Ties of Love, Ruan Wan

Upon hearing Azi's name, Rong Yufen immediately stopped crying and glared fiercely at Amu.

Rong Yufen approached Amu step by step, and Amu lowered his head, not daring to look Rong Yufen in the eye.

Rong Yufen gritted her teeth and said, "Look carefully, so you don't tell His Highness later that I didn't hit him."

Rong Yufen lightly slapped her own face five times. "That's enough!"

Amu bowed to Rong Yufen and said, "Then I'll take my leave."

Rong Yufen's chest heaved more and more, and her eyes began to bulge with blood. She rushed back into the room and smashed all the porcelain ornaments to pieces.

"Bitch, that bitch, I'm going to kill her!"

Startled, Lian Yu hurriedly closed the door. "Miss, please keep your voice down. If His Highness hears us, who knows what kind of punishment we'll face?"

Rong Yufen forcefully smashed the porcelain bottle in her hand at Lian Yu. Lian Yu didn't dare to dodge and took the blow head-on. A hole was smashed in her forehead, and blood flowed down her head. She looked like a demon, which was very terrifying.

Xia Changfeng ran into Yaotai Courtyard, stood at the door, took a breath, dusted off the dust, and pushed the door open.

Ruan Wan was sitting at the table eating, holding a bowl of chicken soup, slowly drinking it without even lifting her eyelids.

Xia Changfeng sat down without looking up. Ruan Wan didn't even raise her head. "I haven't prepared dinner for you."

Xia Changfeng looked worried. "Linglong and Rong Yufen both saw your face. How should we deal with this?"

Ruan Wan put down her bowl and looked at Xia Changfeng. "Why should we deal with it? I am now the Holy Maiden of Miao territory. Now that I've moved in, I can't just stay away forever."

Seeing Ruan Wan so calm, Xia Changfeng felt relieved.

Seeing that Xia Changfeng showed no sign of leaving, Ruan Wan said, "Linglong and Rong Yufen are getting impatient. If you keep ignoring them, you'll offend this meritorious official."

Xia Changfeng remained unmoved, smiling as he said, "That's alright. The day after tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Would you like to attend the New Year's Eve banquet?"

What am I supposed to do there?

"Since you have a way to resolve your identity issue, I think it would be most appropriate for you to prove your identity as a Holy Maiden in front of His Majesty on New Year's Eve, when everyone is present."

Ruan Wan smiled and said, "No rush, there are people who are more anxious than me."

Xia Changfeng knew who Ruan Wan was talking about. He had originally planned to go to Linglong's place to give her a warning, but now it seemed unnecessary.

Seeing that he was still sitting in the chair, Ruan Wan frowned and said, "I really didn't prepare dinner for you. Go back and eat."

Xia Changfeng rested his chin on his hand, looked at Ruan Wan, and smiled, "It's okay, I'll just eat what you leave behind."

Ruan Wan said somewhat helplessly, "Whatever makes you happy."

On New Year's Eve, Xia Changfeng visited Ruan Wan and kept Amu behind, saying, "If there are any problems, send Amu to the palace to inform me."

Ruan Wan urged him to hurry up and leave, "The stage in the palace is all set up, just waiting for you to go on stage. Hurry up and go, don't keep them waiting."

Xia Changfeng sighed. Xiaozhu is a little different than before.

On New Year's Eve, the banquet was held to celebrate the great victory over the Chu Kingdom and the Eastern Yi Kingdom this year, as well as the expansion of territory. Such a joyous occasion naturally warranted a celebration with all the officials.

When Xia Changfeng arrived, all the princes and ministers were present; Xia Changfeng was the last to arrive.

Xia Changfeng hurried to his seat, and Xia Yunqian, who was beside him, asked with a smile, "Seventh Brother, what has held you up and made you so late?"

Xia Changfeng straightened his clothes. "Father and Mother haven't arrived yet, it's not late."

Xia Ziru laughed and said, "Why is the Miao Holy Maiden not here? Did Seventh Brother not bring the Holy Maiden to pay respects on the second day of his marriage? Did he not even reunite with his family on New Year's Eve?"

Xia Changfeng shrugged. "What can I do? That day, the Holy Maiden acted as she pleased; she came whenever she wanted, and she didn't come whenever she didn't want to. What could I do about it?"

Xia Yunqian exclaimed, "The Holy Maiden is truly extraordinary!"

Xia Mosang leaned over and whispered, "Seventh Brother, have you consummated your marriage with that saintess?"

Xia Ziru laughed and said, "It's more than just consummating the marriage; Seventh Brother stayed in the Holy Maiden's room for five consecutive days."

Xia Changfeng smiled without saying a word, even letting this kind of news get out.

Throughout the entire process, Xia Wuxiu remained silent.

From the high platform came Eunuch Zhang's shrill voice: "The Emperor and Empress have arrived!"

Xia Changfeng stood up, and the princes and ministers in the hall also stood up, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"

The Emperor was delighted. "My beloved ministers, rise. It is New Year's Eve today. Do not be so formal. Enjoy yourselves."

As usual, there was singing and dancing, and after a round of drinks, the newly appointed prime minister Tong An, along with all the officials, offered a toast to congratulate the new year.

The Miao holy maiden had not yet arrived, and the emperor seemed to make no comment. Many eyes were fixed on Xia Changfeng, but the emperor did not mention the matter.

The events of the wedding day were already common knowledge, and the emperor and empress were naturally aware of them, but no one made any statement.

Xia Changfeng was just feeling puzzled when Zhang Qian, the Vice Minister of Rites, raised a cup of wine and stepped forward before the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty and the Empress, I offer you a cup of wine, wishing the Great Xia Dynasty a thousand generations of prosperity and eternal glory."

The emperor readily downed a cup of wine. "Then I'll take Zhang Aiqing's auspicious words as my guide."

Zhang Qian finished his drink and stood there without returning to his seat.

The princes and ministers present also quieted down and looked at Zhang Qian in the room.

The emperor smiled and asked, "Is there anything else, my dear minister?"

Zhang Qian put down his wine cup and kowtowed to the emperor. "Your subject has recently heard a rumor..."

"What interesting story is it? Tell me and all the ministers."

Zhang Qian said solemnly, "Your Majesty, there have been rumors circulating in the capital recently that this Miao holy maiden looks exactly like the late Crown Prince's wife. I was very curious and had hoped to meet her on New Year's Eve, but I didn't expect this holy maiden to be so arrogant and not even come to pay her respects to Your Majesty on New Year's Eve."

Xia Ziru's smile froze on his face. He looked at Xia Changfeng beside him, but Xia Changfeng remained calm and showed no sign of panic.

The emperor smiled and looked at the crowd, asking, "Have you all heard this interesting rumor?"

The dancers and musicians had long since left, and the hall was completely silent.

After a while, Yu Zifeng, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have also heard about this rumor. It has spread to every street and alley, and the whole capital is talking about it."

The emperor laughed and said, "Are there really people in this world who look so alike? I have never seen one."

Suddenly, the emperor looked at Xia Changfeng and asked, "Changfeng, is that holy maiden really as my two ministers say, resembling the late Crown Prince's wife?"

Xia Changfeng stood up and bowed to the emperor. "Your Majesty, what Lord Zhang and Lord Yu said is true. The Holy Maiden does indeed look exactly like the Crown Prince's wife."

The princes and the others whispered amongst themselves, surprised that the rumor was actually true.

Zhang Qian bowed to the emperor again and said, "I privately believe that it is impossible for two people to be so similar, so I suspect that the Holy Maiden and the deceased Crown Prince's wife are the same person."

The Empress, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, "Lord Zhang, what are you saying? The Holy Maiden herself brought the imperial decree from Miao territory to arrange a marriage alliance. How could she be the wife of a deceased prince?"

Zhang Qian bowed to the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, I merely suspect that, aside from twins, I have never seen two people in the world who look exactly alike."

The Emperor laughed and said, "The Holy Maiden has been in my Great Xia for so long, yet we have not had the pleasure of meeting her. Guards, convey my decree: invite the Holy Maiden to the palace."

Zhang Qian continued, "Lord Ruan is grieving the loss of his beloved daughter. Even if it weren't for the deceased wife of the Crown Prince, it would still offer some solace."

"Then let's invite Ruan Zhengqing to the palace as well."

The ministers were whispering amongst themselves, while Linglong, among the women, smiled smugly.

Xia Ziru was restless at this moment. He wanted to rush over and ask Xia Changfeng if the Holy Maiden was really Ruan Wan, and if Ruan Wan was really still alive.

Xia Changfeng remained calm and composed, drinking and eating as if nothing was amiss, while the onlookers were secretly wondering what was going on.

Linglong's heart pounded with apprehension at Xia Changfeng's calm demeanor. Could it be that the Holy Maiden was merely someone who resembled Ruan Wan and was not the same person?

The palace carriages were fast, and the Seventh Prince's residence was close to the palace. In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Eunuch Zhang had already brought the person over.

Ruan Wan gracefully entered the main hall, and everyone present was astonished when they saw her face.

Who else could this be but the Crown Prince's wife!

Ruan Wan walked to the emperor's presence and gave a slight bow, saying, "The Holy Maiden of Miao Territory, Mao Chihua, greets Your Majesty."

The emperor was also puzzled, staring at Ruan Wan's face for a long time without saying a word.

Ruan Wan stood there, letting everyone watch, and the palace became exceptionally noisy.

The emperor finally recovered, coughed lightly, and everyone fell silent. He smiled and said, "Indeed, they are exactly the same."

Ruan Wan smiled and said, "I heard a few days ago that my face looks exactly like a woman named Ruan Wan, and it seems it's true."

Zhang Qian sneered, "Whether she is a saintess or the crown prince's wife, we cannot rely solely on your opinion; someone else must make the judgment."

The Emperor said, "Ruan Zhengqing has not yet arrived; we must wait a while longer."

Zhang Qian bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I have a man in my possession who spent several days with the Crown Prince's wife and is familiar with her. I request that Your Majesty bring this man forward."

The emperor looked at Ruan Wan below without speaking. Zhang, the eunuch beside him, glanced at the emperor and loudly proclaimed, "Please call in the witness!"

The person Zhang Qian mentioned was brought up; it was Liang Kun from Mangshan Town.

Liang Kun first knelt down and bowed to the emperor, saying, "This humble subject greets Your Majesty."

The emperor pointed at Ruan Wan and said, "My ministers say that the Miao holy maiden is actually the deceased wife of the crown prince. Take a look and see if it is true or not."

Liang Kun looked up at Ruan Wan, startled, and then scrutinized her closely. All the ministers' eyes were drawn to Liang Feng's face.

Ruan Wan showed no sign of panic, maintaining a composed smile throughout.

After observing for a while, Liang Feng bowed to His Majesty and said, "Your Majesty, at first glance it does resemble her, but upon closer inspection, she is not the Crown Prince's wife."

Zhang Qian grew anxious and asked, "How are they different? What's the difference in their height, face, and how are they different from the Crown Prince's wife?"

Liang Feng, neither humble nor arrogant, said, "Her features and temperament are completely different; she is not the same as the Lady of the Heir Apparent that I know."

Zhang Qian was about to ask another question when the emperor interrupted him, saying, "Alright, he has made his decision. You may leave."

After bowing once, Zhang Qian prepared to leave the hall, but was stopped by Ruan Wan.

Ruan Wan lifted Liang Feng's arm, rolled down the sleeve to reveal the wound on his arm, and asked, "Did someone torture you so that you could slander me in court?"

The emperor frowned as he looked at the bloodstains on Liang Feng's arm. "Lord Zhang, you... used torture?"

Zhang Qian immediately knelt down. "Your Majesty, this man refuses to admit knowing the Crown Prince's wife. I had no choice but to resort to torture."

The emperor looked at Liang Feng and asked, "Why did you conceal your acquaintance with the Crown Prince's wife?"

Liang Feng knelt down again. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and his wife were being chased and were disguised as my uncle's daughter and son-in-law. That's how I had a brief encounter with them. I was afraid of tarnishing the reputation of the Crown Prince and his wife, so I refused to acknowledge them."

"Who is your uncle, and where is he right now?"

With tears welling in his eyes, Liang Feng bit his lip and said, "My uncle was Liang Kun, a vanguard under the Duke of Zhenguo. He then went into hiding in the Miao region for twenty years before dying in battle on the border of the Eastern Yi, his remains never recovered."

The people in the hall remained silent. Zhang Qian began to panic. He hadn't expected that Liang Kun would have such a connection.

Tears welled in the emperor's eyes as he sighed, "A descendant of loyal martyrs, and one who values ​​loyalty and righteousness, truly deserving of commendation. Guards, bestow upon him one hundred acres of fertile land and one hundred taels of gold."

The emperor looked at Zhang Qian and said gently, "Lord Zhang, how can you use such cruel torture on the descendants of a loyal and virtuous man?"

Zhang Qian trembled and hurriedly turned to bow to Liang Feng, saying, "Please forgive me, I truly did not know you were a descendant of a loyal martyr."

The emperor coldly stated, "Zhang Qian abused the law; he shall be fined one year's salary."

Zhang Qian immediately knelt down and kowtowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy."

Liang Kun also knelt down and kowtowed to express his gratitude for the emperor's grace.

Just as Liang Kun left the hall, Ruan Zhengqing arrived.

Ruan Zhengqing approached the emperor, first bowing and saying, "Your subject is guilty; I went out without permission during the mourning period."

The Emperor raised his hand. "Minister Ruan's love for her daughter is understandable. Is Minister Ruan feeling much better?"

"Your Majesty, I am much better now. Thank you for your concern. May I ask what brings Your Majesty here today?"

The emperor pointed to Ruan Wan standing to the side and said, "The holy maiden of Miao territory bears a striking resemblance to the Crown Prince's wife. Lord Zhang wishes to invite you to meet her to ease your longing for your daughter."

Ruan Zhengqing stood up, turned around and walked to Ruan Wan, examining her carefully.

When Ruan Wan saw her father again, she was not as calm as before. Her heart was pounding, her nose was sore, and she tried her best not to cry.

Ruan Zhengqing shook his head. "It's not very similar. My Wan'er doesn't have a mole on her right eyebrow, and she has pierced ears, while the Holy Maiden doesn't."

Everyone looked over and indeed, the saintess had a black mole on her eyebrow and no ornaments on her ears.

Lord Zhang even came over to take a look and confirmed that there were no pierced ears. Could it really be that they just look alike?

At this moment, Xia Changfeng stepped forward and said, "Father, at first I also thought it looked very similar, but after careful examination, it is indeed not the same person."

Everyone present knew about Xia Changfeng and Ruan Wan's relationship; even her own father said it wasn't true, so it certainly wasn't.

Their farce was over, and it was Ruan Wan's turn to take the stage. Ruan Wan stepped forward and said, "I can prove that I am indeed the Holy Maiden of Miao Jiang, to dispel everyone's doubts."

The emperor looked at Ruan Wan with great interest. "Oh, how do you intend to prove it?"

Ruan Wan looked at Eunuch Zhang beside her and said, "Lead the way to the Imperial Garden."

Eunuch Zhang glanced at the emperor, then stepped down from the platform. "Please, Holy Maiden, follow this old servant."

The emperor also rose, with ten palace maids leading the way with lanterns, followed by imperial guards, and then the princes and officials.

The Imperial Garden was now desolate, with all the flowers withered.

Ruan Wan found an open space and stood in the center. "Please look carefully, everyone. Am I Ruan Wan or the Holy Maiden of Miao Jiang?"

Ruan Wan performed a sacrificial dance in front of everyone. Seeing Ruan Wan dancing so dramatically, Xia Changfeng thought of the fetus in her womb and wanted to stop her, but he retreated because of the emperor standing next to him.

The crowd watched this rather strange dance, which was completely unlike the dance of the Great Xia Dynasty. The ministers found it strange that dancing like this could prove that she was a saintess.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Look! The flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming!"

In the dead of winter, besides camellias and plum blossoms, what other flowers are there? But someone immediately chimed in, "They're blooming! They're really blooming!"

The plants around Ruan Wan suddenly began to revive, and a faint purple light, like mist, lingered around her.

All the branches began to sprout, growing tender green leaves, and the flowers bloomed in profusion.

Even more miraculously, starlight gathered from the sky, like a golden ribbon, wrapping around Ruan Wan's back, like a fairy's feathered robe, beautiful and sacred.

As the music ended, the flowers that had just been blooming quickly withered, and the leaves turned yellow and fell, leaving the Imperial Garden once again desolate.

It seems that everything just now was just a dream.

Everyone present was stunned. Ruan Wan looked at the emperor and asked, "Does this prove that I am indeed the Holy Maiden?"