Prudent Decision

Before Xia Yunhe could speak, Master Fu had already darted out of the room, swiftly ushering Third Lady inside.

The woman knelt on the ground, her head pounding like a mortar, her desperate pleas for mercy tangled with fear and sobs.

Master Fu cupped his fist toward Xia Yunhe, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes as he spoke coldly, “Young master, this woman cannot be spared.”

Hearing Master Fu’s murderous intent, Third Lady looked up at the seat and saw Xia Yunhe’s face grim and clouded with displeasure. Her heart tightened sharply. Crawling forward, she prostrated herself at Xia Yunhe’s feet, trembling as she begged, “I dare not offend again, young master, I dare not.”

Xia Yunhe curled the corner of her lips in a mocking smirk but remained silent.

She had sworn earlier never to reveal her secret of dressing as a man, but in the end, she had succumbed to Chen Haizhou’s torment. In the Xia household, she had broken the rules by sneaking out without permission, and now she was caught eavesdropping. Third Lady seemed not to understand the principle of ‘once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, thrice is enemy action.’

Xia Yunhe said, “I told you before what to say and what to do, but you neither listened nor believed. Now you put on this pitiful act—who do you think you’re trying to fool?”

Third Lady sobbed, “Young master, I have no other intentions. Mistress Zhen sent me to ask Master Fu about his tastes, honestly. I just accidentally broke a teacup—I never meant to eavesdrop on your conversation with Master Fu. Please show mercy, young master.”

“Hmph, excuses.” Master Fu sneered at Third Lady, “Does Mistress Zhen not know what I eat? Do I need you to serve tea and seek instruction?”

“It really was Mistress Zhen who sent me. She said you don’t eat toon shoots, but Master Fu likes them, so I came to ask if you should add this vegetable.” Tears streamed down Third Lady’s cheeks as she reached out to grab Xia Yunhe’s sleeve but was dodged.

Seeing Xia Yunhe remain silent, Master Fu made up his mind and turned to Third Lady, grinding his teeth and threatening fiercely, “So noisy! Master Fu will draw his knife and peel off that beautiful skin of yours...”

Terrified, Third Lady screamed and fled to a corner. To her, this man with the black mole on his cheek and harsh tone was clearly no good. Fortunately, the neighboring houses were empty, so her screams did not bring curious neighbors knocking but instead drew Mistress Zhen bustling out of the kitchen.

The woman peeked into the room and met Xia Yunhe’s cold gaze. Xia Yunhe slowly shook her head, signaling her to leave.

Mistress Zhen sighed, dusted flour from her hands, and returned to the kitchen to continue her work.

Meanwhile, Master Fu continued to scare Third Lady, “The knife doesn’t need to be long, just one span from the jaw...”

“That’s enough, Master Fu.” Xia Yunhe frowned deeply, her head buzzing as Master Fu’s words stirred memories of the torment she had endured in her past life.

Third Lady curled up in the corner of the kang bed, trembling like a leaf.

She looked up at Master Fu and asked, “Did Master Fu learn skinning and bone stripping from Chen Haizhou?”

Master Fu was startled and hurriedly explained, “Young master, heaven is my witness—since you became the head of the family, I have never met Chen Haizhou again. Besides, that man is fickle. The old madam ordered me to protect you, so naturally, I must eliminate all risks.” His tone grew aggrieved as he added, “I only want the best for you, young master. If she causes trouble and harms you, even if I jump into the Yellow River, I cannot wash away my guilt, nor repay the old madam’s deep grace.”

Xia Yunhe lowered her gaze. Master Fu was right—aside from the Xia family, no one knew her true identity. Now with Third Lady and Chen Haizhou, there were potential threats.

She looked at the sobbing girl. In this vast capital, one less person was like dust carried by the wind, blending into the earth, impossible to distinguish—only the solid ground beneath the feet remained real.

Even the smallest has its weight.

Softly, she said, “You may go. Leave the capital, carry my secret with you, and return to the Xia family in Jiangnan.”

At her words, Third Lady was stunned, raising her head with red-rimmed eyes and tear-streaked cheeks, stunned and biting her lip tightly.

“Young master, why make such a fuss? I’ve dealt with her before on the frontier; handling her is a piece of cake.” Master Fu clenched his fists and shook them.

Xia Yunhe smiled faintly and looked at him, “Master Fu, your plan is grand indeed. Do you think the capital is some backwater? Under the emperor’s feet stands Lu Zhaoxing, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, who once served as a judicial inspector, famously known as ‘Lu the Just.’ Do you dare commit crimes under his watch? Do you think you’re Chen Haizhou?”

Master Fu muttered a few words, “Why keep her? Just cut her throat—it’s simpler.”

Xia Yunhe chuckled lightly, “Master Fu, use that energy on dealing with Chen Haizhou instead.”

The man fell silent again.

Turning to Third Lady, Xia Yunhe said, “I spare your life. Once you reach Jiangnan, you must not be a busybody or a nosy ear. If you err again, my mother will not spare you.”

---

Third Lady widened her eyes and suddenly wept loudly, “Thank you, young master, thank you. I will behave properly and be cautious once I reach Jiangnan.”

Master Fu was about to say something when Mistress Zhen called loudly from outside, “Ah, Steward Li, what wind blows you here? Did you enjoy the Cold Dew Pastries and Buddha’s Hand Rolls I made last time?”

The three inside were taken aback. Outside, Li Fushun’s soft, gentle voice answered with laughter, “Your handiwork is exquisite and delicious. His Majesty’s blessings are profound; he has sent us to invite Lord Xia. It’s a matter of great importance.”

Great importance?

Xia Yunhe frowned. What was the emperor planning?

Mistress Zhen stopped Li Fushun at the door, their voices carrying through the thin gray cloth curtain inside.

“Steward Li, my young master just woke and is not yet presentable. Please wait in the courtyard. I’ve recently made plum pork, perfect with tea or wine. Wait here, and I’ll wrap some for you.”

Li Fushun politely declined twice, calling out “Lord Xia,” and Xia Yunhe quickly responded, easing his worries. Following Mistress Zhen’s words, he waited in the courtyard.

The three inside exchanged looks. Xia Yunhe lowered her voice, “We will wait until I return to make further plans.”

The other two nodded.

Xia Yunhe changed her clothes and accompanied Li Fushun to the palace.

---

Upon entering the Yangxin Palace, she was met with the scent of magnolia.

Consort Wan, dignified and elegant, leaned beside Emperor Hehui.

On low tables flanking them, white magnolias bloomed in bud, and fresh magnolia branches were arranged in jade vases on the imperial desk, symbolizing “jade hall prosperity.”

Since Empress Dowager Liu’s death, Consort Wan had overseen the affairs of the six palaces. For sixteen years, though she held no phoenix seal, she wielded real power—shaping destinies, a master of intrigue.

Consort Wan favored the scent of plants, especially magnolias, and enjoyed having Emperor Hehui admire them with her.

Xia Yunhe greeted the imperial couple, and Emperor Hehui bade her rise. The two consorts exchanged a smile and courteously deferred to each other. Emperor Hehui whispered something to Consort Wan, causing her cheeks to flush as she lightly tapped his shoulder.

Consort Wan’s gaze shifted to Xia Yunhe. The Jiangnan Xia family produced many talents, with the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince competing for her favor. If the Fifth Prince gained her, it would certainly dampen the Crown Prince’s ambitions. Smiling, she tested her, “Xia Yizhi, what do you think of Princess Lanjia?”

Princess Lanjia was Emperor Hehui’s eldest daughter, born of Consort Wan.

Upon hearing this, a foreboding feeling rose in Xia Yunhe’s heart.

In the fortieth year of the Yuanhua era, on the day of the triennial top three candidates’ public parade, Princess Lanjia came of age and met the top scholar Wang Yanyu, instantly smitten. Consort Wan deliberately arranged this match. At that time, Wang Yanyu had entered the Hanlin Academy as a compiler, while Xia Yunhe served as an editor. Hearing the news, Wang Yanyu expressed his feelings in a lengthy letter, explaining his poor family background and his devoted wife he had known since childhood, unwilling to abandon them despite his rising prospects.

The lengthy letter titled “Xu Qing’s Life, Never to Betray” was Wang Yanyu’s answer.

Later, Wang Yanyu was demoted to a minor county official and lived peacefully with his wife, tending to their life and love daily.

Meanwhile, Xia Yunhe rose from editor to compiler.

Consort Wan saw Xia Yunhe lowering her gaze in contemplation and asked at the forefront, “Xia Yizhi, I intend to marry the princess to you. Are you willing?”

Xia Yunhe’s heart skipped; she lifted her robe and knelt, “I do not wish to.” Being biologically female, how could she marry a princess? Her heart pounded like a drum, and she dared not raise her head.

Consort Wan’s face darkened as she demanded, “Unwilling?! Is the princess not worthy of you? Or do you also want to imitate Wang Yanyu?!” After a pause, she advised, “When Lanjia marries in, the one she elevates as concubine is as if the ancestors burned tall incense—Amitabha.” She nudged the silent Emperor Hehui and gently urged, “Your Majesty, please speak.”

When the emperor spoke, his natural authority silenced the entire court. Even the breaths in the hall seemed to vanish.

Cold sweat beaded on Xia Yunhe’s forehead as she collected herself, thinking: First Chen Haizhou, now Princess Lanjia—Consort Wan was determined to help the Fifth Prince win over his supporters.

After a moment’s thought, she replied, “I am honored by Your Majesty’s favor and deeply fearful. I know my health is frail and I must take medicines daily; my future is uncertain. The princess is in her prime, surrounded by the capital’s talents. As the old saying goes, ‘young spouses grow old together’—I could not bear to burden the princess’s youth with my frail body. The prince worthy to accompany the princess for life would be a better match. I am not that man.”

Her words moved Emperor Hehui. As the princess’s father, he wished her a good match. Xia Yunhe was not his choice, but with Consort Wan’s strong recommendation, he reluctantly accepted. He stared silently at the thin figure before him for a long time.

Consort Wan ground her teeth in frustration, muttering that Xia Yunhe was stubborn. Seeing the emperor expressionless, she forced a smile, “Since that is so, I shall say no more. At the Dragon Boat Festival feast for the palace ladies, Xia Qing’s... wife must attend.”

Xia Yunhe bowed, and Emperor Hehui ordered her to rise and dismissed her. As she turned, she caught a faint, almost inaudible sigh behind her.

Not long after leaving the hall, at a crossroads, she encountered Seventh Prince Xie Yi, who seemed to be waiting specifically for her.

Xie Yi greeted her and invited her to a nearby spot by the palace wall, speaking bluntly, “Are you going to marry Princess Lanjia?”

Xia Yunhe frowned and inwardly wondered how Xie Yi had heard such news.

Seeing her frown, Xie Yi was startled and cautiously asked, “Is it true?”

Looking at him, Xia Yunhe suddenly noticed that the Seventh Prince was almost as tall as she was. She smiled slightly and shook her head.

Xie Yi raised his eyebrows and relaxed, then hesitantly asked, “I heard you... took a concubine?”

Xia Yunhe found it strange that her disciple was so invested in her personal affairs.

Before she could respond, Xie Yi added, “I’m just asking casually.”

His ‘just asking’ sounded tinged with grievance.

She comforted Xie Yi briefly and took her leave.

As Xia Yunhe’s figure disappeared into the distance, Xie Yi looked away and walked toward the lake, where three wild geese swam.

He picked up a flat stone and skipped it across the water. The startled geese took flight, and a faint smile appeared on Xie Yi’s lips.

A young eunuch came running up and whispered in his ear, “Your Highness, godfather is calling you.”

Xie Yi brushed dirt from his hands, “Steward Li wants to drink my plum wine again?”

The eunuch grinned and chuckled, “Godfather says plum wine goes well with plum pork and is waiting for Your Highness.”

Li Fushun was known throughout the palace for his love of wine. Recently, he had developed a fondness for Xie Yi’s plum wine, often praising its rich aroma and lasting flavor.

Xie Yi smiled wryly, lowering his gaze, “Got it.” The wine contained poison from the northern tribes, making it easier to become addicted.

He looked up at the flying geese gradually leaving the palace. Spring returned, life blossomed, but the day to leave the palace remained distant.

Those few geese seemed to carry his hopes, flying toward Xia Yunhe.

---

Returning to the alley, Xia Yunhe saw Master Fu waiting for her. Back in the courtyard, Mistress Zhen sat with Third Lady under the eaves, gently patting the girl’s shoulder to comfort her.

She looked up at the sky, where a flock of geese flew overhead—migratory birds returning, marking another year.

Her heart had made its decision regarding Third Lady’s fate.

“Let Third Lady stay. Consort Wan has specially asked her to attend the Dragon Boat Festival banquet for the palace ladies. Use these days to teach her the rules, and from now on... keep a close watch on her.”