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In the early summer of the 26th year of the Hongwu reign, after the bloody storm of the Lan Yu case, Nanjing finally ushered in a seemingly joyous event: the Ministry of Rites was ordered to select a consort for the Prince of Wu.

In fact, this matter had been going on for quite some time, but the families selected by the Ministry of Rites were very resistant, and it was only this time, when the Emperor himself issued an edict, that the matter was finally settled.

Inside the residence of Zhao Sili, the military commander of Yingtian Prefecture, a somber atmosphere prevailed.

"No! I will never marry him!" Zhao Ling'er slammed the celadon teacup on the rosewood table, splashing hot tea that left red marks on her pale fingers. "Who in the capital doesn't know that the Prince of Wu is poisoned to the core and can't even get out of bed? Do my parents want their daughter to marry him just to bring him good luck, and then live a life of widowhood?"

Her voice choked with emotion, tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

Zhao Sili paced back and forth in the hall, the hem of his official robe swaying violently with each step.

His wife, Madam Wang, sat to the side, covering her face with a handkerchief and sobbing softly.

"Ling'er, do you think your father and mother wanted this?" Zhao Sili stopped and sighed deeply, his voice hoarse. "But this is an imperial edict! The Ministry of Rites submitted your name yesterday, and the Emperor personally selected you!"

"Why?" Zhao Ling'er stood up abruptly, her skirts fluttering. "There are so many eligible daughters of officials in Yingtian Prefecture, the daughter of Minister Xu, the sister of General Li, why was I chosen?"

Wang, wiping away her tears, said in a trembling voice, "I heard... I heard that the daughters of the families originally chosen either suddenly got engaged or claimed to be ill and declined. The Ministry of Rites was reprimanded by the Emperor for its incompetence, and that's why... that's why they came to our family."

Zhao Sili slumped into the armchair, his hands resting limply on the armrests: "Ling'er, do you know that yesterday the Vice Minister of Rites came to see me personally, saying that if anyone makes any more excuses, they will be punished for disobeying the imperial decree, and their entire family will be exterminated!"

The words "extermination of three clans" struck Zhao Ling'er like a hammer blow, shattering her last hope.

She slumped back into her chair, tears silently streaming down her face, leaving dark stains on her pale pink dress.

At this moment, the steward Zhao Fu rushed over to report: "Master, Li Langzhong from the Ministry of Rites has come again, saying he wants to confirm Miss's birth date and time."

Zhao Sili forced himself to straighten his clothes and took a deep breath: "Please come to the front hall for tea, I'll be right there."

Inside the front hall, Li Wentai, a senior official in the Ministry of Rites, was leisurely sipping fine Longjing tea. When he saw Zhao Sili enter, he merely nodded slightly without getting up.

“Lord Li,” Zhao Sili bowed deeply, his posture extremely humble, “my daughter’s birth date and time have been prepared, please take a look.”

Li Wentai took the fortune-telling booklet, put it aside without even looking at it, and said: "Commander Zhao, it is a great fortune for your Zhao family that your daughter has been selected as the Princess Consort of Wu."

Zhao Sili forced a smile: "Yes...it is my honor to be associated with you."

"To climb the social ladder?" Li Wentai scoffed, setting down his teacup. "Commander Zhao, let's not beat around the bush. These days, which official in the capital doesn't know His Highness Prince Wu... Sigh, it's just a matter of keeping him hanging on."

He lowered his voice and leaned forward: "But then again, if your daughter marries into that family, maybe in a year or two... then your Zhao family will be royalty. That's a blessing others would kill for!"

Zhao Sili was burning with anger, but he had no choice but to continue to smile obsequiously: "Your Excellency is too kind. I only wish for my daughter's safety and well-being."

After seeing Li Wentai off, Zhao Sili returned to the inner courtyard and saw that her daughter was crying her eyes out. Wang Shi kept comforting her, but her own eyes were also red.

"Father," Zhao Ling'er suddenly knelt down, tugging at her father's clothes, "I would rather cut my hair and become a nun, spending the rest of my life in solitude and devotion to Buddhism, than marry him and live a life of widowhood!"

Ms. Wang quickly helped her daughter up, and the mother and daughter embraced and wept bitterly.

Zhao Sili felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He slammed his fist on the table and said, "If all else fails, I will beg the Emperor! I will give up my official hat rather than ruin my daughter's life!"

"No!" Madam Wang hurriedly stopped him, her voice filled with terror. "Master, you're going to kill our whole family! Disobeying an imperial decree is a crime punishable by the extermination of three generations of your clan!"

"Hey……"

……

While the Zhao family was shrouded in gloom and despair, the scene inside the Wu Prince's mansion was quite different.

"Master, the Ministry of Rites has finally selected Zhao Ling'er, the daughter of Zhao Sili, the military commander of Yingtian Prefecture," Afu reported in the darkness, his voice calm and even. "According to the information, this Miss Zhao is fifteen years old and is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She is a well-known talented woman in Nanjing."

Su Ning, lying on the hospital bed, slightly opened her eyes, her voice weak but clear: "Zhao Sili? Is that the Commander Zhao who remained neutral in the Lan Yu case, neither participating in the impeachment nor stepping forward to vouch for anyone?"

"Exactly. Should we intervene in this choice?"

Su Ning pondered for a moment, then shook her head: "No need. Since the Zhao family has been able to remain neutral in this turmoil, it shows they are sensible. This is for the best..."

He paused, then asked, "What was the Zhao family's reaction?"

"The Zhao family is extremely resistant, and Miss Zhao is constantly in tears. Should we take measures to appease them?"

“Not for now,” Su Ning sighed softly. “Let them resist; that will make it more real. If they act too eagerly, it will only arouse suspicion. It seems that Zhu Yunwen’s wife in history was this Zhao Shi.”

……

At this time, the Zhao residence welcomed an unexpected guest: Liu Jiyuan, Zhao Sili's distant cousin, who worked at the Imperial Observatory.

"Cousin, I heard that Ling'er has been chosen as the Princess Consort of Wu?" Liu Jiyuan asked anxiously as soon as he entered the room, his forehead still covered with fine beads of sweat.

Zhao Sili smiled wryly: "Even you've heard about it? The news spreads really fast."

"I've heard so much about it!" Liu Jiyuan lowered his voice and leaned closer to Zhao Sili. "Cousin, do you know that these past few nights I've been observing the celestial phenomena and discovered that two companion stars have suddenly appeared next to the Ziwei star? One is exceptionally bright, while the other is faintly lit, yet it seems to have the potential to soar into the sky!"

Zhao Sili frowned: "What do you mean by this? Don't speak in riddles."

“Cousin, you should know which school I studied under!” Liu Jiyuan said mysteriously. “I have specifically calculated Ling’er’s birth chart, and she and His Highness Prince Wu are a match made in heaven! Moreover, although Prince Wu is seriously ill, the imperial physicians I am on good terms with privately said that his pulse seems to have improved recently…”

Zhao Sili suddenly stood up: "Is this true?"

“Absolutely true!” Liu Jiyuan looked at Zhao Sili meaningfully and said solemnly, “Cousin, this might be a great fortune for the Zhao family! I know you are unwilling now, but things are unpredictable, and fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Ling’er’s marriage may seem like a trap on the surface, but there may be a turning point in the future.”

After seeing Liu Jiyuan off, Zhao Sili was alone in his study, lost in thought, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table.

At this moment, Zhao Ling'er pushed open the door and came in. Her eyes were red and swollen like peaches, but her expression was surprisingly calm.

"Father, I've thought it through." Zhao Ling'er's voice was soft, but resolute. "I'm willing to marry."

"Ling'er, you..."

"I know this is an imperial decree, and I cannot disobey it." Zhao Ling'er smiled sadly, tears glistening in her eyes. "Since this is my fate, I will accept it. I cannot let my daughter's actions implicate the whole family."

Zhao Sili felt a pang of pain in her heart as she looked at her daughter's forced composure, and Liu Jiyuan's words echoed in her ears.

He finally made up his mind.

……

Three days later, Zhao Sili personally went to the Prince of Wu's residence to "visit the sick."

Under the close surveillance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he met Su Ning, who was bedridden.

Su Ning's face was pale, his lips were colorless, and he was barely breathing; he certainly looked like he was about to die.

Zhao Sili greeted them politely, but his heart was filled with coldness.

However, as he bowed and took his leave, he unexpectedly met Su Ning's suddenly opened eyes.

Those eyes were clear and bright, sharp as an eagle's, without a trace of the turbidity of a patient.
In an instant, those eyes returned to their sickly, unfocused state, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion.

Zhao Sili was deeply shocked and immediately understood the deeper meaning behind Liu Jiyuan's words.

He suppressed his inner elation, bowed and withdrew without showing any emotion, already having made up his mind.

That evening, the Zhao family held a family meeting.

"Ling'er," Zhao Sili said solemnly to his daughter, "I agree to this marriage."

"Master!" Madam Wang exclaimed, "How could you... Didn't you just say a few days ago that you were willing to risk your official position to beg the Emperor to rescind his decree?"

Zhao Sili waved his hand to stop his wife and said to his daughter, "I went to see His Highness the Prince of Wu today. Ling'er, perhaps this really is your destiny. Life is unpredictable, with fortune and misfortune always in the future. Since fate has arranged it this way, we might as well accept it."

Zhao Ling'er looked at her father in surprise, not understanding why he had suddenly changed his attitude, but seeing his firm expression, she could only nod silently.

……

In June of the 26th year of the Hongwu reign, the imperial edict for the wedding of the Prince of Wu was officially promulgated.

The Zhao family, no longer gloomy and dejected, began to prepare for the wedding in a lively and bustling manner.

This change has sparked considerable discussion in Nanjing.

Some sympathized with the Zhao family's plight, believing they were forced to put on a brave face due to pressure; others mocked Zhao Sili for selling his daughter for personal gain, hoping to curry favor with the imperial family; still others speculated whether there were other hidden motives behind it all.

On the day of the wedding, the Wu Prince's Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, but it could not hide the desolation.

Zhu Yuanzhang issued a special decree to simplify the wedding ceremony, exempting the seriously ill Su Ning from all the cumbersome procedures of the wedding procession.

Inside the bridal chamber, Zhao Ling'er sat alone by the bed, her face hidden beneath the red veil, her expression obscured.

She waited quietly, having given up all hope.

Naturally, no one lifted her veil.

After a long while, she reached out and lifted the veil herself, her gaze falling on her husband who lay motionless on the bed.

Looking at the unresponsive man, Zhao Ling'er sighed softly, as if resigned to her fate.

She got up and walked to the dressing table, where she began to remove her heavy headdress.

However, Zhao Ling'er was unaware that a tidal wave was raging within Su Ning's heart at that moment. When his gaze swept over the bride's face, he could barely contain his shock...

This Zhao Ling'er looks remarkably like Liu Yifei in the real world!
Their eyebrows, their expressions, they were practically identical!
……

In the sweltering summer of the twenty-sixth year of the Hongwu reign, the scorching sun beat down on Nanjing, yet a rare glimmer of life shone through the Prince Wu's mansion.

This long-silent palace, like a stagnant pond that has been stirred by a pebble, has finally begun to ripple.

All these changes stemmed from the newly arrived princess Zhao Ling'er.

On the morning of the third day after the wedding, just as dawn was breaking, Zhao Ling'er had already dressed and gotten ready.

She was dressed in a light blue royal dress, with a simple pearl hairpin in her hair, and walked calmly to the front yard.

"Everyone in the Prince's Mansion, assemble in the front courtyard immediately."

A clear, cold voice carried through the morning mist, and soon more than twenty servants gathered in the courtyard.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with a mixture of unease and curiosity.

Zhao Ling'er's gaze slowly swept over the crowd, her voice clear yet carrying an undeniable authority: "From this day forward, I will be in charge of all affairs within the Prince's residence. The Prince is seriously ill and requires even more meticulous care. Anyone found negligent will be severely punished!"

A slight commotion immediately arose below.

A bold old woman whispered, "Your Highness, not to be nosy, but the affairs of the Prince's residence have always been handled by Chief Steward Wang..."

“The past is the past,” Zhao Ling’er interrupted her, her gaze sharp. “Now that I’ve entered the Prince’s mansion, I naturally have to take on this responsibility. If anyone feels this is inappropriate, they can collect their monthly wages and leave now.”

The old woman immediately fell silent, lowered her head, and dared not say another word.

"Chief Steward Wang." Zhao Ling'er looked at the old man standing at the front.

“This old servant is here.” Wang Xi, the old eunuch personally selected by Zhu Yuanzhang, bowed hurriedly.

"From today onwards, you must keep detailed records of His Highness's daily diet and activities, and I will review them personally."

"Yes, princess."

After the speech, Zhao Ling'er went straight to Su Ning's bedroom.

The hall was filled with the strong smell of medicine, so she gently pushed open a window to let in some fresh air.

Looking at her husband, who was still unconscious on the bed, she sighed softly and then summoned two maids.

“Remember this,” Zhao Ling’er said, sitting on the edge of the bed and personally demonstrating the massage technique, “do this once in the morning and once in the evening to help the prince move his muscles and bones. If he stays in bed for a long time and doesn’t move around, his muscles will atrophy.”

"Yes, Your Highness." The maids carefully began to massage Su Ning as instructed.

Zhao Ling'er stood aside, carefully supervising and occasionally stepping forward to correct his movements: "The force must be just right. Too much force will hurt the prince, and too little force will not have any effect."

She demonstrated again, her slender fingers gently massaging Su Ning's arm: "Do it like this, massage slowly with your palms, and apply even pressure."

Just then, Zhao Ling'er noticed that Su Ning's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Her heart tightened, and she quickly bent down to take a closer look, only to find that the other person was still unconscious.

"Am I seeing things?" she murmured to herself, but secretly noted the detail.

The afternoon sun was shining brightly, and Zhao Ling'er made another decision that surprised the servants: she carried the prince to the courtyard to bask in the sun.

"Your Highness, this...this might not be appropriate," said Steward Wang with concern. "His Highness is still recovering from his illness; if he catches a cold..."

“Even a healthy person will get sick from staying cooped up indoors all day,” Zhao Ling’er said firmly. “Besides, the imperial physician said that getting some sunlight is good for recovery. If Your Highness really catches a cold, I will take responsibility.”

At her insistence, the servants carefully carried Su Ning, along with her bed, to the pear tree in the courtyard.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on Suning's pale face.

Zhao Ling'er sat to the side, gently fanning Su Ning with a round fan, and occasionally wiping the fine sweat from his forehead with a damp towel.

This scene was witnessed by Song Zhong, the deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who was secretly monitoring the situation, and it was quickly reported to the palace.

"Oh? The Zhao family's daughter is quite diligent." Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the secret report thoughtfully. "Issue an imperial decree to reward the Princess Consort of Wu with ten bolts of silk from Jiangnan as a token of appreciation."

When the reward was delivered to the Wu King's residence, Zhao Ling'er was personally feeding Su Ning his medicine.

She carefully fed Su Ning the medicine spoonful by spoonful, then gently wiped the corners of her mouth with a silk handkerchief.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Zhao Ling'er respectfully accepted the reward and then turned to Steward Wang to instruct, "Put all these silks into the storeroom. The Prince's mansion is currently short of funds, so we should save where we can."

Steward Wang exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness, this was a gift from the Emperor..."

“It is precisely because it is a gift from the Emperor that we should cherish it even more.” Zhao Ling’er said solemnly, “The Prince is seriously ill, and everyone in the Prince’s mansion should live frugally. How can we be extravagant and wasteful? If the Prince recovers in the future, there will be many places where money will be needed.”

When these words reached Zhu Yuanzhang's ears, the old emperor rarely showed a look of approval: "Zhao Sili has done a good job of educating his daughter."

Park Bu-sung, who was standing to the side, immediately flattered him, saying, "Your Majesty, it's all because you made such an excellent choice."

"Hmm, it seems this marriage is a good match." The old emperor said to the eunuch Pu Bucheng beside him, "The Zhao family's daughter is capable of managing a household."

As time went by, Zhao Ling'er managed the Prince's mansion in an orderly manner.

She reformed the servants' rotation system, streamlined unnecessary expenses, and even personally oversaw the kitchen's purchasing.

That day, Zhao Ling'er was checking the account books when she suddenly heard a maid's exclamation from inside the bedroom.

She rushed over and saw that Su Ning's right hand moved unconsciously.

"Your Highness!" Zhao Ling'er hurried to the bedside and tightly grasped Su Ning's hand. "Can you hear me?"

However, Suning remained silent with his eyes closed.

Zhao Ling'er let go of Su Ning's hand in disappointment, but noticed that Su Ning's fingertips were slightly curled.

This subtle movement gave her immense hope.

From that day on, Zhao Ling'er took even better care of Su Ning.

She not only read poems and recited scriptures to him personally every day, but also whispered to him about the major events happening in the court.

"Your Highness, I heard today that the Lan Yu case has implicated another group of officials..." Zhao Ling'er said in a low voice while massaging Su Ning's arm, "Father said that everyone in the court is now in danger, even he is trembling with fear."

She didn't notice that when the words "Lan Yu'an" were mentioned, Su Ning's eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly.

In the stillness of the night, Zhao Ling'er often sat alone by the bed, gazing at Su Ning's sleeping face in a daze.

"Your Highness, you must get better." She murmured softly, "The entire palace, and... me, are waiting for you."

On this day, Zhao Ling'er suddenly had a whimsical idea. She ordered a specially made reclining chair to be set up in the courtyard, placed Su Ning on it, and sat down to play the guqin.

The zither music flowed softly, like weeping and lamenting.

Zhao Ling'er didn't notice that Su Ning, sitting on the recliner, was gently tapping the armrest with her fingers in rhythm with the music.

……

Afu, who had been secretly observing, witnessed everything and reported to Su Ning late at night: "Master, this princess seems to be taking good care of you. Should we give her some hints?"

Su Ning, lying on the hospital bed, shook her head slightly: "It's not time yet. But... she did a great job."

"I never expected Zhao Ling'er to look so much like your dream girl, Liu Yifei."

"You even know this?"

“Master, I was created by your own hands, so naturally I am in tune with your mind.”

"Yes! This is quite an unexpected surprise."

Under Zhao Ling'er's meticulous care, the Wu Prince's Mansion gradually regained its vitality.

The flowers and plants in the courtyard were pruned, the damaged pillars were repaired, and even the servants looked refreshed.

However, no one knew that this princess, who seemed to take care of her husband wholeheartedly, would occasionally gaze at the bright moon in the quiet of the night.

"Your Highness," Zhao Ling'er said softly, stroking Su Ning's forehead one night, "is this our destiny? I really hope you're just pretending."

These words, spoken as softly as a sigh, sent a jolt through Su Ning, who was pretending to be asleep.

Looking at Su Ning's still peaceful sleeping face, Zhao Ling'er smiled self-deprecatingly: "Maybe... I'm just overthinking things."

Unbeknownst to her, the moment she turned to leave, Su Ning on the bed slowly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with deep thought.

This seemingly delicate princess was far more intelligent than he had imagined.

And this scene seems to be getting more and more interesting.

...(End of chapter)