In the main hall of the Yang residence stood a white jade peony sculpture.
Zhang Luo stood alone before the jade peony wearing mourning clothes, silent.
He had shown restraint by not bringing the full force of the Jinyi Wei (Imperial Guard) with him, but even so, not a single maid in the main hall dared treat him as a guest of the Yang household – none approached to offer tea.
Since his promotion to Commander of the Northern Disciplinary Court, too many have died by his hand these past years.
Officials in the capital rarely spoke of Zhang Luo, avoiding him when possible. Fortunately, he had never been one for socializing. Though he showed no mercy in his duties, he also left no room for favors, which spared him from many seeking to curry his influence.
Over time, local officials gave him a nickname from the jianghu world – “Official of the Dark Realm.” Once encountered in their jurisdiction, one had to prepare for chains, imprisonment, and facing judgment stripped bare before the gates of hell.
Yet it was said Zhang Luo showed great filial piety toward his mother.
Zhang Luo’s mother had passed away early, but before her death, she had arranged his marriage to Yang Wan of the Yang family.
Though the Zhang family had risen meteorically in the capital these past years – Zhang Cong entering the cabinet and Zhang Luo controlling half the Imperial Guard – many noble families wished to form marriage alliances. Lesser families even offered their daughters as concubines, but Zhang Luo refused to hear any of it.
As for his feelings toward Yang Wan, perhaps even he hadn’t considered them.
The Yang family had produced an Imperial Consort, gentle and well-mannered, with an excellent reputation in the palace. Yang Wan too had been raised in seclusion by Lady Chen, never showing herself to outsiders. Zhang Luo had yet to meet her.
However, he had seen Consort Ning Yang Jun in the palace – a beautiful woman with eyes full of tender feelings.
He’d heard Yang Wan resembled Yang Jun closely, so she must also be a beauty.
“Lord Zhang.”
Zhang Luo looked up. Yang Wan was walking through the moon gate toward the main hall.
The breeze flowing through the halls couldn’t stir his heavy hemp mourning clothes, but it made her silk robes flutter like butterfly wings.
Whether by intent or not, the servants all stood far away.
She too approached alone.
“Yang Wan greets Lord Zhang.”
She bowed to Zhang Luo, the twin lotus jade pendants at her waist chiming with her movement, the pearl earrings by her face swaying gently. Indeed, her appearance and bearing were quite similar to Consort Ning in the palace.
“Yang Wan?”
Zhang Luo crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
Yang Wan straightened, then hesitated, wondering if she should curtsey again. But Zhang Luo gave a cold laugh, suddenly unsheathing his sword and reversing it, pressing the hilt under Yang Wan’s chin, forcing her head up with a light touch.
Zhang Luo studied Yang Wan for a moment, then suddenly pulled sideways with his finger, causing her face to jerk sharply.
She already had an old wound on her neck, and the pain nearly made her cry out.
Zhang Luo withdrew his blade and coldly regarded her. “I won’t make things difficult for you. Have Yang Lun see me.”
Yang Wan stood straight despite the pain. “My lord has come regarding our marriage. Even if you have reproach for me, it cannot be considered making things difficult.”
“What did you say?”
Zhang Luo advanced on Yang Wan. His hemp mourning clothes carried the heavy scent of temple incense, jarringly mismatched with the cold air around him.
“Say it again. Have Yang Lun see me.”
Yang Wan turned away. “If you came to see my brother, why bring the Imperial Guard?”
“When the Northern Disciplinary Court questions imperial officials, we follow our protocols.”
Yang Wan looked back.
“What do you wish to ask?”
Zhang Luo’s eyes flashed darkly as he took another step toward her. “I wish to question an imperial official. You are a woman of the household and should withdraw.”
“Do you mean to ask about me having an illicit relationship with Deng Ying?”
Zhang Luo started. “Silence.”
Yang Wan smiled faintly. “Those two words are so hard to hear? Rather than question him, why not question me?”
“Insolent.”
Zhang Luo lowered his voice. “You show no shame before me. Do you think you’ve done nothing wrong?”
Yang Wan shook her head. “Even if I have erred, my lord shouldn’t vent his anger on my brother.”
“You refuse to be a wife, so you choose to be a prisoner?”
He grabbed her throat and pushed her against the jade screen. But to his surprise, the moment Yang Wan’s head touched the screen, a sharp object pierced his chest. Looking down, he saw it was a silver hairpin. This was the first time anyone had managed to counter-strike him during his attack.
“There’s no need to threaten me like this. I may not deserve imprisonment, but you dare not kill me.”
Yang Wan tilted her head back. Though her voice was constricted, her eyes showed no fear.
“Let go…”
She pushed the silver hairpin another half-inch into his chest.
“If you don’t let go, I really will kill you…”
Zhang Luo stared into Yang Wan’s eyes but couldn’t read her expression.