Chapter 1: The Imperial Marriage. She was betrothed to the Crown Prince Zhan.
On the ninth day of the tenth month of the eleventh year of the reign of Emperor Renxuan of the Great Qi Dynasty.
After a month of arduous travel, Shen Mi finally returned to Bianjing from Yanzhou.
The clouds were heavy with snow, and the twilight added to the chill. Snowflakes fell in a flurry, piling up on the umbrella. The hand holding the umbrella was already blue with cold, and the cold wind made the moon-white clothes flutter loudly, making the person under the umbrella look like a piece of paper, as if they could be blown away by the wind at any moment.
Shen Mi's gaze was fixed on Cuiwei, the maid who went to knock on the gate of the Chen residence.
After a long while, Cuiwei turned around.
Shen Mi asked softly, "Is no one still paying attention?"
Cuiwei shook her head helplessly.
Shen Mi lowered her eyes, concealing the loneliness in them. "Never mind, let's go home first. Perhaps it's cold today, and my uncles and aunts are all in the backyard."
Cuiwei lifted the hem of her skirt as she descended the steps in front of the Chen residence, making no attempt to hide her dissatisfaction: "Miss, you and Young Master Chen are engaged, yet you didn't even respond after sending your invitation. This is utterly disrespectful."
As they were talking, the door that they had been knocking on for so long finally opened arrogantly, and out came a maidservant.
Is that Miss Shen outside?
Shen Mi patted Cuiwei's hand, took two steps forward, stood at the bottom of the steps, looked up and replied, "That's right, I sent someone to deliver the invitation this morning."
The old woman put her hands on her hips and said, "I know, our master and mistress said they are not receiving guests today."
Shen Mi pursed her lips. "It's alright, we'll visit again another day."
“Miss Chen, you look kind, but I’m just giving you a word of advice: no matter how many invitations you send to the Chen family, the master and mistress will not see you.” Despite the freezing weather, the old woman, wearing a cotton-padded coat, couldn’t help but rub her hands together.
Cuiwei, still furious, put her hands on her hips and shielded Shen Mi behind her, saying, "Whether you see her or not, what right do you, an old woman, have to make that decision? Your mistress should be the one to say it! You've been so rude today; once our young lady marries in and becomes the young mistress, you'll have a hard time!"
The old woman sneered, "Oh, so arrogant? You don't know, do you? Our young master just passed the imperial examination this spring, ranking fifth in the second class, and entered the Hanlin Academy. His future career is bright. Why would he marry an orphan like you with no support? I advise you to give up this idea as soon as possible!"
Shen Mi had a vague sense of foreboding and unconsciously clenched her sleeves. "What does this mean?"
The old woman crossed her arms and said, “I didn’t mean to be so blunt, but since you asked, Miss Shen, I might as well tell you. During the imperial examinations this spring, our eldest son became a disciple of Prime Minister Li, who is currently favored by the emperor. Prime Minister Li also intends to marry his youngest daughter to our eldest son. The betrothal ceremony was just held a few days ago.”
Shen Mi felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her from head to toe, and she froze on the spot.
"You mean, Chen Lang is going to marry the daughter of the Li family?" she asked again incredulously.
Mentioning this, the old woman became even more smug, chattering on and on about how Prime Minister Li was fond of Young Master Chen, how he took good care of him in official circles, and how the beautiful Miss Li had fallen for Young Master Chen.
Shen Mi couldn't make out the plaque in front of her at all. Fortunately, Cuiwei supported her from the side, so she didn't faint from the shock.
She traveled thousands of miles, braving wind and snow, back to Bianjing from Yanzhou, only to find that her childhood sweetheart, to whom she was betrothed since birth, was going to marry someone else.
They had already pledged their lives to each other. When Chen Jun visited her in Yanzhou three years ago, he said that he would never marry anyone but her and that he would welcome her into his home with the three letters and six rites and a grand sedan chair carried by eight men after her three-year mourning period.
Now, he is the one who broke the contract and changed his mind.
No wonder the Chen family made her stand in the snow for so long; it turns out Chen Jun didn't care about her at all.
"Let Chen Jun say it himself! Our young lady's marriage to Chen Jun was arranged since childhood. If you break the contract, we can take it to the Kaifeng Prefecture!" Cuiwei's eyes were filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall.
The old woman grew impatient. "The so-called marriage agreement made since childhood is nothing but a joke between the two families. There is no written proof, nor was there a matchmaker. Go ahead and sue!"
After saying this, she turned and entered the Chen residence, instructing the servants to close the door.
With a "bang," the umbrella slipped from Chen Mi's hand and landed on the ground, splashing up snowflakes.
Shen Mi sniffed, wiped away her tears, picked up the umbrella, and said, "Never mind, the world is cold and heartless. I should have expected this."
After getting on the bus and being cut off from the outside world, Shen Mi didn't cry; she just sat there blankly.
Cuiwei wanted to comfort her and cheer her up, but she didn't know how to start.
Shen Mi, however, grasped her hand and said softly, "Indeed, the practice of 'choosing a son-in-law from among the successful candidates' is prevalent in Daqi. If Prime Minister Li takes the initiative to extend an olive branch to the Chen family, there is no reason for him not to accept it. With Prime Minister Li as his father-in-law, his future career in officialdom will be much smoother, if not meteoric. There is no reason for him to disagree."
She sighed and closed her eyes: "As for the vows we made in our youth, they were nothing but a mirage."
Cuiwei was still indignant. "You were fifteen when the lord and the young master died. At that time, no one expected that the Chen family would break their promise. You were not yet engaged. Now that the three-year mourning period is over, the young lady's prime years have been wasted, and the Chen family has only sent an old woman. You are, after all, the 'Princess of Jianing' personally appointed by the Emperor..."
In the end, Shen Mi held her hand even tighter, "Don't say anymore, Cuiwei, don't say anymore."
Cuiwei realized she had spoken out of turn and quickly apologized in a low voice.
Shen Mi inexplicably recalled the nightmare that had tormented her for three years—
She wasn't born an orphan with no one to rely on. Her father was once the Grand General of the Great Qi Dynasty, and she was the apple of her parents' and brothers' eye. With her background, she could have married into the Chen family, let alone become an imperial concubine. In the past, it would have been a great honor for Chen Jun to marry her.
But everything was destroyed in the war three years ago.
Three years ago, her father and brother, as they had done countless times, set out from Yanzhou to fight against the Tanguts, while she and her mother waited in Yanzhou for their victorious return.
At that time, she was wearing a pair of newly made lambskin boots, humming a song as she counted the stars in the sky with her mother. She knew that her father and brother would definitely return victorious. Her brother had also promised her that he would hunt a white fox for her this time and make her a beautiful fox fur coat.
But she waited and waited, and instead of news of her father and brother's triumphant return, she received their remains.
It turned out that the father and brother had set up an ambush to pursue the enemy as planned, but instead they were ambushed by the Tanguts. The father, brother and his men were trapped in the valley, without water and food for seven days, and completely lost contact with the outside world. They tried to break out several times but failed, and both of them died in battle.
Later, an envoy came from Bianjing. In order to appease her and her mother, he bestowed upon her mother the title of Second-Rank Imperial Lady of Rongguo and upon her the title of Lady of Jianing Township.
But she didn't want the title of Princess of Jianing at all; she just wanted her father and brothers to come back to life. She was used to being spoiled, and at the time she cried and made a scene, refusing to accept the imperial edict, but she had no choice but to accept it.
After her father and brother died in battle, she and her mother originally wanted to return to Bianjing, but her mother fell seriously ill and the doctor said it was not advisable to move. So she and her mother stayed in Yanzhou. However, most people in the world are opportunists. Seeing that the Shen family was left with only her and her children, the general's mansion gradually became deserted.
My mother fell ill for a long time and ultimately did not survive that winter.
During the three years she observed mourning for her parents and brothers, she gradually tempered her former temper and became more mature and sensible.
Before her death, her mother held her hand and told her that she could go to Bianjing to find the Chen family, with whom she had been betrothed since childhood. When Chen Jun's father was the prefect of Yanzhou, she had worked with him for a long time. After returning to the capital, the two families had frequent contact. Chen Jun also had feelings for her and would certainly not treat her badly.
She believed in Chen Jun, and she also believed in her parents.
But when he returned to Beijing, he was met with news that he had found another job.
So why did she rush back to the capital?
The carriage stopped in front of the Shen residence. Shen Mi lifted the curtain and looked at the house where she had lived in her childhood, now in a state of disrepair.
When her father and brother were alive, the mansion always had servants to clean and dust. After her father and brother's accident, her mother sent a message to the steward to distribute their slave contracts, and they all went their separate ways. So when she arrived this morning, the Shen mansion was almost a ruin.
She hadn't had time to find a new servant from the broker; she and Cuiwei had only tidied up their courtyard and room to a mere semblance of habitability.
I had only taken a few steps inside the house when I heard the sound of horses' hooves outside.
Shen Mi turned around. The newcomer was dressed in a blue official robe, followed by many eunuchs in gray robes.
"May I ask if you are Miss Shen?"
The man had a high-pitched voice, and Shen Mi quickly recognized him as a palace eunuch.
She clasped her hands in a gesture of respect, "Indeed."
The eunuch coughed, pulled a scroll of imperial edict from his sleeve, and announced loudly, "Princess Shen of Jianing Township, hear my decree—"
Shen Mi quickly pulled Cuiwei down to kneel.
"There is a Lady Shen from Jianing Township, who is gentle and respectful, and whose family is simple and honest. Her father and brothers both sacrificed their lives for the country, which I deeply regret. I also pity Lady Shen for having no one to rely on. Therefore, I bestow upon her the title of Lady Shen as the consort of Crown Prince Zhan, to comfort the spirits of her father and brothers. The wedding will be held on a chosen date. This is my decree."
Shen Mi never expected that the emperor would ask her to marry the current crown prince as a concubine, as the princess of Jianing Township. But since it was an imperial decree, she had no reason not to accept it.
She raised her hand to accept the imperial edict, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The eunuch helped her up, his smile forced. “Miss Chen, there’s no need for such formalities. For His Highness the Crown Prince to take a concubine, even if she is a concubine of the second rank, these six rites must not be neglected. I have come to your door today for two reasons: first, to announce the imperial decree, and second, to perform the four rites of betrothal, name inquiry, auspicious date selection, and gift presentation on behalf of the imperial family. According to custom, I bring gold, silver, jade, silk, horses, and palace maids, which is equivalent to a betrothal in the common people.”
As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and a group of eunuchs carried several boxes in single file, piling them in the courtyard. Behind them followed many palace maids dressed in uniform palace attire.
"After they deliver the betrothal gifts to the village head today, they will stay at the Shen residence and accompany him until the wedding day."
Shen Mi nodded in agreement. "Would you like to stay for a cup of tea to warm yourself up, Father-in-law?"
The eunuch laughed and said, "No need for tea. I need to return to the palace to report to His Majesty and the Empress."
Shen Mi understood what he meant and reached out to Cuiwei to ask for money. The eunuch's gaze naturally turned to Cuiwei, but Cuiwei blushed.
Indeed, where would they find spare money these days? They can't very well open the imperial chests and take out gold and silver now.
Shen Mi had no choice but to take a jade bracelet from her wrist, hold it in a handkerchief, and press it into the eunuch's hand, saying, "This is a small token of my appreciation. Thank you for your hard work today, Eunuch."
The eunuch declined but accepted the gift, said a few auspicious words to Shen Mi, and then left.
The palace maids left behind by the eunuch began sweeping the courtyard and tidying up the imperial gifts, while Cuiwei followed Shenmi back to the courtyard.
"What a heartless eunuch! That bracelet has been with you since you were little, and you just gave it to him like that?" Cuiwei pouted.
Shen Mi touched her empty wrist. "Cuiwei, this is what it means to be under someone's roof and have no choice but to bow your head."
“When you enter the Eastern Palace, you need to rein in your temper. You may gain an advantage verbally, but you won’t actually get any benefit in the end. Especially since we will be making a living under His Highness the Crown Prince for the next few decades. Although I still treat you like a sister, it’s not the same as when we were at home.”
Marrying the Crown Prince requires one to be obedient and compliant.
She knew it all too well.
Cuiwei helped Chen Mi sit down. "In ordinary families, the first four rites are done separately, but the girl has to suffer. Moreover, these important pre-wedding rites are being performed by a eunuch!"
Cuiwei is right. According to the rules, the Ministry of Rites should send someone, or at the very least, an official from the Crown Prince's Palace.
Cuiwei continued to protest on behalf of Shen Mi, "What is this if not an insult?"
"Say less," Shen Mi picked up the scissors and trimmed the candle on the small table beside her to make it brighter. "The imperial decree has been issued. The eunuch who came to deliver the decree today has already addressed me as 'Liangdi'. Although I have not yet officially entered the Eastern Palace, the eunuchs and maids sent to our residence today will all enter the Eastern Palace with us in the future. If I say anything wrong, I will be in trouble in an instant."
Cuiwei immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word, and obediently went to make the bed and quilts for Shen Mi.
But she couldn't help but mutter softly, "But the officials have already bestowed upon you the title of village princess. Why are they granting you a marriage three years later?"
Although Shen Mi had already finished her mourning period, there were still few hairpins in her hair. She removed her earrings in front of the mirror and said, "This is to comfort the descendants of the loyal and brave. The Shen family was once full, but now only I am left. I am already nine years old. The Emperor's move is simply to announce to the court and the public that even though my father and brother have been dead for three years, the court still remembers their contributions to defending the borders and the country, and to win over the hearts of the people."
"A marriage can be granted. There are so many handsome and talented young men in Bianjing, yet they insist on making you a concubine..."
Shen Mi rose from the dressing table and sat on the edge of the bed. “This is different. To bestow me into a marriage with the royal family would show the Emperor’s grace. His Majesty has few heirs, only the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei. The Prince of Wei is already married, and the Crown Prince is His Majesty’s eldest son. Moreover, there is no one in the Eastern Palace now, so bestowing a marriage upon the Crown Prince is the most appropriate. As for the Crown Princess, His Majesty will definitely choose one from a family that is of great importance in the court, which would be beneficial to the Crown Prince’s succession.”
Cuiwei muttered, "I don't understand how they balance things out. I just feel that we shouldn't sacrifice your marriage for these reasons."
Shen Mi gently grasped Cuiwei's hand. "Never mind, I think His Highness the Crown Prince must be an excellent person."
A note from the author:
----------------------
The author's note for my next book, "After Seeking Refuge with My Deceased Husband's Brother," should be directly linked below. Please bookmark it!
————————
Synopsis of "After Seeking Refuge with My Deceased Husband's Brother"
In the ninth year of her marriage, Ying Laiyi was forced to separate from her husband due to the war, and her husband's fate was unknown. While fleeing from the rebel army, she escaped to Liangzhou, which was defended by the renowned and meritorious general Lu Ce.
Lu Ce was her husband's half-brother. Hearing that he was not well received at home in his early years, he abandoned his studies to join the army. After ten years of fighting, he eventually became a regional warlord.
At first, Ying Laiyi was worried that Lu Ce would harbor resentment towards the Lu family because of their past mistreatment of him. Therefore, she always restrained herself and was careful in her words and actions in front of Lu Ce.
Lu Ce never called her "sister-in-law," but only referred to her as "Madam Ying."
She knew she was already living under someone else's roof, so how could she ask for more? She could only think of Lu Ce in everything, big or small, to repay his kindness in protecting her.
*
Before coming to Liangzhou, Ying Laiyi had heard that Lu Ce was ruthless. Previously, she thought it was a rumor. It wasn't until she received news of her husband and wanted to go to him for help that Lu Ce stopped her. Only then did she realize that she had never really known Lu Ce.
Lu Ce asked her, "Where did you run off to? Didn't you promise me you'd stay?"
She sensed Lu Ce's ulterior motives and replied with pursed lips, "Lu Ce, I am your sister-in-law."
Lu Ce forced her back into a corner: "We are both children of the Lu family. If my brother can do it, why can't I?"
*
From having nothing to becoming a powerful figure in a chaotic world, Lu Ce never cared about matters of the heart.
Until he saw the woman among a group of disheveled and unkempt rioters, his heart stirred.
He pointed in the distance, and his subordinates understood immediately, making an exception and allowing her to enter the city.
At first, he only wanted to use Ying Laiyi's name to gain fame and reputation, and win the hearts of the people in order to make great achievements.
Later, he pretended to be a virtuous gentleman in front of Ying Laiyi and killed her capable subordinate who coveted her. She even thought about going to find that useless brother.
Then don't blame him; he built her a golden house so that she would only have him in her eyes and heart.
Gentle and resilient noblewoman x cunning and ruthless hero
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
