The sound of horse hooves mixed with the bustle of the marketplace filled the entire street. The Li family’s carriage stopped at Yunshang Pavilion on the eastern side of Yuncheng.
“Little Sister‑in‑law, Grandmother said the capital is prosperous and crowded with visitors. Is it really so?” Li Qingqing’s eyes shone with expectation, clearly enchanted by the Old Madam’s descriptions of the capital.
“It’s… alright,” Yan Hui nodded in reply. “If you have the chance, Qingqing, you should see the capital’s splendor for yourself.”
Along the way, Li Qingqing grew more familiar with Yan Hui. Finding her not difficult to get along with, she grew bolder.
Madam Tao gently scolded her daughter: “Qing’er, don’t chatter.”
Li Qingqing pouted, then obediently said: “Yes, Mother.”
“Ah Hui, may Second Aunt call you that?” Madam Tao asked, her tone cautious, testing.
Yan Hui was momentarily startled, then smiled faintly: “Of course.”
Madam Tao’s smile reached her eyes. In a clan like the Li family, she thought Yan Hui was the pitiful one. If she could help her in the future, she would.
“Don’t take the words of the second branch or Grandmother too much to heart. The Li family’s sons are few, and the elders’ thoughts are always like this. Now, the Turks won’t rise again for at least twenty years. Guarding the northern frontier has become the fate of the Li men. Grandmother only hopes Suyu will continue the line.”
Madam Tao sighed heavily: “Suyu is too cold in temperament, unlike his elder brother or younger brothers, who were easier to get along with. He was wild from childhood—at eight, he followed his father to the battlefield. Back then, the Li family’s marriage alliance with the Wang family came about because the other sons refused. So the marriage fell to Suyu. Fate can be cruel.”
Yan Hui raised her brows. So the marriage with the Wang family happened simply because Li Suyu did not refuse? Unbidden, she thought of her cousin in the capital. If her cousin had married into Yun City, would the Li family have been full of joy?
“But now things are as they are. You and Suyu should live well together. Though his nature is cold, he is a good man. These years, he has had no women around him, no concubines or courtesans. He has kept himself clean.” Madam Tao glanced sideways at Yan Hui’s calm expression, unable to read her thoughts.
“Second Aunt, I’ll remember your words. As for my husband’s heart, that is not something I can guarantee. Better to let things take their course.” Yan Hui smiled faintly.
Madam Tao saw Yan Hui’s lack of interest in Li Suyu and thought to herself—perhaps in the future, one might control the other. Unless that boy truly never placed his heart on Yan Hui.
“Mother, doesn’t Second Brother already have Sister Jiang? Grandmother even wants to raise Sister Jiang as his secondary wife.”
Li Qingqing’s sudden words made Madam Tao’s heart tighten. She quickly looked at Yan Hui.
Yan Hui, seeing her worried expression, smiled lightly: “Second Aunt need not worry. I won’t take it to heart.”
Madam Tao smiled knowingly and changed the subject: “Ah Hui, do you need to purchase anything? I can send someone with you. I imagine you won’t want to sit in Yunshang Pavilion all day.”
“Then I’ll trouble Second Aunt.” Yan Hui had already wanted an excuse to leave for a while. Madam Tao’s suggestion was perfect.
“Yunqi, take Young Madam around. Meet me back here at Shen hour.” Madam Tao instructed.
“Yes, Madam,” the maid replied respectfully.
Li Qingqing wanted to say more, but Madam Tao’s look silenced her.
Yan Hui watched Madam Tao and Li Qingqing enter Yunshang Pavilion, then turned her eyes to Yunqi: “Is there a medical hall nearby?”
Yunqi blinked, then answered: “Yes, Young Madam. Please follow me.”
Just a street away from Yunshang Pavilion was a medical hall, though in the northern frontier, medicinal supplies were always scarce. Even the medical hall was tucked deep in an alley.
“Young Madam, here it is,” Yunqi said.
Yan Hui smiled faintly, glanced at Suiqiu, then shifted her gaze back to Yunqi: “Could I trouble you to take Suiqiu to buy cosmetics and powders for me?”
Yunqi did not doubt her, smiling: “Of course.”
Yan Hui gave Suiqiu a look. Suiqiu understood and pulled Yunqi into the crowd.
Yan Hui lifted her gaze to the medical hall before her, eyes deep, and stepped inside.
Because of years of war, medicinal herbs in the northern frontier were especially scarce. Most were supplied to the army, leaving the people with shortages. Every year, once late autumn passed and winter arrived, herbs and provisions became the most critical need in the north. Compared to the south, the north was far less abundant in both supplies and medicine—for soldiers and common folk alike. If Yan Hui could stimulate the entire northern frontier’s medicinal trade, then…
“Madam, are you here to see a doctor or to buy medicine?”
As she entered, a thin young clerk approached.
“To buy medicine,” Yan Hui replied. “The wound isn’t deep. Do you have any ointment for dressing?”
The clerk hesitated: “No.”
Yan Hui frowned. This wasn’t her true purpose anyway—just an excuse Madam Tao had given. But no ointment at all? Was that exaggeration?
Seeing her displeasure, the clerk added: “Someone just bought the last ointment we had today. Madam, please come back tomorrow.”
Yan Hui gave a light laugh: “Then prepare some oral medicine for me instead.”
“Alright.” The clerk turned away.
Watching him gather herbs, Yan Hui asked casually: “Where does this medical hall get its supplies?”
“Usually villagers sell to us, but mostly we buy from merchants.”
Yan Hui’s eyes brightened: “So all the medical halls in Yuncheng buy from merchants?”
“This city is fortunate—the merchants prioritize Yuncheng. But in other parts of the frontier, herbs are always scarce. Especially in winter, countless people die from the cold each year.”
Yan Hui frowned: “Why the shortage? Is it that merchants here cannot…?”
The clerk quickly continued: “Because the frontier is poor. Merchants think they can’t make money, so they don’t like supplying here.”
“So there are no fixed suppliers for the northern frontier?” Yan Hui asked, probing.
“No fixed ones. Taxes are too high, profits too low. One batch of merchants after another has tried, but none could establish themselves here.” He sighed. “Perhaps it’s also because of the constant wars.”
As he spoke, the herbs were wrapped up: “Madam, one hundred coins.”
Yan Hui drew two pieces of silver from her sleeve: “Keep the change.”
The clerk’s eyes widened at the silver on the counter, but before he could speak, the woman in dark violet had already turned away.
Carrying the medicine bundle, Yan Hui pondered the northern frontier’s supply chain. Without fixed merchants, the opportunity was wide open. If she seized it—even at a loss in the beginning—it would be worth it. As long as she controlled the supply of herbs to the frontier, she would have leverage to negotiate with Li Suyu. She needed him—Yan Shi had his scholarly path, Li Suyu commanded soldiers. If they could join forces…
Just as she stepped out of the medical hall, a head poked out from the side: “Hey, Brother Liu, what did that lady say?”
The clerk who had served Yan Hui laughed: “Brother Zhao, you were in the inner room. You should have heard clearly.”
Zhao Chi snorted, pulled his head back, and looked inside: “Second Brother, why was Sister‑in‑law asking about all that?”
Li Suyu, now dressed in his brocade robe, rose and glanced at Zhao Chi, his eyes sharp, as if to say: *You ask me? Who should I ask?*
“I heard this morning, when you went to see Grandmother, the second branch and Grandmother made things difficult for Sister‑in‑law?” Zhao Chi teased with a sly grin. “Second Brother, didn’t you play the hero and save the beauty?”
Li Suyu’s brows shifted slightly. As he walked, he thought of Yan Hui’s words before Grandmother. He glanced at Zhao Chi again: “Isn’t it normal for men to have three wives and four concubines?”
Zhao Chi froze, then hurried to keep pace: “Second Brother, what three wives and four concubines? Didn’t you once say that after marrying the Wang family’s daughter, you would only have her? Didn’t you also say women are nothing but trouble?”
“Then… is she the Wang family’s daughter?” Li Suyu spoke almost mockingly. “People don’t…” The words *care* had not yet left his lips when he noticed Zhao Chi’s face turn pale. Following Zhao Chi’s gaze, he saw Yan Hui standing there, her expression calm.
“Sister‑in‑law, you… why did you come back?” Zhao Chi stammered, realizing with dread that she might have heard everything.
“So the General is here as well. It seems my coming was unnecessary.” Yan Hui gave a faint smile, then placed the medicine bundle into Zhao Chi’s hands. “Second Aunt must be waiting anxiously. I’ll take my leave.”
Her footsteps faded into the noisy street before Zhao Chi regained his senses.
“Second Brother… Sister‑in‑law won’t think too much of it, will she?” Zhao Chi asked nervously.
Li Suyu’s eyes shifted slightly, his lips curved faintly as if in a smile: “Let’s go.”
“Back to the estate?”
“To the army.”
After returning to the Li household with Madam Tao, Yan Hui did not see Li Suyu again for half a month. Perhaps he was deliberately neglecting her. Even the Old Madam did not trouble her much.
Aside from the daily greetings at morning and evening, where she heard some cutting words, Yan Hui’s days were fairly peaceful. Of course, she never let herself be saddened by the words she had overheard that day—*“Is she the Wang family’s daughter?”*
It only made her clearer in understanding: Li Suyu had always wanted to marry the Wang family’s daughter. Whatever she hoped to achieve, mere cooperation with him would not bring the results she desired.
Putting aside such matters, Yan Hui found her current life rather good.
“Miss, Yueyue has arrived in Yuncheng,” Suiqiu whispered as she entered.
Since Yan Hui had moved into Li Suyu’s courtyard, many new maids and servants had been placed there. Yet only Suiqiu was allowed into the main house.
Yan Hui knew well that the Old Madam arranged these new attendants. In the Li family’s eyes, her identity was suspicious.
“Should she be placed into the Li household?” Suiqiu asked.
“No need.” Yan Hui closed the booklet in her hands. “From now on, let her meet me on the tenth and last day of each month. No—better, I’ll go out to meet her.”
“Do you want to see her now?” Suiqiu asked, worried. “She’s just arrived in Yuncheng. Surely there are many matters you must arrange.”
“Not convenient now. My identity is different. She has always followed me—she knows what to do next.” Yan Hui’s eyes grew cold. If not for so many eyes watching her, she would have gone out to meet Yueyue herself. She longed to know news of Yan Shi.
Just then, a commotion outside made her expression soften.
Suiqiu hurried out and saw Zhao Chi approaching, face anxious.
“What business brings Young General Zhao here?” Suiqiu’s tone was sharp. Since Li Suyu had abandoned her mistress on their wedding night and never returned, the whole household mocked her.
“Suiqiu, I’ve come to see Sister‑in‑law. Second Brother is injured.”
Suiqiu thought: *What does his injury have to do with my mistress?* She sneered: “If he’s injured, shouldn’t a doctor be called? Young Madam isn’t a physician.”
“Suiqiu, don’t be rude.” Yan Hui composed herself and came to the doorway.
Zhao Chi, seeing her ever‑calm demeanor, bowed: “Sister‑in‑law, on the day of your wedding, Second Brother captured a Turk. Today, two more came to rescue him. They fought with the intent to die together, every strike aimed to kill. Outnumbered, when I arrived with men, Second Brother had already fallen.”
“The Turk escaped?” Yan Hui’s expression chilled. *Was she to become a widow so soon after marriage?*
“Eh?” Zhao Chi was startled. Shouldn’t she be asking about his injuries? He quickly explained: “Second Brother had already fallen. Those two surely lost their lives.”
“Where is the General?” Yan Hui asked. Though she had little interaction with Li Suyu, he was her husband. Even if she disliked him, she had to show concern.
“In the army.”
“Then…?” Yan Hui looked at Zhao Chi in confusion. Surely he didn’t mean for her to go to the military camp?
“Little Sister‑in‑law, it was my mother who asked Brother Zhao to come. Grandmother sent Sister Jiang to the camp to care for Second Brother, but then Mother said it should really be you, Little Sister‑in‑law, who goes to look after him—so Sister Jiang need not trouble herself.” Li Qingqing ran in quickly. After all, she had received a jade bracelet from her sister‑in‑law, so of course she would stand on her side.
Yan Hui frowned deeply. What had she done to make Madam Tao think she cared about Li Suyu?
“Little Sister‑in‑law, don’t worry. Grandmother has agreed. Please pack quickly and go with Brother Zhao to the camp.” Li Qingqing stepped forward, full of concern, afraid that Jiang Yun would outshine Yan Hui.
“Your Sister Jiang is going too?” Yan Hui thought bitterly. She hadn’t even settled her own matters, and now she was being dragged into a petty rivalry over a man?
Li Qingqing nodded vigorously.
Though Yan Hui had a hundred reasons to refuse, it seemed she could not. “Suiqiu, pack a few things.”
Two quarters of an hour later, two carriages rolled slowly out from the Li estate gates. Half an hour later, they passed through the western city gate.
Zhao Chi rode close beside Yan Hui’s carriage, looking as though he wanted to speak but hesitated. The memory of that day’s words was still vivid. Anyone who had heard Second Brother’s remark would surely mind. And since he had gone straight to the army after the wedding, Sister‑in‑law must mind even more.
*Knock knock.*
Yan Hui knew Zhao Chi was outside the carriage, so she was cautious even in speaking with Suiqiu. She hadn’t expected him to dare knock.
From outside came Zhao Chi’s voice: “Don’t take Second Brother’s words to heart. He’s used to being alone, and doesn’t yet know how to care for a lady.”
Yan Hui’s eyes flickered, and she glanced at Suiqiu.
At once, Suiqiu’s voice came from inside the carriage: “Young General Zhao worries too much. Madam has always had a poor memory. Whatever the General said, she has long forgotten. In future, please don’t bring up past matters.”
Zhao Chi was left speechless. Had he truly worried too much? Or was a woman’s heart unfathomable—saying it was nothing, yet keeping it always in mind?
The rest of the journey was quiet.
By evening, the setting sun cast its glow across the desert. The carriage stopped in the golden light.
As Yan Hui stepped down, she saw Jiang Yun in snow‑white brocade walking toward her. She frowned.
“Sister‑in‑law, let me take you to Second Brother’s tent.” Just as Zhao Chi spoke, Jiang Yun said: “Zhao Chi, may I speak privately with Young Madam?”
Zhao Chi hesitated. Everyone in the Li family knew Jiang Yun’s feelings. With Grandmother’s support, many in the household tacitly accepted her as Second Brother’s woman, aside from the Wang family’s daughter. But Second Brother had never acknowledged it, so nothing could be spoken openly. Still, Jiang Yun wanted to speak privately with Yan Hui.
“It’s fine. General Zhao, go on ahead.” Yan Hui’s eyes flickered as she looked at Jiang Yun. Not only did she have to watch Li Suyu, but she also had to watch his entanglements. Truly vexing.
“What does Miss Jiang wish to say to me?”