Chapter 9: The Pressure of Reputation

What emperor wouldn't mind being called old?

Sitting atop the throne, the ultimate wielder of power, he longed more than anyone to remain youthful and vibrant, to live a hundred years. Having served as the Crown Prince for nearly forty years while the Retired Emperor refused to step down, he had finally ascended the throne only two years ago after the old man fell ill.

In just the second year of his reign, hearing Prince Jin remark that he had developed wrinkles on his face was truly a stinging blow to his pride. This was precisely why he disliked this younger brother; he had grown to detest him more with every passing year.

"I am twenty years older than you, A-Yue. Naturally, I am a bit more mature," the Emperor said, trying to save face.

His concubines all claimed he looked very young, like a man in his early thirties, and he was still quite vigorous in the dragon bed. Hmph, he absolutely could not let Prince Jin undermine his confidence the moment they met; he had to hold his ground.

"Hmm, Imperial Brother is approaching fifty," Prince Jin replied naturally.

The Emperor nearly wept.

"A-Yue, come in, let us have a good chat. Where have you been all these years? Any interesting stories? I am buried in state affairs and can barely take a step out of this palace. Thinking about it, I quite envy your freedom and ease," the Emperor said, ushering him into the Imperial Study.

As he stepped over the threshold, Prince Jin said in a calm tone, "Imperial Brother, let us set aside the small talk for now. First, grant me a marriage decree."

"Pfft!"

The Emperor stumbled, nearly tripping over the threshold. The eunuch attendants were startled and hurried over to support him. "Your Majesty!"

As the Emperor steadied himself, Prince Jin walked in, hands behind his back, looking composed and calm as he scanned the study.

"A-Yue, what did you just say? I must have misheard. You want a marriage decree?"

"Yes, Imperial Brother heard correctly."

"Did you not write to the Retired Emperor saying you were out wandering the mountains and rivers, and that not even a female mosquito would dare approach you?"

That was what the Retired Emperor had claimed. The old man had always worried that his youngest son would never marry and would live out his days in solitude.

An image of Lu Zhaoning’s pretty face surfaced in Prince Jin’s mind, and he curled his lips. "That is true. Who would have guessed there was a little fox waiting in the capital?"

She had been quite fierce in her pursuit. He was a man who kept his word, and having agreed to a partnership, he would not renege.

"A little fox?" The Emperor was no fool; hearing this, he knew it referred to the woman for whom the decree was requested. "Which family's daughter is she?"

Just as Prince Jin was about to speak, a palace servant announced from outside, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived!"

"Mother is here?" The Emperor stood up. "She must have heard you returned and is overjoyed."

Prince Jin’s eyes dimmed slightly.

The Empress Dowager entered with Shen Xiangjun, her gaze landing immediately on Prince Jin. The last time she had seen him, he was still a teenager. Now, the Prince Jin before her was a tall, composed, and noble man. Standing beside the Emperor, he was a full head taller, and his deep purple brocade robe radiated such an aura of nobility that it made the Emperor, dressed in his dragon robes, look somewhat greasy and petty by comparison.

How infuriating!

"I heard the magpies chirping this morning; truly, it was a sign of good news—Prince Jin has returned!" The Empress Dowager looked at him, dabbing the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief, her voice choked with emotion. "Just a few days ago, I dreamt of you. I woke up in a fright and have been unable to eat for worrying. Now that I see you safe and sound, my heart is at ease."

Was she implying she had dreamt of him meeting with disaster? The Empress Dowager was the same as ever, seizing every opportunity to curse him while maintaining an impeccable facade of being thrilled and relieved by his return.

"Your Majesty need not worry; I am doing well and will not let you fret," Prince Jin replied.

After bowing, Shen Xiangjun stood to the side, her eyes reddening as she looked at him. Prince Jin was so dazzling and handsome! His brows, his features—every detail was exactly to her liking.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager had forgotten her the moment she saw Prince Jin, Shen Xiangjun stepped forward, bowed gracefully, and spoke in a soft voice. "Shen Xiangjun greets Prince Jin."

The Empress Dowager finally remembered her presence. Her spirit lifted, and she immediately said, "Prince Jin remembers Xiangjun, surely? Prime Minister Shen’s daughter. You two were childhood sweethearts growing up."

Prince Jin’s gaze fell indifferently upon Shen Xiangjun’s face.

The Emperor looked from the Empress Dowager to Shen Xiangjun and understood. It was no secret to him that the Shen family daughter had long admired Prince Jin.

"I see it now. You both entered the palace at the same time—for the same reason, aren't you?" The Emperor chuckled teasingly. "Mother, A-Yue was just about to ask me for a marriage decree."

The Empress Dowager and Shen Xiangjun were both startled, looking at Prince Jin in shock.

"A marriage decree?" Shen Xiangjun felt a surge of alarm. She dared not assume that the first thing Prince Jin would do upon returning to the capital was to request her hand. But if it wasn't her, who could it be? She had kept people watching for news of him all these years; it was said he had no woman by his side.

"Seeing the Prime Minister’s daughter now, I recall that Master Yuanzhen once divined A-Yue’s marriage prospects and calculated the birth date of his fated wife. That date... it was yours, wasn't it?" the Emperor asked Shen Xiangjun.

Indeed, because of that incident, even the Retired Emperor and the Shen family had tacitly assumed that Prince Jin and Shen Xiangjun were a match made in heaven. Otherwise, the Prime Minister would never have kept his daughter unmarried until the age of sixteen.

"Replying to Your Majesty, it was indeed my birth date that Master Yuanzhen spoke of. I place myself entirely in your hands, Your Majesty."

Shen Xiangjun knelt decisively, pressing her hands to the floor and bowing her head, presenting the posture of one waiting for a royal decree. She felt a sudden, intense panic—as if the marriage she had been waiting for was about to slip away. Regardless of her dignity, she had to secure the imperial decree first.

"Shen Xiangjun used to follow Prince Jin around calling him 'Brother Shiyue' when they were little," the Empress Dowager laughed, covering her mouth. "She has waited for his return all these years; her sincerity is precious. Your Majesty, you must fulfill this union."

"Haha, I agree. A-Yue is not young anymore, and this matter should not be delayed. I shall grant the decree now..."

Prince Jin’s expression was cold.

"The person I intend to marry is someone else."

Shen Xiangjun’s body trembled, her mind buzzing.

"Prince Jin, six months ago, the Retired Emperor himself promised to let me enter the Prince Jin residence." She lifted her head, a string of tears rolling down. "If you do not believe me, you may ask His Retired Majesty."

Prince Jin furrowed his brows.

The Empress Dowager smiled inwardly. "How could I have forgotten? It is true. At the time, the Retired Emperor fainted at the ancestral temple, and Shen Xiangjun happened to save him. When he awoke, he said the girl had a kind and pure face, a person of great fortune, and insisted on betrothing her to you."

That was exactly the kind of thing the Retired Emperor would do.

"After returning home, I informed my father and mother, but I did not know there were guests present who overheard it. It has already spread throughout the city," Shen Xiangjun said, fresh tears falling. "If this ends as a joke, I fear I will have no face to step out in the capital."