Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 75

How the marriage was to be bestowed was no longer worth discussing. In any case, Wei Xiu knew well that the Princess would not harm her.

Puyang was not one to dither or prattle on. Since Wei Xiu was unconcerned by it, she said no more.

With New Year’s Eve just over ten days away, a festive atmosphere already filled the capital. Every household was busy purchasing goods for the holiday.

It was a most suitable time for an imperial marriage decree.

Puyang and Wei Xiu sat in the hall, watching the attendants come and go outside, all of them beaming with joy.

Such days were truly pleasant and carefree.

But now that their status was decided, it was rather improper for Wei Xiu to remain in the residence. She withdrew her gaze and said to Puyang, “The edict has been issued. For me to continue residing in Your Highness’s mansion would be contrary to propriety.”

Puyang had thought of this as well and nodded. “Indeed. It is currently the New Year festival, and all departments in the palace are busy. After New Year’s Day…” She paused, glanced at Wei Xiu, and said in a low voice, “we should begin preparing for the wedding. You, Sir, will also need to make some preparations.”

A grand princess’s wedding was no small matter. Although the edict had been issued, not one of the traditional rites—from the betrothal gifts to the wedding ceremony itself—could be omitted. The two of them would be very busy. Puyang was better off; she had many hands in her residence, and the palace would naturally send people to help manage the arrangements. Wei Xiu, on the other hand, had no elders to assist her and would likely have to handle most things herself.

Wei Xiu had also considered this and said pensively, “From the betrothal to the wedding, it will likely take several months. Though I have few people to help, there is ample time. I will certainly treat this with the utmost gravity.”

After speaking, their eyes met, and they quickly looked away. A blush crept onto Puyang’s face, and the tips of Wei Xiu’s ears grew hot.

Everyone in the Great Wei knew that Princess Puyang was deeply favored by the Emperor. Because of this favor, the Emperor was reluctant to entrust her to anyone, causing her marriage to be delayed again and again.

Over the years, it was not as if no ministers had sought her hand for their sons; even the state of Qi had sent a prince to ask for her in marriage. But the Emperor was extremely cautious and had agreed to none of them. Now, just as everyone’s hopes had gradually faded, Princess Puyang’s marriage was suddenly decided!

For a time, everyone in the capital was discussing the matter.

The Prince of Jin was in his residence discussing matters with his advisors when he heard the news. He leaped from his seat in shock. “Decided? Who has it been decided for?”

“It is Wei Xiu, Sir Wei.”

“Wei Xiu?” the Prince of Jin repeated, the image of that figure in a wheelchair immediately flashing through his mind—unflappable, poised, and inscrutably profound.

It was actually him…

The Prince of Jin’s expression shifted several times, a look of uncertainty on his face.

One of his subordinates below asked in puzzlement, “Although Sir Wei has a great reputation for talent and has been given important responsibilities for his two proposals, he is unable to walk. To call him a good match seems a stretch. Why would His Majesty…”

He didn’t mention Wei Xiu’s commoner status. Everyone knew full well that if Wei Xiu wanted to be an official, not only would the various princely manors be willing to recruit him, but His Majesty would surely have a position for him as well. But while his talent was undeniable, it was also common knowledge that he was bound to a wheelchair for life. Compared to the Emperor’s usual partiality for the Princess, such a match could indeed be described as careless.

The advisors all wore different expressions. Another pondered and said, “We have not heard any news of Princess Puyang angering His Majesty, nor does she seem to have fallen from favor recently.”

“It seems there was some unusual activity in the palace last month related to Princess Puyang, but unfortunately, we couldn’t find out the specifics.”

“It seems Sir Wei also entered the palace around that time.”

The various princes were all keeping a close watch on the palace. Although Puyang’s confinement had not been publicly announced, those with a keen eye had noticed something was amiss. The men discussed among themselves, and soon, a quick-witted one guessed, “In that case, this bestowed marriage was likely requested by the Princess herself from His Majesty.”

The Prince of Jin raised his head, his gaze falling upon the man who had spoken. He smiled and said, “Your view, sir, is likely the correct one.”

He had many advisors in his residence, but he did not rely on all of them. This man had some insight. The Prince of Jin gave him another look, memorizing his face. After a moment’s thought, he summoned his household steward and ordered him to prepare a congratulatory gift to be sent to Puyang’s residence.

The gesture was proper, but his attitude was very cold.

Among the princes, the Prince of Jin’s enmity with Puyang ran the deepest. He knew there was no possibility of reconciliation and did not bother trying to curry favor.

However, with Seventh Lady’s marriage, he thought to himself, the situation in the capital is likely to change.

In the past, Seventh Lady had always remained unaligned with anyone, following only His Majesty. Now that she was married, Wei Xiu’s stance was not yet apparent, but Grand Tutor Wei was not someone willing to stay out of troubled waters.

A retainer below had already spoken up: “I recall that the Grand Tutor and the Prince of Zhao seem to have some dealings.”

The Prince of Jin said nothing, but his expression darkened.

Since last year, the Emperor had intended to let the Prince of Jing come to the fore to see his capabilities. If he truly had great potential, the Prince of Jing might not have been an impossible choice for Crown Prince. Unfortunately, after nearly two years of being tested, the Prince of Jing had still disappointed the Emperor. He was very reliable in carrying out tasks, but he lacked his own opinions. In other words, if the Emperor gave him a task, he would handle it properly, leaving no loose ends. But if asked for his own views, he would ramble incoherently.

Such a person could not be the Son of Heaven. The Emperor had no choice but to abandon the idea.

This eased some of the pressure on the Prince of Jin, and his damaged influence gradually recovered.

But in these past two years, while the Prince of Jin was preoccupied with his own affairs, the Prince of Dai hesitated to advance, and the Prince of Jing ultimately failed to win favor, it was the Prince of Zhao who had, bit by bit, come to prominence.

Grand Tutor Wei, afraid of betting on the wrong horse yet eager to establish good relations with the future monarch, had wavered for years before finally settling on the Prince of Zhao. He acted covertly, without fanfare, and few noticed. But once his attitude showed a preference, how could it not leak out? Some people had naturally seen it.

Although Wei Xiu had never returned to the Wei clan, Grand Tutor Wei had been keen to publicize the connection, so who in the capital did not know that Wei Xiu was a scion of the Wei family? With the marriage between Princess Puyang and Wei Xiu now settled, the capital appeared unchanged on the surface, but the undercurrents were growing more turbulent. To say nothing of Wei Xiu’s intellect, simply gaining the assistance of Princess Puyang made the Prince of Zhao like a tiger with wings, unmatched by any of the other princes.

Everyone scrambled into action. Some switched their allegiance to the Prince of Zhao mid-stream, while others visited the Wei residence to sound out their intentions. The bustling activity made the once-festive capital feel restless.

The two people at the center of the affair, however, continued to go about their business unhurriedly, completely unaffected by the outside world.

Wei Xiu was packing her belongings. Servants took care of her clothes, food, and daily necessities, but she would only feel at ease if she handled her books and other such items herself.

Puyang was beside her, lending a hand. Watching the study empty out bit by bit, until only the large desk and some ornaments on the low table remained, while the brushes, ink, and bamboo slips Wei Xiu frequently used were all gone, she couldn’t help but say, “Sir will be returning soon. There’s no need to move these things back and forth.”

Wei Xiu’s hands paused. She looked up and saw Puyang looking at her with reluctance. She placed the book in her hand back on a distant shelf and conceded, “Your Highness is right.”

Her clothes and other items were already packed. She could leave the residence early the next morning.

Wei Xiu turned her wheelchair and came to Puyang’s side. Puyang looked at her and said softly, “To be separated from you, Sir, I am truly reluctant.” Since they had met, they had never been apart. Even a separation of a few months felt lonely.

Wei Xiu said, “I will still be in the capital. If Your Highness needs anything, just send someone to summon me.”

Puyang raised a hand to stroke her brow. The long, willow-leaf eyebrows and deep, dark eyes, when combined, seemed cordial and gentle, but were in fact as cold and distant as a winter night, melting only when they looked upon Puyang. Wei Xiu felt Puyang’s fingertips brush across her brow, finally settling on a lock of dark hair at her temple.

Puyang’s red lips parted slightly. “We have not yet parted, and already I am lovesick. And you, Sir? Will you think of me?”

The tender, lingering sorrow of parting wound itself around Wei Xiu’s heart as well. She opened her lips, a sense of shyness in her heart, but meeting the Princess’s lake-like, shimmering, and affectionate eyes, she couldn’t help but say, “I will…”

A smile bloomed on Puyang’s face, filled with endless tenderness and affection. The sorrow of parting also eased somewhat.

The next day, Puyang escorted Wei Xiu to the Wei residence.

This was a residence Wei Xiu had purchased several years ago but had never lived in. Now, it came in handy.

It was, after all, just a private residence. From the outside, it looked simple and unadorned, merely a bit large. But upon entering the main gate, one discovered that the interior was elegant and refined, possessing a unique charm. The garden and pond had been renovated, their spirit lying not in grandeur but in tranquility and unrestrained grace. Stepping into the courtyard, one felt a refreshing and pleasant air, like a frosty, snow-dusted morning in the mountains—bracing, yet pure and ethereal.

After looking around, Puyang couldn’t help but smile. “It suits you well, Sir.”

Seeing that she liked it too, Wei Xiu’s mood brightened, and she led the way.

She had not been here many times, but she remembered clearly where every path was and where it led. She explained everything to Puyang, who listened attentively and with great interest. After seeing the rooms where Wei Xiu would live and confirming that the place was indeed elegant and that living there would be very comfortable and convenient, she finally felt at ease.

Wei Xiu couldn’t help but shake her head fondly. She had just invited Puyang to sit down when a servant came to report that Grand Tutor Wei had arrived at the gate.

He came so quickly.

Wei Xiu and Puyang exchanged a glance. Wei Xiu smiled and said, “He has most likely come for Your Highness.”

The Prince of Zhao must be getting anxious.

Puyang also had a look of understanding. “To arrive so promptly, it seems the Grand Tutor is very diligent on behalf of my brother, the Prince of Zhao.” He wanted to win her over for the Prince of Zhao, so that she, too, would serve him.

Wei Xiu turned to the gatekeeper and said, “Please show the Grand Tutor in.”

The gatekeeper hurried away.

“The struggle among the princes has been a bit too civilized. After so many years without a result, it’s time to ease His Majesty’s worries,” Wei Xiu said calmly. Grand Tutor Wei was an expert at seeking advantage and avoiding harm; moving him would not be easy. But Wei Xiu would let him know what course of action was wisest at this critical juncture.