On the Beginning of Winter in the tenth year of Jianwu, a light snowfall settled over the Southern Fragrant River. The ladies of Wende Bridge and the peddlers and porters of Skywater Bridge all streamed out of their homes to admire the city wrapped in silver and white from the little riverside streets.
Not far from Skywater Bridge, a large residence with the distinctive charm of a waterside town stood among the surrounding buildings. Several maids leaned against the windows of its riverside Viewing Tower to admire the snow, while Xiuhe stood forlornly at the entrance, watching the pedestrians on the little street and silently complaining about her mistress, who had forgotten her maid now that she had a new love.
The residence stood in a neighborhood crowded with wealthy merchants. Its entrance was not particularly grand, and originally bore a plaque reading "Ye Residence."
But a certain distinguished person from the palace had spotted it while strolling past, thought it rather provincial, and personally taken up a brush to write the words "Martial Peace." The handwriting was perfectly ordinary, with nothing particularly noteworthy about it, but officials of the Capital City who recognized it generally had to dismount or leave their sedan chairs when passing, offering a deep salute before daring to leave.
As the saying went, even the prime minister's gatekeeper ranked as a seventh-grade official. As housekeeper to the imperially appointed Marquis of Martial Peace, Deputy Commander of the Black Bureau, and one of the current Eight Great Beauties-and chief financial officer of the Red Flower House besides-Xiuhe could certainly count as a heroine whose hand could blot out the sky in both lawful and underworld circles.
But Young Master Ye and Third Madam were both away, and nobody came calling. After nearly two months, Xiuhe was