Chapter 17: A Marriage in Name Only

Seizing the moment, Shiyoung tactfully took a seat beside Prince Jin.

Prince Jin did not spare him a single glance, treating Wei Shiyoung as though he were invisible.

Deeming that rather fortunate, Wei Shiyoung sipped his tea.

Only upon moistening his parched throat did his tension finally unravel.

“Now then, come to think of it, how long has Consort Zhang been with child?”

“It has been five months, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Has it already been that long?”

“Yet your belly does not show, so I find myself asking the same question every time.”

Having regained her usual elegance, the Empress conversed warmly with Zhang Meiang.

Only then did the atmosphere soften slightly.

“Since you carry precious imperial blood, you must be prudent in all things.”

“Is there anything you might need?”

“Yes.”

“I am caring for my health without lacking in anything.”

“Do not feel burdened, speak freely.”

“This Empress is to be the grandmother of the child in your womb, so what would I ever begrudge you?”

Wei Shiyoung sat meekly, letting the others’ conversation drift in one ear and out the other.

The dialogue that began with Zhang Meiang’s pregnancy was now expanding to the Empress’s maternal granddaughter born last year, and on to her in-laws.

Since there was no one Wei Shiyoung knew, there was no amusement in listening to their chatter.

It was right as he was stealing glances at Prince Jin and nibbling on tea confections.

“Urgh…”

Without the slightest forewarning, the Emperor’s imperial person seated upon the Dragon Throne collapsed.

The Emperor barely supported his body by clutching the armrest.

From his parted lips emerged a metallic rasp that could not even form into a proper groan.

“Your Majesty!”

“Summon the imperial physician!”

Because the Emperor’s illness had deepened considerably, imperial physicians were stationed on constant standby.

The moment the command was issued to the eunuch, the physician rushed in frantically.

In an instant, the Great Hall dissolved into chaos.

Standing up awkwardly along with the others, Wei Shiyoung blinked his eyes.

Looking upon the Emperor, so utterly drained he could scarcely articulate his words, his chest ached with a sharp pang.

It felt like witnessing the fall of an ancient pine tree that one thought would remain evergreen forever.

“Escort His Majesty to the bedchamber!”

“Hurry!”

Eunuchs rushed forward and supported the Emperor.

The Empress followed closely behind them as they departed the Great Hall.

With the two highest imperial elders departing in such a manner, those left behind were at an utter loss in their bewilderment.

After standing aimlessly for a short while, Prince Jin bowed in respect toward an elderly imperial relative.

“I shall take my leave now.”

“Go ahead.”

“We ought to disperse as well.”

At the words of Duke Jehyeon, the Emperor’s paternal cousin, the royals began preparing to depart one after another.

It was out of the question to continue the gathering once the Emperor and Empress had vacated the hall.

Prince Jin moved with long, sweeping strides.

Wei Shiyoung quickly hurried after him.

It seemed the prince had not a sliver of intent to look after him, so it was enough that he followed along of his own accord.

It was just as they descended the steps of the Great Hall and were about to board the palanquin.

A head court lady approached with brisk, small steps and bowed deeply before Prince Jin.

“Your Highness Prince Jin, His Majesty has decreed: ‘Princes and princesses shall not leave the palace.’”

“Then I shall spend tonight at Geonhong Palace.”

Geonhong Palace was the residence where Prince Jin had been raised in his childhood.

If he had to spend a night in the palace, staying at Geonhong Palace was only natural, yet the court lady displayed visible fluster.

“Your Highness, Geonhong Palace has had no master for a long time, so it will be uncomfortable for you.”

“Are you saying Geonhong Palace has become an abandoned ruin?”

“It is not that, but because no one has resided there for so long, it must be desolate and cold.”

“Would it not be better for you to rest at Jade Lotus Pavilion?”

Prince Jin briefly brought Geonhong Palace to mind.

Though he had moved out of the palace over a decade ago, it had once been his entire world, so the memories remained as vivid as if he had visited yesterday.

In truth, Geonhong Palace had been desolate even when Noble Consort Hyeonsuk was its mistress.

Even a fine manor lost its vital energy when left uninhabited, so Geonhong Palace would be even more dilapidated.

Imagining that state, Prince Jin smirked with a slight twist of his lips.

At that, the court lady spoke cautiously.

“Your Highness, if you grant me just two double-hours, I will have Geonhong Palace put in order.”

“You need only give the word.”

“Enough.”

“Is Jade Lotus Pavilion vacant?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I shall go to Jade Lotus Pavilion.”

“Yes, this servant shall guide you.”

Jade Lotus Pavilion was a pavilion reserved for high-ranking nobles whenever they stayed in the palace.

It was also the place the court lady had originally anticipated Prince Jin would lodge.

Because it was not far from the Great Hall, Prince Jin left the palanquin behind and walked on foot.

Wei Shiyoung naturally followed behind Prince Jin as if it were a given.

Toward Wei Shiyoung dogging his steps like a persistent shadow, Prince Jin sent a silent warning.

Even in the face of that fierce glare commanding him to vanish at once, Wei Shiyoung remained unfazed.

‘In any case, there is no fear of being struck by a sword.’

Wei Shiyoung double-checked Prince Jin’s waistline.

Because he had entered the palace today as an imperial prince rather than as the supreme commander of the imperial army, Prince Jin could not bear weapons.

Thanks to that, Wei Shiyoung was able to temporarily set aside his fear of Prince Jin.

Following the court lady, a magnificent pavilion with eaves soaring as if to pierce the sky appeared before them.

Wei Shiyoung paused for a moment and gazed up at the pavilion.

Perhaps because it was a place where exalted figures resided, even a single roof tile seemed flawless.

Overwhelmed by the palatial pavilion that felt grand in a way entirely different from Prince Wu’s estate, pure admiration burst forth from him.

“Whoa…”

“Ah, Your Highness!”

“Do not leave this servant behind.”

In the meantime, Prince Jin was already striding inside the pavilion.

Fearing he might be abandoned in the vast palace, Wei Shiyoung rushed to trail after him.

“Wei Shiyoung, did I not instruct you not to act rashly in the imperial palace?”

“Forgive me.”

“This servant merely…”

“You make another slip of the tongue.”

Prince Jin issued a low warning.

Failing to comprehend his meaning, Wei Shiyoung widened his eyes.

If apologizing was considered a mistake, was the prince expecting him to plead for death instead?

Just then, eunuchs and maids of Jade Lotus Pavilion appeared and bowed in greeting.

“Your Highness Prince Jin, Consort Wei.”

“These servants shall attend to your comfort.”

“Where is the bedchamber?”

“This way.”

A eunuch led Prince Jin forward.

Unexpectedly, Prince Jin grabbed Wei Shiyoung’s wrist firmly and headed toward the bedchamber.

Pulled along in a daze, Shiyoung racked his brain.

To bring him along into the bedchamber instead of moving alone, what a strange occurrence.

‘Could it be…!’

Had he inadvertently leaked his scent?

Wei Shiyoung twitched his nose, but could detect no scent whatsoever.

Discovering the bedchamber, Prince Jin shoved Wei Shiyoung inside first.

Because the manner resembled handling a captured prisoner rather than treating a consort, the eunuch swallowed a gasp and scurried away.

“Your Highness!”

In truth, Wei Shiyoung took no damage at all and merely straightened his posture.

He looked toward Prince Jin with a suspicious gaze.

Furrowing his brow, Prince Jin strode toward him with measured steps.

Though his expression was not as impenetrable as when they were in the Great Hall, Wei Shiyoung actually found this appearance less frightening.

Perhaps it was because he had seen that knitted brow so often lately that he had unconsciously grown accustomed to it.

“We have yet to hold a formal wedding…”

“This servant is…”

Wei Shiyoung stepped backward, anxious about what might follow next.

Yet because Prince Jin took long strides forward, they only ended up closer.

“Wei Shiyoung.”

Wei Shiyoung suddenly wondered.

Though his name had been called countless times, had anyone ever uttered it with such a deep resonance?

Prince Jin’s voice was as profound as an echo emerging from a cavern, and even his frigidity held an oddly captivating charm.

“Yes, please speak.”

Shiyoung braced himself for any possibility as he responded.

At that, Prince Jin opened his mouth.

“Do not delude yourself.”

“…Pardon?”

“Just because we hold a wedding does not mean you become my princess consort.”

For Prince Jin, who surely knew imperial law far better than he did, to spout such nonsense.

Flabbergasted, Wei Shiyoung questioned him almost argumentatively.

“Your Highness, what do you mean by that?”

“I have no intention of taking you as my consort, nor any desire to treat you as one.”

“However… once we share the nuptial wine, I become Your Highness’s consort in the eyes of the entire world.”

“Even if the world acknowledges it, I will not.”

“The title of Princess Consort Jin is a mere hollow shell; you are simply Wei Shiyoung.”

What Wei Shiyoung needed was also the world’s recognition; he had no need for Prince Jin’s personal approval anyway.

It was a relief that their interests aligned reasonably well.

Even so, it was also true that Prince Jin’s relentless rejection stung his feelings just a bit.

“Does Your Highness still not believe this servant?”

Prince Jin stared intently at Wei Shiyoung.

Across the face of this fully grown man, unlike four years ago, not a shred of trust toward Wei Shiyoung could be found.

At that moment, Wei Shiyoung finally realized that his slip of the tongue was none other than referring to himself as a wife or consort.

“Please look at this subject.”

Prince Jin was already looking at Wei Shiyoung.

When Prince Jin knitted his brow as if asking what nonsense he was babbling, Wei Shiyoung fearlessly seized his forearm.

“Look at this subject properly.”

“Do I truly appear suspicious to you?”

Wei Shiyoung boldly met Prince Jin’s gaze head-on.

The golden eyes gleamed as though piercing through Wei Shiyoung to the very depths of his soul.

Only then did Shiyoung realize that it was merely the deep set of his eyes casting a shadow, and that Prince Jin’s irises were brilliantly bright.

“You do.”

“…”

“You remain suspicious in the extreme.”

Wei Shiyoung’s hand holding Prince Jin slowly slid away and dropped.

Perhaps because he had crossed the brink of death multiple times in war, his intuition seemed to rival that of a wild beast.

‘Sharp as ever…’

Because it was true he harbored hidden motives, he did not feel particularly aggrieved.

Even so, Wei Shiyoung put on a thoroughly hurt expression.

“Given how unfavorable the circumstances were, I understand why you doubt this subject.”

“Even so, please do not doubt my love for you.”