Chapter One

"Sorry, we're not open yet. Try elsewhere."

The doorman at the entrance blocked Zhou Yao's guards. She lifted the carriage curtain to glance over. Moss-covered steps and a few attendants showed the Golden Curtain Pavilion had lost its former glory.

The Golden Curtain Pavilion earned its name from the gold-and-silver-threaded curtains that shimmered with "floating light and leaping gold" under the sun. Even the palace had nothing finer.

Once run by the Bai family, the pavilion had been the finest restaurant and teahouse in all of Chang'an. Its opulence and privacy made it a favorite among nobles. But when the Bai family fell under investigation for corruption, this prime piece of real estate in the heart of the city withered, and patrons slowly drifted away.

Fortunately, when the authorities sealed it, the interior remained intact—never confiscated—so she had a chance to see it today.

Zhou Yao handed the deed box to her guards, gesturing for them to stand aside. But the men refused, even shoving her guards.

"What do you think you're doing?" the man snapped. "You think you can flash a fake deed and waltz in like you own the place? Get out now, or I'll haul you before the magistrate!"

"Country bumpkin! Everyone in Chang'an knows this place is empty. Keep causing trouble, and I won't be so polite. Scram!" He moved to shut the gate.

She sat still in the carriage, a slight tilt of her eyes all the signal needed. Her guards understood at once, pinning the man in seconds. When the others rushed to intervene, they were subdued too. Only after the main gate swung open did Zhou Yao step down, unhurried.

"What's so great about a stinking woman? Ow...! It hurts—please, be gentle!" Zhou Yao could still hear the doorman's cries as she walked past.

Insulting the royal family was a capital offense, but in her current guise as a Qi cousin, she'd let it go with a lesser punishment.

"Too much nonsense," Zhou Yao murmured, casting a cool glance at the man now kneeling. She ordered the guards, "Slap him eighty times. If you can't manage that, take him to the authorities."

"Yes."

Once inside, Zhou Yao took a quick tour, ending in the main hall. The golden curtains that had once hung here were gone.

Faint voices drifted from behind the screen. "Why is Brother Lin taking so long to come back?"

"I don't know, maybe he's run into trouble," another said lazily. "Anyway, it's not as if someone's going to reclaim this place. It's been empty for ages; the rich families wouldn't stoop to come here."

"Perfect for us, right? We've been looking after it, so it's ours. What's wrong with staying?"

"Exactly. We've lived here for years, and no one's come. If it stays that way, we can live off the silk curtains alone for generations—plus we get paid each month. Why go back to brutal labor when we have it this good?"

"We live better than the emperor's concubines!"

"Next month, we'll have Brother Lin secretly sell some of these items at the pawnshop. Maybe we can even treat ourselves to the fine pastries at Fangya Zhai!"

Zhou Yao settled into a nearby chair, listening as they chatted, taking in the surroundings while watching them from the corner of her eye. A sudden shatter of porcelain from behind the screen made her rise.

"Oh no, it's smashed! This vase is an imperial tribute. What are we going to do? We'll be beaten to death!"

A short woman whimpered in panic, but the other stayed composed.

"Don't panic. This place is deserted; that tribute is just decoration. Gather the pieces and bury them. As long as no one sees, we're safe."

Her voice quivered, though she tried to sound calm. Even from a distance, Zhou Yao could tell they were terrified.

A guard rushed in. "Miss, the outsiders have been dealt with."

The women inside jumped, hastily shoving the broken pieces into a corner.

Guilt and fear made the woman lash out. "Who are you? How dare you trespass? If we call the authorities, you'll get twenty lashes before you know it!"

The Qi guards held back, as if cowed.

Zhou Yao rose unhurriedly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "No need for haste."

The woman bristled at her calm, and Zhou Yao's eyes turned cold. "Who gave you permission to sit? You have no manners!"

The maidservant didn't rush to protest. "How could a mere maid like me damage an imperial tribute? If I report this, every soul in the Golden Curtain Pavilion will lose their heads. I'd make sure of it—" A sharp slap cut her off.

"You—how dare you strike me!" She clutched her cheek, lunging at Zhou Yao, but the guards intercepted her within two steps.

"Insolent wretch," Zhou Yao said, her gaze icy. "Don't act rashly. Impatience does no one any good."

She lifted her eyes, a silent command. A servant brought the jade box forward. Zhou Yao opened it and drew out the deed, which fluttered in the breeze.

"I now hold the Golden Curtain Pavilion, and you—indentured servants—belong to me as well." Zhou Yao fixed the defiant maidservant with a slow gaze. "Whether you live or die is mine to decide."

She awaited the arrival of all the pavilion's servants.

"Are all the Golden Curtain Pavilion's staff present?" Zhou Yao asked, running a finger over the ornate armrest.

"Yes, my lady, they're all here," a servant answered.

Zhou Yao nodded, forcing a gentle smile. "I overheard your conversation. Damaging imperial property—crime one. Speaking ill of your master—crime two. Discussing the royal family—crime three. Planning to sell your master's belongings—crime four." She ticked off their offenses.

She turned to the woman who had charged forward first. Dressed in fine brocade, with a double-winged silver hairpin, she hardly looked like a common servant.

At first glance, she could pass for a Qi concubine.

"Quite bold, aren't you?" Zhou Yao's mocking gaze turned cold. "A common maid wearing a double-winged silver hairpin? It seems the palace concubines aren't as noble as you."

The maid stared in shock. Before she could respond, Zhou Yao said, "Offending your betters and overstepping your station—crime five."

"Worthy of death."

The woman's arrogance evaporated, her strength gone, and she dropped to her knees.

She immediately kowtowed, begging, "Noble lady! Noble lady, spare us—ah!"

Zhou Yao didn't deign to look at her, and ordered the guards, "Take them out and beat them to death. If word of this leaks, the Emperor will have our heads."

"Noble lady, we beg you! Have mercy! Spare us!" tears streaming down their faces, all arrogance gone.

"My lady," a guard murmured, "it may be unwise to execute so many within the pavilion. It's bad feng shui..."

After Linglong had stolen her dowry jewelry, Zhou Yao could no longer tolerate servants who were arrogant, deceitful, or disloyal.

But feng shui was serious business—handle it poorly, and her plans for profit would suffer.

She lowered her eyes, thinking. "Since it's inconvenient here, take them outside. Send men to report to the authorities—execute their nine generations. You wanted to steal, so I'll grant that wish. Take them away now."

The servants moved fast. In moments, the deed was done. Those inside couldn't see, but the screams from outside were unmistakable. The remaining servants paled; the faint of heart fainted on the spot.

Zhou Yao thought, *A kill to warn the rest—surely that will keep them in line.*

Her cold gaze swept the room. "If anything like this happens again, your fate will be far worse. Any doubters will be sold—or bleed out right here."

"I am now in charge of the Golden Curtain Pavilion. From now on, you follow my orders. Do well, and you'll be rewarded." With a wave, she had someone distribute her gifts.

The exquisite liuli ornaments gleamed softly, casting a shimmering halo over the wooden table.

The servants had never seen such treasures. They gaped, exchanging glances but too awed to speak.

"This is liuli—a tribute from the Western Regions, one of a kind." A rare smile touched her lips. "You're all indentured to the Qi mansion. I won't treat you poorly. Rise. Serve me with loyalty and skill, and you'll have such things too."

Zhou Yao picked up a piece of liuli as if to admire it, watching their faces from the corner of her eye.

"Starting today, we will rebuild the Golden Curtain Pavilion. You'll each register your skills in a book, and I'll assign your duties. If any of you think you can run wild just because the old master is gone, consider whether your life is long enough."

After setting the liuli in the main hall, Zhou Yao realized she needed a trusted confidant. The pavilion's servants were unruly, and she couldn't move freely here.

She turned to find someone lurking behind a pillar.