Chapter 147: Iron Resolve and Tender Grace—Releasing Old Grudges

What expression is Nie Peixiao wearing? Chuxiu was a bit puzzled, and when he looked at Emperor Nie and the others, they all wore puzzled faces as they gazed at him. Consort Ye, anxious for her beloved son, quickly rose and inquired, “What’s wrong with you?”

Yet Nie Peixiao seemed not to hear, staring blankly at his seventh brother, Prince Mu Wang, his face dark and silent.

How could Prince Mu not understand what Nie Peixiao meant? Fearing that this younger brother, accustomed to indulgence, might do something reckless in public again, he hurriedly smiled at Consort Ye on the palace steps and said, “It seems Ninth Brother is truly drunk.”

Turning away, Prince Mu saw Nie Peixiao still watching him intently. Facing his once most beloved brother, he dared not meet his gaze for the first time.

Prince Mu understood that tonight’s banquet was a game of wins and losses. He lent Chuxiu to clear his own tarnished name; Chuxiu relied on him to preserve the honor of the Yun family. He and Lady Chuxiu barely ended in a draw; the apparent loser was the Empress, but the true loser was his ninth brother, Nie Peixiao.

A chastity archway had already sentenced this sincere prince’s loves to death…

*****

Tonight’s banquet was not in vain for Chuxiu. Her greatest gain was Prince Mu’s promise to bestow four archways upon the Yun family—an implicit pledge to safeguard the Yun family’s reputation.

Moreover, Chuxiu heard Emperor Nie mention that after the New Year, Prince Mu would no longer return to Yanlan City but would begin assuming regency, governing in the emperor’s stead, while Emperor Nie would retire behind the scenes, citing ill health and truly transferring power.

Suddenly, Chuxiu thought of Luan Su in Prince Mu’s mansion—was this… Prince Mu’s complete relinquishment? But now that Chen Xuan was gravely ill, whom else could Luan Su turn to?

Using the excuse of returning to Liuyun Manor for New Year’s Eve, Chuxiu left Yingyuan Palace early. Emperor Nie asked Prince Mu to escort her partway and also to discuss the details of the archway bestowal. Seeing this, Chuxiu abandoned her sedan chair and walked alongside Prince Mu, with Zhu Ying and Zhu Yang trailing at a distance.

“Today, it was I who offended you, my lady. Please do not take offense,” Prince Mu spoke first, his voice low and heavy. At this moment, he too was downcast—not only because Chuxiu had turned the tables on him but also because of his ninth brother, Nie Peixiao.

Unaware of these inner matters, Chuxiu merely smiled. “I should be thanking you. Had you not brought up the archway bestowal today, I wouldn’t have had the chance to seek your imperial calligraphy.”

Prince Mu pondered for a moment, then spoke solemnly, “In front of honest people, there are no hidden words. I agree to your proposal, my lady. You must understand what this means… I hope you will not disappoint me.”

Hearing this, Chuxiu immediately became serious and replied, “Shared honor and shared disgrace. From now on, the Yun family will serve faithfully. I also hope Your Highness will keep your word and protect the Yun family’s entire honor.”

Prince Mu laughed scornfully. “You said it yourself—shared honor and shared disgrace. I understand this well. If the Yun family wants to be loyal ministers and good merchants, I will not force them into rebellion.” He looked at her with a sinister gleam and added, “As long as the Yun family is sincere and does not covet power.”

With that assurance, Chuxiu felt more at ease and responded with a smile, “The Yun family never serves in officialdom, only devoted to commerce. Besides, when it comes to strategy and military command, Your Highness is unsurpassed. Who dares compete with you? You worry too much.”

Prince Mu said no more.

After walking for a while, Prince Mu asked again, “When will you return to Yanlan City?”

Chuxiu thought for a moment and decided not to mention Shen Yuzhi for now. “I will leave after the first lunar month. There are still affairs to handle in Jingzhou, and I wish to take this opportunity to pay respects to Lord Minister Zuo.” The Minister Zuo was Prince Mu’s father-in-law. He would find out sooner or later, so better to hear it directly from her than through others.

Sure enough, Prince Mu did not object but smiled and said, “You truly value the Yun family’s honor above all else.”

“That is natural,” Chuxiu admitted candidly. “To be honest, I was resentful for a while tonight when you abruptly pushed me forward as a shield without consulting me beforehand… But from now on, I must thank you.”

“You fought for it yourself, no need to thank me,” Prince Mu retorted with irony, then whispered, “It seems you really don’t intend to remarry.”

“What?” Chuxiu didn’t catch that and paused, asking.

Prince Mu waved his hand. “Nothing. I meant… tonight you didn’t blame me, but others might.”

“Others?” Chuxiu was even more confused. “You mean the Empress?”

This time, Prince Mu did not answer and grew more silent.

Chuxiu did not wish to linger on such trivial topics. Knowing it was rare to have a private conversation, she seized the opportunity to ask an important question: “Is Emperor Beixuan Chengrui really gravely ill?”

Upon hearing this, Prince Mu’s steps faltered. After a long pause, he replied, “Yes, he won’t survive past next summer.”

Chuxiu sighed deeply. “I don’t know whether to be glad or sad. Glad that with Chen Xuan’s death, you will have no rival; sad that such a dragon among men will die young, leaving no heir.”

In this respect, Chen Xuan was another Yun Ci, though Chuxiu did not know if Luan Su would become another version of herself.

Mentioning Chen Xuan’s critical condition, Prince Mu showed no joy, only a faint sigh. “As you said, once Chen Xuan dies, I will have no rival in this world. But I do not feel happy—rather, an immense sorrow.”

He paused and evaluated Chen Xuan thus: “Chen Xuan was a worthy opponent. Without Luan Su… I would have respected him.”

“Without Luan Su, with the struggle for the realm, what use is respect? You and he are destined to be enemies,” Chuxiu murmured. “Since you won’t return to Yanlan City soon, should I go visit Consort Luan? I imagine after Chen Xuan’s death, she will grieve long and deeply. Having experienced that pain myself, I worry she might not endure.”

Unexpectedly, Prince Mu only smiled. “No need. Once Chen Xuan dies, she will leave the Mu mansion.” Gazing toward the palace gate, he added, “I have already written the letter of dismissal…”

Chen Xuan was willing to give up the Northern Xuan throne, ceding half the realm and even feigning death, all for eloping with Luan Su. Their mutual love had long made him an outsider, no need for further desperate struggles. Yet these inner truths could not be revealed to Chuxiu.

Beneath the moonlight, Prince Mu’s sorrow was hard to conceal. Seeing this, Chuxiu refrained from probing further and gently said, “Fate cannot be forced. Your Highness is a man of grand designs, with the world in your heart. Naturally, I need not say more.”

Setting aside their identities and positions, Chuxiu spoke these words sincerely.

Hearing this, Prince Mu finally laughed helplessly. Under the moonlight, his androgynous face appeared both alluring and mournful. “I never imagined that you would be the only one I can confide in about these heartaches.”

About his complex rivalry and friendship with Chen Xuan, about his unrequited love for Luan Su, about his determination to unify north and south… out of all, Lady Chuxiu knew his secrets best.

Chuxiu noticed that he said “I” rather than “this prince” and felt deeply moved. “I never expected that tonight I would casually chat about kingdoms and beauties with Your Highness.”

Prince Mu’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed, filled with a lonely smile. “Even though I have targeted you and the Yun family, to be honest, I truly admire you. Neither I nor Luan Su has your broad heart; otherwise, we wouldn’t have come to this.”

Since Prince Mu admitted his narrow-mindedness and suspicion, Chuxiu had nothing further to say. Seeing the palace gate faintly ahead, she bowed politely. “The palace gate is near, Your Highness, please stay.”

Prince Mu hummed in response, nodded, but did not move, his gaze heavy with meaning upon Chuxiu.

Chuxiu was puzzled. Tonight, both brothers were strange; Nie Peixiao had once looked at her with a hesitant, meaningful gaze… The more she thought, the more confused she became. “Your Highness, is there anything else you wish to say?”

Prince Mu denied it. “Nothing. Lady, take care. I just wanted to say… Lady Xinhou is fortunate.” But alas, his ninth brother lacked such fortune, and he would not let him repeat his own mistakes.

If the widowed woman were from another family, it would be one thing; but she was the head matron of the Yun family—a position too special. If allowed to proceed, both would only end in ruin and disgrace. Moreover, Lady Chuxiu likely would not be moved.

Feeling guilty toward his ninth brother, Nie Peihan also deeply lamented. This should have been a perfect match, but they met too late.

Once having experienced vast seas, no other waters suffice; with Yun Ci before her, Ninth Brother could never enter Lady Chuxiu’s heart.

Watching the graceful figure recede, Nie Peihan suddenly called out, “My lady!”

Chuxiu stopped and turned. “Your Highness?”

By the moonlight and surrounding lanterns, Prince Mu saw the moist gleam in Chuxiu’s eyes. This stunning woman’s face was calm, her gentle glance bearing a reserved expression much like Luan Su.

Prince Mu was momentarily dazed before saying, “Actually, my lady worries too much. The Yun family is Luan Su’s maternal clan. For this reason alone, I would never trouble the Yun family.”

In this brief sentence lay boundless affection. Chuxiu sensed not only a man’s reluctance to part with a beloved woman but also the loneliness and despair of a ruler unable to possess his cherished love.

In the vague shadows, the most outstanding man and woman of their era silently met each other’s gaze. Though their hearts were not bound, certain sorrows only they could understand. A kind of protection existed that no one else in the world could comprehend.

In a sense, he and she were kindred spirits: both having lost their loves, both lonely at heart, both cold atop their high thrones.

Chuxiu said no more. She bowed gracefully to the solitary ruler in the distance; countless words were conveyed in that single moment. Then she turned and walked toward the palace gate, her heart unusually calm and light.

Chuxiu knew that tonight, the Yun family and Prince Mu had reconciled, all because of his deep feelings for a woman… but what she did not know was that Prince Mu’s frankness also stemmed from guilt toward his brothers.

As night deepened and the New Year approached, Chuxiu briskly left Yingyuan Palace. This was the most peaceful New Year’s Eve she had experienced in recent years—all was finally settled…