Volume One, Chapter 16: Princess of Virtue and Well-Being

After Lu Shao returned to his residence yesterday, he immediately sent someone to inquire at the Shen residence about Yan Nanfei’s purpose for visiting.

A vague unease gnawed at him. No matter how he reasoned, it seemed impossible, yet he couldn’t help but worry that Yan Nanfei had indeed come for Shen Xingdu.

The attendant returned with news that the eldest Miss Shen had suddenly awakened and had been summoned to the palace along with General Yan.

Lu Shao grew even more restless.

The emperor suddenly wished to see Xingdu, and with General Yan by his side no less—this was highly unusual.

Early this morning, a palace eunuch arrived at the Lu residence with a message: that evening there would be a banquet at the palace, and all officials were to attend with their families, for the emperor had an important announcement to make.

Shen Xingdu had only just entered the palace once, and now there was already a significant proclamation?

Lu Shao could no longer sit still. After the palace attendants left, he hurried straight to the Grand Tutor’s residence.

Upon entering, he immediately encountered Shen Yue’e.

“Brother Shao, are you here for me or for Father?”

His impatience showing, Lu Shao snapped out, “Xingdu has awakened?”

Sure enough, Shen Yue’e’s face fell at once.

“What? Brother Lu, could it be that you regret it? Thinking of marrying my legitimate sister again?

Too bad—you’re one step too late. Yesterday, General Yan came to propose marriage to Father, requesting to wed the Shen family’s legitimate daughter.

Later, the emperor summoned the two of them into the palace, and they haven’t returned since.

Maybe His Majesty intends to grant them a marriage!”

“No way!” Lu Shao was flustered, blurting out those words without restraint.

Forgetting all decorum, he strode past Shen Yue’e toward the study to find Grand Tutor Shen.

Shen Yue’e chased after him in frustration.

“Brother Shao! Lu Shao! Come back!”

Pushing open the study door, Lu Shao found Grand Tutor Shen deep in thought, grinding ink alone.

Looking up, the tutor saw Lu Shao and nodded.

Lu Shao clasped his fists and bowed slightly, then carefully probed, “Lord Shen, do you know the reason for tonight’s banquet?”

At that moment, Shen Yue’e appeared at the door, echoing in unison, “What banquet?”

Lu Shao hesitated, pressing further, “Didn’t anyone from the palace deliver the message? I came only after receiving the imperial edict. Tonight the palace holds a banquet. The eunuch who delivered the order arrived just after Father left court, practically alongside his carriage.

Every family is to attend with their kin, for the emperor has important announcements. Didn’t the palace notify you?”

The brush fell from Shen’s hand, ink splattering.

The previous day, after receiving the palace’s notice that Shen Xingdu was to remain in the palace for a short stay, Grand Tutor Shen had already spent a sleepless night.

He feared that the emperor might resent him for his harsh treatment of Shen Xingdu over the past half month.

Dragging his ailing body to court, he had seen no change in the emperor’s attitude, which gave him only partial relief.

Returning home in a daze, Lu Shao burst through the door.

The palace banquet was to announce important matters, yet he alone was not invited.

Could the reason be anything other than obvious?

Suddenly feeling the weight of a lifetime of shrewdness undone by a single moment’s folly, Grand Tutor Shen’s vision darkened and he sank back into his armchair.

“Father? What’s wrong?” Shen Yue’e hurried over to support him, but Lu Shao instructed, “Go quickly and fetch Madam Shen. Call for the doctor.”

Sitting back, Grand Tutor Shen waved it off, “No need for trouble. I have simply overexerted myself; a rest will suffice.”

He began to soothe himself with hopeful thoughts—that perhaps it had nothing to do with Shen Xingdu, just a coincidence.

Half a month ago, when Shen Xingdu was close to death, he had sent servants to summon the imperial physician, but to no avail.

He had even gone personally, yet still failed to bring the doctor.

He only tacitly consented to betroth his own daughter to Lu Shao in an attempt to salvage some loss.

Later, when Shen Xingdu was found returning late at night from the forest, the matter was somehow publicized.

If the emperor truly cared for her, he could have taken measures to suppress the rumors.

Yet the emperor did nothing, allowing gossip to spread freely.

As a result, his cherished eldest daughter, once so carefully nurtured, was reduced overnight to a scandalized fallen flower.

He had merely followed the tide, marrying Shen Xingdu off to Lu Shao as a concubine, or trading her to merchants for some wealth—a desperate move to recover losses.

However, Shen Xingdu remained in the dark, unaware of all this.

Grand Tutor Shen steadied his nerves, knowing he must not panic.

Suddenly inspired, he signaled Lu Shao.

“Second Young Master Lu, please close the door. I have something to discuss with you.”

...

Having reassured herself about the emperor, Shen Xingdu was then surrounded by palace attendants who measured her waist and arm span.

They styled her hair high, adorned it with pearl rings, dressing her so heavily she swayed with every step, jingling incessantly, begging for mercy.

She was continually pushed forward like a reluctant duck until evening.

Within the palace, countless lanterns blazed, golden light reflecting off crimson walls.

From her chamber, Shen Xingdu cautiously cracked open a window and peered out.

Officials and their families streamed through the palace gates in orderly procession.

Among the crowd, a gaze fell in her direction—Shen Xingdu recognized Yan Nanfei immediately.

It was the first time she had ever looked at him with her own eyes.

Yet only a few hours apart, it felt as if an eternity.

The night before, she had been cradled in his arms, nestled in his embrace, full and content.

Now she could only watch from afar through a window.

Yan Nanfei wore a jade crown with his hair piled high, dark brows reaching to his temples, eyes deep and cold as frost.

He donned a subtle black ceremonial robe, a jade belt embroidered with auspicious clouds encircling his waist.

Fufu perched on his shoulder, noble and spirited, brushing the smooth fox fur that shimmered in the breeze.

Indeed, unlike her, Fufu was certainly adept at grooming himself.

Could he possibly see her from such a distance?

Just as she thought this, Yan Nanfei suddenly halted, withdrew a hairpin from his wide sleeve, and placed it in his hair.

Shen Xingdu’s brow twitched.

That was her hairpin!

Yan Nanfei had seen her!

Heart pounding, Shen Xingdu hastily closed the window, her heartbeat skipping a beat.

Soon, palace attendants summoned her—her moment to appear had arrived.

Placing her hand on the servant’s back, she was guided toward the grand hall where the banquet was held.

Within the hall, a eunuch loudly recited numerous flattering praises about her, the words echoing throughout the chamber.

“In this grand era of the great Zhao, where heaven and earth shine bright, and the sun and moon illuminate the world, I humbly find myself living in such times with reverence.

A grand ceremony is held to proclaim that the Shen family’s legitimate daughter, Shen Xingdu, is hereby recognized as my adopted daughter, manifesting the heavenly mandate and revealing imperial grace.

Today, my righteous adopted daughter Xingdu possesses graceful beauty, noble character, versed in poetry, calligraphy, and rites, compassionate at heart, endowed with wisdom and talent—a true jewel of the great Zhao, the glory of the royal family.

My heart is greatly comforted, and I bestow upon her the title ‘Princess Dekang’ to symbolize my favor and high hopes.

‘Princess Dekang’ embodies my expectations for you:

May you shine like the midday sun, illuminating all directions;

May you be as constant as the moon, forever compassionate;

May you sparkle like the stars, leading elegance and grace.

You shall inherit the virtues of your ancestors, uphold the ways of womanhood, and diligently manage your household.

Moreover, you must prioritize the nation and care for its people, perform good deeds, foster virtuous connections, so that the great Zhao’s renown spreads far and wide, and all within the realm know of our royal princess’s noble virtues.

I deeply understand the weighty responsibilities placed upon you, heavier than Mount Tai.

Yet I also firmly believe that my daughter will meet this challenge with wisdom and courage.

Today’s investiture not only affirms your past but also sets expectations for your future.

May you, in the years to come, contribute your strength to my great Zhao’s prosperity and the welfare of its people.

Now, I command the Ministry of Rites to prepare abundant gifts to celebrate this grand occasion.

I shall personally bestow the golden certificate and seal to confirm this investiture.

May the name ‘Princess Dekang’ be forever recorded in the annals of history, celebrated for generations.

The investiture ceremony commences.

May heaven, earth, and deities bear witness to this sincerity, bless our great Zhao with peace and prosperity, and grant the princess longevity, happiness, and success in all endeavors.

—Respectfully issued by the Emperor of the great Zhao.”

As the eunuch finished reading, the hall erupted in astonishment and murmurs.

Minister of Rites Lu Ran happened to stand beside Chancellor Yan Wenyuan.

Seeing that the emperor had acknowledged Shen Xingdu as his adopted daughter, a tangle of emotions stirred within him.

Hadn’t her reputation already been utterly ruined?

If he had known this would happen, why bother changing the bride?

No matter how tarnished her name, could it compare to the vast favor of imperial grace?

Shao’er had indeed made a critical miscalculation, even in judgment.