Chapter 11

This was the first time since their marriage that husband and wife had spoken so comfortably together.

Xu Yunqi was slightly surprised, but quickly caught on. “Then I’ll make some for you today.”

The sky was still dark. Xu Yunqi held a lantern in her hand; beneath its glow, her eyes were bright, her fine skin possessing a crystalline beauty.

Pei Muheng shook his head. “Today is New Year’s Day. You should rest. Make them some other day when you have time.”

Xu Yunqi set the lantern down, a gentle smile spreading across her face. “For me, every day is the same.”

With that, she went out. Before long, Huang Wei came in to help Pei Muheng wash and attend to his needs.

The mansion’s kitchen had prepared an array of exquisite and abundant dishes, but Xu Yunqi insisted Pei Muheng have only congee. After he had eaten and drunk his medicine, he was left alone on the couch with his books.

For some reason, not long after taking Xu Yunqi’s medicine, Pei Muheng drifted off to sleep. At the beginning of the hour of Wu, he was awakened by the scent of herbs. Opening his eyes, he saw his wife sitting smiling before him on the small stool, pointing to a plate of freshly made pastries on the nearby high table.

“Try one.”

Her eyes were soft, her expression gentle, and her cheeks glowed with a bright, vibrant warmth.

Pei Muheng rinsed his mouth first, then tasted one. The flavor had changed from last time.

“A different recipe?”

“Yes. You’re injured now—you shouldn’t have foods that promote inflammation. I added more lotus seeds and Chinese yam, and since you’ve lost blood and qi, I replaced one ingredient with American ginseng. The herbal taste may be a bit stronger.”

Pei Muheng nodded. The texture was as excellent as before—soft, smooth, and delicate.

“You’ve worked hard.”

There were five pieces on the plate. Xu Yunqi ate two herself, and Pei Muheng finished the remaining three.

Since Pei Muheng could not move easily while lying prone, Xu Yunqi personally wet a cloth and handed it to him for wiping. Mindful of his fussiness about cleanliness, she intended to set the cloth on the armrest for him to take himself. But Pei Muheng, assuming she was handing it directly to him, reached out to take it. Their directions misaligned—his long, pale fingers slipped past hers, his fingertip lightly brushing her palm as his thumb caught the edge of the cloth, making it look as though he were half-holding her hand.

Both of them froze.

After years of medical practice, Xu Yunqi was used to touching patients and thought nothing of it—she was only worried Pei Muheng might dislike it.

She let go. Pei Muheng’s expression remained unchanged as he took the cloth and slowly wiped the corners of his mouth.

Xu Yunqi expected him to wipe his hand again, but instead he naturally handed the cloth back. Without realizing it, he had grown accustomed to Xu Yunqi’s proximity.

An indescribable intimacy seemed to drift through the air, mingling with the lingering scent of herbs.

Pei Muheng broke the silence first.

“You understand medicinal properties?”

Xu Yunqi handed the bowl and chopsticks to Yinxing, washed her own hands, and turned back to him with sparkling eyes. “Yes, I am quite skilled in pharmacology.”

Pei Muheng understood.

Many well-bred ladies in the capital studied pharmacology in their boudoirs—some made scented balms or cosmetics, while more learned medicinal cuisine to honor their elders. The field was profound, and not everyone could master it. Those who excelled were highly praised.

He had not expected Xu Yunqi, raised in the countryside, to be so proficient in this art. Clearly, she did it exceptionally well.

Pei Muheng was pleasantly surprised.

In truth, aside from her humble origins, Xu Yunqi was gentle, obedient, quiet, and composed—she knew her limits and how to conduct herself. She was an easy wife to get along with.

He was already quite satisfied.

“I have some ancient texts in my study with many old prescriptions. I’ll have Huang Wei bring them to you.”

Xu Yunqi was a little surprised. “You support me in this?”

“Of course.” Pei Muheng nodded, a hint of warmth in his otherwise cool eyes.

Xu Yunqi clasped her hands together on her knees and smiled shyly.

Before long, the Princess Consort sent for Xu Yunqi to join the household in entering the palace to pay New Year’s respects to the Emperor.

Leaving Yinxing to care for Pei Muheng, Xu Yunqi changed into a crimson palace robe and went.

The sky was beginning to clear, thin sunlight filtering through the clouds, though thick snow still piled on both sides of the streets. Guards from the Martial Patrol had already cleared a path for the carriages.

She shared a carriage with Pei Mushan.

Inside, Pei Mushan animatedly explained the ins and outs of the imperial clan’s social etiquette:

“First, we’ll go to Kunning Palace to pay our respects to the Empress. Don’t be fooled by her position as the rightful Empress—she doesn’t involve herself in palace affairs. The management is handled by Noble Consort Yan, with the Crown Princess assisting on the side.”

“The Crown Princess comes from a military family, but she’s very kind. My mother’s standards are sky-high, yet she’s always respected the Crown Princess.”

“And speaking of the Crown Princess, that brings us to Princess Qin…” Pei Mushan leaned in mysteriously, lowering her voice. “Let me tell you—she’s my mother’s archrival.”

Xu Yunqi blinked. “Why?”

Pei Mushan sighed first, then explained: “Princess Qin and my mother entered the household on the same day. As you know, imperial clan weddings don’t require the groom to personally receive the bride. Besides, Prince Qin thought Princess Qin wasn’t beautiful enough, so he was quite uninterested on the wedding day…”

Xu Yunqi recalled that on her own wedding day, the one who came to receive her was the Vice Minister of Rites, not Pei Muheng.

“But my mother was someone my father had to plead for. Not only was the wedding lavish, but he even rode out to receive her in person. In comparison, Princess Qin came off worse. Ever since, they’ve been like needle against thread. You know my mother—she never yields to anyone…”

“Ah, there’s bound to be a show later…”

Xu Yunqi held her hand warmer, listened, and smiled without comment.

Prince Xi’s mansion was close to the imperial city. A quarter-hour brought them to the Donghua Gate. From there to Kunning Palace was about a two-quarter-hour walk. Since it was cold and snowy, palace attendants had prepared small sedan chairs for the Princess Consort’s use.

Prince Xi had already gone with Pei Muxiang and Pei Mujing to the Hall of Heavenly Worship. The Princess Consort took her three daughters-in-law and two daughters to Kunning Palace.

As luck would have it, they encountered Princess Qin just inside the Donghua Gate.

Princess Qin was about the same age as the Princess Consort. Dressed in a deep blue kesi thick jacket and a matching cloak embroidered with orchids, she stood to one side of the palace road, quietly waiting for the Princess Consort to approach. She was tall, with only average looks. Compared to the Princess Consort, who remained beautiful and stood among her daughters-in-law without paling beside them, Princess Qin looked like she belonged to an older generation.

The Princess Consort had spotted her long before. She walked over slowly, supported by Lady Xie, and asked with a smile as she held her embroidered handkerchief:

“Greetings, sister-in-law. Goodness, you have dark circles under your eyes—did you not sleep well?”

Princess Qin’s expression was cool. She would not tell the Princess Consort that the Crown Prince’s light punishment had left Prince Qin in a fury, and that she had borne the brunt of his rage at home.

“Just from staying up late for the New Year.” Her gaze then drifted lightly behind the Princess Consort to the unfamiliar Xu Yunqi. She studied her carefully and smiled. “So this is Heng’er’s wife? How lovely—she rivals you in your younger days.”

A wave of annoyance swept through the Princess Consort.

Princess Qin’s phrase “in your younger days” was a barb—she was telling the Princess Consort that she was aging, her beauty fading.

The second jab was deliberate—poking at the Princess Consort’s sore spot.

The Princess Consort came from a distinguished lineage, a descendant of the Lanling Xiao clan. Her father had been one of the Eighteen Notable Ministers of Silver Sparrow Terrace, and her elder brother was the Governor-General of Sichuan, a regional lord. She had been raised in privilege and had never kowtowed to anyone.

As for Xu Yunqi—a mere daughter of a fifth-rank official, raised in the countryside, utterly unknown.

By comparing mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Princess Qin was deliberately trying to provoke the Princess Consort.

They were both old foxes—neither was afraid of the other.

Though the Princess Consort did not favor Xu Yunqi, she would never show it in public. “Sister-in-law flatters me. My daughters-in-law may not have much else, but they have the finest looks, one and all. Wherever they go, no one mistakes them for men. But looks are secondary—a happy marriage is what matters most.”

Princess Qin’s face darkened.

Prince Qin did not favor Princess Qin. After she bore his eldest legitimate son, he took to his concubines. Now she had only one legitimate son, while the prince’s mansion was overrun with countless concubine-born children.

Princess Qin’s life was not easy. But she quickly recovered her composure and smiled, beckoning Xu Yunqi: “Yunqi, come here.”

She had even learned Xu Yunqi’s given name.

A flicker of surprise crossed Xu Yunqi’s eyes. She stepped forward and curtsied. “Greetings to Her Highness, Princess Qin.”

Ignoring the Princess Consort’s bristling gaze, Princess Qin slipped a jadeite bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Xu Yunqi:

“This is our first meeting, and I find you very agreeable. Here—this bracelet is a small token of my affection. Wear it for fun.”

Princess Qin’s move was ruthlessly calculated.

The bracelet was a vivid, flawless green with excellent water quality—clearly worth a fortune.

Xu Yunqi must be ill-treated by the Princess Consort, so Princess Qin would win her over and slap the Princess Consort in the face.

Truly, when princesses brawled, daughters-in-law suffered.

Xu Yunqi’s face betrayed nothing, but inwardly she was caught between laughter and tears. She knew very well which side to take. She could not help an outsider spite her own mother-in-law, however cool their relations.

She replied with a gracious smile: “As a junior, I should not refuse Your Highness’s kindness. But this bracelet is far too precious—I dare not accept it. If Your Highness would be so kind as to offer something else, I would receive it with a lighter heart.”

Xu Yunqi could not control what Princess Qin chose to give, but she had to show her stance to the Princess Consort.

Seeing her daughter-in-law’s good sense—refusing to be drawn into Princess Qin’s trap—the Princess Consort’s spirits lifted. She glided over and said playfully to Xu Yunqi: “Silly child, when an elder bestows a gift, you dare not refuse. Go on, accept it.”

She would make Princess Qin pay for her scheme.

Princess Qin’s smile stiffened. But having spoken, she could not take it back. She forced herself to hand the jadeite bracelet to Xu Yunqi.

Xu Yunqi took it with a resigned sigh.

The two sisters-in-law had their brief skirmish before the Donghua Gate, then boarded their sedan chairs in turn.

The two princesses could ride, but the younger generation could not. Xu Yunqi had tramped through the jianghu since childhood; such a walk was nothing to her. She moved lightly, breathing easily, while the other imperial granddaughters-in-law struggled, panting and flushed. Xu Yunqi even ended up helping Pei Mushan along.

Upon arriving at Kunning Palace, they were told that the Empress had caught a slight chill and had just risen from her nap—they would have to wait.

Xu Yunqi and the others entered the side hall, where the Crown Princess and several other princesses were already present.

Everyone exchanged New Year’s greetings and bows. Princess Qin glanced at the bracelet in Xu Yunqi’s hand and seized the chance. She said to the Crown Princess, who sat in the place of honor:

“Sister Crown Princess, this is Heng’er’s wife. Tell me—isn’t she lovely?”

Having dealt with this sister-in-law for years, the Crown Princess needed only one glance at the bracelet in Xu Yunqi’s hand to know it was Princess Qin’s prized possession.

As Crown Princess, any meeting gift she gave would have to be more precious than the bracelet. Princess Qin had taken a loss and wanted to drag her down too.

But the Crown Princess had her own headache.

Just before the new year, the Crown Prince had been punished for taking bribes and profiting illicitly. If she now gave a gift more valuable than a jadeite bracelet, she would surely face criticism.

Princess Qin truly never let anyone have a moment’s peace.

But the Crown Princess was the Crown Princess. She reached up to her hairpin, found a gold double-stranded hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers, and handed it to Xu Yunqi:

“Good child, this gold hairpin was given to me by the Empress Dowager on my wedding day. I have always kept it close. Since Heng’er suffered for the Crown Prince, my heart is uneasy. Please accept my most treasured hairpin, and may you and Heng’er live in harmony and grow old together.”

Having been bestowed by the Empress Dowager on the Crown Princess, it carried special weight and outshone Princess Qin’s gift.

Princess Qin’s smile was somewhat strained.

The other princesses were not so particular. Depending on their closeness to the Princess Consort, they offered appropriate meeting gifts, all of which Xu Yunqi handed to an attendant to place in a red sandalwood brocade box.

The Crown Princess called the Princess Consort over to inquire about Pei Muheng’s condition. Lady Xie and Lady Li each chatted with their favored sisters-in-law. Pei Mushan had wandered off somewhere, leaving Xu Yunqi alone. She sat behind the others, drinking tea in silence.

Snatches of gossip drifted over:

“So that’s Heng’er’s wife. Pretty enough, but what a pity about her background.”

“If she weren’t pretty, His Majesty wouldn’t have chosen her. What else does she have?”

“Ah, I was going to propose a match for Heng’er, but His Majesty beat me to it.”

“Oh, don’t say that. The Princess Consort had her eye on Grand Secretary Xun’s daughter—why would she want your niece?”

“Hmph, when I suggested it, she turned her nose up. Look at her now—she’s the one who’s fallen.”

Xu Yunqi set down her teacup calmly, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

—

Before long, the Empress summoned everyone in.

They all performed the full kowtow salute to the Empress.

The Empress was over fifty, slender-faced, with long brows and soft eyes—a kindly-looking old lady.

Her health had never been robust. When she gave birth to the Twelfth Prince, Pei Xun, she had hemorrhaged severely, leaving her with lasting ailments. She had not conceived again since. As Xu Yunqi performed the salute, she stole a glance at the Empress’s face. It was thin, with deficient qi and blood—her constitution had been depleted for years and never fully recovered.

Still, from the shape of her brows and eyes, the Empress must have been a great beauty in her youth.

Accompanying the princesses were consorts from various palaces.

It was here that Xu Yunqi also saw the famous Noble Consort Yan.

Noble Consort Yan was Prince Qin’s mother and the full sister of Grand Secretary Yan Ping.

Compared to the slender Empress, Noble Consort Yan sat imperiously below, a stern edge in her brows—she looked more like the true mistress of the six palaces than the Empress herself.

Once in her mother-in-law’s presence, Princess Qin was much subdued, standing demurely behind Noble Consort Yan.

The imperial clan was large and the warm chamber could not hold everyone, so the Empress dismissed the younger girls to play in the snow while keeping the married ladies to talk.

The Twelfth Prince, Pei Xun, was still recovering from his wounds in Tongzhou and had not returned for the New Year. One of the imperial consorts, expressing concern for the Empress, asked:

“How is the prince’s injury?”

A trace of worry crossed the Empress’s brow. “I don’t know. They only tell me it’s not serious, but if it weren’t serious, why couldn’t he come home for the New Year?”

The court situation rippled through the harem, with palace consorts taking sides and seeking patrons. The consort who spoke belonged to Noble Consort Yan’s faction. She cast a casual glance toward the Crown Princess:

“Those brigands must have wounded the prince badly.”

In most people’s eyes, the Crown Prince had sent assassins to stop Pei Xun’s investigation.

But in fact, after Pei Xun was attacked, the documents in his case were rifled through, and soon after, the truth of the Chen Mingshan case was exposed—which benefited Prince Qin.

Having cultivated her position in the palace for years, the Crown Princess had her own supporters. A consort immediately retorted:

“Indeed! Those villains are utterly despicable—stealing court documents as if there were no law!”

The one who flouted the law most brazenly in the palace was Noble Consort Yan.

Noble Consort Yan did not even lift her eyelids. Her tone was cold: “It’s the New Year—don’t upset the Empress. I’ve asked His Majesty; the Twelfth Prince’s wounds are not serious. He will surely return by the Lantern Festival.”

In her heart, she thought: neither the Crown Prince nor Prince Qin would be stupid enough to strike at Pei Xun now. His injury was suspicious—likely self-inflicted to avoid the court strife.

The Empress had no patience for their squabbling. Her eyes swept the hall and landed on the Princess Consort, who was toying idly with her teacup, looking supremely unconcerned. She asked with amusement:

“What are you thinking, Fourth Daughter-in-law? In the palace or out, you’re the most carefree of them all.”

The Princess Consort rose at once. “Nothing at all—I was just thinking how delicious the tea is in your palace, Your Highness. I’ve already had three cups.”

Whenever the talk turned to court politics, the Princess Consort made a point of keeping out.

The Empress liked her bold yet clear-headed nature. “You must all be tired from the journey. It’s still early for the evening meal—have some refreshments first.”

The attendants moved to carry out her command.

Soon, eunuchs brought small stools and low tables, placing one before each of the noble ladies.

Xu Yunqi sat quietly at the end. During the interval between refreshments, the earlier topic faded and the conversation turned to casual matters.

It was mostly the princesses and senior consorts doing the talking. The younger wives like Xu Yunqi remained silent. Even the usually talkative Lady Li, once inside the palace, kept her eyes down and said nothing, not daring to look around.

Prince Xi was not favored by the Emperor. If she caused trouble in the palace, no one would be able to save her.

Before long, attendants filed in bearing red lacquered trays with intertwined branch patterns.

The first dish set before Xu Yunqi was a plate of candied hawthorn skewers. She was taken aback.

Many years ago, candied hawthorn skewers had always been her obsession.

In the depths of her memory, there was always a blurry figure—lean as bamboo, standing by a small bridge over flowing water, lifting her high in the air as he coaxed her with doting affection:

“My little girl is the best-behaved. Father will bring you candied hawthorn next time he comes home!”

And she waited and waited—through spring blooms and autumn leaves, dawn and dusk. The pond beneath the bridge dried up; the grapevines on the trellis withered and greened again. She crouched on the stone steps before the gate, watching the sunset paint the distant mountains with its final glow—but he never came back.

Some said he had died on the road to the capital for the examinations. Others said he had caught the eye of a rich young lady and been taken as a live-in son-in-law.

Whatever the truth, for her, he was already dead…

Someone gently nudged her arm and whispered in a low voice:

“Third Sister-in-law, snap out of it—answer Her Highness!”

Xu Yunqi looked up in bewilderment. Countless eyes in the hall were fixed on her, all sharp and accusing. Not knowing what had happened, she rose—and saw Noble Consort Yan looking at her with cold, icy eyes.

Xu Yunqi quickly composed herself and curtsied: “This humble woman has been rude—I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

Quiet mockery rippled from some of the consorts nearby.

“Typical of one from a petty household—no manners at all. Her Highness asked her a question, and she didn’t even rise.”

“The Princess Consort’s reputation is all ruined because of this daughter-in-law.”

“If I had a daughter-in-law like that, I wouldn’t be able to hold my head up either…”

It was only when the Empress above gave a soft cough that the mockery subsided.

Noble Consort Yan spoke again:

“What did I just say?”

Xu Yunqi’s brow tightened.

—

On the other side of the wall, in the Qiankun Palace.

The four Grand Secretaries were having refreshments with the Emperor.

Knowing he was in a low mood, none of them mentioned state affairs. Instead, they spoke of their own travels among the people.

Grand Secretary Yan Ping, hands resting on his knees, pointed at the brazier before them. “Your Majesty may recall that when I served as an investigating censor in Lingnan, the locals would celebrate the New Year with a brazier like this—logs blazing hot, meat hung from the rafters to be smoked by the fire until it turned black. You’d think—how could anyone eat that? But the locals loved it. I didn’t like it at first, but after a while, I got used to it.”

The Emperor, reclining on a fur-lined lounge chair, showed great interest. “So this is what the books call smoked meat?”

“Indeed. The southerners love it.” Yan Ping pointed to Xun Yunhe, who sat demurely below. “He’s from the south. Ask him—how is it made?”

The Emperor’s gaze quickly settled on Xun Yunhe across the table. “Minister Xun, tell us.”

Xun Yunhe was Vice Minister of Revenue and the youngest Grand Secretary. When he had first arrived in the capital, his poem “Ode to Shanyang” had made him famous in the Hanlin Academy. The following spring, he took the examinations and earned the title of tanhua—third place—appointed by the Emperor himself. Xun Yunhe was gifted in both talent and appearance, with a stellar record of achievements, and had always been a focus of attention at court. More remarkably, he stood high in the Emperor’s favor. Some said the Emperor intended to groom him as Yan Ping’s successor to lead the Grand Secretariat one day.

Such a man, the Emperor would not allow any prince to claim. That was why, when the Princess Consort had wanted Pei Muheng to marry Xun Yunling, the Emperor had firmly opposed it.

Xun Yunhe, in his crimson robe, was handsome and elegant, his demeanor gentle and refined. He smiled and replied: “Your servant left Jingzhou many years ago—I truly don’t remember how it was made. I only vaguely recall that it was sticky to the teeth, and I was not fond of it.”

Beside him, Elder Zheng, Minister of Rites, laughed heartily and said to the Emperor: “Your Majesty may not know this, but Grand Secretary Xun has one peculiar taste—he adores candied hawthorn!”

The Emperor sat up, pushing aside his quilt. “I’ve heard of that. Today I specifically ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare some. Attendant—bring a plate of candied hawthorn for Minister Xun.”

A faint flicker crossed Xun Yunhe’s expression, and a hint of awkwardness touched the corners of his mouth as he rose: “Your Majesty is too kind.”