Thinking of her sister’s fondness for Jade Crisp Bakery’s pastries, Qu Qing headed straight there as soon as she entered the imperial city of Yan’an. Only after picking up a full box of fragrant glutinous rice balls did she set off for home, satisfied.
On the way, she noticed crowds surging in one direction and faintly overheard mentions of Star-Reaching Tower and the Qu family. Lightly tugging at an elderly woman’s sleeve, she asked with a smile, “Granny, where is everyone going? Is there some excitement to see?”
“Oh, child, haven’t you heard? The Qu family, the wealthiest in Great Xia, is marrying off a daughter. What a pity about that girl—born into such a fortunate family, yet she can’t play the qin, chess, calligraphy, or paint. Already quite old and still unmarried. Master Qu has no choice but to hold a marriage contest by tossing an embroidered ball. Many bachelors in the capital who can’t find wives are rushing to climb this high branch. Even my own good-for-nothing son is… Hey, child, I haven’t finished… running off so fast…”
Speaking of the Qu family, they were the sole imperial merchants favored by the royal family, their wealth truly rivaling that of the nation.
Sixteen years ago, Madam Du Youxia gave birth to twin daughters. Master Qu Youyu, inspired by the notion of tender affection, named the elder sister Qu Qing and the younger sister Qu Yi.
However, Great Xia had long held the superstition of twin demon children. It was said that if a deceased child was not properly laid to rest, its lingering resentment could gather into wandering spirits. If a pregnant woman unfortunately encountered such a spirit, it would enter her body, absorb the life force of her own child, and take form. Among twins, the child born second was believed to be the demon child.
This was mere superstition, yet the current Emperor Shangwu was particularly devoted to beliefs in gods and ghosts. It was rumored that over a decade ago, a highly accomplished monk passing through the mortal world, while preaching, said something to Emperor Shangwu that led to an imperial decree forbidding the raising of twin children in the imperial city, lest they taint the true dragon’s aura.
Since then, whenever twin births were discovered in the capital, the children were sent to the royal temple under the guise of nurturing their souls and cleansing impurities. In reality, it was nothing more than imprisonment, with their fates uncertain.
Qu Youyu had never believed in such things and was determined to protect both his daughters. Du Youxia, however, seemed deeply convinced and intended to abandon Qu Yi.
Fortunately, Xiao Si had some past friendship with Qu Youyu. While traveling, he passed by the Qu residence and recognized Qu Qing’s exceptional talent for martial arts, taking her back to his sect.
Besides the twins, the Qu family also had a legitimate son born to Du Youxia, named Qu Zhen, courtesy name Hanzhang, who was the elder brother of Qu Qing and Qu Yi. There was also a younger sister, Qu Jiaojiao, born to the concubine Madam Zhang. However, Qu Jiaojiao hanged herself in her room at the age of nine, and Madam Zhang went mad afterward. Qu Youyu sent her to a small courtyard outside the city to recuperate, and she was never seen again. As for how Qu Jiaojiao died, no one knew. Since she was a concubine’s daughter, the matter was not reported to the authorities for investigation, leaving it an unresolved mystery.
Thus, in the current Qu residence, aside from Qu Qing, only one daughter remained—Qu Yi. Without a doubt, the daughter to be married off was Qu Yi.
Qu Qing felt an indescribable frustration. How could her father and mother use such a frivolous method to marry off Qu Yi?
Star-Reaching Tower was one of the most luxurious buildings in the capital, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters on the outside and furnished with glazed jade cups inside. Standing over a dozen zhang tall, it earned its name “Star-Reaching” for towering conspicuously above countless shops and buildings. This tower was also part of the Qu family’s holdings.
Qu Qing rushed straight to Star-Reaching Tower. Upon entering, she spotted Tian An, the Qu family’s trusted steward, tossed the box of pastries to him, and asked, “Where are Father and Mother?”
Tian An respectfully replied, “In the private room on the top floor.”
In no time, Qu Qing arrived at the private room. Pushing open the door, she saw only three people inside: Qu Youyu, Du Youxia, and Qu Yi.
Du Youxia wore a hibiscus-patterned brocade gown, her hair adorned with a golden hairpin. Her demeanor was elegant and gentle, with a noble grace in every gesture. Though past fifty, she bore no trace of age. Seeing her long-absent daughter, her eyes instantly reddened. “Qing’er, you’ve returned.”
Before Qu Qing could respond, a young woman in pink clothes rushed into her arms like a gust of wind, murmuring sweetly, “Sister, Yi’er missed you so much.”
The girl lifted her head from Qu Qing’s embrace. Her appearance was identical to Qu Qing’s, dressed in a lotus-pink gown, her long, beautiful hair secured only by a single white jade hairpin, with no other ornaments adorning her. Her aura was fresh and lively, a world apart from the cold-faced, green-clad Qu Qing. This, naturally, was Qu Yi.
Qu Qing opened her arms, embracing Qu Yi, yet her gaze turned coldly toward Qu Youyu, who sat calmly on the high seat with a faint smile. “What is the meaning of the crowd gathered outside?”
Qu Yi, keenly sensing her displeasure, quickly tugged at Qu Qing’s sleeve, her expression cautious as she stammered an explanation. “Sister, this was all my idea. The Prince of Nan’an’s son has been harassing me lately, and Father had no choice but to approve this foolish plan of mine. Father has already arranged for someone to catch the embroidered ball later. On the surface, I’ll be married off, but in reality, I’ll still be at home. Besides, if I never marry, people in the capital will…”
Qu Yi’s voice grew softer as she spoke, her eyes like a fawn’s, fixed intently on Qu Qing’s changing expression.
Qu Qing lowered her gaze to look at her, restraining herself before finally scolding, “Nonsense! If you were wronged, why didn’t you send someone to tell me? It’s just a prince’s son—even killing him wouldn’t be difficult. As for the gossip, it’s even more absurd. Why should you care?”
Qu Qing’s gaze swept back to Qu Youyu and Du Youxia across the room. “Father and Mother allowed Yi’er to act so recklessly?”
Fearing Qu Qing’s disappointment, Qu Yi grew anxious and distressed, momentarily at a loss. She lowered her head, clutching Qu Qing’s sleeve tightly, her lips trembling as she tried to apologize again. Yet, when the words reached her lips, she didn’t know how to say them to appease her sister’s anger.
“Qing’er, it’s better to avoid trouble. Mother…”
Du Youxia’s words were cut off halfway by Qu Qing. “Mother, Yi’er is also your own child. All these years, you’ve listened to those baseless rumors and disliked Yi’er, but how could you be so careless about such an important matter? If she truly throws that embroidered ball today, will Yi’er ever be able to marry properly in the future?”
Qu Yi hurriedly tugged at Qu Qing’s sleeve, stopping her from continuing. “Sister, it really isn’t Mother’s fault. It’s Yi’er herself who doesn’t want to marry. Yi’er’s fate is thin—why should I hide and deceive others to marry into another family? I only wish to stay by Father and Mother’s side forever, and for Sister to visit me often. That would be enough for me. Besides, Yi’er has been spoiled since childhood—why must I marry into another family to endure their idle complaints? Finding a son-in-law to marry into our family isn’t so bad. Father found someone, and both Mother and I have seen him. His appearance and character are quite good. Sister, you really don’t need to worry.”
Qu Yi’s eyes reddened with urgency as she explained one sentence after another, her words seeming to convey genuine willingness.
“You!” Qu Qing felt a surge of frustration in her heart, yet she couldn’t bring herself to scold or strike this sister of hers. For a moment, she was at a loss for what to do.
Qu Youyu finally couldn’t hold back and spoke up, “Alright, alright. Yi’er, take your mother out first. Let me have a proper talk with Qing’er.”
Qu Yi glanced at her sister, then stole a look at her father. Only after seeing Qu Youyu’s meaningful look did she reluctantly agree, supporting Du Youxia as they left.
Once outside, even though they were still separated by a corridor, Qu Yi could hear the layers of crowds gathered outside the building, chattering noisily, which only added to her irritation.
If asked whether she wanted to marry? She did. Marrying someone controlled by herself and the Qu family was far better than marrying that frivolous son of the Prince of Nan’an. It would spare her father the trouble of how to refuse the marriage proposal, and the Qu family would no longer be gossiped about for having an unmarried daughter.
But if asked whether she truly wanted this? How could she? It was someone she had only met once. At this age, what young woman didn’t yearn for romance? How could she be willing to tie her entire life to someone she had no feelings for?
The deeper she thought, the more stifled Qu Yi felt. Yet, on the surface, she pretended to be lighthearted and lively. First, she escorted her mother to a nearby resting room, softly comforting her with a few words. Then, fearing that her sister and father might argue, she returned to the door of the private room, holding her breath as she eavesdropped by the wall.
After both had left, Qu Youyu asked, “How did things go?”
“He’s dead.”
“Did you leave any evidence behind?”
“Wang Yan and Ling Su used clumsy methods. This time, I’m afraid they’ve provoked the Crown Prince.”
“How could that happen?”
Qu Qing sneered, “Why not? I didn’t even know my own sister was hastily getting married. Compared to that, subordinates in the pavilion acting without permission is hardly surprising, is it?”
“Qing’er!” Qu Youyu sternly cut off Qu Qing’s words, sighed, and continued, “This matter was proposed by Yi’er herself. She was afraid the Qu family would offend the Prince of Nan’an’s household and bring disaster upon us. I tried to dissuade her, but she insisted, and her reasoning was so sound that it was impossible to refute.”
“Disaster?” Qu Qing sneered and retorted, “Is the son of the Prince of Nan’an more esteemed than Prince Zhen?”
Qu Youyu shook his head slightly, “Though not as esteemed as Prince Zhen, the Prince of Nan’an is no easy opponent either. That young heir is pressing urgently, leaving no time for you to plan and act. Besides, you know your sister well. She has no interest in the typical skills young ladies should master—music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Instead, she spends her days reading military strategy books and looks down on learning the intrigues of managing a household. I truly feel Yi’er isn’t suited for marrying into a prominent family. Though a son-in-law who marries into our family may be of lower status, I can keep an eye on him under my own roof and ensure he never mistreats Yi’er. Even if Yi’er doesn’t like him after spending time together, we can send him away and find another.”
Seeing Qu Qing’s expression soften slightly, Qu Youyu continued persuading, “You shouldn’t blame your mother for this. Do you know how much she has longed for your return day and night? How could you hurt her like this as soon as you came home?”
Qu Qing’s anger subsided a little, “If Yi’er truly wants to toss the embroidered ball, then let her. But no matter what, this is highly inappropriate. As for the person you found, Father, if Yi’er genuinely likes him, so be it. But if she doesn’t, she must not marry him. In the future, I’ll have someone search for suitable young men from noble families in the capital for Yi’er. If none can be found in the capital, I’ll take Yi’er elsewhere to look. We’ll surely find a good match.”
Qu Qing’s gaze turned icy. “Moreover, I must thoroughly investigate what exactly the Prince of Nan’an’s heir did to force Yi’er into such desperate measures. Yi’er may have downplayed it as mere harassment, but everyone knows that aside from Prince Zhen, that heir is the biggest vermin in the capital! If he truly wronged Yi’er, I will make him pay.”
“Let’s set this aside for now,” Qu Youyu shifted the topic. “The immediate priority is the matter concerning Prince Zhen. Tell me in detail what exactly happened, and how the Crown Prince became involved?”
Qu Qing composed herself and recounted the entire assassination process to Qu Youyu step by step.
After listening, Qu Youyu sighed heavily. “Qing’er, it is I who have burdened you. When the Empress Dowager first assigned this task to me, I should have refused at all costs.”
Qu Qing chuckled lightly. “Father, you jest. If refusal were possible, you would not have asked me to undertake it. Qing’er only hopes that the Empress Dowager truly is nearing the end of her life as she claims. Only then can our Qu family’s hidden piece truly be withdrawn from the board, securing lasting peace.”
Every word of their conversation reached Qu Yi’s ears outside the door. She was secretly alarmed and increasingly anxious. She had thought her sister was merely a wandering martial artist, but now she was entangled with the royal family, and the Qu family was not simply a merchant household serving the court…
Outside the Star-Gazing Tower.
“Your Highness, scouts report that the master of Shumiao Pavilion entered the Star-Gazing Tower and has not emerged.”
Shang Jingci had initially intended only to have someone follow, but he never expected the two would take the same route into the capital.
“Why are these commoners gathered here?”
“Your Highness, today the legitimate daughter of the imperial merchant Qu Youyu is holding a silk ball toss to choose a husband.”
“The legitimate daughter of the Qu family? Qu Qing…” He vaguely sensed a connection between the two. Since he was already standing beneath the Star-Gazing Tower, observing the dense crowd of men waiting to catch the silk ball from the Qu family’s young lady, he felt a sudden interest and decided to watch the spectacle for a while.