Chapter 1

In the sixth year of Dingyuan, amidst the depths of winter, Luoyang was blanketed in a flurry of goose-feather snow. It fell in soft sheets, painting rooftops and stone pavements a brilliant white. In such icy, snowbound weather, the city stirred as if no one feared the cold. People rushed about to spread the news, barely able to hide their excitement:

“Da Qi has won!”

“They’ve taught those Hu barbarians a lesson!”

“A father-and-son army—Li’s family name is well earned!”

…

At the gates of the Xie family residence in Luoyang stood a pair of moon-gazing rhinoceros-shaped stone door guardians. Several male servants hurried past, their sleeves brushing against the soft snow that had settled atop the stone figures, sending it tumbling to the ground with a soft plop.

Inside the study, a calligraphy scroll bearing the word “Honesty” hung serenely on the wall.

Silver charcoal burned gently in the brazier. The head of the household, Xie Zhaozhi, held a letter in trembling hands, breaking out in a cold sweat. The letter was from Father Li, announcing that both he and his son would soon return victorious to Luoyang. As promised, they would come to the Xie residence to formally request the hand of the eldest daughter.

A marriage alliance between the Xie and Li families should have been a tremendous blessing—if only the Xie family hadn’t already married off their daughter.

As he folded the letter, Xie Zhaozhi instructed a servant quietly, “Keep this matter suppressed for now. Don’t let the madam find out…”

Just then, a voice called from outside the study: “Greetings, Madam.”

A moment later, Madam Lu stepped into the study, her urgency barely concealed. Snow still clung to her shoulders as she asked anxiously, “Is it true? The Li family has triumphed?”

With no other choice, Xie Zhaozhi dismissed the others and responded honestly, “Yes. A sweeping victory—all thanks to Li Shan.”

Unlike the Xies, an old aristocratic family, Li and his son hailed from humble beginnings. Five years ago, when the Hu barbarian armies swept south, Da Qi was caught off guard, suffering defeat after defeat. At one point, the invaders reached Shangdang County, just two hundred li from Luoyang.

Back then, panic gripped the city. People fled in droves, entire families seeking refuge. If not for the Li father and son’s valiant stand—fighting against the odds—Luoyang’s prosperity might have long been trampled by Hu cavalry.

In recognition, the central government promoted Li’s father to Inspector of Bingzhou, while his son, Li Shan, was made General of Anbei, commanding the western front.

Over the years, they fought steadily, rising from obscurity into nobility with unstoppable momentum. But two months ago, Youzhou was besieged. The Li father and son led troops to relieve the siege, only for Li Shan and ten thousand elite cavalry to vanish—neither seen alive nor found dead.

News returned to Luoyang, causing widespread unease. Li Shan’s force was the finest cavalry Da Qi had against the Hu. If they had perished, losing ten thousand warriors and steeds would be catastrophic!

Just two years prior, recognizing Li Shan’s potential, the Xie family had arranged a betrothal between their eldest daughter, Xie Shu, and him. The plan was for them to wed once he had pacified the frontier. But instead, he dug a massive hole—figuratively and literally.

On the tenth day after Li Shan’s disappearance, as rumors swirled across Luoyang, Xie Zhaozhi hastily betrothed his daughter to the Xue family of Hedong to avoid being dragged into the mess.

Because the Xie family had been preparing the dowry for two years, they completed the six wedding rites in just two months. The eldest daughter was hastily married off.

Little did they know, during that so-called “disappearance,” Li Shan had led his elite cavalry on a thousand-li forced march, striking deep into the enemy’s rear camp. In seven days, he killed the Hu’s general, He Guyang; in twelve, captured King Tuoba Cong; in nineteen, shattered the ranks of the Pu Gu tribe—

He left the Hu encampment in total chaos!

His father coordinated brilliantly, adjusting tactics and encircling the Hu forces. Their panicked foes fled in disarray, and victory after victory was declared. Yet, as though cursed, the dispatches sent to court inexplicably stalled at the report of Li Shan’s disappearance. The governor and inspector sent to verify the situation didn’t return accurate updates, leading the Xie family to misjudge the entire affair.

Xie Zhaozhi was visibly troubled. “This son of the Li family has limitless potential. It’s truly a pity that Shu’er was married off to someone else.”

Madam Lu sighed in frustration. “Why couldn’t we have waited a little longer that day?”

Xie Zhaozhi replied, “Wait? For two whole months? The situation on the battlefield is constantly shifting. If today hadn’t brought this victory and Li’s family had instead met misfortune, even a mere engagement would have tainted Shu’er’s reputation!”

Madam Lu exhaled deeply. “I fear our breach of promise might earn the Li family’s resentment. I must go personally to offer apologies—hopefully we can still foster goodwill.”

“You should go to the Li household,” Xie Zhaozhi agreed. Then he suddenly asked, “Has Yaoyao gone out today?”

He was referring to their second daughter, Xie Yaoyao—Shu’er’s younger sister.

At the abrupt mention of Yaoyao during a discussion about the Lis, Madam Lu paused. “Yes, she went to visit her sister today.”

“She’s sixteen now. The perfect age—still unspoken for.”

Madam Lu adored Yaoyao dearly and had hoped to keep her at home until she was seventeen or eighteen before considering marriage. To bring up her marriage at such a moment startled her deeply. Alarmed but grasping at hope, she asked, “My husband… what are you saying?”

“The best course now,” Xie Zhaozhi stated solemnly, “is for Yaoyao to take her sister’s place.”

“To marry Li Shan.”

…

A beautifully carved sandalwood ox cart with a bronze canopy came to a halt outside the ceremonial gate of the Xue residence in Luoyang. The depth of the Xue estate was comparable to that of the Xie family—its halls grand, with high, ridged eaves and intricately crafted brackets, radiating the elegance of a noble lineage.

Though the Xues and Xies were both based in Luoyang, it was only after Shu’er’s marriage that she was allowed—at her mother-in-law’s suggestion—to send an invitation to her sister. She had long been looking forward to this moment. When she heard her sister had finally arrived, she was overjoyed. Still, as a married woman, her younger sister was now considered a guest. Shu’er sent someone first to inform the matriarch of her arrival. Then, accompanied by two of her handmaidens, she went to greet her sister. Just past the ornamental hanging-flower gate, she spotted a young girl draped in a dazzling blue peacock-patterned deerskin cloak. Her hood was trimmed in snow-white fox fur, framing a delicate, blossom-like face. In the snowy backdrop, she shone like spring’s first bloom—breathtakingly beautiful.

Shu’er stepped forward and took her hand, smiling warmly. “Yaoyao!”

Yaoyao returned the smile. “Sister.”

Though only seven or eight days had passed since Shu’er returned to her family home, it felt far longer. In truth, ever since her rushed marriage, they hadn’t had a single moment to truly be together.

The Xue family held strict customs. Shu’er first brought Yaoyao to formally bow to the elders and meet her mother-in-law and others. It took a long while before she could finally bring Yaoyao to her own chambers.

Her courtyard at the Xue residence was more spacious than the one at the Xie family. Behind the gate was a patch of empty land. Shu’er said, “Come spring next year, I plan to plant peach blossoms here.”

Yaoyao nodded in agreement.

Since her wedding, Shu’er had been storing up a basketful of things to say. Yaoyao simply listened, her round eyes like glistening grapes, watching silently. Her calm presence effortlessly softened hearts.

And so, Xie Shu regaled her sister with stories of the Xue family’s daunting matriarch, the difficult sister-in-law, and the scheming sisters-by-marriage—each tale more dramatic than a stage play.

Faced with such entangled family dynamics, Yaoyao was so absorbed she forgot to eat.

In the end, Xie Shu sipped tea to soothe her throat. Thinking of today’s revelations, she sighed, “The Xue family relationships are a bit complicated… but I’m glad I didn’t marry into the Li family.”

While noble families were entangled in formalities and rituals, Xie Shu had been raised in that environment and adapted easily. The Li family, however, had only risen from humble beginnings within the past ten years—their foundations were still shaky.

Xie Shu continued, “I didn’t feel comfortable saying too much before, but now I can speak freely: the Li family’s matriarch didn’t just come from a rural background—she was once a concubine who was elevated to legal wife. Isn’t that appalling?”

Among the aristocracy, the role of household matron was backed by deep familial roots. When such a matron passed away, her husband typically remarried someone of appropriate standing. No other noblewoman had origins as questionable as the Li family’s madam.

Elevating a concubine to the position of wife—such a thing hadn’t happened once in the past fifty to a hundred years.

Had the Li family not been such a special case, memorials accusing them of lax household discipline and improper moral standing would’ve long been submitted to the imperial censors.

Back when the engagement was made, Xie Shu had deeply resented the match. She was proud by nature and feared that marrying into such a low-born family would draw whispers and quiet judgment.

Thankfully, Xie Shu had married into the Xue family of Hedong just as she’d hoped.

Yaoyao was genuinely happy for her.

Xie Shu added, “The Li father and son did achieve a tremendous victory.”

Yaoyao asked, “What kind of victory?”

“They secured the eastern front,” Xie Shu replied. “The Hu surrendered and are now sending a princess for peace through marriage.”

Yaoyao’s brows lifted, and a light smile touched her lips. “That’s wonderful!”

Xie Shu gave a dismissive snort. “Wonderful? This means our family is about to become enemies with the Lis.”

Years ago, the families of Xie and Li had arranged a marriage for their children. But when the Lis hit a rough patch on the battlefield, the Xies swiftly broke off the engagement. Anyone could imagine how bitterly the Lis must resent them now.

“You have no idea,” Xie Shu said. “Li Shan bears grudges and has a temper like a storm. He’s a brute of a man—his hands are so large they could crush ten sheep with one punch!”

Ten? Yaoyao’s spine tingled. She clenched her delicate fist, unable to picture how massive such hands might be.

Seeing her sister spooked, Xie Shu quickly offered her an osmanthus cake and laughed. “All right, all right. You’ll never meet him anyway. Don’t overthink it.”

As a married woman in the Xue household now, Xie Shu no longer had the leisure of girlhood. Just as the sisters had begun their chat, two stewards arrived outside to report their duties.

Knowing her sister was busy, and with the snow easing, Yaoyao rose to take her leave.

Xie Shu, unwilling to part so soon, personally walked her to the gate.

—

By the time Yaoyao returned to the Xie residence, it was mid-afternoon. She changed clothes, felt fatigue creeping in, and prepared for a nap. Her maid tended the charcoal brazier and drew down the bed curtains.

In the dim warmth, Yaoyao dozed off.

In a hazy dream, she became a lamb—her coat snowy white. Just as she blinked in confusion, someone shouted in her dream: “Li Shan is here!”

Before she could react, a great shadow fell over her. The little lamb looked up slowly, only to see a fist, larger than her own head, barreling down toward her!

Yaoyao jolted awake. Her eyes flew open, heart pounding in her throat. She pressed a hand to her chest and waited quietly for the rush to subside. Then, from behind her bed curtains, she heard Madam Lu’s voice outside: “Since she’s asleep, I’ll come back later…”

Yaoyao drew a shaky breath and called out, “Mother, I’m awake.”

…

Madam Lu entered just as Yaoyao finished dressing. Her cheeks were still flushed with sleep, and her bright, dewy eyes held a soft tenderness. She nestled into her mother’s arms. “Mother…”

The younger daughter was sweet and delicate, and Madam Lu adored her. She gently patted Yaoyao’s slender shoulders. “Did you have a bad dream?”

It wasn’t exactly the kind of dream she could explain. Yaoyao leaned against her mother, shook her head, and said softly, “Sister asked me to tell you—she’s doing well. No need to worry so much.”

Madam Lu murmured, “Shu’er made a good match.”

But thinking about what she needed to say next, sorrow welled in her chest. She let out a long sigh.

Yaoyao looked up and saw her mother’s eyes rimmed with red. Her voice came low and strained: “My child… You won’t be able to marry into a well-rooted noble family like your sister did.”

Yaoyao sat up straight, her expression flustered. “Please don’t cry, Mother.”

Looking at Yaoyao’s lovely, luminous face, Madam Lu could no longer hold back her tears. Her voice trembled as she said, “Your father wishes to betroth you to the Li family—Li Shan.”