Chapter 1

On the day of Xu Yunqi’s wedding, the late-season osmanthus flowers of the capital lay scattered across the ground.

By dusk, under a sky shrouded in wind and rain, the bridal sedan chair was escorted by officials from the Ministry of Rites into Prince Xi’s mansion.

Xu Yunqi was to marry none other than the third young master of Prince Xi’s household—Pei Muheng, acclaimed as the finest gentleman in the capital.

Amid the throng of figures surging into the prince’s mansion came the clamor of voices that were ostensibly congratulatory but laced with derision.

“His Highness the Third Young Master is His Majesty’s most favored legitimate grandson. Still young, yet already observing affairs in all six ministries. Among His Majesty’s dozen-odd imperial grandsons, apart from the Crown Prince’s eldest grandson in the Eastern Palace, only the Third Young Master is permitted to attend court in the Hall of Heavenly Worship.”

“Indeed. I still recall thirteen years ago, when the treasury was depleted and the three hundred thousand iron cavalry of the Great Wu were at our city gates. The Great Wu envoy stood arrogantly in the Golden Hall, brandishing his might. It was the seven-year-old Third Young Master who stood his ground, undaunted even with a blade at his throat, and cited classical texts to shame that insolent envoy into retreat. That display of courage has earned praise to this very day.”

“That’s nothing. Two years ago, the Third Young Master sat for the imperial examinations and quietly claimed the top scholar title. That was what truly astonished everyone.”

“Martial prowess and literary brilliance combined—and on top of that, the Third Young Master is possessed of a snow-pure grace and an immortal bearing. Truly, he is unparalleled in this world…”

Such a peerless figure, yet compelled to marry a girl of no renown from a minor household.

A hint of unspoken regret flowed through the wedding feast.

“Miss Xu is truly fortunate,” someone sighed.

“Fortunate?” A woman pursed her lips and scoffed quietly. “On that day of the palace birthday banquet, when fireworks bloomed over the Silver Sparrow Terrace, among all the daughters of officials upon and below the stage, how was it that she alone was crowded to stand beside the Third Young Master? I say she did it on purpose.”

At these words, everyone silently concurred.

A month prior, during the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, the wives and daughters of all fifth-rank and above officials were summoned to the palace to offer felicitations. The sky that night was as clear as washed, stars gleaming like fireflies. The Emperor led a host of civil and military officials, along with the ladies, to gather at the Silver Sparrow Terrace. The stage blazed with brilliant lanterns, silver trees scattered in elegant arrangement, and colorful fireworks cascaded like a Milky Way poured from the heavens, drawing gasps of wonder from the spectators.

At that moment, a burst of fireworks bloomed above the Jade Bridge, casting Pei Muheng’s jade-like visage into sharp relief. And just then, a young woman in a moon-white gown drifted into the frame—one with a peerless masculine beauty, the other with a celestial, ethereal grace. The sky was dark as ink, blossoms falling like snow, and the snow settled upon their shoulders like clear frost, making the pair appear as immortals descended to earth.

The half-drunken old Emperor, gazing upon that breathtakingly radiant couple, was struck by a moment of inspiration. He waved his hand and pointed, bestowing the marriage upon them then and there.

When he awoke and inquired about the young woman’s family background, learning that Xu Yunqi was the daughter of a fifth-rank director in the Ministry of Works, raised in the countryside in her youth and only recently brought back to the capital—of her character, nothing was known; of her talents, nothing was heard. A gross mismatch in status. The Emperor was dumbstruck.

But the words of a sovereign are irrevocable, and so the marriage was settled.

When the decree spread throughout the capital, who could say otherwise than that Xu Yunqi was cunning?

Xu Yunqi had indeed stepped onto that Jade Bridge of her own accord. But it was not Pei Muheng she sought.

A fine drizzle carried the moist fragrance of osmanthus into the chamber. Autumn’s chill came suddenly, turning the tip of Xu Yunqi’s nose red with cold. She sat alone on the vast bridal bed, waiting until her legs were numb and her eyes dry and scratchy. After sitting still for a moment, she gently lifted her bridal veil and set it aside.

Before her lay the swaying glow of red candles and a room full of luxury.

Before Xu Yunqi could examine it further, she heard her maid Yinxing’s tearful, choking voice:

“Your servant went to the tea room just now to ask for hot water, and overheard an old matron gossiping. She said the Princess Consort had her eyes on the eldest daughter of the Grand Secretary next door, and was waiting for the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet to pass before going to the Xun mansion to propose—to bring that lovely Second Miss Xun as the Third Young Master’s wife. Now that His Majesty has bestowed this marriage, the Princess Consort’s plans have fallen through.”

Yinxing crouched before the bed, gazing at Xu Yunqi with anxious eyes. “That Second Miss Xun and the Third Young Master grew up together as childhood sweethearts. They must share a deep bond. Look—it’s almost the Hour of the Rat, and the Third Young Master still hasn’t returned. Could it be he refuses to enter the bridal chamber?”

Xu Yunqi had not yet grown accustomed to the blazing brightness of the room; her vision was somewhat blurred. She rubbed her eyes and turned to see tears welling in Yinxing’s gaze. She soothed her:

“He will come. It is an imperial marriage—he has to show his face. And even if he doesn’t, it hardly matters.”

Her tone was consistently calm and unhurried.

Yinxing looked at her mistress, so delicately moving upon the bridal bed, then swept her gaze across the desolate bridal chamber. Sorrow surged in her heart.

Ever since entering the prince’s mansion that day, word had spread that the Princess Consort had taken ill. The wedding banquet was managed by the eldest young mistress, Lady Xie. Throughout the feast, formality exceeded everything, with little festive warmth. In ordinary households on a wedding day, clan elders and relatives would come to tease the newlyweds in the bridal chamber, and at the very least, unmarried sisters-in-law would keep the bride company.

But Prince Xi’s household had seen the bride sent to the bridal chamber and called the rites complete. The young lady sat here in lonely stillness, with no one to attend her. The ostentatious display outside was for the Emperor’s eyes alone; within the mansion, none held this union in favor.

That aside, they had waited nearly two hours, yet the groom remained unseen. That was truly cause for despair.

Neighborhood gossip, cold treatment from her husband’s family—Xu Yunqi voiced no complaint. Her brows and eyes held a constant smile as she gently reassured her maid:

“First pour me a cup of tea. We’ll wait a little longer.”

Xu Yunqi was about to rub her sore arms when she heard extremely light footsteps from the veranda.

Light and steady—a man’s step.

Xu Yunqi signaled Yinxing with her eyes. Yinxing understood and quietly retreated to the side.

Xu Yunqi settled herself, holding her jade tablet, and awaited Pei Muheng’s arrival.

In a moment, the door was pushed open. A dim yellow lamplight poured in, mingling with the red glow, casting shifting shadows. A tall, lean figure stepped across the threshold.

Then a gust of cold wind rushed in, sweeping away the room’s warm indulgence in an instant.

The red candles flickered. The rain-mist grew heavier. A breeze drifted in gently, lifting the hem of Xu Yunqi’s blue phoenix-embroidered gown. A deeper chill settled over her, and she trembled slightly. Facing the direction of the newcomer, she rose and offered a formal bow.

A faint rustling sound reached her ears. Cloud-patterned black boots with crimson trim paused beneath the beaded curtain. A moment later, the wind seemed to lessen, and the room fell eerily silent.

The man paused for a breath, then slowly paced in, carrying with him the crisp chill of frost.

Xu Yunqi cast a subtle glance his way.

The dim, shifting flame at the corner cast a light shadow over his refined, sculpted features. His deep-set eyes were veiled in that shadow as his gaze swept over Xu Yunqi from on high, making no pause whatsoever. He returned her bow perfunctorily, then sat in the carved red-lacquered rosewood armchair beneath the folding screen. His thick brows and long lashes lowered slightly, betraying a faint, barely perceptible weariness.

Xu Yunqi signaled Yinxing to pour tea for Pei Muheng, then dismissed her.

The couple sat facing each other in silence. For a long while, neither spoke.

Pei Muheng’s sword-sharp brows remained low, ignoring the tea entirely. His gaze lifted unintentionally, fixing upon the flickering candle flame, and for a moment, he seemed lost in thought.

He had lived in this room for twenty years, yet now it was filled with unfamiliar traces everywhere.

The furnishings had been transformed entirely. The once spacious eastern annex now held numerous feminine articles—a rosewood vanity inlaid with gemstones, a red sandalwood贵妃 couch piled with dowry boxes of all sorts… and that unfamiliar, timid face sitting upon the bridal bed. Pei Muheng pressed his hand to his throbbing temple and closed his eyes, saying nothing.

Pei Muheng did not speak, and Xu Yunqi paid him no mind. She held her jade tablet and quietly began to doze, until she vaguely heard his unhurried voice drift over:

“Now that you have entered the prince’s mansion, from this day forward you are a woman of the imperial household. All your words and actions represent Prince Xi’s mansion.”

His well-defined fingers traced idle circles at his temple. A lean, sinewy forearm was revealed at his sleeve cuff, and the dim light outlined its smooth musculature. His brows and eyes remained lowered, his mood impossible to read.

Xu Yunqi stared blankly at him, her vision slowly sharpening.

Pei Muheng’s gaze still did not turn toward her, but his tone gradually grew more serious, even carrying a hint of coolness:

“My official duties keep me busy; I have little time to attend to household affairs. You will learn to manage the inner quarters. When problems arise, you may consult Mother.” As if recalling something, he paused, then added, “My study is a vital area of the mansion. As a rule, do not come looking for me in the front courtyard. If you need something, send a messenger.”

Xu Yunqi understood. He feared she would cling to him.

The jade tablet in her hand slowly lowered. She looked at this husband she had never met and gave a soft “Mm.”

In the deep silence of the night, that faint “Mm” was like a gentle breeze skimming the surface of a lake, carrying a hint of a mumble.

Pei Muheng had never been one for tenderness toward women, and at this moment he showed no reaction whatsoever. He simply continued:

“At home, serve your parents with propriety and courtesy. Abroad, be cautious in word and deed—neither arrogant nor rash. As husband and wife, we are one body. Every move you make is a reflection of my honor. Do you understand?”

This was his three-chapter pact with her.

Xu Yunqui understood perfectly. Her clear, bright eyes fixed steadily in his direction as she nodded:

“I understand.”

Seeing her agree so readily, some of the agitation in his heart subsided. His long arm hung down, fingertips grasping the celadon tea cup. He took a light sip, then leisurely opened his eyes to look at her:

“And you? If you have any requests, state them now.”

Whether she had done it intentionally that night or not, now that they were married, he would give her the respect she was due. He could set rules; she could make demands.

Their gazes met across the hazy lamplight, blade to blade—neither yielding an inch.

Xu Yunqi could not think of any expectations she had for this husband in name only, so she shook her head. “None.”

Pei Muheng looked away and said no more.

After a long silence, he rose. “I have important matters to attend to. You’ve had a long day—rest first.”

Then his upright figure passed through the beaded curtain and headed toward the western annex.

Xu Yunqi stared quietly at the swaying beads, saying nothing.

He did not favor her, so naturally he had no desire to consummate the marriage. Xu Yunqi, for her part, let out a breath of relief, turned, and called for her maid to attend her.

Yinxing stormed in, huffing with indignation as she helped Xu Yunqi change and wash up: “I thought we’d finally get the groom to consummate, but instead we got a lecture on the rules! As if we were so eager to be women of the imperial household—”

Before Yinxing could finish, Xu Yunqi silenced her with a look. She gently rubbed her handkerchief and comforted her anxious maid:

“Not consummating has its advantages. That sort of thing should happen naturally in its own time.”

Yinxing helped Xu Yunqi through the layers of curtains and delivered her to the empty bridal bed, muttering under her breath:

“Will that day ever come?”

Xu Yunqui paused, then smiled without answering. The evening breeze scattered the softness in her eyes, leaving only a trace of aloofness embedded deep within her gaze.

Pei Muheng’s heart belonged elsewhere, and she too had her own plans. They were two people utterly unconnected, twisted together by the old Emperor’s whim—truly absurd.