On the first day of the New Year, as dawn broke, the kitchen maid rose early to boil water and prepare breakfast.
Luo Yining awoke earlier than usual. Though thick curtains blocked out most of the light, she could hear movement outside and knew daybreak approached. The kitchen staff would be steaming cakes and heating water. Having just awakened with nothing to do, she propped herself up to look at him.
His eyebrows were indeed thick. This must be what people meant by a commanding presence. Fortunately, they were well-shaped; otherwise, it would have been disastrous. He wasn’t particularly handsome, so she wondered what others found so appealing about him.
Lost in thought, she reached out to touch his eyebrows. From the inner corner to the tip, then down to the bridge of his nose. His breathing remained steady. As her finger reached his lips, she hesitated.
Suddenly, Luo Yining heard a voice still heavy with sleep: “Why did you stop?”
He had been awake all along!
“You were awake and didn’t say anything,” Luo Yining tried to withdraw her hand, but he caught it, pulling her into his embrace. Rolling to his side, he pressed her beneath him. Just when she thought he might do something more, he closed his eyes again and buried his face in the crook of her neck, drifting back to sleep.
Luo Yining hadn’t yet weaned their child, and her body carried a pleasant milky fragrance. Soft and pliant, she was perfect for cuddling. Such delicacy seemed ill-suited for the wife of a high-ranking official. She belonged nestled in his arms, protected. If left exposed to the world, she might not withstand its harsh realities. Better to treat her as a precious treasure.
However, his precious treasure was suffocating under his weight, struggling to breathe!
Last night he had refused to restrain himself, and now he lacked the energy to move.
Thinking this, Luo Yining slipped her fingers along his waist, slowly tickling his skin with feather-light touches. She could feel his muscles tense beneath her hand, emboldening her to continue her teasing caress. Luo Shengyuan half-opened his eyes and chuckled, “Do you think I have no strength left?”
Luo Yining thought surely he couldn’t manage anymore. Struggling to breathe, she wriggled out from under him. Pushing him onto his back, she smiled and said, “Surely you don’t still have energy?”
Recalling his unsatisfying kissing technique, she wondered who he had practiced with. Surely such skills couldn’t be innate. Straddling Luo Shengyuan, she decided to teach him a lesson.
Luo Shengyuan remained motionless, waiting to see what she would do.
To his surprise, she slowly swept her silken hair to one side and lowered her head.
Luo Shengyuan’s body tensed further. Within moments, he pulled her up. In truth, he had been holding back, never fully indulging. This time, the stimulation was too much—he would have to show her the meaning of true indulgence…
Luo Yining hadn’t anticipated his endurance, nor how much he had been restraining himself. By the end, she was utterly spent, unable to move from his firm grip. After cleaning up, her knees were weak, while he sat cross-legged on the daybed, calmly drinking tea.
“Don’t do that again,” Luo Shengyuan admonished her coldly. “If you lack the stamina to follow through, don’t tease. Understand?”
Luo Yining rubbed her aching back, wincing in pain. She tried to forget how she had clung to him, crying and begging, moments ago.
Fortunately, at that moment, their son entered, carried by Qiu Niang. Qiu Niang curtsied with the child: “Good morning, Madam and Master. The young master has come to wish you a happy New Year.”
Their son, unusually cooperative, smiled at his father’s stern face, revealing his newly grown baby teeth.
His father was visibly moved. He reached into his sleeve, producing a red envelope, and patted the child’s small head covered by a melon-skin cap. “Here, take this and save it. You can buy candy later.”
The boy was even more delighted, patting the red envelope and babbling as he lunged toward his mother.
Yining took the envelope, curious to see how much his father had given. Their son was generous with his mother, willingly handing it over, unaware she was tricking him out of his New Year’s money.
Yining opened it and gasped at the amount on the banknote. “You’re giving him 200 taels of silver for candy?”
When she was little, even as Luo Shengyuan’s ward, he had only given her 20 taels for New Year’s, taken from the profits of her shop.
He was truly wealthy now.
Why was he so stingy with her? When she first arrived, he had promised to let her manage the household accounts, but so far, she hadn’t seen a trace of them.
He made grand promises but was tight-fisted when it came to action.
“He’s growing up, and I haven’t bought him much or taken care of him properly. It’s New Year’s, so I thought I’d give him a bit more,” Luo Shengyuan said, playing with his son’s plump, snow-white hands. Noticing Luo Yining’s expression, he seemed to guess her thoughts and added, “You’re all grown up now. Don’t tell me you still want New Year’s money?”
Luo Yining choked back her irritation, then smiled. “Now that you mention it, of course I do. The mother finds managing the household accounts troublesome. Why not let me take over? I’ve noticed you have several private accountants, handling large sums without anyone’s knowledge. Why not let me manage those too?”
Luo Shengyuan laughed. “That money can’t pass through your hands. The behind-the-scenes interests are too complex. If you want to manage the household, that’s easy enough. I thought you were asking for something significant.”
He called for the steward to bring the paired tallies from his study and gave them to Yining.
Let her manage from now on. It didn’t matter much either way; he didn’t care about the household funds.
Luo Yining was satisfied after receiving the tallies. Now she controlled his daily necessities. If he mistreated her, she could restrict his food and clothing as punishment.
Luo Shengyuan indulged her too much. Luo Yining had lost even the slight fear she had of him as a child.
After the couple finished dressing, they went to the main hall to pay New Year’s respects. Lin Hairu treated Yining as she had when she was little, smiling and giving her a big red envelope.
At first, Luo Chengzhang was indifferent towards his grandson. But as soon as Luo Yining turned away, he transformed, showering the chubby boy with affection. He played with a rattle drum, coaxing the child to call him “Grandfather.” When Luo Yining turned back, he immediately resumed his aloof demeanor, though the boy continued climbing all over him, babbling incessantly.
Lin Hairu found Luo Chengzhang’s behavior rather amusing and chuckled.
After lunch, Luo Shengyuan had to go to the palace. Luo Yining stayed to watch a play with Lin Hairu. Soon, a maid entered the newly built theater and said, “Madam, there are guests—Master Gu has brought someone to visit.”
The only “Master Gu” who frequently visited the Luo family was Gu Jingming, but he always avoided meeting Luo Yining. As a clever man, he knew to keep his distance from her. Luo Yining also understood his reluctance to see her and often avoided him. Why would he send a maid to announce his visit this time? Could he truly have business with her?
Luo Yining excused herself from Lin Hairu and adjusted her jacket and skirt before heading out.
Gu Jingming was waiting with someone in front of the carved Qilin screen wall. Through the fish-scale-shaped tile lattice, one could see the beautiful snow-covered courtyard beyond. Red lanterns hung from the overhanging eaves, creating an elegant contrast with the white walls and gray tiles. A figure, surrounded by attendants, gradually approached.
Luo Yining wore a crimson satin jacket with a high, fur-trimmed collar. Her sleek hair was adorned only with a pure gold ornament, exuding a composed nobility that surpassed her younger years. Her flawless, snow-white complexion seemed to glow in the sunlight. The cold surroundings made her appear equally cool and aloof.
But as she drew near, one could see a faint smile playing on her lips.
Gu Jingming waved to her.
Only then did Luo Yining notice the person standing beside him—a tall, slender figure in a thin, brownish-red kasaya, holding prayer beads. His features were strikingly handsome, but his expression was strangely detached—an ascetic coldness. He slowly turned to look at Luo Yining, his lips barely moving as he said, “It’s been a long time.”
Luo Yining suddenly recalled Luo Shengyuan’s words from the previous night, murmured between kisses, about unrest in the capital. If he had gone to such lengths to bring Dao Yan back, the situation must have been more than mere unrest—the capital might have been on the brink of upheaval!
Gu Jingming coughed. “Yining, you recognize him, don’t you?”
“Of course,” Yining smiled. “His reputation precedes him.”
“I’ll be staying at the Luo residence for a few days,” Dao Yan said flatly. “Do you have a small Buddhist shrine here?” He had been wandering the four corners of the world and would have been reluctant to return to the capital if not to help.
Yining replied, “No one in the family follows Buddhism anymore, so we don’t have a shrine. Would the master be willing to stay in a side room?”
Dao Yan raised his eyelids slightly. “This monk isn’t so particular. I could sleep in the stables if need be.”
His rudeness towards her was nothing new to Luo Yining; the last time they met, he had even tried to kill her. She called a servant and said, “Show the master to the stab—I mean, find him a side room to rest in.”
As Dao Yan walked away without reaction, Gu Jingming laughed behind him. “Do you have a grudge against him?”
“It’s fine. He tried to kill me once, then saved me once. I’d say we’re even,” Luo Yining said, then asked Gu Jingming, “Cousin Gu, what’s happening in the capital that my husband has even called Dao Yan back? Isn’t Dao Yan…”
“I think you’ve probably guessed… The Third Prince’s faction is making moves, backed by significant forces. Even the military garrisons have been acting strangely lately,” Gu Jingming didn’t try to hide much, though he certainly wouldn’t tell Luo Yining everything. He chose a few palatable details to share. “The Emperor has detained the Grand Academician today, but to avoid alerting anyone, he’ll likely return soon.”
Luo Yining noticed Gu Jingming referring to Luo Shengyuan as ‘Grand Academician,’ and felt conflicted. She knew Gu Jingming well; as the gap in their status grew, Luo Shengyuan could no longer address Gu Jingming as a peer. Hence, Gu Jingming’s tone was both polite and respectful. As he moved closer to power… fewer people would remain close to him.
“Don’t worry about Dao Yan. He could survive even if we abandoned him in the wilderness,” he paused, then added, “Yining, your maternal grandfather wants to see you. The old man’s health hasn’t been good lately. Visit him when you have the chance.”
Yining nodded and saw Gu Jingming out.
She walked back slowly, deep in thought. The servants around her were silent. Suddenly, she stopped and looked up at the vast, cloudless sky.
With each breath, she felt her insignificance. History had deviated from its original course—at this point, Luo Shengyuan shouldn’t have been a Grand Academician. Events were moving in an unknown direction, and Yining felt, to some extent, that these changes were due to her influence. She had drawn both Luo Shengyuan and Lu Jiaxue into this vortex.
In her previous life, the two men had been enemies over the issue of imperial succession. Luo Shengyuan had acted like a sycophant, knowing full well that the Crown Prince was unfit to be emperor. He had been fearless—an incompetent emperor on the throne meant a powerful minister could control the court. Luo Shengyuan had already mapped out his future. He cared neither for infamy nor historical judgment.
Yining wasn’t so vain as to think Lu Jiaxue’s movements were because of her. Lu Jiaxue had always been a calculating person. In his heart, power trumped everything else.
Yining stopped her ruminations and hurriedly returned to the theater. The festive atmosphere there provided a temporary distraction from her worries.
On the second day of the New Year, though Yining couldn’t return to the Ying Guo Mansion, she sent many gifts back.
It was customary for married daughters to visit their natal homes on this day. Luo Yixiu and her sister came together. Yixiu remained unaware of recent events, and Qinger played happily with Baogege. Luo Yiyu had been listless since Liu Jing threatened to divorce her, and even Yining couldn’t provoke any emotional response from her. The eldest sister also came home, bringing a gold lock and a small gold peanut-shaped charm on a red string for Baogege. Yining tied it around his ankle.
Yugege was cool towards Yining, barely responding even when she spoke to him gently.
“I don’t know how he developed such a temperament. He hardly speaks to unfamiliar people,” Luo Yihui said, puzzled by her son’s precocious behavior.
The young Yugege stood behind his mother, eyes carefully scanning the courtyard.
Yining sat drinking tea with her eldest sister, no longer trying to engage Yugege in conversation. Just as she raised her teacup, she heard an excited voice repeatedly calling “Sister!” Before she could react, someone threw themselves into her arms. “Sister!”
Yining nearly spilled her hot tea! She quickly pushed him away, revealing a thin, dark boy who clung to her like a wild monkey from the mountains.
It took Yining a moment to recognize Wei Ting, whom she hadn’t seen in two years. Behind him were his old nanny and guards, the nanny panting from the chase.
She hastily put down her teacup and hugged Wei Ting, asking excitedly, “How did you get here? Let me look at you—you’ve grown so tall!”
Wei Ting grinned, “I just got back yesterday. I thought I’d see you today, but when I heard you weren’t coming home, I came to find you.” After two years away from the capital, his longing for family was intense. He clung to Yining’s neck, unwilling to let go.
Nearby, Baogege, held by Luo Yihui, looked bewildered. “…?”
No one paid him any attention, all eyes on the young lord. Baogege burst into tears.
Yining couldn’t understand her son’s possessiveness. He was happy to be held by others, but if she tried to hold another child, he would cry as if the world were ending. It was exasperating… Yining had no choice but to take the tear-stained baby, telling Wei Ting, “This is your little nephew, Baogege.”
Seeing his sister suddenly with a baby, Wei Ting’s gaze became scrutinizing. He didn’t seem particularly pleased, especially since the red-faced, kicking, crying bundle didn’t look very likable.
Yining realized Wei Ting had indeed grown up, his pressed lips showing a hint of Wei Ling’s gravitas.
She carefully asked Wei Ting to hold Baogege. Wei Ting pinched the baby’s plump arm, perhaps finding its softness amusing, and seemed slightly less averse.
Baogege stopped crying. Being held was fine as long as his mother wasn’t occupied.
Yining didn’t have the energy to entertain guests, but with Wei Ting’s arrival, she was the only one who could accompany him. Wei Ting told her about his tutor in Tianjin, how he learned farming in the military fields, and even grew corn. Baogege kept crying loudly, annoying Wei Ting. He finally picked up the baby and sat him on his shoulders, piggybacking him around.
This startled Yining, but Wei Ting waved off her concern: “Don’t worry, I’m strong enough!”
Baogege seemed to enjoy this, giggling and showing his two small front teeth. In the future, he would indeed be very fond of his uncle, making Wei Ting his second favorite person after his mother. His stern-faced father would certainly rank lower, perhaps fourth or fifth—but that’s a story for another time.
As Yining prepared to call a servant to arrange Wei Ting’s accommodation, she noticed the area outside Jiashu Hall was heavily guarded, even more strictly than before. Dao Yan stood at the bottom of the steps, talking to Luo Shengyuan. Luo Shengyuan’s expression was grave, and though Yining couldn’t hear his words clearly, his tone seemed severe.
Yining approached, but the guards naturally stopped her. It was only when Dao Yan glanced back and saw her that he waved for the guards to let her pass.
Seeing Yining approach, Luo Shengyuan’s gloomy face softened. He asked, “Why aren’t you talking with Tingge and the others?”
“I saw the number of guards suddenly increase, so I came to check,” Yining said.
Luo Shengyuan explained, “These are transferred from the Imperial Guard.” He lowered his voice, “Stay at home for the next few days, alright? It’s good that Tingge is here; you can keep him company.”
“What’s happening in the palace?” Yining pressed for details.
Luo Shengyuan didn’t hide it from her: “The Emperor wrote an edict to depose the Empress two days ago. When I went yesterday, the edict was missing. Upon investigation, I discovered the Left Commander of the Imperial Guard had disappeared. We can’t alarm anyone, so the palace is conducting a secret investigation. But stealing an imperial edict… it’s tantamount to treason. So we’re on high alert.”
Depose the Empress? The Emperor wanted to depose the Empress!
No wonder Luo Shengyuan had been so busy these past two days, mobilizing so many people.
Yining’s face changed as she realized, “If the Left Commander of the Imperial Guard stole the edict, there must be even more powerful figures in the palace who have turned traitors without anyone knowing. Doesn’t that mean they’re planning a coup?”
“Your mind is sharp at times like these,” Luo Shengyuan patted her head, casually praising her. In truth, she was very perceptive about these matters. But no matter how perceptive she was, she was still a woman, and he needed to protect her.
“I might not come back tonight, but Dao Yan will be here. Listen to him and don’t wander off,” Luo Shengyuan added.
“Where are you going? What are you doing?” Yining felt a twinge of worry, sensing danger in his mission.
Luo Shengyuan simply said, “I have urgent matters to attend to. I might not return for some time.”
“Luo Shengyuan!” She couldn’t bear his nonchalance and asked in a low voice, “It’s him controlling things behind the scenes, isn’t it? … Isn’t it?” Only Lu Jiaxue could make Luo Shengyuan call Dao Yan back. Only Lu Jiaxue could evoke such a heavy sense of powerlessness.
“I don’t know, it’s unclear,” Luo Shengyuan mused, his sharp gaze distant. “Many factions are involved with the Third Prince. Even if we knew it was him, it would be tricky to handle.” But not many would be so bold, he thought.
At this point, Luo Shengyuan’s servant brought a large cloak and helped him put it on. Luo Shengyuan sighed and said to Yining, “Tonight, take Baogege to bed early.”
Yining watched as he left Jiashu Hall, surrounded by guards. This pillar of the Luo family walked with composure, young but bearing the heavy weight of glory—a burden that shouldn’t have been his to carry. Fortunately, his exceptional intelligence and skills made him capable of shouldering it, unlike an ordinary person.
After he left, Dao Yan said quietly, “Tomorrow, the noble ladies are to enter the palace to express gratitude. Your title was just conferred, but Luo Shengyuan held it back. You should know why he doesn’t want you to enter the palace, right?”
Yining glanced at him, wondering what he meant by these words.
She called a servant to brew tea and sat with Dao Yan in the flower hall. Dao Yan sat cross-legged. To avoid attracting attention, he wasn’t wearing his kasaya, making his bald head look odd. But his every movement still exuded an otherworldly air—he truly didn’t seem like a military man, but rather… compassionate.
“When I mentioned your relationship with Lu Jiaxue earlier, my junior brother became angry. He probably wouldn’t agree with my plan, so I didn’t voice it,” Dao Yan said.
Yining watched the thin smoke rising from the charcoal brazier, facing the monk before her.
“With the theft of the edict to depose the Empress, she is naturally one of the masterminds. Although we have infiltrated the Empress’s palace, tomorrow’s banquet requires the presence of noble ladies, and I am powerless in this regard.”
Yining sat up straight and poured tea for Dao Yan. “Master’s intention is for me to enter the palace to express gratitude, isn’t it?” She smiled. “To risk myself, stay close to the Empress, and monitor her movements, right?”
If the Empress discovered her, she would be the first to be detained, with an obvious fate.
Dao Yan gently placed his prayer beads on the table. Uncharacteristically, he smiled. “So, do you dare to go?”
Yining sat back down. It wasn’t that she feared death, but if she were taken hostage as leverage, it would be counterproductive.
“I’m not trying to scare you,” Dao Yan sighed. “Don’t worry, if there’s any unusual activity in the Empress’s palace, I can rescue you… Even if I were as indifferent to you as you think, I’d still have to consider my unfortunate junior brother.” If anything happened to Yining, Dao Yan did not doubt that Luo Shengyuan would do something unthinkably drastic. His junior brother had childhood trauma and was too obsessive. If only he had followed their master in believing in Buddhism back then, it could have washed away his ferocity and gloom. How troublesome he was now.
Yining leaned back slightly and said calmly, “I can go.”