There was a soft crash in the courtyard—something had been knocked over.
Qi Jinxuan and Yu Zixi both looked up to see Wei Dongling standing there, tearful and dazed, a shattered flowerpot at her feet.
Yu Zixi stiffened for a moment at the sight of her, then moved to go to her side. Qi Jinxuan laid a cool hand on his shoulder, stopping him. She cast a half-smile at Wei Dongling and laughed lightly. “Oh? If it isn’t Her Highness the Fifth Princess. I’d have thought being a princess would teach you some manners. You come and go through the inner courtyard as you please, never thinking of the household you intrude upon.”
Wei Dongling ignored the thinly veiled mockery and looked straight at Yu Zixi. Her voice trembled. “Is everything they said true? Are you abandoning me? You’re going to marry someone else?”
Yu Zixi’s face shifted. He took a step forward to explain, but Qi Jinxuan suddenly wrapped her arm around his, holding him in place. He slipped out of her hold without showing it, lowering his voice. “Dongling, let me say two words and I’ll come right back to you.”
Qi Jinxuan didn’t make things hard for him. She squeezed his hand and smiled sweetly. “Very well, husband. I’ll be waiting.”
“‘Husband’.” The single word exploded in Wei Dongling’s ears like a physical blow. She froze, breath caught in her throat.
Yu Zixi’s eyes darkened; he swallowed down his anger and nodded once. Then he walked toward Wei Dongling.
Seeing him approach, her composure shattered. A few days ago they had clung to each other, vowing never to part. Now, in the space of a breath, he stood in another woman’s shadow—and that woman was Qi Jinxuan. It felt worse than a knife.
Yu Zixi stopped a few steps away. “Dongling, don’t cry. Seeing you like this breaks my heart.”
Wei Dongling wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and asked, voice strangled, “Tell me plainly—are you really going to marry Miss Qi?”
His face closed off. He clenched his fists and would not speak until finally, quietly, he nodded. “Yes.”
Tears welled so fiercely she could hardly see. “And me? You promised we’d run away together—was that a lie?”
Yu Zixi drew in a breath so deep his chest rose visibly. His eyes were raw. “It wasn’t a lie. I meant it—I wanted to take you away. But you’re a princess of the Imperial Court now. How could I ask you to throw that away for me?”
“You don’t know whether I’m willing,” she cried. “You don’t know whether I care for jewelry or rank. Yes, I love pretty things; I admit it. But without you, what good are they?”
His eyes reddened. He ground his teeth. “I can’t protect you. Even as a princess, you’re stabbed at by enemies both open and hidden. I watch them wound you and feel useless. Only by sitting in that seat can I keep you safe. Please, Dongling—wait a little longer. I swear I will avenge every wound done to you.”
“You want me to wait?” she asked, choking on the words. “In ten days I’m being sent to marry into Xiliang. Even if I refuse, what about her? Must I stand by and watch you take her as your wife? Watch you bow and be joined in marriage?” Her finger jabbed toward Qi Jinxuan; tears blurred her sight.
Qi Jinxuan, swollen belly sticking out, glided over and took Yu Zixi’s hand. She smiled and said softly, “Dongling, don’t push him. My father has agreed to help me. Mr. Yu has promised me the position of Empress.”
Wei Dongling’s jaw dropped. That belly—was it already four months along? Yu Zixi hadn’t touched her in all that time; had he been involved with Qi Jinxuan this whole while? Pregnant—was he the father? The thought knifed through her.
“Is that true?” she demanded, staring at Qi Jinxuan’s abdomen.
Yu Zixi swallowed. His Adam’s apple worked as he answered with difficulty, “Yes. I promised my teacher, and I promised her. But Dongling—aside from the title, I’d give you anything you want.”
Her legs went weak. The world lurched. She turned and started to leave, hollowed out.
He grabbed her arm, desperate. “Dongling—don’t you understand? I’d give you everything— even my life—”
She whirled on him and slapped him with all the force she had. He hadn’t seen it coming. The blow landed full on his cheek; he reeled.
Blood rushed to Wei Dongling’s eyes. She glared at him, voice cracking with fury. “Keep it. I wish you both a long and happy marriage—may you have a house full of children.” She spat the words and turned away without looking back.
Yu Zixi sprang up to follow, but Qi Jinxuan clung to him. Her other hand pressed theatrically to her abdomen. “Husband…are you all right? Does it hurt?” she cooed, then cast a scornful look at Wei Dongling. “How could she treat you like that…”
Wei Dongling felt as if her chest had been crushed. Hearing Qi Jinxuan’s soft honeyed tones pushed her over the edge. Her knees buckled and she sank, unable to hold herself up.
Yu Zixi tried to break free and rush to her, but Nanny Ruan stepped between them, cutting him off. “Do me a favor and never show your face to my girl again,” she said coldly. “If I see you here, I’ll beat you every time.” With that she scooped Wei Dongling up and carried her away.
Yu Zixi watched them go, frantic to explain, to call her back. Qi Jinxuan gripped his sleeve and would not let go. “Husband…my belly— it hurts so much.” She pitched her voice into a plaintive whine and pretended to sway.
Yu Zixi hesitated, torn. He moved with a quick, practiced gentleness and caught her as she fell, lifting her into his arms. “Are you all right? Do I need to fetch a doctor?” he asked, panic making him clumsy.
Qi Jinxuan pressed her head to his shoulder and murmured, “It’s nothing. Just help me inside to rest.”
He glanced after Nanny Ruan and the retreating figure of Wei Dongling, then into the face of the woman in his arms. There was no choice. He set his jaw and carried Qi Jinxuan back into the house.
As they disappeared through the doorway, Qi Jinxuan rested against his shoulder and watched the courtyard where Wei Dongling had been. A thin, cold smile curved her lips.