“To the frontier, to fight enemies.”
Chu Yuan believed that he could only release the beast within through killing on the battlefield. Earning military merits would give him power and prevent the emperor from confining him.
Zhang Wei thought for a moment, then solemnly nodded: “Excellent.”
Though difficult, it suits you perfectly.”
He rummaged in his clothes and retrieved a jade bracelet from his inner pocket, handing it to Chu Yuan: “This was your mother’s most cherished possession. Now that you’re married, take it.”
The bracelet, still warm from Zhang Wei’s body, was accepted by Chu Yuan, who stroked it and laughed: “The emperor has been crazy searching for it. I knew father had hidden it.”
“Indeed,” Zhang Wei smiled, “the emperor can’t do as he pleases.”
Chu Yuan carefully placed the bracelet on Ruan Ning’s wrist, which fit perfectly against her fair skin.
Zhang Wei sighed: “If your mother could see this, she’d be overjoyed.”
Chu Yuan remained silent. Ruan Ning felt his hand trembling and interlaced her fingers with his. He looked down, softly saying: “It’s okay.”
At that moment, a servant announced: “His Majesty has arrived!”
Emperor Chu Allowing strode in, his face dark from hearing Chu Yuan had gone to the son-in-law’s residence. Fearful Zhang Wei might instigate something, he rushed over, scolding: “Bold Zhang Wei, didn’t I forbid you from privately meeting Prince Ning…”
Midsentence, he spotted the bracelet on Ruan Ning’s wrist, suddenly grabbing her hand: “This is A’Yuan’s bracelet. How is it on your wrist?”
“A’Yuan said when Yuan’er married, this bracelet would go to his wife,” Zhang Wei spoke calmly. “I’ve just fulfilled A’Yuan’s wish.”
“Nonsense! This treasured item – how dare this criminal’s wife wear it!”
In his anger, the emperor tried removing the bracelet. Ruan Ning pulled back, and Chu Yuan seized the emperor’s hand, icy-eyed: “Let go!”
Chu Yuan’s immense strength forced the emperor to release his grip. Shocked, the emperor stammered, “You… you strike me for this woman?”
Chu Yuan replied coldly: “She is my wife. As long as I live, no one can humiliate her.”
“Even me?” the emperor asked.
“Even you.”
The emperor trembled with rage, realizing Chu Yuan was becoming increasingly defiant. His sinister gaze fixed on Ruan Ning, secretly resolving to find a way to kill her and resist Chu Yuan further.
Chu Yuan carefully checked Ruan Ning’s hand for injury, then told Zhang Wei: “Father, I’m leaving now.”
“Good… take care,” Zhang Wei replied, watching helplessly as Chu Yuan departed.
Left alone in the room, Chu Yunzheng looked at the memorial tablet of Grand Princess Jin Yuan, surrounded by her lingering presence, and fell into despair, muttering: “A Yuan, are you still hating me in the underworld, which is why our son treats me this way?”
“A Yuan does not hate you; she only wanted to be free,” Zhang Wei said at the doorway.
“Get out!” Chu Yunzheng erupted in rage. “You know nothing!”
Zhang Wei looked at him with compassion. “Like sand in the palm, Your Majesty, the tighter you try to grasp, the faster you will lose.”
In the forbidden city, Chu Yuan dismounted his horse and entered the Eastern Palace with Ruan Ning, heading straight to Chu Xiang’s study. He pushed the door open: “Crown Prince, I married her yesterday.”
Chu Xiang paused and asked, “What did Father Emperor say?”
“Whatever he wants to say,” Chu Yuan replied quietly. “I want to take her away. Help me.”
A few days later, Chu Yuan passed by the imperial study and found Chu Xiang waiting in the side hall to report to the Emperor. After a brief exchange, Chu Yuan noticed the small icicles hanging from the eaves. “The palace becomes so boring in winter, with nothing interesting to do. Even these icicles are smaller than outside, not worth looking at.”
Chu Xiang replied, “The palace has underground heating, so icicles can’t last long. It can’t compare to the Yiyuan Imperial Retreat, which is larger, near the mountain, and cooler than the city.”
Even when it snows, it snows more heavily.
The Yiyuan Imperial Retreat was a royal summer resort near the Eastern Yi Mountain, with much lower temperatures than the city. In previous years, the Emperor would bring relatives and courtiers to hunt in winter. However, this year, due to border conflicts and tension between Chu Yuan and the Emperor, Chu Yunzheng felt no inclination to go, and no subordinate dared to mention it.
Chu Yuan frowned: “Being confined in the palace every day is like being in prison.”
Hearing him, Chu Yunzheng made a gesture for silence, then walked out, smiling: “Yesterday when it snowed, I was thinking of going to the Yiyuan Imperial Retreat to see the snow scenery. The King of Ning and I think alike. Crown Prince, arrange this in the next few days, choose an auspicious day for snow hunting and prepare ice games. I want to relax with the King of Ning.”
Chu Xiang agreed and called his subordinates to make arrangements.
Chu Yuan remained expressionless, seemingly unappreciative. Chu Yunzheng felt a bit discouraged.
Liu Yi embraced Huo Rou around the waist, opened the door latch to the roof, shared his outer garment with her, and held her hand, asking: “How have you been these days?”
“What can I do? Just getting by,” Huo Rou replied, expressing her resentment that Liu Yi had implicated her. “Don’t come again in the future. If someone discovers me, I’ll be finished.”
Unaware of her dissatisfaction, Liu Yi hugged her and said: “A Rou, I’m preparing to go to the Yiyuan.”
Huo Rou frowned. “Weren’t you locked up? How can you go?”
“I’m going to seek revenge,” Liu Yi declared, clenching his fist. “Chu Yuan and Ning Ruan harmed me like this. I swear I won’t rest until I kill them!”
Huo Rou was startled and instinctively wanted to dissuade him but held her tongue. Having incurred the Emperor’s displeasure, and knowing the Emperor favored Chu Yuan, she realized that informing the Emperor of Liu Yi’s plan might jeopardize her own chances.
She subtly inquired, but Liu Yi was only acting on impulse with no real plan, leaving Huo Rou disappointed as she couldn’t extract useful information.
After talking for half the night, Liu Yi reluctantly left. Huo Rou, unable to sleep, eagerly awaited dawn to find an opportunity to join the winter hunt.
On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the Emperor set out for the Yiyuan Palace with a large escort. Behind the imperial carriage was the Crown Prince’s carriage, and beside it rode Chu Yuan. Those present noticed the woman in black sable fur and a snow cap, recognized by some as Ning Ruan, the daughter of the Ning Minister, whom he had privately married.
Chu Yunzheng’s expression darkened. He said quietly, “Prince of Ning, there are servants present. You need not bring one, especially dressed so presumptuously.”
Chu Yuan responded loudly, “Your Majesty, she is my royal consort, Lady Ning, and has not overstepped.”
Those who had been watching quickly averted their eyes, but excitement brewed over the Prince’s evident devotion. Would the Emperor relent?
Chu Yunzheng suppressed his anger, countering, “Without an imperial decree of enfeoffment and a formal wedding, how can you claim her as such?”
“I have married Lady Ning and reported it to my father and late mother,” Chu Yuan replied calmly.
“With parental command and the matchmaker’s words, we have fulfilled all requirements. If Your Majesty refuses to officially recognize our marriage, I request to be stripped of my princely title. I am willing to live as a common couple with Lady Ning.”
Ruan Ning gripped Chu Yuan’s hand and straightened her back, no longer afraid. If Chu Yuan didn’t care about his title, what could she fear?
Chu Yuan smiled softly at her, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
