As Concubine Meng racked her brain for a plan- whether revenge or rescue for her future daughter-in-law, she was interrupted by a familiar voice.
The servants standing outside her chamber bowed deeply in unison.
A low, yet familiarly cheerful voice broke the eerie silence.
"Mother!"
Concubine Meng's eyes flew open as she sat upright.
"My son…"
Her voice trembled, her eyes widening in disbelief. My son is back!? she thought, turning toward the doorway.
There he stood- her beloved son, as handsome as ever, clad in his usual leather armor. His face, his posture, even that faint grin...all of it reminded her of His Majesty when he was young and valorous. A gentle smile curved on her lips as her heart skipped. He looks just like him…
Out of the four princes of the kingdom, only the Fourth Prince had inherited the Emperor's exact face. This likeness had once made His Majesty favor Concubine Meng above all others in the harem. A single tear slid down her cheek as her gaze softened on her son.
"Mother?"
Li Wen stepped inside, his voice lower now, tender.
"Ah?" Lady Meng blinked out of her daze and abruptly stood up.
"My son!"
She rushed forward, arms spread wide, and pulled him into a tight embrace.
How long had it been since she last saw him? How many nights had she prayed for the war to end, just to see her son return alive?
Tears streamed down as she frantically checked him for injuries, turning his arms and face this way and that.
"Thank heavens you're not hurt! Great Buddha has blessed us!"
Li Wen finally caught her wrists gently.
"Mother… I'm fine," he said, half-annoyed.
"Yes, yes you are!"
She sniffled and wiped her tears.
Li Wen guided her back to the couch and sat beside her. His eyes wandered around the familiar room until they landed on the maid standing timidly in the corner, tray trembling in her hands.
Lady Meng followed his gaze- and immediately scowled.
"What are you standing there for like an idiot!?" she snapped.
Li Wen's brow rose in amusement. What a flip of character…
"My son has been tired and hungry all day!"
She dabbed at her cheeks dramatically.
"Come on, serve him tea!"
The maid stumbled forward, muttering a quick yes, and placed the tray before him.
Li Wen's gaze trailed lazily over her as she poured the tea, her hands shaking under his stare. She'd heard the rumors everyone had- about the Fourth Prince's infamous fondness for women. None escaped his notice if he desired them.
Lady Meng noticed the glint in his eyes and cleared her throat.
"My son…"
"Y-yes, Mother?" he stuttered, caught.
She smiled proudly. "Mother is proud of you! You've grown so strong… and so handsome!"
Then she sighed deeply.
"But you've become thin…"
Li Wen blinked.
"Mother… are you disappointed?"
Didn't she just say she was proud? Then why does she look like I'm about to die?
"It's just…" she hesitated, until her eyes caught the maid still pouring tea.
"Alright! Give it to him already! You want him to drink cold water too?"
"Mother…" Li Wen groaned, rubbing his forehead.
The maid hurriedly held out the cup. "Y-Your Highness… your tea."
Li Wen reached out, his hand brushing hers just enough to make her blush. He smirked. Got her.
Lady Meng sighed again.
"All these new servants are useless," she muttered, then glared at him.
"And you, stop being like that! You're grown now!"
Li Wen chuckled. "Mother, what was it you were saying?" he asked, biting into a sweet dumpling.
"It's all because of that wife of yours!" she huffed.
"Flaunting her jewels, roaming the streets all day, ignoring her marital duties! No wonder you've grown thin!"
Li Wen's expression darkened. "Mother, stop. It's not like I like her anyway."
He leaned back with a sigh. That arrogant woman… If not for the Empress forcing the marriage, he would never have taken Zhao Lanyin.
Still, she was pretty, and her family was rich. A man could endure a lot for comfort.
Lady Meng broke his thoughts. "My son, did you like the lady in the portrait I sent you?"
For a moment, the face of a celestial beauty flashed in his mind- then another image replaced it: Li Xuan's smug grin. "You lost, brother. Now you do as I say." That fox! Pretending to be meek while plotting mischief behind his back!
"You don't like her?" Lady Meng's voice pulled him back.
"Ha? No, I- I mean…" He trailed off, his jaw tight. He liked her. He wanted her. But he'd lost the bet, and his third brother's punishment still stood.
"Mother, I don't like her," he lied.
Lady Meng frowned. Impossible. My son refusing a beauty? Not my son.
"Son, you—"
"Mother, please," he cut her off.
"I already have a wife, don't I?" Inside, though, Li Wen was seething. That cursed bet! Not only he wants me to reject Tang Ruyan, but he also wants me to marry that pig from the Chen family? Over my dead body!
Son! What do you mean!"
Lady Meng's shrill voice echoed through the courtyard. Servants outside froze mid-step, this was rare. Their mistress, who usually flaunted her son like a prized peacock, was now yelling at him.
"Mother… calm down…" Li Wen stood and gently held her shoulders. "Don't let your anger ruin your health..."
"I don't agree!" Lady Meng snapped, shaking off his hands.
"Mother…"
"My son, you already endured so much because of that wench Lanyin!" Her voice cracked as her face twisted into a scowl. "Now I won't let you suffer again! You'll divorce her right now!" She pointed dramatically.
"Don't worry, I'll take the blame for you!" she declared, patting her chest- eyes welling like a tragic heroine.
"Mother, it's not because I'm already married…" Li Wen began, but before he could finish-
Her eyes widened. "Son… are you perhaps…" she gasped. "Are you in love with that woman!?" Her voice trembled, full of betrayal.
"Mother!" Li Wen's shout echoed through the chamber. He'd had enough of her theatrics, but when he saw her devastated face, his anger softened.
He guided her back to her seat, held her hands, and whispered, "Mother… it's not that I love her. I just don't want Young Miss Tang."
"What's wrong with Young Miss Tang!?" Lady Meng roared. "She's much better than that Lanyin- in both beauty and talents!"
Li Wen sighed inwardly. How was he supposed to tell her he lost a bet and was now forbidden from marrying the girl? If he said that aloud, she'd probably declare war on the Third Prince herself. Why was she so obsessed with this marriage anyway?
"Mother, why do you want this match so badly? Is it just because you dislike Lanyin?"
"Son…" Lady Meng lowered her voice, glancing toward the doors as if spies might be lurking. "You don't understand. This Young Miss Tang is… not ordinary." She leaned closer, whispering, "Do you know the Tang family of Qinhe?"
Li Wen frowned. Of course he knew. The famous family with the kingdom's best dancers?
Every man in the kingdom knew them- for both their dancing and their… extracurricular talents.
He paused. Wait. Don't tell me she's one of them? But if she was a performer, mother won't even accept her as a maid.
"Yes," Lady Meng said quickly, "but Young Miss Tang isn't their real daughter."
"What?" Li Wen blinked. He remembered the rumor: the youngest beauty of the Tang clan was adopted- the old patriarch's beloved granddaughter.
Lady Meng nodded. "Old Tang is dying. He's already announced that all his wealth and business will go to her. That's more than twice the Zhao family's fortune." Her lips curled in satisfaction.
Li Wen's brows furrowed. So that's it.
Third Brother, was this why you wanted her so badly?
He thought further- the Tang family had always strictly stayed away from politics. But if they joined the royal circle… he smirked. The power shift would be tremendous.
"Son," Lady Meng said softly, resting her hand on his. "This is your chance to rise. Once you have Tang's support-"
"No."
"What!?" Lady Meng gaped at him.
"I said no." His tone was firm, final. "I won't marry her."
"Li Wen!" Lady Meng stood up, trembling with rage. For a second, she wanted to slap sense into him- but she stopped herself.
"Mother… she's…" Li Wen hesitated. What do I even say?
"Hmph. Are you refusing because of that rumor?" Lady Meng's voice turned cold. That Yulan woman must be behind it! I won't let gossip ruin this marriage.
"Mother," Li Wen said suddenly, eyes narrowing, "it's not just rumor. It's true."
"What?" Lady Meng froze.
"She did sleep with a man."
The moment he said it, regret punched him in the gut. What was I thinking?! If Third Brother hears this, I'm dead!
"Son… you mean…" Lady Meng's eyes widened further.
"Yes, Mother." He forced the words out, lowering his voice dramatically. "That girl isn't as pure as you think. Also…" He paused for effect, then added softly, "She's bad luck."
Lady Meng gasped, covering her mouth with both hands. "B-bad luck?"
Li Wen smirked inwardly. Got her. He knew his mother's weakness well- superstition.