Yun Pan acknowledged and watched him head to the washroom, then settled herself in the front hall and began sorting through the luggage he had brought back.

The clothes he had returned with were all clean — he was a man of great orderliness, even the jade rhinoceros hairpin on his topknot was arranged without the slightest disorder.

She took them out one by one and handed them to Lu Tan, telling her to properly scent the garments before packing them away in the trunks again. Just then, Bi Xie’s voice carried in from the covered walkway: “Nanny Mingke, is Madam in?”

Mingke replied that she was and asked what he needed. Yun Pan set down what she was holding and went out to see — she found Bi Xie had been burned dark by the sun, his skin so bronzed it gleamed in the daylight. She smiled and said: “You’ve worked hard accompanying Master all this way. Have the girls give you a couple of coins later — you and Bi Han can go buy yourselves some fruit.”

Bi Xie was overjoyed to hear it, breaking into a wide grin full of bright white teeth, and thanked Madam. He then turned and waved to the pageboys behind him, directing them to carry in two large trunks.

Yun Pan was puzzled. “What is this?”

Bi Xie lifted the lid of a trunk, smiling as he explained: “These are fine things Master had this servant collect everywhere along the way. Inside there is the finest quality azurite, malachite, and mother-of-pearl, and also lacquer handle pigment and gold and silver powder. Master said that when Madam opens her shop in the future, these will be of use, so he had this servant carefully escort them back and deliver them to Madam.”

Yun Pan stepped forward eagerly to look. She saw that the various rich, vibrant pigments were neatly arranged inside the trunk — the mother-of-pearl in particular was layer upon layer of iridescent luster, raw and uncarved, utterly natural. Just looking at it was enough to make one’s eyes dance with wonder.

She was filled with delight, her eyes curving into crescents, saying that Master had truly gone to so much trouble: “From such a great distance, and he still collected all these things for me.”

Bi Xie said of course: “Madam’s affairs are always on Master’s mind. He was kept busy in the army commanding troops for four or five days running, unable to even sleep properly, yet he still kept thinking of you without a moment’s lapse. There was originally another trunk of top-grade agarwood, but it couldn’t be transported in time to keep up with our journey, so word has already been sent to have it delivered directly to the ducal residence in the capital. Madam may use it however you please — when the wood shavings are burned, the fragrance will crown all of the capital, and I dare say our shop might well be even more distinguished than the Golden Pheasant Banquet Hall.”

Yun Pan nodded. He had thought of all these details on her behalf. Though she said nothing aloud, her heart was grateful to him. She thought back to before — how, because of her father’s irresponsibility, she had harbored no hope for marriage whatsoever. Now that she was wed, and had seen the character and conduct of her husband, she had slowly come to acknowledge that people truly did differ from one another.

She turned and instructed Qin Dan: “Catalogue these and put them in storage. They can be moved over once the shop is properly set up.” She then turned back to Bi Xie and said: “You have all traveled through wind and dust — it has truly been a hardship. Take these next couple of days to rest well and restore your energy before attending upon Master again.”

Bi Xie gave a prompt acknowledgment, took the coins that Ruo Lan brought out, made a somewhat flustered bow, and withdrew from the courtyard in high spirits.

Yun Pan turned and made her way back to the inner chambers, feeling quietly amused. That day, the Duchess of Chuguo’s words had left her feeling wretched for several days — she had even genuinely begun to consider how long she should wait before making arrangements for Li Chenjian to take a concubine. Thinking about it now, she decided to wait a while longer — wait until the Grand Madam and the Princess said something first. There was nothing wrong with occasionally being someone who acts after the fact. Not every matter required her to rush forward, eager to earn a reputation for virtuous generosity.

Just as she was musing over this, he came out of the washroom. He had changed into a robe embroidered with a frost-sky golden hook pattern, the collar and cuffs trimmed with satin of dark gold, and standing there, he possessed an air of luminous and commanding brilliance, like moonlit bones and starlit spirit.

“Let’s go.” He extended his hand toward her. The ring on his finger had been changed to one of celadon jade, which made those five fingers look even fairer and more slender.

Yun Pan placed her hand in his palm. There was no need for words — a single shared glance and a smile carried the warmth of perfect understanding between them.

In Mao Garden, the Grand Madam and the Princess had long been waiting in anticipation. The food and wine had all been prepared — they only awaited his arrival so they could welcome him home with a proper reception banquet.

The family took their seats. The Grand Madam looked him over carefully and detected no trace of fatigue on his face. She nodded with approval: “And so it should be. You can’t eat an entire cake in one bite — rushing back and forth over such a long distance would harm your body. Better to travel slowly.”

Li Chenjian agreed: “This time the journey home took three days, so I arrived without feeling exhausted.”

The truth was it had only taken a day and a half — half a day faster than his last return. But his heart had been pulling him forward: longing for his duties in the Imperial Guard command, longing for his wife at home. Even a long hard ride held no fear. Without any reason he could name, he felt as if he had boundless energy to spare.

The Princess kept filling her son’s and daughter-in-law’s bowls with food, smiling as she said: “The food out there isn’t nourishing — I specially had the kitchen prepare the oven-roasted lamb you love. Yun Pan, eat more as well. Tomorrow you’re sure to have court, so rest early tonight. It’s still several hundred li, and there’s no riding in a carriage…” She studied him with tender concern: “I think you look like you’ve darkened quite a bit.”

Hearing this, Hui Cun also examined her brother carefully. After scrutinizing him for some time, she said: “Actually, I think Brother looks more steady and grounded with a bit of a tan.”

Li Chenjian gave a low hum: “Oh? So fair skin means lacking in steadiness?”

Hui Cun nodded with great seriousness: “Too fair and you look unreliable in handling affairs. And perhaps Brother should also grow a beard — last time Elder Sister Shucun was saying that Big Brother treasures his beard so much he oils it every day. She even saw Big Brother pull out a comb from his sleeve one day, scolding a household servant while combing his beard at the same time.”

This made everyone burst out laughing. The perspective of a child — the curious little tidbits she thought worthy of sharing were always so peculiar.

This was just such a peaceful and beautiful time — family all together, sharing a meal, talking and laughing, and even the Grand Madam, who usually maintained such dignified composure, was genuinely happy.

Only occasionally would matters of military affairs come up — though she was not truly well-versed in such things, she could not help but feel anxious. Li Chenjian then carefully reported to her: which wing had been incorporated into the Lulong Army, who had been transferred after their duties changed, who had met with misfortune — not for any other reason, but simply to give his grandmother peace of mind.

The Grand Madam heaved a long sigh: “I fear there are going to be changes in the court’s situation. His Majesty’s suspicions grow heavier and heavier — you must be careful above all else. First it was the Imperial Guard Command and the Palace Front Command that were affected, then the Heavenly Virtue Army was merged into the Pinglu Army, and now the trouble has turned toward Xizhou… One simply doesn’t know who His Majesty actually favors — it’s as though he wants to keep everyone unsettled, to make you all suspicious of one another.”

Li Chenjian remained inwardly calm: “Please rest easy, Grandmother. After this round, there will be no further changes to the imperial guards or the regional troops.”

The Grand Madam raised her eyes: “How do you know there will be no more changes?”

He lowered his gaze and set down his wine cup, speaking in an unhurried tone: “Everyone at court knows of my close friendship with the Duke of Chenguo. After reorganizing the Imperial Guard Command and the Palace Front Command, and then absorbing the regional troops in my hands into the Lulong Army — after all these reshufflings, Third Brother’s military strength can now stand on equal footing with ours.”

So that was the way of it. Yun Pan listened carefully to his analysis and finally understood the current balance between the three factions. It was truly a burden on His Majesty — all this scheming over a kingdom he would eventually have to hand over to another.

After dinner, as they returned to their chambers, the two of them walked along the wooden covered walkway. Yun Pan turned to glance at him: “Master, the Duke of Chenguo is trustworthy, yes?”

He smiled faintly: “Big Brother and I have deep feeling between us. Of course he can be trusted.”

Yun Pan’s heart settled. She understood that politics had always been like this — no permanent friends, no permanent enemies. He had always known how to plan and strategize; her worrying too much would only invite his laughter. Men and women each had their own fields of battle. Each one needed to manage their own domain well — beyond that, it was a matter of one’s plans giving way to Heaven’s will.

Returning to their bedchamber, Yun Pan could now see the weariness on his face. He had, after all, traveled from so far away — even at seventy li a day, it was enough to exhaust anyone.

Since he had already bathed, she simply let him rest briefly in the inner chamber and came to him with a wrung-out cloth towel so he could wipe himself down. He seemed quite pleased with this consideration. Though he murmured that she was putting herself to trouble, he also stretched out his limbs contentedly and accepted it with good grace.

Once everything was settled and she had tucked him in, Yun Pan said: “Master, sleep first. I’ll move carefully when I come back — I won’t disturb you.”

He said all right, and lay on the pillow watching her walk out of the inner chamber before leisurely closing his eyes.

Yun Pan unpinned her hair. She didn’t dare dawdle in the bath for too long, afraid that if she returned too late she might truly disturb his rest. She washed herself quickly and put on her sleeping clothes before making her way back to the inner chamber. The lamps outside had all been taken away. Using the light coming in from beneath the eaves, she slipped off her shoes and carefully stepped up onto the footstool. She had just reached the edge of the bed when she saw him shift toward the far side, and heard him say softly: “Come up.”

Yun Pan was surprised: “Why aren’t you asleep yet? Aren’t you tired?”

He said he wasn’t, and gave up his position on the outer edge to her.

Yun Pan turned and lay down beside him. The pillow still held the lingering fragrance of orchid and iris that was his. She turned onto her side and asked him: “Should we switch sides tonight? I usually sleep on the inner side.”

She always had these inexplicable fixations about the smallest of things. He spoke in a low, muffled voice: “I’ll switch over in a moment.”

She didn’t quite understand, blinking at him in the dim light, but she didn’t press him further.

She had thought that since he was so exhausted, they would both fall silent and surely fall asleep very quickly — but that wasn’t what happened.

He lay on his side, watching her for a long while. That slender, delicate silhouette was right within reach.

A surging tide roared in his ears. He felt as though even the air had grown thin. He drew close and whispered: “Every time you’re beside me, my heart beats very fast.”

Yun Pan stilled. She found their feelings were remarkably similar, and shyly lowered her eyes: “Same for me.”

“Is that so?” He sounded somewhat doubtful. “Madam looks very composed — more composed than I am.”

Yun Pan thought to herself: that’s all an act. Besides, it was so dim now — even if she blushed, he couldn’t see.

But she was still too guileless. Speaking with conviction, she said it was true: “Come and check if you don’t believe me.”

Her intention was to reach out and let him feel her pulse — but somehow, she didn’t know how it happened. By the time she realized something was off, he had already pressed his ear against her chest.

Thump thump thump — it truly was beating very fast. She froze, limbs rigid, instinctively trying to draw back — but he was always one step faster than her. He raised a fingertip, and lifted aside the ribbon at her side.

On such a beautiful night — a crescent moon hung beneath the curtain over the rear window, and a gentle breeze drifted through, the bamboo blinds tapping rhythmically against the window frame, the moonlight itself seeming to ripple and sway.

In truth, she had been a little worried about his body. He had rushed back from such a great distance without having properly rested — how could he already be thinking about such matters? But it seemed she had underestimated the ardor of a reunion after a brief separation, and had also underestimated the longing between a husband and wife that was thoroughly legitimate and right.

He ran wild, and it was different from before — with far more variety. She thought to herself that this man was truly a meticulous strategist who planned everything in advance. No wonder he had gone through such an elaborate pretense of verifying her heartbeat.

She raised a hand to cover her mouth, not letting herself make any sounds — she didn’t want to invite ridicule tomorrow. Yet she really was both mortified and flustered; she pushed at him but could not push him away. By the end she was drenched in sweat, her face burning red enough to catch fire. When he came to kiss her, his lips still carried a smile, and pressing against her lips, he murmured: “This is wonderful.”

Wonderful about what! Yun Pan thought, cheeks puffed in indignation — and yet another kind of relief stole quietly into her heart. She was grateful that his journey to Xizhou had not, after all, brought back any “distressed noblewoman in need of rescue.”

Then came the tender, unhurried, deeply considerate gentleness. She too was happy. It turned out there were such unexpected joys to be found within marriage.

“Master…” she wrapped her hands around his waist.

His low “mm” was filled with a tenderness unlike any other.

Little by little, advancing upon each other’s territory, husband and wife each finding their own delight. In the warmth of mingled perspiration, he opened his hazy eyes, tracing the line of her full lips, and in a husky voice urged: “If you’re happy, let me hear you say so.”

She looked a little aggrieved, and called out softly again: “Master…”

He laughed softly, pressing close to her ear: “I’m here.”

Yun Pan tucked her neck in bashfully, feeling that crying out was truly too ridiculous. She could only bite her lip and let him do as he wished.

The moon outside the window — at some point it had doubled, then tripled… How was this night so unbearable, so hot… In the end she was left barely breathing, her spirit drifting away, so exhausted she could not even lift her arms. Yet seeing so much perspiration on him, she still reached over and pulled aside her sleeping robe to wipe him down.

“Are you tired?” he asked her.

Yun Pan was too embarrassed to answer directly, and glossed over it vaguely: “Master must be even more tired than I am.”

He lay back on the pillow. The earlier ardor had receded, yet his eyes were brighter than ever. He tilted his head and looked at her: “This is a matter of happiness. When you are happy, you don’t feel tired.” He then reached over and drew the light coverlet up over her, saying gently: “Don’t catch a cold.”

Yun Pan let out a soft breath and peacefully closed her eyes.

In the days before he came home, she had often had one strange, fantastical dream after another. Now that he was back, the strange and fantastical had spilled out of her dreams and into reality.

She felt a little shy. She did not dare say what she felt aloud — only that it felt like this… wasn’t so bad.

The following days were calm and settled. Within the marquisate, everything proceeded in orderly fashion. With such a grand family estate and so many people under its roof, managing it all properly was no small matter.

Everyone was very busy — but there were always some who, among their busyness, found moments to idle and gossip. Clustering in small groups of two or three to spread talk about their employers behind their backs was the favorite pastime of most of the senior nannies in the household.

After long years of service in the inner residence, they seemed to have grown confused about their own place, imagining themselves to be members of the family. Nanny Shen, who oversaw the kitchen, shot a glance at the two baskets of vegetables on the ground and grumbled: “Well, isn’t this something — looks like we won’t even see meat anymore. Basket after basket of vegetables and turnips coming in — must be that they’re afraid we’ll get indigestion from meat, so they’re feeding us greens to sharpen our senses and keep us fit for work.”

Nanny Qin chimed in beside her: “Who knows which household’s rules these are. She hasn’t even come through the door yet and already she’s acting the mistress of the house — doesn’t she worry what people will say? After watching a couple of days, I’ll say this: if you’re talking about being generous to the servants, it was still Liu Niang — chicken, duck, fish, and meat, as much as we could eat, and we servants ate better than half the masters. If I’m speaking my true heart, I’d rather Liu Niang be in charge. Better that than waiting and hoping every other day for a scrap of meat.”

Among those who had reaped benefits and were now grumbling, there were naturally also those who had received no such benefits and had their own things to say.

“The nannies have been spoiled by their gold bowls and silver soup — to us lesser folk, things actually look a little better now than before. At least there’s meat diced into the vegetables. It’s not meat at every meal, but small amounts of meat are still steady enough. Everyone can have just a taste — why should we try to act like we’re half the masters? Times have changed. Now there is a proper mistress running the household — let those scheming ones open their eyes and look, and stop mistaking who the true master is. In the end, they’ll miss out on the lamb entirely and end up smelling of mutton. You’re all seasoned old hands — don’t throw away what little dignity you have left.”

Nanny Qin heard this and knew it was an oblique jab at herself. She immediately jumped up: “Wang Pozi, what filth are you spitting? Just who exactly are you talking about? I’m speaking up for everyone here, and you’re trying to shame me!”

Wang Pozi was not about to back down. She snorted and laughed: “Oh my, Nanny Qin — whose devoted servant are you that even the proper mistress the Master brought in doesn’t register in your eyes? Why are you still working in this main kitchen? Why not go to that little courtyard and fawn on that person there?”

At the back of the residence, while the commotion raged, Jin Shengyu stood some distance away beneath the covered walkway, watching their spectacle with two matrons at her side.

She squinted up at the sky. It looked like rain was coming. Stuffy and sweltering in the afternoon — no wonder everyone was irritable.

Sometimes, when you want to quickly grasp the true nature of a large household, the best method is to listen to them quarrel. There is a universe within words spoken in anger — good character and bad lay plain to see.

Liu Shi had not for nothing spent a few days managing the household. The servants in charge had all been well-fed by her, and even now they were here defending her honor. Those two matrons were clearly her confidantes — the more they spoke, the more unguarded they became, until at last they crossed every conceivable line and spoke a cutting mockery outright: “Isn’t she just a hen that can’t lay eggs — sent back to her family in disgrace, and only because her family has good roots does she benefit from someone else’s misfortune. Does she really think she’s some untouched young lady? She may have fine words like ‘head wife’ to her name now, but speak plainly and she’s just a second wife filling another woman’s place. The concubine has sons and daughters, several of them — who’s to say in the end who will be master and who will be servant. If you’re smart, don’t rush to pledge your allegiance. Keep your eyes open a little longer and wait and see!”

Nanny Shen spoke with great relish, chin thrust out, hands on hips, looking just like a fighting cock.

Seeing that as her voice rose, the people across from her all shrank back and would not even meet her gaze, she felt herself to have gained the upper hand. Surely now those short-sighted women had listened and understood — who in this household would hold the advantage at the end of the day.

She was in the middle of triumphantly making a show of her authority, when unexpectedly, a cold voice came from behind her: “Even a second wife, if properly betrothed, is still a legitimate mistress. Let alone Liu Shi having three children — even if she had ten or eight, they would still have to call this person their mother. A concubine is always a concubine.”

Nanny Shen gave a click of her tongue. Angry that someone dared to challenge her, she whirled around furiously, intending to argue the matter out. But at one glance, she saw it was the new mistress — and she nearly bit off her own tongue in fright. She immediately started to stammer: “Oh… oh my, the kitchen is awfully dirty — whatever brings Madam here…”

Jin Shengyu gave a cold little smile: “The kitchen isn’t dirty — the hearts here are dirty. Nanny Shen, did you not just say yourself that I am only a second wife? So it is not appropriate for me to sit up high with the dignity of a mistress of the house. That is why I came here — to listen to what is truly in all your hearts, so that I may reflect on myself. If there is anything I have done improperly, I hope the nannies will be so good as to point it out and correct me.”

The sardonic, barbed tone of her words made it clear that she had heard the entire exchange from beginning to end.

What on earth were they to do now — they had made her look utterly foolish. Nanny Shen and Nanny Qin had been given an extra coin each by Liu Shi and had taken her side accordingly — it was nothing more than taking someone’s money and eliminating their troubles. But if you took the money and did nothing, Liu Shi was not one to let it go either.

They had thought that, since the new mistress had only just moved in and hadn’t yet found her footing, it would be fine to make a show of their loyalty first, to let Liu Shi know her money wasn’t spent in vain. Who could have known it would be such terrible timing — that every word of this had been heard perfectly by Jin Shengyu? The methods this new mistress had used to deal with Liu Shi that day had been quietly relayed back to them by Nanny Kong. Now they had walked right into the muzzle of a gun themselves, and had no idea how great a disaster they were about to bring down on their heads.

Nanny Shen faltered and fumbled, rubbing her hands together with an awkward laugh: “Madam, please don’t be angry — I didn’t mean it that way…”

“Then what did you mean?” Jin Shengyu cut off her words with a smile that never quite reached her eyes. “I’m not so old yet — what I heard with my own ears can’t be wrong. Was someone holding a knife to your throat, forcing you to stick your neck out? If you have a grievance, Nanny, come tell me and I’ll make it right for you.”

But there was no grievance to speak of. Nanny Shen’s expression cycled through a rainbow of colors, a truly remarkable sight. The matrons around her whispered and snickered, which only made her feel more thoroughly stripped of her dignity.

Just at that moment, a bolt of lightning split the sky, casting Jin Shengyu’s pale features in a stark, cold light. Then, in the great downpour of rain, the assembled crowd heard this new mistress issue a sharp command: “Your previous mistress had a gentle nature that let people like you run completely wild and lawless. I, however, am not so easy to deal with. You!” Her slender finger pointed directly at Nanny Shen’s face. “Speaking ill of the head of the household behind her back — insolence and breach of propriety: that is one offense. Disregarding the word of the mistress of the house and choosing instead to serve alongside servants: that is a second offense. I don’t yet know your registered status, but I shall have it looked into. If you hold commoner status, you will be driven out of this household. If you hold bonded status, then prepare to be sold. Mark my words carefully!”

Nanny Shen went pale with shock and cried out in alarm: “Madam… Madam, I truly didn’t mean…”

Jin Shengyu did not listen to her. She turned and fixed her gaze on Nanny Qin, who was trying to shrink behind the crowd: “And you!”

Nanny Qin gave a start and stammered: “Ma… Madam, we are the old retainers of this household, and our one heart has always been to serve Master and Madam… but after Liu Niang took over managing the household, we had no choice but to…”

“No choice?” Jin Shengyu said with a cold smile. “If the Marquis had not betrothed me, and Liu Shi were still running this household, then you might indeed say you had no choice. But now that I have come and taken charge, you still speak of having no choice — your eyes truly have no regard for me whatsoever. And just what sort of thing is Liu Shi? A lowly bondservant concubine, one whose very life is not her own. You are decent freeborn people — and yet you let her manipulate you. Shame on you! You are a perfectly matched pair of fools and scoundrels. If I don’t deal with you today, you won’t know the thickness of a brick or the thinness of a roof tile.” She gestured to the matrons behind her: “Give these two wretched women a good hard round of slapping, then throw them out into the rain and let them come to their senses!”

The matrons who had come from the general’s household had a brute strength akin to that of trained fighters. Given their orders, they stepped forward and launched into a volley of resounding slaps — left and right, without pause — and while both women were reeling and disoriented, thrust out their feet and kicked them squarely in the backs of the knees, sending them tumbling off the veranda, down the steps, and out into the open.

Nanny Shen had, in truth, been suffering from patchy hair loss for years — she had been covering it with pot ash rubbed into her scalp to disguise the bare patches. Now, drenched by the rain, the inky black streaks came streaming down in rivulets, staining her face into an utter mess. The onlookers on the veranda broke into loud laughter. Nanny Shen let out a pained cry and clutched her head with both hands, too mortified to ever lift her face again.

Jin Shengyu gave a cold, scornful laugh and turned to walk toward the front courtyard. Those who had been watching the spectacle, seeing her bearing down with such fierce momentum and sensing that something major was about to unfold, felt a mix of dread and irresistible curiosity — and in the end, their nerves won out and they quietly followed along behind her.

The mistress of the household naturally had no need to convene in a servant’s side courtyard. She dispatched her two most capable nannies to “invite” the person in question to come.

The word “invite,” of course, carried with it a thoroughly coercive quality. The two nannies entered with faces as forbidding as the Ten Kings of Hell, and bellowed: “Liu Yiniang, the Lady requests your presence.” They raised a hand toward the door, leaving absolutely no room for Liu Shi to hesitate.

Liu Shi was bewildered. She glanced at Nanny Kong, then rose and said: “What is the meaning of this? If it’s an invitation, why does it feel like I’m being arrested?”

The long-faced Nanny Jiao smiled: “How sharp of you, Yiniang — you’ve guessed exactly right!” Then she pulled her face back into a stern expression: “Since you know the Lady has sent for you, please come along quickly. As they say, even the plainest bride must eventually meet her in-laws. You met before at the general’s residence, didn’t you? And you were not the least bit timid then.”

The other nanny reached out and gave her a shove: “Yiniang, please be quick about it — don’t keep the Lady waiting.”

Liu Shi stumbled slightly, and at last stepped through the door.

Her heart was full of unease. She had had a reckoning with Jin Shengyu before, and had come off the worse in their first confrontation at the general’s residence. Being summoned now could only mean old scores and new grudges were about to be settled together. In truth, she had long since prepared herself inwardly — it was inescapable regardless. She would simply have to endure it head-on. As Nanny Kong had said, she still had three children. And what did Jin Shengyu have — nothing but an empty title. The way she saw it, once the novelty of the new mistress wore off for the Master, he would naturally come back to her courtyard. Whatever happened, she would tough it out.

At this thought, she let out a long breath, squared her shoulders, and crossed the threshold.