After summer arrived in the capital, the weather grew hot. The Emperor bestowed many fine silks—these were newly imported tributes, rare even within the palace, and low-ranking consorts could not even touch them.
Madam Jiang, knowledgeable and experienced, smiled as she introduced them to Yanyu: “This is *Qianxue* silk, and this is *Cicada Wing* silk. These colors are beautiful—we’ll make you a few dresses from them. They’ll be light and elegant for summer. And this crepe silk, we’ll use it for undergarments—soft and comfortable at night.”
The Duke Zhen’s household was gone, and no men of the Wen family remained to fight for the country. Yet the Emperor was not a heartless man. Over the years, he had often asked after Yanyu’s condition. But this was the first time he had sent such lavish gifts.
Madam Jiang said, “It’s clear the Emperor favors Prince Qin, and by extension, he showers you with these gifts. When you were engaged to the Fifth Prince, the Emperor never asked about you.”
Yanyu smiled faintly: “Prince Qin enjoys the Emperor’s admiration—that is indeed fortunate.”
Madam Jiang thought of the rumors outside and gently patted Yanyu’s hand.
Within Duke Zhen’s household, few dared gossip about Yanyu’s marriage. But outside, it was different. Her engagement had shifted from the Fifth Prince to Prince Qin—countless tongues wagged.
Empress Dowager Zheng had grown sullen these past days, with no appetite and irritation toward everyone.
Empress Zheng, often scolded by the Empress Dowager, felt resentment.
The Empress Dowager was old, but she was the Empress’s greatest support. Without her repeated pressure on the Emperor, the Empress would never have gained her position.
Unable to hate the Empress Dowager, the Empress turned her bitterness toward Yanyu.
Recently, noble ladies entered the palace to pay respects to the Empress. Since Madam Jiang was in the capital and her husband, Shao Hong, held a fifth-rank idle post, she too had to attend.
The Fifth Prince had just married his secondary consort, and many congratulated the Empress.
The Empress was pleased with Wei Ruxuan, finding her pretty, clever, and most importantly, robust—clearly capable of bearing sons for the Fifth Prince. She praised Wei Ruxuan warmly.
Then she turned to Madam Jiang, asking about Yanyu: “I hear Miss Wen has been frail since childhood. Has she improved these days?”
Madam Jiang smiled and gave vague replies.
The Empress then said with a smile: “The Emperor values Prince Qin most, yet he has no heirs. With Miss Wen’s health, she likely cannot bear children. In the future, I shall advise the Emperor to grant Prince Qin two secondary consorts. Once they bear children, Princess Consort Qin can raise them.”
When Empress Zheng said this, the entire hall turned to watch Madam Jiang, gloating and waiting for her embarrassment.
Madam Jiang felt deeply troubled. Yanyu had not even married into the Prince Qin’s household yet, and already dangers surrounded her.
Look—Empress Zheng was already planning to give Prince Qin two concubines! If Yanyu truly married him, how could she endure such a life?
Madam Jiang feared Yanyu would be upset if she heard, so she had not told her that so many in the capital were waiting to laugh at her misfortune.
But some warnings had to be given.
Madam Jiang spoke softly: “Prince Qin was not born of the Empress. She sees him as a thorn in her side. Yan’er, once you enter the royal family, you must be very cautious of Empress Zheng.”
Yanyu nodded gently. She had already heard of these matters.
Prince Qin’s mother was Consort Bo. In her lifetime, the Emperor had loved her dearly, proposing to her three times to make her Empress.
But Empress Dowager Zheng had insisted on elevating a Zheng family woman. At that time, Empress Zheng had only been Consort Zheng, and her relationship with the Emperor was poor.
The Empress Dowager was the Emperor’s mother, and in the Wei dynasty, everything revolved around filial piety. Emperor Jianxing, being a capable ruler, had to set an example for the realm—he could not act against filial duty.
The Empress Dowager threatened suicide multiple times, and so the matter of making Consort Bo Empress was abandoned.
Later, Consort Bo passed away, and the Emperor elevated Consort Zheng to Empress.
Once Empress Zheng took her place, by reason she should have made her own son, the Fifth Prince, Crown Prince, since he was the legitimate heir.
But the Emperor posthumously honored Consort Bo as Empress Xiaohui, wrote memorial poems for her, and instead made her son, the Third Prince Xiao Chengji, Prince Qin—thus suppressing the Fifth Prince.
For years, Prince Qin and the Fifth Prince had stood in opposition. As the Emperor’s health declined and the princes grew older, their rivalry only intensified. Even in these recent marriage arrangements, the Emperor and Empress Dowager had clashed several times.
Yanyu said: “I know well the difficulties of the palace. Aunt, rest assured—I will be cautious in all things. I will not disgrace the Wen family or the Shao family.”
Madam Jiang, moved by her niece’s maturity, couldn’t help but ruffle her hair: “Good child.”
As they spoke, a servant announced that the eldest young master had returned.
Shao Junliang came in and, from behind the screen, reported some news to Madam Jiang.
Prince Qin had just visited. Shao Junliang, Shao Junshou, and Shao Hong had accompanied him in conversation. Now, Shao Hong and Shao Junshou were walking with him in the garden, while Shao Junliang came to deliver the message.
Madam Jiang smiled at Yanyu and teased softly: “Your future husband has come to our household. It seems our son-in-law knows how to show courtesy.”
Yanyu lowered her gaze in silence.
Madam Jiang asked Shao Junliang: “How was Prince Qin? What did he say?”
“He spoke about the wedding date,” Shao Junliang replied, wiping sweat from his forehead. “His presence was overwhelming—when he stood there, none of us dared breathe too loudly, only listening to his commands. Oh, and His Highness also sent a betrothal gift for our lady.”
Shao Junliang handed a box to Xiaocui, who brought it in and placed it in Yanyu’s hands.
It was a heavy iron box. Yanyu set it on the table and curiously opened it.
Inside lay a dagger about a foot long, its hilt inlaid with white jade and gems, its sheath of dark leather. When Yanyu drew it out, a flash of cold white light gleamed, sharp and chilling.
Madam Jiang was startled: “Put it away quickly! Why would he send such a frightening thing?!”
Yanyu returned the dagger to its sheath.
Shao Junliang explained: “This was a gift from the Emperor when the Third Prince was made Prince Qin. It can slice iron silently and cut jade like clay—there is only one such blade in all Wei. His Highness said that since our lady is a delicate woman, this weapon would be most fitting for her protection.”
“Go now,” Madam Jiang sighed. “Prince Qin truly is…”
Outsiders all said he was violent, warlike, and ruthless. Others sent delicacies, treasures, or gold as betrothal gifts. He, however, deliberately sent a dagger, as if to intimidate their girl.
Madam Jiang clasped Yanyu’s hand: “Good child, he is a madman. Once you marry him, never provoke him, never quarrel with him.”