Chapter Two

The middle-aged man standing before Feng Xiaoli visibly trembled. He had thought her return would be a cause for celebration, but her first words took him entirely by surprise.

Facing the young man, the middle-aged man asked in confusion, “Second Prince, what is the meaning of this?”

Yu Wenche gently waved the folding fan in his hand and met the man’s bewildered gaze. “Prince Chun, it’s not as though A’Li hasn’t feigned amnesia before. From what I see, she’s merely pretending again.”

“So that’s how it is!” Prince Chun visibly let out a sigh of relief.

“A’Li, if you don’t wish to marry, then so be it. If you do not want this marriage, I will never force you to wed someone you do not love. You are the only legitimate daughter of Prince Chun’s household. Though your status is supremely noble, you have always held an irreplaceable place in my heart. In this world, apart from your mother, no one could ever threaten your position. Rest assured, I shall enter the palace shortly to request that His Majesty retract the imperial decree!” Prince Chun spoke from the depths of his heart. Feng Xiaoli caught the sincerity in his eyes, clear and unwavering, untainted by the flicker of falsehood. Even though she was not his true daughter, she could feel his genuine affection.

Yu Wenche’s hand faltered on the fan, and the smile on his face froze, but since no one was watching him, it went unnoticed.

“Prince Chun, with such words, where would that leave the dignity of the imperial family?” The voice arrived before its owner did. He strode in wearing a robe of deep purple, his brows sharp as a blade, his eyes clear as mountain springs. His skin was pale, a white jade crown atop his head, a flawless jade pendant at his waist—ordinary ornaments at first glance, yet upon closer inspection, the jade gleamed with a rare and exquisite luster.

“Greetings to the Crown Prince!” All present bowed respectfully to Yu Wenhao.

Yu Wenhao quickly approached Prince Chun and repeated the same question.

Before hearing Yu Wenhao’s voice, Prince Chun had already released Feng Xiaoli. One could not lose composure before members of the royal family. As a prince, he knew these rules well—no matter how dearly he cherished Feng Xiaoli, propriety could not be breached.

Prince Chun was not intimidated by Yu Wenhao, nor was Yu Wenhao afraid of him. Their powers were evenly matched, and though they rarely conflicted, this was the first time they had come face-to-face in such a tense confrontation.

“Your Highness, you are the most esteemed prince of Huai Jing, while my daughter’s status is humble and her virtues lacking. She is not suited to be the Crown Princess. There are many noble and gentle ladies in Huai Jing—surely, Your Highness will find someone more suitable among them.” Prince Chun did not repeat his previous words. What he had said earlier was spoken in haste, with no thought to the consequences. Now, with Yu Wenhao’s admonition, he realized he had, indeed, slighted imperial authority.

Yu Wenhao laughed heartily. “Prince, there’s no need for such words. Soon, we shall be family. I admire A’Li’s character. She’s straightforward and bold, unlike those demure, simpering ladies. Few women possess her free spirit.”

By saying this, Yu Wenhao showed he cared little for Feng Xiaoli’s so-called low status or shortcomings. At the same time, he clearly did not believe Prince Chun’s excuse—it was obvious these flaws were cited only to dissolve the engagement.

Yet if the engagement were broken, it would not be Prince Chun’s household who lost face, but Yu Wenhao himself. Behind him stood the honor of the entire imperial family; to insult Yu Wenhao was to insult the throne. Moreover, a Crown Princess’s status was exalted beyond compare. For Prince Chun to refuse was unthinkable. As for Feng Xiaoli, she must be secretly enjoying the show from the shadows.

Yu Wenhao, however, had guessed wrong. Prince Chun truly cherished Feng Xiaoli and prioritized her happiness above all. He would never force her into a loveless marriage. What puzzled him was why, just days ago, the Emperor had suddenly issued this decree without consulting him, catching everyone off guard.

Prince Chun remained silent, contemplating how to parry Yu Wenhao’s words. It was Yu Wenche who spoke up instead. “Crown Prince, I can see that A’Li does not care for you. Though you are dashing and elegant, she is the exception.”

Yu Wenhao sneered. “She doesn’t care for me? Does she prefer you, Second Prince? Never mind the many young ladies in Huai Jing who admire me. Perhaps you can tell us how many admire you?”

Yu Wenche took no offense and replied lightly, “Gold will always shine; there will be those who admire me. Crown Prince, you are simply too arrogant on this matter.”

“I have every reason to be,” Yu Wenhao retorted, his eyes icy and his pride palpable.

“Hah! The higher you climb, the harder you fall, Crown Prince.”

“That is a sentiment I return to you in full.”

Yu Wenhao certainly had cause for arrogance. Before meeting him, Feng Xiaoli had thought Yu Wenche handsome and refined, the sort of person whose looks linger in the mind after just one glance. But Yu Wenhao was different. The first impression he gave was one of shock and awe, then admiration—and, in time, infatuation. Standing together, the two were like a blossoming flower and its supporting foliage.

The crowd was long accustomed to the tension between them. Whenever the two princes met, sharp words and biting mockery were sure to follow. The wise pretended not to notice and quietly slipped away. But today, with Feng Xiaoli’s predicament unresolved, none would depart.

Prince Chun, fretting over his daughter’s marriage, grew ever more agitated with the Crown Prince’s and Second Prince’s verbal sparring.

But the most distressed of all was Feng Xiaoli herself. Once the protagonist, she had suddenly become a mere supporting character. Anxiously she wondered why Yue Wanqing had not yet come to rescue her. She was trapped, unable to stay or leave.

“Prince Chun, let me make this clear,” the Crown Prince declared. “The imperial decree has already been issued. To revoke it so hastily would be improper, a blow to the dignity of the royal family. If the people were to learn of it, who knows what ridicule the dynasty would suffer. Is that what you wish for? I can pretend I heard nothing just now, but A’Li—I am determined to take her as my wife.” Time and again, Yu Wenhao invoked the prestige of the royal house—his sole concern was keeping his pride unblemished.

To him, pride eclipsed all else.

Such had always been Yu Wenhao’s principle.

Prince Chun was about to reply when a shrill voice announced, “Her Majesty, Empress Yuanmin, arrives!”

Even the Empress had come. At that moment, Feng Xiaoli was truly at her wit’s end. How could she possibly escape now? She should never have followed Yu Wenche back. Inwardly, she began to resent Yue Wanqing’s tardiness.

Yue Wanqing, you wretch—if I ever catch you, you’re dead!

Yu Wenhao’s face darkened. Seeing this, Yu Wenche’s mood lifted, and he shot a triumphant look at his elder brother. Yu Wenhao now understood: it was Yu Wenche who had summoned the Empress.