A few days later, Fu An's grandfather quietly entered the imperial study with a roll of portrait in hand, his face alight with a smile and bowing to report: "Your Majesty, the old slave has discovered the details of the daughter of General Qin."
Upon hearing this, Xuanwu Emperor raised his gaze from the mountain of scrolls in front of him, fixating on Fu An with a gesture indicating for him to continue.
"Your Majesty, the daughter of General Qin, named Meng Yao, has been weak and sickly since childhood. Hence, she was sent to the countryside to recuperate. In recent years, her health has recovered and she was only recently returned to the family estate. The old servant had the honor of witnessing Miss Meng in person and found that she indeed possesses both talent and beauty. Her bearing and manners clearly display the grace of a noble family, matching up favorably with the daughters of high rank in the palace."
Fu An's face was filled with admiration and joy as he spoke, slowly unrolling the scroll and placing it on the imperial desk.
Xuanwu Emperor's gaze fell on the portrait. The woman in the painting had eyebrows like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn waters with rippling waves, skin as white as snow, and a temperament that transcended ordinary people. It seemed as if he could smell the faint fragrance of ink and flowers in the painting. He nodded silently.
His lips curved into a smile, "The Prince's taste in women is usually quite high, and he is very particular. A woman of such beauty should meet his expectations."
If such a stunning beauty were to be relegated to cleaning toilets, then I might as well be a bachelor for the rest of my life.
"The emperor speaks the truth, Miss Meng is not only beautiful but also has a gentle nature and exemplifies virtue. She is truly the ideal choice for the princess of the crown prince."
Grandmaster Fu An echoed, while in his heart, he was secretly guessing the true intention of the emperor.
"Your command, announce Miss Meng Yao, daughter of the Marquis of Xuanzhao, to come to the palace for an audience."
After a moment of hesitation, Xuanwu Emperor decided to see her in person to verify her true appearance and temperament.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting its rays on the grey stone path of Marquis Qin's residence.
Yu Yao was dressed in a delicate palace robe, with her hair pulled back into a high bun, and walked lightly, following the Marquisess of Qin into the Imperial City.
Her demeanor was calm and composed, with no trace of nervousness, and she even found time to admire the scenery along the way.
Without needing to think, she knew it must have been Du Yewan who had done something in the shadows.
Otherwise, how could Xuanwu Emperor suddenly want to see her?
Marquis Qin's wife was so nervous that she kept reminding her all the way.
Although Yu Yao was slightly impatient in her heart, she still listened attentively and occasionally agreed with a few words.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study, where Marquis Qin's wife was waiting outside, and Yu Yao alone walked in.
"Your humble servant Meng Yao, greet Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live for a thousand years, a thousand years, and ten thousand."
She bowed with respect, her voice clear and crisp without losing dignity, and her actions revealed the grace of a noble maiden.
Xuanwu Emperor's gaze scanned over her, and his heart couldn't help but praise: indeed, a stunning beauty. She looked even more beautiful than in the portrait, which was why Marquis Qin had kept her away from the capital.
He lightly raised his hand, indicating that she should rise, "Miss Meng, please stand up. Lift your head and let me have a good look."
Yu Yao raised her head as instructed, her eyes clear and graceful, meeting the emperor's gaze without either subservience or haughtiness.
Xuanwu Emperor nodded silently, then asked, "I've heard that you were weak since childhood and have now recovered. Furthermore, you possess both talent and virtue. Is there any truth to this?"
She smiled faintly, her voice gentle and respectful: "Your Majesty, the daughter of the servant was indeed fortunate enough to encounter a skilled physician and her health is gradually improving. Her parents have given her every care and instruction. Although the daughter of the servant dare not claim to possess both talent and virtue, she knows that she must strive to study diligently and endeavor to fulfill her expectations."
Xuanwu Emperor nodded slightly, then changed the subject: "I have decided to select a princess for the Crown Prince. I have seen that you are exceptional in both character and appearance, and so I have summoned you to the palace. Are you willing to become the wife of the Crown Prince?"
Yu Yao had already guessed the reason for the emperor's summon, and she wasn't surprised at all at this point. She spoke calmly: "As a servant of the court, I shall follow the arrangement of the throne. If I am fortunate enough to gain the favor of the Crown Prince, I will commit myself wholeheartedly to assisting him."
Xuanwu Emperor nodded in satisfaction, asked a few more questions, and then dismissed her.
He then ordered someone to summon the Crown Prince.
Du Yewan arrived at the Imperial Study quickly, with a steady and calm stride.
A black brocade robe accentuated his imposing figure, and his eyebrows and eyes exuded innate nobility and defiance.
The flickering candles in the room cast a shadow on his alluring and handsome face, adding a touch of inscrutable charm.
"Your son greets the king."
Du Yewan's voice was deep and magnetic, his bow and gestures exuding the aura of royalty.
Xuanwu Emperor looked up and waved his hand, saying, "Night, rise. I summoned you here today to discuss some important matters."
Du Yewan stood up straight, his eyes slightly lowered, waiting for the next sentence.
Xuanwu Emperor picked up a scroll from the table, slowly unrolled it, revealing a lady with a gentle and jade-like grace, her brows and eyes exuding an air of otherworldliness.
It was Yu Yao.
"Night, take a look at this scroll. This is the daughter of Marquis Qin, Meng Yao. I have already sent people to investigate, and she is of excellent character and talent, and your age is similar to hers. She would be an ideal match for you."
Xuanwu Emperor looked at Du Yewan with a warm tone.
Du Yewan took the scroll, paused his gaze on the painting for a moment, and smiled softly, "She is truly a rare beauty. The son obeys the father's decision."
He said that, and then he gently rolled up the scroll, his eyes flashing with a few glints of excitement and pride.
Seeing his son's satisfaction, Xuanwu Emperor felt relieved in his heart.
He was afraid that this young man would still not approve.
For some reason, he felt a bit uneasy, as if he had fallen into a trap.
His gaze fell on Du Yewan, and suddenly, he felt the young man's current demeanor was worth a good spanking.
"Since you have agreed, then the edict for marriage will be issued, and the wedding will be held on an appointed day. Go back and make preparations. The wedding must be grand and there should be no room for carelessness."
Xuanwu Emperor thought of his son's character, and once again expressed his heartfelt advice, "Treat her well, and don't throw her back into the toilet again. Otherwise, the Qin family is not to be trifled with."
Du Yewan looked at Xuanwu Emperor, laughing joyfully, and teased, "Father please rest assured. The son I would never throw her away. Even if it comes to cleaning toilets, it will be the son who does it."
Xuanwu Emperor was amused by his son's words, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, go ahead. Get out of here. The edict for the marriage will be sent to the Eastern Palace later."
After speaking, he put the scroll he had read to one side.
Du Yewan left the Imperial Study with great joy and returned to the Eastern Palace.
Sitting at the desk, he gazed at the portrait of Yu Yao, a smile of joy on his lips, "Yao'er, I finally get to marry you. This lifetime, we will love and cherish each other as in our past lives, until old age."
The imperial edict for the marriage was issued quickly.
One copy was sent to the Eastern Palace, and the other to the Marquis Qin's residence.
The capital was in an uproar, with everyone talking and speculating. The gate of the Marquis Qin's residence was nearly broken down by spies and well-wishers.
Meng Yao, the once obscure and sheltered woman from the countryside, overnight became the Crown Princess. Her identity transformation spread rapidly through various noble families in the capital, like a spring breeze turning winter into spring.
"Did you hear? The girl from the Marquis Qin's family is going to marry the Crown Prince!"
In the teahouse, a young man in fine clothes exclaimed to his friend at the table, "Did you hear? The girl from Marquis Qin's residence is going to marry the Crown Prince!"
"Oh? Which Meng girl is it? I have not heard of her before." The friend was confused.
"You must be really out of the loop! This Meng girl, it is said that she was weak since childhood and was sent to the countryside to recover. Now that she's back from her illness, the emperor has personally chosen her as the Crown Princess. It's like a phoenix rising from the ashes!"
The young man shook his head and nodded, his face full of envy.
Inside Wei's mansion, spring was in full swing with blooming peach blossoms scattered around, yet it could not hide the solitude and oppressive atmosphere deep within the compound.
Xuan Ji sat in the study, with the occasional chirping of birds outside the window, which made the silence inside even more pronounced.
The table in front of him was scattered with a few books, but they had not been touched. His thoughts were already far away.
"Feng Yao, daughter of Marquis Qin……Crown Princess……"
The sounds of the servants' gossip, like thin needles, pierced through the thick doors and directly into his heart.
Xuan Ji gently put down the tea cup in his hand. The tea had cooled, much like his current mood.
Knowing Du Yewan as he did, that man could not possibly marry any woman other than Yao'er.
However, Du Yewan agreed to it and joyfully planned the wedding.
This could only mean that Meng Yao from the Marquis Qin's residence is Yao'er, but it's unclear why she changed identities and became the daughter of Marquis Qin.
He closed his eyes, trying to sketch in his mind the image of the woman who once leaned against him, her smile warm as spring. But now, she was to become someone else's bride.
"Your Highness, it's time for you to have your meal."
The loyal servant, Aqi, spoke softly, breaking the silence in the room.
Xuan Ji opened his eyes and stared listlessly out the window for a moment before slowly speaking, "Take it away, I have no appetite."
It was late at night and quiet. Xuan Ji walked alone in the rear garden of the Wei Mansion.
The moonlight was like water, spilling over him and casting a long shadow.
He stopped walking and gazed at the moon reflected in the pond, a mix of emotions swirling in his heart.
"Yao'er, are you really going to marry him?"
Xuan Ji murmured to himself, his expression desolate and sorrowful, feeling as though everything in the past was as fleeting as a dream.
In the following days, it seemed as if Xuan Ji became even more immersed in Buddhism, reciting scriptures and prayers daily, disinterested in worldly matters.
But every time the night grew deep and quiet, he couldn't help but think of her, those past joyful sounds, like a haunting nightmare that tormented him, making it impossible for him to sleep.
The wedding preparations went on for several months, and finally, the day of Yu Yao and Du Yewan's grand wedding arrived.
As the dawn broke, the whole of the imperial capital was bathed in a sense of joy and celebration.
The gate of the Marquis Qin's residence was decked out in bright red silk, heralding the grand wedding that would take place today.
Inside the Wei Mansion, Xuan Ji sat silently in his study, twirling a string of prayer beads in his hands, his brow furrowed with melancholy and complexity.
"Your Highness, have you heard? The daughter of Marquis Qin, Meng Yao, is to become the Crown Princess. The wedding will be held today."
A loyal guard softly reported, breaking the silence in the room.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Ji paused slightly with his finger, then smiled indifferently, "Oh? Is that so? Then it's a happy event."
In his words, there was a trace of an unnoticeable bitterness.
Even though he said it was a happy event, the bitterness in his heart was spreading.
In the end, he still couldn't let go, but he also had no intention of attending the wedding.
He only instructed the servant to prepare a generous gift and send it to the Marquis Qin's residence.
