Early the next morning, Madam Ming bathed, changed her clothing, and followed the palace attendant who had been waiting at the gate into the Shougong Palace.

On ordinary occasions, noblewomen such as herself would visit the palace to keep the Empress Dowager and the Empress and the imperial consorts company and dispel their boredom — but these visits were generally tied to the seasonal festivals or to banquets hosted for birthdays of the more prominent ladies of the inner palace. A summons out of the blue like this was genuinely uncommon.

Perhaps she had been overthinking it. Madam Ming walked along the straight inner passage, mind uneasy. Her mother had been Princess Imperial Ping Yao, the official family’s aunt — without even invoking status and rank, there was already a family connection. Perhaps the Empress Dowager simply wished to see a relative, to find someone to talk with, and had summoned a few ladies she enjoyed spending time with. It was not impossible.

She raised her eyes toward the yellow-robed attendant leading the way and cautiously called out: “Your Excellency, what other ladies have been invited today, for the Empress Dowager’s tea gathering?”

The attendant turned his pale, round head and smiled: “Only the Duke’s Lady was invited, not a single other — the Lady holds a unique place in Her Highness’s esteem. In the past, when the Empress Dowager had private thoughts to share, did she not summon only the Lady?”

But the more he said it, the more unmistakably something was amiss. Madam Ming’s heart lurched up and down. She paid her respects to the Empress Dowager, sat to exchange pleasantries, and after many circuitous diversions, the conversation at last turned to Mei Fen’s marriage. The Empress Dowager rested against her arm-cushion and asked: “Has the wedding date been fixed?”

Madam Ming shook her head. “The Old Madam Hu said she had arranged for someone to consult the calendar — it should be within the next few days, and she will send over a card.”

The Empress Dowager’s gaze drifted to the vast, clear blue sky beyond the window, and she sighed. “How quickly time passes — in the blink of an eye, the grandchildren are all establishing their households. I am quite envious of Madam Hu — though her son left the world early, she still has a few grandchildren and grandchildren’s spouses to cherish and keep her company. That is some comfort.”

The current Emperor’s Crown Prince of Exceptional Virtue had passed away, and there had been no more children since. This was a great sorrow — for the Empress Dowager, and for the entire realm.

As for the Madam Hu the Empress Dowager mentioned: that was the former Noble Consort Hu. Noble Consort Hu had given birth to Prince Liang. After the previous Emperor’s passing, she had left the palace to reside with her son. Later, Prince Liang died of illness — he was given the posthumous title Zhongxian — and the family’s only grandson received the title of Duke, and was now the present Duke Weiguo.

The Li imperial family seemed to have consistently thin fortunes when it came to offspring. The other princes and lords at least had children who grew to adulthood, but the Emperor had none. Regarding the Emperor’s succession, there had been a storm of bloodshed in earlier years — a Prince Jin who challenged the throne had been defeated and taken his own life, and before he died had cursed the Emperor with having no one to inherit the ancestral line. To this day that curse had seemingly come true, putting the Emperor in a rather awkward position.

What could Madam Ming do but offer pleasant-sounding words? Phrases such as “His Majesty is in the prime of his years, and the ladies of the inner palace are in the full bloom of their youth” were deployed, which in the end only earned an Empress Dowager’s bitter smile in return.

“If there were going to be children, there would have been by now — no need to wait until today. His Majesty is nearly fifty…” The Empress Dowager waved her hand, indicating she would no longer indulge in such fruitless daydreams. “In the end, people are best served by being practical. This marriage between your two families — His Majesty regards it with great importance, which is why he has summoned you to the palace. Even the Empress need not be present — just the two of us, talking it over properly.”

Madam Ming felt a shudder go through her. She rose and said she would defer to whatever the Empress Dowager commanded.

The Empress Dowager smiled warmly and took her hand, gesturing for her to sit. “In terms of how we should properly address each other among relatives, you should call me your aunt by marriage. We are all family — there is no need to be so formal.” She paused and continued: “Since we are close kin, there are things I will not keep from you. I speak of those three Imperial Nephews. When the Emperor was young, he still thought he had no shortage of years ahead in which to have children, and so he did not bring any of the imperial nephews into the palace to raise. Now that everyone’s years are beginning to show, the chance for uncle and nephews to become close has been missed, and the palace is in the situation it is — the ministers were petitioning the Emperor just the other day to name a crown prince early. The imperial nephews have their hopes and expectations too — that is only natural.”

These words nearly sent Madam Ming’s spirit flying out of her body. This was not simple small talk at all. Even when an ordinary household adopted a nephew to take over the family’s affairs, that decision was thought over many times with extreme caution. How much more so for a nation of this magnitude — one misstep and lives were at stake.

The Empress Dowager saw her face go pale and was unperturbed. She continued in a measured voice: “Of the three imperial nephews, the one most to my liking is Ji Fu. Just think — Duke of Chenguo Li Yaojian, Duke of Chuguo Li Yujian: their very names bristle with ambition, taking up two of the three sage kings Yao and Yu between them. And the Prince of Jing and Prince of Yong are no gentle souls — in their hearts, they cannot be without thoughts of inheriting the throne.”

Madam Ming fumbled to herself. She found this the kind of topic where anything she said would be wrong. To say that Li Chenjian’s name, by comparison, smelled of honest dutifulness, would risk sounding like hawking his virtues. Besides, the words of those in power were usually only half to be believed. Whatever the Empress Dowager said out loud, privately she might well be suspicious of Prince Liang and Duke Weiguo both, fearing they harbored ambitions concealed behind a humble facade.

For instance — a man who holds something precious in his hands is often consumed with the instinct to guard it. It was a strange impulse: to be forced to select a successor, while simultaneously feeling vigilance and envy toward that very person. Even a chosen favorite could be watched night and day like a potential thief. So even if Duke Weiguo had managed to catch the Empress Dowager’s eye, that was mere talk for the lips — summoning the prospective mother-in-law before the wedding, there was sure to be a combination of reward and warning to deliver.

By this point, Madam Ming had begun to waver, feeling the marriage had been a mistake to arrange. If Mei Fen were sharp and resourceful, perhaps she could manage the towering waves ahead — but a mother knows her own daughter best, and her daughter at seventeen had the emotional age of a six-year-old. If the palace were paying no attention, letting her muddle through in obscurity would be fine. But today the Empress Dowager had already summoned her over this very thing — clearly, peace and quiet were not to be had. Mei Fen and Duke Weiguo both were destined to stand at the edge of the storm until this struggle for power was entirely settled.

Yet the Empress Dowager had said all this, and some response was required — so it would look as though you were keeping things in check. Madam Ming carefully chose her words: “I am only a woman of the inner household and do not understand the interests at play in the court. I know only one thing: that my husband is utterly loyal to His Majesty and would brave fire and water for him. When our family and Duke Weiguo made this match, it was at my mother’s time in life, arranged together with Old Madam Hu — and I believe Old Madam Hu’s intention was to make clear where they stood, and to show they were wholly of one heart with His Majesty.”

The Empress Dowager smiled and said nothing. The content of that smile was worth pondering. Back when Old Madam Hu was still Noble Consort Hu, the inner palace could not have been without its sharp rivalries — only after the Emperor ascended the throne had all the struggle become pointless, and Noble Consort Hu followed her son out of the palace. Could one say for certain that was of her own willing?

The tea in the bowl at her side had gone cold. A palace attendant came to replace it. The Empress Dowager picked it up and took a sip, then after a long pause said: “They say husband and wife are of one body — that is not entirely true. Only women whose own family roots are not strong must rely entirely on their husbands. The sea of official life has its surges and calms, and honor or disgrace can reverse in an instant. To advance is to contend for the heights; to retreat is to ensure one’s own preservation — this is the bearing a woman should have. The great Princess Imperial of former years was no less than any man in spirit, and our late Emperor cherished her, separately bestowing upon your family your title. I trust that Mei Fen should carry her grandmother’s backbone, and that even after leaving home in marriage, she will keep the realm’s fortunes as her first consideration.”

Madam Ming’s heart turned cold. She knew now that the Empress Dowager had finally turned her designs on Mei Fen. The three imperial nephews each likely had someone watching them — the Empress Dowager’s meaning had been stated plainly enough: Mei Fen, though wed to Duke Weiguo, need not be of one heart with her husband. To be a noble wife and consort was a matter for later — if Duke Weiguo made any irregular move, as long as Mei Fen knew to report it to the palace, Mei Fen could go untouched even if Duke Weiguo fell from grace.

How to manage this… Madam Ming was panicking. She looked at the Empress Dowager — that wan, expressionless face held not a trace of emotion, just gazing at her coolly, waiting for an answer.

Madam Ming had no choice but to lay out all her unease.

“Whatever the Empress Dowager commands, I have not a word of objection — from the time of my mother onward, our hearts have been entirely devoted to His Majesty, and the Empress Dowager is aware of that. But I dare not hide from the Empress Dowager that this marriage has put me in a very difficult position.” Madam Ming pressed her fingers to her forehead. “Mei Fen, this child… she has a heart condition. For ten years she has refused to leave the estate grounds — not once has she attended the Golden Pheasant Banquet held for the capital’s noble young women. Just the other day when she learned that Old Madam Hu had engaged the Imperial Astronomer to select an auspicious date, she created such a scene at home for an entire day that she nearly sent her father to his grave. I truly… do not know what goes on in that child’s mind. She is terrified of strangers, frightened the way one would be frightened of ghosts. All the physicians in the household have been tried, and I even asked the Imperial Medical Academy’s Director Zhao to diagnose her, but nothing has helped. I am genuinely worried sick — I do not know how to account to Duke Weiguo’s family. The marriage has reached this point and cannot be undone, but if it is forced through, I genuinely fear that Mei Fen will attempt to take her life.” Eyes filling with tears, she lowered her head and wiped them, choking back a sob. “I and Jing Qing have only one son and one daughter. If anything happened to Mei Fen, I would rather keep her unmarried and raise her for the rest of her life — I would make do with that.”

The Empress Dowager listened, and was indeed silent for a long while.

It was true that she had heard of Duke Shuguo’s legitimate daughter’s peculiarities. For a young woman of radiant prime to rarely venture out was understandable, but never once appearing at the Golden Pheasant Banquet was another matter. Yet today she had already summoned the wife of Duke Shuguo and said all she had said. This marriage between the two families had to proceed whether or not it could. The Empress Dowager was not fixed on who exactly married Duke Weiguo — only that the new wife should be serviceable to the palace, capable of watching Duke Weiguo’s every move. That was all that was needed.

“This is truly a dilemma.” The Empress Dowager expressed shared sympathy for a moment. “We cannot force the child…” She paused. “I hear that Marquis Jiang Heng of Yong’an’s legitimate daughter is presently staying at your household?”

Madam Ming started, and said yes.

“That child was born of County Princess Yuyang — her birth is not undistinguished. If the situation truly becomes impossible, the two cousins could simply trade places — that would not be a bad solution.”

Madam Ming stared. “The Empress Dowager’s meaning is…”

The Empress Dowager smiled. “What the Marquis of Jing Qing did the other day at the Triple Gate — scolding Jiang Heng in front of all his colleagues — I also heard about that. Jiang Heng is a fool, neglecting his household and wronging that fine child. I thought — girls must marry sooner or later. By the standards of Duke Weiguo’s household, the match is not beneath her. After the wedding is done, it would also show Jiang Heng what a child is capable of, and earn a little dignity on behalf of the County Princess who died so young.”

Madam Ming wavered. She was only human — self-interest stirred the moment the Empress Dowager raised the subject. Truly speaking, Si Si was better suited than Mei Fen. At least Si Si knew when to advance and when to retreat; she was a quick-minded girl, unlike Mei Fen, who could not bend and was always colliding with things and injuring herself and others. If Si Si were to go, she would not need guidance through every step.

“Just the other day, Mei Fen had truly come to beg me — saying she wanted her sister to take her place at the wedding…”

“You see — solutions are always thought up by people.” The Empress Dowager smiled. “I think it is perfectly fine. Let it be settled this way.”

Madam Ming still had her reservations. “If the person is changed at the last moment, I fear Duke Weiguo’s family would not agree.”

“What of that?” said the Empress Dowager. “I will personally serve as the matchmaker. I should think their household would have no objection.”

And was there anything worse, really, than welcoming a bride who refused to see anyone? Old Madam Hu had surely heard of Duke Shuguo’s legitimate daughter’s ailment. If the girl could be exchanged for another, it would surely be a welcome relief — as long as Duke Shuguo’s household consented, what cause would they have for complaint?

Madam Ming could not decline further. Shamefaced, she said: “To be truthful, I am truly afraid of wronging the child. She came to the capital seeking shelter with an aunt, and in the end she is sent to take her cousin’s place in marriage.”

Having reached an agreement, what remained was to say a few obliging words. The Empress Dowager replied: “It was originally the marriage of a ducal household’s legitimate daughter — what is difficult about that? If one considers the title of the Marquis of Yong’an, a daughter marrying into a ducal family would be considered marrying up. She would not have had such an opportunity had she not come to your household — and you are close family, after all. Who would harm her?”

Madam Ming gave a stiff nod. Originally she had thought to keep Si Si at home, to make a match with her eldest son, but now plans had been overtaken by events. Each person had their own fate, it seemed. She only felt deeply ashamed before Si Si — and when she returned home, she did not know how she would bring herself to tell her.

She took her leave of the Empress Dowager, and by the time she left the palace and returned home, it was already noon. The Empress Dowager had invited her to stay and dine — she had politely declined. With this weighing on her mind, she needed to see to it quickly before she could be at peace.

The carriage turned into East Yulin Lane. From a distance she could see someone pacing back and forth at the foot of the front steps — and drawing closer, it was unmistakably Duke Shuguo.

He stood at the carriage’s side and caught the reins, asking impatiently: “Well? The Empress Dowager summoned you — what in the end was it about?”

In truth there was no need for lengthy explanation — both of them had already had a premonition of it in their hearts. Madam Ming looked at him in silence and, lifting her skirt, stepped through the gate, saying as she walked: “Come inside and we can talk properly.”

They entered a side room in the front courtyard. Duke Shuguo sat her down, fumbled to pour her a cup of water, and pressed anxiously: “Enough riddles — tell me quickly. What does the Empress Dowager want done with our Mei Fen?”

Madam Ming sighed. “Your guess of yesterday — you were precisely right on every count. The Empress Dowager could not possibly pass up such an opportunity. The Duke of Chenguo and the Duke of Chuguo already have their arrangements on the side, but Duke Weiguo has had no one beside him until now. To plant a pair of eyes and ears at his side, the only real option is someone in his bed — there is no agent more reliable than that.”

Duke Shuguo was in a quandary. He beat his knee and said: “What to do? Our Mei’er can barely keep track of herself, and you expect her to fathom someone else? And this sort of marriage is terribly risky — handle it well and she rises to the heights, handle it badly and she falls to complete ruin. Mei Fen has trouble enough living ordinary days without incident — if she is put in someone else’s household and has to walk on ice every single day, will it be a life worth living?”

Always the heart of a devoted father — even when the child was disobedient, answering back and making scenes until he lost his temper, she was still his own flesh and blood. Other than Jiang Heng, what father in the world did not ache over his children’s lives and futures?

As it turned out, hearing him finish, Madam Ming covered her face and began to sob loudly. Not for any other reason — she wept for her own shame before Si Si. Between her daughter and her niece, in the end she had still chosen to protect her own. Human nature was this selfish — when she died, how would she face her younger sister who had left the world so young?

Duke Shuguo saw her cry like this and found it very alarming. He quickly stood up to wipe her tears, saying urgently: “Don’t cry… alas, crying will not solve the present difficulty — it is more sensible to think of a way. Don’t rush either — when all is said and done, I fought to support the throne and have earned my merit. Even if Mei Fen’s marriage runs into trouble someday, His Majesty, out of regard for past service, will at least not make things hard for Mei Fen.” In saying all this he was gradually beginning to reassure himself. “What bad intentions does our Mei Fen harbor? A child who is deaf and blind to the world outside her own four walls — what does she know of court affairs? For now you may agree to the Empress Dowager’s terms, and as long as Duke Weiguo does not rebel and goes on living well, things should be manageable.”

But these words brought Madam Ming no comfort at all. She gripped her husband’s hand and said: “The fault lies in us having had too few children — had we one more smart and clever daughter, we would not have had to drag Si Si into this.”

Duke Shuguo paused. “What does this have to do with Si Si?”

Madam Ming’s tears ran down her face. She choked for a long moment before she managed: “To protect Mei Fen, I have sent Si Si in her place. It is truly… I do not know how I will have the face to look Si Si in the eye! I cannot imagine what came over me — I found what the Empress Dowager said about sisters exchanging places perfectly reasonable. My head went hot and I agreed on the spot, and now looking back, where do I find the face to meet Si Si?”

Duke Shuguo was also struck dumb. In truth, the feeling was difficult to put into words — on one hand relieved that Mei Fen was out of it, on the other ashamed to the depths of himself for having trapped Si Si in it.

But a man is more decisive by nature. Since the matter was now settled, he had a maidservant go to the rear courtyard and invite the young mistress to come speak with them.

When Yun Pan came, she had no sense of what to expect and guessed it was probably more after-effects from the Youzhou business.

“Do you think Father has perhaps changed his mind?” She tilted her head to ask Qin Dan.

Qin Dan also weighed it up. “If the master truly has dealt with Liu Yinniang, would my young mistress go back with him?”

This question gave Yun Pan genuine pause. In her heart, she was completely disappointed in her father — she did not even want to acknowledge him as such anymore. But staying on as a guest at her aunt’s household was not a long-term arrangement. Once Cousin Mei had married out, it would be awkward for her to live alone in the rear courtyard. As for what she had said earlier about establishing her own household — in the end, that had been a choice made out of desperation. If things were truly in order at home, even a noblewoman who had been raised in comfort from childhood would not actually want to spend her days rubbing elbows with every sort of person in the market district.

“Let us wait and see!” If Father had truly come, she would have to hear what he had to say before deciding anything.

When she walked into the front hall, however, there was no sign of Father’s face — she had been worrying for nothing. Duke Shuguo and Madam Ming were seated solemnly at the head of the room, and when they saw her enter they both stood. Madam Ming called her name: “Si Si, come, my dear — sit down here.”

Yun Pan grew confused. She did not understand what had come over them today — Uncle’s and Aunt’s manner was quite unlike usual.

After sitting down uneasily, she was met with a long silence. She glanced carefully at Uncle, then at Aunt, and said softly: “What is it, Uncle and Aunt? Is there something you wish to tell me?”

Duke Shuguo lowered his head. Madam Ming stammered for a long while before she finally managed to speak: “Today the Empress Dowager summoned me to the palace and said many things. Your cousin is to marry Duke Weiguo — you know this. The Emperor has no heir. Among Duke Weiguo, the Duke of Chenguo, and the Duke of Chuguo, one of the three will someday inherit the throne — but for now the choice is undecided, and the palace cannot help but have its suspicions. The Empress Dowager wished your cousin to keep a close watch on Duke Weiguo’s every move — to be a ducal wife in name while serving as the Empress Dowager’s eyes and ears in secret. But you see the state your cousin is in — she can barely manage her own affairs, let alone do what the Empress Dowager requires. Later on… one thing led to another and your name came up. Your father’s foolish behavior the Empress Dowager had long been aware of, and she mentioned in passing that perhaps you could take your cousin’s place…”

She could not go on. Madam Ming looked at Yun Pan. The girl’s face was stunned — clearly she had not imagined things would come to this.

To say it was absurd — it was absurd through and through. This sort of substitute-bride arrangement existed only in storybooks. And yet here it was, plainly set before her. How could she not be thrown into turmoil?

The blazing heat of the afternoon outside seemed to press down directly onto her eyelids. She blinked, the corners of her eyes burning. She parted her lips to say something — but not a single word came out.

Duke Shuguo at last also declared himself: “We have wronged you — had Mei Fen been more capable, we would never have put you in this position. Speak honestly with you today: from here on you are my Xiang Junjie’s own true daughter. Whatever Mei Fen receives in the way of support from her family, you will receive in exactly the same measure. Your dowry will be arranged to the same standard as Mei Fen’s outgoing preparations, and three parts more on top of that… Alas, the more I say, the more my conscience aches. Were your A’Niang still here, I do not know how she would reproach us.”

Their remorse needed no words to be visible. The titled and capable officials of the capital were not always as smooth-sailing as they appeared from the outside. To hold the office was to serve its demands — and a command from the palace, even if you could not fulfill it yourself, had to be fulfilled by some other means through you.

As for Mei Fen’s situation: in the few days she had been here, she had seen it with her own eyes. There was no blaming the elders for resorting to this. If Mei Fen were sent to someone’s household, she might not survive a single day. If in a moment of stubbornness she did something reckless, the regret would come too late.

And this substitute-marriage now — it was no longer merely Aunt’s own idea, but an instruction from the Empress Dowager. Even if Duke Shuguo enjoyed the Emperor’s favor, on this matter there was likely no room for discussion. She could not return to that home in Youzhou, but in name she was still the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yong’an. If the chosen candidate had to come from within the ducal household, then of the available options, only her own birth gave her the standing to fill that place.

Qin Dan was also unsettled. She and Yun Pan exchanged a glance.

Yun Pan thought it through and let no sorrow show on her face. She paused, then said: “Si Si understands Uncle’s and Aunt’s difficulty. Since the palace has spoken, Aunt naturally cannot refuse. Since I came to the capital and have received so much of Uncle’s and Aunt’s care and affection, I have always wanted to repay you when I could. That now it should come to this… perhaps it is also well.”

When she finished saying this, Madam Ming covered her mouth. “The way you put it only makes Aunt feel all the more shameless.”

Yun Pan raised a smile. “Aunt, please do not say so. Every girl must marry sooner or later — think of the match A’Niang arranged for me in the first place, with the family of the Earl of Dongchang. If that had not gone wrong, I would have had to cross their threshold too. Thinking of it this way, one feels at peace. And I can spare Cousin one more hardship. Whatever else, it is a good thing.”

Duke Shuguo had previously seen this niece of his as well-behaved and sensible, but he had not expected her to have this kind of dignity. He sighed at length. “Jiang Heng has truly thrown away a child like this. He is blind as a bat.”

Since things were settled now, they could hardly be changed again. In truth, no one here had any choice — the present situation was built from a great pile of causes and effects, laid one upon another. Sometimes you truly had to believe in fate. Who could have known that the day she received Duke Weiguo’s help and arrived at the capital, it would in the end become the beginning of this unexpected twist?

Yun Pan made a bow, then returned to Yi Peng Xue. Along the way, Qin Dan supported her arm, anxious and preoccupied. “That day in Youzhou we caught a glimpse of Duke Weiguo — though he did not show his face, his constitution looked frail.”

Duke Weiguo’s poor health seemed to be well known. Yun Pan let out a sigh. “All those funds and draft notes — I must find the right opportunity to put them to use. The fastest way to grow money is from money itself. Right now we have no firm footing in the capital, so acting rashly could easily invite exploitation by those brokers. Let us wait a little longer — once this marriage is announced, I can use Duke Weiguo’s name as a shield; at least no one would dare to swindle us.”

It was the one thing to be grateful for amid the murky road ahead — that this half-arrived-at marriage might at least be used to gain a small, practical advantage for herself.

She had not one word of complaint. It was because she had weathered some storms already and could face these things with equanimity. But Qin Dan ached for her. “Does my young mistress not feel the least bit wronged?”

Yun Pan smiled a little. “Wronged by what? Today it may not be this Li Gentleman — tomorrow there would be some other Zhang Gentleman or Wang Gentleman. Unless one is never to marry at all.”

Qin Dan gave a light sigh too. “Since it has come to this, the only thing is to see it clearly for yourself. Though this is a good household, it is not your own home in the end. Once you have married out and established yourself, you are not a drifting boat without anchor anymore — you have roots.”

Indeed — one had to find ways to console oneself. Otherwise one would fester with misery.

Once Mei Fen heard the news, she came running from Zhi Lan Garden to Yi Peng Xue. She had spent much of the past days set on having Yun Pan take her place. Now that it had actually come to be, she was overcome with guilt.

She came through the door to find Yun Pan sitting by the window drying out incense threads. She hesitated there on the threshold, not daring to enter. It was Mingke who spotted her and said: “Why is the young mistress not coming in?”

Yun Pan turned and looked. There was Mei Fen, shrinking at the doorway. She could not help smiling. “A’Jie, what is the matter? It is so hot out there. Come in, quickly.”

Mei Fen then stepped through the threshold. She came before Yun Pan and immediately covered her face and cried. “It has always been my uselessness. I have dragged my sister into this.”

She had been fighting with the household recently, and had grown quite thin. Yun Pan guided her into the crossed-frame chair and sat her down, speaking kindly: “This was the palace’s command — it has nothing to do with Sister. Do you still remember what I said to you? In this world, everyone marries blind. I am no exception. In any case, one must marry someone — do not reproach yourself for this, Sister. As long as you take good care of yourself going forward, my effort here will have been worth it.”

Mei Fen was still unable to stop weeping. Yun Pan could only go on comforting her: “Now that I have married Duke Weiguo, that auntie of mine back home and her daughter will be all the more resentful — and I will have a way to deal with them eventually. Does that not sound rather good?”

Mei Fen stopped crying at last, and lowered her head to say: “Handing the man I was betrothed to over to my younger sister — I am too ashamed to show my face.”

If Duke Weiguo were to hear these words, he would likely be faint with indignation. Here in this household, it was as if a perfectly good Duke had been passed over like an unwanted item.

Yun Pan said many more words of comfort, coaxing Mei Fen out of her sorrow — and then found herself inwardly amused. Clearly she was the one who ought to be comforted, and yet somehow it had reversed itself and she was the one soothing Mei Fen.

Her mother’s experience of love had been a failure in Yun Pan’s eyes. She had never held any expectations for marriage herself. Expect nothing, and there is no disappointment. So when her betrothal was decided for her with such little ceremony, it left no mark at all on her heart.

The afternoon passed as it always did — at leisure. Toward evening, she heard a maidservant in the corridor say that Nanny Yao had come.

Yun Pan set down the small precision scale in her hand and turned to look. Nanny Yao appeared at the doorway, and Yun Pan called out with a smile: “Nanny, what brings you here?”

Nanny Yao was Madam Ming’s closest attendant — when there was important news to pass on, it was always her who came. She stepped in and made a bow to Yun Pan. In the flickering lamplight, the young mistress stood slender and upright, wearing a smoky rose襦 skirt, looking like a hibiscus in bloom — skin as fine-grained as silk gauze.

Such a girl — how could anyone not adore her? Nanny Yao softened her voice. “Duke Weiguo has apparently received word from the palace and has come to call.”

Yun Pan took the words in and sat with them a moment, showing no reaction at all.

Nanny Yao had no choice but to continue: “Madam says, please will the young mistress go up to the front — just for one cup of tea before leaving. It is good to meet the person.”

Yun Pan thought it over. She would have to meet him sooner or later — hiding and retreating was not her style — and so she agreed. “Then Nanny, please wait a moment while I change my clothes and I will come with you.”

Nanny Yao said of course.

In Youzhou at their first encounter, the young mistress had been in distress — the landscape after the disaster grey and bleak in all directions, so that even an incomparable beauty would not have seemed startling in such surroundings.

Nanny Yao waited outside the screen while the young mistress changed inside. On the tall table stood one lamp; its flame shone through the horn of the shade and cast the screen’s shadow behind it in shifting, half-visible outlines.

A girl in the finest bloom of youth, her slender form truly a pleasure to behold. She raised her arms — a jade bracelet sat loose on her wrist, swaying to rest — and a long gap showed between the bracelet and the skin. This made the four limbs appear all the more delicate and slight.

Mingke came through from the side room carrying a large tray. Nanny Yao glanced at it — an outfit in pale chestnut and mountain-mist blue. For the season it was refreshing, but altogether too subdued.

“This is the first proper meeting with the Duke — it would be better to dress a little brighter and more festive. It makes a better impression.”

From behind the screen, Yun Pan considered for a moment, then told Mingke: “Do as Nanny says.”

Mingke acknowledged and withdrew to prepare again.

The Duke’s household maidservants had all seen something of the world. Before being assigned to attend the young mistress, they were first put through the tutelage of an aesthetic-training nanny in the rear court — especially those who tended to dressing and cosmetics, who were drilled on color coordination. So when told to choose something bright and festive, they brought bright and festive, and held it up for Nanny Yao to approve before carrying it inside to dress the young mistress.

When Yun Pan came out, she had changed into a deep vermilion front-opening narrow-sleeve jacket, beneath which she wore a skirt of thick white pleats, belted at the waist with a bean-green sash. Her hair arrangement was not elaborate — a simple cloud-bun adorned with pearl and jade jasmine hairpins that matched the embroidered trimming at her collar and cuffs precisely, with the easy grace of a young woman from a distinguished family.

Nanny Yao looked her over several times and smiled: “Very good — this suits the young mistress’s bearing well. Not so casual as to suggest inattention, but carrying no trace of having dressed up for the occasion. Best to be at ease — one should not appear to be depending on Duke Weiguo’s status.”

A young woman also needed to carry herself with proper composure and pride. Duke Weiguo’s standing might be exalted, but their young mistress was not the sort to prize someone for their position and rush eagerly to be his consort. Madam Ming had specifically dispatched Nanny Yao to manage this, fearing that a less experienced maidservant might misjudge the measure and end up diminishing the young mistress’s dignity.

Now that all was ready, there was nothing for it but to proceed to the front hall. Nanny Yao walked alongside Yun Pan along the corridor, stealing a sideways glance at her: brow and eyes open and unhurried, not a trace of nervousness or constraint in her bearing. The sight prompted a genuine admiration from this old nanny who had spent most of her life serving in a ducal household.

“Is the young mistress not apprehensive?” Nanny Yao asked. “This marriage of yours has come so very suddenly.”

Yun Pan gave a small smile. “In Youzhou I listened to my parents’ arrangements. Here in the capital I follow Uncle’s and Aunt’s guidance. Though the marriage has come quickly, I need only fulfill my own duty and that is enough.”

To remain unperturbed in the face of change — this was truly the bearing of a great household’s mistress. Nanny Yao felt then, for the first time, that Yun Pan was far more suited to this marriage than the young mistress of the household herself. Life could rise and fall so steeply — one had to have a heart that could hold the sea steady. Once she had married into a family of imperial kinship, if fate were kind, perhaps even greater heights lay ahead. Who could say?

The maidservant went before them carrying a lantern to light the way. They passed along a stretch of grey-brick path, and beyond lay the receiving flower hall.

In the capital’s summer evenings, even the night wind had a sweeping freshness to it, the banana plants in the courtyard spreading and swaying in the breeze.

At the far end, the flower hall blazed with lamplight. Looking across from the path, she could see Duke Shuguo seated at the head of the room, exchanging the occasional word and laugh — nothing of the stiff formality one might expect at an official reception between court colleagues; after all, they had known each other well in the daily course of court life. This meeting seemed to be proceeding in a relaxed atmosphere.

Yun Pan walked along the corridor. Qin Dan supported her with utmost care, as though afraid she would fall. Yun Pan was quietly amused. To her, this was only an ordinary meeting — and besides, they had already met in Youzhou, so it was not even truly an introduction between strangers.

“The affairs in Youzhou have all been attended to. Only the foot soldiers and cavalry are left to be organized on orders. In two days I must go to Xizhou as well…”

An unhurried voice, slow and steady, came through the hanging bamboo curtain from within the hall. Yun Pan knew that voice well — it brought to mind the compassion of a figure behind fine grape-brocade curtains in a pouring rain.

The maidservant standing watch at the door saw her arrive and softly announced to those inside that the young mistress had come.

Yun Pan stepped through the door, first making a proper bow to Duke Shuguo and Madam Ming. From the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of someone rise from the armchair nearby — the build appeared taller than Xiang Xu. She did not raise her eyes to look openly, but only caught sight of cloud-and-scroll bordered hem and black boots. In her heart she noted quietly — he had come on a personal call today, not official business, so Duke Weiguo was dressed in ordinary clothes.

A meeting of this nature was inevitably somewhat awkward for everyone. Their conversation had been going pleasantly before she entered — and with her arrival, it had nowhere to continue. For a moment the flower hall fell into complete silence, as though everyone was struggling to find a subject. It was Madam Ming who broke it first, saying by way of introduction: “Si Si, come — come and greet Duke Weiguo.”

Yun Pan stepped forward and made a formal greeting. The figure opposite cupped his hands and returned it with great ceremony.

At moments like this, one cannot help but marvel at the strangeness of fate. That early rescue — it now appeared to have been sowing the seeds of the connection that was to come.

Once they had formally greeted one another, Yun Pan sat down beside Madam Ming. She had expected Madam Ming to serve as intermediary for the conversation, but to her surprise it was Duke Weiguo who spoke first.

A man who had entered official life at sixteen had long learned to meet all unexpected events with composure. Though the news of the changed marriage arrangement had surprised him when it reached the household, it took only the span of a breath before he had accepted it entirely and at peace.

“Today the palace attendant came bearing the Empress Dowager’s decree to inform Ji Fu. I have come this late on an imposition, and I ask the young mistress to forgive me — I also ask the young mistress to be at ease. The ducal household regards this marriage with gravity and will not be in the least careless.”

These words, once spoken, produced a strange and inexplicable steadiness.

In such an exchange-of-brides situation, what one feared most was that the other party, having accepted a substitute, would feel displeasure and treat the newcomer poorly. Yun Pan had prepared herself for that — she had even found herself ready to accept the awkwardness of being received as a second choice. Yet here he had made a point of coming expressly to say these words. It genuinely surprised her.

She sat in her chair and inclined her head slightly — she could find no words to say, but that one small lowering of the head expressed her gratitude.

Duke Shuguo sighed and said: “My daughter’s illness has defied all remedies — were it not for that, this change of plans would never have come about… In any case, here are a young man of talent and a young woman of beauty — it is still a fine match. Si Si is, in our eyes, the same as Mei Fen — I entrust her to the Duke’s care going forward. If she steps out of line in any way, please inform us and we will manage her — only, whatever happens, please do not let her be wronged.”

Yun Pan suddenly felt the rims of her eyes ache. These were words that should have been spoken by her father — but where was her own father now?

Valuing what is precious, others do not dare to treat it lightly. Duke Weiguo replied: “World-elder speaks too seriously. When the young mistress comes to my household, I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.”

Madam Ming exhaled in relief and said with feeling: “The Duke’s character goes without saying — your household is a family of eminent lineage and will certainly not treat Si Si poorly.” Then she gave a thoughtful sound. “Si Si came to the capital owing to the Duke’s help — truly, one never imagined that fate would have its beginning here.”

At this, Yun Pan rose and made another bow to him. “I have long been unable to find the opportunity to thank the Duke. During the disaster in Youzhou, I was cast adrift outside, and had it not been for the Duke’s help, I would not have been able to reach the capital so smoothly.”

Duke Weiguo rose quickly and returned the bow. “Providing relief in the disaster was my duty. And I have some acquaintance with your respected elders — it was nothing more than a helping hand. The young mistress need not be so courteous.”

From nothing, they had shifted into an entirely new kind of relationship — the conversation between them could not but carry a note of restraint.

Duke Weiguo, polished as he was, found himself somewhat at a loss in this situation. Yet his sincerity was genuine. Unlike some gilded young nobles whose mouths were full of high-sounding, elegant talk, what he said was practical and direct. His voice low and even, addressing Duke Shuguo word by careful word: “I will not conceal anything before the World-elder — at this time, the court’s situation is unpredictable, and for someone in my position, it is in truth not the moment to be taking a wife. But I have reached the age, my grandmother at home is pressing me constantly, and with all eyes watching from both inside and outside the court, dragging another person in seems unavoidable. I know full well that I stand in a difficult bind, and that marrying the young mistress may offer her no ease or riches but only a life of anxiety walking on thin ice beside me. It is regrettable that the palace decree has already come down and cannot be altered. I have only one thing to say: if anything should go wrong in days ahead, please World-elder take it upon yourself to ensure the young mistress’s safety. Even if Ji Fu dies, he will be forever grateful for World-elder’s great kindness.”

When those words were spoken, everyone present was shaken. Even Yun Pan, who had been looking steadily down at her own knees, raised her startled eyes. It was these words — a single earnest appeal — that in an instant gave her a wholly different understanding of this young man of illustrious birth.

She had once tried to imagine what manner of face the benefactor behind those grape-brocade curtains might have — piecing together the hints that had barely shown through: a joint of fingers, a thread of voice — she had concluded he must be a gentle and refined scholar’s figure.

Now, seeing him face to face, her conjecture had been borne out. Though he had served as the Infantry and Cavalry Commissioner of Xizhou and held command of the Imperial Bodyguard, there was nothing rough or brash about him — he was even more elegant and composed than she had imagined.

A single strand of pure wind, free of even the finest dust; radiant as the solitary moon in an empty sky: always clear-eyed, always carrying the open heart of an untainted spirit — there was a character here worthy of a quiet sigh. When his gaze met yours, a faint light seemed to move in his eyes, and even the heaviest sorrows of the world felt, for a moment, not so very difficult to cure after all.

Duke Shuguo and Madam Ming exchanged a glance. Madam Ming said with full sincerity: “With the Duke’s protection for my Si Si, I have nothing more to worry about going forward.”

Duke Shuguo also gave his assurance: “Be at ease — if the worst should come, I will spare no cost to preserve your family.”

This meeting had taken on such grave solemnity that it no longer felt like a discussion of a marriage at all, but rather a final round of careful arrangements for every contingency.

Duke Weiguo received Duke Shuguo’s word and his heart settled. He smoothed his knee and said: “I have truly been presumptuous, saying too much that is confused and muddled — please forgive me, World-elder.” Before the words were even out, he suddenly turned his head to cough twice. Sometimes the throat would itch, and however much he suppressed it, it could not be held back. He had been trying to contain it for half the conversation — now it had finally slipped out. Seeing the others look his way, he pressed a hand against his chest with an embarrassed smile. “This ailment of mine — it is a lingering affliction from taking a cold arrow in the army. The young mistress need not be alarmed — it is not contagious.”

Yun Pan gave an uncomfortable nod. She was wondering inwardly whether she had let her alarm show on her face, making him ill at ease. After a moment’s thought, she offered a courteous word: “Please take good care of yourself, Duke — a careful and gradual recovery is best.”

Duke Weiguo inclined his head. “I have been maintaining my health all along. The symptoms now are much better than they were before.”

Both of them were, in the end, proper and well-mannered people. The night had grown late as well — lingering too long in someone else’s home was contrary to propriety. He rose and took his leave of Duke Shuguo. “I must be away from the capital for a few days. When I return, I will host a banquet and invite the honored elders and the young mistress to the estate. The matter with Mei Fen’s betrothal has already been formally withdrawn — tomorrow I will send someone to exchange gifts anew and present the birth-date matching cards. Once an auspicious date has been chosen, I will come again to inform the elders.”

For a man of equal ducal rank, he had placed himself in a very humble position — which for Duke Shuguo and Madam Ming served to ease somewhat the shame of having imposed on the other party.

Madam Ming gave Yun Pan a quiet look. “Si Si, accompany me and your Uncle in seeing Duke Weiguo out.”

This was a deliberate bit of matchmaking — but given how far things had already come, there was not much left to feel abashed about. Yun Pan rose and came to the doorway, gesturing: “Duke, please.”

Duke Weiguo yielded slightly to one side, then turned and walked out toward the corridor. A servant went ahead carrying a lamp. Yun Pan followed a few steps behind him. Something drifted lightly on the air — a faint scent of orchid and iris, from within his sleeve.

His illness was present in him — but it did not affect his bearing. He was the most upright and well-proportioned person Yun Pan had ever seen. Knowing she was just behind him, he made no attempt to seize the occasion for small talk. Only when they reached the main gate did he turn and bow his hands toward her. “The hour is late — the young mistress, please go back.”

Yun Pan returned the bow. “Wishing the Duke a safe journey.”

He gave a nod and was about to step away — then stopped. He said, in an even, warm tone: “My name is Li Chenjian. My courtesy name is Ji Fu. The young mistress should know this by now.”

Yun Pan said yes. “Aunt has spoken of you to me.”

He gave a quiet sound of acknowledgment. After a slight pause he said again: “This marriage — it has wronged the young mistress.”

For a man of high birth and great power to say this openly was truly uncommon. To speak of being wronged — in truth the most wronged party should have been him.

Perhaps he still felt shame over the difficulty of his own circumstances. But in terms of birth and standing, she had never been his proper equal to begin with, so when these two things were weighed against each other, there was no question of being wronged or not wronged.

As a young woman, Yun Pan could not put such things too plainly. She only bowed her head slightly once more, and said once more: “Wishing the Duke a safe journey home.”

He stepped back two paces and inclined in a bow. A servant came forward to support him as he settled into his carriage. The carriage set off, and after a distance, he looked back. That slender figure still stood beneath the lanterns hanging from the gate corridor — and only when the carriage had moved forward into the darkness beyond the reach of the lights did she turn and step back through the gate.