"His Highness the Crown Prince has returned!"
Yao Sishan's expression froze for a moment before she promptly sat up. No sooner had she taken a step than her brother was seen pacing slowly to the doorway.
"Wasn't you supposed to be traveling in Weizhou? How is it that you've returned without a word—and that we haven't even prepared wine to welcome you home?"
Qingtao leaned in to see and eagerly interjected, "Since our young master's journey must have been tiring, why not first take a bath and change? One must wash away the dust of the road."
Though anxious in his heart, Yao Shianan's gentle nature showed in his calm tone as he replied, "I have some matters I wish to discuss with you privately, so please, everyone, kindly excuse yourselves."
Despite their long separation, he still addressed her by her childhood nickname with complete familiarity and ease.
Feeling a twinge in her heart, Yao Sishan listened as he continued, "You seem to have grown taller, and your hair is longer now."
She tilted her face upward and, with a touch of affected pride, said, "And you look even more handsome now, don't you think?"
"Indeed, little 'Nian'er' grows ever more graceful," he replied. Though his words were full of genuine affection, coming from the refined gentleman that he was, they felt as clear and pristine as a cool breeze under a bright moon.
At that, Yao Sishan couldn't help but boast, "Of course—I possess a beauty that even the Crown Prince himself fell for at first glance."
At these words, a shadow crossed Yao Shianan's eyes; the repressed emotions in his heart now threatened to boil over. Never before had he spoken harshly to anyone, yet today he broke his own long-held principle. His voice deepened, and his expression turned grave as he said, "I once thought you were forced into these matters by circumstance, that you acted out of necessity—but it appears you enjoy it. You even went so far as to conduct this marriage arrangement on your own. It seems you've been spoiled by the family."
After a moment of silent contemplation, Yao Sishan, smiling gently, shifted the conversation, "Brother, did you bring any gifts for me?"
For an instant he appeared taken aback, yet he did not relent easily. With a set expression he countered, "You still haven't answered me."
"Brother, you seem to know everything; why must you keep questioning me?"
Yao Sishan's tone held no trace of resentment as she beamed at him.
When Yao Shianan had left home, he was only eighteen and still retained a hint of youthful innocence in his eyes. Now, sitting face to face with his sister, a closer look revealed that he stood tall and erect—over eight feet in height—yet his refined bearing gave him the appearance of a scholarly gentleman rather than a burly man.
For years, Yao Sishan had secretly believed that her brother's smooth, jade-like face was the most handsome of all. But when she saw Wei Mindan, she suddenly thought that although her brother's looks were proper and stately, they seemed a bit stiff compared to the fluid, natural lines of the other man's features.
Tsk, what an arresting and unconventional beauty…
Yao Shianan maintained his composure, fully aware of their father's predicament. As the pillar of the family—and with Duke Ying's concerns for the more than one hundred people in the mansion weighing upon him—he had never dared to defy imperial orders.
Yet, he dared now.
"'Nian'er,' I ask only this: does this marriage suit your heart?"
Seeing the serious look on his face, Yao Sishan rushed forward and grabbed his hand, gently shaking it side to side, "Alright, you all need not be so tense—as if the man I am to marry were some ghastly demon. He is, after all, a man of handsome countenance."
At these words, Yao Shianan's expression grew calmer.
Her little sister was not one to be taken lightly; if she were truly dissatisfied with Wei Mindan, she would have found a hundred reasons to renege on the betrothal long before now.
But a thought then occurred to him—what if she secretly harbored affection for some other wild man out there? The very idea further dismayed him.
"I, before entering the capital, had a servant deliver a formal greeting letter to the princess's residence—and on the day of the banquet, I shall go with you."
Yao Sishan could only silently gape; such a method of operation was entirely unexpected.
"Brother, since you have leisure enough, why not first send a family letter? It would ease our worries. To anyone unaware, it might seem that you care deeply about the princess."
She did not intend to tease him maliciously; it was merely her habitual playful banter. Yet it caused Yao Shianan's brows to furrow in disapproval.
No one in the world knew the true reasons behind the Duke Ying heir's earlier travels—a story which he himself could never forget.
Back then, the Emperor, impressed by his noble birth and considerable talent, had hinted in every word that he wished to take him as a son-in-law. Thus, he chose to temporarily leave the capital—not only to evade the profit-driven world of officials but also to escape the weight of that overwhelming emotion.
Seeing him fall silent, Yao Sishan continued on her own, "Actually… Brother, you even took Sister's invitation letter. She said you'd be grateful forever."
At the mere mention of Yao Sisou—the one who had become the prime culprit behind this entire matter—Yao Shianan's frown deepened even further.
In the past, everyone only knew Yao Daxiaojie for her dignified and virtuous manner, unaware that the Yao family also had a second daughter. Thus, compared with Yao Sisou—who had grown up amid accolades—Yao Sishan had remained relatively unnoticed.
When they were children, out of pity Yao Shianan had always been particularly fond of his little sister.
But as they grew older, Yao Sisou became increasingly vain and lacked the noble bearing of a true Yao scion, so that he gradually shifted his affections entirely toward his kind-hearted little sister.
"After all, if 'Rou'er' had committed such an outrageous act, and the Emperor not only failed to hold her accountable but even conferred on her the title of Crown Prince's Consort—what reason would she have to complain?"
Yao Sishan fell silent for a moment, with no retort possible.
In the blink of an eye, she began to pester her brother to recount the latest travel stories, until the grandmother of the future grandson sent someone to hastily summon him away.
On the day of the banquet, nearly noon, the coachman had already prepared the carriage for the three Yao siblings. Just as Yao Sishan was about to return to her room for a rest, a coach painted entirely in yellow lacquer rolled up.
At its head rode a man in a bright crimson official uniform with tiger and leopard motifs embroidered just below the collar—one glance was enough to reveal that he was a military officer of the third rank in the court.
The coachman, never having seen such a distinguished person, scrambled frantically into the house to report the news.
Riding on horseback was Liang Zhan, who, having not worn his formal attire for a long while, appeared somewhat uncomfortable.
Yesterday, His Highness had personally instructed that the ceremony be conducted in a grand and solemn manner; but now, with a throng of commoners gathering and the roads surrounding completely blocked, was it not too ostentatious?
When the news reached Yao Sishan's ears, she shook her head with a bitter smile. How long had it been since that previous incident? That man still harbored grudges—he was far too inclined to hold a grudge!
Nonetheless, Yao Sishan ordered Hongxing to hasten her preparations.
In the ensuing bustle, after the entourage had finally been seated in the carriage, Yao Sishan couldn't help but lean out and softly call, "Lord Liang."
Liang Zhan bowed his head respectfully and replied, "What are your orders, Mistress?"
Then Yao Sishan held up two different hairpins—one on the left, a pretty pearl tassel hairpin, and one on the right, a simple, carved orchid hairpin—and asked with a smile, "Tell me, which one do you think His Highness will prefer?"
"...I am but a fool, Mistress—I do not know whether the 'His Highness' you refer to means Princess Huacheng or the Crown Prince?" Liang Zhan responded in measured tones.
Yao Sishan seemed amused by his sincerity, and couldn't help but let out a light laugh, "Of course it is the Crown Prince! I doubt the princess would even notice whether I wear red or green."
After a brief pause, Liang Zhan, who did not really know the Crown Prince's preferences—and even if he did, he wouldn't dare criticize the future consort—stammered, "No matter which you wear, His Highness will surely be pleased."
"Is that so? You are even more eloquent than your master," she teased.
Not long after, Yao Sishan lifted the carriage curtain once more and asked, "And what about the incense? Do you think he prefers a flowery scent or a fruity one?" Her tone hesitated slightly, "Don't say that, but surely if it were any fragrance on me, His Highness would favor such remarks, wouldn't he?"
Having never married, Liang Zhan blushed furiously at such blunt words, "I… do not know…"
Before he could finish, fearing that the little miss might press on with more embarrassing questions, he hastily added, "I am so occupied driving this carriage that I cannot spare a thought for such matters; please forgive me, Mistress."
"In other words, you want me to shut up, don't you?"
"I dare not…" Liang Zhan, exasperated, rubbed his forehead. Next time, he vowed silently that he would rather be assigned to patrol the entire palace and drill the soldiers every day for three consecutive months than be burdened with such taxing tasks.
At last the carriage safely reached the palace gate.
Liang Zhan did not follow the route indicated by the palace attendants but instead led her to the Hundred Flowers Garden where the guests had gathered, then took a detour and entered the rear hills.
Along the way, there were hardly any people; no footprints could be seen, and the place was desolate.
Suddenly, Yao Sishan felt something was amiss. Half-hiding behind Hongxing, she spoke again, her voice trembling slightly, "You… you aren't planning to take advantage of the chaos to do something indecent, are you?"
"...I am terrified; please, Mistress, choose your words carefully."
At this moment, Liang Zhan began to question everything. Although he had never truly been close to a young lady, he had often heard that courtly women were admired for their quiet beauty, that all refined young ladies from noble families cherished gentleness in every gesture. And now, looking at the future Crown Princess before him…
Could this be the gap between ideal and reality?
Proceeding straight to a bend, Liang Zhan raised his hand to point, "Not far ahead, there is a cool pavilion. His Highness has been waiting there for you for quite some time."
Following the direction of his gesture, Yao Sishan saw Wei Mindan standing in the pavilion with his arms folded—his broad shoulders and narrow waist accentuating his upright posture.
Yao Sishan wanted to ask one more question, but when she turned, she found that the guards had already disappeared. She couldn't help but snicker softly, "They're really good at slipping away."
Then, collecting her laughter, Yao Sishan said, "Hongxing, wait here. If anything goes awry, you must immediately call for help." With that, she strode directly toward the figure in the pavilion.
However, the first words that left her lips were not a greeting but instead—
"Isn't it rather exciting that His Highness has arranged for us to meet in such a secluded place?"