Chapter 1

This year’s winter is especially harsh; even though the winter solstice has just passed, thick snow has already blanketed the ground, leaving everything in sight covered in white.

Within the Lu Mansion courtyard, maidservants dressed in pea-green sleeveless jackets are sweeping the snow. Each of them moves with light steps, creating an atmosphere uniquely charming when set against the vibrant blooming plum blossoms.

Madam Cui, sitting in the inner hall, withdrew her gaze and set aside the teacup in her hand. Unable to contain herself, she asked, “Has Madam gotten up yet?”

She had entered the mansion during the hour of the dragon (early morning). Now, after consuming three cups of hot tea, her belt felt tighter due to how much she’d had to drink, yet the host she had come to visit remained unseen. Under normal circumstances, she, the dignified wife of the Minister of Personnel, wouldn’t tolerate such cold treatment. But times had changed, and the person she had visited was no ordinary individual—it was Jiang Wanrou, the wife of Lu Feng, the Commander of the Jinlong Bureau.

The position of Commander is of utmost importance, and after much deliberation, the Emperor ultimately chose Lu Feng, Duke Lu’s eldest legitimate son.

Duke Lu was one of the founding contributors of the dynasty and shared a bond akin to brotherhood with the Emperor. Lu Feng benefited from his father’s achievements, growing up under the Emperor’s wing. The Emperor, on occasion, even jokingly referred to him as “half a son,” demonstrating the depth of his favor.

The former Grand Secretariat Hu Liangyu intensely hated Lu Feng and submitted numerous memorials to impeach the “sycophant,” aiming to “cleanse the Emperor’s court.” However, this past autumn, Lu Feng instead accused Hu Liangyu of colluding with the enemy, leading to the massacre of over 300 members of his clan by the Jinlong Guards. The blood at the Caishikou execution site seeped deep into the ground, and the stench of blood still lingers.

Since then, court officials have been compliant and submissive, with no one daring to challenge him.

Having such a husband who wields power over the entire court, Jiang Wanrou can adopt any manner of airs without others daring to criticize her. After all, a wife’s status is derived from her husband’s rank. The concubine-born daughter, who was once summoned and ordered around by the household’s mistress, now requires countless invitations and requests, yet she might still be unreachable.

The maid glanced at Madam Cui and replied coquettishly, “How could a humble servant dare to rush such a noble lady? Please be patient.”

Her words were far from polite, almost outright implying that Madam Cui’s status was insufficient to warrant urgency. The Lu Mansion’s threshold was high, and they wouldn’t bother to send her off. Madam Cui’s face darkened immediately, but having spent years navigating the intricacies of the inner household, she suppressed her displeasure and forced a smile, saying, “You’re right, you’re right.”

She lowered her head, picked up her tea cup, and took small sips, her fingers turning pale from the pressure of her grip beneath her wide sleeves.

As if on cue, just as the maid finished speaking, the sound of tinkling beads echoed, and a stunningly beautiful woman, surrounded by five or six maids, gracefully entered.

This beauty had skin as white and delicate as snow, seemingly soft enough to yield milk at a touch. Her enchanting figure was wrapped in a crimson cloud-patterned silk robe woven with gold threads, and the rich fabric stretched taut over her ample chest. She exuded an alluring charm, like a ripe lychee dripping with sweet nectar, radiating the decadent allure of a mature woman.

“I’m late. My apologies.” Jiang Wanrou smiled faintly. She was nearly a full cycle younger than Madam Cui and should have performed the courtesy of a junior. However, due to Lu Feng’s special position, even members of the imperial family dared not accept her full bow. Thus, she merely nodded with a smile and gracefully took her seat.

Madam Cui snapped back to her senses. Although it wasn’t her first time meeting Jiang Wanrou, she was still dazzled by her snow-white complexion.

In those days, “slenderness” was considered the epitome of beauty. Jiang Wanrou clearly did not fit the mainstream aesthetic and could even be described as “plump.” Yet, no one who saw her could deny her beauty in good conscience. Her thick, jet-black hair was as lustrous as lacquer, her lips were naturally red without the need for rouge, and her eyes brimmed with spring-like warmth, exuding a tender, amorous charm.

Beautiful as she was, she carried an air of worldly allure, more reminiscent of a concubine who served with her looks than a dignified and virtuous mistress.

Madam Cui concealed the disdain in her eyes and quickly rose to greet her.

“Oh, not at all. It’s my poor timing that disturbed your rest, Madam. Please don’t take offense.”

Under the eaves, one must bow their head. Madam Cui had a favor to ask, so her demeanor was naturally warm and amicable. After a few polite exchanges, Jiang Wanrou instructed a maid nearby, “The peach blossom pastries from the small kitchen are still warm. Bring some for Madam Cui to try.”

“Yes,” the maid replied, lowering her head and retreating obediently, showing none of her earlier arrogance.

Madam Cui’s thoughts stirred. Having spent over a decade navigating the intricacies of the inner household, she was well aware of its complexities. Servants could be both easy and difficult to manage. To put it bluntly, even animals have moments of frolic, let alone living people. The inner courtyard was filled with girls aged sixteen or seventeen, tasked with the monotonous chores of sweeping and cleaning. It was inevitable for them to engage in occasional laughter and play.

However, as Madam Cui walked through the Lu Mansion earlier, she observed that all the servants conducted themselves with decorum. The only sound she heard was the soft rustling of snow being swept away. This snowfall had lasted for several days, and the maids had to rise an hour earlier to clear the snow, which naturally bred resentment. In her own household, she turned a blind eye to servants shirking their duties, but the maids in the Lu Mansion worked diligently and followed the rules.

The only one who had shown any impropriety earlier now behaved like a meek kitten in Jiang Wanrou’s presence, obedient and docile.

It seemed this Commander’s wife did have some means.

Madam Cui calmed herself and, with a slight flicker in her gaze, said, “How is the eldest young master? I’ve heard he frequently suffers from convulsions and excessive sweating. Coincidentally, there’s an expert in pediatrics in my residence who specializes in treating such symptoms. If Madam does not mind, would it be possible to let him have a look?”

The sole legitimate son of Lu Feng is frail and sickly, which is no secret in the capital. People say his violent actions have brought karma upon his offspring.

Countless people are trying to curry favor with Lu Feng, but the Commander is elusive, so some have set their sights on the inner household. This month alone, Jiang Wanrou has received dozens of prescriptions and seven or eight so-called ‘medical saints.’ Therefore, when Madam Cui tried to win her favor, she merely smiled politely and responded, “That would be wonderful; thank you, Madam. Cui.”

She said no more, picked up the teacup lid to skim off the floating debris, and leaned casually on the pearwood chair draped in silk brocade.

Jiang Wanrou let her wait for three cups of tea—not because she had just risen from sleep at this hour. Lu Feng worked for the Emperor and had to report for duty at dawn. As usual, she attended to him early, helping him dress and wash, then visited Chunhui Hall to pay her respects to the elder matriarch and, afterward, returned to supervise Huaiyi’s breakfast. After all this, which took an hour, she hadn’t even had a sip of water before receiving guests.

She was not well-acquainted with Madam Cui. After watching her ramble on about unrelated matters for quite a while without addressing the main topic, Jiang Wanrou took a sip of warm tea to moisten her throat and directly asked, “I wonder, what brings Madam Cui here today?”

“…” Madam Cui responded with a bitter smile, her face showing distress.

“To be honest, today I swallowed my pride and came to request something from the Madam… to speak kindly of my husband.”

She prided herself on her dignity, but today, she humbled herself to seek help from a younger acquaintance with whom she had only a slight connection. She was truly out of options, grasping at straws.

Due to the incident involving Prince Gong, the atmosphere in the capital had become tense, and everyone was on edge.

Prince Gong was the fourth son of the Emperor. His mother had been with the Emperor since his time in the mansion, and later, she was granted the title of Noble Consort, enjoying constant imperial favor. For over twenty years since the Emperor ascended the throne, with the passing of the former Empress, the palace had lacked a central figure, and the Crown Prince had not been established. Prince Gong, known for his modesty and diligence, had successfully handled several cases that won the Emperor’s trust and seemed to have the potential to rise as the heir to the throne. However, who would have expected that early this winter, the southern region exposed a case of illegal iron forging, which ultimately implicated Prince Gong.

Since ancient times, privately forging iron has been a grave crime, let alone for someone of Prince Gong’s status. Now, with the Emperor in his prime and the youngest prince just barely a month old, how could the Emperor tolerate anyone threatening his position? The Emperor flew into a rage immediately. Without involving the Court of Judicial Review, the case was handed directly to the Jinlong Bureau. The members of the Jinlong Bureau were all ruthless, especially under Lu Feng’s leadership, which had become even more brutal. He reinstated the cruel punishments of the previous dynasty, such as skinning, boiling, combing, and death by a thousand cuts, implementing these savage methods that left people in terror.

Prince Gong, being of imperial descent, could not be subjected to harsh punishment, no matter how audacious Lu Feng might be. However, the same did not apply to subordinate officials. As the saying goes, “When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.” Recently, many court officials have been taken away for interrogation because of this case. In the morning, they wore their official hats with pride, and by evening, they were prisoners in disarray.

With the investigation nearing the Ministry of Personnel, the Minister of Personnel tried every possible means, but he could not even meet Lu Feng. Desperate, he finally thought of using the “backyard” route.

Madam Cui, too, abandoned her pride. As she spoke of her grief, she broke down in front of Jiang Wanrou, weeping and sobbing uncontrollably, putting the younger woman in a difficult position.

Since Lu Feng came to power, Madam Cui was neither the first nor would she be the last to seek Jiang Wanrou’s help. Such scenes had become commonplace for her, and she handled them effortlessly. Jiang Wanrou’s eyelashes slightly fluttered as she quietly leaned against the back of her chair. Her right hand discreetly supported her sore waist, pressing it gently every now and then.

Her personal maid, Cui Zhu, noticed this and tiptoed away to place a soft golden pillow behind her. Jiang Wanrou leaned against it and comfortably narrowed her eyes.

Since Lu Feng fell from his horse and broke his leg five years ago, the once steady and reserved master became unpredictable. Later, when he took charge of the Jinlong Bureau, he resorted to extreme punishments, and his temperament became increasingly cruel and malicious. In public, he was the tyrannical Commander; in private… he had no reservations about indulgence. Her skin, white and delicate as snow, often ended up bruised during his passionate moments, and despite bearing him a son, Huaiyi, she had never earned his affection.

At night, she tirelessly attended to his needs for rest; in the mornings, she woke early to serve him in dressing and grooming. After tending to the adults, there were the younger ones to care for. Huaiyi, fragile since birth, was now at the mischievous age when he would refuse to eat properly without her supervision. After finally settling both father and son, it was the time she usually enjoyed a light snack and went back to her nap. She hardly had the time for Madam Cui’s lengthy chatter.

Madam Cui wept as she spoke while secretly observing Jiang Wanrou’s expression. Seeing Jiang Wanrou casually leaning against a pillow, picking up a piece of pastry to eat with an air of calmness, Madam Cui couldn’t help but feel both shame and anger at her own disheveled state by comparison. She hastily wiped away her tears and, gritting her teeth, said, “It seems I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you, Madam. But today, coming here with thick skin, I do have my sincerity.”

“Oh?” Jiang Wanrou shifted her position as she rubbed her sore waist, showing little interest since she had heard similar appeals countless times. Leisurely swallowing her pastry, she accepted the damp cloth handed over by Cui Zhu, her maid, and began slowly wiping her elegant, white fingers one by one.

“And what might that mean?”

Madam Cui glanced around and then lowered her voice, saying, “Madam, do you still remember the spring of the fifteenth year of Tianhua?”

The smile on Jiang Wanrou’s lips instantly froze.

Of course, she remembered. In the fifteenth year of Tianhua, that spring was freezing, with the chill seemingly piercing through to the bones. Amidst the dreary rain, she was carried into the Duke Mansion, wearing an ill-fitting wedding dress, taking the place of her elder sister.

That same year, her elder sister, Jiang Wanxue, entered Prince Gong’s mansion, was granted the title of First-Rank Princess Consort, and was inscribed into the imperial genealogy.

Jiang Wanrou lowered her gaze, staring at her long nails coated in the vivid juice of balsamine flowers. After a long while, she softly said, “Old matters of the past—what is the point of bringing them up?”