Fame and fortune are sought amidst peril.

“The autumn is late in Guangling this year,” the Duchess of De said with a click of her tongue. “Even now, the cool wind blows in gusts, yet each day the sun blazes high in the sky, and the flowers on the branches are still blooming with such relish… Truly a curious thing!” The others with her smiled, though each with a different shade of feeling. Xu Guiyi’s smile was three parts composed, seven parts amazed—for indeed, autumn had come late to Guangling this year. The Duchess of Qi’s smile was mostly reserved, with a hint of perfunctory courtesy; her thoughts lingered on the concubine in the princely manor who was two months with child. The Duchess of Zhao’s smile, however, was shadowed by worry—she recalled her younger sister’s listless face when she visited her family yesterday, and found herself at a loss for what to do.

“It must be that there are so many joyful events this year, even the heavens rejoice for us,” Xu Guiyi said with a gentle laugh.

“Isn’t it so? Several couples at once! The Prince of Shunan and the Lady of Qinghe, and Marquis Gongmin and Miss Gong. Congratulations to you, Duchess of Qi—this young Marquis from the Nangong family is outstanding in both character and appearance, favored by His Majesty as well. Your younger sister is truly blessed!” The Duchess of De took the Duchess of Qi, Gong Weiyi, by the hand, her smile radiant.

Gong Weiyi smiled softly. “You are too kind, Aunt. My younger sister cannot compare to Miss Cao.” With that, she glanced at the Duchess of Zhao.

But the Duchess of Zhao, with her unlifted brows and eyes, showed little joy. What did it matter that the Prince of Shunan’s household was so wealthy? In the end, it meant separation of flesh and blood. They all knew better than anyone how rare it was for a prince of another surname to enter the capital.

Xu Guiyi said tactfully, “In the blink of an eye, our younger sisters have grown up and are preparing for marriage. As elder sisters, our feelings are mixed.”

The Duchess of De, catching her meaning, raised her voice, “How true that is! I hear the Crown Princess’s cousin will also marry into Guangling next spring. You three sisters-in-law are truly united—always setting an example for one another.”

At this, the three sisters-in-law shared strained smiles.

“Greetings to the Crown Princess, Duchess of De, Duchess of Zhao, Duchess of Qi.” Suddenly, two male voices rang out across the palace grounds.

The group turned. “Oh, it’s the Marquis Gongmin and the Censor! What a coincidence. Have you two just come from His Majesty?”

Nangong Mingchen was dressed in a raven-blue robe with wide sleeves, his features refined and elegant. With a slight bow, he replied with a smile, “Indeed. We had just played two games of chess with His Majesty in the Imperial Gardens, and are now leaving the palace together.”

Of the four ladies, it was fortunate that the Duchess of De was the most skilled in social affairs, fond of conversing with others; without her, this exchange would have dwindled to nothing in a few sentences.

She laughed again, “We were just congratulating the Duchess of Qi, saying how fortunate Miss Gong is to have such a fine husband.”

Nangong Mingchen inclined his gaze just slightly behind the Duchess of De, then replied at once, “It is I who am thrice blessed to be allied with the Gong family.” The Duchess of Qi, Gong Weiyi’s grandfather, had served three reigns and, before retiring, was a highly esteemed Grand Preceptor, greatly favored by the Emperor.

Since Nangong Mingchen had spoken thus, Gong Weiyi had no choice but to exchange a few polite words, and so the conversation continued with laughter and gentle words—except for one man standing behind Nangong Mingchen, whose composure never wavered. Apart from his initial greeting, he had not spoken, and even his smile was faint.

But as the conversation drew to a close, a final exchange of courtesies was expected. The Duchess of De finally turned to him seriously, “Censor, though you are busy with official duties, you must not neglect your own future. Marquis Gongmin is younger than you and already betrothed. Yet you, it seems, offend every matchmaker who comes to your door. That will not do.” She smiled, though she could not help recalling what had happened two years before: when this young man had just been promoted to Chief Censor, brimming with promise.

The Duke of De, always fond of talent and matchmaking, had chosen a bright, clear day to call on him. He waited the entire afternoon without so much as seeing the Chief Censor’s face—enough to drive one mad with anger!

When the Duke of De returned home, he vented his fury for a long while. As the Emperor’s cousin, he had never before been so slighted by a young man.

Since then, the household of the Duke of De held little fondness for this rising star. Thus, the Duchess had deliberately left him standing for some time just now.

Xu Guiyi, seeing the censor’s refined but unsmiling face, guessed she ought to help him out—perhaps recalling Xu Chengzhen’s words. “Aunt, please spare him. His Majesty and the Empress have already entrusted us with preparing the weddings of the Prince of Shunan and Marquis Gongmin; we are busy enough. If there’s another one, it will be too much. With the year’s end approaching and festival preparations soon to begin, there will be no rest at all.”

The Duchess of Zhao added, “Indeed, Aunt, the more you press the matter, the longer it will be before the Censor’s marriage arrives.”

Nangong Mingchen laughed as well, “The Duchess of Zhao speaks wisely.”

The Censor stepped forward, respectful and courteous. “Thank you all for your concern. I will remember the Duchess of De’s guidance.”

What a proper, bookish man, Xu Guiyi thought to herself.

After leaving the palace, Xu Guiyi went straight to the Duke of En’s manor; there was no need to ask, for Xu Zhouyan would surely be there. Whenever she returned to Guangling, she spent more time at her family home than at the Prince of Jiancheng’s residence.

“Oh, the Duchess of De is always like that. Before my elder brother was married, she would bring it up every time she saw Mother, and not just to her—she would drag me into it as well. I never understood it. She’s a duchess, doesn’t she have anything else to do? Her manor is enormous, surely there’s something there that needs her attention. Even if she and her husband have no son, they do have a daughter. She’d do better to fret over her own child.” Xu Zhouyan’s tone showed her obvious displeasure with the Duchess of De’s ways.

Xu Guiyi propped her chin on her hand, leaning against the table. “Her daughter’s marriage turned out well—the two families live just a street apart, she’s an only child and her husband an only son. What’s there to worry about? She has it easy.”

Xu Zhouyan rolled her eyes dramatically and went back to checking the gift list in her hand.

Xu Guiyi pouted, “Let’s not talk about the Duchess of De anymore. Second Sister, did you notice how the Duchess of Zhao didn’t smile all day? She must be worried.”

Xu Zhouyan paused for a moment, then said calmly, “Of course she’s worried. When our eldest sister was to be married off to the East Sea, weren’t we anxious too? Father and Mother fretted for months, and now, even if our sister wants to return, she can’t. Now Cao Ziyin is to marry into Shunan. On the surface, it’s a grand match, but in truth, it’s a political alliance—a cornerstone for the court’s relationship with the Shunan royal family. The last cornerstone was the Princess of Suian; this one is Cao Ziyin. Who knows who will be next?”

“Back then, Cao Ziyin was infatuated with the Crown Prince and wanted to marry into the Eastern Palace. The Emperor never agreed, though the Empress was pleased with the idea, but the Cao family refused. If they’d known things would turn out like this, who knows how much they regret it now. If they’d let her marry into the Eastern Palace, at least she would be in Guangling, and the family could be together more often. Grand Tutor Cao was the Crown Prince’s teacher; no matter what, the Prince would have considered the Cao family. He’d never have mistreated Cao Ziyin.” With that, Xu Zhouyan tossed the gift list into Xu Guiyi’s lap, too annoyed to look at it anymore.

Xu Guiyi flung the list onto the table without a glance. She saw such lists every day in the Eastern Palace, in the Empress’s palace, at the Ministry of Revenue—her eyes were nearly worn out from them.

“The Duchess of Qi wasn’t happy today either. I heard there’s a concubine in the Qi Prince’s manor who’s pregnant. She must be anxious. Isn’t it strange? The Qi Prince and his wife have been married for years and have no children, not even one. There are more than ten concubines and secondary wives in the manor, and none of them have conceived. Now, all of a sudden, it’s a mere maid who is pregnant. How can the Duchess of Qi, or any of the other women in the household, save face?” Xu Guiyi said with wonder.

But Xu Zhouyan remained unperturbed, perfectly calm.

Xu Guiyi’s intuition flared. “Second Sister, do you know something?”

Xu Zhouyan raised an eyebrow. “No, I don’t.”

“Second Sister, my dear sister, tell me, please! If you do, I’ll look over this gift list for you.” Xu Guiyi tugged at her sleeve in a childish plea.

Xu Zhouyan cast her a disdainful look. “Crown Princess, mind your manners.”

Xu Guiyi immediately straightened up, folding her hands demurely over her abdomen, her smile gentle. “Sister, please speak.”

Xu Zhouyan smoothed the wrinkles Xu Guiyi had made in her sleeve and replied evenly, “Do you remember what I told you before your wedding?”

Xu Guiyi widened her eyes and blinked, unsure which of the countless instructions Xu Zhouyan and Madam Shen had given her before her marriage this referred to.

Xu Zhouyan shook her head and sighed, “About the Duchess of Qi.”

Xu Guiyi’s mind worked quickly, her brow furrowing. “I remember—you told me not to get too close to her.”

Xu Zhouyan finally nodded. “Do you know why it was the Duchess of Qi, and not the Duchess of Zhao?”

Xu Guiyi shook her head.

“Do you know why the Duchess of Qi has had no children all these years?”

Again, Xu Guiyi shook her head.

Xu Zhouyan steadied herself, her expression grave. “The Duchess of Qi has been married for six years. She and the Prince of Qi have always had a good relationship. In the first few years, she became pregnant every year, but none of the pregnancies lasted. The first one or two could be explained as accidents or ill health, but think about it—after one miscarriage, anyone would be more careful. How could it happen every time?”

Xu Guiyi frowned. “That is strange. What could be the reason the Qi Prince’s household has been without children for so many years?”

Xu Zhouyan adjusted the flower ornament at her temple, her brows arched in a faint smile. “Four years ago, after Grand Preceptor Gong retired, the Censorate impeached the entire Gong family for forming factions, selling offices, seizing farmland, and forcibly taking homes. The Court of Judicial Review conducted a thorough investigation and found the charges true. His Majesty was furious and ordered the Gong family’s titles stripped to atone for their crimes. That night, Grand Preceptor Gong died in a fit of rage. At that time, the Duchess of Qi was three months pregnant. When she heard the news, she lost the child. It was her last pregnancy, and she has never conceived since. It’s said that the grief of that loss damaged her health so deeply that she will never bear children.”

Xu Guiyi pressed her hand to her heart and sighed deeply. “That incident was a huge scandal at the time. I recall once hearing Father use it to admonish Third Uncle.”

“When Grand Preceptor Gong died, His Majesty, recalling his past service, reduced the punishment from stripping to demoting his title. The once-glorious Marquisate of Mingchang is now reduced to a mere barony.”