Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In the second year of Tiancheng, on the third day of the ninth month, during the First Frost.

At three-quarters past the hour of Shen, the maid Chun Tao ran back from beyond the moon gate for the third time, heading straight for the western courtyard.

Wen Xiang, the lady’s personal maid, was waiting under the corridor. As soon as she saw Chun Tao, she hurried forward. "Has the Marquis returned?"

Chun Tao shook her head. "Not yet."

Wen Xiang said, "Go and check again. I’ll go in first to report, so Her Ladyship won’t be kept waiting."

"Yes," Chun Tao acknowledged and left, while Wen Xiang turned and entered the main chamber.

In the side hall of the main chamber, a round table had been laid with an array of dishes—cold plates, vegetarian dishes, soups, and desserts, all neatly arranged. Servants stood by with their hands at their sides, and the room was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

On a golden nanmu armchair by the main hall sat a woman in a lake-blue brocade *ruqun*. This was Ye Shuang, the Marchioness of Yongding. She was flipping through a storybook, occasionally lifting her head to glance toward the courtyard gate.

Just then, she noticed Wen Xiang entering and asked for an update. Wen Xiang reported truthfully.

After listening, Ye Shuang simply instructed, "Tell the kitchen to reheat these dishes when the Marquis arrives."

Wen Xiang acknowledged the order and left, leaving Ye Shuang alone in the side hall, staring absently toward the courtyard gate.

This had become her daily routine—sitting in the side hall, waiting for that person to appear at the gate, though most of the time, he never came.

Such days had persisted for over half a year.

The Ye and Xiao families had long been close friends. Ye Hongyuan and the old Marquis Xiao, Xiao Rui, were good friends, both residing in Yuzhou. Ye Shuang and Xiao Lin had grown up together since childhood, childhood sweethearts. Five years ago, her father was enfeoffed as the Duke of An, and the entire family moved to Lin’an City. Coincidentally, she caught a chill and had been confined to her courtyard. By the time she recovered, it was already the day of departure. She had no time to bid Xiao Lin farewell, thinking she would write to him from Lin’an to explain.

Unexpectedly, shortly after leaving Yuzhou, news spread that the old Marquis Xiao had been falsely accused, and his entire family’s property was confiscated. Those once close to the Xiao family avoided them like the plague. The Ye family’s departure from Yuzhou at this time led Xiao Lin to believe that Duke Ye had heard the rumors and left early to protect himself. Some even speculated that the Ye family’s promotion was linked to the Xiao family’s downfall.

Though there was no concrete evidence, and the Xiao family was later exonerated, Marquis Xiao, overwhelmed with anger and grief, passed away shortly after the incident. The old Marchioness, heartbroken, also fell ill and died not long after. Although the Xiao family was cleared of charges, only Xiao Lin remained.

Yet Ye Hongyuan was alive and well, and the Duke’s mansion remained completely unscathed.

At that time, Ye Shuang had a faint premonition that she and Xiao Lin would never be as close as before.

Later, Xiao Lin was brought to Lin’an, raised by the Prince of Pingyang, and sent to the military, where he campaigned extensively and achieved numerous military merits. When the Prince of Pingyang ascended the throne, Xiao Lin was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yongding, wielding significant power and becoming one of the most trusted confidants of the Prince of Pingyang. After the empire stabilized, the Prince of Pingyang arranged a marriage for him. Due to the childhood engagement with Ye Shuang, the marriage had to be honored, and seven months ago, Xiao Lin married Ye Shuang.

Xiao Lin likely had no desire for this marriage but was bound by the engagement and the imperial decree, leaving him no choice. As Ye Shuang had anticipated, after their marriage, Xiao Lin treated her with indifference, never mentioning their childhood bond, and his demeanor toward her was no longer as it once was.

Ye Shuang understood that bringing up the past would inevitably remind Xiao Lin of his family’s tragedy. She didn’t mind and wisely refrained from mentioning old times, focusing instead on managing the household, being considerate and caring, and fulfilling her role as the Marchioness. However, Xiao Lin seldom stayed at the mansion, often remaining at his office or camp. Even when he returned, he mostly worked in his study, rarely sharing a meal with her.

But today was different. After Ye Shuang’s efforts over the past days, Xiao Lin’s attitude had softened somewhat. The last time she saw him, she specifically reminded him that today was her birthday and asked him to return to celebrate with her. Xiao Lin had agreed.

Thus, the Marquis’s kitchen was unusually busy today. Shortly after the hour of Wei, she had the servants begin preparing the evening meal.

Today, he would surely return to celebrate her birthday, no matter how late. She would wait for him.

Ye Shuang massaged her temples, her book lying untouched for a long time.

"Are you alright, My Lady?" Wen Xiang entered from outside.

"It’s nothing."

"You woke up early today and have been busy for most of the day. You must be tired. And the Marquis—truly! My Lady woke before dawn to dress and prepare, meticulously overseeing the kitchen to prepare this feast, and yet the Marquis simply decided not to return! And he only sent a guard to deliver the message."

Wen Xiang was fuming. Noticing Ye Shuang’s hand, she frowned. "My Lady, you should apply some ointment to your hand! It would be a shame if it scars."

Ye Shuang withdrew the handkerchief from her hand. Beneath the snow-white fabric, a dark brown burn mark on her hand was startling.

"No need. If the medicine’s scent is too strong, it might affect the Marquis’s appetite. I’ll apply it later."

Wen Xiang knew it was futile to persuade her and sighed. "My Lady, why go to such lengths? It’s just a bowl of shredded bamboo shoot noodles. Let the kitchen master prepare it. Why must you do it yourself?"

"The Marquis has been campaigning for years, enduring hardships. Now that he’s of high status and has tasted delicacies, what he misses most is this bowl of shredded bamboo shoot noodles from his childhood. And I’m the only one in the mansion who knows how to make it."

"Even if the Marquis loves it, the bamboo shoots were prepared by you personally. You bought dried bamboo shoots from various places half a month ago, selected the ones closest to the Yuzhou variety, and picked the tenderest ones. You started boiling them last night and shredded them strand by strand. You wouldn’t even let us help."

"It’s just a small gesture of my heart." Ye Shuang’s eyes curved with a smile, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, as if she found satisfaction in these trivial efforts.

She glanced up and saw a figure in pink running in from the outer courtyard. Recognizing it as Chun Tao, another maid in her chamber, the impatient girl began shouting before she even reached them: "My Lady! The Marquis, the Marquis…"

"Has the Marquis returned?" Ye Shuang stood up immediately.

"Xiao Han, the Marquis’s attendant, is here. He requests an audience outside the courtyard."

Xiao Han was the Marquis’s personal guard, a retainer of the Xiao family who had grown up with Xiao Lin and was usually inseparable from him. His arrival likely meant…

Ye Shuang paused for a moment before slowly sitting back down. "Let him in."

Xiao Han entered, bowed, and said, "The Marquis said he has urgent military matters and cannot dine with you today. He asked me to apologize on his behalf."

"Oh," Ye Shuang replied softly, sitting absently by the table.

Xiao Han then took a sandalwood box from his sleeve. "The Marquis knows today is your birthday and specifically ordered me to deliver this gift to you."

Wen Xiang stepped forward to receive it and presented it to Ye Shuang—it was a white jade hairpin carved with lotus patterns.

Ye Shuang smiled slightly, picking up the hairpin to examine it closely, her eyes filled with warmth. "The Marquis is thoughtful. When will he return?"

"This was specially chosen by the Marquis for you, prepared well in advance, waiting for today to be presented to you personally." Xiao Han kept his head lowered as he spoke. "He originally intended to return, but just as he was leaving, he encountered Prince Jing, who needed to discuss the northern border situation with him. The Marquis had no choice but to stay."

The northern border had always been a critical concern for the court, and with tensions rising, it was understandable that Xiao Lin couldn’t leave.

Ye Shuang lowered her gaze, fiddling with the silk handkerchief in her hand, her expression unreadable. "Military affairs are urgent and must not be delayed. I understand. Go and tell the Marquis not to rush back. Handling official matters comes first."

"Yes! I take my leave." Xiao Han bowed and withdrew. Once outside, he let out a deep sigh. This task was not easy! Fortunately, the Marchioness was understanding and easy to talk to. If it were someone else, he might not have been able to leave so quickly.

After Xiao Han left, Ye Shuang’s gaze drifted back to the courtyard gate, as if still hoping that person would appear there.

The servants in the room exchanged silent glances, not daring to make a sound.

"My Lady? My Lady…" Wen Xiang gently shook Ye Shuang. "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine." Ye Shuang withdrew her gaze and glanced at the table full of delicacies.

"Please eat something, My Lady."

"Take it all away. If the Marquis returns later and wishes to eat, reheat it and serve it then."

"Won’t you have a little, My Lady?" Wen Xiang couldn’t help but urge.

Ye Shuang shook her head. "I have no appetite."

Wen Xiang had no choice but to give the order.

The servants immediately sprang into action, clearing the dishes in sequence.

Ye Shuang sent away the remaining servants, leaving only Wen Xiang and Chun Tao in the room.

"Help me remove half of my jewelry," she said.

The two assisted Ye Shuang to the dressing table and removed several of the heavier hairpieces.

"After all the fuss for most of the day, the Marquis just decided not to show up," Chun Tao couldn't help but mutter under her breath.

Wen Xiang shot her a warning glance, signaling her to say no more. Noticing Ye Shuang still toying with the hairpin, she smiled and said, "The Marquis still thinks of you, Madam. This hairpin clearly looks very valuable."

"But that's all it is - valuable."

When they were young, Xiao Lin often brought her all sorts of novelties, going out of his way to cheer her up. His gifts were never repeated, unlike this hairpin that you could find anywhere.

Wen Xiang lowered her voice. "But this is the first time the Marquis has given you a gift. It shows he holds you in his heart!" she whispered.

Ye Shuang didn’t respond, her fingertip pressed against the tip of the hairpin as she drifted into thought.

"Be careful, Madam. Although the hairpin is made of jade, it’s best to be careful with it," Wen Xiang stepped forward, took the hairpin, and placed it back in the box. "Don’t be too upset, Madam. Although the Marquis hasn't been around much lately, every time he comes back, he visits you first. Last time, he even brought back your favorite Peach Blossom Pastry."

Chun Tao quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, that’s right!" she added quickly.

"But he clearly promised me he would come back to have dinner with me, and now..." Ye Shuang grabbed Wen Xiang’s hand anxiously. "Wen Xiang, do you think he still hasn’t forgiven me?"

"Madam, you haven't wronged the Marquis. Why would he need to forgive you? Besides, what happened back then wasn’t your decision to make. The Marquis is not an unreasonable man. And now, you are his properly married wife. You just need to be a little more patient. The Marquis will see your goodness."

Ye Shuang’s expression softened slightly. "Really?" she asked.

"Of course."

"The way he treats me has indeed improved a lot since we first married."

"It must be because the Marquis has sensed your sincerity and doesn't have the heart to be hard on you. He even prepared a gift for you in advance. He originally intended to return, but was held up by official duties."

Ye Shuang studied the hairpin for a moment, then handed it to Wen Xiang. "Then help me put it on. Since it’s from him, I’ll wear it every day from now on," she said.

"Yes!" Wen Xiang quickly agreed.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror and recalling the change in Xiao Lin’s attitude recently, Ye Shuang finally smiled with satisfaction.

Wen Xiang and Chun Tao shared a look and smiled as well.

Seeing that Ye Shuang was still down, Chun Tao suggested, "It’s still early, and the Marquis isn’t here. Why don’t you go out for a walk, Madam? It might help lift your mood," she suggested.

Ye Shuang thought it over briefly. "Then let’s go for a walk."

Wen Xiang immediately ordered a carriage to be prepared. Ye Shuang changed into lighter clothing, removed all her hairpins, and loosely tied her hair into a bun, securing it only with the white jade lotus hairpin.

Once ready, she smiled contentedly at her reflection and stepped out.

Not wanting to draw too much attention, Ye Shuang took only Wen Xiang with her.

On their way out, they ran into Xiao Han. His face turned pale the moment he heard Ye Shuang was leaving the estate. "Madam, you mustn’t! If the Marquis finds out you left without permission, he will surely blame me."

"It’s fine. I’m just going for a short walk. I’ll be back soon," she said.

"What? Does Madam need your permission to leave the estate?" Wen Xiang said coldly to Xiao Han, who was blocking their path.

"I wouldn’t dare!" Xiao Han immediately knelt. "But the Marquis ordered me to take good care of you, Madam. Outside the estate, it’s rough and there could be danger. Why not wait for the Marquis to return and accompany you on an outing?"

Ye Shuang smiled. "It’s no trouble. Just inform the Marquis that I’ve gone out for a stroll and might return a bit later. Tell him not to worry," she told him.

Xiao Han’s face grew even paler.

The carriage made its way, heading straight for the city streets. It stopped in a quiet corner, and the mistress and maid got out, strolling casually.

They hadn’t walked far when a familiar voice called out, "Shuang'er!"