035
Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.
The seasons in the Yu Dynasty's harem continued their cycle of blooming and withering flowers, seemingly calm and undisturbed. Si Mianmian had transformed from a naive young girl into the peerless Princess Zhaochen, her beauty surpassing even her former glory. A sense of serenity and clarity had crept into her brows, yet her vivacity remained undiminished, only more deeply hidden. She was an confidante to her father, a source of joy under the Empress Dowager's care, maintained a delicate alliance with her elder brother, the Crown Prince, and kept a seemingly close yet cautious distance from the Heir Apparent, Rong Jingyu. She managed Zhuixia Pavilion with impregnable strength and guarded her heart flawlessly. Only occasionally, in the quiet of the night, would she take out the purple bamboo flute from under her pillow, gazing absently at the bright moon outside the window, the flute's cool surface seemingly still retaining the warmth of someone's fingertips.
For two years, news about the Yan Dynasty came intermittently. The old king had passed away, and the princes were vying for the throne, leading to endless internal strife and bloodshed. Initially, there were sporadic battle reports mentioning the third prince, Xuan Jing, in dire straits, and at one point, rumors even circulated that he had been defeated and killed. Whenever such news arrived, Si Mianmian remained outwardly calm, but her hands would clench deeply in her sleeves. Later, the news gradually became scarce, until about six months ago, it almost completely disappeared.
Everyone assumed that the once dazzling hostage prince of Yudu had long since perished in the quagmire of the Yan Dynasty's internal strife, becoming yet another soul lost in the power struggles. Even Crown Prince Si Jingjin, who had initially been wary of Xuanjing, seemed to have gradually lowered his guard.
Until—this early winter morning.
A swift horse from the border, traveling eight hundred li in an urgent dispatch, shattered the tranquility of Chengtian Gate in Yudu, and tore apart the feigned peace of the inner palace. The messenger, covered in blood, tumbled from his saddle, holding aloft a military report, his voice hoarse and strained:
"Report! A sudden upheaval has occurred in the Yan Dynasty! The Third Prince, Xuan Jing... murdered his brother and seized the throne, and has already ascended to the throne as Emperor! A large army has been deployed to the border!"
The news spread like wildfire throughout the imperial court and palace. In the Golden Palace, Emperor Yu, Si Yuanhong, clutched the strongly worded imperial edict bearing the brand-new imperial seal of the Yan Dynasty, his face ashen. The court was deathly silent; a pin drop could be heard.
The letter was simple yet brutal: it announced to the world that a new ruler had been established in the Yan Dynasty. It also demanded the return of Princess Zhaochen, Si Mianmian, who had shown "kindness" to the Yan Dynasty when they were hostages there, in order to continue the good relations between the two countries.
The words, seemingly polite and even mentioning "the kindness of being taken care of," conveyed an undeniable sense of power and an implicit threat. The 100,000 iron cavalry stationed on the border served as the most powerful testament to these words.
"Xuan Jing... he actually did it..." On the dragon throne, Si Yuanhong's voice carried a barely perceptible hoarseness and shock. He had ultimately underestimated that seemingly gentle and refined hostage. Ten years of forbearance, and then a sudden outburst—so bloody and ruthless, murdering his brother to seize the throne and firmly establish himself on the throne! Now, his army is pointing its spearhead, demanding the princess!
The entire Yu Dynasty court was stunned by this sudden and enormous change.
Survival Handbook Rule #35: A true storm often arrives without warning. When a dormant dragon rises from the ashes, it brings not good fortune, but a tsunami that overturns all order. Only by maintaining utmost composure can one find a glimmer of hope amidst the raging waves.
Inside Zhuixia Pavilion (now a side hall of Yonghe Palace), the teacup in Si Mianmian's hand fell to the ground with a "crack" and shattered. The hot water soaked her skirt, but she was completely unaware.
"Princess!" Qiuhe exclaimed and quickly stepped forward to tidy up.
Si Mianmian waved her hand, signaling her to leave. She slowly walked to the window, pushed open the carved wooden window, and a cold wind rushed in instantly, dispersing the warm fragrance in the hall and clearing her chaotic thoughts a bit.
Xuan Jing didn't die. Not only did he survive, but he returned in the most cruel and forceful way. Murdering his brother to seize the throne… what kind of cold-blooded heart and ruthless methods did that require? Was this still the same "Brother Jing" she remembered, so aloof and refined, with a hint of unyielding loneliness in his eyes?
The first thing he did upon his return was to ask Yu Chao for her.
This is not a request, it is a demand. With the newly forged weapons of the Yan Dynasty, with the vast army arrayed on the border.
Si Mianmian's heart pounded wildly, a mixture of fear, shock, and... a secret stirring she herself didn't want to admit. Two years had passed, and she thought that hazy feeling had long been buried by the years spent in the palace. But his domineering act of offering the empire as a dowry was like a heavy hammer, violently knocking open a long-sealed corner of her heart.
"What...is he trying to do?" Si Mianmian murmured to herself. Was he retaliating against Yu Chao for his past disrespect towards the hostage? Was he flaunting his current power? Or...did he really treat her differently?
She quickly dismissed the last idea. No, impossible. How could someone like Xuan Jing, with a heart as deep as the sea, truly be troubled by matters of the heart? This must be a political calculation. She, Si Mianmian, was merely a pawn he used to humiliate the Yu Dynasty and demonstrate his authority, or perhaps, a tool he used to balance the internal power struggles of the Yan Dynasty.
Survival Handbook Postscript: The more sensational the action, the more complex the underlying motives often are. Do not be misled by appearances, especially when those appearances are shrouded in "deep affection" or "obsession."
Xuan Jing's official letter caused a great uproar in the Yu Dynasty court.
A faction led by seasoned and prudent civil officials advocated for refusal. Their reasons were high-sounding: Princess Zhaochen was His Majesty's beloved daughter, a woman of noble birth; how could she be married to a ruler who had murdered his brother and usurped the throne, a ruler with a tarnished reputation? This would damage the dignity of the nation, and moreover, the princess would likely be humiliated. Furthermore, the Yan Dynasty was newly established and internally unstable; Xuanjing's move might be a strategy to divert domestic attention. If the Yu Dynasty agreed, wouldn't they be aiding and abetting a tyrant?
Some radical military generals and ministers advocating pragmatic diplomacy, however, believed that the matter should be carefully considered. The new ruler of the Yan Dynasty was currently riding high on his military might, and a decisive refusal could immediately ignite border warfare. Although the Yu Dynasty had recovered its strength in recent years, a sudden war would be unpredictable, and the people would suffer immensely. It would be better to agree for the time being; firstly, it would serve as a delaying tactic, and secondly, it would allow them to observe the new ruler's movements. If Xuan Jing genuinely sought good relations, it could also be an opportunity to stabilize the northern border. As for the princess's safety… elite troops could be dispatched to escort her, and certain guarantee clauses could be agreed upon.
Crown Prince Si Jingjin's attitude was the most subtle. He remained silent in court for a long time before finally stepping forward, his voice cold and stern: "Father, Xuanjing is a man of deep cunning and ruthless methods; his words cannot be easily trusted. However, his power is already established, and we cannot confront him head-on. I believe that we could send an eloquent envoy to the Yan court, firstly to ascertain their true intentions, and secondly... perhaps to secure a more secure guarantee for my Ninth Sister."
His words, seemingly fair, actually passed the buck back to the decision-making body, neither explicitly opposing nor supporting it. Si Mianmian knew that her elder brother, the Crown Prince, was weighing his options. In his game, the relative importance of a sister's marriage compared to border peace and national stability was obvious. His so-called "striving for protection" was more of a pretext to maintain the royal family's prestige.
Emperor Si Yuanhong sat high on his dragon throne, listening intently to the ministers' arguments, his face ashen. He looked at the arguing officials, then recalled the strongly worded imperial edict and the description of the formidable military might of the Yan Dynasty in the urgent border reports. Finally, he wearily rubbed his temples and said in a deep voice, "This matter… will be discussed later. Court adjourned!"
After the court session, the emperor sat alone in his study for a long time. That evening, he made a rare visit to Consort Wen's (who had been promoted) Yonghe Palace.
When Si Mianmian was summoned to the Imperial Study, she knew that the moment to decide her fate had arrived.
The emperor was alone in the study, the candlelight flickering, illuminating his face, which seemed to have aged considerably overnight.
"Mianmian, you've come." The emperor beckoned her closer, looking at his increasingly beautiful daughter with a complex expression. "You know about the Yan Dynasty incident...?"
"Father, I have heard a little about it," Si Mianmian said, her eyes lowered and her voice calm.
The emperor sighed deeply, "I...I'm sorry to your mother, and I'm sorry to you." He rarely showed such vulnerability. "That Xuanjing, I saw from the beginning that he was no ordinary person, but I never imagined...I would let a wolf into the house. Now he's powerful, forcing me to..."
“Father,” Si Mianmian raised her head, her eyes devoid of the expected tears and panic, instead revealing a chilling clarity, “I do not understand matters of state. I only ask you one question: if we refuse the marriage, what are the chances of victory for our Great Yu? And how much more war will the people on the border suffer?”
The emperor was startled, looking at his daughter as if he were seeing her for the first time. He remained silent for a moment before finally saying with difficulty, "Xuanjing has come prepared, and the Yan Dynasty's iron cavalry is at the height of its power... If war breaks out, even if we win a Pyrrhic victory, we will be severely weakened. Moreover... the Northern Di and Western Rong are watching us closely, and we fear they may take advantage of our weakness to invade."
Si Mianmian understood. The imperial court lacked the certainty of victory, and even the resolve to fight to the death. Compared to the safety of the nation, the fate of a princess seemed so insignificant.
She slowly knelt down, touching her forehead to the ground in a deep bow. When she looked up again, a serene smile graced her face, though it didn't reach her eyes: "In that case, daughter... is willing to go."
The emperor was stunned, almost unable to believe his ears: "Mianmian! You..."
“Father,” Si Mianmian interrupted him, her voice still gentle, yet carrying an undeniable force, “I am a princess of Great Yu, supported by all the people. Now that the country is in trouble, how can I only care about my own safety and abandon the soldiers and people on the border? In the past, Wang Zhaojun went beyond the Great Wall to marry a foreign ruler, ensuring decades of peace for the Han Dynasty. Today, although I am not talented, I am willing to follow the example of the sages and strive for peace for Great Yu.”
Her words were powerful and righteous, elevating a forced political marriage to the level of sacrifice for the country.
The emperor looked at her, his eyes swirling with emotions—guilt, heartache, surprise, and a sense of relief. He personally helped Si Mianmian up, his voice choked with emotion: "Good...good child! I...I am proud that Great Yu has a princess like you! Rest assured, I will prepare the most lavish dowry for you and send the most capable escort delegation! I will never let Xuan Jing...look down on you!"
The survival manual reiterates: When powerless to resist fate, the best choice is to actively embrace it and try to seize the greatest initiative and voice within it. Transforming forced sacrifice into proactive dedication is the only way to earn respect and leverage.
The news that Si Mianmian had "voluntarily" agreed to a marriage alliance once again shook the imperial harem and the court.
Consort Wen held her daughter and wept bitterly, knowing that this was an inevitable outcome, and could only repeatedly urge her to take care of herself.
The Empress Dowager sighed deeply, bestowed countless treasures upon the concubine, and held Si Mianmian's hand, speaking many intimate words and promising to take care of Consort Wen.
Crown Prince Si Jingjin came to Yonghe Palace to visit her. He looked at Si Mianmian with a complex expression, and finally said only, "Ninth Princess, you are very righteous, I admire you. Your journey to Yanchao is uncertain, I hope you will take good care of yourself. If there is an opportunity, I will find a way to bring you back." Si Mianmian did not want to delve into how much sincerity and how much politeness were in his words.
The most surprising thing was the reaction of the Crown Prince Rong Jingyu. He disregarded palace rules and sneaked into Yonghe Palace late at night, where he found Si Mianmian drinking alone under the moon.
Under the moonlight, he was no longer the carefree person he usually was; his peach blossom eyes held an unprecedented seriousness and... a hint of fierceness.
"Little darling, are you really willing to marry me?" He took a step closer, his voice low and deep. "If you're not willing, I can take you away right now! The world is vast; there's bound to be a place for us!"
Si Mianmian looked at him, her heart stirred. She had always known Rong Jingyu's feelings for her. This destructive madness, at this moment, actually gave her a sliver of warmth. But she simply shook her head gently and downed the wine in her cup in one gulp: "Brother Prince, don't talk nonsense. Under the whole sky, all land belongs to the king. Where can we escape to? Besides... this is my own choice."
"A choice?" Rong Jingyu sneered, his eyes filled with pain. "What a choice you call your own! Si Mianmian, look me in the eyes and tell me, do you have even a shred of sincerity towards Xuan Jing?"
Si Mianmian avoided his gaze, looked up at the cold moon on the horizon, and said softly, "Does it matter whether it's sincere or not? What matters is that this is the option that will cause the least harm to everyone right now."
Rong Jingyu stared at her intently for a long time, then finally tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful of wine, smashing the wine pot to the ground with a jarring sound in the quiet night. He turned away, his back resolute: "Fine! What a fine Princess Zhaochen! I hope you won't regret it!"
As for Xuan Jing, the person involved who was stirring up trouble in the distant Yan Dynasty… Si Mianmian couldn’t imagine his expression at this moment. Was he smug and self-satisfied? Was he observing coldly? Or… was there also a hint of complexity that she dared not hope for?
The wedding procession set off half a month later, on an unprecedented scale, with the dowry stretching for dozens of miles. It was both a symbol of the Yu Dynasty's prestige and a silent deterrent.
Dressed in a bright red wedding gown and wearing a heavy phoenix crown, Si Mianmian bid farewell to her father and mother and boarded the magnificent phoenix carriage. The moment the curtain was lowered, all the gentleness, obedience, and righteous indignation on her face vanished instantly, leaving only an icy calm.
In her hands, she clutched two things tightly. One was the daylily-shaped jade pendant that Xuan Jing had left behind, and the other was a small, exquisite, yet exceptionally sharp gold hairpin—a gift from her elder brother, the Crown Prince, when she came of age, who said, "The palace is treacherous; this is for self-defense."
Survival Handbook Final Remarks: Embarking on an unknown journey, your only reliance is yourself. Emotions can be a weapon, or they can be a weakness. Before you see your opponent's true cards, you must guard your own heart. This game of chess, with the world as the stake, has only just begun.
The phoenix carriage started moving, slowly leaving the Yu Dynasty palace, heading towards the unknown land in the north, towards the man who had become unfamiliar and powerful.
Si Mianmian closed her eyes, concealing all her emotions.
Xuanjing, you used the empire as a dowry to force me into your trap.
Then I'll show you whether this "Princess Zhaochen," whom you've gone to such lengths to obtain, is truly your helper, or your... gravedigger.
In this game, our company, Mianmian, will play along to the very end!
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