What they gave to Li Fuxiang was something they already possessed, while Gao Yuexing, who appeared before Li Fuxiang with nothing, gave him what she had fought and struggled for. In this gray and oppressive palace, she had almost risked her life to tear open a path and grasp his hand.
Thus, they were different.
At her own residence’s entrance, Gao Yuexing saw the eunuchs sent from the palace, all standing at the main gate. She suddenly seemed to remember something important—Li Fuxiang had mentioned the imperial decree. Could it already be waiting at home?
Indeed, the decree had arrived quite early, nearly at the same time as Madam Gao returned home. However, with her husband and daughter absent, she couldn’t receive the decree on their behalf. She had hurriedly sent someone to the Dali Court to summon them home. Unfortunately, by then, they were already on their way to the Chen family’s residence. The servants of the Gao household returned empty-handed, leaving the eunuchs delivering the decree waiting at the residence until now.
Gao Yuexing instructed Li Fuxiang, “You didn’t ride a horse. Let my family’s carriage take you back to the palace. Be careful on the way.” With that, she hurried back home.
Elsewhere, Gao Jing returned to the Dali Court and learned that the eunuchs delivering the decree had been waiting at his residence for half a day. He had no choice but to set aside his official duties and, surprisingly, arrived home before Gao Yuexing.
In the main flower hall, Gao Yuexing walked while instructing a maid to hold up a mirror so she could tidy her appearance. Only after adjusting her attire did she step into the hall.
Seated in the flower hall was Xu Xiude, the chief eunuch by the emperor’s side.
This indicated the extraordinary importance of the decree, demonstrating the emperor’s particular attention.
Among the family, only Gao Yuexing knew the details.
Gao Jing said, “My apologies. I’ve been out the entire day, causing Eunuch Xu to wait so long.”
Xu Xiude, beaming with joy, replied, “Minister Gao, no need for such words. You are a pillar of the Great Xu Dynasty, tirelessly working on official matters. Please take care of your health.”
Since it was Xu Xiude himself who came, the silver and gifts Madam Gao had prepared were deliberately not brought out.
Xu Xiude would never accept them.
Known as the “Seal-Holding Eunuch” and considered the equivalent of a prime minister within the palace, Xu Xiude had no interest in petty bribes. It was said that his name was not originally Xu Xiude. After the emperor personally groomed him, he solemnly bestowed this name upon him—a name worthy of a man.
He was not just the emperor’s confidant in the palace.
He probably held the emperor’s heart, liver, and lungs as well.
Xu Xiude announced an imperial decree for an imperial marriage.
Kneeling on the tiles, Gao Jing sighed inwardly.
It had finally come.
Before drafting this decree, the emperor hadn’t given him any prior notice. The meaning was clear: this matter was non-negotiable. Whether Gao Jing agreed or not was irrelevant.
For Li Fuxiang’s long-held wish, the emperor had adopted an uncharacteristically firm stance.
Too much hesitation was tiresome. Decisively settling the matter was the priority.
After accepting the decree, Gao Jing asked, “Eunuch Xu, isn’t this decision a bit premature? What does His Majesty have in mind?”
Xu Xiude smiled and replied, “His Majesty also feels it’s a bit early, but for such a significant matter, earlier is better than later. Our young lady needs to start learning some proper etiquette in advance. Consort Xian has even expressed her wish to bring her into the palace to stay for a while. Coincidentally, the princess has not yet married either. With two young ladies together, it would be more lively.”
Gao Jing had a rough understanding of the situation.
Madam Gao remained silent.
Their family was once again preparing to send their daughter to the palace.
Gao Yuexing listened, confused in her heart.
Why did she have to move into the palace again?
She hadn’t heard of this happening before.
Gao Jing nodded and said, “I understand His Majesty’s intentions. Please, Eunuch Xu, return to the palace and report to His Majesty that I will need a few days to prepare.”
He courteously escorted Xu Xiude to the gate and returned home, only to see Madam Gao covering her eyes with a handkerchief, weeping. “…My daughter has barely been home for a few days, and now the palace keeps sending people to fetch her. From what he said, is this time going to be permanent?”
Gao Yuexing stood with her hands lowered, her heart aching as she looked at her mother.
Gao Jing patted Madam Gao’s shoulder and said, “Start preparing. I imagine the palace carriage will arrive to pick her up in just a few days.”
Madam Gao flung her sleeves and left, refusing to even glance at the father and daughter. Her voice was filled with sorrow as she said, “If I had known it would come to this, I wouldn’t have given birth to her in the first place. At least I wouldn’t have to endure the pain of being separated from my child…”
Gao Jing pinched the bridge of his nose. Turning to Gao Yuexing, he stomped his foot and said, “You! Always just standing there. Go comfort her already!”
Thus, Gao Yuexing dragged her feet and went after her.
But Madam Gao had already returned to her room and refused to see her. She ordered the servants to lock the door. On this late summer and early autumn night, when the mosquitoes were particularly vicious, Gao Yuexing, who had recently stopped wearing scented oils, became an easy target for the bugs. Her delicate skin was quickly covered in itchy, painful bites on her wrists and neck.
The older woman in the courtyard couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She entered Madam Gao’s room to offer some advice and then came out to pull Gao Yuexing back inside, urging her to rest for the night and figure things out in the morning.
Seeing that the lights in her mother’s room had gone out, Gao Yuexing had no choice but to retreat to her own room. She prepared some ointment and applied it to her mosquito bites, then hung sachets of mosquito-repelling incense near the window and her bed. Finally, she lay down briefly.
In just a few days, Gao Yuexing would have to move into the palace. Every moment together was precious.
Madam Gao, as it turned out, wasn’t truly able to harden her heart. Before the second watch of the night, she came in person with a lantern.
It seemed Gao Yuexing had already anticipated her visit. Fully dressed, she lay on the bed without closing her eyes. Hearing movement, she got up and went to the door, softly calling out, “Mother.”
Madam Gao pulled her into the room, saying, “Time is short. I’ve asked people to prepare some everyday clothes and jewelry for you. Now that you’ve grown up, it’s different from when you were a child. There’s not much more I can teach you. You’re even more capable than I am, helping your father with his cases.”
Gao Yuexing thought about her mother’s words for a while and couldn’t help but sense a strong hint of bitterness in them.
Given the circumstances, there was no point in dwelling on it.
Gao Yuexing stayed in her mother’s arms for half the night. The next day, she personally oversaw the servants as they packed her belongings.
When her mother wasn’t around, Gao Yuexing stepped outside and instructed them, “That’s enough. It’s not like I’m moving in permanently. It’s just a temporary stay. Once the princess gets married, I’ll be able to return home. Don’t overpack.”
The maids and older servants in the courtyard exchanged glances. They all knew that the Second Miss Gao had always been decisive. Since she said not to pack much, she wouldn’t take much. They quickly wrapped up, following her instructions, and prepared just a single trunk.
The palace’s arrival came sooner than expected.
Gao Yuexing thought it would take at least three to five days, but to her surprise, the palace sent someone the very next day.
It was Aunt Wei from Consort Xian’s household.
Amidst the sorrow and reluctance filling the Gao residence, only four-year-old Gao Mingdong was overjoyed.
—This annoying older sister was finally leaving.
At last, there would be no one at home deliberately teasing him or competing with him for things.
Gao Yuemin was furious, feeling her younger brother was far too immature.
However, Gao Yuexing didn’t mind. She didn’t have much of a bond with this blood-related younger brother to begin with. Besides, what could a child possibly understand? Before she returned home, everyone in the family indulged and pampered him. The moment she came back, he went out of his way to make things difficult for her in every possible manner. It would be strange if he were happy.
Gao Yuexing wrinkled her nose and made a funny face at him, saying, “Fine, don’t see me off. It’s not like I care about you.”
Hearing this, Gao Mingdong, who had been smiling, suddenly pouted.
He didn’t mind disliking others, but he couldn’t bear it when others didn’t like him.
Gao Yuexing felt triumphant. She delighted in teasing but had no intention of comforting him. Leaving the teary-eyed little boy behind, she climbed into the carriage and rode away in high spirits.
On the road, Aunt Wei accompanied her in the carriage.
Gao Yuexing asked, “Aunt Wei, am I to report to the Bureau of Rites for instruction when I enter the palace this time?”
Aunt Wei replied solemnly, “Miss Gao, as a noble lady from a distinguished family, your manners are impeccable. The Consort Xian has already instructed everyone in the palace to treat you as an honored guest.”
Gao Yuexing smiled faintly. “You flatter me, Aunt Wei. I dare not accept such praise.”
Aunt Wei’s experienced eyes drifted to Gao Yuexing’s hands resting gracefully on her lap.
She wasn’t speaking empty words to curry favor. Gao Yuexing’s every movement, every act of courtesy, was flawless—no one in the entire palace could find fault with her.
This girl, with her eccentric personality since childhood, had finally soared to the highest branch.
Aunt Wei curled her lips slightly, but the world’s affairs remained unpredictable. The victor and the vanquished were still uncertain, and who could guarantee that perching high on a branch meant one was truly a phoenix? Having lived half a lifetime, Aunt Wei had witnessed countless absurdities and unimaginable dramas. As she gazed at Gao Yuexing’s youthful, delicate face, she couldn’t help but anticipate how her story would unfold.