Chapter 57. He wanted to possess Shen Mi, to possess everything about her. ...

Relocating a grave is an extremely complicated matter. It often requires preparing a burial plot with good feng shui in the suburbs of Bianjing in advance, then selecting a date, and having people move the coffin all the way from Yanzhou back to Bianjing.

When her father and brother died in battle, her mother also passed away after being overwhelmed with grief. As a woman, Shen Mi was unable to move their coffins back to Bianjing for burial, so she buried them in Yanzhou, which was nearby.

However, since leaving Yanzhou and returning to Bianjing six years ago, she has never had the chance to visit Yanzhou again.

At that time, she thought she would marry Chen Jun, and planned to have him accompany her back to Yanzhou to pay respects every year during the Qingming and Winter Solstice festivals. However, fate intervened, and she was betrothed to Gu Zhan as a concubine by imperial decree. For those two years, she rarely left the Eastern Palace, let alone went to Yanzhou to pay respects to her parents and brothers. Later, she escaped from the Eastern Palace, wanting to return to Yanzhou, but Su Xingjian told her that Yanzhou was under war and not safe. So she went south to Runyang. Because Runyang was far from Yanzhou, she only went to Yanzhou once a year during the Qingming Festival to pay respects at her relatives' graves, to fulfill her small filial duty.

The Great Qi and the Tanguts were at war for many years, and Yanzhou was the first battlefield. When the two states stopped fighting, heavy snow blocked the mountains, and when the weather was suitable, the war continued. She hoped countless times that the war between the two states would end so that she could return to Yanzhou, and she also hoped that she would be able to move the coffins of her loved ones back to Bianjing. However, she never managed to do so, and she always felt regret in her heart.

Therefore, Shen Mi never expected that Gu Zhan would do these things for her.

After a long silence, she finally asked, "When did Your Highness do these things? I had no idea."

Gu Zhan liked to hold her fingers, and at this moment he was holding her hand in his palm. "About three months ago, before I went to Huizhou to quell the rebellion, I heard that the battle on the front line in Yanzhou was critical, so I ordered my men to take care of it."

Shen Mi lowered her eyelashes. Three months ago, she and Gu Zhan should not have met again.

Gu Zhan brushed the stray strands of hair that had fallen across her face behind her ear and said, "After Zhi Niang left back then, I prepared a cenotaph for you. At that time, I originally wanted to bury you with your father-in-law, father-in-law, and brother, but I didn't want to be too far away from you, so I never went to Yanzhou. Until I heard that the war in Yanzhou was dangerous this year, I took this opportunity to move their graves to Bianjing."

As Shen Mi listened to his words, her gaze unconsciously drifted to the imperial edict lying beside her.

Gu Zhan, who was always so aloof, actually took charge of relocating her parents' and brothers' graves, and even addressed them as her father-in-law and mother-in-law. Her long-cherished wish was fulfilled by Gu Zhan.

She was stunned for a long time before she finally said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Gu Zhan released her hand and instead grasped her shoulders with both hands, forcing her to look up at him. He said, "Now that the imperial decree has been issued to make you the Crown Princess, you are my only wife. We are husband and wife as one, so you don't need to refer to yourself as 'concubine' in front of me from now on."

Shen Mi's eyes flickered, but she only replied, "I've remembered."

Gu Zhan's gaze shifted downwards, landing on the twisted jade bracelet hanging on Shen Mi's wrist. He encircled her wrist with his index finger and thumb, gently rubbing the inside of her wrist twice with his thumb.

"You really valued the bracelet he gave you; even after six years, you still wear it on your wrist all the time."

When Shen Mi heard him mention Su Xingjian again, a shadow fell over her heart once more.

Worried that Gu Zhan might use this as an excuse to make trouble again, she took the initiative to remove the bracelet: "If Your Highness minds, I will take it off."

After she took off the twisted jade bracelet and placed it on the table beside her, Gu Zhan's brows relaxed a little.

Gu Zhan then remembered the gold bracelet that Lady Yang had asked him to give to Shen Mi, so he took it out of his sleeve and opened it in front of Shen Mi, saying, "It's a gift from your mother, a token of her affection."

As he spoke, he took out the gold bracelet and put it on Shen Mi's wrist.

Shen Mi was too thin, and although the bracelet was easy to put on, it couldn't stay on her wrist at all. Before long, it slipped off and fell into Gu Zhan's arms.

Shen Mi picked up the bracelet and put it back in the box, saying, "Since it was given to me by an elder, I will keep it safe, as a way of remembering the elder's kindness."

Gu Zhan slowly shook his head, took the bracelet out of the box, loosened his grip on her, and squatted down in front of her.

Shen Mi was startled by her action and immediately tried to get up. "What is Your Highness doing?"

Gu Zhan stopped her movements with one hand, pushed her skirt up with the other, and grabbed her ankle.

Shen Mi's eyes widened instantly. She pressed her hand to her knee, her face filled with shock: "What is Your Highness doing?" She bit her lip in embarrassment, "It's still daytime..."

Gu Zhan lifted his eyelids, looked at her, and a half-smile appeared on his lips: "What does Zhi Niang think I'm going to do? Or rather, can't it be during the day?"

Shen Mi was momentarily at a loss.

Isn't Gu Zhan supposed to be the most dignified person? When did he become so frivolous?

But the man had one hand around her waist, and she couldn't stop him. She could only watch helplessly as her shoes and socks were taken off.

"Your Highness, you mustn't."

Gu Zhan chuckled, picked up the gold bracelet in his hand, slipped it down her toes, and slid it all the way to her ankle.

The cold metal touching her ankle made her involuntarily pull her leg back.

Then she heard Gu Zhan say, "If it can't be worn on the wrist, then wear it on the ankle. When we were in Runzhou, I measured every inch of Zhi Niang's body. Sure enough, this thing fits perfectly on the ankle."

Shen Mi was startled when she heard this. She finally understood why, back in Runzhou, when they were sleeping at night, Gu Zhan always locked her in his arms and his hands would restlessly move over her body. It turned out that he had already harbored such thoughts back then.

She suddenly felt a cold sweat break out on her back.

She watched as he put his shoes and socks back on for her, and as he stood up, he leaned down and kissed her lips, only releasing her after a long time.

Gu Zhan watched as the woman was trapped in his arms, panting heavily, her lip rouge smeared on the outside, resembling a hibiscus flower covered in morning dew, swaying precariously in the wind. His mood improved somewhat.

Whether it was the court's forced concessions regarding the Prince of Wei's return to the capital, or seeing the twisted jade bracelet given to him by Su Xingjian on Shen Mi's wrist, he suddenly felt no anger at all.

Shen Mi is his wife, and only his things can be on her. He will never allow anyone else's things to appear on her. Everything she has must be locked firmly with him.

He wanted to possess Shen Mi, to possess everything about her.

When Gu Zhan released his grip on Shen Mi's shoulders, he noticed the small red mole on the back of her neck. As he sat down beside her, he chuckled and asked, "Zhi Niang, do you know how I recognized you at a glance when we were outside Runzhou City?"

His question stunned Shen Mi.

Shen Mi hadn't really thought about how Gu Zhan recognized her, so she didn't speak at this moment.

Gu Zhan's hand brushed against the skin on the back of Shen Mi's neck, and he whispered in her ear, "Because there is a small mole here, Zhi Niang. I remember it very clearly; I saw it at a glance back then."

Upon hearing this, Shen Mi's shoulders hunched slightly.

Gu Zhan sat down next to her again, letting her rest her head on his shoulder, and said, "I will gradually learn more about Zhi Niang, and I will know everything about her. Then, the misunderstandings between us will never happen again, hmm?"

Shen Mi closed her eyes, responded softly, and didn't say another word.

The emotion and gratitude she felt for Gu Zhan's act of moving her parents' graves had long since vanished.

At first, Shen Mi was not used to having the gold bracelet forced onto her ankle. Although the bracelet was not heavy, she always felt uncomfortable when the inner wall of the bracelet hit her ankle with every step she took. She couldn't tell whether it was the discomfort of the metal hitting her skin or the fact that every time the gold bracelet hit her ankle, she would remember Gu Zhan's eyes when he put the bracelet on her that day and every word he said to her.

She tried to mention to Gu Zhan that she felt uncomfortable walking with the anklet on, and asked if he could take it off. Gu Zhan, however, asked her if she felt unbalanced because she was wearing a gold bracelet on her ankle.

She only wanted to take off the gold bracelet. Judging from Gu Zhan's tone, which was gentle and inquiring, she nodded in agreement.

Unexpectedly, Gu Zhan not only did not allow her to take off the bracelet, but also smiled and said, "In that case, I was indeed inconsiderate. However, it is indeed inconvenient to wear a gold bracelet on one ankle. I will have another one made to match the size of Zhi Niang's ankle another day. That way, it will be balanced. How about that?"

Shen Mi's heart skipped a beat, and she shook her head repeatedly in refusal, "Never mind, perhaps I haven't gotten used to it yet, maybe it will be fine after a while."

Gu Zhan asked her again, "Really?"

Shen Mi lowered her head and said only, "Yes, I will gradually get used to it."

The gold bracelet on her ankle was still clearly visible, but Shen Mi dared not utter another word about it.

The feeling of being confined by one gold bracelet was already enough; if she were to add another, it would be even harder for her to adapt.

Ever since she put on the gold bracelet on her ankle, every time Gu Zhan held her hand and made love in the bed curtains at night, the gold bracelet on her ankle would always bump against the sandalwood on the bed. Over time, it actually left marks on the wooden board.

Gu Zhan had repeatedly said with regret while fiddling with the gold bracelet, "I didn't think too much about it. I should have had someone make a few small gold bells on this bracelet before putting it on Zhi Niang. That way, her voice would definitely be more melodious."

Shen Mi was terrified. Judging from Gu Zhan's current state, he was probably really capable of doing such a thing. Her previously hazy consciousness cleared up in that instant.

"Your Highness, you mustn't. I'm not always on my bedside. When I walk around the palace or visit the Empress, if I really had a bell on my ankle, swaying with every step, wouldn't people think Your Highness is being silly?"

Gu Zhan nodded thoughtfully, brushed away her damp hair, leaned down and gently kissed her eyelids, and sighed, "Zhi Niang really knows how to consider my feelings. It's alright. When I inherit the throne one day, Zhi Niang will no longer need to see any irrelevant people. She can just live in Kun Ning Palace and enjoy everyone's offerings. That will be fine then."

After saying that, he lowered himself down, not allowing Shen Mi to utter a single word.

Perhaps seeing that she had finally become "obedient," both in her words and actions, Shen Mi clearly sensed that there were fewer guards near Qingluan Palace than before, and Gu Zhan also allowed her to go out, including on the winter solstice when he went with her to the graves of her parents in the outskirts of the capital to pay respects to them.

Gu Zhan took Shen Mi's hand, and then they knelt together in front of the grave.

Shen Mi tried to stop Gu Zhan, saying, "Your Highness is of noble birth. My parents are considered your subjects. How can a ruler kneel before his subjects at this time?"

Gu Zhan looked down at her, "Doesn't Zhi Niang consider me family yet?"

Shen Mi stiffly followed his lead and replied, "That's not the case."

Gu Zhan pulled her to kneel before the tombstone, saying, "This is good enough."

In the depths of winter, the wind was chilly. Even though Shen Mi was wearing a thick fur coat, the wind still managed to get inside her clothes the moment she knelt down, and she couldn't help but shrink her neck.

My father was from Bianjing. He first entered officialdom through the imperial examination and later transferred to the Ministry of War. He served as a civil official and military general, and was appointed as a military officer on the frontier of the Great Qi Dynasty many times. Finally, he became a true military general.

However, the Shen family had not been in Yanzhou for very long. Yanzhou was where their father and brother made their achievements, while Bianjing was their hometown.

Shen Mi stared at the tombstones of her parents and brothers, her thoughts filled with melancholy.

It turns out that after the New Year, she will be twenty-five years old, and next year will mark the tenth anniversary of her father and brothers leaving her.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but shed tears.

With Gu Zhan by her side, she didn't want to say anything more, and simply burned the paper money she had brought little by little.

Gu Zhan remained silent. After she finished burning the paper money, he took her cold, stiff hand and asked, "Aren't you going to introduce me to your parents-in-law?"

Shen Mi was taken aback. She rarely heard Gu Zhan refer to himself as "I" in front of her.

Then, she quickly banished these thoughts from her mind, looked again at the grave and tombstone in front of her, and said softly, "Father, Mother, Brother, this is my husband, His Highness the Crown Prince of the current dynasty."

Gu Zhan did not let go of her hand, gazing at the tombstone, "Everyone, rest assured, I will definitely take good care of Zhi Niang for the rest of her life and stay with her until we grow old together."

Shen Mi felt a little awkward and wanted to pull her hand away from Gu Zhan's, but she didn't know what excuse to use, and she was at a loss for what to do.

Just then, light snow began to fall from the sky, and she turned to Gu Zhan and said, "Your Highness, it's snowing, and it's getting late. Let's return to the palace soon."

Gu Zhan did not insist.

As snowflakes fell softly from the sky, Shen Mi recalled Gu Zhan's words at her parents' and brothers' gravestones: he vowed to stay with her until the end.

For a moment, she was lost in thought. Did she really want to grow old with Gu Zhan, with such an unpredictable person?

*

Daxiangguo Temple.

Today is the Winter Solstice, and there are quite a few people who come to pray for blessings, offer incense, and add oil lamps. The place is bustling with activity, and even those who offer incense and worship Buddha have to wait in line. Everyone is either listening to sutras, offering incense, or having their fortunes told. Only one man wearing a black cloak is different. He doesn't go to any of the halls where Buddha statues are enshrined. As soon as he enters the Daxiangguo Temple, he goes straight to the backyard.

At the moon gate between the front and back courtyards where pilgrims come and go, a monk wearing a kasaya was already waiting. As soon as he saw the man, he bowed to him.

The man nodded to the monk, looked at the locked wooden door not far away, and said in a deep voice, "Thank you for your trouble."

The monk led the way, guiding the man to a wooden door. He took out a key from his robes, opened the door for the man, and stood silently by his side. After the man went inside, the monk closed the door from the outside without locking it, and waited outside.

As soon as the man entered the courtyard, he went straight to the meditation room inside. He paused for a moment at the door before gently knocking.

A woman's voice came from inside: "Who goes there?"

The man called out softly, "Yinyin, it's me."

The woman's steps became noticeably hurried. She opened the door, saw the familiar face, and froze for a moment before throwing herself into the man's arms, sobbing, "Shenlang, it really is you! I've missed you so much..."

The woman was clearly Zhou Fanyin, the wife of the King of Wei, and the man was Gu Shen, the King of Wei.

Gu Shen gently patted Zhou Fanyin's back and coaxed softly, "You've suffered these past few years. I'm back."

Zhou Fanyin released Gu Shen and looked around. "Has anyone seen us? Come in quickly, it's cold outside."

Gu Shen let Zhou Fanyin pull him into the room, which allowed him to examine her features more closely.

The woman was no longer as well-maintained as she had been when she lived a life of luxury in the Prince's mansion. Five years had passed, and her face had become haggard. She no longer wore makeup, and fine lines had appeared at the corners of her eyes.

Gu Shen gently cupped Zhou Fanyin's face in his hand and said, "No one saw it. Today is the Winter Solstice, and there are many people in the temple. No one will notice. Besides, I was summoned back to the capital this time. After arriving in the capital today, I haven't returned to the Prince's Mansion or entered the palace yet. Not many people know that I have returned to the capital. The first thing I thought of was to arrange for someone to come to Daxiangguo Temple to see you. As long as nothing goes wrong during this period, the Emperor should let me stay in Bianjing. Then I will find a way to bring you home."

Tears welled up in Zhou Fanyin's eyes as she asked again, "Are your two daughters alright?"

Gu Shen said, "Everything is fine, everything is fine, it's just that they all miss you."

Zhou Fanyin nodded. "In that case, I'm relieved. It's a pity I can't see them yet."

Gu Shen took her hand and sat down with her. "Fortunately, Yin Yin was observant back then. The maidservant following Shen was indeed not Cuiwei, who had always served her. When she fell into Taiye Pond, the scene was chaotic. By the time everyone reacted, she had already disappeared. When I later investigated her whereabouts, I unexpectedly discovered that the maidservant's hometown was in Jizhou. Now her parents are in our hands. With Gu Zhan, the East Palace's hostage, I have already figured out a plan on how to rescue you."

Zhou Fanyin frowned slightly and asked, "Does Shenlang mean to have that palace maid from the Eastern Palace insist that it was the Crown Prince who instructed her to push Shen Shi into the water, thus framing me?"

Gu Shen said, "That's exactly right. Tell me, if the Emperor knew that Gu Zhan was such a ruthless person who would poison his own child in order to scheme against us, would he still be able to hold onto his position as Crown Prince?"

He was determined to get back everything that Gu Zhan had done back then, using some excuse to expel him from Bianjing and causing them to be separated for five years.

Zhou Fanyin looked worried: "But this plan is really dangerous. If something goes wrong, I'm afraid it will be detrimental to Shenlang."

Gu Shen reassured her, "It's alright, trust me. If I'm going to do this, I certainly won't dirty our own hands. It's just a pity that you'll have to suffer for a while. After some time, I'll find an opportunity to openly and legitimately bring you out."

Zhou Fanyin smiled and said, "I believe in Shen Lang, but I'm afraid it's not appropriate for him to stay here any longer. I'm content knowing that Shen Lang cares about me."

"Okay," Gu Shen kissed her forehead, hugged her tightly, and then let go of her.

*

On the night of the Winter Solstice, the palace held a banquet as usual. Shen Mi, now considered the Crown Princess, naturally went to the palace to attend the banquet with Gu Zhan. Prince Wei, Gu Shen, also arrived in the capital around dusk and made it to the Winter Solstice Palace Banquet.

The carriage of the Eastern Palace stopped in front of the palace's carriage gate. Gu Zhan got out of the carriage first, then helped Shen Mi out, and didn't forget to say, "Watch your step."

As Shen Mi stepped off the bus on a footstool, she paused for a moment, gazing at the heavy snowfall.

She suddenly remembered that on New Year's Eve six years ago, she had also traveled to the palace for a banquet with Gu Zhan in the same way. At that time, Gu Zhan was extremely cold to her and never waited for her. She always had to chase after him. So, when she got off the carriage that time, she twisted her ankle and suffered a lot of grievances.

Gu Zhan noticed her slightly detached expression and held her hand tighter: "The past is not good, don't think about it."

Shen Mi pulled herself back to reality, nodded gently, but said nothing.

It's a pipe dream to get someone like Gu Zhan to admit he made mistakes in the past.

As soon as I got out of the car, I heard another sound.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Shen Mi looked in the direction of the voice. She hadn't seen the person for a long time, but she still recognized him. It was none other than the King of Wei.

Just when she thought Gu Zhan was going to leave her there like he did back then, Gu Zhan put his arm around her waist first.

Wei Wangchao walked over and nodded to Gu Zhan, "It's been five years since we last met, Your Highness. How have you been?"

Gu Zhan curled his lips, but there was no smile in his eyes: "Thank you for your concern, elder brother. The Crown Princess and I are both doing well."

The King of Wei turned his gaze to her, then quickly looked away. “It seems that during my five years away from Bianjing, Your Highness and your sister-in-law have grown even more affectionate.”

Gu Zhan turned his head to look at Shen Mi, his gaze softening slightly: "That's natural."

The King of Wei smiled and said, "I hope that Your Highness and your sister-in-law can continue like this forever."

I wonder if Lady Shen would still be willing to be so loving with the Crown Prince if she knew what happened back then.

Gu Zhan relentlessly pressured him back then, causing him to be separated from his wife for five years. Now, he naturally wants to take revenge and let Gu Zhan taste the pain of separation.

The two exchanged sharp words, testing each other's limits, before finally parting ways with the respectful attitude of brothers and heading towards the palace.

After several rounds of drinks, the young princess brought by the King of Wei suddenly burst into tears.

The emperor looked over and asked, "Why are you crying all of a sudden?"

The King of Wei took out a silk handkerchief to wipe his daughter's tears, and then said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, please forgive her. Perhaps she is just a little sleepy."

The young princess shook her head, crying, "I'm not sleepy, I'm not sleepy, I just see everyone else has a mother..."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Wei immediately admitted his mistake: "Father, she is still young and speaks without thinking. It is my fault for not teaching her well. If Your Majesty is to punish, punish me alone."

The official remained silent.

Seeing the situation, Consort Li also said, "This child was born into such a predicament, and it pains me to see it. Why don't you allow Your Majesty to let Shen'er take his two daughters to the Daxiangguo Temple to see Lady Zhou?"

Five years have passed since this incident, and it was only a brief meeting. On the occasion of the Winter Solstice Palace Banquet, the Emperor nodded, which can be considered as tacit approval.

The King of Wei immediately expressed his gratitude.

Shen Mi then thought of the child she had lost, and felt a heavy weight in her heart. She didn't utter a single word until she returned to the East Palace.

Gu Zhan told her to go back to Qingluan Palace to change first, and that he would come later. She didn't think much of it.

After she left, Gu Zhan instructed Yang Ping, "Have people keep a close eye on the Daxiangguo Temple. The King of Wei's sudden attack today must be motivated by ulterior motives."

Yang Ping agreed.

Shen Mi returned to Qingluan Palace and changed her clothes. Just then, she heard the voices of palace servants welcoming Gu Zhan from outside the door.

She stood up, only to see Gu Zhan enter with a fluffy thing in his arms. As he got closer, she realized it was a cat.

Gu Zhan looked down at her with a smile: "The Winter Solstice is like a mini New Year. I gave it to you. Do you like it?"

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Author's note: It's late tonight, so it's on me. I'll send out red envelopes~ [pat on the head][pat on the head]