NOVPUBZhao Qing’s mind went blank. Frantically, she dug through the bricks in the corner, ignoring the grimy dust, and searched carefully again—yet the sheepskin book was nowhere to be found in the crevices of the wall.
“Cui Er! Cui Er!” Zhao Qing shouted.
The maid Cui Er hurried into the room, flustered. “Mistress, what’s wrong?”
Zhao Qing’s eyes were red with fury. She grabbed Cui Er’s ear and demanded angrily, “You stole the thing from my wall—that sheepskin book! Was it you?”
Cui Er’s ear nearly tore off from the force, tears streaming down her face as she hastily confessed, “Mistress, I didn’t steal your book! It was the young lady—she came yesterday and took two of your pearls. The sheepskin book accidentally fell, and she thought it was dirty, so she threw it into the brazier and burned it.” 𝓃ℴ𝓋𝓹𝓊𝓫.𝒸𝓸𝓂
Zhao Qing’s head spun.
Burned?
She lunged toward the extinguished brazier, where a layer of ashes and brittle remnants of charred sheepskin lay.
“You useless wretch, why didn’t you stop her?” Zhao Qing snapped.
Cui Er was even more aggrieved. “How could I dare to stop the young lady?”
Zhao Qing’s legs gave way, and she slumped onto the cold floor in despair. The contents of the sheepskin book had been complex and difficult to understand. She had been lazy, never bothering to memorize it thoroughly, nor had she imagined an outsider would discover it.
Who could have guessed that, by some cruel twist of fate, Shangguan Qian had burned it?
It was over. Everything was over.
“Sister-in-law~” A rustling of footsteps sounded outside, followed by Shangguan Qian’s lively voice drifting in.
Zhao Qing quickly stood, wiping the tears from her face and forcing a composed expression. Cui Er lowered her head and retreated to the side, not daring to make a sound.
Shangguan Qian bounded into the room, beaming. “Sister-in-law, the carriage is ready! Brother is waiting for us at the gate. Today, we’re going to the palace to thank His Majesty and the Empress for their grace.”
Zhao Qing had been personally enfeoffed as the Princess of Pingyang by the emperor, and her marriage to Shangguan Xuan was also an imperial decree. To show gratitude, they were to enter the palace—Zhao Qing would first bow to the emperor with her husband, then, as a titled noblewoman, proceed to Kunning Palace to pay respects to the Empress.
Shangguan Qian affectionately looped her arm through Zhao Qing’s, her tone brimming with pride. “Sister-in-law, look at my pearl hairpin—isn’t it beautiful?”
Today, Shangguan Qian was dressed in resplendent attire—a crimson gown with a high collar, her hair adorned with a hairpin studded with South Sea pearls, her lips painted red and her complexion snow-white. She was undeniably striking.
Zhao Qing’s eyes landed on the South Sea pearls in Shangguan Qian’s hair, and her anger flared. “Little sister, from now on, don’t enter my room without permission, understand?”
Not only had Shangguan Qian taken two precious pearls, but she had also destroyed the invaluable sheepskin book. Zhao Qing was seething, but since the culprit was her husband’s younger sister, she couldn’t openly reprimand her—only issue a verbal warning.
Shangguan Qian’s pretty face stiffened.
She withdrew her arm and took two steps back, huffing, “Sister-in-law, you’re so stingy! You have twelve South Sea pearls—I only took two. We’re family—what’s wrong with sharing?”
Zhao Qing, already simmering with rage, clenched her teeth. “Yes, we’re family. Since I’m going to the palace today, why don’t you lend me some of the gold and jade from your jewelry box for my own adornment?”
Before, Zhao Qing had maintained basic courtesy with Shangguan Qian. But now, as the mistress of the South Garrison Marquis's Mansion, holding authority over the household and bearing the title of Princess of Pingyang, she had every right to discipline her unruly sister-in-law.
Shangguan Qian stomped her foot in outrage, retorting without thinking, “Why should I give you mine?”
Zhao Qing replied coldly, “We’re family.”
Shangguan Qian faltered, momentarily at a loss. Her cheeks flushed as she scrambled for an excuse. “I—I’m younger! As my elder sister-in-law, you should indulge me!”
As the youngest in the family, she had grown up believing she was entitled to the best of everything. It was ingrained in her—if she wanted something, she simply took it.
Shangguan Qian bit her lip sullenly, suddenly disliking this sister-in-law… Sun Qingmei had been much better—always yielding, always giving in.
Back then, whatever Shangguan Qian wanted—silks, jewels, cosmetics—Sun Qingmei would buy for her without hesitation.
“I’ll tell Brother you bullied me!” Shangguan Qian flung her sleeve and stormed off.
Zhao Qing gritted her teeth, finished dressing, and headed to the mansion’s entrance.
Outside the South Garrison Marquis's Mansion, the carriage stood ready.
Shangguan Xuan, clad in official robes, looked dignified and imposing. Noticing Zhao Qing’s pale face, he took her hand gently. “A-Qing, don’t take it to heart. I’ve already scolded Qian’er.”
His tender voice soothed her unease.
Zhao Qing forced a faint smile. As long as Shangguan Xuan’s heart remained with her, she could stand firm in the mansion.
What was there to fear from a spoiled little sister?
Shangguan Xuan led Zhao Qing into the carriage, where Shangguan Qian sat sulking in the corner, refusing to acknowledge either of them.
The carriage began its slow journey toward the palace.
Shangguan Qian stewed in silence, waiting for her brother and sister-in-law to coax her. In the past, the whole family would fuss over her the moment she was upset.
But as the carriage rolled on, no one came to comfort her.
Her nose stung, and tears of self-pity welled up.
...
Chang’an Palace.
Shangguan Xuan and Zhao Qing entered the hall to express their gratitude. Shangguan Qian remained outside, waiting to accompany Zhao Qing to see the Empress later.
Inside, Shangguan Xuan was surprised to see the Crown Prince, Prince Yan, and Prince Heng all present. The Crown Prince, in particular, was unexpected—he had been ill for the past two years, rarely attending court.
Up close, however, the Crown Prince looked healthier, the shadow of sickness fading from his brow. Perhaps the rumors were true—his condition was improving.
The emperor sat on the throne, his temples gray and his expression weary. After Shangguan Xuan and Zhao Qing bowed, the emperor rasped, “Rise, beloved subjects. Be seated.”
Eunuchs brought two chairs.
The emperor smiled warmly. “Princess of Pingyang, the composite bow designs you submitted have been crafted by the Ministry of War. Their power is extraordinary, their ingenuity remarkable. For Qing State to have a woman like you is rare—We shall reward you generously.”
True to his word, the emperor bestowed upon Zhao Qing four personal maids, a hundred taels of gold, and bolts of fine silk.
Overjoyed, Zhao Qing bowed deeply. “This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your praise.”
Beside her, Shangguan Xuan swelled with pride. With Zhao Qing in the emperor’s favor, the South Garrison Marquis's Mansion could preserve its prosperity—perhaps even restore its former glory.
What more could a man ask for in a wife?
The emperor, however, soon began coughing again. With a wave, he dismissed Shangguan Xuan and Zhao Qing, as well as Prince Yan and Prince Heng.
Soon, only the Crown Prince remained in the vast hall.
The emperor took a sip of ginseng soup handed to him by the chief eunuch, his cloudy eyes shifting to his son’s gaunt frame.
“Yuan Chang,” he said, “this soup is quite good. Would you like to try some?”
The Crown Prince cupped his hands respectfully. "Thank you, Father. Your son's health has been gradually improving, so these medicinal soups are no longer necessary."
The Emperor let out a long sigh, his eyes filled with sorrow and anguish, as if speaking to himself. "To be born into the royal family... how many can truly live to a ripe old age?"
The Crown Prince lowered his head in silence.
Father and son understood each other without words—both knew their time was limited. Their only wish was to ensure the smoothest possible transition of power for Qing State in the days they had left.
This was their final shared aspiration.
...
At the gates of Chang'an Palace.
Eunuchs and palace maids swept away the previous night's snow from the courtyard. A biting wind blew through, making Shangguan Qian shiver and pull her neck in. Today, she was to enter the palace to pay respects to the Empress, dressed elegantly but thinly for the occasion.
"Achoo—"
Shangguan Qian sneezed.
Suddenly, warmth enveloped her shoulders, accompanied by the subtle scent of sandalwood. She looked down to see a thick, gold-embroidered crimson cloak draped over her, then glanced up to meet the flawlessly handsome face of Prince Heng.
