An Auspicious Match in the Qing Court: Ninth Lord’s Consort Sees the Future

Dong'e Yuyao was born during the Kangxi era with memories of her previous life. What did it mean to bear this surname?

The selection of consorts was approaching, so she swallowed a bowl of medicine to make herself ill and get out of it as she wished. But an imperial edict still came crashing down: she was to marry the Ninth Prince, Yinzhen, as his principal consort.

The red candles crackled. Through the carved wooden door came the guests' teasing laughter as they made merry outside. Yuyao sat on the wedding bed, the gold-inlaid kingfisher crown on her head stiffening her neck and back. Her fingers gripped the edge of the red veil embroidered with dragons and phoenixes. She knew the road ahead was a bed of knives and flames, but the imperial edict had been issued and the arrow was already on the bowstring. There was no turning back; she could only steel herself and press on.

Yuyao heard footsteps approaching, followed by Yinzhen's amused voice through the door: “That's enough. You can tease me another day. I have more important business tonight.” A few words were enough to send the princes and nobles on their way. The soft scrape of his boots on the golden brick floor drew closer, each step landing on the very tip of her heart.

How could she convince him that the Eighth Prince's faction was doomed to fail? And how could she find a way for him and the others to survive, right under the suspicious emperor's watchful eye?