Chapter 21

"The Aloof Crown Prince's Nemesis" - Chapter 21

After the imperial decree granting the marriage was issued, a tender, lingering warmth suffused every corner of the Eastern Palace.

On the day the decree was read, Shen Zhiwei knelt on the blue stone tiles, the eunuch's shrill, drawn-out proclamation still echoing in her ears. Her heart pounded, and even her fingertips trembled slightly. Once, she had been no more than an orphan sheltering in the Eastern Palace's Quiet Reflection Pavilion, treading carefully through each day. Never had she dared indulge the dream that she might one day become Crown Prince Xiao Heng's rightful consort.

After the palace attendants who delivered the decree withdrew, only the two of them remained in the courtyard.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the parasol tree's branches and leaves, scattering like flecks of gold beneath the covered walkway. Xiao Heng walked slowly up to Shen Zhiwei, bent down, and helped her rise himself. His finely jointed hands gently supported her elbows, their warmth reaching her through the thin fabric of her sleeves.

Shen Zhiwei's cheeks burned. Instinctively, she tried to draw back a little, the tips of her ears so red they seemed ready to drip blood.

"Why are you pulling away?" A faint smile warmed Xiao Heng's deep voice. The frost that had always veiled his features melted away, leaving them filled with a tenderness meant for her alone. "The decree has been issued. From now on, you are to be my crown princess. Must you still keep me at a distance?"

Shen Zhiwei lowered her eyes, her long lashes quivering, not daring to look up into his deep gaze. "Your Highness... everything has happened so suddenly. Even now, it still feels a little unreal."

Su Wan had repeatedly plotted to frame and poison her, one upheaval following another, leaving her tossed between life and death. All she had hoped for was to live in peace; she had never dared ask for love or a rightful place at his side.

Xiao Heng raised his hand and gently brushed his fingertips over a loose strand of hair beside her temple, his touch infinitely tender.

"My heart was settled long ago. I was only waiting for the right moment." He kept his voice very low. "Before, the turmoil had yet to subside, and the Su Family's power still stood entrenched behind Su Wan. Had I given you that rightful place too soon, I would only have thrust you onto the crest of the storm, with countless spears in the open and arrows in the dark aimed at you. Now all the evidence is in my hands, and much of the Su Family's arrogance has been broken. Only by securing the marriage now can I keep you safe."

Only then was the doubt that had long lingered in Shen Zhiwei's heart resolved. She had always wondered why Xiao Heng delayed mentioning marriage when they clearly shared the same feelings. It turned out that he had been considering her welfare at every turn.

She lifted her eyes to the man before her, a sheen of tears gathering in them.

Just as tenderness flowed between them, a maid's hurried footsteps sounded outside.

"Your Highness! Something terrible has happened! The Su Family has learned of the marriage decree, and Su Wan has been causing a dreadful scene since returning home. The head of the Su Family has already entered the palace to plead with Her Majesty the Empress!"

At those words, Shen Zhiwei's heart tightened.

The Su Family had deep roots, its influence tangled throughout the imperial court. Su Wan was wholly devoted to the crown prince, and now that he was to marry Shen Zhiwei, her beautiful dream had shattered. The Su Family would certainly not let the matter rest.

The tenderness vanished from Xiao Heng's face in an instant, and a cold, ruthless gleam flashed in his eyes.

"So it has come at last." His tone was indifferent, yet carried an unquestionable resolve. "Relying on generations of meritorious service, the Su Family has repeatedly allowed Su Wan to harm others at will. When she poisoned the well, I spared them some dignity out of regard for old ties and did not immediately expose all their crimes. Now that they have come knocking of their own accord, they cannot blame me for showing no mercy."

Shen Zhiwei caught his sleeve, worry filling her expression. "Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress has always favored Su Wan. If she intervenes on their behalf, could that change things?"

Xiao Heng lowered his head and turned his hand to clasp her soft, small one firmly, their fingers intertwining.

"Zhiwei, you need not be afraid." He looked solemnly into her eyes and spoke each word distinctly. "I personally asked my imperial father for this marriage. In this lifetime, you alone can be my crown princess. Whoever tries to stand in our way, it will make no difference."

Yet despite his words, the storm had already begun sweeping toward them in silence.

Before long, a summons arrived from the empress, commanding Xiao Heng and Shen Zhiwei to come together to Kunning Palace for an audience.

On the way to Kunning Palace, many palace maids and eunuchs whispered about the matter, rumors spreading without a sound. Many said that Shen Zhiwei came from a fallen family and was unworthy of the noble crown prince-that she had bewitched His Highness with the seductive tricks of a fox.

Hearing those scattered whispers, Shen Zhiwei could not help feeling hurt.

Noticing her low spirits, Xiao Heng tightened his hold on her hand, turned toward her, and consoled her softly. "Do not take other people's idle talk to heart. I am here."

As they entered the main hall of Kunning Palace, they saw Su Wan kneeling before the empress, her eyes red and swollen from crying. The empress sat upright on her phoenix throne, her expression dark, her gaze full of displeasure as she looked at the two of them.

Thus began an ordeal of accusations over their marriage.