The leaden sky gradually lightened, and all of Chang’an’s countless wards and markets lay shrouded beneath boundless snow.
Seated on the carriage box, Xue Tai rubbed his hands together for warmth. “The young lady has been out on call the whole night. Truly worrying. Master ordered me early this morning to fetch you back.”
Leaning against the carriage wall to rest, Jiang Li answered faintly.
The Xue clan of Hedong was a venerable family of officials and nobles. In this generation, the old matriarch had long passed away, and the patriarch Xue Yuanchang—once Minister of Rites—had succumbed to illness three years prior. Among the descendants, only two branches remained.
The eldest, Xue Qi, thirty‑nine years of age, served as Censor‑in‑Chief, close to the Son of Heaven himself. Besides his eldest daughter Xue Ling, he had a pair of twins born of his concubine Madam Yao: Xue Zhan, famed for his talents at Bailu Academy, and Xue Qin, a beauty with snow‑like skin and a gift for music.
Second in rank was Xue Lanshi, who had entered the Eastern Palace sixteen years ago as Crown Princess—now the clan’s greatest pillar. The third son, Xue Xiao, had died young, unmarried and without heirs. That left only the fourth branch: Xue Yu, of concubine birth, thirty‑one this year, holding a minor sinecure in the Ministry of Works, with but one legitimate son, six‑year‑old Xue Hao.
The household was not overly complicated. Having returned three days ago, Jiang Li still managed to move with ease.
The carriage rolled into Pingkang Ward. By the time they reached the Xue residence, daylight had fully broken. Jiang Li gathered her cloak and stepped inside. Just past the gate, she encountered Xue Qi on his way to court. Broad‑faced and heavyset, he wore crimson official robes that strained against his girth. At his side walked Madam Yao, still alluring though nearly forty, and behind them followed Xue Qin in a saffron gown embroidered with butterflies. Master, favored concubine, and beloved daughter together—an image of domestic harmony.
Jiang Li bowed. “Father is off to the yamen?”
Xue Qi regarded her with some exasperation. “You were gone the whole night. What illness afflicts the young lady of the Fu family?”
Jiang Li replied calmly, “Miss Fu’s condition is not fit to be spoken of.”
Xue Qi clicked his tongue. “This child…”
Though pleased to have a famed healer for a daughter, he feared her medical practice might bring trouble upon the clan. Before him stood a girl of twenty, clear‑eyed and striking, yet somehow beyond his control despite his decades of authority.
Madam Yao, radiant in a deep‑violet brocade, smiled gently. “The eldest miss grew up in the jianghu. Rules can be taught slowly. My lord, do not be angered. The hour grows late.”
Xue Qi sighed heavily and departed, Madam Yao murmuring softly as she accompanied him to the carriage.
Xue Qin watched them leave, then approached Jiang Li with concern. “Elder sister must be exhausted after a night’s work. But what illness requires such long treatment? Is Miss Fu well?”
Jiang Li’s gaze was cool. “A physician’s foremost duty is discretion. To reveal a patient’s secrets is forbidden. Third sister, do not pry. I am indeed weary and will rest now.” With that, she turned away.
Xue Qin twisted her handkerchief, frozen in place. Since childhood, she had been treated as the sole daughter of the main branch. With Madam Yao managing the inner quarters, she seemed every inch the proper eldest daughter. Apart from the Jian family’s inquiries, who even remembered she once had an elder sister?
Now that Xue Ling had been found, she not only had an uncle of third‑rank office, but was also a physician of considerable renown in the jianghu. These days, whenever the Xue clan was mentioned, all anyone spoke of was the eldest daughter whose medical skill was unmatched. Who still remembered *her*—once famed for both talent and beauty?
Seeing her displeasure, the maid Cai Wei muttered, “The eldest miss has such a temper. Master asks and she won’t answer, acting all mysterious. Isn’t she just treating illnesses? Female physicians are hardly respected—almost lumped with the lowest trades. And Chang’an is not without its own women doctors. If not for her surname being Xue, who would go begging at her door?”
Xue Qin gave a cold hum, lifting her chin with haughty poise. “People of the jianghu have no sense of propriety. I won’t stoop to her level. Let her stumble one day, then she’ll learn her place.”
She lowered her voice. “Go and find out what happened at Shou’an manor. That Fu Yunci always held her nose high. I want to know what illness could have struck her.”
The Xue family’s ancestors had enjoyed the highest honors. Their residence in Pingkang Ward lay but a stone’s throw from the imperial city and only two incense‑sticks’ walk from the Eastern Market. As the snow eased and dawn’s light spread, the pavilions and towers within the estate gleamed in silver frost. Jiang Li, with her attendant Huai‑Xi, made her way toward Yingyue Pavilion in the inner court.
After a stretch, Huai‑Xi glanced back. “Miss, I fear Third Sister is angry.”
Jiang Li remained unmoved. “Oh.”
Years ago, when Xue Ling was abducted, Madam Jian Xian had withdrawn to nurse her health. For over a decade, Madam Yao managed the inner quarters. Bearing twins had further secured her standing, nearly equal to that of a principal wife. Before Jiang Li’s return, Xue Qin had been the sole young lady of the household. Now, she was relegated to ‘Third Miss,’ her concubine birth all the more awkward.
How could she not be resentful? And there would be more resentment yet to come.
Yingyue Pavilion was a two‑storied lodge, somewhat tucked away, yet overlooking the plum grove and the estate’s Swallow Lake. In the bitter season, clusters of red plum blossomed, their cold fragrance drifting across snow and water—a scene Jiang Li found most pleasing.
Entering the hall, she saw pearl curtains and embroidered drapes, treasures gleaming, every furnishing of the finest quality. Two delicate‑featured maids, who had kept vigil through the night, came forward to greet her. One was named Ji Xiang, the other Ru Yi. Having heard early on of her famed title “Magnolia Hand,” they had served her these past days with particular devotion.
Ji Xiang quickly helped her remove the cloak. “My lady has finally returned!”
Ru Yi asked again, “Have you had breakfast yet?”
Before Jiang Li could answer, Huai Xi rubbed her own flat stomach and piped up, “Sisters, please serve the meal quickly. I haven’t eaten all night—I’m starving to death…”
Ru Yi looked surprised, while Ji Xiang handed over hot tea, muttering, “How could the Shou’an household be so careless, letting the young lady go hungry while tending to patients?”
Jiang Li smiled faintly. “I simply hadn’t the time.”
The floor heating made the room as warm as spring. After washing her hands, Jiang Li changed into a light moon‑white robe. Breakfast was soon brought in. Huai Xi, who had followed Jiang Li for three years, knew well why she had returned to Chang’an. Master and servant shared the meal before retiring to the second‑floor bedchamber.
As soon as they went upstairs, Huai Xi said, “Miss, you should take your medicine. After last night’s exertions, you must be feeling unwell. Take it and rest quickly.”
Jiang Li retrieved two scarlet pills from her chest and swallowed them. “You should rest too. Have Ji Xiang keep watch on the Earl’s household. If anyone comes, wake me at once.”
Huai Xi agreed, watched her lie down, lowered the bed curtains, and went downstairs.
Jiang Li slept until late afternoon. Huai Xi woke earlier and came up to attend her. “Don’t worry, miss. No one from the Earl’s household has come. It seems Miss Fu’s condition has stabilized.”
Jiang Li rose and dressed, her brows still shadowed with worry. After a moment’s thought, she said, “The Earl mentioned that Madam Xu has been ill for a month or two. Have Ji Xiang inquire what ails her.”
That evening, Ji Xiang reported, “My lady, Madam Xu of General Xu’s household suffers from chronic migraines. They’ve been consulting imperial physicians, but it’s stubborn and hasn’t improved.”
Jiang Li, reading under the lamplight, nodded.
Ji Xiang and Ru Yi exchanged glances. Ji Xiang couldn’t help but ask, “Are you investigating this for Miss Fu’s sake? She and Young Master Xu are betrothed, with their wedding set for the first day of next month. Our master will surely attend both sides, since the Xu family and ours have ties…”
The noble families of Chang’an were deeply intertwined. Jiang Li’s inquiry into Madam Xu’s illness stemmed from her morning conversation with Pei Yan. Fu Yunci was a solemn character—she would never dwell on scandalous sights, only remembering the maxim ‘see no impropriety.’ For her to be drawn outside Yuzhen Temple, it must have been no ordinary person. And when she awoke, her sudden terror at Nanny Cui’s words made Jiang Li suspect the Xu household. But could the so‑called “bride butcher” truly be one of them?
“Watch whether the Xu family sends any invitations in the coming days,” she instructed, then dismissed the two maids to rest.
When they had gone, Huai Xi tried to comfort her. “Don’t worry, miss. Tomorrow morning we’ll return to the Earl’s house for a follow‑up. Perhaps by then the truth will be clearer, and Miss Fu will have calmed herself. She and Young Master Xu have shared affection for years. Even if he learns she suffered humiliation, he’ll only pity her.”
Thinking of the morning’s events, Huai Xi added, “But your suspicion of the Xu family before Lord Pei—might that cause trouble? After all, they’re to be married, and we are outsiders.”
Jiang Li said quietly, “Ah‑Ci was attacked. I couldn’t worry about propriety. Her younger brother is straightforward and won’t misinterpret. As for Lord Pei, he is a man of virtue, placing duty above all.”
Her tone was cool, the word “virtue” sounding as much like irony as praise. Huai Xi blinked. “So you know Lord Pei? Did you have dealings with him before? Has he aided your plans?”
Jiang Li’s throat tightened; she couldn’t answer. Listening to the snow rustling outside the window, she suddenly recalled the first time she met Pei Yan.
It was the Lantern Festival of the twenty‑seventh year of Jingde. She had just been adopted by Yu Qingling and Wei Jie. At eight years old, she already had some grasp of medicine and, for the first time, accompanied Yu Qingling into the palace to treat a noble patient.
The endless palaces stretched into the snowy distance. Crossing the Ziwei Hall bridge, they saw from afar the imperial guards arrayed by Taiye Pool. Emperor Jingde was hosting a banquet in the snow for envoys from Southern Qi.
In that icy scene, an eleven‑year‑old Pei Yan stood tall in a white fur cloak.
From several yards away, Emperor Jingde’s hearty laughter rang out: “Excellent! ‘Bearing the purity of a lofty heart, adorned with the brilliance of virtue.’ Just now, hearing your discourse, I recalled these lines from the *Dance of the Crane* and thought of your father. He never sought fame nor feared lowly rank, loyal and patriotic, with a heart of ice and snow. He was the minister I cherished most—and regretted most.”
The emperor sighed, then spoke with affection: “Pei Yan, I bestow upon you the courtesy name ‘He‑chen’—Crane Minister. From today you inherit your father’s title. May you carry on his spirit, become the backbone of Great Zhou, and my most faithful servant.”
The boy, graceful as a crane, knelt in homage, and none could look away.
The young eunuch guiding them whispered, “The Southern Qi envoys brought three great scholars to debate our literati. Yet just now, the young master of the Pei household defeated all three alone. With the emperor granting him a courtesy name and title, no one dares say the Pei family lacks heirs…”
The eunuch was right. Later, Pei Yan became the study companion of the Fifth Prince, Li Yao. Even without holding office, he was personally appointed by the emperor to the Hanlin Academy to compile texts. At Bailu Academy, his authority rivaled the headmaster’s.
Such a gentleman of jade should have entered the court in brocade robes, with tablet and fish‑pouch, discoursing on statecraft in the bright halls. Yet he had become a midnight investigator, the Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
In the distance, a lamp wick crackled. Jiang Li set down her medical text and said, “We can hardly call it friendship. Take your bath and rest early—you must go to the Earl’s residence tomorrow.”
When her body sank into the bath, Jiang Li closed her eyes and let out a long breath.
Huai Xi, holding a soft towel, gently wiped her fair neck and jade-like shoulders, then carefully tended the old scar on her left shoulder blade. Aside from that patch of angry red, her skin was pale as porcelain—too pale, almost sickly, the steaming water unable to bring warmth to her complexion. Huai Xi’s eyes filled with pity, and she served her mistress with even greater care.
After bathing and dressing, Jiang Li sat before the dressing table, studying the thinner, more delicate face reflected in the bronze mirror. She raised a hand to her cheek, then covered half her face, leaving only her clear, soft peach-blossom eyes visible. Five years had changed not only her features but also the brightness of her gaze, once sharp, now dulled. She turned away, dried her hair, and soon drifted into uneasy sleep.
That night, she did not rest well. When her mind finally cleared, dawn light was already seeping through the window. Remembering she must go to the Earl’s residence, she was just about to rise when hurried footsteps rushed upstairs.
“Miss, something has happened—!” Huai Xi’s voice was urgent, making Jiang Li’s heart leap.
In the next instant, Huai Xi flung open the bed curtains. “Miss, men from the Earls residence have come to fetch you. They say Miss Fu is in trouble—please, you must go at once!”
Jiang Li dressed swiftly and descended. As she stepped out of Yingyue Pavilion, she saw Xue Qin cheerfully admiring plum blossoms by Swallow Lake.
Seeing her hurry out, Xue Qin approached in her cloak. “I knew elder sister was reluctant to speak yesterday—it truly was unspeakable. And Miss Fu, honestly… already about to be married…”
Her tone carried disdain. Jiang Li frowned, not understanding.
Xue Qin covered her lips, whispering, “Oh, elder sister doesn’t know yet? Miss Fu’s matter spread through Chang’an overnight. They say she was caught in illicit relations at Yuzhen Temple—her purity is already—”
“What nonsense are you spouting?!” Jiang Li’s gaze turned cold as a blade. Her sharp rebuke made Xue Qin step back in fright, clutching her chest. “It’s true! If you don’t believe me, ask around… The whole city is talking—it’s not my invention…”
Jiang Li strode away like the wind, leaving Xue Qin’s voice far behind. At the front courtyard, she found Dan Feng waiting. Before Jiang Li could speak, Dan Feng rushed forward, crying, “Miss Xue, my lady has attempted suicide—please, save her!”
Jiang Li felt as though struck by thunder. “Attempted suicide?!”