Unfortunately, the two families had never formally set the engagement in the past. Now, attempting to renew that old bond was exceedingly difficult. The Marquis of Jingbei's household alone stood between them like an insurmountable divide.
Ji Wanqing had long considered this matter. She had planned that once the mourning period ended, she would make every effort to settle it. She had not expected events to overtake her plans.
She dismissed the servants from the room, wiped her sister's tears herself, and asked gently, "Little Sister, tell Elder Sister—do you still wish to marry Zheng Yi?"
At the mention of that long-unspoken name, Ji Wanxiang's heart trembled. Of course she did. He had protected her since childhood, cherished and indulged her. When she first learned that their parents approved of Zheng Yi, she had been overjoyed, wholeheartedly imagining herself as his bride.
But times were no longer what they had been. Ji Wanxiang might be gentle, but she was not foolish. Her uncle and aunt would never allow her to marry a low-ranking military officer—especially one who had spent the past three years observing mourning at home.
Tears shimmered again in her eyes. She hastily wiped them away and forced herself to appear composed. "I… I haven't thought about Brother Zheng in a long time."
The sisters shared the same predicament. How could Ji Wanxiang bear to trouble the elder sister who could do nothing more than she already had? If life at the Duke of Han's household truly proved unbearable, then she would simply follow her parents and elder brother. When that moment came, the only thing she would be unable to let go of would be the sister before her.
Having made up her mind, Ji Wanxiang drew a deep breath, suppressed the ache in her chest, and managed a strained smile.
"What foolish words are you saying?"
Having been together since the womb, Ji Wanqing saw through her sister at once. She shook her head. "As for that Seventh Young Master of the Duke of Han—whoever wishes to marry him may do so. I will not allow you to."
She gave a cold snort. "Since Second Aunt thinks he's such a fine match, then let her daughter marry him. If that won't do, she can remarry herself."
Taking her sister's hand, Ji Wanqing spoke with quiet gravity. "I'll deal with this immediately. If you still care for Zheng Yi, I'll take this chance to settle it. If not, I'll find you someone else."
"No. I don't want anyone else," Ji Wanxiang blurted out in alarm.
Ji Wanqing smiled faintly. "Then it's Zheng Yi."
She frowned slightly in thought, then immediately summoned her wet nurse, Nanny He, and instructed her in detail to go out and inquire into the Zheng family's circumstances—especially Zheng Yi himself—to see whether his feelings remained unchanged.
Whenever her elder sister assigned tasks, Ji Wanxiang always listened quietly and never interrupted. This time was no exception. Only after watching Nanny He's figure disappear through the doorway did she speak anxiously. "Elder Sister, this matter will be extremely difficult."
Ji Wanxiang naturally hoped to marry Zheng Yi—it was the best path open to her—but she absolutely could not allow it to come at the cost of her sister. Though her sister was capable, she was still constrained by circumstance. No matter how Ji Wanxiang thought it through, she could not see a peaceful resolution. Her brows knit like willow leaves, her worry deepening.
"Elder Sister, you must not sacrifice yourself for my sake. I will never agree to that," Ji Wanxiang said, her voice unusually firm.
"Don't overthink it," Ji Wanqing replied with a soft sigh. "Even if my own path grows difficult in the future, it will not be because of this. You and I share the same mother—if you cannot escape, how could I?"
Ji Wanxiang instantly recalled the summons to the palace. Her heart clenched. Panic flooded her face. "Elder Sister—why did Her Majesty summon you? She… she…"
"Our father and brother defended the country for so many years, and in the end gave their lives for it. Why—why must the imperial family still make things difficult for us?"
Thinking of their kind parents and gentle elder brother, and then of their current plight—hemmed in and threatened at every turn—Ji Wanxiang was overcome with grief and burst into sobs.
Ji Wanqing's expression dimmed. After a long moment, she steadied herself and comforted her sister. "Don't panic. When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road. There will always be a way."
She pressed her lips together, resolve hardening in her eyes. "They've been plotting this for a long time. My situation is likely unavoidable. If so, I may as well collect some interest first. If they want me to comply, they'll have to resolve your matter."
No matter how eager the Empress might be to draw others in, she could not possibly tear away all pretense. Ji Wanxiang's affair was clearly the Marquis of Jingbei household's doing. Those with nothing to lose fear nothing—and the two sisters had little left to bind them. They could afford to go all out.
At the thought of their parents, Ji Wanqing finally shed tears. After a while, she forced herself to stop and ordered Lihua and the others to bring hot water.
She wrung out a cloth herself and cleansed Ji Wanxiang's face. "Little Sister, don't cry. Have you forgotten? We promised Father and Mother that we would live well."
Ji Wanxiang struggled to restrain her tears and nodded firmly. "Elder Sister, I haven't forgotten."
Once everything had been said, Ji Wanqing instructed the maids to escort her sister back to rest. She remained seated alone, quietly waiting for Nanny He's news.
Nanny He worked swiftly. Zheng Yi, newly out of mourning, had been eagerly trying to learn about the Marquis of Jingbei household, and when both sides made contact, information was exchanged quickly.
Zheng Yi was the eldest son of his family, with a mother above and younger siblings below. He needed to support the household as soon as possible. Unlike the Ji sisters, however, he was a man and could still receive assistance from his father's former comrades.
Zheng Yi's father had once held a rank that carried an imperial grace quota. Three years earlier, arrangements had been made for Zheng Yi to enter the capital garrison as a seventh-rank officer, with plans to transfer him to the border forces after a few years to earn merit alongside his father.
Now that his father was gone, those former comrades remained. Bonds forged in life and death were even stronger within the army. They had already contacted Zheng Yi and arranged for him, once mourning ended, to proceed to the frontier as originally planned. The Zheng family had begun making preparations to leave the capital altogether.
Zheng Yi's path forward was set. Yet he could not let go of Ji Wanxiang. Knowing that once he left, the two would become strangers forever, he still clung to a sliver of hope—that he might marry the woman he loved.
When he met the person Ji Wanqing had sent, he was overjoyed and naturally agreed to everything.
This outcome was ideal. Ji Wanqing knew the Zheng family well—warm, honest people. For her sister, marrying and leaving the capital would be far better than remaining in it.
With everything in place, Ji Wanqing did not hesitate. It was only mid-afternoon; settling the matter the same day would be best, lest Second Aunt stir up further trouble tomorrow.
She ordered someone to summon her aunt. The servant returned to report that the Second Madam was not in her quarters but had gone to Yan Shou Hall.
All the better—no need to send for her.
Ji Wanqing smoothed her sleeves, rose to her feet, and headed straight for Yan Shou Hall.