Ye Changgeng was brimming with enthusiasm.Most of Li Ce's life after birth had been spent within the imperial mausoleum, a place where the silent far outnumbered the living, and where few would ever pull him by the arm and insist he join them for a drunken revelry at a tavern. By the time Li Ce regained his senses, he was already seated in a private room at Drunken Spring Pavilion. Delicate melodies flowed from behind the screen as the young man opposite him rose to pour wine.
"I have yet to learn your esteemed name, brother," Ye Changgeng inquired.
"My surname is Li," said Li Ce, moved by Ye Changgeng's sincerity and choosing not to conceal his identity. "My given name is Ce, courtesy name Shensi. I am the ninth son in my family—please feel free to call me Li Jiulang."
In terms of age, Ye Changgeng was two years his senior.
"To Li Jiulang!" Ye Changgeng toasted, pleasantly tipsy and completely unaware of Li Ce's true status. He spoke with warmth and familiarity, even asking where Li Ce's home was.
"Not to boast, Jiulang, but our family's mooncakes are quite well-known. When the Mid-Autumn Festival comes, I shall pay a visit and personally deliver some to your honored father."
Li Ce hesitated. By the time the festival arrived, he might have already returned to the mausoleum and missed the chance to taste the marquis household's famed mooncakes. Still, letting the Emperor sample them might be worthwhile.
"No need for formality," Ye Changgeng said, raising his cup. "I know the capital well. Which ward or street?"
"Oh," Li Ce replied gently, "my father resides at the end of Imperial Avenue—in Daming Palace."
"Where?" Ye Changgeng's hand froze mid-toast. His cup tilted, wine spilling onto his robes as he stared blankly. "Da...ming Palace? Li... Jiulang?"
The only men living in Daming Palace were the Emperor and his eunuchs. But the one before him, though slightly pale with illness, was dignified in bearing and impeccable in manner—clearly not a eunuch's foster son. And he had said he was the ninth son...
Ye Changgeng immediately set down his cup, rose, straightened his garments, and bowed deeply.
"Ninth Prince, please forgive this commoner's rudeness."
Li Ce stood, coughing slightly, and gestured for him to sit."What now?" he asked, watching Ye Changgeng tremble. "Do you too believe that because I was raised in the mausoleum, I am plagued by dark spirits?"
"Of course not!" Ye Changgeng's tension eased. "Don't listen to such nonsense."
"Then sit," said Li Ce. "It's rare to make a friend—come, let's drink till we're thoroughly drunk tonight!"
"You should drink less," Ye Changgeng held his hand firmly. "I heard you had a scuffle with the Fifth Prince and are still recuperating."
Though Ye Changgeng wasn't close with the princes, he was well-informed. His eyes and brows were filled with genuine concern.
Li Ce felt a rare warmth under that gaze. Smiling faintly, he poured Ye Changgeng another cup.If, at first, he had joined Ye Changgeng to sound out his feelings for Ye Jiao, now he truly wanted to befriend him.
Not far from Drunken Spring Pavilion, a man seated by the window of a teahouse glanced outside and frowned.
"I think I just saw your brother-in-law walk by."
"Really?" Qian Yougong rose upon hearing this but saw only a bustling crowd—no sign of Ye Changgeng.
"You must be mistaken. He should be at the academy at this hour," Qian Yougong said as he poured the man a drink, his manner full of sycophantic eagerness.
This man was Yan Congxiao, the illegitimate son of the Assistant Minister of Revenue. Around nineteen years of age, he was reasonably handsome—save for his wide-set eyes, which gave him a rather dim look. He crossed one leg over the other, toying with a scented sachet in his hands.
"We must keep him in the dark about our plans."
"Rest assured, young master," Qian Yougong pledged. "Ye Changgeng studies at the academy daily, and even if he steps out for leisure, he returns at night. He won't interfere."
Yan Congxiao broke into a grin and pressed the sachet to his nose, inhaling deeply.
"Does Ye Jiao smell this sweet as well?"
He wore a dazed, intoxicated expression. Ever since seeing Ye Jiao at the Lantern Festival with Ye Rou and Qian Yougong, he had been infatuated. Previously, her betrothal to the Prime Minister's residence kept him at bay, but things were different now—she had been cast aside, and Qian Yougong was willing to help.
Yan Congxiao was already imagining her as his bride. Such a bargain—beautiful and the legitimate daughter of a marquis!
"She soon will, Young Master Yan," Qian Yougong said with a smile, laying out a plan on paper."Here is how we shall proceed…"
"Excellent." Yan Congxiao listened intently and, upon hearing the full scheme, clapped in approval."This is the perfect strategy! Look at what happened to Fu Mingzhu and Qin Baiwei—not unlike this. A woman's reputation is everything. When the time comes, Ye Jiao will be begging me to marry her."
Qian Yougong nodded obsequiously. Yan Congxiao threw an arm around him with a laugh.
"Soon enough, we'll be family. If you tire of the Capital Prefecture, just say the word—I'll get you into the Ministry of Revenue!"
Their laughter echoed through the alleyways, mingling with cheers from the opposite street.
Ye Jiao had watched half of the opera, "Xue Rengui's Eastern Campaign," when her maid Shuiwen urged her to leave.
"We've been out long enough—you can't climb the wall every time."
More importantly, they had taken a carriage today. Even if she climbed in, the carriage would give them away.
Though reluctant, Ye Jiao saw the time and rose with a handful of sunflower seeds. Sure enough, her mother was waiting at home, but she seemed cheerful and didn't scold her for sneaking out.
"Your sister is with child," said Lady Ye, gently fanning herself.
Ye Jiao fanned herself rapidly as well, then jumped up."I'm going to be an aunt? When did this happen?"
"It's still early," Lady Ye chuckled, crow's feet appearing at her eyes. "The Qian family sent over a nursemaid and servants. They said she needs bed rest and hope you'll stay to keep her company. Your brother-in-law has already moved into his office to avoid impropriety."
Naturally, the brother-in-law must avoid sharing a roof with his sister-in-law.
"Sure!" Ye Jiao agreed cheerfully. "When do I leave? I'll pack right now."
"What's the rush?" Lady Ye rose with a smile. "I need to prepare some of her favorite dishes and nourishing herbs. You'll go tomorrow at the earliest."
The news of her daughter's pregnancy had softened any lingering discontent from the previous parting. The marquis household rejoiced, but among her natal family, joy mingled with concern. It was her first child—extra caution was required.
Lady Ye bustled about, while Ye Jiao returned to her room to prepare.
Yet the nanny forbade her from bringing certain items.
"You can't bring weapons, Miss. The eldest young lady is pregnant."
Bows were out of the question. Daggers? Also no. Throwing darts?
"Put them down, Miss!" the nanny nearly fainted. "If you disturb the baby, we'll be ruined!"
Ye Jiao sheepishly set them aside—only to accidentally knock over her luggage, sending a small axe tumbling out.
The departing nanny turned, hurried over, and picked it up.
"Miss, are you going to rob someone?"
"Fine! I won't bring it!" Ye Jiao huffed and flopped onto the bed, pulled half a red-tasseled spear from beneath her pillow, and flung it across the room.
Meanwhile, Qian Yougong was inspecting the guest room.
"She doesn't need to stay elsewhere," Ye Rou followed him, voice gentle. "Just let her stay in the east wing—it's far from us."
"That won't do," Qian Yougong replied, taking the clothes from her hands. "She's unmarried. If word gets out, it'll ruin her reputation."
Ye Rou looked at him, touched.Things had changed—she was pregnant, and her husband was being unusually considerate. When a concubine had defied her earlier, he had even punished and sold the woman off.
Moved by his devotion, Ye Rou grew ever gentler.
"Go lie down," Qian Yougong said, helping her to bed. "We can't risk anything happening to a Qian heir."
This rare tenderness left a lump in Ye Rou's throat. She was still so young...