At Duke Zhen’s residence.
Yanyu sat on her bed in a thin robe. Beside her sat Madam Jiang, wife of Shao Hong—Yanyu’s third aunt.
Madam Jiang was only in her thirties, lively in temperament, and strikingly beautiful. At this moment, she held an account book and carefully explained the details to Yanyu.
Duke Zhen’s household was a century-old noble family with considerable wealth accumulated.
When Yanyu was only four or five years old, her entire family perished. Relatives who came afterward all coveted the estate, each wanting to take Yanyu in, hoping to gradually swallow up the Duke’s property.
Madam Jiang wiped tears from her eyes: “Yan’er, back then, it was your eldest uncle who managed everything. Whatever the Shao family took away then, we have now returned in full. Your father and brothers gave their lives for the country—the Shao family would never bully a weak girl like you.”
Yanyu understood. She had lived in her grandmother’s household all these years, and the Shao family treated her as their own daughter. Because Yanyu had been betrothed to the royal family since childhood, even the servants never dared to slight her.
“This account book,” Madam Jiang sighed, “is not only kept by the Shao family, but also by His Majesty. The Emperor is a wise ruler—he remembers every contribution made to Wei. Over the years, he has even asked about your life in the Shao household.”
Yanyu wiped her tears and nodded gently. Though frail, she had always been precocious. By the age of two or three, she already had vague memories—she recalled her parents praising the Emperor before her, saying he was a ruler with wisdom and strength, who carried the world in his heart.
Madam Jiang stroked Yanyu’s delicate face: “Prince Qin’s reputation outside may be poor, but since His Majesty has decreed this marriage, we cannot resist. Good child, it is the Fifth Prince and the Wei girl who have wronged you…”
Yanyu shook her head softly: “Father always said that the Duke Zhen’s household must be loyal to the sovereign and protect the nation. Since His Majesty has commanded it, how could I dare disobey?”
To Yanyu, in truth, marrying one man or another made little difference.
Whether the Fifth Prince or Prince Qin—she had never met either of them.
The Fifth Prince’s reputation outside was indeed good. Yet this supposedly virtuous man had entangled himself with his elder brother’s fiancée—proof that he was nothing but a hypocrite.
As for Prince Qin—though infamous for his cruelty, there were no reports of him harming commoners or violating respectable women. His reputation came from his cold temperament, his strict discipline on the battlefield, and his ruthless treatment of enemies. In recent years, while serving in the Ministry of Personnel, he had terrified officials with his severity. He was simply a difficult man to get along with.
Since things had come to this, Yanyu resolved to accept it. Whatever the future held, she would face it when it came. She did not believe that if she behaved properly and fulfilled her duties, anyone would dare to bully her. And if someone truly did bully her—she was the daughter of a military household, not one to be trifled with.
Though frail in body, even a delicate girl had her fangs and claws.
Madam Jiang nodded gently: “Good child, it’s enough that you understand these principles. Sleep now—your aunt will watch over you.”
Yanyu murmured assent, set aside her robe, lay down on her pillow, and soon fell asleep.
Madam Jiang sighed. They had escorted Yanyu to the capital, but could not remain here forever—Ling City still had many matters awaiting them.
Yanyu had grown up in the Shao household, and they had long treated her as their own daughter. Especially Madam Jiang, who had no daughter of her own, and so regarded Yanyu as one.
Her niece’s marriage had been stolen, and others dared to bully her for being without parents—Madam Jiang grew angrier the more she thought of it. She resolved to spend from her own purse to buy more things for Yanyu.
A few days later, when Madam Jiang went out, she happened to encounter Wei Ruxuan and Madam Liu, wife of the Minister of Rites, at a silk shop.
Wei Ruxuan and Madam Liu were basking in triumph. The shopkeeper eagerly praised his wares: “These are fresh bolts from Jiangnan! Last year, even the palace ladies favored this style!”
Madam Liu lifted her chin proudly: “Our girl is about to marry into the Fifth Prince’s household as his consort! Last year’s styles won’t do—we want the newest fashions from the palace this year.”
The shopkeeper smiled obsequiously: “So it is Miss Wei—congratulations, congratulations!”
But in truth, how could he possibly procure the latest palace fashions? Even obtaining last year’s styles was already remarkable. If he had such connections, he would be supplying the Empress Dowager and Empress directly.
Madam Jiang looked Wei Ruxuan up and down, growing more displeased the longer she observed. She thought to herself that the Fifth Prince had truly traded gold for gravel. She selected several bolts with pleasing patterns, intending to have new dresses made for Yanyu’s maids. Since their mistress was to be married, her attendants too must be properly dressed. The rest she would leave for Yanyu to bestow as gifts—after all, in the capital, there was no avoiding the need to smooth relations with others.
As for Yanyu’s clothes, they were all made from her family’s own fabrics, stitched personally by embroiderers from Ling City. Yanyu herself was skilled with needlework, and her garments were far superior to the ready-made clothes sold outside.
The shopkeeper smiled: “People in the capital thought Miss Wen was betrothed to the Fifth Prince, but it turns out the Imperial Astronomer miscalculated her birth date!”
Madam Liu curled her lip: “She’s just a sickly girl destined to die young—how could she be worthy of the Fifth Prince? She’d only shorten his lifespan!”
Madam Jiang’s fiery temper flared instantly: “What do you mean by that? Your shameless daughter seduced another man despite being engaged, and now you slander the Duke Zhen’s daughter as a weakling?”
Madam Liu, unfamiliar with Madam Jiang’s face and never having seen her in the capital, assumed she was not the wife of any high-ranking official. Her expression hardened: “What nonsense are you spouting?”
Madam Jiang sneered: “So this is how you speak of the daughter of the Duke Zhen, who gave his life for the mountains and rivers of Wei.”
Madam Liu had strutted arrogantly in the capital for years, but this was the first time someone dared confront her so directly.
Madam Jiang did not reveal her identity. Her two maids had been sent to another shop to look at silks.
Madam Liu’s anger boiled over. Wei Ruxuan, unable to tolerate anyone insulting her, ordered the strong servant women behind her to seize Madam Jiang. They pinned her down and slapped her seven or eight times, leaving her cheeks swollen and her vision spinning.
Wei Ruxuan gave Madam Jiang a cold glance: “To offend the future consort of a prince should cost you your life. But since I am in a good mood today, I will spare you.”
At that moment, Madam Jiang’s two maids returned with their purchases. Seeing their mistress pressed to the ground, they were horrified: “Third Madam! Third Madam! What happened to you?!”
Wei Ruxuan sneered. Hmph—who knew which foolish official’s concubine or third wife this woman was.