Chapter 70

It was said that Princess Shaoyang had actually returned to the capital alone and this news instantly enriched the gossip fodder of all the prestigious households in the city.

By right, the daughter of the late emperor should not be a subject for idle chatter in the inner courtyards of the capital, but the royal family had declined, and wagging tongues spared no one.

This juicy tale was truly one that could be chewed on a hundred times without losing flavor, each retelling brought forth a different taste.

However, what actually made for even better gossip was another royal princess.

Yet… when it came to mentioning her, people suddenly became cautious and full of concern.

This Princess Yong’an, no one knew what scriptures she had been reciting in that mountain temple, but her charm reached far and wide.

First, she bewitched that nearly all-powerful Ge Qingyuan.

Alas, her fate was too fierce, a curse to her husband.

They hadn’t even made it past the bowing to heaven and earth, yet that Grand Tutor who was supposed to drown rose from the dead instead, bringing utter ruin to the Ge family—chickens flying, eggs breaking, chaos all around.

Later, it was heard that the princess had been thrown into the imperial prison by none other than the Grand Tutor himself.

People thought he was planning to ride the wave of this momentum to strike down the royal Nie clan and declare himself emperor.

Who would have thought that just before the prison caught fire, it was again the Grand Tutor who personally brought her back to the palace? As for that line of words Ge Qingyuan carved on the prison wall, though it was ordered sealed by the Grand Tutor, it still somehow leaked out, causing the senior officials of the court to sigh endlessly.

But the very next day, when news of the prison wall inscription reached the Grand Tutor’s ears, Lord Wei flew into a rage.

Using the pretext of rectifying the imperial prison and cleaning up the indecent trafficking involving condemned female prisoners, he had all the jailers and minor officials present that day arrested and interrogated.

Not one survived the investigation—their heads all rolled.

Thus, a particularly ‘unique’ trade came to a complete halt, leaving curious merchants to lament their missed opportunity.

As for that talkative Madam of the official, who gossiped freely among the noblewomen, she received a freshly written divorce letter from her always henpecked husband that very night.

Before the darkness faded, she was already sent back to her natal home in a small carriage.

If anyone still failed to grasp the political wind direction from all this, then their years of service in the treacherous waters of the court were for nothing.

One by one, they went back to guard their own households’ tongues, sternly warning: “If you dare speak carelessly, go receive your dismissal letter like that long-tongued woman, and leave the residence! Don’t bring ruin upon the whole family!”

Yet, though no one spoke openly anymore, the wives of the high ministers all understood perfectly well, that these two princesses were no gentle candles!

Nie Qinglin, being inside the palace, was unaware of the storm outside.

It had already been several days since her elder sister was taken away by the Xiongnu prince.

Since Ge’s rebellion, the Grand Tutor had ordered that the princesses were no longer allowed to go out and enjoy themselves.

Although she had been confined before, back then the Grand Tutor would still accompany her on strolls every few days to lift her spirits.

But now, his displeasure had lasted over ten days.

The carriage from the Imperial Stables hadn’t picked up the emperor for morning court either.

Stuck in the palace, Nie Qinglin grew more and more stifled.

She longed to visit her sister, but had no chance.

On nights when the frustration peaked, she would unconsciously recall what the Grand Tutor said that day, only to smile bitterly, unable to make sense of it…

Another day would mark the Daughters’ Festival of Great Wei’s summer season.

As the name implied, it was a celebration for unmarried girls.

On this day, flower prices in the market would soar.

Daughters from every household would wear fresh flowers in their hair and go to the Matchmaker Temple to pray for a good marriage.

Sensible young gentlemen would also wait outside the temple gates, hoping to catch a glimpse of eligible maidens.

For those already engaged, the festival offered a rare chance to sneak a look at their future spouses, just a glimpse of the face they would spend a lifetime with.

She remembered two years ago, around this time, her mother was still alive.

When she was feeling well, she had Qiao’er fetch some flowers and, when night fell and no one was around, placed them in her daughter’s hair deep in the palace.

Staring at her by candlelight, she let out a long sigh.

It was no wonder.

She had never once entered the Matchmaker Temple in her life.

She must have already been forgotten by the god of love.

Her mother sighed, perhaps, because her daughter had to pretend to be a prince, unable to reveal her true self.

Though now she had returned to her female appearance, she was already a woman who had been married once.

This so-called fate now seemed no more than a tangled, hopeless knot.

So when the chief of the Inner Court sent over a basket of flowers, Nie Qinglin only smiled faintly.

The flowers were beautiful, yes, but sticking them in her hair in this lonely palace would be a waste.

They would just wither into a forgotten heap, unnoticed by anyone.

Thinking so, she gave the dew-flecked flowers a glance, then picked up a leisure book and went to lounge on the soft couch to pass the time.

But Nanny Shan said, “Why hasn’t the princess started getting dressed? The carriage will be here soon. You’re going to the Matchmaker Temple.”

Nie Qinglin’s eyes widened slightly upon hearing this.

She thought to herself: The Grand Tutor approved it? Otherwise, Nanny Shan would never have acted on her own. After being listless for so long, the sudden chance to go out lifted her spirits a little. Though she held no hope for love, getting some fresh air would be nice. Immediately, she tossed aside the book, called her maids, and had them open the dozen or so wardrobes in the inner room to rummage through for pretty clothes.

After tirelessly trying them on, the princess chose a Begonia-red gauze dress embroidered with water lilies.

Since she’d be wearing flowers in her hair, she styled it into a clean Startled Swan bun, which made her look noticeably taller.

She didn’t have pierced ears, and after wearing clip-on earrings days earlier, her earlobes were still sore.

Today, she used a crab-claw brush to dot a plum blossom pattern as ear decoration instead.

As for the flowers to be worn in her hair, it wasn’t until Nanny Shan brought them over that Nie Qinglin looked closely and realized half of them were species she didn’t recognize.

They didn’t seem to be native to the Central Plains.

“These were delivered early this morning by sea. They even had soil clinging to the roots when they arrived. I picked the most vibrant ones and selected a basketful. If the princess doesn’t like them, I can have the young eunuchs bring all the flowerpots over so you can choose yourself, how about that?”

Nanny Shan spoke softly when she saw Nie Qinglin stunned.

So they were flowers from overseas, that explained it.

Who else could dispatch a sea vessel just to deliver flowers, if not him? Could it be… he was no longer angry?

At that thought, the heaviness that had been bottled up for several days in her chest suddenly eased ever so slightly.

After much picking and choosing, Nie Qinglin finally settled on a delicate cream-colored flower with yellow stamens tinged with red speckles.

It trembled softly, looking utterly lovable.

Once tucked into her hair, it appeared exceptionally elegant.

The scent was faint and subtle, just enough to intoxicate.

Because her dress was quite bright in color, Nie Qinglin chose not to wear heavy makeup.

She applied a light layer of powder and dabbed a touch of rouge on her lips, just enough.

When her preparations were complete, a lovely young lady stood gracefully before the mirror.

As she lifted her skirt and stepped out of the palace, she glanced up and saw another lavish carriage parked beside her own.

Could it be… him? But when the curtain lifted, the face that emerged belonged to Princess Shaoyang.

“Sister,” she said with a smile, “it’s been a few days. Are you well?”

Her younger imperial sister seemed to freeze for a moment before breaking into a happy smile.

“Of course I’ve missed you, Sister. I haven’t been sleeping very soundly.”

It turned out Shaoyang herself had been stifled indoors for quite a while.

Now that her pregnancy was stable, she was allowed to move about and get some air.

She requested permission from the prince to accompany her unmarried sister to the Matchmaker Temple to pray for marriage.

After her written request was sent to the palace, the emperor granted permission with surprising ease, and so she came to Fengchu Palace to wait for her.

The two had not seen each other for quite some time, and instead of taking separate carriages, they decided to ride together.

“Didn’t our imperial brother send word to let you know I was coming?” Shaoyang asked as she took Nie Qinglin’s hand.

“You looked a bit surprised when you saw me.”

Nie Qinglin smiled and replied, “Just surprised to see you looking even more radiant after a few days apart. How is it, returning with that prince? Has he given you trouble?”

At this, Shaoyang’s expression turned uneasy.

Her lips moved slightly.

“It’s… the same as always. Trouble or not, it is what it is.”

Hearing this, Nie Qinglin’s heart sank.

She pressed further, “Sister, can’t you at least be honest with me? Why be so secretive even with your own sister?”

Princess Shaoyang was naturally shy, and these unspeakable matters were difficult to voice before her still-unmarried younger sister.

Her face flushed red, but she said nothing.

Nie Qinglin had never been one to hold her tongue.

Judging by her sister’s reaction, she had a guess.

Suddenly, she remembered the tray full of “instruments” placed on the table when she had been forced to marry Ge Qingyuan.

Her heart sank again.

“Sister, don’t be shy. Did that Xiu Tuhong prepare some terrifying tools to torment you?”

Pressed question after question, Shaoyang couldn’t deflect any longer.

Honest as she was, she blurted out, “He… came equipped. No need to prepare anything…”

That stunned even Princess Nie Qinglin.

She murmured, “But you’re with child… Doesn’t the prince show any mercy?”

Shaoyang sulked.

“It’s not as rough as before, but he’s still clingy and demanding, never letting up…”

Nie Qinglin realized it was no longer appropriate to press further.

She had been trained by the Grand Tutor and understood very well that “clingy and demanding” could mean many things.

Yet, seeing that her sister didn’t look worn or thin, rather, she seemed fuller and healthier—she felt slightly reassured and decided to drop the matter.

The Matchmaker Temple sat in the most bustling district of the capital, where rouge shops and fine accessory stores lined the streets.

Any beauty-minded young lady walking through that street could empty her coin purse and still not be satisfied.

But the princesses’ carriage did not take the main road.

Instead, it circled behind the temple.

The temple’s front gate was open to the public, while the rear gate was reserved for nobility and officials.

Since ancient times, the back door was the path of privilege.

The rear entrance to the Matchmaker Temple was no exception, it was the gate of favorable matches, perfectly tailored to the mentality of the elite.

Once inside the temple via the rear gate, everything—every tree and blade of grass was exquisitely arranged.

In the courtyard stood two massive silk trees, both centuries old, their thick trunks wrapped in layer upon layer of red wishing ribbons, looking like clusters of bright red chili peppers.

Passing beneath the intertwined branches of the trees brought one into the dazzling inner hall.

Even the statue of the Matchmaker deity was adorned in gold and jewels, symbolizing the hope for a prosperous and beautiful union.

As the two princesses stepped out of the carriage, a few noble ladies and their daughters were already waiting respectfully at the temple gates.

When these ladies looked up, the first thing they saw was a young girl in red stepping gracefully down from the carriage like drifting smoke.

This noble and elegant girl, who seemed even more delicate and charming than the rumors described was none other than the infamous Princess Yong’an, the very one said to have been thrown into the imperial prison by the Grand Tutor! Her face was clearly youthful, recently matured, smooth and glowing.

And yet her attire from head to toe conformed perfectly to that of an unmarried maiden, each piece novel and dazzling.

When one thought about the downfall of the Ge faction, how Ge Qingyuan’s entire clan was implicated and executed, nine generations wiped out, how even the slightest association led to punishment, it seemed unthinkable that Ge Qingyuan’s newly-wedded wife, clearly one of those within the circle of the condemned, could return to the palace as if nothing had happened, completely unharmed.

If her imperial brother held real power, perhaps it would be easier to understand.

But that useless brother was nothing more than a figurehead.

It was obvious, she must have won the Grand Tutor’s favor to survive such a wave of panic and chaos.

Just what kind of woman was she, to so effortlessly navigate between the two most powerful men in Great Wei? The noble ladies were filled with silent astonishment, though none dared show even a hint of contempt on their faces.

Still, for every coward, there was always someone bold enough to speak up.

Lin Miaoyin of the Prince Yonghe’s residence was nearly bursting with fury the moment the princess appeared.

Just months ago, the Madam of Yonghe’s residence had been in the limelight.

But this reckless imperial princess had chosen to rendezvous with her lover from the Ge family right inside the Yonghe residence, committing the disgraceful act of eloping.

Princess Yong’an may have enjoyed her thrill, but she had dragged the entire Yonghe household into chaos.

Prince Yonghe had been “invited” to an undisclosed location for interrogation and secret detainment, while Lin Miaoyin herself had been “invited” into the Ministry of Justice’s prison.

Just the sight of rows upon rows of torture instruments on the wall had frightened her soul right out of her body.

She remembered accompanying the drunken princess into the inner chambers, then suddenly being smothered with a drug-soaked cloth, what happened afterward, she never knew.

She had merely been terrified for nothing before finally being released.

But her father, Prince Yonghe, was accused of consorting with evil forces and enchanted by a seductive imperial princess of Great Wei, nearly leading the whole household to destruction.

Before the Ge traitor rebelled, her father had, it seemed, briefly regained his senses, perhaps having caught wind of something.

He instructed her mother to quickly flee with the concubines and daughters back to her natal province, just in time to escape Ge’s purge.

But Prince Yonghe, who had stayed behind, was strangled to death inside the residence by none other than Princess Leyao, who had arrived with a troop of guards.

That foxy princess didn’t fare well in the end either, she reportedly died in disgrace at a Xiongnu outpost, covered in filth.

So her father’s death was, in a way, avenged.

Fortunately, because her father had died a loyal death, Wei Lenghou took pity on his former mentor and spared the Yonghe family from disgrace in his memory.

He preserved the family’s hereditary title and even allowed her mother to adopt a male child from the clan to maintain the household name and appearances.

But Lin Miaoyin’s dreams of becoming empress had shattered completely.

If Wei Lenghou had honored his former wine-table promise to her father, he wouldn’t have let those brutes drag her, a noble daughter, into the prison over that Princess Yong’an!

Now her dreams of reigning over the inner palace were crushed, yet that naturally seductive vixen seemed to be thriving.

Clearly a widow who had already “shown her face,” she still came to the Matchmaker Temple dressed like an unmarried maiden, occupying a spot meant for pure girls.

How could Lin Miaoyin possibly swallow this insult?

But even if that seductress was favored, what good would it do her? The whole capital knew she had once married a rebel who tried to usurp the throne.

A woman on her second marriage—what good match could she possibly have? Wei Lenghou was a man who held power over the entire court.

His principal wife’s position had long been vacant, and he would undoubtedly choose someone from a noble family.

Even his concubines would be from clean, reputable households, known for both beauty and virtue—let alone a primary wife, who would certainly be a legitimate daughter from a top-ranking family!

A woman like Princess Yong’an, who had brought death to her husband’s clan, was only fit to be kept as a plaything in the palace.

Once the Grand Tutor tired of her, her fate would be no different than that ridiculous Princess Leyao who’d died in disgrace.

At that moment, Lin Miaoyin pulled a long face and loudly asked the temple keeper, “Isn’t the Matchmaker Temple meant to bless unmarried girls with good fortune in love? This back entrance, wasn’t it reserved for girls of pure status? Since when were widows, whose husbands aren’t even dead, allowed in to beg for marriage blessings? Serving two husbands, isn’t that ruining the prospects of all the other noble girls here?”

The words sent the Prince Yonghe’consort beside her into a panic.

She tugged at Lin Miaoyin’s sleeve, thinking: Has my daughter been completely blinded by jealousy? Does she think the old prince is still alive and that our household’s influence is still secure? Even if those two princesses no longer wield much royal grandeur, would you dare challenge the Grand Tutor in public by humiliating them like this?

Yet despite her poor timing, Lin Miaoyin had voiced exactly what many of the temple-goers secretly thought.

Though no one chimed in, heads turned and glances exchanged were full of ridicule and scorn.

Indeed! The two princesses had both been with two different men, what a family reunion this was.

Nie Qinglin, for her part, had never paid much attention to the so-called “virtue” of noble daughters.

She knew full well that her relationship with Ge Qingyuan had remained innocent.

This was her first time at the Matchmaker Temple, and she came merely to see what it looked like.

With no prior offerings made, how could she sincerely ask for blessings in love?

She saw Lin Miaoyin recently bereaved and without the fanfare that had surrounded her when they last met at Hanyang Temple, and guessed that her words came from bitterness.

So she acted as though she hadn’t heard a thing.

But her elder sister standing beside her would not let it go.

Princess Shaoyang had always been gentle and timid.

Ever since returning, she had relied on her younger sister’s protection.

After discovering the affair between her sister and the Grand Tutor, she had felt guilty and uncomfortable—she, as the elder sister, had failed to shield her and had only caused more trouble.

That wretched Grand Tutor wasn’t even upright enough to give her sister a proper title, leaving others room to gossip!

And now, at this gathering of noble families, someone dared to insult a princess publicly? If she had gone north and left her sister behind in the palace, left her at the mercy of a powerless emperor brother, her sister’s reputation would have been utterly ruined!

Back when she heard about Yong’an’s entanglement with the traitor Ge Qingyuan, she had worried for a long time.

In the past, when the palace was full of imperial siblings, competition for favor diluted familial bonds.

But now the Nie name had withered; with both their father and mother gone, the two sisters—though they hadn’t spent much time together before, had grown close.

As she worried about Yong’an’s future, she even forgot her own troubles up north and felt a genuine affection rise in her, like a true “eldest sister as mother.”

Thinking this, Princess Shaoyang swept her gaze across the circle of noblewomen around them, many of whom wore expressions tinged with schadenfreude. The boldness she had picked up in the northern regions surged forth—she straightened her slender waist and raised her gentle voice, now clear and firm:

“If I’m not mistaken, the one speaking just now is the daughter of Prince Yonghe. Madam, how do you manage your household, to have raised someone so tactless and disrespectful with her words? If I hadn’t heard it myself, it would be one thing but now that I have, this matter must be addressed. Even if the daughters of Great Wei’s late emperor married two or three consorts by their own choosing, that is something your noble households could only envy from afar, how dare someone like you speak in riddles and cast insinuations!”

As she said this, she didn’t even give the Madam a chance to kneel and apologize. Instead, she turned to the maid from the northern regions who had followed her and said, “Duoluo’er, go teach that young lady of the prince’s household some manners!”

Duoluo’er bore the typical features of the Xiongnu—broad shoulders, a thick waist, strong enough to carry two Central Plains women at once.

She was well-versed in “discipline” from the northern frontier.

Walking up to the still-defiant Lin Miaoyin, she raised a massive palm and struck her down in one blow.

A mouthful of blood, along with two teeth, spilled from Lin Miaoyin’s lips.

Duoluo’er bent down to grab Lin Miaoyin’s collar and was about to hit her again when Princess Shaoyang called out, “Enough. I’ve helped the madam discipline the young lady of her household. The rest is up to her to teach herself—lest others with no sense take this as a cue to gossip about the royal family.”

The hall fell into dead silence.

No one dared speak.

At this moment, everyone was struck by a realization, a dying camel is still bigger than a horse.

Even if the imperial family had declined, these two princesses were not people to be taken lightly.

Especially Princess Shaoyang, though she had married off to the northern frontier, her husband was a young and powerful Xiongnu prince who held real military authority.

Even the Grand Tutor treated him with respect.

In truth, she had married more gloriously than any other princess.

Even if Grand Tutor Wei truly ascended the throne one day, one princess would be a foreign consort, and the other would be his favored woman, both had secure futures.

How could they compare to the sons and daughters of noble families, who trembled at court each day, terrified of backing the wrong side and getting their estates seized in the night?

As Princess Shaoyang swept her gaze across the crowd, everyone quickly adopted expressions of admiration, glaring in righteous unity at the collapsed Lin Miaoyin on the floor.

After the two princesses offered incense, the temple manager respectfully invited them to rest in a side room.

Once inside, Princess Shaoyang immediately slumped down, revealing her true self.

“Sister, what do we do now? I only meant for a light punishment… who knew Duoluo’er would be so heavy-handed? Just one blow and Miss Lin lost two teeth… I… I…”

Seeing her elder sister on the verge of tears, Nie Qinglin couldn’t help but laugh.

“I almost thought my sister’s delicate body had been taken over by some bold spirit, how could such a gallant and commanding figure now turn to jelly the moment she enters a side room? You looked just like Lord Xiu Tuhong himself just now!”

“You’re still laughing? Heartless girl!” Shaoyang huffed, and the sisters began to squabble playfully.

After leaving the Matchmaker Temple, they approached the long bridge near the back gate, where many young noblemen were already gathered.

Each was meticulously dressed, waiting for a glimpse of their future wives or to steal a glance at the girl with whom they had already exchanged birthdates.

If affection was mutual and their elders had given permission, a young man might walk up to the palanquin and present a hand-carved wooden pan peach to the lady as a sign of longing—an indication that he hoped to marry her soon.

Each year, the girls who received a carved pan peach were the envy of all.

Their parents were comforted, knowing their daughters were already cherished even before entering their husband’s home.

Usually, the bridge was packed with people jostling for space.

Just last year, someone had been shoved off into the river.

But this time, as the two princesses led a procession of noble daughters out the temple gate, they were momentarily stunned.

The bridge was clean and nearly empty.

Only one man stood there alone.

He wore a high-collared robe of jade-white cloud brocade, a jade fan in his hand.

His thick black hair was tied neatly with a fine jade crown adorned with luminous pearls, making his strong brows and phoenix eyes even more striking.

With this man standing there, the finely dressed young nobles below the bridge all paled in comparison.

The aura of calm dominance he exuded could only come from years of battlefield command and court intrigue—from a man who held real power.

How could those pampered heirs of noble families ever measure up?

Though only one man stood on the bridge, not a single young lady was disappointed.

All eyes were drawn to him.

They gazed at him with infatuation, believing that such a man was like an immortal exiled from heaven.

Even becoming his concubine would be a willing fate.

Nie Qinglin hadn’t expected the Grand Tutor to be waiting on the bridge and grew uneasy.

After all, she had misunderstood his intentions in the bamboo cottage, letting her imagination run wild.

She didn’t dare assume that the Marquis of Dingguo was here for her.

Perhaps he had simply taken a liking to some other young lady over the past few days and was here to express his affection.

When the usually cold Grand Tutor had leisure for courtship, he knew just how to win a woman’s heart.

She had experienced that herself.

His honeyed words calling her “my dearest Guo’er” were like a flood strong enough to break the levees of Li County.

Such skills surely came from honing those lines on many different women.

He accused her of “fishing without bait,” but how could he understand that everything the Great Wei imperial princess Yong’an owned, aside from the heart in her chest, no longer belonged to her? Even being alive and standing here in her prime was merely thanks to a fleeting whim of his mercy.

Other women might be free to love and admire the man who outshone all others in the six palaces, but Nie Qinglin could not.

She dared not… love him…

And so she no longer looked at the man on the bridge.

With her head lowered, she obediently walked toward her carriage.

But the Grand Tutor slowly began to walk toward her.

As he approached, he reached into his robe and drew out a jade-carved pan peach pendant.