Substitute Marriage - Chapter 7

Wei Jin’s heart felt as if it was hanging by a thread. Xiao Lan had a vague sense that the Prince Consort was preparing to tell her something, and because she had defended him tonight, he was attempting to open up to her.

“Princess Lan—”

“Your Highness, the Eldest Princess is very furious. Only you can calm her down!” a maid suddenly announced from outside the door.

Memories of the past few days flashed through Xiao Lan’s mind. Filled with the desire to treat him the way he had treated her the past few weeks, she left him with the same words, “It’s late, Prince Consort. You should rest early.”

With that, she dashed out of the room and into the night.

Wei Jin gazed into the distance for a long while until there was no trace of her figure left. He then slowly murmured, “Lan’er, I thought you would understand.”

When Xiao Lan arrived at Xiao Ming’s sleeping quarters, the place was already a mess. She learned that the letter Xiao Ming had sent to their Imperial Uncle had been returned, meaning that he had rejected Xiao Ming’s request to transfer her household registration.

Xiao Ming, feeling isolated, didn’t want to remain on the Nan Gong clan’s family register any longer. Transferring out would be a public declaration of cutting ties with the Nan Gong clan, which was the current ruling dynasty. This would be a significant embarrassment for the entire Qi Kingdom. Xiao Lan’s imperial uncle had clearly refused in consideration of the broader implications of this act.

In the inner chamber, the sound of swift, sharp movements could be heard. Xiao Lan quickly went inside and saw Xiao Ming practicing sword play. Her movements were fluid, her posture strong, and the cold sword aura exuded determination and resolve.

“Sheathe!” With a flick of Xiao Ming’s arm, the sword flew straight back into its scabbard that was placed on the rack.

Xiao Lan clapped her hands.

“What a bunch of useless people!” Xiao Ming wiped her sweat with a cloth and cast a disdainful glance at the maid who had reported to Xiao Lan. “Is such a small matter enough to disturb Lan’er? If you’ve ruined their intimate time, I will hold you accountable!”

The maid nodded her head rapidly in apology.

“Auntie, since you’re still in the mood to tease me, it means that my arrival was unnecessary.” Seeing that Xiao Ming was still able to joke around, Xiao Lan felt relieved.

After dismissing the servants, she said, “I have a plan regarding your household transfer, Auntie…”

Xiao Ming waved her hand and went inside one of the rooms to change. When she came back, the fury on her face was completely gone. “I’ll wait until the family head, Nan Gong Siyuan, is six feet under. Then, my son will inherit the title of Duke of Liangzhou by succession. If I transfer out now, wouldn’t that just benefit others?”

She walked over to Xiao Lan with a sly glint in her eye. “That was all an act earlier.” But she later continued, “If you remain childless for too long, it will satisfy the ‘Seven Grounds for Divorce,’ specifically the lack of an heir. Even your uncle wouldn’t be able to stop your husband from taking a concubine.”

However, Xiao Ming’s scheme wasn’t for her own benefit. “The Emperor refused my request to transfer my household register. He claims it’s to maintain the stability of the kingdom and to placate the Nan Gong clan in Liangzhou. However, he has no such reason to deny your divorce.”

She leaned close to Xiao Lan’s ear. “Today’s little act was to prepare for the day when the fire spreads throughout the court. He certainly wouldn’t want to be accused of neglecting the late Emperor’s last descendant.”

Such meticulous calculation, even at the risk of sowing discord with her uncle, made Xiao Lan tightly embrace Xiao Ming and refuse to let go.

—

In the study of the Yao Guang Palace, Wei Jin was bent over his desk, writing swiftly on a scroll of paper. Suddenly, a dull thud came from outside the room and Han Li, who was ever vigilant, drew his sword to protect his master.

Wei Jin paused his writing and gestured for Han Li to sheathe his sword. “It’s probably just that foolish hawk,” he said calmly.

Embarrassed, Han Li sheathed his sword and went to look for it.

The clumsy hawk was surprisingly intuitive and had never failed to deliver a message. However, it wasn’t the steadiest flyer and often caused amusing disturbances whenever it landed.

Moments later, Wei Jin heard footsteps and looked up to see Han Li stopping outside the study, wearing a somewhat perplexed expression. “Young Master, it fell into the latrine.”

“…”

“But I got the letter…” Han Li held it by the corner, looking unsure.

Wei Jin turned his gaze away in disgust. “Read it.”

“The letter only has four characters: Nan Gong Si Yuan.”

Upon hearing this, a murderous glint flashed across Wei Jin’s eyes. “Send a message to the people in Liangzhou to keep a close eye on him. He was once part of my maternal grandfather’s faction. If necessary, those shadow guards may stage an operation to rattle the snake.”

“Understood.”

—

After that, Xiao Lan and Wei Jin went back to their usual, uneventful routine of maintaining the facade of a couple who were harmonious on the surface but distant at heart. Wei Jin often wrote at the desk situated in the outer room of their sleeping chambers, and occasionally, when Xiao Lan passed by, she would glance at his writings, which were mostly Mid-Autumn Festival poems.

And at night, Wei Jin continued to sleep in the study. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to share a bed with his wife but it was Xiao Lan who forbade it. She wanted to see how long he could keep his secrets.

—

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Emperor held a banquet at the Ling Xiao Pavilion.

The full moon hung in the sky like a jade disc, turning the ink-black sky a shade of faint blue. Lanterns were lit high, and red candles flickered, casting shadows throughout the pavilion. The pavilion was filled with guests and the sound of chatter and music created a lively atmosphere.

The Ling Xiao Pavilion was a circular building, with the innermost row of seats near the dance stage occupied by the Emperor, Empress, and the royal family. High-ranking officials sat in the second row, highlighting the distinction between sovereign and ministers.

Xiao Ming was seated to the Empress’ right, next to Xiao Lan.

“Why are you wearing that mask?” Xiao Ming asked curiously. The mask covered the upper half of Xiao Lan’s face, accentuating her delicate nose and small plump lips, giving her a mysterious allure.

“I didn’t put on makeup.” Xiao Lan wasn’t fond of such occasions. Besides, everyone already assumed she had been disfigured, so wearing a mask saved her from the tiresome act of socializing.

The wives of officials mostly chatted with the women of the harem or other princesses, leaving Xiao Lan’s area relatively quiet. Occasionally, curious and sympathetic glances were cast her way, hidden behind laughter and conversation.

Xiao Lan had once been the most beautiful woman in the capital, married to the kingdom’s young and promising war hero. Many had envied and been jealous of her. But after her disfigurement before the wedding, she became the subject of ridicule and misfortune. Seeing her now with a mask, malice turned into pity, which was equally mixed with glee. Thinking of this, Xiao Ming felt the urge to take off Xiao Lan’s mask.

“Oh, that must be the eldest son of the Wei Marquis family! He seems much better now. The second son has become the Prince Consort; I wonder when the elder brother will get married?”

This remark drew everyone’s attention to the ministers present.

Under the warm glow of the lanterns, two figures walked one after the other along the red corridor. The one in front was Wei family’s eldest son, and behind him was Xiao Lan’s Prince Consort.

“The eldest son is so talented and refined, while the second son excels in martial arts. The Marchioness of Wei is truly blessed to have two such accomplished sons, one scholarly and one skilled in martial arts. It’s truly enviable.”

Madam Wen Yan of the Wei Marquis Family had a kind smile on her face as she shook her head modestly. “We are fortunate to have the Emperor’s favor. These two have certainly given me my fair share of worries.”

The ladies around her laughed along in agreement.

Xiao Lan raised an eyebrow. Worrying about the eldest son was one thing, but the Prince Consort was another matter entirely. As the saying goes, every family has its own difficult rules to recite. Wen Yan treated the Prince Consort more like a stepmother would!

The Prince Consort looked dignified and composed, his black silk robe accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist. As he walked, candlelight danced around his figure, making his tall form stand out in the crowd.

The eldest brother in front of him was of a similar height and bore some resemblance. It was said that the two looked even more alike when they were younger, to the point where even Wen Yan would mistake one for the other.

But the eldest son’s bearing and grace fell far short of the Prince Consort’s.

Perhaps it was because he was weak!

The two brothers approached the Emperor and Empress from behind and paid their respects. They then greeted the other members of the royal family.

“Greetings, Princess Lan,” the real Wei Lin said with a bow toward Xiao Lan. “My younger brother is a bit of a rough man. If he has been lacking in courtesy, I hope Your Highness will be forgiving and not hold it against him.”

Wei Jin’s eyes, which were as charming as peach blossoms, darkened slightly. Wei Lin’s words subtly implied that he had complained about Xiao Lan being difficult to get along with, clearly trying to stir up trouble.

“Elder Brother is joking,” Xiao Lan replied without much thought. However, she disliked others describing the Prince Consort as a “rough man.”

The mask hid the displeasure on her face well. “Although the Prince Consort is a military man, his literary accomplishments are not lacking, and he has always been thoughtful towards me.”

This statement directly contradicted Wei Lin’s words. He raised his eyebrows in obvious disbelief, casting a look at Wei Jin that seemed to say, “You’re just deceiving yourself.”

The music in the dance hall soon came to an end, and Emperor Xiao Heng raised his cup in a toast, proclaiming, “At this Mid-Autumn family banquet, I raise my cup with all of you to celebrate the moon and wish for our great Qi to flourish for thousands of years, year after year, as the moon shines brightly upon it.”

Everyone echoed the sentiment respectfully.

Xiao Heng, now forty-three years old, bore a slight resemblance to Xiao Lan’s father on his eyebrows. Being more scholarly than the late Emperor, he didn’t possess the same robust build but instead had a more refined appearance.

“Lord Wei,” the Emperor addressed Wei Lin, “why don’t you start us off with a drinking poem.”

Wei Lin was highly accomplished in literary arts and the legitimate son of a heroic family, making him the perfect choice to begin the drinking game. The Emperor had his own ulterior motives, hoping to match Wei Lin with a suitable marriage prospect.

Thinking of this, Xiao Lan glanced at Xiao Yin, who was looking at the Prince Consort instead. Xiao Lan then turned her gaze toward the Prince Consort. Their eyes met, but she quickly looked away, feeling somewhat awkward.

Wei Lin slowly closed his eyes and, after a moment of thought, began to recite with a swaying cadence:

“Ten thousand miles away, the fragrance of osmanthus fills the air,
A full moon shines bright, lighting up the grand hall.
Across the world, we celebrate this night of reunion,
In the mortal realm, the moon seals our joy.”

“Excellent!” The crowd cheered and clapped since the wine being served at the banquet was called “Phoenix Osmanthus Wine.”

“Young Marquis Wei is so talented for someone so young, with a literary brilliance that is truly exceptional!” praised the Assistant Director of the Ministry of Personnel, who had mentored the top scholar of last year.

In his heart, he considered the student and the young marquis to be on par with each other. It was a pity that the young Marquis wasn’t physically robust enough to take the imperial exams, but fortunately, he could still serve the court through his inherited title.

“Elder Brother truly has an outstanding talent!”

“Does Madam Wei have a suitable young lady in mind?”

While officials in charge of literary examinations sang praises, the women had already taken a liking to him. The ladies sitting near Wen Yan couldn’t wait to propose their daughters for marriage, eager for the chance to become related to the royal family through the Wei household.

As the women busied themselves making plans, the civil officials took turns reciting drinking poems.

Xiao Lan watched the Prince Consort for a long while, but he remained silent, eating and drinking as if he were oblivious to everything around him. Clearly, he should have felt her gaze on him.

Xiao Ming nudged her with an elbow and whispered with a teasing glint in her eyes, “Haven’t you had enough of looking at him at the estate?”

Although the Wei family’s eldest son’s poetry was indeed exceptional, she thought it was not as good as the brief poem written by the one who secretly admired Xiao Lan. The short verses carried genuine emotion, a sense of purity and elegance, and a unique loyalty.