Chapter One

The leaky roof dripped relentlessly, leaving the hall damp and cold. Beside the dim couch stood an incongruously delicate screen, its surface etched with gold-painted precepts of female virtue. The bridal gown, embroidered with jewels and jade, lay discarded on the floor like so much rubbish.

Two days and two nights.

Zhou Yao had been imprisoned here for two days and two nights after defying her imperial father's decree to wed the Qi family's worthless eldest son. The Qi family's exploits overshadowed the sovereign, and the emperor used her marriage as a pawn to rein in their power. If she didn't eat soon, she might starve to death in this desolate hall. Those servants, ever scheming to curry favor, had sent nothing but sour slop these past days. She was weak from hunger. Though she'd been maltreated all her life, she'd never been reduced to this.

The patter of rain outside masked the approach of footsteps. The ramshackle door creaked open.

"Ninth Princess, His Majesty sends me to inquire how well you've memorized the rules of womanhood. He also bids me see if your heart has turned."

Behind the chief eunuch followed four or five maids and two eunuchs, each maid carrying a basket draped in red cloth, their contents unknown.

Zhou Yao gave a disdainful snort. "Bastards! How dare you lot treat me like this!"

A crisp slap landed across her cheek.

The chief eunuch signaled a maid forward with his eyes. "You'd best weigh this marriage to Master Qi carefully, lest you suffer more and later blame me. His Majesty is the Son of Heaven; his word is law."

The burly maid behind the chief eunuch came forward and forced Zhou Yao to kneel. The damp floor sent pain shooting through her bones. She bowed her head to hide the murderous gleam in her eyes.

"This is the palace's finest etiquette matron. She will instruct you in wedding rites. You must master them by the eighth day of next month."

The leading matron stepped forward, ruler in hand, her cunning eyes fixed on Zhou Yao.

"Ninth Princess, I am ordered to teach you the wedding rites. Apply yourself diligently."

Forced to her knees, Zhou Yao lowered her head, concealing her sharp gaze, and gritted her teeth against the pain. "I thank you for your trouble, matron."

This was not the best time for revenge. Her limbs trembled from holding the same position for so long.

As the matron turned with her haughty air, Zhou Yao glimpsed what lay in the baskets. The first held a whip studded with spikes. The second, a porcelain bowl filled with fresh blood. The third, ash water from burnt talismans. The sight of those cold, terrifying instruments made her break out in a cold sweat. Unable to struggle free, she frowned and snapped, "Get off me! I am still a princess, however lowly! How dare you use torture on me!"

One of the eunuchs picked up the whip, dipped it in the dog's blood, and made to strike her. Zhou Yao had no doubt that a single lash would take half her life; if she let these servants beat her, she'd be dead within days.

The chief eunuch spoke coolly, enjoying her misery. "I only mean well. No parent would harm their own child. If Your Highness would only yield, I will report to His Majesty today. Once you wed Young Master Qi, you shall still be a noble mistress."

The dry, cracked inside of her mouth tasted of coppery blood. In her daze, Zhou Yao saw a figure silhouetted against the paper window.

The door was kicked open by guards, and behind them stood a man of refined features, supported by a servant. His handsome face was haggard and bloodless; the sickly air about him made it seem a gust of wind might topple him.

"I stumbled upon this place by mistake and did not expect to disturb Your Highness." His voice was gentle, yet his deliberate words carried authority.

"Oh! Chancellor Qi, what are you doing here?" The chief eunuch's tone turned obsequious. "Your wedding with Her Highness is imminent, yet you venture to this foul place? Ninth Princess, do rise and tidy yourself."

The hands restraining her released, and she collapsed to the floor, her cheek scraped raw by pebbles, covered in a web of tiny cuts. She remained in an unnoticed corner, her tearful phoenix eyes flashing with venom, not noticing Qi Yanhan's unwavering gaze upon her.

The chief eunuch signaled a maid to lead Zhou Yao away, then smiled obsequiously. "You jest, Chancellor. Today you have His Majesty's leave to visit the Empress Dowager. Why would you come here? Please leave quickly, lest this filth sully your noble person."

"Chief Eunuch jests as well. Ninth Princess is, after all, my betrothed. Whether or not we marry, we share a childhood bond." Qi Yanhan gave a faint smile, one that did not reach his eyes, utterly devoid of sincerity.

The chief eunuch froze. The maids, frightened, knelt prostrate, stammering without words. His eyes darted, and he forced a smile. "You jest, Chancellor. Palace rules are strict; the princess's waywardness often warrants punishment. Since you plead for her today, let it be."

The man, supported by his guard, stepped into the hall. His smile remained, but his voice turned cold. "As long as you reside in this palace, keep your eyes open and know who your true master is. And mind your heads."

Qi Yanhan drew a handkerchief from his robe and meticulously wiped his fingers. "Duyun, take care of it," he instructed the guard beside him.

"No, no, Chancellor Qi! I have elders and children to support..." The chief eunuch began, but before he could finish, the matron who had been shouting was silenced by a single sword stroke from the guard. Blood splattered the floor. Qi Yanhan approached Zhou Yao and helped her up with one hand. "The ground is damp and cold; rise quickly and mind you don't catch a chill."

His voice was pleasant as a mountain spring, a far cry from his rumored image. She found herself momentarily lost in his face. "Thank you, Master Qi."

Her attempt at a bow was stopped. His fox-like eyes held a gentle smile, and she caught the scent of sandalwood on him. "Your Highness is of noble birth; I dare not presume."

She glanced at the matron's corpse beside her, then at the maids who had looked on. "You likely have urgent matters, Master Qi. Please go on ahead; I have things to gather." Her lashes fluttered, the picture of a frightened maiden.

Qi Yanhan left her with a meaningful look before departing.

"Presumptuous servant." Zhou Yao cast a cold, venomous glance at the matron's still-warm corpse. Since she was dead, she might as well be put to good use. She slipped her hand into the matron's sleeve, retrieved the pass for leaving the palace, and tucked it away. After double-checking it, Zhou Yao rose.

When she emerged from the hall, Qi Yanhan stood beneath the courtyard's lone ginkgo tree, its leaves thick and lush, his back to her.

"You saw that?" A dangerous smile curled at Zhou Yao's lips, her wide sleeve concealing the silver hairpin in her hand.

Sure enough, he turned and nodded. Their eyes met, and each read the calculation in the other's gaze. The sharp hairpin pressed against his neck. He didn't flinch, and his guards made no move.

"Aren't you afraid I'll silence you?"

"No."

The smile never left Qi Yanhan's lips, and the deep scent of sandalwood filled her nostrils.

"Why?"

"I trust Your Highness is not one to bite the hand that feeds."

Frowning, Zhou Yao pressed the hairpin deeper into his flesh; beads of blood welled up along it.

"Does Your Highness dislike me?" His gentle, affable manner was nothing like the libertine of rumor.

"Don't change the subject. Tell me—did you hear everything?"

He suddenly bent forward; afraid of wounding him, Zhou Yao's arm curved involuntarily with his movement.

"Yes. What will Your Highness do about it?"

"Silence you, naturally."

His face was only two fingers' widths away. "Your Highness is my wife-to-be. If I can win your favor, I would willingly submit."

"Nonsense!" Zhou Yao's face flushed red; she shoved him away, shooting him a look of disgust. Noting the stark contrast between his upright, gentle facade and his authoritative manner in the hall, she decided to leave first. As she turned the corner, she thought: Old fox, all show.

---

Crimson gauze curtains hung in layers; beaded screens clinked incessantly as palace attendants bustled to and fro. It was an auspicious day, with drums and gongs resounding; the hall was adorned with a few crystalline liuli ornaments to add to the festive air. Only Zhou Yao sat alone in the hall, her face devoid of any smile. Her goal would soon be achieved, yet at the brink of success, a trace of softness crept into her heart.

She nodded without surprise, meeting Linglong's gaze in the mirror. "Are you truly willing?"

Linglong bent down and helped Zhou Yao remove her crimson outer robe, nodding. Her rouge and powder were smudged by tears. Zhou Yao took her hand and squeezed it. "No matter what, once we leave the palace, do as I said—find a faraway place and never return to Chang'an."

Outside, the shrill voice of the ritual official rose in a chant. "The auspicious hour is here!"

A maid at the door urged, "Your Highness, please come at once to the main hall to bid farewell to His Majesty and Her Majesty. Do not miss the auspicious hour."

Zhou Yao's phoenix eyes lifted, glancing at Linglong beside her. Linglong took the cue and answered with authority, "Her Highness is of noble birth; with all the day's complexities, you servants have no business hurrying her!" The maid's arrogance was promptly extinguished.

Zhou Yao said softly to Linglong, "It's all up to you."

The wedding procession was sparsely attended, far fewer than the usual entourage for a noble leaving the palace. There were no ritual instruments, books, jewels, or jade; but plenty of 'double happiness' characters were pasted, and the pavilions and towers were hung with red curtains. The escort stood in orderly rows before the great hall.

"Your child bids farewell to Father and Mother today; may you both remain well." A soft, delicate voice came from behind the feather fan. No one knew that the woman behind the fan was actually the maid Linglong.

Zhou Yao wanted to show those men that a woman could carve out her own place in this world that devours people. She hastily shed her wedding attire, donned a maid's garb, and slipped out of the palace with the procession, head low.

The Qi Mansion was not far from the imperial city, reachable in a short time; only the Qi family in all of Chang'an enjoyed such privilege. She knew she would lose her chance if she didn't slip away soon, but the city was in chaos, its streets a mess. Assassins hidden in the shadows sprang out; in a few breaths, cold steel flashed.

Zhou Yao failed to dodge a blade; it sliced her shoulder, and sharp pain seared from the wound. "This is the princess's wedding carriage! Who dares?" she shouted from within the crowd, pressing her hand to the wound. Unexpectedly, an arrow whizzed past her hairpin. It was a warning.

A plan struck Zhou Yao; she rushed to the carriage ahead. Inside, Linglong's eyes were filled with unconcealed concern for her. Zhou Yao reassured her, "Change into ordinary clothes and leave quickly. Don't lose your life because of me."

"Your Highness..."

"No time to hesitate." Zhou Yao drew Linglong's indenture deed from her waist and handed it to her. Once Linglong changed, the two slipped into a narrow alley amid the chaos.

Yet someone was already waiting there.

"I am Qi Yanhan, at Your Highness's service." The man's fox-like eyes brimmed with a smile that seemed to hold goodwill for everyone.

Author's note: Dear kind readers~ If you've made it here, could I briefly ask for a collection?