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However, this also made Yun Yang and Yue Ziyun feel a bit "guilty": after all, it seemed a bit "unfair" to the Crown Prince. However, when it comes to the lifelong happiness of Seventh Young Lady, they couldn't afford to be soft-hearted.
"Your Majesty is wise," Yue Clan said with an elegant smile. "Master instructed that the Brocade Box should only be opened on the day of Seventh Young Lady's coming-of-age ceremony. Yun Kexin will turn fourteen next year, and the ceremony is just a few months away. If the Crown Prince wishes to participate, he will need to trouble himself to visit the Duke's Residence."
"That can be arranged," the Emperor replied with a smile. "I will summon my son shortly and explain the situation to him, then listen to his thoughts before making a decision."
Thus, Yun Yang and Yue Ziyun were finally able to relax. Not long after, they took their leave from the palace. The Emperor immediately sent Eunuch Wu to invite Crown Prince Qin Ke to meet him. When Qin Ke entered the hall, the Emperor dismissed those around him and explained the ins and outs of the matter to the Crown Prince before finally saying—
"My son, your father is also somewhat hesitant," Qin Yan, sitting at the head of the study table, looked at the Crown Prince and said, "I hope you seize this opportunity. After all, many things still need to be fought for by yourself. But I fear that in the end, you may end up disappointed—then it would be better not to go at all."
"No, I must go!" Qin Ke said stubbornly, one hand behind his back and the other elbow resting on his abdomen as he stood straight. "Not only for Second Master's unique way but also for the woman I like." The Emperor felt conflicted: deep down, he cared for this prince—he was the smartest among many princes, highly perceptive, and well-versed in the ways of rulers and subjects. He had invested considerable thought into him since childhood. Last time, he had no choice but to execute Zhen'er, which had caused some strain in their father-son relationship. If this matter could go as the Crown Prince wished, it might ease their relationship. However, Consort Xiang had privately opposed him last time, and Empress's niece Nalan Lan Princess was more in line with tradition. Moreover, if Nalan Lan became Consort Qin, there would be no objections from ministers, avoiding court disputes that could destabilize politics while also winning over external relatives... This made Qin Yan waver in his initial intention to establish Yun Kexin as Consort Qin. Coincidentally, Yun Yang came to report on the "complexity" of Yun Kexin's marriage matters; thus, he decided to take advantage of this situation—
"My son, since your father supports you in pursuing this," the Emperor paused for a moment and calculated his words carefully without revealing his intentions, "you must promise your father that regardless of the outcome: first, do not act too impulsively; second, comply with your father and mother once and allow Nalan Lan Princess to become Consort Qin."
The Crown Prince was momentarily stunned by his father's sudden statement but quickly understood his father's intentions. He took a breath and clenched his teeth silently as he replied: "Yes, Father..."
The Emperor noticed the flicker of determination in his son's widened eyes.
"My son, being in a royal family means you will face choices far more difficult than this in the future. Your father hopes you adapt early," the Emperor gazed deeply at the Crown Prince with a serious expression. "As a ruler of a nation, I cannot act entirely according to my wishes; how much less can you as a prince... This time I give you an opportunity; it depends on whether there is fate between you and Seventh Young Lady. If there is, I will issue an imperial decree immediately; if not—"
"Father!" Qin Ke quickly interrupted the Emperor's words and said softly but firmly, "I will definitely keep today's promise and never regret it."
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction, having achieved his purpose—regardless of whether the Crown Prince's wishes were fulfilled, he would not "suffer a loss."
In early spring of the following year, on February 11 of the 28th year of Taihe, Yun Kexin, at the age of fourteen, was celebrating her coming-of-age ceremony. People came in droves to attend the event, praising Seventh Sister as a "Flower-like Beauty" with a national charm. Especially after changing her hairstyle, she transformed from a graceful young girl into an enchanting beauty, leaving the Crown Prince, Fu Yihang, and Tong Zhichen mesmerized. Feng Yinxiao, who had not taken his eyes off her since entering the residence, suddenly noticed a subtle change below her neck and felt a suspicious flush creep across his handsome face. He recalled that just before today, she had unexpectedly told him something "strange," asking him not to question it but to remember it well, wondering if it was related to the Brocade Box.
In a daydream, after Yun Kexin's coming-of-age ceremony concluded, they would finally unravel the mystery of the Brocade Box that had troubled them for over ten years. Apart from the elderly Three Old Lords and Yun Jinxiu, the entire Yun Clan gathered at Beiyuan Ancestral Hall to catch a glimpse of the "mysterious" Brocade Box.
Yun Ke carefully placed the Brocade Box, which Second Master Yun You had exchanged his life for, on the table. Everyone's eyes turned towards it—it was a finely crafted red lacquered box made of rosewood, still looking as new as it had years ago. When Yun Ke opened it, they were surprised to find three hairpins made of gold, copper, and jade arranged from left to right inside the Brocade Box. All eyes shifted curiously towards the Yue Clan. Only Yun Yang seemed to understand the "secret" within and smiled without speaking. Yue Ziyun stood up and walked slowly to the center of the hall, addressing everyone in the Yun Clan: "Master's last wish was that whichever young man is fated with Seventh Young Lady shall be recognized by Yun Clan's Seventh Uncle." Then he looked at the three young men standing not far from the table and smiled lightly. "Crown Prince, Young Lord, Fu Shizi, and Young Master Tong, we will take a fair approach and draw lots to decide who gets to choose a hairpin first as your token for 'Yun Kexin.' Once chosen, you cannot change your selection. Is there any objection?"
"No!" Feng Yinxiao responded first.
Then the Crown Prince, Tong Zhichen, and Fu Yihang all agreed. Subsequently, Yun Ke wrote names on four pieces of paper in front of everyone and placed them into a ceramic jar before allowing them to draw lots. The result was that Fu Yihang would choose first, followed by the Crown Prince and then Feng Yinxiao. Yun Kexin's heart raced—Feng Yinxiao was choosing last! She could only hope that Fu Yihang wouldn't mistakenly select her; both she and Feng Yinxiao had thought about what Yue Clan had said when they first saw the wooden hairpin in the Brocade Box.
As anxiety surged within her, Fu Yihang's confident voice rang out: "Second Madam, I choose the gold hairpin." He stepped forward to take it from the Brocade Box and walked over to Yun Kexin with a smile. "Cousin Kexin, in my heart, you are as precious and beautiful as gold; hence I choose this gold hairpin."
Yun Kexin let out a long breath and coldly laughed inwardly: The most difficult moment passed so easily! Fu Yihang, you may be pleased now; I guarantee that it won't be long before you return to Han Wangfu smashing cups! It would be better for me to marry one of the other three than you by a hundred times.
Fu Yihang returned to his place next; it was now the Crown Prince's turn. The Crown Prince walked steadily toward the Brocade Box, scrutinizing the three hairpins lined up before him with intense focus. Just as Yun Kexin felt herself relax for a moment, her heart leaped again: she had forgotten that Fu Yihang's intelligence could not compare to that of the Crown Prince; Qin Ke was truly whom she should "fear." If it weren't for Mother and her adoptive father wanting to give an explanation to the Emperor, she wouldn't want the Crown Prince involved in this matter at all because if he were chosen this time around, there would be no excuses left.
Out of the corner of her eye, Yun Kexin observed various expressions among members of Yun Clan—her grandmother and Second Aunt looked eagerly expectant; Fourth Uncle appeared anxious; Fu Lianyin showed signs of fear; even Yun Yang—who had been informed beforehand—couldn't hide his nervousness. Only Mother from Yue Clan maintained an air of calm composure. However, what shocked Yue Clan was when the Crown Prince asked:
"Second Madam, may I ask when Seventh Sister was born?"
This made even Feng Yinxiao break into a sweat as chills ran down his spine—the Crown Prince had dabbled in metaphysics and I Ching studies; if he were to deduce...
"Taihe, February 11, Year Fourteen." The Yue Clan suppressed the panic in her heart and spoke truthfully.
"In the Year of Taihe, the zodiac is the Rabbit," Qin Ke muttered to himself as he looked at the three hairpins made of jade, copper, and wood in front of him. Suddenly enlightened, he said, "Then it should be—"
Just as he reached out his hand, only a finger's distance from the wooden hairpin, he hesitated. For some reason, he cast his gaze toward Yun Kexin and noticed the tightly clasped hands of Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin. He inadvertently saw her pale face due to nervousness; she seemed to tremble as if she could not stand. Unable to help himself, he walked over to her and naturally supported one of her arms. Unfortunately, this scene was caught by Qin Ke, and in an instant, the victorious light in his eyes vanished, replaced by a loss of joy and excitement.
After much hesitation, Qin Ke furrowed his brows and took down the jade hairpin, silently walking in front of Yun Kexin.
"Seventh Sister, this prince has chosen the jade hairpin," the prince explained with a forced smile as he looked at Yun Kexin. "In my heart, Yun Kexin is as beautiful and elegant as jade, not lacking in cold grace and tranquility. Therefore, I believe jade is most suitable for you."
For some reason, upon hearing that the prince chose the jade hairpin, Yun Kexin felt a sense of guilt because he had intentionally chosen poorly. What could have caused the prince to change his mind midway?
In her confusion, Yun Kexin noticed Feng Yinxiao's broad palm on her arm and suddenly panicked. She gently pulled away and whispered, "Young Lord, it's your turn to choose."
Feng Yinxiao seemed to have just regained his senses. He hurriedly released his hand and pretended nothing had happened as he walked to the Brocade Box. Although he already had a choice in mind, he still examined it for a moment before taking down the wooden hairpin. He walked up to Yun Kexin and said with lingering fear, "Yun Kexin, I choose the wooden hairpin. The Year of Taihe is the Year of the Rabbit; rabbits belong to wood. If I am not mistaken, this wooden hairpin should have your birth date engraved on it." He then turned slightly and handed the wooden hairpin to Yue Clan calmly, saying, "Second Madam, please verify..."
Yue Clan could not help but show admiration on her face. In her message conveyed through Seventh Young Lady, she had not revealed that the wooden hairpin was engraved with a birth date. Yet Qingyuan Marquis could discern Master’s intention; it was evident that Feng Yinxiao was suitable for Yun Clan’s Seventh Uncle in every aspect.
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