Volume One, Chapter 16: The Wedding Mission Accomplished

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Xiao Beiming’s deep eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed into the distant darkness.

“I hope she is merely greedy for money and telling the truth. It would be best if she has no connection to the person who poisoned me.”

Wu Er was surprised. “Does Your Highness suspect which prince she belongs to? First poisoning, then antidoting—what is her game?”

There are four princes in total.

The eldest prince, Xiao Jingtai, is the crown prince, born to the Empress, and was appointed heir apparent from birth.

The second prince is Xiao Beiming, the Prince of Zhenbei, born to Consort Liang. He is a skilled warrior and the most like the Emperor among the four princes. The Emperor favors him greatly.

Because of this, the crown prince has long regarded the Prince of Zhenbei as a thorn in his side.

The third prince is Xiao Chuyu, the Prince of Chu, born to the late Consort Hui. He has always been fond of poetry and literature, never involved in politics, and is known in the capital as a refined scholar with a reputation for elegance and integrity.

The fourth prince is Xiao Nanzheng, born to the favored Consort Hua. He was born during the Emperor’s southern campaign, a year the Emperor won a great victory. From birth, this youngest son was seen as an auspicious sign and has been dearly cherished. He is only fifteen this year and has yet to be granted a princely title.

When the Prince of Zhenbei was poisoned, the fourth prince was still a child, and the Prince of Chu, timid and uninvolved in politics, naturally suspected the crown prince.

“I hope she has nothing to do with the Eastern Palace. It’s probably just my overthinking. Keep a close watch on the Eastern Palace.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Rest assured, I have been assigning people to keep watch.”

The next morning, at the Prince of Chu’s residence.

Su Yi’an was having breakfast when the Prince of Chu suddenly arrived.

Xiao Chuyu was shocked to see Su Yi’an’s face covered with rough, blackened scabs. Though he had prepared himself mentally for her disfigurement, he had not expected it to be so severe.

Not a single patch of good flesh remained. His stomach churned in disgust, and he dared neither approach nor meet her gaze.

Su Yi’an set down her chopsticks and stood, bowing slightly.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

Xiao Chuyu kept his distance, his eyes flickering nervously but speaking with genuine concern.

“Princess, I apologize for not visiting you last night. I was drunk.”

“No matter, Your Highness. Would you like to have breakfast together?”

“I have already eaten. Father and Mother, out of concern for your health, have excused you from paying respects at court today. You may take your time.”

“Yes, I thank Their Majesties for their kindness and Your Highness for coming to see me.”

Xiao Chuyu was pleased with her obedient attitude.

“In the future, you need not trouble yourself with household affairs. Just focus on your recovery. If you want anything to eat, just tell the steward…”

His words were interrupted as Granny Gui appeared, her hair in a messy nest, looking bewildered as she emerged from inside.

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That fool—she was sent last night to fetch the handkerchief; why is she still here now?

Granny Gui hesitated, then immediately knelt and stammered.

“Your Highness, last night I came to guide the princess through the wedding rites but suddenly felt unwell and fainted. I just woke up.”

Su Yi’an cut her off coldly.

“She’s lying! She insulted me, calling me impure and demanding proof of my identity. I knocked her unconscious.”

With her small frame, could she really have knocked out such a stout woman? Has she gone from simple-minded to mad fighter?

Xiao Chuyu was suspicious for a moment but quickly resumed a stern expression.

“Bold and insolent servant! How dare you mistreat the princess? You are fined half a month’s wages!”

“Yes! I know my fault and will never dare again.” Granny Gui kowtowed deeply and hurried away.

Su Yi’an’s face remained cold as she pulled the handkerchief from her sleeve and unfolded it before Xiao Chuyu.

“That woman said that if I do not prove my identity, I will have no place in the mansion.

Here—will this allow me to stay here?”

Xiao Chuyu looked at the faint red stain.

“You are the Princess of Chu. Naturally, the Prince of Chu’s residence is your home.

Have your meal. I have other matters to attend to.” He signaled a maid to take the handkerchief, then turned and left briskly, as if fleeing some disaster.

At that moment, Xiao Chuyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon, the palace maid would arrive to collect the handkerchief, completing his wedding duty.

After breakfast, Su Yi’an left the mansion to inspect her properties, eager to secure some funds to escape quickly.

Passing by the Zhen family’s textile shop, she was called out from afar by Shopkeeper Zhen.

Apparently, the little tiger had been crying and looking for a pretty sister these past few days, banging on the door every night.

Shopkeeper Zhen did not know where the owner lived and was worried for the child.

“I see. Then I’ll meet him here tonight.”

Just then, Su Yi’an heard a rooster crow in the courtyard.

“You raise chickens? May I stew one?”

“Master, since the shop is yours, the chickens are yours as well. Feel free to eat one. I’ll have the staff prepare it for you.”

“No need. You focus on running the shop; I’ll do it myself.”

Su Yi’an went to the backyard, grabbed the largest rooster from the cage, slit its neck artery with a dagger, bled it, plucked its feathers, and chopped it up in one swift motion.

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She placed the rooster into a pot to stew, then stepped out to inspect her shops.

The shops given to her by her father-in-law had clear accounts. She estimated she could save a sizable sum after the New Year, just in time to flee when spring arrived.

However, the dowry shop given by her biological father was not only unprofitable but still owed debts from this year.

She arrived just as an irate shopkeeper demanding payment blocked her path.

“It’s the end of the year. My family can barely put food on the table. The debts must be settled, or I’ll hang myself with this hemp rope.”

Su Yi’an was furious.

“This is a scam! Don’t think I’ll pay you a single cent!”

She led the demanding shopkeeper to the Su mansion.

At the sight of the plaque declaring it the residence of the Grand Secretary, the shopkeeper balked and dared not enter, forcing a strained smile.

“Ten more days or half a month’s extension would be fine. I’m urgent, but not that urgent…”

Su Yi’an looked at him, his smile more pitiful than tears.

“If you don’t come with me today to collect payment, then in ten or twenty years, you won’t get a dime. It’s your choice.”

The shopkeeper kowtowed. “Please go ahead, Miss.”

When Wu, the steward, heard the young lady was bringing a debtor to the door, he panicked.

“Just say I’m not home!”

The footman looked troubled. “Miss said if she can’t get the money, she’ll bring the man back to the Prince of Chu’s residence and have His Highness pay. Anyway, she won’t pay herself.”

“Oh my ancestors! Bring me my abacus!”

Wu was truly frightened. If this mess reached the Prince of Chu, what would become of the master’s reputation?

Everyone in the capital knew the Grand Secretary Su as a model civil official—upright, honorable, and virtuous.

Wu grit his teeth, paid off the debt, and braced for the scolding the master would receive that evening.

Su Yi’an had not yet finished inspecting all the shops, but night was falling.

Fearing she might miss the little tiger, she hurried back to the textile shop.

A cold north wind rose at night, and the streets emptied. Su Yi’an stood at the shop’s entrance waiting for the little one.

Suddenly, she noticed a small figure braving the cold wind, running toward her.

The child’s steps were unsteady, stumbling like a toddler about to fall at any moment.