Chapter 27: One Wife and No Other

"Oh? It's perfectly normal for a man to have several wives and concubines. After marrying, you can still take another wife," King Dongling spoke indifferently, clearly unconcerned.

"There shall be only one wife for Zhongli Yu in this lifetime. I will never marry again. Your Majesty, please grant me this request," Zhongli Yu declared solemnly, his expression resolute beyond doubt.

Gasps echoed throughout the hall; such a declaration was truly shocking. Among the men present, who would willingly choose to have but one woman for a lifetime?

Princess Birou's face turned pale; she had not expected Prince Chun to reject her so directly. She was the proud princess of Xiyuan, celebrated as the kingdom’s greatest beauty, with countless suitors whom she had always dismissed without a second thought. In Xiyuan, she had long heard the tales of Prince Chun, exalted as being without equal under heaven. From that moment, her proud heart had determined that only such a man was worthy of her. How could she accept this outcome? She was indignant, deeply so. Was she, a princess, inferior to some nameless woman?

Yet Zhan Yan remained quietly seated. Hearing Zhongli Yu’s vow to cherish only her in this life moved her deeply. To have such a man willing to take this stand for her—her second chance at life was indeed worthwhile. With this, what more was there to fear?

"Princess Birou, since Prince Chun is unwilling to marry again, might it not be better to choose another gentleman?" King Dongling spoke up, not responding directly to Zhongli Yu’s words.

"Prince Chun, do you reject me like this because you are afraid of your wife?" Princess Birou ignored the king’s suggestion, turning instead to question Zhongli Yu.

An astonished murmur swept the hall—such a question! What man would ever admit to fearing his wife?

"Yes, I am afraid of her," Zhongli Yu replied calmly. At once, the clatter of cups and plates falling to the ground filled the air, joined by the shocked exclamations of those present. But his next words silenced all at once: "Of course I am afraid. I fear her sadness, her distress, her tears, and any harm that might come to her." Zhongli Yu gazed softly at his wife, speaking quietly as if no one else existed in the world, his eyes holding no room for any other.

Countless women looked upon Zhan Yan with envy and longing, wishing they could be the wife of Prince Chun, cherished by such a man. It had long been said that Prince Chun was cold and unfeeling, his gaze unmoved even by Lin Xuelian, the capital’s renowned beauty. Many dreamed of catching his eye, but as rumors suggested, he kept all women at a distance and showed only disdain. Today, they realized he was not heartless, but unwaveringly devoted—his affections reserved for that unremarkable woman alone. Was it merely because of her stunning face? Resentment and bitterness welled up in their hearts, and in that moment, countless maiden dreams shattered silently to the ground.

"It appears your kingdom has no true intention of maintaining friendly ties between our nations. Should I take this as a refusal of Xiyuan’s offer of alliance through marriage?" Princess Birou pressed, her pride wounded beyond bearing.

"The princess may choose anyone in Dongling for an alliance," Zhongli Yu replied coolly.

"Prince Chun, will you not reconsider? Perhaps in a few days you’ll come to your senses," King Dongling said, casting Zhongli Yu a warning glance.

"There is nothing to reconsider. My mind is made up," Zhongli Yu answered firmly.

"Absurd! How can a man marry only one woman in his life? This is sheer nonsense!" King Dongling rebuked loudly.

"How is it nonsense? I like only my wife—any more would simply be an eyesore," Zhongli Yu replied without concern.

"You—! Where is the Princess Consort of Chun?" Finding Zhongli Yu unyielding, the king swept his gaze across the assembled ladies.

Hearing herself summoned, Zhan Yan’s eyes flashed briefly with resignation, quickly hidden away. She rose slowly and walked to the center of the golden hall.

"Gu Wuyou, Princess Consort of Chun, pays her respects to Your Majesty," she announced in a clear, steady voice.

All eyes turned to the woman standing in the hall’s center, dressed in resplendent red court robes, radiating regal grace. Her stunning beauty was enough to captivate any gaze, and she stood before the emperor calm and unruffled, her composure surpassing even the most refined noble daughters.

King Dongling regarded this serene and extraordinary woman, momentarily lost in thought, but quickly regained his imperial poise.

"Princess Consort of Chun, are you truly content to let Prince Chun act so recklessly? For your sake, he vows never to marry again. Does this not harm your reputation, branding you as a jealous woman?" The king’s expression was stern as he addressed Zhan Yan.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to bear that reputation. There is nothing wrong with being called jealous," Zhan Yan replied coolly.

"The princess of Xiyuan’s marriage is a matter of state as well as family. Have you considered the consequences?" the king pressed, his tone displeased.

"The friendship between Dongling and Xiyuan cannot be secured by having my husband trade his looks in exchange," Zhan Yan replied, her words causing another wave of gasps throughout the hall. Zhongli Yu’s face darkened—what did she mean, trading his looks?

"And if I insist on granting the marriage decree?" the king demanded.

"Then, Your Majesty, I ask that you first have him write me a letter of divorce," she answered.

"Prince Chun, how do you manage your wife? How do you allow her to behave so outrageously?" King Dongling fumed.

"My wife speaks reason, and I agree wholeheartedly. Besides, I will never divorce her," Zhongli Yu answered, unfazed by the emperor’s anger.

"You... Enough, enough," King Dongling shook his head, waving his hand in resignation.

"Princess Birou, since Prince Chun refuses to marry again, will you not seek another worthy match? I cannot be the one to break up true love," the king said, looking at Princess Birou’s furious face with helplessness.

Princess Birou rose gracefully, dressed in a pink gauze gown, her noble headdress gleaming, figure tall and elegant, with bright eyes and skin fairer than snow—truly Xiyuan’s greatest beauty. She walked delicately toward Zhan Yan, coming to stand before her. Two beautiful women stood side by side: one calm and composed, the other restraining her anger.

"Your name is Gu Wuyou, isn't it?" Princess Birou asked coldly.

"I am Gu Wuyou," Zhan Yan replied, meeting her gaze with serenity.

"Did you know I have loved Prince Chun for five years?" Princess Birou’s eyes brimmed with grievance.

"I did not know," Zhan Yan replied coolly. "Frankly, I don’t care how many years you’ve liked him," she thought to herself.

"How can you lay sole claim to him?" Princess Birou demanded, unable to understand how this woman remained so unmoved.

"It was my husband who rejected you—what has that to do with me?" Zhan Yan replied calmly. She had never been soft-hearted toward those who tried to steal her husband; even in her past life, she despised those who meddled in another’s marriage.