Chapter 17: Old Debts

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The world had seen few glimpses of Princess Yongjia, yet the attention lavished upon her by both the palace and the prince’s residence was enough to confirm she was truly a favored daughter of heaven.

In truth, from childhood to now, Yuetang had indeed been showered with love and care from her uncle, aunt, father, and brothers.

Even in moments of estrangement, Yuetang understood. After all, blood is thicker than water; she had survived, whereas her second brother never even had the chance to glimpse this mortal world before passing.

Before turning six, burdened with the fate of a cursed girl destined by heaven, she always thought beyond her years.

After six, she began living in a separate residence. Though surrounded by loyal and trustworthy people, with all matters in order, she only needed to attend her studies and practice her skills. In her leisure, she would go out under the guise of a commoner, an identity given by Prince Duan, to observe the lives of the people—a seemingly leisurely and stable life, but ultimately one that required her to stand on her own and learn to grow up.

A teacher sent from the palace to educate her said that as a royal descendant, she bore an unshirkable duty to her family and country.

The plan was to take in a son-in-law; thereafter, her children could be entered into the royal genealogy. The palace was treacherous—no one could guarantee the emperor’s favor would endure forever. She needed to act while the emperor’s brotherly bond with Prince Duan was still strong, ensuring her offspring would inherit the noble title.

Prince Duan was silent for a long while, then muttered a few words about a foolish girl before leaving.

Three months later, he came to her separate residence again. The emperor’s uncle had indeed agreed to her taking in a son-in-law, and also consented that her eldest son would be recognized as Prince Duan’s heir.

Yet Prince Duan hesitated and asked which family’s son she wished to choose.

Since she had been away from officialdom and nobility since she was six, though she had heard many titles and rumors, she had never met any of these sons of great houses, leaving her no choice.

Even if she wished it, would those scions of noble families gladly become her subordinates?

Looking further down the social ladder led only to men neither she nor Prince Duan were familiar with.

Young men from ordinary families suddenly entering the wealthy prince’s household might be tempted by profit or possess the composure to withstand favor and disgrace—but Yuetang could not afford to gamble.

Nor could she risk it.

The late emperor’s many favors to Prince Duan’s household were a blessing, but also a potential curse.

For many years, countless had arrogantly paraded under the prince’s name outside, but this time, since it concerned her husband—the second master of the prince’s residence—one misstep could bring great trouble in the future.

She had long decided: “I will seek out a talented young man from among the common people, marry him as a commoner, and after our child is born, I will promise him fame and fortune, then pass on the family legacy.”

As long as the problem was solved, the means hardly mattered.

Moreover, the noble families constantly contended for power at court; marrying a commoner and passing on the family line through him was the cleanest method.

Prince Duan was once again stunned and withdrew in defeat.

Yuetang was not anxious. At this point, she knew both her father and the emperor’s uncle would agree.

During their next routine meeting, Prince Duan arrived carrying a letter in the emperor’s own hand.

The emperor instructed her to marry using the fake household registration Prince Duan had previously arranged for her.

A princess of the current dynasty was to marry a commoner and bear his child; as his uncle, the emperor could not afford to lose face.

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Yuetang smiled.

Later, she sent Wei Zhang to scout for suitable candidates.

She was just shy of sixteen.

Both her elder brothers had died, and she herself carried the burden of a cursed fate.

Though always fearless, even boldly venturing alone through dense forests with a quiver on her back during autumn hunts, she still feared the old monk’s curse might come true—that she wouldn’t live to see sixteen.

At that time, the spring imperial examinations had just ended, and many failed scholars gathered at the guild hall. Many came from humble origins, having pooled their family’s resources for the journey to the capital, but with no success, they found themselves unable to afford the trip home.

Thus, many posted notices outside the guild hall offering labor.

Wei Zhang had been staking out there for half a month when he noticed Ah Qi, who was contending with a group of frail scholars for an accounting job.

He was tall with a muscular build, clearly trained in martial arts. Yet his demeanor and manner of speech convinced others he was indeed a scholar.

Some resented his popularity and came over to challenge him. Wei Zhang blended into the crowd, scrutinizing him from head to toe, then brought him away.

In the village house where Yuetang was disguised as a fallen noblewoman, she also examined him thoroughly before questioning his background.

He said he was from the northern lands; his grandfather had held an official post but retired to settle their family in the north.

He still wished to pursue scholarly studies, so his family continued to encourage the younger generation to take imperial exams.

He showed Yuetang his travel permit.

The permit was genuine, but his background needed verification.

Yuetang first kept him on the pretext of providing support.

Wei Zhang then took several guards to Ah Qi’s hometown. The information they gathered matched his story perfectly; the permit was an official document, and they even located his ancestral grave.

This was excellent.

The farther from the capital, the better.

Yuetang was always decisive.

She asked, “Ah Qi, are you betrothed to anyone?”

He said no.

Yuetang said again, “You are handsome and talented. I have taken a liking to you. Why not stay and become my son-in-law? I have three hundred acres; you can manage the estate, and I will obey you in all things.”

He refused.

He refused with such intensity it was as if his life depended on it.

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Yuetang pondered long and hard and still believed he was perfect as the father of her child—in physique, appearance, temperament, and character.

She tried persuading him once more.

This time, she drove him away.

Yuetang gave up and went to find someone else.

Then he returned.

He paced back and forth in front of her seven or eight times, clutching his muscular arms, then grit his teeth and said, “I will marry you, but since we don’t know each other well, I need to stay and spend some time with you first.”

If the pawnshop owner in town hadn’t been one of Yuetang’s retainers, she might have believed him.

The pawnshop reported that he had pawned his longevity lock.

So it wasn’t a change of heart; he was simply seeking a place to stay.

He had ulterior motives, which ironically eased Yuetang’s burden.

She then chose the nearest auspicious day and arranged the wedding ceremony herself. Except for drinking a cup of wine before entering the bridal chamber, he took no part in the preparations.

In bed, she whispered gently into his ear, “Don’t be afraid. Once I give birth to a healthy and handsome son like you, I will let you go.”

That night, Yuetang believed she followed the proper steps and was as gentle as possible.

Yet the next day at noon, he fled through a broken window in a drunken stupor.

The following month, Yuetang discovered she was pregnant.

Eight months later, as Yuetang lay resting and strolling in her separate residence to nurture her pregnancy, Wei Zhang suddenly reported that her husband had returned…

Yuetang changed clothes and makeup and went back to the village house.

Fortunately, the village house was where her shadow guards usually stayed, serving as a cover for her; all signs of life were already in place, leaving no gaps.

He arrived bearing a pile of fox and sable furs, gold, silver, jewels, bird’s nest, and shark’s fin. He stared at her large belly in stunned silence for a long time.

Yuetang rubbed her belly and called out, “Husband.” Only then did he draw breath and come to his senses.

Yuetang asked why he had come back.

He hesitated, then scowled and said there was something important to discuss, but since she was about to give birth, he would wait until afterward.