Chapter Twelve: Su Baizhi's Wish Fulfilled

Su Hong’s gaze toward Su Baizhi was sharper than ever, as if daring her to utter a lie—if she did, he would send her straight to the convent without hesitation.

Frightened, Su Baizhi’s teeth chattered, and she nearly lost the ability to speak. She fought to steady herself, tears streaming down her cheeks as she pleaded, “Father, I truly haven’t deceived you. The child I carry is indeed His Highness the Crown Prince’s. I have his personal jade pendant as proof.”

From beneath her pillow, Su Baizhi produced Yun Fengxiao’s intimate jade pendant. Su Hong recognized it at once; it was the one bestowed upon the Crown Prince by the Emperor on his first birthday, and since that day it had never left Yun Fengxiao’s person. Now, seeing it in Su Baizhi’s hands, Su Hong believed most of what she said.

“Rest well for now. I have business to attend to and will return to see you later,” Su Hong said, taking the jade pendant with him.

Yao Ruoshui clung to Su Baizhi, weeping. “My child, why did you delay so long? If you had shown the pendant sooner, your father wouldn’t have shouted at you.”

“Mother, I’m tired and wish to rest. You’ve cared for me all these days; you must be weary too. Please, go and take some rest yourself.” Su Baizhi had no heart to reveal her thoughts to Yao Ruoshui at this moment. Seeing the fatigue in her daughter’s eyes, Yao Ruoshui refrained from further disturbance and only left after Su Baizhi lay down.

With the jade pendant in his possession, Su Hong immediately ordered a carriage and made his way to the Eastern Palace. As luck would have it, Yun Fengxiao was at the palace, and Su Hong was soon granted an audience.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of the Prime Minister’s visit?” Yun Fengxiao asked as he invited Su Hong into the study. “The matter concerning your second daughter has already been made clear before the Emperor. Surely you are not here to pester me with groundless accusations again?”

“Your Highness, you misunderstand,” Su Hong replied, composed. “I come on urgent business. Please, look at this—does this jade pendant belong to you?”

Presenting the pendant, Su Hong watched as Yun Fengxiao’s demeanor shifted from languid indifference to alert seriousness.

“This jade pendant is indeed mine,” Yun Fengxiao admitted. “Some time ago I lost track of it and searched everywhere to no avail. I never imagined it would end up with you, Prime Minister...” Only now did Yun Fengxiao recall—he had lost it after that spring night with Su Baizhi, assuming it had simply fallen somewhere in his chambers. Little did he suspect it would find its way into Su Hong’s hands.

Now he understood—Su Baizhi had set a trap for him, and all that had happened was meant to lead him right here.

“Your Highness,” Su Hong pressed, “my daughter has already shared intimacy with you. Now, Prince Yi has petitioned the Emperor to dissolve his engagement to our family, yet Your Highness insists you have no connection to my daughter. Then how do you explain your personal jade pendant in her possession?”

Yun Fengxiao resented Su Baizhi, but Su Hong was still a man he needed to win over, so he chose his words carefully. “Prime Minister, do not be upset. It was confusion on my part before. This jade pendant was indeed left with your second daughter. Now that her engagement has been annulled, I am deeply pained by it. Why not let me take her as my bride? What say you?”

This was the best possible outcome, and Su Hong naturally had no objections. After agreeing, he discussed certain court matters with the Crown Prince, each man speaking in guarded tones. Su Hong let nothing slip, heaping praise on Yun Fengxiao before returning home.

The next day, an imperial eunuch arrived at the Su estate with a decree. Su Hong led his household to kneel and receive it. The decree bestowed marriage between Yun Fengxiao and Su Baizhi, and Su Hong accepted it with joy.

When the Su family’s women heard that Su Baizhi had been chosen as the Crown Prince’s fiancée, Su Liluo stood among them, inevitably drawing comparisons. Su Liluo had no desire for trouble; she simply returned to her chambers with her maid.

Su Baizhi, learning that she was now the Crown Prince’s intended, was naturally delighted, though worry still clouded her heart. The anxiety was evident in her eyes, which Yao Ruoshui noticed at once.

“Baizhi, what troubles you? You are to be the Crown Princess. Why are you not happy?”

“Mother, will His Highness be angry with me?” Su Baizhi wondered if Yun Fengxiao, now aware of her machinations, might shun her from here on.

Yao Ruoshui, clearly having considered this herself, soothed her, “Baizhi, you are now the Crown Prince’s legitimate fiancée. There’s no need to hide your meetings with him anymore. With time and care, I’m certain he’ll come around.”

Taking comfort in her mother’s words, Su Baizhi forced herself to think positively. After a few days, her health restored, she immediately sent word to Yun Fengxiao that she wished to see him.

Nervous, Su Baizhi waited, expecting he would not come so quickly. But within half an hour, word arrived that the Crown Prince was here. She hurriedly tidied herself, and when Yun Fengxiao entered the courtyard, she greeted him with a graceful curtsy, eyes brimming with emotion. “Baizhi greets Your Highness.”

“Rise. What is it you wish to discuss?” Yun Fengxiao still harbored resentment toward her and entered the room without looking at her.

Undeterred, Su Baizhi felt oddly relieved—if he were all smiles, she would have been even more uneasy. She dismissed the maids with a wave and personally poured tea, presenting it to him. “Your Highness, are you still angry with me? I had no choice. My father was pressing me—if I did not name the child’s father, he would have sent me to the convent. Would you have the heart to see me spend my days in such hardship?”

“You could have discussed it with me first. Why did you take my pendant without asking?” Yun Fengxiao, picturing this delicate girl sent to a bitter life in a convent, felt a pang of reluctance. Yet the matter of the pendant reignited his anger.

Su Baizhi knew she was at fault. She immediately knelt before him, begging in a low voice, “I know I was wrong. I understand I have angered you, but I only wish to serve Your Highness with all my heart, so that you may achieve great things.” Her meaning was veiled, but Yun Fengxiao grasped it at once.

For Su Hong’s sake, Yun Fengxiao would not make things too hard for her. Seeing her sincerity, he helped her up himself. “Baizhi, what are you saying? I know your heart is with me. But in future, you must act with more care. Some things can only happen once, not again. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Your Highness. There is, however, a difficulty I hope Your Highness can help me overcome. If I can resolve this matter, I will surely persuade my father to serve you loyally.” Su Baizhi clenched her fists. As long as Su Liluo was removed, the position of legitimate eldest daughter of the Su family would be hers alone.

“What is it?” Yun Fengxiao perked up at once upon hearing that Su Baizhi could sway Su Hong. No wonder she was Su Hong’s favored daughter—her words carried a force unlike any other.