That year the autumn wind was up, Third Prince came in plain clothes to Cloudgem Lodge to see her, aged seventeen.
Third Prince exuded a noble air and a handsome demeanor. At the time, she had never seen a more impressive person than Third Prince, and she was subdued by that impressive air about him, and at the same time she firmly believed this was a high official. And so, the seventeen-year-old girl left Cloudgem Lodge with the third prince and went to the capital. It wasn't until later that Xue Dongting learned that Third Prince had not wanted to take away a beautiful girl in her prime, but simply a girl named "Dongting". All because the Bureau of Astronomy's prophecy that "he who obtained the Dongting girl by the eastern sea would have the world".
Xue Dongting snapped out of her reverie and smiled faintly. In fact, it wasn't that she didn't know what Third Prince wanted her for, nothing more than an imaginary destiny concocted bu the Bureau of Astronomy.
But back then she didn't care. She figured that as long as she helped Third Prince become the crown prince and sit on the Dragon Throne, then she could obtain all the glory and splendor and power she wanted. She vied for Third Prince, she vied for herself, but in the end it was the girl with the white cat who had the last laugh.
Xue Dongting said sadly, "It was nothing more than sewing someone else's wedding dress."
Mama Qiao heard her and asked curiously, "What did you say?"
"Mama Qiao, can you tell me something honestly?"
Mama Qiao frowned slightly. "What? Girl, what has gotten into you today?"
Xue Dongting looked at her. "Mama Qiao, did you ever have the thought to send me to the capital?"
A look of grief flashed through Mama Qiao's eyes, but Xue Dongting was sharp and caught it. She laughed. "I know, Mama Qiao, you did have that idea. Why?"
Mama Qiao sighed faintly. "Dongting, Mama Qiao was just… I just thought that if you went back to the capital, it would be much better than life here. But now it seems I was wrong."
"If I had not agreed to marry a fisherman, would you have thought of a way to get me back to the capital?"
Mama Qiao sighed, nodded. "I did indeed have such an idea, you clever child. But seeing the way things are now, you wouldn't go."
Xue Dongting didn't understand. "Mama Qiao, why? You left the capital, why would you want to go back?"
Mama Qiao stared at Dongting for a long time, then finally said, "You've changed a lot since you married."
Xue Dongting hesitated, then suddenly thought of something. She went over and grasped Mama Qiao's hand. "Mama Qiao, are you thinking of having Yuansheng go?"
Mama Qiao frowned but was silent.
A long time passed and then Xue Dongting sighed. "Mama Qiao, the capital is a dangerous place. A girl like Yuansheng, with her personality, in the capital, how long do you think she could stnad it?" As she spoke she was surreptitiously feeling Mama Qiao's pulse.
Her pulse was steady, no change.
Mama Qiao said, "It's still early for that, let's not talk about it now. If I decide something I will discuss it with you."
Xue Dongting could do nothing but nod and say no more.
In the parlor, Song Yuming and Yuansheng were talking normally, clowning around and cracking jokes, but they composed themselves whrn they saw Mama Qiao enter the room.
Song Yuming arched his brow slightly. He knew Mama Qiao had learned his secret identity. He glanced at Yuansheng, then signaled to Mama Qiao with his eyes. Mama Qiao said, "Yuansheng, go to the kitchen and give Dongting a hand."
"Oh," Yuansheng said, and she stuck her tongue out at Song Yuming and sprang up and went to the kitchen.
Mama Qiao turned and closed the door after her and looked at Song Yuming. "My eyes are bad, I didn't recognize Your Highness, Prince Yu."
Song Yuming said, "It's all in the past, why bring it up again?"
"Your Highness left an impression in leaving the capital. It seems the past has already vanished like smoke, but those in the capital still pay notice to your past glory."
"Song Yuming has always wanted to ask you something, Mama Qiao, but I don't know if I should."
"Give it a shot."
"Mama Qiao, you have an uncommon bearing, is it possible that you have some connection to the imperial family?"
Mama Qiao's eyes dimmed. After a long while she said, "I've had a few friendly relations in the capital, that's all… I can't remember clearly. If I could do it all over again, I would rather not to have gone to the capital, would rather not have gotten to know that person."
"That person?"
"Back then he was just a melancholy nobleman with no ambition."
Song Yuming sighed faintly. "They say that my elder brother—that is, the reigning emperor, had once gotten friendly with a woman from the brothels…"
Mama Qiao laughed sadly. "What gotten friendly? I was just used, that's all."
"I never would have guessed that you and I are the same, both once used by the Son of Heaven. It's really funny and a pity too."
Mama Qiao looked into Song Yuming's eyes and said pointedly, "There is still a difference between you and I. I have already been forgotten by that person, but that person constantly has you on his mind."
Song Yuming laughed and picked up his cup of tea and took a drink. "Song Yuming won't return to the capital, you can rest assured on that matter. It's a big world, there's some place in it for me. Mama Qiao, you can set your mind at ease."
"Dongting tells me you're going out to sea and won't be back for a long time."
"Before we go, I have a secret letter to pass on to the imperial palace. If nothing goes wrong, we should be back in about half a year. The palace won't bother you, Mama Qiao, and they won't bother Clearcreek Village."
Mama Qiao gave a short nod, her face bleak, as if she were thinking of someone.
Song Yuming said, "Mama Qiao, I want to ask you something else. Please answer honestly."
"Please, Your Highness, speak frankly."
"Is there some implication between Dongting and the capital?"
A mysterious look flashed through Mama Qiao's eyes. She paused, then said firmly, "No… However, since she has become your wife, naturally there will be."
Song Yuming nodded. "I know."