Chapter 1

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The imperial capital in the month of August, was bathed in crisp autumn sunlight, with the wind and warmth complementing each other. In the Yi Yuan Garden, the green lotuses resting gently in the pond glistened under the warm, and pink and white flowers gently emerged from the water’s surface.

“The gardens in the capital are beautiful, but none are as lovely as this one,” the Eldest Princess Xiao Ming remarked with her hands resting on her lap as she walked. A thin white veil was draped over the water pavilion like a curtain, rising and falling gently with the breeze. She paced back to the stone table and took a sip of tea, smiling. “Enchanting, but not vulgar… elegant yet not too gaudy. It truly suits its owner.”

Her words praised both the garden and its hostess.

“If Aunt likes it, she’s welcome to stay here anytime,” Xiao Lan responded with sincere delight. “It will be livelier with you here.”

Her long lashes fluttered slightly in the sunlight, and her dark eyes sparkled like a shimmering autumn lake. Xiao Ming was briefly entranced by the beautiful garden as palace servants brought trays of delicate pastries and fruits.

“I would love that,” Xiao Ming teased, picking up a piece of fruit with a bamboo skewer and popping it into her mouth as a playful smile formed on her lips. “Though I’m afraid that if I stay too long, my nephew-in-law might get tired of seeing me in his home.” Her tone carried a mischievous hint that was laced with deeper meaning.

She had been widowed before the New Year and spent the better part of the year in the harsh conditions of Liang zhou before returning to the capital. As soon as she was able, she made the journey back to the imperial capital without delay. Her luggage was still en route and was expected to arrive the next day. Xiao Ming had always been bold and carefree, and in front of her niece, she spoke freely without restraint.

The cup in Xiao Lan’s hand stiffened for a moment before she slowly brought it to her lips and sipped in silence.

Noticing her niece’s sudden quietness, Xiao Ming immediately sensed that something was wrong since Xiao Lan had always been someone who wore her emotions on her sleeve.

Xiao Ming leaned closer, placing her hand gently on Xiao Lan’s knee. “How has he been treating you?”

There was a soft clink as the crystal cup was set back on the stone table.

Xiao Lan hesitated for a moment before replying. During that brief silence, Xiao Ming had already drawn her own conclusions. However, upon closer inspection, she realized the situation wasn’t that simple.

Most newlywed women, when asked about their husbands, would either blush with a shy smile, express frustration or helplessness, or reveal hints of resentment or sadness.

But Xiao Lan’s exquisite, peerless face was marked only by confusion and this left Xiao Ming completely baffled. She tightened her grip on Xiao Lan’s hand. “With your aunt here to support you, there’s nothing you can’t say.”

“Aunt, I’m just not sure how to explain it,” Xiao Lan sighed, her almond-shaped eyes meeting Xiao Ming’s for a long moment before she spoke again. “He leaves me feeling confused, frustrated, and… a bit unhappy.”

This only deepened Xiao Ming’s suspicions. “Take your time. Start from the beginning.”

Xiao Lan thought for a while before carefully choosing her words. “He treats me with utmost care and respect.”

“He remembers every little detail about my preferences—what I like to eat, how I sleep…everything. Even the monthly matters that most men shy away from…” Her voice dropped in embarrassment. “He personally washes any soiled garments or bed linens, and after that, he insists on rinsing them several times with hot water, saying it’s important for my health.”

Xiao Ming, having been caught up in the story, stood up and slapped the table in excitement. “What a thoughtful man!”

But seeing Xiao Lan hesitate, she cleared her throat and sat back down.

“He takes care of me with great attentiveness, but…” Xiao Lan trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

Her hesitation only made Xiao Ming more curious, desperate to get to the bottom of things. “You’re killing me with suspense! But what? Tell me!”

“Aunt, please don’t ask anymore,” Xiao Lan said, turning away from her aunt and sitting with her back to her as she mumbled, “He’s just… very courteous and very considerate.”

‘But there’s no intimacy between us’…Xiao Lan couldn’t tell her aunt her thoughts.

Xiao Ming had raised Xiao Lan after she lost both her parents at a young age. Knowing her niece well, Xiao Ming quickly pieced things together. She grabbed Xiao Lan’s shoulders, turning her body to face her. “Is it because you haven’t consummated the marriage yet?”

The autumn breeze stirred the lotus pond as the rippling water gently lapped against the pavilion and the white gauze curtain billowed like mist.

Xiao Lan bit her lip as her gaze lowered, avoiding Xiao Ming’s probing stare. Her small hands fidgeted restlessly in her lap. Her silent answer confirmed Xiao Ming’s suspicions. Xiao Ming got up and began pacing around the octagonal pavilion with her arms crossed, her mind deep in thought.

Xiao Lan watched her quietly, unsure of what to say.

“Could it be that he has another woman hidden away?” Xiao Ming had been married for twenty years and understood the nature of men all too well.

Xiao Lan’s husband, the Prince Consort, was considered a legend within the capital.

At the age of nine, he entered the Duke of Rong’s residence to study and was later adopted by the Duke of Rong, whose name is Qiu He, as his godson. At ten, he went to war, and at fifteen, he single-handedly stormed an enemy camp and captured their general. From that point onwards, his life had been filled with countless military achievements.

And their marriage had been hailed as a perfect match by the people in the capital.

But before the wedding, Xiao Lan suddenly fell ill and her face was scarred, leading many to speculate that the Prince Consort would find a way to annul the engagement. However, he went on to marry her as planned and this earned him the reputation of being an honorable man.

Xiao Lan had since recovered her beauty, yet her husband, a man in his prime, remained indifferent toward her… How was that possible? Unless…

“But he spends his days training in the barracks and returns to the palace every night. How could he have time to carry on an affair?” Xiao Ming asked.

Xiao Lan had her doubts too. And to get to the bottom of things, she had even investigated on her own, but found nothing.

In the past, Xiao Lan would have scoffed at the idea of caring so much about a man. But now, she found herself breaking her own principles for him.

She had clashed with the Prince Consort several times over this, but no matter how coldly she treated him, how sarcastic or confrontational she became, he still remained unfazed and never lost his temper. He continued treating her with the same unfailing courtesy and attentiveness.

It was as if her anger was met with nothing but a pillow of cotton—soft and yielding, offering no resistance to her outbursts. So of course, she would be upset with him.

“If a man wants to cheat, he’ll do anything to hide it. So obviously you won’t find out easily,” Xiao Ming declared as she moved on to a different topic. “From tonight onward, no matter what, you must have him sleep in the same bed as you. If he refuses, use your authority as a princess to command him.”

Faced with a beauty like Xiao Lan, how could any man resist? Unless… he was incapable?

“But…” Xiao Lan was too shy to take such a bold action. “Perhaps it’s better to let things happen naturally…”

“Foolish girl!” Xiao Ming tightened her grip on Xiao Lan’s hand. She didn’t voice her deeper concerns but instead said, “If the Prince Consort does have another woman, and they have a child, what will you do then? Just listen to me!”

If he can have children, fine. If not, then divorce him!

However…

Xiao Lan’s soft eyes suddenly gleamed with determination, like a magnolia blooming in the wind, steadfast and unafraid. Her voice was gentle but resolute: “If he dares to humiliate me like that, I’ll divorce him.”

Xiao Ming: “…”

Well, that works too.

—

As night deepened and the air grew colder, the wind stirred the fallen leaves, sending them spinning through the air before they settled once again with their surfaces frosted over like silver.

After dinner, Xiao Lan had some palace servants bring extra provisions to her aunt— a thick woolen cloak, charcoal to warm her room, silk beddings and yellow vine tea with jujube and ginger.

As the busy servants exited the palace one after another to carry out the Princess’ orders, Xiao Lan heard a few voices greeting someone, “Greetings, Prince Consort—”