At the banquet, Li Gu drank cup after cup, turning nothing away.

Facing Yang Huaishen, he knew himself to be the stronger. But when he lifted his gaze and looked far ahead — across the whole of the realm — he was still far, far too weak.

Not even able to change a woman’s fate.

The midday banquet broke up, and Yang Huaishen went home and collapsed into sleep. When he woke, the light outside his window had already turned to a copper-gold hue.

“Aiyoh,” Yang Huaishen groaned, and hurriedly sat up, calling for someone: “What hour is it? Has the palace closed its gates yet?”

Fortunately there was still time — he got a message into the palace just before the gates were locked.

The next day, Xie Yuzhang met him at the Hechun Tower in the East Market, and only then learned that Li Gu was leaving.

Yang Huaishen watched her expression closely, yet to his surprise, he saw Xie Yuzhang only pause for just a moment before her countenance settled, perfectly composed — not the slightest trace of grief or distress.

Yang Huaishen had always considered himself fairly perceptive in matters of the heart between men and women. Now he found himself confused. Had he misread the situation? Was it possible that Baohua’s feelings toward Li Shiyi were not what he had imagined?

If not, all the better.

He handed over what Li Gu had entrusted to him: “Shiyi Lang can’t make it to your birthday — he’s prepared a gift early.”

Li Gu had asked him to tell Xie Yuzhang to carry it with her at all times. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Yang Huaishen found them difficult to say.

How do you tell someone — your life from here on will not just be hard, but dangerous?

Xie Yuzhang, however, paid no attention to Yang Huaishen’s hesitation. She took the box, opened it directly, and saw the dagger forged from meteoric iron.

Xie Yuzhang’s eyes lit up.

“How thoughtful of Shiyi Lang!” she said, already lifting the dagger out to look at it, drawing it from its sheath, then sliding it back in. She stood upright, tucked it straight into the sash at her waist, and said: “Second Elder Brother, take a look — does it suit me?”

Xie Yuzhang had a slender, graceful figure — a long blade at her waist would have been out of proportion, but the length and size of this dagger were just right. Her complexion was bright and rosy, her eyes vivid and clear, and with the dagger at her waist, she seemed to carry an added touch of vigorous, spirited energy.

Yang Huaishen answered reflexively: “It looks good.”

Then he stopped short. Xie Yuzhang had asked whether it suited her — not whether it looked good.

“What a pity I can’t wear it inside the palace,” Xie Yuzhang said, and still took the dagger off and placed it back in the box. Then she added: “Never mind — once I leave Yunjing, I’ll wear it every day.”

Was she reading Shiyi Lang’s mind? Yang Huaishen’s lips moved. In the end, he said nothing.

Xie Yuzhang then asked when Li Ming’s group would set off.

“The morning after tomorrow,” Yang Huaishen said. “Father plans to bring Elder Brother to see Lord Li off. I told him I’m close with Qi Lang and Shiyi Lang, so Father allowed me to go as well.”

Xie Yuzhang nodded, then asked: “Second Elder Brother, have you spoken to Uncle about that matter yet?”

“Which one?”

“Going to the northwest to gain experience.”

“Ah — that one.” Yang Huaishen was slightly embarrassed. “I talked to Mother first, and she was very unhappy. She won’t let me bring it up with Father.”

He hurried to add: “Don’t worry, I didn’t say it was you who put the idea in my head.”

A flash of disappointment crossed Xie Yuzhang’s eyes.

For a second son like Yang Huaishen, with an older brother already there to carry the family name and a comfortable position already arranged for him, asking him to go and endure the harsh northwest would be something his aunt would refuse before the idea even reached his uncle’s ears.

Xie Yuzhang sighed inwardly, and urged Yang Huaishen: “Now that Shiyi Lang and the others are heading back, who knows when they’ll next be in the capital. Write to Shiyi Lang often, Brother — don’t let the distance cause you to lose touch.”

Yang Huaishen agreed, but the whole way home he couldn’t shake a feeling of unease.

It wasn’t until he returned to the estate and ran into his sisters — the older ones all composed and dignified, the younger ones still mischievous and playful — that he suddenly understood.

No wonder he felt off. Each time he met with Baohua, she was nothing like a younger sister should be.

She may have been of higher standing, but she used to look up to him, treating him like a genuine elder brother. Now, though… Yang Huaishen recalled Xie Yuzhang’s calm, steady gaze. She seemed to be looking at him as an equal — or even, with just a faint hint of exasperated disappointment, looking slightly down.

More like an elder sister.

On the day Li Ming departed the capital, everyone of any standing in the city came to see him off. Just the pleasantries at the send-off alone used up most of the morning, and Li Weifeng watched the sun climb high in the sky before the whole company was finally able to mount their horses and move out.

What an ordeal!

And then there were those who insisted on escorting them to the short pavilion, and at the short pavilion Li Ming dismounted and there was yet another round of formalities. Some insisted on accompanying them all the way to the long pavilion.

“I hope Lord Li refuses them,” Li Weifeng muttered into Li Gu’s ear. “It’s only a few li — with them tagging along, dragging their feet, who knows if we’ll reach the long pavilion before dark?”

Li Gu made no comment, only gazing fixedly in the direction of Yunjing.

The group did end up being escorted to the long pavilion, where a few tables were set up and wine was poured again, and some among them whipped out brushes and wrote poetry on the spot to present to Li Ming as parting gifts.

Li Weifeng told Li Gu, beyond patience: “They’ve already done this twice before!”

Li Gu shot him a look; he fell sulkily silent.

At last everything concluded, and Li Ming’s party swung into their saddles, clasped their hands in farewell to the Yunjing crowd, and headed off in the direction of the northwest.

Not even a quarter of an hour had passed when suddenly a troop of riders came toward them from the opposite direction. Though they carried no formal procession, their dress made it immediately clear they were palace guards.

Li Weifeng had barely uttered an “oh?” when he sensed the entire atmosphere around Li Gu shift. He glanced over — and saw Li Gu’s eyes blazing with sharp intensity, fixed on the road ahead.

The official road was wide, but there were many people. Fortunately, the riders who came thundering in their direction knew to rein in and slow as they drew close. The riders and the caravan’s lead guards exchanged their identities, and then word was sent back down the line. The horsemen parted, and a dazzlingly beautiful girl in riding dress rode forward to meet them, calling out clearly: “Is this Lord Li’s party?”

The girl’s hair was arranged simply, a long cascade of black silk braided into a thick plait that hung over one shoulder. Her riding attire was elegantly cut, outlining a light and graceful silhouette.

Li Gu could see it perfectly clearly: at that slender waist, a dagger in an unremarkable black fishskin sheath was tucked there.

Li Ming urged his horse forward to meet her, smiling: “How does Your Highness come from that direction?”

Xie Yuzhang smiled like a flower in bloom and said: “Yesterday I went to visit my guard detail in the garrison camp outside the city — it was too late to return, so I stayed the night at the post station. My Lord, so you’re heading back to Liangzhou?”

Li Ming said with a smile: “Indeed. This subject has had the honor of hearing the Emperor’s wise instructions and has benefited greatly. Only my duties keep me bound, or I would wish to remain near His Majesty a few more days.”

Xie Yuzhang asked: “Will I be able to see you again in the future, my Lord?”

Li Ming looked her over and, seeing her eyes were clear and sincere, smiled and said: “Does Your Highness wish to see me?”

Xie Yuzhang said: “Once I go to the frontier, you will be my nearest neighbor. Of course I should like to see you.”

Her cheeks were tender as porcelain, like a flower bud not yet in full bloom. Even a man like Li Ming felt his heart soften at that, and said: “Once Your Highness arrives in Mobei, you and I will be neighbors. We will certainly be able to meet — this old subject will sweep out a room and wait to receive you.”

Xie Yuzhang smiled beautifully and said: “Thank you, my Lord. Da Ren, please take good care of your health. I won’t hold you up any longer — it’s still quite some distance from here to the post station.”

Li Ming said: “Your Highness, please take care of your health as well. This subject will be in Liangzhou, waiting to welcome you.”

Xie Yuzhang then said to Li Gu and Li Weifeng: “Qi Lang, Shiyi Lang — I won’t see you off further. Take care of yourselves.”

Li Gu and Li Weifeng both clasped their hands toward her. Xie Yuzhang looked at Li Gu one last time and said: “I go ahead of you.”

She gave the black horse beneath her a kick, and her party wove through Li Ming’s caravan and passed on.

Once she had disappeared from sight, Li Weifeng made a clicking sound and turned to look: “Since when did I get upgraded to ‘Qi Lang’?”

Li Gu’s expression did not change: “The princess was just being courteous.”

Li Weifeng then asked: “How come the dagger at the princess’s waist looks just like yours?”

Li Gu said: “The princess’s birthday is approaching. I gave it to her as a birthday gift.”

“What? And that’s all you gave her?” Li Weifeng cried. “That’s far too shabby! Hey, why are you riding so fast? Wait for me!”

The party had been traveling for three days when a swift rider came from the direction of Yunjing, catching up to them. This was one of Li Ming’s people he had stationed in the capital.

The man came to report the latest news to Li Ming.

Military Governor Lu Lu had accused Military Governor Feng Rong of secretly fashioning dragon robes and gold bricks — evidence of disloyal ambitions — and had directly marched his forces to the border of Feng Rong’s territory, demanding Feng Rong prostrate himself and confess his crimes. Feng Rong naturally would not accept such charges, and the two sides had immediately come to blows.

By the time the news reached Yunjing, Lu Lu had already taken three of Feng Rong’s cities.

Whether Feng Rong had truly made dragon robes and gold bricks was unknown — but Lu Lu’s actions were brazenly, glaringly disrespectful of imperial authority, bordering on open rebellion.

Li Ming listened to all this and rubbed his knees in frustration, grumbling: “Aiyah — I’m the only honest one, and what do honest people get? They get the short end of the stick.”

He then sighed: “I envy them — sitting on those fertile, prosperous lands, rich in grain and money. If we had territory like that, what would we have to fear?”

First a local chieftain’s revolt, now two military governors in open conflict. Li Gu looked back in the direction of Yunjing and thought: her last birthday in the capital… would probably not be celebrated properly, would it?

Li Gu’s guess was not wrong at all. Not only could Xie Yuzhang not properly celebrate — she canceled the birthday banquet that had originally been planned entirely.

In the matter of Xie Yuzhang’s birthday, Noble Consort Chen had tried to ingratiate herself. She had spoken to the Emperor early on, saying she wanted to hold a proper celebration for Xie Yuzhang. The Emperor had even praised her for it, saying: “A’Yuan is truly a kind-hearted mother figure.”

Yet one piece of bad news after another arrived, and the Emperor coughed up blood in agitation. He swallowed two pellets of medicinal cinnabar before recovering somewhat. He suspended court and took to his bed to recuperate.

At times like these, it was every imperial consort’s prime opportunity to show her worth.

But Xie Yuzhang forcefully pushed Noble Consort Chen aside: “My days in Yunjing grow fewer with each passing one. Once I am gone, I fear I may never see Father Emperor again in my lifetime. This attending on him during illness, tasting his medicine — this may well be the last time. Let me be the one to do it.”

The Noble Consort first pressed her handkerchief to the corners of her eyes, and choked out: “Baohua is such a devoted, filial child.”

The Virtuous Consort followed: “Her Late Majesty the Empress, looking down from the other side, must be deeply comforted.”

The Worthy Consort was not to be outdone: “Baohua, once His Majesty has taken his medicine, he always needs to hold a couple of sweetmeats in his mouth — remember that — one is not enough.”

Noble Consort Chen: “…”

Noble Consort Chen could only smile through gritted teeth.

And so Xie Yuzhang took up attending on the Emperor in Hanliang Hall.

When the chief ministers came to pay their respects and discuss state affairs, they all saw the princess who was about to be married far away, wearing narrow-sleeved, close-fitting clothing that allowed easy movement, personally tasting the Emperor’s medicine for him and fanning him.

Truly the picture of the most devoted filial piety — a shining example for the imperial family.

The Emperor, on several occasions, grasped Xie Yuzhang’s hand and said through tears: “My child…” before falling short of anything more to say.

At this point, granting her an honorific title or increasing her food-fief stipend would all have been meaningless.

So the Emperor said: “Look through your dowry and see if anything is missing — if there is anything you want, just say so.”

The central court, though gradually losing its grip on the provinces, still commanded the staggering wealth accumulated over generations. The splendor of Yunjing had not yet fallen — the beautiful illusion still looked intact.

The Emperor wanted to give Xie Yuzhang more, and he still could.

Yet Xie Yuzhang said: “My dowry is more than enough, Father Emperor. There is nothing I want.”

The Emperor covered his face and wept.

Xie Yuzhang waited in a side chamber, listening to the Emperor and the Crown Prince speak. Though they both knew she was right there nearby, neither of them thought to lower their voices around her.

She heard the Emperor say fiercely: “The curtailing of the military governors’ power — it cannot be delayed a single day longer.”

Xie Yuzhang lowered her eyes, knowing that the collapse of this dynasty was simply beyond anyone’s power to prevent.

She felt both sadness and a kind of release.

The responsibility of propping up a falling dynasty — that was never something she had been capable of bearing. She should have understood that long ago.

From now on, she would simply plan carefully for one thing: how to survive on the grasslands.

Although she had not asked the Emperor for anything further, Xie Yuzhang did let the Crown Princess see Li Gu’s dagger.

“I’ll wear this every single day once I’m on the grasslands,” she said. “I’m told there are frequent raids out there — women are often among the targets. How barbaric.”

The Crown Princess had spent a long time grieving over the matter with the Crown Prince, and kept reminding him: “Go look into things properly for Baohua, won’t you. Those five hundred guards — their weapons and armor — don’t let anyone skim off the top. Petty people, knowing that our little sister is going far away, will inevitably try to take advantage and pocket what they can.”

The Emperor was recuperating; the Crown Prince was handling state affairs in his stead, and carried an air more exhilarated than his usual caution.

He personally sent trusted men to oversee everything. When the auspicious day of the ninth month’s second day came and Xie Yuzhang was formally sent off, the five hundred guards stood in full formation, their armor, pack horses, spears, halberds, blades, and shields — all in impeccable order.

Five days before departure, the belongings of Zhaoxia Palace had been nearly all packed up. In the sleeping chambers, no one knew when a dozen or more large trunks had appeared.

When the palace maids withdrew and only Xie Yuzhang and Lin Fei remained in the chamber, Xie Yuzhang lifted one of the trunk lids — and instantly the entire room seemed to glow golden. Xie Yuzhang let out a long, slow breath, and closed the lid again.

Yang Huaishen had a carefree air about him, but he was not yet married and had no private wealth to speak of. His monthly stipend was turned in to the household — he then drew a monthly allowance from the estate. Of course, as the beloved youngest son, his parents supplemented him privately, so he was never short of spending money.

But compared to him, it was Xie Yuzhang who was truly wealthy.

Xie Yuzhang was the Empress’s daughter. From birth she had been given a title and a food-fief, and had been receiving her stipend from the very beginning. More than that, she had control over the private assets the Empress had left to her.

She had kept only the farmland and fixed property the Empress had brought out of the Duke of Merit’s estate as part of her own dowry. Everything else had been converted into gold.

“Come,” Xie Yuzhang said to Lin Fei. “Come with me. Help me escort these.”

Lin Fei, suspecting nothing, followed Xie Yuzhang and personally helped oversee the transport of the trunks to the Duke of Merit’s estate.

The Duke’s estate had been prepared well in advance. Behind Yang Changyuan’s private study was a row of rooms that served as his storeroom; he had specifically cleared one out for Xie Yuzhang.

Once all the trunks had been carried inside, the solid iron door was locked with a heavy lock, and Yang Changyuan handed the key to Xie Yuzhang.

“Take it,” he said. “Uncle will keep watch over this for you. When you come back one day…”

His voice caught, and he could not go on.

How many peace brides had ever returned home? Far too few.

But Xie Yuzhang showed no hesitation, taking the key without ceremony, and smiling: “Then I’ll be in your care, Uncle.”

This child — how can she still smile at a time like this?

Yang Changyuan also thought: even if Xie Yuzhang never returns, if her children can one day come back, he will return all of this to her children.

While he was still in the midst of these bittersweet thoughts, Xie Yuzhang brought out another box with both hands and offered it to him: “Uncle, these are the deeds for the farmlands, shops, and houses that were part of my mother’s dowry. I cannot take these with me — I am returning them to the Duke of Merit’s estate.”

Yang Changyuan did not decline. When an unmarried daughter died without leaving a son, her dowry would ordinarily revert to her family. But because Xie Yuzhang’s mother had married into the imperial family, the Duke of Merit’s estate would never have gone to contest assets with the Emperor’s household — and so these had quietly been left to Xie Yuzhang all along.

That Xie Yuzhang was returning them now was the sensible thing to do.

But Xie Yuzhang was not finished speaking.

“Uncle.” Her expression turned grave. “The way things are now, you understand them far better than I do. The signs of chaos in this realm have already begun to show. My path north will not be easy — but you remaining in Yunjing, I worry about you just as much. This great estate of the Duke of Merit’s, with hundreds of people, consumes vast quantities of grain and provisions every day. I would advise you to dig deep cellars and store large reserves of grain and supplies as a precaution. It will cost some money, but our family can certainly afford it. And if things truly come to that, it could save lives.”

Yang Changyuan stared at her in astonishment, and was silent for a long while before sighing: “Baohua… you’ve grown up.”

Hearing that tone, Xie Yuzhang felt a wave of relief, and smiled: “I must have been unnecessary — Uncle has already been doing this, haven’t you?”

He would never, in the past, have discussed such matters with her. But now he told her: “I started two years ago. The cellars in this estate keep two years’ worth of grain at all times. Each year we swap the old grain for new — sell the old grain off at a slight discount, and buy new. Though we take a small loss, it’s a small price to pay for security in the larger scheme of things.”

Xie Yuzhang breathed out a long sigh of relief. No wonder the Duke of Merit’s estate came through the chaos and bloodshed in Yunjing with everyone intact.

“Since Uncle has that kind of foresight, I won’t fret unnecessarily,” Xie Yuzhang smiled, but then added: “My route takes me through Hexi. The military forces of Hexi are the finest in the realm. I can see that Lord Li Ming is a man with a plan. Uncle might consider sending Elder Brother A’Shen to gain some experience under him. Lord Li’s subordinates — Li Qi Lang and Li Shiyi Lang — are both Elder Brother’s friends, and would certainly look after him well.”

Yang Changyuan thought this strange.

You could say that going through hardships had caused a sudden awakening, and a person could genuinely mature overnight. But a sudden leap of perspective this vast — from hairpins and gauze skirts to the affairs of family, state, and military strategy — what kind of a leap was that?

“Did you think of this yourself? Or did someone say these things to you?” Yang Changyuan couldn’t help asking.

Xie Yuzhang pressed her lips into a smile and said: “I’ve always been clever.”

The serious atmosphere was broken in an instant — she sounded like the pampered little princess again. Yang Changyuan couldn’t help but laugh.

“Of course — our Zhuzhu has always been clever,” Yang Changyuan said with a smile. “Even back when your mother used to hold you in her lap, you could already recite the three hundred poems.”

Xie Yuzhang had always been a bright child — whatever she learned, she grasped at once. But she was the cherished only daughter of the Empress — as long as she had committed no great fault, and given her easy disposition, no one would ever push her to master anything. And so, except for things she herself enjoyed and willingly devoted time and effort to, everything else had always been touched lightly and left behind. Looking at her learning, she would seem unremarkable. But who cared? The Empress’s little princess — all anyone wanted was for her to be happy every day.

Having delivered her instructions and entrusted her most important matters with Yang Changyuan, Xie Yuzhang came out and said to Lin Fei: “Come with me to see Second Elder Brother.”

Lin Fei followed her to Yang Huaishen’s courtyard — and found a group of stout maidservants waiting under the covered walkway, each of them looking as if they were braced for something.

Lin Fei thought this odd.

Yang Huaishen came out from inside to meet them, walked to the center of the courtyard, and said: “You’re here.” Then he looked at Lin Fei.

Lin Fei felt a sudden strange premonition.

Then she heard Xie Yuzhang say: “Second Elder Brother — I’m entrusting A’Fei to you.”

Lin Fei’s ears filled with a thunderous roar. She looked at Xie Yuzhang in disbelief.

“Your Highness?” Lin Fei said, uncertain and alarmed.

“A’Fei.” Xie Yuzhang forced a smile. “Uncle and Aunt both like you. You know what kind of person Second Elder Brother is. I am entrusting you to him — stay at the Duke of Merit’s estate and take good care of yourself.”

“Your Highness is talking nonsense! I am going to the frontier with Your Highness!” Lin Fei’s voice rang out, high and urgent.

Xie Yuzhang glanced at Yang Huaishen. Yang Huaishen gave a signal, and the stout maidservants who had been waiting now surged forward as one, gripping her arms and pressing down on her shoulders — and Lin Fei could not move at all.

“Your Highness!” Lin Fei cried out sharply.

Tears streamed down Xie Yuzhang’s face. She said only: “Stay at the Duke of Merit’s estate, and be well. In a couple of years, once Father Emperor is not so angry at Chancellor Lin, Second Elder Brother will help you find your older brother and the others. Until your brother returns, stay here. This place is safe.”

Looking at what came after, the Duke of Merit’s estate was the safest place Xie Yuzhang could have found.

Lin Fei would not hear of it — she shrieked and struggled: “Your Highness! Your Highness!”

Xie Yuzhang sniffled and gave Lin Fei a smile: “Don’t worry about me. This time, I won’t let myself live too badly.”

The words had barely left her mouth before the tears broke entirely and she lost control. She covered her ears and ran out as fast as she could. Even when she was far, far from Yang Huaishen’s courtyard, she seemed still to hear Lin Fei’s sharp cries of “Your Highness.”

When she returned to Zhaoxia Palace, she had Lin Fei’s belongings all sent to the Duke of Merit’s estate. Looking at the now-empty room where Lin Fei had lived, she felt as though a great weight had been lifted from her heart.

Nanny Xia appeared without a sound, and sighed: “Why must Your Highness do this? Lin Fei is loyal, capable, and capable — precisely the person Your Highness needs. Your Highness ought to bring her along.”

Xie Yuzhang’s lips twitched, wanting to smile — but she could not manage it.

After a long silence, Nanny Xia heard what sounded like words spoken to no one in particular.

“There are not many people I can protect. She is one of those I must protect.” Her voice was clear and resolute — each word falling like pearls or jade.

Nanny Xia gazed at her for a long time. Then, slowly, she bent down into a bow, and quietly withdrew.

On the second day of the ninth month, Princess Baohua was sent forth to be wed in Mobei.

The dowry procession stretched so long one could not see its end; the attendants and escorts numbered over a thousand.

Yet no one envied those ten li of crimson pageantry.

The bright pearl of Yunjing — would she be lost in the Gobi? Or in the grasslands?

They said that the Gobi and the grasslands alike were a boundless, endless expanse of nothing.