Chapter One

Qi Yunmiao had never seen a mansion so grand in her life.

Entering from the south gate, there was a front courtyard. Beyond that lay the flower hall. Passing through the flower hall, there was a winding long corridor that curved and twisted; on one side were artificial mountain rocks by the lake, and on the other, a pavilion filled with books. From the pavilion by the rocks, one could gaze out upon a vast lotus pond, fresh and verdant.

The nanny led her through the lotus pond until they stopped in front of another small courtyard gate.

“From now on, Miss will live here,” the nanny said. “The Prime Minister has instructed that if the Miss needs anything, just tell us servants.”

Qi Yunmiao examined the small courtyard before her. Without a doubt, this courtyard by the lotus pond was also an exceptionally spacious residence.

She walked from one side of the courtyard to the other, from the study to the kitchen, and finally to her own bedroom.

Stepping out from her chamber, she asked the nanny, “If I live here, what about Mother? Will she live here too from now on?”

The nanny covered her mouth and laughed softly. “Madam is now married to the Prime Minister. As husband and wife, they naturally share a room. You are ten years old now, so it’s only proper you have your own chambers.”

“Oh,” Qi Yunmiao replied awkwardly.

Though she had anticipated it, hearing this fact from the nanny still stirred a slight sadness within her.

Today was the day her mother remarried.

Qi Yunmiao’s father had passed away the previous year. Her mother brought her to the capital, and before long, she met the famously renowned Prime Minister, Pei Xun.

Over the past half year, Qi Yunmiao had lived with her mother in a small alley in the western part of the city. The Prime Minister often came and went, showing much care for the two of them; this current arrangement was hardly unexpected.

Yet being suddenly told that her mother was to remarry and that she would now live alone in a large courtyard, Qi Yunmiao found it somewhat difficult to adjust.

The residence the Prime Minister’s mansion had prepared for her was enormous—larger than the entire small house where she had lived with her father and mother as a family of three.

She stood still for a moment, stunned, then asked, “When can I go to the front courtyard? When will Mother be able to come see me?”

The nanny immediately replied, “The front courtyard is still undergoing formal ceremonies. If the Miss wishes to visit, it will have to wait a while longer.”

Very well.

Qi Yunmiao’s expression dimmed once more.

Seeing this, the nanny couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

The Prime Minister’s household had not had a child for a long time.

The previous Madam of the mansion had passed away eight years ago, leaving behind only a six-year-old young master. For eight years since, the mansion had no lady of the house; no concubines or secondary wives appeared either.

Everyone had assumed the Prime Minister would live a life of solitude, mourning his late wife forever. Yet unexpectedly, in this warm autumn, he suddenly decided to take a new wife.

And this new wife was a woman from the countryside, bringing along a ten-year-old daughter.

At first, people thought this new madam must be extraordinary—for the Prime Minister, who had avoided female company for years, to make such an exception. Surely her daughter must be remarkable as well.

But since meeting the new madam, the nanny’s impression had completely changed. Even upon seeing Qi Yunmiao for the first time today, she found herself quite fond of the child.

Qi Yunmiao’s face was roundish, her rosy cheeks still childlike and translucent. That morning, her mother had carefully styled her hair into twin buns, adorned with red silk ribbons—festive and auspicious.

The nanny looked at her thoughtfully and then offered, “Miss, if you find the mansion dull, I can have your trunks brought inside now?”

“That would be great!” Qi Yunmiao finally brightened at the suggestion.

Her trunks contained many interesting things—her father’s handcrafted peachwood sword, countless slingshots and bamboo flutes. Though she wasn’t very skilled with them, she always carried them close.

The nanny then led her toward the back gate.

Today was the new madam’s day to enter the mansion; the front hall was already hosting formal ceremonies, so Qi Yunmiao’s unique status made it inconvenient for her to go there yet.

The nanny led her through a small corridor, winding past several courtyards, kitchens, and flower rooms, finally arriving at the back gate.

The carriage carrying her trunks was parked there. Qi Yunmiao nimbly climbed aboard, immediately seeking out the items her father had made for her.

“Nanny,” she suddenly asked from the carriage, “may I practice swordsmanship here in the mansion?”

“Sword practice?” The nanny was surprised. How could a mere ten-year-old girl be interested in swordplay?

“It’s possible,” the nanny said, “but do you know how to wield a sword?”

“I learned a little before,” Qi Yunmiao replied.

The nanny nodded, then helped her off the carriage and called some servants to unload her luggage.

Qi Yunmiao stood by, clutching the bundle that held her peachwood sword tightly.

In truth, her sword skills were tricks she had learned from her father.

Because her father was a hunter.

Before her father’s accident, Qi Yunmiao had lived with him and her mother in a small wooden cabin at the foot of the mountain, leading a peaceful and stable life as a family of three.

Her father was the village’s most renowned hunter. He lived by hunting in the mountains, never returning empty-handed. Whether it was a wild rabbit or a crucian carp from the water, he always brought something home—either to sell for money or to provide a hearty meal for Qi Yunmiao and her mother.

Her mother was not only an embroiderer but also a famed talented woman in the village, literate and skilled in reading characters. When she had free time, Qi Yunmiao would follow her mother, learning to read and paint.

But what she loved most was accompanying her father into the mountains.

He taught her how to draw the bow, shoot arrows, identify mountain birds and beasts, and distinguish whether snakes and insects in thickets were venomous.

From a young age, Qi Yunmiao’s greatest ambition was to become the village’s most formidable hunter, just like her father.

But before she could become as skilled as him, her father was gone.

Her father did not die while hunting. He died while rescuing a man in the mountains and escorting him home.

It was during the previous winter, after a heavy snowfall. Her father ventured into the mountains, but for the first time, returned without game. Instead, he brought back a blind man.

The man wore a bloodstained brocade robe and was barely alive. After saving him, her father learned he was from the capital.

Seeing the man’s blindness and severe injuries, and knowing the village doctor’s limited skills, her father feared the man’s condition would worsen if delayed. So he decided to escort him back home to the capital before the New Year.

Judging by the man’s fine clothing, he must have come from a wealthy family—better to be in the city than stranded in the countryside.

But that journey was the last her father ever made.

Only his remains returned.

His bones were found outside the capital’s government office. A familiar uncle from the village saw them, rushed back, and informed her mother.

Her mother went to the capital that very night to identify the body, then brought it back for burial.

Soon after, she left the village with Qi Yunmiao and moved to the capital.

After arriving, her mother told Qi Yunmiao she had to earn a living for the two of them and could no longer personally teach her to read and write. She had to send her to a school where teachers would instruct her instead.

As for Qi Yunmiao’s dreams and ambitions, her mother promised to help her realize them once their lives settled.

At that time, Qi Yunmiao did not know what kind of life would be considered stable for her and her mother.

But she was obedient and always willing to listen to her mother.

Life had been hard for her mother since her father’s death and their move to the capital.

By day, her mother sold her own paintings and embroidered handkerchiefs at a street stall. By night, she sat by candlelight at home, painting and stitching items to sell the next day.

Qi Yunmiao could do little to help but would rub her mother’s shoulders and back after her long days of work.

After the servants unloaded all the trunks, Qi Yunmiao followed the nanny back to her courtyard.

Though the Prime Minister’s mansion had arranged a fine residence for her, it felt empty and lifeless. Only when she put her belongings in place did her rooms feel alive.

She spent the entire day accompanied by the nanny. Whatever she wanted to do or eat, she had to inform the nanny first.

Stuck in the courtyard all day until evening, finally someone came from the front hall to summon Qi Yunmiao for dinner.

She followed the nanny toward the front hall.

“By the way, you may see the young master later. He is reserved and lives mostly at the academy outside the city, rarely coming home. He doesn’t like to talk much, so don’t be surprised,” the nanny reminded her on the way.

“The young master?”

Ah, Qi Yunmiao remembered. Before her mother remarried, she had told her that the mansion had an older brother—the child of the Prime Minister and his deceased first wife.

Qi Yunmiao knew she was the newcomer and understood how to behave as a dependent.

She nodded quietly.

Arriving at the front hall, from a distance Qi Yunmiao first saw her mother and the Prime Minister seated at the main position.

Her mother wore a vibrant red gown today, truly festive. Her hairstyle was adorned with golden hairpins Qi Yunmiao had never seen before. The embroidery was magnificent, appearing quite different from before.

Not like back when they lived in the countryside.

Not like when they lived in the alley by the stone bridge.

But Qi Yunmiao thought her mother looked beautiful.

Her mother was the most beautiful woman Qi Yunmiao had ever seen. She had a smooth, rounded oval face, almond eyes, and perfect teeth. Her naturally thick eyebrows framed a gentle smile, like fresh willow leaves in spring—soft yet lively and expressive.

Her father had often said that once they were prosperous, he would present her mother with a phoenix coronet and embroidered wedding robe, so she could be glorious just once, honoring her beauty.

Now, her mother truly wore the phoenix coronet and wedding robe.

It was a pity her father was no longer here.

Qi Yunmiao stared from a distance and suddenly sniffled.

She followed the nanny into the room.

Just then, from the direction of the front gate, someone else entered the hall.

The Prime Minister’s gaze first fell upon a young boy entering from the main gate.

“Jingxuan has returned,” he said. “Where have you been all day? Come here. This is your mother, Madam Shen. Say hello to your mother.”

Qi Yunmiao saw the boy called Jingxuan glance briefly at her mother, then clasp his hands, bowing slightly with lowered neck.

“Greetings, Madam.”