Chapter 29: Court Intrigues and Romantic Tangles

Chapter 29

Upon Xu Yunqi's departure, Prince Xi immediately entered to change into his court attire. Throughout the process, Princess Xi remained silent, diligently assisting her husband without a word.

Once Prince Xi was dressed in his royal robes, he straightened his clothes and gazed at her, saying, "Did you underestimate me?"

Princess Xi's lips twitched, but she chose not to refute him. Instead, she simply replied, "Yes." She smoothed out the wrinkles on his shoulder before stepping aside.

Prince Xi scoffed coldly and strode out of the Jinhuo Hall. As he stepped over the threshold, the butler approached him, to which he casually inquired, "Where's Third Brother?"

The butler looked up at him and replied, "Third Young Master left for the Board of Censors before dawn."

Prince Xi nodded, not saying anything further. He proceeded through the passage and along the corridor to the flower hall located on the central axis of the palace, also known as the Dropped Blossom Hall. On the east side of the hall stood a cluster of green bamboo, while a cherry tree graced the west. Underneath the cherry tree stood a lively young maiden, her gaze coldly fixed upon him, her lips curled in mockery.

Prince Xi took large strides towards her, instinctively reaching to pat her head, but Pei Mushan evaded his touch.

"You dare!" she glared fiercely at him.

Prince Xi let out a deep sigh and spoke earnestly, "Your sister-in-law is dedicated to her medical practice and doesn't wish to burden your brother. Moreover, she doesn't have feelings for him; after half a year of marriage, she hasn't left even a trace of affection. Why should our Xi Palace hold her back?"

Pei Mushan remained silent with a stubborn look on her face.

Prince Xi patted her shoulder. "You can't keep her from moving forward just because you like her."

Startled, Pei Mushan found herself speechless.

Prince Xi walked past her into the front courtyard and then exited the palace gates through the magnificent corridor.

The weather wasn't favorable during his journey to the palace. The sun had hidden behind the clouds, leaving the surroundings humid and oppressive, with signs of an impending rainstorm. By the time Prince Xi reached the Fengtian Hall from the Donghua Gate, he was drenched in sweat.

In the past, when Prince Xi requested an audience with the emperor, such meetings were scarce. But today, the emperor didn't hesitate to summon him.

After asking an imperial attendant for a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, Prince Xi entered the imperial study with a majestic stride.

The emperor hadn't seen this son of his for quite some time. Yesterday, when he returned from inspecting the military camp, the prince had only bowed outside the hall. It wasn't until now that the emperor noticed his son's clarity of mind, steady gaze, and imposing demeanor, even at over forty years old, maintaining his remarkable charisma. A hint of complexity flashed across the emperor's eyes.

"Your humble subject, Prince Xi, pays respect to Your Majesty."

Xuan Wang entered the palace hall and performed the grand salute. As he lifted his gaze, he noticed two people seated on either side. One was the Minister of Rites, Zheng Yucheng, and the other was the Vice-Minister of Revenue, Xun Yunhe. There was also someone slouching on the emperor's side, his legs crossed in boredom, with an air of frustration – it was the Twelfth Prince, Pei Xun.

The three of them promptly rose to pay their respects to Xuan Wang.

Xuan Wang remained kneeling without moving.

The emperor lifted his sleeve as a gesture for Xuan Wang to take a seat beside him. Thus, Xuan Wang sat below the Twelfth Prince, on a cushion above Xun Yunhe.

Though the Twelfth Prince was his younger brother, by birthright, he was an heir, thus it was not disrespectful for him to sit above Xuan Wang.

The emperor continued the previous conversation, pointing at Xun Yunhe and asking Minister Zheng, "I have no objections to this marriage proposal. It all depends on whether Minister Xun agrees."

Zheng Yucheng hurriedly bowed towards Xun Yunhe, "Minister Xun, it is rare for the Empress to show such favor to your daughter. You should consent to it."

Xun Yunhe wore a wry smile. Lately, he had been preoccupied with the salt trade for grain exchange, and hadn't returned home for several days. When Pei Muheng initially proposed this idea to replenish frontier granaries and solve military provisions, Xun Yunhe, as the high-ranking official of the Ministry of Revenue, had further refined it from the perspective of the Ministry and the national treasury. He suggested adapting the policy to local conditions: salt merchants in grain-abundant regions could transport their surplus grain to the frontier in exchange for salt permits, while other regions could use textiles, silver, or even horses for the exchange. Implementing a tailored policy for each province significantly increased the treasury's income and addressed specific needs, earning widespread praise.

Just as he was making progress, the emperor suddenly summoned him to the imperial study, mentioning that Minister Zheng had taken a liking to his daughter and wanted to betroth her to the Twelfth Prince as his princess consort. Xun Yunhe truly didn't wish to be embroiled in this complicated matter, so he stood up and said,

"Your Majesty, last year, my disrespectful daughter was unwell and took refuge in Green Mountain Temple for recuperation. During her stay, Venerable Cishi examined her pulse and advised against an early marriage, as it might hinder her ability to bear children. Therefore, I have no intention of arranging a match for her in the near future."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's brows lifted, then he glanced at the twelfth prince beside him.

"Well, see for yourself. I've already chosen the daughter of the Wen Duke as your wife, but your mother refuses. She insists on selecting from the households of the grand councilors. The eligible girls from the Xiao family are still recovering from their injuries, and now Lord Xun has rejected you today. What are your plans?"

Exasperated, Pei Xun replied, "Let my marriage come naturally, Father."

The emperor fell silent.

Ever since Pei Xun was ten, the queen had arranged a childhood marriage between him and the niece of the Wen Duke. Tragically, the young girl drowned just three days after the engagement, causing great distress to the royal family. Rumors spread that the twelfth prince had an unfortunate influence on his partners, and the queen fell ill with grief, turning against the Wen family. As a result, the prince's marriage was continually postponed.

With his son approaching thirty, the emperor could no longer delay. Feeling indebted to the Wen family, he decided to betroth the eldest granddaughter of the Wen Duke to the twelfth prince. However, upon hearing this, the queen's forehead throbbed with displeasure, and she adamantly refused, insisting that the emperor find a wife for the prince among the grand councilors' families.

This created a difficult situation.

"Out of all the girls yesterday, not one caught your eye?" the emperor asked his son.

Pei Xun decided to divert attention and pointed at Prince Xi,

"Father, Fourth Brother rarely pays His Majesty a visit without a pressing matter. He must have an important issue to discuss today. You should attend to his matter first before worrying about your son," Xun Yunhe suggested respectfully.

The emperor, having already anticipated the purpose of Prince Xi's visit, sighed and said, "Speak."

Prince Xi knelt once more and began, "I bring news, Your Majesty. There are rumors in the city today that Princess Hao's birth mother is not Concubine Xu. I wonder if Your Majesty has heard of this? Her biological father passed away on his journey to the capital for the imperial examinations when she was only four. Her mother later remarried into the Xu family..."

Upon hearing this, a sharp pang stabbed at Xun Yunhe's heart, causing him to lose himself momentarily in thought.

The Emperor leaned against the cushion and nodded, "I've heard about it. I've already sent the East Factory to visit the Xu family. Xu Ke admitted the truth but claimed that he had raised that young lady on his knees since she was a child, regarding her as his own daughter. I have not held the Xu family accountable."

Prince Xi's face expressed profound gratitude. "Your Majesty's wisdom shines through. Furthermore, I assume Your Majesty is aware of the events that transpired yesterday..." Prince Xi was just about to recount the details.

The emperor waved his hand to dismiss the matter, then sat up straighter, saying, "I understand your intentions. It is indeed inappropriate for a royal wife to practice medicine. Looking back, I was hasty in arranging this marriage. This morning, Prince Xun mentioned this matter, and I have already given it considerable thought."

Prince Xi heard this and looked at Pei Xun in surprise. Pei Xun, with his eyes lowered, pretended not to notice as he fiddled with the paper fan in his hand.

The Emperor, clearly having given the matter considerable thought, continued, "I hereby grant permission for Heng-ge to divorce Miss Xu. Miss Xu has rendered great service yesterday, and I am deeply gratified. After the divorce, I shall bestow rewards upon her as I see fit, and ensure she is well provided for."

At the beginning of the afternoon hour of Si, Doctor He entered the palace to report his findings. He had informed the emperor that Lady Xu was exceptionally skilled in medicine, particularly in acupuncture. The emperor privately considered granting her the title of Noble Lady, allowing her to enter the Imperial Medical Institute as a female national physician.

Prince Xi did not expect matters to progress so smoothly and was slightly taken aback.

Recalling Pei Muhang, the emperor chuckled and said, "The marriage between the Xu family and Muhang was arranged by me in a moment of inebriation. I failed to investigate the details beforehand, causing Hangge to suffer. After their divorce, I will personally choose an aristocratic maiden for him to wed."

Prince Xi dared not accept such an offer and promptly kowtowed. "This subject is terrified. In truth, Lady Xu is refined and composed, a remarkable woman. This time, she personally requested an audience with the emperor. She declared her dedication to healing the sick and saving lives, unwilling to be confined to the inner chambers. Thus, she humbly requested a divorce."

"Indeed?" The emperor was slightly startled but soon wore a smile. "Such noble aspirations, a woman who matches the valor of a man." It was evident that Xu Yunqi could better utilize her talents as a female physician compared to being Pei Muhang's wife. The emperor was highly satisfied.

Pei Xun's face revealed astonishment as he asked Prince Xi, "She initiated the request for a divorce?"

Prince Xi gave a bitter smile. "Indeed."

Putting down his fan slowly, Pei Xun fell silent, lost in thought.

Upon hearing that Xu Yunqi had proactively sought a divorce, the emperor laughed again and asked Prince Xi, "What does Hangge think about this?"

Prince Xi was taken aback and replied, "This subject has yet to inquire."

The emperor placed both palms on the imperial desk and gently moved the paperweight aside, chuckling. "I didn't ask his opinion when I bestowed the marriage. Now you're requesting a divorce without consulting him. Aren't you afraid he'll make a fuss when you return?"

Prince Xi thought to himself, It would be strange if Pei Muheng were to protest. He had been observing his son's behavior for quite some time, and he hadn't seen any signs of affection or concern from his son towards Xu Yunqi. Apparently, his son didn't have feelings for his wife, and Xu Yunqi didn't have feelings for him either. They were forced into this marriage.

If that was the case, why force them?

Just then, Xun Yunhe suddenly stood up and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, I believe it is necessary to consult Third Prince on this matter."

Xun Yunhe had listened attentively for half the day and sensed something was amiss.

Pei Muheng's wife had saved Yan Shaoling the day before, only for rumors to circulate the next day that she wasn't actually from the Xu family. Wasn't this tantamount to forcing the royal family to divorce her?

Recalling Xun Yunling's deep affections for Pei Muheng, Xun Yunhe suspected that his wife and daughter might be behind the trouble. He couldn't stand by and watch this marriage be ruined.

If Pei Muheng also wanted a divorce, then he would have nothing to say.

The emperor nodded. "I agree. A divorce is a matter between husband and wife, so it should still require Heng'er's consent. Here's what we'll do," he said to Prince Xi. "Go back and tell Heng'er that I've agreed to the divorce. All he needs to do is come to the palace in person to request it."

It had to be said that the two medicinal cakes from the Xu family had invigorated him. He would wait for Pei Muheng to request the divorce, and then he could officially keep Xu Yunqi in the Imperial Hospital. In the future, it would be much more convenient for him to enjoy those medicinal cakes.

When Prince Xi left the Heavenly Praise Hall, Pei Xun found an excuse to follow him out. Together, they descended the steps.

Prince Xi glanced at him and asked, "What did Twelfth Brother discuss with our father that made him agree so quickly to Heng'er's divorce?" The prince had never forgotten the original purpose behind the emperor's arrangement of this marriage.

Pei Xun raised his fan to shade his eyes and looked at the gray sky. He chuckled and said, "I've always felt that a woman like Madam Xu is not meant to be confined in a household. Heng'er isn't suitable for her."

"By the way, Heng'er is at the Board of Censors. Fourth Brother can go straight there."

*

With Chen Mingshan's case resurfacing, Pei Mu Heng returned to the Board of Censors early in the morning. The Left Supreme Censor, Shi Zhuo, immediately went to the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court. All three offices were vying for the right to investigate the case. Busy as he was, Wang Fan delivered a message from outside the palace, informing Pei Mu Heng that someone was slandering Xu Yunqi, claiming she wasn't the Xu family's biological daughter, implicating the family in deceiving the emperor.

Pei Mu Heng was taken aback. His first instinct was that someone was targeting him, but then he realized it was more likely aimed at Xu Yunqi and the Xu family.

"Tell Wang Fan to look into it and find out who's behind these rumors."

Wang Fan was Pei Mu Heng's secret guard and his eyes and ears. As Huang Wei was about to leave, he remembered something and interjected, "Oh, by the way, I received word from the mansion that His Highness has gone to the palace to request an audience with the emperor."

Prince Xi's visit to the palace was undoubtedly to defend the Xu family's honor.

Pei Muheng nodded, indicating that he understood.

Shi Zhuo, the Left Supreme Censor, was an impulsive man and insisted on exposing the case, while Xiao Yu, the Minister of Punishments, was aware that it involved Prime Minister Yan Ping and tried to cover it up. Pei Muheng, wanting to give Yan Ping time to react, mediated from the sidelines.

By noon, after much effort, Shi Zhuo was finally appeased, and after some diplomatic maneuvering, Pei Muheng returned to the small courtyard adjacent to the Wenzhao Hall. There, he found his father standing in the corridor, gazing at the sky with a blue-and-white porcelain teacup in hand.

"It's going to rain," he remarked.

With a stack of documents in hand, Pei Muheng strolled down the corridor. As he stepped into the room, he asked, "Has the matter concerning the Xu family been settled?"

The Duke of Xi turned and followed him in. "His Majesty hasn't blamed the Xu family."

Pei Muheng's pace faltered, and he turned to look at his father, his gaze darkening. "What do you mean he hasn't blamed the Xu family? This must be a fabrication; the Xu family is innocent."

"The Xu family is not innocent," the Duke of Xi replied, lifting his gaze and placing the teacup on the table. His expression was a mix of emotions as he looked at his son.

"Young Lady Xu has already confessed to both me and your mother. She is, in fact, not of the Xu family," the Duke recounted Xu Yunqi's words.

Pei Muheng was clearly taken aback by this, and the documents in his fingers slipped onto the table. His face was cold, like a still lake in a deep abyss, not revealing any hint of disturbance.

Silence descended upon the room.

Huang Wei, perceptive as ever, tactfully led everyone else out, leaving only father and son in the courtyard.

There was no intention for Duke Xi to linger. He stood in the study without sitting down. After a moment, Pei Muheng slowly lowered his gaze, straightening the scattered documents without a word.

First, she had made a public appearance as a healer, and then there was the revelation that she was not the Xu family's biological daughter.

There were far too many unknowns about her, catching people off guard and leaving them unprepared.

No wonder she had proposed a divorce.

Pei Muheng's initial reaction was to blame Xu Yunqi for not trusting him, for keeping everything from him. But then he remembered that she had been forced into marriage by the imperial edict. What right did he have to complain?

Duke Xi could tell that his son's mind was in turmoil. On one hand, there was the wife he had shared a bed with for half a year; on the other, the future of their prestigious family and its involvement in court politics. The priorities were clear, but letting go would allow him to marry a wife from a noble family who could aid his advancement.

In that case, it was best to cut ties swiftly. He continued, "Your grandfather believes that the reputation of a royal spouse is invaluable and should not be compromised by public pursuits. He has given his approval for your divorce…"

Before Prince Xi could finish his sentence, a clear and crisp voice interrupted him abruptly,

"Father, there's been another incident involving Chen Mingshan. When he entered the capital as a magistrate, it was actually through buying the position with silver, due to Prince Qin's corruption in selling official ranks. Now that the case has come to light, the Board of Censors, the Ministry of Justice, and the Supreme Court are all investigating."

His eyes were incredibly serene, like clouds on the horizon that would vanish at the slightest breeze.

The vivid crimson robes of a duke accentuated his fair complexion, while his slender and upright figure stood out in the room. His refined features illuminated the modest study even further.

Looking at his son, who remained composed, Prince Xi didn't respond directly, "All you need to do is request an imperial edict. From now on, your paths will diverge, and you'll have nothing to do with each other..."

Peng Muhang seemed oblivious, placing the document aside. He lowered his head, seemingly searching for something, but couldn't find it. He then called out, "Huang Wei, where is the seal the emperor bestowed upon me? The transfer documents for the case to the Supreme Court require an official stamp..."

Huang Wei, waiting by the door, hurried in at the sound of his name. As he entered, he heard Prince Xi sigh,

"Sigh, think about your actions wisely."

With those words, Prince Xi strode away decisively.

Once that imposing figure had vanished, Peng Muhang discarded the documents and sat down slowly.

Huang Wei retrieved the official seal from a shelf behind him and handed it over, "Third Master, it's right here."

Pei Muhang's gaze was fixed on that blood-red seal, and he remained silent for a long while.

Raindrops fell like silver needles, pattering upon his heart with a gentle yet poignant melody.

The tea prepared for him on the table had grown tepid. Taking a light sip, the delicate Biluochun tea leaves danced upon his lips and teeth, leaving behind a subtle bitterness.

*

In the afternoon, dark clouds gathered heavily, layer upon layer on the horizon, as if they were about to plummet down.

News of the emperor's approval for a divorce somehow spread throughout the city. Upon reaching Qinghui Garden, Xu Yunqi revealed a relieved smile and instructed Xingyi,

"Pack our belongings, we're leaving."

Perhaps due to her years of wandering, she had developed a habit of swift action. In the blink of an eye, Xu Yunqi had assembled a cloth satchel, containing only a few changes of clothes, some banknotes, and a simple wooden box. Inside the box were three jade hairpins, two pairs of earrings, and a intricately carved golden pendant as big as a pigeon egg. It seemed to hold something within, but its contents were invisible to her. This treasure was given to her by her maternal grandfather before his departure, with strict instructions for her to carry it with her at all times. Xu Yunqi wore it around her neck when she left the house and kept it in the box upon returning, never parting from it.

Xingyi, moving at a leisurely pace, finished packing the medical kit from the small pharmacy and tied the bag filled with medical instruments to her waist. Turning to look at the remaining bottles and jars of herbs on the shelves, she asked, "What should we do with these?"

Xu Yunqi slung the pack over her shoulder and spoke softly, "Leave them be." With that, she turned to exit.

"What about the dowry?" This time, the young maid's voice was clearly choked with emotion.

Xu Yunqi turned around and looked at her helplessly. Seeing the redness in her eyes, he went over to pat her cheek gently, comforting her with a smile,

"Silly girl, most of the dowry is actually the marriage gift from the palace. The rest comes from the Xu family's additional gifts. Since the palace has already given a generous return visit gift, it has essentially offset the Xu family's dowry. We won't take anything that doesn't belong to us."

Silver Apricot, who was already emotionally strained, couldn't control the tears rolling down her cheeks under his touch. She said bitterly,

"Third Young Master is truly heartless. As they say, a day as husband and wife equals a hundred days of affection. Miss has been his wife for half a year, yet he can be so ruthless."

Xu Yunqi felt that the young maid was being unreasonable, "It was my suggestion to divorce, not his fault."

Silver Apricot huffed, "Yes, you did suggest it, but wasn't it because you didn't want to burden them with your medical practice? If he truly had feelings for you, he would have stopped the prince and the emperor from interfering."

Xu Yunqi realized that the young maid was being stubborn. She rubbed her forehead, not wanting to explain further, "Alright, let's go."

As they stepped out, they bumped into Mother Chen. Upon seeing that both mistress and servant were ready to leave, tears welled up in her eyes. She tried several times to persuade them, but in the end, she could only choke out,

"Madam... The lady from the in-laws' family is here... She's waiting for you at the gate..."

Xu Yunqi revealed a hint of surprise. "My mother is here?"

Only then did Silver Apricot peer out from behind her. "Madam has arrived? That's more like it."

She had thought that even the Xu family had abandoned the young lady.

As she spoke, they saw the nanny by Lady Zhang's side enter the courtyard first, guiding Xu Yunqi outside.

"Madam, upon hearing the news, immediately brought this servant to the palace to fetch you."

Meanwhile, Nanny Chen hurried after them, her heart fraught with anxiety as she explained, "Young Lady, please don't leave just yet. Although His Majesty has softened his stance, Third Master hasn't sought permission yet. At the very least... at the very least, wait until the divorce papers are issued before leaving."

Without waiting for Xu Yunqi's response, the Xu family's nanny forced a smile. "When Third Young Master returns, he'll send someone to deliver it. Our Madam would never allow our Miss to be at the mercy of others outside."

"Nanny doesn't know, but our young lady isn't worried about finding a husband. Rumor has it that when His Majesty decided to arrange the divorce, Madam Jiang was already waiting at my door. The moment the imperial edict was issued, she requested for our young lady to become the head of her household."

As a servant, who wouldn't want to follow a kind mistress? Nanny Chen couldn't bear to part with Xu Yunqi and quickly said, "Old sister, please don't say such things. Nothing has been decided yet. Third Master hasn't returned..."

As they spoke, they had already arrived at the entrance. Madam Xie was still greeting guests, but unfortunately, Madam Zhang, Xu Yunqi's mother, refused to even step out of her carriage. She was waiting solely for Xu Yunqi to come out so she could take her daughter away.

The moment Xu Yunqi left the palace, news of her and Pei Muheng's impending divorce spread throughout the entire capital.

In the Yan family's residence, Old Lady Yan, who had just recovered from her shock, widened her eyes upon hearing this.

"Is it true?"

The head wife of the Yan family replied, "Indeed. After all, Madam Xu is a member of the royal family. The imperial court would never allow her to practice medicine. His Majesty has already approved their divorce. All that's left is for Third Young Master to seek an audience in the Heavenly Mandate Hall for the final decision."

Old Lady Yan shook her head repeatedly. "I can understand, but I cannot accept it." She was a straightforward person. "Our Yan family doesn't have such strict rules. Such a fine young lady shouldn't be given away to outsiders." She gave the head wife a meaningful glance.

The head wife immediately understood. "We have five eligible bachelors in our household, aside from Shaoling, who is reserved for Shan Shan. Madam Xu can choose any of the others."

Two of them were the head wife's own sons, while the other two belonged to the second branch of the family.

Seeing that her daughter-in-law understood the situation, Old Lady Yan was pleased. "You're a clever one. Don't mind that she's been married before, nor should you disdain her background. She saved Shaoling's life, making her a noble benefactor to our Yan family. If we marry her into our family, we'll only gain blessings. No matter if she's a concubine-born or not, let her choose whoever she desires."

"Order someone to gather information in the Imperial City. As soon as Third Prince receives the imperial edict, we shall proceed to the Xu residence to propose marriage."

The elder madam immediately left to carry out the task. Barely had she exited when Madam Yan II rushed in hastily.

"Mother, there's no time to wait. I've heard that Lady Jiang is already seated at the entrance of the Xu family's residence."

The elder madam was taken aback. "Which Jiang family?"

Madam Yan II explained, "It's the Jiang family from the Mingshi Alley, the Ningyuan Marquis House. Their ancestors have military merits, and currently, Lord Jiang serves as the garrison commander in Zhenjiang, holding a fourth-rank official title."

Upon hearing it was a family with a fourth-rank official, the elder madam's expression turned worried. With this lesson learned, the Xu family might not be willing to let Xu Yunqi marry into a higher status. After a moment of contemplation, she began strategizing.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, you go to the palace and seek Empress Consort Yan's assistance to facilitate this marriage."

"Second daughter-in-law, invite the wife of the Left Vice Minister of Rites and head to the Xu residence right away to make the proposal."

"And summon those young masters. They all met Miss Xu yesterday. The more astute ones should present themselves before her to leave a good impression."

Just as Xu Yunqi was taken away by Madam Zhang, the covert agents swiftly rode their horses to the Imperial City.

The rain grew heavier, pelting the eaves with large droplets that splashed noisily. Rainwater trickled down from the corners of the roof, forming a curtain of pearls.

Pei Muheng skipped his noon meal and made another trip to the Board of Censors. Upon his return, several officials from the Ministry of Finance followed, discussing the matter of salt permits and border grains.

"Lord Xun has already prepared the proposal. We were hoping that the Duke could review it. If there are no major issues, we will present it to His Majesty for his imperial edict, to be implemented across the land..."

Pei Muheng put away his oil-paper umbrella and gently brushed off the water droplets on his clothes. "This matter cannot be delayed any longer. Hand it over, let me take a look."

As he lifted his gaze, the rain outside was pouring heavily, dispelling some of the heat. Moisture filled the air, brushing against his thick eyelashes, making them appear as if encrusted with a light frost from afar.

Just then, a covert guard rushed under the eaves through the downpour, still unsteady on his feet, and called out to the figure standing solemnly in the courtyard,

"Third Master, Lady-in-law just picked up our young madam!"