Chapter 94: The Birthday That Should Have Been Yours

Shen Jinyu’s smile deepened at those words.

He was in a cheerful mood, eating heartily. In the corner of her eye, Aunt Meng caught sight of the old lady’s worried face, unable to stomach her food, and she gently nudged her son, lowering her voice.

“Eat less, will you?”

He seemed so carefree, so oblivious. Look at Shen Nanyuan and Shen Sinian over there—so thoughtful, so skilled at putting on an act in front of the old lady.

Her own son, she thought, was so lacking in guile.

Shen Jinyu looked confused, mumbling, “Why?”

“Just do as I say and eat less!” Aunt Meng’s tone grew sterner, and Shen Jinyu, pouting, had no choice but to obey.

But Shen Nanyuan could never have imagined that Shen Yi returned home accompanied by an imperial edict.

“By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Having heard of the daughter of General Shen Yi, Shen Nanyuan, whose virtue and beauty are outstanding, whose wisdom and grace are exemplary, We are greatly pleased, and hereby bestow her as consort to the Second Prince, to be wed on an auspicious day, with arrangements overseen by the Ministry of Rites and the Astronomer Royal. Thus is Our will.”

The eunuch’s sharp voice struck like a hammer blow, leaving Shen Nanyuan’s mind utterly blank. It was as though a bucket of icy water had been poured over her in the depths of winter; every part of her body went numb, nearly paralyzed. She raised her head slightly, incredulous, unable to utter a single word.

Shen Sinian was even more shocked, drawing a deep breath and staring at Shen Nanyuan in disbelief. Even Aunt Meng was momentarily stunned.

The eunuch smiled, “Your Ladyship, come accept the decree.”

Silence fell.

So silent, Shen Nanyuan thought she could hear her own heart beating. Her face blanched in an instant, rooted to the spot as if nailed down, her heart skipping a beat.

She bit her lip hard, her whole body stiff as stone as she rose from the ground, bowed, and received the imperial edict, her voice trembling.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Then I shall return to the palace, and offer my early congratulations to the Princess Consort. Once the wedding date is set, I shall come again.”

Shen Yi’s expression was grave. Only after watching the eunuch leave the courtyard did Shen Sinian leap to his feet and stride to Shen Yi, his voice breaking through with urgency.

“Father, what on earth is happening?”

Lady Shen’s eyes reddened as she walked to Shen Nanyuan’s side, sighing softly and wiping away her daughter’s tears.

Shen Yi turned, “Come to the study with me.”

Such matters, naturally, were not for Aunt Meng and the others. She led Shen Jinyu away, unable to resist muttering as they walked,

“She’s actually been granted a royal marriage! To be a Princess Consort!”

Was she shocked, or was it envy? Shen Jinyu felt a vague discomfort at her words.

“But Sister doesn’t want to be a Princess Consort.”

“The decree has been issued; whether she wants it or not, she has no choice now.” Aunt Meng snorted. “What’s so bad about being a Princess Consort? Besides, the Second Prince might even…”

She stopped herself before finishing the thought.

If the Second Prince were someday made Crown Prince, then Shen Nanyuan would be Empress, mother of the realm, her status unrivaled. The Duke of the Realm’s standing would become unassailable in court.

Aunt Meng narrowed her eyes.

From now on, she would need to curry favor with Shen Nanyuan.

Shen Jinyu, unlike Aunt Meng, was not scheming. He looked back anxiously in Shen Nanyuan’s direction, but could only sigh helplessly.

—

In the study.

Shen Yi sat in his chair, his hand clenched tightly into a fist upon the table, fatigue written clearly in his features. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he gazed at Shen Nanyuan, who still seemed dazed, and a pang of sorrow stabbed his heart like a knife. His voice was as heavy as the night beyond the window.

“His Majesty suffered a sudden illness recently. Though he’s improved, his health remains fragile. The Crown Prince has yet to be named, and His Majesty fears instability in the court, so this has been kept secret from the officials.”

Shen Nanyuan’s head shot up.

It happened early… The plot had unfolded ahead of schedule.

This was supposed to occur after Shen Yi’s return, yet it had come much sooner.

“His Majesty knows that, though the court appears harmonious outwardly, every faction harbors its own ambitions,” Shen Yi’s brow furrowed, recalling the Emperor’s frail state.

“‘Shen, I know that over the years, thanks to you, no foreign enemy has dared invade our realm. I know, too, of your unwavering loyalty. But holding the throne, I cannot help but think ahead, and consider what must be done for the future.

‘Of all my sons, only the second and fifth remind me of myself in youth. Now that my health is failing, I don’t know if I’ll ever see my third son, lost since childhood. My only wish is for the court to remain stable and the country at peace.

‘You know what happened with the fifth. Now, only the second remains. I intend to make him Crown Prince, but…’”

Shen Sinian fixed his gaze on Shen Yi.

“But His Majesty is still uneasy. The Duke of the Realm holds military power; even if he trusts you, Father, he still fears the authority you wield over hundreds of thousands of elite troops.”

Shen Yi’s grip tightened. He had always known that while the Emperor appeared to trust him, suspicion lingered in his heart.

He nodded slightly, his eyes falling on Shen Nanyuan, who watched him intently.

“‘I know you’ve always cherished Lady Nanyuan. Yu and Lady Nanyuan are well-matched—what could be better than such a union? Yu will surely treat her well, and the royal family will not betray your years of loyalty.

‘I have drafted an imperial edict, granting marriage between Yu and Lady Nanyuan. Next month, Yu will be named Crown Prince, and the wedding will be held on an auspicious date.’”

The decree had long been prepared; summoning him to the palace was merely a formality.

“His Majesty fears the military power you possess, Father. He worries that, once the Second Prince ascends the throne, you might harbor ambitions. By marrying Nanyuan to the prince, she becomes a hostage in the palace, ensuring your allegiance to him.”

Shen Sinian’s expression was dark, his eyes sharp as blades, cold light glinting in their depths.

“All these years you fought on distant battlefields, risking your life, and in the end, the monarch still distrusts you. Now he would send Nanyuan as a hostage. Our Duke’s house is little more than a joke.”

But the imperial decree could not be defied; it was only his sister who suffered.

Shen Nanyuan stared blankly at Shen Yi, her lips pressed tightly together.

“Nanyuan, it’s your father who has failed you.”

He was utterly exhausted—never had years of battle wearied him as much as now. “I thought I could let you live out your days carefree, doing whatever pleased you.”

But he had not foreseen defeat at the hands of the very Emperor he had served so loyally.

He had said countless words before His Majesty, but nothing could change the outcome. The Emperor’s mind was long made up.

Perhaps, even as he risked his life in war, the Emperor was already plotting to bring his daughter into the palace.

He closed his eyes briefly. “Tomorrow should have been your birthday.”