Volume One, Chapter Two: The Arranged Marriage
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Emperor Wenxuan cleared his throat, adopting the demeanor of a benevolent ruler: “Empress Huizhao is a paragon among women of the realm. You are her most beloved daughter. I shall bestow upon you a marriage alliance. Whom do you wish to marry?”
Just as feared, exactly what she dreaded had come to pass.
Ming Shu watched the Crown Prince tremble with excitement.
Emperor Wenxuan’s gracious offer to arrange a marriage served a dual purpose:
First, to flaunt his magnanimity and kindness—see, although I destroyed the Kingdom of Nanning, I still admire Empress Huizhao and care for her daughter.
Second, to reward the Crown Prince, who had conquered Nanning—the decree was forced, but if Princess Fanyin chose herself, it would appear as a match made in heaven. A significant distinction indeed.
Ming Shu both despised the emperor’s hypocrisy and admired his cunning.
On either side of the grand hall stood civil officials to the left and military officers to the right.
The Purple Imperial Hall faced southward.
In the southwest corner stood a low-ranking civil official.
Feigning surprise, Ming Shu first expressed astonishment, then kowtowed to thank the emperor, finally surveying the assembly as if choosing a suitor.
Her gaze circled several times before resting briefly on the southwest corner.
She then withdrew her gaze and bowed again to Emperor Wenxuan: “Your Majesty’s granting of marriage is a kindness, but if the one I favor does not consent, such kindness becomes cruelty. May I inquire of his opinion? I humbly ask your permission.”
The emperor nodded, clearly pleased: “Indeed, the daughter of Empress Huizhao is pure of heart. I grant you leave.”
Ming Shu stood but, weak and dizzy, staggered forward two steps.
Steadying herself, she looked up and met the Crown Prince’s hopeful and delighted gaze.
The officials on both sides wore expressions that said this was merely a formality—if not the Crown Prince, then who else?
Ming Shu took a deep breath and turned without hesitation, stepping forward resolutely.
She did not see the shock in the Crown Prince’s eyes.
The hall was deathly silent.
Ming Shu walked firmly toward the striking man in the southwest corner.
He was tall and slender, standing half a head above the surrounding officials.
His demeanor was cold and noble, a living portrait.
As for his appearance… among the women, Princess Fanyin was unmatched; among men, he was the undisputed champion.
He was the renowned beauty of Dongsheng, and the future powerful prime minister—Fu Zhixun.
At present, he had only recently passed the imperial examination’s third place and was likely serving as an editor at the Hanlin Academy.
The divination advised against reaching too high; a minor seventh-rank official was at best a sapling.
Therefore, she chose him.
Ming Shu stopped about three feet from Fu Zhixun, smiling gently: “Sir, are you married?”
In Fu Zhixun’s deep, cold phoenix-like eyes was reflected a pale but composed face.
After a moment of surprise, he replied simply: “Not yet.”
Ming Shu’s smile deepened.
In the book, Fu Zhixun married only after becoming Minister of Personnel—though the identity of his wife remained unknown, as he was a minor character.
She stepped back half a pace and bowed lightly: “I wish to stand by your side, to grow old together without parting. Do you consent?”
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Her voice was faint and weak, but in the stillness of the grand hall, it thundered like a storm.
The officials beside Fu Zhixun glanced between Emperor Wenxuan, the Crown Prince, Fu Zhixun, and Ming Shu, their expressions strange and fearful.
It was as if she had asked them.
Fu Zhixun’s lips pressed into a straight line, his black eyes dark as the sea, coldness crystallizing like frost, radiating chilling intent.
Ming Shu smiled steadily, gazing unwaveringly at him, her back straight.
She trusted her divination; it would not err.
She also trusted the human heart—one who ascended to prime minister would be shrewd, adept at weighing choices. If he refused, it would publicly humiliate the emperor.
Time passed slowly.
When Ming Shu’s smile began to stiffen, Fu Zhixun stepped back half a pace, cupped his hands in salute, voice cold and calm: “I consent.”
Ming Shu’s smile blossomed: “May I know your name?”
“Fu Zhixun.”
Ming Shu nodded, turned, and knelt before Emperor Wenxuan: “Your Majesty, I wish to marry Fu Zhixun.”
The Crown Prince’s face darkened.
The emperor’s false smile vanished.
After a long pause, he spoke slowly: “Very well, I decree this marriage between you and Lord Fu.”
*
Because Ming Shu defied Emperor Wenxuan’s wishes, the emperor’s treatment of the Nanning royal family afterward was careless.
They were not given a servant-attended residence as in the book but confined to a mountain, left to fend for themselves.
Once outside the palace, Ming Shu’s second sister Ming Fei pointed at her and scolded, “Why didn’t you marry the Crown Prince? Do you want to doom us all?”
Their eldest sister Ming An stopped her: “Fei, don’t speak nonsense!”
Ming Fei’s eyes reddened with anger: “Everyone knows the emperor’s match was to marry you to the Crown Prince. Can’t she see? She’s doing this on purpose!”
Ming Shu’s expression darkened. She was about to retort, “If marrying the Crown Prince could save us, then you should marry him.”
Ming An slapped Ming Fei hard across the face.
The blow stunned not only Ming Shu and Ming Fei but also their younger brother Ming Che and little sister Ming Yao.
Ming An’s face was stern: “Nanning may be lost, but we have not stooped to sacrificing our youngest sister for survival!”
Turning to Ming Shu, she said, “Today, you upheld our late mother’s honor.”
Removing the last golden bracelet from her wrist, she pressed it into Ming Shu’s hand: “In future, when your eldest sister cannot care for you, look after yourself.”
The bracelet felt heavy in Ming Shu’s hand, and she instinctively tried to return it.
But Ming An said firmly: “This is your only dowry. Keep it.”
Ming Fei wept: “You gave her the only bracelet. What about me? I will marry too! Our mother favored her, now you do the same just because she’s the prettiest. You’re all biased!”
Ming An grabbed her roughly and hurriedly climbed into the carriage.
Six-year-old Ming Che looked at Ming Shu, holding back tears: “Third Sister, I’m the only boy left at home. I’ll see you off.”
Three-year-old Ming Yao clung to Ming Shu’s leg, sobbing: “Yao Yao doesn’t want Third Sister to go.”
Suddenly, Ming Shu understood why, in the book, Princess Fanyin sacrificed her life to protect her family.
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She crouched down and spoke earnestly to Ming Che: “Very well, you will see Third Sister off.”
She patted Ming Yao’s head: “Third Sister won’t marry far away. Whenever she has time, she’ll come to see you.”
In her heart, she silently vowed to the two children: I will take the place of the former Princess Fanyin and protect you well.
*
Given the emperor’s decree and Princess Fanyin’s special status, three days later Ming Shu entered the residence of Marquis Dingyuan.
There was no wedding ceremony.
No formal bowing.
Not even the groom, Fu Zhixun, appeared.
The one who brought Ming Shu and her maid Muxi into the marquis’s residence was an elderly servant with graying hair, surnamed Zhao.
“Madam, you are new to the capital and may not know the layout of the Marquis Dingyuan’s estate.”
“The residence has three households: the main one occupies the central five-courtyard compound; the second household is on the left; the young master’s household is the third, on the right.”
“The marquis and his lady have both passed away. Now, the young master lives alone in the third household, served only by this old servant.”
Hearing that Fu Zhixun had no parents, Ming Shu felt quite pleased.
Her former master loved watching “matchmakers” and family dramas with mother-in-law conflicts—those always raised her blood pressure.
“There is no division of the estate, but the young master seldom interacts with the second household, only visiting the old lady’s quarters every five days to pay respects.”
Ming Shu’s mood darkened immediately.
So there was an old matron after all…
From Zhao’s words, Fu Zhixun still had to pay respects to this elderly lady, so as the new bride, Ming Shu naturally would have to go as well.
An old lady was better than a crown princess—at least her fighting spirit wouldn’t be overwhelming.
Ming Shu comforted herself.
As they spoke, they reached the innermost courtyard.
“Madam, your quarters are here. The young master lives in the third courtyard. I, the old servant, stay at the outermost. Call for me if you need anything.”
After these instructions, Old Zhao departed.
Muxi stared at the empty courtyard: “Does the young master mean for us to fend for ourselves?”
Ming Shu pushed open the main room’s door, and a cold draft swept over her.
Inside was one bed, one table, one cabinet, and two chairs—nothing more.
“He’s quite polite, at least the courtyard and rooms have been cleaned.”
Ming Shu’s attitude was calm. She gestured at Muxi’s thin cloak: “I have no dowry either, so I don’t expect any bride price from Lord Fu.”
Muxi frowned: “There’s only one blanket on the bed, and you’re still ill. How will you sleep at night?”
Ming Shu hesitated, then handed the golden bracelet to Muxi: “Use this to buy bedding and winter clothes.”
Tears welled in Muxi’s eyes: “This is the dowry given by the Princess Royal…”
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