Chapter 420
Shen Wei wrapped herself in a cloak: "I was boating with Moxun."
Prince Wu remained rooted to the spot, frozen.
Even Li Yuanjing noticed his odd behavior, his hawk-like gaze settling on Prince Wu.
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Prince Wu’s knees weakened. The imposing middle-aged man before him, with his sharp, deep-set features, was none other than the former emperor of Qing State—the very man who had once suffocated Donglin under his might!
Just standing near him made Prince Wu’s legs tremble with fear. He stammered out a greeting: "Prince Wu of Donglin pays his respects to the Grand Imperial Majesty..."
Li Yuanjing asked, "What is it?"
Just two words, yet they carried an overwhelming pressure. Prince Wu shrank back, feeling as if he had stumbled into a den of wolves, scrutinized by its alpha. One misstep, and he’d be dead.
"Nothing... just..." Prince Wu stuttered.
Suddenly, a voice called out from nearby: "Your Highness! Ah, finally found you!"
It was Fifth Brother Zhang, Prince Wu’s guard, who had been searching frantically, fearing his master had fallen into the lake. He rushed over, panting, his eyes fixed solely on Prince Wu, oblivious to the tense atmosphere. Wiping sweat from his brow, he glanced at Shen Wei on the painted boat.
What a stunning beauty! Her noble bearing spoke of high birth.
Fifth Brother Zhang’s heart sank. He bowed respectfully to Shen Wei, his tone earnest: "My lady, my prince was smitten at first sight. His bold approach was improper. I’ll take him away at once—please do not hold it against him."
Shen Wei: "..."
Prince Wu was too stunned to stop Fifth Brother Zhang.
The guard’s gaze shifted to Li Yuanjing beside Shen Wei. Noting his extraordinary presence and robes of indescribable luxury, Fifth Brother Zhang’s stomach dropped.
Remembering Princess Donglin’s warnings—her brother was prone to trouble—she had given him ample silver for compensation. But seeing Li Yuanjing’s finery, he assumed the man was wealthy enough not to demand reparations.
So, Fifth Brother Zhang bowed again, addressing Li Yuanjing: "Esteemed sir, you must be the lady’s father. Beauty captivates all men—my prince was momentarily blinded by your daughter’s radiance. Please, great lord, overlook his foolishness."
His apology was sincere, his tone contrite.
Li Yuanjing’s handsome face twisted.
Shen Wei couldn’t suppress a laugh.
Prince Wu’s vision darkened. With a thud, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
---
Yan Manor
When Prince Wu groggily awoke, the windows were pitch-black, the room thick with the scent of medicine.
Princess Donglin hovered over him, worried. "Brother, are you feeling better? Any discomfort?"
Prince Wu blinked dazedly, then gingerly touched his neck.
Still attached.
Princess Donglin frowned. "Why are you checking your neck?"
Sprawled on the bed, tears welled in Prince Wu’s eyes. "It’s over... Donglin is doomed. I’m a traitor—a disgrace for the ages."
Alarmed by his rambling, Princess Donglin summoned the Old Matron to fetch the Imperial Physician. After a thorough examination, the diagnosis was simple: "shock and distress."
The Imperial Physician prescribed medicine and left.
Prince Wu slumped against the bed, sipping the bitter brew his sister had prepared, his heart even more bitter. How could he have known? The woman he’d pursued with such fervor was none other than the Empress Dowager of Qing State.
And he’d offended the terrifying Grand Imperial Majesty in the process.
Princess Donglin fretted as she fed him. "You gave me such a fright today. The Empress Dowager had you returned, saying you fainted by the lake. Tell me, what happened?"
Prince Wu clamped his mouth shut.
Sensing trouble, Princess Donglin pressed until he finally cracked. Tearfully, he confessed:
"Sister... Years ago, after you left for Qing State as a bride, I wandered the shore in grief. There, I met Yue Kingdom’s National Preceptor. He foretold that at my coming of age, I’d meet an extraordinary woman."
Princess Donglin nodded—she’d heard this before.
Prince Wu’s voice broke. "All these years, I searched for her. Yanjing City is full of beauties, and recently, I met one who stole my heart. But the gap between us... is insurmountable."
Assuming he meant a commoner, Princess Donglin softened. "Brother, no matter her status, if you love her, I’ll help."
Prince Wu looked up hopefully.
"Who is she?"
"...The Empress Dowager."
Princess Donglin blinked. "Her maid? I’m close with Her Majesty—I’ll speak to her."
Prince Wu buried his face and recounted the full story.
Princess Donglin turned ashen.
She shot up, grabbed a feather duster, and whacked Prince Wu mercilessly. "You idle fool! Of all people, you dared harass Empress Dowager Shen?!"
Prince Wu yelped, dodging. "I’m sorry! Aah—stop!"
"You’re confined to this house!" she seethed. "Next month, I’m sending you back to Donglin! Be grateful she didn’t punish you!"
Beaten and bruised, Prince Wu curled up alone that night.
Crickets chirped noisily outside. Hugging his silk quilt, he wallowed in misery.
He’d brought disaster upon his homeland.
Yet...
The memory of that enchanting figure still made his pulse race.
Back in Donglin, with a timid mother and a sister far away, he’d clung to the prophecy, living only to find that "extraordinary" woman.
Now he had.
And she was the moon—forever out of reach.
Tears soaked his pillow as he wept into the darkness, heartbroken by first love.
---
Moonfall Lake Imperial Villa
Li Yuanjing brooded all day, too vexed to eat even Le You’s roasted venison.
That night, he tossed restlessly in bed. Ten years Shen Wei’s senior, yet today some fool had mistaken him for her father! The insult gnawed at him.
Finally, he turned to her, wounded. "Vivi... do I truly look old?"
The Grand Imperial Majesty had developed a complex.