Chapter One Hundred and Twenty: Marriage

After seeing the Fifth Prince, Li Anping, Lin Miaomiao quietly glanced at him, and it seemed that Li Anping sensed her gaze as well. Their eyes met in a fleeting moment of stolen glances.

Lin Miaomiao offered the Fifth Prince a charming smile before leaving with Princess Chang’an, Li Anyi. They rode together in a carriage to the location where Lin Miaomiao had commissioned craftsmen to begin building her new dessert shop.

Upon arrival, Princess Li Anyi noticed how busy Lin Miaomiao was, standing there directing the workers. Curious, she asked, “What’s the matter?”

Lin Miaomiao glanced at her and replied, “Nothing, just wondering why you’re staring.”

Princess Li Anyi smiled softly and said, “It’s just that seeing you like this makes me want to become you.”

Lin Miaomiao paused in surprise before shaking her head with a smile. “In this world, it’s not about wanting, but about whether it can be done.”

The princess, being intelligent, nodded knowingly. “Indeed. Who could argue with that?”

As Lin Miaomiao continued giving instructions to the workers, Princess Li Anyi quietly sat nearby, sipping tea and watching her with admiration.

At that moment, a luxurious carriage pulled up beside them. Noticing the familiar patterns on the carriage, Princess Li Anyi stood up nervously. Li Zheng descended from it, dressed in a white robe, gently fanning himself.

Lin Miaomiao froze upon seeing him, then looked at Li Zheng and said, “It’s been a long time since we last met.”

Li Zheng nodded in agreement. “Yes, indeed, it has been quite a while.”

With a smile still gracing her lips, Lin Miaomiao observed the milk tea shop under construction. Li Zheng was momentarily taken aback before chuckling, “You won’t be staying in the capital for long, so why have you ordered the building of this shop?”

Lin Miaomiao shook her head. “Why not? If there’s a desire, there must be action. Whether I spend a long or short time here, it’s just a way to pass the time.”

The two stood silently for a while. Li Zheng glanced at Lin Miaomiao, who returned his gaze with a beautiful smile. “Is there really any need to ask?”

Li Zheng smiled and shook his head. “You looked troubled yesterday; today, upon seeing me…”

Lin Miaomiao looked up and said slowly, “It’s nothing. From this moment, I truly feel that people change with each stage of life—their attitudes toward others shift as well.”

“Meeting you was fate, but where this fate leads, I am indifferent.”

She sighed heavily. Li Zheng was momentarily stunned, then looked at her. “You?”

They exchanged quiet looks, neither speaking for some time, even as Princess Li Anyi remained silent nearby.

Lin Miaomiao finally asked, “What have you been busy with lately?”

Li Zheng nodded. “Well, now that period has passed, I’m not as busy as before.”

Lin Miaomiao glanced at Princess Li Anyi, who smiled shyly.

On their return journey, Princess Li Anyi’s expression darkened. She looked up at Lin Miaomiao and said, “You’ll soon marry Second Brother, but your wedding coincides with Uncle Zheng’s trip to Jiangnan.”

Lin Miaomiao nodded and replied, “I see.”

She didn’t dwell on it and returned to Li Yanhe’s residence, where she noticed the Fifth Prince, Li Anping, leaving. She asked Li Yanhe, “What’s wrong?”

Li Yanhe glanced at her and said, “Nothing. Focus on your marriage.”

Lin Miaomiao nodded, sensing the storm brewing beneath the calm.

The wedding between Lin Miaomiao and Li Yanhe was grand, with the entire capital adorned in joyful red. The ceremony was swift, and the next day news of floods in Jiangnan spread far and wide—even Lin Miaomiao, who stayed away from court affairs, heard of it. Soon, a large number of refugees appeared in the capital.

Watching the displaced masses and as rain began to fall, Lin Miaomiao’s thoughts turned anxiously to Li Zheng’s safety.

Her worries soon proved justified. The Yongchang Emperor launched a thorough investigation into the floods, uncovering connections implicating Crown Prince Li Hanwen.

In the imperial court, the Yongchang Emperor coldly confronted his son. “Do you have nothing to say in your defense?”

The Crown Prince lifted his head and calmly replied, “This has nothing to do with me.”

He then removed his crown prince robes, while the Fourth Prince, Li Deren, knelt silently nearby.

News of the Crown Prince’s confinement in the Eastern Palace spread quickly, causing panic throughout the capital. Meanwhile, the Seventh Prince, Li Yankang, smoothly left his residence.

In the court, the factions of the Ninth Prince, Li Yonghe, and the Seventh Prince, Li Yankang, clashed fiercely, each vying for supremacy.

Lin Miaomiao sighed as she glanced at the calendar. June had arrived, yet the Yongchang Emperor had not announced any plans for Li Yanhe and herself to move to their fief.

Li Yanhe began feigning illness, avoiding morning court sessions and official duties to ease the emperor’s concerns.

The Fourth Prince’s residence grew quiet. Li Deren began to imitate Li Yanhe’s seclusion, withdrawing from public affairs.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince and Fourth Prince conspired in secret. Soon, a bridge collapsed once more, and corruption within the government surfaced.

The revelation caused an uproar, but the Yongchang Emperor assigned the Fifth Prince, Li Anping, to investigate.

It wasn’t long before evidence pointed to the Ninth Prince, Li Yonghe. He smirked at Li Anping, saying, “I underestimated you. I thought you were a cripple, but I didn’t expect you to have such ability.”

The emperor threw the incriminating documents at Li Yonghe and demanded, “Explain yourself.”

Li Yonghe responded with a sarcastic smile, “What is there to explain? This is the truth.”

“Father, whatever you decide to do, I am prepared. But before that, I want to ask—did you not hand power to us so we could act like this?”

The emperor’s face twisted in pain as he spat blood after uttering “Release him.” When Lin Miaomiao and Li Yanhe arrived, they saw Li Yonghe kneeling outside the imperial study.

Though Li Yonghe appeared unchanged, Lin Miaomiao knew this marked the end of him.

Li Yonghe saw Lin Miaomiao but said nothing. She followed Li Yanhe into the palace and soon came face to face with the Yongchang Emperor.

He looked much older, a shadow of the vigorous man he once was. Lin Miaomiao reflected that in ancient times, forty was considered old, and fifty was elderly.

The emperor noticed her hesitation and spoke, “I have come today because…”

Li Yanhe tried to urge Lin Miaomiao to rest, but she interrupted, “If Your Majesty has something to say, please speak freely. I hope to be of help.”

“While I cannot assist with disaster relief directly, there are other ways I can contribute.”

She pulled a stack of silver notes from a cloth bag and offered them to the emperor. “I hope these can provide some assistance.”

Lin Miaomiao continued, “I have instructed the workers at the food processing and textile factories in Da’an Pass to work overtime producing clothing and food.”

“If Your Majesty requires, I can arrange for someone to oversee the handover, since I will not be there personally.”

She looked up at the emperor, who sighed deeply. “What do you want in return?”

Her smile unfaltering, Lin Miaomiao replied, “I want nothing but a life free from worries.”

The emperor was taken aback before shaking his head with a wry smile. “That is easier said than done.”

She shook her head. “Not at all. A strong nation means strong people. Only when the country is stable can I live without worries.”

“This is a responsibility we all share. I do not know what I can do, but I hope my money can be put to good use, to help the common folk.”

After a breath, she presented the emperor with architectural plans for modest apartment buildings she had designed to house military families in Da’an Pass.

“These are my designs,” she said. “If possible, build such buildings in the suburbs to accommodate displaced people, giving them a place to live.”

“These people wander the streets daily, causing trouble. It would be better to give them homes and stability.”

The emperor took the plans and nodded. Lin Miaomiao added, “Providing food to these people will encourage them to build their own homes. It will make things easier.”

“Also, keeping them idle breeds mischief. It’s better to have them engaged in work, giving them money or food to settle them.”

The emperor nodded again. Lin Miaomiao said, “Forgive my forwardness. Seeing those people on the streets, I fear their gathering might cause unrest. I only wish to offer suggestions.”

The emperor waved his hand. “No offense taken. I thank you.”

As Lin Miaomiao and Li Yanhe left the palace, they saw the Ninth Prince, Li Yonghe, being escorted out by soldiers.

With Li Yonghe’s downfall, although the Seventh Prince, Li Yankang, had left his residence, it was clear he had been cast aside.