Counting on my fingers, when will the west wind return?

On the distant horizon, the wild geese flew in formation, their silhouettes threading the sky. When Xu Guiyi left the residence of Princess Roujia, dusk had already settled. At the Empress's behest, she had been visiting the princess's residence almost daily, yet after five consecutive days, the princess still refused to see her.

It was not just her; Princess Roujia would not receive anyone now.

For five days, Xu Guiyi merely stood in the courtyard, listening to the anxious voices inside—the imperial physicians and palace maids hurriedly administering medicinal soup and cleaning the shattered bowls. When the wind grew harsh, Madam Wu would send someone to bring her a cloak. She stood until the sun dipped below the horizon and the last light gilded the earth, then Princess Qi or Princess Zhao would arrive to take her place, and Xu would return home.

There was little else to do; Princess Roujia's two young daughters had already been sent to the Duke of De's residence for temporary shelter.

Xu Guiyi watched a flock of geese at the edge of the sky, striving through the sunset, disappearing into the blazing clouds until they were lost from sight. Only then did she slowly approach the carriage waiting for her at the Eastern Palace.

"Is that the carriage of Her Highness the Crown Princess?" A melodious voice sounded, as radiant as spring's bloom, as refreshing as a summer breeze, as resplendent as autumn's sun, and as clear as a winter moon.

If the voice was so enchanting, what of the person?

Xu Guiyi halted abruptly. Xiyue quickly called out, "How dare you! Her Highness the Crown Princess is present—who dares disturb her?"

"Your humble servant, Nangong... Mingchen, greets Her Highness the Crown Princess." Someone from the Nangong family?

Xu Guiyi withdrew the foot she had already placed on the carriage step, steadied herself, and walked a few paces—enough to see the speaker behind the carriage.

There stood a single figure, black-haired, clad in azure, upright and poised, still maintaining the gesture of greeting.

"You may rise," she said.

The young man finally lifted his head, revealing a handsome and refined face, appearing in the last golden light of sunset, and in Xu Guiyi's radiant gaze.

Look at him: though he wore a gentle smile, his features were as pure as frost and snow, eyes deep and distant, lips faintly curved—he seemed an immortal wandering through the dust of mortal life, proud and noble, calmly observing the world.

"Nangong... Mingchen?" she asked, studying him. He did indeed bear a resemblance to Lady Nangong, the Imperial Consort.

"Yes." The young lord smiled lightly and nodded.

Though Lady Nangong's family had many nephews, few survived. Xu Guiyi recalled the day Princess Roujia fell ill, when she moved between the Eastern Palace and the princess's residence, and Madam Wu sighed unintentionally.

She had said, after the young lord of Fengchi passed away, the Nangong family lost its only legitimate heir. As for the others, three sons remained: one plagued by chronic illness, one mentally impaired, and the last, the third son, born of a concubine.

"Greetings, Marquis Gongmin," Xu Guiyi murmured, finally recalling the family's situation.

The young man lowered his eyes, an air of loneliness about him, and in a clear voice asked, "Her Highness has just left the princess's residence. Did the princess take her medicine today?"

Xu Guiyi smiled politely. "She is better than yesterday. Did you also come to visit the princess, young marquis?"

Looking into his gentle, earnest eyes, Xu Guiyi could not recall any connection between him and the Eastern Palace, or with the Xu family.

Nangong Mingchen's expression remained calm. "The Duke is busy with affairs and sent me in his stead."

Xu Guiyi surveyed his features—he seemed a few years younger than Fu Lanchen. She finally found the right tone and adopted a sisterly manner. "Then you should hurry, young marquis. I won't delay you any longer."

Nangong Mingchen inclined his body, cupped his hands. "Safe travels, Your Highness."

Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Xu Guiyi pulled Madam Wu into the Chunhui Hall, dismissed the palace attendants with practiced ease, and prepared to hear the "family secrets" of the Nangong clan.

"So this Marquis Gongmin is truly the son of a concubine?" Xu Guiyi found it incredible, but given the family's circumstances, it seemed reasonable enough.

What could she say?

If the Emperor had once been anxious about the power of the imperial in-laws, the events of recent years seemed to have eased those fears considerably.

Let us speak first of Lady Nangong's family, the House of Nangong.

The Nangong clan was a noble family who followed the founding ancestor in conquest, their descendants achieving merit generation after generation. Across several reigns, their honors grew from ministers to marquises; Lady Nangong's grandfather became the first Duke of Ningdu.

At sixteen, Lady Nangong, as the legitimate granddaughter of the Duke of Ningdu, married His Majesty when he was still heir apparent. When His Majesty ascended the throne, the Nangong family could have risen even higher—no, several stories higher.

In Lady Nangong's first year as consort, her eldest brother, Nangong Ping, inherited the Duke of Ningdu title.

The year she bore the Third Prince, Duke Qi, her second brother, Nangong An, was first granted the title of Baron Gongmin, and five years later, promoted to Marquis Gongmin.

The year she gave birth to the Sixth Prince, Duke Wei, her third brother, Nangong Cheng, married Princess Roujia and became the royal son-in-law.

The entire family enjoyed unparalleled glory.

Think of the Empress Song's kin—holding military command, guarding the western frontier for decades, and yet only a Marquis of Changping.

But the Nangong family was not able to bask in their triumph for many years before things began to unravel...

First, the only son of Duke Ningdu, born into privilege and cherished as a jewel, was named heir at sixteen, but within a month, died in a riding accident.

The duke and his wife, devastated, made efforts for years, taking many concubines and finally having another son.

"The second son is illegitimate and was born prematurely, frail from birth, and has been kept in a separate estate, rarely seen," Madam Wu said, gesturing to show a tiny infant.

Xiyue asked curiously, "How could he be born prematurely? After such difficulty conceiving, wouldn't they treasure him especially?"

Madam Wu sighed, her expression troubled.

"Is there something secret here?" Xu Guiyi, familiar with many tales, picked up on the hint.

Madam Wu nodded hesitantly. "The second son's mother is said to be the duke's wife's cousin..."

Xiyue was so shocked she sat down, mouth agape enough to fit a whole peach. "What? So she calls the duke uncle? Cousin and uncle? Oh heavens!"

Xu Guiyi's expression was no less stunned than Xiyue's, blinking in disbelief. "Thi-this-this..."

Unable to continue, she closed her mouth and swallowed.

"Madam Wu, how do you know such secret things?" For a moment, Xu Guiyi and Xiyue regarded Madam Wu with newfound respect.

Madam Wu awkwardly shielded her eyes and coughed. Xiyue hurried to bring her water. "Madam, please drink, soothe your throat—take your time, tell us everything!"

Madam Wu took the tea, unsure whether to drink, and spoke softly, "Back then, the duchess, in her anger, wanted to execute the second son's mother, but Lady Nangong intervened and saved her. The woman stayed in Lady Nangong's palace for half a year. At the time, I was a junior maid in the pharmacy, sent daily to deliver postnatal tonics..."

"Oh..." Xu Guiyi and Xiyue both let out a long "oh."

Now, the Duke of Ningdu is nearly sixty, and it seems he will have no more children.

"Madam Wu, tell us about Marquis Gongmin..." The main branch was hopeless, but there were still the second and third branches...

Madam Wu set down her teacup. "I don't know much about Marquis Gongmin."

"Oh, please, Madam, tell us what you know!" Xiyue was relentless.

Xu Guiyi nodded firmly. "Madam, tell us what you know."

Madam Wu shook her head and sighed deeply. "Marquis Gongmin is actually distantly related to you, Your Highness."

Xu Guiyi was astonished. "What? I've never heard that before!"

Madam Wu brushed the folds from Xu Guiyi's gown and said quietly, "It's only distant. It's normal that you wouldn't know. Marquis Gongmin's wife is surnamed Zhou, from the illustrious Zhou family of Hui'an."

Xu Guiyi tilted her head, thinking carefully. "I believe my grandmother mentioned that my grandfather had a cousin who married into Hui'an, also surnamed Zhou."

Madam Wu nodded. "That's right."

"Madam Wu, you're remarkable, remembering such old stories!" Xiyue gazed at Madam Wu with admiration.

Madam Wu swept her brows lightly and replied, "My mother happened to be surnamed Zhou as well."

"...," Xu Guiyi touched her nose.

"...," Xiyue touched her ear.

"Shall I continue?" Madam Wu asked calmly.

"Yes!" Of course.

Madam Wu went on, "Before Marquis Gongmin married Lady Zhou, he had a childhood sweetheart, which caused many years of discord with Lady Zhou. They eventually had Lady An, the princess..."

A lovely, innocent face appeared in Xu Guiyi's mind. "Lady An? The prince's sister-in-law?" ... Cousin-in-law.

Madam Wu corrected her, "Also your sister-in-law, Your Highness." Yes, yes...

"Later, Marquis Gongmin served in the south for several years. Perhaps the long separation cooled their feelings; Lady Zhou bore no more children. During that time, only a concubine gave him the fourth son."

Xu Guiyi and Xiyue exchanged glances. Whether this couple ever truly loved each other was unclear.

Xiyue recalled, "The fourth son, is he the one who was injured at ten, damaging his mind, and has remained at that level ever since?"

Madam Wu sighed again. "Yes, even now he is like a ten-year-old child. Sometimes, when he misbehaves, his parents don't recognize him. It's truly pitiful!"

Indeed, it was...

But their curiosity about Nangong Mingchen prevailed, so Xiyue asked, "Madam, what about the Nangong Mingchen we met today..."

"He is the third in line, born of a concubine, only officially recognized five years ago." For lack of other sons, someone had to inherit the estate and title.

Xu Guiyi pondered for a while. "By age, Nangong Mingchen must have been born when Marquis Gongmin was serving in the south."

Madam Wu thought for a moment. "That must be the case. He was found in the south, and at first, he refused to return. Somehow, he eventually came back."

Xiyue hurriedly said, "Of course he had to return—not just for the Nangong family, but for Marquis Gongmin's estate and title. It's better than wandering outside."

Xu Guiyi seemed to recall something. "Madam, do you remember exactly where Marquis Gongmin served in the south?"

Madam Wu was uncertain, but after a moment, she finally replied, "Zhanghua. He was in Zhanghua."

Xiyue looked even more impressed. "Madam, you're amazing..."

Xu Guiyi, however, was completely stunned, as if frozen by ice and snow.