Chapter 1: The Scheme

As curfew approached, pedestrians hurried along the streets, eager to return to their respective quarters before the gates closed.

Within Yongkang Ward stood a residence with high-arched eaves and a beautifully arranged layout.

In the main hall, a woman knelt on a low stool, earnestly speaking to the man seated across from her. “Husband, if we marry Qiniang off, the dowry for our eldest son will be secured. You’ve been stuck at the rank of military officer for many years now; it’s time for a promotion. Though the Yan family’s son isn’t handsome, a man doesn’t live on looks alone—family background counts too.”

The man, Xu Anren, picked up a cup and took a bitter gulp. “You know well enough about the Yan son. Not only is he unattractive, but how can he be worthy of Qiniang? If she really marries him, how am I to explain to my second brother? Don’t bring this up again.”

“Ha! You favor your second brother, but have you seen how little respect he shows you? He sent someone to bring Qiniang back without a word. If I hadn’t inquired myself, I wouldn’t have known about this. Now that Qiniang is back home, if word gets out, how will our young lady maintain her dignity? And Eightiang still has to be married off!”

Xu Anren remained silent.

Sun Shi’s anger grew. “I should have married your second brother from the start, living the good life in Chang’an as a nobleman’s wife, instead of toiling away in this household serving in-laws. Your brother holds a high position, but what good has he done for you? You won’t even let him help you advance your career…”

Her words struck a nerve. As the eldest brother, Xu Anren lacked the authority he ought to have. His younger brother, favored by the clan for his scholarly achievements, had passed the imperial exams and quickly risen through the ranks to become an Imperial Censor of the third rank. The Chancellor was only third rank as well; if his brother continued to rise, he might become Chancellor within a few years. Meanwhile, Xu Anren was stuck as a seventh-rank military officer in the small city of Xiangzhou.

This was the source of Sun Shi’s envy and resentment. She and Zhang Shi were sisters-in-law, and Zhang Shi’s dowry was larger and more promising. If Zhang Shi truly became the lady of a high official, how would Sun Shi bear it?

The two continued quarreling, unaware of a slender figure quietly slipping away beneath the corridor eaves.

Qiu Lu carefully carried the freshly brewed medicine, mindful not to let it cool and lose its potency, hurrying toward the west wing. Replaying the earlier conversation, a look of indignation crossed her face.

Their young lady was pure; nothing of that sort had happened. It was all the husband's and mistress’s cruelty, sending her back to Xiangzhou and likely ruining the marriage arranged in Chang’an.

As for the Yan son, he was no good. Though she had only been home a few months, she had already heard many disturbing rumors about him.

Upon reaching the west wing, Qiu Lu lifted the curtain and entered, softly asking Xia He, who was fanning the young lady. “Has the young lady awakened?”

Xia He helped Xu Chengyue sit up. “She’s been awake for a while, waiting for you.”

Qiu Lu sat by the bedside, stirring the medicine with a spoon.

Seeing that Qiu Lu intended to feed her spoonful by spoonful, Xu Chengyue quickly said, “I’ll take it myself. No need to feed me.”

Slowly sipping such bitter medicine was torture; better to gulp it down in one go.

With that, she took the medicine and swallowed it in one gulp.

Qiu Lu twitched at the corner of her mouth—her young lady was becoming ever bolder.

Xu Chengyue set down the bowl, wincing in pain.

Her mouth felt as if stuffed with bitter herbs and unusual odors, filling her nostrils; not spitting it out was already her limit.

She wondered if it were better not to take the medicine at all, since its effect was a gamble, but the taste alone was a cruel punishment.

After rinsing her mouth and soothing it with preserved fruit, she felt somewhat better.

Qiu Lu watched her expression and hesitated before speaking. “Young lady, I overheard something near the eldest master’s courtyard…”

She trailed off, as if reluctant to continue. Xu Chengyue looked at her curiously.

“…they want to marry you to the Yan family’s son. You must not listen to them. That Yan son is hideously ugly, violent, and quick-tempered. He often beats and scolds his servants. Every year, several beautiful maidservants are found dead in his household; their bodies are said to be rotten.”

Xu Chengyue’s heart sank. She asked quickly, “They are my elders, so why would they say such things?”

“You’re so innocent, seeing kindness in everyone. But the mistress is heartless—she wants to sell you to her eldest son for a dowry and to help him get a promotion,” Qiu Lu said through gritted teeth.

Xia He was furious. “How outrageous! Who gave them the right to decide your marriage? If not for—”

She stopped mid-sentence, silenced by Qiu Lu’s sharp glance.

Qiu Lu, feeling sorry, suggested, “Shall we ask the old madam to intervene?”

“The old madam is too old and indifferent,” Xu Chengyue replied. Though she had been sick for days, she knew the household’s situation fairly well.

The young lady’s father was an official in Chang’an. Due to some incident involving her, she was sent back home. Her grandfather had passed away; her grandmother was old and no longer involved. The household was managed by her uncle and aunt.

“…Or perhaps write to husband and mistress?” she asked tentatively.

Since coming to Xiangzhou, Xu Chengyue had been ill. Qiu Lu had avoided mentioning Chang’an, fearing it would upset her.

Now, reluctantly, she thought the husband wouldn’t be so heartless as to push the young lady into a pit of fire.

“He wouldn’t care,” she said quietly. If he did care, he wouldn’t have abandoned the young lady for months.

Besides, in feudal society, a father never heeds a daughter’s wishes, especially regarding marriage.

Qiu Lu was even more saddened by this.

Xia He stood with hands on hips, chest out. “At worst, I’ll ride to Chang’an with the young lady. Let them try to stop us.”

Xu Chengyue smiled, suppressing anger and gloom to comfort them. “Marriage arrangements won’t be finalized so soon. The priority is to regain strength to plan for the future.”

Her current condition made even taking a few steps difficult, let alone traveling to Chang’an.

At least the marriage required her father’s consent; with the slow pace of carriages, there was still time.

The two maidservants, devoted to her, eagerly nodded.

---

In her previous life, Xu Chengyue was a writer with several works adapted for film and television, earning some renown. She had researched many historical periods, including the Tang dynasty. Upon awakening, she roughly deduced from the furniture that this was the Sui-Tang era.

She thought it was not bad—after all, this was a noble household, and the Tang dynasty was more open-minded compared to others.

Moreover, with her parents far away in Chang’an, and her uncle and aunt managing the household, she was mostly free.

Aside from some discomfort in daily life, she was quite satisfied.

Who could have guessed there was a looming disaster?

She should have known: young women in feudal society were assets, inevitably coveted.

It seemed she could not stay here long.

---

As she said, Xu Chengyue took good care of herself thereafter.

She drank her medicine on time, kept ample rest, and practiced walking in her room daily. Gradually, she recovered, but kept it quiet—everyone still thought her weak.

About half a month after Qiu Lu overheard that conversation, Sun Shi suddenly arrived and entered Xu Chengyue’s courtyard.

Hearing the maid’s announcement, Xu Chengyue stopped pacing and removed her shoes, lying on the bed.

“Qiniang, your aunt brings good news!” Sun Shi’s voice preceded her.

Pretending to have just noticed her, Xu Chengyue struggled to sit up.

Sun Shi hurried over, pressing her down, calling out, “Oh dear, we’re family—no need for such formality.”

“Aunt, I was rude,” Xu Chengyue said, embarrassed.

“You’re too proper,” Sun Shi said affectionately, brushing strands of hair from her forehead, her face beaming. “I’ve found a good match for you. I wrote to your father, and he agrees. Just wait patiently for your marriage.”

Xu Chengyue was prepared but felt a chill—her father truly cared little for her.

Noticing her expression, Sun Shi tentatively asked, “You don’t want to marry? Let me tell you, the Yan son is quite a catch. Miss this chance, and it’s gone.”

Ha! A catch? More like a fortune.

Her cheeks flushed shyly. “Marriage is a matter of parental arrangement. I leave it to my elders. I’ve simply never heard of the Yan son.”

“You’re my niece; how could I not care for you?” Sun Shi adopted a kindly tone but sighed. “Because of your previous troubles, the match was hard to find. I worked hard for this.”

Though pleasant on the surface, these words carried an implicit warning about her “previous troubles,” urging compliance.

Xu Chengyue wore a sorrowful expression. “I understand your kindness, Aunt, but with my fragile health, I don’t know if I’ll even make it to the wedding day.”

Sun Shi’s heart skipped. She had been focused on marrying Qiniang off, forgetting her poor condition. She hastened to comfort her: “Don’t worry. I’ve hired the best doctors in Xiangzhou; they will cure you.”

Xiangzhou? It seemed to be near the Central Plains, probably Xiangyang. No wonder it was so quick.

She now lived in the inner quarters, knowing nothing of the outside world—this had to change.

Changing the subject, she said, “Aunt, I have an unusual request.”

Sun Shi was wary. “What is it? Say it.”

“I’m too weak to leave the bed or even walk a few steps. Being trapped indoors worsens my spirits. Could I borrow some books to read? It would comfort me.”

Sun Shi had no refusal, nodding repeatedly. “I thought you had some request. You’re too polite. Your uncle has plenty of books—you may read any you like.”

After chatting a while, Sun Shi saw her purpose fulfilled and urged her to rest and take care before leaving.

Once outside, Sun Shi sighed. If not for that incident, Qiniang’s father’s status would have ensured a marriage worthy of nobility. That marriage was now promised to her sister—a pity!

But it was fate, after all. Sun Shi’s fleeting pang of conscience vanished, relieved that her eldest son’s dowry was now secured.