Chapter 5
Chapter 5
The moment we returned to the capital, Pei Zhao issued a decree making Rong Yunyun his side consort.
The whole capital laughed at me.
The elder sister had not yet married into the Eastern Palace, yet the younger sister had already become one of its women.
That was precisely what Pei Zhao intended.
From the beginning of our betrothal, he had insisted he would never love me.
Once, he studied me with a complicated gaze and said, “Rong Zhiwei, I could never love a woman like you. I know why Imperial Mother chose you. You are clever and calm enough to become my right hand and help secure my position as Crown Prince.”
I lowered my eyes to conceal my mockery.
“Your Highness flatters me. Once married, we will share both honor and ruin. Everyone knows Your Highness’s benevolence, which civil and military officials praise alike. I will strive to become worthy of you.”
The words were insincere, but I had to say them.
His “benevolence” was merely indecision and a willingness to believe whoever had spoken last.
At twelve, Pei Zhao observed a trial at the Court of Judicial Review and allowed the defendant to lead him by the nose.
He sympathized with a monstrous criminal and publicly questioned the presiding minister’s competence.
When the Empress heard, she smashed her teacup.
Her hands trembled. “Weiwei, listen to this! Listen to what he said! I sent him to observe because I wanted him to earn the minister’s goodwill. Instead, he humiliated the man in public and accused him of passing too harsh a sentence!”
I had heard of the case.
The defendant had raped and tortured his former wife to death after their divorce, without a shred of remorse.
In court, he argued, “She was unfaithful! A wanton woman like that deserved to die.”
Then he recounted every kindness he claimed to have shown his victim and wept with emotion.
Pei Zhao listened and sighed. “His heart is deserving of sympathy. If we behead him, would that not chill the hearts of every devoted lover in the realm?”
The minister rolled his eyes so hard with fury that only respect for sovereign and subject kept him from cursing Pei Zhao to his face.
The Empress clutched my hand and said wearily, “Weiwei, I am growing old. You must walk the Crown Prince’s future road beside him. His Imperial Father and I are both decisive and intelligent. How did we produce such a son?”
She did not understand. She hated it. Yet she had no choice but to accept it.
I had sighed inwardly too.
Was I not in the same position, forced to marry such a fool?
But now we were both free.
Thank heavens Pei Zhao was not the true prince.
When he installed Rong Yunyun as side consort, my maternal grandfather was furious.
It was an open provocation toward the great clans.
The imperial censors denounced the Crown Prince in court.
I knew the Empress was clearing the road for the true prince.
In the past, she would certainly have prevented Pei Zhao from taking a side consort.
I shut myself at home, ignoring the turmoil outside, burning incense and playing the zither in peace.
But some people insisted on dragging their farce before me.
Pei Zhao accompanied Rong Yunyun on a ceremonial return to her maiden home.
I laughed when I heard.
A ceremonial return?
She might be a side consort, but she was still a concubine. Yet she was imitating the rites of a principal wife.
Father invited me to the banquet.
I went to see how many more jokes the pair could make of themselves.
During the feast, Rong Yunyun suddenly clutched her belly and knelt.
“Your Highness, I am with child and beg a favor. My mother should rightfully have married into the Rong family, but because of my sister’s selfishness, she remains a concubine to this day. Please allow my mother to return to the place that belongs to her.”
I leisurely ate a sliver of bamboo shoot and sipped my tea.
Then I smiled at Rong Yunyun, at Madam Chen pretending to be a quail, and at my father lowering his head to drink water.
Pei Zhao helped Rong Yunyun to her feet.
He said nothing, watching me with uncertainty.
He knew I would never allow Madam Chen to replace my mother.
His silence was another attempt to make me beg.
I rose and glanced at Qingxiao.
She stepped forward and slapped Rong Yunyun across the face.
Pei Zhao roared, “You wretched slave! How dare you!”
Madam Chen cried out, “Eldest Young Lady, take your anger out on me instead!”
I smiled. “Very well.”
Qingxiao grabbed Madam Chen by the hair and struck her from both sides until blood filled her mouth.
See how agreeable I was? I granted every request.
Qingxiao removed the bracelet from Madam Chen’s wrist and respectfully handed it to me.
At last, my corpse of a father spoke.
He frowned. “Rong Zhiwei, you have gone too far!”
I lifted a brow in realization. “Oh. You’re still alive.”
I drew Qingxiao’s saber, pointed it at him, and smiled sweetly. “Never mind. You won’t be for much longer.”
Pei Zhao stared at me, struck speechless.
Only Rong Yunyun’s sobs brought him back to himself.
His eyes burned. “Weiwei, after committing such an unfilial and outrageous act, you will become the target of every accusation unless I protect you. Once word spreads, your reputation will be ruined. A woman who dishonors father and sister can never become my wife. Unless… you beg me.”
Yes. I had endured for so long, and today I finally did not have to.
Look at Pei Zhao, puffed up with triumph because he thought he had finally seized my weakness.
I said in disgust, “I have never wanted to be your wife. I only want to be Crown Princess.”
Pei Zhao laughed. “Listen to yourself. I am the Crown Prince. Is the Crown Princess not my wife?”
I found him very amusing too.
“No. You are not the Crown Prince.”
Pei Zhao kept laughing.
Even Rong Yunyun forgot to perform and stared curiously, wondering whether I had gone mad.
Imperial guards streamed in from outside and surrounded Pei Zhao.
Their commander knelt before me. “Greetings, Crown Princess. Her Majesty the Empress has sent this subordinate to escort you.”
I gestured toward the door. “After you, Young Master Pei.”