The Prince's Forgotten Wife: A Merchant's Independence

I had just learned that my husband was the current Fifth Prince, his innocence restored, and he would return to the capital immediately.

The one who came to retrieve him was his fiancée, the daughter of the Duke's Mansion.

"Xitang, only those registered in the Imperial Clan Registry can be princess consorts. Our marital status doesn't count."

"Yuer has waited for me for two years. She's already being quite generous by offering you the position of noble concubine."

He told me to pack my things and follow him back to the capital in a few days.

I didn't want to go to the capital.

He grew impatient: "Without me, where else could you go?"

He didn't know.

Besides the capital, I had other places to go.

Father had sent me a border pass—I could travel to the Western Regions for trade, from then on the sky would be vast and the sea open, and we would part ways.

Chapter 1

I was carrying steamed cakes home when Xie Jiuxiao pushed open the door and stepped out.

The once-faded blue-green clothes had been replaced with fine brocade and elegant garments, his hair tied up with a jade crown, exuding an indescribable air of proud nobility.

I had just learned that he was the current Fifth Prince, his innocence restored, and by imperial decree, he was being summoned back to the capital.

The one who came to retrieve him was his fiancée in the capital.

I had never known.

Sang Yu stood behind him, beautiful and dignified, with tears glistening in her eyes.

Xie Jiuxiao stepped forward, his voice cold and detached:

"Xitang, only those registered in the Imperial Clan Registry can be princess consorts. Our marital status doesn't count."

"Yuer has waited for me for two years. She's already being quite generous by offering you the position of noble concubine."

"You pack your things and follow me back to the capital in a few days."

My gaze fell on their intertwined fingers.

He was afraid of wronging Sang Yu, eager to display their relationship before others.

His deep affection for Sang Yu, their mutual love.

Such tenderness and sweetness had never been shown to me.

He turned his head, concealing the gentle light in his eyes. When he looked at me, his eyes were icy cold, like early spring ice that refused to melt.

I remained silent for a long time before asking again: "We're not husband and wife?"

His eyes flickered, his lips moved slightly, and after a long moment, he finally uttered two words: "Doesn't count."

I nodded slowly and asked again: "Can I not go to the capital?"

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly, some impatience in his voice as he said:

"Don't make trouble. You're a merchant's daughter. Being able to become a prince's noble concubine is already my greatest concession. Without me, where else could you go?"

I looked up and said very lightly:

"Fine."

Then I turned around and began to busy myself.

This month was the Ghost Festival, not many people were out, the steamed cakes didn't sell well, and there were many left over. I needed to store them properly to sell tomorrow.

I lowered my head and began packing my carrying pole.

No one saw my face, which was about to cry.

Xie Jiuxiao said nonchalantly:

"Don't bother packing. These steamed cakes aren't anything valuable, you won't need to eat them in the future either."

I paid him no mind and continued packing on my own.

Underneath the box was a letter I had picked up from the messenger office today.

It was from Father—he had established trade routes between Great Liang and the Western Regions and invited me to join him in business.

Along with the letter came a border pass.

I wasn't without somewhere to go.

I could travel to the Western Regions for trade, from then on the sky would be vast and the sea open, and we would part ways.

Chapter 2

Two years ago, I was following a caravan to sell salt in western Hunan when I met Xie Jiuxiao on the road.

He was among a group of displaced people with no homes or land, staggering along the road when he suddenly twisted his ankle and fell into a ditch.

No one cared.

In the ditch, he was covered in knife wounds, his clothes in tatters.

He clutched my sleeve, his eyes hopeful: "Miss, save me..."

After washing his face clean, I was quite surprised.

Xie Jiuxiao was actually a handsome young man.

Though I had traveled north and south with Father for many years, I had never seen anyone as handsome as him.

I stared blankly for a moment, my face instantly reddening.

Xie Jiuxiao told me he was from the capital, a scholar whose family had been implicated in a case of treasonous poetry, resulting in the execution of his entire clan and his reduction to a displaced person.

"Please save me, young scholar. I will certainly repay your kindness."

For him, I stopped in Shu, rented a courtyard, and took care of him meticulously.

Neighbors said he was cold and aloof and might not be grateful to me.

I just smiled.

One day, I went out to buy supplies and brought him a folding fan.

He slowly unfolded it, his eyes flickering as he asked warmly:

"Miss, you've been so good to me, I don't know how to repay you."

I joked: "Then why don't you marry me?"

He said: "Alright."

Before the Spring Festival, he shamelessly set up a stall at the market to write couplets, earned half a string of cash, and made me a bronze hairpin. The design was even drawn by him.

He said he had nothing of value, no worthy betrothal gift, only this hairpin to offer, to tie up my three thousand strands of hair for him alone.

I thought I had found a treasure.

I wrote to Father, telling him I had found my ideal husband and would no longer travel with the merchant caravan.

From then on, I had a home and a husband.

Chapter 3

Half a month ago, a young lady from a noble family came to town—the direct daughter of the capital's Duke's Mansion. She had traveled thousands of miles south to recuperate from an illness.

As it was fresh news in town, I couldn't help but mention it at the dinner table.

At that time, Xie Jiuxiao's expression was indifferent, and he didn't join the conversation, merely saying: "Don't speak while eating."

He was always sparing with words toward me.

But one evening when I returned home, under the shade of willow trees, I saw that young lady sobbing with tears.

Xie Jiuxiao pulled her into his arms.

A surge of heat rushed to my head. What was I thinking then?

I should have been like Xiu Niang, the fruit seller next door, who, knowing her husband was visiting prostitutes, would grab a fire poker and charge forward.

But two women clawing at each other would be too ugly.

I calmed down.

Perhaps I had misunderstood?

If it wasn't a misunderstanding, I still thought optimistically: though Xie Jiuxiao was exceptionally talented, he was only a displaced person, while that young lady was from a noble family. Even if there were some ambiguous feelings between them, they could never possibly be together.

That's right, it was like that.

Miss Sang rarely left her chambers, and I never saw Xie Jiuxiao meet with her again.

Until one day, it was my birthday, so I特意 closed my stall early to go home and celebrate. The night before, I saw a new buyao (hairpin with dangling ornaments) under my pillow.

I returned home full of excitement.

But Xie Jiuxiao gave me a cotton handkerchief. His expression was still bland: "You make steamed cakes, your hands get greasy easily. This will come in handy."

"I'm short on money, so I don't have anything better to give you."

And the buyao I had been thinking about appeared in Miss Sang's hair the next day.

She came to buy steamed cakes.

Willowy and delicate, she said: "I really envy you."

Others who heard this found it inexplicable.

But in that instant, I understood.

A sour, bitter taste surged up within me.

She left with red eyes.

That night, Xie Jiuxiao returned with red eyes.

He was terribly drunk. I went to help him, but he shook his sleeve and pushed me away.

I fell to the ground.

I watched him fumble unsteadily, feeling his way to a folding fan in the chest.

He mistook the folding fan for me and, full of resentment, vented all his feelings while drunk:

"Mu Xitang, it was you who was shameless, using my debt of gratitude to force me to marry you!"

"If not for you, I would rather have died in that ditch than become this faithless, ungrateful hypocrite!"

The usually cold Xie Jiuxiao had tears in his eyes.

"I failed her, I hurt her."

"She shouldn't have waited for me."

His tone was full of resentment.

So, Miss Sang was his fiancée, who had been waiting for him in the capital for two years.

The man had affection, the woman had intentions.

But it was I, a wife who suddenly appeared, who had torn them apart.

He held the folding fan and suddenly tore it forcefully with a "rip."

Once.

Twice.

The night was very quiet, and the sound of tearing silk paper was exceptionally clear.

Something in my heart seemed to break as well.

I lost my voice, holding back desperately, not daring to make a sound.

Then, Xie Jiuxiao sat alone in the courtyard, staring blankly at the full moon, muttering "Yuer" before finally passing out in a drunken sleep.

I stood dumbfounded under the eaves, my eyes unable to hold back more tears, which rolled down my cheeks.

The mountain wind was very cold, chilling me to the bone.

Xie Jiuxiao remembered nothing after getting drunk.

But he saw the folding fan he had torn to shreds on the ground.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he quietly picked it up and put it back in the chest.

He asked me nothing.

I mentioned nothing.

But we both knew that something had changed between us.

Chapter 4

Half a month later.

A group of solemn guards appeared, surrounding my courtyard so tightly that not even water could trickle through.

They had come to welcome the Fifth Prince back to the capital.

At the front of the crowd was Sang Yu, with tears glistening in her eyes.

Yesterday, they could only meet secretly, fearing that Sang Yu's reputation would be tarnished.

Today, they could finally be open and aboveboard, showing themselves before others.

Because Sang Yu and Xie Jiuxiao's engagement still stood—she was the future Fifth Princess Consort.

And I was just a country wife with no matchmaker and no formal betrothal.

After Xie Jiuxiao finished speaking, he turned and went out, directing a group of guards to set up two tents in the courtyard.

One was his, and one was Sang Yu's.

He said he would give me a few days to pack, and we would go to the capital together. Sang Yu wouldn't return to the Duke's Mansion's separate courtyard but would wait here for me.

From this day forward, Xie Jiuxiao never entered my room again.

This was actually quite good.

That way he wouldn't know I had written to Father.

Five days later, I would leave the city, and in half a month, I could meet him at the Western Pass.

I put down my brush and rolled the letter into my sleeve.

At this moment, Xie Jiuxiao walked in with a dark face.

Sang Yu followed timidly behind him, her face somewhat pale and greenish.

Xie Jiuxiao was very angry, asking coldly:

"Didn't I tell you to stop making steamed cakes?"

"Do you know how greasy that smell is? Yuer feels nauseous when she smells it."

Behind me was the kitchen, warm from the stove, where meat filling was simmering, its fragrance wafting for miles.

When I saved him, the first meal was steamed cakes. His eyes lit up as he said it was the most delicious delicacy he had ever eaten.

He praised my good skills.

Said I was skilled at earning money and managing a household.

He said he would never tire of them for the rest of his life.

I stood there for a moment. Sang Yu's face turned pale, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and retched repeatedly.

Xie Jiuxiao's heart ached for her, and he grew even angrier.

He commanded me: "Quickly extinguish the stove."

Cold, decisive.

I wouldn't do it. I still wanted to sell steamed cakes for a few more days to save a bit more for travel expenses.

The northern frontier was very far.

I expressionlessly said harshly:

"This is my home. If she doesn't live here, won't she be able to smell it?"

Sang Yu frowned, revealing a pair of reddened eyes as she gently tugged his sleeve:

"Brother Five, don't make things difficult for Miss Mu."

"It's my fault. Though I've been in Shu for some time, my constitution is weak. I must not be accustomed to the water and soil here. I should return to the separate courtyard to wait for you."

Xie Jiuxiao's face grew even uglier, "She has no right to drive you away."

"Can't I even protect you in such a small matter?"

Sang Yu's expression changed, and she shyly lowered her head, blushing at his understated show of protection.

I clenched the letter in my sleeve.

In the July summer heat, I felt chilled to the bone.

She was gentle and kind.

I was the aggressive, wicked person driving away the mistress.

Forget it.

It was only a few days.

It didn't matter if I had less silver. I could just sell this house and never come to Shu again.

I said nothing more, which amounted to acquiescence, then stepped across the threshold.

"Where are you going?"

As we passed each other, Xie Jiuxiao blocked my path.

I looked up and said blandly: "Going to deliver a letter to Father. Is that not allowed?"

He released my hand.

He wasn't interested in the contents of my letter.

He thought I was going to tell Father that I was about to become a prince's noble concubine and enjoy glory and wealth.

The letter was sent out successfully.

When I returned, the fragrance of steamed cakes had long dissipated. The chickens and ducks in the backyard were sharing a large basket of steamed cakes, eating happily.

And in the stove, Sang Yu's medicinal cuisine was simmering.

Chapter 5

I packed my belongings alone.

Winter clothes, cloaks, fur boots, all sorts of things.

Just as I picked up a blue robe, hesitating, Xie Jiuxiao walked in.

He frowned, "The prince's mansion has everything. You don't need to bring these shabby things."

I pressed my lips together and asked: "You don't want this either?"

Xie Jiuxiao glanced at the clothing in my hands, his expression indifferent.

He didn't remember.

Xie Jiuxiao had developed a chronic illness during his exile and was especially afraid of cold.

Last winter, Shu was so cold that water dripping froze, and even wearing cotton clothes felt cold. I trekked through snow up the mountain, got two wolf pelts from a hunter, and by the time I came down the mountain, my legs were almost numb from cold.

Then I stayed up several nights to make winter clothes for him.

At the cuffs, I had even embroidered two clusters of green bamboo.

I originally didn't know how to embroider—I had learned Shu embroidery for him.

Xie Jiuxiao's lips moved, and besides disdain on his face, there was no other expression.

I smiled and put the clothes to the side.

At this moment, Sang Yu walked over, her voice like a yellow oriole:

"Brother Five, look, this is silk that just arrived from Jiangnan. Help me see which color looks better?"

"This material is light and soft—quite rare."

Sang Yu stepped in gracefully. Now that she no longer had to smell the steamed cakes, her complexion had also become rosy. Standing beside Xie Jiuxiao, she was like a delicate flower.

She saw my expression and timidly fell silent.

She asked timidly: "Brother Five... did I come at a bad time?"

After speaking, she glanced at the men's clothes spread on the table and explained: "Miss Mu may not know, but princely attire has fixed regulations. Not just any clothing can be worn casually."

"These... if worn out, might invite ridicule and bring shame to Brother Five."

My eyes flickered as I looked out the window. The green willows and setting sun made the two look as well-matched as a golden boy and jade maiden, both exuding an air of nobility.

Xie Jiuxiao said: "You're a country person and don't know the palace rules. In the future, let Yuer teach you these things."

I smiled bitterly and responded softly: "I understand."

Sang Yu gave me a smile, gentle and considerate: "Since Brother Five has entrusted this to me, I will certainly do it well."

Xie Jiuxiao's voice was full of doting: "Then I'll trouble you."

After they left, I took out all of Xie Jiuxiao's clothes, personal belongings, and scholar's four treasures, sorted through them, and packed them into a box.

He didn't want them anymore. Fine, I could still sell them for some travel money.

Chapter 6

"Excuse me, young man, could you pass on a message? Does His Highness the Fifth Prince still want these things?"

I unfolded the items in the cloth bag one by one.

Xie Jiuxiao was a prince with numerous rules, and now even meeting him required prior announcement.

The guard glanced over lazily, entered Xie Jiuxiao's tent, and came out in less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea, saying:

"His Highness the Fifth Prince says he doesn't want these things. Miss, you may dispose of them as you wish."

I nodded slightly.

He didn't even look.

Without hesitation, I hitched a donkey cart and sold everything to the pawnshop within half a day.

Then I bought all sorts of new things in large and small boxes.

When I returned home, I came back fully loaded.

They were all winter clothes, furs, and saddles.

But no one was interested in checking.

The guards and maids looked straight ahead without glancing sideways.

Only when I had walked some distance did contemptuous comments float over:

"Opportunities to rise from sparrow to phoenix are rare. Suddenly coming into great wealth, who can control themselves from buying things?"

"Poor our young lady, who will have to call such a person 'sister' in the future."

...

I couldn't help but quicken my pace, leaving these words far behind me.

Now, all I lacked was a good horse.

Chapter 7

The old woman next door had always wanted my steamed cake recipe. I sold it for two taels of silver, then led my little donkey to the horse market.

The horse market was bustling.

Most of those choosing horses were merchants transporting goods—they knew which horses had good stamina and endurance.

I walked around and finally settled on an unremarkable one, bargaining.

The old man stroked his gray and white beard: "Miss has good eyes, but this silver isn't enough."

"How about looking at that other horse?"

The old man pointed to a white horse not far away.

But someone had already taken a fancy to it.

Sang Yu's delicate voice was particularly clear amid the noisy horse market: "Brother Five, this horse is beautiful. Do you think it's suitable?"

Xie Jiuxiao sat on another horse, leaning down with a smile, his face full of doting affection.

"Anything you like is fine."

Sang Yu suddenly looked over.

"Miss Mu?"

Xie Jiuxiao turned his horse and saw me.

He looked down from his high position, frowning as he asked: "What are you doing here?"

I tugged at the rope in my hand and told the truth: "Selling my donkey. Its stamina isn't good for long distances."

Xie Jiuxiao didn't doubt me.

Suddenly, his gaze fell on my hairpin, he narrowed his eyes, and seemed startled for a moment.

His voice was somewhat tight: "Where is your hairpin?"

I subconsciously touched my hair.

Women love beauty, and over the years I had bought many pieces of jewelry, but the bronze hairpin he gave me, regardless of season, I always wore in my hair.

Usually polished until it shone, without a single spot of rust.

I looked up and said blandly: "Oh, didn't your guard ask you about it?"

"They're all cheap things. Wearing them out would be beneath my status, so I stopped wearing it."

Hearing this, Xie Jiuxiao looked displeased, a flash of annoyance in his eyes, as if grinding his teeth: "Cheap?"

Xie Jiuxiao dismounted and stepped closer, "That was my..."

Suddenly, Sang Yu beside him shrieked: "Brother Five!"

The horse under her was startled and about to throw her off. Xie Jiuxiao instantly turned back, grabbed the reins, and steadied the horse.

Then he gently helped her dismount.

Sang Yu was still shaken, her small face showing fear: "Brother Five, this horse seems to dislike people getting close. I'm a bit afraid..."

"Let's look at another place."

He wanted to say something to me but had already forgotten about it.

All the anger disappeared from Xie Jiuxiao's face—his eyes and heart held only Sang Yu. He said ambiguously to me:

"Forget it, since it's sold, it's sold."

"When we return to the capital, I'll have a gold hairpin made for you."

Xie Jiuxiao turned to say something more, but I had already turned away.

Sang Yu tugged his sleeve: "Brother Five, over there, that horse looks beautiful... You didn't you say before that you would teach me to ride?"

"I've waited for you for two years. You must teach me these next few days."

Only then did Xie Jiuxiao come back to his senses and withdraw his gaze.

After they walked away, I turned to the old man:

"Silver, plus my donkey—is that enough to buy that horse?"

The boss looked at me, then at the donkey, and nodded, saying it was enough.

They were buying horses to leisurely ride to the capital.

I was buying a horse to travel to the Western Pass.

Chapter 8

Two days before departing for the capital, the young maid serving me saw me packing things and couldn't help but mutter:

"Miss, you sold a batch of old things and bought a batch of new ones."

"But I see they're no different from before."

"The style and material are shabby. His Highness the Fifth Prince probably won't like them either."

She spoke bluntly, without meaning to demean me.

I lowered my eyes without speaking, focusing only on organizing.

Shabby was fine—they were all things useful for merchant travel.

In one more day, I could leave.

As I was packing, a guard who served Xie Jiuxiao closely came to say that Sang Yu had sent an old nanny to teach me the rules before going to the capital, lest I offend nobles later.

I had seen this old nanny before—she was Sang Yu's wet nurse.

She had a kind and benevolent face.

But that was only in front of others.

In front of me, the old nanny was intimidating without anger, standing straight as she criticized me, then recited a pile of rules. Then, she told me to learn.

The bowls balanced on my head fell one after another.

Only then did the old nanny finally discover that I had no intention of learning.

That bit of patience and minimal respect vanished completely. She glared at me angrily, scolding:

"I am also an acquaintance of Noble Consort. If she were to teach these rules, it wouldn't be as easy to talk to as this old servant!"

"I have only taught young ladies from noble families, never country girls."

"You are His Highness the Fifth Prince's concubine. No matter your dissatisfaction, you must endure it!"

Endure?

I had endured Xie Jiuxiao's coldness for two years, endured him reducing me from wife to concubine.

I had a choice—why should I endure?

I replied calmly: "I haven't entered the mansion yet, so I can't be considered his concubine. I'll learn these rules later."

"When the time comes, whether I'm there or not is also uncertain."

I left the old nanny speechless and enraged in shame.

Within half a day, all the guards and maids in my small courtyard knew that I was defiant and had disrespected an elder from the Duke's Mansion.

I remained unmoved.

Until Xie Jiuxiao came storming to find me.

His face was dark as he shouted in a low voice: "Mu Xitang, can't you be more sensible? Stop causing trouble for me."

I lifted my chin, not quite understanding his meaning, my face showing confusion.

These past few days, I had done whatever he said without any disobedience.

What else was he dissatisfied with?

Sang Yu peeked out from behind him, her eyes like apricot blossoms in spring rain, looking wronged as she said:

"Miss Mu, Nanny Gui is my wet nurse. She has served in the Duke's Mansion for many years, and my etiquette was also taught by her."

"I only want you to leave a good impression on the consort."

"I didn't intentionally mean to make things difficult for you."

Sang Yu stepped forward delicately, looking like a good sister, wanting to take my hand. I subconsciously avoided it.

Her face showed hurt, and tears fell like that.

Xie Jiuxiao's anger flared up instantly as he said sternly:

"Someone, first take Miss Sang back."

He coaxed Sang Yu away with gentle words.

When no one was around, Xie Jiuxiao suddenly stepped forward, grabbed my wrist, and asked angrily: "What did you mean by that?"

What words?

"What did you mean by 'you won't be there'?"

"Won't you follow me? Where else can you go? We've performed the marriage ceremony..."

The words reached his lips, but he stopped himself.

He was certain I had nowhere else to go and could only follow him. I lied effortlessly: "That was just said in anger."

He seemed to relax, but still held my hand tightly, gripping so hard it hurt.

His voice was extremely cold, extremely disappointed:

"Mu Xitang, you were born of low status and originally didn't even qualify to be a chambermaid."

"I can give you the status of noble concubine only after saying many good words to my mother and the Duke's Mansion. How much have I protected you? Do you know?"

I smiled stiffly, my heart aching as if cut by a knife.

He had never asked me if I was willing to be this "noble concubine."

Xie Jiuxiao released me, straightened his sleeves, his eyes lacking warmth.

"You be obedient. After I return to the capital and marry Yuer, I will bring you into the mansion."

"Don't cause trouble, otherwise, you won't even have the status of noble concubine—you can only be a chambermaid."

I lowered my eyes, my fingertips turning white from pinching, enduring the sour taste in my mouth as I choked out: "I understand."

Chapter 9

On the last day before leaving the capital, I took the deed to my house and went to the merchant house.

I stated my purpose directly: "How much can this house sell for?"

The manager of the merchant house knew I was the woman who sold steamed cakes in the east market and also knew that Xie Jiuxiao was the Fifth Prince, so he greeted me with a smile, even wanting to make small talk.

I kept my eyes lowered and only said: "Regardless of price, sell it immediately. You can take possession of the house the day after tomorrow."

"From now on, I will never come back."

The manager nodded repeatedly and even congratulated me.

I only wanted to get it over with quickly, without bargaining—the first time I had ever made a losing deal.

I took the silver and went out.

In July, the pomegranate flowers were redder than fire by the Zhan River, blooming in clusters.

In the small pavilion, a man and woman sat around a table, the stove fire burning brightly, tea fragrance wafting everywhere.

Sang Yu held a few freshly picked pomegranate flowers.

Xie Jiuxiao was writing a poem on a silk fan. Sang Yu took it and held it under her nose to sniff delicately.

The buyao in her hair jingled.

Xie Jiuxiao sat opposite her, reaching out to brush fallen petals from her shoulder.

It was a tenderness and doting he had never shown me.

In the past, I had several times suggested we go enjoy the scenery and flowers.

He always said indifferently that he didn't like them.

At that time, I naively thought he truly didn't like them.

But looking at it now, it wasn't that he didn't like flowers—it was that he didn't like the person accompanying him to see the flowers.

I was just a coarse person. Appreciating flowers with me was like playing the lute to a cow.

I couldn't compare to the well-read Sang Yu.

These past few days, I rarely saw Xie Jiuxiao. They listened to the wind and slept under willows, chased horses by moonlight.

I stood naively behind a tree, my eyes aching.

I lowered my head and swallowed my tears back.

Xie Jiuxiao's hand holding his cup paused, and he glanced in my direction.

I quickly looked away, pretending I hadn't seen anything.

The stream of tourists was endless—I was just one of many, completely inconspicuous.

"Brother Five?"

Sang Yu called out to him delicately.

Xie Jiuxiao also pretended not to have discovered me.

Chapter 10

The day of departure was fine weather.

It happened to be a temple fair day.

Very lively.

But this liveliness had nothing to do with me. I was alone with a young maid, slowly moving things onto the carriage.

Box after box, item after item, filling the carriage until there was almost no room to sit.

The young maid complained again in a low voice that I had brought too many useless things, and she would have to suffer with me. In the July summer heat, she didn't want to accompany me in the sun at all.

"Go back to Miss Sang's side. I'm not used to being served by others."

After sending the young maid away, Xie Jiuxiao came once.

He stood beside the carriage, glanced at my fully loaded carriage, frowned, and asked coldly: "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

I pressed my lips together and didn't respond.

Because I knew he had more to say.

"Don't forget, you're only a concubine. You can't ride with me and Yuer."

"Don't make trouble. These are the rules."

He added.

I shook my head, indicating I wouldn't make trouble.

"I'll ride with the coachman."

"I'm a merchant's daughter. I'm used to it."

He was going north to the capital.

I was going west to the Western Pass.

We were never on the same path to begin with.

Xie Jiuxiao's face was as cold as March ice as he brushed his sleeve and left, "As you wish."

Sang Yu finally emerged after much calling, surrounded like stars around the moon. Maids and guards clustered around her, carefully helping her into the carriage.

My side was cold and deserted—even the only maid had been sent away.

The coachman sat on the carriage, hesitating as he spoke: "Madam... Miss."

I lifted my skirt and jumped onto the carriage, sitting beside the coachman as I said softly:

"Go slowly."

"There's no hurry."

The wheels rolled, heading all the way toward the city gate.

My carriage was heavy and moved particularly slowly.

In my sight, Xie Jiuxiao's carriage gradually moved farther away from mine.

At first, he still had the coachman stop and wait for me, several times sending people to urge me to hurry, not to fall behind.

The coachman patted his chest: "There's only one official road to the capital. We can't get lost!"

Sang Yu lifted the carriage curtain, revealing a cheerful little face as she said:

"Brother Five, let's go faster. Maybe we can still catch the wheat flowers in the capital."

Hearing this, Xie Jiuxiao couldn't help but spur his horse, and the horses moved faster and faster.

The city gate was crowded with traffic.

Carriages, donkey carts, pedestrians, porters—it took quite a while for the carriage to squeeze through.

Xie Jiuxiao didn't notice that among the dragon-like carriages following on the official road, not one was mine.

Watching Xie Jiuxiao's carriage pull farther and farther away.

The coachman raised his whip to spur the horses: "Miss, hold steady."

But I pulled the reins, took out a silver ingot from my bosom, and said: "You've worked hard. I'll walk the rest of the way myself."

The coachman was hired for money, and after receiving the silver, he got off the carriage without asking questions.

I turned the carriage around and headed west.

Chapter 11

On the official road to Changyang Pass, my father and a group of assistants had been waiting for a long time.

Under the scorching sun, they were all somewhat anxious.

Father was still calm as ever.

"Are you here?"

I responded: "Yes."

Then, tears couldn't stop flowing.

He was usually eloquent but now seemed somewhat silent. Normally, he would have lectured me, but the past couldn't be changed, and more words were useless.

Father had always been broad-minded, not looking back at the road traveled, only asking about the future ahead.

"Daughter, let's go."

Except for some discomfort during the first two days of setting out, I quickly adapted.

We traveled west all the way.

Great rivers flowed, mountains stood majestic, and we successfully passed through Changyang Pass.

West of Yang Pass, no old friends.

Father said excitedly that now the two countries were on good terms and had opened border trade—there were many good things beyond the pass, and this was our opportunity to make a fortune.

Beyond the pass were vast deserts with lonely smoke and long rivers with setting suns.

I saw Western Region people with green eyes, and melons growing in the Gobi desert that were cloyingly sweet.

I stood on a sand dune, feeling as small as a grain of sand.

Father walked over, spat out tobacco smoke, and asked: "Thinking about that person?"

I shook my head.

I was glad I hadn't followed Xie Jiuxiao back to the capital. There were only four courtyard walls there, and every day I would have to worry anxiously about whether he loved me or not.

But now, the sky was vast, and the world was boundless.

My little worries and fears had long been relegated to a small corner.

I curved my lips and smiled:

"Daughter was thinking, if we make a lot of money this trip, could Father find me a stepmother?"

Father coughed, "How dare you tease your old man!"

But Father said he could consider buying me a husband.

I remained noncommittal.

Chapter 12

The first day of departure for the capital.

The night fires were brilliant.

Xie Jiuxiao stood before the inn, helping Sang Yu down from the carriage. After that, he hesitated for a moment but still turned to the carriage behind.

These days, he had been cold to Mu Xitang, and his words had been rather harsh.

She was a thoughtful person, and now she was probably still angry with him.

He clearly didn't want to be that way.

But Sang Yu was here—she was his fiancée, and he had to consider her feelings.

"Xitang, we've arrived at the inn. We'll make do here for one night."

Xie Jiuxiao knocked on the carriage's wooden planks.

A man came down.

Only then did Xie Jiuxiao suddenly discover that the coachman wasn't the one he had hired, and the carriage wasn't Mu Xitang's carriage either.

Xie Jiuxiao stared at the wheel tracks on the ground, somewhat panicking.

Carriage after carriage passed by.

He stood there like that, watching carriage after carriage go by. But none of them was my carriage.

His heart grew increasingly anxious.

"I told her not to bring so many things, but she insisted."

"I said I would buy her things when we got to the capital."

"It didn't have to slow us down so much..." Xie Jiuxiao began pacing in place.

These words seemed to be spoken to himself, yet also like complaints to the maid beside him.

The maid timidly lowered her head, not daring to speak.

Sang Yu came out from the inn, somewhat unhappy. She glanced at the old nanny beside her.

The old nanny stepped forward slowly:

"Your Highness the Fifth Prince, this old servant knows you're worried about Miss Mu, but she is, after all, only a concubine. It would be improper for you to wait for her at the door."

"If word gets back, it might be used against you. Forgive this old servant for speaking out of turn, but your foundation is not yet stable—you should prioritize the greater good."

Sang Yu asked considerately: "Should we send someone to look for her?"

Xie Jiuxiao took a breath.

His expression softened.

He coldly threw out:

"She's only a concubine. I can't let her get too arrogant. Otherwise, if she rides over your head in the future, that would be my fault."

Sang Yu curved her lips.

The next day when traveling, intentionally or not, Xie Jiuxiao slowed his pace.

At night when camping by the official road, Xie Jiuxiao looked back over his shoulder.

Silent and still, with faint starlight.

He couldn't wait for her.

Xie Jiuxiao's eyes gradually turned cold as he finally slowly spoke: "Someone, go look for her."

Every word seemed squeezed from between his teeth.

Xie Jiuxiao's order was to search back along the official road and side roads all the way to Pingliang Town, speeding up with fast horses.

The guards were capable and returned to report within a day.

"Miss Mu has left."

Chapter 13

Left.

What did that mean?

Those two short words struck Xie Jiuxiao, making his breath catch.

He instantly panicked, his figure swaying, almost unable to stand steady.

"What kind of trick is she playing now?"

He muttered to himself.

Staring at the guard, he tightly gripped the sword hilt, his five fingers aching from the pressure.

The guard trembled as he handed over a letter.

It was the one I had left for the coachman.

If someone came looking, give them the letter; if not, burn it or throw it away—either was fine.

Xie Jiuxiao's hands trembled as he accepted the letter.

He read it rapidly.

There were water stains on the letter, dot by dot, smudging several places, making it unsightly, but it didn't affect reading.

Because I didn't write much—it began with a line of poetry:

【White as snow on the mountains, bright as the moon between clouds. Hearing you have two hearts, I have come to bid farewell.】

I wasn't one to quote classics.

【My name is not on the Imperial Clan Registry. Since we don't count as a proper husband and wife, I won't go to the capital.】

【If I had known you had a fiancée back then, I would absolutely never have had any involvement with you.】

【From now on, mountains high and waters far, men marry and women marry—we have nothing to do with each other.】

A thin letter with only a few sentences.

Xie Jiuxiao read word by word.

His heart suddenly felt empty.

A tiny twig seemed to be secretly poking at his heart, fine and numbing, with a heart-piercing pain.

He didn't believe it, snatched the reins from the guard, and leaped onto the horse.

Sang Yu stumbled out of her carriage, chased after him, and blocked his path, "Brother Five, we can't delay any further. The imperial edict naming you as prince is waiting in the capital."

"Also, our formal marriage edict."

She grabbed a corner of Xie Jiuxiao's robe.

Sang Yu's eyes were tearful, "Brother Five, isn't it good that she's gone? Miss Mu wants to bring us together."

Her eyes were crimson red.

Watching the corner of the robe in her hand slowly pull away bit by bit.

The white horse galloped away.

Sang Yu chased a few steps and fell hard, "Brother Five!"

She was heartbroken.

"Brother Five, don't abandon me..."

But Xie Jiuxiao could hear nothing.

A group of guards also jumped onto their horses and gave chase.

Xie Jiuxiao raced wildly under the moon.

His hair crown was disheveled, his sleeves caught and torn by branches, but he paid no attention.

He chased out for two li but was blocked by the Luo River.

The Luo River was dangerous, and crossing was not permitted at night.

The Luo River waters rolled, with angry waves billowing.

He gazed at the endless road behind him, the reins in his hand aching from his tight grip.

"Xitang..."

Mu Xitang was a merchant's daughter, originally without a fixed home, traveling everywhere for business. She had left—across the vast lands, he had no idea where to begin looking.

Suddenly, it began to rain, drizzling at first.

It fell on his face.

Sliding down together with his tears.

That year, amid apricot blossoms and light rain, she had saved him from the ditch, pulling him from the mud.

That year, after the Qingming Festival rains, the west courtyard crabapple trees were in full bloom, and they had married in a simple countryside courtyard.

He had made a vow: Through life and death, we pledged our troth.

This year, separated by life and death, vast and uncertain. Some vows of "through life and death" could break one's heart even while living.

The guards caught up.

Sang Yu also chased after him, crying.

The rain fell harder and harder.

It was noisy, yet also silent.

He had originally thought that marrying Mu Xitang back then was only because he couldn't refuse to repay her life-saving kindness.

He even felt humiliated.

Coldness and detachment were the price she deserved to pay.

He thought that by giving her the position of noble concubine, it was the greatest blessing in the world for her—she should be grateful.

Only in this way could he somewhat make up for his betrayal of Sang Yu.

He deceived himself, telling himself he didn't love Mu Xitang.

But she had left.

Only then did he understand that she had also taken his heart away.

Chapter 14

I went with Father to the Western Regions, to Loulan, to many places. We sold Central Plains silk and spices, then brought back cattle, sheep, furs, and jade.

The borderlands prospered, and Father's border trade business grew larger and larger—he was already the biggest merchant at the border pass.

This year, Father accepted a major business from the imperial merchant, supplying furs and Western Region jewels to the imperial clan.

Father didn't trust the assistants to handle it, so he took me along to personally escort the goods.

This was my first time coming to the capital.

The prosperity was dazzling to the eyes.

The one who received us at the post station was the imperial merchant.

And the one who managed the imperial merchants was Fifth Prince Xie Jiuxiao.

He was now Prince Yan.

This was our first meeting in three years.

He stood before the merchant house, tall and elegant, amid apricot blossoms and light rain, still maintaining an air of proud nobility, only his cheekbones were more prominent, his figure.

Much thinner.

His lips moved slightly, his eyes shining, "Xitang, I've been looking for you for a long time."

His voice was somewhat hoarse.

And full of longing.

But when I saw him now, I no longer had the racing heart and hesitant uncertainty of those years.

I was very calm.

I bowed according to protocol: "Your Highness."

Xie Jiuxiao was choked up, his eyes hurt, "You don't need to be like this."

He looked at me, his eyes full of deep feeling: "I didn't marry Sang Yu. She is only a secondary consort. The position of main consort has always been reserved for you."

"Xitang, will you come home with me?"

He explained that back then he had been powerless, the most without authority or influence among all the princes.

Noble Consort was not his birth mother, so he could only rely on the power of Duke Sang to establish his footing in the court.

His eyelashes were slightly moist, "Xitang, you have always been in my heart."

"It was I who was unclear before and failed you."

I slightly turned my head, looking at the vast, empty blue sky.

I answered with his original words:

"We had no matchmaker, no formal betrothal, and are not on the Imperial Clan Registry—we are not husband and wife. That's what you said."

"I am but a commoner, at most qualified only to be a chambermaid. That's also what you said."

These words, I had kept in my heart for many years.

Every time I thought of them, I resented him a bit more.

But as time passed, the grievances also dispersed.

I was neither sad nor happy, "Xie Jiuxiao, back then when I said you should marry me, it was just a joke. Actually, at that time, if only you had said you had a fiancée, I wouldn't have forced you."

"Now, I'm just turning back from a wrong choice."

Xie Jiuxiao's face turned deathly pale, as if something had shattered in his eyes.

His fingertips trembled as he staggered back a step, his gaze blank and desolate like the west wind.

He said: "I don't believe it."

"You were willing to come to the capital—you still have feelings for me."

I felt somewhat cold, pulled my fox fur cloak tighter, and said calmly:

"A merchant values profit—business can be done anywhere."

"If it's business, I can speak with you as a businessman, but you are a court official—it's better not to meet too often in private."

After speaking, I turned and returned to the post station.

I closed the door.

Went back, picked up my account book, and began to read.

Nothing outside was as important as my account book.

Chapter 15

This batch of furs entering the palace was extremely precious.

The consorts in the palace liked them and specially instructed the imperial merchant to have me bring the goods into the palace.

In the Imperial Garden, all the palace consorts, noble ladies, and women of good families were present.

Xie Jiuxiao's foster mother Noble Consort was also there.

Noble Consort's face was淡淡 (dàn dàn) - indifferent/pale, she only glanced at me lightly, without ripple. Perhaps after years of struggle in the palace, all her edges had been worn away.

Sang Yu accompanied Noble Consort.

She was only a secondary consort and didn't qualify to sit with Noble Consort on this occasion, instead standing dryly to one side, waiting to serve her mother-in-law at any moment.

She kept her eyes lowered, her expression lonely.

Like a precious red flower covered in a layer of dust, appearing gray and indistinct.

I received various strange looks.

That Xie Jiuxiao had married a wife while in exile in Shu but didn't bring her back to the capital was no secret. The original main consort, Sang Yu, had become a secondary consort because of me.

Some said she was petty and narrow-minded, unable to tolerate a concubine.

Some said I, a commoner, was delusional in aspiring to be a princess consort.

Others said Xie Jiuxiao was either deeply in love or fickle.

All were sizing me up.

But tacitly, no one mentioned the past.

I paid no attention to these inquisitive gazes, walking directly before the palace consorts to begin introducing the items I had brought.

Their origins, materials, unique qualities.

As I spoke eloquently, I also touched on the scenery of the Western Regions.

The Noble Consort particularly enjoyed hearing stories from outside, walked over, interrupted me, and asked:

"Tell me, I've heard that Loulan has singing sands—have you seen them? What are they really like? Do the sands truly sing?"

"You're a woman—how could you travel so far?"

"Where else have you been?"

The Noble Consort specially had someone bring me a seat.

I respectfully declined.

There were too many stories from beyond the pass.

I smiled and began to narrate:

"The sands don't actually sing—it's just that desert has many strange rocks, and when the wind blows, the wind and sand pass through these rocks, creating sounds that differ with the seasons."

...

The Noble Consort listened with fascination.

The palace consorts, confined their entire lives to palace walls, were especially interested when hearing about outside matters.

Even the always indifferent Noble Consort walked over to listen closely.

And Sang Yu stood properly to one side throughout, receiving the cold shoulder.

Until the palace attendants reminded that the palace gates would soon close, everyone finally dispersed.

From beginning to end, Noble Consort hadn't made things difficult for me.

Only when leaving, she called me aside and said淡淡ly: "You are luckier than I was—you chose the right path."

Chapter 16

I left the palace at the same time as Sang Yu.

She blocked my path, her resentment heavy.

"How can you say just a few words and make Mother Consort happy? Whatever I do, she's never pleased."

I smiled helplessly and said:

"I'm a merchant—I always wear a smiling face. Customers like to hear what, so I say what. That's all."

"There's no other meaning."

She bit her cheek, the rims of her eyes red as she said resentfully:

"You clearly left, so why did you have to come back and entice Xie Jiuxiao!"

"It's all your fault!"

"Clearly I am his wife!"

Sang Yu was relentless, venting her grievances full of resentment.

She blamed me for using my life-saving grace to force Xie Jiuxiao to marry me, becoming the stumbling block, the thorn in her side between them.

Even more, she blamed me for leaving for distant lands, taking his heart away, leaving him to toss and turn endlessly, loving but unable to have.

However cold Xie Jiuxiao had been to me back then, that's how cold he was to her now.

Sang Yu's eyes were tearful, "I only like him—was that wrong..."

I tucked my hands into my sleeves and said helplessly: "You're blaming the wrong person."

"Your engagement was never broken. Back then, he concealed it from you, deceiving both you and me."

Sang Yu stopped crying, standing frozen in place.

"He used me to gain a place to live. Later, he used you to establish his footing in the capital."

I lowered my eyes, "I only left after I saw clearly."

In Sang Yu's dazed gaze, I boarded the carriage.

Chapter 17

Xie Jiuxiao came to see me several times.

I had the maids refuse him each time.

The maid didn't dare offend the prince and still accepted a cluster of plum blossoms, placing them on my desk as she said timidly: "Prince Yan said the plum blossoms in the suburbs of the capital are blooming beautifully. He invited the young lady to see them. He won't leave without seeing you."

I glanced at them.

My heart was without ripples.

That day, Xie Jiuxiao stood alone in the wind, waiting for a long time.

The wind blew the fallen flowers, blinding his eyes, making them bloodshot.

From daylight until dusk.

He wouldn't wait for me.

This business in the capital was done well, earning a large sum of silver.

Before leaving the capital, I was busy purchasing various goods that could be sold for a good price beyond the pass.

When I returned from outside, I collapsed exhausted in a chair.

At this moment, the maid brought over another exquisite box, lowering her head with a difficult smile:

"Young lady, this was sent by Prince Yan. This servant didn't dare to disobey, so I accepted it first."

I opened the box.

Thinking it was something valuable, but it was only a bronze hairpin.

The style was the same as the one he gave me before. Now, this hairpin was placed with great care in a lacquered box.

Xie Jiuxiao had sent me many things, and I had people return them all.

This hairpin was no exception.

...

The day before leaving the capital, Sang Yu came to find me.

The slap mark on her face was clear and alarming.

The reason was that when she learned of Xie Jiuxiao's various attempts to please me, her grievances and resentment erupted all at once. The two had a fierce argument, and in a moment of agitation, Xie Jiuxiao had slapped her.

Following that was Xie Jiuxiao's coldness day after day.

Tears rolled from her eyes one by one.

Sang Yu choked up, speaking with unprecedented humility:

"I was wrong before, and now I've tasted the bitterness."

"Miss Mu, I'll give the main consort position to you. I won't compete with you for favor anymore. Please stay."

I looked at her and suddenly found it somewhat ridiculous.

"Did he send you to persuade me?"

Hearing me say this, Sang Yu's expression was lonely. She nodded, half bitter and half sour, and tears fell even more heavily.

I sighed:

"The cheaper your affection, the more he will trample it."

"Miss Sang, you were originally the direct daughter of a duke's mansion—how many young men in the capital wanted to marry you."

"You shouldn't have come to beg me."

Sang Yu stood frozen in place, then covered her face and wept bitterly.

Chapter 18

The day I left the capital, Xie Jiuxiao came.

He rode on horseback, his face unable to conceal his excitement.

He had knelt before the Emperor for a day and night, even willing to exchange his princely title for an imperial edict granting marriage, to marry me, a commoner of low status, as his main consort.

Xie Jiuxiao carefully presented the imperial edict before me.

He looked at me stubbornly, humbly, his voice hoarse.

"Xitang, as long as you write your name, you will be my proper wife."

"Don't go, alright?"

I gently pushed it back.

In that instant, everything in his eyes collapsed, instantly growing dark.

I said calmly: "Why don't you understand?"

His face instantly turned deathly pale, his lips trembling slightly.

I paused, then continued: "I don't like you anymore now."

"I like the west courtyard crabapple blossoms of Jiangnan, the sour apricots of the northwest, the fermented mare's milk beyond the pass."

"I like too many things—there's no room for you."

I turned to look at the person behind him. Sang Yu was crying her heart out.

"But someone has their heart completely full of you."

"Yet you betrayed one after another."

After speaking, I signaled the coachman to depart.

The carriage slowly drove away. I lifted the curtain and glanced back, seeing Xie Jiuxiao still standing in place.

He understood.

I would never turn back.

This parting—perhaps we would never meet again.

Chapter 19

Several more years passed.

Sang Yu finally got her wish and sat on the position of Princess consort of Yan.

The Emperor, for the continuation of the imperial clan's lineage, suggested that the princes take concubines and bear children. Several princes refused on the grounds of marital harmony.

Only Xie Jiuxiao—Sang Yu personally chose two concubines for him.

They were docile and pleasant, from respectable families.

Sang Yu was his first love, the one who had given her true heart, who had used every means for him, been jealous and possessive, whose eyes and heart held only him.

She was neither sad nor happy as she welcomed the concubines into the household, with courteous etiquette.

Xie Jiuxiao had thought Sang Yu would be like before, using some small tricks to refuse his taking of concubines.

Xie Jiuxiao asked angrily: "You're not even jealous?"

He was somewhat flustered.

"As long as you say you don't want me to take concubines, I will refuse Father Emperor."

Sang Yu lowered her eyes in thought, smiled faintly, and said with detached calm: "That would be hurtful."

The Emperor had many sons. To stand out and maintain the glory of Prince Yan's mansion, it was necessary to curry favor with those in power. Before them, the love between men and women was as ethereal as clouds.

Xie Jiuxiao suddenly discovered.

What he lost was always one thing after another.

"Even you... don't love me anymore?"

...

Many years later, I came to the capital again for business.

Xie Jiuxiao didn't appear before me again.

Instead, Sang Yu specifically sought me out to reminisce.

The autumn wind blew fiercely, lifting a corner of her garment, she appeared noble and elegant.

A faint smile hung on her face, hiding composure and ambition.

Now, she was the most favored among the Emperor's many daughters-in-law—intelligent, tactful, and steady in her actions.

She said she had found another path.

Men are fickle, especially those of the imperial clan.

She only sought to secure her position as main consort, to firmly grasp power—that was something no one could take away.

And Xie Jiuxiao was essentially a fickle prince, mediocre and indecisive in political matters, with few accomplishments.

Gradually, he was overshadowed by the numerous other princes.

When people mentioned Prince Yan, they only thought of Princess consort Yan.

I picked up my teacup, took a light sip, and we smiled at each other.