Chapter 1: Prologue

The Madam of Dongyang Marquis received the news while at a banquet.

A servant woman whispered a few words into her ear, and the expression on the Madam’s face, which had been smiling just moments before, shifted to one of shock.

"Is it true?" she blurted out.

The sharp-eyed ladies seated nearby could no longer restrain themselves and pressed, "What is it?"

Hearing the inquiry and feeling the burning gazes from all around, the shock on the Madam’s face dissipated, replaced by a smile at the corners of her lips.

"It is news of Jingyun," she said.

Upon hearing this name, the burning gazes intensified, and the young women at the neighboring tables all turned to look.

Zhou Jingyun, the legitimate son of the Dongyang Marquis, was granted the title of Heir Apparent at the age of three. At six, he was praised by the late Emperor for his intelligence and handsome appearance. At thirteen, he was appointed to the Hanlin Academy by the late Emperor, hailed as the youngest Hanlin official in the Great Zhou, and ranked as the number one choice for a husband in the capital.

Regrettably, when he was fourteen, the Earl of Ding'an beat everyone else to the punch. The Earl had shamelessly pestered the Emperor to act as a matchmaker for his third daughter, and the Dongyang Marquis had eventually relented.

Because of this, countless families in the capital cursed the Earl of Ding'an behind his back, heartbroken that such a prime husband had been snatched away.

But no one expected that after the two married at eighteen, the Earl of Ding'an’s third daughter proved to be short-lived. Only half a year into the marriage, she contracted a sudden intestinal illness and passed away before she could be saved.

The widower Zhou Jingyun once again became a prime candidate for marriage, but he remained deeply devoted to his late wife. He first observed a three-year mourning period, then requested a post away from the capital—and he had been gone for six years since.

Although he was nearly twenty-seven, Zhou Jingyun had yet to remarry.

And he remained the capital’s top choice for a husband.

Hearing the Madam’s words, even more people could not hold back.

"Is the Heir Apparent coming back?" asked the wife of the Vice Minister of Rites. Taking advantage of her proximity, she grabbed the Madam’s wrist. "Yu-niang, given the friendship between our two families, you must not forget what I’ve said."

The others laughed; the wife of the Vice Minister of Rites loved playing matchmaker, but she had always intended to claim Zhou Jingyun for her own family first.

Everyone chimed in with playful reproaches: "Why are you in such a rush! Your daughter is still young."

"Madam, is Jingyun doing well?" the wife of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices asked with concern, leaning forward to place her hand on the Madam’s other wrist. "Now that there is no longer an evil empress meddling in politics and the nation is stable, the new Emperor has also mentioned the 'little Hanlin' of the past several times. He should return soon."

The Madam of Dongyang Marquis couldn't help but chuckle, feigning annoyance as she pulled her hands back and gave each of theirs a light tap.

"Don't you all tease me," she said, though she offered an explanation: "They say he is to return this year, but nothing is set in stone."

That meant he was coming back. Everyone was delighted with the answer, and for a time, the banquet became even more lively. However, when they tried to ask more about Zhou Jingyun, the Madam would say no more.

The Madam remained until the banquet concluded, taking her leave at a standard hour. Everything seemed normal, but as she stepped onto her carriage at the secondary gate, perhaps because the servant woman holding the footstool hadn't steadied it well, the Madam stumbled and nearly collided with the carriage. Fortunately, the servant beside her pulled her back in time, and another servant shielded her, preventing the Madam from suffering any bumps or bruises.

The Madam declined everyone’s expressions of concern, joking that she was just getting old and clumsy, and left with a smile.

But with countless eyes watching, the scene spread instantly.

The Madam’s loss of composure must have been due to the news she received at the banquet.

News of Zhou Jingyun.

What happened to Zhou Jingyun?

Could something have happened to him!

Countless rumors and speculations circulated throughout the capital. Before anyone could even begin to inquire, another piece of news arrived, leaving many ladies and young misses in the capital shocked and distraught.

Zhou Jingyun had remarried.