Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Meeting

"If you say one more word, beware that the young lady might have your hide. Just wait here quietly; she'll be out soon enough." Jinling helped Su Baizhi down from the carriage, not without muttering a few words under her breath.

The coachman shrank back, answering meekly, "Yes, I understand."

Su Baizhi wore a white veiled hat and a dress of white brocade, her figure ethereal and graceful. Many men cast glances her way. At the curve of her lips, the inn attendant led her to a private room.

"You may go now. We'll call for you if we need anything else." Jinling handed the attendant a few pieces of silver. He beamed with delight. "Thank you, miss, for your generosity. If you need anything, just call for me." He bowed respectfully as he closed the door behind him.

Once the attendant had left, Yinling removed Su Baizhi's veiled hat. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. At a glance from Su Baizhi, Jinling opened it at once. Outside stood Yun Fengxiao, dressed in white, his hair crowned with jade, his brows sharp as swords and eyes shining like stars. Jinling's cheeks flushed red.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is here; the young lady awaits inside," Jinling said, bowing. Yun Fengxiao stepped inside, and Jinling and Yinling withdrew.

Yun Fengxiao saw a beauty in white sitting by the window, her figure delicate and misty. "Zhizhi, I've come," he called. At the sound of his footsteps, Su Baizhi's heart flew to him. When he spoke, she turned at once, but the joy on Yun Fengxiao's face froze instantly.

"Your Highness, you are truly heartless, letting me wait for so long. If I hadn't sent someone to urge you, would you even have remembered to bring me into your household?" Su Baizhi's brows knit lightly, a tear hung trembling at the edge of her eye, her gaze brimming with emotion that sent a shiver through Yun Fengxiao.

He nearly gagged, but fortunately, he was not easily unnerved. Still, Su Baizhi's appearance was difficult to behold. "Zhizhi, your face..."

It was only then that Su Baizhi realized the reason for his sudden change of expression. A trace of sorrow crept into her eyes; men, it seemed, cared for nothing but appearances. Though she herself was anxious, Yun Fengxiao's open distaste stung her pride.

"Does Your Highness despise me? I was harmed by a villain, and only because I so longed for you did I come despite the scars on my face, yet you..." This time, her tears truly fell. She clutched her chest, and the sight of a beauty in tears stirred Yun Fengxiao's reluctant pity.

"Enough, stop crying. I haven't said anything yet and you've already said it all. When we return, I'll have someone look at your face." Yun Fengxiao buried his disgust deep within, for though he found her face unbearable, a man of ambition could not be bothered by trifles. He was here today for matters of greater import.

He offered Su Baizhi a perfunctory gesture of support, which turned her tears into a smile. Thinking of the marriage contract, she pouted, "Why did you say you would bring me into your household, yet now there is another Crown Princess? Were your words to me all false?"

Her grievance was clear in her words, and Yun Fengxiao heard it plainly. Yet women, he thought, only ever cared about these positions. Still, he needed Su Baizhi to win over her father, the Prime Minister.

"Zhizhi, don't be unreasonable. We both know the reason you are entering my household. Now, my father the Emperor has chosen a lady from the Huo family for me. Given your current reputation—pregnant before marriage—do you still dream of being Crown Princess? Isn't that a bit much?" He had wished to comfort her, but the memory of her schemes—forcing him into this marriage—made the chill in his eyes deepen.

A dull ache throbbed in Su Baizhi's chest as tears rolled down her cheeks. The pain in her eyes could no longer be concealed. Yun Fengxiao's heartless words left her speechless. She had done everything for him—why did he think so little of her?

She knew that arguing with the Crown Prince would only bring her harm. She took a deep breath and steadied her anger before speaking in a hoarse voice, "Your Highness, my father's support for you is all because of me. Do you not care for my father's honor?"

Yun Fengxiao had thought to let her vent, but when she resorted to invoking her father, he, a proud prince, felt only greater disdain. He snorted, "Let your father devote himself entirely to my cause first. No matter how eloquent your words, I cannot trust you completely."

Su Baizhi grew anxious, unable to hide her tension. What did he mean by that? "Your Highness, did my father say something to make you doubt me?"

Irritated, Yun Fengxiao recounted how last time, when he had tried to win over the Prime Minister, the latter had brushed him off with little concern.

At once, Su Baizhi thumped her chest in earnest, "Your Highness, it was my past actions that angered my father. He must have been upset, and so slighted you. Once I marry into your household, with the affection my father bears me, he will surely stand by your side. With me here, what need have you for worry?"

Her persuasion eased Yun Fengxiao's displeasure somewhat. Seeing her hopeful eyes, his face softened into a sudden smile, leaving Su Baizhi momentarily dazed. "Your Highness..."

Yun Fengxiao forced down his revulsion and softened his tone. "Zhizhi, the Crown Princess has been chosen by royal decree; I cannot change that. But the future Empress—that is for me to decide. Do you understand my intentions?"

Joy lit up Su Baizhi's face, her cheeks flushed, her eyes shining with a light that was almost alarming. She trembled, "Your Highness... do you truly mean it?"

He nodded, drawing her close and rubbing her hand in his. "Of course I mean it. How could I not know your devotion? But my father's word is law; the edict is issued and cannot be changed."

He sighed, and the regret in his eyes did not escape Su Baizhi's notice. She bit her lip, fingers twisting her brocade handkerchief, her heart in turmoil. Yet she felt hope for the rest of her life, and her eyes could not hide their delight. "Your Highness, I understand. I will not let your hopes in me be in vain."

A devoted man, a willing woman—Yun Fengxiao felt a twinge of regret. If Su Baizhi were in good health, this might have been the perfect moment to indulge in passion. But the rash that marred her face was so alarming that, even with desire, the sight of it extinguished all romantic thoughts.

Su Baizhi, now reassured, saw that it was getting late. If she did not return soon, she would have no explanation for Yao Ruoshui. She bowed deeply. "Your Highness, I should return home now. I shall await your arrival to escort me into your household."

Her expectant gaze was like a weight on Yun Fengxiao's heart. He nodded lightly and assured her, "My father has already chosen an auspicious day. Be prepared."

And so, the meeting came to a close.