Yet Another Fiancée

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Several zhang before the carriage, the riders drew their reins in unison and swung down from their saddles. A man in his late forties or fifties stepped out from their midst. He had a lean, refined face, a light beard beneath his chin, and sharp eyes flashing with vigor. "Young Master!" Wang Yu's thoughts raced, and he immediately recalled a figure from the dossiers concerning Zhao Yu. He promptly leapt down from the carriage. "Uncle Rong!" Zhao Rong was the adopted son of Zhao Yu's grandfather, the adoptive brother of the late Prince of Zhenxi Zhao Zheng, and the head steward of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor. Whenever Zhao Zheng went into secluded cultivation or traveled away, Zhao Rong oversaw all the affairs of the manor. "It is good that you have returned safely." Zhao Rong smiled, then looked toward Fang Shaobai and bowed respectfully. "My sincerest thanks to Young Hero Fang, the Sword in Wine, for escorting them all this way. The entire Prince of Zhenxi's Manor is deeply grateful." The mention of "Sword in Wine" brought a broad grin to Fang Shaobai's face. "Senior is too kind! Brother Zhao and I hit it off from our very first meeting and treat each other as brothers. Escorting him was only my duty." Zhao Rong's eyes flickered slightly. From the moment Wang Yu left the capital, the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor had received word, and Zhao Rong had dispatched men to welcome him. However, Wang Yu's party had traveled in great haste. Before his men could even make contact, Elder Yan had been poisoned to death, and Wang Yu's group had vanished. By the time they surfaced again, Fang Shaobai was already accompanying them on their journey to Longshan Prefecture. With Fang Shaobai by their side, the manor's agents refrained from revealing themselves, instead dividing their forces—some shadowing them from a distance, others relaying updates back to the manor at all times. That was why Zhao Rong had been able to come out and welcome them the moment they arrived at Longshan City. To tell the truth, Zhao Rong understood Zhao Yu's character reasonably well. Fang Shaobai was the pinnacle of this generation among the Seven Great Sword Sects; for the life of him, Zhao Rong could not fathom how Fang Shaobai could have hit it off with Zhao Yu and become sworn brothers. Still, it was undeniably a good thing! Zhao Rong gave a nod, and only then did he turn toward the carriage's female passengers. Subduing his smile, he cupped his fists in salute. "Greetings, Female Top Scholar." Li Yunxiu's eyes narrowed slightly. Zhao Rong had not addressed her as the Princess Consort, nor as my lady; instead, he had greeted her as the Female Top Scholar. That meant he had not yet acknowledged her status as the Prince of Zhenxi's consort. This was an imperial marriage decreed by the Emperor himself! Yet it also demonstrated just how fiercely independent the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor was. Yet this was well within Li Yunxiu's expectations. The Prince of Zhenxi's Manor was naturally wary of the imperial court, suspecting her of being a plant placed at Zhao Yu's side to influence him and seize control of the manor. In truth, their suspicions were not wrong. What a pity, however, that they had no idea this Wang Yu was no longer that Zhao Yu. Li Yunxiu offered a slight smile. Supported by Zi Ling, she stepped down from the carriage and curtsied gracefully, adopting Wang Yu's form of address. "Greetings, Uncle Rong." By doing so, she addressed him as family. Zhao Rong's mouth twitched. She was courteous and measured, backed by the status of a consort decreed by the Emperor; her grace made his snub seem rather petty by comparison. "Let us return to the manor first. A feast has already been prepared," Zhao Rong said. "The Western Regions produce fine grape wine, and the manor has several barrels of vintage stock. It is just the thing for Young Hero Fang to taste." Fang Shaobai's eyes shone brightly. "Splendid!" Wang Yu chimed in, "Is it chilled on ice?" Zhao Rong paused upon hearing this. "No." Wang Yu waved a hand. "Send someone back to pass word. Have them fetch ice to chill the wine; it will taste much better." "Understood!" Zhao Rong replied, gesturing to one of the riders to gallop ahead with the message. Two of the riders then dismounted to take over driving the carriage, while Wang Yu and Fang Shaobai mounted horses. The party entered Longshan Prefecture, and Wang Yu finally arrived at the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor that now belonged to him. The Prince of Zhenxi's Manor stood in the northwestern corner of Longshan City, surrounded by towering walls and sprawling courtyards. The plaza before the main gate alone was spacious enough to muster a small army. Hanging between bright red lanterns on either side, the plaque reading "Prince of Zhenxi's Manor" had been inscribed by Zhao Yu's grandfather, Zhao Ling, the first Prince of Zhenxi. The brushstrokes were vigorous and powerful, every stroke bristling with sharp defiance. The manor's main gate stood wide open. Flanking the entrance were neat rows of guards, servants, and maidservants. At the very front stood a cheerful, chubby youth with a jovial face, while beside the main gate stood a beautiful young maiden dressed in a moon-white floor-sweeping gown embroidered with cloud motifs. "Brother Yu!" Catching sight of Wang Yu, the chubby youth hurried forward. "It's been three years! I missed you to death!" Zhao Rong shot forward in a flash, cutting off the chubby youth and hissing through gritted teeth, "Address him as... Your... Highness!" "This is my worthless son, Zhao Yingjie. He visited the capital three years ago to pay respects to you, Young Master. He has an unruly temperament..." "Yingjie!" Wang Yu swung off his horse and looked Zhao Yingjie up and down. "Have you gotten fatter again?" Zhao Yingjie put on a solemn face. "I got thinner! When I heard Brother Yu was leaving the capital to return home, I thought of you day and night, tossing and turning in bed. I lost several jin!" Zhao Rong fought the urge to facepalm. Pushing Zhao Yingjie aside, he revealed the young maiden gliding gracefully forward. Wang Yu couldn't help gulping, his heart pounding in his chest. It wasn't because of the girl's breathtaking beauty, her delicate, clever eyes, or how she seemed to have stepped straight out of a painting—it was because she was nowhere to be found in the dossiers he had been given! Am I supposed to know her? Wang Yu stood where he was without saying a word, ready to play it by ear. Zhao Rong, however, was a straightforward man. Glancing at Wang Yu and then at Li Yunxiu, he introduced, "This is Lady Qianqian. She is your fiancée, Young Master—the future Princess Consort of Zhenxi, arranged by the late Prince." Wang Yu froze at his words. A sharp glint flashed in Li Yunxiu's eyes. Fang Shaobai looked between Li Yunxiu and Qianqian. One had eyes bright as stars, poised and elegant; the other looked timid and delicate, stirring an instinctive desire to protect her. Hm, where's my wine? Fang Shaobai unconsciously reached for the gourd at his waist. Qianqian came before the group and first dipped into a slight curtsy toward Wang Yu. "Brother Yu." Before Wang Yu could even reach out to help her up, Qianqian turned toward Li Yunxiu. "Thank you, Elder Sister, for taking care of my Prince all along the way." Li Yunxiu helped Qianqian up and replied, "You are too polite, Younger Sister. I am my husband's wife; supporting each other is only natural." With a frail expression, Qianqian asked curiously, "Elder Sister and Brother Yu have not yet performed the wedding rituals, have you?" Li Yunxiu smiled faintly. "His Majesty personally bestowed the marriage upon us. The entire realm knows of it." The two women clasped each other's hands, their eyes meeting. Wang Yu could almost see sparks crackling through the air between them. Fang Shaobai couldn't resist uncorking his wine gourd and taking a swig. With hidden barbs laced into every word they spoke, he felt uncomfortable just standing nearby and needed a quick drink to soothe his nerves. "Ahem!" Zhao Rong coughed dryly, breaking up the sisterly exchange. "Let us head inside first." ... The Prince of Zhenxi's Manor was vast. While it lacked the delicate refinement of Jiangnan gardens, it possessed the grand, imposing majesty of northwestern estates. Its carved beams and painted rafters were somewhat rustic, but its upturned eaves and interlocking brackets were magnificent in scale. Wang Yu followed several servants to a small courtyard off to the side of the manor. "It's still Dehe Pavilion, where you used to stay, Brother Yu," Zhao Yingjie explained with a grin as he walked beside him. "The old Prince's main quarters have already been tidied up, but Brother Yu still needs to pay respects and offer libations before you can move in." "Where is Yunxiu?" Wang Yu asked instead of replying. "Consort Li has been settled in Red Willow Garden," Zhao Yingjie replied immediately. Wang Yu paused, then asked again, "What about Lady Qianqian?" Zhao Yingjie chuckled mischievously. "In Hongyan Pavilion." Wang Yu mentally recalled the layout of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor from his dossiers. Dehe Pavilion and Hongyan Pavilion were both on the eastern side of the estate, right next to each other, whereas Red Willow Garden was on the western side, adjacent to Longyue Tower where Zhao Rong and his son lived. Wang Yu shot Zhao Yingjie a sideways glance. "Are you guarding against a thief?" "Well, isn't it obvious? The head of the Li family serves as an official in the imperial court, and Consort Li placed in the top three of the palace examination—personally selected by the Emperor himself!" As Zhao Yingjie spoke, he marveled, "She is the world-renowned Female Top Scholar. Rumor has it that she held court in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, talking circles around seasoned ministers and celebrated generals until they were left speechless. She's truly a figure of the first order in this world." Zhao Rong was Zhao Zheng's adoptive brother with no blood relation, and Zhao Yingjie was two years younger than Zhao Yu. As a boy, he had trailed after Zhao Yu all around the estate. Father and son posed no threat whatsoever to the Prince of Zhenxi's line, yet they were exceptionally close—confidants among confidants. Thus Zhao Yingjie spoke his mind freely before Wang Yu without holding back. "Still, you're the truly incredible one, Brother Yu! To win you over, that old Emperor actually bestowed such an extraordinary woman on you in marriage!" Wang Yu scoffed. "So you're worried I'll be blinded by beauty and package up the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor to sell off to the Emperor?" Zhao Yingjie rubbed his hands together and raised an eyebrow with a grin. "Not quite that. Of course, it would be best if Brother Yu works his magic, makes Consort Li submit willingly to you, and leaves that old Emperor losing both the lady and his troops!" Leaning close to Wang Yu, Zhao Yingjie said with a roguish grin, "I've got some Passion-Enchanting Incense and Bliss Powder here. Brother Yu..." Wang Yu's heart gave an involuntary thud. "She's the Female Top Scholar. You dare scheme against her—aren't you afraid of her retaliation?" Wang Yu suppressed the stir in his chest and gave a huff. "I'm going to win her over with my sheer charm and character!" Zhao Yingjie gave a thumbs-up and loudly cheered, "Mighty as expected, Brother Yu!" "What's the deal with that Qianqian?" Wang Yu pressed for information about his fiancée. "Why did the old man suddenly arrange a fiancée for me without me even knowing?" "I don't know either!" Zhao Yingjie shook his head like a rattle drum, immediately passing the buck. "Lady Qianqian was brought back by the old Prince in person, and he announced it himself. Everyone in the manor can attest to that." "When did this happen?" "About half a year ago!" Wang Yu nodded. "The old man died abruptly enough. Did he leave any words behind?" Zhao Yingjie hesitated, then lowered his voice. "There's something suspicious about the old Prince's death. My old man seems to know something, but he won't tell me. He probably wants to speak to you alone." While they talked, several maidservants finished helping him change clothes and straightened his lapels. Standing before a full-length bronze mirror, Wang Yu saw himself clad in a noble's everyday robe of dark cyan with gold embroidery and silver trim. Across it was embroidered a fierce tiger descending a mountain, setting off sword-sharp brows and starlit eyes that looked brilliantly regal and heroic. Not bad. The immersion was truly incredible! ... Returning to the reception hall, he found Zhao Rong sitting in a side seat, chatting with Fang Shaobai. A great family certainly knew how to keep precise time. As Wang Yu stepped into the hall, maidservants guided Li Yunxiu and Qianqian in from opposite sides. Li Yunxiu had changed into a gossamer smoke-silk dress in hibiscus violet. A faint smile played at her lips, calm and refined. Zi Ling followed close behind her, the corners of her eyes tilted up slightly, carrying all the proud poise of a great house's head maidservant. Qianqian had changed into a moon-white ripple skirt with subtle woven patterns. She walked in alone, supple and graceful like a slender willow swaying in the breeze. Her eyes darted shyly toward Wang Yu, carrying a tender blush and an endearing, pitiful charm. Wang Yu nodded to both of them, then hurriedly motioned for Zhao Rong and Fang Shaobai, who had begun to rise, to remain seated. "We're all tired from the road. Let's eat first!"