Chapter 13

“Have you… discovered something?” His question stunned me for a moment. Then I thought better of it, found the whole thing tiresome, and gave him a meaningful smile.

He had only been making a casual accusation. Now his eyes widened like bronze bells. “You really…”

“Really do think nothing of you.” I smiled. “Xiao Huaijin, aren’t you simply a fool, well past the age for a boy to begin a young man’s training yet still behaving like a child? No literary talent, no military ability, yet you draw revenue from a thousand households and have grown up in silk and luxury, so spoiled that you see no one but yourself. What young woman would truly want you? But I covet power. I want to be a princess consort. I want to kneel to no one except Mother and His Majesty, and have everyone bow to me. Is that so wrong? Why must you drag all this nonsense into it? Do you have some peculiar taste? Is a cuckold’s green cap so wonderful that you’re determined to put one on yourself?”

“You!” He pointed at me, his hand shaking with anger. After a long moment, he flung his sleeve and suddenly smiled too.

“Zeng Zi’an.” He lifted my chin and sneered. “Behave yourself, and you’ll have all the wealth and honor you could wish for. I might even let you be my principal consort.”

I slapped his hand away. “Doesn’t all your wealth and honor depend on His Majesty’s generosity? Did you earn it as a general or a minister? And you have the nerve to boast of it to me.”

“You…”

“You what? It is improper for a betrothed couple to meet before the wedding. Forgive me, Your Highness. I shall leave.”

I stood and walked away.

“Very well, Zeng Zi’an. Just wait.”

“I’m waiting.”

I glanced back at him coldly. “Let’s see what you’re really capable of.”

On my wedding day, the emperor drank cup after cup. Having drunk far too much, he insisted on summoning me from the bridal canopy, saying he had advice for Prince Chun and me.

Sixteen years separated the emperor and Prince Chun. Though brothers, they were more like father and son. Appearing thoroughly drunk, he ignored Mother’s attempts to stop him and pulled me before Prince Chun, praised my looks and accomplishments in public, and behaved improperly toward me.

I froze. Prince Chun went livid. Only the emperor seemed unaware.

“Your Majesty is drunk.” Mother hurried forward to help him away.

He shook her off. “I haven’t finished.”

Then he caught Prince Chun’s hand and placed mine in it. “Cherish such a fine wife. Give me a little boy or girl soon to bring joy to my old age.”

Xiao Huaijin’s hand was stiff as wood. Though pressed beneath mine, it made no attempt to hold me. With lowered eyes, he answered respectfully, “Yes.”

Mother finally dragged the drunken emperor away. I did not need to look up to imagine the extraordinary range of expressions on our guests’ faces.

That night beneath the bridal canopy, Xiao Huaijin watched me silently for a long time before giving a cold laugh. “I leave the great responsibility of producing an imperial heir to my consort. Being such a fool, I had better keep out of it.”

I wanted to tell him it was not what he imagined. I wanted to say I had no idea what madness had possessed the emperor either. But suddenly I felt so tired. The pearls and jade on my head, the splendid robes on my body, weighed like a mountain and left me unable to breathe.

In the end, I quietly watched him leave for the study. I looked at the pair of brocade pillows and at my solitary self, then sighed deeply.