Chapter 2

The Xu residence was a military family that had been passed down for five generations. The mansion’s embroidered doors and carved eaves far surpassed the modest two-courtyard house in Qingluo Lane.

Li Lanxin walked slowly along the corridor supported by painted pillars and beams, surrounded by exquisite flowers and rare grasses, their fragrance filling the air. Such a setting should have lifted her spirits, yet she felt no comfort here, unlike the humble courtyard she had known.

When Xu Yu was away, she mostly stayed at the Liyang Inn where he lived, tending to his illness. Outside of that inn, the rest of the General’s residence felt cold and unwelcoming to her, a feeling that had never changed over the years.

Passing through the main gate and walking a little further, before even reaching the entrance to the flower hall, the clear, bell-like laughter of a young lady reached her ears.

The voice was familiar—it belonged to the General’s unmarried third daughter, Xu Biqing.

Madam Zhang had borne three sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Xu Zhan, and the second son, Xu Yu, had both passed away. Now only the unmarried daughter and the youngest son, Xu Cheng, who had just turned twelve, remained.

As the cherished daughter of the house, Xu Biqing had been indulged and pampered from childhood. So no matter how spoiled her temperament or sharp her tongue, everyone else in the residence could only muster forced smiles in her presence.

Li Lanxin had endured countless disdainful looks from this little aunt. Xu Biqing had never liked her. On the very day Li Lanxin married Xu Yu, Xu Biqing had addressed her not as “Second Sister-in-law” but as “country bumpkin.”

An old woman standing guard at the hall’s entrance saw them approach, drew back the curtain, and announced inside, “Second Madam has arrived.”

The laughter inside abruptly ceased.

Li Lanxin stepped gracefully into the hall. The woman seated in the main seat had streaks of gray at her temples, a pale face deeply lined with wrinkles, dressed in a gown embroidered with gold threads and pearls, her hair piled high with jade and precious ornaments. In her hand, she lightly held a string of dark, serene jade Buddhist beads.

On either side of her were two women: the one on the left appeared slightly older than Li Lanxin, with sorrowful eyes and a thin frame—this was Madam Zhuang, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xu household. To the right, chin raised slightly, wearing a rouge-colored silk skirt, was the striking Xu Biqing.

Li Lanxin stopped before the honored seat and bowed respectfully to the elderly woman and Madam Zhuang. “Mother, Sister-in-law.”

Madam Zhang’s gaze swept over her from head to toe, noting her plain, dull gown, the absence of makeup, and the simple hairpin of silver and wood holding her hair up. Satisfied, she nodded.

“You’ve come. Sit down,” Zhang said, motioning to the seat on the right.

Li Lanxin responded and sat down properly.

No sooner had the hem of her skirt settled than the sharp voice of Xu Biqing rang out, taunting: “Second Sister-in-law, how long has it been? You look even more shabby. What on earth are you wearing?”

Looking up, Li Lanxin saw Xu Biqing’s face feigning surprise, but her smirk betrayed her.

Li Lanxin responded with a faint, silent smile.

Madam Zhang glared at her only daughter and tapped her forehead with her index finger. “Your manners worsen by the day. You’re about to be married, so you should guard your tongue. It’s only because your sisters-in-law are kind-tempered that they don’t hold grudges against you.”

Xu Biqing pouted, resting her head on Madam Zhang’s shoulder and whining, “Mother! I haven’t even finished speaking yet. I was thinking, if Second Sister-in-law is living a hard life outside, short on money, why not move back here? The household’s provisions could support her needs. She wouldn’t be without decent clothes then.”

Her eyes gleamed with malicious delight as she stared at the unmoving, silent Li Lanxin below.

Those five words—“move back into the household”—were always Li Lanxin’s vulnerability as the rural second sister-in-law.

Li Lanxin’s hand resting on her skirt tightened slightly but she remained composed and looked up at Madam Zhang softly. “It’s not that I have no fine clothes. Those were all purchased by Second Master for me long ago. Now that he is gone, I have no heart to wear them.”

At the mention of Xu Yu, Madam Zhang’s eyes narrowed, her expression visibly darkening.

The atmosphere shifted, and Xu Biqing no longer clung to her mother. She sat up straight with a glare at Li Lanxin.

Madam Zhang sighed, her voice choked with emotion. “You remember Xu Yu well—that’s good. Both you and Ningyuan are loyal and affectionate children. Xu Zhan and Xu Yu both left us so early; life without their support is hard. It pains me to see you two suffer. I know this well. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye…”

Li Lanxin lowered her gaze, listening quietly. On her face, the eldest daughter-in-law, Zhuang Ningyuan, looked even more somber and bowed her head without a word.

Madam Zhang wiped her eyes and waved her hand. “Enough of that. Today I have good news for you. Recently, several vassal princes received imperial orders to come to the capital. His Majesty is greatly pleased and has decreed that noble and distinguished families are to join a grand hunting and entertainment event held in the imperial suburban palace gardens a few days from now.”

“The capital hasn’t seen such festivities in a long time. It’s a rare occasion. Lanxin, you and Ningyuan will both attend.”

Li Lanxin’s heart skipped a beat. “I... am going too?”

Because Xu’s father was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of War and favored by the current emperor, the General’s household had never missed any grand ceremonies or banquets at court. Yet, even when Xu Yu was alive, she had never been allowed to attend such grand occasions.

Madam Zhang usually only brought the eldest daughter-in-law, Zhuang Ningyuan, with her. In terms of favor, Li Lanxin was far behind her.

Zhuang Ningyuan was the legitimate second daughter of the Bo family and had been childhood sweethearts with Xu Zhan, the eldest son. After Xu Zhan’s death, she remained resolute in her widowhood, supported by her natal family, and gave birth to Xu Zhan’s posthumous son. She had since been a paragon of virtue in the capital.

Li Lanxin, born lowly without family support and having left no children with Xu Yu, naturally held a much weaker position in the General’s mansion. Aside from the title of second madam, she had nothing.

Years ago, she was sold by her uncle and aunt to the General’s household to perform a marriage that would bring good fortune—marrying the then gravely ill Xu Yu hastily, without a wedding banquet or guests, only a few days of red decorations at the house. So much so that other noble families in the capital barely recalled her existence.

Madam Zhang disliked her going out, allowing her only to visit the shop Xu Yu left her in the city from time to time, which was her only chance to leave the mansion and stroll outside. Even then, she could not go often without being questioned.

Yet this time, for the first time, she was to go to the suburban palace to enjoy the festivities?

Madam Zhang nodded. “You will go. Besides, this time it’s at the Dongshan palace and we won’t stay overnight. After the event, we will visit the ancestral land. Xu Zhan’s memorial birthday is approaching. Last month, your father and I consulted with a Taoist priest at the temple, and we’ve chosen an auspicious day this month to hold a ritual for Xu Zhan and Xu Yu’s spirits. The overseer said you and Ningyuan, as their wives, must personally burn memorial papers and incense.”

Now understanding the reason, Li Lanxin agreed, “Yes, daughter-in-law will prepare.”

“Also, you must change your attire.” Madam Zhang looked at her plain clothes with narrowed eyes. “Though widows often dress simply and modestly, since we will be entering the palace, with noble families, clan members, vassal princes, the emperor, and empress all present, this outfit of yours is truly inappropriate.”

As she spoke, Madam Zhang carefully described the second daughter-in-law sitting below.

The young widow, having lived in seclusion for years without desire, wore dull clothes and no jewelry, yet could not hide her alluring figure: a slender waist, graceful curves, and hair as dark as clouds. The few glimpses of her pale skin were soft as flowing jade. Though she often lowered her gaze demurely, her glance involuntarily conveyed lingering affection and emotion.

The more Madam Zhang looked, the more unsettled she felt.

When Xu Yu fell gravely ill, no medicine could save him. When their son was halfway to death’s door, her husband, who often muttered about spirits and omens, finally agreed to try a marriage to bring fortune. The Taoist priest took payment and searched widely for a woman with a suitable horoscope, eventually finding a young orphan girl in a remote mountain village, living with her uncle after losing her parents.

The priest examined her horoscope and appearance, declaring her fate noble, blessed with fortune. If Xu Yu married her to bring good luck, he would survive the crisis. While he could not guarantee long life, he promised at least three more years.

The household rejoiced and paid the uncle a hefty sum, immediately bringing the girl over to wed. Indeed, Xu Yu’s health improved, and the new daughter-in-law dutifully cared for him.

But the promise of three years was exact. In the winter of the fourth year, Xu Yu’s old illness worsened, and he passed away.

Leaving behind a young, beautiful, and charming widow.

Madam Zhang recalled that before Xu Yu died, he begged her and his father to allow Li Lanxin to remarry.

As a mother, she thought her son foolish. She could not bear the thought of him leaving the world alone, his grave lonely after death.

Besides, since Li Lanxin was brought in as a bride to bring fortune, essentially purchased by the family, she was Xu family by birth and death.

Yet she was also a woman who had known youth and passion and understood the hardship of widowhood, aware of the many predators who preyed on virtuous widows. So long as she lived, she vowed to watch over Li Lanxin carefully, never letting her relax her guard.

“I will send new clothes and accessories to Qingluo Lane tomorrow. Change into them on the day of the event,” Madam Zhang said. “As for makeup, keep it simple. The rules for entering the palace will be explained to you by Aunt Qi.”

Li Lanxin replied respectfully, “Yes.”

—

After lunch at the General’s residence, Li Lanxin returned to Qingluo Lane with Li Mian.

Upon hearing they would visit the palace soon and witness such grandeur, Xing’er’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor, stunned for a long while, utterly speechless.

Li Lanxin, watching her dazed expression, could not help but laugh, clutching her stomach. Li Mian pursed her lips, then approached Xing’er’s round face and began rubbing it vigorously, finally bringing her back to herself.

“Uh-uh… Sister…”

“Are you awake now?”

“Mm-hmm, uh-huh!”

“I think you’re still out of it. Let me try again!”

“…”

Li Lanxin laughed so hard her belly ached, gently pulling them apart and tapping Xing’er’s nose. “So happy, huh?”

Xing’er was so excited she couldn’t sit still or stand properly, nodding vigorously. “Yes, yes, it’s the palace!”

“It’s the suburban palace, not the main palace,” Li Mian corrected.

“The suburban palace is still the palace! Maybe we’ll even see His Majesty!” Xing’er’s cheeks flushed rosy red. “When you were gone, I worried something bad had happened. Didn’t expect such good news!”

Li Mian sighed with relief. “Yeah, we really didn’t expect it either.”

Li Lanxin smiled. “It’s luck. They said it’s because the vassal princes came to the capital that His Majesty became so pleased. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a grand event.”

Xing’er rested her chin on her hands. “Ah, if only those vassal princes came to the capital every month.”

“Fool!” Li Mian tapped her head. “You think it’s like going to market once a month?”

“Well, the vassal princes can’t live here all the time. They come and go, probably several times,” Xing’er said, covering her forehead, smiling foolishly.

Li Mian crossed her arms and retorted, “Dream on. Everyone knows the emperor summoned the vassal princes to the capital because—”

“Shh!” Li Lanxin raised her hand to stop her.

Li Mian froze and quickly covered her mouth.

The current emperor had no sons. The summoning of the vassal princes was to decide the future heir to the throne—a well-known secret.

But such matters were best kept quiet, even behind closed doors.

“Go prepare what you’ll need to bring that day. Once everything is counted, pack it all together,” Li Lanxin instructed softly.

“Okay, we’ll go right away.”

She stood and smiled warmly. “We’ll be gone for several days. Tomorrow they’ll send the new clothes. After they leave, we’ll visit the family shop. If there’s anything you want to buy, decide quickly.”

Li Mian and Xing’er cheered, clasping hands as they ran out of the house, stumbling happily.

Li Lanxin watched their lively, carefree figures and shook her head with a smile.