My Cold-Hearted Wife Chapter 94

On the twentieth of July, the emperor finally began selecting a consort for the princess.

He arranged three tests in the Western Park: a martial test of archery and horseback riding, a literary test of composing poetry and painting, and the most baffling one of all – picking a flower in the Western Park and bringing it back.

The results of the tests were relayed back to the inner court by the young eunuchs at the first opportunity.

In martial prowess, Consort Luo’s nephew was the most outstanding, surpassing others in bravery. In literary talent, it was said that Young Master Yu, whose ancestors had once been of a distinguished house, was peerless in calligraphy and painting. And the palace maids who had been fortunate enough to watch from the Western Park said that Young Master Luo was brave and resolute but rough in appearance, while Young Master Yu was refined and gentle, though slightly dull, and not as elegant and courteous as Young Master Han.

Cheng Danruo was only human and could not truly be immune to gossip.

“What about the last test?” she asked. “Who won?”

“The final test is not yet known,” the palace attendants said. “It will not be known until tomorrow evening.”

“If you ask me, a consort like Young Master Yu is better. Dull he may be, but he is honest,” said Huifang. “A man who is honest and straightforward – that is more important than anything.”

Ji Qiu, however, shook her head, having a different view: “Once he becomes the princess’s consort, even a dishonest man would have to be honest. Young Master Han knows how to please people. Who knows, he may be the most fortunate of all.”

This was rare gossip in the palace, and everyone discussed it with relish, each having their own preferred candidate for the young lord.

Cheng Danruo listened quietly, but she wondered: at this moment, what was Princess Rong’an thinking?

Xiefang Palace.

Wang Yongxu gazed at the young woman by the window.

Princess Rong’an had reached the age of marriage this year and had blossomed into a graceful young lady. She resembled the late Empress Xie somewhat – a standard oval face, smooth and delicate skin, faint eyebrows traced with luozidai into curved crescent moons, and a touch of rouge on her lips, charmingly red and lovely.

At this moment, she stood by the window, gazing at the peonies in the garden.

Since returning from the Western Park today, Princess Rong’an had not said a single word.

Although Wang Yongxu had only recently entered the palace, she had unexpectedly become a favorite of the princess. Today, when they went to the Western Park, she had accompanied her, hiding behind a screen with the princess and catching a glimpse of more than a dozen young men.

She had her own commentary: Young Master Yu was dull, though his poetry was not bad; he should not have painted peonies – it was too flattering – when he had clearly painted the koi quite charmingly. Young Master Luo really would not do – crude and clumsy, surely he would not know how to cherish a person. Young Master Han was pretentious, attracting bees and butterflies – the least suitable of all…

“Alas.” Lost in thought, Princess Rong’an let out a soft sigh, as if speaking to herself. “Today, my cousin is not here.”

Wang Yongxu’s heart suddenly sank.

She wanted to say something but did not know what to say – Young Master Yu’s talent, Young Master Luo’s bravery, Young Master Han’s elegance – all of them combined could not equal a single Xie Xuanying.

What choice could the princess make?

Another older female official gently urged, “Princess.”

“No need to say more.” Princess Rong’an sighed faintly, speaking softly. “I understand it all.” She glanced around and said simply, “You may withdraw. Records Supervisor Wang, stay and talk with me.”

The female official from the Bureau of Palace Administration gave Wang Yongxu a look, signaling her to offer more comfort, and withdrew full of worry.

For a moment, the palace was so quiet that a falling needle could be heard.

“Records Supervisor Wang.” Princess Rong’an drew Wang Yongxu to the arhat bed and revealed a young girl’s melancholy. “These innermost thoughts of mine – I can only tell them to you.”

Wang Yongxu wanted to speak but hesitated.

“I know I have no choice but to select a consort, but whom should I choose?” Princess Rong’an seemed like a troubled young lady of a secluded boudoir, lowering her head and murmuring, “I just took a glance – they all seem about the same. I know nothing at all, so how can I entrust my lifelong future?”

Wang Yongxu said, “You are mistaken. Throughout history, it is the consort who serves the princess – how can there be any question of entrusting? No matter whom you choose as your husband, it is his good fortune.”

Princess Rong’an smiled briefly, but then said, “I think that, setting other things aside, I must at least choose someone whose heart is in accord with mine.”

As long as she was willing to choose someone, everything would be fine. Wang Yongxu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly nodded. “That is only natural.”

“I must test them,” Princess Rong’an said, propping up her fragrant cheek, her lashes trembling slightly. “Do you know what I most enjoy doing?”

Wang Yongxu shook her head.

Princess Rong’an curved her lips into a smile sweet as honey. “I most love solving riddles. When I was little, my cousin and I celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival in the palace. Father set riddles, and my cousin and I vied to answer. He always yielded to me.”

Wang Yongxu blinked uneasily.

“Oh, those are all things of the past.” Princess Rong’an came back to herself and said with a smile, “I have composed a riddle and want to test someone’s feelings. What do you say?”

Wang Yongxu steeled herself and said, “Your consort must naturally be chosen according to the your own wishes.”

“Excellent.” Princess Rong’an clapped her hands. “Then this matter shall be entrusted to you.”

Wang Yongxu was startled. “Princess?”

“The several young lords are all staying in the South Third Compound now. Apart from you, who else could handle this matter for me?” Princess Rong’an grasped her hand and said earnestly, “You often go in and out of the Library Pavilion, so it will not arouse suspicion. If it were any other servant from Xiefang Palace, they would certainly be recognized.”

Wang Yongxu did not dare agree. “Private exchanges are a grave offense, Princess. This matter is improper.”

“I know this puts you in a difficult position.” Princess Rong’an lowered her eyes and said bitterly, “But I do not ask to marry my cousin – can I not even marry someone who understands my heart?”

Wang Yongxu asked, “Why don’t you speak frankly to His Majesty?”

“Father has already been generous enough with me. The flower in the final test refers to the peony,” Princess Rong’an said. “Anyone who paid me even a little attention would have no trouble finding that out. If I set another word riddle, I fear he will not permit it again.”

Wang Yongxu still did not answer.

Princess Rong’an pressed her lips together. After a long while, she said despondently, “Forget it. If you are unwilling, I should not force you against your will. It is only that to marry me to a rough man like Young Master Luo – I truly…”

She covered her face with her hands.

“What do you mean by that?” Wang Yongxu asked, not understanding.

If she did not like Young Master Luo, could she not simply refuse to marry him?

“Consort Luo intends to choose Young Master Luo and has spoken many good words on his behalf before Father,” Princess Rong’an said. “With her there, Young Master Luo will surely pick the peony, but in my heart…”

She hesitated a moment, bit her lip, and said so softly it was barely audible, “In my heart, I still favor Young Master Yu more… But only if he can guess my word riddle will I be willing to speak to Father. Otherwise…”

Wang Yongxu finally wavered.

Young Master Luo was the one she thought least suitable. Though his martial skills were outstanding – when the wild geese were released in the Western Park, his arrows never missed, which was truly astonishing – his looks could only be called square and upright, dependable in appearance but somewhat lacking in the end.

If His Majesty wanted the princess to marry such a man, it would truly be… In a moment of sympathy, she found it hard to refuse.

Seeing this, Princess Rong’an knew she had softened. She quickly rose and went inside, returning with a sealed letter. “This is the word riddle I have thought of… Take it first. If you are willing to help me with this, I will be grateful for life. If you have too many misgivings, I will never blame you. After all, it was I who was too bold.”

“What you desire is only human nature.” Emotionally, Wang Yongxu very much wanted to help her. Since entering the palace, Princess Rong’an had treated her extremely well – trusting and close to her, without the arrogance of a princess – which inevitably made her grateful.

Moreover, since childhood she had read history and most admired the strategems of Wanyi and the courage of Guanniang. She could not help but think: in ancient times, Emperor Xian of Han entrusted an edict sewn into a belt to Dong Cheng – though I am but a woman, why should I not repay my sovereign’s grace?

So she said, “Then I shall try. But the South Third Compound is, after all, in the front, with people coming and going. If there is no opportunity, I ask the princess to forgive me.”

“I would never dare blame you,” Princess Rong’an said, grasping her hand and speaking in a low voice. “This matter – heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know. Even if it does not succeed, it does not matter. Only…”

She showed a trace of shyness. “You must never open and read it. This is my secret.”

Wang Yongxu smiled. “Rest assured, Your Highness.”

By the time she left Xiefang Palace, it was nearly evening. The palace gates were strictly guarded, and Wang Yongxu did not intend to carry out the matter tonight.

She wanted to help Princess Rong’an, but she had no intention of risking herself either, so she turned it over and over in her mind, wondering whether there was a way to satisfy both sides.

The evening breeze blew gently. When she reached the Ganxi Compound, she saw a familiar figure coming toward her.

Her heart stirred. “Sister Cheng, wait a moment.”

Cheng Danruo turned back. “Records Supervisor Wang.”

“I have not yet thanked you for the matter at Huiyuan Temple,” Wang Yongxu said with a smile. “Better today than some other day – tonight I shall play host and invite you to have a few cups of wine. How about it?”

Inviting her to drink for no reason? Cheng Danruo thought about it and smiled. “All right. I will put my things down and come.”

By palace rules, the palace gates were locked at eight every evening. Unless there were special circumstances, they absolutely could not be opened, and the consorts and concubines generally went to sleep around nine.

The habits of the palace servants were different, changing with their duties.

Neither Cheng Danruo nor Wang Yongxu had to wait on anyone when they rose, unlike the Palace Furnishing Office, which made the Son of Heaven’s bed every night and managed matters of his sleeping with his lesser wives, nor like the Palace Clothing Office, which had to rise early every day to attend the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort in dressing.

They could leisurely eat dinner, chat, and then return to their rooms to rest.

Cheng Danruo returned to her room, put down her medicine box, and gave Ji Qiu some instructions before going to find Wang Yongxu.

“Sister, please sit.” Wang Yongxu had money and backing, so she could act conveniently in the palace. She quickly prepared an evening meal and a pot of iced fruit wine. She personally poured wine for Cheng Danruo, filling a cup. “I toast you. Drink as you please.”

With that, she drained it in one go, very generously.

Cheng Danruo took a sip of the fruit wine and went straight to the point. “You sought me out – is there something you need?”

“Earlier I was warm toward you, yet after you refused the marriage proposal I treated you coldly. Now if I speak of sisterly affection, I would be ashamed myself.” Wang Yongxu did not answer directly but instead poured herself another cup. “This cup is my apology.”

She downed it in one gulp again.

Cheng Danruo looked at her and found it quite interesting.

Compared with the generous and dignified Xu Yi-niang, Wang Yongxu was undoubtedly more interesting. In social settings, she could hide her emotions and fully display the upbringing of a ministerial household, but in private she had quite a temper and was very much her own person – friendly with those who caught her eye, and composing satirical poems about those who did not suit her.

But this temper of hers did not reach the point of stubborn defiance. When it was time to lower her head, she would still lower it – very real, a vivid side of an ancient woman.

“Let bygones be bygones,” Cheng Danruo said. “Now that you and I both serve in the palace, we ought to support each other.”

The implication was: speak plainly; if I can help, I will.

“You are magnanimous, but what I said just now was not false flattery – it was sincere,” Wang Yongxu said frankly. “Of course, tonight’s banquet does indeed mean I have something to ask of you.”

Cheng Danruo asked, “Is it about the princess?”

Wang Yongxu was slightly surprised. “Is it that obvious?”

“You are a favorite at the princess’s side. There are not many things that could trouble you, and now there is the selection of the consort…” Cheng Danruo raised her wine cup and did not continue.

Wang Yongxu sighed and considered how to begin. “I have promised to do something for the princess, but I do not know how to go about it, nor how to ensure it is foolproof.”

Cheng Danruo said bluntly, “Do not do it.”

Wang Yongxu was stunned, then smiled bitterly. “I am sincerely asking for advice. Do not tease me.”

“I am not teasing you,” Cheng Danruo said. “If it were an open and honorable matter, why would you be so troubled? Since you are so troubled and cannot think of a proper method, it must be something that cannot bear the light of day – why do it?”

Wang Yongxu said earnestly, “The princess has shown me recognition and kindness. I ought to share her worries.”

Cheng Danruo looked up in surprise, but saw that her expression was solemn – she truly thought that way – and could not help being speechless.

“Sharing the sovereign’s worries is indeed the duty of a subject,” she said mildly. “But are you acting as a loyal minister or a sycophant?”

Wang Yongxu’s face showed conflict.

Cheng Danruo had hit on what was troubling her. She wanted to help Princess Rong’an solve her troubles, but she always felt that private exchanges were not the proper way, and that doing so… seemed inappropriate.

“If you are a loyal minister, then who is the petty person? If you are the petty person, then who is the loyal minister?” Cheng Danruo asked. “The princess is only fifteen. Can she truly tell right from wrong?”