Li Ce coughed violently, his shoulders heaving as if his chest were a broken bellows, his entire body swaying like a reed about to collapse. Li Jing immediately drew from his sleeve a Tai Mountain stone, stepping back in alarm. "Li Ce, hold on! I will fetch the imperial physician at once. You must not perish within my household." The death of an unmarried young man in the manor would be the utmost misfortune.
Li Ce raised a hand to refuse."Marry whom?" His question was terse and direct."I don't know." Li Jing studied Li Ce's complexion carefully. After the bout of coughing, a strange flush tinged his usually pale face, which, against the crimson, made him appear somewhat more handsome."Then how could I say… cough, that I'm to be wed? Look at me—ragged clothes, a broken frame—how could I possibly marry?" Li Ce shook his head, wearing a bitter smile.Li Jing puckered his lips, feigning indifference."I don't know why Father has suddenly fixated on your marriage. He says the Qixi Festival approaches and has instructed your aunt to host a Qiqiao banquet, gathering all eligible unmarried men and women of the royal clan and court officials. Of course, the main purpose is for you to choose—everyone else is just filling numbers. If you find a match, your aunt will take the opportunity to act as matchmaker. On my way back, I saw eunuchs already delivering the imperial edict."
So that was the reason. Li Ce lost interest."I'm still ill, no strength to attend."Li Jing paid little heed to Li Ce's illness, eager to flaunt his inside knowledge."Father also took the chance to appease the Minister of Revenue and the Duke of Anguo's household, permitting the unmarried son of the Yan family and Miss Ye, the Duke's second daughter, to attend.""Who?" Li Ce sat up straighter."Miss Ye," Li Jing tucked his hands into his sleeves, "they say she's strikingly beautiful, gentle, skilled in needlework and music. That bastard Fu Mingzhu lost a pearl and married a spiteful woman, letting others reap the benefits." He spread out his robe leisurely, adding, "What if I married her as a concubine? Do you think Father would agree?"
Li Ce grabbed Li Jing's sleeve."Help me up."He pulled so hard Li Jing nearly fell."What are you doing?" Li Jing grumbled, helping Li Ce steady himself. "Weren't you too weak just now? How come you're suddenly so strong?""Father said it's to find a wife for me," Li Ce wheezed as he struggled upright, "I pick first, then it's your turn.""Hah!" Li Jing turned away nonchalantly, "Marriage is about mutual affection. Becoming your principal wife? Not as good as living in luxury with me. Look at this dashing figure—what girl wouldn't fancy me?"
It was clear Li Ce had no choice but to attend.The imperial decree first arrived at the residence of the Princess Dowager, who soon compiled the guest list and dispatched invitations. Most recipients were elated, yet the Duke of Anguo's household remained solemn.Ye Rou was in postpartum confinement; Ye Jiao, after daily swordsmanship and archery training, would visit her sister's chamber to converse."I heard the Princess Dowager is hosting a banquet on Qixi. Will you go?" Ye Rou asked."No," Ye Jiao answered decisively.
After the incident with Qian Yougong, Ye Rou no longer pressured her sister into a grand marriage. She nodded apologetically."Good that you're not going. Sister lost face, and I worry you'll be mocked by those royal noble ladies for my sake.""Sister didn't lose face. I'm not afraid of their gossip," Ye Jiao patted her sister's hand. "I'm not going because that day the tofu king of Xishi's Qian County is opening his shop. I want to go try his tofu pudding."Ye Jiao was a connoisseur of delicacies from every region and had long heard that Qian County's tofu pudding was exquisite. This was their first store in the capital, and she had admired it since its opening.
"Jiao Jiao," Ye Rou sighed, "when will you truly grow up?"Hearing this, Ye Changgeng, standing by the door, halted his steps. Having lived at the academy, he rushed home upon hearing the family turmoil. Worried for his sisters yet burdened by guilt for being helpless, Ye Changgeng clenched his heart at Ye Rou's sigh.
"The Emperor himself wants you to go. If you refuse, feign illness. But going all the way to Xishi for tofu pudding while rejecting the banquet—if anyone finds out, is that proper?"The Duke of Anguo's household was currently under intense scrutiny; every word and action demanded utmost caution.Ye Rou spoke earnestly, "Attend briefly; if no suitable match, return immediately. We dare not provoke the court nor the noble ladies. No fighting, no snatching—avoid trouble even at a loss."
Ye Jiao clenched her dress, biting her lip."You're right, sister. I'll go. But I won't be bullied!"Ye Rou's voice was a fragile whisper, "Jiao Jiao, our family is not what it once was. If Father were alive, if the Duke's title still held, or if our brother served in court, would Qian Yougong dare treat us this way? But Father… apart from money collected yearly with his seal, has done nothing for us."Tears fell as she spoke, "Endure, don't stir trouble."
"Why cry?" Ye Jiao lifted a handkerchief to wipe her sister's tears, comforting, "We're grown now. No longer relying on Father or titles. If needed, I'll seek office myself, so you can hold your head high!"
Outside, Ye Changgeng listened silently, guilt shadowing his face before he turned away with heavy steps. Rumors circulated that Qian Yougong, over a trivial matter, had killed Yan Congxiao, exposed by Ye Jiao; and Ye Rou, trying to stop Qian Yougong from covering up the crime, suffered a miscarriage. But these were mere hearsay.
Though not academically gifted, Ye Changgeng was shrewd. How did Ye Jiao discover it? She should have been asleep. What trivial matter would drive Qian Yougong—a sycophant—to murder Yan Congxiao? What secret compelled him to desperate concealment? That night, his sisters must have endured unspeakable horrors. He was powerless to help, unable even to storm the jail and thrash Qian Yougong, as fighting would mean expulsion from the academy and loss of chance at the imperial exams. No matter how he studied, he always ranked last. He was a useless elder brother, the most worthless man alive.
As Ye Changgeng left the lane, he glanced up to see dark clouds obscuring the sun, suddenly recalling ten years ago when he had stood here, holding his father's hand. His father pried his hand away, grasped his shoulders, and solemnly said,"Changgeng, this family will rely on you henceforth."
He hated his father, but never forgot that charge. Yet now, a decade later, when his sisters were in peril, it was their mother who charged in with a sword to save them, while he remained utterly useless.Aimlessly wandering the street, dozens of cavalrymen galloped past, one nearly colliding with him. The rider shouted,"Prince Su returns to the capital! Clear the way!"Citizens scattered as Ye Changgeng watched the arrogant soldiers ride off. Suddenly awakened, he quickened his pace, then turned toward the academy, moving faster and faster, his figure like a blade sheathed yet ready to strike.
Prince Su, Li Long, the emperor's eldest son and the only royal prince currently bestowed a title."Long"—an ancient jade symbol invoking rain. When Li Long was born, the emperor was yet a prince. Amid a severe drought in Henan, the late emperor named his grandson "Long," praying for rain. Coincidentally, three days later, sweet dew fell, saving the crops. Overjoyed, the late emperor soon declared Li Long heir apparent, who is now emperor.
Perhaps for this reason, though not born of the empress, the emperor placed great trust in Li Long. To familiarize him with governance, the emperor had him assist various ministries before commanding troops guarding the northern frontier. This return was summoned by imperial decree.
The prince's mansion doors were tightly closed; Li Long had yet to remove his armor when he summoned his aides for discussion. He intended to understand the situation before meeting the emperor."Tibet invades the border; I am gathering forces to annihilate them. Why summon me now?" Li Long was perplexed.
"It concerns the succession," whispered the chief steward.The anxiety on Li Long's face vanished instantly. He lifted his teacup, gently blowing away floating leaves, and inquired,"Explain."
Two months prior, the prime minister and several ministers petitioned the emperor to establish a clear heir to stabilize the realm. When the emperor casually solicited opinions, most recommended the second prince, but unexpectedly, many supported Prince Su. The second prince, born of the empress, was by law the rightful heir to the Eastern Palace. Yet Prince Su, the eldest illegitimate son, had a plausible claim. Even the emperor did not anticipate Prince Su's considerable support.
"Foolish!" Li Long spat, "Who dares endorse me? Father will surely think I harbor ambitions for the throne!"
By birth, the emperor and empress's children were "legitimate," the others "illegitimate." Succession struggles bred sibling rivalries, factional strife, and endless turmoil. Even if Li Long had such designs, he dared not reveal them prematurely.
He set down the teacup so forcefully it shattered into fragments. Silence engulfed the mansion. After a moment, the chief steward spoke gravely,"Your Highness, the strangest thing is that Father now insists on your brother marrying and producing an heir immediately."
Li Long narrowed his eyes. "My brother is frail, still coughing constantly, how can he marry so soon? Is this some trap?""The court's rumors say the imperial physician doubts his health. If he does not produce an heir soon, the succession will be in jeopardy.""Then Father wants me to pressure him," Li Long muttered, "So that I remain uncontested.""No, Your Highness, Father intends to test your brother's resolve and strength by this marriage."Li Long fell silent. He stood abruptly and strode toward the window, gazing at the vast capital shrouded in dusk's mist, his mind clouded with uncertainty.