Meng Yuanxi.”

He had made the absurd end between us known to the entire world, using this annulment witnessed by everyone to prove his sincere devotion to Meng Yuanxi.