A Royal Arrangement: The General's Daughter (Short Novel)

Chapter 11

Silk Whispers

Enchanting was the word on everyone's lips as they beheld the couple from the Jiangnan. Wu Yuren, daughter of the esteemed general and subject of many rumors, stood resplendent in a jade-hued robe, adorned with subtle gold patterns, her hair braided and tied with meticulous care. Beside her, her husband, though handsome, wore an air of restlessness, as if eager to depart from the feast.

Yuren walked ahead of her husband, but her stride was interrupted when they came before the emperor and empress. All eyes watched as the Fourth Prince's hand gently found its place at his wife’s back, the two bowing in honor of the imperial couple.

"It is true," whispered one of the guests, eyes lingering on the pair. "They seem like any other couple, nothing more, nothing less. Perhaps the rumors of their coldness were merely that—rumors."

"Indeed," another added, "The contrast is fitting—a cold prince and the fierce daughter of a general."

As the night wore on, the feast grew more spirited, the clamor of voices rising with each passing performance. Dancers from noble families entertained, one after another, until the most famed among them took the stage, their movements graceful as they concluded the evening's spectacles.

Yuren excused herself from the gathering, seeking a moment of solitude in the palace corridors. Familiar faces greeted her in passing, though she exchanged words with only one.

"How are you my sister-in-law?" came the voice of Princess Wen Rui, who stood nearby, clad in a cherry-colored hanfu. Her playful tone betrayed no seriousness, yet it was clear she awaited someone in the hallway.

"Your Highness," Yuren responded with a bow, "I am well."

"The rumors seem to have misled us all. You appear quite at ease with my brother, the Fourth Prince," Wen Rui remarked with a curious smile, her words laced with hidden meaning.

"If you will excuse me, Your Highness, I must attend to other matters." Yuren moved to pass, but Wen Rui's hand gripped her arm, firm and unyielding.

"In a month's time," Wen Rui whispered, her voice low and urgent, "my brother will take a concubine from the family of the emperor’s advisor. You must prevent this."

Yuren felt the weight of those words, her body momentarily freezing. Wen Rui’s grip tightened.

"They aim to use her to sway the Fourth Prince, to turn him against the Crown Prince. You must stop her," she insisted. At that moment, a group of three noble ladies appeared at the end of the hall, their bright robes adorned with intricate gold and silver patterns, their wealth evident in every detail.

The lady in the rose-colored hanfu was first to notice them, her gaze lingering on Yuren with unsettling intensity. The group approached, bowing their heads in respect.

"First Princess Wen Rui, Third Princess Wu Yuren," they greeted in unison.

Wen Rui’s demeanor shifted instantly, her voice turning sweet and gracious. "Have you been enjoying yourselves?" she asked, her smile wide, though Yuren could sense the falseness behind it. The lady in the rose-colored hanfu continued to study her closely.

"This is my sister-in-law, Wu Yuren, the wife of the Fourth Prince," Wen Rui introduced. Her arm hooked around Yuren's as if in a show of camaraderie.

Yuren greeted them politely, though the smiles exchanged between them felt hollow, their gazes filled with scrutiny.

"Sister-in-law must depart now," Wen Rui said, her tone light, yet her words rang strangely. "The Fourth Prince will grow anxious if she does not return soon."

The comment left Yuren uneasy, yet she managed a small smile and excused herself. Her mind raced, replaying the princess’s warning. The implications were clear—danger loomed, and someone sought to pit the Fourth Prince against his brother.

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When Yuren returned to her seat, her thoughts were consumed by Wen Rui’s words. Though she tried to focus on the performances, she couldn’t shake the ominous feeling. The Fourth Prince, ever impatient, signaled his desire to leave early, as he often did. Though Yuren was liking seeing many people, she knew her husband well by now—the dark aura that surrounded him when displeased was unmistakable. Thus, she agreed to leave.

Before dawn, they had already begun their journey, after spending the night at her ancestral home. The morning had greeted them with a grand breakfast prepared by her mother and father, and they lingered for some time before setting off.

Seated at the back of the carriage, wrapped in her fur coat and absorbed in her thoughts, Yuren found herself revisiting the events of the night before. Wen Rui’s final words echoed in her mind: prevent her But who was this her? Yuren had no desire to meddle in her husband’s affairs, least of all his taking of a concubine.

The sound of the carriage door opening snapped her from her reverie. Her husband stepped in, a small brown box in his hand.

"From Wen Rui's estate" he said curtly, handing it to her before seating himself across from her.

"You and the princess seem to have gotten along well," he remarked, his gaze dropping to the box.

Yuren pursed her lips and accepted it, carefully opening the lid to reveal a length of purple silk.

"We spoke of clothing, mostly," she replied, showing him the fabric.

"You have an interest in clothing?" he asked, his tone curious.

"I have developed one since moving to your estate," she answered, referring to the famed silk trade of his region.

"Yet Wen Rui gave you silk when Suzhou is known for it?" he questioned, his gaze piercing.

Yuren hesitated but maintained her composure. "Perhaps she wished to offer me something before our departure, as a gesture of goodwill."

Her husband studied her for a moment, then asked, "What else do you like?"

Yuren blinked, caught off guard. "Me?" she repeated, unsure how to respond.

"Embroidery?" she ventured.

"And books?" he added.

"And books," she agreed, her heart steadying.

"And hunting?" he inquired further.

Yuren frowned. "How did you know?"

"I merely guessed," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"You seem to pay me much attention, Fourth Master," she said, narrowing her eyes.

"And yet, I did not know you had such an interest in fabrics," he responded with amusement, though his tone soon turned serious. "What did the princess say to you?"

His gaze became cold, causing a chill to run down Yuren’s spine. She gripped the box tightly, feeling cornered.

"Why should I tell you?" she replied, feigning irritation.

The prince remained silent, his eyes locked onto hers. Yuren held her ground, her expression unwavering. Finally, it was he who looked away first.

"Inform me if something goes awry," he said, his voice softer, as he leaned back, closing his eyes.

Yuren let out a slow breath, settling the box on her lap as the carriage continued its journey.

Something is wrong between the prince and the princess, Yuren was not sure.