Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Ye Shuang found herself back at Qingyun Palace. Guests were already taking their seats, many having arrived. From a distance, Ye Shuang spotted Xiao Lin. They were assigned the second seat on the left, immediately after Prince Jing. Ye Shuang hadn't expected such a prominent position, but upon reflection, it made perfect sense.

Had she continued to assist Princess Jing in preparing the palace banquet, she would likely have seen the seating arrangements in advance. Now, caught off guard and with little experience attending such events, she couldn't help but feel nervous. Fortunately, Xiao Lin was seated to her left, which offered some comfort.

By the time they took their seats, Prince Jing and his consort had already arrived. Palace banquets typically followed a strict order of entry based on rank, from lowest to highest. By rights, she and Xiao Lin should have entered before Prince Jing, but their delay had caused a disruption. Xiao Lin sat with a cold expression, clearly displeased. As soon as Ye Shuang sat down, he asked where she had been. She simply replied that she had gone to change.

"Fortunately, His Highness did not blame us. Please sit properly and behave." Xiao Lin spoke while cautiously scanning the attendees, clearly remaining vigilant and keeping a close watch on everyone.

Ye Shuang also surveyed her surroundings. All the ministers and their families had taken their seats. Two seats below theirs were occupied by ministers past their forties, presumably Privy Councilor Liu Wenxuan and Vice Minister of Revenue Pei Xun. Only these two had been invited to the banquet. Liu Yiyi and Pei Yu sat in the last two seats on the opposite side, with two empty seats in front of them, likely reserved for imperial concubines and princesses. Just as Ye Shuang finished this thought, an announcement came from outside the hall: "Virtuous Consort arrives! Princess Junxian arrives!"

Virtuous Consort was Princess Junxian’s mother, originally the Emperor’s concubine from his princely days and now his most favored consort.

Princess Junxian appeared younger than Ye Cheng, likely around eleven or twelve years old.

As Virtuous Consort entered, everyone rose to bow before sitting down again. Not long after, the Empress arrived, and everyone stood once more to bow.

Shortly afterward, drums sounded and whips cracked outside the hall, signaling the Emperor’s arrival. He ascended the throne, and everyone performed the three kneelings and nine prostrations.

The palace banquet officially began.

Prince Jing and his consort were the first to toast and offer congratulations to the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor was very pleased. Then it was Xiao Lin and Ye Shuang’s turn to step forward and pay their respects.

The smile in the Emperor’s eyes noticeably faded. "Xiao Lin, you’ve worked hard today."

"Ensuring Your Majesty’s safety is this subject's duty. How could it be considered hard work?" Xiao Lin raised his cup, lowering his gaze with humility and deference.

The Emperor seemed somewhat satisfied and glanced at Ye Shuang. "I am pleased to see you and your wife on good terms. You should spend more time with your family in the future and not devote too much attention to military affairs. You’ve been busy with campaigns these past few years. I granted you this marriage hoping you would have someone to care for you. Do you understand my intentions?"

"This subject understands." Xiao Lin agreed without another word.

The Emperor waved his hand, and Xiao Lin and Ye Shuang withdrew.

After returning to their seats, Ye Shuang kept watching Xiao Lin’s reactions. Wasn’t he said to be the most trusted by the Emperor? Why did it seem otherwise today?

Next, it was Privy Councilor Liu Wenxuan and his daughter’s turn to step forward. "This old minister, Liu Wenxuan, and my daughter wish Your Majesty everlasting joy and enduring blessings!"

The Emperor laughed heartily. "Hahaha, Minister Liu, your capacity for drink isn’t great. Drink less! Your health matters—I still rely on you to handle affairs for me."

"Your Majesty, please don’t tease this old minister. I am getting old now. The future belongs to the younger generation."

The Emperor looked at Liu Yiyi beside him. "Is this your daughter?"

Liu Wenxuan bowed. "Indeed."

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

The Emperor sighed with emotion. "She’s already so grown up! Time flies! Who can avoid aging?"

"Your Majesty is in the prime of life!"

The Emperor waved his hand. "That’s enough." He then asked Liu Yiyi how old she was and, upon learning her age, inquired if she was married.

Hearing this, Liu Yiyi instinctively glanced at Xiao Lin.

Ye Shuang’s heart skipped a beat, and she also turned to look. Xiao Lin merely lowered his head, as if completely indifferent.

Liu Yiyi wasn’t disheartened by Xiao Lin’s cold reaction; instead, she appeared even shyer.

Liu Wenxuan replied, "Your Majesty, my daughter is not yet married."

The Emperor said, "She’s not young anymore. Should I arrange a marriage for you?"

Ye Shuang clenched her skirt under the table, holding her breath as she waited for what would come next.

Liu Yiyi frowned in discomfort and hurriedly knelt. "Your Majesty, this subject does not wish to marry yet."

The Emperor was taken aback.

Liu Wenxuan scolded her, "How dare you refuse His Majesty’s offer! Forgive her, Your Majesty. I’ve spoiled her too much. I will discipline her strictly upon returning home!"

The Emperor wasn’t angered and simply said it was fine. He then asked Liu Yiyi, "Why don’t you wish to marry?"

Liu Yiyi hesitated and didn’t answer.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, there is actually another reason for my daughter’s reluctance." Liu Wenxuan explained that Liu Yiyi was observing a mourning period for her mother.

The Emperor was moved. "This is a good thing. How could I bear to blame a child for her filial piety?" He added, "It’s fine even during the mourning period. An engagement can be arranged first, and the marriage can take place two years later."

Liu Yiyi spoke directly, "Your Majesty, actually, this subject already has someone she loves. He is the Marquis of Yongding, Xiao Lin."

The hall erupted in murmurs, and the Emperor’s expression changed abruptly.

"Brother Lin even said he would marry me when we were children! Right, Brother Lin?"

Xiao Lin did not deny it.

Ye Shuang’s heart sank to the depths of a lake.

The Emperor said, "Oh? Is that true? This is the first I’ve heard of it."

Liu Wenxuan tried to smooth things over. "It was just childhood banter, not to be taken seriously."

The Emperor ignored him and directly asked Xiao Lin, "Marquis of Yongding, what do you think of this marriage proposal?"

Ye Shuang also waited for Xiao Lin’s response. Even a single word from him would have given her an excuse to defend him in her heart, but Xiao Lin remained silent. She couldn’t help but laugh at herself mockingly. She had thought that after everything they’d been through, Xiao Lin would refuse the arranged marriage without hesitation today. But it seemed she had overestimated Xiao Lin and overestimated herself.

"If the two of you are mutually attracted, you should have told me earlier. When I arranged your marriage, you didn’t mention it. I thought you had no one in mind, so I arranged the marriage for you. Aren’t you making me seem heartless and unjust?"

Xiao Lin rose in alarm. "I wouldn’t dare!"

The Emperor gestured for him to sit. "Then, are you still willing to marry the Liu daughter? If you are, I can arrange the engagement directly. As for the Ye eldest daughter, she shouldn’t mind being made a co-wife."

Xiao Lin neither refused nor agreed.

"If her status is insufficient, I can also grant her a title, making her a commandery princess. That should not disgrace the daughter of a duke."

When Xiao Lin stood up, Ye Shuang stood up with him and then sat back down. Throughout the entire process, no one asked for Ye Shuang’s opinion, and no one even noticed she was sitting right beside Xiao Lin.

Only now did she understand that what the Emperor truly wanted was a marriage that could keep Xiao Lin in check. Xiao Lin’s potential agreement was solely to ease the Emperor’s suspicions. As for her, caught in this marriage, no one cared.

Seeing Xiao Lin hesitate to respond, the Emperor coldly snorted and slammed his cup on the table, startling everyone.

"With this attitude, do you blame me?"

Liu Yiyi’s face also fell, and she panicked.

Seeing the situation was about to spiral out of control, Prince Jing smiled and spoke slowly, "Father, it has only been a year since Xiao Lin got married. It might not be appropriate to ask him to take a concubine now. Moreover, Miss Liu is still in mourning and cannot marry yet. There could be many changes over these two years. If either of them regrets it later, your good intentions could backfire."

The Emperor then relented, "You’re right. Very well, the betrothal I mentioned still stands. If the two of you still have feelings for each other in the future, you may request the imperial decree at any time."

Liu Yiyi and her father thanked the Emperor, and others took turns toasting them.

After returning to their seats, Liu Yiyi gave a provocative look at Ye Shuang, unable to hide her triumph.

Music began to play, and people started dancing, making everything lively and cheerful.

Guests kept coming to toast them. Xiao Lin tried several times to say something to Ye Shuang, but he was interrupted each time.

Seeing Liu Yiyi approaching to offer a toast, Ye Shuang could no longer maintain her composure. She excused herself to use the restroom and left the banquet.

Liu Yiyi relentlessly followed her, blocking her in a side hall reserved for resting during the palace banquet.

"Well, what did I tell you? Everything is clear now! If you know what’s good for you, you’ll voluntarily request a divorce and return home. I don’t want to be equals with you after I enter the household."

Ye Shuang forced herself to stay calm, "That doesn’t mean anything. He didn’t actually agree."

"Not this time, but you saw Xiao Lin’s attitude. It’s just a matter of time before I marry him."

"That’s only because of the Emperor’s decree. He can’t go against it."

"Exactly. The Emperor’s orders cannot be disobeyed. Today, Xiao Lin couldn’t refuse to marry me because of the Emperor’s words. Back then, he must have been unable to refuse your betrothal for the same reason. Sister Ye, think about it. I feel sorry for you, really."

Ye Shuang was stunned.

A loud bang went off from outside, as if something had exploded. Immediately after, the window lit up, and brilliant fireworks lit up the night sky.

Both of them looked out, each feeling both happy and worried.

Liu Yiyi’s eyes lit up, "Fireworks! I heard Xiao Lin arranged this specially. I’ve always loved fireworks and wanted to see them for so long. I never expected he’d plan it for tonight."

After watching for a while, Ye Shuang felt something was off. Over the sound of fireworks, she could also hear people screaming.

Liu Yiyi noticed it too.

They opened the door and went outside, only to see chaos in the courtyard. Palace servants were running everywhere, imperial guards were mobilizing everywhere, on alert, and shouts echoed—"There’s an assassin! Catch the assassin!"

Liu Yiyi’s face instantly turned pale.

Ye Shuang remained relatively calm, trying to stay calm as she moved out.

Liu Yiyi screamed and chased after her, yelling for help. As they neared the courtyard gate, whether intentionally or not, Liu Yiyi suddenly pushed Ye Shuang.

Caught off guard, Ye Shuang lost her footing and twisted her ankle again. She could still walk before, but now every step was painful.

She had a bad feeling. Although she hadn’t seen any assassins, she felt inexplicably uneasy. Now, with her mobility impaired, before she could figure out how to escape, a cold sword was at her throat.

-

Xiao Lin was searching all over with his guards. Seeing Xiao Yin, he asked, "Where is my wife?"

Xiao Yin replied urgently, "Haven’t seen her for a while!"

Xiao Lin ordered, "Quickly, get some men to look for her!"

On the way, they encountered Liu Yiyi. Xiao Lin asked if she had seen Ye Shuang. Liu Yiyi just shook her head without saying a word.

Just then, a voice came from behind the bushes, "Over here!"

Xiao Lin turned and saw Ye Shuang coming out from the bushes. Before he could sigh in relief, a flash of cold metal. Xiao Lin saw the sword at Ye Shuang’s throat and the rebel holding her hostage behind her—Ye Shuang was limping while being dragged forward.

Ye Shuang felt the blade was extremely sharp; the slightest movement could cut her throat. She froze up, not daring to move, and could only beg with her eyes for Xiao Lin to save her.

Liu Yiyi gasped, terrified, and tried to hold onto Xiao Lin, crying, "Brother Lin, I was so scared! I thought I’d never see you again! I never expected Sister Ye Shuang would be taken hostage. What should we do?"

The assassin picked up on the hint in her words, glanced at Ye Shuang, and sneered, "Xiao Lin, it seems this is your wife! I originally just wanted to grab any noble lady, but I never expected to get lucky—I’ve captured the wife of the Marquis of Yongding!"

Xiao Lin signaled, and archers hidden in the shadows came out. Liu Yiyi was truly frightened this time and didn’t dare cling to Xiao Lin anymore, backing away to hide.

"Xiao Lin, you’ve already killed our other brothers today. Let me go, and I promise I won’t hurt her."

Xiao Lin replied, "I never expected assassins like you to fear death."

Xiao Yin yelled from nearby, "You can’t escape! Surrender now!"

"Don’t dream about it! Either let me go, or I’ll take someone with me before I die!"

Ye Shuang’s eyes were full of pleading; her only hope now depended on Xiao Lin.

"Xiao Lin, decide fast. My patience is limited. Isn’t this the wife you just married? I don’t believe you won’t save her."

The assassin pressed harder on the sword. With a sharp pain, Ye Shuang felt her skin easily cut open, and warm liquid dripped down.

Across from her, Xiao Lin didn’t flinch.

"Or have the one next to you exchange places with her!"

Xiao Lin said coldly, "You’re in no position to negotiate with me."

At this moment, Xiao Lin was terrifyingly calm.

Ye Shuang felt the person before her was utterly unfamiliar.

"Sigh, I miscalculated. Seems I should’ve taken the other one. Looks like your status as the marquis’s wife isn’t all that important to him!" The assassin’s half-sigh, half-mutter pierced Ye Shuang’s heart.

Xiao Lin turned and gave Xiao Yin an order. Xiao Yin looked shocked—Marquis, this...

Xiao Lin impatiently urged him to hurry!

The assassin sneered, as if suddenly understanding, "What trick are you trying to pull now? I get it—you’re pretending not to care about your wife to make me lower my guard. Well, it won’t work! I won’t fall for it."

Xiao Yin returned with a bow and arrows.

Ye Shuang’s throat tightened, and a chill ran through her.

Just then, Prince Jing also arrived. Thinking Xiao Lin was about to let the assassin go, he couldn’t help but advise, "We’ve been chasing this assassin for over half a year. If he escapes now, who knows when we’ll catch him again!"

"Father already has doubts about you. Today, he put you in charge of the palace banquet’s security. If you can’t catch the rebel, you’ll completely lose Father’s trust. Moreover, Father has always suspected you have ties to the rebels. If you let him escape today, it’ll be even harder to clear your name. People might think this was all a play orchestrated by you."

The assassin kept shouting, telling Xiao Lin to stop acting.

"You’re overthinking it. Don’t you know my wife and I have never gotten along?"

Xiao Lin raised his bow and aimed at the assassin, enunciating each word, "I detest being threatened above all else."

"If you threaten me today, even if I have to kill everyone, I won’t let you go."

He released the arrow, and it flew straight toward Ye Shuang.

Her heart sank lower and lower.

Everything happened too suddenly; even the assassins were stunned.

The gilt arrow brushed past Ye Shuang's temple. She heard the wind roaring past her ears, followed by a sharp whistle. The long sword clattered to the ground, and the assassin collapsed in a heap beside her. The sharp blade had left a long gash on her neck, and blood flowed incessantly.

In the chaos, Xiao Yin rushed over, checked Ye Shuang's injury, and urged her to leave quickly, as the place was too dangerous.

Ye Shuang stood in a daze, as if she hadn't heard a word.

Xiao Yin busied himself directing others to handle the corpse and couldn't attend to her further. After urging her a few more times to return to the estate quickly, he went off to deal with other matters.

Behind Xiao Yin, Liu Yiyi suddenly fainted. Xiao Lin carried her away without looking back even once.

Watching the two figures gradually disappear into the distance, Ye Shuang felt profoundly absurd.

Perhaps it was for the best—no more deceiving herself, no more foolishness, no more humbling herself to please anyone, no more sacrificing her dignity just to earn a glance from him.

She had been so foolish, foolish enough to test Xiao Lin's feelings. But why even test them? The moment she thought of testing him, disappointment was inevitable.

Perhaps Xiao Lin was never meant to be hers. What is won through struggle can never truly be kept.

Ye Shuang turned and walked away.

A sudden cold wind blew, and Ye Shuang felt a chill on her cheek. When she touched it, it dissolved against her fingertips—first one flake, then two, then three... more and more.

Ye Shuang looked up. In the night sky, snowflakes fell silently. The year's first snow had quietly arrived.

-

Behind her, chaos erupted among the remaining people. Some came to carry away the assassin's body, while others continued scouring the area.

Ye Shuang turned back. Xiao Lin's figure was almost out of sight. The snow fell heavier and heavier. In her bewildered state, Ye Shuang felt as though the present-day Xiao Lin and the him from their childhood were walking away together.

As the saying goes, the heart of yesterday remains faithful, but the person of that heart is gone.

Perhaps the Xiao Lin she had loved had long since perished on the battlefield.

Xiao Lin, perhaps our debts to each other may never be reckoned. But whether I owed you or not, it has all been repaid now.

Year-end frost and snow fall, spring arrives with Liu Yiyi.

Amid the swirling snow, a figure in misty blue retreated into the snow, steeped in sorrow.