Chapter 1: The Embroidered Guard

A single autumn rain swept the ground into a sea of gold.
After the rain, the streets were deserted; a cold wind swept by, dislodging droplets from branches that fell to earth together with withered leaves.
Su Yunching pouted, carrying two empty buckets as she stepped out of the Grand Academician’s residence, bound for Ganlu Well two miles away to fetch water.
She raised her arms high, swinging her wrists so the buckets danced lightly, skipping on tiptoe to avoid puddles in the road.
An old man sweeping away water and fallen leaves paused to watch her. “Oh, Third Miss, punished again by the old master?”
Su Yunching tilted her head, sighing. “Yes, that cranky old man—so mean! I only copied one wrong character, just one, and he’s making me carry six buckets of water!”
“Ah, today won’t be easy. The roads are slippery after the rain. Take it slow. When you return, this place will be clean.”
“Thank you, Uncle Zhu, I’ll be off now!”
The old man watched her departing figure, shaking his head with a smile and returning to his sweeping.
Whenever the Su family’s third daughter made a mistake, she was sent to Ganlu Well to fetch water.
People had grown accustomed to seeing her buckets grow from the size of wine jars to the current washbasin-sized ones, nearly a foot and a half deep. She crossed the streets with her buckets every few days, and it was a familiar sight to all.
Suddenly, the clatter of hooves sent water splashing across the street. Uncle Zhu hurriedly put away his broom and stepped aside, watching as all his hard work was undone; the leaves he’d swept into piles were scattered again, blanketing the street beneath the horses.
He dared not voice his anger, only shook his head and sighed.
It was the Imperial Guard.
Their arrival was loud and imposing, with so many men that the residents on either side of the street could not help but peer out in curiosity.
But when they saw the brilliant uniforms and the flying fish robes that signified power and authority, one by one, people quietly retreated, shutting doors and windows.
A bold young man leaned his elbow on Uncle Zhu’s shoulder, whispering, “What are the Imperial Guard doing here with such fanfare?”
Uncle Zhu looked toward Ganlu Well, then toward the Grand Academician’s residence. “Heading to Lord Su’s house…”
Everyone knew, when the Imperial Guard mobilized like this, it meant trouble.
When Su Yunching returned with two nearly full buckets, the Su family compound was eerily silent. Her grandfather, two elder brothers, and the household staff knelt in two rows in the front courtyard.
Under the eaves, the Imperial Guard stood in ranks, all eyes falling on her, muddied like a clay doll.

Just moments ago, Uncle Zhu had chased her to the well to warn her about the arrival of the Imperial Guard at her home. She hurried to fill her buckets and rush back, falling in her haste and covering herself in mud.
She’d fallen, but the buckets had not spilled.
Had it not been for that tumble, with all her years of practice, she’d have returned home with buckets still brimming full.
Grand Academician Su called out calmly, “Qing’er!”
She glanced around, set down her buckets, and hurried to her grandfather’s side. Her two elder brothers raised their heads slightly, terror in their eyes.
Su Yunching turned to face the eaves, where a man lounged in a grand chair, gaze lowered, idly playing with a jade ring on his thumb.
She spoke, “May I ask, my lord, what crime has the Su family committed?”
Gao Yinglu lazily paused his movements, raising his eyelids. The girl’s face was so muddy her features were barely visible.
Before he could answer, a subordinate barked, “Insolent! How dare you not kneel before Commander Gao?”
Grand Academician Su said, “Qing’er, return to the rear courtyard.”
The subordinate, seeing she had no intention of kneeling, gripped the embroidered knife at his waist and stepped forward.
Gao Yinglu raised his hand. “Send the women back to the rear courtyard.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The subordinate moved to escort her, but Su Yunching glared at him. “No need. This is my home—I know it better than you.”
The subordinate glanced at Gao Yinglu for instruction, and with a nod, he retreated sullenly.
Imperial Guards filled the grounds. Escape was impossible.
Su Yunching gathered her skirts and dashed to the rear courtyard, the mud and water weighing her clothes down.
Qin Yue-niang hurried out, supported by the maid Chunjuan.
She raised a handkerchief to gently wipe the drying mud from Su Yunching’s face, eyes full of concern as she asked, “How could you be so careless? Are you hurt?” Then she instructed Chunjuan, “Quick, help the young mistress change clothes.”
“Mother, I’m fine. Just slipped.” She snatched the handkerchief, scrubbing her face vigorously as dirt fell away in puffs. Her mother was too gentle, wiping so lightly—how could it ever be clean?
Her face was not made of tofu; why couldn’t her mother use a bit more force?

Su Yunching changed clothes at lightning speed and prepared to head to the front courtyard, but Qin Yue-niang seized her arm. “Where do you think you’re going? The Imperial Guard are everywhere.”
“Mother, those men came with ill intent. Even Grandfather is wary. I want to ask why they’ve come to our home!”
Qin Yue-niang shook her head, gripping her sleeve even tighter. “Qing’er, stay with me. Your grandfather will handle everything outside.”
Su Yunching turned to her. “Mother, you know something. You’re hiding things from me.”
Before Su Yunching returned home, the imperial edict had already been read. The Su family’s fate was sealed. Qin Yue-niang knew she could hide nothing now; her daughter was grown, and there was no need to keep secrets any longer. She decided to tell her the truth.
“Qing’er, do you know why your grandfather resigned three years ago?”
“Because Father died, and Grandmother became gravely ill.”
Qin Yue-niang lowered her gaze. “Do you know why your father died?”
Su Yunching stared at her mother, eyes widening. “You mean Father’s death wasn’t accidental?”
“All these years, Consort Zhang—now Empress Dowager Zhang—has been the favored of the imperial harem. The Zhang family, emboldened by her favor, grew ever more arrogant and lawless. Your grandfather, as the head of the cabinet, repeatedly led petitions against their crimes, but the late emperor seemed bewitched, turning a deaf ear to all.
“So now, with the new emperor enthroned, they seek revenge against your grandfather? Was Father’s death tied to them?”
Qin Yue-niang nodded. “Before your father died, they had already secretly murdered many officials who opposed Consort Zhang. But your grandfather never yielded, continuing to admonish the emperor. Then your father died suspiciously, your grandmother was heartbroken and fell ill, and your grandfather, disappointed in the court, resigned his post to protect the family…”
“They killed my father, forced Grandfather to resign, and now come to our home to flaunt their power—what, will they stop only when we’re all destroyed?”
“When the late emperor was alive, they were cautious. But now he’s gone, the new emperor holds the throne, and the Zhangs wield unchecked power. Qing’er, listen to me: whatever happens, stay in the house.”
To behave so brazenly, with no law, no justice left—
Su Yunching felt fury blaze through her. She had always believed her father’s death was an accident; her family had told her so. Now, learning he’d been murdered, she wished she could tear those villains apart, one by one.
She wrenched her hand free from Qin Yue-niang’s grasp and turned to rush out.
Qin Yue-niang saw trouble brewing and called to the maids and matrons behind her, “Quick, stop the young mistress!”