After the Dragon Boat Festival passed, midsummer’s footsteps finally arrived. At midday, wind blew through the bamboo waves, creating rustling sounds. Tireless cicadas sang repeatedly outside the window, and amidst the soft rustling of turning pages, a gentle and warm voice arose: “Confucius said: While parents are alive, do not travel far. If travel is necessary, one must have a proper destination. This means that while parents are living, one should not leave one’s hometown far behind. If it becomes unavoidable to leave home, everything must be properly arranged.”

The person reading paused, his thoughts uncontrollably drifting away, winding through long stretches of time, settling in a schoolhouse that had long since dismissed its students. A fifteen-year-old girl rested her chin in her hand, her eyes bright, asking in a soft voice: “Little teacher, where is your hometown?”

He lifted his head from the pages, smiling as he answered: “My hometown is very far from the capital. Even by carriage, it would take several days and nights to reach.”

The girl tilted her head, thinking for a long while, unable to imagine how far a place requiring several days and nights of travel could be. She then asked: “What is your hometown like?”

He slowly set down his book, his gaze turning toward the window, drifting to distant places. “That place… it’s not like the capital with so many people. Because of frequent warfare, many people have moved elsewhere. But there are still some who remain, because there you can see the most beautiful sunsets, the most magnificent mountain scenery, and when eagles soar past the city walls, they leave behind flying shadows reflected in the light.”

The girl was deeply moved by the scenery he painted, her face full of longing. Then she became somewhat dejected: “I’ve grown up without even visiting Wanxiang Mountain in the capital. I’m afraid I’ll never have the chance to see such beautiful scenery in this lifetime.”

He withdrew his gaze, letting it fall gently on her face. After a while, he said softly: “Wanwan, when you grow up, I’ll take you to see my hometown, all right?”

The girl immediately broke into a bright smile, exclaiming with delight: “Really? I can really go?” This smile entered his eyes, but gradually faded with time, finally scattering like flowing sand, never to be found again.

“Teacher? Teacher?” Several clear calls suddenly brought Luo Yuan back to his senses. Xiao Zhixuan sat nearby, having waited for a long time without hearing him speak, poking her head out from behind the screen to look at him curiously. Luo Yuan had been serving as her tutor in the marquis’s mansion for several days now. Since Xiao Zhixuan would come of age next year, to avoid impropriety, a flower hall in the courtyard had been specially designated as a classroom, with a screen set up in the middle.

Luo Yuan dismissed the memories from his mind, smiling apologetically: “I was just distracted by the cicada sounds outside.”

Xiao Zhixuan smiled mischievously: “I think you must be tired, teacher. Why don’t you secretly take a nap here? I promise not to tell big brother.”

Luo Yuan was amused by her, shaking his head, but noticed she yawned rather dejectedly. He guessed she must be the one who was tired and wanted to rest but was too embarrassed to tell him. Just then, a pair of gold-embroidered blue soft boots appeared at the hall entrance. Luo Yuan quickly set down his book and stood to bow: “Marquis.”

Xiao Du glanced at both of them, smiling: “How is it? Is my little sister very mischievous and difficult to teach?”

Luo Yuan quickly replied: “Third Miss is naturally intelligent and learns extremely quickly. As for being playful and active, that’s natural temperament. In my opinion, there’s no need for excessive restraint—just let things take their natural course.”

Hearing herself praised, Xiao Zhixuan proudly tugged at Xiao Du: “Did you hear that? Those old pedants we hired before only knew how to force me to memorize texts and practice calligraphy. Scholar Luo truly has a discerning eye and understands how to teach according to individual abilities.”

Xiao Du picked up a book and gently tapped her head: “He’s just being polite, yet you’re quick to climb up the pole.” Seeing Xiao Zhixuan’s pouting expression after his scolding, he shook his head helplessly: “Looking at you like this, you won’t be able to study anyway. Go back to your room and rest.”

Xiao Zhixuan immediately brightened: “Wonderful! Thank you, big brother.” After bowing to Luo Yuan in farewell, she departed cheerfully with two fan-bearing maids.

Xiao Du had servants bring a pot of chilled plum wine, removed the screen, and dismissed all the servants attending in the hall. Turning around, he saw Luo Yuan calmly organizing the books and papers on the desk with a knowing attitude. Xiao Du sat across from him: “Scholar Luo seems well prepared.”

Luo Yuan stood and lifted the chilled wine to pour a cup for each of them, bringing it to his lips for a light sip: “I simply felt that if the Marquis specially invited me to the mansion, it certainly wouldn’t be just for tutoring.”

Xiao Du accepted the wine cup, his expression calm: “Then what purpose does Scholar Luo think I should have?”

“Since the Marquis is unwilling to speak plainly, I can only boldly venture a guess. I suspect that although Xia Xian was sent back to the capital, Chancellor Xia would never let matters rest there, and might even become more wary of the Xiao family army, which is why he risked assassinating the Marquis during the Dragon Boat Festival. The Xia clan’s power has grown stronger through two dynasties, with key figures placed in the Three Chancelleries and Six Ministries. Currently, Chancellor Xia controls the court while Empress Dowager Xia dominates the inner palace. The current emperor has only reigned for two years and must show them some forbearance. The only support the Marquis and the Xiao family army can rely on in court is Assistant Minister of War Wang Shoucheng. So even though the Marquis has many suspicions about me, you can’t help wanting to test me.”

Xiao Du set down his wine cup heavily, his tone somewhat cold and hard: “Who would have thought that you, a mere Hanlin scholar, would dare to discuss court affairs so boldly. Even according to your words, if the Xia clan can cover the sky with one hand, what use could you, a sixth-rank civil official, be to me?”

Luo Yuan replied solemnly: “In my view, the hundreds of thousands of troops the Xiao family army commands at Hangu Pass are the Marquis’s greatest bargaining chip. What the Marquis needs most now is someone to monitor every move in the court and plan countermeasures in advance. Though my official rank is low, I can handle various court edicts and reports, making me the ideal candidate for this task.”

Xiao Du narrowed his eyes, coldly scrutinizing him: “Your courage is indeed considerable. Leaking court secrets is the crime of deceiving the emperor!”

Luo Yuan met his gaze unflinchingly: “If it weren’t so, how could the Marquis truly trust me?”

The probing look in Xiao Du’s eyes deepened: “Why exactly do you want to help me?”

“I stated my purpose frankly when we were at the estate last time. Though I’m only a small person, I still have some backbone and don’t wish to see loyal soldiers who serve the country faithfully be eroded by external clan influence. Therefore, I’m willing to devote all my strength to serve the Marquis.” He stood and bowed deeply: “I have already offered my life and fortune—it only remains to see if the Marquis dares trust me.”

Xiao Du stared intently at him, his fingers lightly tapping on the desk, apparently deep in thought about something. The hall suddenly fell into silence, making the cicada sounds from the bamboo grove increasingly clear. Luo Yuan wasn’t anxious, however, casually walking to the doorway where he plucked some osmanthus flowers and scattered them into the plum wine. The sweet osmanthus fragrance immediately wafted out, faintly filling the entire room.

Just as the osmanthus fragrance was about to dissipate, Xiao Du finally exhaled and pulled out a letter from his robes, handing it to him: “What do you think of this?”

Luo Yuan knew this was the first step in gaining his trust. He quickly accepted the letter and read it carefully, then frowned: “Wang Shoucheng wants his sister to be made a secondary consort?”

“Exactly.” Xiao Du snorted coldly: “He’s had this idea for years, hinting at it numerous times. Originally, out of consideration for our relationship, we’ve already been quite tolerant of Concubine Wang in daily matters. Who would have thought they’d still be greedy and want to use this opportunity to force our hand.”

Luo Yuan pondered for a moment: “Do the Old Marquis and Madam both know about this?”

Xiao Du nodded: “Father has always been permissive about this matter. He feels that a secondary consort is just a title—if they want it, they can have it. Mother’s reaction is somewhat strange though. She doesn’t seem very angry and just says to do as we think best.”

Luo Yuan said: “Wang Shoucheng has received consecutive promotions these past years. The current emperor values him highly and even intends to elevate him to the cabinet. Given his current position, having his only sister remain merely a concubine will always be a source of concern for him. The Old Marquis likely considers this point and is willing to agree.”

Xiao Du nodded: “I originally shouldn’t have any objections to this matter. I’m just worried that Concubine Wang, relying on her brother’s influence, has been growing increasingly ambitious. If she’s elevated to secondary consort, who knows what other schemes she’ll devise. At this critical juncture, I don’t want any more incidents in the marquis’s mansion that outsiders could use against us.”

Luo Yuan paused: “Since we’re discussing this, has the Marquis considered who would benefit most if you had no legitimate heir?”

Xiao Du whipped around: “You mean the estate incident!” He thought for a moment, then shook his head: “Though this concubine has some minor schemes, she lacks deep cunning. I doubt she would dare poison the main wife.”

Luo Yuan continued to advise: “Even so, this concerns Madam’s safety—a major matter. The Marquis should still be extra vigilant.”

Xiao Du observed his barely concealed concern and felt somewhat displeased, thinking to himself: Do I need you to remind me to care for my own wife! Thus, somewhat impatiently, he waved his hand: “I’ll naturally investigate these matters thoroughly. There’s no need for Hanlin Scholar Luo to worry.”

Luo Yuan, seeing his expression, knew that further urging would be presumptuous. He could only sigh quietly in his heart and drained the chilled wine from the table in one gulp.

Meanwhile, the person they had been discussing—the marquis mansion’s new wife, Yuanxi—was sitting in her room examining the estate’s account books. As she read, she couldn’t help but frown slightly, feeling something was amiss.

Just then, the door was pushed open and Rong Qiao ran in frantically: “Madam, this is terrible! Something’s happened! Come with me quickly!”

Yuanxi’s heart jumped. She quickly set down the account book, following Rong Qiao outside while asking: “What’s happened?”

Rong Qiao seemed extremely anxious, already out of breath, pulling her forward without stopping: “It’s the Marquis… Madam, just come with me and you’ll know.”

Yuanxi became flustered by her words and followed her as they went further and further, until they reached a secluded side gate. Finally sensing something was wrong, just as she stopped abruptly to question her closely, she suddenly smelled a strange fragrance. Her head became dizzy and heavy, and her body went limp as she collapsed to the ground.

In her last moment of consciousness, she only dimly saw Rong Qiao looking at her with tearful eyes, choking out: “Madam, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… I really didn’t know that was…”

She watched Yuanxi close her eyes, then turned around in panic, suddenly staring in terror with wide eyes, crying out: “You!”