Yan Hui’s expression remained calm as she rose and walked toward the bed, instructing: “You should rest now.”
Suiqiu knew that Yan Hui would not lose herself simply because the Emperor had decreed her marriage into the Li family. Yan Hui was unlike any other girl in Bianjing. She remembered clearly Yan Hui once saying, “Who says women are inferior to men? I will carve out my own sky in this world!”
Yan Hui’s “sky” was commerce. In the years before her parents’ accident, she had been like a wild horse, galloping across the road of trade. Only after their sudden deaths, when she went to live with the Wang family, did she quiet down. Perhaps she had been stifled all those years in the Wang household.
“Rest early, Miss. I’ll take my leave.” Suiqiu watched her mistress settle under the quilt, but her own anxiety only grew.
After closing the door, Suiqiu looked toward the post station’s main hall.
Zhao Chi followed beside a figure in dark purple, saying, “Second Brother, you’re here.”
Li Junshan crossed his arms, teasing: “What, you can’t leave Second Master’s side for even half a step?”
As they spoke, the group ascended to the second floor. Suiqiu bowed.
Li Suyu’s brows moved slightly, about to ask something, when Suiqiu said quickly: “General, the young lady has already retired.”
Li Suyu nodded and went to another chamber.
Once inside, Zhao Chi asked: “Second Brother, why did you come back again?”
Li Junshan’s tone was dark: “We saw no trace of those Turkic raiders, so we returned.”
Zhao Chi ignored him and sat beside Li Suyu, chattering: “Second Brother, let me tell you—Second Sister‑in‑law is really particular. She brought her own tea, refused to use the water here, and even rewarded the innkeeper with a whole handful of gold melon seeds.”
Li Suyu’s brows, still shadowed by wind and frost, lifted slightly. Gold melon seeds? Could the supposedly destitute daughter of the Yan family be so extravagant? Or had the Emperor given her a generous dowry?
Li Junshan sat down, curious: “Really, gold melon seeds?”
“Of course! I waited until Second Sister‑in‑law left, then got one from the innkeeper.” Zhao Chi placed it on the table. “It’s solid gold.”
“She gave away a whole handful?” Li Junshan bit into it, then hissed: “By heaven, it really is gold.”
“Exactly. I was stunned.” Zhao Chi rubbed his hands, whispering, “Second Brother, what’s her background? She doesn’t seem like a fallen clan’s daughter at all. Could it be the Wang family repented and gave her a huge dowry?”
Smack!
Li Junshan slapped Zhao Chi’s back, growling: “That’s her dowry. Our Li family hasn’t fallen so low as to covet a woman’s dowry!”
Li Suyu lowered his eyes, his features deepened by the lamp’s orange glow, his thoughts unreadable.
“Second Uncle! That’s not what I meant. I mean—the Emperor has humiliated you, humiliated our Li family, yet this woman is so lavish. It doesn’t match the reports from Bianjing at all.” Zhao Chi rubbed his back, protesting.
Li Junshan nodded slowly: “True. I heard the Yan girl lived under another’s roof in the Wang household. She shouldn’t be… so wealthy.” He turned to the silent young man.
Li Suyu’s brows knit sharply: “Second Uncle thinks… there is something suspicious here?”