Chapter 001

Chapter 001

In the heart of winter.

Snow had started falling in the capital two days ago.

It is said that auspicious snow heralds a bountiful year, and this year's first snowfall was exceptionally heavy. Within two days, the capital was transformed into a city of white snow.

The palace was no exception.

In the Shoukang Palace, Xu Duanyi, after rising and grooming herself, headed towards the main hall where Empress Dowager Zhaoyu resided.

She was Empress Dowager Zhaoyu's niece and the only non-imperial princess of the Great Xia Dynasty living in the palace.

Highly respected and deeply cherished by the Empress Dowager, she had been a permanent resident of the palace since she was six years old.

It was bitterly cold.

Accompanied by her personal attendant, Bixi, Xu Duanyi stepped out under an umbrella.

The palace servants at the entrance of the main hall, seeing her approach from afar, hurried out in the snowstorm to greet her, bowing respectfully and addressing her as "Your Highness."

"The storm is bad; let's head inside first," Xu Duanyi said, not wishing the servants to suffer in the storm, and led them under the corridor.

While Bixi was closing the umbrella, Xu Duanyi used a handkerchief to brush off the snowflakes from her white fox fur coat and looked ahead. The main hall's doors were still closed, and the row of vermilion windows and doors were also tightly shut.

"Is my aunt not awake yet?" she whispered to the palace maid beside her.

The maid nodded, showing a helpless expression.

"After you left last night, the Empress Dowager had a headache for half the night and only fell asleep at dawn," she said with a long sigh. "Aunt Danfeng and the others are extremely worried."

"Princess, you must persuade the Empress Dowager more; this can't keep going on."

Xu Duanyi naturally knew this was not sustainable.

Her aunt's health was always poor in winter, and now with the incident involving Bao Zhu... but the matter was unresolved, and with the court abuzz with discussions, how could her aunt possibly sleep well?

Although they were under the corridor, the chill of the storm outside could still be felt.

The maid feared she would catch a cold outside.

If their Empress Dowager's beloved were to fall ill, they would not want to live.

Thinking this, the maid stopped speaking.

"The wind is strong outside; Your Highness should go inside to rest," she said, about to open the door for Xu Duanyi.

Xu Duanyi, however, did not agree and gently stopped her, saying, "Since my aunt is not awake yet, I won't disturb her."

"Let my aunt sleep well; I'll go to the kitchen first."

After instructing the maid, Xu Duanyi, accompanied by Bixi, opened the umbrella again and headed towards the kitchen, intending to instruct the kitchen to prepare more of her aunt's favorite dishes.

These tasks weren't originally her responsibility.

However, due to Empress Dowager Zhaoyu's recent poor mood, Xu Duanyi, who deeply respects her aunt, took it upon herself to handle these personal matters to ensure that others did not serve improperly.

On the way to the kitchen, as she walked through a corridor, she could hear the distant murmurs of palace maids and eunuchs gossiping.

"Do you think our young mistress can really break off the engagement with Prince Nan'an?"

"I’m not so sure. Ever since the fall of Prince Nan'an's mansion, the young mistress has been coming to the palace every year to plead with the Empress Dowager about this matter. But have you seen the Empress Dowager agree? I bet it’ll blow over like it always does, and everything will be fine in a few days."

The others nodded in agreement.

But someone suddenly spoke up: "I feel like this time it might really happen."

"Tell us more."

The one who’d been skeptical chimed in again, "This time, not only did the young mistress come to the palace, but even the matriarch of the Duke Protector's family and the Duchess came. The Empress Dowager has never been this troubled before. I think this marriage might really fall through this time."

"And..."

They paused for dramatic effect.

The others, itching to know more, quickly asked, "And what?"

The person, pretending to be reserved, was about to speak when they suddenly heard a light cough.

The cough startled the group, and they quickly stood up, trembling, to look outside. They saw the figure of Princess Jiashun and her personal maid.

Immediately—

their faces turned pale.

Shivering, they stumbled out into the snow to greet Xu Duanyi: "May the Princess be blessed with peace and prosperity."

Xu Duanyi looked at the group kneeling before her but did not immediately reprimand them or let them rise.

"It's freezing outside, and wanting to slack off is not a big deal, but such talk is not allowed anymore, understood?"

Who would dare to say no?

Especially the one who had spoken the most,

who, despite the cold, quickly kowtowed to Xu Duanyi and apologized: "This servant spoke out of turn, please forgive me, Your Highness!"

Xu Duanyi let them rise.

She didn't make them stand in punishment either. After warning them, she let them go.

But who would dare to continue slacking off?

After greeting Xu Duanyi, they all scattered.

Xu Duanyi didn't say anything more and continued leading Bixi to the kitchen.

Her face remained impassive, but in her heart, she was also thinking about the marriage between Bao Zhu and Xie Qingya.

The engagement between Bao Zhu and Xie Qingya was originally settled four years ago.

At that time, Xie Qingya, as a young military commander, had repeatedly achieved great military feats, was in high demand, held a noble status, and was exceptionally handsome. Many wished to marry him, so his aunt arranged the engagement with Bao Zhu, planning for her to marry Prince Nan'an once she reached adulthood.

Originally, according to the plan, they were supposed to get married next spring.

Just a few days ago, unexpectedly, Bao Zhu suddenly went to the palace in tears, demanding her aunt cancel the engagement, saying she would rather die than marry Prince Nan'an.

If forced, she threatened to hang herself or crash into a wall!

No matter what, she was determined to prevent this marriage.

In fact, over the years, this situation had occurred frequently. Ever since Prince Nan'an's household lost its prestige, Bao Zhu had been dissatisfied with this engagement.

Previously, she had only dared to throw a few tantrums, fearing her aunt's authority, but this time she made a much more dramatic and determined stand.

However, no matter how dramatic her protest, anyone could see it was just a bluff; she would never really risk her life, so her aunt naturally paid no heed.

Unexpectedly, within a couple of days, her grandmother and aunt also hurried to the palace, also intending to break off the engagement.

Upon detailed questioning, her aunt learned that Bao Zhu had taken a liking to this year's new top scholar and insisted on marrying him. Fearing they wouldn't agree, she had even secretly become intimate with him, compromising her virtue.

Upon learning this, her aunt was naturally furious.

Under such circumstances, it was impossible for Bao Zhu to marry Xie Qingya anymore.

Even though Prince Nan'an's household had now lost its power, and the young Prince Nan'an was no longer what he used to be, such a scandal, if spread, would disgrace the royal family and the Xiao family.

Her aunt prized reputation above all else.

Recently, her aunt had been so angry over this matter that she had been suffering from stress-induced ailments, unable to sleep well and plagued by constant headaches.

Xu Duanyi sighed.

Hearing this, Bixi glanced at her mistress and asked, "Are you thinking about the young lady and Prince Nan'an again?"

Xu Duanyi softly acknowledged.

Bixi said nothing more, just continued holding the umbrella and supporting Xu Duanyi as they walked. After a while, she spoke again, "I wonder how this matter will be resolved?"

Xu Duanyi didn't know either.

This engagement had been settled four years ago.

Although Prince Nan'an's household was now in decline, it still carried the reputation of the old Prince Nan'an and the Grand Princess, and there were still many old ministers in the court who valued Confucian teachings.

If her aunt and the Xiao family were to casually break off the engagement, these old ministers would surely kneel before the palace gates again.

Moreover, they had long been dissatisfied with her aunt and the Xiao family.

If the Xiao family had another suitable daughter, they might have substituted her, but the Xiao family only had Bao Zhu.

Therefore, Xu Duanyi could only shake her head, "Let's see how my aunt and uncle will discuss it."

Xu Duanyi guessed that her aunt might arrange another good marriage for Xie Qingya or compensate Prince Nan'an's household with other rewards...

She only hoped that if her aunt really intended to arrange another marriage for Xie Qingya,

She hoped that the chosen lady would treat Xie Qingya well in the future.

He is a good man and deserves to be treated well.

Even though Xie Qingya has changed a lot, and rumors swirl about his frivolous and dissolute ways, Xu Duanyi still believes that deep down, he is an extremely good man.

The world outside the umbrella remained a vast, white expanse.

Xu Duanyi looked at the vast snow ahead, vaguely recalling the snowy day in the thirteenth year of the Jian'an era when she first entered the palace.

Back then, she was just six years old.

Because her mother died in childbirth, her maternal aunt, fearing that her father couldn't take good care of her, personally sent someone to bring her into the palace.

At that time, having just lost her mother and being new to the palace, she was naturally very timid.

Her aunt suggested she play with her cousin.

But her cousin was already thirteen years old at that time and had started to assist her maternal uncle in handling government affairs. How could he have time to pay attention to a child like her?

It was Xie Qingya—

He was her cousin's study companion at that time, only two years older than her.

Her cousin asked him to play with her, and though reluctant, he did so for many years.

All the joyful moments of her childhood were intertwined with Xie Qingya.

Recalling those old days,

Xu Duanyi couldn't help but smile.

Clad in a white fox fur coat to ward off the cold and wind, her hands cradling the hand warmer Bixi had just given her, her eyes sparkled as she gazed ahead.

Xu Duanyi is dignified and gentle, and having been raised by Empress Dowager Zhaoyu since childhood, her manners and etiquette are considered a benchmark among the noble ladies of the capital.

Even when she smiles on ordinary days, it is just a faint one.

When has it ever been like this?

Illuminated by the snow, it was dazzling, just like a bright and warm sunny day in spring.

Bixi was by her side and naturally saw the familiar smile on her face.

Having been her servant for many years, how could Bixi not know what her mistress was thinking?

Perhaps in this world, only she knows the hidden thoughts deep in her mistress's heart.

Perhaps—

Bixi suddenly felt a stir in her heart.

She couldn't bear to see her mistress suffer like this.

Her mistress is still so young, she can't really stay in the palace for the rest of her life without getting married. She couldn't help but speak up: "Mistress, perhaps..."

But as soon as the words came to her lips, thinking of the current state of Prince Nan'an, Bixi immediately stopped herself.

The instinctive words were out of pity for her mistress's unrequited love.

But the current silence was due to dissatisfaction with Prince Nan'an's behavior... After the Battle of Changye, Prince Nan'an's mansion lost three legitimate masters in a row, leaving only the current young Prince Nan'an and a pair of twin siblings.

The dragon-phoenix siblings are still young and cannot handle responsibilities.

The once renowned young Prince Nan'an has now become a notorious profligate in the city, known for frequenting taverns and brothels, and associating with a group of unsavory friends.

How could such a wastrel ever be worthy of our mistress?

She feared that if the mistress married him, she would endure endless suffering. With this thought, the words she initially wanted to say became difficult to utter.

Xu Duanyi knew what she wanted to say and understood the reason behind her unspoken words.

Her smile faded, her expression cooling slightly, and she softly said to Bixi, "Never mention this again."

"It's impossible between him and me."

"I never intended to marry anyone in this life."

When Xu Duanyi said these words, she didn't feel any bitterness.

Bixi had misunderstood one thing—she had never felt any bitterness.

From the moment she fell for Xie Qingya, to being betrothed to her cousin by her aunt, and then to her cousin's death, followed by Xie Qingya's engagement to Bao Zhu... she had never uttered a word of complaint.

She did love Xie Qingya.

But who said that loving someone meant you had to be with them? Watching him from afar, wishing him well and hoping for his happiness—that was enough.

That was enough.

"My lady..."

Bixi frowned upon hearing this, wanting to say more, but they had already reached the kitchen.

Seeing the crowd and fearing that someone might overhear something they shouldn't, which could damage the mistress's reputation, Bixi quickly fell silent.

...

Just as the mistress and servant entered the kitchen.

A "rare visitor" arrived at the gates of Shoukang Palace.

This rare visitor was none other than Cao Da, the current Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs and the Seal-holding Eunuch.

The palace servants of Shoukang Palace never expected that on such a bitterly cold day, this Seal-holding Eunuch would come. Though surprised, they did not dare delay reporting his arrival.

After all, Cao Da's status was truly extraordinary.

During the reign of the late emperor, he had often been by the emperor's side. After the emperor's passing, he and the current Empress Dowager Zhaoyu had worked together to purge the inner court and support the young emperor's ascension to the throne.

Now, as the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, he was the patriarch of the inner court, managing its affairs and overseeing the approval of documents. It was no overstatement to call him the 'prime minister of the inner court.'

When the news reached the main hall, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu had just woken up.

Her sleep had been unusually restless, and upon waking, she still suffered from a terrible headache.

Just as she was about to call for Danfeng, she heard some faint murmurs outside. When Danfeng entered, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu pressed her temples and asked impatiently, "What's going on out there?"

Danfeng was surprised to see her awake and, hearing her hoarse voice, quickly poured her a cup of tea.

After Empress Dowager Zhaoyu finished drinking, Danfeng said, "Cao Da is here."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu frowned, her already sour mood turning even worse at the mention of his name.

"What does he want?"

Without a second thought, she said, "Send him away."

Her relationship with Cao Da wasn't as strong as it was when the new emperor first took the throne.

In recent years, Cao Da's behavior had become increasingly unacceptable, and she had grown more and more displeased with him.

Naturally, she didn't want to see him, especially in her already foul mood.

On any other day, Danfeng would have rushed to carry out the order, not daring to cross her and make things worse.

But today, after a brief pause, she first replied, "Cao Da claims he can ease your current troubles."

At this, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu's expression hardened.

After a moment of silence, she finally snapped, "Let him in."