Chapter 20

Since returning from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Li Lanxin had been unable to shake the unsettling sights she witnessed at the market. After two days of hesitation, she finally had Li Mian send word to the General’s Mansion, expressing her desire to see Zhuang Ningyuan.

Knowing that Zhuang Ningyuan was busy raising her only son and assisting Lady Zhang with the household affairs of the General’s Mansion, Li Lanxin did not expect an immediate audience; she merely hoped for a meeting whenever it was convenient. To her surprise, Li Mian returned just as quickly as she had left, conveying that Zhuang Ningyuan was ready to see her immediately. She invited Li Lanxin to come over for a chat and to join the eldest branch for lunch.

Pleased, Li Lanxin set off at once. Upon entering the General’s Mansion, protocol dictated that she pay her respects to her mother-in-law, Lady Zhang, before visiting the eldest branch. However, as she reached the main courtyard, an elderly maid emerged and curtly stated that Lady Zhang was suffering from a headache and chest tightness due to the day’s heavy workload, and thus could not receive visitors.

Though Li Lanxin knew she should not pry, she felt it improper for a younger member of the family to show no concern for an elder’s health. When she inquired with polite, customary concern, the maid grew visibly impatient and urged her to leave at once. Li Lanxin did not take offense; she offered a formal bow and proceeded to the Water Cloud Courtyard, the residence of the eldest branch.

The servants of the eldest branch were far more courteous than those at the main courtyard. They respectfully ushered her into the main hall, and after passing through a screen of beaded curtains, she found Zhuang Ningyuan sitting in the seat of honor, leafing through a book. Hearing the commotion, Zhuang looked up and set the book aside. "Lanxin, come here." She stepped down from the dais and walked toward her.

"Sister-in-law," Li Lanxin greeted her, feeling far more at ease than she ever did around Lady Zhang. Although her sister-in-law was somewhat cold in temperament, she was fundamentally a kind and virtuous person; she had only grown more reticent after her husband, Li Lanxin’s eldest brother, had passed away.

Zhuang Ningyuan pulled her down to sit, and as the maids served fresh tea, she waved a hand, signaling them to withdraw. Li Lanxin glanced at Li Mian, who nodded and quickly followed suit.

"Sister-in-law," Li Lanxin began, deciding not to beat around the bush, "I won’t resort to empty pleasantries. I came to disturb you today because I am truly uneasy, and there are things I need to ask."

Zhuang Ningyuan’s expression remained as calm as ever. "If you have questions, ask away. There is no such thing as a disturbance. Besides, even if you hadn't come to see me today, the mansion would have summoned you in a few days to discuss a major matter."

Li Lanxin’s brow furrowed. "A major matter? What kind of matter?"

Zhuang Ningyuan lowered her eyes slightly. "Sanniang’s marriage has been settled. The horoscopes have been compared, and the betrothal papers exchanged."

"What?" Li Lanxin’s eyes widened in disbelief. "This... how could it be so fast?"

While there had been talk before they left for the imperial retreat that Xu Biqing was to be betrothed, that was only because of her age; it was generally understood that she would be married by next year at the latest. Lady Zhang had spent the last year busy with this very matter, frequently taking her daughter to gatherings hosted by noble ladies known for playing matchmaker. It was widely whispered that Xu Biqing was to be wed to the eldest son of the Minister of War. The Minister’s wife had been a frequent and enthusiastic visitor, and every time Lady Zhang received her, she wore a smile that seemed impossible to wipe away.

Yet, for a marriage between prominent families, the six rituals were notoriously elaborate and tedious. Before the trip to the imperial retreat, the betrothal ceremony between Xu Biqing and the Minister’s son had not even taken place. How could they have completed the entire process of the *najie*—the final confirmation of the auspicious match—in just one month? Given how much the Xu parents doted on their only daughter, this was highly irregular.

"Was the Minister’s family in such a rush?" Li Lanxin asked, confused. "And my parents-in-law actually allowed it? This is a marriage of a lifetime for a young woman."

Zhuang Ningyuan remained silent for a moment, a shadow crossing her features. "Sanniang is not being betrothed to the Minister of War’s family. She is being betrothed to Prince Duan."

Li Lanxin was even more shocked to hear the name of Prince Duan suddenly arise. Yet, assuming it must have been a carefully considered decision by the family, she smiled weakly: "Prince Duan is also... to be a Princess Consort is..."

"Not a Princess Consort," Zhuang Ningyuan interrupted with a bitter smile. "A secondary consort. Prince Duan is over thirty and already has a primary wife. Sanniang is going there as a secondary consort."

The words hung in the air, and for a long time, Li Lanxin could not process them. "...A secondary consort?" She was incredulous. Xu Biqing was to marry a prince in his thirties, and not even as his primary wife? "How is this possible? Sanniang is only seventeen! Mother and Father..."

Zhuang Ningyuan shook her head. "This matter was decided entirely by Mother and Father. Sanniang was naturally unwilling, but there was nothing she could do. It is already a done deal; there is no turning back."

Li Lanxin frowned deeply, her eyes dropping. "But this is surely too hasty... There was plenty of time, why not plan more carefully? And even if it were Prince Duan, the rituals have proceeded far too quickly."

Zhuang Ningyuan replied, "The capital is unsettled of late. Father and Mother feared that the longer they waited, the more complications would arise."

Hearing that the capital was "unsettled," Li Lanxin immediately recalled the purpose of her visit. She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Sister-in-law, that is precisely what I came to ask you about. A few days ago, when I went to the market, I noticed far fewer pedestrians. Many households had their doors bolted shut. When I went to the shops, every proprietor said the city gates were under martial law. I..."

"Don't laugh at me for worrying without cause, but I feel a sense of impending dread. I wanted to ask you, if something major is truly happening in the capital, I need to prepare."

No matter how successful a shopkeeper or merchant might be, they were ultimately commoners. They could never get a straight answer regarding shifts in the imperial court. She knew that asking Zhuang Ningyuan was the only reliable path. Her embroidery shop was a small business; while she had some savings, she could not afford significant losses. If the martial law continued, business would inevitably wither, and every day open would be a day lost. If that were the case, she would have her embroiderers finish their current orders, pay them off, sell the remaining stock at a discount, and shutter the shop for a time. She and her two maids lived in Qingluo Alley, which was far less secure than the General’s Mansion, and she needed to stockpile necessities before prices soared.

Zhuang Ningyuan pondered for a moment before speaking. "Lanxin, keep what I am about to tell you to yourself. Do not speak of it to anyone else."

Noticing the gravity of her tone, Li Lanxin nodded firmly.

"Something has happened in the palace. The Emperor fell from his horse during a hunt at the imperial retreat last month. He returned to the palace for treatment, but his condition has steadily worsened; he is not doing well. The family rushed Sanniang’s marriage because they feared that if a national mourning period were declared, it would be impossible to proceed." She frowned tightly, her voice stern. "I am sure you are aware of why the various princes from the fiefs have arrived in the capital. Now that the Emperor is ailing, the struggle in the court has already begun. The martial law is only the beginning; I fear what lies ahead... You should prepare early. And try to go out as little as possible. Secure your own doors."

Zhuang Ningyuan hesitated, ultimately leaving much unsaid, but the implication was clear: the capital was on the verge of a cataclysm.

Emperor Shun’an was gravely ill, and the debate over who would serve as the regent had grown increasingly fierce. Initially, the loudest voices were split into two camps: one supporting the principle of "appointing the eldest" and pushing for the eldest member of the imperial clan, Prince Kang, to be the regent; the other, backed by a large group of civil officials, supported Prince Qi. The two sides clashed with sharp words and bitter accusations, neither yielding ground.

Before a winner could emerge, news leaked from the palace that the Emperor’s illness was the result of foul play. The Empress herself appeared before the court to confirm this, stating that the culprit was an old eunuch who had served the Emperor for years in the Changsheng Hall. The man had been captured with concrete evidence, yet he refused to reveal his master even under the most brutal torture.

With this revelation, the court was in an uproar. As the Kang and Qi factions attacked one another, the military faction, which had been waiting patiently, finally made their move. Prince Chen, whose fief was closest to the capital and who commanded half of the city’s defense forces, had declared martial law without a second thought. Even though this was an act of treason, Prince Chen held the military power and claimed he was "cleansing the court of treacherous influences," leaving others unable to stop him.

With the three princes clashing, the situation grew chaotic. Zhuang Ningyuan now understood that the Xu family had long since aligned themselves with Prince Chen. Marrying their daughter to Prince Duan was a calculated maneuver to leave the family a path of retreat should disaster strike. She did not want her family involved in the dangerous game of factional struggle, which could lead to total ruin at the slightest misstep. But as a widowed daughter-in-law, she could not sway her parents-in-law. They would not listen to her; in fact, they were using her as a bridge to solicit support for Prince Chen from her own family, the Count of Chengning.

As she lay awake, tossing and turning in turmoil, she received a secret letter from her family. She recognized her father’s handwriting:

"Princes Kang, Chen, and Qi are all but flickering fireflies, destined to vanish in an instant; they cannot be the guides through a long night. The seeds of disaster have been sown in the court, and military conflict is imminent. If the Xu family falls into danger, my child, you must plan your escape and return home. Be careful, be careful."

***

He Cheng swung down from his horse, handed the reins to a groom, and strode toward the archery hall. The archery hall of the Prince Jin’s mansion in the capital had been expanded over several generations; while it did not occupy as much land as the one in the Northwest, it was the largest among all the princely mansions in the city.

When He Cheng entered, he saw his master from afar, his long arms drawing a bow like a full moon. With a sharp release, the arrow flew like a streak of light, piercing the air with a thunderous hum, and buried itself deep into the heart of a target a hundred paces away.

The guards stationed at the target immediately moved it away, replaced it with a new one, and placed it even further back. Zong Lin squinted, his right hand reaching into the quiver to draw another arrow.

"Your Highness." Taking the opportunity, He Cheng stepped forward and lowered his voice. "I report to Your Highness, the matter regarding that woman has been investigated."

Zong Lin’s long fingers paused, then resumed drawing the arrow. "Speak."

He Cheng’s fist was clenched so tightly his palm was damp. "The woman is named Li, given name Lanxin. She is the widow of Xu Yu, the second son of General Xu Changyi. Eight years ago, Xu Yu passed away, and Lady Li has remained a widow ever since."

Zong Lin’s pupils contracted slightly. He lowered his raised arm and turned his head. "She... has no husband?"

*No wonder she dressed in such drab, plain colors that day.*

A flicker of light crossed his eyes, and the tension in his brow softened somewhat.

*So she does have a husband, he is just dead.* He Cheng closed his eyes, not daring to voice his inner thoughts. Swallowing hard, he continued, "Your Highness, Lady Li was born into poverty. Her parents died young, and she is not originally from the capital. Eleven years ago, the General’s Mansion hired her from a relative to provide a 'spirit-wedding' for their second son, who was suffering from an incurable injury."

He bowed his head lower, his voice tightening. "This lady is truly a chaste and virtuous woman. During her three years in the Xu household, she attended to her husband with the utmost care. After Xu Yu died, she moved out of the General’s Mansion to live alone. She refuses to remarry, vowing to maintain her chastity. She wears no makeup and dresses with extreme simplicity."

"She makes her living by embroidery. To honor her late husband, the name of her shop is derived from her own name and his courtesy name. The shop manager is an old acquaintance of her late husband. She is a regular customer at the largest incense shop in the capital, purchasing candles and spirit money every month. It is said that every morning, she offers incense to her late husband..."

"He Cheng." The voice was as cold as ice.

He Cheng jumped, instantly dropping to his knees.

"What are you trying to say?" Zong Lin smiled, but his eyes were like the frost of midwinter.

The surrounding guards shuddered and instinctively retreated further away.

"Your Highness..." He Cheng gritted his teeth and slammed his head against the ground, heedless of the bruise forming on his forehead. "Your Highness! I have served you since I was a child and have followed you everywhere. I would never dare ask you to follow my wishes, but please, hear me out! After that, whether you kill or punish me, I will accept it willingly!"

For a long time, there was no sound from above, save for the faint friction of the arrow against the bowstring.

He Cheng looked up abruptly, meeting his master’s blade-like gaze. Despite his fear, his courage did not waver. "Your Highness, you have grand strategies and a heart set on the world. Your great cause is not yet achieved; how can you tarnish your glorious reputation for a mere woman?"

Zong Lin curled his lips. "You said it yourself, she is a 'mere woman.' What harm is there in me taking her?"

He Cheng was drenched in sweat. "But that woman is the widow of a subordinate!"

"Since she is a widow, she can remarry."

"Your Highness!" He Cheng was on the verge of tears. He gasped for air and continued, "Even if you want her, have you considered whether she is willing?"

Zong Lin replied indifferently, "That day, was she not entangled with a scholar?"

Since she had already had dealings with a man other than her late husband, he assumed her vow of widowhood was not unbreakable. If it came to love and intimacy, surely he could not be less appealing than that weak, useless scholar, or that sickly, long-dead husband of hers.

He Cheng caught the implication and his eyes brightened. "Your Highness, you misunderstand. I have investigated; the man that day was a low-ranking official who had just arrived at the Imperial Academy, named Su Xianwen. He had visited Lady Li’s shop, met her, and fallen in love at first sight. He frequented the shop, but because Lady Li was a recluse, he could never see her. That day by the lake was the second time he sought her out. He harassed her, and she sternly rebuked him."

"The lady declared that she would remain chaste for her late husband for the rest of her life. Your Highness, you can have others investigate this, I would never dare to lie!"

Zong Lin’s face turned pitch black, looking utterly dreadful.

He Cheng’s eyes gleamed. "Your Highness, in this world, have you never heard of the tragedies that occur when a chaste woman is forced, and out of deep love for her late husband, is driven to a desperate act? We are in a time of great upheaval; it is not the time to create unnecessary trouble!"

"Furthermore, there are so many women in the world, and the capital is filled with beauties like stars in the night sky. You are wise and perceptive; this woman is but a momentary distraction. You may be intrigued now, but surely it will only last a short while. When you find another beauty later, you will surely forget her!"

Having said this, he slammed his head to the ground once more, awaiting his fate.

"Get out." After a long silence, the words fell one by one from above, spat out through gritted teeth.

He Cheng’s fists relaxed instantly; the heavy stone in his heart fell. Not daring to delay, he climbed to his feet and retreated from the archery hall.

Behind him, his master’s roar of rage thundered like a storm.

"Bring me the human-shaped target!!"

He Cheng cast a trembling look back and saw his master heave the bow with brute force. The flying arrow left the string with a whistle.

In an instant, it pierced the head of the human target two hundred paces away, tearing through it and pinning it firmly to a tree at the edge of the archery hall.