Chapter 1
On my wedding night, I sat on the bridal bed with a phoenix crown that felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds.
Remembering my parents’ parting advice, I stayed perfectly still for two full hours, eyes closed as I rested.
My personal maids knew my temper. None of them dared urge me to do anything.
The night deepened and the dew grew heavy. At last, a servant came from the front courtyard with a report.
Concubine Zhen had suffered an attack of the heart, and the groom had gone to her courtyard.
I slowly opened my eyes.
This trick again? Couldn’t they come up with something new?
The old woman delivering the message stole a look at my face, plainly waiting for a show.
They were testing me on purpose.
Even if a concubine did not know the rules on her master’s wedding day, surely the heir did. And even if the heir was a fool, did the old earl and his wife know nothing either?
They wanted to sit back and watch two tigers tear each other apart.
Not a chance.
The experts of inner-court warfare had long ago established the proper answers to this sort of situation.
First, appeal to the husband’s feelings and reason with him. Then summon an imperial physician for the concubine, moving the husband so deeply that gratitude gives way to shame.
Second, say nothing. The next day, find a way to report the matter to the emperor. Let him punish the Xiaoshan Earl’s household for defying the marriage he decreed, while crushing the concubine in the bargain.
But I was tired. I had no patience for games tonight.
“Qingzhi. Bailu.”
“Here!” My two maids bowed respectfully.
I tapped one finger against the table, a cold smile flickering in my eyes.
“Carry Concubine Zhen here.”
She could not bear to be parted from the heir, but the heir had to spend tonight in my chambers.
The simplest solution was to bring her along and let her watch us consummate the marriage.
By the next day, the entire estate had heard that its new lady was a shrew.
Ignoring Concubine Zhen’s wails, she had ordered the woman carried into the bridal chamber right in front of the heir.
Wei Jinfeng had stormed in behind her, beside himself with rage. Pointing at his new bride, he shouted, “Are you insane?”
The new lady had not so much as blinked. She ordered the doors to the room and the courtyard barred. No matter how furiously the heir cursed or pounded on them, no one was getting out.
Even the servants sent by the old earl and his wife were stopped outside.
When they demanded entry, the guards at the gate answered with maddening calm.
“Do the earl and his wife also wish to prevent the newlyweds from sharing their bridal chamber?”
“Was one concubine not enough? Must the elders of the household come out to stop them too?”
“Or is the family unhappy with His Majesty’s marriage decree and determined to obstruct it at every turn?”
Those three fatal questions shut every mouth.
They had hidden in the shadows to enjoy the spectacle earlier. Now they were worried?
Fine. I would give them a spectacle worth watching.
The heir and Concubine Zhen were not the only people in the estate who could not sleep that night.
I, however, slept wonderfully.
I did not wake until daylight flooded the room. Rested and rosy-cheeked, I felt magnificent.
Only after I rose did my people open the doors.
Concubine Zhen and Wei Jinfeng fled without looking back, as though demons were snapping at their heels.
The night before, Wei Jinfeng had ranted that I had violated the Seven Grounds for Divorce. He swore he would report me to the emperor the next day and repudiate me.
His noise annoyed me, so I had him sent to the little side room and put on Concubine Zhen’s couch, which had originally been prepared for the servant on night duty.
I even gave the pair a friendly reminder.
Keep the noise down. Don’t disturb my sleep.
Wei Jinfeng went nearly mad with fury. Concubine Zhen could no longer even cry.
Unfortunately for them, I had barred all their servants outside. They could have screamed themselves hoarse and no one would have answered.
And so they endured until morning.
Before leaving, Wei Jinfeng turned back and spat, “Shen Zhiyu, you are good. Very good…”
Of course I was.
I hardly needed him to tell me that.