Chapter 38: Su Zhi

The Su Residence...

Su Zhi sat quietly at her painting desk by the window. The setting sun cast its light upon her, draping her in what seemed like a cloak of pale red gauze. Her skin was as white as snow, delicate and smooth as suet jade, appearing to emit a faint, ethereal glow in the twilight.

Her exquisite face looked like a masterpiece meticulously sculpted by the heavens. Her brows were like distant mountains—long, slender, and graceful—resembling willow leaves dancing in the mountain breeze. When she furrowed them slightly, she appeared burdened by a touch of melancholy, which only added to her poignant beauty.

Her eyes were like deep, crystal-clear pools, or perhaps brilliant stars. When she focused on the painting before her, they sparkled with a vibrant intelligence, as if concealing a myriad of thoughts and stories. Occasionally, when she looked up, her gaze was like the shimmering surface of a lake, enough to draw anyone into its depths. Her nose was straight and petite, perched delicately at the center of her face, lending a playful and three-dimensional quality to her features. Her cherry-red lips, naturally flushed without the need for rouge, were slightly pursed, resembling a dewy flower or someone holding back words, carrying an enchanting charm.

Holding her brush, she was completely absorbed in tracing the lines, putting the final touches on her work. Her focus was so intense that it seemed as if the entire world had faded away, leaving only the painting. It was a landscape: rolling mountains, swirling mists, and a babbling brook that one could almost hear. Every stroke was imbued with her heart and soul, showcasing her immense talent for art.

"Miss! Miss! Wonderful news, truly incredible news! The Master wants you to come at once!"

A young maid rushed in, her face flushed as if she had just finished a long run, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Her voice shattered the tranquility of the room like a pebble cast into a calm lake, sending ripples spreading outward.

Su Zhi frowned slightly, momentarily annoyed by the sudden interruption, but upon seeing the maid's excitement, she could not help but smile. She set down her brush and brushed off the stray specks of pigment from her clothes. "What is it? Why the rush? What kind of 'incredible' news could possibly be so urgent?" Her voice was gentle and melodious, like a clear spring in the mountains.

"Miss!" The maid hurried to Su Zhi’s side, skillfully massaging her shoulders, her face radiant with a bright smile, as if some monumental blessing had arrived. "It’s a good thing! A wonderful thing! His Majesty wants to marry you! You are going to be the Empress!"

Her voice trembled with excitement, her eyes filled with genuine well-wishes for her mistress. "Because of this, Master has been promoted to the third rank!" she added, every word popping from her lips like a sweet candy. "Master told me to bring you over immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Su Zhi’s heart sank, and the smile that had been as bright as sunshine instantly vanished. Her expression grew complex—a mix of shock, helplessness, and a trace of undetectable sorrow.

"His Majesty... agreed?" she asked, still uncertain, her voice barely a whisper as if she feared the news might be true.

***

The maid nodded firmly, her eyes wide like two bright stars. "That’s right, Miss! His Majesty agreed! The Master is waiting for you in the main hall. He says he needs to give you some instructions."

Su Zhi closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She shook her head helplessly and said, "Tell Father I understand. I will tidy myself up and be there shortly." Her voice was slightly hoarse, as if she were suppressing the emotions churning within.

"Very well, Miss. I shall go inform the Master immediately. Do you need any help, Miss?" the maid asked with concern.

Su Zhi shook her head and managed a forced smile. "No need, I can manage."

After the maid left, Su Zhi sat alone in her chair for a long time. Her gaze was hollow, her thoughts drifting back to her childhood. When she was young and heard she was to marry the Crown Prince and become the Crown Princess, she had actually been quite happy. Back then, she did not understand what court life or power meant; she only knew that the Crown Prince was a noble figure and that becoming the Crown Princess was a grand achievement. She would excitedly share the news with her friends, imagining herself in a gorgeous bridal gown, living in a beautiful palace. Although she understood nothing, that anticipation for the future filled her days with joy.

However, after the Crown Prince later annulled the engagement, the entire household was shrouded in gloom. Su Zhi could feel her parents' anxiety and disappointment, and she could hear the whispers of those around them. Those words were like thorns piercing her heart. From that day on, the Crown Prince became the person young Su Zhi detested most. She hated his heartlessness and that he had plunged her and her family into such a predicament.

As she grew older and understood more of the world, Su Zhi actually stopped hating him; instead, she felt a sense of gratitude. She had seen the treachery of the imperial court and the tragic fates of the women within it. She realized that if she had married the Prince back then, she might have been dragged into that very quagmire. It was the Prince’s decision that prevented her from entering that soul-devouring place while she was still naive, allowing her to grow up happily in the Su residence, accompanied by her parents, enjoying the warmth of home.

She had seen too many of her close friends suffer tragic fates after marriage. Some were neglected by their husbands, left to rot in cold rooms; some were bullied by their in-laws and forced to endure endless grievances; some even lost their lives in the power struggles of the court. Every time she heard such things, she felt fortunate. Because her engagement to the Crown Prince hadn't been officially cancelled, no one dared to come forward with marriage proposals, and she had instead lived a life free of care. She could admire flowers and paint in the garden at dawn, read books and taste tea in the study in the afternoon, and watch the moon and listen to the wind in the courtyard at night.

She could do whatever she pleased without worrying about court rules, her husband's fickle temper, or the cruelty of in-laws. Though her parents were anxious, she was not in the least. She felt that staying unmarried for life was fine; she wasn't the only child, and her sister had already married. She could stay by her parents' side and enjoy a life of leisure.

But now... this sudden news had shattered her peaceful life, like a storm sweeping across her world.

***

For a moment, Su Zhi felt utterly overwhelmed. She did not know how to face this decision that would alter her fate. She stood up and walked to the vanity, looking at herself in the mirror. She was still beautiful and moving, but her eyes held a hint of worry. She applied a touch of makeup, light and subtle, yet unable to mask her exhaustion. Then, taking a deep breath, she headed toward the main hall.

In the main hall, Su Dan’s aged face was blooming with joy, his smile like a fully opened chrysanthemum, every wrinkle filled with delight. He paced back and forth, his heart overflowing with ecstasy. His daughter was finally being married off! And not just to anyone—to His Majesty! She was going to be the Empress! How blessed his daughter was!

As he thought about it, his eyes grew moist. His daughter was already nineteen. In the past, with the engagement to the Crown Prince hanging in limbo, and then being discarded by him, those days had been truly unbearable. People used to say his daughter was too old and would never find a husband. They said if the Crown Prince wouldn't let go, she would be destined to grow old alone, trapped in the Su residence forever.

Every time he encountered such sarcasm, Su Dan would tremble with rage. He wanted to strike back and put them in their place, but he was always left speechless. Those words were like blades cutting into his heart. He could only return home in a foul mood, looking at his wife’s increasingly sorrowful face, feeling as if a massive stone were crushing his chest.

But things were different now! What did it matter if his daughter was nineteen? What did it matter that she hadn't married the Crown Prince back then? One had to remember, the Crown Prince of the past was now His Majesty! His daughter was going to be the Empress! He was the father-in-law of the Emperor of the Great Tang!

What a glorious honor this was! He seemed to see the brilliant future of his family already unfolding—those who had once looked down on them would now have to look upon them with newfound respect. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, and the smile on his face grew even brighter.