Yun Shu, the youngest daughter of the Prime Minister's household, was the precious jewel her father and brothers held in the palms of their hands. Her father, Yun Heqing, had eyes for no one but her mother all his life, and her mother sewed her spring dresses. Her elder sister, Yun Zhiqing, embroidered robes for every season. Her three brothers each had their own talents: the eldest wielded a sword to defend the realm, the second commanded a far-reaching commercial empire, and the third saved lives with his silver needles.
The Crown Prince, Xiao Yanhuai, was known as "a heart of ice atop a jade mountain." The two secretly gave their hearts to each other without anyone knowing.
In the imperial gardens, the Crown Prince rescued her from drowning.
At a palace banquet, when noble young ladies mocked her for being naive, her third brother smiled and offered her medicinal tea. "Drink this voice-silencing powder. You'll be better in three days." Her second brother and the Crown Prince competed to spoil her with sweets. "Shu'er, whose candied fruit will you choose?"
When Yun Shu tilted her head and declared, "The man Yun Shu marries will take only one wife in this life."
Xiao Yanhuai swung his sword and sliced down the peony crown. "By imperial decree! The Eastern Palace shall never take a concubine."
On the day he ascended the throne, he helped her up the white jade steps. "My moon in the clouds belongs in the highest heavens."
