39 Meeting Destiny

Wei Hong Sheng was a man of many calculations. Yan Qiu Yue writing a matching couplet to his hadn't been one of them, but the ecstasy he felt at such a happy coincidence kept him going for a few weeks. It was a trying time, otherwise.

"My lord."

The former Prince Rui-shizi looked up from the secret documents he'd been reading to look upon one of his subordinates who was on one knee in front of him.

"Speak."

"We were able to find evidence that the first son of the Minister of Revenue is involved in selling salt. One of his lackeys is in our custody now."

"Still alive?" Wei Hong Sheng delicately sipped tea from an ornate porcelain cup as if the two of them were merely discussing literature or the weather.

"His jaw was dislocated. We have a confession in writing and he will not be able to kill himself."

In these times, the private sale of salt was illegal. Salt was a precious commodity that was supposed to be sold only by the government or government-approved entities. It was an important avenue for the government to bring in funds outside of taxes. However, this did not stop greedy merchants or court officials from selling salt on the sly. This could be an unbelievable source of income so long as it was undetected. However, no crime could be totally invisible if someone wished to find it. It was only a matter of being dedicated and patient enough.

Subordinates would follow their masters. Like him, Wei Hong Sheng's men were very careful and thorough in their actions.

Wei Hong Sheng's mouth hooked up into a smile. "Good, good. Continue following that line to see if other fat fish are hooked." The Minister of Revenue was an ally of Prince Rui's. However, he wasn't terribly important and the crime could be pushed entirely onto this stupid first son. This crime wouldn't cause a huge enough ruckus at court. Thus, Wei Hong Sheng was somewhat pleased, but still dissatisfied deep down. For what he needed—for what he wanted, more was necessary. It was only about a month until Yan Qiu Yue and Wei Tian Ao were to be married. He was running out of time.

* * *

In Duke Ning's estate, Yan Qiu Yue had been diligently embroidering her wedding dress. She'd been measured and poked before the seamstresses presented her with a blank canvas: a bright red dress that was layers of decadent silk and brocade. The crown was golden and there was a motif of a peacock in the center of it. Though she was marrying into the royal family, only an empress or princess could have a phoenix crown. Lesser royals like her were relegated to wearing things with peacocks on them. They looked similar, but she wouldn't be stepping on any toes, etiquette-wise.

Thus, Yan Qiu Yue endeavored to embroider a design with peacocks, clouds, and stars using golden threads to contrast with the red fabrics. While she couldn't be called amazingly skilled at embroidery, she was well above average. It was difficult embroidering the tails, but she had help and guiding hands in Li Mei. Li Mei was the handmaiden most skilled at embroidery, sewing, and other crafts.

"Young Miss, you will probably have to layer these sections for the tail," Yi Mei pointed out. "If you only do one layer of fanned out stitches, the design will lack volume. You want to do multiple layers to make the feathers appear more fluffy and life-like."

"I see!" Yan Qiu Yue's eyes brightened.

Though she had been reluctant to start on the project, day by day she could see the embroidered design growing and she enjoyed pushing herself to improve and learn new things. It seemed that there was still a world of embroidery skills for her to discover and the thought exhilarated her.

Or perhaps she was only trying to convince herself that being stuck inside the estate all the time wasn't so bad. Only she herself knew the truth.

"Fourth Young Miss's eyes will be worn out if you stare at that embroidery all day," Zhi Lan scolded. "There is still plenty of time, so why not have a break?" She bossily instructed Mu Rong to go brew Yan Qiu Yue some tea and get some snacks from the kitchen. Their young miss had been sitting in her room embroidering for hours after dinner.

"It's alright. I have the feeling of what to do in my fingers so I want to continue while I still remember how to do it. I'm afraid that if I sleep, I will forget all the stitches in the morning!"

Zhi Lan only shook her head while laughing. "Forget it. I know better than to try to nag you to do something."

"Young Miss, Fifth Young Master is here," Mu Rong announced as she returned with tea and snacks. She set them on the table before awaiting Yan Qiu Yue's response.

Yan Qiu Yue finally put down her embroidery. "Ah, Heng'er is here? Have him come in."

Yan Qiu Heng came into his sister's quarters with an easy gait. He looked down at the fabric in her lap and couldn't help but grimace. "Still embroidering?"

"Is there anything else to do? I already finished reading the newest Inspector Yu book and Mother does not want me to leave the estate so she's been rejecting invitations left and right." she sounded both amused and indignant.

Her twin brother raised a willowy brow. "Even so, it surprises me that you're just obediently sewing like this. I would have expected you to sneak out of the estate by now."

Yan Qiu Yue smiled, a ghost of sadness upon her lips. "Perhaps in the past I would have..."

He did not respond but gazed at his sister intently as if to implore her to continue.

"You see, I already tried being willful and it didn't gain me anything. In fact, it opened my eyes and I realized that Wei Hong Sheng wasn't as bad as I thought he was." She held a cup of tea delicately between two hands and blew the surface of it before taking a small sip. It warmed her and calmed her. "So nothing is ever as it seems. I will not gain anything from struggling—so why not meet my destiny head-on and see what happens?"

"Such wise words... Is this really my elder sister?" Yan Qiu Heng asked, folding his arms across his chest with a grin.

"Your headstrong elder sister is growing up," she replied with an identical grin. "Anyway, if I have to get married, I want to look my best. It won't do if Prince Rui-shizi or Princess Rui are displeased with me. I still wish to live a good life."

"You will. I promise."

"Silly, is that within your power to promise?" Yan Qiu Yue's eyes crinkled into crescents as she smiled at her younger brother. Though she knew he'd have no influence in her new family, it still moved her heart that he cared about her future there.

"There is to be another banquet at the Crown Prince's estate soon," was Yan Qiu Heng's reply. He didn't say it in so many words, but he was doing his best to look out for her interests. No doubt he would run into both of Prince Rui's sons there.

Wei Hong Sheng had been suspiciously low-key as of late, while Wei Tian Ao seemed to be rising in popularity. He didn't dare attribute this to the pep talk he'd given the new Prince Rui-shizi, but felt satisfied nonetheless. Hopefully, the young man had taken his words to heart. Hopefully, his sister would not suffer after marrying into that household. It was now up to Yan Qiu Heng to rise, too, so that his sister could benefit from their familial connection.

"Do I...have to marry, after all?" his words came out in a mumble.

"Hmm? What was that?" Yan Qiu Yue looked up. She'd already resumed her embroidery.

"No... It's nothing. Rest early, Elder Sister."

"Yes, yes." Yan Qiu Yue replied with zero persuasive power. With a helpless sigh, Yan Qiu Heng could only leave.