Chapter 20

The aloof crown prince's nemesis (Chapter 20)

Within the Eastern Palace, the spring breeze was gentle, and warmth filled the air.

Since Xiao Heng had personally petitioned the emperor to grant their marriage, the days had flowed slowly by in tender affection. Shen Zhiwei accompanied him as he handled official business each day, then spent her leisure hours admiring flowers and reading in the courtyard. The layers of gloom that had once hung over her heart had long since dispersed without a trace.

That day, a palace attendant carried a bright yellow imperial decree straight into the Eastern Palace, accompanied by a grand procession.

A long, ringing cry pierced the corridors: "The imperial decree has arrived-Shen Zhiwei, receive the decree!"

Every servant in the Eastern Palace bowed and knelt. In an instant, the entire courtyard fell so silent that not even a crow or sparrow could be heard.

Shen Zhiwei's heart trembled slightly. She hurriedly straightened her clothing, bent her knees, and prostrated herself on the ground. Xiao Heng stood beside her in a black brocade robe, his gaze lowered to the young woman kneeling before him. Uncontainable anticipation and joy lay hidden in his eyes.

The palace attendant unfurled the bright yellow scroll and read the emperor's words in a clear, resonant voice.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the emperor hereby decrees:

The former case of injustice against the Shen Family has now been redressed. Shen Zhiwei, a descendant of loyal and virtuous subjects, is upright and intelligent, gracious, prudent, gentle, and respectful. Crown Prince Xiao Heng, steadfast in his deep affection, has petitioned repeatedly. We therefore issue this decree granting marriage between Crown Prince Xiao Heng and Shen Zhiwei. Their wedding shall be held on an auspicious day in the eighth month of golden autumn, and Shen Zhiwei shall be invested as crown princess of the Eastern Palace. Respect this decree."

"This subject's daughter... thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace. Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years."

Shen Zhiwei's fingertips trembled slightly as she accepted the imperial decree, immense joy surging through her heart.

The rightful status she had awaited for so long had finally been settled, the dust at last coming to rest.

After the palace attendant and the other servants withdrew, only the two of them remained in the courtyard.

Xiao Heng stepped forward and reached out to help her gently to her feet. His burning gaze held fast to her face. Those eyes, usually so calm and distant, now brimmed with searing tenderness.

"Zhiwei, did you hear? From this day forward, you are the rightful crown princess of the Eastern Palace."

Holding the decree in both hands, Shen Zhiwei felt her eyes grow warm, and the corners of her lips rose despite herself. "Your Highness, our beautiful dream has come true."

Along the way, there had been so many flashing blades and swords, so many hidden arrows against which they could scarcely guard. Several times she had been trapped in certain death; several times she had thought her life could not be saved. Never had she dared dream that one day she could marry the man she loved in such splendor.

Xiao Heng raised his hand, his fingertips brushing tenderly over a stray lock at her temple, and said with a quiet laugh, "It isn't a dream. All our suffering is behind us. All that remains is fulfillment."

The news of the imperially granted marriage seemed to sprout wings, spreading throughout Capital City within a single day.

People talked about it in every street and alley.

The orphaned daughter of a disgraced official, whom everyone had once avoided at all costs, had suddenly seen her family vindicated and received the emperor's gracious grant of marriage. Soon, she would preside over the Eastern Palace as crown princess. The daughters of noble families throughout the city felt both envy and wistful wonder. Young ladies in every household had once secretly coveted the position of crown princess; now, all had abandoned those hopes.

The empress in the palace also heard of the marriage decree. She specially sent a matron from her own household with a great assortment of precious jewels, ornaments, silks, and satins to the Eastern Palace as additions to the future crown princess's trousseau.

Pearl headdresses, warm jade bracelets, and embroidered fabrics in every color for wedding gowns were carried into the Quiet Reflection Pavilion chest after chest, filling the room with gleaming jewels and splendor.

Night fell, and the bright moon hung high, its clear radiance spilling over the window lattice.

There was still more than a month until the wedding. According to palace rules, the bride and groom ought to reside in separate courtyards before their marriage. But how could Xiao Heng bear to part from her? After finishing the mountain of memorials in the evening, he still came as usual to the warm chamber where Shen Zhiwei lived.

Inside, candle flames flickered, their orange glow gently enveloping the room.

Shen Zhiwei sat before her dressing mirror, carefully examining the Begonia Jade Hairpin the empress had bestowed upon her. The young woman in the bronze mirror had gentle features, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Footsteps sounded behind her. Xiao Heng quietly approached and stopped at her back. In the mirror, their two figures overlapped.

He bent down and rested his chin lightly on her shoulder. His warm breath brushed her ear, and his voice was low and tender.

"In just over a month, you'll officially be my wife."

Looking into his deep eyes in the bronze mirror, Shen Zhiwei felt her heartbeat quicken, and redness crept up around her ears. "Your Highness, by rights, you shouldn't come here before the wedding. If someone sees you, I'm afraid it will give rise to gossip."

"I don't care about gossip." A faint smile curved Xiao Heng's lips. He gently wrapped both arms around her slender waist, enclosing her in his embrace. "After surviving so many trials of life and death, I only want to spend a little more time with you. I don't want to be apart from you for even a minute, even a moment."

He picked up the Begonia Jade Hairpin and, with utmost care, pinned up a lock of her dark hair himself. The white jade begonia nestled among her black tresses, making her face look all the more delicate and lovely.

"Zhiwei." Xiao Heng gazed at their reflections, his voice especially solemn. "On our wedding day, I'll marry you with the highest honors the Eastern Palace can offer. Ten miles of crimson bridal splendor, ceremonial music throughout the city-I want everyone beneath Heaven to see that my crown princess, Xiao Heng's crown princess, enjoys unrivaled glory."

Shen Zhiwei turned and lifted her gaze to him. Candlelight reflected in her clear eyes, shimmering with moisture. She reached out and gently touched his cheek.

"Your Highness, glory and wealth are nothing but passing clouds to me. As long as I can remain at your side, that is the greatest blessing of my life."

Xiao Heng took the hand resting against his cheek, brought her palm to his lips, and pressed a gentle kiss to it.

"But I want to give you every last one of the finest things in this world."

Outside the window, the moon shone bright and clear. Within, red candles flickered, and their tender affection needed no words.

Yet neither of them had imagined that, while Capital City was filled with festive peace and everyone was preparing for the crown prince's wedding, deep within the distant Family Nunnery, a venomous gaze was fixed unwaveringly in the city's direction.

Su Wan, imprisoned for life, had not entirely given up. Like poisonous weeds, hatred still grew wildly in her heart, and a hidden crisis was quietly brewing in the shadows.