As dawn broke, Yining awaited Wei Ling’s return from the palace.
Before this, news of Wei Ling defeating the Oirat tribe and capturing their deputy general had already spread among the upper echelons of the capital. Some rejoiced while others worried, eagerly anticipating or lying sleepless through the night.
Yining knew her father would be alright. Still, seeing him in armor but with a haggard face pained her heart. The Imperial Guards had escorted Wei Ling to the palace, so the Emperor hadn’t planned to treat him kindly at first. Upon his return, Yining called for water and personally helped Wei Ling wash his face.
Unable to rest yet, Wei Ling changed into regular clothes and went to pay respects to Old Madam Wei. The matriarch carefully examined her son, feeling as if he’d been lost and found again. When she touched a new foot-long scar on his arm that had already scabbed over, she burst into tears.
“A general dies after a hundred battles; a warrior returns after ten years.”
She suddenly realized how precious it was that her son was alive. No military achievements or titles mattered more than his life.
Lady Xu led her son Wei Yi and daughter Wei Jia to pay respects to Wei Ling. Wei Yi was very respectful to his uncle who had established military merit, clasping his hands and saying, “Uncle, I wish I could join you on the battlefield!”
Old Madam Wei then told her son, “When our family was in trouble, others kept their distance. Only your sister-in-law was willing to visit me.”
“Being a clerk in the Five-Ward Patrol Command is not bad,” Wei Ling smiled at Wei Yi after hearing his mother’s words. “In a few years, your father will surely request a position for you as Commander of the Five-Ward Patrol. If you establish yourself there, I can ask the Emperor to appoint you as Deputy Commander of the Divine Machine Brigade.”
The Five-Ward Patrol merely maintained order in the capital. The Divine Machine Brigade, however, controlled firearms and could go to war – they were the Emperor’s trusted elite force.
How could Wei Yi not understand the importance of this promise? His heart leaped with joy, and he bowed deeply to Wei Ling.
Wei Ling knew that in his absence, there had been trouble at home. Yining had asserted her authority once, dealing with a steward named Li. But as the Old Madam said, the Wei family was already small in number. If they didn’t unite their clan members, the family would collapse if he fell. After this incident, Wei Ling understood this more deeply – the family’s prosperity depended on the proliferation of descendants. Moreover, he had always gotten along well with Wei Ying, and Wei Yi was Wei Ying’s eldest legitimate son who would inherit his father’s legacy.
Old Madam Wei leaned back contentedly on her pillow. Not seeing Yining around, she asked, “Where’s Yining? Last night she was busy inside and out trying to save you.”
“She stayed up all night, so I told her to rest first,” Wei Ling replied.
Old Madam Wei nodded and sighed, “This must have been hard on her.”
In truth, Yining hadn’t slept well. Overtired, she found it difficult to fall asleep. When she finally dozed off, she dreamed of the pitter-patter of rain, unfamiliar lips, and his final words as he left: “…You don’t have to take it seriously.”
Those words carried an unprecedented sense of detachment.
She suddenly understood some things, realizing why he had been unhappy when she mentioned Sun Congwan’s marriage to Luo Shenyuan.
When Yining woke up the next afternoon, her head was throbbing. She felt worse for having slept.
Pearl applied some mint balm to her temples, which provided some relief. Yining drank some red date porridge and ate two pieces of honey cake for lunch before going outside. Last night’s heavy rain had given way to warm sunshine that made the trees and flowers in the courtyard gleam. The crested parrot perched listlessly on its stand, pecking at water. The flower seedlings she had planted a few days ago were battered by the storm, unlikely to survive.
Yining gazed at her flowerbed with regret, her thoughts drifting far away.
When she first became a young Yining, she knew Luo Shenyuan would become the Chief Grand Secretary, leader of the civil officials, able to contend with Lu Jiaxue. So from a young age, she had tried to curry favor with him, seeking a good relationship. But now she felt she might have gone too far. When they were children, he had been indifferent to her, but now he seemed to have other feelings, even forcibly kissing her.
Tortoiseshell brought her a cup of hot tea. As Yining drank, she asked, “Where’s Father?”
“The Duke slept for two hours and then went to the Ministry of Justice to interrogate prisoners of war,” Pearl answered as she fastened Yining’s jacket. Noticing Yining’s skin was as smooth as white silk, even softer than the jacket, she continued, “He told me to inform you that he likely won’t have time to manage household affairs, so you should continue to do so. Also, he’s assigned Guardian Shen and the others to serve you. Don’t hesitate to use them – they’ll be part of your dowry when you marry.”
Yining couldn’t help but laugh at this typical Wei Ling style. “I’ve only heard of furniture, maids, and servants as dowry, never guards!”
Her in-laws would think her a shrew as soon as she arrived.
Pearl chuckled, “Well, that’s what the Duke said. Miss, think how impressive it is – others bring maids and servants, but you’ll bring guards. No one in your husband’s family will dare bully you!”
Indeed, it was very impressive. Wei Ling wasn’t worried about finding someone willing to marry her.
Yining lowered her head to drink her tea. Soon after, Old Madam Wei sent a maid to summon her to discuss tomorrow’s palace banquet.
The Oirat tribe had been causing trouble at the border for years, frustrating both the late Emperor and the current one. Wei Ling’s victory had pushed them back fifty miles, likely setting them back for nearly a decade. Naturally, the Emperor was delighted and was hosting a special palace banquet to celebrate. Nobles and officials, both civil and military, were all invited. Having received the imperial edict, Old Madam Wei planned to take Yining to the palace to thank the Empress for her kindness. She still remembered the Empress’s previous favor.
Energized by the good news, Old Madam Wei’s health had improved. She sat up with some assistance and directed maids to bring out gold and silver jewelry from her storeroom, determined to adorn Yining properly. The luohan bed and tea table were covered with open jewelry boxes, their gleaming contents dazzling the eye. The Wei family’s century-old noble status was evident – not a single piece Old Madam Wei brought out was less than exquisite.
Mama Song presented three or four gold necklaces for Yining to choose from, but Yining couldn’t even discern the differences between them.
Old Madam Wei smiled as she selected a pink satin round-collared jacket embroidered with peonies and roses for Yining, along with a pair of gold hairpins inlaid with emeralds in a lotus pattern, a pair of gold knot ornaments, and cat’s eye stone earrings.
She then took out a box of sapphires of various sizes and beckoned Yining over. “What do you think of these sapphires?”
Yining picked up a handful to examine closely. Each stone was flawlessly blue and crystal clear – the finest quality. “Grandmother’s things are truly the best!” she said with a smile.
“Then this box is my gift to you,” Old Madam Wei closed the box and pointed to the items she had just selected. “Those are all for you as well.”
The box of sapphires alone was priceless. Yining immediately tried to decline.
Old Madam Wei sighed with a smile, “When Mingzhu was little, I always gave her this and that. She never refused, just happily took everything to her room.”
Yining fell silent, understanding Old Madam Wei’s meaning. How could she not feel the same? If it were Old Madam Luo or Lin Hairu giving her gifts, would she refuse so readily?
“You and I are the closest of kin. There’s no need for such formalities,” the old lady waved her hand, suddenly feeling generous. “Don’t say another word, or I’ll send everything in this room to your chambers.”
Yining smiled, knowing that saying anything more would truly hurt the old lady’s feelings.
Might as well accept it all – why refuse such generosity?
Zhao Mingzhu came to pay respects to Old Madam Wei, supported by a maid. Standing at the doorway, she saw maids and servants carrying brocade boxes out of the room.
Old Madam Wei was inside with Yining. From her angle, Zhao Mingzhu could see Yining bending down so the old lady could try earrings on her.
Zhao Mingzhu bit her lip, remembering how Old Madam Wei had joyfully helped her try on earrings when she came of age. She had held the old lady’s hand, looking up at her with a smile.
Suddenly, she felt a bleak sense of being replaced. This was different from her fear of having done wrong – she suddenly realized she was superfluous in the Wei household. These things never truly belonged to her; now they were returning to their rightful owner. Blood ties were always thicker than water.
Zhao Mingzhu turned and hurried away, tears falling as she walked. Then she crouched in the corridor and sobbed uncontrollably.
The maid quickly steadied her. “Miss Zhao, why are you crying? Weren’t you going to greet the Old Madam?”
Zhao Mingzhu shook her head. After a long while, she said, “This won’t do. I need to find a way out for myself…” She suddenly looked up. “Lüping, what do you think of the young master?”
“You mean Young Master Wei Yi?” The maid nodded. “I think Young Master Wei Yi treats you well… He seems like a good person.”
The greedy thoughts in Zhao Mingzhu’s heart had disappeared. Lu Jiaxue, Cheng Lang – those dreams depended on Old Madam Wei and the Duke acknowledging her status. Now she felt increasingly uneasy in the Wei household. She suddenly understood Old Madam Wei’s words – for her, only marriage and a husband’s support were real. Everything else was as insubstantial as the moon’s reflection in water or a flower in a mirror.
She let the maid help her up and walked towards her room.
The next day, they were to attend the palace banquet. Fearing Yining might oversleep, Mama Song came to wake her personally.
The sky was still dim, with roosters crowing twice. Oil lamps were lit in the room as they busily prepared. They treated going to the palace as if facing a great enemy – Yining was seated on an embroidered stool while Tortoiseshell applied her makeup, an area where she excelled above all other maids in the household. One maid was dyeing Yining’s nails with balsam, while a woman specially brought by Mama Song was doing her hair.
Yining hadn’t slept well the night before and was woken early. She was so drowsy her eyelids kept drooping, letting them fuss over her.
When everything was ready, Mama Song curtsied to her. “I’m sorry for waking you so early, Miss, but we must be cautious when entering the palace. You can eat breakfast on the way. The Duke and Old Madam are already waiting for you by the screen wall.”
So there were people who had risen even earlier than her.
Yining took the tea Pine Branch offered and drank it in one gulp, finally feeling more alert. Composed now, she left with her two senior maids, Pearl and Tortoiseshell.
Old Madam Wei, dressed in the full regalia of a first-rank madam, was waiting for her in the carriage.
Mama Song also boarded the carriage, handing Yining a small steamer basket with five steaming meat buns and a pot of soy milk.
Wei Ling sat in another carriage, also dressed in formal court attire. He came over to instruct Yining: “Don’t be afraid. Just follow your grandmother’s lead in everything. Try not to look around too much or draw attention to yourself.” Yining had never been to the palace before and was naturally apprehensive about her first encounter with the imperial majesty.
Old Madam Wei glanced at her son with a smile. “I’m watching over her. Are you afraid someone will eat your daughter?” She felt her son was being overly concerned.
Hearing his mother’s words, Wei Ling sheepishly returned to his carriage.
Yining smiled. She wasn’t nervous, just curious, having never entered the imperial palace before.
As the carriage finally started moving, Yining nibbled on a meat bun while secretly peeking outside.
Yujing Hutong was not far from the imperial city. After turning two alley corners, they entered a wide road with no markets on either side. A grand gate of black-lacquered riveted wood appeared ahead, guarded by sentries. Old Madam Wei explained to her: “This is Daming Gate. Beyond it is Chengtian Gate, where the Imperial Ancestral Temple and Altar of Land and Grain are located. We’ll need to pass through Duan Gate and then Wumen Gate to enter the inner imperial city. Once we’re past Wumen Gate, you mustn’t peek anymore.”
Yining agreed. In her previous life, she was born into a minor official’s family and later married a concubine’s son in a marquis’s household. She had heard of the imperial city countless times but never seen it. As the carriage gradually passed through Chengtian Gate, she saw many carriages entering the Forbidden City alongside theirs. Officials in blue gauze robes bustled about the Six Ministries’ offices on both sides, the morning sun illuminating a lively scene.
At Wumen Gate, Yining obediently lowered the curtain. Old Madam Wei smiled and patted her head.
After what seemed like a long time, during which Yining dozed off again, the carriage finally came to a stop. The curtain was pulled back, revealing an eunuch holding a duster. He smiled and said, “Is this the old madam from the Duke’s household? Dear Madam, I hope you are well. Please follow me.”
Old Madam Wei assumed the dignity of her first-rank title, nodding with a smile and allowing Mama Song to help her down from the carriage.
Yining followed, seeing they were now in a wide, level passageway flanked by tall vermilion walls and ornately carved stone lotus lampstands. The eunuch led them inside. Beyond the passageway lay an open area with a majestic palace atop a raised platform.
The building featured yellow glazed tiles, multiple eaves, and a hip-and-gable roof supported by massive red pillars – an incredibly imposing sight. Yining stood with Old Madam Wei outside the entrance. The eunuch went inside to announce them, then led them into the main hall.
The interior was even more resplendent, the epitome of luxury. Golden bricks paved the floor, covered with plush carpets embroidered with five bats offering longevity. A plaque reading “Maintain the Mean” hung in the main hall. Dozens of palace maids stood on either side. A beautiful woman wearing a true red full-sleeved robe and a crown adorned with dragons, phoenixes, pearls, and kingfisher feathers sat on a luohan couch cushioned with large red “fortune, prosperity, and longevity” pillows, speaking softly with a lady beside her. This lady was none other than Madam Xie. Sitting to Madam Xie’s right was Xie Yun. Many other noble ladies and young misses were present. At a glance, Yining only recognized the third miss from the Marquis of Dingbei’s household.
Old Madam Wei led her forward to kneel and pay respects. Yining, however, found herself staring at the beautiful woman’s face.
Why did she feel… this face looked somewhat familiar as if she had seen it somewhere before?
“Old Madam Wei, I know your health isn’t good. Thank you for making the trip to the palace,” the Empress said with a smile. “The young lady with you looks quite clever and pretty. Is she the Duke’s daughter?”
“Your Majesty, she is my son’s daughter,” Old Madam Wei replied, wondering why Yining wasn’t responding. She quickly tugged at her sleeve.
Yining finally reacted, performing a deep curtsy as Mama Song had taught her: “This humble Yining pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years.”
The Empress looked at her for a long while, then turned to Madam Xie beside her: “I don’t recall hearing that the Duke of Ying had a daughter. I only remember he had a son by a concubine… who was made heir apparent. Did I remember incorrectly?”
Madam Xie replied: “Your Majesty, your memory is correct. Miss Yining was lost for some time and only recently found by the Duke.” She and the Empress were sisters born of the same mother, the Empress being two years her senior. Thus, they spoke intimately. “The Duke is very fond of her and even had Commander Lu adopt her as his goddaughter, entering her name in the family records.”
The Empress seemed to take interest upon hearing this: “You’re Commander Lu’s goddaughter? I know him well – he most dislikes people trying to claim relations with him.”
Yining straightened up, realizing the Empress likely hadn’t taken her seriously before, or she would have already been told to rise. Though she was the Duke of Ying’s daughter, she was born of a concubine. How could her status compare to those seated before the Empress? Nevertheless, she replied neither humbly nor proudly: “Commander Lu did accept me as his goddaughter, but only at my father’s request. The Commander allowed me to be entered in the family records out of consideration for my father.”
“That’s still quite remarkable,” the Empress said, studying her closely. Though not born of the Duke’s principal wife, she was truly a beauty in the making. Her slender neck curved like a swan’s, her skin was white as snow, her eyes clear as autumn waters, and the small mole at the tip of her eyebrow added to her charm. The Empress’s smile softened considerably. “Child, why are you still kneeling? Rise and be seated.”
Only then did Yining take a seat beside Old Madam Wei. By now, the Empress had turned to speak with Xie Yun, showing great affection for her niece. Xie Yun often came to the palace to keep her company. The Empress, having no children of her own, doted on Xie Yun as if she were her daughter. She discussed with Madam Xie: “I wanted to get Yun the title of Xiangzhu, but she refused… This child is as stubborn as you.”
Xie Yun held the Empress’s hand and smiled: “Aunt, I don’t want a title – I want to earn my noble rank in the future!”
The Empress teased her: “Then why not simply marry a man with an official rank as his principal wife? If he’s fourth rank, I’ll request a fourth-rank title for you. If he’s third-rank, I’ll request a third-rank title. How does that sound, Yun? It would be much faster than earning it yourself.”
Xie Yun’s face reddened slightly, and she fell silent, seemingly lost in thought. The surrounding noble ladies laughed good-naturedly, echoing the Empress’s words: “Your Majesty has touched on Miss Xie’s true feelings! Perhaps Miss Xie already has someone in mind?”
Yining kept her head down, sipping tea and thinking to herself that Xie Yun liked Luo Shenyuan.
She drank a few more sips of water, deciding it was better not to dwell on such thoughts.
Old Madam Wei, seeing the lively conversation among the noble ladies, reached out to lightly grasp Yining’s hand. Yining realized her grandmother’s palm was damp with sweat. The old lady whispered to her: “Yining, what were you thinking about earlier? You gave me quite a fright.”
What was she thinking about? She was wondering where she had seen the Empress before.
Yining raised her head slightly, looking at the Empress in her seat. She had married the current Emperor at sixteen, becoming Crown Princess and living in the Eastern Palace. Yining vaguely recalled that many years ago, at the Marquis of Ningyuan’s residence, she seemed to have encountered her once. At the time, she didn’t know who the woman was. The woman had been running quickly and collided with Yining before hurrying away.
Yining had been quite startled then, as the woman was richly dressed but unfamiliar to her. She remembered these things with perfect recall.
Yining shook her head. That was many years ago, and now she was the Empress. Naturally, there was no need to dwell on past matters.
Soon after, a message came from the Emperor, saying he wanted the Empress to lead the noble ladies to a banquet in the Imperial Garden.
The group rose, with the Empress riding in a phoenix palanquin and Yining and the others following behind. The Imperial Garden was filled with artificial mountains of Taihu rocks, willows drooping over lakes, and lush lotus flowers. Past the white marble railings, an open area was set with a feast. The noble ladies took their seats according to rank. Yining, having no rank, could only sit beside Old Madam Wei.
Looking around, she saw that the Imperial Garden banquet seemed to be mainly for nobles, with few civil and military officials present. Wei Ling sat in a prominent position on the left, chatting and laughing with the Marquis of Dingbei beside him. Looking to the right, she was surprised to see Cheng Lang also seated at the banquet. He noticed her too, looking somewhat taken aback. Yining gave him a small smile.
Cheng Lang shook his head and raised his wine cup to her as if resigned.
Was he trying to say he was bored?
Just then, an eunuch loudly announced “His Majesty arrives,” and Yining looked away. Exquisite dishes flowed to the tables like water, and soon the air was filled with the clinking of cups and plates.
Old Madam Wei placed a piece of braised venison in Yining’s bowl. Yining tasted it, finding it indeed juicy and delicious, and ate several more pieces. The individual servings of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup were even more exquisite. As she was drinking the soup, she suddenly heard a commotion. Looking up, she saw that Lu Jiaxue had arrived, followed by attendants. He was late.
Lu Jiaxue apologized to the Emperor, who laughed heartily and patted his shoulder, saying, “Minister, just take your seat. It’s no matter!”
Lu Jiaxue then sat in the first position on the left, and someone immediately helped serve him.
All eyes turned to Lu Jiaxue for a moment. He dared to be late to an imperial banquet, yet the Emperor didn’t blame him at all… Truly the all-powerful Commander Lu!
Halfway through the feast, the Emperor wanted to speak. He called Wei Ling out and said some perfunctory words like “Minister, you have rendered great service, which is a blessing for our court.” Whether they truly listened or not, everyone appeared to be listening intently. The Emperor then awarded him a manor on the spot, along with two thousand taels of white silver and a set of flying fish robes. Wei Ling knelt to express his gratitude.
The Empress, noticing Lu Jiaxue drinking silently, had an idea and said to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, I feel that all these material rewards are external things. For the Duke of Ying’s great service, you should grant him something else.”
The late Emperor had reigned for a long time, and the current Emperor had ascended the throne at thirty-four. He was still in good health and appearance. He said: “I feel the same way, but I can’t think of any other rewards at the moment.”
Wei Ling quickly cupped his hands and spoke politely: “This humble servant will serve with utmost loyalty until death. It is my duty. Rewards are external things, Your Majesty need not trouble yourself.”
The Empress smiled again and said: “Duke of Ying, there’s no need for such modesty. I’ve just learned that you have a daughter. She’s only fourteen, two years younger than our Third Prince, and quite a beauty. Our Third Prince is not yet married. It would be fitting to add a side consort for him now.”
The Emperor indeed showed interest upon hearing this: “The Duke of Ying has a daughter? I haven’t seen her. Is she present here?”
Wei Ling’s expression changed slightly upon hearing these words. Cheng Lang suddenly looked up, unconsciously gripping the silk tablecloth.
Was the Empress’s intention to arrange a marriage for Yining? This Third Prince was born to Consort Zhuang, but as the Empress had no children, he had recently been adopted under her name. The Empress must have seen the value in Yining’s connections to both the Wei and Lu families, wanting to secure her for the Third Prince as future support. But Yining’s birth status wasn’t high enough to be a principal wife. As a side consort, however – that would indeed be considered a reward!
Lu Jiaxue merely raised his eyelids slightly, looking towards the Empress.
The hall fell silent for a moment. Yining, whose name had been mentioned, thought for a long while before taking a deep breath and slowly standing up.