"Many thanks for Your Highness's gracious favor." I bowed once more.
The gaze of the Fourth Princess, Xiao Linyun, fell straight upon my face, her eyes carrying an undisguised look of admiration.
"Young Master Su need not be so courteous." The Fourth Princess finally spoke, her voice crisp and sweet. "I happened to be free today. Hearing that the young master has come of age, I could not help but think of the incident at Ice Lake back then… I failed to stop you in time, and I have carried that guilt in my heart ever since. I came today to offer congratulations and, at the same time, to express my apology." As she spoke, she gestured for a maid to present another gift box. Inside lay a thousand-year-old ginseng, its body glossy and lustrous. "This ginseng is most beneficial for nourishing qi and blood. Young master may wish to use it."
Her words were spoken beautifully, as though the Ice Lake incident had been nothing more than an unintentional mistake. But who present did not know the truth of that year? The smiles on Grandmother's and Mother's faces faded slightly.
"Your Highness speaks too highly of it." I lowered my gaze, my voice calm. "What happened back then was Yuzhi acting rashly to save someone. What did it have to do with Your Highness? Such a generous gift—I truly dare not accept it."
"Ah, young master, do not decline." The Fourth Princess smiled, her gaze lingering on my face. "With such character and looks, and such kindness and magnanimity, no wonder…" She paused, casting a meaningful glance at Mother. "No wonder so many eyes in the capital are fixed on you. Just the other day, Mother Emperor even asked about it, saying that the jade gentleman of Chancellor Su's household has come of age, and wondering whether there is already a family you favor."
These words were already close to a naked probe. The atmosphere in the flower hall suddenly grew tense.
Mother's expression did not change. She lifted her teacup and took a small sip before slowly saying, "We trouble His Majesty with concern. Yuzhi's health is weak. The meaning of both myself and the elders of the family is to keep him by our side a few more years to properly recuperate. As for marriage… there is no hurry."
"Oh?" The Fourth Princess raised an eyebrow. "Chancellor Su's love for his son is truly moving. However, a fine young man must always marry sooner or later. Settling it earlier would also bring peace of mind. Speaking of which, my Eighth Sister returned to the capital the other day and even mentioned it to Mother Emperor, saying that although the northern frontier is bitterly cold, there are some rare medicinal materials that might be beneficial to Young Master Su's condition. My Eighth Sister has always held her head high and rarely concerns herself with anyone else's affairs. It is rare indeed for her to take such interest."
The Eighth Princess, Xiao Linyue? She mentioned me to His Majesty? And even spoke of seeking medicine?
Alarm bells rang loudly in my heart. The Fourth Princess mentioning the Eighth Princess at this moment was certainly not out of goodwill. On the one hand, she was hinting that the Eighth Princess might have feelings for me, placing pressure on the Su family. On the other, she was also testing the Su family's attitude toward the various princesses.
Grandmother smiled and smoothed things over. "The Eighth Highness is burdened with military affairs, yet still keeps this old body of Yuzhi's illness in mind. That truly overwhelms him with favor. Once Her Highness's injuries have improved a little, this old woman will certainly have Yan'er bring Yuzhi into the palace to express thanks."
The Fourth Princess smiled without quite smiling. "My Eighth Sister only has superficial wounds—nothing serious. She has never taken minor injuries to heart. But as for Young Master Su…" Her gaze returned to my face, the dim light in her eyes like a dark whirlpool in deep water. She deliberately slowed her tone, carrying a cloying note of scrutiny. "After so many years, Young Master Yuzhi has truly grown into someone even more… unforgettable at first sight." Her words paused, the corner of her lips lifting into a faint, ambiguous curve. Her voice dropped even lower, yet remained clear enough for those around to hear. "It is only that I wonder—over these years… have you, young master, had any dealings with my reclusive Third Elder Sister?"
The air in the flower hall seemed to freeze. Even Aunt Yan's perfect smile faded slightly as she lowered her eyes to drink her tea.
I lifted my gaze and calmly met the Fourth Princess's eyes. The corner of my lips even curved into a faint, impeccable smile. "Your Highness flatters me. The Third Highness is of imperial blood. Yuzhi is weak of body, spending his days in the company of medicine bowls. I scarcely even leave my courtyard—how would I ever have the fortune to associate with such a noble person?"
The Fourth Princess stared at me, as though trying to find even the slightest trace of concealment on my face. The calm in my eyes was like a deep pool of water, causing all her probing stones to sink straight to the bottom, unable to stir the ripples she expected.
At last, the thin layer of icy scrutiny on her face melted away, blossoming into a flawless, well-bred smile befitting a noble lady of the royal house—though the smile did not reach her eyes. "Young Master Su must take good care of your health." With that, she rose gracefully, turning toward Mother with elegant poise, her tone returning to its usual restraint. "It is indeed getting late today. I shall not disturb you further. Chancellor Su, farewell."
After seeing off the Fourth Princess and Aunt Yan, only our own family remained in the flower hall. Grandmother's face was dark, and she said not a word. Mother rubbed her brow and looked at me, her expression complex. "Yuzhi, you heard it all."
"Yes," I replied softly.
"The Fourth Highness did not come today merely to offer congratulations," Mother said in a low voice. "She was sounding things out on behalf of the Eldest Highness, and also for herself… perhaps even for the Eighth Highness. Your marriage has already become one of the pieces on their chessboard."
"Mother," I lifted my head, "your child—"
"I know what you wish to say." Mother interrupted me, sighing. "Yuzhi, how could I not want you to choose for yourself? But your identity, your health, have already destined that your marriage cannot be only your own affair. It concerns the Su family's stance, and the balance of the court. Although His Majesty has not yet spoken plainly, sooner or later he will ask."
"Then… what about the Third Highness?" I finally asked. "The Fourth Highness deliberately brought up the Third Highness—what was her intent?"
Mother looked at me deeply. "The Third Highness, Xiao Yuhuang, has not been without achievements at court these past years. It is just that she conducts herself in a low-key manner, does not form factions, and does not reveal her edge. Yet His Majesty occasionally adopts her suggestions. Although she has not been granted real power, she has not been completely sidelined either. Most importantly," Mother lowered her voice, "she has yet to take a principal consort—nor even a secondary or attendant consort. Among all the princesses, she is the only one like this. Some say she is pure of heart and indifferent to desire; others say she… has standards so high that no one can please her."
My heart stirred slightly. Xiao Yuhuang, she…
"The Fourth Highness asking about you and the Third Highness was likely because she heard some rumors," Mother frowned. "After the Ice Lake incident, although the Third Highness did not associate with you openly, there has indeed been covert care. There are no secrets in the palace. Given enough time, someone was bound to notice. The Fourth Highness's actions today were both a warning and a test—a test of whether the Su family has excessively close ties with the Third Highness."
So that was it. Layers upon layers of calculation, like an invisible net.
"Yuzhi," Grandmother suddenly spoke, her voice aged yet commanding, "remember this: no matter how fierce the storms outside, the Su family will always be your support. Your marriage—your grandmother and your mother will maneuver for you, but you yourself must also be clear in your heart. Who is sincere, who is false; which are pits of fire, which are treacherous shoals… you must see them clearly."
"This grandson understands," I replied respectfully.
By the time I returned to my room, dusk had already fallen. The lingering glow of the setting sun filtered through the window paper, dyeing the room a warm shade of orange. Yet all I felt was cold—a chill spreading outward from the depths of my heart.
Coming of age should have been a joy. For me, however, it was more like a death knell, formally pushing me into that vortex filled with schemes and contention.
The Fourth Princess's scrutinizing gaze, the distant yet impossible-to-ignore "attention" of the Eighth Princess, and then Xiao Yuhuang… behind those quiet eyes, what kind of intentions were truly hidden?