Chapter Sixty-Seven: Everlasting Peace

Just as Meng Youde had anticipated, Jiang Li’s exam paper did indeed make its way to the palace.

Inside the Imperial Study, a young man emerged from within, and at the door, Steward Su bowed low to see him off. Watching the departing figure, he could not help but sigh in admiration—barely past twenty, yet he had ranked first in the national examination, and within a single year had risen to such a position. Truly, fortune favored him; youth was to be reckoned with.

This young man was none other than Shen Yuyong, the current Attendant Gentleman of the Secretariat. Emperor Hongxiao was particularly fond of Shen Yuyong, often discussing state affairs with him. Some even whispered that the Emperor intended to bring Shen Yuyong into the Grand Secretariat, grooming him as a future Grand Councillor, a successor to Jiang Yuanbai.

No one could say what the future held, but that did not stop people from currying favor in the present.

As Shen Yuyong walked through the Imperial Garden, heading outward, he met someone beneath the long corridor.

Princess Yongning was resting at a stone table in the garden. Upon seeing him, she offered a bewitching smile. “Lord Shen.”

It was summer. The Imperial Garden was thick with shade, cool breezes rustling through. A golden thread of sunlight slipped between the leaves, illuminating half her face—radiant and noble, her skin as flawless as the finest mutton-fat jade, inviting a longing to touch.

Though her brows were arched and her expression proud, she now assumed a gentle, demure air, her demeanor polite and dignified.

Shen Yuyong saluted her with a bow. “Your Highness.”

“You just came from my royal brother. What matter did you discuss?” Princess Yongning idly fanned herself with a thin silk fan. Her lips were painted a vivid red, lush and full, alluring as ripe fruit.

Shen Yuyong averted his gaze. “His Majesty heard that the results of yesterday’s examination have been posted. The top scholars from the Imperial Academy and Mingyi Hall hailed from different families. He discussed this matter with me.”

“Oh?” Princess Yongning gazed at him in surprise, her tone teasing and enticing. “I have heard of this as well. They say the top scholar of Mingyi Hall is the Jiang family’s second daughter, who was cast out and spent eight years in a nunnery. She’s only been back in the capital for a month or so, and joined Mingyi Hall but ten days ago, yet she claimed first place. Truly a remarkable talent, I hear her calligraphy is also exquisite. I haven’t seen it myself—Lord Shen, what do you think?”

Shen Yuyong paused, then bowed his head. “I have not seen it either.”

Princess Yongning laughed softly. “I would have thought Lord Shen would surely seek such a marvel out. But it seems you have little interest—perhaps you are accustomed to talented ladies and prefer beauty and charm instead?” Her last words carried a hint of playful seduction.

Shen Yuyong took a step back. “Princess, please mind your words.”

“Look how you’re frightened.” A flicker of displeasure flashed in Princess Yongning’s eyes, quickly concealed. She chided, “My people are all standing guard outside. No one will overhear us. It’s been ages since we last met—did you miss me?”

Her manner grew even more unabashed.

Shen Yuyong lowered his head, nodding ever so slightly.

Even that faint nod brought a radiant smile to Princess Yongning’s face. She even reached out to touch his hand, laughing, “I knew you thought of me too. I’ve just had too many trifling matters lately, or I would have come to you. Tomorrow, after the Mingyi Hall’s examination of the last three subjects, why don’t we both attend? Afterwards…” Her words faded into ambiguity.

Shen Yuyong let her take his hand, his expression softening a little as he said gently, “Princess…”

“I’ve told you before, when there’s no one else, you should call me Yongning.” Princess Yongning gazed at him with adoration. From the moment she first laid eyes on Shen Yuyong, she had fallen for him. Such a young and handsome man, skilled in statecraft and eloquent in prose. She had lost her heart the day she saw him, astride a tall horse, riding through the streets, and it had never returned.

Alas, he was already married. Still, it hardly mattered. She was a royal princess, while his wife was but the daughter of a minor official—no matter how talented or beautiful, she was as lowly as an ant.

And so, she had her killed.

Princess Yongning knew well that Shen Yuyong still cared for Xue Fangfei. Xue Fangfei was beautiful and accomplished, and they had shared many years as husband and wife. Shen Yuyong still harbored feelings for her, but Princess Yongning could not abide even a sliver of another in his heart. It was not enough to take Xue Fangfei’s life; she wanted her reputation, her dignity, to leave her with nothing, to see her die in utter disgrace.

After all, she had taken what was never hers.

In the end, she was the victor.

Shen Yuyong did not linger long in the Imperial Garden. The palace was full of prying eyes and ears. Even with Princess Yongning’s people standing guard, accidents could happen. It had been less than half a year since Xue Fangfei’s death; if rumors of an affair with the princess spread, no amount of denial could silence the gossips.

Princess Yongning could only watch, reluctant, as Shen Yuyong’s figure disappeared.

The shade beneath the trees was empty again. Princess Yongning thought of how, every few days, she made her way to the palace, ostensibly to see the Dowager Consort Liu, but really, just to catch a glimpse of her beloved. It was so hard. Xue Fangfei was dead, yet she still could not spend her days openly with him—rather, they met like secret lovers. The thought filled her with melancholy.

“It is so hard to stay together…” she sighed deeply.

Then she remembered that after tomorrow’s examination, she would have a few moments of joy with Shen Yuyong, and her brows brightened with delight. She never cared much for these talented women, for they always reminded her of Xue Fangfei.

Truth be told, Xue Fangfei’s calligraphy had been unrivaled in the capital, though she wrote in the delicate “flower-stem script,” while the second Miss Jiang’s handwriting resembled a man’s.

Talented women appear in every generation, but Xue Fangfei was gone.

…

In Fangfei Courtyard, Baixue watched as Jiang Li practiced her calligraphy. After a while, she commented, “Miss, your calligraphy is truly grand.”

“Grand” was the most refined word Baixue could come up with.

“Mhm, indeed,” Mingyue, who was serving tea, glanced over and smiled, “It’s unlike any other young lady’s handwriting.”

Jiang Li smiled faintly.

Back when she was Xue Fangfei, she had spent her early life in Tongxiang, her writing bold and unrestrained, emulating Xue Zhao’s spirited style. Later, after coming to the capital, she began learning the delicate flower-stem script.

Not for any other reason, but because all the ladies of the capital wrote this way. She wanted to blend in quickly with the noble circles, not stand out as odd. So she gave up what she loved, even the way she wrote.

Even Shen Yuyong had probably believed she was skilled only in flower-stem script. But times had changed. That style was delicate and refined, yet as a woman, it was hard enough to make one’s way in the world, for men were always treated with leniency, women with severity.

If that was how it was, then she would rely on no one but herself. If she regarded herself as a man, she could weather whatever fate brought her way.

－－－－－－Author’s Note－－－－－－

Today I received notice from my editor that the story will go VIP next Tuesday, and I may need to release around ten chapters at once for the transition. So, for those who are waiting to stock up, now’s the time to catch up, to avoid repeated subscriptions when the chapters roll over!

Please keep track of the chapter numbers to avoid duplicate purchases. I’ll remind everyone again before the VIP launch.