The new residence of Xie Yuzhang was only recently established, and things were hectic.

Now that matters with Li Gu had been brought into the open, the day after she returned from Xie Family Village she went herself to the Xiaoyao Marquisate to fetch someone.

Yu Shi had already packed and arranged Jia You’s trunks for her. Xie Yuzhang said softly to Jia You: “Just bring the things you like and are used to. Everything else — your elder sister has it all.”

Jia You said nothing, only clutching Yu Shi’s hand tightly and refusing to let go.

Yu Shi sighed and stroked her head: “Don’t be afraid. This is your elder sister — the same as your Elder Sister Fu Kang.”

Only then did Jia You allow her hand to be loosened. But when Xie Yuzhang reached out to take her hand, she clenched it into a tight fist and would not open it.

Back then, Jia You had fled into the Eastern Palace and wept desperately begging the Crown Prince and his consort to save Fu Kang, weeping until she fainted. By the time she came to, the Eastern Palace gates were locked fast, and every person inside was in fear for their own life. Yu Shi too had her own children to look after first, and there was no one left to look after Jia You.

She had always been an unusually quiet, well-behaved child — very still, drawing no attention. And so at first, no one had thought anything of it.

Only later, when Jia You went months at a time without speaking, did people slowly realize something was wrong.

But by then their circumstances had been declining steadily, and even if they noticed, what could they do? By the time they had settled into the Xiaoyao Marquisate, the former Emperor was indulging in his pills of immortality and the Crown Prince was drinking himself to oblivion. Jia You simply didn’t speak — she wasn’t raving or causing trouble, wasn’t refusing to eat or drink. She was, in the end, the least troublesome of anyone.

Xie Yuzhang had already learned all of this from Yu Shi. Jia You refused to open her fist, so Xie Yuzhang extended both hands to cup the small clenched fist in hers, and said gently: “Don’t be afraid. Your elder sister’s place is very good. There is a swing in the courtyard, and many young women close to your age to keep you company and play with you.”

Jia You only lowered her eyes without a sound.

Yu Shi sighed and said: “I entrust her to you.”

Xie Yuzhang nodded.

Marquis Xiaoyao, on this rare occasion, had specifically not taken his elixir today and waited for her with clear eyes, tears streaming down his old face: “Go, go. Find her a place to belong.”

The Crown Prince was silent as always. But among the other three imperial princes, their eyes shone with undisguised envy — bitterly wishing they had been born girls instead, and had this option of “being married out,” a way to escape this suffocating Xiaoyao Marquisate.

The Xiaoyao Marquisate was anything but carefree.

Hundreds of years ago, the Xie clan’s founding Emperor had also given the last Emperor of the dynasty before last a similar title to keep him housed and watched. Later, that Emperor composed a poem lamenting the glory of bygone days. The founding Emperor read it and bestowed on him a cup of poisoned wine.

Now, though the Xie family people also had enough clothing and food, who could say how much longer their lives would be spared?

Looking at the departing figures of Xie Yuzhang and Jia You, they felt more than envy — something close to jealousy.

Back at Princess Yongning’s residence, Xie Yuzhang led Jia You to the courtyard that had been prepared for her. She walked her through each room, explaining one by one what each was for. She showed her the fine bed and the precious zither: “All of this is yours.”

Jia You’s expression showed nothing.

But when Xie Yuzhang had settled her in and was about to leave, Jia You suddenly reached out and clutched at Xie Yuzhang’s sleeve, and would not let go.

Xie Yuzhang understood.

In the Xiaoyao Marquisate, Xie Yuzhang had been a stranger to Jia You. But here in this even more unfamiliar Princess Yongning’s residence, compared to everyone else, Xie Yuzhang was the only person she recognized and knew.

Xie Yuzhang said: “I still need to go meet with the staff officials. Would you like to come with me?”

Jia You made no sound.

Xie Yuzhang said: “If you say nothing, I’ll take that as agreement.”

With that, she took her hand again.

This time, Jia You opened her fist and let her hold it — and not only that, she gripped Xie Yuzhang’s hand firmly, as though terrified of being left behind in this unfamiliar place.

Xie Yuzhang’s heart ached quietly.

This Jia You, and the self of a previous life who had clung to Lin Fei for support — how alike they were.

She brought Jia You to the front hall and pointed out the main chamber: “You see — this is where your elder sister receives staff officials or guests.”

She then brought her into the side room: “This room has a desk and a couch. It can be used for work, or for resting. In a moment your elder sister needs to see a few people — shall I have someone keep you company in here while you have some refreshments?”

But Jia You only refused to let go of her sleeve, her grip growing tighter still.

Xie Yuzhang had no other option and beckoned a maidservant over, speaking quietly into her ear with brief instructions.

The maidservant turned and left. Xie Yuzhang first settled Jia You in the side room and had several different flavors of drinks and pastries brought in, watching to see which she preferred.

Soon, the maidservant returned leading a young woman.

Xie Yuzhang gave the woman a meaningful look. The woman had already been briefed along the way and had a general sense of the situation. Yet when she actually saw the grown Jia You with her blank, expressionless face, she still couldn’t help her eyes reddening.

She dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve. Rather than hurrying closer, she stayed where she stood, and asked in a gentle voice: “Your Highness — Jia You, Your Highness? Do you still remember this servant?”

Jia You looked toward her.

The woman said: “This servant is Wanxiu — Wanxiu from Zhaoxia Palace.”

Wanxiu took one step closer: “In those days, Your Highness Jia You and Your Highness Fu Kang used to come to Zhaoxia Palace to play with our Princess Baohua. Your Highness Jia You was still so small then — it was always Your Highness Fu Kang who held your hand and brought you along. Once, our princess was dancing in the courtyard, and the two little highnesses sat on the covered walkway watching and clapping their hands. This servant brought cold drinks for the two highnesses, but Your Highness Fu Kang touched one and said — no, Jia You had an upset stomach from drinking this yesterday, she can’t have it again today. But Your Highness really wanted some, and held onto Your Highness Fu Kang’s arm and coaxed her, calling out ‘Elder Sister,’ and Your Highness Fu Kang couldn’t refuse, so she allowed Your Highness to have a small half bowl…”

Jia You might not have been able to remember events from when she was that young, but within Wanxiu’s telling, Fu Kang was vivid and alive — and so Jia You listened and stayed.

Wanxiu came to stand beside the couch and gently drew the corner of Xie Yuzhang’s sleeve from Jia You’s hand, taking Jia You’s hand in her own instead, and said softly: “Your Highness, shall I tell you more about Princess Fu Kang from those days?”

Xie Yuzhang said: “Wanxiu will keep you company. Your elder sister is just outside. If you need anything, you can call for me, or come out and find me.”

Jia You gave a small nod.

Xie Yuzhang let out a breath of relief, walked to the lattice door, wiped her eyes, and then stepped out.

From behind her, the sound of Wanxiu’s gentle voice could still be heard: “In those days, Princess Fu Kang…”

Yuan Yu and Wang Zhong and Li Yong came one after another to report.

Yuan Yu was exceptionally capable in practical affairs and a man who got things done. He said: “Both farm estates are sizable, but there are already a good number of people on them from before. With so many of our people returning, if we simply settle them together, old and new will immediately split into two factions and there will likely be conflict. It would be better to find another plot of land and establish a new village from scratch. It’s the quiet season now and the weather is turning warmer — the timing is just right for putting up buildings.”

Xie Yuzhang discussed a few details with him, and it was settled.

Wang Zhong and Li Yong came in to report, handing over a roster of names — who was staying and who was going had already been decided.

“The three hundred have been dispersed,” Wang Zhong said. “They’ve been assigned to various places — the Imperial Guard, the Northern Garrison’s six armies, and several other postings. All scattered.”

Xie Yuzhang said: “That’s only natural.”

Wang Zhong and Li Yong were returning to their former positions with their ranks unchanged, still as garrison captains.

Xie Yuzhang said: “It’s just that from here on, there’s no ceiling above you. There’s room to advance. Do your best.” If they stayed with her, garrison captain would be the end of it, with no possibility of promotion.

They then discussed more details about the resettlement arrangements, and Xie Yuzhang asked Wang Zhong: “When are you going home?”

Wang Zhong said: “They say we have a month’s leave and need to report back by the end of the second month. I want to wait until everyone else is properly settled, then head home to see my family.”

Xie Yuzhang asked: “How far is it? How long does the journey take?”

Wang Zhong said: “By cart, two and a half days. By horse, quicker. In an emergency, you could ride back in half a day.” This last part, he was speaking in terms of a wartime forced march.

Xie Yuzhang nodded but said nothing more.

That night Xie Yuzhang slept in Jia You’s room.

She and Jia You shared the same couch and kept her company. Even so, Jia You didn’t fall asleep until the middle of the night, and still woke twice before morning.

Xie Yuzhang said nothing, and without a word simply held her.

At first Jia You resisted, but Xie Yuzhang’s embrace was gentle, and she would softly pat her on the back. Gradually Jia You stopped resisting.

Xie Yuzhang called the personal maidservant who had come with Jia You from the Xiaoyao Marquisate and questioned her closely, and learned that Jia You was afraid of the dark — and yet also afraid of firelight.

Xie Yuzhang then fetched from the storehouse a night-luminous pearl the size of a pigeon’s egg, placed it in a silk gauze pouch, hung it overhead from the canopy of Jia You’s bed.

In the evenings before sleep, she would tell her stories of old palace life — tales of pavilions and towers, of music and dance in peaceful times. Gradually Jia You stopped resisting her.

In the first days, Wanxiu and Yuexiang would both come to help during the day, but once the guard corps was reabsorbed and Wang Zhong and the others had leave, they set off one by one with their new wives to go home. They had all been from the villages near the capital to begin with, and their homes were no more than two or three days’ travel away. They had all agreed to go for about ten days or half a month.

Xie Yuzhang during the daytime brought Jia You along with her as much as she could, and also assigned several attentive maidservants from her own staff to Jia You, instructing them to stay close day and night.

Lin Fei, hearing of all this, came by frequently to check on her. She too was gentle and patient, and furthermore skilled at telling stories — often holding Jia You riveted in place. Gradually Jia You relaxed, and by day she no longer needed to follow Xie Yuzhang’s every step. Only at night did she still need her company.

In what seemed like no time at all, the first day of the second month arrived.

Li Weifeng had agreed with her beforehand. He came early, riding to meet her. Xie Yuzhang had specially invited Lin Fei to come look after Jia You, while she set out on horseback with Li Weifeng.

Li Weifeng said: “You really are something — I’ve never once seen you ride in a carriage.”

Xie Yuzhang said: “Riding a horse is so much freer. And if anything happens, it’s faster to make an escape.”

Li Weifeng laughed first, then laughed, then, when he realized Xie Yuzhang wasn’t joking, felt a pang of pity.

To him, Xie Yuzhang was a singular person — she was the younger sister of that person in Xie Family Village, and she was also the woman Eleventh had carried in his heart for so many years. In Li Weifeng’s heart, he had long since freely decided she was half a younger sister, and half a younger brother’s wife.

He looked carefully at Xie Yuzhang’s face and said: “You don’t look well — you’ve got dark circles under your eyes.”

Xie Yuzhang touched her face and said only: “I’ve had matters on my mind these past days — haven’t slept well.”

Li Weifeng said: “Is there something difficult? If you don’t want to bring it to Eleventh, you can tell me.”

Xie Yuzhang smiled gratefully: “It’s not that — it’s family matters.”

Then she sighed: “Seventh Brother, you also have it hard.”

Li Weifeng paused.

Everyone envied him his imperial favor, his title, his beauties. Who had ever thought of him as having it hard?

Li Weifeng felt his nose tingle at Xie Yuzhang’s words, and the line always on the tip of his tongue — “I have ten beauties” — simply wouldn’t come out.

He was silent for a moment, then said: “Eleventh has it hard too.”

Xie Yuzhang nodded: “Everyone has it hard.”

At the palace gates, both of them had entry tablets and needed no further requests or approvals — they went straight through. A quick inquiry told them the Emperor was still in Zichen Hall receiving officials. The two of them made their way together toward Li Zhenzhen’s quarters.

Xie Yuzhang said: “Seventh Brother, it must be awkward for an unmarried man to have to enter the rear palace so often?”

Li Weifeng found Xie Yuzhang deeply understanding at this moment.

He sighed: “What choice do I have? If I don’t come, Eldest Sister is displeased. And when Eldest Sister is displeased, Eleventh lectures me.”

Xie Yuzhang was quietly taken aback. In her previous life, she had known that Li Gu’s regard for Li Zhenzhen was out of the ordinary, to the point that even Zhang Fen had to give way. But in this life she was experiencing firsthand just how extraordinary that regard was.

She said with admiration: “His Majesty truly is a man of deep feeling.”

“He really is,” Li Weifeng said. “To his own people, he is extraordinarily good.”

When they arrived at Li Zhenzhen’s quarters, they gathered themselves and sat with Li Zhenzhen in cheerful conversation.

Not long after, the Emperor arrived.

The Emperor took his seat, looked at Xie Yuzhang, and frowned: “Why do you look so worn? You’ve gone pale.”