Yin Zhuli ordered the servants to prepare hot water and thoroughly cleaned the dead-drunk Ninth Prince, wrapping him in a white robe before laying him on the couch. Hao Jian brought in a sobering decoction. The Ninth Prince was a well-behaved drinker; once drunk, he simply slept. Yin Zhuli patted his cheek and said softly, "Wake up and drink this first, or you'll have a headache tomorrow morning."
Hearing the buzzing of a voice in his ear, the Ninth Prince buried his head into the thin quilt with great annoyance, and soon, his steady snoring filled the room. Seeing no other way, Yin Zhuli set the soup aside. "The Prince will likely sleep until dawn. If there is nothing else, Mister Hao, you may go and rest."
Hao Jian trusted her, so he gave a word of acknowledgement and withdrew. Yin Zhuli picked up a book and climbed onto the couch. As she flipped through the *Biographies of the Money-makers*, the Ninth Prince pressed closer to her. She let out a soft sigh, pulled him against her chest, and gently patted his back while continuing to read.
***
Qu Fu was a retainer of the Qu family who had followed Qu Tianji since childhood. He was now Qu Tianji’s Sword-bearing General; even Lady Wei did not dare treat him as a mere servant.
Upon seeing Qu Huaisheng, he bowed respectfully. "Second Young Master, the Master is discussing business. It would be best if you did not disturb him."
Qu Huaisheng had no intention of going inside. Instead, he pulled Qu Fu toward the Moon-Accompanying Pavilion. "Uncle Fu, I have something to ask you."
The pavilion was near the Rain-Listening Tower. Before Qu Fu could even sit down, Qu Huaisheng spoke. "Uncle Fu, I heard that when the Prince of Fulu took a consort, Father also attended the wedding banquet?"
Qu Fu nodded; this was no secret. Qu Huaisheng’s confusion deepened. "Father usually never associates with the court officials, and he is particularly distant from the Ninth Prince. Why would he go to the Prince’s wedding?"
Qu Fu hesitated, but Qu Huaisheng pressed on. "Uncle Fu, is there some history between Father and the Princess of Fulu?"
Qu Fu’s expression suddenly turned solemn. "Second Young Master, I will act as if I did not hear those words today. You must never mention this again."
With that, he turned and returned to the front of the Rain-Listening Tower. Qu Huaisheng’s curiosity, however, was now fully piqued. Yet, no matter how many servants he questioned throughout the Qu manor, not a single one knew of any connection between the Yin and Qu families.
During the second watch of the night, Qu Tianji was resting in Lady Wei’s room. She briefly mentioned Qu Huaisheng’s inquiry about Yin Zhuli. Qu Tianji placed his pair of golden maces under his pillow, showed no reaction, and simply rolled over to sleep.
***
*"Who are you?"*
*"I am Qu Tianji. Might the one before me be Big Boss Yin?"*
*"I made an appointment with Shen Wan to meet here. Why has he not come?"*
*"Because my presence is no different from my Lord coming in person."*
A small river, flowing water, fish darting through lush water plants.
*"At first, I thought those who led armies were all boorish warriors. Meeting General Qu has shown me how narrow-minded that thought was. It is no wonder the Marquis of Yangchang regards the General so highly."*
*"Big Boss Yin praises me too much. One usually hears of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—they say merchants are covered in the stench of copper. But seeing Big Boss Yin today truly makes me feel ashamed."*
*"Ha, let us stop flattering one another. If there comes a day when I, Yin, am at my wit's end, I would be grateful if the General’s golden maces could show a shred of mercy."*
*"Big Boss Yin is helping my Lord raise an army to overthrow a mediocre ruler and usher in a golden age for our Great Xing. Your merit will last for generations. Why speak such words?"*
*"The treasure maps can naturally be handed over to you. But after this, where will Biwu and the Yin family find shelter? The Marquis of Yangchang must give me a reason to feel at ease."*
*"What is so difficult about that? General Qu is my Lord’s trusted confidant, and you have met him. In character, talent, and appearance, he is a dragon among men. My Lord has always fretted over what kind of woman could be a match for his Tiger-Might General, but seeing Big Boss Yin today, I feel the two of you are a match made in heaven. With such an arrangement, Big Boss Yin should see the depth of my Lord’s sincerity."*
*"General Qu, Biwu is a merchant, and merchants have no interest in politics. As long as the Marquis gives my Yin family a place to exist, we will be eternally grateful. But the will of a sovereign has been unpredictable since ancient times; the future is always uncertain. If we treat each other with true hearts, then once the world is settled, even if he develops murderous intent, he will be unable to kill me, and unable to kill you. So, I ask the General to remember today’s oath. Do not betray me."*
*"Madam... Yin, please set your mind at ease. Since we are married, we are naturally one family. Tianji will never fail you. But the Northern Zhao army will arrive soon. Regarding the matter of provisions... Madam must make haste."*
*"These two are treasure maps. The General may open one location first to solve the immediate crisis."*
The scene suddenly turned dark. The false, calculated tenderness vanished. A head flew, accompanied by a spray of hot blood that stained the vision red.
*"So you had a wife and children all along? You have been lying to me?"*
*"To eat the lord's grain is to serve the lord's cause. Big Boss Yin, I am sorry."*
*"No need for apologies. I, Yin, was blind in judging character; I cannot blame others. But General Qu, as the saying goes, one day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of grace. Moreover, I carry your flesh and blood in my womb. You barge in today with such murderous intent—have you come to kill me?"*
*"...Big Boss Yin, I am sorry."*
*"Qu Tianji, you shared months of affection with me just to wait for this moment—when I am pregnant and my movements are hindered?"* Her lips curled into a smile, her eyes showing a light, unbothered mirth, devoid of any sadness or indignation. Following that smile was a soaring fire. Through the thick smoke, Qu Tianji could only see that person’s faint smile. *"On the eighth day of the fifth month, I shall marry the Ninth Prince. Will you come to ask for a cup of wedding wine?"*
As if someone were strangling him, Qu Tianji sat up abruptly. Outside, the night watch drum struck five times. It was already the fifth watch, and his clothes were soaked with sweat.
***
The next day, Big Boss Yin held a banquet at the Fulu Prince’s Manor, inviting all the chief managers of the various shops in the Chang’an district of Fugui City. Although Yin Shuo, Yin Quan, and the others did not respect Hao Jian due to their seniority, they still had to give the Ninth Prince some face. Thus, everyone arrived.
Aside from the Prince’s wedding, this was the first time the household had prepared such a formal banquet, leading to inevitable business and tension. Fortunately, Chief Steward Hao was meticulous; in less than an hour, the dishes and seating arrangements were finalized.
However, he was still uneasy about Yin Shuo. "Big Boss, strictly speaking, Yin Shuo is of the same generation as the Old Matriarch. If there is a dispute in the hall, I fear it will cause a loss of face."
Yin Zhuli ground ink with her delicate hands and said softly, "Then don't dispute with him."
Hao Jian frowned. "But if he takes the initiative to cause trouble..."
Yin Zhuli looked up at him, still wearing a calm smile. "Then don't let him cause trouble."
Hao Jian wanted to say more, but after a moment, he simply bowed and withdrew.
Shen Tingjiao naturally did not go out either, staying with her in the study to look over account books. Before the banquet began, Hao Jian invited everyone to the study. Fortunately, the study of the Fulu Prince’s Manor was spacious enough to accommodate over a hundred people standing.
Big Boss Yin sat behind the desk with the Ninth Prince by her side, several stacks of account books piled high before her. Her expression was gentle. "I have been busy with the wedding to the Ninth Prince these past few days and have neglected everyone. I finally have some free time today, so I invited you all here to gather and to meet the Prince."
As soon as she finished speaking, someone in the crowd let out a cold snort. Yin Zhuli remained smiling. "Before the feast begins, I would like to hear about the current situation of your shops. Chief Steward Hao." She gestured to Hao Jian, who bowed slightly and took charge of the meeting.
The first ones called upon were Yun Tianyi and a few others. Everyone knew they were Yin Zhuli’s confidants, so they answered every question respectfully. Yin Shuo and his group, however, didn't care much—even if she had married into the imperial family, Shen Tingjiao was merely an idle prince. They didn't want to offend him, but they didn't fear him either.
Yin Zhuli saw everyone’s expressions but didn't mind. "Uncle Shuo, why don't you talk about the situation of the large pharmacies on West Street?"
Yin Shuo snorted coldly. "So you still remember I am your uncle."
Yin Zhuli kept her smile. He finally spoke in a cold, arrogant tone. "I didn't bring the account books today. As for income and surplus, I don't rememb—"
Before the word "remember" could leave his mouth, Yin Zhuli suddenly grabbed an inkstone from the desk and hurled it at him. The move was so sudden that even Hao Jian was startled. Yin Shuo had no time to react and was struck squarely.
Yin Zhuli had not held back, and the inkstone was made of hard stone. The crowd heard a dull thud, and Yin Shuo was instantly left with a bleeding head, his vision spinning.
With this injury, his arrogant aura vanished instantly. The people behind him turned pale. The Ninth Prince was also shocked. The smile faded from Yin Zhuli’s face as she swept a cold gaze across the room; everyone lowered their heads, not daring to meet her eyes. She said nothing more, merely toying with a yellow jade paperweight. "Continue."
Yin Shuo lay on the ground, his face covered in blood, unconscious. With him silenced, the others dared not be insolent. One by one, they honestly reported their surpluses and expenditures. They also ordered their personal servants to go home, fetch the account books, and deliver them to the Fulu Prince’s Manor immediately.
Yin Zhuli waited until everyone had finished their reports before signaling Hao Jian to take the unconscious Yin Shuo away. The banquet that followed was agonizingly tense. Everyone kept their heads down and chewed in silence. Though lanterns hung high throughout the garden, not a single voice could be heard.
***
When Yin Shuo woke up, dawn was approaching. The surroundings were unfamiliar, lit only by a single oil lamp. He looked around and saw only Tan Yue sitting at a round table, hand resting on his sword.
"The Big Boss told me to bring a few words to you. Currently, Fugui City appears to be the wealthiest place under heaven, but in reality, it is as precarious as a stack of balanced eggs. If everyone is of one mind, we can maintain stability for at least ten more years. If there is internal division, collapse will happen in an instant." Tan Yue was an honest man; he delivered the message word for word. "The Big Boss indicates that if Uncle Shuo wishes to live, please think twice before acting in the future. If Uncle Shuo seeks death..."
He used his thumb to nudge the sword hilt, revealing half an inch of cold blade. "Tan Yue will fulfill your wish immediately."
***
When they returned to the room, Qingwan helped Yin Zhuli change her clothes. The Ninth Prince was still acting cautiously. Yin Zhuli turned to look at him, her face full of confusion. "What are you afraid of?"
Shen Tingjiao looked her up and down carefully. "You... aren't angry anymore?"
Yin Zhuli laughed heartily, waved her hand to dismiss Qingwan, and personally helped him change. "I wasn't angry to begin with."
Shen Tingjiao changed into a loose white robe. His long hair fell like a waterfall to his waist; he looked as elegant as jade, a rare flower of beauty with a refined soul and radiant light. Noticing her gaze, his face reddened slightly, and he went straight to the couch, burrowing into the thin quilt. Yin Zhuli found it amusing—how could this Ninth Prince be born with such grace? Every gesture and movement suited her tastes perfectly.
If... if someone hadn't come before him... she had to admit that this Ninth Prince was also a very good choice.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 佩剑将军 | Sword-bearing General | A military title/rank within a private household or army. |
| 伴月亭 | Moon-Accompanying Pavilion | A specific location in the Qu manor. |
| 听雨楼 | Rain-Listening Tower | A specific building in the Qu manor. |
| 货殖列传 | Biographies of the Money-makers | A chapter from Sima Qian's *Records of the Grand Historian* (Shiji). |
| 碧梧 | Biwu | Yin Zhuli's personal name or a name used in her past. |
| 阳昌侯 | Marquis of Yangchang | A noble title mentioned in the flashback. |
| 金锏 | Golden maces | Qu Tianji's signature weapons. |
| 镇纸 | Paperweight | A heavy object used to keep paper still while writing. |
| 垒卵 | Stacked eggs | From the idiom "as precarious as a stack of eggs." |
