The Wangfu was vast, divided into four courtyards, front and back. The main courtyard housed Shen Muzhou's residence and study, heavily guarded and heavily fortified, yet surprisingly sparsely staffed.
Moonfall Pavilion.
A slightly smaller courtyard adjacent to the main one. Though a side courtyard, it was twice the size of the one she had lived in at the Grand Tutor's mansion. A lone ancient tree stood in the courtyard paved with gray-blue stone bricks, the only tree in the entire Wangfu.
A swing was tied to the tree trunk.
Lin Yanxi's small hand was clasped in his broad palm. Her hand felt soft, her skin delicate, and the cold illness within her had been suppressed considerably.
“How are you? Your illness?” After entering Moonfall Pavilion, all servants and guards were kept outside. She tiptoed closer to his ear and whispered.
Seeing the concern in her eyes, he said softly, “Much better.”
But his appearance did not suggest he was any better.
“Do you like it? This courtyard is next to my main courtyard, separated only by a wall. I’ve dispatched members of the Dark Night Division to guard the perimeter, it’s very safe.”
Lin Yanxi didn't particularly care where she lived, but she nodded nonetheless, “I like it.”
“But what kind of tree is this?”
Shen Muzhou followed her fingertip and explained, “A phoenix tree. Do you like it? That swing?”
The swing was coated with bright red dye, far more exquisite than the one in the Grand Tutor's mansion. A small bell hung from the thick hemp rope that suspended the swing.
A young girl in a pink dress sat on the swing beneath the large tree. As the swing swayed gently, the bell tinkled crisply.
Her eyes looked towards Shen Muzhou, smiling at him. Her eyes were bright and spirited, her features delicate and lively. When she smiled, her eyes curved into small crescents.
“I like it.”
After Shen Muzhou left, the servants busied themselves delivering items to the entrance of Moonfall Pavilion. Lizzi and Tangchao directed them in placing the items.
As soon as Jiang Mingsheng entered the courtyard, he exclaimed, “Good disciple, you’ve finally come to keep me company. Without you, this Wangfu is utterly lifeless, just like its master!”
Lin Yanxi tugged at his beard and said, “You’re not allowed to say the word ‘lifeless’!”
Jiang Mingsheng yelped, “Ouch, ouch! Alright, alright, I won’t say it, I won’t say it.”
Only then did she release him. She pulled him to a secluded spot and asked again, “Is there truly no other way for the cold illness?”
Jiang Mingsheng paused for a moment, then quickly waved his hands and replied, “No, no.”
Unwilling to give up, she asked again, “Really no more?”
Jiang Mingsheng’s expression was clearly unsettled. He walked towards the swing and said, “Don’t dwell on those things. If you want to save him, first practice your talisman arts well.”
“How has the talisman art I’ve been teaching you been progressing? Come, show me.”
Lin Yanxi concentrated her energy, silently recited the incantations, formed a hand seal, and conjured the shape of a talisman paper with her fingertips. It flew towards Jiang Mingsheng. “Body Immobilization Technique.”
Jiang Mingsheng’s movements paused for an instant, then he easily broke free. He then offered guidance, correcting her improper technique while casting the talisman.
“Still not good enough.” The talisman only held Jiang Mingsheng for a moment before dissipating. Lin Yanxi sighed, a hint of dejection settling in as she sat on a chair.
Jiang Mingsheng affectionately stroked her little head and said, “It’s already very good. At your current level, if you cast this on an ordinary person, it would certainly hold them for half a day. My talisman power is superior to yours, so breaking your immobilization technique is not difficult.”
Her little face was filled with disappointment. She said nothing further, gently closing her eyes to sense the talismanic energy gathering within her.
Jiang Mingsheng watched her, his gaze deepening in thought.
---
The next morning, as soon as it was early, Lizzi and Tangchao brought Lin Yanxi water for washing and new clothes.
“Miss, hurry and get up. Today is the Flower Appreciation Banquet, and we must go to the palace.”
Lin Yanxi was groggily pulled out of bed and then sat at the dressing table to wash and groom.
“Miss, this dress today, Little Six brought it. The Prince Regent gave it to you,” Tangchao said, holding a rectangular wooden tray, her hand carefully stroking the long dress on it.
Upon hearing that it was from Shen Muzhou, she lazily lifted her eyelids, still half-asleep, to take a glance, then said, “Oh.”
When she had finished washing and grooming and stepped out of the courtyard, Shen Muzhou was already waiting. Hearing the sound of footsteps, he turned around.
The already charming young girl, with a light dusting of makeup, appeared even more radiant and captivating. She was wearing a light-colored silk dress, its hem edged with silver. A water-lotus colored sash hung loosely from her arm.
She spread her hands and twirled, asking sweetly, “Does it look good?”
The young girl tilted her little head, her bright eyes sparkling like stars.
Little Six, standing behind Shen Muzhou, praised, “Second Miss looks truly beautiful in this dress.”
Receiving a positive affirmation, she smiled even more sweetly.
Shen Muzhou was momentarily stunned. He slightly lowered his gaze and said, “Mm. Let’s go, we mustn’t be late for the palace banquet.”
“Okay!” She happily quickened her pace, walking two steps ahead to his side.
She asked, “Why did you suddenly think of giving me a dress?”
Shen Muzhou, holding a hand warmer, replied calmly, “You are betrothed to me now. When entering the palace, one cannot dress too casually. I had the tailor shop make it.”
Little Six, following behind, pouted. “Made it casually?”
He had personally gone to the best fabric shops in the entire city the day before yesterday, selected the finest styles and materials, and had them rushed.
His Ninth Prince Regent’s own clothes were made in the palace; as long as they fit, that was enough. When had he ever personally visited a fabric shop?
Lin Yanxi didn't think much of it, her smile radiant, “I like it very much, thank you.”
Her steps were light and cheerful, her mood exceptionally good. She skipped ahead, her vibrant figure a stark contrast to the Wangfu's monotonous and somber blues and whites. She walked a few steps ahead of him, then turned back to smile at him.
“Let’s go.”
Perhaps it was the girl’s beautiful smile, but Shen Muzhou unconsciously stopped in his tracks to watch her. He freed one hand from holding the small hand warmer and slowly extended it from his dark cloak. She paused for a moment, then immediately understood his intention.
Gleefully, she walked a few steps back to his side and extended her small hand into his palm. His palm felt cold as he slowly tightened his grip around her hand. Then, in the vast Wangfu, they walked side-by-side towards the exit.
The cool, composed young man in a dark cloak held hands with a young girl in a vibrant, soft-colored long dress. She was chattering and laughing about something.
The young man’s face was pale, his expression stern, yet when he gazed at the girl who was a head shorter than him, there was always a hint of genuine, undeniable amusement.
They boarded a carriage and quickly arrived at the Imperial Palace. After disembarking, she stood at the palace gate and looked around.
Shen Muzhou asked, “What are you looking at?”
“The Grand Tutor’s mansion’s carriage. Ruoyan hasn't arrived yet,” she said, scanning the area, certain she hadn't seen her sister.
Shen Muzhou glanced at it and said, “Let’s go, we’ll enter first.”
---
Yaohua Palace.
Luo Jingxin brought Luo Wanwan to see the Empress.
The Empress sat in the hall, sipping new tribute tea. She looked at the two kneeling on the ground and said, “You may both rise.”
Her gaze fell upon Luo Wanwan, appraising her. This young girl was not as slender as her sister. She was a bit plump, but well-proportioned, with delicate features.
“Wanwan, have you heard of the Fifth Prince?”
Luo Wanwan curtsied and replied, “I have heard.”
Shen Yu, that useless prodigal prince, was famous not only in the capital but throughout Nan Min.
It was said he had stayed in a pleasure house for over a month continuously, leading the Empress to believe her precious son had been kidnapped. She had dispatched countless guards to search, only to find the Fifth Prince drunk in the pleasure house.
The Empress continued, “How do people evaluate Little Wu?”
Wanwan’s voice was timid, she dared not look up at the Empress. She glanced at Luo Jingxin, who subtly signaled her to answer well.
“The world… the world says the Fifth Prince is… capricious and dissolute.”
The Empress’s expression darkened slightly.
Wanwan, without looking up, continued, “But this subject believes they are wrong. They do not understand the true Fifth Prince.”
This young girl is interesting, the Empress said with a touch of displeasure, her voice carrying pressure, “And you understand him?”
Luo Jingxin quickly knelt on the ground, her voice filled with apprehension, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Although Luo Wanwan is the legitimate daughter of her family, she grew up in the border town and has limited experience. Her studies were also not as advanced as noble ladies from the capital, so what she says should not be taken seriously.”
Luo Wanwan blinked, looking at her sister and then at the Empress. Had she said something wrong? What people outside said was ten times worse than what she had said.
The Empress said slowly, “Luo Wanwan, continue speaking.”
Luo Wanwan lowered her head, her eyes fixed on the tip of her shoes, no longer daring to speak.
“I told you to speak, so speak. Do not mind your sister.”
She said, “When I came to the capital this time, I unexpectedly met the Fifth Prince. He cared for the common people, empathized with their plight, personally investigated cases and distributed porridge. He was sincere and approachable, detached from fame and fortune.”
“It is most rare for someone like him to live solely by their own heart.”
The Empress looked at her for a long time without speaking. Luo Jingxin knelt on the ground, cold sweat beading on her forehead. After a long pause, the Empress smiled, “Xin’er, rise. Your sister seems dull, but is actually insightful. Very good.”
“You and Yu’er grew up together, it can be considered fate. Be seated.”
After they chatted briefly about other matters, the Empress turned the conversation back to Luo Wanwan.
“Do you know why you have come to the capital this time?”
Luo Wanwan replied softly, “I know.”
The Empress mused for a moment and said, “The Fifth Prince grew up with your sister since childhood. Your sister has always held a place in his heart. If you marry him, you must first conceal it from him, letting him believe that the person he is to marry is Jingxin.”
“When he sees you, he will undoubtedly be surprised, resentful, and indifferent to you. From then on, you will be an unwelcome decoration in the Fifth Prince’s mansion, likely never receiving his favor in this lifetime. Are you willing?”
Luo Wanwan’s eyes were tinged with sadness. She glanced towards her sister for help. Luo Jingxin averted her gaze as she met her eyes, taking a sip of tea.
She was unwilling. Could she be unwilling?
After a long silence, she replied faintly, “I am willing.”
She represented the Anchang Prince’s Mansion. As long as the Anchang Prince’s Mansion was willing, she had to be willing.
The Empress was reasonably satisfied with Luo Wanwan. With her disposition, which appeared timid but was actually broad-minded and insightful, she should be able to endure things with Yu’er.
“You two wait in the Imperial Garden for now. I will come out shortly.”
After Luo Jingxin and Luo Wanwan left Yaohua Palace, Jingxin said with concern, “Wanwan.”
Luo Wanwan stopped and turned to look at her. Jingxin said with a stern face, “This matter of a substituted marriage concerns the fate of the Anchang Prince’s Mansion. You must absolutely not let anyone know.”
As if realizing her tone was too harsh, Luo Jingxin softened her expression and said, “Wanwan, actually, in my opinion, Shen Yu doesn’t necessarily have true feelings for me either. His kind of indulgence in brothels and his lack of ambition suggest that he is only attracted to superficial beauty. So you don’t need to worry too much. As your sister sees it, you only need to control your diet daily, and maintain a slender and graceful figure. You will not lack favor in the future.”
Luo Wanwan looked at her lower abdomen. It was indeed a little rounder than her sister’s. She said sheepishly, “I understand.”