"Qingshao, go find the Fourth Prince. Shadow him closely—anything happens, report to me at once." Bai Zheng issued the command coolly.
This scene was unfolding almost exactly like the last time at the Marquis of Gaochang's residence: someone was stirring trouble around Zheng Yan, making her jealous, and spreading filthy rumors that Bai Zheng had been trying to seduce the marquis. The goal was to provoke Zheng Yan into striking at her.
If it was the same trick again, then sticking close to the marquis would let her avoid whatever snare Bai Sheng had set.
Bai Zheng told herself that, but staring at the empty seat where the marquis should have been, a knot of unease tightened in her chest. She felt as if she had missed something.
A hand suddenly settled on her shoulder.
"Who is it?" Bai Zheng spun, every nerve alert.
Princess Yunxi stood there with a look of startled innocence. "Third Miss, are you all right?"
"Princess Yunxi?" Bai Zheng couldn't help but arch an eyebrow. "To what do I owe the honor?"
Surely the princess wasn't here for idle chatter.
Princess Yunxi flashed a disarming smile that left no room for refusal. "I've heard your imperial garden in Eastern Zhou blooms into a spectacle every spring. It sounds lovely. Third Miss, would you indulge me and come with me to see it?"
Her question sounded like a question, but the tone made it clear—this was not an invitation one declined.
Bai Zheng dropped her gaze and masked the chill in her eyes. To refuse a princess in public would be tantamount to a slap in the face for a third-rank official's daughter. Worse, there were those eager to interpret such a slight as interference with interstate relations.
She stole a quick look toward Feng Linyuan. He was presently being led by Zhuo Lingxiao, the heir of West Liang, raising a cup to his lips. Noticing Bai Zheng's stare, he turned slightly and offered a smile that was all warmth. That steadied her.
She returned the smile and inclined her head. "A princess's invitation cannot be refused. Let us go."
They left the main hall together. The banquet hall and the imperial garden were not far apart. The two had dismissed their attendants and walked along the winding path toward the enclosed garden.
Bai Zheng expected the princess to speak first, but Yunxi kept a studied silence. Bai Zheng, in turn, focused on the surroundings—watching guards and guests, noting entrances and exits. She even stooped to pick up a curious fallen blossom and toyed with it in her palm.
Princess Yunxi's composure began to crack. "You don't even ask why I summoned you?"
Bai Zheng murmured, still playing with the flower. "May I ask, Princess, why you called me out?"
"You—" Yunxi flared, insulted by Bai Zheng's nonchalance. "You are nothing but an upstart!"
Bai Zheng smiled lightly, unfazed. "A princess is magnanimous—no need to abase yourself among the smallfolk."
Yunxi turned her head and gave her a disdainful glance. "If you know your station, that you're of low birth, then you should know very well you're unworthy of the Marquis of Dingyuan."
Bai Zheng looked up calmly. "With respect, Princess, I must disagree. The imperial edict was clear: Bai Zheng, daughter of Counselor Bai, of virtuous disposition and proper bearing, is a fitting match for Marquis Feng Linyuan of Dingyuan. If I were to belittle myself and claim I'm unworthy, would that not be to defy the emperor's own words?"
Her voice was light, but the words hit Yunxi like a slap. The princess's face flushed with fury. She jabbed a finger at Bai Zheng's nose. "Have you no shame? The Eastern Zhou emperor only utters polite words. You actually believe them and stick them to your chest? Do you have any sense of where you stand? You're just the daughter of a third-rank official—no talent, no beauty, no virtue. Don't even mention Yongding; even the daughters of the great families there wouldn't accept him—your two older sisters included!"
"My two older sisters?" Bai Zheng seized upon the phrase, lifting an eyebrow. "Since when did Your Highness become so familiar with them?"
Yunxi hesitated, blinking, then spluttered, "Isn't that common knowledge?"
"When did you become close with my sisters?" Bai Zheng pressed on, ignoring the princess's flustered attempt to backtrack.
The princess faltered, then bristled as if sensing a trap. "I do not know your sisters at all. Third Miss, are you not aware of your own reputation?"
"I am," Bai Zheng said, a faint curl touching her lips as if a thought amused her. "Princess, may I ask—what is it about the Marquis that appeals to you?"
Yunxi, discomfited by the sudden shift in topic, sputtered for a moment and had no ready answer. Bai Zheng went on.
"The Marquis has not been seen in public for seven years. Even if you once saw him in West Liang, you would have been no more than seven or eight—what could you truly remember? The truth is he was disfigured and left with grievous injuries after the battle at Yancheng. He won't live past twenty-five. In Yongding, even daughters of prominent households refuse him. Princess, you are the most cherished of West Liang's imperial daughters—why are you so keen to pursue the Marquis? I cannot fathom it. Please enlighten me."
"Do you even understand?" Yunxi lifted her chin and sneered. "I knew you would never see him for what he truly is. People like you are blind—you are not worthy of him."
Bai Zheng inclined her head. "Please, Princess, do enlighten me."
They had entered the imperial garden and paused under a broad camphor tree. Somewhere ahead, a few figures strolled and laughter chimed like glass.
Yunxi stared across the pond toward the distant horizon. Her voice grew husky, fierce. "You women who hide behind pianos and embroidery cannot know the Marquis on the battlefield—he's like a wild stallion, an eagle of prey. No—the fiercest warhorse of my Liang pales beside him; the deadliest hawk would fall short. He rides in red armor. In the blood and smoke of battle, even when wounded, you would never notice it. He charges the front ranks and his spear takes down more foes than anyone else. He conjures tactics that outmatch even our war god, Uncle the Prince Xuanning. He is a genius commander—your Eastern Zhou's true jewel."
Growing passionate, she turned sharply to Bai Zheng, eyes narrowed into slits, the air around her suddenly dangerous. "And yet you—Eastern Zhou—are the ones who failed him. You cut off his wings and caged him in this petty, scheming court. A man like the Marquis should be on the battlefield!"
"Princess." Bai Zheng interrupted, her gaze fixed and steady. "Why do you say 'you'—that Eastern Zhou cut off the Marquis's wings? Could it be—"
Yunxi's face changed as if struck. Bai Zheng's voice went colder. "Princess, do you know the truth behind the Marquis's injury?"