Chapter Forty-Four: Since Yue Is Born, Why Bring Ning Into Being?
Li Qingzhi’s growth exceeded her expectations.
The arrival of Xie Ning completely disrupted all her plans and arrangements.
Soon, a eunuch respectfully presented brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict.
Li Qingzhi approached the desk, picked up the vermilion brush without hesitation, and began to write furiously on the edict.
Though his handwriting still bore traces of youth, the strokes were vigorous and powerful, faintly exuding the majestic aura of an emperor’s calligraphy.
Everyone held their breath, quietly witnessing this moment.
They knew they were witnessing history.
A royal marriage forged through an extraordinary literary duel was about to be recorded in the annals.
Xie Ning stood aside, watching his brother-in-law write the imperial edict granting their marriage, feeling a surge of emotion.
This young man could be relied upon.
When it mattered, he truly stepped up.
Li Qingning quietly stood beside Xie Ning, her eyes slightly moist as she looked at her brother’s earnest profile.
She knew that from this moment on, her marriage to Xie Ning was set in stone, unshakable by anyone.
Soon, the edict was completed.
Li Qingzhi put down the brush and handed it to the eunuch, saying, “Read it aloud in public.”
The eunuch took the scroll, still fragrant with ink, raised it high, and proclaimed in a clear voice:
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Hereby, Princess Li Qingning, virtuous and talented, gentle and courteous, my eldest sister and the nation’s treasure.”
“Xie Ning, heir to the Marquis of Dingyuan, skilled in both literature and martial arts, a prodigy among men and pillar of the realm.”
“The two are a perfect match, a union made in heaven. I am greatly comforted, thus issue this decree to grant them marriage, to wed on an auspicious day. May their harmony and love last eternally, together supporting the realm and honoring the spirit of the late Emperor. So decree!”
The edict’s proclamation ended.
“Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years and beyond!”
“Long live Her Highness the Princess, ten thousand years and beyond!”
“Congratulations to Young Master Xie!”
Within the Imperial Garden, all nobles, civil and military officials, palace maids and eunuchs knelt in unison, shouting “Long live” in thunderous voices that echoed through the heavens.
...
At the Prime Minister’s mansion.
Yuwen Yue returned to his study, utterly dejected.
He dismissed all his servants and locked himself in alone.
The study was elegantly furnished, filled with the fragrance of books.
On the walls hung his prized calligraphy and paintings; shelves displayed priceless rare volumes.
This was once his favorite place, the source of all his pride.
But now, looking at it all, he felt nothing but bitter irony.
He approached the desk, gazing at the exquisite Duan inkstone and the purple-hair brush that had accompanied him for over ten years, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
His mind uncontrollably replayed everything that had happened in the Imperial Garden today.
From his initial confidence, to being infuriated by Xie Ning’s casual remark, “I just want tea.”
Then the painstakingly crafted “Autumn Stroll in the Imperial Garden” dismissed with a single, disdainful “That’s all?”
And finally, the poem that shook the ages:
“After fresh rain in the empty mountains, autumn arrives in the evening air.”
“The bright moon shines between the pine trees, clear spring water flows over the stones.”
“Bamboo rustles as washerwomen return, lotus stirs beneath fishing boats.”
“Casually, spring flowers fade, yet noble scions may linger.”
Yuwen Yue unconsciously recited the poem softly.
He didn’t even ask for its title, but with each line, his heart ached more.
He finally understood.
The gap between him and Xie Ning was not merely in technique or diction.
It was the realm, the vision, the entire level of artistry.
His poetry was like a canary trapped in a cage—gorgeous but soulless.
Xie Ning’s poetry was like an eagle soaring in the heavens—free, unrestrained, surveying all beneath.
There was simply no comparison.
Not to mention the three immortal couplets that utterly shattered his worldview afterward.
Yuwen Yue felt a surge of blood and energy rush to his chest.
He covered his mouth and coughed violently.
He had lived his life bathed in praise and flattery.
He was the capital’s foremost talent, the Prime Minister’s son, a favored child of heaven.
He always believed he was the most brilliant genius in the world.
Until he met Xie Ning.
Xie Ning was like a mirror reflecting his insignificance, ignorance, and narrow vision.
“Heh... haha...”
Yuwen Yue laughed bitterly.
“Since Yue exists, why must Ning exist?”
He uttered a despairing wail.
Then, with all his strength, he grabbed the purple-hair brush on the desk and snapped it in two.
The crisp crack echoed.
Breaking the brush also shattered all his pride and dreams.
From that moment, the capital’s greatest talent, Yuwen Yue, ceased to exist.
---
That evening, the Princess’s residence was brightly lit and festively decorated.
The servants all wore genuine smiles, walking with a spring in their step.
Their beloved Princess and the ethereal Young Master Xie had finally been granted marriage by the Emperor—a joyous occasion of the highest magnitude.
The entire mansion was immersed in an ocean of happiness.
Inside the Princess’s chamber.
Li Qingning had changed out of her splendid court dress into a loose, comfortable silk nightgown, sitting before her dressing table while Peach Blossom gently removed her makeup.
The bronze mirror reflected her still-flushed, exquisitely beautiful face.
A sweet smile, impossible to hide, lingered at the corner of her lips.
Whenever she thought of Xie Ning’s commanding presence in the Imperial Garden today, her heart raced wildly, as if a little deer was leaping within her.
“Princess, you’re truly happy today,” Peach Blossom teased as she combed through her waterfall-like hair.
“I haven’t seen you stop smiling all day.”
“You talk too much,” Li Qingning chided, though there was no hint of reproach in her tone.
Just then, the door opened.
Xie Ning sauntered in lazily.
He flopped onto the bed in a sprawling pose and let out a long sigh.
“Ah, I’m exhausted. I overdid it showing off today—used up too many brain cells.”
Li Qingning looked at his relaxed, carefree state, half amused and half exasperated.
She waved to Peach Blossom and the other maids to leave.
Soon, only the two of them remained.
The atmosphere instantly grew delicate.
Li Qingning rose and walked slowly to the bed, looking down at him from above.
“Hey, thank you for today.”
Her voice was soft and gentle.
“Thank me for what?”
Xie Ning opened one eye to look at her.
“Thank me for standing up for you, or thank me for securing your position as prince consort?”
“Both.”
Li Qingning sat beside him, her beautiful eyes fixed unwaveringly on his.