This arrangement was hardly unexpected, given how urgently the Cheng household had been pressing for Wei Shufen to marry into their family as the Duchess of Su and take charge of their household affairs. The Wei family had little reason to refuse—in fact, they were even more anxious, eager for the Cheng family to deliver the betrothal gifts so their eldest son Shuyu could be engaged...
Wei Shufen had been confined at home for about ten days, during which she witnessed her younger brother's betrothal ceremony. She watched as her father dispatched a grand procession to deliver betrothal gifts worth thirty thousand bolts of silk to the household of Cui Mangan, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, securing a future bride who was only five years old that year.
That day, the Wei residence was adorned with lanterns and decorations, brimming with joy. Naturally, Matchmaker Aunt Cui was once again bustling about. Madam Pei, heavily pregnant and finding movement difficult, relied on Wei Shufen as the eldest daughter to assist with managing the household affairs, despite the girl's inner resentment and grievances. When Aunt Cui saw her, she eagerly offered congratulations. After the messengers had set off, the two sat together idly waiting, inevitably engaging in scattered conversation.
After discussing matters like the Cui family marrying off their daughter, Aunt Cui turned to gossip about the inner workings of the Cheng household—how many favored concubines Cheng Yaojin had, which children were born to whom, and how the second son from the late Madam Sun had recently been granted the title of Commandant of the Imperial Guards and betrothed to Princess Qinghe. Though the wedding had yet to take place, the family already treated him with special regard. Wei Shufen listened absentmindedly until the term "Commandant of the Imperial Guards" caught her ear, sparking a sudden realization.
During her confinement, her parents had kept her under strict surveillance. Not only was she constantly accompanied by maids who prevented her from leaving the inner courtyard, but she was also barred from receiving any outside news. She had faintly heard rumors that servants from the Chai household and the Purple Void Monastery had come looking for her, only to be turned away at the gate. She knew nothing of the developments in the palace, the fate of Li Yuangui and Yang Xinzhi, or the communications between Chai Yingluo and Empress Zhangsun and her son. She was completely in the dark.
With no way to receive outside messages and the household strictly forbidding anyone from helping her send word, Wei Shufen was effectively imprisoned in her own home, unable to act... but this Aunt Cui might just be able to help her.
Aunt Cui clearly knew nothing of the situation, and the Wei family's restrictions didn't apply to her. Having made up her mind, Wei Shufen blushed slightly and said to her:
"I have an impertinent request to ask of you, Aunt. Though it goes against propriety... could you deliver a private letter to General Cheng for me in the next couple of days?"
"Oh my," Aunt Cui exclaimed in surprise. "A private letter? You'll be married in less than a month—why not just speak to him in person then? Even though General Cheng is broad-minded, you're still an unmarried couple and should avoid impropriety. If the Wei Minister and his wife found out, you'd surely be scolded..."
Wei Shufen feigned shyness, lowering her head as she plucked a golden floral hairpin from her bun. Leaning closer to Aunt Cui, she whispered:
"That's precisely why I'm asking you—I can't let my parents know. You've heard that General Cheng and I have met before... This matter is urgent. I'll write a letter, and all you need to do is deliver it to him. It won't be any trouble."
As she spoke, she discreetly slipped the hairpin into Aunt Cui's hand. The woman accepted it without a word, quietly laughing as she replied:"Such childish behavior, truly at a loss with you. Fine, it's no major matter—where convenience can be granted, it shall be. With an old husband and young wife, whatever demands you make, young lady, just act coquettishly, and I reckon the General wouldn't refuse..."
She assumed Wei Shufen was making marriage demands to Cheng Yaojin herself... Well, the guess wasn't entirely off. Playing along, Wei Shufen blushed and murmured, "Aunt Cui guessed right. The betrothal gifts and dowry are matters between my father and the General. But A Fen has a small personal request—please convey to the General that if he graciously consents, after entering his household, I shall devote myself wholeheartedly to serving him. Otherwise... alas, in this life, one only marries once. If my husband cannot even grant this small kindness, what meaning is there in living..."
As she spoke, she lifted her sleeve to wipe tears. Aunt Cui hurriedly comforted her, thumping her chest with assurances that the message would be delivered and General Cheng persuaded to grant her wish. Wei Shufen thanked her and, seizing an unnoticed moment, retreated to her bedroom to write the letter.
With major events at home today, staff was scarce—even the maids who usually shadowed her had been temporarily reassigned, though they might return any moment. This letter was difficult to compose—she wanted Cheng Yaojin to petition the Son of Heaven to dispatch Prince Wu Yuan-gui as envoy to Gaochang for marriage negotiations—effectively asking her fiancé to save her lover. Too strong or too subtle wording would both be problematic. With little time for literary flourishes or classical allusions (even if she had the skill), and given Cheng Yaojin's martial bluntness, overly elaborate phrasing might not even be understood...
Taking a deep breath, she dismissed these distractions. Better to write plainly and send it off quickly.
Beginning with "Your humble servant Wei kneels in reverence before His Grace the Duke of Su, General Cheng," she briskly stated her request. She concluded with veiled threats like "this lifelong regret would render my existence as fleeting as morning dew," signed, folded, and sealed it. Tucking it into her sleeve, she slipped outside and stealthily passed it to Aunt Cui when the servants weren't looking, including a self-embroidered silk sachet as token—perfectly mimicking clandestine lovers' exchanges.
Inside the sachet was a jade jue pendant, its fine texture luminous and valuable. Even if Aunt Cui peeked, she'd find nothing amiss, but Wei Shufen believed Cheng Yaojin would understand—"jue" homophonically implied "severance," conveying her "comply or I'll die" resolve.
Moreover, the jue was originally part of Cheng's betrothal gifts—returning it reinforced her stance. Even the gold floral hairpin she'd bribed Aunt Cui with came from Cheng's gifts, so she parted with it effortlessly... After all, wasn't General Cheng rolling in wealth? This was simply putting resources to good use.
Her calculations proved sound—the Cheng household responded swiftly. Within days of sending the letter, they dispatched female envoys to visit her.
Leading them was a middle-aged woman, née Zhao, humble in demeanor but bearing the court-bestowed seventh-rank title of concubine. Wei Shufen had heard of her from Aunt Cui—this Concubine Zhao came from respectable family, had borne Cheng Yaojin three sons, and managed household affairs even before Madam Sun's death. A formidable figure, she'd likely be Wei Shufen's primary domestic rival after marriage.Zhao Ying had clearly come with Cheng Yaojin's message. After exchanging pleasantries with Madam Pei and others, she quickly found an opportunity to speak privately with Wei Shufen. Yet she deliberately avoided mentioning the letter and jade pendant, merely repeating with a smile: "The General asks the young lady to rest assured—you'll be respected and treated well after entering his household."
Wei Shufen had no patience for circumlocution. Since Zhao Ying wouldn't bring it up, she cut straight to the point:
"Did the General receive the letter I sent through intermediaries? Has he dispatched you to deliver his reply?"
"Letter? What letter?" Zhao Ying feigned surprise before clapping her hands in affected recollection. "Ah yes! That night I saw the General open and read some paper in his chamber. He shook his head with a laugh, then burned it to ashes in the lamplight before tossing a beautiful jade to this servant... Here, this very piece."
She produced the jade pendant from her leather pouch, displaying it to Wei Shufen as proof. Gritting her teeth in silence, Wei Shufen listened as Zhao Ying continued with smug condescension:
"That night the General lectured this servant—'A woman's petty moods might be amusing, but meddling in military affairs? Pure delusion.' Ah, but I shouldn't speak so freely to the lady. Being a chancellor's daughter, you naturally understand propriety, unlike us lowly—"
"So this is General Cheng's reply?" Wei Shufen interrupted coldly. "Anything else?"
"The General only said the young lady should practice patience—all matters can be discussed after the wedding. You may not know, but the General governs his household with military discipline. With strict domestic order and numerous servants at hand, rest assured... no untoward incidents could possibly occur."
The implication was clear: once married into General Cheng's household, Wei Shufen's every move would be monitored, making suicide impossible. This had been her sole bargaining chip against Cheng Yaojin, and his response was unequivocal—no threats accepted, no petitions entertained. A mere woman had no business interfering in his duties.
The ninth year of Zhenguan, fifth month, day Yisi. Midsummer, when deer shed their antlers. Auspicious hours: Luowen, Jiaogui, Xishen. Inauspicious for market openings, contracts, separations, livestock purchases, or construction. Favorable for betrothal gifts, weddings, sacrifices, fasting rituals, prayers for offspring... and for plotting one's own demise.
As the wedding date selected by the Cheng family drew nearer, the Wei residence's bridal preparations escalated from frantic to feverish. Courtyards were cleared, ceremonial tents erected, colorful drapes hung. Incense and candles prepared, guests invited, bridal robes tailored, steamed buns prepared, wines brewed... Every servant scurried about ceaselessly—all except the idle bride-to-be Yi Niang.
Not only idle, but now under constant watch by two servants personally assigned by Chancellor Wei. No rash movements permitted. Wei Shufen could devise no further schemes to save others, or herself. Her initial fury, anguish, and desperation had numbed into a fog of absolute despair.
To die—but how? And where?
Her death would end everything, but what of those she cared for? Would they suffer consequences from her demise, or benefit? If certain of the latter, she'd end her life with serene satisfaction. But... certainty proved impossible.After being confined in a cramped space for too long, a person's thoughts grow increasingly bizarre and obsessive, while their actions become more twisted and irrational. When Wei Shufen heard the faint yet resonant tolling of bells echoing through the air that day, her first thought was:
This must be heaven's decree, bidding me farewell.
So without further hesitation, she forcefully drove the golden hairpin in her hand toward her own throat.
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