Chapter 5: Reputation

With a sharp announcement, the doors of the Hall of Mental Cultivation swung open. The Empress Dowager entered with a cold face, her every step seething with anger.

The Emperor rose, supported by Chief Eunuch Guo, and descended from the imperial steps. “Mother.”

Shen Xingwan and Yan Jinghuan also saluted.

The Empress Dowager halted, her phoenix-like eyes lifting slightly. “Does the Emperor still remember that he has a mother like me?”

The Emperor chuckled bitterly and coughed a few times. “Mother jests. Of course, I remember.”

The Empress Dowager sighed, revealing a sorrowful expression as she walked over and gently patted the Emperor’s back. “I know very well that I am not your birth mother, but the sincerity with which I have treated you, you must surely know.”

“Of course, I understand. Your son knows it well.”

Shen Xingwan’s heart sank. This was not a good sign.

Back when the throne was contested, the current Emperor of Wei was merely an unfavored little prince born of a palace maid. The Empress at that time had been childless for years. When the power struggle ensued, the Empress took the little prince under her name, using her powerful maternal clan to help him seize the throne. In return, the Emperor had to ensure the Empress Dowager’s clan remained ennobled for generations.

Now, by bringing up this past favor, she clearly intended to use it to threaten the Emperor once more.

As expected, the Empress Dowager dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief, her gaze sweeping toward Shen Xingwan, who was kneeling on the ground.

“I’ve heard that the Shen family refused the imperial marriage decree, defying royal authority. Such defiance should be punished by death.”

“But…” she suddenly changed her tone, looking at the Emperor. “Zilin, that child, truly loves her dearly. He has already come to plead with me. Since no others know of this matter, in my view, if Shen accepts the decree now, we can spare her punishment.”

A chill shot up Shen Xingwan’s spine, biting into the back of her neck. Her teeth clenched tight, and she couldn’t help but lift her gaze.

The Empress Dowager was staring intently at the Emperor, pressing him to make an immediate decision despite his continual coughing fits.

Shen Xingwan shifted her gaze to Yan Jinghuan, only to see him standing there calmly, as if nothing concerned him, watching her with idle amusement. When their eyes met, he even curved his lips into a smile.

His eyes were clear and composed as he silently mouthed to her: “It’s fine, don’t be afraid.”

Shen Xingwan lowered her eyes. Strangely, her panic subsided somewhat.

The stalemate dragged on, so quiet that even a pin drop would be heard in the grand hall.

“This matter is not as simple as Mother suggests,” the Emperor finally sighed and spoke. “The Regent Prince Yan Jinghuan and Lady Shen are mutually in love. Just now, I have already bestowed marriage upon them.”

“Absurd!” the Empress Dowager immediately scolded. “How can one woman marry two men? The imperial marriage decree has already granted her to Zilin. How can she be given to another?!”

The Emperor was seized by a violent coughing fit, so severe that he struggled to breathe. Chief Eunuch Guo quickly dispatched someone to summon the imperial physician.

Yet the Empress Dowager refused to relent. “An imperial decree is no trifling matter. What position does that leave Zilin in?”

The Emperor’s face turned a dark liver color from the coughing, gasping out, “Mother, rest assured. The decree states the daughter of Shen Zishan, but it does not specify Shen Xingwan by name.”

“But everyone knows that Prime Minister Shen has only one legitimate daughter,” the Empress Dowager frowned.

“No matter,” the Emperor pressed his forehead. “He can acknowledge another as his adopted daughter.”

“…”

For a moment, the Empress Dowager was speechless. “A meticulously raised legitimate daughter of the Shen family cannot simply be replaced by anyone else…”

The Emperor’s coughing worsened, nearly rendering him unconscious. A small eunuch led the imperial physicians into the hall. Seeing the Emperor’s condition, they immediately knelt by his side and began administering acupuncture treatment.

The Empress Dowager wanted to say more but seeing the Emperor’s dire state, she covered her nose with a handkerchief. “Enough. The Emperor’s health takes precedence. This matter will be set aside for now and reconsidered later.”

After instructing the imperial physicians and giving Shen Xingwan a fierce glare, the Empress Dowager departed for the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility.

The imperial physicians surrounded the Emperor, busy with treatment. From beginning to end, no one called Shen Xingwan to rise. She could only remain kneeling on the cold, hard golden brick floor, pondering her current predicament.

A pair of black cloud-patterned boots stopped before her eyes. Shen Xingwan looked up. Coiled on the sea-patterned embroidery was a fierce golden python. Above it was Yan Jinghuan’s noble and cool face.

He bent down, his slender fingers lifting her by the elbows. “Get up.”

The Emperor had not yet granted permission to rise. Shen Xingwan looked nervously in the Emperor’s direction.

Yan Jinghuan gently pulled her to her feet, supporting her waist to steady her, and said in a clear voice to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, please take care of your health. Xingwan and I shall take our leave.”

The Emperor raised his hand, indicating his consent.

But just as they were about to turn and leave, the Emperor suddenly called Yan Jinghuan back. Yan Jinghuan turned his head, meeting the Emperor’s deep gaze.

He gave a slight nod, and only then did the Emperor slowly close his eyes, allowing the physicians to continue their treatment.

Though no words were exchanged, Shen Xingwan keenly sensed that some sort of agreement had been reached between them.

As soon as they exited the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Shen Xingwan’s legs gave out, and she nearly collapsed.

Yan Jinghuan swiftly caught her by the waist, chuckling. “What, is this all the courage you have? Where’s the boldness you had when you came to my manor banging on my door?”

Shen Xingwan flushed with embarrassment, her face reddening as she reached for the nearby white jade railing for support. “I’ve been kneeling so long my legs are numb. I apologize.”

Yan Jinghuan’s mocking smile faded. He steadied her and softened his tone slightly. “Shall I carry you?”

“No, no.” Shen Xingwan waved her hands frantically. She dared not behave so improperly in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

She clenched her fists and lightly knocked her legs. “Just give me a moment to stand. Once the blood circulates, I’ll be fine.”

Yan Jinghuan lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her slightly trembling legs. Without warning, he slipped his arm around her shoulders, bent down, and scooped her up by the knees, carrying her horizontally.

A startled cry escaped her lips. Shen Xingwan’s face burned as she pushed at him. “What are you doing? So many people are watching. Put me down at once.”

Yan Jinghuan ignored her protests, easily capturing her hand and holding her against his chest as he strode forward.

“So delicate, your legs go weak from a little kneeling. If you fall flat on your face walking on your own, wouldn’t that be even more laughable?”

His reasoning was so sound that she found herself unable to refute him.

Given the situation, it couldn’t get much worse. Shen Xingwan shut her mouth, praying they could quickly leave the palace and return home.

“Miss Shen!”

Before they could reach the palace path, a figure approached from under the distant palace wall.

Shen Xingwan focused her gaze and recognized the Third Prince, Wei Zilin, his face filled with anger.

He waved away his attendants and strode towards them in a few steps, his sharp eyes locking onto Shen Xingwan, who was cradled in Yan Jinghuan’s arms.

Instinctively, Shen Xingwan tried to struggle free, but Yan Jinghuan tightened his hold, keeping her firmly encircled.

“Let go of her.”

Wei Zilin gritted his teeth. “The Emperor has already bestowed a marriage between me and Miss Shen. Prince Regent, please do not tarnish the reputation of my fiancée.”

That voice was carried by the chilly wind into Shen Xingwan’s ears, sounding particularly desolate and piercing.

Unable to bear it any longer, she retorted, “I must ask the Third Prince to mind his manners. I have not yet received such an imperial edict. As for the title of the Third Prince’s fiancée, I do not have the honor to accept it.”

Yan Jinghuan curved his lips into a smile, raised an eyebrow, and looked at the Third Prince with an expression that seemed to say, “Did you hear that?”

“Do you not know that defying an imperial edict is a capital offense?!”

Wei Zilin’s face turned from blue to red as he took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. He softened his tone, saying, “Shen Xingwan, come here. I’ll take you to plead with Father. If you obediently accept the decree, Father may yet show you mercy.”

“There’s no need.” Yan Jinghuan spoke up. “His Majesty has already granted marriage between me and Xingwan. Our wedding will take place soon. Third Prince, you may simply attend to enjoy a cup of wedding wine then.”

“Impossible!”

Wei Zilin’s pupils trembled, unable to conceal his loss of composure. He looked towards Shen Xingwan. “Shen Xingwan, come here!”

Shen Xingwan lowered her gaze and buried her face in Yan Jinghuan’s chest. Her arms circled his neck, answering Wei Zilin with her actions.

“Shen Xingwan!”

Wei Zilin was furious, reaching out to pull her away. Yan Jinghuan’s expression turned cold as he sidestepped to avoid his hand.

Wei Zilin grasped at thin air. Just as he was about to erupt, he turned his head and saw Yan Jinghuan’s cold expression, suddenly realizing his own loss of control.

He had always hidden his emotions well, never revealing joy or anger.

Yet, for some reason, today he had lost his composure to this extent.

Yan Jinghuan said coldly, “Shen Xingwan is the personal name of this Prince’s fiancée. I must ask the Third Prince not to address her so directly in the future, lest it harm her reputation.”

Such sharp and cutting words made even Shen Xingwan click her tongue inwardly at his pettiness.

Wei Zilin’s outstretched hand fell powerlessly to his side, gradually clenching into a fist.

Yan Jinghuan withdrew his gaze, held Shen Xingwan tighter, and strode toward the palace gates.

All the way, Yan Jinghuan carried Shen Xingwan into the carriage, gently placing her onto the cushioned seat.

His carriage was luxurious and spacious. As soon as she regained her freedom, Shen Xingwan hurriedly adjusted her clothes and shifted aside to maintain distance from him.

Her small movements did not escape Yan Jinghuan’s eyes. He merely let out a soft laugh and sat down beside her.

Throughout the journey, Shen Xingwan was troubled, racking her brain on how to explain her situation to him—that all her actions were nothing more than desperate measures to save her own life.

While she was lost in thought, Yan Jinghuan did not bother her. He sat upright with his eyes closed, resting, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

The horses galloped swiftly, and by the time the carriage stopped in front of the Prime Minister’s residence, Shen Xingwan still hadn’t figured out how to phrase her words. She could only stammer out, “Well… those things I did earlier were really out of necessity. Could you… could you not overthink it?”

“Mm, I won’t overthink.” Yan Jinghuan still didn’t open his eyes. “Tomorrow, I’ll send the betrothal gifts.”

“You…”

Shen Xingwan was about to explain that he had misunderstood her, but Yan Jinghuan suddenly opened his eyes. His long phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her.

That gaze was hard to decipher, but it sent a chill down Shen Xingwan’s spine, rendering her speechless.

“I… I’ll go back now.”

She timidly got up to leave, but Yan Jinghuan reached out and grabbed her wrist.

As she was about to break free, something hard was pressed into her palm.

Yan Jinghuan let go of her hand. Shen Xingwan looked down and saw a delicate, round golden token resting in her fair palm.

The token was exquisitely crafted, with a ring of carved thunder patterns around its edge. At its center was a spread-winged swallow. Flipping it over, she saw the engraved character “Huan” on the back.

Shen Xingwan looked at Yan Jinghuan. “This is…”

Yan Jinghuan leaned back lazily onto the cushion.

“In the future, when you come to the Prince Regent’s Manor, stop pounding on the door.”

Shen Xingwan was overwhelmed with shame and anger, yet she had no way to refute him. She could only purse her lips, grip the token tightly, push open the carriage door, and run back into the Prime Minister’s residence.

Hurrying back, Shen Xingwan rushed to see her mother, only to find that both her parents’ eyes were already red. Madam Shen had clearly been crying for a long time, her beautiful eyes swollen like rotten peaches.

Prime Minister Shen sat beside Madam Shen. When he saw Shen Xingwan return, he couldn’t help but scold her for being willful and reckless, worrying her mother so.

It turned out that after Shen Xingwan rode out of the residence, Prime Minister Shen had also written a letter of resignation, intending to enter the palace to resign from his post. However, he had not been granted an audience with the Emperor. Later, upon hearing that Shen Xingwan had been taken to the Hall of Mental Cultivation by the Prince Regent, he feared the worst and was deeply worried.

Had there been no news from her, even her elder brother might have rushed back to the capital overnight to plead for her.

Unable to hold back any longer, Shen Xingwan burst into tears, weeping as she briefly recounted the recent events, omitting the political strife and focusing only on the crucial parts for her parents to understand.

Seeing that their daughter’s life was not in immediate danger, Madam Shen finally stopped crying.

“To recognize a righteous daughter… Where could we quickly find a suitable and well-bred girl of the right age to be a prince’s consort?”

Prime Minister Shen stroked his beard, pondering for a moment, before saying with some difficulty, “Perhaps I should write to your uncles and have them select a few eligible young ladies from the clan…”

“Madam, please don’t cry anymore, you’ll harm your eyes.” The door was suddenly pushed open lightly as Tang Lin’er entered, carrying a tray with a steaming bowl of soup.

“Lin’er has prepared longan and red date soup for you. It’s best for replenishing qi and blood and protecting your eyes. Please have some, Madam.”