Fu Xinghe had been at this place for half a month, experiencing her father’s strict scolding, her mother’s gentle reminders, her eldest brother’s steadiness, and her second brother’s playful care. In the blink of an eye, it was already the last dinner before her departure from home.
At the dining table, the three men remained silent, while Mi Dinglan’s eyes were red. Fu Xinghe could only recount amusing stories from the selection process that didn’t involve the private matters of other candidates, finally coaxing Mi Dinglan into laughter.
Mi Dinglan looked at her with emotion. From the moment Fu Xinghe returned home to sitting at the table, she had not once frowned. Mi Dinglan didn’t know whether it was because her daughter was too young to understand the long years of palace life or because marrying the emperor had fulfilled her wish.
But even if the future was uncertain, being cheerful was far better than wearing a worried expression.
After dinner, Mi Dinglan went to prepare a temporary dowry for Fu Xinghe. Citing three years of filial mourning, His Majesty forbade extravagant displays, but Mi Dinglan, having managed her household for years, made sure Fu Xinghe’s essentials were ready.
Fu Xinghe said she wanted a walk to aid digestion and took Ming Xu along.
“Ming Feng should have reached Suzhou by now,” Fu Xinghe instructed. “Look over the letters she sent back and keep them safe. If anything urgent arises, discuss it with Second Brother he’ll help.”
Fu Yunxiao asked about the jewelry she had sold, likely having guessed something. He didn’t stop her, which was tacit approval. The tyrant emperor had cut off her dreams of earning money from home. Fu Xinghe could only be thankful she had written her business affairs properly.
Ming Xu’s voice was low. “If Ming Feng were here, she could sneak into the palace to visit you. I’m not as useful as Ming Feng; I can’t help at all.”
“You silly girl, fantasizing about sneaking into the palace is a death sentence. The palace guards are far too numerous to get in easily,” Fu Xinghe said. During the day, she had noticed a palace maid delivering messages for Meng Dongting whose martial skills were excellent, at least not inferior to Ming Feng’s. “Miss, really, I can’t come into the palace with you?”
Fu Xinghe said, “Stay safely in the mansion, keep in touch with Ming Feng, and if the need arises, I’ll find a way to get you into the palace.”
She painted a comforting picture for Ming Xu. In reality, even consorts struggled in the deep palace; maids were even more at the mercy of others. If anyone was displeased, they took it out on a maid first. Ming Xu was safer staying in the Fu residence.
“I’ll come back often,” Fu Xinghe said, lying with open eyes. Ming Xu brightened, completely convinced. After all, in the harem, everything was decided by the consort. What could the consort not do?
Fu Xinghe stopped in front of Lanqi Courtyard and called from a distance, “Second Brother.”
Fu Yunxiao opened the door. “Knocking can break hands?”
“A gentleman uses words, not force,” Fu Xinghe replied, strolling in. This was her first time in Fu Yunxiao’s room. Four walls of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves were stacked with old and new volumes.
The Fu brothers, one scholarly and one martial, gave no hint of their true nature. On the surface, the seemingly carefree Fu Yunxiao was well-read, while the steady and composed Fu Yunqi was a warrior.
Fu Yunqi often practiced outside; Fu Yunxiao studied at home, making him more familiar with the original Fu Xinghe.
When the original Fu Xinghe caused trouble, Fu Han came to apologize with antiques and books. Unwilling to move his own treasures, he often moved Fu Yunxiao’s collections, which the original Fu Xinghe repeatedly borrowed, making Fu Yunxiao fume.
Fu Xinghe placed the two hundred taels she had won and another two hundred advanced from her dowry on the table.
“Honoring the bet.” Fu Yunxiao set aside his casual attitude. “Tell Father, because you impressed His Majesty by refusing a marriage in the brothel, He appointed you as consort.”
Fu Xinghe modestly said, “Yes. I scolded Wang Xiao for flattering His Majesty, men are always vain.” Fu Yunxiao said, “Was His Majesty an ordinary man? He’s seen more flatterers than you’ve eaten grains of rice.”
“Fact,” Fu Xinghe replied. Fu Yunxiao asked, “So when His Majesty said ‘to provide for you,’ that was also due to the brothel encounter?”
Fu Xinghe was startled. Her second brother was well-informed. She dodged, “I do need to be provided for in the palace.” Seeing she wouldn’t elaborate, Fu Yunxiao didn’t press further, pushing the silver notes back. “Keep these. The palace has plenty of places to spend silver.”
Fu Xinghe held the notes, tilted her head, and called softly, “Second Brother.”
“Hmm?” “Second Brother.” Fu Yunxiao’s heart softened, recalling when Fu Xinghe, at age three, repeatedly called him “Brother,” soft and sweet.
Once, he and his elder brother attended a cousin’s wedding. The two children squeezed in the crowd, watching the bride being carried step by step in her ceremonial gown. From that moment, she was entrusted to another man.
Afterward, the two brothers fought arguing over who should carry their sister at her wedding. Now Fu Xinghe had grown mischievous, drifting away from her brothers. Seeing a trace of childhood in her again, he knew tomorrow she would enter the palace. He couldn’t carry her on the bridal sedan chair nor fight her brother-in-law if she were wronged.
Seeing Fu Yunxiao’s softened expression, Fu Xinghe made a small request: “I’ll trade the silver notes for something else.”
Still nostalgic, he asked, “What do you want?” Fu Xinghe walked to the bookshelves, pointing delicately. “These.” Fu Yunxiao came to his senses. “Books? How many?” Fu Xinghe said, “Later, I’ll bring the dowry chest Mother prepared. The contents are yours. I’ll take two boxes of books with me.”
“Robbery!” Fu Yunxiao exclaimed. Whoever said Fu Xinghe had changed! Trouble followed her wherever she went!
“The dowry is for you, so it’s fair,” Fu Xinghe said, lowering her gaze. “Once I go, I’ll be practically confined. If you don’t lend me books to pass the time, I’ll be left alone with the cold lamps and Buddhist statues.”
Seeing glimmers of tears in her eyes, Fu Yunxiao felt as if he’d seen a ghost, pinching his nose. “Fine, fine. Pick whatever you want.”
“Thank you, Second Brother,” Fu Xinghe called two servants in. She dumped the two expensive dowry boxes on the floor and then began transferring items to the bookshelves.
“I’ll find a way to send these back to you from the palace later.” “Forget it. Things you take are never returned.”
Fu Xinghe smiled, not arguing. The original Fu Xinghe’s reliability was poor; she had to prove herself with actions.
She swapped the two boxes quietly. Mi Dinglan, busy elsewhere, remained completely unaware.
When Fu Xinghe returned to her bedroom, Mi Dinglan, having finished her tasks, came over. She seemed hesitant to speak several times.
Fu Xinghe intuitively realized… her mother wasn’t trying to teach her about intimacy, was she? No, Mi Dinglan wouldn’t be worried about that. Mi Dinglan finally said, “Your father intended to retire next year.”
With two sons, one scholarly and one martial, the Fu family was feared by the emperor. If Fu Han didn’t retire, the sons would have no chance of official service.
A loyalist, Fu Han wouldn’t directly conflict with the emperor. Retiring quietly was logical. But now, Fu Xinghe was entering the palace.
If the Fu family moved back to Jiangzhou for seclusion, Fu Xinghe would be alone in the capital without a trusted maid inside or father and brothers outside.
Parents must consider their daughters as well as sons. The Fu family faced a dilemma.
Fu Xinghe’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Parents who love their children plan far ahead. My brothers have treated me well since childhood, yet I’ve caused trouble and never contributed to the family. Father, pursue your intentions without worrying about me. I’ll bear the consequences of my past mistakes.”
“Afraid Mother will call me arrogant, but in the palace, I chose everyone myself. If I don’t strive, seeking stability would be too easy,” Fu Xinghe reasoned. “I see that His Majesty won’t select candidates for a few years; the harem is peaceful. I’ll live in comfort, no need for Mother to worry. When His Majesty relaxes his prejudices and my brothers enter officialdom, will I still be isolated?”
She recalled the two heavy boxes of books from Second Brother and the hand extended by her elder brother over the wall. When the time was right, she would help them.
Mi Dinglan had barely said anything before Fu Xinghe voiced all concerns herself. Mi Dinglan’s eyes were misty. “Our daughter is grown up and married.”
Fu Xinghe quickly said, “Who I am has nothing to do with marrying.” Mi Dinglan hesitated, “If you… consummate the marriage…” Unnecessary. The tyrant emperor wouldn’t sleep with her.
Fu Xinghe said, “I understand.” Mi Dinglan’s face changed. “How do you understand?” Fu Xinghe: “Books say so.”
Mi Dinglan recalled the day she found erotic books under the mattress. Blushing, she patted Fu Xinghe’s arm. “Don’t read so much, child.”
She took a porcelain bottle from her sleeve. “Regardless, in the current situation, you must not conceive, to avoid becoming a target.”
His Majesty wouldn’t elevate the Fu family if Fu Xinghe became pregnant; instead, he would be more wary. With so many eyes watching, if the news spread that a consort was pregnant, Fu Xinghe’s situation would worsen. Living safely, not becoming a pawn in power struggles, was Mi Dinglan’s hope.
Fu Xinghe glanced at the bottle, noting the mild toxicity; it was clearly a post-coital contraceptive. “Mother, rest assured, impossible,” Fu Xinghe said, pushing the bottle back, her expression inscrutable.
Mi Dinglan remained doubtful. Before the selection, her daughter had said “impossible,” and yet she became a consort.Fu Xinghe swore, “This time, it’s truer than gold.”