Chapter 29

"The Aloof Crown Prince's Nemesis"

A bleak autumn wind swept through the vermilion corridors of the Eastern Palace, sending fallen leaves rustling across the flagstones.

Three days had passed since Xiao Heng received his orders to deploy to the frontier.

A faint melancholy of parting lingered throughout the Eastern Palace. Wedding invitations had already been delivered to the ministers' residences, and red silk, wedding candles, and brocade quilts embroidered with mandarin ducks had all been prepared. Piled in a side hall, their brilliant scarlet now only deepened the heartache.

Shen Zhiwei stood beneath the window, her fingertips gently brushing a scarlet wedding gown embroidered with twin lotuses on a single stem. Gold thread shimmered across the fabric. Every stitch was the work of the Imperial Household Department's finest embroiderers, who had labored day and night to finish it.

In another fortnight, she and Xiao Heng should have been bowing together in their wedding ceremony.

But urgent dispatches from the frontier arrived in the Capital City one after another. The northern tribes had launched a massive invasion against three border cities, and the flames of war blazed fiercely. The emperor convened an imperial council overnight. Among all the civil and military officials at court, Crown Prince Xiao Heng alone was the most suitable choice to lead the army into battle.

"What are you thinking about?"

A familiar, low voice sounded behind her.

Xiao Heng walked in slowly, dressed in an everyday black robe, his ink-dark hair tied up. His features retained their usual cool reserve, but a faint weariness had crept beneath his eyes. These past few days, he had been dealing with a backlog of court affairs while preparing military supplies for the expedition, leaving him barely a peaceful night's sleep.

Shen Zhiwei turned around. A trace of sorrow she could scarcely suppress lingered in her eyes, yet she forced a faint smile. "Nothing. I was only looking at this wedding gown. We had already chosen the auspicious date. Who could have expected trouble at the frontier?"

Xiao Heng stepped forward and gently took her slightly chilled hand. His palm was warm, his fingers bearing the thin calluses left by years of wielding a sword.

"I know this is unfair to you." His voice softened with guilt. "We can only postpone the wedding. Our country must come first. As the heir to the throne, I cannot hide safely in the Capital City and marry in peace while abandoning the countless people along the border."

"I understand. I won't make a fuss." Shen Zhiwei looked up at him, her eyes glistening. "It's just... the battlefield is dangerous. You must take good care of yourself. I'll stay safe in the Capital City and wait for you to come home."

A thousand things she wished to say finally became only that promise to wait.

Xiao Heng's heart stirred, and he reached out to gather her into his arms. His embrace was broad and steady, enclosing her completely. Outside the window, the autumn wind rustled through the treetops. Within the room, all was quiet except for their mingling breaths.

"Promise me you'll take good care of yourself." Xiao Heng buried his face against the crown of her head and spoke softly. "Even with me away from the Eastern Palace, hidden currents will still run through the court. Su Wan's family has fallen from power, but remnants of their faction remain. Be careful in everything you do, and never try to shoulder trouble alone. If anything happens, go to Her Majesty the Empress or my trusted guards. I've left a squad of covert guards stationed around the Quiet Reflection Pavilion. They won't let anyone hurt you."

Shen Zhiwei nestled obediently against his chest. With her ear pressed to him, she could clearly hear his strong, steady heartbeat. The faint scent of pinewood lingered around her nose, a fragrance imparted by the sword he had worn for years.

"Mm. I'll remember."

Just then, a guard's voice came from outside the door.

"Your Highness, an official from the Ministry of War requests an audience to discuss provisions and troop deployments for the expedition."

Xiao Heng's brows drew together slightly. Reluctant as he was, he had no choice but to release the woman in his arms.

"Understood. Have him wait in the front hall. I'll be there at once."

He reluctantly withdrew from their embrace, then reached out and gently stroked Shen Zhiwei's cheek with the pad of his finger.

"I must go discuss these matters. Tonight, I'll come back and spend some time talking with you."

With that, Xiao Heng turned and strode away. His black robe swept across the threshold, and he soon disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Shen Zhiwei was alone in the room once more.

She walked slowly to the window and gazed at the distant, gray horizon, a hundred emotions stirring in her heart.

The imperial decree postponing their wedding would be proclaimed throughout the realm that day. There would surely be endless rumors outside the palace. Some would regret that the crown prince's approaching wedding had been halted halfway through its preparations. There would also be idle gossip, speculating that her fortune was too meager and she was unworthy of him.

But Shen Zhiwei understood.

Love between a man and a woman must, in the end, come after their country.

She fetched paper and a brush and sat at the desk. Thinking of the long journey to the frontier and its bitter winds and frost, she decided to sew him a Peace Pouch to carry close to his body. She chose dark blue silk, fetched gold thread, and carefully embroidered the two characters for "peace and safety."

The silver needle passed through the silk in tiny stitches. Now and then, its point pricked her fingertips, bringing forth little beads of red. She merely pressed her lips together and continued embroidering.

Time slipped quietly by, and before she knew it, dusk had arrived.

Twilight deepened, and the palace lanterns were lit one by one.

After night fell, Xiao Heng finally finished a heap of complicated military affairs and found time to return to the Quiet Reflection Pavilion.

When he pushed open the door, he saw the young woman slumped over the desk, already lightly asleep. The unfinished Peace Pouch lay spread beside her hand, and a silver needle was still held between her fingers.

The candle flame flickered, its warm yellow light falling softly over her serene face.

Xiao Heng softened his footsteps, unwilling to wake her. He fetched an outer robe and gently draped it over her shoulders. His eyes, so often cold and indifferent, now brimmed with tenderness that would not melt away.

"Zhiwei, wait for me," he murmured. "Once I've swept away the threats at the border and returned in triumph, I'll marry you in full splendor, with a bridal sedan carried by eight men. No one will ever stop us again."

The evening breeze slipped through the window lattice. The candle flame swayed gently, casting their two shadows quietly upon the floor.