The title of Duke Anguo was a name nearly lost to oblivion. When Prince Su Li Long heard it, he slowly loosened his armor, taking considerable time to recall. "Is it the late Prince Chen...?""Yes," replied his aide. The matter had been neglected for so long it seemed forgotten by all. The Duke Anguo's estate was originally tied to the family of the late Prince Chen's wife. Thirteen years ago, Ye Ying, the aunt of Ye Jiao, married Li Long's uncle, Prince Chen, becoming the Princess Consort Chen. Later, when Prince Chen's rebellion failed, he was executed by imperial decree. The Princess Consort returned to the Duke Anguo's estate, hoping to borrow the imperial-bestowed sword to plead for clemency. Though the Duke Anguo had passed away, many of his retainers remained influential in court. Ye Jiao's father, Ye Xi—Princess Consort Chen's brother—refused. He believed Prince Chen deserved his fate and forbade dragging the Duke's former followers into further strife. Resentful and aggrieved, the Princess Consort swore to sever all ties with the Duke's household. She took Prince Chen's body and, following the emperor's command, buried him by the Huai River, vowing lifelong vigil. Ye Xi also left the capital; after pleading unsuccessfully for the sword's return, he turned to the religious authorities, obtained ordination papers, and became a monk, leaving the Duke's estate in desolation, its members isolated and unheard from for ten years.
The aide recounted Ye Rou and Ye Jiao's story in detail, emphasizing Ye Jiao. "When Fu Mingzhu canceled the engagement, His Majesty showed sympathy toward the Ye family. After Ye Jiao reported the matter to officials late at night, the emperor's admiration grew. If Your Highness were to propose marriage to Ye Jiao, it would not only demonstrate the absence of ambition for power but also pacify the Duke Anguo's estate and express filial loyalty."
Li Long cast his discarded armor onto the ground with a sharp clang. Outside the hall, a few dog barks sounded—those were the fierce hounds he had brought from the frontier. Furrowing his brows in approval, he settled the matter. As a man of decisive military prowess, he acted swiftly and cleanly. "I care little whom I marry. Tomorrow, I shall beseech His Majesty to grant me a bride."
The aides exchanged glances, smiling knowingly. "Better to attend the Chang Princess's Qiqiao Banquet. You will meet Ye Jiao there by chance, and then propose marriage—it will be fitting and proper." Any other approach would seem scheming. Li Long nodded. "Then I leave it to you to arrange everything meticulously."
By 'meticulously,' they meant placing the two seats close at the banquet to give Li Long the chance to meet Ye Jiao. Without such proximity, even if he proposed, Ye Jiao's disdain might thwart the union.
Yet, when Li Long arrived at the banquet the next day, Ye Jiao was already surrounded by a group of noble daughters. Most were just newly come of age, their chatter shrill and incessant.
"Was it you who ordered the arrow to be shot?""Did you bully Sister Bai Wei?""Yes, Qin Bai Wei has been too ashamed to show her face—all your fault!"
Ye Jiao wore a dual-hued crimson and frost-colored strapless gown, her hair arranged in a gentle wind-like coil, her hairpin gleaming brilliantly. Her countenance was elegant and unmatched. Amidst the provocations, she remained composed, even smiling lightly. The corners of Li Long's mouth twitched in approval. The aides' suggestion had merit: marrying this young lady into the household, even without maternal influence, would brighten the estate.
Ye Jiao replied to their taunts with a clear, melodious voice. "I do not understand what you mean. Are you sympathizing with that Qin Bai Wei?" She stepped back gracefully, raising her delicate arm and pointing at the circle of girls, counting them one by one. "Are you her friends?"
"Of course!" one girl retorted. "She's been playing with us since childhood. Unlike you—no one bothers with you."
A faint sneer crossed Ye Jiao's face. Shaking her head, she reproached, "So you count those who commit premarital affairs and steal husbands as friends! Birds of a feather flock together. Are you all of that kind? Then why come to the Qiqiao Banquet? Why not strip and run naked through the imperial street?"
"You… you…" The girls flushed scarlet, stammering in vain, one even breaking down in tears. This was a day of blessing and weaving for good marriages. Families had warned their daughters that princes might choose brides on the spot. No one expected a mere rebuke of Ye Jiao to provoke such accusations. The noble girls fled, seeking solace with their maids and nurses.
Ye Jiao strolled out leisurely, taking a bite of an apple. "Too weak," she muttered to herself.
Li Long wished to approach her but was interrupted by a call from nearby. "Brother Su Wang!" It was Fifth Prince Li Jing and Ninth Prince Li Ce, who approached with respect and warmth. Li Long exchanged pleasantries with them.
"Brother Wang is back?" Li Jing said. "We should go watch a play together sometime." Li Jing's favorite pastimes were theater, drinking, and gossip. Li Long nodded, then turned his gaze to Li Ce. "How have you been lately?" As elder brother, he felt it his duty to care for his siblings and set a model of brotherly affection.
"Quite well," Li Ce replied with a light cough. "Thank you for your concern." The capital's climate aided his recovery, and he faithfully took the imperial medicines.
The three took their seats in the garden, beneath colorful banners that shielded from the sun and upon red carpets. They knelt on mats, savoring exquisite dishes while chatting amiably.
Soon, Princess Chang Li Xianya arrived, and all rose to pay respects. At over forty, she was the only daughter of the late emperor to remain in Chang'an. She lived harmoniously with her husband and enjoyed perfumery, incense making, and singing. Though her waist was no longer slender, rumors said she could still dance the Whirling Dance.
Li Long's seat was beside hers—the highest honor among guests. Below him sat Li Jing and Li Ce. No sooner had they settled than Li Jing praised Ye Jiao's beauty.
"The capital has such a stunning maiden! Taking her to the theater would bring great prestige. Quiet and reserved—perhaps a good mother as well."
Li Ce glanced toward Ye Jiao at the far end, who was intently eating and drinking. She picked a slice of fish sashimi, dipped it in sauce, and chewed gently. Her other hand lifted a wine cup for a sip. She tore at a chicken drumstick, tasted cold noodles, peeled a persimmon, and sipped through a reed straw with evident satisfaction. Her movements were skilled and fluid, fingers dancing like music—relaxed and natural. To her, the banquet was simply a feast, the food the focus rather than anything else.
Li Jing glanced at Ye Jiao often, hesitating. "She eats so heartily—can we even afford to keep her?"
Li Ce stirred a millet soup with his spoon but remained silent. Ye Jiao made no effort to speak to Li Ce after that night she reported to the authorities with him. She seemed to have entirely forgotten him—a coldhearted one indeed.
The princess requested Li Long to perform a magic trick. He had been lively and jovial, speaking of northern scenery and Tibetan customs, causing the noble ladies to cover their mouths in laughter. But Ye Jiao paid no heed, focusing solely on her meal—fish, chicken, lamb, fruits, and soup in turn. She even asked a maid for a wooden stick to crack a walnut, utterly absorbed.
Pressed by Ye Jiao's indifference, Li Long rose to perform, juggling like a street entertainer from the western regions to capture her attention. Ye Jiao finally glanced up, eyes lighting at the sword he drew. Li Long felt a flicker of satisfaction and asked for a lady's assistance. Among the many who raised their hands, he deliberately chose Ye Jiao, who had not.
Reluctantly, Ye Jiao set aside her glutinous rice, wiped her hands with a silk handkerchief, and bowed lightly. A maid introduced her as Miss Ye of the Duke Anguo's estate; a eunuch introduced Li Long as Prince Su.
Standing in the center, Li Long smiled, "I brought back a fierce hound from Tibet, named 'Sai Lang.' Loyal and reliable, yet ferocious and terrifying. It knows no master but me. When I wield my sword, it mimics me. But it only plays when rewarded with food. Miss Ye, may I ask you to toss pieces of meat to Sai Lang?"
Li Long made no show of swordsmanship. His skill was such that displaying it would only make the emperor and the Second Prince more wary. He preferred to be seen as a mere dog handler.
Ye Jiao rolled up her sleeves by the table. Positioned at the end, she was well-placed to assist. It was only tossing meat, after all, no need to refuse. The basin held cooked pork, cut into palm-sized chunks. The hound was led out—large and fearsome. A few noble girls huddled nervously, whispering excitedly.
Li Ce stood up, approaching tensely. Yet the hound obediently squatted. When Li Long raised his sword, the dog lifted a paw in imitation, drawing laughter and easing the tension.
Ye Jiao threw a piece of meat. The dog leapt, devouring it with satisfaction, then tapped its hind legs and rose its paw like a human wielding a sword, prompting applause.
Ye Jiao grew bored. She had expected a graceful sword performance from a border prince, but this was mere dog play—and a distraction from her meal. She glanced across. The man who had helped her report that night was here too. If he appeared in such a place, perhaps he was a noble's son? Accompanying him was a prince, rumored to be the Fifth Prince, who loved to enjoy himself and was known for loose morals.
The evening progressed. Li Long, through subtle hints and the princess's endorsement, expressed his wish to marry Ye Jiao. She neither accepted nor rejected outright, only smiling faintly, eyes sharp and unreadable.
The mad hound barked again, shaking the hall with its loud, wild howls. It was the kind of madness that only a fierce warrior could tame. And in this madness, the seeds of a new alliance had been planted—one that would alter the fate of the Duke Anguo's estate forever.