Chapter 4: Choose Eight Men

Chapter 4: Choosing Eight Men

"Mo-mother-in-law—" Liu Yandai stammered, trembling like a leaf as she pleaded, "This isn’t right. This breaks the law."

The law?

"He was the one who violated our household rules first. How he treats me, I shall treat him the same. Yan Dai, you must understand—you should have your own set of laws. How others treat you, you treat them the same. Otherwise, won’t you just keep being trampled upon?"

Qin Chanyue turned to look at Liu Yandai, her foxy eyes with a glint of coldness as she gently stroked her head and said softly, "Yan Dai, these words—Mother-in-law has only spoken them to you alone. You must be careful, and never let anyone find out, understand? Not even your uncle."

Her spineless daughter-in-law with jelly legs shook uncontrollably, like a leaf in a storm, looking as if she might burst into tears again. But this time, perhaps because it concerned Qin Chanyue, she inexplicably found a bit of backbone, clenching her fists and declaring, "R-replying to Mother-in-law, Yan Dai won’t tell a soul."

Even if someone held a knife to her throat, she wouldn’t say a word!

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, and a maid called from the outer chamber, "Reporting to Madam, the Marquis’s attendant has returned. He says the Marquis will be back in half an hour."

When the maid’s voice rang out, Liu Yandai was still lost in the thought of "Mother-in-law is going to kill Father-in-law," trembling all over. The sudden noise startled the hapless daughter-in-law so much that she let out a small, involuntary gasp.

Look at her pathetic courage!

Qin Chanyue carefully put away the poison, calculating the time, then said, "To the small kitchen."

She was going to personally prepare a bowl of tonic soup to serve her husband when he returned.

Before leaving, Qin Chanyue turned back, calm as ever, and said to Liu Yandai, "You should go back and rest early. Don’t worry about Zhou Yuanting and Bai Yuning—I’ll handle it."

Liu Yandai followed her mother-in-law out of the Moon-Viewing Garden in a fog, returning all the way to the Library Courtyard.

When she arrived, the old maidservant was scowling, waiting for her.

The news that Liu Yandai had gone to the ancestral hall after being driven away with scolding by the young master, then complained to the Marchioness, resulting in the young master being reprimanded, had already spread throughout the household. The maids in the Library Courtyard were beside themselves with worry and had been quietly cursing behind her back.

"The young mistress is utterly useless! She was supposed to plead for the young master, but instead, she got him scolded!"

"She doesn’t know any rules at all. What a disgrace, marrying our young master!"

"She must be taught properly. How can this go on?"

So they had been lying in wait for her return. As soon as she arrived, they hurriedly said, "Young Mistress! This old servant told you to bring food to the young master today—how did you end up provoking him instead? The young master arguing with you like this is entirely your fault! What kind of wife makes her husband dislike her so? You must quickly think of a way to appease him, or else you’ll be cast aside!"

Liu Yandai stood frozen for a long moment before finally saying, her face deathly pale, "Never mind that."

Being cast aside was no longer a big deal… because her mother-in-law had lost her mind!

In a way, Qin Chanyue had already succeeded—because Liu Yandai truly didn’t care about Zhou Yuanting anymore.

The maidservant was taken aback and had yet to ask, "Why never mind? How can such a big matter be ignored?" when Liu Yandai said, "Quickly bring me paper and brush. I need to write to my uncle."

She had to write to her uncle immediately and inform him—wait, she had promised Mother-in-law not to tell him!

Liu Yandai’s hands, which had been twisting her handkerchief, suddenly stilled.

"Why do you wish to write to the Prince of Southern Pacification?" The maidservant thought for a moment, assuming Liu Yandai wanted to complain to the prince about how poorly she was treated in the Marquis’s household, and immediately disapproved. "Do you intend to use the prince’s authority to force the young master to submit? That’s not a good idea. You came from the southern borderlands and don’t know the rules. Instead of learning them, you’re going against all reason against your husband—this is unacceptable."

"Now that you’re married, your husband is your lord and master," the maidservant said, unable to hide an elderly reproach as she looked at Liu Yandai’s dazed expression. "How can you try to force the young master? You must wait upon him diligently. If he resents you, you must serve him even more attentively. One day, you’ll move his heart, and then your good days will come."

Liu Yandai wanted to argue, but crowded around by the maidservants’ stern gazes, she found herself at a loss for words, her cheeks flushed crimson but unable to speak.

Just then, someone arrived outside the courtyard, and the maidservants temporarily abandoned Liu Yandai to attend to the newcomer.

The moment the matrons from Shuhai Courtyard stepped out onto the corridor, they spotted several matrons from Shangyue Garden standing outside, accompanied by a few servants, all with murderous expressions.

"Oh, what brings you here? Does Madam have any orders?" The matron from Shuhai Courtyard spoke in a mocking tone.

Most of the matrons in Shuhai Courtyard had originally come from the Zhou residence, while those serving Qin Chanyue were from the Qin family. Tension between the two groups had long been simmering, with little harmony between them.

Liu Yandai went out to look and saw that it was the most capable confidante from her mother-in-law's side who had arrived.

The trusted confidante, surnamed Zhao, cast a cold glance at the matrons from Shuhai Courtyard and said, "By Madam's orders, you matrons have been gossiping behind backs, overstepping your bounds as servants, and disturbing the peace of the marquis's household. You are all to be punished with menial labor at the country estate."

The matrons from Shuhai Courtyard widened their eyes in shock. "What nonsense! I nursed the marquis at my breast! How will Madam explain this to the marquis?"

Matron Zhao ignored them completely and simply waved her hand. "Take them away!"

The strong-armed servants behind her immediately surged forward, forcibly dragging the offenders away.

The matrons being hauled off continued to shout, "How dare you! Just wait until the marquis returns—"

Matron Zhao acted as if she hadn't heard, swiftly taking control of Shuhai Courtyard's affairs. She then dismissed all the matrons and maids serving there and replaced them with Qin Chanyue's trusted aides.

Previously, Qin Chanyue had paid little attention to Shuhai Courtyard, but now she was taking charge.

These matrons were displeasing to her, so she had them all dispatched to a remote estate and replaced them with her most loyal and long-serving confidantes from the Qin family. No one would dare bully Liu Yandai now.

But that wasn't all.

Qin Chanyue was about to eliminate her husband to claim his wealth, and naturally, she had to pave the way for her daughter-in-law as well. The two of them would enjoy prosperity together. So, with a generous wave, Qin Chanyue selected eight strapping young warriors from the Qin family's private guards and sent them all to Liu Yandai's courtyard.

She had promised Liu Yandai a good life, and she intended to deliver. Qin Chanyue was someone who repaid kindness tenfold, and she would give Liu Yandai only the best.

These were her Qin family's private soldiers—the late marquis had left her this team as her backbone, and picking a few to serve as male companions was more than enough.

Later, her foster brother in the southern border had also replenished her private forces. At one point, she had over a hundred men under her command, but she had used them all in her efforts to rehabilitate her foster brother's reputation, and none had returned. Otherwise, Qin Chanyue wouldn't have been reduced to such circumstances.

Qin Chanyue was long accustomed to commanding such devoted retainers, but Liu Yandai was not.

This was the first time Liu Yandai had ever seen so many—so many men.

Liu Yandai stared dumbfounded as eight burly young men lined up outside her chamber. At the matron's command, they immediately began stripping off their clothes, eventually dropping to their knees, bare-chested, with a loud "thud."

Liu Yandai felt dizzy.

These eight men were quite... fair-skinned—no, wait, those sixteen... ah—ah! Ah!!

Liu Yandai raised a hand to cover the lower half of her face.

"Young Madam," the matron beside her said with a smile. "Madam's intention is for these men to serve you. Please select a few that please you."

Such improper matters were being discussed so openly!

At this moment, the entire Shuhai Courtyard was under new management by Qin Chanyue's people. Zhou Yuanting was still kneeling in the ancestral hall, his trusted aides all dealt with, leaving no one to spread word outside!

Qin Chanyue had always acted with such boldness and unpredictability, like an Emei Mountain monkey irrationally swooping down to slap faces. Who could possibly evade her?

Liu Yandai certainly couldn't.

She stared blankly at the eight men before her, and after a long moment, suddenly collapsed backward—in a brief swoon.

The strain that had been building all day had finally reached its breaking point.

"The Heiress' Wife?" The matron was startled and hurriedly helped Liu Yandai up, pinching under her nose to revive her.

The delicate young madam, trembling like a rabbit, upon waking, said with her first breath: "Help me up, I need to write a letter."

—

That evening, a letter left the Moon-Viewing Garden, while another emerged from the Book Sea Courtyard.

One was Qin Chanyue's letter about official matters, filled with her concerns; the other was Liu Yandai's fanciful nonsense about her mother-in-law trying to find her eight men. These two letters left the marquis’s estate in Chang'an one after another, speeding straight to the southern frontier.

—

And where was Qin Chanyue's husband, the Marquis of Zhongyi, Zhou Ziheng, at this time?

—

At this moment, night had fallen, stars scattered across the sky, in a humble dwelling within the Spring Beauty Lane.

The Marquis of Zhongyi, Zhou Ziheng, was nestled on a low couch with his secret mistress, Fang Yiniang, engaged in intimate conversation.

"Will my lord stay with me tonight?" Fang Yiniang, delicate and petite, nestled in Zhou Ziheng's embrace, her eyes full of reluctance.

"I fear not," Zhou Ziheng replied tenderly, though his words were firm. "Qin Chanyue is waiting for me."

Sighing, he added, "You know her temperament—so jealous. I have no choice but to hide you away. It really pains me."

A flicker of resentment passed through Fang Yiniang's eyes.

How could she not hate Qin Chanyue?

Years ago, when she was still a maiden, she and Zhou Ziheng had fallen in love first, their passion all-consuming, inseparable. He should have asked for her hand, but then, under his family's arrangements, he married Qin Chanyue instead.

Unable to compete with Qin Chanyue, she had resolved to leave Zhou Ziheng—only for him to cling to her desperately. Their secret entanglement persisted. On the eve of his wedding, he even secretly brought her into the newly built marquis’s estate, where they spent the night as husband and wife in the very bridal chamber intended for Qin Chanyue. Before Qin Chanyue, he had belonged to her first.

Later, when Qin Chanyue became pregnant, so did she.

Though they conceived around the same time, Qin Chanyue received all the honor and attention while she got nothing. Devastated, she had intended to leave and raise her child alone—but Zhou Ziheng, claiming official duties, chased her down for miles and pleaded with her to come back.

They were like two vines entwined, impossible to separate, their love all-consuming. In the end, she endured all the humiliation for the sake of love, willing to become his concubine.

If she couldn't be his wife, then a concubine would do—after all, what man didn't keep multiple wives and concubines? But Qin Chanyue refused!

She even cited some Qin family rule, forbidding Zhou Ziheng from taking concubines.

Qin Chanyue's refusal left her no choice but to remain an unofficial mistress, with neither title nor position.

Any woman would resent being forced into such a position.

Lowering her head softly, she asked, "Then whom do you love more?"

"Of course, it's you," Zhou Ziheng answered decisively. "Only you. Being with her is merely a matter of power and obligation."

This was the truth—in his heart, he truly loved only Fang Qingqing. This love was secondary to power.

If Qin Chanyue ever lost her influence, he would discard her without hesitation and take no one but his Qingqing.

Fang Qingqing's face lit up at this, and she smiled. "Then go, my lord. See to your business."

Though she hadn't won Zhou Ziheng himself, his heart belonged to her—that was enough! She had already gotten the better of Qin Chanyue.

Zhou Ziheng, savoring Fang Yiniang's tender affection, kissed her forehead before rising and leaving her outer courtyard.

The carriage rumbled as Zhou Ziheng returned from his mistress’s residence to the marquis’s estate.

It was now the Xu hour (around 8 PM).*

The estate was adorned with lanterns hung everywhere, their overlapping lights casting a brilliance as bright as day. As Zhou Ziheng walked through the gates, the golden embroidery on his silk robes shimmered under the lantern glow, revealing a strikingly handsome face.

Marquis of Zhongyi, Zhou Ziheng, was only thirty-four—in the prime of his life.

Born into nobility, well-read, and mild-mannered, Zhou Ziheng never picked fights. His appearance was equally striking. As he returned through the corridors in the evening breeze, his sleeves fluttering, he resembled a snow-capped mountain peak—serene and composed.

The maids nearby blushed and averted their eyes, not daring to look directly, merely escorting him back to his study.

Though Zhou Ziheng held the title of Marquis of Zhongyi, he was no frivolous wastrel. He held an official position at court as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. While not overwhelmed with daily affairs, his duties kept him constantly occupied, often here one moment, gone the next.

Given his ties to the Crown Prince, certain matters could not be disclosed. Thus, no matter where Zhou Ziheng went, Qin Chanyue never pressed him for answers.

She trusted him.

This trust gave Zhou Ziheng ample opportunity. Whenever he sowed his wild oats, he would claim to be occupied with official business—and Qin Chanyue would ask no further questions.

Today, as usual, Zhou Ziheng returned from outside the estate to the Moon-Viewing Garden.

Moon-Viewing Garden was where he and Qin Chanyue resided—a name he had chosen himself. "Moon-Viewing" referred not only to admiring the moon in the sky but also to admiring the beauty below.

Qin Chanyue adored the name, and Zhou Ziheng was pleased as well—it cost him no effort to keep her content.

As Zhou Ziheng reached the corridor, he caught sight of Qin Chanyue's silhouette in the side chamber. From his angle, he could see half of her profile.

She was as dazzling as a gilded peony, her lips crimson, her figure enchanting. Even from behind, it was clear she was a force to be reckoned with.

Qin Chanyue and Fang Yiniang were night and day—where Fang Yiniang was gentle, meek, and delicate, Qin Chanyue was spoiled, temperamental, and overbearing.

He had married her for her status, which helped him secure his title. Over the years, he had found her satisfactory. Though occasionally overbearing, she generally knew her place—commanding respect outside the household and managing domestic affairs within, all while keeping her devotion solely to him. In return, he needed only to offer sweet words, superficial concern, a few fashionable hairpins, and some sentimental poetry.

She was a fitting wife, a bargain that would never sour. As Zhou Ziheng observed her silhouette, he stepped into the chamber.

The moment he entered, Qin Chanyue turned to him with a flirtatious smile. "Husband, you've finished your work? Come, dine with me."

Zhou Ziheng ate up her devotion. Though Qin Chanyue was haughty and overbearing to others, before him, she was always docile.

"I told you I had official business today. Why did you wait for me?" he asked without much thought.

Outsiders claimed Qin Chanyue was ill-tempered and difficult, but Zhou Ziheng knew her nature was black-and-white—she either loathed or adored with absolute intensity. In his presence, she was like a child, believing every word he said. He never had to decipher her thoughts—he could simply ask.

"I missed you," the dazzling woman murmured, leaning against the table as she pushed forward a gilded clay pot of aged chicken soup. "Even if you've already eaten, just taste this soup. I made it myself."

Her slender fingers nudged the bowl, the white-glazed vessel trembling slightly, the broth shimmering warmly under the lamplight. Qin Chanyue watched him with worshipful eyes, as if she loved him to the marrow of her bones.

Listening to her purring voice, Zhou Ziheng felt a flicker of smugness at having women vie for him.

Lately, he had dined more often with Fang Qingqing, rarely spending time with Qin Chanyue. No wonder she'd been pining.

*The Xu hour corresponds to the period between 7 PM and 9 PM in traditional Chinese timekeeping.

Qin Chanyue had been spoiled rotten since birth, always demanding indulgence and pampering. Not seeing him for so long, she naturally came looking for him, insisting on sharing another meal—what a spoiled brat.

Zhou Ziheng brushed aside his doubts and sat down with Qin Chanyue, accepting the bowl of slow-simmered chicken broth without hesitation and drinking it all in one go.

This was his wife. They had been together for over a decade, sharing countless meals. Why would he ever doubt her?

And so, on an utterly ordinary day, he drank an utterly ordinary bowl of slow-simmered chicken broth.

After finishing the soup, Zhou Ziheng seemed to suddenly remember something and said, "Oh, that reminds me—I heard there was a new guest at the manor today, and it caused a spat between you and Yuanting?"

Though he hadn’t been home, his trusted men kept him informed. He had also heard that his wet nurse had been punished and naturally wanted to ask Qin Chanyue about it.

Qin Chanyue propped her chin on her hand and nodded. "Your son brought Bai Yuning back and even declared he would divorce Liu Yandai to marry her instead."

"Outrageous." Zhou Ziheng frowned. "You did the right thing—he needs to be taught a lesson."

The Bai family had long since fallen from power. What good were they to their house now? When Bai’s father had come to plead with him before, Zhou Ziheng had made it clear—minor favors were one thing, but when it came to matters that could ruin a family, he would never intervene. As for Liu Yandai, she was the adopted daughter of the Prince of Southern Pacification, representing his influence. Naturally, Zhou Ziheng needed to maintain ties with the Prince.

This marriage could not be broken.

"And then there’s your wet nurse," Qin Chanyue added, as if suddenly remembering. "She’s been throwing her authority around the household, relying on your name. Recently, someone even reported that she had been embezzling gold from the household stores. Today, I had her sent away from the estate—just a minor punishment. Once she learns her lesson, we can bring her back later."

As she spoke, a perfectly feigned flicker of concern surfaced on her face. "After all, she did nurse you. If you feel sorry for her, we can recall her now."

After hearing the full story, Zhou Ziheng replied, "Recalling her now would reward misbehavior. Wouldn’t that only encourage her to grow even more arrogant? There must be a clear distinction between master and servant. The household affairs are yours to manage—you’re my wife, and we are one. I trust your judgment."

He had no reason to doubt Qin Chanyue’s words. She was his wife—she’d never lied to him before. Besides, the wet nurse’s exile wasn’t forever—just a lesson to teach her restraint.

Hearing this, Qin Chanyue smiled and nodded.

Zhou Ziheng was about to say more when a dizzy spell hit him—likely from exhaustion these past few days.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "When you discipline Yuanting, don’t coddle him. That boy—"

Qin Chanyue was perfect in every way, save for one flaw: she was too soft on family, always reluctant to punish them.

Seated across from him, Lady Qin gazed at him with a gentle smile and murmured, "Of course. I won’t hold back."

Zhou Ziheng had no idea that the woman before him wasn’t who she seemed. Beneath her dazzling exterior seethed magma, poised to erupt at any moment and reduce him to ashes. The shadow she cast upon the ground was that of an orchid mantis, its bladed forelimbs hovering at his jugular.

A blood feud might demand eighty-one stab wounds or devise forty-nine trials, but a betrayal from one’s own pillow required only the gentlest push to send him tumbling into the abyss.

Beside them, the intricate lantern’s light wavered, while the moon hung high over Chang’an, gazing down in silence.

History’s wheel, jolted by a mere pebble, veered off course, breaking free from its destined path and hurtling toward an unknown future.

That very night, Zhou Ziheng was struck by a sudden, raging fever.

The illness came without warning, and Lady Qin was frantic with worry, summoning her long-serving physician in the dead of night and personally tending to him.

To everyone else, the illness seemed trivial—just a minor ailment that would pass in a few days.

Only Liu Yandai, upon hearing the next day that her father-in-law had fallen ill, nearly fainted from terror.

Now, even the sight of the eight private guards from the Qin household stationed at the courtyard gate filled her with dread. She dared not step outside, weeping alone before her dressing mirror.

*Please, Mother-in-law, stop this—the law is closing in!*

It was the twenty-sixth day of the seventh month in the summer of the thirty-seventh year of Yongchang.

The second day after Bai Yuning entered the estate, at noon.

The sky was blue, the sun shone brightly, a few green bamboo stalks swayed in the wind, and yellow birds chirped as they flew by the window.

Today, the Qin estate seemed no different from usual. The heir, Zhou Yuanting, was still locked in the ancestral hall, his back covered in blood from the beating, raging and cursing Liu Yandai.

Liu Yandai had originally intended to pay her respects to her mother-in-law, but the moment she stepped out, she saw eight tall and imposing retainers stationed at the door. Instantly, she recalled the sixteen delicate maids from yesterday—her vision darkened, and she simply gave up on the visit, retreating under the covers to write letters, occasionally sobbing into the blankets.

Lady Qin was measuring out the poison, thinking that in less than half a month, she could send her wretched husband to the underworld. Just as she was feeling pleased, a maid suddenly announced herself outside the door.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Reporting to my lady," the kneeling maid replied. "Today, we waited for Miss Bai to rise so we could escort her out, but she remained unconscious. The other maidservants checked and said Miss Bai has suddenly taken gravely ill and cannot get up. I came to ask whether we should call for a doctor."

Qin Chanyue's hand, which had been handling the poison, paused slightly. It was only then that she remembered—there was still Bai Yuning in their marquisate.

In her past life, Bai Yuning had never fallen seriously ill.