When Li Suyu entered the Old Madam’s hall, the lamps blazed as bright as day. Aside from Nanny Yuan waiting at the side, only the Old Madam sat firmly in the main seat—clearly as though she had been waiting for him.
Li Suyu’s steps were visibly unsteady, yet his eyes remained sharp. He lifted his robe and sat down to her left, then let out a heavy sigh.
The Old Madam’s gaze softened slightly at the sight of her eldest grandson. “How is your injury?” she asked in a steady voice.
“Simply treated,” Li Suyu leaned back in the pear‑wood chair, closing his eyes lightly, his voice low and hoarse. “It’s nothing serious.”
“We captured one of the three Turks. The other two will surely try to rescue him. We will wait for them to come to us.” As she spoke, her face was marked with hostility, her whole bearing radiating the stern authority of one who ruled.
“Grandmother, forgive me. It was my recklessness.” Li Suyu opened his eyes, his sword‑like brows furrowing. He had thought that since the three had appeared, they should be captured all at once, sparing future worries.
The Old Madam gave a cold hum: “I heard you went to the main residence to have your wound bandaged?”
Li Suyu gave a faint sound of assent, but said no more.
“What do you mean by that? Letting that woman from the capital know why you didn’t come to fetch her? Even the wedding rites were rushed through. Was this your way of explaining yourself to her?” The Old Madam’s dissatisfaction was plain. Her distrust and hatred of the imperial household extended to her disgust for Yan Hui. She would never allow her most outstanding grandson to show loyalty or affection toward the imperial household’s pawn.
Li Suyu raised his brows slightly, looking at her: “The people outside my courtyard—Grandmother arranged them?”
“It was I,” Nanny Yuan spoke. “Young Master, the inner residence is not as simple as you think. Since Miss Yan is your wife, she must understand her position. Her name and status are not proper. If not for the imperial household’s meddling, you and she would never have met. Now that she is a daughter‑in‑law of the Li family, she must clearly know her place. Besides, the northern frontier and the imperial household are but one step away from open conflict.”
“Yes. If not for fear of the Li family being accused of rebellion, I would already have led the army south to the capital to demand answers from Zhao.” The Old Madam’s words carried no jest. “If the Li family were not full of old and weak, what of rebellion? Zhao surely knows the people of the north place their faith in the Li family.”
Li Suyu seemed accustomed to such words from her, his expression indifferent.
“That is why Grandmother wishes you to quickly produce heirs. The Li family cannot distinguish between legitimate and secondary lines. I will raise you a secondary wife at once.” Her tone grew solemn. “Let me be clear: Yan Hui must never bear the Li family’s heirs.”
Li Suyu’s eyes darkened: “Second Uncle’s illness can still be treated. Grandmother should focus her concern on him.”
*Crash!*
The Old Madam hurled her teacup to the floor at his feet. Tea splashed across his black boots, spreading instantly.
“In the past, when your marriage to the Wang family was planned, I did not arrange concubines for you. I thought you would marry the Wang daughter and return to the capital, far from this frontier. But the Li family’s soldiers cannot be joined with the capital’s noble houses. Now, Zhao and the Wang family send us a counterfeit bride, and I should care that my legitimate grandson comes from her womb? Since Zhao and the Wangs are unjust, why should the Li family not be unkind in return?”
“You insolent boy! If you keep cold toward that Yan woman, I will still see her as a pawn. But if you treat her kindly, if you grow attached—do not blame me for being ruthless!” Her eyes blazed with killing intent. “You know I always do as I say.”
Li Suyu’s brows tightened sharply. He lowered his gaze and said quietly: “Grandmother, when we learned the Wang daughter had been replaced with Yan Hui, I told you this matter should be left to me. What you fear will not happen. But do not make things harder for a weak woman.”
The Old Madam was about to retort, but Li Suyu continued: “Even Second Uncle knows Yan Hui is only a pitiful girl, orphaned, forced to marry into the frontier because her younger brother’s future was held hostage. Even if the Li family does not treat her well, there is no need for cruel tricks.”
His words silenced her. She glared at her grandson, who in her eyes was now defiant and rebellious.
“I can understand Grandmother’s feelings.” Li Suyu rose to his feet, looking at the Old Madam. “The resentment in Grandmother’s heart need not be vented on Yan Hui. I will bear it for you.”
With that, he turned and left the hall.
Nanny Yuan quickly stepped forward to calm the Old Madam, whose chest was heaving violently: “Madam, the Young Master has never been one to trouble you. Rest assured, he will not let this matter weigh on you.”
The Old Madam pointed in the direction Li Suyu had gone, gritting her teeth: “What is that insolent boy planning? To vent my anger for me? Is he going to…?”
The word *rebellion* made even the Old Madam’s heart tremble.
Leaving the courtyard, Zhao Chi followed after him. “Second Brother, are you alright? You scared me half to death just now. When I saw you return to your quarters, I didn’t dare follow. Did Sister‑in‑law treat your wound properly?”
Li Suyu focused for a moment, then cast him a cold glance: “Send Jiang Xiao to guard outside the pass.”
Zhao Chi clicked his tongue. He recalled how Jiang Xiao had been probing him these past days about Sister‑in‑law, and thought of Jiang Xiao’s sister. He more or less understood what had angered Second Brother.
He asked cautiously: “Second Brother… did Jiang Xiao offend you?”
Li Suyu did not answer. He knew well why Jiang Xiao had appeared. He did not think Jiang Xiao’s warning was wrong—what displeased him was that Jiang Xiao had barged into his room for Jiang Yun’s sake. His purpose was obvious.
“Second Brother, if you won’t say, that’s fine. But today is your wedding day. Being injured is hardly ideal. Should I tell Sister‑in‑law that once you recover, you’ll make up for the bridal chamber?” Zhao Chi, used to the rough talk of the army, was never good at polite words, but crude ones; he had plenty.
“No need. You were startled enough today. Rest.”
And so a night that seemed calm passed quietly.
At dawn, as the sky began to lighten, Suiqiu entered the room and was startled to see Yan Hui, dressed in plain blue, already seated at the dressing table. “Miss, why are you up so early? Did you not sleep at all?” she asked softly.
Yan Hui’s eyes were deep: “From now on, our path will be full of thorns. We must be cautious.”
She had thought all night and realized she had underestimated the Li family. If she wanted to do what she wished in the northern frontier, she needed Li Suyu’s support. But gaining that support would not be easy.
“Miss, perhaps you should give up that idea. Families like the Lis look down on merchants.” Suiqiu still hoped her mistress could find happiness with her new husband, at least to have a home in the frontier.
“Money is a fine thing. Ah Shi will need it in countless places in the future. How can I let him remain forever under the Wang family’s control?” Yan Hui knew the Wang family’s schemes well. Yan Shi, among the young men of the capital, was exceptionally gifted and highly promising. But to make someone obedient, one must have leverage.
The Wang family’s way of dealing with the siblings was simple: they were each other’s weakness.
“How could the Wang family dare control the young master in the future?” Suiqiu frowned. “Uncle may ignore other things, but surely he must see that the young master’s brother‑in‑law is lord of the northern frontier, commanding vast armies—even the imperial household fears him.”
Yan Hui’s gaze sharpened, then turned mocking: “That army belongs to the Li family. And besides, does the Wang family not know the Lis command soldiers? But compared to true power, the frontier dares not act rashly. Moreover, the Wang family is certain that once I enter the Li household, I will never gain their favor. In their eyes, my survival here is only thanks to their protection.”
“If Miss can win the Young Master’s heart, as long as he cherishes and values you, who would dare bully you?” Suiqiu protested. “If you and the Young Master are like Master and Madam once were—if you have his protection—who would dare look down on you?”
Outside, the wind grew louder, echoing the turbulent waves in Yan Hui’s heart. She knew well that winning that man’s heart was the quickest path forward. If she could gain Li Suyu’s affection, many things would become far easier. But she also knew the one thing she must never seek—human hearts. So she had never thought of winning Li Suyu’s heart. Besides, he was not the man she had imagined.
“Miss, you and the Young Master have already bowed to heaven and earth. You are husband and wife in truth. If you don’t devote yourself to him, to whom will you? He will be your life companion. Your abilities are a fine addition, but if he loves you, that is true fulfillment.” Suiqiu spoke endlessly, worried that her mistress and her new husband shared no bond of affection.
“Even if the Li household says your status is improper, you are still the bride appointed by the imperial household. You and the Young Master are husband and wife in name and in truth. It is only right for you to rely on him.”
Yan Hui gave a soft laugh: “Suisui, even a legitimate marriage cannot be relied upon. Human hearts are too complex. I don’t want to guess at them or try to fathom them. I will not revolve around a man. Rather than trying to win his heart, I would rather hold in my hands something Li Suyu wishes to use. I prefer to speak of cooperation, not of hearts.”
“Miss, I think it’s because of Master and Madam’s fate that you’ve locked yourself inside a shell, letting no one close.” Suiqiu sighed heavily, then began to arrange Yan Hui’s hair.
From today, she will wear the hairstyle of a married woman.
Around 5:45 a.m.
The Old Madam’s attendants arrived at the courtyard.
Nanny Yuan happened to meet Li Suyu coming out of the study. Her eyes flickered, glancing toward the main residence.
At that moment, the door of the main house opened.
The courtyard had little greenery, only a towering parasol tree stripped bare of leaves. The gloomy weather lent the place a stifling air. Yet the woman in pale violet brocade was dazzling. Her appearance drew the eyes of all the servants nearby.
Nanny Yuan’s gaze trembled. She knew of Yan Hui’s beauty, but today it was different from what she had seen at the inn. What was different?
At the inn, Yan Hui had been simple and easygoing—her beauty like that of a decorative vase. But today, her beauty was breathtaking, edged with a trace of sharpness.
Nanny Yuan’s eyes shifted to Li Suyu. She frowned. It was rare to see him in white robes. Perhaps because of his injury, today he stood tall, his brows noble, his usual cold aura gone, replaced by warmth. Gentle and refined?
Yan Hui and Li Suyu walked toward Nanny Yuan in quiet accord.
“Young Master, Young Madam,” Nanny Yuan bowed slightly. “The Old Madam rose early, waiting for her granddaughter‑in‑law.”
Yan Hui glanced sideways at Suiqiu.
Suiqiu understood, quickly pulling a brocade pouch from her sleeve and slipping it into Nanny Yuan’s hand.
Yan Hui spoke before Nanny Yuan could refuse: “I am newly arrived and unfamiliar with many rules. Nanny Yuan, please don’t hesitate. In the future, I will rely on your guidance.”
Instinctively, Nanny Yuan looked at Li Suyu. His brows were drawn, and that stern, chilling aura had returned to him once more.
“Take it and keep it. From now on, look after her well.” Li Suyu spoke, then stepped ahead through the ornamental gate.
Nanny Yuan tucked away the brocade pouch, pinching it lightly with her fingers. She felt the small grains inside and her expression grew thoughtful.
Yan Hui gave Nanny Yuan a slight nod before also heading toward the gate.
Nanny Yuan glanced at her attendants, and they immediately understood, turning toward the main residence.
But as Yan Hui passed through the gate, she saw Li Suyu waiting in the corridor, as though for her. When she reached his side, he began to walk.
“Has the General’s injury improved?” Yan Hui asked with poised ease, as if speaking to an old acquaintance. Yet the distance in her tone was unmistakable.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Li Suyu replied evenly.
Yan Hui thought that if she had met Li Suyu under different circumstances, he might have been a man she admired. But now, as his wife, she could not deal with him as she would in the marketplace, with negotiation and strategy. She also considered Suiqiu’s words—about winning this man’s heart. But how difficult would that be?
“When we meet the Old Madam later, allow me to change your bandages,” she offered.
Li Suyu’s expression did not shift. He stared straight ahead, though his gaze flicked briefly toward her slender figure. He quickly steadied himself. This gesture of goodwill unsettled him.
“Is it inconvenient for the General?” Yan Hui asked directly.
“It is no longer serious. I would not trouble you,” Li Suyu said. He did not believe she truly wished to tend to him.
Yan Hui fell silent, her face betraying no emotion. Li Suyu glanced at her. Between them, an unspoken understanding seemed to form: as long as neither crossed the other’s boundaries, they could coexist peacefully. Yet as husband and wife, many things were already bound together.
When they reached the Old Madam’s courtyard, they happened upon Jiang Yun and Jiang Xiao arriving from the other side.
“Second Brother, Young Madam,” Jiang Xiao greeted with a smile, though his eyes were cold.
“Suyu, Young Madam,” Jiang Yun bowed politely, then lifted her gaze to the woman standing beside him. Beneath her sleeve, her hand clenched into a fist. Truly, the woman was beautiful.
Yan Hui sensed the stiffness in the air. Her eyes swept over the youth who had barged into her room the night before, then to the woman beside him. It seemed that there was a story among these three.
“Call her Sister‑in‑law.” Li Suyu’s voice was cold as he looked at Jiang Xiao, clearly displeased with his form of address.