The second day of the twelfth lunar month was a bustling day.
The betrothal gifts sent in great haste from Xiliang had arrived in the capital city. The procession of gift - bearers stretched for miles. Such a joyous and spectacular sight caused a great stir among the city's residents, who rushed out to watch.
Wei Dongling was leaning against the wooden window on the second floor of Yaoguang Pavilion, basking in the sun. The lake breeze blowing in from outside fluttered the delicate hem of her skirt.
La Mei saw the reddened rims of the Fifth Princess's eyes. Afraid that she might catch a cold, she quickly stepped forward to drape a cloak over her and asked softly, "Fifth Princess, it's very lively in the palace today. Let's go out and have a look?"
Wei Dongling absent - mindedly shook her head. She stared blankly at the withered yellow reed stalks on the opposite bank.
La Mei knew that although the Fifth Princess had seemingly accepted this marriage, she was actually very sad. During these days confined in Yaoguang Pavilion, she had not put on any makeup and had not worn any ornaments. Before going to bed, she no longer counted her silver. The simple jade bracelet that the Fifth Princess had always worn was nowhere to be found. She never even touched the jewelry and jade in the bed drawer anymore.
Most of the time, the Fifth Princess just sat expressionlessly, quietly looking out of the window, as still as a statue.
La Mei was secretly worried but could do nothing. Even Lady Ruan had failed to cheer up the Fifth Princess, let alone a servant like her.
Yue E rushed in from downstairs to report that Concubine Shu had come to visit.
Which Concubine Shu?
Wei Dongling looked at La Mei in confusion. La Mei coughed lightly and explained, "After you spoke up for Lady Shu in front of the Emperor last time, the Emperor immediately restored her rank. For several consecutive nights, he even stayed in her courtyard. This morning when he left her courtyard, the Emperor directly announced that he would confer the title of concubine on her and grant her a main palace. Speaking of which, this Concubine Shu really turned misfortune into fortune!" Concubine Shu's promotion had made all the concubines in the harem extremely jealous.
But the name of her title somehow sounded like a sanitary napkin.
Wei Dongling waved her hand and told Yue E to invite Concubine Shu up.
Concubine Shu was neatly dressed. The jade rings and gold hairpins on her head swayed gracefully with her brisk steps. As she stepped into the room and saw Wei Dongling's pale smile, she said with concern, "Has the Fifth Princess's injury improved recently?"
Wei Dongling lowered her head and smiled faintly, "Thank you, Concubine Shu, for your concern. My injury has improved a lot. Speaking of which, it's my fault for being too hasty. I haven't had the chance to congratulate Concubine Shu on her promotion."
"I know it was you who spoke up for me in front of the Emperor that I got the current favor. It would be too formal to say congratulations between you and me." Concubine Shu waved her hand, signaling everyone to retreat.
Seeing La Mei and Yue E retreat and Chun Juan standing guard outside the door, Concubine Shu stepped forward and grabbed Wei Dongling's hand. She whispered, "He pleaded with me. He said he wanted to see you."
Wei Dongling naturally knew who "he" Concubine Shu was referring to.
Wei Dongling lowered her eyes and looked at Concubine Shu's slender hand. She said calmly with a smile, "Concubine Shu, I'm already the betrothed princess consort of the Xiliang Prince. With the wedding approaching, how can I disregard etiquette and meet an outside man?"
Concubine Shu was taken aback. She took out a letter from her robe and sighed softly, "He asked me to give this to you. He wants to see you and explain things clearly."
Wei Dongling took the letter and casually threw it into the charcoal brazier beside her. Without even opening it, the envelope immediately caught fire. In a short while, it turned into ashes and disappeared into the charcoal ash.
Concubine Shu stared at Wei Dongling's actions in shock and was speechless for a long time.
Wei Dongling took Concubine Shu's hand and said with a gentle smile, "I'm grateful to Concubine Shu for bravely saving me before. I'm so lucky to have a friend like you!"
Concubine Shu was deeply touched by Wei Dongling's sincere expression.
Wei Dongling said firmly, "But please, Concubine Shu, for the sake of our friendship, don't mention anything else. There are some people and some things that I never want to be entangled with in this lifetime. Please understand. For my own good, don't mention it again in the future." You don't have to risk your life to deliver letters for me anymore. I'm even too lazy to open them now.
Hearing this, Concubine Shu trembled slightly. She wanted to say something more but finally held back.
The melancholy in Young Master Yu's letter was obvious. He begged in every way just to see the Fifth Princess one more time. But the Fifth Princess's attitude was so firm. If she mentioned this matter again, she was afraid that it would only make them grow apart.
These two people clearly loved each other so much, but now they had ended up like this. It was really the work of fate.
Concubine Shu hesitated for a moment but finally nodded to show her understanding. After bowing, she gently retreated. This bow was to thank Wei Dongling for speaking well of her in front of the Emperor, which made her days in this lonely harem a little easier.
The cold wind from outside blew in, making the flames in the charcoal brazier burn more vigorously. Wei Dongling stared at the flames for a long time. She felt that the wind was especially cold, so cold that it almost blocked her nose. Wei Dongling sighed softly and stepped forward to close the wooden window.
At night, in a half - asleep and half - awake state, she suddenly felt someone standing beside her, staring at her. The intense gaze made her feel uncomfortable all over.
Wei Dongling sobbed softly in a nightmare. Lady Ruan beside her woke up with a start and hugged her tightly. After patting and comforting her for a long time, she finally fell into a drowsy sleep.
Lady Ruan sighed softly. The girl clearly couldn't let go, but she still forced herself not to think about it. And in the middle of the night, she cried so sadly.
This made Lady Ruan both heart - broken and helpless. She could only watch the girl suffer helplessly, unable to do anything to help.
When Wei Dongling woke up during the day and saw the wet pillow, she didn't ask anything.
She understood very clearly in her heart that marrying the Xiliang Prince wasn't a bad thing. She could leave this annoying palace and protect Shangguan Yun for a while. It was a win - win situation.
As for that disgusting Xiliang Prince, his intention to marry her was for other purposes. He had long colluded with the Tenth Prince, Murong Yunqian. They had disliked her for a long time. The so - called alliance through marriage was just an excuse to get rid of her and then take the opportunity to retaliate.
She thought that marrying into Xiliang would be a long and difficult journey.
But so what? Outside the palace, uncles like Jing Zhe and Cheng Hao would protect her. If Li Mingyang really wanted to fight with her to the end, it was still uncertain who would win. Besides, she didn't mind becoming a widow at all.
Looking at the Tenth Prince, with Xiliang as his backer, he seemed determined to win the throne. Let them fight among themselves! Anyway, Wei Dongling had seen clearly that her so - called father didn't intend to protect her at all. Instead, he whole - heartedly protected the ambitious Murong Yunqian.
Since it was the will of heaven, what could she do? It would be better to just leave. She could travel around with her uncles, eat barbecues and sell milk tea when she was free. It would be a carefree life.
As for that person, whether he was alive or dead had nothing to do with her. Whether he grew old with Qi Jinxuan or had a hundred descendants, it was none of her business. Never seeing each other again in this lifetime was the best ending.