The face of Princess Jiahe remained taut, but her eyes were no longer as fierce.
"The matter of framing Song Wanchu..."
Yu Huiyan shook her head repeatedly, her eyes full of innocent bewilderment. "Auntie, how could I possibly do something that would ruin someone's reputation?"
She looked at Princess Jiahe with teary eyes, looking innocent and aggrieved.
Princess Jiahe's heart softened all of a sudden.
"Good child, I knew it had nothing to do with you. Stop crying. You'll soon be Zhou'er's bride. We should all be happy!"
Yu Huiyan pouted and threw herself into Princess Jiahe's arms.
The heart that had been hanging high in her chest finally settled back down.
...
The highly anticipated martial arts examination was held spectacularly at the military training ground.
The Great Zhou Dynasty valued military generals and was particularly strict in selecting them. The martial arts examination was not just a test of martial arts skills. It also involved discussions on military strategies, writing of strategic treatises, and competitions in horseback archery.
The outstanding talents selected from the forty - eight states across the country gathered in the capital. Everyone was high - spirited and ambitious, wanting to achieve good results in the martial arts examination and bring glory to their ancestors.
The competition was intense from the very beginning.
In the past half - month, the Duke's Mansion had been receiving good news one after another.
"The Second Young Master's military strategy treatise was highly praised by the emperor and ranked first on the list."
"The Second Young Master's horseback archery skills are unparalleled in the world. He hits the target every time, and no one can match him!"
"The Second Young Master challenged the top masters from twenty - six states in a single day and remained undefeated."
...
Every time Liang Yuzhou won a victory, there would be one more piece of gorgeous embroidery on the wedding dress.
He was the big figure being hotly discussed in the streets and alleys, while Song Wanchu remained oblivious to all the outside world and buried herself in making the wedding dress.
She could have always remained calm.
The night before the final battle, Liang Yuzhou stayed in the Shuiyun Residence.
The wedding dress was already embroidered. A pair of lovebirds was outlined with colorful silk threads, their wings outstretched as if flying, their necks intertwined, looking loving and affectionate.
Song Wanchu put away her needle. Liang Yuzhou ran his fingers over the vivid embroidery and whispered in her ear, "It will definitely look beautiful when worn."
"I'm glad the Second Young Master likes it." Song Wanchu's expression was calm. "I'm sure Miss Yu will look radiant in it."
She looked down at her one - month - long hard work. Maybe because she had been embroidering for too long, her eye sockets were extremely sore.
Three years ago, she had also worn a wedding dress and married the man she had secretly loved for six years. She was nervous and excited, full of expectations for a harmonious married life with him.
But what had Liang Yuzhou given her?
The most important day of her life had become the most humiliating nightmare.
And now, Liang Yuzhou could finally marry the person he wanted.
She thought she had already let go and no longer cared about him. But when Liang Yuzhou picked up the wedding dress, the admiration and longing in his eyes still deeply hurt her heart.
She turned around and gently wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye. Her eyes gradually became calm.
Liang Yuzhou wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and his hot breath fanned against her ear.
His warmth and her coldness were like ice and fire.
"Tomorrow is the final. Don't you want to go and watch?"
The military training ground had seats that could accommodate nearly a thousand people. The noble families, especially those with unmarried daughters, would go to the competition venue every day to watch.
Watching the excitement was secondary. The most important thing was to choose excellent husbands for their daughters.
There were also many people cheering for their sons.
Song Wanchu no longer cared about Liang Yuzhou.
"It's crowded and noisy. I don't want to go."
She had heard that Yu Huiyan would always fight for the front - row seat every day. His future bride would cheer for him. Why should she, an insignificant concubine, go and make a fool of herself?
She had endured enough ridicule in the past three years.
"I've already reserved a quiet and good seat for you. The emperor will attend the final tomorrow. Your presence is very important to me."
His tone was low and gentle, but there was an irresistible dominance in it.
Song Wanchu's eyes were covered with mist, and her broken heart was bleeding.
Liang Yuzhou, how cruel you are!
She had already stepped back again and again, but he wanted her to witness his and Yu Huiyan's glorious moment!
Liang Yuzhou's embrace was warm, but Song Wanchu felt as if her whole body was immersed in ice water.
She choked back her sobs and forced a smile. Under the candlelight, her face was cold and stunning.
"I'll go to congratulate the Second Young Master."
Liang Yuzhou planted a series of kisses on the back of her neck and hooked his lips in satisfaction.
The next day, Qiao Ying came early to invite Song Wanchu.
The old lady was also going to the military training ground to watch Liang Yuzhou's final battle and invited Song Wanchu to share the carriage with her.
At the gate of the Duke's Mansion, Yu Huiyan was about to get into the carriage with Princess Jiahe.
She was wearing a bright red brocade dress and a phoenix hairpin. She looked like the mistress of the family, and her face was full of unhidden pride.
"Sister Wanchu is also going to watch the competition? Cousin has arranged a good seat for me. You can sit with me."
She spoke to Song Wanchu amicably, as if there had never been any unpleasantness between them.
"No, thank you, Miss Yu." Song Wanchu smiled faintly.
"Why be so polite? After today, we'll be family. It would be too formal for you to still call me Miss Yu. You might as well call me sister."
Hearing this, Princess Jiahe felt a bit uncomfortable for no reason.
She pulled Yu Huiyan into the carriage. Along the way, Yu Huiyan was in a great mood, while Princess Jiahe was unusually silent.
She clearly hoped that Huiyan would become Zhou'er's wife, and today was the day when Zhou'er would ask the emperor for the imperial edict of marriage.
But for some reason, Song Wanchu's face kept appearing in her mind.
A voice deep in her heart kept questioning her, "Song Wanchu is the one who saved your son's life. Without that bowl of her heart's blood, your son would not have achieved what he has today. Is it fair for you to treat Song Wanchu like this?"
"Auntie, Auntie?"
Yu Huiyan's voice seemed to come from afar. Princess Jiahe was in a daze for a long time before she regained her senses.
"What did you just say?"
Yu Huiyan thought Princess Jiahe was acting very strangely. Her son was about to win the title of the martial champion. The most excited and happy one should be her as the mother.
But she seemed absent - minded.
"I said that I should thank Sister Wanchu well. She embroidered my wedding dress stitch by stitch."
Princess Jiahe's heart twitched as if stabbed, and it ached faintly.
It should have been Song Wanchu who was promoted to the main wife, but now she was making a wedding dress for Huiyan.
Was it really fair for Song Wanchu that Zhou'er was going to marry Huiyan?
Princess Jiahe felt a tightness in her chest.
When they entered the military training ground, the Crown Prince's sedan chair also arrived.
Everyone knelt down to welcome him.
The Crown Prince was approachable. He got off the sedan chair and walked on foot. When he walked in front of the old lady, he even stopped to pay his respects.
Today he was wearing a long black robe. The five - clawed dragon on the robe had shining eyes, as if it were alive, coiling around his body, making him look majestic and extremely noble.
Song Wanchu kept her head down all the time.
The Crown Prince's gaze casually swept across her face.
She had lost weight, and her eyes were even more dull.
Today he had prepared two plans.
Either way, he could rescue Wanchu from her difficult situation.
When accompanying the old lady into the venue, whispers reached Song Wanchu's ears.
"Who is competing with Young Master Liang for the title of the martial champion today?"
"It seems to be the candidate recommended by the Crown Prince. I heard he is the adopted son of the late General Song. His name is Shi Luohan!"
Song Wanchu's body suddenly stiffened.