Since arriving in Youzhou last year and enduring a bitter cold winter at the northernmost edge of the Tang empire, it had been over nine months since Li Yuanying began falling ill.

Initially, he only had mild headaches and fatigue but acted normally. On New Year’s Day, he could still ride through snow to offer incense at Minzhong Temple. Anyone would feel grief and indignation after suffering such a nearly fatal political blow. When one’s emotions are troubled and qi becomes stagnant and blocked, developing some physical ailments is quite common. Apart from Lady Li and Madam Yu, his two wet nurses, even he himself didn’t take it seriously.

However, as time passed, the headaches gradually worsened, affecting his eating and sleeping. He suffered prolonged insomnia and tinnitus, food wouldn’t digest, and even exposure to wind, light, or noisy sounds would worsen his condition.

After consultation among the accompanying physicians and famous doctors in Youzhou, they concluded he suffered from acclimatization sickness due to relocation, as well as the hereditary ailment of the Li Tang imperial family—head wind syndrome.

Head wind was quite a troublesome condition. It usually wouldn’t manifest in youth but would appear after reaching a certain age. When it struck, the head would split with pain, food couldn’t be swallowed, sleep was impossible, gradually weakening the person until normal life became impossible.

Many imperial clan members suffered from this disease, and there were no good treatment methods—one could only avoid overexertion and slowly recuperate. Then came the devastating news from Chang’an of his sister’s sudden death, dealing Li Yuanying a fatal mental blow that completely broke him down. Many speculated that Prince Shao Ying would end up like many other exiled ministers, “dying of melancholy.”

Seeing his willingness to eat voluntarily, Lady Li was overjoyed. She understood Li Yuanying’s thoughts well, so she dismissed the servants and had Huo Qi Lang move a crescent-moon stool to sit in front of the bed beyond the screen, carefully inquiring:

“Where did you see the Princess? Is she in good health? How are her food, clothing, and living conditions? How many maidservants accompany her?”

Huo Qi Lang answered: “I saw her once in Xiagui County in Guanzhong, then again in Lingbao County after leaving Tong Pass. As for food, clothing, and living conditions, though not as good as the Prince’s residence, she has two or three fine garments to change into. She can eat one and a half large flatbreads with mutton filling. She rides donkeys and draws bows—full of vigor and vitality. Speaking of physical strength, good health, and appetite, the younger sister has won.”

Light laughter came from behind the screen. Lady Li’s face also showed a smile as she chided: “Before falling ill, you were also a polo expert who could tame fierce horses. But speaking of fundamental constitution, the Princess is indeed better—you were born with insufficient prenatal essence after all.”

Li Yuanying was born during wartime. When the Imperial Consort was pregnant, her diet was inadequate. He was born small and thin, and during their escape, they couldn’t even find a wet nurse—Imperial Consort Xue personally nursed and raised him. Such circumstances were not only unprecedented in the imperial family but would be considered extremely arduous even for many wealthy merchants’ wives.

By the time Baozhu was born, Prince Liang had already ascended the throne. The Imperial Consort lived in luxury in the deep palace, giving birth to a baby as plump as a pearl. Precisely because they lived beside their mother from childhood, the bond between these siblings and their birth mother was much closer than other imperial mother-child relationships, and their sibling affection was deeper.

The steward interjected: “The Princess has always loved fine horses most. Why would she ride a donkey? Besides Yang the Secretary and your senior brother, does she have other guards?”

Huo Qi Lang said: “There’s a youngest junior brother, an underage young monk. Apart from that, no other attendants. I changed horses five or six times on this journey—if not pressed for time, riding a donkey is indeed more convenient and stable. That old man surnamed Yang dresses in white daily, disguised as a merchant, driving an ox cart without riding horses.”

Li Chengyin praised: “Yang the Secretary being so low-key must be to hide his identity and protect the Princess.”

Lady Li sighed: “When the Princess was in the palace, she had servants like clouds. Now she has only two or three garments, not a single maid beside her. I don’t know how she manages her daily hair and dressing—truly too wronged.”

Huo Qi Lang recalled their time together—Baozhu’s expenses and attire were at the level of a wealthy family’s daughter. Who knew that in the imperial family’s eyes, this was already considered wronged. Perhaps in the imperial palace, these people all needed to be encased in golden shells.

Since entering the residence, she still hadn’t seen Prince Shao’s face. Though ill, he was hidden more securely than boudoir ladies. He spoke little, but his voice was very pleasant—she wondered what he actually looked like. Recalling Baozhu saying her whole family had only one beauty, she probably meant the three siblings born to Imperial Consort Xue. If the eldest son’s appearance was affected by the Emperor’s influence, it would truly waste such a fine voice.

While lost in wild thoughts, she suddenly heard the harsh cawing of crows on the roof, followed by a eunuch at the door announcing shrilly: “Princess Consort arrives!”

The steward immediately stood up, motioning for Huo Qi Lang to quickly rise, raising his finger to remind her not to speak carelessly.

After the eunuch’s announcement, the doors opened and curtains lifted. A slender young woman gracefully entered the room. She appeared to be just over twenty, with rather plain clothing and jewelry. Her small face had ordinary features, no makeup applied, only faintly drawn gentle eyebrows.

Four maidservants followed closely behind—three carrying flat paulownia wood boxes, another holding a large oiled paper umbrella. Huo Qi Lang remembered it had been sunny earlier and specifically glanced outside, seeing no signs of rain, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Princess Consort Cui maintained dignified bearing, walking lightly to the screen where she curtsied and said softly:

“Your subject Lingxiao pays respects to you. Hearing that your health has improved somewhat and you can take some food, I’ve come specially to visit.”

Lady Li and the steward bowed to Princess Consort Cui, but didn’t converse with each other. The Princess Consort’s maidservants wanted to transfer the boxes, but there were no other servants in the room, so they opened the three boxes containing men’s daily clothing, complete from inner to outer garments. Cui Lingxiao took one box and respectfully offered it with both hands.

Huo Qi Lang noticed that though this Princess Consort wasn’t remarkably beautiful, her hands were very lovely—slender as spring bamboo shoots with rounded fingertips. She hadn’t grown long nails, but they appeared somewhat red and swollen, as if she’d done much washing and mending—somewhat coarse for someone of such noble status.

Though Lady Li disliked Princess Consort Cui, proper etiquette was necessary. After some praise, she received the paulownia box from Cui Lingxiao and carried it to the bedside for Prince Shao to examine.

Li Yuanying said indifferently: “Princess Consort has worked hard managing household affairs. From now on, leave the sewing work to the maidservants. I probably won’t be able to wear much more.”

Cui Lingxiao lowered her head, not speaking for a long time. When she spoke again, there was a slight choke in her voice: “Your daily life and meals are all managed by Nanny Li. What I can do is only help with needlework. I beg you not to refuse this matter again.”

Li Yuanying said coldly: “Youzhou’s climate is harsh and doesn’t nourish people. You also have a weak and sickly constitution. Don’t delay any longer—return to Chang’an before winter sets in.”

Princess Consort Cui’s expression sharpened. She bit her teeth and said decisively: “I do not agree to divorce. If you force me to leave Youzhou, it must be through severance of righteousness.”

Steward Li Chengyin knew that after Prince Shao received the edict to take office in Youzhou last year, he had proposed divorce to Princess Consort Cui, telling her to break relations and return to her family to avoid being implicated. But the Cui clan firmly refused and insisted on following to Youzhou.

When they married, Cui Lingxiao’s father held the office of Chancellor under the Secretariat, a force supporting Li Yuanying. However, Minister Cui aged and died three years ago. After that, the Qinghe Cui clan read the wind and steered accordingly—Cui Lingxiao’s several uncles and brothers gradually distanced themselves from Prince Shao’s residence, with some even switching to serve Prince Wei—truly acts of betrayal.

United through court politics, estranged through court politics—their poor relationship stemmed largely from this background. However, no matter how cold and distant Li Yuanying became, the Cui clan refused divorce. Even after the dramatic changes in life upon arriving in Youzhou, she still insisted on fulfilling some duties as a wife, appearing rather pitiable to onlookers.

Cui Lingxiao petitioned: “Though I lack favor, I am not a jealous person. Please bring Lady Jing back to the residence—I dare not obstruct in the slightest and will certainly treat her with proper courtesy.”

Li Yuanying remained unmoved, saying tersely: “I have my own plans. Princess Consort, please return. I’m tired.”

Lady Li came out to perform the guest-departing ceremony for Cui Lingxiao. Since the maidservants and eunuchs were all outside, she gave Huo Qi Lang a meaningful glance: “Go help carry the clothes.”

Huo Qi Lang had been listening with great interest. Walking forward to receive the paulownia box from the maidservant, as she passed Cui Lingxiao, the Princess Consort suddenly raised her head and cast two extremely angry, burning gazes at Huo Qi Lang.

“I heard that only after a newcomer arrived did your condition improve.”

Cui Lingxiao murmured quietly, staring hard at Huo Qi before turning to leave with her maidservants.

Huo Qi Lang was slightly startled, thinking that though the Princess Consort had ordinary looks, this fiery gaze ignited that mediocrity, making her plain features radiate distinctive liveliness, adding several points of vivid brightness.

Huo Qi Lang had often encountered such gazes before—it was a kind of hatred called jealousy. She had always appreciated unique beauty and wasn’t repulsed by this; rather, she quite admired Princess Consort Cui’s intense emotion, her gaze following that stubborn figure until it disappeared from sight.

After Cui Lingxiao departed, Huo Qi Lang couldn’t help saying to Li Yuanying behind the screen: “Your principal wife has quite beautiful eyes.”

This praise carried a strange tone that made the other three people in the room feel something was off, though they couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was odd.

Li Yuanying said nothing. The steward had to speak up in rebuke: “Qi Lang must not be disrespectful. You must address her as Princess Consort from now on, and you cannot speak so casually before the Prince.” After saying this, he wondered why this female knight had a man’s name.

Huo Qi Lang paid no attention, beginning to let her imagination run wild. Prince Shao’s residence not only provided good income and excellent food and lodging, but also had many beautiful women. The Princess Consort had unique charm, the maidservants were pretty and cute, and the guards were all carefully selected by the imperial family—each with proper appearance, with one or two especially handsome ones she could flirt with. Though this place wasn’t as prosperous and lively as Chang’an, the treatment was like being in a blessed nest.

The more she pondered, the more delighted she became, thinking that through Wei Xun’s connection she’d gotten this wonderful job. Such mentor-disciple friendship certainly deserved repayment—when he died later, she’d definitely burn extra paper money at his grave.

Lady Li took out the clothing the Cui clan had sewn from the paulownia box. Seeing the stitches were even and fine, though Li Yuanying had been too ill to go out for two or three months, the outer garment’s embroidery showed no signs of carelessness.

Lady Li thought that if the couple had one or two children, their relationship wouldn’t have frozen to this extent. After the Qinghe Cui clan’s betrayal, the Hongnong Yang clan proposed marriage, but that young lady died early from illness. Now it seemed her personally raised child might die without heirs.

Li Yuanying instructed: “Don’t neglect the West Courtyard’s support, but watch closely to prevent sending messages to Chang’an.”

Steward Li Chengyin immediately responded: “Yes.”

Li Yuanying then questioned Huo Qi Lang: “Baozhu’s letter mentioned you have remarkable skills. Explain in detail what makes you worth my hiring at great expense.”

Huo Qi Lang thought for a moment and said carelessly: “My blade work is passable, fists and feet so-so, I know some light movement skills—generally my martial arts are rather mediocre. I play leaf cards and dice quite well though…”

Seeing the steward roll his eyes, she quickly said: “I’ve also learned some bone-reading and physiognomy, but you’re already among the most noble physiognomies—seems unnecessary to read faces again?”

Lady Li said: “You need only stay here, chat daily with the Prince about the Princess to relieve his melancholy and help him eat more—that would be tremendous merit. Nothing else requires your effort.”

Li Yuanying said: “If unnecessary, she wouldn’t have specifically written that sentence.”

Huo Qi Lang’s mind turned: “I’ve also learned some disguise techniques for changing appearance, though with many limitations. Aside from escaping debt after gambling losses, it hasn’t been much use.”

Lady Li and the steward exchanged glances, both simultaneously conceiving the same thought. Lady Li immediately took a brand-new brocade robe from the paulownia box and handed it to Huo Qi Lang: “Try this on!”

Huo Qi Lang saw this garment was extremely luxurious, worth at least a hundred strings of cash, only unfortunately it was crimson purple. Looking at the dragon pattern design, even pawn shops outside probably wouldn’t dare accept it. She smiled ingratiatingly: “Are you giving this to me?”

Lady Li said sternly: “If this succeeds, what clothing couldn’t you obtain?”

Huo Qi Lang immediately put on the brocade robe. Though she hadn’t fastened the sash, it still fit very well.

The steward commanded: “Turn around, turn around—let’s see the back.”

Huo Qi Lang complied. Lady Li and the steward circled her, examining carefully. One had a masculine-featured woman, the other a feminine-featured man—their silhouettes and builds were indeed nine-tenths similar. Even Lady Li, who had known him since childhood, could easily be confused just seeing the back view. Unfortunately, the front wouldn’t pass inspection—after all, they were different genders, and there was an obvious large scar on the face.

Lady Li said regretfully: “Looking at the silhouette from far away might work, but within twenty steps, anyone would know it’s a double.”

By now, Huo Qi Lang had vaguely guessed their thinking: “If the build is similar, I have ways to change the face to look exactly like the original. But to imitate mannerisms and voice would require one or two months of close contact and repeated study.”

Hearing this, the steward’s eyes lit up: “If this succeeds, the Princess is truly a heaven-sent lucky star! Your Highness, may we allow…”

Li Yuanying said quietly: “Remove the screen.”

This matter was of great importance. The steward went out to summon Prince Shao’s confidant, Guard Captain Yuan Shaobai. The two personally lifted the screen and moved it aside by about ten feet.

When Li Yuanying was seriously ill, exposure to wind and light caused severe headaches, so windows were usually covered with curtains and a screen placed before the bed.

He wore a dark blue formal robe over his shoulders, half-reclining against silk cushions. After removing the screen, the light suddenly intensified. He raised his thin hand to shield his beautiful eyes while adapting, only lowering it after a moment with a frown.

Huo Qi Lang’s face had initially worn a carefree, unrestrained smile. After clearly seeing Prince Shao’s appearance, the smile gradually disappeared. For a long moment she couldn’t speak, only silence.

She was unlettered and without learning. Though she’d heard many great poets’ famous verses praising absolute beauties sung in taverns, at this moment she couldn’t recall a single word. She wanted to say some flattering words to maintain appearances, but her throat was dry and she felt lost and bewildered.

Li Yuanying had encountered such reactions countless times in his life. Too lazy to mock or scold, he simply waited indifferently for her to recover.

For some reason, what floated into Huo Qi’s mind was magnificent scenery she’d seen during military campaigns many years ago. Beneath a dark blue sky, the majestic glaciers of the Qilian Mountains stood in the distance, their peaks white with snow, sparkling with silver light. Bone-chilling meltwater flowed with tinkling sounds of colliding ice fragments.

Just as she hadn’t known how to describe that absolute scenery back then, in the end, like that time, she stammered an inarticulate sigh:

“Holy shit.”

Author’s Note: “Half resting by cloud islets, half by mountains / Who wouldn’t love this place and want to stay / But alas my learning is too shallow / One ‘holy shit’ to praise the mortal realm.” (The first half is by Bai Juyi)