Chapter 78: The Sole Exception

After Tailscoop Qianyu came of age, news quickly spread throughout Yue Du that the King of War had received the imperial decree to marry her during the New Year’s Eve palace banquet. At the turning of the year, this joyous event became the talk of the city, astounding everyone with the King of War’s promise, made before the emperor and all the court officials at the banquet: “In this life, I shall take only Tailscoop Qianyu as my consort—no secondary wives, no concubines.” For a time, this declaration was on everyone’s lips.

Tailscoop Qianyu sat in Mingke Residence, listening in a daze to the city’s gossip. Feng Jinye had never once mentioned any of this to her.

Suddenly, Tailscoop Qianyu recalled something she had told Feng Jinye several months prior: “If I never make promises lightly, I will not wrong others; if I never trust words lightly, others will not wrong me.”

Turning to Feng Jinye, she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Hmm?” Feng Jinye’s attention was not on the subject of the city’s chatter.

Seeing him lower his head to sip tea, occasionally glancing her way, Tailscoop Qianyu realized he didn’t understand what she was asking. “What you said at the New Year’s Eve palace banquet?”

He set his cup down. “Yes. I wanted my princess to stop thinking about how the female shadow guards look, or about poetry, music, painting, or calligraphy…”

Tailscoop Qianyu laughed softly. Feng Jinye paused, then added with a light chuckle, “Just think more about your prince.”

Feeling his shamelessness, Tailscoop Qianyu couldn’t help but turn her head away, a sweet warmth blossoming in her heart.

On the tranquil night of the new year, every household hung red lanterns to welcome the spring, lights brightening every alley and street in Yue Du. From inside houses came the laughter of family reunions and children playing.

Few walked the streets at night. Feng Jinye strolled hand in hand with Tailscoop Qianyu, both silent, their hearts full.

He escorted her to the gates of the General’s Manor, reluctant to part.

Upon returning home, Tailscoop Qianyu found the family lively. General Tailscoop Zhantian beamed with joy, saying, “At the banquet, His Majesty’s health improved. The imperial examination has been set for the eighth day of the first month, after the Lantern Festival. Daughter, your cousin is certain to make the top three…”

Noticing her father now referred to Lin Yichu as “cousin” rather than “Brother Chu”—a term she’d once used at his urging and found a bit too intimate—Tailscoop Qianyu realized only now that her father had once considered Lin Yichu as a potential son-in-law.

Last year, the imperial exam had been delayed repeatedly due to the emperor’s illness. Lin Yichu, who had passed the metropolitan exam, was still living at the manor, waiting for the palace examination.

“This is wonderful news,” Tailscoop Qianyu said.

Ever since hearing her father’s plan to marry her to Lin Yichu, she’d found it awkward that an unrelated man was living in their home. She looked forward to him moving out once the exams were over.

On the day of the palace examination, Lin Yichu did not disappoint General Zhantian, placing second among the top three.

After the exam, something occurred that deeply puzzled Tailscoop Qianyu: Chancellor Liu chose Lin Yichu as a son-in-law, and his second daughter would become the new second-place scholar’s bride on the second day of the eighth month.

Hearing this, Tailscoop Qianyu couldn’t help but recall the saying, “There’s always something strange behind unusual occurrences.” She thought of the poisoned dart she had been struck with during the Mid-Autumn Festival—had Feng Jinye discovered anything more?

That evening at dinner, she asked her father, “Father, why would Chancellor Liu choose my cousin as a son-in-law?”

General Zhantian merely shook his head and sighed.

Puzzled, Tailscoop Qianyu decided to ask Feng Jinye herself.

In the main study of the King of War’s residence, Feng Jinye, Yun Ming, and Huangfu Chen were gathered. Yun Ming spoke first, “What is Chancellor Liu after with this marriage?”

Neither Feng Jinye nor Huangfu Chen replied.

Yun Ming was worried. Feng Jinye had discovered that Chancellor Liu was a spy from Xiyan, but before he could act against him, the chancellor had already secured a marriage alliance with General Tailscoop’s nephew—surely this would lead to complications.

Feng Jinye was deep in thought.

Huangfu Chen asked gently, “Aren’t you going to see Qianyu?”

Feng Jinye glanced at him with displeasure at hearing her name from another man.

“You—” Huangfu Chen began, but was interrupted as Chujiu entered. “Your Highness, Miss Tailscoop is here.”

Feng Jinye raised an eyebrow but saw no sign of her. “Why hasn’t she come in?”

“Miss Tailscoop heard you were in the study and is waiting by the pavilion,” Chujiu replied.

Feng Jinye immediately stood and headed outside.

Behind him, Yun Ming’s voice drifted, “Since when has Feng Jinye lost his words without Tailscoop Qianyu?”

It was the first time since their engagement that Tailscoop Qianyu had come to find him at the King of War’s residence. Feng Jinye quickened his pace.

Seeing him approach, Tailscoop Qianyu tossed aside the pebble in her hand. “Are you finished with your work?”

“I wasn’t busy,” he replied.

“I actually came today because…” Tailscoop Qianyu started, but was cut off.

“I promised to teach you swordsmanship. How about today?” Feng Jinye said.

She was taken aback, instantly realizing he didn’t want her to say her piece and leave.

“Alright…” Tailscoop Qianyu nodded. “I’m here because of the marriage between Miss Liu and Lin Yichu. I find it strange. Didn’t you promise to investigate the poisoned dart? Have you found anything?”

Feng Jinye paused; he had thought she came for Lin Yichu, but hearing it was for Miss Liu, his heart lightened.

Unaware that Feng Jinye had his own investigation, Tailscoop Qianyu added, “I want to know if it was really Miss Liu. If so, I’ll see to vengeance myself!”

Thinking of how much her father favored Lin Yichu, if Miss Liu became her cousin-in-law after trying to kill her, it was simply intolerable.

Feng Jinye was momentarily taken aback. “It was her. In time, I’ll hand her over to you.”

“Good! Let’s practice swordplay!” Tailscoop Qianyu’s bright smile was pure and harmless, but Feng Jinye couldn’t help but recall her determination just moments ago and suppress a laugh.

“By the way, do any of your shadow guards use throwing darts? I want to learn!” she said.

“Tomorrow, then,” Feng Jinye replied.

Tailscoop Qianyu nodded absently, wondering if he would have her come the day after as well.

In the days that followed, she visited the King of War’s residence nearly every day to practice swordplay.

Half a year passed, and soon it was the second day of the eighth month, Lin Yichu and Miss Liu’s wedding day.

Tailscoop Qianyu never understood how she had wronged Miss Liu, who had tried to harm her several times. Even on her wedding day, Miss Liu had her maid stand in as the bride and came herself to assassinate her.

Tailscoop Qianyu did not attend the wedding banquet. She was wandering idly in the garden when suddenly a dart flew toward her from behind.

Winter Warmth barely managed to deflect it.

Startled, Tailscoop Qianyu’s body reacted on instinct—the dagger hidden in her sleeve was in her palm in an instant, and she spun, hurling it at the figure in black.

Unprepared, the assassin narrowly dodged, but the blade tore through her clothing, revealing her right shoulder.

Tailscoop Qianyu sent another dagger flying, but her hands shook.

With a sickening thud, the dagger sank into flesh. In shock, she cried out, “Help her!”

Winter Warmth and Half Autumn were stunned—was this vengeance or a rescue?

The figure in black fainted. Listening to Tailscoop Qianyu’s command, Snow Spring stepped forward. “She has the same birthmark on her shoulder as you, miss!”

Tailscoop Qianyu’s birthmark resembled a green leaf—this could not be a coincidence.

Her hands trembling, Tailscoop Qianyu wondered if she had just killed her own elder or younger sister.

On the day of the Lin family wedding banquet, General Zhantian was not at home. Flustered, Tailscoop Qianyu watched as Winter Warmth hurried to the King of War’s residence to fetch Feng Jinye.

After hearing the details, Feng Jinye arrived to find Tailscoop Qianyu pale with worry. Taking her trembling hand, he comforted her, “Don’t be afraid. I promise she’ll live.”

Tailscoop Qianyu looked up at him, leaned against his shoulder, and murmured, “I’m just afraid I killed my father’s real daughter.”

“She’s not your father’s daughter,” Feng Jinye replied. “She’s the daughter of the Duke of State’s heir.”

Tailscoop Qianyu lifted her head from his shoulder, quietly waiting for him to explain.

He went on, “The Liu family was a nest of Xiyan spies. Your real cousin must have been switched by Chancellor Liu.”

“So she’s my cousin?” Tailscoop Qianyu’s gaze shifted to the unconscious woman on the bed.

Feng Jinye nodded.

Calming herself, Tailscoop Qianyu called for Winter Warmth. “Go to the Duke Lu’s residence and bring my grandfather, uncle, and aunt here.”

Though it was early August, the night was still sweltering.

As midnight approached, all of the Duke Lu’s family except for Lu Huiyan hurried to the General’s Manor.

Through the deep night, the General’s Manor was ablaze with light. The quiet was broken only by Lady Lu’s gentle weeping.

By dawn, Miss Liu had become Lu Yanran. For the sake of her reputation, it was decided after much discussion that she would be taken back to the Duke’s residence to recover before returning to the Lin family.

With the events of that night, Feng Jinye uncovered the spies lurking within the Duke’s household. That very night, Yue Du was swept clean—every Xiyan agent rooted out, except for Lu Huiyan, who escaped.

Lu Huiyan was the girl who had switched identities with Lu Yanran. It was said that all Lu Yanran’s previous attempts to harm Tailscoop Qianyu had been at Lu Huiyan’s behest.

Tailscoop Qianyu recalled her father once explaining the meaning behind her name: her mother’s fondest wish—“May your days be gentle and your words always sweet.” She had never understood why her cousin refused to use the name “Yanran,” chosen by her mother.

Now she understood a little, but still could not fathom why Lu Huiyan, having taken her cousin’s place, had not simply used the name “Lu Yanran.”

When Tailscoop Qianyu voiced her confusion, she was told that at age six, Lu Huiyan’s name was changed by a monk who claimed to read faces.

Thus, the grievances between Tailscoop Qianyu and Lu Yanran faded away.

Yet Feng Jinye remained puzzled: with Xiyan’s methods, how had Tailscoop Qianyu survived the poison, and how had Huangfu Chen, after years of coma, awakened without warning?

The poisons of Xiyan’s Poison Palace were said to be curable only by their own antidotes. Huangfu Chen was the sole exception, and Tailscoop Qianyu the only target spared by their spies—the poison on her dart had not come from Xiyan at all.