Volume One, Chapter 13: Rather Than Relying on Prince Xuan as an Ally, It’s Better to Have Him as a Husband

"Cough! Cough!"

Startled by what Changle had just said, Feng Linlang bolted upright from her bed, choking on her own saliva.

"Changle, have you developed a fever and lost your mind? That is the 'Cold-Faced Yama' we’re talking about! Seeking him out is terrifying."

As soon as Changle heard Linlang’s reaction, she realized her friend had misunderstood and prepared to explain. However, Feng Linlang continued earnestly, "Though, I did catch a glimpse of Prince Xuan from afar once, and he is indeed handsome. If you truly fancy him, then... then let’s think of a way to trick him into your hands first."

Although Feng Linlang didn't quite understand and was actually a bit intimidated, she would always support the man her best friend set her sights on.

Changle sat up and gave Linlang’s forehead a gentle flick with her finger. "What are you thinking about?"

"I meant seeking out Prince Xuan to act as a backer, not what you’re imagining."

"Ah? Just a backer?" Feng Linlang covered her forehead, feeling a tiny bit of disappointment after the initial shock.

"What else?" Changle laid back down. "A figure like Prince Xuan is not someone I dare to provoke."

"No, Changle, listen to me analyze this."

Now that Changle had clarified her intent, Feng Linlang grew even more enthusiastic.

"Since you already have the guts to ask Prince Xuan to be your backer, why not grow a pair of lion’s gallbladders and go for the ultimate goal: capture Prince Xuan himself?"

"Think about it. Prince Xuan is so powerful. If you become the Princess of Xuan, who would dare to push you around?"

"Not only that, you’d instantly become Wei Shuye’s little imperial aunt."

"Just imagine: even if Wei Shuye is unwilling, he would still have to bow to you respectfully and address you as his 'little imperial aunt.' Wouldn't that be satisfying?"

"And what about your father, mother, brother, and Hua Zhiyu? If you are the Princess of Xuan, they would all have to bow to you. Who would care if they were biased then?"

"Besides, hasn't Hua Zhiyu always been terrified of you overshadowing her? If you marry Prince Xuan, she will never be able to outdo you for the rest of her life. She’ll surely be sick with rage."

Hua Zhiyu’s ambitions were as high as the heavens, and she absolutely refused to allow Changle to surpass her, especially given their rivalry. Even the current state of the relationship between Changle and Wei Shuye was largely due to Hua Zhiyu’s sabotage. She didn't want Changle to marry Wei Shuye and become the Third Prince’s consort, as Wei Shuye was highly favored by the Emperor thanks to the influence of Noble Consort Rong. With no Crown Prince yet appointed, Wei Shuye had a strong chance at the throne. Hua Zhiyu feared that if Changle married better than her, she would forever be relegated to a lower status.

Changle pondered this, beginning to consider the feasibility of becoming the Princess of Xuan.

She and Wei Chengxuan usually had no contact. If she suddenly approached him and declared she wanted to marry him, he would likely just think she was insane.

Wait, Wei Chengxuan had mentioned today that he remembered the favor she had once done for him by pulling him back from a dangerous situation. Should she simply leverage that debt of gratitude?

That felt a bit too shameless, didn't it?

But if she could really become the Princess of Xuan, just imagining the reactions of those people made Changle feel a sense of exhilaration.

However, once that thought passed, Changle gradually calmed down. Wei Chengxuan was Wei Shuye’s uncle; she had been betrothed to Wei Shuye and had nearly become his niece-in-law. Whether out of ethics, morality, or simply face, Wei Chengxuan would never agree to marry her. This sense of vengeful satisfaction was something she could only dream of. If she were truly asked to say those words to Wei Chengxuan, she wouldn't have the courage.

The next morning, after Feng Linlang finished breakfast at Changle’s place, she was picked up by the people from the Marquis of Zhongyong’s estate. Changle then took Lindong to an agency to have an agent show them some properties.

Changle stated her requirements, and the agent happened to have a two-courtyard estate available in a prime location, though the price was a bit higher than she had anticipated. Changle and Lindong rode in a carriage with the agent to view the property. As soon as they stepped out, the agent began his enthusiastic pitch.

"Miss, take a good look at this location."

"If you go out to the left, you reach Copper Sparrow Avenue; to the right is South Street. The area behind us is where all the high-ranking officials and nobles live."

"And look over there—do you see that? That is the Prince Xuan Estate."

"I’m not bragging, but you are quite lucky, Miss. This property only came into my hands last night; it hasn’t even been listed yet. If I had put up a sign, it would have been snatched up by morning."

"Fine, I’ll take it." Changle looked at the gates of the Prince Xuan Estate and decided on the house.

The house had belonged to an elderly official who was retiring to his hometown. Having no children and only an elderly wife, they wanted to return to their roots and were selling the property. The couple had packed everything the night before and moved out, leaving the house clean, well-maintained, and ready for immediate occupancy.

Changle signed the contract with the agent, handed over the silver, and received the deed. After completing the formalities, she returned her rented house that same day and moved into her new home with Lindong.

The living space was finally spacious. Lindong was happily bustling about, decorating and cleaning the entire house without feeling a hint of fatigue. When Changle tried to help, Lindong refused, insisting that she couldn't let her mistress do such chores and told her to go rest. Changle retreated to organize some of her small personal items.

Changle had a small wicker basket she had bought when she was young to store the gifts Wei Shuye had given her. Wei Shuye had once said that when this little basket was full, she should marry him.

The basket was indeed nearly full now, but she would never marry Wei Shuye.

Changle lifted the basket and dumped its contents onto the floor. Some gifts were very precious—jewels, pearls, gold hairpins, and the like—but others were of little monetary value. There were grasshoppers woven by Wei Shuye, calligraphy brushes he had used, flowers he had plucked from the roadside during their outings, and a small wooden sword he had whittled for her with a branch.

In the past, Changle had cherished these handmade items far more than the gold and jewels, keeping them carefully tucked away. She had even found a way to press a wild flower he gave her into a dried specimen, framed behind paper.

But looking at these cherished items now, it felt as though she were being slapped in the face repeatedly, mocking her former innocence and naivety.

In truth, it wasn't as if Changle hadn't given Wei Shuye chances—she had given him many. She knew that given his status and the future Noble Consort Rong was planning for him, she would be his wife, but she would never be the only woman in his life. Even knowing about Lin Xin-yan, though her heart ached, she had convinced herself to accept it. She had told herself that with Lin Xin-yan’s background, even if she were favored, she would at most be a concubine.

She had repeatedly offered Wei Shuye chances, proactively asking to meet him, trying to keep things as they were. But every time, Wei Shuye would abandon her for matters concerning Lin Xin-yan.

Yesterday had been the final chance Changle gave him, and Wei Shuye had chosen Lin Xin-yan once again, casting her aside.

Changle had finally realized: if a person cannot be kept, it is better to treat them as dead!

Changle divided the gifts into two piles—the valuable and the worthless. "Lindong, take these to the pawnshop later and exchange them for silver."

"As for these useless things, throw them all away."

From this day forward, the bond that had tied her to him for fifteen years would be completely severed.