Li Chen's eyes flew open, gleaming brighter than the lantern light within the hall. His lips quivered slightly as he spoke, understanding yet laden with guilt:"Mother Consort..."
"You've done well," Lady Ru said calmly. "I believe in you. The Ru clan stands firmly by your side. Do not forget—you are more precious than any other prince."
She spoke swiftly. Before the final syllable faded, she had already turned away from Li Chen, rising to her feet and instructing the palace maids,"Return to the palace."
The eunuch led the way, palace maids followed in order, and the procession departed the Prince of Wei's residence with grand decorum.
Princess Consort of Wei personally escorted Lady Ru to the palace gates before returning with apprehension.
Li Chen had not gone to rest. Eyes closed, he sat still in contemplative silence, his thoughts unreadable.
"My Lord..." Yan Shuangxu hesitated. "Did Her Highness come in such haste only to inquire about your health?"
Rumors of the fire at the Armory Bureau had spread like wildfire. Whispers had already begun—some claimed the Crown Prince's virtue had faltered, and this disaster was Heaven's punishment. Yan Shuangxu dared not link the scandal to her husband, but the more she pondered, the more fear took root. Yet, she lacked the courage to ask directly.
Li Chen opened his eyes but did not answer her question. Instead, he asked,"Have you prepared a wedding gift for Prince Chu?"
Bewildered, Yan Shuangxu replied,"The wedding is still two months away. I haven't yet had the chance to prepare."
"Make it valuable and appropriate, but not ostentatious," Li Chen instructed. "Send gifts to both the Prince of Chu's residence and the Duke of Anguo's household. Do not let the Duke's family think that a mere injury could plant discord between us."
Li Chen's injury had occurred while training in martial arts with Ye Jiao.
"You are ever thoughtful, my lord," Yan Shuangxu said with a respectful nod.
"I heard Ye Jiao was also present at the fire today. Aren't you two close? Visit her tomorrow with Princess Zhao. Bring the gift along."
Having said this, Li Chen gently extended his hand.
Understanding his meaning, Yan Shuangxu placed her slender fingers in his palm. His sudden display of tenderness momentarily swept away her unease.
His fingers caressed her palm softly. After a long pause, he said in a low voice,"Do not be afraid. Just follow my lead."
His tone was steady and resolute, exuding a quiet, unwavering confidence.
—
When Yan Shuangxu entered the Zhao residence, Princess Zhao, Cui Jin'er, was in the midst of morning sickness.
It had come on suddenly—she could no longer stomach the scent of oil or the taste of food. Even the faintest whiff of cooking in the air made her stomach churn. The retching was miserable, and vomiting brought no relief. Though the physician had prescribed a remedy for nausea, the bitter decoction remained untouched.
"All medicine is, by nature, poisonous," Cui Jin'er murmured, caressing her still-flat belly as she shook her head at the maid. "This suffering is nothing. As long as the child is born safe, it's worth ten months of this."
Compared to what she had endured to conceive, this discomfort was minor.
At that moment, the steward entered to report that the Princess Consort of Wei had come to visit Prince Zhao.
As it was a matter for the inner quarters, Cui Jin'er would naturally play hostess. She rose with the help of her maid but caught a scent in the air and quickly covered her mouth.
After vomiting up her breakfast entirely, she slumped in frustration."I shouldn't go. I'll feign illness."
The steward turned to leave, but she called him back."Forget it," she said irritably. "If I say I'm unwell, she'll only insist on seeing me. She might even alarm the palace and summon the imperial physician."
Following Li Ce's advice, Cui Jin'er had kept her pregnancy a closely guarded secret. If a physician came to take her pulse, it would all be for naught.
"Put out some melons and fruits in the front hall," she instructed. "Their scent makes me feel a little better."
She had hoped to exchange a few pleasantries, accept the gift, and politely see Yan Shuangxu off. But Yan insisted on visiting the Duke of Anguo's residence as well—and she wouldn't go without Cui Jin'er.
"I truly shouldn't go out while His Highness is still unwell," Cui Jin'er tried to excuse herself.
"Just now, dear sister said she was perfectly fine," Yan said with a nervous smile, tugging at her hand. "The gift for Ye Jiao is already on the carriage. I'm not sure if she'll find it acceptable—please come with me and offer your opinion."
"Why would she dislike it?" Cui Jin'er replied. "Though her tastes are lavish, she's never cared much for gold or silver. She has a free-spirited nature."
But no matter what she said, Yan Shuangxu pulled and pleaded until she had no choice but to follow, fearing a fall if she resisted.
—
After yesterday's blade training and firefighting, Madam Ye had urged her daughter to take a day off and request leave from the Ministry of War. Though Ye Jiao felt fine, she obeyed and rested at home.
With household affairs entrusted to her sister Ye Rou, she had little to occupy her and spent the morning idly swinging in the courtyard.
Seeing no one around, she retrieved from her sleeve the brocade pouch the Emperor had gifted her and examined it closely.
"What could it be?" she murmured.
The golden silk pouch was tightly woven and embroidered with indigo thread in the shape of twin bows—a pattern known as fu, one of the twelve imperial insignias embroidered on royal ceremonial robes.
Ye Jiao recognized the symbol. It adorned the Emperor's own robes. She had asked Li Ce about it once, and he had explained: Fu symbolizes the rejection of evil and pursuit of virtue, originating from the Rites of Zhou.
"Reject evil and pursue virtue..." she repeated, lifting the pouch into the sunlight. "Surely His Majesty already knows I'm a good person? I have nothing to repent."
The pouch was sealed with a silk cord. A gentle pull would reveal its contents. But recalling the Emperor's words—"Open it only when you face an obstacle so great it feels impossible to go on"—she hesitated, feeling a touch of dread.
The Emperor of Great Tang was known for his cunning. What if he had laid some trap within?
What if it contained orders to chase a fugitive thousands of miles away, or quell a rebellion in some distant land? Would she then be forced to leave home now and travel night and day for the Emperor's cause?
Absolutely not. She had a wedding to prepare for.
Ye Jiao kneaded the pouch, fingers brushing the hard object inside. Maybe it was gold. If so, she could at least slice off a piece and sell it.
She tightened her grip. Whatever it is, I'll just open it and see!
But just then, a pleasant voice drifted near. Her maid Shuiwen arrived a moment earlier, breathless.
"Princess Consort of Wei is here!"
Startled, Ye Jiao dropped the pouch with a soft plop. She hurriedly picked it up and tucked it back into her sleeve just as Yan Shuangxu entered the courtyard.
"What were you picking up, sister?" Yan asked with a smile as she approached. Turning to the slower-moving Cui Jin'er, she called,"Come, let us help our dear sister prepare for her wedding."
The gift—known as tianzhuang, or bridal embellishment—was a splendid folding screen inlaid with gold-threaded peonies, crafted with exquisite artistry.
The servants had already brought it in. Ye Jiao accepted it with a smile and a word of thanks.
Cui Jin'er offered compliments as expected but took advantage of Yan Shuangxu's turned back to wink at Ye Jiao. First she rolled her eyes, then gave her a pleading look before miming a retch.
But just then, Yan suddenly turned around, covering her lips and whispering,"Is the Princess of Zhao expecting? Her posture is stiff, and her gait no longer graceful."
The courtyard fell into a brief silence.
"I..." Cui Jin'er began, but her voice caught in her throat. She nearly vomited again.
Ye Jiao stepped forward and gently rubbed her back.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "Didn't you strain your back a few days ago when we were practicing archery? Still not healed?"
The story of Cui Jin'er learning archery from Ye Jiao had already stirred gossip among the capital's noblewomen. Some said they were of like temper; others mocked Cui Jin'er for playing instead of securing her husband's favor and producing an heir.
Cui Jin'er's stiff expression gradually softened. Pretending to wince from pain, she reached for her back and murmured dejectedly,"I suppose I must give it up for good..."