Chapter 6

The moment was filled with a sudden shift from tranquility to urgency.

"Meizi, what should we do?" Terrified, Xiang Er clung to Chen Shi Mei, casting worried glances at the man in white outside. "If Lord Wang sees this, he might misunderstand..."

Chen Shi Mei frowned, aware of the potential misinterpretation. It indeed looked incriminating - her leading General Wang with a carriage full of belongings, seemingly eloping with a man in white.

How could she possibly clear this up? The situation seemed hopeless.

Pondering her options, Chen Shi Mei felt increasingly anxious, realizing the gravity of the misunderstanding due to her youth.

As she fretted, the man in white outside suddenly said, "Run."

Startled, Chen Shi Mei watched as he deftly steered his horse around and dashed back towards Lord Wang's approaching cavalry.

The men blocking the road spurred their horses into pursuit, shouting, "Don’t run!"

One woman questioned, "What about the carriage?"

"Yeah, let's see the beauty inside!" another burly man added.

"Idiots!" the leader snapped, frustrated. "Getting the Buddha statue back is our priority. Do you really want to provoke Bai She?"

The men reluctantly fell silent and pursued Bai She.

"Meizi?" Xiang Er looked at Chen Shi Mei.

Shi Mei pulled back the curtain to glance behind. She saw the cavalry galloping away, bit her lip, and then turned to Xiao Xi Zi, saying, "Xiao Xi Zi..."

Before Chen Shi Mei could speak, Xiao Xi Zi already lashed the horses with his whip. The horses neighed and bolted forward, racing towards the imperial palace.

Soon, the carriage took several turns and headed straight for the grand gates of the palace.

"Are we safe now?" Xiang Er leaned out of the carriage window to look back and, seeing no pursuers, asked Chen Shi Mei.

Chen Shi Mei nodded as the palace guards approached the gate.

Lifting the curtain, Chen Shi Mei presented the Empress Dowager's golden token. She was accustomed to entering the palace, so naturally, the guards let her pass without hindrance.

Once inside the palace, the familiar creaking sounds around them made Chen Shi Mei and Xiang Er relax.

They exchanged glances, and Xiang Er asked, "Meizi, will that handsome young man be alright?"

After pondering for a moment, Shi Mei shook her head.

Xiang Er also nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I think he will be fine."

Chen Shi Mei patted her head, whispering, "He was really calm. I panicked and didn't know what to do."

"He's definitely stronger than the Prince," Xiang Er asserted confidently. "He’s better than the Prince."

"Is the Prince skilled in martial arts?" Shi Mei inquired.

"He's decent, reputed to be accomplished in both literary and martial skills," Xiang Er replied nonchalantly. "But still, a profligate son, no matter how talented, often lacks substantial achievements."

Shi Mei chuckled but her mind was still occupied with thoughts of the man in white. She felt somewhat guilty for leaving him behind, yet staying there would have only caused more trouble.

After getting out of the carriage, Shi Mei dispatched two guards to survey the road while she went to see the Empress Dowager and was accommodated in her quarters. The guards soon returned, reporting that the street was empty and nothing unusual was found.

"Were there any signs of blood?" Chen Shi Mei's primary concern was potential fatalities.

The guards shook their heads in confusion, "No, the entire street is clean."

Only then did Chen Shi Mei and Xiang Er truly relax and settle down to sleep peacefully.

The next day, as the Emperor was about to speak at the morning court, he saw General Wang step forward and present a memorial.

Upon opening the memorial, the Emperor looked at him in slight surprise, "General Wang... you want to annul the marriage between Wang Zanyue and the Fourth Prince?"

"Yes," General Wang said, "My daughter is young and naïve, often upsetting the lord in the mansion and getting beaten... I only have this daughter, and seeing her bruised and battered, I cannot bear it."

His words caused an uproar among the ministers, who looked at Qin Xianglian in shock, thinking that the Fourth Prince was too harsh. To lay hands on someone of Wang Zanyue's status?

The Emperor thought for a moment and seizing the opportunity, said, "Fourth Prince, last night the princess also returned to the Empress Dowager's palace in tears, complaining that the lord was heartless and rash, beating his wife without discerning right from wrong, and also wanted to divorce. I have been troubled by this matter."

The ministers looked at each other in disbelief, even the princess was beaten by Qin Xianglian?!

Qin Xianglian looked up at the Emperor on the dragon throne, realizing he was at a disadvantage. After General Wang insisted on taking Wang Zanyue back to the mansion last night, he went to Chen Shimei's courtyard. Upon entering, he found that her clothes and belongings were gone. He immediately pursued, but was blocked by a group of martial artists fighting on the road. The man in white was incredibly skilled, and by the time he and his men detoured to the palace gates, Chen Shimei had already entered the palace... He had thought that Chen Shimei was merely staying at the Empress Dowager's for a few days out of anger, but he had not expected her to seek a divorce.

A divorce? Qin Xianglian felt an ironic urge to laugh. The two women who once clung to him as if their lives depended on it now wanted a divorce? When he had previously mentioned divorce, Chen Shimei would threaten suicide. Could it be that after surviving the ruins, she truly had a change of heart?

However, Qin Xianglian had little affection for these women to begin with. It was a pity about Wang Zanyue, as it also offended General Wang, but it was not a big deal. As for Chen Shimei... although she had become somewhat strange these days, he had always loathed her, so he was willing to agree to the divorce. Although at a disadvantage, Qin Xianglian was not foolish. He bowed to the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, this is all because I favored the other two and neglected the princess and General's daughter. Since both wish to divorce, I can only accept it."

The senior officials exchanged glances, understanding the situation. It turned out to be jealousy! Speaking of which, jealousy is one of the seven grounds for divorce. For a man like Qin Xianglian, having multiple wives and concubines was common, and as the principal wife, the princess should have shown some magnanimity. How could she be so petty?

Everyone tacitly understood, and after a few days, the story spread. The rumor was not that Qin Xianglian was harsh and beat his wives, but that Chen Shimei and Wang Zanyue were jealous. Since their high status prevented him from divorcing them, the Fourth Prince had to annul the marriages instead.

……

"So infuriating!"

In the palace, Xiaoxiang was visibly upset and said to Shimei, "Meizi Sister, why does everyone speak ill of you as if you're a jealous and petty woman?"

Shimei smiled, "Are the ones spreading rumors all men? That's typical."

"Many women say the same," Xiaoxiang said with some distress, "I even got into a fight with a maid in the palace today. They all gossip about you behind your back."

Chen Shimei pulled her closer and asked, "You got into a fight? Are you hurt?"

"No," Xiaoxiang puffed her chest, "When I was young, I used to fight with stray dogs for food. What are these little maids compared to that? I'll shut them up if they keep talking nonsense!"

Chen Shimei felt a mix of helplessness and pity, looking up at her and earnestly advising, "Don't bother with those maids anymore. They're different from you. We won't be staying in the palace for long."

"But they're talking about you," Xiang'er said.

"They only talk behind my back, but who doesn't greet me as a princess and kneel before me when they see me?" Chen Shimei asked her.

"That's true," Xiaoxiang nodded, "That's exactly what's annoying, the way they act one way to your face and another behind your back."

Chen Shimei handed her a pastry, saying, "Can you control what others say behind your back? Worrying about it is just asking for trouble. Besides, it doesn't matter to me whether they speak well or ill of me. As long as you think well of me, that's enough."

Xiaoxiang laughed, happily nibbling on pastries she was holding.

"By the way, how is the construction of the fragrance house going?" Chen Shimei asked.

"Oh, they've started plastering the walls," Xiang'er replied. "Xiaoxi went to see it the other day. It's almost finished, and they're getting ready to move furniture in. You should pick out some designs when you have time."

"Really?" Chen Shimei nodded. "Let's go have a look together then."

Xiang'er quickly fetched a shawl for Chen Shimei. Seeing that Shimei had let down her hair instead of styling it up, she asked, "Sister Meizi, are you going out like this?"

Shimei was puzzled, "What's wrong?"

"People talk," Xiang'er muttered softly. "You've just separated from the Prince, and if you go out with your hair down like a maiden, I'm afraid those gossips in the streets will say you're frivolous or eager to find another man."

Chen Shimei paused, then laughed, "So I'm afraid of missing out on a good man?"

"Sister Meizi!" Xiang'er stomped her foot. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

As they were changing clothes to go out, someone came to report, "Princess, the Empress Dowager has arrived."

Chen Shimei frowned slightly but didn't say much, leading Xiang'er to go out to meet her.

"Shimei," the Empress Dowager extended her hand to Chen Shimei, examining her from head to toe and nodding, "Good, you look well."

Chen Shimei smiled. She had been eating and sleeping well these past few days, so naturally, she looked healthier.

"Dressed up, are you going out?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"Yes," Chen Shimei nodded. "I want to see how the fragrance house is coming along."

The Empress Dowager frowned, "Do you really plan to move to the fragrance house? I worry about you, a young girl living alone."

"If the Empress Dowager could assign two guards for me, that would be sufficient," Chen Shimei replied. "I'd like to live outside, the palace doesn't feel very comfortable."

"Ah..." the Empress Dowager sighed softly. "I understand you're not accustomed to living here, but it's still improper for a young lady to live alone outside. Today, I've invited several princes and talented scholars to the palace for a banquet. Would you like to choose one of them?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Shimei shook her head, "Rushing into another marriage right after a divorce would make me a laughingstock."

"Ah, but you are young and so beautiful, many men desire you as their wife," the Empress Dowager said with a smile. "You should choose."

Chen Shimei remained silent, sensing Xiaoxiang getting restless beside her, and then said, "Xiaoxiang, go and make some tea, will you?"

"Oh," Xiang'er hurried to get the tea, her mind filled with indignation. The Empress Dowager was overstepping, pushing Chen Shimei into new arrangements immediately after her escape from a troubled marriage. Returning with the tea, she found Chen Shimei and the Empress Dowager already seated at the table, with Shimei saying, "Empress Dowager, I don't wish to marry an official or a royal. I only want to marry a commoner."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback, and Xiang'er's heart eased, a smile appearing on her face as she served the tea.

"But you are a princess," the Empress Dowager said anxiously.

"I haven't been a princess for long and am not quite accustomed to it," Chen Shimei told the Empress Dowager. "I've wasted several years in the Prince's company. Now, I want to spend the next few years for myself."

The Empress Dowager found herself at a loss for words, hesitant to speak.

"Besides," Chen Shimei continued before the Empress Dowager could respond, "The Emperor is still young. If I were to marry into the royal family and bear children, it could threaten the Emperor's lineage and cause many troubles in the future."

This revelation made the Empress Dowager's eyes widen in shock.

"Mother," Shimei took the Empress Dowager's hand, pointing to a line in her palm, "This line, said to represent ambition, is best when not too long. Mine is short, while my life line is long and my heart line is entangled, indicating a life full of hardships."

After a long sigh, the Empress Dowager looked at Chen Shimei with a bittersweet smile, "You're now like my daughter. I used to doubt whether you understood anything; I even wondered if you were switched at birth."

Chen Shimei didn't respond, instead leaning in to embrace the Empress Dowager, "I'll visit you every few days, find a good husband, and then give you many grandchildren."

"Good," the Empress Dowager said softly, caressing her hair, "Remember, as a woman, be so strong that everyone admires you, or so happy that they envy you. I had my own ambitions, but also feared for you. You haven't heard the rumors spreading outside."

"I'm not afraid," Chen Shimei confidently replied. "Those who hate me only dare to speak behind my back, and that's enough."

The Empress Dowager nodded, "Alright, but the nobles and princes are here. Would you meet with them?"

Chen Shimei seemed reluctant.

"Fine, I'll let them see me from a distance."

Chen Shimei smiled and nodded.

The Empress Dowager was pleasantly surprised, finding her daughter more endearing than before. After staying a while longer and enjoying some of Shimei's pastries, she left.

Afterwards, Chen Shimei, accompanied by Xiang'er with a small basket, left the courtyard. Before getting into the carriage, she indeed saw a group of officials and princes standing on the other side of the Nine-Turn Bridge, watching her.

Chen Shi Mei suppressed her laughter as she and Xiang Yi got into the carriage.

"Sister Meizi, are those people really looking at us?" Xiang'er asked curiously. "Can they even see from there?"

"They don't need to know if I'm beautiful or not, they just want to make sure I'm not hideous. If I'm not, that's a relief. If I'm decent-looking, that's a bonus, and if I'm pretty, then it's their lucky day."

"What kind of mentality is that?" Xiang'er wrinkled her nose, then realized, "Oh... because you're a princess."

"And also because I was once a prince's wife," Chen Shimei said, smoothing Xiang'er's slightly disheveled hair. "Of course, among these people, there might be a few who are upright and don't wish to climb the social ladder, but they come out of respect for the Empress Dowager."

"But anyone who sees how beautiful you are would surely want to marry you," Xiang'er muttered.

"Zanyue, Luan Jing'er, Mingfu, they're all beautiful," Chen Shimei whispered, "but still revolved around one man. A capable man never lacks beautiful women."

Xiang'er hummed softly, "Now you're finally free from that misery."

"Right," Chen Shimei suddenly said, "Let's buy some snacks and go see Zanyue, shall we?"

"Sure!" Xiang Yi nodded excitedly, peering out of the window. As the carriage reached the main street, she pulled back the curtain to speak to Xiao Xi Zi about heading to General Wang's residence, but suddenly gasped, turning to Shi Mei, "Sister Mei, look, who's that?"

Following Xiang Yi's pointing finger, Shi Mei saw a figure in white emerging from a nearby tavern.

"It's that handsome young man. He's alright!" Xiang Yi exclaimed joyfully. "He's really capable!"

Shi Mei quickly instructed Xiao Xi Zi, "Stop the carriage, I want to thank him."

As Xiao Xi Zi maneuvered the carriage forward, Bai She, who was just mounting his horse, turned towards them, pausing slightly in surprise upon seeing Shi Mei alighting.

Shi Mei had just stepped forward when suddenly, a figure flashed before her, and she felt something tight around her neck, followed by a cold gleam... A chilly object was pressed against her throat.

"Sister Mei!" Xiang Yi screamed, and the pedestrians on the street also recoiled in fear.

Regaining her senses, Shi Mei saw a woman in red holding her hostage, a knife at her throat.

"You..."

"Shut up!" The voice belonged to the same woman from the group that pursued Bai She the previous night.

Shi Mei met her gaze and saw the woman's enchanting face, though her hair was disheveled and her eyes bloodshot, betraying her disheveled state.

"Oh, what a beauty." The woman sneered at Shi Mei, pressing the knife closer, then turned to Bai She, "Bai She? Hand over the Jade Buddha if you care for her."

Bai She looked puzzled and after a moment asked, "And if I don't?"

"If you don't, I'll kill this beauty you're so fond of!"

"Sister Mei!" Xiang Yi was terrified and pleaded, "Don't do anything rash." She then looked at Bai She for help.

Bai She remained calm, simply stating to the woman, "You've got the wrong person."

The woman's eyes glinted dangerously, "I mean it! Hand over the Jade Buddha or I'll kill her!"

Bai She, with a nonchalant lift of his eyebrows, responded coolly, "Suit yourself."

……