novelraw Chapter 899 - 854: Change of Heart (First Update)
Chapter 899 - 854: Change of Heart (First Update)
Moments later, Fu Zichuan appeared at the theater wearing a dark robe.
Seeing Wen Wan, Zhao Xunyin, Lu Yanli, and a group of servants present, he hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, cupped his hands in salute, "This humble servant greets Your Highness the Eldest Princess and the Commandery Princess."
Zhao Xunyin harbored no favorable feelings towards this man, especially thinking about him soon becoming her son-in-law, even if falsely, was enough to make her feel nauseated. She merely responded with a faint "Hmm," and lowered her eyes to shell melon seeds for Lu Yanli, "Why has Prince Liang’s Heir come again?"
The "again" was emphasized heavily; everyone present could discern the disgust in the Eldest Princess’s tone.
The servants looked at Fu Zichuan as if he were a pesky fly, wishing they could swat him away.
Fu Zichuan wasn’t at all foolish. From the first day he actively sought Wen Wan, he knew this Eldest Princess disliked him, but he didn’t care one bit; after all, his goal was Princess Yong’an, wasn’t it?
Glancing at Wen Wan lazily reclining on the circular chair, an uncontrollable trace of admiration appeared in Fu Zichuan’s eyes.
Though she had married and borne a child, such beauty still astonished those who saw her.
No wonder it was said that the Eldest Princess was the most beautiful in Chu Country in her youth; her daughter naturally did not fall short.
Noticing Fu Zichuan fixing his gaze on Wen Wan upon entering, Zhao Xunyin felt even more repulsed, "What business does Prince Liang’s Heir have at our door?"
At this moment, Wen Wan set down the melon seeds in her hands and ordered Linglong and the others, "Take the servants out."
Linglong nodded and quickly led the other servants out of the theater.
Soon, only Zhao Xunyin and her children remained in the theater, along with the Six Smooth Troupe backstage, which was a bit of a distance away, so they couldn’t hear the conversation here.
Wen Wan looked directly at Fu Zichuan, "Standing here silently for so long, might it be that the Heir wants to stay for tea and a show?"
Fu Zichuan slightly curved his lips, "I came today to inform the Commandery Princess that early tomorrow, I will officially propose marriage to her on behalf of Bei Yan to Emperor Chu."
Zhao Xunyin’s expression changed.
Although it was an expected matter, hearing Fu Zichuan declare it still made her, who had always detested political marriages, feel utterly disgusted.
Wen Wan chuckled twice and asked him, "What benefits would Chu Country gain from the marriage alliance between the two nations?"
Fu Zichuan replied, "As long as the Commandery Princess remains in Bei Yan, there will be peace at the Northern Border."
"So, if I were to meet an unfortunate accident in Bei Yan, the two countries would resume warfare—is that what you mean?"
Fu Zichuan gave no proper answer.
Wen Wan hummed, "Bei Yan’s ability to gain without giving is truly eye-opening. The war between the two nations is yet unresolved; Chu Country isn’t defeated necessarily, why should it compromise to send a Peace Princess?"
Fu Zichuan raised his thick brows, "So, the Commandery Princess has other demands?"
"I certainly won’t sacrifice in vain," Wen Wan’s lips slightly curved, "During the current conflict, Prince Liang serves as Commander for Bei Yan; he has the Border Defense Map in his possession. If you are willing to offer it as a dowry, I will agree to the peace marriage and obediently accompany you to Bei Yan."
Seeing Wen Wan’s bright and captivating eyes, Fu Zichuan’s face darkened, "You!"
"What, unhappy?"
Fu Zichuan’s facial muscles twitched, "You are merely..."
He intended to say Wen Wan was nothing but a used shoe to ask for a dowry, but caught the cold gaze sent by the Eldest Princess that was chilling enough to make him shiver.
"Prince Liang’s Heir better think carefully before speaking," Zhao Xunyin said coldly, "Emperor Chu could eliminate your hundreds of hidden spies overnight; Changning Marquis Mansion could similarly dispose of a Bei Yan Heir silently in moments—don’t believe it? Try and see."
Changning Marquis Mansion’s defenses were rigorous; the apparent security was impermeable, and those hidden were exceptionally skilled, a concern to Fu Zichuan if engaged altogether.
Gritting his lips tightly, he curled his fingers and arms, indignation welled within him, yet he had to consider the bigger picture. He lowered his gaze again, cupped his fists respectfully, "This humble servant doesn’t dare. Just feel that the dowry demanded by Princess Yong’an is unrealistic."
"Since an agreement couldn’t be reached, consider it further." Zhao Xunyin stated.
"This humble servant takes leave," Fu Zichuan’s face darkened as he left Changning Marquis Mansion without another glance at Wen Wan.
Watching his departing figure, Wen Wan chuckled, "I thought he would struggle a bit more, didn’t expect him to leave like this, really dull."
Zhao Xunyin shot her a glance, "Speaking of which, were it not for the Imperial Secret Guard Your Majesty sent to protect you, he wouldn’t be scared like this."
As he spoke, he seemed to recall something and looked at Wen Wan with suspicion, "Weren’t you determined to go to Bei Yan for the marriage alliance? Why did you change your mind at the last moment?"
Wen Wan’s eyes flickered slightly, and then she smiled and said, "I want to reconsider."
"Are you hiding something from your mother?" Zhao Xunyin stared directly into her eyes.
"Not at all," Wen Wan clung to Zhao Xunyin’s arm affectionately, "Originally, my intention was to go to Bei Yan to obtain the military defense map, so I might as well just tell him."
Zhao Xunyin tapped her head with her fingers, "You!"
It sounded like a reproach, but in fact, knowing that her daughter had changed her mind made her inexplicably happy inside.
...
Fu Zichuan returned to the post house and reported everything that had happened earlier at the Changning Marquis Mansion to the Imperial Concubine.
Li Yuan had just finished her medicine, and with the good weather, sat on the little couch by the window basking in the sun, heaving a sigh at the mention, "Border Defense Map? She really dares to make such a request."
Fu Zichuan’s face turned gloomy, "In my view, Princess Yong’an never intended for the marriage alliance. These past days, she’s merely been playing with me."
"What benefit would she gain from toying with you?" Li Yuan glanced at Fu Zichuan with a mocking smile, "With all the nasty rumors about her outside that you must have heard, thanks to you, Princess Yong’an has already turned into a complete wanton woman. Do you think she doesn’t care about her reputation, or that the Royal Family doesn’t care?"
Fu Zichuan was quite puzzled, "What do you mean, Your Highness?"
Li Yuan reached out and picked up a fallen plum petal from the windowsill, toyed with it for a moment, and then blew it away, "In the beginning, she must have been desperate to follow us to Bei Yan for mutual benefit. But for some reason, she changed her mind midway and used the Border Defense Map deliberately to make things difficult for you, wanting you to give up on the notion of marrying her."
Fu Zichuan suddenly realized, "If that’s really the case, it must be that she talked to Emperor Chu, and since he didn’t agree, she had to back down."
"Perhaps." Li Yuan sighed lightly, "No matter what, Princess Yong’an is definitely not as simple as she appears on the surface. Didn’t you say earlier that she tied you up at Changning Marquis Mansion that night and claimed she wanted to get something from me? Since she hasn’t gotten anything yet, she probably won’t let it go. Let’s wait a little longer, she might be even more eager to go to Bei Yan than you are."
Fu Zichuan nodded, "Your Highness is indeed wise beyond others, I am sincerely impressed."
Li Yuan sneered, "It’s just that you don’t understand women."
...
Without Fu Zichuan’s entanglement, Wen Wan lazily spent a few more days at home.
Since the Six Smooth Troupe arrived, they haven’t left. Wen Wan remembered that Su Qing, wounded and granted a special permission by Emperor Xuanjing to recuperate in the Capital for some time, hadn’t returned to the Western Border yet, so she sent a note to the Su Mansion, inviting Lin Xiaoyue to come watch the opera.
However, living such leisurely days too long can become tiresome. Just as Wen Wan was about to go stir-crazy with boredom, a little beggar came to the gates of Changning Marquis Mansion, saying he had a message for Princess Yong’an.
Wen Wan immediately knew that the person had arrived, her heart pounded rapidly, and she ordered to have the little beggar brought inside.
The little beggar knelt and saluted her, then said, "Someone sent me to deliver a message to the Princess, saying he’s waiting for the Princess at the Tianshui Inn in Furong Town, thirty li outside the city."
While speaking, he took out a sachet from his chest, "This is a token."
Upon seeing the bird holding the floral pattern on the sachet, which she had embroidered stitch by stitch, Wen Wan felt joyful, and handed a silver ingot worth twenty ounces to the little beggar, instructing him, "No matter who asks in the future, you mustn’t say you’ve seen that person in the inn."
The little beggar saw the silver ingots, his eyes lit up, and he patted his chest with a guarantee, "Rest assured, Princess. I’m experienced in delivering messages and understand the rules. I won’t reveal a word to outsiders."
Wen Wan smiled contentedly, had him sent away, and then changed into fresh clothes to bid farewell to Zhao Xunyin, saying she had matters to attend to outside.
Zhao Xunyin thought nothing of it, after all, there were many concealed guards protecting her in secret, and there wouldn’t be any trouble. She nodded, exhorting Wen Wan to hasten her return.
Wen Wan exited the Hanging Flower Gate and walked to the East Corner Gate, instructing the doorkeeper to prepare a horse.
The doorkeeper was startled, "Prepare a horse?"
Didn’t the Princess always travel by carriage?
Song Wei communicated with her without using carrier pigeons, evidently afraid of being discovered in the Capital. Wen Wan naturally couldn’t bring anyone with her and reveal his presence, so she nodded, "Stop dawdling, hurry up and prepare the horse!"
After the separation, she hadn’t been idle and at least learned horseback riding at the racecourse when feeling repressed. Although her riding skills weren’t exceptional, she was capable of keeping steady on a horse.
Thinking about the imminent reunion with Song Wei, Wen Wan’s heart surged with excitement. When the clerk brought forth Snowflake, she didn’t wait to say a word, directly stepped onto the stirrup, mounted, spurred the horse’s belly with her legs, and lashed the whip, galloping off toward the city gates.
The sky was dim and murky, still within a misty vapor, as she passed by farmhouse taverns, where wine banners remained coated with a thin layer of cold frost. Only the fleeting white horse bearing a crimson silhouette left a colorful mark on the entire winter’s day.