Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

The man with the good feng shui in his house was indeed a decent person in a socially acceptable sense, but it didn’t change the fact that Princess Xiangyang had no desire to marry him.

Princess Xiangyang shot a glance at Xu Yanmiao: My father is so stubborn… what should I do?

Xu Yanmiao subtly mouthed the words, Retreat first.

Princess Xiangyang solemnly nodded, took a silent deep breath, then turned to the old emperor.

“Father!”

The old emperor crossed his arms. “What is it?”

Princess Xiangyang: “Father, marriage is a serious matter. How can it be treated lightly? Let me go back and think about it! No matter how good he is, I can’t be impulsive!”

The old emperor raised an eyebrow indifferently. “Impulsive? Don’t worry. I will have the Jinyiwei investigate him thoroughly, tracing back three generations.”

Princess Xiangyang choked on her words and tried to resist. “But what if he’s a hypocrite?”

Then, with a serious expression, he added, “Just focus on preparing for your wedding in the palace. Now that you’re about to get married, you should avoid going outside too often. And stop using Xu Yanmiao as a shield—those words do more harm than good. Also…”

Before he could finish, Princess Xiangyang turned and bolted.

Whatever else he was about to say—she didn’t want to hear it!

The old emperor watched his daughter flee in defeat, and the stern expression on his face instantly melted into a smirk.

Xu Yanmiao, meanwhile, was still lowering his head, trying to think of an excuse to leave, completely missing the exchange. Otherwise, he would have realized—Gao Xiang didn’t need to be so nervous. Her father was just toying with her.

Xu Yanmiao hadn’t even come up with an excuse before the old emperor impatiently shoved a task at him and sent him away.

Princess Xiangyang looked at him curiously. “What task?”

Xu Yanmiao’s expression was strange. “He wants me to perform a memorial ceremony for the late prime minister of the previous dynasty.”

Princess Xiangyang: “…My father really can’t let go of that prime minister.”

Xu Yanmiao coughed and changed the subject. “Let’s talk about you not wanting to find a prince consort.”

Princess Xiangyang shot him a sideways glance.

This little Bai Ze is always bold in his heart, but on the surface, he’s the picture of caution and restraint.

However, she had to be careful now—since she needed his help, teasing him was out of the question.

She clicked her tongue and said, “My father found someone—perfect, or at least perfect on the surface—and he really likes him. Yao Hai, tell me, if I find someone to beat that guy up every time he shows his face, won’t he eventually beg my father not to marry me to him?”

Xu Yanmiao still wasn’t used to being addressed by his courtesy name.

—Most of his colleagues called him Xu Lang. Those ranked lower than him addressed him formally as Attendant Xu. Although he had a courtesy name, it was rarely used.

But Gao Xiang refused to call him Xu Lang. Using his full name—Xu Yanmiao—was fine before he had a courtesy name, but after receiving one, addressing him that way among peers was essentially the same as yelling at him. So, she had no choice but to use his courtesy name instead.

Xu Yanmiao replied, “What if he’s the type who remains steadfast and unyielding?”

Princess Xiangyang: “So what? Just because he won’t give in to pressure doesn’t mean he likes getting beaten up. Who would want to stay in this situation?”

[Let me check… Hmm, doesn’t seem like he enjoys being mistreated.]

Princess Xiangyang’s eyes widened.

There are actually people who enjoy being beaten?!

What kind of person would even like that?!

Xu Yanmiao thought for a moment before adding, “Besides, this is just one of His Majesty’s preferred candidates. If this one refuses, there are plenty more options. The real concern is that next time, he might not even tell you—he could just issue an imperial decree, and you wouldn’t be able to refuse.”

Princess Xiangyang clicked her tongue in frustration.

Why can’t I just cut my way out of this mess with blood and violence?

—Who wouldn’t go crazy when being pressured to marry?

Xu Yanmiao tapped his aching head. “I have some cases where young pregnancies led to both mother and child dying. Maybe you could use that to delay for a few years?”

Princess Xiangyang paused for a moment, then guiltily averted her gaze. “I already told my father I don’t want children.”

So that excuse was off the table.

Xu Yanmiao tapped his head again. “Then say you prefer someone talented and scholarly. Have him write a poem or an essay—let the words reflect his character. Then you can say his values… don’t align with yours. If you want to emphasize it, say that after observing His Majesty and the Empress’s deep bond, you yearn for a relationship built on mutual understanding and affection, not one where you can’t even have a decent conversation.”

Princess Xiangyang’s gaze continued to drift. “I already told my father I like warriors. As for not being able to talk, I brought that up too, and he just said I can get along with anyone.”

Great. Those options were blocked too.

Xu Yanmiao: Stare—

Princess Xiangyang chuckled awkwardly and lowered her head. “Who would’ve thought you’d come up with the same ideas I did?”

Xu Yanmiao sighed. “Then the only real solution is to deal with His Majesty directly. Otherwise, even if you get rid of this candidate, there’ll always be another. There’s no shortage of people in this world.”

Princess Xiangyang’s eyes lit up with anticipation. “Then what should I do? Xu Yaohai, you’re well-traveled and knowledgeable…”

“Let me think. This isn’t something that can be rushed. For now, tell His Majesty you want to meet the candidate privately to assess his character. Drag it out as long as you can—sooner or later, an opportunity will arise.”

“Alright.” Princess Xiangyang brightened up again. “The late prime minister’s grave is in his hometown, but about thirty to forty miles outside the capital, the people built a cenotaph for him. There’s a small temple nearby too. If you need to leave the city, we can hire a donkey cart—walking would be too tiring.”

Xu Yanmiao gave her a thumbs-up.

The late prime minister had been a good official who truly cared for the people. Even though more than thirty years had passed since the founding of the new dynasty, incense still burned at his cenotaph.

Xu Yanmiao set down the offering box and carefully arranged the food inside: flatbreads, mung bean porridge, red bean porridge, chive turnovers, dumplings, and a bowl of plain noodle soup.

The old emperor had personally instructed him to bring these specific foods. He also told Xu Yanmiao to say a few words at the grave.

After bowing in respect, Xu Yanmiao opened his mouth three or four times but couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Princess Xiangyang made a gesture. “I’ll go look around elsewhere.”@@novelbin@@

Once she was gone, Xu Yanmiao took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself several times before finally reciting the words that had been swirling in his mind.

“Prime Minister Wang, my emperor specifically sent me to deliver a message to you.”

“He said—”

“These flatbreads, porridge, and dumplings are all cheap foods. If only he had been able to eat these regularly back then, instead of ending up as a beggar on the streets, maybe he wouldn’t have joined the rebellion.”

“This bowl of plain noodle soup only costs three copper coins.”

“But back then, even on weekends, a pound of flour alone cost three hundred coins—let alone the price of a bowl of noodle soup.”

“Now, the country is prosperous and at peace. The people are living good lives. Afraid you wouldn’t believe it, His Majesty specifically sent these everyday foods as proof. Plain noodle soup is no longer a luxury that the poor can only afford on special occasions. As long as they’re a little diligent, they can have a bowl every few days.”

“So, do you regret it? Back then, you feigned surrender to destroy me.”