The document is clear to the world

Chapter 37

The Empress opened her eyes, but didn't look at me. She said softly, "You... kneel..."

Silence. A sudden silence. It made my breath catch in my chest.

I stopped speaking. I also stopped moving.

The Empress sighed softly. "I heard you arranged a marriage for the seventh prince."

"Yes," I said, smiling at her, but I saw my own smile reflected in her eyes, even more pale than her own.

Her aunt's voice was hoarse and filled with grief, completely devoid of her usual composure. "I'm asking you, how long have you been married into this family?"

"Six months."

"Is there any news about your health?"

"No."

The Empress smiled bitterly and shook her head. "Have you... consummated your marriage?!"

I was taken aback, then lowered my head. "No."

"Have you already planned how you'll spend the rest of your life?"

"My niece doesn't know."

Whose daughter is that?

"The only daughter of Grand Tutor Qin".

The Empress struggled a few times, then gave me a pitiful look. "You...you knew everything?"

"Yes." My chest tightened, as if an invisible hand was gripping it and pulling me down.

He let out another long sigh, and closed his eyes slightly. "You still have a large family to take care of. You may leave now."

“Auntie.” I knelt down and took a few steps forward. “Please don’t do this. If you scold me, you will be disappointed. I know it’s because I’m not good enough and have upset you. Just scold me once, just once.”

"Princess Ning is virtuous and chaste; there is no reason to scold her."

My aunt's words were like ice water poured over me. My proud and aloof aunt, who had placed so much hope in me, had been disappointed and heartbroken by me. My heart ached as if it were being torn apart into pieces.

As I descended the twenty-eight white jade steps, I looked back at the half-open gate of the Chang'an Palace, where low coughs could be heard from inside.

Tears instantly blurred my vision as I recalled the first time I met my aunt and the emperor, who had come incognito at the Prince of Huainan's residence. I remembered my aunt's bright and cheerful eyes then, but now they were etched with the marks of time and sorrow.

Quietly turning towards the Chang'an Palace, I slowly knelt down, holding back tears, and softly called out, "Auntie..."

The March wind is still chilly, ruffling the stray hairs at my temples and scattering them in the air along with my tears.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Princess Zhaozhi is virtuous and talented... and bestows marriage upon... the Seventh Prince Ningshuo, to be married on a chosen date."

This sound travels through day and night, and once again it passes by my ears on the cold wind. I gently close my eyes, and the sound lingers for a long time...

All I received from Princess Ningshuo was a prestigious title and position; nothing more.

Adorned in phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, draped in red silk canopies, and surrounded by a grand red palanquin with six phoenixes and golden tassels, accompanied by joyous music, the Prince Ning's mansion had recently hosted a magnificent wedding banquet with over a hundred tables, envied by millions. And now, another one was about to begin.

Thinking back to that wedding banquet, I calmly accepted my fate, just as I smiled in the face of his indifference. I stood alone, staring blankly at the two huge red candles burning brightly. I didn't even know what he looked like or what he said. I was just left in the bridal chamber to spend my wedding night alone.

The bridal chamber was empty, with only one's own shadow reflecting the magnificent splendor before one's eyes.

Then I suddenly understood that this was the most unforgettable dowry that the glorious aura of my family had given me... and I vaguely found the way forward...

It was that imperial edict that took me away from the Prince of Huainan's mansion, and it was also because of that imperial decree that made everyone envious of my marriage that I now stand here with an unparalleled noble status, all alone under the desolate Chang'an Palace, biting down on every bit of bitterness on my lips...

But what truly guided me step by step was the fate of my family, and the hopes of my aunt and father. That perfect wedding banquet, that blessed marriage, only they and I truly understood the hardships and bitterness within it. This is a pain that the Rong clan members, who were caught up in it without any other choice, have experienced generation after generation.

The people all said that the marriage between the powerful Rong family and the royal family was a wonderful thing for the country and its people. From the emperor and empress, the Prince of Huainan and his wife, the crown prince and Princess Zhaoming, to the Prince of Ning and Princess Zhaozhi, everything seemed so natural. On one side were the royal relatives and nobles who were revered by the world, and on the other side were powerful and prestigious families. Everyone admired and praised it as a perfect match.

Perhaps so.

A good marriage only requires that the families are compatible, not that the two people are mutually attracted.

I can find a suitable match in terms of social standing, but I can't reach the place where there is mutual affection...

Since that's the case, give him Qin Lanruo, and he'll give me a mutual love. As for me... I only need to receive what fate has given me; I don't need to crave too much...

Aunt, from this day forward, I will never let you down again. Whatever the Rong family wants... I will do my best to get it for them personally.

Guests began to arrive one after another before the beginning of the day, and the usually quiet Prince Ning's Mansion suddenly became lively.

Besides the princes and princesses who were sure to attend, who were chatting and laughing in groups, the front garden was already packed with civil and military officials who had accepted the invitations.

I had just entered the front garden when a figure came up beside me—it was Lu Xiu and Xi Wen.

"Sister-in-law, I'm late." Lu Xiu was about to bow when I grabbed him.

“Today, let’s have a lively time and not worry about formalities. Go to the front and chat and joke with your brothers.” He then turned to Xiwen, “Sister-in-law, I’ll take you to the back garden first. All of us sisters-in-law are gathered there having a good time.”

Surprised by my composure, Lu Xiu couldn't help but look up at me, only to be glared back at by me. Did this kid just want to see me make a fool of myself?

Just as I led Xiwen through the small moon gate, I saw Lu Li leading his bride through the side gate, stepping over the brazier, and heading towards the wedding hall in the front garden. I had entered through the main gate, which was only a few steps from the front garden, but entering through the side gate meant going around half a circle.

Seemingly upon seeing Lu Li, Xi Wen stopped in her tracks in a daze.

“Seventh Sister-in-law…” She gently tugged at my sleeve. “I used to see Seventh Brother leading you into the mansion like this, but back then I was only angry. But now, seeing a similar scene, only you are standing next to me, Seventh Sister-in-law… I suddenly feel that I was disrespectful to you before.”