Chapter 66

Steamer of Affection, Universal Joy

At the Fragrance Residence, everyone was comforting Auntie Huo. Zan Yue, being closest to her, knew the truth about the events and was there to offer solace.

Xu Xian returned with news that the Emperor had resumed court duties, explained the situation to his ministers, and had all of Qin Xianglian’s followers arrested for their crimes. Qin Xianglian, though irredeemable, was spared execution due to his royal kinship and was instead exiled. Shi Mei sighed, thinking of Ming Fu and Luan Jing in the royal residence, and their unborn child, all innocent victims in a struggle for power.

Shi Mei planned to petition the Emperor in a few days to pardon Qin Qiu Ge, proposing his demotion and banishment to a remote area where he could live peacefully with Ming Fu and Luan Jing.

Bai She soon returned, bringing Lao Kuan's body. Lao Kuan, aware of his deep wrongdoings and not wishing to burden others, had taken his own life, leaving a message of apology to Auntie Huo, asking her to consider him no longer a brother.

Auntie Huo had been prepared for this revelation, realizing Lao Kuan’s identity when he captured her at the refuge. She knew the true perpetrator as only someone from the Fragrance Residence would know its secret location. The household mourned, preparing for Lao Kuan’s funeral.

The following days were a blend of chaos and order. The Emperor reclaimed control over the court, rewarding those who had aided in the crisis. During a grand court session, he announced severe punishments for the instigators, including Qin Xianglian and the End family. The Ends, it turned out, had faked their allegiance to Qin Xianglian, using the martial world's strength to attempt to eliminate Bai She. Bo Si, for his part in saving the Emperor, triumphed over his brothers and gained the clan leader's position, earning fame throughout the land.

Shi Mei pouted about this, feeling Bo Si got off too easily. However, the Emperor then announced that the Fragrance Residence would be recognized as the foremost martial arts sect, and Bai She was to marry Princess Fragrance, overshadowing Bo Si's achievement.

Qin Dai often joked about this, saying, "Do you know where Bo Si lost? He lost because he didn’t have a good wife like Shi Mei!"

...Soon, everything returned to normal, and the Xiangfen Residence reopened for business, more bustling than ever.

Months passed, and the day of the princess's grand wedding finally arrived.

Shi Mei, dressed in a red bridal gown, chased little Fu Zi through the fragrant courtyards of her residence, eager to have it accompany her in the bridal sedan as part of her dowry. Hong Ye and Zan Yue ran all over the house trying to adorn her with headdresses.

The Ghost Blade sect was abundant, distributing red envelopes throughout the city to celebrate their master's grand wedding.

As the auspicious moment approached, Shi Mei boarded the carriage and suddenly noticed among the onlookers two distinguished-looking ladies. One was Luan Jing Er, holding a baby, and standing beside her was Ming Fu. Shi Mei knew they were leaving the capital today. After pleading with the emperor, he had stripped Qin Xiang Lian of his military power and sent him to a prosperous island in the South Sea as a leisurely lord, rich but powerless. Ming Fu and Luan Jing Er came to bid Shi Mei farewell.

"A boy or a girl?" Shi Mei asked, peering out from behind the curtain.

Luan Jing Er mouthed 'a boy' and pointed towards Ming Fu's belly.

Shi Mei laughed, realizing why Ming Fu seemed heavier – she was pregnant too. This was perfect! Qin Xiang Lian would have something to do now; he could plot for his children to rebel and become emperors in the future, but that was a story for another day.

Satisfied, Shi Mei closed the curtain, hugging little Fu Zi affectionately. "That's wonderful, little Fu Zi!"

The carriage, carrying the princess, made its way to the palace, where Bai She, mounted on a white horse, awaited at the gate.

Suddenly, Shi Mei reminisced about their first meeting. That night, when she and Xiang Er fled into the palace on this very road, Bai She had rescued them, marking the start of their extraordinary relationship.

In the Golden Hall, the officials offered their congratulations. The emperor, understanding Shi Mei's relationship with the Empress Dowager, made the wedding as grand as that of a true princess, fulfilling the Empress Dowager's wish.

As Shi Mei alighted from the sedan, she lifted the beaded curtain covering her face and saw Bai She, oddly still in white, with a red silk ribbon forcibly wrapped around him by Qin Dai, looking somewhat comical.

Bai She's gaze on Shi Mei was different. Her bridal attire, crafted by hundreds of artisans over several months under the personal supervision of the Empress Dowager, was stunningly beautiful. He reached out to her, and behind the phoenix crown and bead curtain was Shi Mei's charming smile. Though tradition called for her to pull the red ribbon, neither was much for rules. Bai She, disregarding formality, took her hand and led her into the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and the emperor.

The Empress Dowager handed Shi Mei a jade Ruyi, jesting that she should use it to discipline Bai She if he ever treated her poorly. Amidst laughter, a guard rushed in, whispering urgently to the emperor. The emperor's face turned livid with anger. "Today, I marry off my sister, what does that prince want?!"

The Empress Dowager frowned, "What's the matter?"

Shi Mei was puzzled, but the mention of 'prince' made her heart skip a beat.

"Ah, Chahak claims the fertility incense the princess gave him is fake. He discovered an affair between his consort and a guard, and has executed them. He demands justice from the princess, threatening war without a satisfactory explanation."

Shi Mei nearly choked, realizing with alarm that amidst recent chaos, she'd forgotten to clarify things with Chahak. This was trouble.

"What?" The emperor was confused.

Shi Mei recounted the story, leaving the emperor somewhat stunned.

"Mother..." the emperor turned to the Empress Dowager, "What should we do?"

Bai She nodded in agreement.

The Empress Dowager, leaning back in her chair, said leisurely, "This Fragrance Princess was not actually my son Chen Shu Mei's child. She just resembled Shu Mei, so I kept her by my side. Shu Mei died in an accident a while ago." As she spoke, she instructed the stunned guard to relay a message to Chahak: "Tell him that on the day of the grand wedding, Bai She eloped with the Fragrance Princess. They have no ties with our royal family now. Let Chahak deal with the Ghost Blade sect himself."

After this, the emperor laughed and nodded to the guard, "That's the message to send."

"Yes!" The guard left to deliver the message.

Shi Mei stood somewhat dazed.

The Empress Dowager put down her tea and gently caressed Shi Mei's face with a kind smile.

Before Shi Mei could fully grasp the situation, Bai She embraced her. Ignoring the surprised looks from everyone, he turned and ran out of the palace gate, leapt onto the white horse, and sped off... rushing out of the city gates.

The princess and her groom had eloped on their wedding day!

The entire city was abuzz with the news, everyone wondering why they would elope after getting married. But Bai She and Shi Mei truly disappeared into hiding, wandering freely from then on, from the southern seas to the farthest corners.

A year flew by. The business at the Fragrance Residence flourished. It was said that Chahak had stopped pursuing the couple and was instead holding a banquet to thank the matchmaker. Apparently, during his pursuit, he was rescued by a girl from bandits and found true love.