Chapter 10: You Were The Blind One

An entertaining show was unravelling in public, so more and more people gathered by the river. Not only those from the Tang family manor, but also some passersby who decided to wait a while before leaving. Residents from nearby villa annexes called friends to join and loudly proclaimed how thrilling it was.

This place lay by the hills and the water, not far from the inner city. Many wealthy families had bought manors and built annex villas here.

The entanglement between the House of Earl Xuanning and Second Prince Zhao Yan kept peaking and peaking, full of excitement. Everyone watched with relish, eager to know the final outcome: would the elder sister reclaim her place, or would the younger sister rise? Or would the Second Prince keep both women and become the biggest winner? Winds from the east rise while those from the west die down, winds from the west rage while those from the east are calm — every character’s performance was riveting, and at last it reached a climax: the elder sister renounced her position, and the Second Prince actually refused to accept it?

Ha, this was absolutely splendid!

At first his attitude clearly favored the younger sister and he even admitted with his own mouth that he had slept with her, his attitude toward the older sister seemingly a little pretentious, as though taking her into his household now was a great favor to her. At the same time, this mother-daughter performance bullied the elder sister so badly that, had she had any less backbone, she would have bawled herself to death. But in the end, the elder sister handled it with grace, beautifully allowing the matter to pass, declaring she wouldn’t contest the position and would give everything up in harmony and sisterly love. If you’re happy, I’m happy, everyone’s happy. And then the Second Prince comes along and just says no to all that?! What?! Which of you does he actually like!

Tang Wanlan was of course infinitely aggrieved, and Madam Zhou also put on a serious face.

Tang Wanning was somewhat surprised, yet not entirely. It wasn’t that she thought her charm was boundless or that the Second Prince loved her truly. After all, she was only a stand-in, so where would genuine affection come from? A prince might lack true feelings, but he cannot lack face. He was cultivating a civil-official network, crafting an image of a benevolent prince with integrity. Everything he did had to follow rules, every word and deed had to be defensible. Having one more woman in his harem was no problem, since there was plenty of space in the house and he could afford to feed one more mouth. But the principal wife position was different: it was formally conferred after rites and proclaimed to the world, it couldn’t be casually swapped. Even if the principal consort herself volunteered to yield, he could not just go with it. If he did that, it would be said he didn’t value his promises and it would create gossip. How could his career in the palace possibly continue?

She understood this logic clearly even if others might not. Seeing Tang Wanlan’s pale, disappointed face, Tang Wanning felt not a shred of pity and even provocatively lifted an eyebrow. Well? Surprised? Shocked? Satisfied?

Tang Wanlan was more than surprised. She wanted to scratch Tang Wanning’s face to pieces, to eat her flesh and gnaw her bones! That bitch! Bitch, bitch, bitch!

Tang Wanning didn’t mind and even smiled openly at Tang Wanlan.

Tang Wanlan’s heart suddenly tightened. She saw Tang Wanning turn to the Second Prince. “Your Highness, do you truly intend to take me as your wife?”

Zhao Yan nodded. “Truly.”

Tang Wanning asked, “You won’t change your mind?”

Zhao Yan spoke steadily, “I won’t.”

Tang Wanning’s gaze skimmed past Tang Wanlan. “Then my younger sister Lan, you will not be able to enter the House of Prince Ping.”

Tang Wanlan grew anxious, fearing Zhao Yan would agree readily, she hurriedly spoke, “Your Highness…”

She knew which angle made her look best. A tilt of her face, one lift of an eyebrow, tears welling, pitiful and fragile.

Zhao Yan closed his eyes for a moment, then looked at Tang Wanning. “Really… not possible?”

Tang Wanning smiled and said, “If Your Highness cannot bear for my sister to suffer outside, that is certainly possible. It’s just that my sister and I share deep sisterly feelings, and I truly cannot restrain this love, so I would not be fit to be the mistress of the house. If Your Highness is not worried about future slander or the difficulties ahead, then all these problems are no problem and rather inconsequential.”

Hope flared in Tang Wanlan instantly. The look she cast at the Second Prince became shy and coy.

But Zhao Yan made a decisive decision. “Lan, I am sorry for letting you down.”

Like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, Tang Wanlan looked incredulous, her body staggering, unable to bear the blow.

She was upset, and Tang Wanning was even more delighted. What a moment of vindication!

“No, it’s not supposed to be like this…” Tang Wanlan shook her head, mumbling. Things shouldn’t be like this, it’s completely unlike what she imagined! Tang Wanning shouldn’t be like this! This woman never had such scheming, she wouldn’t dare speak to her this way. “So this is your true face… you did it on purpose! Your Highness, look clearly, don’t be deceived by her!”

Tang Wanning didn’t refute at all. Instead she looked earnestly at the Second Prince. “This is a serious matter, I advise Your Highness to think carefully and act only after much consideration.”

The sunlight was too dazzling, and Zhao Yan’s mind felt a bit dazed.

He suddenly realized something: sleeping with a woman and refusing responsibility wasn’t exactly something that brought him a good reputation. After all, men could be rakish, but not scoundrels. If he took the elder sister back, he’d have betrayed the younger. If he took the younger, he would have trouble explaining things, since the one he was supposed to marry and had gone through the rites with was the older one. Wanting both would make his career hard later. Others could seize on this one little thing and use it against him forever… How had things come to this?

Tang Wanning couldn’t have done it on purpose. She liked him so much and longed each day to marry him. She surely wouldn’t have wanted any trip up with the wedding, she only accidentally got into this mess. He had indeed drunk a bit too much last night, but with the celebrations, which groom wouldn’t drink? He was drunk and Tang Wanlan wasn’t. She shouldn’t have tempted him and indulged him. If she’d explained things on the spot and the two hadn’t consummated anything, wouldn’t today be easier to resolve?

The Second Prince’s gaze toward Tang Wanlan changed.

Madam Zhou sensed danger, so she quickly pulled Tang Wanlan back and pinched her daughter’s forearm hard, replying in a measured voice, “Your Highness is wise. Everything boils down to one word: reason. This matter should be handled as such, each returning to their place. My poor girl’s fate is bad, she can only blame her own momentary haste and wandering down the wrong path, it concerns no one else. I’ll take her home for family discipline. The House of Earl Xuanning asks for nothing more, only that Your Highness and your spouse live in harmony and have a glorious future!”

She was experienced and sharp. Where Tang Wanlan couldn’t understand, she grasped it clearly.

Why had Tang Wanning suddenly changed? Previously she had been gentle and timid, humble in voice, loving so meekly and asking for nothing. How had she suddenly grown this confidence, this ferocity, with not a trace of affection for the Second Prince in her eyes? Clearly her heart had turned cold. Women were too easily misled by feelings, willing to fly into the flame and give everything. But once their heart turned cold, they no longer coveted any of it. Tang Wanning’s behavior was not to fight to reclaim her position, but to shirk responsibility!

She no longer wanted to be Prince Ping’s consort, which is why she devised such upright reasons to push the opportunity to Lan’er!

What they ought to do now… was not to contest, but to step back and endorse the Second Prince’s decision. She was going to wait and see what Tang Wanning would do next!

Zhao Yan showed a grateful look and made a deep bow to Madam Zhou. “Thank you, Countess, for yielding. Regarding matters of the Earl’s household, I will ensure they are taken care of later.”

Madam Zhou returned the bow, composed and generous.

Tang Wanlan tried to speak but was held down firmly by her mother. Though she resisted inwardly, she dared not disobey and only looked at the Second Prince with tear-filled eyes.

Tang Wanning immediately saw through this tactic of retreating to advance and, in full formality, bowed and thanked her too, “Thank you, aunt, for your care of me. It’s a pity that my sister Lan has been wronged.”

Unfortunately, Madam Zhou still hadn’t caught on. Since Tang Wanning dared to act like this, she surely had a contingency. She just needed to find a way to stall a little longer…

Smack!

The crowd automatically opened a path as a woman strode over, holding a purple-gilt whip, dressed in splendid brocades, heroic and dashing. She was not young, appearing past middle age with slight crow’s feet at the eyes, but she was tall and slender, with fair skin and red lips. The vigor in her brows and eyes made her by no means seem like an old woman.

Someone sharp-eyed in the crowd soon recognized her and exclaimed, “Ah! It’s Princess Ruihua! Princess Ruihua has come!”

Tang Wanning was a little surprised. Why so early? The carriage she expected should have arrived only half an hour later… Princess Ruihua was only supposed to pass by then.

This princess was the current sovereign’s sister. From childhood she loved wielding swords and spears, had genuinely followed the emperor onto battlefields and fought in wars, so her status was not ordinary. She was blunt by nature, hated injustice, and when riled would dare to spar with the emperor. Her purple-gilt whip was known to lash people casually. Rumor had it she had even whipped the noble Consort Xin years ago. Of course she could teach this Second Prince a lesson too.

Sure enough, she strode over and mocked, “Zhao Yan, you’re impressive. Having taken the virtue of one young maiden wasn’t enough, you want a second? What, do you have to take all the benefits for yourself? Have you no shame? When our Zhao family fought to found this nation, we didn’t have such ugly manners.”

“Aunt, greetings,” Zhao Yan’s mouth twitched but he bowed respectfully. “But you don’t know, Ning’er is—”

Princess Ruihua immediately raised a hand. “Stop. She isn’t your wife yet, or perhaps never will be. Don’t call her by such a familiar name, lest others misunderstand.”

Zhao Yan couldn’t even respond.

Tang Wanning was inwardly ecstatic. She had wanted to bring up this point for a long time! The princess is amazing! Speak more if you can!

Princess Ruihua stepped forward to speak, “I’ve heard all about this matter already, it’s a ‘misunderstanding.’ The younger sister admired you but couldn’t marry you and was heartbroken. Since she loved her sister so much, she decided to keep her sister company for a night, then pretended to faint and be taken to the manor so she wouldn’t watch your wedding and be distressed. But by accident the wrong person got knocked out: the elder sister ended up at the manor, while the younger, not wanting to ruin the marriage on her account, ‘stood in’ for her sister and went through the rites with you and consummated the marriage. Isn’t that so?”

Zhao Yan replied, “Yes.”

Princess Ruihua continued, “I usually don’t like meddling, but this concerns our imperial Zhao family and I’ve found out about it, so I can’t stay silent. It seems to me that in today’s affair, the younger sister sincerely confessed and wants to swap back for her elder sister, not looking to make trouble. The elder sister pities her sibling’s hardship and their affection is too deep, but two women sharing one husband will inevitably breed favoritism and ruin the harmony in the house, which is unjust to the husband’s household. She is willing to withdraw to accommodate her sister. As for the Countess, both ladies are dear to her and she doesn’t want any harm to come to either of them. As long as everyone’s happy, she doesn’t have any objections and nobody has been trying to stir trouble. Is that correct?”

Zhao Yan said, “Yes.”

Princess Ruihua sneered, “You want a good reputation, saying you betrothed the elder sister, so the principal consort position should be hers. But the one who formally performed rites with you, drank the ceremonial wine, and completed the bridal chamber rites was the younger sister. Heaven has eyes and everyone watched that happen. Can that simply be dismissed?”

Zhao Yan’s face went pale. He couldn’t utter a word.

Princess Ruihua went on, “You were the blind one, at the end of the day. Whether the bride is round-faced or long-faced, you couldn’t tell? You couldn’t keep it in your pants and now you dare to blame others for your loss? If you ask me, since a girl was harmed, then make it right for her. Don’t make things hard for others, and don’t think you’re remarkable just because you’re a man or a prince! Smooth things over, swap the betrothal document. Won’t that do? If something’s wrong, it’s wrong. Knowing how to make amends and not compounding error with error is the right way.”

Zhao Yan protested, “But…”

Princess Ruihua narrowed her eyes, the purple-gilt whip in her hand twitching. “Does Prince Ping have an objection? Do you think my suggestion is unfair? Then list down the problems, let me hear it.”

Zhao Yan bowed his head.

“Not going to say anything? Fine, have your mother speak for you then. Come, we’ll go into the palace to see the emperor!” Princess Ruihua turned and prepared to enter the palace to seek judgement.

Zhao Yan immediately stopped her and cupped his hands in salute. “No need. This matter… will be handled as my aunt suggested.”

Although he regretted not getting Tang Wanning, the decision being led by his aunt settled matters. At least later on, even if others scolded him he would have someone to take the blame. If his mother were implicated… that would be far worse.