The storm before the banquet did not dampen the spirits of the other candidates, who were all single-mindedly focused on making their mark.
Liu Che, however, seemed to have lost interest. He only selected Wei Jin’e and another girl with a single-character surname, granting them both the lowest rank of *Shaoshi*. Listening to the Emperor’s low, heavy voice, Ajiao realized belatedly that she had forgotten to ask for a rank for herself—while she might look down on such things in her heart, the reality of not having one was bound to be more troublesome.
As the banquet dispersed, Liu Che indeed left with Wei Jin’e in his arms. Ajiao took her leave as well, intending to take a walk alone through Shanglin Park. It was a place she hadn't visited in twenty years; being here now felt much like her first time—every corner seemed unfamiliar.
She came upon a palace where a vast grove of osmanthus trees had been planted. The blossoms were in full bloom, and under the heat of the sun, their fragrance was so cloying that Ajiao had to cover her nose and mouth with a handkerchief.
"Chen Xuan, what is the meaning of this?" a trembling female voice drifted from behind the osmanthus trees.
*Chen Xuan?* Ajiao signaled Yuli and the others to remain silent, then crept forward on tiptoe.
Liu Chun and Chen Xuan stood in a tense standoff. Two eunuchs were supporting the drunken Chen Xuan, while an older woman, who appeared to be a head palace maid or a governess, held Princess Yi’an in her arms.
Chen Xuan, reeking of wine, sneered. "What do I mean? I should be asking you! What did you mean by saying I’ve brought shame upon you?"
Chen Xuan grabbed Yi’an’s hand. Liu Chun struggled to break free, weeping as she spoke. "Do you still think you’re so impressive? Didn't you see? In the hall today, never mind the three sons of the Wei family—even that other Chen family, their in-laws who share your surname—they all have more face before the Emperor than you, the Son of Heaven’s own nephew!"
Hearing this, Ajiao felt her heart turn truly cold. It was true; the current Chen family was simply too disappointing. Her mother had managed to uphold the family estate back then, yet now there wasn't even a worthy successor.
She herself was useless, and her two brothers were just as bad. Ajiao covered her face, stifling a sob.
"Noble Lady?" Yuli whispered in surprise.
"I have no face? No matter how poorly I fare, I am still the Emperor’s blood nephew! Can those bastards even be compared to me?" Chen Xuan swung his hand, striking a nearby tree with a loud crack.
Liu Chun flinched in fear, but she kept her chin up. "Did I say something wrong? You simply don't have the face."
Chen Xuan let out a cold laugh. "If I have no face, do you? Don't forget who your husband is."
"Husband?" Liu Chun scoffed. "You are what you are. Even if you died today, I could still marry out again with full honors tomorrow. Don't forget—I am a Princess, the sovereign; you are a subject!"
Chen Xuan froze, then seized both of Liu Chun’s hands. "Who do you want to marry? Do you have someone else out there? Tell me!"
Liu Chun’s eyes widened, unable to believe Chen Xuan would say such a thing. "You actually think of me that way?" She struggled violently to break free, but his grip was too tight. "What kind of person do you take me for? Do you think I am as debauched as you? I tell you, I am a Princess! I know the meaning of propriety and shame! Do not think I am like you! Let me go!"
Seeing the Princess’s desperation, the governess rushed forward to pry Chen Xuan’s hands away. "Let go of the Princess!" she cried.
Chen Xuan was forcibly dragged back by the eunuchs. The governess scolded him, "Lord Zhaoping, open your eyes and look! This is the Princess. Even if she has wed down into the Chen family, your family must treat her with the utmost respect! To be so insolent—are you not afraid of His Majesty’s wrath? The Princess is of supreme nobility; it is an honor for any family to have her wed into their ranks!"
Chen Xuan’s eyes turned bloodshot. Suddenly, he drew his sidearm and roared, "You old hag, who do you think you are? Shut up!" With that, he swung the blade toward the governess.
Ajiao was horrified. She quickly cast a Teleportation Spell, flicking a pebble that struck the sword from Chen Xuan’s hand. She stepped out and shouted, "Chen Xuan, what are you doing! Look at yourself!"
Clutched in the governess’s arms, Liu Chun had only seen Chen Xuan’s sword swinging toward them. "You... you were going to kill me?"
Chen Xuan stared blankly at Liu Chun, failing to react for a moment.
"You were going to kill me!" Tears streamed down Liu Chun’s face. She swallowed hard. "I’m going to tell Imperial Father... I’m going to tell him everything! I want a divorce!" She turned and ran toward Yusu Court.
Ajiao stamped her foot in frustration and barked at Chen Xuan, "Go after her!" Pointing a sword at a Princess was no small crime.
Chen Xuan muttered, "No... Chun'er, I didn't... I was going to kill that old hag... Chun'er?" He looked at Ajiao in a daze.
Disappointed by his incompetence, Ajiao stepped forward and slapped him. "You’re as good as dead! Follow her, now!" She hiked up her skirts and chased after Liu Chun.
Chen Xuan finally snapped out of it and hurried to follow.
Yusu Court had been specially refurbished for this group of candidates. Tonight, it welcomed its first masters.
Wei Jin’e had been settled in the Heart-Tethering Pavilion. The thirteen-year-old girl looked at the most noble man in the world before her; she couldn't find a single fault in him.
"Your Majesty, it is late. Please prepare for rest. Jin’e will serve you in your ablutions," the girl said, her cheeks flushed with a shy red.
Liu Che set down the bamboo slips in his hand and stood to walk toward the washroom. Wei Jin’e followed with a smile.
"Imperial Father! Imperial Father!" Wailing voices drifted in from outside.
Liu Che hurried out to see his daughter running in, her face covered in tears and her hair disheveled. She threw herself at his feet.
He quickly supported her, asking, "Chun'er, what happened?" Liu Chun had run the whole way, and her skirts were stained with mud.
"Your Majesty!" Ajiao ran in, leading Chen Xuan. As soon as Chen Xuan saw Yi’an protected in Liu Che’s arms, he collapsed to his knees beside her, crying out, "Princess!"
Wei Jin’e watched the chaotic scene, looking utterly bewildered.
Liu Chun pushed Chen Xuan away and sobbed into Liu Che’s embrace. "Imperial Father, your child wishes to divorce Chen Xuan."
Liu Che glared at Chen Xuan for a moment before asking softly, "Chun'er, divorce is no small matter. Speak slowly. What happened?"
Chen Xuan looked up. "Your Majesty..."
Liu Che barked, "Silence! I am asking the Princess. Why are you interrupting?"
Liu Chun caught her breath and sobbed, "Chen Xuan... he tried to hit me." Hearing this, Ajiao swallowed the plea for mercy that had been on the tip of her tongue.
Liu Chun continued to weep. "Today, I merely said a few words to him, telling him to learn from Chen Chuo and the young Marquis Wei to gain some ability. He claimed I looked down on him, and after a few arguments, he tried to lay hands on me."
Liu Che quickly checked Liu Chun’s face and hands. Seeing no injuries, he turned to Chen Xuan and roared, "What kind of thing are you, to dare raise a hand against a Princess?"
Chen Xuan prostrated himself, trembling uncontrollably. "I wouldn't dare... I wouldn't dare..."
Ajiao stepped forward to help Liu Chun up. Liu Che turned to look at her. Ajiao said cautiously, "I happened to be returning when I encountered the Princess and Lord Zhaoping in a dispute. In my haste, I followed them here. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness." Seeing Liu Che’s dark expression, she quickly added with a smile, "Your Majesty, the Princess ran all this way in the dark; the path was slippery. Why not let her tidy her appearance first?"
Liu Che didn't speak, only nodding. Ajiao supported Liu Chun toward the washroom in the back. If Yi’an truly insisted on a divorce, it was unlikely anyone could stop her. As for Chen Xuan—the boy was a disappointment, a sign of the Chen family’s lack of talent. He would be punished, and as long as he didn't lose his life, it would have to suffice.
Liu Chun leaned against her, silent tears still falling.
Chen Xuan dared not look up or speak.
Liu Che stood before him, expressionless. "I married the Princess into the Chen family out of respect for the Grand Princess and your mother. Yet you dare to raise a hand against a Princess of the Great Han? How many lives do you think you have?"
Chen Xuan felt as though he couldn't even draw breath.
Wei Jin’e felt out of place no matter where she stood, terrified that the Emperor’s wrath might turn toward her.
The Emperor closed his eyes and walked to the bedside to sit.
In the washroom cabinets, five or six sets of brand-new clothes were stored. Ajiao scoffed inwardly and pulled out a bright set for Liu Chun to change into.
After washing her face, changing her clothes, and combing her hair, Ajiao supported the exhausted Liu Chun back out.
Liu Chun sat across from Liu Che, refusing to look at Chen Xuan, who remained stiffly prostrated on the floor.
Liu Che said, "Everyone out. Only the Princess stays."
The others had no choice but to withdraw.
A short while later, Ajiao heard the sound of porcelain smashing against the floor from inside. She couldn't guess what the father and daughter were saying.
After another long while, Liu Che emerged and left Yusu Court directly. Liu Chun’s wailing echoed from within the hall. Wei Jin’e watched him leave with a mournful gaze, but she didn't dare provoke the Emperor’s temper at such a time.
Ajiao hurried back into the hall to find Liu Chun slumped over the table. The governess rushed over. "Princess, what did His Majesty say?"
Liu Chun raised her head. She looked at Chen Xuan, who was cowering by the door watching her, and suddenly burst into laughter. She stood up abruptly, grabbed a lamp from the table, and hurled it at him. "Chen Xuan, look! Imperial Father refuses the divorce! Haha! You truly have a wonderful grandmother and a wonderful mother!" Laughing and crying, she staggered toward the exit.
Chen Xuan crawled over and grabbed Liu Chun’s feet, weeping. "Princess, I would never dare strike you! Princess!"
Yang Deyi looked at the crowd in the hall and walked in with a smile. He said to Liu Chun, "The Princess has suffered a grievance tonight. His Majesty has ordered me to personally escort the Princess back. He also said that if the Princess is still angry, the punishment for Lord Zhaoping is entirely up to her."
Liu Chun let out a cold laugh. "Since Imperial Father won't let me divorce, am I supposed to rush to become a widow instead?" She reached up to wipe the tears from her face, her expression returning to one of poised dignity.
Yang Deyi bowed and followed. Chen Xuan tried to follow as well, but Ajiao blocked him. "Where do you think you’re going? Go kneel at the steps of the Jade Hall. Don't get up until the Emperor sends someone to question your crime."
"But the Princess..."
"The Princess hasn't calmed down yet. Do you intend to keep provoking her?"
"Fine," Chen Xuan agreed, then ran toward the Jade Hall.
Liu Chun sat in her carriage, listening to the chirping of insects outside.
Years ago, she hadn't wanted to marry Chen Xuan either. Why did her sisters all marry Marquises while she couldn't? Her father had told her that since the time of Grand Empress Dowager Dou, the Chen family had been exceptionally good at amassing wealth. He said the Chen family’s fortune was no less than that of the Marquis of Pingyang, whom Weichang had married—in fact, it was even greater. He also said Chen Xuan was handsome and clever, and would surely make her happy. She had truly believed her father was looking out for her.
She had married him. Upon entering the household, she first had to face Chen Xuan’s five chambermaids. At that time, Chen Xuan still favored her, and she felt somewhat satisfied. Who knew that within three months of the wedding, her mother-in-law, the Grand Princess, would push two more young and beautiful concubines onto him? Back then, she and Chen Xuan were still in the honeymoon phase of their marriage. She had confidently told her mother-in-law that Chen Xuan wouldn't accept them, only for him to turn around and trample her dignity into the dirt.
She had cried and made scenes before, but her father always told her to endure. He said the Chen family was overflowing with gold and jade, and she would never be wanting. But how could gold and jade comfort a heart full of grievances?
When her father married Weichang to Luan Da and then later executed him, she had even felt relieved that her father hadn't used her as a mere tool.
But just now... "Even if you want to kill Chen Xuan, you must wait until your aunt is gone. By then, everything in the Chen family will be yours... It is just as well that no children have been born yet!" Her father had said those words with an utterly expressionless face.
Liu Chun sat upright, her body trembling so violently that even her teeth chattered.
She didn't want Chen Xuan dead, nor did she want the Chen family’s wealth. She only wanted a divorce!
