Chapter Three: Planning for the Future

Yan Heru let out a helpless sigh. What other reason could there be? Naturally, it was because they were born of a concubine, or perhaps because their mother was despised by Old Madam Yan. There were only these two possibilities.

Yan Heru reached out to gently touch Yan Hecheng’s cheek, her tone turning more serious. “Cheng’er, you’re thirteen now. Soon you’ll be able to take the imperial examinations. Remember, never let anyone see through you. Just act the same as before; don’t do anything to upset Grandmother, understand?”

Yan Hecheng nodded. “Don’t worry, Sister. I will pass with high honors! Then I’ll be able to take you away from here.”

Yan Heru shook her head. “I am to be married soon, Cheng’er. You won’t be able to take me with you.”

Though she knew she could not leave the Yan residence with Yan Hecheng, seeing this child, still so young, care for her so deeply filled Yan Heru’s heart with warmth.

“Don’t marry him, Sister. That Ninth Prince is—”

Yan Hecheng’s words were cut off as Yan Heru raised a hand to silence him. “He is your future brother-in-law.”

Yan Hecheng nodded, aggrieved. His understanding nature pained Yan Heru. Wasn’t she just like this when she was young?

While other children played joyously, she was in dangerous forests learning to identify and gather medicinal herbs. The world knew her as the miracle doctor, famed for reviving the dead and healing the gravely wounded. Countless wealthy patrons sought her cures, all basking in her glory. Yet, who knew how many times she had faced death herself, testing herbs and remedies on her own body?

“Cheng’er, don’t worry about me. As long as you live well, I will be content. You are my brother, and I am your sister. Our fates are intertwined—when one flourishes, so does the other,” Yan Heru exhorted.

Yan Hecheng nodded again. Yan Heru said no more—he was a clever child, and she had already told him enough for today. He would come to understand the rest in time.

After sending Yan Hecheng off, Yan Heru lay down on her bed. She truly was exhausted. The original owner’s body was frail, and though Yan Heru could nurse it back to health, it would not be accomplished in a day or two.

She recalled that when she had first arrived in this world, she had been near a dark river. At the time, a splitting headache had caused her to faint, and when she awoke, she was already here. Upon returning, she was immediately accused of improper conduct.

Yet neither she nor the original owner had any memory of such an event, and since those who wished her harm could not fabricate it out of thin air, it must have happened during her period of unconsciousness.

At this thought, Yan Heru looked at her arm. The cinnabar mark was still there, proof that no one had done anything to her.

How did she return? She had forgotten to ask Yan Hecheng. Since the first person she saw upon waking was him, he must know something.

But if Old Madam Yan had deliberately concealed the truth, perhaps Yan Hecheng knew nothing either. It seemed she would have to investigate herself.

Yan Heru was never one to let matters go unresolved, especially when it concerned herself. She would get to the bottom of this.

Thinking of the Ninth Prince, Yan Heru smiled. She was a divine physician, after all; his so-called illness was nothing serious. Unlike the eunuchs in the palace, she could cure him. What worried her was not his ailment, but whether he would treat her well.

He might not love her, but he could not mistreat her.

These were matters she would consider after entering the prince’s household. In any case, she carried poison with her at all times and feared nothing. If it truly came to it, she could always take Yan Hecheng and leave for a neighboring land. As long as she had her medical skills, starvation would never be a concern.

—

Madam Lin was truly overwhelmed. The Yan family was not a household of high standing, merely the family of a fifth-rank official, so they rarely interacted with many dignitaries.

But now, all of the capital knew the crippled prince was to take the Yan family’s sixth daughter—born of a concubine—as his principal wife. Although the Ninth Prince’s reputation was poor, this was still a great match for the Yan family. For the prince, however, it was a disgrace.

No matter his flaws, he was of royal blood—how could he marry a girl of such low birth, and a concubine’s daughter at that?

For a time, all of the capital buzzed with talk of the Ninth Prince, while the subject of these rumors sat in a private room at a teahouse.

The Ninth Prince, Shen Hezhi, leaned against the window, gazing at the view outside. Just then, someone entered and bowed respectfully.

“My lord, I have investigated. The sixth miss of the Yan family is clever and beautiful. However, according to the servants, she…,” the subordinate, Shen Yi, paused.

Only when Shen Hezhi waved a hand did he dare continue. “It is said she engaged in some improper affair, which is why she is to be married to you…”

As soon as he finished, the temperature in the room seemed to plummet. Shen Hezhi was clearly angered, but soon he smiled.

“I don’t believe it. I recall meeting this sixth miss once—she was exceedingly proper. Never mind, there’s no need to look into this further. She’s just a figurehead. Anyone would do. Marrying someone from a lowly background makes her easier to control.” Shen Hezhi rose and stood by the window.

He was strikingly handsome; even with his affliction, countless young women in the capital dreamed of marrying him.

Dressed in crimson robes, standing by the window, he opened his folding fan. His hair was as dark as ink, his seductive phoenix eyes captivating. Girls who passed by on the street blushed and quickly turned away.

The only flaw was his pallid complexion, which required powder to conceal.

“Changxiao should be returning soon,” Shen Hezhi remarked, turning to another subject.

Shen Yi replied, “Yes, Young Master Cen has been away for over half a year now. He should have found the antidote by now.”

Shen Hezhi shook his head, closed his fan, and sat back down. “It doesn’t matter. After searching all these years, if it could be found, it would have been found by now. The Emperor never intended for me to live, but I won’t make things easy for him either.”

“I will use the years I have left to give him a surprise.” Shen Hezhi narrowed his eyes. Shen Yi knew this meant his master had another scheme in mind.

He could only sigh. He had served Shen Hezhi since childhood, as his closest confidant. Precisely because he knew everything, he was all the more helpless…

—

The wedding day arrived swiftly, thanks in no small part to Madam Lin. Once Yan Heru’s marriage to the Ninth Prince was confirmed, Madam Lin threw herself into preparations. What would normally take at least half a month, she managed to accomplish in a week.

Though the arrangements were rushed, Madam Lin did not dare cut corners. She had considered it, but Old Madam Yan’s inspection put a stop to any such plans.

“Sister…” Yan Hecheng sobbed.

Yan Heru gently stroked his head. “Cheng’er, take good care of yourself. Don’t make me worry.”

Yan Hecheng nodded, wiped away his tears, and helped Yan Heru into the bridal sedan.

All of the capital was abuzz with festivity, but within the sedan, Yan Heru’s heart was a tangle of emotions.