In the Moonlight

The high platform was in complete disarray.

The Deputy Director of the Secretariat had deliberately used the threat of marriage alliance to intimidate the noblewomen and inner court ladies, causing considerable alarm among the palace consorts present.

It wasn't until the boisterous laughter of the Yelu Tribe erupted from below the platform, and they learned that Li De had officially designated the Seventh Princess as Princess Wenzhao to marry into the Yelu Tribe, that they breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Just as they were regaining their composure, a group of Golden Guard soldiers suddenly charged up to the second floor and restrained Consort Rong, who had been whispering with her palace maid.

Several eunuchs stepped forward and requested all the noblewomen to withdraw.

Eager to escape the scene of trouble, the noblewomen promptly rose and swiftly moved from the flying pavilion to another tower.

Only the imperial consorts, the inner court ladies of the princes, and the Li clan's matriarchs remained on the cool terrace.

Consort Rong was furious, shouting harsh reprimands.

The consorts exchanged uneasy glances, while Crown Princess Zheng Biyu frowned and stood up.

The Golden Guard cupped their hands in respect toward the assembly and announced, "By His Majesty's decree: Consort Rong has been proven guilty of harboring malicious intent and conspiring to poison Noble Consort Xie. We are ordered to apprehend and charge her accordingly."

A wave of shock swept through the crowd.

At that moment, footsteps echoed from the staircase as Princess Wenzhao Li Yaoying ascended the high platform surrounded by her retinue, step by step approaching Consort Rong.

Everyone watched her with anxious apprehension.

Yaoying looked down at Consort Rong without uttering a word.

Consort Rong struggled violently, screaming, "You're framing me! I never poisoned Lady Xie! I demand to see His Majesty!"

A eunuch sharply rebuked her: "His Majesty has already elevated Noble Consort Xie to Empress. You must address Her Majesty as Empress."

Consort Rong's face turned ashen.

Yaoying said calmly, "I knew you wouldn't confess."

She glanced at the Golden Guard.

Two guards saluted in acknowledgment, descended the platform, and shortly returned dragging two middle-aged women onto the terrace.

The women fell to their knees before Consort Rong, trembling like sieves.

One wept as she confessed: "This servant comes from a family that has served the Li household for generations. Over ten years ago, I became acquainted with Consort Rong. Resenting her lowly status, she often privately harbored bitterness toward the Xie family. Fifteen years ago, after the late Empress passed away, Noble Consort Xie—no, Her Majesty the Empress—fell ill from melancholy and frequently required medication. Consort Rong pretended to care for the Empress and secretly administered Brahman drugs to her behind the Eldest Young Master's back. When I discovered this, Consort Rong deceived me by claiming the Brahman drugs had calming properties and weren't harmful. Fearful she would kill me to silence me, I didn't dare speak out. Seeing no signs of poisoning in the Empress, I believed her and never reported it."

As she finished weeping, the other woman continued trembling: "I served as Consort Rong's maid. The Brahman drugs she used to poison the Empress were purchased by me from foreign merchants. While the medicine did have calming effects, it caused severe damage and couldn't be used regularly... The Empress took this medicine daily. Within months, she became disoriented and deranged, eventually failing to recognize even the Prince of Qin... Growing uneasy, I urged Consort Rong to stop, but she always said she wished the entire Xie family would perish so no one would mock her servant origins..."

The consorts recognized the two women as Consort Rong's former palace maids. They frowned, their gazes filled with disgust and contempt toward Consort Rong.

Consort Rong's face flushed purple with rage: "Lies! Slander!"

Ignoring her, Yaoying turned her clear, sharp gaze toward the assembled consorts. "Consort Rong poisoned my mother. We have both witnesses and material evidence. As her child, how could I stand by and let such a vile person harm my mother?"

Before the consorts could distance themselves from the matter, she summoned the female official in charge of palace discipline.

"What punishment does the law prescribe?"The female official's voice rang out clearly: "Rong Fei, as a former servant and low-ranking consort, has poisoned her former mistress and the lady of the house. Her actions are sinister, vicious, and utterly devoid of conscience. According to the law, she shall first have her hand severed before being cast into the Imperial Prison for punishment."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Golden Guard immediately drew their blades. A flash of cold, gleaming steel swept through the air, followed by a gush of blood.

Screams erupted instantly.

Rong Fei's eyes bulged, her face a mask of disbelief and bewildered panic. Only after a dazed moment did she register the excruciating pain, letting out several piercing, heart-wrenching shrieks before being dragged away by the Golden Guard.

A long trail of blood stained the ground.

The consorts stared at the bloody right hand that had fallen onto the carpet at the end of the blood trail, their faces pale and limbs weak as they slumped into their seats.

Princess Seven had actually ordered Rong Fei's hand to be severed!

Yaoying stood before the crowd, sweeping her gaze around the room. Rong Fei's blood had splattered all over her, droplets trickling down her twelve-panel pomegranate-red skirt embroidered with gold.

She had always been most afraid of the sight of blood, but now she could not show the slightest hint of fear or hesitation.

"Empress Xie is frequently ill and unable to manage palace affairs. The palace is damp, so she will relocate to the detached palace's Buddhist temple for recuperation," Yaoying said, her eyes scanning the faces of each consort one by one before finally settling on Consort Xue. "I have already reported to His Majesty that the phoenix seal will be temporarily entrusted to Consort Xue for safekeeping. Henceforth, the management of the six palaces will fall to Consort Xue's diligent care."

Consort Xue looked astonished.

The other consorts were equally shocked, but soon realization dawned, and their faces twisted with envy and resentment: If Empress Xie could no longer manage affairs and had moved out of the Taiqi Palace, and the phoenix seal was handed over to Consort Xue, wouldn't that make Consort Xue the de facto deputy empress?

Consort Xue also came to this realization, her trembling cheeks unable to conceal her overwhelming delight.

Yaoying turned and left.

She had already arranged for Xie Manyuan to be sent to the detached palace's Buddhist temple. The environment there was serene, far removed from palace intrigues, and the guards and servants were all loyal retainers of the Xie family of Jingnan. Xie Manyuan would be safe there.

The choice of deputy empress had also been carefully considered.

Consort Xue was the daughter of one of Li De's subordinates. Before marrying Li De, she had been married twice and had given birth to a son and a daughter. Among the consorts, she was the only one who could never become empress.

She was kind-hearted, fair in handling matters, and intelligent. Knowing she could never be enfeoffed as empress, she would have to rely on Xie Manyuan's status as empress to intimidate the other consorts. Naturally, she would not dare neglect Xie Manyuan, making her the most suitable candidate for deputy empress.

This was also what Li De wanted to see. He had always been wary of consorts from influential families, and with the rootless Consort Xue managing the rear palace, he could rest assured.

Below the platform, the banquet continued in a harmonious and joyous atmosphere, filled with laughter and the clinking of wine cups.

Yaoying gathered her skirts and retreated from the main hall through the corridor behind the pillars. Suddenly, she felt a sharp, knife-like gaze lingering on her. A chill ran down her spine, and she glanced sideways.

Her eyes met his directly.

It was a foreign man with braided hair falling over his shoulders, wearing a round-collared brocade robe with floral patterns. He had a high nose, deep-set eyes, broad shoulders, and a sturdy build. He drank casually while intently studying her.

As if appraising prey.

Under the candlelight, his deep eyes seemed to shimmer with a faint golden hue.

Yaoying immediately averted her gaze and quickened her pace out of the hall, a vague unease churning within her.

Xie Qing, following behind her, said, "That man is the son of Chieftain Ye Lu."

Yaoying closed her eyes, her palms cold.

Chieftain Ye Lu was old, but his sons were in their prime.She hurried down the long steps when a figure suddenly darted out from the side. A rough, large hand reached out and tightly grasped hers.

Yaoying looked up.

Li Xuanzhen held her hand, his teeth gritted: "Where is Yunniang?"

Moonlight cascaded down, enveloping Yaoying's delicate, upturned face.

Li Xuanzhen glared at her but suddenly froze.

Yaoying's expression was calm. Under the moonlight, her eyes were as dark and deep as a still pond, and a few drops of crimson blood dotted her creamy cheeks like fine jade.

The vivid bloodstains contrasted sharply with her snow-white skin.

Like a flower blooming fiercely amidst dense mist, her graceful figure unfolded hazily in the dim light.

Elegant.

Radiant.

With a touch of enchantment.

Li Xuanzhen's fingers trembled slightly.

Yaoying said coldly: "Your Highness should ask His Majesty. I was not the one who took Zhu Lvyun away."

Li Xuanzhen looked down at her, his phoenix eyes slanting upward, his gaze gloomy: "Seventh Sister, you scheme well. First you made a deal with me, then with His Majesty."

Yaoying smiled faintly: "Eldest Brother, tribes like the Yelu won't remain loyal to the Wei Dynasty. Even through marriage alliances, they could rebel at any time. Since I'm replacing Zhu Lvyun in this marriage alliance—a journey where dangers abound—of course I must seize the opportunity to demand some rewards from His Majesty.She broke free from his grasp.

"Our agreement was that I would voluntarily offer to take her place in the marriage. Now the imperial decree has been issued. You got what you wanted, and I haven't broken our agreement in any way, have I?"

Yaoying knew the Crown Prince's Palace wouldn't dare reveal their deal.

So, she might as well make the most of it.

Li Xuanzhen released his fingers.

Yaoying walked past him.

His voice came from behind: "Seventh Sister, before your wedding with the Yelu Chieftain, I won't allow you to see Li Zhongqian."

Yaoying paused, her back to her eldest brother.

"Li Xuanzhen, I knew it would come to this long ago."

When they made the deal, Wei Ming had hinted that she could only send someone to confirm Li Zhongqian was alive, not meet him herself.

The last time she saw her brother was when she saw him off to battle. He took the new saddle she bought him and waved his golden hammer at her, full of vigor and spirit.

Perhaps it was for the best. Meeting now would only bring more sorrow.

Yaoying smiled but didn't turn back to beg Li Xuanzhen, walking away step by step.

Footsteps sounded behind her as Li Xuanzhen's tall figure caught up, grabbing her hand again and forcing her to turn around.

He looked at her, his eyes darker than the night: "Seventh Sister, do you regret it?"

Yaoying signaled to Xie Qing, who was ready to draw his sword, not to step forward. She raised her head and met Li Xuanzhen's gaze: "Your Highness, I have no regrets."She paused for a moment, then said softly: 'I only regret that when I first met you at Chibi, I thought you were a good man who stood up for the weak, Brother Changsheng.'""

Li Xuanzhen seemed stung, his expression turning fierce.

"I told you, don't call me that!"

Yaoying chuckled lightly, prying his cold fingers away one by one: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I won't mention that name again. Six years ago, the Yang Changsheng I knew died."

She brushed her sleeves lightly and turned to leave.

Li Xuanzhen remained where he was, his fingers digging deeply into his palms.The Secretariat drafted the edict of enfeoffment overnight. Court officials and the Yelu Tribe haggled for several days over the number of cavalry the tribe would provide and the timing of the wedding procession. The Yelu Tribe soon compromised, declaring they would make concessions as long as Seventh Princess married into their tribe.

Within days, the imperial decree of marriage was formally announced.

All the dowry originally prepared for Fukang Princess was now designated for Yaoying. Since Yaoying was now a legitimate princess and the court sought to win over the Yelu Tribe, Li De ordered the dowry to be further enriched. Zheng Biyu and Consort Xue were tasked with managing the preparations.

Yaoying did not involve herself in the dowry arrangements but requested Zheng Biyu to help find several Hu maidservants who could speak Hu languages.

"The grasslands have language barriers. Beyond Turkic, there are various tribal languages. Find more Hu maidservants who speak these tongues. Inform them that if they are willing to accompany me to the Yelu Tribe, they will be granted commoner status from then on."

Hu maidservants kept in the palace and noble households were all female slaves, lowly in status and unable to escape their base registry in their lifetime.

Zheng Biyu asked, "Since they are female slaves, bound to obey orders, why bother freeing them from their status?"

Yaoying offered no further explanation.

When her personal maids like Chunru heard she intended to bring Hu maidservants to the marriage alliance, they knelt and begged to be taken along: "Why would Princess choose those lowly Hu maidservants over us?"

Yaoying sighed.

Because she herself did not know what awaited her after marrying into the Yelu Tribe.

Even as a princess of Great Wei, if the Yelu Tribe were annexed by another tribe, she would merely become spoils of war.

Unable to protect her own maids, why bring them along on this path of no return?

Hu maidservants, captured and sold into slavery by Hu merchants, often yearned for their homeland but could not return due to their humble status. If she had to bring maidservants to the Yelu Tribe, it was better to select Hu maidservants.

Each would get what they needed.

Chunru and the others wept bitterly.

Yaoying did not soften.

Two days later, Zheng Biyu sent the selected Hu maidservants to the princely residence. They were all comely and deft, the youngest two named Tali and Ayi.

Yaoying questioned each individually, confirming they had volunteered to accompany her to escape slavery and return to their homeland. She ordered the steward to arrange lodging for them.

Before the wedding, the Yelu Chieftain personally led troops into battle, vowing to present the head of the Ashina clan as an offering to Great Wei.

The Wei court successfully formed an alliance with various Hu tribes.

With the assistance of the Hu tribes' iron cavalry, the Wei army advanced triumphantly, recapturing Huizhou and Shanzhou within two months, killing twenty thousand enemies, rescuing a large number of Han people enslaved as captives, and causing several Hu tribes entrenched in Liangzhou to flee at the mere rumor of their approach.

Another half-month later, the Yelu Chieftain executed the He clan leader and sent the head to Chang'an, demanding that the Wei court fulfill its promise.

The Ministry of Rites set the wedding date.

Zheng Biyu informed Yaoying: Although the Yelu Chieftain was still at war, the wedding would proceed as scheduled. The chieftain's son would escort her to the Yelu Tribe's settlement, and upon the chieftain's return to the main tent, the wedding would be completed according to tribal customs.

Yaoying nodded calmly.

She organized all account books and records, handing them over to the steward.

Part of the silver she had accumulated over the years had been used to bribe court officials, which was why sympathetic ministers had pressured Li De that night to agree to Li Zhongqian's adoption into the Xie family.

The remainder Yaoying had stored in separate locations for unforeseen needs.

As for fields, estates, and bookshops, they were all managed by loyal servants.When Li Zhongqian returned, the Xie household would be in perfect order, sparing him excessive worries.

As the wedding day drew nearer, Yaoying visited the detached palace.

Fearing she might upset Xie Manyuan, she had avoided visiting her recently, and now Xie Manyuan no longer recognized her.

The detached palace was planted with numerous ginkgo trees. Early autumn had arrived, and golden leaves drifted down one after another, carpeting the entire courtyard.

Palace maids and eunuchs accompanied Xie Manyuan as she gathered ginkgo leaves beneath the trees.

Xie Manyuan beamed with joy, exclaiming happily, "Erlang, Qiniang, gather more! Mother will teach you how to make ginkgo soup."

The palace maids and eunuchs responded with cheerful assent.

Yaoying stood deep within the winding corridor, watching for a long time before turning to leave the temple.

Upon returning to the princely residence, the chief steward, who had just come back from the Eastern Capital, wiped the corner of his eye and said, "Erlang's injuries have improved significantly, but he still cannot get up."

The Southern Chu people were skilled in using poisons, and Li Zhongqian had been deeply poisoned. After regaining consciousness, his mind remained clouded, and he could not even sit up.

Wei Ming had settled him in the Eastern Capital. Yaoying sent Xie family guards to the Eastern Capital to watch over him. Once she was married and Wei Ming released him, the guards would escort Li Zhongqian back to Jingnan.

Yaoying asked the chief steward, "Does elder brother recognize anyone yet?"

The chief steward's eyes reddened: "Erlang drifts in and out of sleep, sometimes sleeping for two or three days at a time. I watched over him for several days, and he didn't recognize me."

Yaoying sat lost in thought for a while before saying, "When elder brother improves, don't tell him about my distant marriage. He's injured now and can't even leave his bed. If he finds out, his agitation will hinder his recovery."

The chief steward nodded in agreement. "Princess... what about when Erlang recovers?"

Once Li Zhongqian regained full consciousness and realized Yaoying had never visited, he would surely grow suspicious.

Yaoying sat by the window, closing the account book. "Keep it from him as long as possible. Tell elder brother he is my only hope, and he must focus on getting well."

The chief steward nodded tearfully.

Before long, the day of the wedding procession arrived.

Adorned in hairpins and ceremonial robes, Yaoying was made up radiantly by the palace maids. Under the gaze of Li De and all the civil and military officials, she was supported by Xie Qing as she boarded a luxurious carriage decorated with gold foil and jade discs.

Xie Qing insisted on accompanying Yaoying to the Yelu Tribe.

"My ambition lies not in achieving merit, but in following and protecting the princess, even to the ends of the earth."

Yaoying urged him to stay.

For the first time, Xie Qing showed an indignant expression: "Does the princess look down on my aspirations? A scholar dies for one who understands him. Am I, Xie Qing, unworthy of being a loyal and righteous man?"

Yaoying had no choice. Knowing that even if she sent him away, he would secretly follow beyond the Yumen Pass, she reluctantly agreed to let him stay.

The wedding date chosen by the Imperial Astronomer happened to be a bright and clear autumn day, with crisp air and cranes soaring into the clouds.

The carriage set off from the palace gate and slowly made its way down the long street.

Xie Qing, riding alongside the carriage, suddenly tapped on the window. "Princess, look."

Weighed down by her hair full of pearls and swaying hairpins, Yaoying had been leaning back in a daze. Hearing the sound, she lifted a corner of the gauze curtain to look outside.

She froze.

The long street was lined with people—men and women, old and young, from wealthy youths in bright attire to impoverished commoners in tattered clothes.

They stood along the street, stretching from the palace all the way to the outer gates, a dense, dark mass that seemed endless at a glance.

There were court officials and minor clerks from humble backgrounds who had received Yaoying's kindness.

There were the young dandies who had once chased after Yaoying on horseback.

There were the commoners Yaoying had repeatedly rescued in passing.

There were the famine victims who had once received porridge from the Xie family's relief sheds.There were women who had escaped the fate of slavery thanks to Yaoying's intervention.

They did not cheer or dance to the exuberant rhythm of drums and music. Instead, they stood quietly, watching the carriage fade into the distance with solemn expressions and tears in their eyes.

Yaoying’s eyes brimmed with tears as she waved to the crowd.

More than one person had asked her: Why save those who had nothing to do with you?

In this world, there are heroes and remarkable figures.

There are also many ungrateful and malicious individuals.

But most are ordinary people—people with their own selfish desires, capable of cowardice and self-interest, yet also capable of gratitude, mutual support, and looking out for one another.

Yaoying, too, was an ordinary person—a survivor in a chaotic era. She had fled with refugees, been rescued by strangers in moments of peril, and experienced genuine kindness. She wished to respond with the same sincerity.

So, when she had the ability to help, why stand by and watch others perish?

The living, breathing commoners standing before her were her answer.

Golden Guards lined the route, making it difficult for the people to see clearly into the carriage. Yet, a few sharp-eyed individuals caught sight of Yaoying’s gently waving hand.

An elderly woman cried out, “Seventh Princess, take care!”

A delicate young maiden, marrying far from home—she must take care!

That single cry was like cold water splashing into hot oil, igniting a roaring wave of voices.

“Seventh Princess, take care!”

One by one, voices rose in unison.

One by one, people knelt toward the carriage.

All eyes fixed on the carriage as they repeated, “Seventh Princess, take care!”

They could think of no other blessing—only that the Seventh Princess remain safe and sound.

Qin Fei, Du Du Pei, and others, clad in armor, escorted the carriage out of the city gate.

The clamor of voices, weeping, shouts, and cries merged into a torrent, surging forth. Just as it began to subside, another overwhelming wave rose once more.

Du Du Pei glanced back at the carriage.

Yaoying never showed her face, only extending a delicate hand to wave gently.

Du Du Pei felt a tremor in his heart, suddenly recalling the verse recited by Zheng Prime Minister and his ministers when they bid farewell to the Seventh Princess at the palace gate:

The Princess of Great Wei goes forth to forge peace through marriage,

One person worth a million soldiers.