Chapter Eight: A Maiden's Heart

From the moment An Xiaowei revealed her extraordinary literary talent at the age of six, she captured the attention of many noble families in the imperial capital.

By the time she blossomed into her full beauty at twelve, her looks and figure caused many women in the capital to feel ashamed in comparison.

She was born into the An family of the capital.

Her grandfather, An Jingwei, was the top scholar of the previous dynasty and held the esteemed position of Grand Academician at the Wenyuan Pavilion, counted among the five great Confucian scholars of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Her father, An Xu, was the third-ranked scholar in the last imperial examination and now served as Vice Minister of Rites.

After Her Majesty the Empress established the new regime, she abolished many old customs but simultaneously set the An family as a paragon of exemplary lineage.

The family’s rules, traditions, and education were often cited by the Empress herself in court.

With such impeccable upbringing and her own remarkable talents, this young lady naturally became the object of admiration for countless young nobles in the capital.

In the sixteen years since Her Majesty ascended the throne, only seven golden phoenix pendants were ever bestowed. Possessing one allowed the bearer to enter the palace and meet the Empress at any time.

One of these golden phoenix pendants was in An Xiaowei’s possession — gifted to her by the Empress when she was just eight years old.

Such favor from the Empress was evident.

Because of this, even the most arrogant second-generation heirs in the capital dared not speak disrespectfully in front of An Xiaowei.

She had become a unique presence in the capital.

To those of higher status, what they saw was not merely the imperial favor enjoyed by the An family or An Xiaowei herself; to marry her meant to be granted the Empress’s grace.

Among this select few, there was a deeper understanding: through the An family and An Xiaowei, the Empress was sending three clear messages to the world—

First: Women’s social status was higher now than in any previous dynasty.

Second: While old customs could be discarded, fine traditions must still be preserved.

Third: The Empress, who founded the nation by military might and pacified the lands, was now turning her attention to the cultivation of literature.

Especially in the past five years, she personally hosted a grand Mid-Autumn literary gathering, and next autumn, she extended an invitation to various kingdoms for the Book Mountain Literary Assembly.

Kings from all nations had replied, promising to send their strongest delegations.

It was destined to be a grand literary event that would captivate the world.

Over the years, students studying martial arts and military strategy had dwindled, while those devoted to literature had increased considerably.

An Xiaowei, now sixteen years old, gifted with unparalleled talent and peerless beauty, naturally became the most sought-after bride among the prominent families of the capital.

The Tianxu Divine General’s Mansion was no exception.

Three years ago, before news of An Xiaowei’s engagement broke, the threshold of the An family was nearly trampled down by matchmakers.

Even after the engagement was made public, many noble and meritorious families of great status did not give up.

They had learned that An Xiaowei’s fiancé was an illegitimate son of the Kaiyang Divine General’s Mansion, and they all believed this illegitimate son unworthy of her.

But half a year later, the An family’s doorsteps gradually grew quiet—

Rumor had it that the venerable Confucian scholar of the An family had flown into a rage.

He had even chased away the current Right Chancellor with a broom!

This was no mere gossip, as many eyewitnesses attested.

The Right Chancellor was seen jumping in frustration outside the An family gate, cursing loudly:

“Old fool, are your eyes blind? My son Qilin is both learned and skilled in martial arts—how is he inferior to that illegitimate son of the Kaiyang Divine General’s Mansion?”

The venerable Confucian scholar, wielding his broom, charged at the Right Chancellor, yelling:

“Damn you, Liao Shikun! Do you know the meaning of shame?”

“Do you know what credibility means?!”

“You seek to trap me into being unkind, unjust, rude, and foolish!”

“Look at the gate of the An family with your blind dog’s eyes! That plaque with the golden characters ‘Family Rules Passed Down Through Generations’ was written in the Empress’s own hand!”

“Get out! The marriage contract is written in black and white with a golden seal—how can one just back out on a whim?”

After that incident, it seemed all who wished to marry An Xiaowei gave up… or at least realized they could not persuade that stubborn old man, lest they invite ridicule upon themselves.

As An Xiaowei’s closest friend, Liang Jingru did not give up.

She dared not provoke the venerable scholar but hoped she might persuade An Xiaowei—

First, because her brother still held An Xiaowei deeply in his heart.

Second… she truly did not want An Xiaowei to marry that illiterate illegitimate son.

He was simply unworthy!

Liang Jingru had thought An Xiaowei herself was reluctant but bound by the An family’s rules.

Yet now,

An Xiaowei’s eyes sparkled with stars.

She showed no concern about the illegitimate son’s illiteracy and even said he was very handsome!

Such a hopeless romantic!

Liang Jingru was utterly despairing.

She slapped her forehead and gazed up at the starry sky.

After a moment, she looked down at An Xiaowei’s eyes:

“My lady, can good looks fill your stomach?”

An Xiaowei chuckled shyly:

“Isn’t it said that beauty is as satisfying as a meal?”

“…”

What nonsense!

My lady, with your extraordinary talents, you surely misunderstand the phrase “beauty as satisfying as a meal.”

An Xiaowei sat up straight, still looking at Liang Jingru, and said:

“Though I have never been to Lin’an in Jiangnan, I imagine it must be quite lovely, at least the climate is better than our northern region.”

“My health is weak, and each winter I suffer long nights of coughing from the cold.”

“You don’t know how painful it is to lie awake all night coughing.”

“If I truly lived in the south… I believe that pain would lessen.”

“I’ve also heard his grandmother prepared a large villa and thousands of acres of fertile land for him in Lin’an… if I bring some extra dowry, our future life will be worry-free.”

“As for his illiteracy…”

An Xiaowei raised an eyebrow slightly. “Do you think that’s important?”

“I can read!”

“I don’t want my future husband to be an official or a great general.”

“To be an official means dealing with court politics, climbing the ranks, flattering others, drinking, visiting brothels, and often spending nights away from home.”

“Who wants a husband that leaves her alone in an empty room every night?”

“To be a great general—though the realm is peaceful now, who knows when war might break out again?”

“The battlefield is merciless; no one can predict who will return.”

“If he dies on the battlefield, what good are all the honors the Empress might bestow?”

“I would be widowed!”

“How would I live my future days?”

“Therefore… his lack of talent is actually the best.”

Pausing, she saw Liang Jingru’s astonished expression and smiled mischievously:

“Besides, he is very handsome!”

“I marry him, bear a bunch of beautiful children, and he takes the kids to fight crickets while I hold my book watching them… Isn’t that a happy, perfect life?”

“My lady, after all this time, I’ve realized marrying anyone else isn’t as good as marrying him!”

“Look at those in the capital’s officialdom—how many truly accompany their wives?”

An Xiaowei glanced toward the faintly visible lotus pond, pondered for a moment, then said:

“The outward glamour is for others to see. Life is something two people live together.”

“I want a husband to grow old with me, hand in hand. I don’t like those so-called glories.”

Liang Jingru was left speechless.

After a few moments, she stubbornly said:

“But you have no common interests. If you sit in silence, how is that different from being widowed?”

An Xiaowei smirked: “Interests can be cultivated. For example… I can join him in fighting crickets.”

Liang Jingru replied: “I heard he is quiet and reserved; you’ll have little communication. Spending a lifetime without affection—is that worthwhile?”

An Xiaowei raised an eyebrow: “Affection grows over time!”

Liang Jingru said: “…But he hasn’t replied to your letter!”

Those words struck hard. The smile on An Xiaowei’s lips faded, and her eyes grew sorrowful again.

After a long pause, she sighed deeply:

“The letter I wrote him was a bit too direct.”

“At that time, I still had unresolved feelings.”

“Did I hurt his heart?”

Having said this, An Xiaowei suddenly looked at Liang Jingru, her eyes shining once more:

“Tell me… you have no pressing matters, why not travel with me to Jiangnan?”

Liang Jingru’s eyes widened: “Are you crazy?!”

“To go to Jiangnan is over two thousand li, and the carriage ride takes a full two months!”

“You’re a noble lady!”

“Running off to meet your fiancé like this goes against the An family’s rules!”

An Xiaowei bit her crimson lips lightly, leaned in, and said slyly:

“I’m not going to Lin’an to see him.”

“…”

“Then what for?”

“Xu Zizhou, the great Confucian scholar from the State of Qi, is bringing twelve of his disciples to attend next autumn’s Book Mountain Literary Assembly. He sent a letter to my grandfather and has already set off. His destination is not the capital; he wishes to revisit Jiangnan. I will represent my grandfather to welcome him there.”

“My grandfather says he must be going to Lin’an!”

“Why?”

An Xiaowei smiled quietly:

“Because of love!”

“…”