Ye Jiao knelt gracefully before the low table, resting her chin in her hands, her elbows on the polished surface, tilting her head in innocent curiosity. "What is this?" she murmured. The ornaments in her hair swayed gently, a cascade of lustrous pearls brushing her cheek, making her already radiant face all the more enchanting.
Opposite her knelt Shu Wen, dressed in a white robe with a shoulder wrap, the hem of her skirt embroidered with clusters of toon tree leaves—an emblem of longevity since the era of Zhuangzi, and now often used to symbolize filial longing. She handed Ye Jiao a silver note and explained, "While my late father still lived, he had been commissioned to aid in disaster relief in Ganzhou. Before his departure, however, he sustained a fall and had to recuperate. During the Mid-Autumn family banquet, he heard of the ineffectual relief efforts and that some civilians had been forced to abandon their homes. He was consumed with guilt and sorrow for days."
Though her father—the prince consort—had passed, Shu Wen, in an effort to console his spirit, brought forth her own savings and entrusted Ye Jiao to deliver them to Yan Congzheng, whose father, a Vice Minister of Revenue, was now overseeing the relief work. Shu Wen, still in mourning, was unable to leave the house. These notes carried her heartfelt intent. Whatever they were used for, so long as it aided the relief, she had no objection—though she would feel most reassured if Vice Commander Yan oversaw it personally.
Moved by Shu Wen's earnest words, Ye Jiao straightened her posture and looked solemnly at the silver note: two hundred taels. "Very well," she said as she carefully tucked it away. "Leave this errand to me!"
Just as she was about to leave, Shu Wen added that there was something else she wished to entrust to her—a heavy scroll.
"This is a royal genealogical register," Shu Wen said reverently. "Managed by the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs. When my father passed, an official brought this over to revise the family records of the Princess's estate. Mother has been too busy, so I took time to verify the entries myself. I must trouble you to deliver it as well."
Naturally, the prince consort's passing needed to be documented in the family lineage.
"How do I get to the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs?" Ye Jiao asked, unfamiliar with the location of the ministries. "Is it near the Grand Court of Sacrifices?"
"That's easily arranged," said Shu Wen. "When you pass Prince Zhao's manor, ask Ninth Brother to accompany you. The Grand Court oversees the Imperial Tombs Office, and he is well acquainted with the officials there."
Delivering an item shouldn't require a detour and another escort—Ye Jiao nodded while hugging the scroll but then narrowed her eyes in sudden realization.
"Miss Shu," she said warily, "You already knew Yan was promoted to Vice Commander, didn't you?"
Despite her mourning, Shu Wen was evidently well-informed.
"I did." A faint smile curved her lips.
"Then you must also know that I've fallen out with Li Ce?" Ye Jiao tossed the scroll back into her lap. "You were testing if we've reconciled, weren't you?"
Caught off guard, Shu Wen stood frozen, her expression uneasy. "I…"
She faltered, eyes darting nervously, clearly worried Ye Jiao would be angry, and not particularly adept at concealing her thoughts.
Ye Jiao huffed and turned to leave. Royal types—so full of schemes, like fleas bred from a century of unwashed skin.
Panicking, Shu Wen followed her into the courtyard and caught her sleeve. Ye Jiao whirled around so fiercely that Shu Wen instinctively let go. Her face flushed with shame, and she whispered, "Actually… I wasn't just trying to test you and Ninth Brother."
"What else then?" Ye Jiao asked with a pout. She wasn't one for manipulation and disliked mind games.
"I also hoped…" Shu Wen hesitated, clutching her handkerchief timidly, "that you'd notice I… I like…"
"You're welcome to like Li Ce," Ye Jiao said dryly. "I've no use for him anymore."
You two—like a turtle and a mung bean—perfectly matched in cunning. May your child be born as layered as lotus root, brimming with schemes.
"No!" Shu Wen shook her head, tears welling up. "I… I like Yan… Yan!"
She was so flustered she couldn't even utter his full name.
"Yan Congzheng?" Ye Jiao's face instantly lit up with joy, her earlier fury melting away like snow. "Why didn't you say so earlier? Forget about Li Ce—if you like Yan Congzheng, then silver notes alone won't do. Send him food! Write him a letter! Something tender and full of longing. If you can't compose one, copy from the Book of Songs. Plenty of verses there."
"Keep your voice down!" Shu Wen tugged nervously at her handkerchief. "I heard… he likes you."
Was that why she sent Ye Jiao to deliver the silver? To intimidate a rival?
Ye Jiao gave Shu Wen a long, slightly exasperated look.
"I'm just friends with Yan Congzheng. If you like him, then act fast! Don't let someone else snatch him away!" A man of good looks, good temper, and meteoric rise—such a man would be highly sought after.
Shu Wen's eyes shimmered with gratitude.
Moments later, Ye Jiao arrived at the Imperial Guards' office. She handed the silver note and letter to Yan Congzheng and turned to leave before he could speak.
But he didn't rush to read the letter. Instead, he placed the items on his desk and followed her out.
"No need to see me off," Ye Jiao said as she walked with hands clasped behind her, her bearing lively and charming. "You must be terribly busy as Vice Commander."
"Indeed," Yan replied. "This morning, His Majesty was furious over the refugee crisis in Ganzhou. He first rebuked my father, then assigned the matter to Prince Chu."
Ye Jiao halted and looked up at him.
"Why is everyone bringing him up today? Who is Prince Chu anyway? Who is Li Ce? I'd much rather hear about the new eateries in the West Market." She smirked. "Oh, never mind. I frequent that place every day."
Getting paid to wander the markets—it still felt like daylight robbery from the imperial treasury.
Yan Congzheng chuckled heartily. "Very well. Tell me what shops have opened, and I'll treat you."
"Deal," Ye Jiao winked, "but remember to bring Miss Shu Wen along."
She made sure to say Shu Wen's full name—just in case he brought the wrong Shu.
Yan smiled silently. Ye Jiao waved and left.
Next stop: the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, housed within the Grand Court of Sacrifices. It managed the records of the royal family's nine branches and extended kin. Every birth within the imperial Li clan had to be registered here to be entered into the official genealogies.
Ye Jiao glanced at the tightly wrapped scroll in her arms, gently tugged one of the hemp cords—then quickly let go, feigning nonchalance as she sat back in the carriage.
She wanted to peek. Wanted it with a clawing itch in her heart.
With a sigh, she closed her eyes and swiftly untied the cords, peeled back the wrapping, and opened a page.
The first name she saw was Li Jing—not interested.
Li Jing was the fifth son. A few more pages should bring her to Li Ce.
Why look up Li Ce? Who was he to her?
She rolled her eyes but kept turning pages.
The carriage creaked forward and soon arrived at the gates of the Grand Court.
Fine! It doesn't hurt to check in on your enemy now and then.
She found Li Ce's page. Unmarried, his record was sparse—only his mother's name and his birth details.
Ye Jiao memorized it swiftly: "Year of Renwu, Month of Xinhai, Day of Dinghai, Hour of Xu, third quarter."
Easy enough. Could hand this to Wang Qianshan for a marriage match.
Bah! As if she'd marry him.
She slammed the scroll shut, tied it tightly, and delivered it to the Court.
Meanwhile, Yan Jide and his 100,000 imperial guards were stationed a hundred miles north of Chang'an at Yangquan Mountain. Every autumn, the elite would be drilled on the plains south of the mountain. The Tang Empire was built on military strength; the emperor often feared peacetime would soften his troops.
Though it was already late autumn, Yan Jide still wore light garments, standing on the northern platform of the training ground, watching the disciplined ranks.
A subordinate flattered him: "With your personal supervision this year, the results far surpass the past. See how mighty and unmatched our Tang army is!"
Yan Jide offered a cautious smile and said nothing.