Chapter 27

The Bane of the Aloof Crown Prince

With the Su Family case settled once and for all, the entire Eastern Palace had been shrouded in a relaxed atmosphere for days. The hidden, vicious plots of the past had vanished like smoke with the overthrow of the Su Residence. Yet everyone within the Eastern Palace knew very well that less than half a month remained until the grand wedding of the crown prince and Shen Zhiwei.

Morning light filtered through the carved lattice windows, casting a thin sheen into the Quiet Reflection Pavilion.

Shen Zhiwei sat by the window, holding a scroll of wedding robe patterns in her hands, her fingertips gently brushing against the twin-lotus embroidery on the brocade while her brows and eyes hid a trace of faint apprehension.

She had once drifted with no fixed background, lingering on the brink of life and death several times, and had never dared to dream that she would have a day like this-to properly marry the current crown prince and receive a heart full of exclusive devotion from one person.

"What are you thinking about, lost in thought?"

A warm, deep voice sounded from behind her.

Xiao Heng was dressed in moon-white casual attire, walking slowly into the room. Shedding the intimidatingly cold and sharp aura he wore in the imperial court, his brows and eyes softened by half when he was at home. He quietly stepped up behind her, gently wrapping his arms around her waist as he lazily rested his chin on her shoulder.

Warm breath brushed against the tip of her ear, causing Shen Zhiwei's body to tremble slightly and the pattern in her hands to almost slip away.

"Your Highness, why have you come over?" The roots of Shen Zhiwei's ears flushed with a faint scarlet. "I was just looking at the wedding robe patterns and felt a bit dazed."

Xiao Heng lowered his gaze, his eyes falling upon the embroidered twin-lotus pattern as a very faint smile rippled across the corners of his lips.

"Dazed about what? Could it be that you are unwilling to marry me?" He deliberately lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"How would I dare?" Shen Zhiwei turned her head, her eyes like water gazing deep into his. "I just feel like it's a dream. Disasters used to follow one after another, and I always thought the days ahead would be full of bumps and hurdles. I never expected that I would truly live to see such a peaceful time."

These words falling into his ears caused Xiao Heng's embrace to tighten further.

The hidden arrows, poisoned plots, and life-or-death crises of the past flashed across his mind scene by scene. How fortunate he was that he had managed to protect her every single time.

"It's not a dream." Xiao Heng's fingertips gently stroked the fabric at her waist, solemn with every word. "The imperial decree has been issued, and the wedding date is set. Half a month from now, you will be my crown princess. From now on within the Eastern Palace, you will be the mistress. For the rest of this life, I will protect you for a lifetime of safety."

Before his voice faded, the gentle announcement of a maidservant came from outside the door.

"Reporting to Your Highness, Lady Shen, someone has come from the palace. Empress Dowager's-Correction: The empress has commanded the senior head-nurgi to send over a box of jewelry for the grand wedding, and asks the young lady to inspect it."

"Send them in."

As the words fell, two eunuch-nurgis carrying two gilded large wooden chests slowly stepped across the threshold, carefully placing the boxes upon the table.

The lids were slowly lifted, and in an instant, dazzling jewels filled the room.

Red-gold kingfisher-feather inlaid phoenix hairpin, a forehead ornament made of strung pearls, earrings set with southern pearls, and several exquisitely carved jade hairpins-every single piece was a top-tier treasure from the imperial palace.

The nurgi wore a respectful smile. "Her Majesty instructs that these are all headwear selections from the inner storehouses. For the crown prince's grand wedding, the crown princess's dowry must by no means be crude. Her Majesty also says that given the many misunderstandings of the past, she hopes the young lady will take none of them to heart, and will properly assist the crown prince from now on."

Shen Zhiwei looked at the box full of luxurious jewelry, a stir passing through her heart.

After the Su family affair, the empress's mind had already become clear. With Su Wan's ending right before her eyes, no amount of partiality could withstand state law and discipline. Since Xiao Heng's mind was made up, she too set aside the lingering grievances in her heart and sincerely accepted this future crown princess.

"Sorry for the trouble, nurgi, please reply on my behalf to thank the empress. Zhiwei will keep Her Majesty's kindness in mind."

After finishing her bow, the nurgi retreated with lowered body.

The room returned to quiet once more.

Xiao Heng casually picked up the largest red-gold kingfisher-feather inlaid phoenix hairpin, pinched the body of the pin with his fingertips, and slowly drew close, carefully wanting to fasten it into her hair.

Shen Zhiwei sat upright and motionless, her breathing slowing slightly. The chilly gold accessory gently touched her strands of hair, and his movements were exceptionally tender, fearing that a little too much force would hurt her.

The mirror reflected the two of them leaning on each other. The young crown prince had deep affection in his brows and eyes, while the young lady's cheeks bloomed with a pale blush, her entire gaze filled with tenderness.

"So pretty." Xiao Heng gazed at the reflection in the bronze mirror, sighing softly.

Yet this sweet tenderness did not last for very long.

Footsteps sounded outside the hall once again, and the commander of the Eastern Palace guards wore a grave expression as he hurried into the room and dropped to his knees.

"Reporting to Your Highness! We have just received an urgent report from the border! At the Northern Frontier, the barbarians have suddenly gathered a large number of troops and are frequently patrolling and provoking along the border, appearing to have the intention of invading!"

These words were like a pebble thrown into a pond of spring water.

The gentleness on Xiao Heng's face vanished instantly, his gaze quickly covered by a layer of gravity.

The warmth of romantic affection from just a moment ago instantly faded, and the composure and sense of responsibility belonging to the heir apparent returned to him.

He released the arm wrapped around Shen Zhiwei, turned to take the urgent report with its fresh wax seal, broke it open, and read it at a glance.

His fingertips tightened slightly, and the paper was creased with faint folds.

Shen Zhiwei stood to one side, her heart suspending along with it. "Is the situation... very bad?"

"The war has not yet started, but the situation is already tense." Xiao Heng furrowed his brow slightly and slowly spoke. "His Majesty will most likely order me to head to the Northern Frontier to inspect the defenses. Only, with things this way..."

He paused, his gaze falling toward the box full of grand wedding jewelry on the table.

The wedding date was just half a month away.

If the situation at the border was critical, it was very likely the wedding would be forced to be postponed.

The joyful atmosphere suddenly cast a layer of haze.

Shen Zhiwei's heart suddenly plunged, but she quickly steadied her emotions, stepped forward, and reached out to gently grasp Xiao Heng's palm.

Her fingertips were soft and warm, steadily enveloping the back of his slightly chilled hand.

"Your Highness need not consider me. The country and family come first. The safety of the border is greater than our children's marriage. If it truly is necessary to go, I will be right here, waiting peacefully for your return. No matter how long the wedding is postponed, I will wait."

Xiao Heng lowered his head to look at her, seeing not a shred of resentment in the depths of her eyes, only understanding and steadfastness.

Endless emotions surged within the depths of his heart. He reached out and pulled her tightly into his embrace.

"Zhiwei... To obtain a wife like you, how fortunate I am."

The wind outside the window passed through the courtyard, causing the leaves to rustle.

A sweet grand wedding was close at hand, yet a variable at the border had suddenly arisen. A peaceful life, after all, would not come so easily.