Chapter 5

The next morning, as dawn’s first light broke, Pei Muheng had already entered the palace. Xu Yunqi also stretched lazily amid the frost.

Having traveled the jianghu with her grandfather for years, she was accustomed to moving lightly—her possessions amounted to nothing more than a simple bundle and a medical kit. Now that she was married, her dowry chests alone filled an entire room. That morning, Xu Yunqi instructed Yinxing to tend to the greenhouse while she herself took Old Madam Chen to the storehouse.

Over the past two days, she had familiarized herself with the entirety of Qinghui Garden. The garden sat on the southwest side of the prince’s mansion, with five courtyards surrounding it in a protective formation. A sloping corridor led from the main gate: heading south from the corridor brought one to Pei Muheng’s study, while heading north led to the rear courtyard. To the left, along the mansion’s central axis, stood a magnificent hall known as Mingyu Hall, its stonework jade-like, used for receiving guests. To the right, there was a waterside retreat where the master could enjoy the moon in leisure. The third branch’s storehouse sat nestled between the study and the waterside retreat—a quadrangular courtyard flanked by two rows of low buildings, all piled high with Pei Muheng’s accumulated wealth. Xu Yunqi’s dowry chests still sat beneath the veranda.

Although the Princess Consort did not favor Xu Yunqi, upon hearing that she had no servants of her own, she had eventually assigned some help: two plain-featured, steady maids for rough work and two matrons to sweep the courtyard. Xu Yunqi instructed these four to store the gold, jade, and valuables from her dowry in the storehouse, while the four large chests were carried to the rear courtyard.

These held Xu Yunqi’s real “dowry.”

Xu Yunqi was skilled in medicine, adept at preparing remedies and practicing acupuncture. When her grandfather had grown older and his eyesight failed, he had passed down his life’s knowledge to her. Every time he saw patients, it was Xu Yunqi who wielded the needles.

After the chests were delivered, Xu Yunqi dismissed everyone.

Qinghui Garden comprised three large main bays, with three principal chambers on each side connected to small side rooms. The side rooms served as washrooms, while the gable-end rooms held clothes and personal effects not in daily use—essentially small storehouses. Xu Yunqi had few personal possessions. She had the rosewood-and-ivory-inlaid vertical cabinets moved to the main storehouse, leaving only a huanghuali wood lattice shelf. She personally took the medicine boxes from the four dowry chests, sorted them by category, and arranged them on the shelves. Then she moved a small long table from the eastern annex. In a single day, she had transformed the space into a small dispensary, following the arrangement she had known in her old home in Jingzhou.

Xu Yunqi valued peace and disliked having matrons order her about, which was why she had refused Madam Zhang’s offer of companion servants. It was the same here at the prince’s mansion. Yinxing, knowing her mistress’s temperament well, planted her hands on her hips beneath the veranda and lectured the servants:

“All of you stay in the rear-corridor rooms during the day. Tend to your own duties, each according to their station. Without the young mistress’s express permission, none of you are to enter the main house.”

Listening to Yinxing’s imperious tone through the window, Xu Yunqi stood at the door of the gable-end room, looking at the neatly arranged medical texts and case records on the desk, breathing in the familiar scent of herbs. A contented smile spread across her face. She had finally “set up home.”

Pei Muheng was gone for five full days. Throughout those five days, the Princess Consort used her migraines as an excuse to excuse the younger generation from morning and evening greetings. Lady Xie and Lady Li did not dare presume; they continued to present themselves at Jinhua Hall daily. Xu Yunqi understood this was merely the Princess Consort’s way of avoiding her, so she did not impose herself.

But on the morning of the sixth day—the eighth day of the eleventh lunar month—Xu Yunqi arrived at Jinhua Hall early with Yinxing.

The matrons were somewhat surprised to see her but dared not bar her way. They courteously ushered her into the western annex:

“Young Mistress, please wait a moment. The Princess Consort’s migraine is acting up; she has not yet risen.”

Xu Yunqi glanced at the sun and felt a flicker of urgency.

She needed to go out today.

“Mistress, would you please convey a message for me? I wish to go out and would like the Princess Consort’s permission.”

So that was it.

Old Madam Hao, one of the Princess Consort’s four chief attendants—in charge of her daily needs—looked at the beautiful, composed Xu Yunqi with sympathy. She had fair skin and long, narrow eyes, and was known for her gentle disposition. A young girl, married into the prince’s mansion alone and unwelcome, naturally inspired compassion.

Old Madam Hao said warmly, “Young Mistress, please wait a moment. This servant will go and ask the Princess Consort.”

Xu Yunqi thanked her.

Before long, Old Madam Hao returned with a smile, saying the Princess Consort would see her. Xu Yunqi followed her into the eastern annex.

The Princess Consort, wearing a headband, was being helped to sit on the arhat couch by her attendants. Her brows were knitted in discomfort, her expression sour as she leaned against her bolster.

Beside her, the eldest daughter-in-law, Lady Xie, was dampening a cloth to help her wash her face, while the second daughter-in-law, Lady Li, held a bowl of medicinal gruel, waiting for the Princess Consort to eat.

When Xu Yunqi entered, no one paid her any mind—only Lady Li gave her a furtive smile.

Xu Yunqi acknowledged her with a nod, then her gaze drifted to the bowl of medicinal gruel. Having practiced medicine for years, she was especially sensitive to the scent of herbs. She detected Chuanxiong, red peony root, gastrodia, and other ingredients—it seemed the Princess Consort was indeed suffering from a migraine.

The attendants proceeded methodically with the Princess Consort’s toilette. Xu Yunqi stood silently beside Lady Li.

But as the maidservant removed the Princess Consort’s headband, Xu Yunqi stole a glance at her face.

A faint bluish tinge showed near the Yangbai acupoint on the left side of the Princess Consort’s forehead. This indicated a blockage in the kidney meridian and stagnant qi and blood. Her complexion, while fair, lacked healthy ruddiness—the result of years of ease and inactivity.

An illness like this could not be cured with mere Chuanxiong blood-moving decoctions.

Xu Yunqi held her tongue.

Soon, the attendants finished their work. After drinking a bowl of medicinal soup, the Princess Consort’s color improved somewhat. She leaned on her matron’s arm and looked at Xu Yunqi with impatience:

“What do you want with me?”

All eyes turned to her.

Stepping forward from behind the others, Xu Yunqi kept her head down as she curtsied. “In reply to Mother, your daughter-in-law wishes to go out.”

The Princess Consort gave a soft snort. So this was a case of “no visit without business.” Though she had excused her from the greetings, the eldest and second daughters-in-law still came dutifully every day. Xu Yunqi, by contrast, seemed a complete blockhead, with no trace of cleverness. The Princess Consort’s displeasure grew.

People were like this: they rejected someone on one hand, yet on the other wished the same person would fawn over them.

Unwell and unwilling to engage with Xu Yunqi, the Princess Consort waved her hand wearily. “Go.”

Xu Yunqi withdrew in silence.

After a moment, the Princess Consort dismissed her other daughters-in-law as well, keeping only her personal matron by her side. Now, with her pained expression no longer concealed, she threw herself into the matron’s arms and wept miserably:

“I’ve taken several courses of Doctor Fan’s medicine. At first, it worked well, but now the effects are minimal. The pain is unbearable.”

The old matron held her, both anxious and distressed. “My dear lady, please listen to this old servant’s advice. Set your mind at ease. Doctor Fan said before that migraines are a chronic condition, deeply connected to diet, rest, and mood. Ever since the Third Young Master’s engagement was announced, your brow has been perpetually furrowed. Now that things are settled, why must you dwell on it?”

“The Third Young Master is a dragon among men. He needs no help from his wife’s family to rise high. What is lost in the morning may be gained in the evening. Who can say this Xu girl won’t turn out to be a good one? Whatever is meant for the Third Young Master, Heaven will not deny him. Just you wait and see.”

These words finally eased the Princess Consort’s spirits somewhat. She silently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and let out a long sigh:

“Very well. She’s been quiet these past few days—not one to stir up trouble. As long as she doesn’t cling to Heng’er, this household can tolerate her.”

Seeing her mistress more reconciled, the old matron smiled with relief. “That’s the spirit. Children have their own fortunes. Put this marriage out of your mind. The most important thing now is to get your health back. This old servant thinks perhaps you should consult another imperial physician?”

The Princess Consort looked weary. “I’ve had this illness for over ten years. Which imperial physician in the Tai Hospital hasn’t seen me? It’s always the same prescriptions, and they no longer do much good.”

The old matron seemed to recall something and sighed regretfully.

The Princess Consort rubbed her temple and asked, “What’s the matter?”

The matron smiled ruefully. “Your Highness may not know, but over thirty years ago, there was an imperial physician in the Tai Hospital by the name of Liu. His acupuncture skills were nothing short of miraculous. After he passed, no one carried on his legacy. If the old master were still alive, your illness would be easily cured.”

The Princess Consort showed little reaction to this. The world was full of charlatans who claimed more fame than they deserved; the truly skilled might not have been so celebrated in life, only praised extravagantly after death.

She took a few more sips of ginseng soup and soon drifted into a listless sleep.

By then, Xu Yunqi had already left the mansion. Her carriage traveled to the bustling market, where she sent the accompanying matrons and driver to a tea stall for refreshments. She herself took Yinxing into a ready-made clothing shop. The female shopkeeper was an acquaintance, as though she had expected Xu Yunqi’s arrival. She welcomed her inside while casting a discreet glance toward the prince’s mansion’s attendants.

“Miss, go ahead with your business. I’ll cover for you.”

Xu Yunqi thanked her and went into the private room at the back. She shed her colorful embroidered jacket and changed into a plain white dress. She removed the gold, pearl, and jade ornaments from her hair, securing it simply with a white jade hairpin. Clean and unadorned, she slipped out through the side passage of the shop and entered the neighboring apothecary through a side door.

A young apprentice was waiting at the side entrance. Seeing her appear, he came forward quickly and said with a smile, “Mistress, you’ve come. The patient has been waiting for half an hour.”

Xu Yunqi acknowledged him with a slight nod, climbed the wooden stairs, and pushed open the private room door. A woman in her thirties was waiting inside. She lit up at the sight of Xu Yunqi and hurried over with a grateful smile:

“I’m so relieved you’re here, Madam Xu. The prescription you gave me last time worked wonders—I feel much better now. When you said today was for a follow-up, I couldn’t wait to come.”

Xu Yunqi exchanged a few pleasantries with her, then sat down to take her pulse. After several breaths, she released the woman’s hand with a smile:

“Much improved. The coating on your tongue is lighter too. Continue taking the Cangfu Daotan pills I gave you, and add Yimu pills—one in the morning and one at night. Come back for a follow-up in a month. Be careful not to catch a chill, and don’t dwell on worries…”

The woman asked at length about dietary precautions, and Xu Yunqi answered each question patiently.

After finally sending her off, Xu Yunqi had just taken a sip of tea to moisten her lips when the door opened behind her. A tall man in a loose, cross-collared robe strode in, stroking his long black beard as he sauntered over slowly.

“What are you doing here? I sent you word before—give up this search. The old man is most likely gone. Stop looking.”

Xu Yunqi slowly rose from her seat, turned to face him, and the smile at the corners of her mouth vanished entirely.

Two years ago, her grandfather had gone west to collect herbs and never returned.

After waiting in vain for news, Xu Yunqi had hired an escort agency to search for him in Xizhou. Two months later, word came that her grandfather had fallen from a cliff to his death. Xu Yunqi’s world collapsed.

She had lived with her grandfather for over a decade, never apart for more than a day. With him gone, she felt like a kite with its string cut, drifting without direction. Clinging to the belief that she must see him alive or recover his body, she had packed a bag and journeyed to Xizhou alone.

After half a year of searching through mountains and rivers, she found nothing. Her mother, Madam Zhang, urged her to accept reality, sending people repeatedly to bring her back to the capital. Xu Yunqi, her heart like dead ashes and herself a hollow puppet, allowed her mother’s people to lead her home. Perhaps it was fate, or Heaven’s design, but she discovered—on the outskirts of the capital—a signal left by her grandfather.

It was the distress signal they had agreed upon.

Tears streamed down Xu Yunqi’s face. After arriving in the capital, she had tried every means to contact her grandfather’s old disciples and acquaintances, searching everywhere. Yet a year had passed, and there was still no news.

Xu Yunqi stood still for a long moment, then gradually revealed a pensive look:

“Shopkeeper Hu, I’ve been unable to sleep these past few days, and suddenly I wonder if we’ve been looking in the wrong direction.”

Shopkeeper Hu was slightly taken aback. “What do you mean?”

Xu Yunqi’s eyes grew exceptionally bright, as if the clouds had parted. “Finding a signal outside the capital doesn’t necessarily mean he entered the city. It’s possible the kidnappers took him to a nearby town instead.”

Shopkeeper Hu clicked his tongue in surprise, then fell into thought. “East of the capital is Tongzhou; west is Yanzhou. Did Master’s mark indicate any direction?”

Xu Yunqi shook her head. “No. But you could send someone to inquire in Tongzhou or Yanzhou.”

Shopkeeper Hu paused, looked at Xu Yunqi, and then showed a troubled expression. “Junior Sister, it’s not that I’m unwilling, but it’s like finding a needle in a haystack—pointless.”

Shopkeeper Hu had shared a brief master-disciple bond with Old Master Zhang. Out of that connection, he had contributed both money and effort to help Xu Yunqi over the past year. Having him make inquiries within the capital was one thing; going to Tongzhou or Yanzhou was beyond his means.

Xu Yunqi knew his concerns well. She stepped forward and said decisively:

“I’ll sit at your clinic for another year, free of charge.”

Shopkeeper Hu’s throat tightened. He looked at this young junior sister with a complex expression, clicked his tongue, and said nothing.

In the past year, Xu Yunqi had brought considerable prestige to his clinic, helping him establish a foothold in the southern part of the city. He had also witnessed her remarkable skills firsthand. But that alone wasn’t enough.

Seeing he still wouldn’t respond, Xu Yunqi guessed his thoughts. She pressed her lips together, as if making a monumental decision:

“One year. A one-year term. If you help me find my grandfather, I’ll give you the acupuncture manual he left behind.”

A gleam flashed in Shopkeeper Hu’s eyes as he suppressed a flicker of delight. After a moment’s silence, he put on a reluctant expression. “Ah, Junior Sister, saying that puts me in a difficult position. Very well, I’ll help you one more time. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to Tongzhou…”

Xu Yunqi dared not linger. An hour later, she returned to the clothing shop, bought a winter jacket as cover, and went back to the mansion.

Back in Qinghui Garden, as Yinxing served her meal, she asked:

“Mistress, are you really going to give Old Master’s acupuncture manual to Shopkeeper Hu? This servant thinks he’s up to no good.”

Xu Yunqi’s expression remained neutral. “All the world’s hustle is for profit; all the world’s bustle is for gain. If I ask him for help, I have to offer something in return. Grandfather wouldn’t want his skills to die with him anyway.”

Two days later, on the day of a patient’s scheduled follow-up, Xu Yunqi used visiting her mother’s family as an excuse and went to request the Princess Consort’s permission again.

This time the Princess Consort did not see her, but complained to the old matron:

“Look at that. She was well-behaved for just a few days, and now her true nature shows. She treats our prince’s mansion like a marketplace—coming and going as she pleases!”

The old matron, seeing the Princess Consort angered, smiled helplessly. “When you first married into this household, weren’t you always begging to go back to your own family? The Third Young Mistress is young—it’s only natural she misses her mother.”

The Princess Consort did not favor Xu Yunqi, but neither could she be unkind and bar her from leaving. She took a few deep breaths and instructed a maidservant:

“Tell Xu that if she wants to go out, she can report to her eldest sister-in-law from now on. She doesn’t need to bother me.”

Xu Yunqi thus went to the administrative hall to see her eldest sister-in-law, Lady Xie, and expressed her wish to visit her family. Lady Xie could hardly refuse her, and granted her leave.

Another half-month passed, and soon it would be a month since her wedding to Pei Muheng.

Since the day Pei Muheng had left, Xu Yunqi had not seen him again.

Lately, the Great Wu had been raiding frequently, and the court was at a loss over military grain supplies. The Emperor blamed the Ministry of Revenue, and the minister naturally passed the blame to the Tongzhou granaries. Pei Muheng attended the Emperor daily, helping with administrative documents and advising on confidential matters in the literary study, so busy he barely touched the ground—and had all but forgotten he had a new young wife at home.

Xu Yunqi, for her part, came and went early and late, gradually growing accustomed to life in the prince’s mansion and nearly forgetting she had a husband.

She lived quite well in the mansion. The food was excellent, with all manner of delicacies delivered punctually each day. Xu Yunqi was not picky and enjoyed everything. Moreover, a few days earlier, the mansion’s sewing room had come to take her measurements and made her several sets of winter clothes. Compared to her days of sleeping rough, she had landed in a den of luxury.

On top of that, she did not have to attend to her mother-in-law.

Her only headache was the inconvenience of leaving the mansion—she had to report to Lady Xie every time.

Today she was visiting her mother’s family, tomorrow she was going to the market for purchases—she had nearly exhausted her excuses.

One afternoon at the end of the eleventh month, Xu Yunqi received an urgent letter from the gatekeeper. A woman five months pregnant had come to the Chengyang Clinic. She was in severe abdominal pain and bleeding, and had specifically requested to see “Madam Xu.” Xu Yunqi’s heart raced as she read the letter. She immediately told Yinxing:

“Find whatever excuse you can and tell my eldest sister-in-law. I’m leaving first.”

Xu Yunqi grabbed her cloak and hurried toward the gate.

That day, fine snow was falling and ice had formed on the road. Thick red felt had been laid before Prince Xi’s mansion, and the steward was directing servants to clear the snow from the courtyard path to prevent anyone from slipping.

Xu Yunqi, dressed in a plain skirt and wrapped in a heavy cloak, stepped over the threshold. Snowflakes swirled in on the wind, stinging her eyes. She turned her face away from the blast, and when she looked up again, a carriage had drawn up before the gate. A tall, upright figure lifted the curtain and stepped out.

Their eyes met.

Both husband and wife froze.

Perhaps because he had not seen Xu Yunqi in so long, Pei Muheng did not recognize her immediately when he saw that pale little face.

Xu Yunqi, for her part, recognized her nominal husband well enough. A dilemma arose in her mind.

He had to come back just now, of all times—blocking her way.

She racked her brain for an excuse to convince Pei Muheng to let her go out.

Pei Muheng’s composure quickly returned, and he began to study his young wife. She was slender and delicate, her small face buried in the white, fluffy rabbit-fur trim of her cloak, making her look especially pitiable and timid.

He could see she was about to go out. At this hour, if she wasn’t staying home, she must have urgent business.

Pei Muheng strode up the steps.

Fine snow settled on his shoulders like clear frost, framing his handsome face in a veil of snow-mist—like a celestial being stepping out of a painting.

Xu Yunqi, facing this husband who radiated an oppressive aura, suppressed her anxiety and greeted him with her usual bright smile, curtsying: “Third Master is home.”

It had been a long time since he had heard her voice—so soft, like a feather brushing past his ear, a touch unfamiliar. Involuntarily, Pei Muheng lowered his voice and asked gently, “You’re going out?”

Xu Yunqi was about to answer when Yinxing came rushing out through the threshold, calling out:

“Young Mistress, I’ve informed the Eldest Young Mistress, and she’s given us permission to go…”

Xu Yunqi turned to look at her blundering maid and shot her a quick warning glance.

Only then did Yinxing notice Pei Muheng was back. She skidded to a halt and ducked behind Xu Yunqi.

Xu Yunqi rubbed her forehead, then turned to look at her husband. She saw his expression had suddenly darkened. Her heart sank—fearing his anger, she hurried to explain: “Third Master, please don’t be angry. There’s a reason for it—the maid is just a bit impulsive…”

Pei Muheng had not heard a word of Xu Yunqi’s explanation. His mind was caught on that single phrase from Yinxing.

Xu Yunqi needed Lady Xie’s permission to leave the house?

Who was Lady Xie to have authority over Xu Yunqi?

It was true that he and his wife were not close—he had nearly forgotten what she looked like—but they shared honor and disgrace. He would not allow her to live at anyone else’s mercy.

Suppressing his anger, Pei Muheng asked Xu Yunqi, “Why must you seek Xie’s approval to go out?”

Xu Yunqi’s throat caught. She looked at her husband in confusion, only then realizing where his attention had gone.

“Mother is ill and excused me from the morning and evening greetings. She said that if I need to go out, I should ask my eldest sister-in-law…”

There was no point hiding it, nor could she have. Unsure of Pei Muheng’s intentions, she could only tell the truth.

Pei Muheng understood the situation perfectly from that brief explanation. He closed his eyes and let out a laugh of pure exasperation.

He knew his mother’s nature all too well.

He raised his hand and pointed to his own carriage. “Take mine. I’ll handle things here.”

Xu Yunqi sensed something odd in Pei Muheng’s demeanor and was utterly baffled. But she had no time to dwell on it—remembering the pregnant woman in mortal danger at the clinic, she dashed down the steps without a second word and boarded the carriage.

Pei Muheng watched her go, the warmth in his gaze fading. He turned and strode toward Jinhua Hall.