Chapter Sixty-Nine: A Double Life

Xuechun had never imagined that the words spoken in jest just a few days prior would become reality.

She had been purchased by the Weishao General’s residence from a young age, and to say she was adopted by the General and his wife was no exaggeration. Especially after the recent scandal involving the Luo family that ended up in open court, stirring the whole city—if Xuechun and Yunming were to be matched together, everyone in Yue would find it only natural.

Xuechun had always obeyed Weishao Qianyu’s every word. Yet, for reasons unknown, when Qianyu brought up this matter, Xuechun found herself at a loss. In the end, she still answered, “I will do as you arrange, Miss.”

Weishao Qianyu, observing Xuechun’s expression, sensed something was amiss but said nothing.

Feng Jinye accompanied Qianyu back to Zhiyu Tower. Qianyu looked him over and asked, “Why have you come again?”

Feng Jinye pressed his lips together, considering his words. “I wish to have some Dongxing grouper. During the New Year you prepared it, and yet I never got to taste it.”

“So you’re here for a meal?” Qianyu replied, nodding slightly.

Feng Jinye laughed softly. “Not entirely. About the imperial edict—do you need my help?”

Qianyu smiled in return. “Not for now. How did you know what I was planning?”

“I thought about it after the hearing at the start of the year.” Feng Jinye drew closer and gently tousled her hair, pulling her down to sit.

Qianyu knew he was waiting for her to speak of Meiji, so she continued, “She took Dongnuan and me to a small bamboo hut, somewhere in a valley, I think. But Meiji was very strange; I suspect she mistook me for Mianyin…”

“But then again, something felt off. Meiji is not simple. She told me about Twilight Pavilion, said everything there comes at a price, and I suspect the Empress Dowager is connected to it.”

“She also seemed very interested in Zangyuan. I tried probing her with Xingyuan, but she gave nothing away…”

“And then she asked me to spar with her, but kept yielding at every move, so I never used the swordplay you taught me.”

“She treated me quite well, nothing like a notorious killer at all.”

Feng Jinye’s hatred for Meiji was tempered, if only a little, by Qianyu’s words that Meiji had treated her kindly.

“Were you afraid?” Feng Jinye asked.

Qianyu stared at him, dazed, then shook her head and murmured, “I was only worried you’d lose your temper if you couldn’t find me…”

Feng Jinye frowned, guilt gnawing at him—she’d been in danger, yet her thoughts were for him.

Qianyu, sensing his thoughts, whispered, “You probably don’t realize, but many women are like that by nature. Even if you had a gentler temper, I’d worry about you when I went out…”

She paused, then smiled softly, “Whether you’re eating well, keeping warm…”

Feng Jinye gazed at her, lost in thought, until Qianyu suddenly stood up. “Enough of this! Let’s have Dongnuan and Chujio go see if there’s any Dongxing grouper outside!”

He watched her walk away, dignified and graceful, and his eyes brimmed with quiet laughter.

Dongnuan and Chujio left the Prince of War’s residence in search of the fish, only to discover that rumors were once again swirling through Yue, and once more, all related to their mistress—this time, even implicating the Prince of War himself.

“They say the Prince of War killed Weishao’s legitimate daughter with a single stroke! Wasn’t she the former Princess Consort-to-be?”

“Alas, the Prince of War has already taken a new bride. Why won’t he leave the poor girl alone?”

This was the first time Dongnuan had heard such slander about the Prince of War in Yue, and all for the sake of defending her mistress—she could scarcely believe it.

Since that public trial, Weishao Qianyu’s reputation had soared in Yue, and many now hailed her as a paragon among women, a heroine who rivaled men in valor.

But the claim that the Prince of War had killed Weishao’s legitimate daughter was hard for the people to accept.

Yet, there were still those who defended the Prince. Soon, voices rose:

“This whole thing is suspicious. The Weishao residence door had barely opened when the imperial edict arrived, bestowing the legitimate daughter upon the Prince of Yun. The Prince of War must have uncovered some plot—perhaps he was right to kill her!”

“And what odd imperial marriages these are! At the start of the year, they said Luo Yanqing, the second daughter of the Luo family, was to be married to the heir of the Marquis of Xibo, now the Prince of Yun. So why this sudden new edict?”

“Not just the Prince of Yun—others have been granted imperial marriages twice!”

“How so?”

“Think about it—the Weishao daughter was given in marriage twice; so was the Prince of War!”

“Is imperial matchmaking a game, then?”

The people of Yue debated heatedly, the city abuzz.

Meanwhile, Aunt Weishao reported to the authorities, who quickly determined that the woman killed by the Prince of War was not Weishao Qianyu. Rumor spread that the victim had disguised herself as the legitimate daughter to assassinate the Prince, who saw through her and acted in self-defense. The Prince had taken the edict only to protect the Weishao family from being implicated should the document be destroyed.

Within the court, the Empress Dowager’s dominance in the harem had long stirred discontent among the officials. The rumors now touched the royal house itself, and even the throne’s dignity was being questioned by the public. The Empress Dowager was beset on all sides.

In the end, Yunming entered the palace to see her.

“What are you planning, Your Majesty? You saw how Jin Ye reacted—he’s taken the imperial edict back to his residence. Do you really want to turn him into your enemy?” Yunming challenged.

The Empress Dowager was once the dearest friend of Feng Jinye’s mother, Princess Yuan, and had watched both Yunming and Feng Jinye grow up.

She replied coldly, “Turn against him? If he still regards me as his aunt, why would he not save my son?”

Yunming sneered.

“Absurd! To save the Emperor, you poisoned your own nephew and used Jin Ye as leverage! You’d do anything to save the Emperor, but have you thought that Qianyu is someone Jin Ye would lay down his life to protect?”

The harsh winter had passed, and Yunming was no longer the sickly figure of before—his anger was unrestrained.

“I will handle the imperial marriage edict myself. I hope Your Majesty will not interfere!” With that, he swept his robes and left Changci Palace.

The next day, Yunming took Xuechun back to the Weishao General’s residence.

Aunt Weishao came out to greet them, and Xuechun timidly called, “Aunt.”

The surrounding crowd, overhearing, was thrown into an uproar.

“Isn’t that Xuechun from Late Snow?” someone recognized her.

Xuechun replied, “Yes, I am Xuechun from Late Snow.”

“Then how did you become the young lady of the Weishao family?”

“I am my mother’s adopted daughter.” Xuechun answered with composure, and as if to satisfy the crowd’s curiosity, she continued, “I never dared claim the title of the General’s legitimate daughter. Only after Yunming and I pledged ourselves to each other…”

At her calling Yunming “elder brother,” many recalled how, that day in court, Xuechun had loudly declared her wish to marry the then-heir of Yun.

“Because my status was too low for Yunming, he was forced to become engaged to Luo Yanqing. But Luo was not a good woman, and after her tragic death, the authorities investigated me. Only then did I discover my parents had entered me into the Weishao family register—I am the General’s daughter, and had nothing to do with Luo Yanqing’s demise.”

“When the Empress Dowager learned the whole story, she bestowed the marriage between Yunming and me.”

Xuechun’s account was clear and logical, winning the trust of those present, who believed it all the more seeing the Prince of Yun escort her home.

“I told you so! The royal house would never grant the Weishao legitimate daughter for marriage twice!” someone commented.

Aunt Weishao, as if unaware Xuechun had yet to enter, came out just then and heard the remark. “Xue’er, why aren’t you coming in? Your sister and her husband are waiting for you!”

The crowd erupted once more as Xuechun followed her inside.

Yunming listened to Xuechun’s words outside and shook his head. This was all a diversion, using him and Xuechun as bait.

The people’s attention now turned to Weishao Qianyu, the Prince of War, and his princess consort. The matter of the imperial marriages among the commoners was thus smoothed over.

But within the court, tensions remained. The Prince of Yun’s marriage had been explained, but the Prince of War’s could not be so easily resolved. The officials examined the two imperial edicts related to his marriage.

Though such edicts were typically similar in wording, the two concerning the Prince of War contained notable differences. The edict for Weishao Qianyu clearly stated, “Therefore, Weishao Qianyu is conferred as Princess Consort of War,” while the one for Lu Qianyu read, “The legitimate daughter of the Lu family is granted as the principal princess consort of War.”

What the officials did not know was that the edict for Weishao Qianyu had been personally requested by Feng Jinye, whereas that for Lu Yanran had been drafted by officials and copied by the emperor, and Yunming had written his own, sealed by the emperor.

Given Feng Jinye’s jealousy and possessiveness, had it been possible, he would have hung a plaque on Qianyu declaring her his. Thus, the edict made her Princess Consort of War even before the wedding.

In the court, the officials argued fiercely; some even accused the Empress Dowager of usurping power.

At last, under pressure, she ordered that Feng Jinye be summoned to court.

When the palace attendants arrived at the Prince of War’s residence, Chujio reported to Zhiyu Tower. Upon hearing that Feng Jinye was to attend court, Qianyu immediately asked, “Is it just for a day, or will it be ongoing?”

Feng Jinye smiled. “That’s for you to decide.”

Qianyu nodded thoughtfully, then said, “Decide as you wish, but I rather prefer a leisurely prince.”

At her words, Feng Jinye laughed, pulled her close for a kiss, and then departed for the palace.

The once-clamorous court grew quiet as the Prince of War entered, step by measured step.

With an impassive face, Feng Jinye walked to the front, bowed, and stood tall, saying nothing.

The Empress Dowager, exhausted, finally spoke, “Jinye, the officials cannot understand your marriage to Qianyu. I have summoned you to explain.”

At this, Feng Jinye turned to the officials and asked coolly, “What is there to misunderstand?”

Those who had just been arguing fiercely before the Empress Dowager now fell silent before the Prince of War’s imposing presence.

Only the censor who had previously accused the Empress Dowager of usurpation dared to step forward, trembling. “There are two imperial edicts for your marriage—so, does our kingdom now have two Princess Consorts of War?”

Feng Jinye replied evenly, “It is true I have two edicts, but only one Princess Consort.”

The officials were baffled. He acknowledged both edicts but claimed only one consort?

The censor pressed on, “May I ask what you mean?”

“My princess consort is Weishao Qianyu, also known as Lu Qianyu—they are one and the same. She is the only princess consort of my life,” Feng Jinye replied, his tone unchanged.

The officials were shocked into silence, and even the censor was speechless.

Seeing no one else dared speak, Feng Jinye turned to the Empress Dowager. “Your Majesty, Qianyu is waiting for me to dine with her at the residence. Is there anything further?”

The censor, realizing the princess consort held two identities, was about to object—after all, such things were not permitted by the kingdom’s laws—but hesitated, unwilling to offend the Prince of War or risk being blamed for delaying his return to dine with his consort.