Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After Pei Zhao arrived, I returned to the Rong family’s country residence.

The moment I entered, I heard Rong Yunyun’s cloying voice.

She said sorrowfully, “Crown Prince, my sister ran away to Jiangnan because she was jealous of me. Don’t worry. I’ll apologize properly when she comes.”

Pei Zhao sneered. “She has always been proud and never respected me. But no matter how proud she is, one day she will still have to lower herself and enter the Eastern Palace to serve me.”

Pei Zhao and I had been meant to marry on the seventh day of the seventh month last year.

The date arrived, but the wedding could not proceed.

Fearing that news of the true and false crown princes would shake the foundation of the realm, the Empress kept the matter secret and sent covert guards to search for the true prince.

Thus, Pei Zhao had no idea he was occupying another man’s place.

After I came to Jiangnan, everyone claimed I had fled my wedding in a fit of jealousy.

The Empress even sent a secret letter to comfort me, along with many gifts.

I had been betrothed to Pei Zhao at twelve.

At first, I too imagined we might live in harmony as a respectful and loving couple.

But he found fault with everything about me.

I was too clever, too aloof, not considerate enough.

At first I endured it. After hearing it too often, I grew disgusted.

I told him coldly, “If Your Highness finds me so objectionable, then break the engagement. Why humiliate me every day?”

Even as I spoke, I knew he could never end our betrothal.

It was the Empress who had chosen me.

The position of Crown Princess could belong to no one else.

But if I bowed to Pei Zhao now, I would have no voice once I entered the Eastern Palace.

Sometimes one could retreat and should retreat.

But at other times, not one step-not even half a step-could be surrendered.

He wanted to crush my spirit, and I refused to bow.

I, Rong Zhiwei, had been born proud. I would never twist myself beyond recognition merely to accommodate a foolish man.

Pei Zhao stared at me. “You… Why aren’t you like other women?”

Other women?

He meant my dear younger sister, Rong Yunyun.

She loved bright clothing, but because Pei Zhao preferred pale colors, she dressed like a ghost every day.

She adored meat, but after Pei Zhao casually said she would be prettier if she were slimmer, she starved herself for more than a month until there was hardly a face left on her bones.

Whatever shell Pei Zhao preferred, she forced herself into it.

Then she would weep to me, “Sister, you were born with everything, while I have only the Crown Prince’s affection. Please, don’t hate me. Don’t fight me for him.”

I hated those words more than any others.

Father said I had been born with everything.

My stepmother said it too.

But I had fought for everything I possessed.

They only knew that I went to my maternal grandfather’s home at eight and enjoyed the glory of the great Cui clan of Qinghe.

They did not know my grandfather had many granddaughters and I had once been the least significant among them.

How much work had it taken for the unknown Rong Zhiwei to become the Cui family’s celebrated granddaughter, renowned throughout the realm?

When my wedding was canceled, Pei Zhao assumed the Empress no longer favored me.

He strutted before me, waiting for me to beg, while Rong Yunyun and her mother fluttered past me like gaudy butterflies every day.

Now I had hidden in Jiangnan, and Pei Zhao had still brought Rong Yunyun here to torment me.

Too weary to deal with them, I simply produced the Empress’s decree.

With the best of intentions, I said, “Haven’t you always wanted to marry Pei Zhao, little sister? I have granted your wish.”

Rong Yunyun stumbled back, her face pale. “What… what are you planning to do to me now?”

Look at that. Even kindness became a fault when it came from me.

Pei Zhao watched suspiciously too.

I held up the imperial decree and said with perfect sincerity, “Dear sister, I petitioned the Empress on your behalf. From today onward, you are Pei Zhao’s side consort.”

Pei Zhao did not look pleased.

After studying me, he asked, “Didn’t you hate the thought of Yunyun and me together? When I once suggested making her a side consort, you nearly cut me down with a sword.”

Oh. That miserable business was years ago, and he still remembered.

It had been the anniversary of Mother’s death, and I was already unhappy.

Then Rong Yunyun provoked me, and Pei Zhao mentioned bringing her into the Eastern Palace someday.

I had been drinking. Agitated, I pointed a sword at him and said, “You may take eight hundred side consorts for all I care, but not Rong Yunyun. Let her enter the Eastern Palace and I will personally run you through!”

Since our betrothal, I had always been composed, neither jealous nor petulant.

That was the first time I ever lost my temper with him.

Pei Zhao had obeyed. Though he remained attentive to Rong Yunyun, he never again spoke of bringing her into the Eastern Palace.

Now Rong Yunyun clutched the decree and wept with excitement.

She embraced Pei Zhao and said coyly, “Brother Zhao, now I can finally serve you openly and properly. I…”

Seeing the desire written all over her face, I hurried away to give the perfect pair their privacy.