Volume One Chapter One: The Empress Comes Calling
“Is this truly my daughter?”
A heavy snow had just fallen over Yanshan County, and the sky had cleared. Outside a tidy farmhouse courtyard, Li Xian stood at the threshold, eyeing the two women and a child before him with suspicion.
At the forefront was a woman clad in a fine sable hat, a white snow-fox cotton robe, and a velvet cape embroidered with plum blossoms. A plain, wide sash cinched her waist, accentuating her graceful figure. On her feet were silk-embroidered palace shoes, and a veil draped from her neck concealed her features.
Even through the veil, it was clear she was strikingly beautiful.
At her left hand, she held a girl of about five, delicately lovely, as if carved from porcelain—adorable in every way.
Trailing behind was a figure in crisp white attire, sharp-eyed, following a step behind the others, gaze fixed intently upon Li Xian.
The empress’s eyes lingered briefly on Li Xian’s face before she spoke coolly, “If you refuse to acknowledge her, I can leave now.”
Li Xian hurriedly blocked the way, embarrassed. “Ahem… It’s not that I refuse, it’s just that receiving such news first thing in the morning is… quite the surprise!”
In truth, when these visitors had arrived, memories from six years prior came rushing back to him.
Six years ago, he had just arrived in this land, barely had time to digest the memories of his new body, when someone broke in through the window, sword in hand, forcing him into submission.
His assailant was none other than the woman before him.
Dressed in night clothes, she was formidable even while injured. She pinned him down, leaving him utterly helpless. What happened next scarcely needs recounting—had his body not been young, he likely wouldn’t have survived her demands that night.
Yet the memory lingered, unforgettable.
Li Xian often mocked himself for having been “used,” and the worst part was that the woman nearly killed him the next day, relenting only at the last moment.
He had never imagined he would see her again, and with a child in tow no less.
Had she encountered danger, and come to leave the child with him for safety?
“Mother, is he really my father? This place looks so small and poor—will it be safe?” the little girl murmured, pointing at the locust-wood gate with a childish lisp.
Li Xian flushed with embarrassment at being called poor by his own daughter.
But her manner was so endearing that he forgave her at once—after all, who could stay upset at their own child? Looking more closely, he could indeed see traces of himself in her features.
Ah! He had died from overwork and reincarnated into this world, spending six contented years as a leisurely small landowner. Now, out of nowhere, he had a daughter—what a surprise!
There was no denying his own child. Clearly, he couldn’t just laze about any longer. But what of this “wife” of his—would she, as before, disappear without a word?
Li Xian was certain his “not-quite-wife” hailed from some prominent martial clan; her prowess was undeniable. Even freshly arrived in this world, he shouldn’t have been subdued so easily, and yet that night, humiliation and confusion mingled in equal measure.
Her identity, he was sure, was anything but simple.
“Here is safer,” the veiled woman said gently to her daughter. “In this humble village, few know of us. Bringing you here was my only choice. When my affairs are settled, I’ll return for you. Be patient a while longer.”
Through her veil, her beauty was tinged with warmth. Glancing from the farmhouse to Li Xian, Gong Yuyan’s mind wandered to the past.
Six years ago, after the Emperor’s death, the Crown Prince’s faction had clashed with hers. A year later, the prince fled, and she—against all odds—ascended the throne as empress.
During those tumultuous days, a poison attack left her weakened on the road back to the capital, and in desperation she sought refuge in Yanshan County, where she had forced herself upon a young farmer—Li Xian. Though she meant to kill him the next day, her heart failed her, and she left. Ten months later, she gave birth to a daughter.
She had hidden her child in the palace, raising her in secret, but rumors had begun to circulate at court. For her daughter’s safety, she had no choice but to bring her here—back to the place of that fateful night.
In the five years since her coronation, she had stabilized the empire, but now, old factions stirred again. The borderlands simmered with unrest, vassals schemed, and some even colluded with enemies—leaving her little room for error.
Her daughter was her only weakness; she had to be hidden somewhere utterly safe.
And so, only here would do.
Looking at Li Xian, Gong Yuyan finally spoke after a pause, “Our daughter is named Gong Xinyi. You may call her Yiyi.”
“Li Xinyi sounds lovely, too,” Li Xian muttered. “Why should her surname be Gong…”
“What did you say?” Gong Yuyan’s brows knit.
Li Xian quickly backtracked. “Nothing! I was just saying—our daughter is beautiful, just like me. Of course… she’s inherited your peerless beauty too!”
Sensing murderous intent from both women, he hastily added the compliment.
Are all Daqian women this terrifying? Why do they threaten to kill at the drop of a hat?
“So—” Gong Yuyan paused, her tone cool. “Yiyi will stay here for now. Look after her. When my affairs are settled, I’ll return for her. You’ll be well rewarded.”
“Why say that? Would I refuse to raise my own child?” Li Xian retorted. “Is your family in trouble, is that why you can’t keep your daughter and thought of me?”
Gong Yuyan was silent.
“You really don’t have to do this. If you’re unmarried, or if I’m the only man you’ve known, you could marry me. I’d give you the grandest wedding in all Yanshan County—no one would dare slight you. Rest assured!” Li Xian declared with pride, patting his chest.
He had saved diligently for six years, and with his late parents’ inheritance, he was sitting on a small fortune—at least a thousand taels of silver, perhaps more. In his former life, that would be worth millions. Plus, his hundred acres of fertile land made him a veritable millionaire.
Now, with a wife and daughter, he was more than capable of providing for them.
His “wife,” who had brought their daughter to him, was stunning indeed. That wild night six years ago, he had seen everything there was to see—he knew well how breathtaking she was.
Gong Yuyan’s murderous air faded, replaced by a cold laugh. “Are you so wealthy?”
As empress, she had more silver than she could ever need, and to hear a village man boast of a grand wedding was almost comical.
Li Xian puffed out his chest. “I have at least a thousand taels. Certainly more than someone who can’t afford to keep her own child. Don’t you agree?”
He was convinced she was the daughter of some martial clan, caught up in family troubles, forced to leave her child with him.
Gong Yuyan fell silent. She could not even protect her own flesh and blood—what use was there in arguing further with a country bumpkin? It was pointless.
With her daughter settled, it was time to go.
“Mother, are you leaving?” the little girl asked, eyes brimming with tears as Gong Yuyan rose to go.
She turned, stroking her daughter’s head. “Xinyi, be good. He may not come from much, but he is your father. Behave yourself here. Once I return, I’ll send word by carrier pigeon. Listen well, do you understand?”
As mother and daughter said their farewells, Li Xian opened his mouth.
“Hey! You’re leaving just like that? Won’t you come in and sit for a while?” He hurried after them, but the farther he ran, the farther away they seemed, until both figures vanished from sight.
They had walked across the snow without leaving a trace!
Astonished, Li Xian gaped. His “wife” was no ordinary woman—she was a martial master, far more formidable than he had realized.
He noticed a bundle on the ground. Opening it, he found, besides little girls’ clothing, several sachets, books on music and ritual, and a few gold ingots the size of fists.
His eyes widened at the sight of the gold. Genuine, solid gold!
His “wife” was wealthy indeed.
“Father…”
A timid voice sounded behind him.