"By the Mandate of Heaven, His Imperial Majesty issues a sacred decree! Prince Cheng is to receive the edict at once!"
A loud voice rang through the courtyard, announcing a degree from the Emperor.
Cheng sat on his bed with his legs crossed, trying to clear his mind, but he could not find any peace. Letting out a slow breath, he got up and stepped outside, his face giving nothing away.
The imperial envoys had arrived at the Ninth Palace. Cloaked in red and gold, the court eunuch stepped forward, holding the scroll with both hands, flanked by two guards. He bowed low before unrolling the imperial decree. Cheng immediately dropped to his knees in formal acknowledgment.
He raised the scroll and called out in a sharp and formal tone, "By the command of His Imperial Majesty, the Son of Heaven, an imperial decree is issued!" Cheng lowered his head in respect. The eunuch continued aloud, "Prince Cheng is to present himself at the imperial palace at once!"
Once the message was delivered, the eunuch rolled up the decree, gave another bow, and stepped back. Cheng stood up, brushing the dust from his robes just as hurried footsteps approached. Yize stopped short at the sight of the palace messengers, quickly bowing in greeting as they departed.
Cheng turned to him. "What is it?"
Yize paused for only a moment before speaking. "Your Highness, I bring urgent news—" he instantly dropped to his knees. "Forgive me, Your Highness, for acting without your command, but I sent word to Jīngwèi Bureau. They conducted a thorough investigation on Li Ming and uncovered disturbing information." He extended a letter to Cheng.
Cheng unfolded it and his eyes scanned the contents.
"Li Ming had a history of preying on women in Jingyun, his hometown," Yizé continued. "His behavior grew so intolerable that the villagers eventually forced him out."
Cheng's grip tightened around the letter.
"He has a pattern of obsessive and unstable behavior," Yizé added. "Multiple accounts describe him harassing young women before his banishment."
Cheng's jaw tensed.
"Our men are searching all known locations. We suspect that he may be hiding in an old refuge outside town. A team is already on its way there."
Cheng shut his eyes for a brief moment, trying to calm himself. He was consumed by rage, but he could not let it cloud his judgment.
Mei was strong, she could fight but against an erratic man consumed by obsession, in an isolated place where no one could hear her cry for help?
Cheng exhaled slowly, and read the details again, as if reading them once more would make the truth less infuriating. His grip on the parchment tightened even more.
Li Ming was a predator, a man cast out of his own home for preying on the weak. And now, he had Mei.
Yizé remained kneeling, awaiting further orders.
"They believe he will not stay in one place for long," Cheng finally spoke, though his voice was calm but full of anger. "He has a pattern of moving frequently, to avoid detection I presume. If he believes we are closing in, he may try to flee with her."
"I cannot afford to risk it."
He turned to yize and said. "Send word to Zichen and the others. Tell them to stop immediately. I want every exit from the city watched, no one leaves without inspection. Have them relay any additional findings directly to me. "
The guard bowed and hurried away to fulfill the order.
...,,....
Prince Cheng rose from his bow and stood in front of his father. The emperor looked down at him, squinting his eyes and remaining silent at first. After a moment, he spoke.
"You do not look too bad for someone who has been serving a punishment all this time."
Cheng responded humbly, "It is by your grace, Your Majesty."
The emperor stroked his beard observantly, then said, "Anyway, I have decided to lift your punishment."
"It was all because of your reasonable fiancée, Princess Chan Juan. She came to plead on your behalf."
Cheng bowed again and expressed his gratitude, "I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty."
The emperor's expression softened slightly. "You should treat Princess Chan Juan with more affection and attention,"
"There is one condition to my decision."
Cheng lowered his head again, and asked in a respectful manner, "How may I serve you further, Father?"
The emperor's expression turned serious as he spoke. "There is trouble in Běifēng, the northern border. Our soldiers are facing difficulties with the alliance there. I need you to go and handle the situation."
Cheng straightened slightly. "It shall be done, Your Majesty."
The emperor nodded. "Once you resolve this and return, I will lift your punishment and reinstate you as Crown Prince."
The court reacted in unison, expressing their gratitude to the emperor. Cheng too bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not fail you."
"As you know, a royal marriage is meant to secure both the line of succession and important alliances," the emperor continued steadily. "I have decided to move up your marriage date to Lady Chàn Juán."
A ripple of whispers ran through the court. Cheng tensed in surprise but struggled to keep his face neutral, even though his thoughts were racing.
The emperor lifted a hand, silencing the room. "These are turbulent times, we must present a united front. Your marriage to the princess will strengthen your position and this empire."
Cheng's mind reeled. "Is this new date at the princess's request?" His emotions were swirling underneath his calm exterior.
The emperor nodded in response. "The princess has been persistent in her suit, she has your best interests at heart. She also says that it will give her clan more standing at court."
"And you believe granting her request is wise, Father?"
A little frown appeared on the emperor's face. "Watch your tone, boy. The princess hails from a powerful family. We must consider all factors, not judge by our personal feelings."
Cheng felt a spark of anger but quickly smothered it. "I understand, Father."
"You will be wed on the new date, once it is discussed," the emperor added, his tone final.
Cheng inclined his head again, his frustration bubbled up, but he held his composure. He bowed low to dismiss himself and turned to leave. On his way out, one of the ministers spoke up.
"Congratulations, Prince Cheng. Your marriage will no doubt strengthen the realm."
Cheng shot the minister a cold, piercing stare. The minister immediately recoiled, retreating into the background, his earlier words forgotten.
The anger boiled inside Cheng as he made his way down the grand corridor, that his footsteps echoed loudly in the silence.
Stepping outside the palace, he called to Yizé. "Prepare my horse. I ride out of town in a few minutes."
Yizé hesitated. "Your Highness, it may be unwise to—"
"I will not repeat myself,"
Yizé bowed his head. "Yes, Your Highness."
As Yizé hurried off to prepare, Cheng stood and closed his eyes for a brief moment, as guilt weighed heavily on him. If only he had intervened sooner, Mei would be with him now, safe from danger, not at the mercy of a madman, and Cheng couldn't bear it.
He shook his head, pushing the guilt aside. His focus shifted to what mattered most, and that was getting Mei back.
Rushed marriages and oblivious ministers were small problems in comparison to the life of someone he cared about. The wedding could wait. As long as Mei was out there, in danger, he had no time to dwell on politics or royal expectations.
It wasn't beyond reason that Chan Juan had rushed the wedding, sensing the growing connection between himself and Mei. She feared losing her claim on him if his heart strayed elsewhere. Cheng knew the princess to be ambitious, but not ruthless.
And the emperor, under pressure from politics, had agreed far too easily.
...,...
Yú Yuè sat by the stream, staring at the water, thinking deeply about Mei.
She couldn't help but feel like this was karma for suggesting they go behind the emperor's back and sneak Xiao out that night. But it seemed karma had caught the wrong person or maybe this was the plan, to make her suffer now, wracked with guilt and worry.
She rested her forehead in her hands, and her thoughts felt even heavier when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Three palace maids walked past, their laughter ringing in the air, gossiping loudly among themselves. They stopped when they saw her, and one of them sneered.
"Look who it is," said the first maid, her tone dripping with disdain.
The others giggled cruelly, and Yú Yuè didn't react. She had been through this before, if she gave in to anger, it would only make things worse. All she could do was try to ignore them, hoping they would tire of tormenting her soon.
But the maids were not ready to let her be. They exchanged looks, clearly surprised she was not biting back.
"What is the matter, peasant girl? Does the prince grow tired of you?" Another maid mocked.
"We only say what everyone else thinks," added the first maid with a grin. "A lowly servant like you has no business tending royal flowers. You would be better off mucking out the stables."
Yú Yuè exhaled deeply, trying to calm down and hold back her anger and sadness. Slowly, she turned to face them, "I work hard as a lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty, same as you. So tell me, what gives you the right to constantly mock me when I have done nothing to harm you?"
Her question was met with only more scornful laughter.
"Oh please, do not play the naive girl with us," one of the maids sneered. "We all know how you have really caught the prince's eye."
The others giggled again. "Yes, what are you hoping to gain by entertaining him? A royal favor, maybe? Or a jump up the social ladder?" the second maid taunted. "It must be exhausting pretending you care about his empty conversations, just for your own benefit."
"First that swordswoman, now you. Your kind is all the same," the first maid continued with a smirk. "Ready to spread your legs for any man who can afford your price."
Yú Yuè clenched her fists, but she stayed calm. The words stung, but she would not let them get to her.
"Truly," the second maid chimed in, "throwing yourself at royals, shameless indeed. At least be honest about your ambitions, instead of this poor act. I am sure you dream of the prince making you his concubine, so you will never have to muck out a stable again."
Yú Yuè stood tall and fixed them with a cold, piercing look. "If politicking for position and seducing men is so enticing to you, then by all means, follow your own advice," her voice was sharp this time.
"No one is stopping you from batting your lashes at every minister or official who crosses your path. Perhaps you will have more luck gaining favor through carnal means, since you clearly lack charm, wit, or talent."
The maids were taken aback by her words, their faces flickering with surprise. One of them sputtered, "You! How dare you speak to us that way, you insolent wretch! You will pay for your impudence, just wait and see!"
Yú Yuè stood her ground, her voice was cool and unbothered. "Whatever misguided notions you harbor about my intentions, keep them to yourselves from now on. I am not some peasant for you to torment as you please. Now take your rude behavior and go. I have no wish to listen to your nonsense any longer."
With that, the maids huffed, muttering curses under their breath, and stormed off, their laughter now replaced by angry murmurs.