Although Lady Yan was born into a distinguished military family, her temperament was gentle and meek. Her large eyes often shimmered with innocence and grievance; with her lowered lashes trembling softly, she appeared frail and pitiful. The nursemaid had already come with a message—His Highness the Prince of Jin was in good spirits and, fearing she might catch cold, had granted her permission to wait within the sleeping quarters. Yet Lady Yan still knelt outside the courtyard gate, unmoving. She wished to remain kneeling a little longer on the stone pavement, where the snow had only just begun to melt, hoping to earn the Prince's pity. A man's compassion and tenderness were priceless; they could be exchanged for things otherwise unattainable—such as mercy for her maternal clan, or her father's life and future.
It was only after Prince Li Zhang finished examining his son's lessons that he arrived at the courtyard where his concubine resided. This was a modest residence with three rows of courtyards, a private bedchamber, and even a small kitchen, all arranged for Lady Yan's tastes. A chef had been specially invited from Xuzhou to cater to her palate. Yet now that her father, Yan Jide, had fallen into disgrace, those serving her moved about in constant fear and trepidation.
As Li Zhang stepped into the courtyard and saw Lady Yan kneeling at the gate, awaiting him, the nursemaid and maids knelt behind her, urging her to rise. But tears brimmed in Lady Yan's eyes, and she stubbornly refused.
"All of you, leave," Li Zhang said gently, dismissing the servants. He glanced at the remaining staff in the courtyard and added, "Everyone out."
The attendants silently withdrew, closing the courtyard gate behind them.
Li Zhang extended a hand and bent down slightly, his tone unusually kind. "Get up first."
Lady Yan's tears fell upon the cold stone. She cautiously looked up and took his hand. The man before her was tall and well-built, his features striking, with a military edge forged by half a year at the frontier. Usually aloof and distant, it was rare for him to speak so softly. After so long apart, Lady Yan felt a shy warmth rise in her chest.
Yet just as he clasped her hand, a sudden force pulled her to her feet. Without a word, Li Zhang dragged her across the corridor and into the bedchamber. The doors slammed shut with a resounding clang, pressing the bewildered Lady Yan against them.
Startled, she gave a soft cry, unable to move.
"Did you think…" Li Zhang's voice was low and stern, "...that kneeling like this would force me to compromise?"
"Your servant..." Lady Yan trembled, barely able to speak more than two words.
Li Zhang pressed close, yanking at her collar. Her pale pink dress tore apart and scattered to the floor like shredded silk. His fingers gripped her cruelly as he spat, "Is this what you want? If you insist on kneeling, then do it bare, stripped of dignity—kneel at the gate and humiliate me before all!"
"Your... Highness…" Lady Yan lowered her head in shame, tears spilling freely. Yet there was no trace of pity on Li Zhang's face. Standing before her, he undressed himself piece by piece, his expression dark, dragging her to the bed with a scowl.
Lady Yan dared not resist.
The candlelight flickered, casting its glow across the large vermilion bed. Li Zhang vented his fury, his words like shards of ice.
"Seven years ago, your father set a fire to climb the ranks, driving the Crown Prince's mother into madness. I've shielded him time and again, securing his position as commander of the Imperial Guards. And what has he done for me? Accused the Crown Prince of treason? Trapped him in the mountains and tried to blow him up? Such audacity! Before I left, I warned him—do not act recklessly! Do not act recklessly!"
Yan Jide. Baili Xi. Fools, both of them. Their stupidity cost him dearly. With them imprisoned one after another, the Imperial Guard and Censorate were now devoid of his people. His rage made him rough; his frustration made him incapable of gentleness.
Only after a long while did Li Zhang rise, picking up a fallen brocade quilt and tossing it over her.
"I despise betrayal the most," he growled. "You must choose—will you serve your mother's clan, or stand with me, and one day enter the Grand Palace?"
The Grand Palace—home to the Emperor and his consorts.
Lady Yan lay still beneath the quilt, her hair in disarray, her smeared makeup concealing her expression. Only in the frozen crease between her brows could one glimpse a trace of fear and despair.
Li Zhang dressed himself. Before leaving, he turned to look at her.
"Are you angry?" he asked, seated at the bedside, his hand gently caressing her cheek. Her small face rested in his palm like a delicate jade ornament. His touch made her tremble.
"Don't be angry," he coaxed softly, his voice a complete contrast to earlier. "When I was in the North, I often thought of the day you first entered this house. You said you liked peonies, so I had many brought from Luoyang. They'll bloom next spring."
Lady Yan looked at him, a single tear falling.
Li Zhang wiped it away. "As for Yan Jide—Father originally wanted to sentence him to death. Before I left, I asked Grand Tutor Zhang to intercede. Only then did Father issue a pardon and exile him three thousand miles. Along the way, my men will ensure his safety. A'Xue, don't be angry anymore. This... this is all I can do for you."
Lady Yan's given name was Jixue.
Yan Jixue wept quietly, her face buried in the bedding. She murmured, "Your Highness, I was wrong. I should not have disregarded your safety for the sake of my clan."
Li Zhang sighed softly and patted her shoulder. "Good girl."
When he returned to the Princess Consort's quarters, she had already bathed and changed, her makeup carefully redone. She sat by the window, waiting for him.
He entered, handed his cloak to a maid, took a calming tea from another, and sat opposite her after a small sip.
"How are things at court?" she asked.
"All is well," he replied with a calm smile. After a pause, he added, "While I was away, did you visit the palace?"
"Yes," she nodded respectfully. "Aunt is doing very well."
The Princess Consort was the niece of the current Empress. Privately, she still referred to the Empress as "Aunt."
Li Zhang's smile deepened. "I saw Mother today. How is Uncle?"
The Princess Consort's father was the son of the Grand Tutor, of the Empress's maternal clan.
"All is well," she replied with a smile. "I returned home with the children not long ago. Father said he wishes to speak with you after your return. You might see him at court tomorrow. It's getting late—shall we rest?"
"Very well."
And rest he did. Li Zhang undressed and lay down, his breathing soon even and deep. The Princess Consort remained seated at the bedside for a long while, then slowly rose to undo her elaborate coiffure.
The hairstyle, which had taken half an hour to arrange, had been glanced at only once by him. Yet even that one glance was enough.
She quietly climbed into bed, arranged her pillow and quilt, and turned toward him, studying his profile.
Whether awake or asleep, Li Zhang exuded a sense of possession, a calm, unhurried confidence that bent the world to his will. It was the self-assurance of a legitimate imperial son.
She watched him until her eyes grew tired, and at last, drifted into sleep.
By early morning, the Prince of Zhao's residence was already bustling.
First, Prince Li Jing discovered that two dishes were missing from breakfast.
The Princess Consort smiled with narrowed eyes. "Miss Ye arrived, so I had the kitchen send a few more dishes to her."
"What does her arrival have to do with me?" Li Jing grumbled. "That shameless brat—eating, drinking, even lodging for free—and now he's making me support his woman, too? How utterly unjust..."