Chapter 3
The morning sun slanted through the latticed windows of Shen Yun-yao’s chamber as she reviewed the household accounts.
Her brush moved with practiced precision across the ledger, each character perfectly formed despite the mundane nature of the task.
Rice deliveries, servants' wages, garden expenses—the rhythm of maintaining the Chancellor’s vast household provided its own kind of peace.
After delivering the household report to her mother, Yun-yao sought out her brother at her request.
Outside, a different kind of serenity awaited her.
In the garden, she found her younger brother, Shen Yun-shan, seated in the pavilion with an open book of poetry.
At eighteen, he already carried himself with the gravity of a man twice his age, every gesture calculated to reflect his status as eldest son and heir of the Shen Clan.
The morning breeze carried the delicate scent of blooming orchids. Yun-shan’s silhouette cut a sharp contrast against the garden’s softness—spine straight as a calligraphy brush, pale robes pooling around him like unfurled petals.
The Orchid Gentleman, they called him—whispered in teahouses, sighed over by daughters of noble houses.
That face could have launched a thousand poems: skin like luminous jade, brows sharper than any sword, eyes dark as ink ponds.
But the epithet spoke to more than beauty.
Like the orchid that blooms in rocky crevices, Yun-shan’s reputation grew from unyielding discipline—virtue untouched by corruption, grace that required no adornment.
“Big Sister,” he acknowledged, closing his book. “How fares the household today?”
“All is in order,” she replied, taking a seat across from him. “Father will join us for the midday meal. Mother says he wishes to speak with you.”
Yun-shan straightened. “Perhaps news of my upcoming appointment in the court.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed. Her brother had came in first in the imperial examinations last year and now stood at the beginning of what would surely be an illustrious career in the civil service. Chancellor Shen expected nothing less.
“And you, Sister?” Yun-shan asked, his tone softening slightly. “Are you well?”
The question surprised her. Her brother rarely concerned himself with matters beyond his studies and career ambitions.
“I am as I always am,” she replied with a slight smile. “Neither better nor worse.”
He frowned. “I heard Mother and Father discussing... possibilities for you.”
Yun-yao kept her expression neutral, though her heart quickened. “Possibilities?”
“Now that Grandfather’s mourning period has ended, they feel it’s time to secure your future.”
Ah. So they've finally decided to address the problem of their leftover daughter.
“I see,” she said calmly. “Well, I trust their judgment in such matters.”
“We all wish the best for you,” Yun-shan said with rare gentleness. “If there were any way to—”
A commotion at the front courtyard interrupted him. Servants were rushing toward the main gate, their voices raised in surprise and urgency.
“What’s happening?” Yun-shan rose, his book forgotten.
A young servant girl appeared at the pavilion entrance, breathless. “Young Lady! Young Master! The Chancellor requests your immediate presence in the main hall. An Imperial messenger has arrived!”
They exchanged a look of surprise before hurrying toward the house. Imperial messengers were not uncommon visitors to the Chancellor’s residence, but the summoning of the entire family was unusual.
In the main hall, they found their father already kneeling, his face impassive as carved stone. Lady Shen knelt beside him, the rest of the family arranged in order of precedence behind them. A man in Imperial messenger robes waited at the center of the hall, a sealed decree box in his hands.
Yun-yao and Yun-shan took their places quickly, and a hush fell over the assembly.
The messenger stepped forward, raising the decree box above his head. “By command of His Imperial Majesty of the Dragon Throne, the Son of Heaven, Lord of Ten Thousand Years, I bring this decree to the house of Chancellor Shen.”
With ceremonial precision, he opened the box and withdrew a scroll sealed with the dragon emblem. His voice rang out clear and formal:
“The Emperor decrees:
Maiden Yun-yao of the Shen Clan, daughter of Chancellor Shen, raised under the teachings of virtue and propriety, gentle in conduct and steadfast in filial piety — a model among the noble daughters of the realm. Her demeanor reflects grace, her heart is sincere, her learning refined.
Wei Zhen-ting, Great General Who Guards the Nation, risen from humility through merit, unwavering in duty and steadfast in loyalty—a paragon among the realm’s defenders. His sword has carved peace from chaos, his heart upright, his valor unmatched.
In recognition of their matched virtue and harmonious destiny, We decree that these two shall be joined in holy matrimony, so that strength and grace may unite in everlasting harmony. Let this union be witnessed by Heaven and Earth and blessed with enduring prosperity.
Thus speaks our will.
By Imperial Decree, in the 17th year of the Xuanming Reign of Xi Dynasty.”
As the final words faded, the messenger rolled the scroll closed and raised it above his head once more, bowing deeply before presenting it to Chancellor Shen.
Chancellor Shen held up his hands to receive it, touching his forehead to the floor three times before accepting the decree, hiding his surprise beneath ceremonial composure.
The room went utterly still. Yun-yao felt strangely distant from the scene, as though watching through cloudy water.
She was vaguely aware of Yun-jia’s gasp, of her mother’s hand tightening on her robes, of Yun-shan’s shocked expression and her father’s rigid stance.
Colors faded around her, and time stretched oddly—heartbeats too slow, movements too quick.
She tried to focus, but the world tilted slightly beneath her feet.
The Bloody General. The man they whisper about with fear and awe. The orphan soldier who rose from nothing.
“Congratulations Chancellor Shen.” smiled the Imperial messenger. “His Imperial Majesty expects the wedding to take place in one month’s time; with all ceremonial honors befitting the Great General and the daughter of our esteemed Chancellor.”
“Eldest Sis,” Yun-jia whispered, eyes wide with a mixture of awe and horror, “you're to marry the Bloody General!”
“Yun-jia!” Lady Shen reprimanded sharply. “Show proper respect. Your sister is to wed the Great General Who Guards the Nation, hero of the Xi Dynasty.”
The Imperial messenger, who had been quietly observing the family’s reactions, spoke again. “His Imperial Majesty anticipates the Chancellor’s presence at court tomorrow morning to discuss the arrangements. General Wei has already expressed his profound gratitude for this honor.”
Profound gratitude, my silk slippers. The thought came with bitter clarity. Why would Xi’s greatest general, who could have his pick of young beauties, choose a twenty-year-old leftover daughter?
“The Shen Clan is deeply honored and grateful, and will obey His Imperial Majesty’s decree,” Chancellor Shen replied formally.
More words were exchanged, ceremonial tea was served, but Yun-yao barely registered any of it. She performed her role perfectly—bowing when required, serving tea with flawless grace, maintaining a serene expression that revealed absolutely nothing of her inner turmoil.
Only when the messenger had departed and the family retired to the inner hall did her mother turn to her, her expression a careful balance of relief and concern.
“What an extraordinary honor,” Lady Shen said, breaking the silence. “To be chosen by Imperial decree.”
Chancellor Shen nodded slowly, his gaze calculating. “Indeed. The Emperor shows great favor to both our house and to the General. Such an alliance between civil and military powers is... significant.”
Yun-yao could read the unspoken thoughts behind her father’s careful words.
This marriage created political implications that extended far beyond a simple reward for a victorious general.
It linked their family’s fortunes to the Empire’s greatest military commander—a man with the loyalty of the army behind him.
“This is... an unexpected match, Yun-yao,” Lady Shen continued, her voice measured.
“General Wei’s status as hero of Great Xi makes this a most prestigious union.
The Emperor’s favor has elevated him to the highest ranks.
” A pause, delicate as silk tearing. “As his wife, you will have a position befitting your status.” Her mother’s fingers worried at her sleeve, a rare crack in her composure.
“Though I had hoped you might wed a scholar or an established official’s son.
.. Still, you will uphold our family’s dignity.
That has always been your greatest strength. ”
Her father set down his tea cup with deliberate care.
“The Emperor does not make casual moves on the board.” He studied her face as if reading a military dispatch.
“A general of common birth, granted uncommon power. The Chancellor’s daughter, unmarried and available.
His Imperial Majesty has positioned his pieces with precision. ”
And I am the perfect piece to be positioned, Yun-yao thought. How convenient.
Yun-shan frowned. “Father, is it wise? The General’s reputation is... fearsome. And to link our family so directly to military power—”
“The Emperor has decided it is wise,” Chancellor Shen cut him off sharply. “That is all we need to know.”
Yun-yao finally found her voice, amazed that it emerged steady and calm. “Might it be possible to meet General Wei before the wedding?”
Her father looked surprised, as if he hadn't considered this question. “I'm not certain. His duties may not permit much time for courtship rituals.”
Of course.
“A month is very little time to prepare,” Lady Shen was saying, already making mental calculations. “We must begin at once—your dowry, the wedding clothes, the banquet arrangements...”
“Yes, Mother,” Yun-yao replied automatically.
“You will make us proud,” her father said, not quite a question, not quite a command. “The Emperor has honored our family with his choice. You will be a wife worthy of the Great General’s status.”
“Yes, Father.”
One month. Thirty days until she would be wed to a man she had never met, a warrior whose reputation made hardened soldiers tremble. Thirty days until she left her family’s house forever to become the wife of Wei Zhen-ting.
She had no choice.
But then, she never had.