Volume One, Chapter 11: Entangled Golden Branches

“Becoming a person of distinction is no simple matter. With your medical skills alone, at most you could become a favored guest of the noblewomen in powerful households. You would still be nothing more than a lowly person at their beck and call.” Shen Qiyuan cast a sidelong glance at Song Shuning. “Unless your father’s status rises and your talents surpass those of the noble ladies of the capital, even if you seek revenge, you will only be able to scheme in the shadows and earn the scorn of others.”

Song Shuning looked up at Shen Qiyuan. “Then what should I do?”

“Listen to me. I will make you one of the most honored women in the capital.”

Song Shuning paused. Helping her become one of the capital’s most honored women? That would not be easy...

But when she thought of Shen Qiyuan’s identity, she felt that perhaps it would not be difficult after all.

Still, the great villain surely had a purpose behind everything he did, did he not?

Song Shuning raised her eyes to him. “Apart from helping you dispel your poison, what else do you want me to do?”

“Physician Song is indeed an intelligent woman. But for now, all I need is for you to cure my poison. As for anything else...” Shen Qiyuan’s gaze deepened. “We can discuss it after I have helped you become the most esteemed and sought-after noble lady in the capital. How does that sound?”

Song Shuning pondered for a moment, then nodded. “Very well.”

Shen Qiyuan arched a brow. “Then go home and wait. Once the Song Residence receives the good news, bring the wooden token to the Star-Picking Tower and find me.”

Song Shuning acknowledged him and turned to leave. After only a few steps, she turned back. “I have yet to ask your esteemed name.”

Shen Qiyuan froze for a moment, then smiled. “I have not introduced myself. Shen Qiyuan.”

Song Shuning: “...”

“Young Master Shen, why do you wish to help me?” Song Shuning studied him. “Is it merely because I can cure your poison?”

“You are the only physician who has allowed me to sleep peacefully through an entire night.” Shen Qiyuan looked at her. “Is that reason not enough for me to help you?”

Song Shuning left with Mo Yun. This time, Mo Yun crouched down and let her climb onto his back, then carried her up onto the roof.

Mo Feng entered the room. “Master, Miss Song cannot even perform a proper courtesy. How could she possibly become a talented lady? Are you giving her too much credit?”

“She is clever, and she is also capable of being ruthless with herself.” Shen Qiyuan recalled the way Song Shuning had silently stitched his wound the previous day. He raised his eyes and glanced at Mo Feng. “So long as she resolves to become a noble lady, it will only be a matter of time. Besides...”

Shen Qiyuan withdrew his gaze, his eyes filled with determination. “So long as I am willing, even if she were nothing more than a rotten piece of wood, I could bind her with golden thread and wind her into a golden branch.”

Mo Feng said nothing more. He knew that his master had always been a man of strategy. Whatever he did, he had his own considerations.

Since he intended to help Miss Song become one of the capital’s most honored women, he must have his own purpose as well.

Song Shuning knew that Shen Qiyuan was helping her for a reason, but she also wished to rely on his influence to achieve her own goals. If Shen Qiyuan asked her to do something for him in the future, it would merely be an exchange of equal value.

With Shen Qiyuan’s assurance, Song Shuning knew that she had truly secured his support.

Lying in bed, she finally put one of her worries to rest and fell asleep peacefully.

For more than ten days, neither of the sisters, Song Shuning and Song Shuyun, left the house. During the day, Song Shuning studied medical texts and searched for a way to treat Shen Qiyuan’s fire poison. At night, she continued to administer acupuncture to him.

Song Shuyun, meanwhile, spent each day quite fully. She read and practiced calligraphy in the mornings, practiced martial arts and played the qin in the afternoons, and, whenever the mood struck her, even dragged Song Shuning into a game of chess.

Song Shuning was only skilled at five-in-a-row. Whenever Song Shuyun pulled her into a game, Song Shuning simply taught her how to play five-in-a-row instead. In the end, she led Song Shuyun astray. After playing five-in-a-row for two days straight, Song Shuyun stopped asking Song Shuning to play chess with her.

On this day, Father Song hurried home. Standing in the rear courtyard, he called out, “Wife! Shuyun! Shuning! Come out quickly!”

Song Shuyun, who had been studying a chess manual inside, set it down first and went outside. Xiao-shi then emerged from the kitchen carrying a basket of vegetables, while Song Shuning came running out with a medical text in her hands.

“What has happened, husband? Why are you in such a hurry?” Xiao-shi handed the basket to the maid beside her. She knew little else, and since the family did not have many servants, she usually cooked for them herself.

Father Song laughed heartily. “Someone from the palace came to the military camp just now and said that an imperial edict would soon be delivered to our home. They told me to return and inform the family to prepare to receive it.”

With that, he turned to his family. “All of you, hurry and change your clothes. I am going to change as well.”

Song Shuyun frowned slightly. “Someone from the palace is bringing an imperial edict? What could it be about?”

Song Shuning suddenly understood. Could this be the good news Shen Qiyuan had mentioned? Had he acted so quickly?

Xiao-shi happily walked over. “It must be something good. Otherwise, why would someone from the palace have informed your father in advance? You two girls, hurry and go freshen yourselves up. Do not offend the palace officials.”

Song Shuning gave a soft assent and returned to her room to change.

Although Song Shuyun had many questions in her heart, she asked no more and also went back to her room to prepare herself.

Once the entire family had dressed properly, Father Song led the mother and daughters to the front hall, where they sat upright and waited. After roughly half an hour, Chang Gui appeared at the General’s Residence with several eunuchs and more than a dozen Imperial Guards.

Several eunuchs carried trays covered with red cloths, while the Imperial Guards followed behind to escort them. Chang Gui walked at the very front, holding the imperial edict.

Seeing such a grand procession, Song Shuning’s heart gave a little leap. Was Shen Qiyuan truly this capable? Had he already managed to secure an honor for her father?

Song Shuyun’s expression also changed slightly.

Father Song’s palms began to sweat. He had not done anything major recently, had he? Nor had he done anything particularly virtuous!

Looking at the expressions of the family, Chang Gui smiled. “General Song, receive the edict.”

Father Song hurriedly led his family to kneel on the ground and called out, “Long live His Majesty!”

Chang Gui unfurled the imperial edict.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:

“I have heard that during last year’s campaign in the northwest, my loyal subject Song Shouyi displayed unmatched courage and devotion. Fearless before the enemy, he rode alone deep into their territory, slew countless foes, rescued the commanding officers, and saved the people of the northwest from grave danger. He is truly one of my fiercest generals. For such meritorious service, I shall surely reward him. He is hereby promoted to Fourth-Rank General of Glory and Valor and appointed Deputy Commander of the Capital Military Command. He is further granted ten thousand taels of silver, ten bolts of silk, a pair of jade wish-granting scepters, and one red-tasseled spear. So decreed!”

Father Song felt dizzy with disbelief as he knocked his head against the ground. “Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your gracious favor! Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live, ten thousand years!”

Song Shuning and the others also knelt and offered their thanks.

She was still somewhat dazed.

Her father had really become a fourth-rank official?

He had gone from being merely a junior commandant in the garrison to Deputy Commander of the Capital Military Command in one leap?

Chang Gui personally stepped forward to help Father Song to his feet and said with a smile, “Congratulations, General Song. His Majesty specially ordered me to send people to investigate the truth of last year’s northwest campaign on your behalf. From now on, you must serve diligently and avoid disappointing His Majesty’s regard for you.”

Father Song repeatedly agreed. “Everything I possess today has been bestowed by His Majesty. I shall naturally devote my life to serving him!”

Chang Gui smiled. “Now that the imperial edict has been delivered, I should return and report to His Majesty.”

Father Song hurriedly glanced at Xiao-shi, but she did not understand. Song Shuning quickly stepped forward and whispered something into her mother’s ear. Xiao-shi immediately took out a purse and offered it to Chang Gui.

“The eunuchs have worked hard. Please accept this small token and use it for tea.”

Chang Gui did not refuse. He accepted it with a smile. “Madam Song, you are too kind.”

“It is only proper.”

After the other eunuchs set down the rewards, they followed Chang Gui and departed.

Only then did Song Shuyun approach Song Shuning and ask, “Shuning, how did you know that we should give those eunuchs money for tea?”

“It is simply a matter of human relations,” Song Shuning replied with an uneasy smile.

What a joke. Although she had not mastered the essence of those palace intrigue dramas, she had certainly picked up a few lessons about social etiquette.

Father Song gave Song Shuning an approving look. “Well done. Those eunuchs are not people one should offend carelessly.”

Then he asked in puzzlement, “But why would His Majesty suddenly think to investigate that old northwest campaign?”