Chapter 160: You Are in My Dreams

Shen Sinian paused. In his line of sight, Meng Chuyue’s eyebrows curved upward, carrying a gentle, sweet warmth.

"You were in my dreams."

Shen Sinian’s gaze abruptly froze. A wave of disbelief spread through his heart. An unprecedented stupefaction made him stare at Meng Chuyue in utter astonishment, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"I have kept it hidden deep in my heart," her voice was low and soft, like a flame in the dead of winter, tightening one's throat with every single inch, "and I have never told a soul."

The moonlight was dim and obscure, casting a desolate and lonely layer of silver radiance.

"From the very first moment I laid eyes on you, Eldest Brother Shen, at Puyue Temple, my heart was already secretly given to you. As time passed, I realized that Captain Shen is gentle and witty, not nearly as stern as the rumors say. Yet I also knew that there was never any possibility between the two of us."

She bit her lip with a bitter smile and continued, "I knew it from the very beginning."

The current Emperor was suspicious by nature, and both the State Duke’s Manor and the Prime Minister’s Mansion held immense weight and high prestige in the imperial court. Under such circumstances, she had always been clear-headed about it.

Moreover, she was merely a concubine-born daughter of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, while Shen Sinian was the legitimate son and heir of the State Duke’s Manor. The disparity in their status filled her with a deep sense of inferiority.

"To Eldest Brother Shen, I am merely Yuanyuan's good friend, just the Second Young Miss of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. But in my heart," Meng Chuyue smiled brightly, her eyes gradually turning red at the edges, "Eldest Brother Shen is the brightest star in the dark night. I can only look up to you from afar, and bury the feeling deep within my soul."

"In the entire capital, only Yuanyuan and Eldest Brother Shen treated me with genuine sincerity, never caring about my humble birth as a concubine's daughter."

"I thought that in the future, Eldest Brother Shen would marry a maiden of his own choosing, and I would also marry another. This matter would remain forever suppressed in my heart, treated merely like a dream from my youth. But what I never expected..."

The imperial decree for marriage came so abruptly.

It caught her completely off guard, leaving her utterly unprepared, realizing even that she might never see him again.

It felt as though her heart had been carved open by a sharp blade, leaking warm, crimson blood. A lingering pain spread through her limbs and bones. In her field of vision was Shen Sinian’s resolute and handsome face, those dark eyes she had gazed into through countless fleeting moments, deeply engraved into the depths of her soul.

Shen Sinian’s breathing suddenly tightened. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Meng Chuyue’s voice continue: "I know Eldest Brother Shen holds no romantic intentions toward me, so I merely wanted to voice the secret I've suppressed in my heart before leaving the capital."

"After tonight, Eldest Brother Shen will be the future imperial consort, and I shall be the Fifth Prince's Princess Consort. Let us both forget all of this."

Shen Sinian paused. For a fleeting moment, a gentle radiance veiled his expression.

"Miss Meng's reputation precedes you; you are a renowned talented woman of the capital. Therefore, do not belittle yourself simply because of your status as a concubine-born daughter."

"I have long heard that the Second Young Miss of the Prime Minister's Mansion possesses extraordinary talent and knowledge. I never imagined that you would hold such affections for me. I am merely a military general, yet I am undeserving of Miss Meng's favor..."

"There is no possibility in this lifetime," he said softly, "If there is an afterlife..."

"Let us meet earlier."

Meng Chuyue’s heart felt as though it had been violently twisted, a poignant soreness rushing straight to the bridge of her nose. Fighting back her tears, she nodded and smiled brilliantly, "Okay."

Yet, if only there really were an afterlife.

She did not believe in past or future lives.

---

Shen Yuanyuan stood outside, watching her surroundings vigilantly, terrified that someone might approach and discover them.

If they were found out, it would be a grave crime.

"Yuanyuan, I have some words I wish to tell Eldest Brother Shen. Can you help me?"

Such a request, she could not refuse.

Besides, perhaps this was the last time the two of them would ever speak face-to-face like this.

In the future, one would be an imperial consort and the other the Princess Consort of Houlan. Forget speaking; simply meeting each other would become an extreme difficulty.

At that very moment, however, a series of footsteps suddenly approached.

Shen Yuanyuan’s heart instantly leaped into her throat. She glanced toward the direction where Shen Sinian and Meng Chuyue were staying, paused with her lips pressed together for a brief second, and then lifted her feet to walk toward the source of the footsteps.

No sooner had she stepped out from the corner than she crashed head-on into someone’s firm chest. Before she could cry out in pain, her waist was abruptly seized by an arm and pulled tightly into a warm embrace.

A familiar yet unfamiliar icy chill washed over her. Shen Yuanyuan instinctively wanted to struggle, but froze abruptly before letting out an incredulous, low gasp: "...Xiao Yan?"

"Mhm." A pleased chuckle drifted down. Xiao Yan did not release his hold, lowering his gaze to look at the person in his arms with leisurely amusement, "I thought you wouldn't be able to recognize me."

"...How did you know I was here?"

"Wherever you are, I know." His palm still rested against her slender, soft waist. Xiao Yan released his hold, watching as she took a step back, casting nervous and cautious glances all around, and spoke in an even tone, "Don't be afraid. All the other imperial guards here have been dispatched by me elsewhere, otherwise how else would you think the area around the Taiji Palace is completely free of patrolling guards?"

Shen Yuanyuan parted her lips slightly, profoundly surprised.

...No wonder.

That meant he must have known she was staying here all along.

Xiao Yan glanced back, his eyes deeply shadowed: "Today's affair, I knew nothing of it."

Therefore, when the Emperor issued the marriage decree, even he was exceptionally astonished.

Although he had guessed that the Emperor might bestow a marriage upon Shen Sinian, he had never expected it to happen so soon.

"Mhm, what His Majesty thinks in his heart is not something we can ever guess."

When Shen Yuanyuan finished speaking, she pondered for a moment and asked, "Have you heard of the Fifth Prince of Houlan? What kind of person is he? Will Chuyue suffer if she marries him?"

"No matter what, the Fifth Prince is still an imperial prince," Xiao Yan's face showed a helpless expression, "Miss Meng will not suffer no matter where she goes after marrying him. As for his character, you need not worry either. Although the Fifth Prince is somewhat unruly and carefree, his disposition is much better than that of the other princes. Moreover, His Majesty will bestow upon Miss Meng the title of Princess Commandery in the future, so no one will—nor dare—bully her."

Shen Yuanyuan nodded: "That is good then."

She let out a soft sigh, leaving some words unspoken in front of Xiao Yan.

The capital truly was a place where those on the outside wished desperately to enter, while those trapped within wished for nothing more than to flee.

---

Not long after, Meng Chuyue was indeed bestowed the title of Princess Commandery by the Emperor, with the honorific title of Pingyang.

The wedding date was set for three months later, leaving her one month to stay in the capital before departing for Houlan alongside Murong Ming the following month.

Shen Sinian’s wedding was scheduled slightly earlier than hers, two months away. By that time, however, Meng Chuyue would presumably already be on her way to Houlan.

Both the Prime Minister’s Mansion and the State Duke’s Manor began bustling with preparations. Simultaneously, however, Wu Miaofu’s coming-of-age ceremony was also approaching, and Shen Yuanyuan’s maternal uncle, Wu Shaozhong, had arrived in the capital ahead of time.

Wu Shaozhong bore a striking resemblance to Lady Shen in appearance, yet Shen Yuanyuan had absolutely no memories associated with him. Thus, her gaze carried a sense of unfamiliarity as she looked at him, though she still raised a smile and called out, "Uncle."