Chapter 1
Chapter 1
At the Flower-Viewing Banquet, I saved Prince Ning after he fell into the water.
In full view of the crowd, the two of us were soaked through, our bodies pressed together.
The Empress Dowager granted us a marriage on the spot.
On the day of the wedding, my wet nurse combed my hair in my chambers, tears brimming in her eyes.
I laughed at how easily she cried. “It is a joyous day. You should be happy for me, Nanny. Why are you crying?”
She clutched my hand, her voice choked with sobs.
“I just pity you, my poor girl. Your life has been so bitter.”
“I heard that ever since Prince Ning was injured, his mind has been like that of a child. How can he be a husband to you?”
On New Year’s Eve, assassins had broken into the palace. Prince Ning injured his head while protecting the Emperor, and ever since, he had been afflicted with a simple-minded foolishness.
After the marriage was granted, every noblewoman in the capital laughed at me, saying I was so desperate to climb the social ladder that I would rather marry a fool.
I did not particularly care.
“It is still better than being married off by Father to Song Shiyao.”
My wet nurse’s eyes widened in disbelief. “The one from the Earl of Yongning’s Mansion?”
Song Shiyao was past thirty, and a notorious wastrel in the capital.
Years ago, he had become crippled after recklessly galloping on horseback. Incapable as a man, he had begun taking pleasure in tormenting women.
I nodded. “I never imagined Father could be so cold-hearted.”
When I was three, Mother fell gravely ill.
Before she had even breathed her last, Father brought the pregnant Lady Chen into the residence as my stepmother.
A few months later, the cry of an infant became the death knell that claimed my mother’s life.
For the next ten years and more, he turned a blind eye as my stepmother treated me harshly and indulged my younger sister as she bullied me.
Now, in order to curry favor with the Earl of Yongning through marriage, he wanted to push me straight into a pit of fire.
I had spent my life deep within the inner quarters, weak and alone, with hardly any power to resist.
When a parent’s command stood above all else, the only thing I could think of that could overrule it was imperial authority.
Prince Ning was the Empress Dowager’s most beloved youngest son, and he had been injured saving the Emperor.
That day, when I risked my life and jumped into the lake to save him, I had wagered everything on that single chance.
I had originally intended to beg the Empress Dowager for an imperial decree.
Only, I had not expected…
The clamor of gongs and drums from the wedding procession drew closer and closer.
I lifted the bridal fan to cover my face and said softly, “Prince Ning used to be such a pure and noble gentleman. His nature must be kind and easy to get along with.”
“To marry him is my good fortune. Nanny, you can set your heart at ease.”
Though I could comfort my wet nurse, in truth, I was afraid too.
Marrying into the imperial family, I feared that the slightest misstep might cost me my head.
From the wedding ceremony to the walk back to the bedchamber, my heart pounded like a drum. I did not dare relax for even a moment.
By the time I sat on the couch, my hands were trembling from exhaustion, but I still did not dare lower the fan.
Yet before long, a faint sound came from outside the door.
As the scent of sandalwood drew near, the fan in my hand was gently taken away. A breathtakingly handsome face suddenly filled my vision.
Xiao Yunheng was dressed in bright red wedding robes, his hair bound beneath a golden crown.
His features were cold and striking, but his eyes were remarkably clear.
He blinked, his tone full of surprise and delight. “Imperial Mother didn’t lie to me. It really is the fairy sister from that day!”
I was a little surprised. “Your Highness still recognizes me?”
That day, Xiao Yunheng had choked on lake water. Even after I revived him, he had remained dazed and half-conscious, unable to recognize anyone.
I had thought he would forget everything completely.
“Mm!”
He nodded, then came to sit beside me.
With complete naturalness, he wrapped both hands around my arm and leaned his head against my shoulder, acting spoiled.
“The lake water was so, so cold. Sister saved Ah Heng.”
Xiao Yunheng was tall and broad, and his voice was the clear, deep tone of a grown man.
Seeing him behave like a child, the servants who had just entered could not help covering their mouths and giggling.
The matron smiled as she presented the wedding wine and said with relief, “His Highness likes the Princess Consort very much.”
My face flushed, and I instinctively looked at the person beside me.
But in the blink of an eye, Xiao Yunheng’s attention had already been stolen by the gilded tassel bells at the head of the bed. He was playing with them in high spirits.
So he truly had become foolish…
Like this, did he even know what it meant to like someone?
Forget it. It was not important.
I sighed inwardly and lightly poked his arm. “Your Highness, it is time to drink the wedding wine.”
Xiao Yunheng immediately put down the bells and obediently turned around to smile at me.
After drinking the cup of wine, he frowned tightly. “So bitter! So spicy!”
Before the matron could even bring over the candied fruit, he had already run to the table to fetch some himself.
The next second, he ran back.
That piece of candied fruit was brought to my lips.
Xiao Yunheng’s brows were still faintly furrowed, but his eyes shone brightly. “This one is sweet. Sister, eat it.”
I froze for a moment, then lowered my head and took a bite.
Threads of sweetness seeped into my mouth, yet a tender ache rose in my heart.
Ever since Mother passed away, no one had ever thought of me first, nor fed me something like this.
The nerves I had kept taut for an entire day finally relaxed at that moment.
Marrying this Foolish Prince seemed to be better than I had imagined.