Taking the Princess as My Wife - Chapter 1

“My future Imperial Consort-to-be is quite good-looking.”

It is said that there are three great joys in life: passing the imperial examinations, the wedding night, and meeting an old friend in a distant land.

Liu Ruheng had recently encountered one and a half of these, yet she could not bring herself to smile. Her home was decorated with lanterns and colored banners everywhere, but she and her mother were both hollow-eyed with despair.

Three days ago, after she was named the Tanhua (the third-ranked scholar) by His Majesty, the imperial decree for a marriage alliance arrived alongside the honor. The person she was betrothed to was Princess Huaqing, a woman long notorious in the capital for her ill repute.

On the second day after the decree, Princess Huaqing sent her personal attendant with an invitation, asking Liu Ruheng to accompany her to Sanbao Temple to offer incense, pray for blessings, and partake in vegetarian cuisine.

At the third mark of the Tiger hour (approx. 4:45 AM), before the sky had brightened and the morning mist swirled in the air—even before the night watchman’s clapper sounded through the streets—the lamps in the Liu household were quietly lit.

In the main room, Mother Liu used a handkerchief to gently wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes; her rims were red, having already endured a long bout of weeping.

“I should never have let my heart be blinded back then, letting you, a perfectly fine girl, take your brother’s name to go out and study!”

“Mother, do not trouble your spirit over this matter anymore.” Liu Ruheng tightened her grip on her teacup, feigning a breeze-like indifference. “If I hadn’t taken Brother’s name, I’m afraid those people would have devoured me until not even the bones remained.”

“It is getting late now. I will go back to my room to change my clothes.”

Liu Ruheng was seventeen this year, and her stature was taller than that of average men. As Mother Liu watched her back—upright like a pine or cypress—the tears in her eyes broke through their dams once more.

Liu Ruheng changed out of her old clothes and meticulously checked her disguise. Once confirmed that there were no flaws, she picked up a lantern and headed toward the main gate.

Before long, the sound of hooves echoed, and a blue-topped carriage slowly rolled down the long street, stopping in front of Liu Ruheng.

The carriage was crude, with only a tiny window on the side for ventilation. Liu Ruheng shifted through several positions before she could make herself less uncomfortable. Just before she felt she might fall apart from the jolting, she secretly resolved that she must own a carriage of her own in the future.

Around the hour of the Dragon (approx. 7:00 AM), the sky was faintly dawning, a perfect time to ascend the mountain. After paying the carriage fare, Liu Ruheng headed toward the stone steps leading to Sanbao Temple.

Sanbao Temple was located in the suburbs of the capital and was long-renowned in the region. It was said that there was a high monk in the temple who was extremely skilled at reading fates.

Although it was already summer, the biting cold wind on the mountain caused Liu Ruheng to shiver. She wrapped her clothes tighter and silently quickened her pace.

As she neared the temple gates, a rich fragrance wafted toward her. After taking a few deep breaths, Liu Ruheng felt as if she had come back to life.

Following the scent for a few steps, Liu Ruheng’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of a sky-blue skirt fluttering behind a tree. She paused, casting a slightly regretful glance at the gardenias blooming beautifully nearby.

It was still early, and there were few people inside the temple. As soon as Liu Ruheng entered, a young novice monk sitting on a small stool rose to greet her.

The little monk pressed his palms together, bowed to Liu Ruheng, and said in a clear voice with bright eyes, “Is this benefactor named Liu Ruheng?”

Liu Ruheng nodded slightly and returned the bow, puzzled. “How did the Little Master know it was me?”

“Benefactor need not be formal. A noble guest instructed me to wait here, saying that if I saw a handsome and solitary young gentleman, I should step forward to inquire.”

The little monk’s deadpan expression was truly adorable. Liu Ruheng ultimately suppressed the urge to rub his bald little head and said with a suppressed smile, “Then please, Little Master, lead the way.”

The little monk looked slightly conflicted. “Please, Benefactor Liu, follow this humble monk for a stroll first. That noble guest said she would return at the Sishi hour (9:00 AM) to enjoy the temple’s vegetarian meal with you.”

Liu Ruheng was already burdened by the prospect of meeting the Princess; hearing she could see her later allowed her to heave a sigh of relief.

As she was led to the Main Hall, there were very few pilgrims outside, only a few guards standing aside who looked over at her.

Liu Ruheng halted her steps, her brow furrowing slightly.

These men had sabers at their waists and their torsos looked bulky as if they were wearing leather armor; they were likely the guards or retainers of some powerful official.

“Benefactor, why have you stopped?”

Liu Ruheng gave the little monk an apologetic smile. Turning her gaze toward the Main Hall, she remarked with feigned sentiment, “I felt a sudden moment of dizziness just now, but seeing the magnificent pagodas and the towering halls of the temple, I simply felt the scenery was exceptionally beautiful.”

Though it was an excuse to fool the little monk, Liu Ruheng’s words were sincere. As a famous ancient monastery near the capital, Sanbao Temple’s architecture was impressive, and with the sun rising in the east, the mist made the halls look even more majestic.

Hearing Liu Ruheng’s praise, the little monk felt a secret pride. The corners of his mouth twitched upward, and he coughed twice before saying, “If the Benefactor is interested, you may visit often in the future.”

With that, the little monk led Liu Ruheng into the hall. Inside, a sickly-looking middle-aged man was talking to a gaunt monk. Liu Ruheng recognized the sickly man at a glance as the Left Prime Minister of the current dynasty. He had been one of the examiners for this imperial civil service exam; by both etiquette and reason, Liu Ruheng ought to pay her respects.

After speaking with the little monk, Liu Ruheng stepped forward. “Junior Liu Ruheng greets Your Excellency.”

The Left Prime Minister’s face was deathly pale, with a faint hint of green. He recognized this young man as the newly appointed Tanhua. After forcing himself to muster enough spirit to test her with a few questions, he suddenly broke into a fit of coughing. The servant beside him looked panicked and wanted to call for help, but was stopped by the Prime Minister.

He untied a sachet from his waist and handed it to Liu Ruheng, saying with some effort, “You are a good one. In the future, do not forget your original intention, and you will reach a consistent end.”

Having said that, he fell into another violent coughing fit. The servant, face full of worry, supported the Prime Minister as they walked out, casting a very swift glance at the guards outside.

Liu Ruheng took the sachet the Prime Minister had given her and solemnly tied it to her waist, bidding him farewell.

The Left Prime Minister was well-known for his virtue. Years ago, when corrupt officials embezzled funds for dam repairs leading to a breach, it was this Prime Minister who cared for the people and single-handedly took on the responsibility of flood control, saving the populace from disaster.

Suddenly, the gaunt monk who had been talking to the Prime Minister spoke: “Does the Benefactor have something on your mind? Why not draw a fortune stick?”

Liu Ruheng was startled; the monk had actually read her correctly. She had intended to seek a fortune anyway, so she agreed.

After finishing her silent prayer, Liu Ruheng took the cylinder from the monk. By chance, a single stick fell out right into her hand.

The gaunt monk quickly picked up the stick. After studying it for a moment, he gave a subtle smile. “Benefactor has a ‘happy event’ approaching. This monk congratulates you in advance.”

Liu Ruheng let out a dry smile. She hadn’t even seen what was written on the stick, but in the eyes of ordinary people, she was indeed “approaching a happy event.”

But before she could respond, the gaunt monk continued on his own: “Rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, the wedding night, and the name on the gold list… the stick is a good one, but the matters troubling the Benefactor are extraordinary. You must wait with patience.”

“I ask the Master to point the way for me,” Liu Ruheng pressed her palms together, her gaze sincere.

The gaunt monk, however, smiled and walked toward the exit. As he left, he gently shook the cylinder, the bamboo sticks clinking crisply. It wasn’t until he reached the hall’s entrance that he said leisurely, “Do not forget your original intention, and you will reach a consistent end.”

These were the same words the Left Prime Minister had just spoken.

Liu Ruheng lowered her gaze. She was too greedy; she wanted her family’s safety, and she wanted her own.

The little monk took Liu Ruheng for another round through the temple. As the Sishi hour approached, he brought her to the outside of a guest wing and departed.

Liu Ruheng tidied her slightly disheveled collar. She stood outside the room, too nervous to knock. Only when the bell for the Sishi hour rang did she summon the courage to knock on the door.

Upon entering, Liu Ruheng kept her head bowed, not daring to look clearly at Princess Huaqing’s appearance. She performed a deep, crisp salutation and said, “This humble subject, Liu Ruheng, pays respects to the Princess.”

After a long silence, Princess Huaqing finally spoke to her maids: “You all go out first. This Palace wishes to speak with the Consort alone.”

“Princess, this is against etiquette. Her Highness the Empress said before that you…”

The sound of shattering porcelain exploded at Liu Ruheng’s feet. She moved inward imperceptibly, not daring to make another sound.

The Princess’s notorious reputation seemed to be half-proven.

“Go out and receive your punishment yourselves.”

No one else dared to advise her. When the room became so quiet that a needle drop could be heard, Liu Ruheng felt the light dim—the Princess had walked up to her.

A slender, delicate hand tilted Liu Ruheng’s chin upward. For the first time, she saw the true face of this rumored frivolous and willful princess.

“My future Imperial Consort-to-be is quite good-looking. Give me a smile.”

Liu Ruheng stared blankly at the Princess. For a moment, she didn’t know whether she should flatter the Princess or hold onto her integrity until death.

Before Liu Ruheng could decide, Princess Huaqing let go and turned toward the table full of delicacies.

“Get up. Accompany this Palace for a meal.”

Perhaps because she was at a temple for worship, the Princess was not dressed flamboyantly. Her sky-blue dress and pearl earrings made her look exceptionally refreshing.

“Why aren’t you sitting?”

Princess Huaqing sat at the head of the table, her fox-like eyes looking at Liu Ruheng with a half-smile, her lips as red as a monster that devours people.

Liu Ruheng nodded in agreement. After thanking the Princess, she began to taste the vegetarian food of Sanbao Temple with the mindset of eating her final meal.

Princess Huaqing was not one to talk while eating, and Liu Ruheng did not dare to speak. Consequently, the meal was exceptionally quiet.

By the end of the meal, Princess Huaqing was watching Liu Ruheng eat with great interest. As the dishes were nearly finished, Princess Huaqing propped her chin on her hand and teased, “The Consort has a quite an appetite.”

Liu Ruheng put down her chopsticks, her face pale. Her hand hidden under her sleeve was trembling slightly. She gave a forced smile. “To be able to dine with the Princess is this humble subject’s fortune.”

Liu Ruheng’s heart hammered like a drum. She and her mother had discussed this morning: if she could not return alive tonight, her mother would take all their belongings and leave the capital, simply erecting a cenotaph for her in the future.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Ruheng knelt straight down before the Princess. “Princess, your subject has a matter that needs to—”

Before Liu Ruheng could finish, the sound of chaotic footsteps erupted outside. With a bang, the door to the guest room was violently kicked open. A guard in soft armor shouted loudly:

“The Left Prime Minister has been assassinated! Everyone inside, come out!”

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