THERE WAS NO hiding the disappointment in Uncle's eyes when Yunhua showed up at Yunxuan's wedding feast by herself. The feast was held in the manor they'd purchased for the newly wed couple, and was a decidedly less grand affair than mine or Yunhua's wedding. The manor was smaller, for starters, and Shu Jueheng's position in court was nowhere as high as either of our husbands.
We all curtsied, and Yunhua told us to rise, a small smile on her face. "Apologies for my tardiness. There were some issues to solve."
"Not at all," Uncle replied. "Come, take a seat. The celebrations were just about to start."
I was placed besides her, and when no one was noticing, I leaned over. "He did not accompany you?"
Tartly, she replied, "He claims he is preoccupied with work."
"This will not do."
"I will find a way eventually," she told me with a sigh. "Not much we can do about it for now."
"People will talk."
"People will assume he truly is too busy. None of us have been leaving the Eastern Palace much. This is one of my first times out since that... incident, and that's only because I must attend my own sister's wedding. Lucky you, to have a husband so doting."
I followed her glance to Chiqian, who was sitting with some of the men. He was speaking with Lord Huo, the two having reconnected in the past few weeks. "Well, they are in completely different stations and situations. Chiqian does not have as much business to attend to as the Crown Prince."
"He has no concubine, only you."
"You are the Crown Princess Consort," I warned. "If you wanted a husband who didn't take a concubine, you should have married someone of another position. Although most matches would have still ended in that kind of situation. Even your father has a concubine, and he was supposedly extremely devoted to your mother. That is how things go. Do not tell me you will start complaining about it now."
"No," she said with a huff, "but it is starting to get annoying."
"Consort Luo?"
"She is the least of my problems right now."
Which did not sound comforting at all. But Yunhua didn't seem like she was in a good moodâshe hadn't been in one for a while, so I decided to shut up, lowering my head at the empty plate before me.
The dishes had not yet been served, and Shu Jueheng was busying himself walking around the desks, accepting congratulations and chatting with his peers. Yunxuan was nowhere to be seen, tucked away in their wedding chamber. A pity and a shame, really. She ought to be out here enjoying all the wonderful food, but tradition demanded otherwise.
Screw that. I remembered how hungry and tired I was during my wedding. I hoped someone had snuck Yunxuan some snacks of her own.
Most of the people at our table were young, married women. People I knew and was comfortable and familiar with. Tianjin had returned a few days prior and now sat alongside some other unmarried young men. When he noticed me staring, he flashed me a smile. He'd grown older in the past few years into a handsome and charming man. And ambitious. Very ambitious. He talked more like Yunhua than Yunjun or Yunxuan these days, which I supposed was a good trait for someone like him.
The feast itself was rowdy and happy. The crowd hadn't been as prestigious and noble as mine nor Yunhua's, but that made the atmosphere a lot more relaxed as people chatted and laughed and gossiped. Uncle looked ecstatic at the head of the table, clapping Shu Jueheng's back as he downed one cup of wine after another. Shu Jueheng's sickly aunt had only made a brief appearance earlier on before retiring to her own room, crying a headache. I couldn't tell if it was out of genuine discomfort, or merely because she felt completely out of place among the group that had gathered here tonight.
I spotted the two older Miss Hengs as well. The eldest was at my table, now married. Her eyes became melancholic when she saw me and Yunhua, as if we'd reminded her of her late sister, so I did not approach her. To my surprise, the other Miss Heng still sat in the unmarried section.
When I asked Yunhua, she replied, "She was engaged some time ago, but her fiance died while serving at the borderlands. She has remained unmarried and unattached until then. The Earl doesn't seem to particularly mind, despite the gossip."
A family that had gone through far too much. Though Earl Heng had proven a faithful ally besides the Crown Prince in the past few years, working to undermine the Third Prince.
All of this had only strengthened my hatred of the Third Prince. Yet I also found myself completely helpless. The only way I could strike at him was through his wife, Chen Banyun, yet she almost always avoided any social event that Yunhua or I attended. I did not think I'd seen her more than five times in the time that she'd married the Third Prince.
And that reminded me of another victim of the Third Prince. Qin Yue. His first wife. Quiet, reserved Qin Yue.
Though I'd always wondered if she was complicit in some of the things he'd done. Certainly she must have known what the Third Prince had done to Miss Heng, judging from her expression that day years ago. Had she known that she was being poisoned too? Had she known that her own death was imminent?
Midway through the feast, as most of the youngsters began to be bored of the food and company of those around them, they were given permission to head into the gardens, where a series of activities had already been prepared for everyone to enjoy. A troupe of dancers and a band had been hired, and now danced in the gardens as we sat around, enjoying. People frolicked aroundâmarried couples chatted with other couples, while the unwed searched for their future spouse. Chiqian joined me for a moment before he went to speak to one of his cousins, while Yunhua stuck by my side. Yunjun was talking to Tianjin and a few other young menâGeneral Feng was conspicuously missing. He'd claimed sickness. Yunjun had scoffed when she'd announced that.
It had not escaped me that out of the three of us, only Chiqian had accompanied me. Both sisters had come alone.
It was moments like those I was grateful that I'd married someone who treated me with love and respect. And pity for the fact that Yunhua and Yunjun were not. Though Yunhua had chosen this life, Yunjun had been blinded by her own infatuation, and was now dealing with the consequences by herself with no means of escaping.
I was so, so, so lucky.
"Crown Princess Consort, Duan shizi Consort." Both Yunhua and my head turned to the source of the voice. Lord Huo swept into a bow, a smile on his face. "Enjoying the night?"
"Of course," I replied, tilting my head. "You came with Lady Huo, right? I have not had the pleasure of meeting her yet."
His eyes flickered to the other side of the garden, where a group of women stood together, tittering. "I shall have you introduced if that is your wish."
"Oh, I would not like to interrupt her and her friends. Next time, perhaps."
Yunhua's eyes had fixed on the group of ladies too. "She is the one in green, yes?"
Lord Huo glanced at her for a moment before following her gaze. "Aye, Your Highness. The one in green besides Lady Yan."
"Ah. I thought so." At the description my eyes locked onto Lady Huo as well. She was not particularly tall, a little smile on her face as she chatted with her friends, a fan in hand, more accessory than for use in this weather. Her hair was dark, her skin slightly tanned. She would be described as pretty, but not beautiful. And she didn't give the feeling of someone who was born into great rank. In fact, she radiated an aura not unsimilar to mine.
I wondered if there were any feelings there now, or if it was still the same as when they'd first married. Purely political, rational, with no feelings involved.
At least they'd attended this wedding together. That was more than some people here could say.
"How have you been, Lord Huo?" Yunhua suddenly asked, touching her hair to make sure her hairdo was still in place.
"Excellent, Your Highness. It has been an enjoyable few weeks."
"That is nice to hear."
I stayed quiet. It was somewhat awkward, since I was the one who'd told Lord Huo to go away and leave Yunhua alone in the first place those years ago, and because I felt like I was intruding on something. As if these two had some kind of secret that I wasn't privy to.
"Your half-sister is well?"
"She has recovered since we've last conversed, Your Highness."
Now my head turned, but neither seemed to notice as they continued. Yunhua said, "That is wonderful to hear. You ought to tell her to be careful."
Lord Huo's half-sister?
She hadn't even debuted. Why would Yunhua know she was sick? I didn't.
Since we've last conversed.
Had these two resumed contact again?
Oh bloody hell. I thought Yunhua was smarter than this. If this was discovered, it would be absolutely disastrous.
"I shall, Your Highness." I felt his eyes on me, suddenly, and I turned to meet them. Something in my expression seemed to startle him, because he suddenly bowed. "I shall return to my wife, Your Highness, my lady. Have an excellent evening."
When he walked off, my head snapped to Yunhua. "Are you...?"
"Just exchanging some letters," she replied mildly. "I wanted to thank him for saving me."
"You could have done that in numerous other ways. Without having to contact him directly."
"It did not feel genuine."
"No, you just wanted to talk to him. Yunhua, you realise how idiotic this is?"
"I'm allowed a bit of warmth and joy in my life," she snarled, meeting my gaze, anger in her eyes. "I apologise that I do not have a husband as doting and attentive as yours."
"This has nothing to do withâ"
"I make my own decisions, Minxi."
"Your decisions affect all of us."
"Well, too bad for you then." She stood up. "Leave me be. I am not in the mood for this tonight."
I did not press it then, but it did not mean I forgot about it either. I would talk to her about this, dissuade her from this course of action before it went too far. She cared for him. She had cared for him, at the very least, and from the sight of it, both of them still seemed to harbour some degree of feelings for each other. If they engaged in anything stupid, it was all of our lives at stake. It would be utterly selfish and so, so dangerous.
Considering Yunhua's position right now, the last thing she could afford to do was make a mistake so easily caught by others. If I'd noticed, others would soon realise it as well. And if one of their letters were found and confiscated...
I could not even imagine the consequences. For her, for me, for our family.
Adultery was not something that was treated lightly. Especially not in the imperial family. Even among the common folk there were stories of women being drowned in pig cages after committing adultery.
But this also shone new light on the state of Yunhua and the Crown Prince's marriage, and I failed to understand. Having lost her child and almost her life, surely the Crown Prince would feel something for her? Pity? An urge to stay with her, to protect her? Instead, what I'd heard was of him running to Luo Xueying every night to the point some of the lower ranked concubines were complaining about it. The Crown Prince had apparently been summoned into the Imperial Palace a few days ago by the Empress and scolded for having neglected his other concubines. Chiqian had told me, eyebrows furrowed, and asked me if Yunhua was the one who'd reported it to the Empress.
I'd denied it immediately. Yunhua was far too clever to do something like that directly. It was far more likely to be one of the concubines, and a few I knew were from families closely affiliated with the Empress'. But now I doubted my original judgement. Yunhua seemed to be extremely unhappy with the state of her marriage right nowâwhat if she had gone to the Empress in some attempt to salvage it quickly?
In which case, I could almost understand why the Crown Prince was avoiding her. Surely he'd not have been pleased with being scolded by his mother. And if he'd learnt or suspected it was Yunhua, then his wrath would surely turn to her.
Thus her current state?
But the Crown Prince seemed to have been neglecting Yunhua for longer than that. Ever since her miscarriage. But why would that be something that turned him away from her? Did he truly blame her? But it wasn't her fault.
It was all just very strange, and I felt as if I was missing some pieces of the puzzle. But Yunhua wasn't willing to say, and I certainly wasn't able to get anything out of the Crown Prince, if I could even talk to him in private at all.
The dance performance ended and we all clapped as the dancers left the garden. Nothing all that fancy, for the budget for this wedding was small in the first place. I left Yunhua's side, making my way over to Chiqian, who turned to acknowledge me and smiled. To his friends, he said, "Well, I must keep my wife company now. I'll see you all in a few days."
As we walked away, I tilted my head. "A few days?"
"We've arranged a dinner," he told me. "It's been a while since I've gone out with them."
"Sounds excellent," I said with a beam. "Do remember to tell the kitchen what day it is so they don't make your portion for dinner as well."
"I shall. You look a bit troubled, is everything alright?"
I forced a smile. The less people knew that Yunhua had resumed contact with Murong, the better. It wasn't as if I didn't trust Chiqianâin fact, I probably trusted him even more than my cousins right now. But the less people knew about it, the less mouths there would be talking about it. The best way to keep a secret a secret was by telling no one in the first place.
"No, I am perfectly alright. I might be a bit tiredâah, the man of the night! Mr Shu, you must be a happy man tonight." We were met with Shu Jueheng, who swept into a low bow. He was dressed in bright red as per tradition, a bright beam plastered on his face. He seemed genuinely happy, which brought good biddings to Yunxuan's match.
"Duan shizi, shizi Consort, I hope the banquet is up to your expectations."
"It has surpassed it in every way," I told him, though that wasn't precisely true. After having attended so many grand weddings, a part of my brain had thought all weddings among the nobility were like that, but this smaller, quaint banquet was far more appropriate for Shu Jueheng and Yunxuan's station.
"Well," he said with a roguish grin, "I must admit, despite how enjoyable this all is, I look forward to it ending."
Chiqian let out a laugh of disbelief. "In such a rush to see your bride?"
He winced sheepishly. "Well, she must be fatigued."
"She'll muster the energy to keep you company," I laughed, giving Chiqian a glance. "I was starving and tired during my marriage ceremony, but I thankfully didn't fall asleep before he came in."
"I don't quite understand the tradition," Shu Jueheng said, brows furrowed, "that brides cannot come to their own wedding banquet. It seems quite ridiculous. It is their wedding, after all."
"As do I," I said ruefully, "but neither of us are brave enough to be the ones to break that tradition. It would be considered blasphemous. Thus, we abide by it anyways. Well, we wouldn't want to occupy your time. Darling?"
Chiqian offered Shu Jueheng a warm smile. "We are brothers now, since my wife is like a sister to yours. If you ever need any help, feel free to send for it from the Prince Duan Manor. And do visit sometime."
"Oh, I am eternally grateful, Duan shizi."
I liked Shu Jueheng. He had that sense of pride a young man in his position would have, yet he was humble in all the right places. He craved knowledge and power, that much was clear, but his ambition did not rub anyone off the wrong way. And it didn't feel as if he was willing to do anything for it either. He had his morals and he stuck with them. In a way, he reminded me of Yunxuan. A fitting match indeed.
We excused ourselves, continuing to frolic around the garden. While it was infinitely smaller than the Prince Duan Manor or the Shangguan Manor, it was still more than enough for a newly wedded couple. No matter what their station would be, Shangguan An would not let any child of his live in anything except the very best, and that included Yunxuan. While he might not place as much importance on her as the others, perhaps due to her status as the daughter of a concubine, she was still a worthy asset and an extremely valuable daughter.
"A rare bit of peace," Chiqian murmured in my ear. "We won't be getting lots of those."
"Still no evidence on the Third Prince."
"We're not going to find any," he sighed. "It's done flawlessly. The Third Prince is ruthless and dare I say, evil, but he is immaculately careful in his plots. Not a single trace left. We will find it difficult to take him down that way."
"I don't just want to take him down, I want revenge for what he did to Miss Heng and to Yunhua."
He sent me a look. "You're making this personal."
"It became personal a long time ago."
"Not the wisest choice," he murmured. "It's usually rather unwise to bring personal feelings into problems of such... political intrigue."
"But it also makes me passionate, Chiqian."
"And makes you prone to making mistakes," he warned. "Be angry if you want, but don't let it interfere with the things you do, okay? I don't want to see you get hurt."
"I won't get hurt," I promised him, hooking my arm into his. "Don't worry, I'm very careful with things like these."
He nodded. "Okay. Okay, I trust you."