Late summer, the sixteenth year of Yongchang.
The sky was so overcast it seemed about to collapse.
In the small courtyard belonging to the Cui Family's second branch, fourteen-year-old Cui Wan knelt beside the bed, carefully wiping her mother Yang Xiu's burning forehead with a damp cloth.
Yang Xiu was gravely ill, her breathing faint. Days of coughing and wheezing had drained her strength. She opened her eyes groggily and looked at her daughter's strained smile. Her voice was as thin as a thread. "Wanwan... have we... run out of medicine?"
Cui Wan's heart clenched. She quickly shook her head, trying hard to sound cheerful. "It's all right, Mother. I... I'll go beg Eldest Uncle in a little while and ask him for some more silver so Aunt Yue can fetch your medicine. You'll get better, Mother."
Lady Yang smiled weakly. With an effort, she raised her withered hand and stroked her daughter's young cheek. "Silly Wanwan... if I go, you must live well. Only... I'm afraid I won't last until your father comes home..."
At the mention of her father, Cui Wan could no longer hold back her tears. They rolled down like pearls from a broken string. She hastily wiped her face with her sleeve and shook her head hard. "No! You'll live to a hundred, Mother! Father... Father will come home too!"
Three years earlier, a horrifying accident at the Ministry of Works had killed many people. Her father and eldest uncle, who both held posts there, had been implicated. Yet in the end, as though it had all been agreed upon, every charge had fallen on her father, Cui Minghai, alone.
Her father had been thrown into prison. There had been no word of him since, and visits were forbidden. The women of their second branch had been left without a man to support them. Cui Wan was only fourteen, and Yang Xiu was bedridden. They survived entirely on the first branch's occasional charity. But lately, even that meager assistance had dwindled and seemed about to stop altogether.
Watching her mother drift into a stupor, her breathing still rapid and hot, Cui Wan tightened her grip on the half-worn cloth.
Few valuables remained in their courtyard, and the money they had left could not buy even one decent dose of medicine.
Cui Wan took a deep breath, a glimmer of resolve flashing through her eyes. No matter what, she would beg her eldest uncle for more silver to buy her mother medicine.
Her father could hardly return, and her mother was the last close family she had in this world. Whatever her eldest uncle demanded, she would agree.
As long as her mother lived...
An entirely different scene was unfolding in the Cui residence's main hall.
The eldest master, Cui Minghe, sat facing his wife, Lady Li, the air between them bristling with drawn swords.
Lady Li clutched her handkerchief, making no attempt to conceal her agitation and displeasure. "That Madam Wei Shuyun of the Chu Family has sent someone to bring up the marriage again! Every word was pressing us for a definite answer! How many times has it been now? We can't fend her off! It's infuriating!"
The more she spoke, the angrier she became. "Back before the old Marquis of Ningyang received his title, he merely exchanged a joking promise with your father to marry their descendants. It would have been a good match. Our Yaya and Second Young Master Chu would have suited each other. But now?" Lady Li raised her voice. "The Marquis of Ningyang and Eldest Young Master Chu both died fighting at South Mountain! That Second Young Master Chu came back alive, but he's a cripple with two paralyzed legs! Now they remember the marriage agreement? How could we send our Yaya there to live as a widow with a living husband!"
Before receiving his title, the old Marquis of Ningyang had met Old Master Cui by chance. They had hit it off and shared a desire to serve their country, soon becoming close friends and drawing up a written marriage agreement for their children. Who could have imagined that the old Marquis of Ningyang would later fight his way to illustrious military achievements and a marquisate, while Old Master Cui repeatedly failed the examinations and spent his whole life rising no higher than county magistrate?
As the two families' standing had diverged, they had ceased to have any dealings. Who would have thought that now, with the Chu Family fallen on hard times, Wei Shuyun would come knocking with that decades-old marriage agreement?
The racket gave Cui Minghe a headache. He frowned and snapped, "Just try raising your voice again! They're the Marquis of Ningyang's Residence! What are we? If the Chu Family hadn't fallen this far, do you think Wei Shuyun would swallow her pride and repeatedly bring up this old marriage agreement?"
"Then we have even less reason to marry her off!" Lady Li said urgently. "Who doesn't know what a wretched state Second Young Master Chu was in when he crawled back from the battlefield? We raised our Yaya as precious as gold and jade. Marrying her into that family would be sending her into a pit of fire!"
"A woman's shortsightedness! You fool!" Cui Minghe slammed the table and stood, lowering his voice. "All you see is that cripple, Second Young Master Chu. Why don't you think about what else the Chu Family has? A hereditary title! Eldest Young Master Chu may be dead, and Second Young Master Chu may be crippled, but as long as Second Young Master Chu marries and fathers a son, that title can be passed down!"
Shrewd calculation glittered in his eyes as he leaned toward Lady Li. "Why do you think Wei Shuyun is so eager to have the wedding now? Because Chu Moqi is crippled and can't inherit the title, so she's counting on him to leave an heir quickly! If Yaya marries him and bears a legitimate grandson, she'll be the future Marquis of Ningyang's mother! Her son will raise her standing, and what couldn't our Cui Family have then? That Ministry of Works affair three years ago has kept our family suppressed ever since. If we could lean on the Chu Family's great tree, even half withered as it is, our Cui Family could rise again!"
Her husband's words swayed Lady Li somewhat, but the thought of marrying her daughter to such a man still rankled. "But Yaya..."
"No buts!" Cui Minghe cut her off. "This is our best way forward! Yaya has to marry eventually. It benefits both sides!"
Just then, light footsteps sounded outside, and a young maid announced with her head bowed, "Master, Madam, Miss Wan of the second branch is here. She wishes to see you, Master."
Already vexed by his discussion with Lady Li, Cui Minghe flew into a rage at the announcement and waved impatiently. "What does that wretched girl want now? Tell her that sickly mother of hers can't be saved. Tell her to get back where she belongs!"
The maid answered and was about to withdraw. Lady Li had rolled her eyes as well, but then, as though something had occurred to her, her eyes lit up. She hurriedly stopped the maid. "Wait! Bring her in! Quickly! Bring her in!"
The maid was taken aback by Lady Li's sudden change in attitude, but obediently withdrew to summon Cui Wan.
Only then did Lady Li turn and lean shrewdly toward Cui Minghe, lowering her voice. "Husband, don't we have one ready-made?"
"A ready-made what?" Cui Minghe frowned.
"Send Girl Wan!" Lady Li's eyes shone, and her words came rapidly. "Yaya is our only daughter. How could we let her jump into that pit of fire? But Girl Wan is different. Yang Xiu is nearly done for, and that second brother of yours is in prison, dead or alive, who knows? She's just a girl of the second branch, with no one to depend on. We've supported her for three years. It's time she repaid us!"
Cui Minghe paused, then shook his head. "Easy for you to say! The Chu Family wants Yaya. That's already a concession for the sake of our families' old friendship. You want a second-branch girl, born to a second wife at that, to take our legitimate daughter's place? Where would that leave the Marquis of Ningyang's Residence's dignity? Fallen on hard times or not, they're still a marquis's household!"
"A marquis's household?" Lady Li scoffed, her eyes full of disdain. "Wake up, husband! What Marquis of Ningyang's Residence? All that's left is an empty shell! The Marquis of Ningyang and Eldest Young Master Chu died in battle, Second Young Master Chu is crippled, and they're about to lose their title! What dignity do they have left to worry about? They should count themselves lucky if any girl is willing to marry into their family!"
Growing more excited as she spoke, she lowered her voice and continued her analysis. "Besides, if Girl Wan marries him and fails to bear a legitimate son, that's her belly failing her. They can't blame us. But what if she does?"
A keen glint flashed in Lady Li's eyes. "Then wouldn't the future Duke Who Protects the Nation have half our Cui Family's blood? Her son would raise her standing, and whatever else Girl Wan might be, she came from our Cui Family. Wouldn't that secure the connection? Why be foolish enough to gamble with our own daughter? Use Girl Wan. If it works, we reap the benefits. If it doesn't, we lose nothing!"
Lady Li's words stirred Cui Minghe. He stroked his beard and pondered.
Yes, why hadn't he thought of that? Chu Moqi might be crippled, but as long as he married and fathered a son, the title could continue. If Girl Wan truly bore a son, the Cui Family would be the future Marquis of Ningyang's maternal family. If she failed to bear one, or Chu Moqi died young, their first branch could hardly be blamed-after all, the bride would be a girl from the second branch, and their first branch would have done everything kindness and duty required.
Besides, ever since Cui Minghai's imprisonment, the girl had spent almost all her time confined to the residence. She knew nothing of the Chu Family's present circumstances. Wouldn't that make her all the easier to deceive?
"Think about it, husband. Ever since that Ministry of Works affair three years ago, our Cui Family has been pressed down so hard we can't lift our heads. If we can secure a connection to the Chu Family, even in name alone, we'll have room to breathe!" Lady Li struck while the iron was hot.
Cui Minghe's expression shifted, and finally, he slowly nodded.
Just then, timid footsteps sounded outside. The door curtain was gently lifted, and Cui Wan entered with her head bowed.
She wore a pale blue-green jacket and skirt washed almost white. The moment she entered, she dropped to her knees with a thud, pressing her forehead against the cold floor tiles. Her voice was thick with tears. "Cui Wan pays her respects to Uncle and Aunt... Please, Uncle, Aunt, give me some more silver. My mother... my mother is terribly ill..."
Cui Wan's slight body lay bowed against the floor, her shoulders trembling faintly. She looked utterly pitiful.
Lady Li immediately put on a kindly expression and hurried forward to help Cui Wan up herself. "Oh, Girl Wa... Wanwan, we're all family. Get up! The floor is cold. What are you kneeling for?"
Bewildered by Lady Li's sudden warmth, Cui Wan raised her head blankly, tear tracks still marking her face.
Holding Cui Wan's hand, Lady Li examined her closely-the girl's features had begun to mature, and her natural prettiness was impossible to hide. Those eyes in particular, when filled with tears, had a delicate, touching charm.
Satisfied, Lady Li smiled more deeply. She drew Cui Wan to a nearby chair and sat her down, asking gently, "How old are you this year, Wanwan?"
Cui Wan did not understand, but answered honestly. "Aunt, I'll turn fifteen in another three months."
"Fourteen... not yet fifteen..." Lady Li exchanged a glance with Cui Minghe. A trace of difficulty crossed both their eyes. The girl really was a little too young, but the Chu Family was pressing them. They feared that on the Chu Family's side...
But Lady Li quickly suppressed that concern. There was no better choice at present. She put on another smile and affectionately patted the back of Cui Wan's hand. "My, look at our Wanwan. You grow prettier by the day. I happen to have an enormously happy piece of news for you!"
Happy... news?
Cui Wan blinked blankly. Lady Li's excessive warmth made her uncomfortable all over, but she did not dare pull away.
"Really, it's a blessing for our Cui Family. The elders of the previous generation arranged a marriage between the Chu Family and ours!"
Cui Wan's heart gave a sudden leap, and her fingers curled involuntarily.
Lady Li continued without waiting for a response. "Originally, this marriage was intended for your cousin Yaya. But your cousin doesn't have the good fortune to accept it. She doesn't want to go." She sighed, then smiled at Cui Wan again. "You and Yaya are the only girls of marriageable age in our Cui Family now. Since Yaya is unwilling, we can't simply throw away this flood of wealth and honor, can we? Wanwan, would you be willing to... marry the Second Son of the Chu Family?"
Boom-
Cui Wan felt as though something had exploded in her head. She stared at Lady Li, her lips slightly parted, unable to make a sound.
The Second Son of the Chu Family?
That spring day four years ago, the young general in the sunlight, his silver armor gleaming coldly, the silver spear held across her path, his profile as he nodded slightly to her against the light... All those memories surged in like a tide, leaving her dizzy.
"Wh-which Second Son of the Chu Family?" Cui Wan asked in a near whisper, her voice trembling without her even noticing.
Lady Li and Cui Minghe exchanged a glance and smiled. Stroking his beard, Cui Minghe spoke lightly. "Silly girl, you're so happy you've lost your wits. Which other Second Son of the Chu Family could it be? Naturally, it's the second young master of the Marquis of Ningyang's Residence, Chu Moqi!"
It really was him!
Cui Wan froze completely, her ears buzzing. That young hero, whose fleeting appearance had been like a banished immortal, whose name she had silently whispered on countless nights... actually had a marriage agreement with the Cui Family?
Such a wonderful match, such a windfall falling from the heavens-how could her uncle and aunt bear to give it to her? Even if Cousin Yaya was unwilling, the capital was full of women eager to attach themselves to the Marquis of Ningyang's Residence. However the choice was made, it could never fall to a helpless daughter of the second branch like her...
She wasn't worthy...
Seeing Cui Wan sit dazed and silent for so long, a trace of impatience flashed in Lady Li's eyes, but a kindly smile quickly concealed it. She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice, reminding her with apparent concern, "Wanwan, your mother's illness... cannot wait. An illness like this needs silver, good medicine, and time to recover. If you agree to this marriage, as for your mother..."
"I agree!"
Cui Wan barely thought before the words left her mouth. Her voice was quiet, but exceptionally clear and firm.
Lady Li paused, then her face blossomed into a smile. She affectionately put an arm around Cui Wan. "Good! Good! That's a good daughter of our Cui Family! Look at you, too shy even to lift your head." Releasing Cui Wan, she grew solemn. "Now listen carefully, Wanwan. Once you agree to this match, you cannot go back on your word. Whatever else may be said, they are the Marquis of Ningyang's Residence. They have strict rules and value their dignity. When you marry, your dowry and all the ceremonies will be arranged as they would for our own daughter. You must do your part too, and bring honor to the Cui Family. Understand?"
Cui Wan's heart pounded, half for the marriage she had never dared dream of, half for her mother. She asked cautiously, "Then my mother's illness..."
"Easily arranged! Easily arranged!" This time, Cui Minghe spoke, waving a hand with great generosity. "I'll send for the finest physician in the city at once to treat your mother. There will be all the silver and medicine she needs! Just set your mind at ease and wait to become a bride!"
Cui Wan could scarcely believe her ears. The finest physician... all the medicine they needed... and... marrying Second Young Master Chu?
Overwhelming joy mingled with a sense of unreality, leaving her limbs weak. It was Second Young Master Chu... the young hero who had lived in her heart for four years. The corners of her mouth lifted beyond her control into the faintest smile, full of longing.
But the next instant, she suddenly remembered something, and that trace of a smile froze on her lips. She looked up at her beaming uncle and aunt, and that thread of unease quietly surfaced again.
"But..." Cui Wan's voice weakened. "My parents... haven't agreed yet. Mother is ill, and Father... Father isn't here..."
Lady Li immediately answered with certainty. "Silly girl, your mother will surely agree! She loves you most. Would she stop you from enjoying a good life? As for your father..." She paused, calculation flashing in her eyes. "If he still hasn't returned in a few years, are you never to marry, but spend your whole life in an empty room? Besides, the elders of the previous generation arranged this marriage. If your father knew, he could only be delighted!"
Cui Wan pressed her lips together, knowing she had no room to object. Remembering the most important matter, she gathered her courage and looked Lady Li straight in the eye. "Then... after I marry into their family, Uncle, Aunt... you must keep treating my mother and looking after her."
"Oh, my!" Lady Li feigned annoyance and lightly tapped Cui Wan's forehead. "You haven't even married yet, girl, and you're already bargaining with your aunt? No respect for your elders at all, taking a bargain and still playing coy!"
Seeing Cui Wan shrink back in fright, she softened her tone again. "All right, all right, of course we will. We're family. Your mother is my sister-in-law too. Would we mistreat her?"
As she spoke, Lady Li suddenly leaned closer and lowered her voice, her tone carrying an unquestionable command. "One more thing, Wanwan. Remember, after you go to the Chu Family, no matter who asks, you must say you're already sixteen. Understand?"
Cui Wan did not understand why she had to lie about her age, but Lady Li's intimidating smile frightened her a little. She dared not ask further and could only nod obediently.
"That's right." Lady Li smiled in satisfaction, once again assuming the manner of a loving elder. "Now go back and look after your mother. I'll have the physician and medicine sent over right away."
As though granted a pardon, Cui Wan hurriedly rose, paid her respects, and withdrew from the main hall with her head bowed.
Only after she left that oppressive courtyard and reached the familiar covered walkway, where the faintly warm summer breeze brushed her cheeks, did Cui Wan seem to awaken from a dream.
Was she really going to... marry Second Young Master Chu?
That boy in her memory, bright as the sun, that general who had reached out to her through the crowd...
Her heart beat like a drum, and her cheeks began to burn. Yet deep inside, her uncle and aunt's overly warm smiles, Lady Li's strange final instruction about her age, and their sudden change in attitude... all lay like a thin veil of shadow over that unexpected, immense joy.
She glanced back toward the main hall, bit her lip, and finally pressed that unease down.
Whatever happened, her mother could be saved.
And besides... it was Second Young Master Chu...