Chapter 10 Encirclement

  "It's called Zi Wei."

  "What?" I turned around and looked at Wanday Cheng standing at the door, "What did you say?"

  "That flower, the one in the courtyard, is called Zi Jin, it blooms in winter."

  I got up and walked out of the house to the front of the flowers, squatted down and looked at them carefully. The faint fragrance was subtle, the petals were very small, and the stem was very short. However, because they filled the entire flower bed, they formed a beautiful piece.

  A soft footstep sounded from behind, I stood up and turned around, it was a woman in her 40s, followed by three little girls who looked like they were 14 or 15 years old. Wang Rijian also came out of the house and stood behind me. The older woman walked up to me and bowed slightly.

  "Miss Shen, Master Wan, this is Fu Mama. This is what the Prince has prepared for you both. Xiao Yao, come here, she will be serving Miss Shen. If there's anything you need, just let her know, and don't forget to pay your respects."

  The girl called Xiaoyao hurried over and was about to kneel down, I reached out a hand to stop her, as a result Xiaoyao's face was full of fear, while Fu Ma had a smile all over her face.

  "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impermissible. Thank you for your kindness to me, a humble subject. I appreciate your intention, but as someone who has committed a crime, I am not worthy of such treatment. The fact that Your Majesty has not thrown me into prison is already a great act of mercy."

  "Alright, since you insist on it, these are the necessities for food and lodging. Please accept them." After saying that, she waved her hand and the three little maidservants handed over the things in their hands and then they quickly left the courtyard.

  Turning to face Wan Ri Cheng, I wanted to ask him why he said I was the daughter of Lord Xiang earlier, but didn't know where to start, and now this courtyard must be being monitored by someone, having watched too many TV dramas, some experiences can still be learned.

  A gust of cold wind blew by, and I shrank my neck, then entered the house. Mannichi also followed in. I sat on the couch, he took out a small bottle from his bosom and placed it on the low table beside the couch, then went to the west room. I picked up the small bottle, opened it, and found that it was the Baicao that I had used before when I was injured, which is a good medicine for treating wounds, promoting blood circulation and removing stasis.

  For three consecutive days, I lived in the east wing and Wang Richen in the west wing. It was quite comfortable. Fu Ma came over every day with a gust of wind, mainly to deliver food. Wang Richen was very stubborn, no matter how I persuaded him, he refused to eat at the same table as me. Later, I couldn't persuade him anymore, so I let it be.

  I occasionally go out to bask in the sun, and rarely meet Wan Ri Cheng also coming out. We don't speak to each other, I just stare blankly, he thinks about his own affairs, that's my guess. But there is one thing that makes me very worried, that day I gave the jade to Jing Ming Wang to prove myself, but he still hasn't returned it to me. Won't he return it? But I don't dare to ask for it back, this is really a headache problem.

  On the fourth day, Wan Rixian was called away by King Jingming and didn't return until evening. I wonder if he's been killed! On the fifth, sixth, and seventh days, he still hadn't returned. I asked Fu Ma where Wan Rixian had gone, but she only responded to questions about daily life and pretended not to hear anything else.

  Time flies, and more than a month has passed, but Wan Rijian still hasn't returned. The King of Jingming has never entered this courtyard from start to finish, nor has he allowed anyone to pass on even a word or phrase. As for Sima Nan, since I was brought into the palace, he has not appeared again.

  What's the point of pacing back and forth in the yard, but the annoyance in my heart can't be dispelled. I tried to walk out of the gate several times, but before I reached the entrance, two strong men appeared, blocking my way.

  She turned to the flowerbed, this purple flower swayed brightly in the cold wind. Although it was already deep winter, it still stood upright. She stepped on it and trampled it down, watching as one by one they fell over. Her heart felt reluctant, but this bellyful of anger and resentment finally found release. Indeed, her mood relaxed a lot. Stretching her waist, yawning, she felt sleepy, might as well take a nap.

  I don't know how long I slept, but when I woke up it was already dark outside. The lamp in the room had been lit, so Fu's mother must have come by. There was a basket of food on the table, which I took out and ate, although it was a bit cold. Never mind, I thought, and hastily finished eating, then tossed the basket aside without bothering to clean up - someone would surely come to take care of it later.

  Sigh, what's good to do now? It's freezing outside. Forget it, I'll just keep sleeping. Anyway, I've already gained weight, so I'm not afraid of getting even fatter.

  "Miss... Miss... wake up... wake up... thank goodness you're finally awake."

  "Mother Fu? Is there something wrong? What time is it now?"

  "Princess, get up quickly, the king is waiting for you!"

  "Fu Ma, what did you call me?"

  "Your Ladyship!"

  "County master? No way..."

  "Princess, get up quickly, dress properly and go to the front hall to receive the imperial edict."

  "Imperial Decree?"

  "Yes, yes, hurry up and get up, Prince Wang and the others are all waiting for you!"

  When I stood up, there were six people in the house, including Fu's mother. She was directing from the side, while the other five maids were busy transforming me from head to toe. These five maids were really capable and transformed me into a new person within ten minutes or so. When I looked at myself in the copper mirror, I couldn't recognize myself.

  What on earth has happened that made Fu's mother change her tone towards me? These days, I've been communicating with her in a humble and respectful manner, but now she's being so unreasonable.

  Led by Fu Mama, I turned left and right, finally arriving at a large courtyard. As I stepped over the moon gate, I stopped in my tracks, really not knowing what to do. The whole courtyard was full of people, although my eyesight couldn't clearly see the people in the courtyard, but based on intuition, it felt like everyone's gaze was directed at me.

  I was hesitating whether to take a step or stay still, when Fu Mama pulled me and indicated for me to continue walking. I took a step forward, but didn't walk as fast as before. Slowly moving forward, I narrowed my eyes to search for the master's trail. After all, on this occasion, I had to pay respects and whatnot.

  Suddenly, I saw a figure walking towards me. I narrowed my eyes and it was the person I was looking for. I prepared to pay respects, but he pulled me over and dragged me closer to the crowd in front. Then, he made me kneel down, followed by others kneeling down as well. At this moment, someone stood up beside me - it was Vice General Lin who had escorted us here that day. He held a folded document in his hand, an imperial edict!

  "Changlong Changxing, the Emperor has decreed that Grand Minister Shen Heshan has made great contributions to the protection of the country and is promoted to Duke of Protection. His wife, Ye Qiuyan, is conferred as Madame Ye Gui. Their daughter, Princess Qinghe Shen Liu, is additionally conferred as Princess Wanyu. Furthermore, the Grand Minister's eldest daughter, Shen Yinyue, is conferred as Princess Huayue. Now that Princess Huayue has reached marriageable age, among all the princes, King Jingming Wu Qingsu is young and talented, with a handsome appearance, and his principal wife position is vacant. It is decreed that he is a heavenly match for Princess Huayue. Permission is granted for King Jingming Wu Qingsu to marry Princess Huayue Shen Yinyue as his principal wife. The grand wedding ceremony will take place five days later, and the whole nation will celebrate for three days. All taxes will be reduced by half within six months. This decree is effective immediately. King Jingming and Princess Huayue, come forth to receive the decree!"