Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: The Wild Geese Fly South in Anger

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Lu Ran’s heart was filled with an unbearable resentment, and he couldn’t help but sigh aloud to Lord Yan beside him. “Has Your Lordship ever heard the Emperor mention recognizing an adopted daughter? Why is it so sudden? So grand? Recognizing an adopted daughter is already unusual enough, but to directly confer the title of princess—using ‘Virtue’ as her title, no less. What extraordinary destiny has the Shen family’s legitimate daughter received to merit such imperial favor? It almost eclipses the true princesses themselves.”

Yan Wenyuan toyed with a jade pendant in his hand, recalling that just yesterday Yan Nanfei had mentioned plans to betroth the Shen family’s daughter. This morning, seeing his son’s stern expression, and now the Emperor elevating the Shen lady so highly, seeking her hand would be no different from marrying a princess of Dazhao. Lost in many calculations, Lord Yan had no desire to respond and casually replied, “I don’t know any more than you, Lord Lu. Wouldn’t it be better to ask Lord Shen? You and Lord Shen have always been close.”

Lu Ran was silenced by Yan Wenyuan’s retort. Shen Xingzhang could barely stand at this moment; he had not even been invited. He had come to witness the ceremony only by using Lu Shao’s name card. In a single day, the Emperor recognized Shen Xingdu as his adopted daughter, granted her a princess title, and bestowed the highest honor, yet did not invite the Shen family. The meaning of this rebuke was unmistakably clear. Shen Xingzhang was so furious he wished to tie Jiang to a tree and beat her to vent his anger.

Shen Xingzhang forced down his panic and carefully analyzed the situation. The Emperor had not directly taken Shen Xingdu back, proving either she refused or the Emperor was unable. Yet granting her such honors proved the Emperor had neither abandoned her nor underestimated her weight in his heart before. The Emperor surely did not want Shen Xingdu to know that the harsh treatment she had endured these past two weeks came from her own father. Thus, the Emperor merely reprimanded him without punishing him. The current strategy was to win back Shen Xingdu’s heart. As long as she and her foster father were united, the Emperor would not dare harm him lightly.

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Shen Xingdu stood before the hall, looking up directly at the Emperor. Though keeping her eyes forward throughout the procession, she sensed this investiture was no hastily arranged affair but rather long prepared, as if awaiting this very day. They had agreed only to recognize her as an adopted daughter and grant her the title of county princess or marquis, so how did she become a full princess? Moreover, the ceremony’s lavishness surpassed any investiture she had ever attended.

The Emperor’s words of investiture were longer and more heartfelt than ever before, making previous princesses seem like mere afterthoughts and herself the only true daughter. It was as if the Emperor had transferred all his love for the Empress Dowager onto her, wishing he could scatter gold leaf along her path. Seated alone on the high throne, below him was the highest-ranking consort, Chen Fei Lu Ruanyuan. The De Consort, Shu Consort, and Xian Consort sat on either side. Further back were the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Prince Qin and Prince Kang with their wives, all seated in rows. The yet-to-establish Prince Lian and the frosty-eyed Princess Fukan sat together.

Shen Xingdu solemnly accepted the imperial edict, bowed slowly to the Emperor, touched her forehead to the ground, and recited, “Your humble servant receives the decree and thanks His Majesty for his grace.” After expressing thanks, she knelt waiting for the Emperor’s dismissal. Time passed, her back aching from kneeling, until a eunuch loudly proclaimed, “The Emperor commands General Yan Nanfei of Zhenyuan to come forward to receive the decree!”

Shen Xingdu’s heart panicked; she ignored court etiquette and quickly looked toward the Emperor. Why summon Yan Nanfei now? Who had consulted with him? Was this not an injustice to her? Yan Nanfei would surely misunderstand that the marriage was the Emperor’s doing! Although Fufu had been exchanged back, Yan Nanfei still clung to the title of general’s wife.

Yet the Emperor, the unfortunate dupe, wore a benevolent smile, seemingly proud of something. Shen Xingdu hurriedly looked back at Yan Nanfei, who wore a dark ceremonial robe, carrying Fufu on his shoulder. Tall and broad-shouldered yet slender-waisted, he stood out strikingly among the crowd. Yan Nanfei knelt beside her, placing Fufu between them. Fufu sniffed Shen Xingdu, wagged his tail like a dog, and nuzzled her.

Such a sight was hardly fitting for the grand hall. Anyone else bringing a pet into the palace would have been punished long ago. Only Yan Nanfei dared such insolence, with his pet following him unquestioningly.

Shen Xingdu whispered, “General Yan, why do you kneel? Don’t worry, if Father insists on this marriage, I will refuse. This time I won’t let you suffer for it!”

Yan Nanfei ignored her without even a glance.

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As if he did not know her at all. Shen Xingdu felt wronged and sulked, wondering if he was… angry?

Yan Nanfei loudly declared to the Emperor, “I am here.” Then a eunuch produced another scroll of imperial decree, glanced at the Emperor, received his nod, and began reading aloud.

“I have heard that General Yan Nanfei of Zhenyuan is brave and skilled in battle, with outstanding merits, a pillar of the nation; that Princess Dekang is gentle, virtuous, talented, and beautiful, a treasure of the royal family. Today, I specially decree the marriage of these two to unite Qin and Jin, jointly ensuring the peace of the realm. The Internal Affairs Department shall prepare all wedding arrangements promptly, ensuring solemnity and grandeur to display royal dignity and the deep love between the couple. By imperial order!”

As soon as the edict finished, Shen Xingdu was about to refuse, uttering, “Father…” when Yan Nanfei suddenly grasped her wrist with such force he pulled her back onto her seat. The jade hairpins and pearls in her hair jingled from the movement. Shen Xingdu did not understand his intent but saw him place both hands on the ground and, while performing a grand bow, pressed her heavy head down with his other hand.

He loudly proclaimed, “General Yan Nanfei of Zhenyuan receives the decree and thanks His Majesty for his grace. I shall not fail the imperial will, cherish Princess Dekang, and serve Dazhao faithfully, fulfilling Your Majesty’s great expectations.”

Having accepted the decree and expressed gratitude, Yan Nanfei picked up Fufu, who was rubbing against Shen Xingdu, and turned to leave, never uttering a word to her. He truly seemed angry. Angry at her.

As Shen Xingdu was helped to exit by palace attendants, she began reflecting on how she might have offended General Yan. She had caused him considerable trouble these past days, but the only thing that could have truly upset him was this sudden arranged marriage. She never intended to separate him from Miss Du or bind him to the royal family. She must find a chance to privately explain and annul the marriage herself.

Just as she thought this, Lu Shao blocked her path. “Your Highness, I have a few words to say. Please dismiss your attendants.”