Chapter 158: But There Is No Other Way

Shen Nanyuan sat beside Shen Sinian, lifting her eyes slightly to glance at the Fifth Prince of the Houlan Kingdom, who was seated not far away.

This Fifth Prince was quite handsome, with sharp, well-defined features that gave him a rakish, devil-may-care air. According to the few fragments of the original story Shen Nanyuan remembered, the Eldest Princess was supposed to marry the Monarch of Houlan. Yet, this Fifth Prince looked to be about the same age as them... It seemed the story had shifted once again.

As she watched, Shen Nanyuan could not help but frown. She had a persistent feeling that the Fifth Prince kept looking toward Meng Chuyue.

"Your Majesty, I have a matter to address..."

The sound drew Shen Nanyuan’s attention away. She looked at the official speaking and pursed her lips. If she remembered correctly, this official was a partisan of the Second Prince.

"Now that the Great General of the State has returned in triumph, and with Sangluo and Beiliang unlikely to invade our borders in the coming years, General Shen’s previous wish to witness the County Princess’s wedding can now be fulfilled. I believe we should set the wedding date today. Would it not be a double celebration?"

"I second this motion."

"The Imperial Family has not had a joyous occasion in many years. I also believe that setting the date for the wedding between the Second Prince and the County Princess would be a double blessing."

Shen Nanyuan: "..."

She had seen this coming. She knew the Second Prince would not let such an opportunity slip by. However, with Shen Yi and Shen Sinian present, she remained calm. She lowered her eyes and kept silent, while Xiao Yan picked up his cup to take a sip of wine, a sharp glint flashing through his dark, lustrous eyes.

"Regarding this matter..." The Emperor’s gaze swept lightly over the ministers who had spoken before he continued, "I will discuss it with General Shen in private. You ministers need not concern yourselves with it."

The officials below paused abruptly, glancing at one another. This response caused the smile that had been hanging on Gu Sheng-yu’s face to stiffen. Shen Nanyuan was also stunned. She glanced sideways at Shen Sinian and, seeing his expression remained normal with no sign of surprise, she composed her face and lowered her head.

The Emperor had said he would discuss it privately with Shen Yi, but everyone had seen Shen Yi’s reluctance toward this marriage contract during previous banquets; he had only agreed to the union between the Second Prince and his daughter under duress. Perhaps the Emperor’s words meant there was no rush, or perhaps they hinted that the betrothal might face complications. Combined with the Third Prince’s triumphant return... the ministers were all lost in their own thoughts.

Xiao Yan’s expression remained unchanged, as if these words had stirred no emotion in him at all.

The Emperor took a sip of wine. The Empress whispered, "Your Majesty’s health is not well; it is best to drink less."

"Very well." A hint of tenderness filled the Emperor’s eyes as he looked at the Empress and nodded. "I shall listen to you."

Afterward, he set down his wine cup and fixed his gaze on the Fifth Prince of Houlan. His voice deepened, carrying a natural, imposing authority: "Houlan and our dynasty have been on good terms for many years. I know the reason your Monarch sent you here this time. Does the Fifth Prince have any thoughts on the matter?"

The Fifth Prince, Murong Ming, stood up and bowed. "Your Majesty, although I have only been in the capital for a short time, I have already set my heart on someone."

Well, well. Shen Nanyuan pursed her lips. He really was here for a marriage alliance. Could it be the Eldest Princess? In the book, this was supposed to be the Monarch of Houlan’s affair, but now it had changed to the Fifth Prince. This broken plot had deviated so far that even the original author would not recognize it.

"Oh?" The Emperor raised his eyebrows with mild interest. "Who is it?"

For a split second, Shen Nanyuan saw an unnatural expression cross Meng Chuyue’s face. A sense of unease rippled from the bottom of her heart to her very limbs.

"Replying to Your Majesty," Murong Ming said, turning to look at Meng Chuyue, "it is Miss Meng."

It felt as though she had been struck by a bolt of lightning. Shen Nanyuan’s mind went blank; her breath hitched, and her gaze locked onto Meng Chuyue’s pale face.

"From the moment I saw Miss Meng, I was captivated, unable to extricate myself. I beg Your Majesty to grant us your blessing."

Shen Nanyuan instinctively turned to look at Shen Sinian. He wore an expression of surprise, but it was merely surprise. Meng Chuyue’s face had turned as white as paper.

The Emperor laughed. "What does the Chancellor think?"

"Replying to Your Majesty," the Chancellor said, "for the Fifth Prince to favor Chuyue is an honor for the Chancellor’s mansion. I am naturally pleased."

"Very well." The Emperor smiled. "It is granted."

Seeming highly satisfied, he shifted his gaze to Shen Sinian. "The Eldest Princess has also reached the age of marriage, and she and Colonel Shen are a well-matched pair. With the Colonel’s triumphant return and this happy occasion today, let us decree the marriage between the Eldest Princess and Colonel Shen. This will bring the Great General’s mansion and the Imperial Family even closer together."

Shen Nanyuan had not yet recovered from the shock of Meng Chuyue’s betrothal when she heard the news about Shen Sinian. It was like a thunderclap; her face drained of color.

Shen Sinian: "..."

He stood up, his expression unreadable. "I thank Your Majesty."

The Eldest Princess seemed to have long since accepted her fate; she lowered her eyes, looking perfectly indifferent.

A suffocating pressure suddenly descended upon Shen Nanyuan’s heart, making it difficult for her to breathe. Even though Shen Sinian was holding his composure, his hand, gripping his tea cup, was white at the knuckles. She could see that he did not want this. But when the Emperor decrees a marriage, even the military merits he had just achieved were of no use; one could not defy an imperial order.

This was the absolute power of those who rule. It was a destiny they could not escape. Shen Sinian had only just returned, yet he had already been drawn into the Emperor’s web, ensuring that the Great General’s mansion would henceforth be loyal only to the throne. Their fates had long been dictated by the ruler sitting high above.

The capital was like this—a giant net, trapping them firmly within.

A sense of suffocation washed over her. Shen Nanyuan took a deep breath, but she could not help but look at Meng Chuyue, her heart filled with uncontrollable pity.

"We shall discuss the wedding date later," the Emperor said, looking very satisfied with a smile on his lips, showing no trace of his previous sickly demeanor. "You ministers need not be constrained."

Shen Nanyuan had not eaten much, but now she could not swallow a thing. The feeling of being unable to control her own fate left her feeling utterly powerless. From her own marriage to Meng Chuyue’s, and finally her brother’s, it all told her that the capital was a place that devoured people.

"Yuanyuan." Shen Sinian noticed her pale complexion and said, with concern, "What is wrong?"

"Brother, I..." The words reached her lips but could not be spoken. Nothing could be said. A profound sense of desolation spread through her.

"Do you want to marry the Eldest Princess?"

Shen Sinian retracted his gaze and smiled faintly. "No."

He tilted his chin slightly, sighing, "But there is no choice, Yuanyuan."