Chapter 5
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Chapter 5: The Crown Prince
She was overwhelmed with emotion, uncertain whether it was joy or fear that filled her heart.
No matter what, this was the young man who had once cherished her, who had loved her passionately for months. Even a single day as husband and wife breeds a hundred days of affection; it was impossible for her to feel nothing at all for the Crown Prince.
His appearance here, at this moment, at least proved that he had not abandoned her—he simply could not protect her.
Awu felt comforted, her eyes even growing moist with unshed tears.
The Crown Prince had only just received news of Awu being sent away to become a Taoist nun. In his anguish, he rushed out from the inner court, heedless of all consequences, to try and stop it.
Now, defying all the rules of the realm, he forced his way to the city gate and saw Awu standing across the moat. She looked so frail, standing in the evening breeze, biting her lip and gazing at him through a film of tears.
His heart felt as though it had been struck with a heavy stone.
His Awu!
But just as his horse was about to step onto the drawbridge, it began to rise!
He commanded sharply, “Wait!”
But it was already too late.
The bridge lifted, the gate dropped, and iron portcullises barred the way before the moat. Several iron pikes blocked the Crown Prince’s path.
He reined in his horse abruptly; the animal reared, whinnying in distress.
Across the moat, tears shimmered in Awu’s eyes.
The Crown Prince called out, “I am the Crown Prince of this realm. I order you to lower the drawbridge at once!”
The commander nearby looked on in alarm and suspicion, uncertain whether this was truly the prince.
At that moment, the prince’s personal guard hurried up, displaying his token and declaring to the commander, “I am Qin Jian, captain of the Crown Prince’s household guards. His Highness stands before you—mind your manners!”
By now, a commotion had arisen at the city gate.
The capital of Great Hui had nine gates. Four of them stood open by day for travelers. Each gate was guarded by thirty gatekeepers and a hundred soldiers; any emergency was swiftly relayed by bronze bells, summoning reinforcements.
With the Crown Prince forcing entry, the bells rang in quick succession. Soldiers hurried to the scene, and in moments, the gate was bristling with spears and halberds, archers poised atop the walls, all on high alert.
The commander looked about, then strode forward and knelt on one knee before the Crown Prince.
He spoke steadily, “I am Commander Peng Zhao, subordinate to the Superintendent of the Inner Nine Gates, holding the rank of Fifth Degree Captain. I am on duty here today. Your Highness, may I boldly request that you present the copper token, so that I may lower the bridge and see you safely out of the city.”
At these words, the expressions of those present shifted.
The laws of Great Hui were strict, especially within the Inner Nine Gates. Unless one bore the copper token bestowed by the Emperor, once the drawbridge was raised, it could not be lowered again.
Guards lined both sides of the moat, but none dared make a sound; the atmosphere was tense and oppressive.
The Crown Prince’s gaze swept over the assembled soldiers and the arrowheads gleaming on the wall in the sunset.
As heir to Great Hui, he knew well that his actions today would have already angered his father, the Emperor. If he pressed forward and confronted the moat, he would invite censure from the historians and further enrage his father, perhaps implicating Awu all the more.
He was not afraid for himself, but Awu could not withstand the Emperor’s wrath.
His gaze lingered on her across the shimmering water.
The evening glow spread across the sky, fiery red and golden orange mingling, casting everything in a pale golden light. He saw a strand of her black hair brush softly against her delicate cheek.
Even beneath the radiance of the sunset, he could see her face was pale, her clear eyes glistening with tears.
She was as lovely as a pearl or a piece of jade, slender and fragile by nature, someone who ought to be cherished and sheltered in his home.
Now she was being driven out by force, dragged away by rough hands—who knew what hardships she had already suffered?
He wanted to take her in his arms, to comfort her, to tell her there was nothing to fear. But the waters of the moat blocked his path.
Cowherd and Weaver Girl were divided by the river of stars; he and his Awu were separated by this mortal drawbridge.
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He reached out, struggling and helpless, toward the other side.
From the moment he saw Awu again, he was lost. In their tender moments, he had promised her a lifetime of protection, but now he was powerless.
He moved his lips, speaking bitterly, “Awu, it is I who have wronged you…”
Across the water, Awu’s lashes trembled as she pressed her lips together, gazing at the prince.
Of course she liked the Crown Prince—he was handsome, how could she not? But whatever she felt, she knew she would never entangle herself with him again.
Especially after today, when she had met the Crown Princess.
She had always known the prince had a legitimate wife, but faced with no other choice, she had tried to ignore it. Seeing the Crown Princess in person—so dignified and noble—she could no longer deceive herself.
The Crown Princess had looked at her with contempt, and she could not defend herself, for she truly was the seductress who had ensnared the prince, unworthy of standing in the light!
But it hadn’t been her wish! Why would she want to seduce a man in the first place?
If she were to seduce anyone, it should be a man without a wife!
The Crown Prince spoke again, “Blame me for failing to protect you, for letting you suffer such grievances.”
Awu sighed softly. “Your Highness, I do not blame you. It was my fault. That night, I should never have left Huan Cui Court…”
All the trouble had begun there.
The Crown Prince shook his head, murmuring, “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know any better. I could never blame you. I blame myself for not settling you properly, for letting you fall into another’s trap.”
He fixed his gaze on her. “Awu, bear with it a little longer. When this passes, I will come for you. Trust me, this time I’ll make proper arrangements—you won’t suffer again!”
Awu was taken aback.
Through the river of sunset, she saw the sincerity in the prince’s dark eyes.
He meant every word.
He was making her another promise.
But Awu did not want to hear it; she did not want to go back.
So she looked at the earnest young man before her and shook her head firmly. “Your Highness, there’s no need. I am to become a Taoist nun, to leave the world behind. Once I take my vows, I will no longer concern myself with worldly matters. You mustn’t come for me.”
Pain flashed in the prince’s eyes. “Awu? Are you angry with me?”
As they spoke, the prince’s guards, the gate soldiers, and even Nie San held their breath and looked away, pretending not to exist.
But Awu cared little for their presence. She felt no shame—perhaps it was better this way, to clarify everything.
She would make it clear: she was not some femme fatale who had bewitched the prince. She had not clung to him—it was he who had pursued her.
So she raised her head and declared loudly, “Your Highness, I am not angry. I have simply realized at last: we are fated to meet, but not to be together. Let us part here.”
The prince frowned, staring at her, and asked, word by word, “Why do you say this?”
He had always been gentle—at least to Awu, he never showed any temper. But now, his handsome face grew stern, an imposing aura about him.
Awu suddenly felt afraid—after all, he was the heir to the throne. His gentleness did not mean he could be trifled with.
She stammered, “I do not wish to be a concubine. I saw Her Highness the Crown Princess today—she is so elegant and poised, and I—”
There were people all around, silent but straining to listen.
The prince kept his gaze fixed on her, waiting for her to continue.
The river flowed swiftly, a bird flapped across the sky.
A surge of courage rose within Awu. She clenched her fists and announced loudly, “You are the Crown Princess’s husband, not mine! Please, do not pursue me any longer!”
Her words rang out clearly; everyone heard them.
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Nie San frowned in surprise at Awu. The two rough-handed matrons were utterly at a loss, unsure what to make of what they had just heard, and the others looked at her in puzzlement.
Never had they seen a young woman like this—so graceful and captivating, yet speaking so boldly!
Most astonishing of all, she had said this to the Crown Prince himself.
She was telling the heir apparent—the future emperor—not to pursue her any longer.
All present were bewildered.
The Crown Prince’s eyes darkened with displeasure at Awu’s words. “Awu, what are you saying?”
Under his gaze, Awu’s courage faltered and tears filled her clear eyes.
She turned away, whispering, “Your Highness, I was young and ignorant before, I knew nothing of the world. Now I know—I truly do not wish to be a concubine!”
The Crown Prince fell silent, momentarily stunned.
He could not refute her words.
Having said this, Awu felt her resolve strengthen.
She clenched her fists, her voice rising, “Though I was born lowly, I too wish to be a legitimate wife. If I were to stay with Your Highness, I would have to hide in the shadows—what meaning is there in that? You coaxed me with sweet words, but in the end, you kept me confined to Huan Cui Court. I never saw the capital, never glimpsed the countryside. I was suffocating!”
The prince’s face grew even darker, his fists clenched beneath his wide sleeves.
Seeing this, Awu felt a trace of fear. Though they had been close, she did not wish to quarrel with him.
Better to part on good terms, to let go and move on. That would be best.
She was going to Yanxiang Temple to become a nun—a royal temple still under imperial protection. If she ever found herself in trouble, she might yet have to ask for his help.
So she softened her tone, speaking respectfully, “Your Highness, let us part ways here. I bow to you now. When I am at Yanxiang Temple, I will recite scriptures and pray for you and Her Highness the Crown Princess, wishing you both happiness, longevity, harmony, mutual respect, and a lifetime together.”
With that, she knelt abruptly, bowing three times across the river to the prince.
The Crown Prince’s jaw tightened as he silently watched her kneel.
Before so many people, she touched her forehead to the ground with reverence and devotion, her black hair trailing in the dust, heedless of it all.
When she finished, she rose without looking at him, turned, and walked away.
Nie San and several servants hurried to follow.
The prince called out suddenly, “Stop.”
Awu halted.
But the prince’s gaze was on Nie San. “Who are you?”
Nie San knelt at once and answered in a clear voice, “I am Nie San, attendant guard of the prince’s household, ordered to escort the lady to Yanxiang Temple.”
The prince’s expression was unreadable. “Nie Qianfei, styled Wenbo. Orphaned young, taken in by the Duke of England, adopted by Commander Sun Yue of the household guards, and entered my household with the Crown Princess.”
Nie San’s expression grew wary.
The prince had already investigated him thoroughly.
Awu, too, was surprised.
The prince had always been gentle before her, even tolerating her little tempers. She had never seen this side of him.
The prince narrowed his eyes. “Nie San, tomorrow at dawn, when the gates open, I will send someone to Yanxiang Temple. I want to see her safe and sound. If anything happens to her, you—”
His voice dropped, slow and cold, “—will answer to me.”
Nie San bowed his head respectfully. “Yes, Your Highness.”