Chapter 5
The next time I saw Wei Zhe was at Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager had heard that this year’s top-ranked scholar was exceptionally handsome and summoned him to discuss poetry.
The moment Wei Zhe saw me, his face stiffened.
The Empress Dowager looked him over and her eyes lit up. “What a striking beauty. Ah, youth is a wonderful thing. The two of you standing together are like a golden boy and jade maiden—perfectly matched. I truly am growing old…”
Wei Zhe interrupted coolly. “Your Highness, such words may displease Miss Shen.”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes widened. It took her several moments to understand, then she shook her head and laughed.
“How forgetful of me. Our Wanning already has a man in her heart. Last time I meant to arrange your marriage, but the Emperor interrupted and the matter slipped my mind.”
She turned to me. “Tell me who he is. My birthday is near. Let me grant one happy union today and earn a little blessing for myself.”
I pretended to be bashful and refused to speak.
Wei Zhe smiled faintly, plainly enjoying the spectacle. “This subject is most curious as well.”
At last, the moment I had been waiting for arrived.
I knelt. “I dare not deceive Your Highness. The man I love is standing before me.”
The hall fell abruptly silent.
Wei Zhe spun around. Wave after wave of emotion crossed a face normally still as a quiet lake.
The Empress Dowager murmured thoughtfully, “Now I understand. I heard the marchioness say that Lord Wei treasured a young lady’s handkerchief at the flower banquet…”
“It was mine,” I said with lowered eyes.
“And on the day the examination rankings were announced, he behaved intimately with a woman before the entire crowd…”
“I am ashamed to say that woman was also me.”
My cheeks burned red. “Forgive me, Your Highness.”
Wei Zhe opened his mouth to speak.
I tilted my head, blinked at him, and asked sweetly, “My lord… is that not the truth?”
A long silence followed.
Wei Zhe finally lifted his eyes and regarded me coldly. “Miss Shen is remarkably clever.”
“You flatter me. Only ordinarily clever,” I said modestly. “I suppose beauty lies in the eye of the lover.”
We stared at each other.
He seemed to laugh from sheer fury.
Perhaps that was why, when the Empress Dowager offered to grant our marriage, he failed to object.
She beamed. “Since your feelings are mutual, I shall decide the matter. You will marry in three months. My decree will reach the Shen residence tonight.”
Joy spread across my face. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Wei Zhe was silent for a moment, then knelt as well.
“This subject thanks Your Highness for your grace.”
I released the breath I had been holding.
At last, I had secured a decent future for myself in this life.