Chapter One

  With a depressed heart, every day I think left and right, the recovery is even slower, sometimes relapsing, by the time I fully recover, it's already the end of October.

  This is the first time I've seen Kangxi since I got sick a few months ago, and I'm quite nervous. When Wang Xi announced: "The Emperor has finished his morning court!", I had the urge to let Qiu Chen serve the tea several times, but I just wanted to hide. In the end, reason controlled myself, and I followed Qiu Chen in with the tea tray.

  The eunuchs standing outside saw me coming and hastily raised the curtain. Their eyes scanned around, and I saw that Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Eighth Brother, Ninth Brother, Tenth Brother, Thirteenth Brother, and Fourteenth Brother were all seated. I took a deep breath, calmed my nerves, and walked in quietly. The room was silent, with Kangxi lost in thought, his head tilted to one side. I gently placed the tea cup on the table, bowed, and paid my respects. Kangxi didn't look at me once, and I felt a slight sense of relief. I turned to serve tea to Third Brother, and as I made my way around the circle, several brothers were sitting upright with their eyes cast down, not daring to glance sideways. I too kept my head bowed from start to finish, focusing only on the spot in front of me.

  As soon as she came out of the warm pavilion, she hurriedly walked back to the ear chamber, put down the tea tray, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh. After calming down, she couldn't help but wonder what they were discussing, why each of their expressions was so solemn?

  Two days later, Kangxi issued an edict and only then did they understand why the atmosphere was so heavy that day. Yin Toubu was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Han army, Long Kodo as the commander of the infantry, and Zhang Guzhen as the governor of Yunnan. All were important positions with military power in hand! Eighth Brother took the lead in launching the attack, but it was Fourth Brother's man, Long Kodo, who grasped this important position responsible for the safety of the capital, and under everyone's noses, Fourth Brother's important chess piece had already begun to quietly take shape.

  In my mind, I was carefully thinking, suddenly remembering that I had reminded Eighth Brother to guard against Long Ke Duo. If he took my words to heart, then at this time, Eighth Brother should know the relationship between Fourth Brother and Long Ke Duo. Even if now Fourth Brother and Long Ke Duo are not close, even if they deliberately keep a distance from each other to avoid suspicion, have I already turned over an important trump card of Fourth Brother's?

  My mind is getting confused, the vague history and current situation make it even harder for me to understand the already unclear situation. I have no choice but to give up. Let me think carefully about where I am going and what I should do!

  I now have no choice but to believe that I am destined to be married off. Su Ma Lai was able to stay in the palace after refusing to marry because Kangxi had special feelings for her and was willing to tolerate her behavior. But if I were to refuse, Kangxi would probably not let me live a good life, perhaps even meeting a tragic end with three feet of white silk.

  What will Kangxi ultimately point me to? The Crown Prince, from now on, he will be in trouble until he is abolished, so he is ruled out! At present, there are only two possibilities: either Kangxi points me to a neutral person and lets me stay away from the storm, but can Kangxi consider this for me? Or it's pointing me to someone he values in his heart, that is, it's possible that he is recognized as the future emperor or his followers.

  After careful consideration, I tried to rule out one by one, but there were still many possibilities. Adding the unfamiliar officials in the imperial court, I finally realized that it was impossible for me to find the answer by elimination. Kangxi's thoughts are as deep as the sea, and although I have been following him for many years, I still can't see through them. Feeling frustrated, who else's thoughts can I really see through?

  Rather than waiting for Kangxi to arrange a marriage, with an uncertain outcome, it's better to choose myself. At least I can avoid the worst result. Thinking of the crown prince, my whole body feels a chill again. Can't help but support my head and let out a long sigh! If only I had known earlier, why bother now? In ancient times, people got married at 16 or 17, nowadays men who are suitable for me in terms of age, basically all have wives and concubines already, it seems I'm destined to be a secondary wife.

  Who to choose?

  The Eighth Prince is definitely not possible! After Kangxi deposed the Crown Prince, his attitude towards the Eighth Prince is now absolutely unwilling to let me follow him. In the past, it may have been possible, but with Suwan Guwalgiya's jade pendant and Minmin's marriage to Soro Wangzi, Kangxi will never let me follow the Eighth Prince.

  Thirteen gege is definitely not an option! Although Minmin is already engaged to marry someone else, if she were to find out that I'm going to marry Thirteen, all the words of encouragement I gave her back then would be seen as having ulterior motives. I don't want to lose this friend. Besides, Thirteen gege wouldn't agree either - ever since I took him to the lotus pond to meet Fourth gege, he's regarded me as one of Fourth gege's people. Otherwise, he wouldn't have used Ninth gege to test me.

  The Fourteenth Prince is also out of the question. He is still a member of the "Eighth Lord Party". Firstly, Kangxi would not agree to it and secondly, he himself would absolutely not want me.

  After thinking in circles, everyone's thoughts, Kangxi's thoughts, the more he thought, the more chaotic, the more he thought, the more he felt that there was no need to make things so complicated. Since he wanted to take shelter from the wind and rain, why not just find the biggest tree to lean on? Anyway, he was also willing to marry! And then talk about future matters step by step.

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  Pick up the hairpin, stared for half a day, why does the fourth brother like Mulan so much? "In the morning, I'll pick the magnolia by the pond, and in the evening, I'll gather the wild chrysanthemum on the islet." "In the morning, I'll drink the dew of the magnolia, and in the evening, I'll dine on the fallen petals of the autumn chrysanthemum." Does he think he has an inner fragrance like Qu Yuan? Or does he feel that his ambitions and talents are not being utilized?

  She carefully inserted the hairpin, admired herself for a moment, and couldn't help but laugh at herself, thinking she would never use it, yet unexpectedly found herself wearing it on her head so soon.

  When the Fourth Prince and Thirteenth Prince came out, I stepped forward to pay my respects. The Thirteenth Prince smiled and told me to get up, while the Fourth Prince had a faint smile at the corner of his mouth as he gazed at the hairpin on my head, then turned to examine my expression. I smiled slightly and stood quietly beside him, letting him scrutinize me. The Thirteenth Prince also noticed our unusual expressions but didn't say anything, simply standing by without a care.

  The Fourth Prince looked at me for a while, then took a step forward and proceeded. The Thirteenth Prince followed closely behind me. When we reached a secluded spot, he stopped and turned around to look at me. The Thirteenth Prince walked away a few steps and gazed around from a distance.

  I lowered my head and stood for a while, forcing a smile: "Fourth Master should have understood the meaning of the slave!" Fourth Brother said: "You asked me to come, is it to guess riddles?"

  I took a deep breath, gathered my spirits and smiled: "You're right! I'll be straightforward then. I've come to ask the Fourth Prince to marry me!" He asked: "Why?" I sighed and said with a smile: "Didn't you advise me before, Your Highness? Rather than having unrealistic fantasies, it's better to find a marriage that suits oneself. After what happened with the Crown Prince, I think your words make sense, so I've decided to take your advice!"

  He fell silent for a moment, then asked: "Why me?" I smiled and said: "Your Highness wants to hear lies or the truth?" He raised an eyebrow: "What's the difference between lies and truth?" I replied: "Lies would be that Your Highness has taken a liking to me, and I'm deeply grateful, hoping to serve by your side forever." As I spoke, I couldn't help but laugh, but his expression remained stern, his eyes cold, without a hint of a smile. I quickly composed myself and continued: "The truth is, although I narrowly escaped this time, who knows what will happen next? If I were to marry that kind of person, the crown prince, it would be better to just die! But I'm reluctant to leave this world so soon, so I can only choose a high branch to perch on and avoid the unknown storms."

  He looked at me with a mocking smile, his eyes gleaming with amusement. I felt a chill run down my spine as he gazed at me, and I quickly averted my eyes. He said, "How can you be so sure that I'd let you climb up this high branch?" I stared at him in shock, his eyes and mouth both filled with ridicule. I was stunned for a moment before weakly asking, "Your Highness doesn't want to marry me?" He laughed and said, "Yes! I don't want to marry you!"

  I saw him with a mocking expression, and I couldn't help but cover my mouth and laugh bitterly. I really overestimated myself, thinking that just because I gave him the necklace and hairpin, he would definitely agree to marry me. After laughing for a while, I became angry and humiliated, turned around and left.

  He asked from behind: "Who else do you plan to go find? The fourteenth brother? Let me tell you the truth, no one dares to marry you now!" I stopped in my tracks, thought for a moment, turned around and walked back to ask: "What do you mean by that?"

  "He suppressed his smile and said: 'Why would the prince suddenly want you? Now it seems that Su Wan Guai Jia Wang Ye's jade pendant is one reason. He can't marry Min Min, but if he marries you, at least the relationship with Mongolia will be eased! Moreover, last August, Zuo Ying Wang Zi chased after Min Min and didn't return to his tribe for a whole year. This made Yiru Gen Awu Luo Da Wang Zi mock him saying 'he's infatuated with women and can't become a great man!' But Zuo Ying secretly gathered evidence of the prince's misdeeds, forged accounts, and bribed Yiru Gen Awu Luo Wang Ye's attendants to monitor the prince. This broke Yiru Gen Awu Luo Wang Ye's trust in the prince. With Zuo Ying's cunning plans and Su Wan Guai Jia Wang Ye's support, it's clear who will be the future king of the Yiru Gen Awu Luo tribe! And your friendship with Min Min can also be used by the prince!"

  I was stunned, I thought Sakuya was chasing Mimi because he couldn't help himself, but it turned out to be like this. Is this what I thought was true? Why is there always a shadow behind the sun? Is there still true love in this arena of power struggle? Sadly asking: "Is Prince Sakuya truly in love with Mimi?" He said: "Does it matter? Anyway, he will forever spoil Mimi and cater to her every whim. What's the need to figure out what's real or fake? If it's fake for a lifetime, what difference does it make from being true?"

  I muttered to myself: "There's a difference! There must be a difference! Even if it hurts, I'd rather have the real thing than sweet nothings in a fake paradise."

  "He shook his head and sighed: 'What's wrong with you? Are we talking about Soaring Eagle and Minmin or something? Do you still have the heart to care about others?'"

  I remained silent for a moment, then said woodenly: "I don't think that just because of a jade pendant, Su Wan can explain why Gua Er Jia Wang Ye will do something! The Crown Prince is too one-sided!"

  The Fourth Prince said: "Suwan Guwalgiya Wangye deliberately said those words in front of the Emperor and the Mongolian crowd, although it was just a gesture, not necessarily true that he would do something for you, but everyone's attitude towards you must be weighed. If you marry the Crown Prince, other Mongolian tribes will have to consider Suwan Guwalgiya Wangye, let alone now there is also Soro Wangzi."

  He paused for a moment, then said: "The prince wants you, but the emperor only said 'I want to keep you for a while longer', dragging things out. But he didn't completely reject the prince's request either. You think about it yourself, who would dare ask the emperor for you now? Wouldn't that be like competing with the prince for you? Think deeper, what is the emperor most afraid of? This move might even make the emperor suspicious of him." He sighed and said: "Who dares to marry you now?"

  I was stunned for a while, and couldn't help but burst out laughing, saying: "Now it's like a hot potato, no one dares to want it!" He said: "Before the prince proposed, if you wanted to marry someone, although it wasn't easy, it wasn't that difficult either! But now, you can only wait!"

  I stared at him and said, "Wait? Waiting to marry the prince?" He looked at me with a faint smile and said, "You've already worn my hairpin, and you said you'd marry me. From now on, don't think about anyone else!"

  "The king doesn't want to marry, can't I be married off to someone else?" I asked. He stared at me and said: "Just thinking of finding a good day for the wedding. Now is not an auspicious day! Can't you even wait for this? Are you so anxious to follow me? Aren't you afraid of entering another prison?"

  I smiled wryly and said, "How do you think Su Wan'guarjia Wangye is harming me?" He sighed lightly and said, "It's not necessarily all good intentions, nor is it bad intentions. It's a double-edged sword. If used well, there will be benefits too!"

  I was stunned for a moment, then bowed my head and said: "Thank you so much, Your Highness, for helping me escape this time!" He said lightly: "I didn't do anything, it's just that your illness came at the right time!"

  He also said, "Go back! You've just recovered from a long illness, be more careful with your diet! Your complexion is too poor now, I don't want to marry an ugly girl back to the mansion!" I glared at him angrily and turned to leave. As I passed by Shi San's side, he raised his eyebrows and smiled, but I let out a deep sigh and didn't even bother to salute, quickly walking away.

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  Am I now considered to have reached some sort of agreement with Fourth Brother? Will he truly be able to shield me from the wind and rain, protect me completely in the future? As I walked slowly back to my residence, just as I pushed open the gate, I was met with Eighth Brother who was standing under the osmanthus tree, slowly turning around. My heart skipped a beat, I hastily covered the door with my hand, leaning against the door panel and panting, feeling like a thief with a guilty conscience, it took me half a day to calm down before going forward to pay respects.

  "Thank you, Prince Beile!" I said with my head down. He smiled slightly and said: "It's well-known that the prince has many romantic conquests, but I couldn't just watch you follow someone like him, besides, I wouldn't want you to suffer with him either."

  I raised my head to look at him, he quietly gazed back at me, the gentle breeze lifted his robe corners, rustling softly, and blew up my scattered hair, blurring my eyes. In the hazy tears, his figure became increasingly blurred. I suddenly bowed my head and saluted: "Prince Beile, please leave! It's not suitable for you to stay here for long."

  He asked, "Do you regret it?" I bit my lip and looked up at him, asking, "What's the use of regret? Are you willing to marry me now?" He averted his gaze, remained silent for a moment, then said, "The Emperor won't arrange a marriage for you in the short term. As for later... we'll see about that later!" I lowered my head and couldn't help but smile wryly at myself.

  The two of them fell silent for a while, then he said: "I want to ask you something!"

  I listened to his serious tone, looked up and asked: "What's the matter?" He said: "You've been following Emperor Ama for many years, in your opinion, will Emperor Ama make a final decision this time?" I thought about what I told him last time, "The emperor still loves the crown prince very much", but instead of being cautious, he took every opportunity to attack the crown prince. If I tell the truth this time, will there be unpredictable consequences again?

  I said, "What I'm saying may not be accurate!" He smiled and said, "At least last time you were right! Indeed it was 'still loving'. I thought for a moment and said, "In the past, whenever something related to the crown prince occurred, the emperor would either suppress it or only punish others involved. This time, however, he ordered a thorough investigation with great fanfare. Over the past three or four years, the emperor's affection for the crown prince has been dwindling, but his suspicion and fear have been growing. I'm afraid he has already made up his mind to 'cut off all ties'."

  He had a faint smile on his lips, lowered his eyes and thought for a while, then looked at me and asked softly: "What plans do you have for your future now?"

  "My plan? I smiled wryly and said: 'Life is just a series of choices, you chose to give up back then, and from now on it's my own choice!'"

  He stared at me and asked, "Is there someone else in your heart?" I panicked and blurted out, "Why does the prince always ask me this question? Whoever is in my heart has nothing to do with you!" As soon as I finished speaking, I wanted to slap myself. How did I become so unstable since the crown prince proposed to me?

  He smiled slightly and said, "Who do you plan to choose? Not the fourth one! Otherwise, it will only lead to suffering, and it would be a waste of my current efforts!" I was shocked in my heart, my expression changed slightly, and I forced a smile, saying, "Whether or not is none of your business! Besides, we both know that this matter is decided by the Old Master, and I have no say in it."

  He adjusted his collar, smiled and nodded at me: "If you just listen to Huang Ama's decision, then consider this conversation as if it never happened!" After finishing speaking, he walked away calmly. I, however, had to hurry to hold onto the Osmanthus tree to steady myself. What did he mean? I turned around and repeatedly told myself that I knew history, my choice wouldn't be wrong!