The Legend of Concubine Su

In the far north lies the mysterious and ancient kingdom of Mengwushiwei. Its rolling hills and boundless grasslands resemble a magnificent painting. And in this magical land, a dazzling and aristocratic flower blooms—Princess Manlin.

Princess Manlin was born into a noble family and received a fine education from a young age. Not only was she stunningly beautiful, captivating the nation, but she was also exceptionally talented, proficient in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Even more remarkable, she possessed a profound cultural heritage and noble moral character, truly flawless.

Upon learning she would be marrying off to a distant neighboring kingdom, Princess Manlin, though deeply reluctant, resolutely embarked on this uncertain journey for the sake of friendship and peace between the two nations. The man she would marry, Crown Prince Yuan Cong, was a handsome, elegant, and talented young man. He possessed both military and literary skills, wisdom and courage, and was deeply loved by the people and supported by his ministers.

Their union was undoubtedly a match made in heaven. On their wedding day, the entire capital was festooned with lights and festive cheer. Crowds flocked to the streets to witness the newlyweds. However, no one could have imagined that behind this seemingly happy marriage lay countless contradictions and crises.

As time went by, Princess Manlin gradually discovered an insurmountable gap between herself and the Crown Prince. Although they treated each other with respect on the surface, deep down, they could never truly draw close. In the dead of night, Princess Manlin would sit alone by the window, gazing out at the bright moon, lost in thought, missing her distant family and friends.

Meanwhile, rumors began to spread within the inner court. Concubines, jealous of Princess Manlin's beauty and talent, seized the opportunity to fan the flames, spreading rumors and defaming her reputation. These malicious attacks left Princess Manlin feeling deeply wronged and distressed, yet she had nowhere to turn to.

At this moment, Imperial Concubine Su Jingyue sensed the uneasy atmosphere within the palace. As the de facto ruler of the harem, Su Jingyue was renowned for her intelligence and wisdom. She understood the crucial importance of the Crown Prince's marriage to Princess Manlin to the relationship between the two nations, and that mishandling the matter could have serious consequences. Therefore, she decided to step in and defuse this potential crisis.

Su Jingyue first summoned Princess Manlin, kindly inquiring about her life in the palace and any difficulties she encountered. Overwhelmed with gratitude for the Imperial Concubine's compassion, Princess Manlin finally confided her deepest sorrow. Su Jingyue patiently listened, offering comfort and encouragement. She then summoned Crown Prince Yuan Cong, earnestly admonishing him to cherish the person in front of him and not let a momentary misunderstanding ruin a lifetime of happiness.

Thanks to Su Jingyue's meticulous mediation, the Crown Prince and Princess Manlin finally untangled their differences and rediscovered their long-lost love. From then on, they faced life's challenges side by side, composing a moving melody of true love. Su Jingyue, for her successful rescue of a marriage on the brink of collapse, earned widespread acclaim and respect.

On a sunny afternoon, Su Jingyue gently opened her rosy lips and summoned her personal maid, Xiaoru. Her deep eyes gleamed with an unmistakable light, as if she knew all the secrets. "Xiaoru, quickly proceed to the Crown Prince's residence and fetch His Royal Highness. Remember, this matter is of grave importance and must be kept secret." Xiaoru obeyed the order and left, her steps hurried, as if she too felt the weight of this responsibility.

Not long after, Crown Prince Yuan Cong, clad in his dazzling and ornate attire that belied his noble status, his expression heavy and solemn as he hesitantly entered the Imperial Concubine's chambers. After respectfully performing his formal greetings according to court etiquette, he spoke with a hint of undisguised fear and uneasiness in his voice: "Your son greets your mother."

Su Jingyue, who was sitting above, nodded gently, her eyes like burning torches, piercing and sharp as she stared at her son standing before her. She was well aware of the pain Yuan Cong was enduring and the inner entanglement and struggle, but she also understood the heavy responsibility she shouldered as a mother and queen.

"Cong'er, the marriage between you and Princess Manlin has always been something that your mother is always concerned about. But why haven't you two really become husband and wife until now?" Su Jingyue asked in a serious tone.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cong's face instantly turned as pale as paper, completely devoid of any color. He knew very well how intelligent and demanding his mother was, so he didn't dare to hide or lie about this matter.

"Mother, please forgive me for speaking frankly. In fact, deep in my heart, the only woman I love deeply is my wife Han Xinxin. As for this marriage with Princess Manlin, it was actually entirely out of political considerations and needs. I really..." At this point, Yuan Cong's voice began to tremble, filled with endless helplessness and deep pain. It seemed that every word and every sentence was like an extremely sharp knife, ruthlessly cutting his already broken heart.

However, Su Jingyue remained unmoved. She interrupted Yuan Cong, her tone unwavering. "Cong'er, as the Crown Prince, you bear the fate of the entire nation on your shoulders. Your personal feelings are certainly important, but the interests of the nation and peace are your unshirkable responsibility. We must give a satisfactory explanation to the Mengwu Shiwei." As she spoke, she slowly raised her arm and, with gentle movements, pulled out a flawless, snow-white wedding veil from her wide sleeves. This was meticulously prepared for the supremely noble Princess Manlin on her wedding day. Afterwards, she carefully threw the white wedding scarf in her hand to Yuan Cong, and then said earnestly: "My son, your mother has given you seven days. During this period, you must complete the husband-and-wife ceremony with Princess Manlin, and let this white wedding scarf, which symbolizes purity and beauty, be stained with fiery red. You must know that this move is not only related to the dignity and reputation of my royal family, but also plays a vital role in maintaining the harmonious relations between the two countries and the stability and unity of society. Therefore, you must not slack off in the slightest!" After that, she stared at Yuan Cong with a firm and expectant gaze, as if silently conveying an irresistible order.

Yuan Cong accepted the white wedding veil, feeling it weigh heavy in his hand, as if it held the weight of the world. He knew his mother's decision was irreversible, and he could only silently endure the frustration and bitterness of this political marriage. Yet, deep in his heart, he still yearned for Han Xin. That deep affection, as fervent and unwavering as a raging fire, never extinguished, even in the face of immense hardship and pressure.

Seven days passed in a flash, yet for Yuan Cong, it felt like an eternity. He struggled painfully with the political and emotional entanglements, making difficult choices. Princess Manlin, on the other hand, silently endured loneliness and solitude in her loveless marriage. The estrangement and indifference between them felt like an icy wall, impenetrable. However, just when everyone thought their marriage was doomed, an unexpected event quietly changed their fate...

What will happen in the days ahead? How will Yuan Cong face his inner struggles and contradictions? Can Princess Manlin find her own happiness in this loveless marriage? Everything will be revealed slowly as time goes by...