The marriage between Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui was arranged rather hastily, so much so that the officials in the Ministry of Rites were overwhelmed.

 

However, since it was the Emperor's decree and a prince's marriage, none of the required procedures could be skipped. They were just compressed into a shorter time frame.

 

Due to the rushed nature of the wedding, the Emperor also provided Xiao Shan with a substantial amount of additional gifts.

 

Seeing these extra gifts, some people in the imperial court and the harem became envious and started making snide remarks. Especially the eldest prince, Xiao Rong, who felt that their father, the Emperor, was being extremely biased.

 

Xiao Rong's father-in-law, Minister of Personnel Gu Guang, remarked, "When common folk fatten a pig, it's to slaughter it..."

 

Xiao Rong gave him a sidelong glance and frowned. "Are you implying that Xiao Shan is a pig being fattened by Father? Father doesn't have the leisure to raise him."

 

Gu Guang paused briefly and smiled. "The metaphor may be crude, but the principle is the same. Prince Li has been wronged, so the Emperor naturally needs to compensate him. These visible gifts are insignificant and not worth the Prince's concern. Prince, think about it—if marrying Xie Zhui were your responsibility, would you be willing?"

 

Xiao Rong seriously considered Gu Guang's words. "Of course, I would."

 

Exchanging Xie Zhui for control of the northern military—what prince wouldn't be willing? Xie Zhui's reputation might be poor, but Xiao Rong had the means to make him disappear quietly, without affecting himself at all.

 

Gu Guang hadn't expected Xiao Rong to say that and was momentarily taken aback. After a brief silence, he shook his head and said, "Prince, you are mistaken. You still don't see the bigger picture. The Emperor not punishing Xie Zhui and instead bestowing him upon Prince Li as his principal consort is already a great favor. Precisely because of this, I dare to assert that the Emperor will never grant control of the northern military to the Crown Prince."

 

Xiao Rong became interested upon hearing this and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

 

Gu Guang stroked the short beard on his chin and said, "Our Emperor is highly suspicious. The Crown Prince thinks that by marrying Xie Zhui, Xiao Shan can win over the northern military. Do you think the Emperor hasn't considered this? The Emperor sees much further than they do. If the Emperor truly intended to elevate Xie Zhui, why didn't he allow other members of the Xie family to return to the capital to celebrate such a significant event? It's clear that the Emperor is displeased. The Emperor is still bothered by what Xie Zhui did. If every young man in the empire were like him, wouldn't the military camps be in chaos? If the Emperor truly favored the Crown Prince, he could have bestowed Xie Zhui upon him instead of Prince Li. Why give him to Xiao Shan?"

 

Xiao Rong pondered this and realized it made sense. He looked at Gu Guang and asked, "So, what do you suggest, Father-in-law?"

 

Gu Guang smiled slightly and said, "The Emperor seeks balance among the princes, not dominance by any one of them, not even the Crown Prince. Your Highness should be patient and wait. The Crown Prince is human and will make mistakes. When that time comes, your opportunity will arise."

 

Xiao Rong felt a headache coming on whenever he heard the word "wait." He hated it when people told him to wait.

 

Wait, wait, wait—what was the point of waiting?

 

He was clearly the eldest prince, but because his mother's family background was lacking and she died early, he had to wait for the Empress to give birth to a legitimate son who was then made the Crown Prince.

 

From a young age, whenever Xiao Jin made a big mistake, the Empress and Consort Lan would plead for him. But when Xiao Rong made a small mistake, he could only wait for the Emperor's temper to subside before he could enjoy a few days of peace.

 

He was the eldest son, yet he was treated as inferior. Wasn't it just because he had no one to protect him?

 

The more Xiao Rong thought about it, the worse his expression became. Gu Guang, seeing this, sighed inwardly and gently advised, "Your Highness, some things cannot be rushed."

 

Xiao Rong was narrow-minded and vindictive, unwilling to listen to advice, and extremely stubborn. Fortunately, he had some redeeming qualities. His mother's family lacked power, so he often had to rely on the Gu family, which made him more receptive to Gu Guang's words.

 

Although Xiao Rong wanted to lose his temper, he knew that Gu Guang was right; he couldn't be too impatient.

 

Crown Prince Xiao Jin had an excellent reputation both inside and outside the court and was very popular. No matter how anxious Xiao Rong felt, like an ant on a hot pan1, it wouldn't help.

 

Thinking about these things only worsened Xiao Rong's mood. As if Xiao Jin wasn't enough, Xiao Shan was even more annoying.

 

From a young age, Xiao Shan had always taken a different path from the other princes and princesses. He was unconventional, never studied properly, and his essays were nonsensical from the start. At the age of seven, he even encouraged Xiao Rong to skip classes with him to fight crickets2...

 

Xiao Shan had done countless annoying things, sometimes even angering the Emperor.

 

But he was fortunate. He had a mother who was a consort, an aunt who was the Empress, and he was the Crown Prince's constant companion. Every time he caused trouble, apart from being scolded and reprimanded by the Emperor, he never really suffered any consequences. Sometimes, he even received some good things.

 

Xiao Rong understood deep down that if he were publicly called stupid and brainless by the Emperor every few days, he would have broken down long ago.

 

But seeing that these words had no effect on Xiao Shan, Xiao Rong felt uncomfortable.

 

It was like taking a bite of rice and finding half a worm in it—utterly disgusting.

 

However, it didn't matter. Just as Gu Guang had analyzed for him before, Xiao Shan's seemingly carefree life had only earned him the title of Prince Li.

 

"Li" was an ordinary character, but when used as a title, it often connoted brutality, which was not a good title. It indicated that in the Emperor's eyes, Xiao Shan wasn't worthy of a better title.

 

He, on the other hand, though not the Crown Prince, had been conferred the title of Prince Rui.

 

"Rui" signified wisdom.

 

Thinking of this, Xiao Rong's mood finally improved a little.

 

***

 

Xiao Shan had no idea that Xiao Rong was so upset that his eyes were practically bleeding just because the Emperor had rewarded him with a few more things. If he knew, he would probably visit Xiao Rong personally to say something even more upsetting.

 

Xiao Shan had been idling at home for so long that he felt like he was going to mold.

 

Previously, he would either go to the teahouse on South Street to listen to stories or wander around aimlessly.

 

Now, because of his impending marriage, the Emperor had ordered him not to leave Prince Li's residence. Even Consort Lan, who usually had no strong opinions, sent a message telling him to endure this period quietly before his marriage. She advised him not to indulge in debauchery, as it would be disrespectful to the Emperor and would invite gossip.

 

Xiao Shan felt deeply wronged upon hearing this, more wronged than Dou E3.

 

When had he ever indulged in debauchery?

 

But since both the Emperor and Consort Lan had spoken, he could only endure it.

 

However, enduring such days had always been extremely torturous. Bored out of his mind, Xiao Shan had Ji An invite a group of storytellers from outside to entertain him with a few sessions.

 

The stories told by the storytellers weren't the old, clichéd tales of scholars and beauties but rather fresh and surprising stories with twists.

 

Xiao Shan enjoyed them very much and, with nothing else to do, found great pleasure in listening to them.

 

He was enjoying himself, but outside, rumors were spreading that Prince Li was displeased with the Emperor's arranged marriage and was holding nightly revelries at Prince Li's residence in protest.

 

These rumors didn't reach Xiao Shan's ears but spread throughout the rest of the capital.

 

When the Emperor found out, he was so furious that he smashed his favorite Nine-Turn4 Glazed Pot. Consort Lan, heartbroken, couldn't bear it and finally ran to the Empress's palace to cry. She cried so much that the Empress felt miserable for an entire day, thinking she had done something unforgivable to her.

 

Xiao Shan was unaware of all this; he only knew that his days were finally becoming less unbearable.

 

March 8th was an overcast day with a light breeze, and it was the day of Xiao Shan's wedding.

 

Many people thought that Xiao Shan wouldn't personally go to fetch his bride because of Xie Zhui's reputation and because Xiao Shan didn't like this marriage. After all, Xiao Shan was a prince, and he had the privilege of not going to fetch his bride if he chose not to.

 

Even Xie Zhui at the Xie residence thought so. Therefore, when he heard someone shout that Prince Li had come to fetch his bride, he was taken aback.

 

Although society was not as harsh on gers as it was on women, no one was happy about their intended spouse spending all their time among men.

 

When Xie Zhui's identity was discovered, he already mentally prepared himself for the possibility of being sentenced to death by the Emperor.

 

He hadn't expected that instead of sentencing him to death, the Emperor would bestow a marriage upon him.

 

Facing death, he was calm and composed.

 

Facing the imperial marriage decree, for the first time, he was flustered and panicked. He knew how to go to the battlefield and kill enemies, but he didn't know how to live the ordinary life of a ger, nor did he dare to.

 

Especially under such circumstances, he could foresee the outcome of his marriage to Xiao Shan. If Xiao Shan was in a good mood, he would be neglected in the back courtyard of the prince's residence. If Xiao Shan was in a bad mood, what awaited him would likely be various humiliations.

 

All he could do was manage himself well.

 

Some things were not worth overthinking.