Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The Crown Prince’s birthday had arrived.

By the time the fifth messenger from the Eastern Palace came to urge me to attend, the finest painter in the palace was in the middle of capturing my likeness.

“Go back and tell His Highness that I will head over once the painting is finished.”

According to the customs of both lands, the registries and marriage documents were all prepared. All that remained was the portrait of the Marriage Alliance Princess, which would then be sent to the Yan Region by express courier.

However, the messenger did not withdraw immediately.

It turned out that the birthday gift had not been sent over in advance.

I only then remembered that in previous years, I had personally handled every gift sent to the Eastern Palace.

Lately, preoccupied with the preparations for the marriage alliance, I had actually forgotten.

I had prepared Zhao Xizhen’s birthday gift long ago: a Double Fish Pendant carved from thousand-year-old warm jade.

I had beseeched the abbot of the Protector State Temple to consecrate it before the Buddha for a full twenty-one days.

For that purpose, I had even stayed at the temple to fast and practice asceticism for a month.

By the time I returned, he was engaged.

I stared at the jade pendant, letting out a self-deprecating chuckle before handing it over to the messenger from the Eastern Palace.

The birthday banquet was held at the Lake Heart Pavilion. Cups clinked amidst the laughter, and the music of silk and bamboo instruments played without end.

I arrived half a day late. Just as I was about to enter, I heard someone mention my name.

“I don’t know why, but Imperial Father has been doting on Commandery Princess Changyi lately. I wonder which of us here she will be betrothed to in the future?”

The moment the words were spoken, the sound of porcelain shattering hit the floor.

Zhao Xizhen had crushed his wine cup. He quietly hid his injured hand behind his back and looked up at everyone one by one, letting out a cold, mocking laugh.

“Everyone seated here is of celestial lineage and noble blood. How could we be matched with a former roadside beggar?”

I happened to step through the door at that exact moment.

Everyone looked at me, and the entire venue fell silent.

Zhao Xizhen’s expression froze slightly.

I acted as if I hadn’t heard a thing. I walked to his side, took a fresh cup, and slowly filled it with wine.

In truth, I had always known that he was the one who cared most about appearances.

His Highness the Crown Prince was the one most deserving of being called ‘celestial lineage,’ which made me the person most unworthy of being matched with him.

I raised the wine cup and looked at him, my gaze earnest.

“Ah Yu wishes His Highness a healthy and peaceful birthday. May you have safety year after year, and may you enjoy eternal joy without worries.”

I drained the cup in one gulp.

I sincerely wished him well.

In every year to come, I would no longer be by his side.

Meng Lanci stood beside him, toying with the Double Fish Pendant in her hand as she looked at me with a triumphant gaze.

“Such translucent thousand-year-old warm jade is perfect for warming my hands in winter. The Commandery Princess has truly put in a lot of heart.”

I lowered my eyelashes, poured another cup of wine, and formally toasted her.

“I also wish the Crown Prince and the future Crown Princess a long life together until your hair turns white.”

Meng Lanci couldn’t help but lean into him, a faint smile on her lips.

“His Highness is right. It seems Sister Ah Yu has truly made great progress from transcribing the Admonitions for Women these past few days.”

My heart felt as if it were being pricked by countless fine needles.

I set down the wine cup.

“As long as Miss Meng is no longer angry, that is enough.”

Zhao Xizhen kept his gaze fixed on me throughout the exchange. He seemed unaccustomed to my composure; his eyes showed a hint of disappointment, mixed with worry.

“Ah Yu, you…”

I didn’t want to hear him speak. Using the excuse of needing to change my clothes, I took my leave first.

The Lake Heart Pavilion was shaped like a pagoda. The scenery was beautiful, but the space was limited; the resting area for female guests was located on the third floor.

Meng Lanci’s voice and that of her maid rose from behind a screen.

“She doesn’t even have a proper name. If she hadn’t met His Highness and gone from a beggar to a Commandery Princess, would she even be fit to sit at the same table as me?”

“She’s just clinging to the title of his savior. She just got lucky.”

I walked around the screen and met their eyes.

“He was the lucky one. If he hadn’t met me, he would have died long ago.”

The two of them were startled, left speechless by my words.

I opened the door.

To my surprise, Zhao Xizhen was waiting outside. He looked at me coldly, his face darkened with gloom.

“I have already petitioned Imperial Father to take you as my Secondary Consort. Yet you use your status as my savior to be so overbearing. You are truly disappointing.”

The bitterness in my heart flared up for a moment before fading away entirely.

I lowered my head slightly, closed my eyes, and brushed past him.

“If I have disappointed Your Highness, then I suppose I am not even fit to be a Secondary Consort.”

The area ahead suddenly fell silent.

Everyone knelt in unison.

The Emperor had sent someone to the banquet to read an imperial edict: the Crown Prince’s wedding date was set for the eighth day of the first lunar month.

I was about to stand up.

However, a palace attendant walked over and smiled at me. “There is another one, specifically for the Commandery Princess.”

Zhao Xizhen stood by my side and lowered his voice, his tone carrying a veiled warning:

“The edict for the Secondary Consort is here. Ah Yu, you must be more restrained from now on.”

I knelt down again.

“Commandery Princess Changyi is of noble character, quick-witted and intelligent, and has deeply won Our heart. She is hereby bestowed the title of Princess Changyi.”

The attendant handed the edict to me with both hands, then looked at the Crown Prince, his words carrying a double meaning.

“His Majesty says that from this day forward, the various Princes have a Royal Sister.”

The smile vanished from Zhao Xizhen’s face.

He snatched the edict and opened it. He froze instantly.

“How… how can it be… a Princess?”

His fingers were trembling uncontrollably.