The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

The snow under the eaves of the East Palace was swept into piles, and a dozen eunuchs climbed wooden ladders to hang red silk ribbons from the beams. Gongsun Ruotang, lifting the hem of her skirt, stepped over the threshold, almost tripping over the crimson gauze that had rolled up to her feet: "With this commotion, anyone who didn't know better would think the East Palace was going to be converted into a theater."

"Little Princess, be careful what you say." The head maidservant caught up with him, carrying a gold-thread embroidery frame. "Her Majesty the Empress has ordered that the Crown Prince's wedding ceremony should follow the actual records of the late Emperor's wedding..."

"Add three more layers of gold-threaded curtains?" Gongsun Ruotang tugged at the tassels hanging in front of her eyes. "If they keep hanging like that, I'll have to walk blindfolded... Sigh!"

Before he could finish speaking, Yuwen Mo flipped down from the roof beam, his dark-colored outfit stained with snowflakes. "Junior Sister, are you really that hot-tempered as a bride?" He tossed her a walnut pastry. "Here, here, here, have a taste. This is a wedding cake just brought from Jiangnan by fast horse."

Gongsun Ruotang turned her head to dodge, and the shortbread landed right in the arms of the embroiderer who was chasing after her. Twenty bolts of brocade were spread out on the bluestone ground with a "whoosh," the golden phoenix pattern so bright in the snow that it was hard to open one's eyes.

"Young Master Yuwen!" the embroiderer stamped her foot anxiously, "These phoenix tail feathers require nine hundred South Sea pearls..."

"Nine hundred beads?" Gongsun Ruotang held up the fabric to the sun, gesturing with it. "Wearing this, how can I possibly move my legs?" Suddenly, a gold thread snapped. She shoved the embroidery hoop into the stunned eunuch's hand: "Tell the Imperial Wardrobe to change the phoenix to a sparrow, and send the remaining beads to the Ministry of War to make arrowheads."

A muffled chuckle came from behind the pillars, and Crown Prince Si Yunchen strolled out, twirling his jade thumb ring: "My bride wants to turn her wedding dress into a battle robe?"

“It’s better than being wrapped up like a walking jewelry stand.” Gongsun Ruotang tugged at his sleeve to wipe the gold dust off his hands. “The phoenix crown I tried on yesterday still hurts my neck.”

Si Yunchen suddenly leaned down, his fingertips pressing against the back of her neck: "Here?" His warm palm kneaded her skin, "Have the goldsmith cut out the top of the crown..."

"Your Highness!" Yuwen Mo suddenly interrupted, leaning against a vermilion pillar with his sword in his arms. "If you keep rubbing her, my junior sister's ears will burn." He deliberately raised his voice, "Has the congratulatory gift from Qingyu Manor arrived?"

Twenty guards in black carried in a gilded chest in single file. Gongsun Ruotang lifted the top sandalwood box, revealing a black iron dagger wrapped in a whole fox fur. "Was this hunted by my master?" She traced the charred edges of the fur with her fingertips. "The snowstorm in the northern frontier is so fierce..."

"Master said the dagger is for your self-defense." Yuwen Mo suddenly became serious. "On your wedding day, there will be many people around, and the blade will be coated with a deadly poison." He glanced at Si Yunchen. "If certain people dare to betray you..."

“Senior brother, you should worry about yourself.” Gongsun Ruotang tucked the dagger into Si Yunchen’s belt. “I’m giving this knife to my husband.”

Si Yunchen chuckled and pressed down on her wrist: "Is my wife putting shackles on her husband?"

“It’s a dog leash.” She tiptoed and bit his ear. “Dare to stare at other noble ladies, or you’ll regret it…”

"Your Highness!" The Vice Minister of Rites rushed in, carrying the wedding regulations. "The wedding route will be changed to the west of the city..."

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Gongsun Ruotang lifted her skirt and ran towards the side hall. As she turned the corner of the corridor, she bumped into the Empress leading her female officials, with bright red bodices stacked on a vermilion tray.

"Ruo Tang has arrived just in time." The Empress smiled and unfurled the silk embroidered with a hundred children design. "This was made by me personally..."

"Aunt!" Gongsun Ruotang, her ears burning red, grabbed a passing eunuch. "The Ministry of War has an urgent report! Your son must go..."

Si Yunchen wrapped his arms around her from behind: "An urgent report from the Ministry of War asks if you want red tassels added to the foreheads of your warhorses in the Northern Frontier." He rested his chin on the top of her head. "Perfect timing, let Mother teach you how to embroider twin lotus blossoms."

As Yuwen Mo finished his third persimmon while squatting on the rooftop, he finally heard a furious roar from below: "Si Yunchen! If you dare prick me with a needle again, you'll be sleeping in the study tonight!"

As twilight painted the windowpanes red, Gongsun Ruotang fell asleep on her embroidery frame. Si Yunchen took off his cloak and covered her with it, watching her crooked stitches by the dim candlelight. The golden phoenix had been embroidered into a ruffled pheasant, with a dangling pearl still stuck in its beak.

"Your Highness," a guard suddenly appeared, "a former subordinate of the Third Prince has infiltrated the wedding procession."

Si Yunchen gently placed the embroidery frame on the table: "Have Yuwen Mo lead men to keep an eye on the city defenses. The night before the wedding..."

“No need.” Gongsun Ruotang suddenly opened her eyes, the silver needles at her fingertips gleaming coldly. “I’ll deal with them myself.” She rose, opened the window, and looked at the red silk filling the courtyard with a cold laugh: “This grand wedding needs a blood sacrifice to be lively.”

After the drumbeats sounded three times, Yuwen Mo, squatting on the roof beam, tossed and caught poison sachets: "Junior Sister, the manor has prepared a generous gift for you."

"More valuable than a Firefox pelt?"

“Three hundred warhorses.” He grinned. “It’s time to reach the northern frontier camp.”

A sudden east wind arose on a snowy night, causing the red silks in the courtyard to flutter like banners. Gongsun Ruotang reached for the dagger in her sleeve, thinking that perhaps this wedding dress could truly be turned into a battle robe.