Chapter 15: The Princess Intends to Unite Them in a Happy Marriage

“Apologies, I am but a humble man and lack finesse; I will compensate the princess for the crystal goblet.”
“That’s enough. No matter how fine, it’s just a cup. If you insist on returning it to me, who knows what rumors might spread about the nature of our relationship? It’s best to keep things proper—that way, it’s fitting for your future lady.”

Her words, though not explicitly naming anyone, carried a hint of implication. Jiang Shiyuan caught the deliberate glance the Princess Qinghuan cast in her direction and was somewhat taken aback.

Why did the princess’s look seem like she was matchmaking between the two of them?

But Jiang Shiyuan had only yesterday heard from her cousin Pei about the marriage proposal. Even with the princess’s vast influence, it seemed unlikely she would have known so swiftly. She steadied herself and returned the gaze calmly, as though she were not involved.

Princess Qinghuan couldn’t help but chuckle softly. No wonder Jiang Shiyuan was someone she valued. The Pei family was an unshakable pillar in Hanzhou, and if Lady Pei came from Xijing, it would bring extra security to the royal family.

She had overheard some potential marriage arrangements at her father’s side and had been contemplating who in the capital could suit this young prodigy. Today, it seemed the person before her was a perfect match, prompting her to take the initiative to connect them.

“General Pei, how long will you be staying this time?”

“Princess, I will return to Hanzhou after my aunt’s birthday next month.”

“So soon?”

“A soldier granted a two-month leave is already fortunate. I dare not delay further.”

“If that’s the case, what do you think General Pei and Lady Pei will say if you return accompanied by a wife?”

Princess Qinghuan was straightforward, preferring directness over suspicion. Perhaps, being a military man, Pei Zisu might reveal some genuine feelings.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. His normally composed face grew serious. Even his family could not make decisions about his marriage without his consent, let alone the royal family trying to pressure him. He stood and clasped his fists.

“Thank you for your kindness, Princess, but my heart is already pledged. Until the lady consents, I have no other intentions of marriage. I beg your understanding.”

“Pledged? A noble lady from Hanzhou?”

Princess Qinghuan probed gently.

“No.”

“Then where?”

Pei Zisu glanced at Jiang Shiyuan and replied calmly, “Xuzhou.”

Hearing this, Jiang Shiyuan almost lost grip of her wine cup. Her expression darkened with displeasure. She clearly disapproved of Pei Zisu placing her so publicly on a pedestal without consent. Such words might pass in the Wen Yuan Marquis’s residence among family, but this was the princess’s palace.

If word leaked carelessly, her reputation would suffer. Though she didn’t care much for gossip, she would not allow white to be turned black. Her gaze hardened, no longer polite or gentle toward Pei Zisu.

“A noble family from Xuzhou? I recall only the Cui and Xie families, and neither seems to have a suitable young lady. Could it be a collateral branch that General Pei favors?”

Faced with the princess’s questioning and Jiang Shiyuan’s resentful look, Pei Zisu chose silence. He did not want to leave a bad impression on his cousin A’nian, so he spoke instead:

“Princess, please do not speculate. If this union succeeds, I will personally inform His Majesty and you. But as there is no definite result yet, revealing the name prematurely might harm the lady’s reputation. That would not be honorable.”

His words pleased Princess Qinghuan greatly. If all men were so straightforward yet prudent, the tea houses in Xijing might lose half their usual gossip.

“Very well, I shall await your good news, General Pei. But let me advise you: longing for distant lands is in vain; better to cherish the one before you.”

As she spoke those last words, her gaze deliberately flicked to Jiang Shiyuan. Pei Zisu, ever perceptive, immediately understood her meaning and smiled faintly, realizing his earlier misunderstanding.

“Princess’s words are wise. I shall not disappoint everyone’s expectations.”

Everyone’s expectations?

Jiang Shiyuan inwardly doubted her cousin’s confidence but, out of respect for Princess Qinghuan, refrained from speaking further. She sipped her wine quietly, unknowingly emptying the crystal decanter.

By the time Princess Qinghuan noticed, Jiang Shiyuan’s cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shimmered with a tender moisture, gazing at everyone with unspoken affection.

“I forgot to mention, this wine is potent. Last time I drank alone, I was drunk for two or three days. If A’nian drinks this whole pot, she may not sober for hours. Madam Shen, please prepare the adjoining chamber so she can rest.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“As for General Pei, you have urgent matters to discuss today, do you not? Shall we go to the study?”

“As you command, Princess.”

Jiang Shiyuan, dizzy and dazed, was helped away by the maidservants Liuhua and Lvlou. Watching her leave, Pei Zisu’s eyes flickered with concern. Yet the matter he came to discuss was crucial to the nation’s stability and could not be delayed. He followed Princess Qinghuan out promptly.

In the adjoining chamber, Madam Shen brought a hangover soup and warm compress, instructing two maids to stand by before leaving. Lvlou sighed in frustration:

“The miss is so drunk. How will we get back to the Marquis’s residence later?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. If all else fails, she can stay at the princess’s palace. It has happened before—we just send word back to the Dowager.”

Lvlou nodded helplessly; there was no other way. She wrung the cloth almost dry and gently wiped her mistress’s fevered brow. Jiang Shiyuan, warm from the wine and sleepy, made her sigh softly as she repeated the gesture without complaint.

Outside, the sun shone warmly. In the study, Princess Qinghuan’s expression darkened as she listened to Pei Zisu’s report.

“Luzhou is one of the princess’s fiefs. I have heard you are kind to your people and have even exempted them from taxes. I believe you possess great virtue. Regarding the iron ingots, I thought the princess might be unaware. I happened upon the matter by chance; otherwise, no one would know what those ingots were being used for. They were being hidden in the Huai River embankment for repairs, which would leave the downstream villagers no chance of survival. I urge you, Princess, to find a way to deal with those ingots promptly.”

Princess Qinghuan was a trusted advisor, personally appointed by the late emperor.

Her domain included Luzhou and the lands to its east. There had been no major disasters or calamities in years, and tax revenues from her lands contributed a significant portion to the imperial treasury. Though rumors about her private life circulated, no one doubted her governance.

Now that a problem had arisen with the Luzhou iron ingots, how could she not investigate thoroughly?

However, she was no fool. Whether Pei Zisu’s “accidental discovery” was genuine or fabricated, she reserved judgment. Her gaze, tinged with a trace of sharpness, fixed on Pei Zisu.