FYM - 114

That day, the young emperor truly had a delightful time.

What was so special about a kite? Even if it were adorned with jade and jewels, he wouldn’t spare it a second glance. What was truly precious was the rare moment of leisure and tranquility—strolling through the bright sunshine with his mother, accompanied by the ever-capable Lord Fang. Nothing else in the world could make him feel such a profound sense of security. If life in Jinling were always this pleasant, whether to return to the two capitals or not… well, it didn’t seem so important anymore.

That day, his mother’s smile seemed more frequent than usual. She was very beautiful—he had known that since he was a child—but in the past, she rarely smiled. Even when she did, her expression remained faint, as if true joy always eluded her, like a distant orchid, ethereal and untouchable. But that day was different. He could feel her happiness—it was subtle yet genuine, calm and light. If only she would remove that elaborate, somewhat aged hairstyle, she would look even more like a young maiden. After all, she was only twenty-five… how could she be considered old?

He stole glances at her along the way, unknowingly becoming entranced by the gentle waves in her eyes. Occasionally, he caught her exchanging glances with Lord Fang—each time fleeting, seemingly accidental. Yet their appearances were so strikingly beautiful that simply standing together made them a sight to behold. In fact, it stirred within him a strange, indescribable feeling…

He couldn’t quite put it into words. At times, he felt happy, but at others, an inexplicable heaviness weighed on his chest. By the time he returned to An Hall for dinner, he felt listless. The palace attendants assumed he was tired from playing and urged him to rest early. He skimmed through some books casually and went to bed shortly after the second watch of the night.

…He had a dream.

In the dream, thick fog surrounded him, so dense he couldn’t see his own hand in front of his face. He wandered aimlessly, unsure where to go. Suddenly, the path turned, and he caught the scent of sweet flowers. A woman’s soft laughter guided him deeper and deeper. As he looked around, he saw a shimmering flash of crimson—a vision that resembled both a tree in full bloom and the fluttering hem of a beauty’s skirt.

He hurried forward eagerly, but his foot slipped, and he began to fall endlessly. Just then, the woman stopped hiding and grabbed his hand, pulling him down into the misty void. His heart raced wildly, and his body burned with excitement. Even though he couldn’t see her face clearly, he clung tightly to her hand and pleaded, “You… don’t leave…”

She laughed again, her voice like the tinkling of silver bells. She whispered softly in his ear, “I won’t leave… I’ve already said I’ll stay with you forever…”

With that, she embraced him. Her faint fragrance was intoxicating. Dizzy with desire, he instinctively tilted his head and kissed her lips. For a moment, he felt as if he had ascended to paradise. But in the next instant, a violent, overwhelming urge surged within him—to completely destroy her.

“I want you to stay here forever—I, I want…”

His words were jumbled and incoherent. She only nestled against him, her dazed gaze bewitching him further. He stared at her, spellbound, as the swirling mist began to dissipate. Then, a face he knew all too well appeared before him—almond-shaped eyes, a delicate nose, a radiant complexion, and an ethereal beauty that took his breath away. It was…

“Ahh—”

A panicked scream echoed from within the imperial bed curtains, startling the attendants outside. One rushed to inquire if His Majesty was unwell, while another hurried to summon the eunuch-in-chief. By the time Wang Mu arrived, the inner hall was already filled with kneeling servants. The young emperor, in a fit of rage, shouted, “Get out—all of you, get out!”

The trembling palace maids and eunuchs breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Wang Mu. He sighed inwardly, waved for them to leave, and approached the dragon bed cautiously, speaking gently: “Your Majesty… it’s me, your humble servant.”

The dragon bed fell silent, save for the young emperor’s labored breathing. Wang Mu listened intently, his brows furrowing as he asked, “Did Your Majesty have a nightmare? Shall I summon the imperial physician?”

The young emperor didn’t respond, his breathing now tinged with quiet sobs. Wang Mu’s heart tightened. He asked again, “I humbly request permission to lift the bed curtain, Your Majesty.”

There was no response from within, which Wang Mu interpreted as tacit approval. He bowed apologetically and carefully lifted a corner of the heavy, ornate curtain. What he saw was the young emperor huddled in the corner of the bed, his face flushed and his eyes wet with tears.

…And beneath him, the bedclothes were in disarray.

Several days later, the results of the civil examination were announced. When Yinping Prince Wei Bi received the list of candidates selected for the final imperial examination, he eagerly scanned it. To his delight, Li Fu of Hedong, whom he had strongly recommended, was among the names, while several scholars closely aligned with Song Bo had failed. Overjoyed, Wei Bi felt a satisfaction far greater than if he himself had passed the exam.

He gathered a few colleagues for a celebratory banquet, convinced that the young empress dowager behind the curtain was merely trying to appease their Luoyang faction. Since she was being cautious, it was only fair to give her some concessions. His companions flattered him extravagantly, praising him for turning the tide and promising to rely on his support in the future. Wei Bi basked in the praise, drinking until he was thoroughly intoxicated.

The next morning, he slept late into the day. While a maid was helping him wash his face with a warm towel, he heard that his youngest daughter had come to bring him a hangover remedy. Smiling broadly, he removed the towel and personally rose to welcome her inside.

Holding a bowl of soup, Wei Lan looked at her father and teased, “It seems something good happened at court. Father drank so much last night, yet you’re still smiling this morning.”

Her words carried a hint of reproach, but also the unique tenderness of a devoted daughter. Wei Bi, in high spirits, took the spoon from her hand and said, “Court affairs are unpredictable, but our household is about to experience something auspicious.”

Wei Lan was taken aback, sensing the weight behind her father’s meaningful gaze. “What do you mean, Father?”

Wei Bi drained the bowl in one gulp, handed it to a servant, and gently patted his daughter’s hand. “My dear Lan, now that you’ve set your heart on a man, as your father, it’s my duty to secure this good match for you.”

This statement utterly shocked Wei Lan. Her face flushed white, then red, as she avoided her father’s gaze and stammered, “F-Father, what are you saying…”

Though she tried to play coy, she knew nothing in the household escaped her father’s notice. He must have learned of her repeated outings to seek out Lord Fang. But how much did he know…?

“Lan, don’t be alarmed. Boys marry, girls wed—it’s only natural. I’m not unreasonable,” Wei Bi chuckled, his expression surprisingly tender as he spoke to his daughter. “Just tell me—are you truly willing to marry into the Yingchuan Fang family?”

This…

The Fang family of Yingchuan was noble and prestigious, its patriarch one of the five senior ministers and a powerful figure in the court. How could she possibly presume to marry into such a household? Though she prided herself on her beauty and intelligence, her encounter with Lord Fang at Jiangyunlou hadn’t garnered her any special favor. Perhaps he simply didn’t think much of her…

A wave of unease washed over her. Still, the fifteen-year-old girl finally confided in her father, lowering her eyes and murmuring, “Lord Fang is a man of great stature and discernment… I fear…”

Wei Bi frowned, waving his hand dismissively. “Nonsense! He may be of high rank, but is my daughter not the daughter of a noble house? Many families vie for her hand. It would be his fortune to marry you!”

Though his words were grand and inspiring, they did little to reassure Wei Lan. Her brows remained knitted as she sighed, “Perhaps in Father’s eyes, I am perfect, but Lord Fang—an outstanding man like him—has yet to marry or have children. If not for his high standards, what else could it be?”

Wei Bi snorted derisively, his tone laced with sarcasm. “The Fang family of Yingchuan is burdened by its reputation—they cannot afford any flaws. Back when his parents died and the nation faced turmoil, holding a wedding celebration would have invited ridicule. No man can defy circumstances, not even the head of the Fang family…”

His eyes gleamed sharply, and his tone grew excited. “But now the situation has changed. The empress dowager seeks to appease our Luoyang faction, and Lord Fang will surely weigh the pros and cons. My Lan, with her beauty and wisdom, is a bargain he cannot refuse!”

Though his explanation was incomplete, Wei Lan, intelligent as she was, understood the deeper meaning. Her marriage to him was, in essence, a political union meant to reconcile the two factions.

Instead of despairing like other noble daughters might upon hearing the word “political marriage,” she felt a growing joy and, for the first time, a flicker of hope and confidence in marrying the man.

Her father was right! As the head of the Fang family, he would naturally consider the broader implications for the court and the nation. A marriage alliance could resolve the conflict between the two factions—why wouldn’t he seize such an advantageous opportunity? Though the thought was somewhat calculating, once they were married, she was confident she could win his love! Day and night, she would pour her heart into caring for him, managing the household, and supporting his political endeavors. She would become his most devoted and understanding wife!

She could almost envision their future together, harmonious and blissful. Her eyes sparkled with autumn water, her cheeks flushed like rosy clouds—there was no trace of reluctance in her demeanor. Wei Bi laughed heartily, patting his daughter’s hand affectionately. “Very well… Lan, just wait for your father’s good news.”