Wei Caiwei trusted Shang Qinglan to handle matters. It seemed that after three years of Emperor Jiajing’s declining health, even his bedmate was considering “finding a new patron.”

Chen Jingji escorted Wei Caiwei out of the palace. He had studied in the Inner Academy for three years and graduated with excellent grades to receive an assignment. Because his godfather was Huang Jin, the Chief Eunuch of the Bureau of Ceremonial, and he had gained Shang Zhaoyi’s favor, he was selected into the Bureau of Ceremonial as a secretary, responsible for copying official documents and serving before the emperor—making him one of the palace’s favored figures.

The two walked along the main street of the Western Six Palaces, also called Yongxiang—there was one each in the north and south of the Forbidden City’s harem, running north to south.

In the long Yongxiang, with no one around, the early autumn breeze blew the wild grass struggling to emerge from the drainage ditches on both sides. Chen Jingji whispered: “How… is she now?”

Without needing to specify, they both knew who “she” referred to. Wei Caiwei said: “She gave birth on the morning of August 17th—a boy. I personally delivered him. Mother and child are safe. She could walk around the next day.”

Chen Jingji’s steps faltered slightly, then he caught up with Wei Caiwei’s pace, saying: “That’s good… She’s become a mother. That’s wonderful.” While he would never have the chance to become a father.

Wei Caiwei said: “I came to find Shang Zhaoyi today precisely for her son’s one-month hair-cutting ceremony. The palace avoids the topic—no one dares tell His Majesty for fear of his anger. Only Shang Zhaoyi has a way to try. If the son cannot gain recognition, she cannot rise in rank through her child’s merit. Prince Yu and Princess Yu’s intention is to request her enfeoffment as a secondary consort after the child’s hair is cut and offered to the ancestors.”

Hearing this, Chen Jingji’s heart was filled with mixed emotions: “I studied hard in the Inner Academy for three years. Now my words carry little weight—I still can’t help her.”

Wei Caiwei comforted him: “Even Shang Zhaoyi must borrow divine will—what more for you? Serve well in the Bureau of Ceremonial. The future is long.”

In her previous life, Wang Daxia had also taken this eunuch shortcut, except he went to the Eastern Depot. After handling several imperial cases, he rose quickly and rapidly gained power. But there were drawbacks—too much killing, mixed reputation. Seeking wealth through danger, he died of poison at forty-seven.

But Chen Jingji couldn’t fight. His current scholarship, calligraphy, and character were beyond even the picky Emperor Jiajing’s criticism.

Having endured so many setbacks without harboring resentment, with pure nature and no tendency to flatter, he was clearly unsuited for the Eastern Depot. Dealing with documents in the Bureau of Ceremonial was his best path.

Though promotion would be slower, it was steady progress with good reputation and clean hands—unlimited future prospects.

Chen Jingji escorted Wei Caiwei all the way out of the harem. A blue-curtained carriage took her back to Tianshui Lane.

Wang Daxia had a key to her house and was already waiting inside. He immediately claimed credit: “Commander Lu and my father’s side are both settled. As we agreed, three years later—that’s the day after tomorrow, August 23rd—I’ll come to propose. You can’t go back on your word.”

Wei Caiwei built a fire in the courtyard and burned the memorial tablet reading “Spirit of Deceased Husband Wang Erlang,” adding many paper ingots to burn with it.

This was custom—when a widow decided to remarry, she couldn’t continue venerating her deceased husband’s memorial tablet and had to burn it.

Wang Daxia said: “You’re not really a widow. The tablet was written casually—why burn paper money too? It’s unnecessary.”

Because in my previous life, my husband Eunuch Wang really died. I’m burning it for him.

Starting over, Wang Daxia was different from Eunuch Wang in both personality and body—she seemed to love two people. Having today’s Wang Daxia meant she couldn’t have Eunuch Wang.

However, Wei Caiwei no longer struggled with this. Eunuch Wang’s melancholy, Wang Daxia’s cheerfulness—she loved both. So she’d marry twice.

After burning the paper money, Wei Caiwei burned houses, clothes, and even a box of five-kernel mooncakes among the paper offerings.

Wang Daxia said: “I love five-kernel mooncakes most.”

I know, so I only burn five-kernel mooncakes, not cilantro mooncakes.

When everything had turned to ash and the red bonfire became black, Wei Caiwei said: “Look, this is my sincerity in marrying you. The tablet is burned—there’s no turning back. Besides accepting your proposal, I have no other path.”

The three-year promise was about to be fulfilled, like a dream. Wang Daxia smiled even in his sleep.

Meanwhile, at the Lu mansion in the western city.

Lu Ying came home late as usual. Her first act upon returning was always to light incense for her father’s memorial tablet. Her mother Li Yiren also waited for her return before sleeping, as always. Since Lu Ying got that scar on her face, Li Yiren worried constantly for her daughter. Except when Lu Ying was away on missions, she had to see her daughter each night before sleeping peacefully.

This night was special—Lu Ying actively stopped her mother: “Mother, I have something to tell you.”

Li Yiren’s heart clenched: “Are you going far away again?” Whenever Lu Ying spoke in a pleasant tone, there was definitely trouble. She understood her daughter well. As a child, Lu Ying was more mischievous than boys. If she was making noise in her room, that was fine, but once she went quiet without sound, she was definitely planning something big—either climbing roofs or trees, going down rivers, running toward danger.

“No.” Lu Ying supported her mother, helping Li Yiren sit on the arhat couch, fearing she couldn’t handle it and might fall.

Strange—the sun clearly rose from the east today? The more obedient her daughter was, the more Li Yiren feared, sensing something big was happening: “Yinghua dear, what have you done? Tell mother. As long as it’s not family confiscation and extermination, mother will handle it for you.”

Lu Ying hesitated, seemingly considering how to phrase it properly: “Mother, I’ve fallen for someone.”

Just this… Li Yiren exhaled in relief: “You nearly scared your mother to death. I’ve always known. I agree to this marriage—why else would I recommend Wang Qianhu to our in-law Duke Chengguo for promotion? In marriage, matching social status is important. Wang Qianhu is now Assistant Regional Commander of Jiangxi—a third-rank military officer. Duke Chengguo also praises his steady diligence and says he can rise further.”

Lu Ying said: “Wang Daxia is the past. Back then, your daughter was possessed, falling for that pretty boy type. Three years have passed—your daughter no longer interests in pretty boys but prefers refined, mature men.”

“What?” Li Yiren was shocked: “You broke up with Wang Daxia? When?”

Lu Ying said: “I just broke up with him today. I said I liked someone else. He was very angry, tore up expense reports, and said something like ‘if you don’t want me, others are fighting for me,’ then huffed off angrily.”

Li Yiren said urgently: “Child, how could you do this! Wang Daxia is handsome, sweet-tongued, personally recruited into the Brocade Guard by your father. You’ve been through life and death together for three years—how can you break up just like that?”

Lu Ying said: “Precisely because we work together, investigate cases together, face life and death together—being together doesn’t feel like lovers but increasingly like brothers. Can I like or even marry a brother? No. Now I only have brotherly feelings for him, not romantic love. When we travel and sometimes have no separate rooms, sleeping in the same room with him on the opposite couch, I have no thoughts about him at all.”

Li Yiren paled: “What? You’ve slept in the same room?”

“Just sleeping, nothing else.” Lu Ying said: “Sometimes camping out, we’d share a tent and huddle together for warmth—no feelings. He feels the same about me, treating me like a brother or superior, not unable to control himself like lovers would, getting handsy—”

“He wouldn’t dare!” Li Yiren interrupted: “If Wang Daxia doesn’t like you anymore, how could he angrily say ‘if you don’t want me, others are fighting for me’?”

Lu Ying said: “He hasn’t realized our fate has ended. When I feel unwell, he just says ‘drink more hot water.’ When I’m alone with other men, he shows no jealousy. These two years together, we only talk about work. We used to be romantic—clearly we’re no longer in love. Now when I look at Wang Daxia, it’s like looking at my brother Lu Yi. I can’t marry Lu—”

Li Yiren quickly covered her daughter’s mouth: “Don’t talk nonsense. You and Lu Yi are half-siblings—be careful of gossip.”

Lu Ying nodded emphatically before Li Yiren released her hand, asking: “Who do you like now? What’s his father’s position? What family? Which maternal clan? How old? Which department? What does he look like? Have I met him?”

Lu Ying said: “Mother hasn’t met him, but father did when alive and greatly appreciated him. Even His Majesty knows of him. He’s no less handsome than Wang Daxia, but not that pretty boy type. He’s resourceful, calm and composed, refined in temperament. Though not old, he’s mature and steady. We trust each other.”

“It’s just that currently he’s a Brocade Guard secret agent with important missions. Only after completing his tasks can he retire successfully. Due to court secrets, I can’t tell mother his specific identity now—not even his name.”

“You—you two—” Li Yiren said urgently: “If you can’t even say his name, how can he marry you?”

Lu Ying said: “When his mission is complete, that’s when we marry. Your daughter swears to marry no one but him in this life. If mother disagrees, your daughter will never marry.”

Li Yiren said: “No! No woman remains unmarried.”

Li Yiren liked neither lifelong spinsterhood nor marriage after mission completion, but if forced to choose, between two evils, the latter was barely acceptable.

Lu Ying thus convinced Li Yiren. On the third day, Li Yiren was shocked to hear Wang Daxia had become engaged to the neighbor widow Doctor Wei, immediately recalling Wang Daxia’s angry words: “if you don’t want me, others are fighting for me.”

Oh my, young people are so impulsive. When Yinghua transferred her affections, Wang Daxia immediately got engaged with lightning speed to show he too was wanted. So this “other person” was Doctor Wei.

Wang Daxia had such a temper, actually using marriage as a way to vent anger and get revenge on Yinghua. Good thing I didn’t marry Yinghua to him—too immature.

Author’s Note: Three years’ time—those close to ink become black. Lu Ying’s lying skills are no less than Wang Daxia’s.

Today is your birthday, my China~ Giving 100 red envelopes to celebrate the motherland’s birthday. Happy birthday, wish everyone a pleasant National Day holiday.