Chapter 7: Princess 007

“Master, you endure everything here without a word; it breaks Xuewu's heart to watch!”

As Xuewu tidied Xiahou Shangle's clothes, she couldn't help but speak up. Her master was the most pampered princess of the Mu Dynasty; the Emperor and Empress of Mu treated her with utmost affection. Most importantly, despite being so beloved, her master was kind-hearted and never used her status to act arrogantly, earning her an excellent reputation among both the commoners and the royals of the Mu Dynasty.

Xiahou Shangle sat on the edge of the bed, watching Xuewu's busy figure. Uncharacteristically, she did not scold Xuewu for her words. Instead, her face was clouded with sorrow, her brows tightly knit. It took a long time before she finally spoke.

“Xuewu, you must understand that I cannot afford any mistakes. I cannot even make a mistake easily here. Once a mistake is made, it could become an excuse for war between the Yue and Mu Dynasties. I cannot stand by and watch the people of both nations fall into the flames of war, and I certainly cannot allow Father and Mother to be harmed!”

As she spoke, her eyes held a look of firm determination, without a hint of hesitation. In Xiahou Shangle's heart, family and loved ones were more precious than anything; she could not allow them to suffer any harm.

“But Master, you must think of yourself too! Now that the Emperor has taken Yan Ruyu as a concubine, who knows if he will take someone else in a few days? I truly don't understand why you insisted to the Grand Empress Dowager that the Emperor had consulted with you, and why you spoke so many good words on his behalf. Is someone else's happiness more important than your own?”

Happiness. Xiahou Shangle gave a bitter smile. She had never imagined there would be happiness in marrying into the Yue Dynasty, let alone hoping that Bai Yuchen would be the one to provide it.

As long as her marriage to the Yue Dynasty could bring an end to the constant state of war between the two nations, as long as her father remained healthy and safe, and as long as the people of the Mu Dynasty could live in peace and prosperity, she could endure any grievance she faced in the Yue Dynasty!

“Xuewu, there is no such thing as happiness when one is in the Imperial Family!”

How much bitterness was contained in those words? To outsiders, she was the most pampered princess of the Mu Dynasty—and indeed, she was showered with affection—but she had also endured much neglect, which taught her exactly how to survive in the imperial palace.

For sixteen years, her outward glory could not fill the void in her heart. Her mind and soul were preoccupied with how to survive in the palace and how to simply live well.

More than that, there was the responsibility and mission bestowed upon her by her father. As the Yuefeng Princess of the Mu Dynasty, she had to consider the safety of the nation and its people, even if it meant sacrificing her own lifelong happiness!

“Master, then Prince Jin...”

“Xuewu, I am tired. You should rest early as well!”

Xiahou Shangle interrupted Xuewu, offering a faint smile. Xuewu sighed, gave a helpless response, and left the room.

“Gongsun Jin...”

Lying in bed, Xiahou Shangle gazed at the crimson bed curtains and softly murmured that name. She let out a bitter laugh, closed her eyes, and forced herself to push all thoughts of Gongsun Jin aside. Though she could not sleep, she forced herself into slumber.

***

The next day, just as Xiahou Shangle returned from paying her respects at the Palace of Longevity, she saw a young girl in purple sitting in the main hall of the Fengqi Palace. The girl looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a delicate and elegant appearance, though her brow carried a trace of displeasure.

“So you are the Princess of the Mu Dynasty?”

The girl's tone was quite dissatisfied. Xiahou Shangle nodded calmly without answering her. She simply sat down in a nearby lounge chair and instructed Xuewu to bring up two cups of tea.

“You must be Princess Xunran. Please, have some tea.”

Bai Yuchen had a very beloved younger sister, Princess Xunran, Bai Chuxun, of the Yue Dynasty. Judging by the girl's attire and the aura she radiated, Xiahou Shangle was certain she was Bai Chuxun.

“Hmph, at least you have some eyes!”

The girl spoke with a hint of pride. Who in the entire Yue Dynasty didn't know that her Imperial Brother doted on her most? Bai Chuxun looked at Xiahou Shangle haughtily; aside from being a bit beautiful, she didn't seem like anything special. She truly didn't understand why Imperial Grandmother insisted that her brother agree to the political marriage with the Mu Dynasty and crown the Yuefeng Princess as Empress.

“The Princess teases me. Although I am dull, I can still recognize your identity. Who doesn't know that in this inner palace, the only woman so favored is Princess Xunran!”

Xiahou Shangle's words were flawless. Bai Chuxun wanted to say something sarcastic, but upon seeing the faint smile on Xiahou Shangle's face, she found herself unable to speak.

Faced with such a breathtaking beauty wearing a smile, no one could bring themselves to speak ill of her. Moreover, she was merely a princess; she had no right to come here and mock the Empress of the Yue Dynasty.

“The Empress teases me. If we are talking about being favored in this inner palace, then it should be the Empress who is favored. I am merely a princess; sooner or later, I will leave the palace!”

As Bai Chuxun spoke, a wave of bitterness rose in her heart. That was right—she was just a princess. The woman before her was the Empress whom her brother had married through proper rites, and there was even the newly appointed Noble Consort Yu. In this Yue Dynasty palace, she, Bai Chuxun, was just a princess—a princess who would eventually marry and leave the palace!

Thinking this, a cold smirk appeared on Bai Chuxun's face. She studied Xiahou Shangle for a long time without speaking. This woman was not favored!

Despite her noble status, the one her brother doted on was Yan Ruyu. Like herself, she was merely a woman being toyed with by fate.

However, she did not like another woman who was similarly toyed with by fate!

“I wonder, does the Princess have business with me?”

Xiahou Shangle saw hostility in Bai Chuxun's eyes. She didn't understand why Bai Chuxun held such animosity toward her. An Empress and a Princess should have no intersection; why was there such intense hostility in the girl's eyes?

She pretended not to notice and simply lowered her head to take a sip of tea. Perhaps she was being too suspicious. Ever since arriving in the Yue Dynasty, in this palace, aside from the Grand Empress Dowager who was truly kind to her, everyone else was merely respectful on the surface while gossiping behind her back due to her status.

“I was not in the palace during my Imperial Brother's grand wedding. Now that I have returned, I wished to come and pay my respects to my Sister-in-law. Does Sister-in-law not welcome me?”

Bai Chuxun wore a smile—a happy and sincere one. Looking at her smiling face, Xiahou Shangle couldn't help but offer a faint smile in return.

“The Princess overstates it. How could I not welcome you? There is no need for formal respects. If you do not mind, please, come and sit!”

Xiahou Shangle spoke softly. She did not need anyone's formal greetings or flattery; she only wished to find someone she could actually talk to here. If Bai Chuxun did not harbor hostility toward her, Xiahou Shangle felt that this seemingly guileless young girl might become a friend in the Yue Dynasty.

“Really? Then Sister-in-law, please stop calling me Princess. Just call me Chuxun!”