The others then noticed a change in the Third Prince. Whatever good things came his way, his first thought was for his fiancée. Sometimes, people from the Third Prince’s manor would visit the Zheng family multiple times a day, bringing all sorts of delicious food and interesting trinkets for Madam Zheng.
Others saw it as a joke, but the two individuals involved found endless enjoyment in this game of pursuit. The Third Prince, too, wanted to experience the feeling of young men chasing their beloved to the bitter end.
While the Third Prince was happy, his advisors could not stand by and watch. They collectively sought an audience with him.
“It’s rare to see you all gathered like this. Has something major happened?” The Third Prince was surprised. Had the Emperor begun targeting him again?
“We just feel that the Third Prince has changed entirely since meeting Madam Zheng. While we are all very much looking forward to your wedding and the birth of a young prince, we do not wish for you to marry a woman with a child, nor do we want another’s son to occupy the position of heir. If the Third Prince is truly fond of her, we have no standing to object. However, has the Third Prince forgotten how the Emperor persecuted you? How will we be able to stand our ground in the future?” a strategist named Lei Yun asked worriedly.
“You have followed me through life and death, and I will never forget your kindness. Although I have been engrossed in matters of marriage recently, I have not for a moment forgotten the hatred in my heart, nor have I forgotten your safety. I will not place myself in a passive position, nor will I let my fighting spirit wane. Please rest assured of this,” the Third Prince said. He knew very well what they were thinking, that he wanted a life of ease after marriage. In reality, he sought revenge. Moreover, even if he were to stand down, would the Emperor let him go? He did not want his wife and children to live in constant fear with him, facing the danger of losing their lives at any moment.
The group breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing expressions of comfort. “We swear to follow the Third Prince to the death.”
After seeing off his advisors, the Third Prince had just sat down to rest when an unexpected visitor requested an audience.
Seeing Yang Zhongqing, filled with regret, standing before him, the Third Prince raised an eyebrow. He was the one who betrayed Zheng Nian’er first. Would he have her wait a lifetime for him? It felt as though he himself were the third party intruding.
“General Yang seems to have a lot of free time to come here in person. If I recall correctly, we have no prior dealings. When I was conquering the empire, you were nowhere to be found,” the Third Prince preempted, speaking with arrogance.
“The Third Prince is praised by all as a hero. I am not here today to discuss these matters, but to speak about Rui’er.” Yang Zhongqing quickly lowered his head. The imposing pressure emanating from the Third Prince made him feel overwhelmed, and he dared not meet his gaze.
“What about Rui’er? He is very well-behaved, obedient, and excels in his studies. It is my honor to have him as my son; I could not ask for more.” The Third Prince knew why he had come, but he did not reveal it.
“But he carries my blood; he is a child of our Yang family. You are the esteemed Third Prince; it is not permissible to confuse royal bloodlines. If you desire children, there are countless women eager to bear you sons. Why must you snatch my son?” Yang Zhongqing repeatedly referred to Rui’er as his son. He did not believe the Third Prince was completely unmoved; he wanted to provoke him. Originally, he thought Wu Caiwei would live out her days at the Zheng family’s home. He never expected that in his old age, she would marry the Third Prince. How could he accept this? It would make him seem short-sighted, like he’d discarded a watermelon for a sesame seed.
“I like your son, and I will snatch your son. Let him take my surname and inherit my title! We will dote on him as if he were our own son in the Third Prince’s manor. What of it? Do you have a problem? If you’re not satisfied, then just hold it in.” Did the Third Prince not know his petty intentions? He had played these games before and was almost skilled enough to sow discord. He spoke with outright dominance.
“You… you… How can you be like this? What will happen when you have other children in the future?” Yang Zhongqing was truly surprised to find a man in the world who disregarded all societal norms and acted as he pleased.
“Is there anything else? If not, please leave my manor. Do not disturb them, mother and son, again. Otherwise, I will beat you every time I see you.”
Looking at the Third Prince’s warning gaze, Yang Zhongqing felt a surge of fear. If anyone else had said these words, he would have considered them boastful, as he was a First-Rank General. But coming from the Third Prince, it demanded serious consideration. Although the Third Prince appeared respectful towards the Emperor, everyone knew he harbored ambitions. Furthermore, it was rumored that the Third Prince’s attendants did not even hold the Emperor in high regard, let alone a mere subject like himself.
A complex mix of emotions swirled within him. He stood there stunned for a long moment before finally leaving in a daze.
On a dark and windy night, Yang Zhongqing arrived at the designated location early and knelt before the man in black. “Greetings, Master.”
“You are truly useless. If you weren’t of some use, I’d have your entire family sent to the executioner’s block.” The other party, still not appeased, kicked him in the chest.
Even though Yang Zhongqing possessed martial arts skills, he collapsed without hesitation, demonstrating the depth of the other’s resentment. He dared not speak out of turn and quickly scrambled back to his knees.
“You can’t even bring your own son home. Are you even a man? How many times have I told you I want the Zheng family to have no descendants? It seems you are reluctant to act, so perhaps your entire Yang family of over a hundred mouths will have to pay the price.” The man in black looked at him with disdain.
“No, no, I beg Master for another chance. This time, I will definitely bring him home.” Yang Zhongqing quickly crawled in front of him and grasped his leg, pleading.
“The way you look now, you’re just like a begging dog, utterly devoid of dignity. No wonder Wu Caiwei looked down on you.” The other person scrutinized him from head to toe, then sneered. After a moment’s thought, he continued, “I’ll give you one more chance. If you fail, you know the consequences.”
Yang Zhongqing quickly kowtowed in gratitude. “Thank you, Master, thank you, Master…”
When he looked up again, the person was nowhere to be seen. He collapsed to the ground, unable to hold back his tears. They say men don’t shed tears easily, but it’s only when they reach the depths of sorrow.
Wu Caiwei was completely unaware of this. She had been very busy recently, preparing her wedding dress and dowry, and even putting on a show when people were around.
Soon, the day of her wedding arrived. Early in the morning, the Third Prince, leading his retinue, arrived at the Zheng family’s doorstep on a magnificent horse. His face was beaming with a smile from beginning to end. Was this still the aloof and proud Third Prince? However, everyone had grown accustomed to this change over the past period.
Once again, seated in the bridal chamber, although she had experienced this many times, each time felt different. She removed the phoenix coronet from her head, holding it in her hands, caressing it with utmost care, cherishing their bond across every lifetime.
Perhaps it was the Third Prince’s imagination, but every guest who arrived today seemed determined to ply him with alcohol. This unconsciously made him wary. While crossing his hands to drink, he subtly poured the wine into his sleeve when no one was looking, pretending to be drunk and swaying.