At the gates of Jiuhua Palace, countless beauties gather.

The mountain moon knows not the matters of the heart; the breeze over the water scatters blossoms before my eyes, swaying beneath the slanting jade clouds.

When the city of Guangling reached the height of spring’s splendor, in the rear garden of the Xu family estate, Madam Xue sat with an account book and a jade abacus, her fingers moving back and forth, the beads clinking melodiously. At times, her brow would smooth, at others, knit in concern. Lady Shen, wife of the heir, sat beside her, needle in hand as she embroidered a sachet, a gentle smile resting on her lips. Xu Guiyi leaned against a jade balustrade, a book in her hand, though her eyes often wandered to the garden, where a group of young maids played with Xu Chengzhen and Lady Shen’s son. Chuan, barely a year old, was plump and fair, a little rice dumpling just at the age of learning to speak, and everyone delighted in coaxing him to utter new words.

That evening, Xu Guiyi penned a letter to her father, to be sent to Luan Prefecture by Xiyue the next day. In her letter, she wrote at length about the picturesque scenery of Huan and the warmth and kindness of her uncle’s family, only mentioning at the very end: Your daughter fares well in Guangling; Father, do not worry.

In the thirteenth year of Chengxiao, mid-May, Xu Guiyi accompanied her aunt, Lady Xue, wife of Lord Cheng’en, into the palace to attend the Empress’s “Flower Viewing Banquet.”

Knowing that Xu Guiyi, long a resident of Jiangdong, had never entered the palace, Xue specially invited an old nanny, retired from palace service, to instruct her in the basic court etiquette. Lady Shen also gave Xu Guiyi a brief account of the prominent families of Guangling and offered countless reminders before Xu Guiyi at last boarded the carriage for the palace.

Just before departure, Chuan began to wail and fuss, so Lady Shen remained behind to care for him, leaving only Lady Xue and Xu Guiyi to attend the banquet.

“The Empress is gentle-natured and never makes things difficult for the families of her ministers, so there’s no need to be nervous,” Xue said, her hand resting softly on Xu Guiyi’s, her tone reassuring.

Xu Guiyi smiled sweetly and nodded, silent, her gaze fixed on the sachet at her waist.

After half an hour’s journey, the carriage came to a halt—presumably at the palace gates. Lifting the curtain, Xu Guiyi saw before her the characters “Jiuhua Gate,” bold and resplendent, intimidating in their brilliance.

Alighting, Xu Guiyi followed closely behind Lady Xue, her steps measured, her gaze forward as they passed through the palace gate. It was a good quarter of an hour before they reached the inner gardens. The broad palace avenues, magnificent halls, exotic flora, and emerald lakes—everything along the way struck Xu Guiyi as at once foreign and strangely familiar.

“Just ahead is Changqiu Palace. Yi’er, stay close,” Xue said, slowing her pace and glancing back with gentle concern.

Xu Guiyi nodded, at last daring to widen her eyes and look upon the glorious palace before her. Lofty carved walls, towering halls, and the gathering of noble beauties; rare delicacies, dragon marrow and phoenix liver; perfumed carriages, fine horses, ivory couches and golden bowls.

This was the opulent life of the imperial clan—white jade for halls, gold for horses, pearls as common as earth, gold as plentiful as iron—beyond the reach of common imagination.

“The banquet is still being prepared. Please, Madam and Miss, wait here a while,” the attendant who had led them thus far said courteously.

“Thank you for your trouble, Auntie,” Xue replied, bowing. Xu Guiyi followed suit, and when the attendant had departed, she began to discreetly survey her surroundings. Already, many noble ladies and young women had gathered.

In these past days in Guangling, Xu Guiyi had sequestered herself in the Xu family’s rear courtyard to study etiquette, with no opportunity for socializing. Now, lined up in Changqiu Palace, she finally beheld the grace and beauty of Dayi’s women.

The innate dignity and elegance of illustrious clans, the refined purity of noble houses; dainty, delicate maidens, graceful and poised; tall, fair-skinned ladies, radiant and striking—in short, the hall was filled with women of lofty birth, stunning beauty, exceptional talent, and gentle charm.

All manners of feminine grace—willowy or full-figured, each stood upright at the heart of the palace, a feast for the eyes.

Before entering, both Lady Xue and Lady Shen had explained that only the daughters of great houses or legitimate daughters of high officials could attend the Empress’s banquet today—Dayi’s most esteemed and accomplished young women, worthy to be matched with the imperial family.

For today, in addition to the Empress selecting a consort for the Crown Prince, the royal household also intended to choose secondary consorts for several princes and heirs.

Thus, the noble ladies spared no effort to outshine one another, for to be chosen meant a life of glory, and honor for their entire clan.

Before leaving the Xu estate, Xu Da had repeatedly reassured her that everything was arranged, that she need only face the day with composure, and if all went well, she might escape this ordeal unscathed.

“Madam Xu, greetings,” a handsome, refined middle-aged woman approached, her manner warm and smiling, with two beautifully dressed young ladies at her side.

“Madam Cao, you are most kind,” Lady Xue replied graciously, returning the courtesy. Xu Guiyi inclined her head in greeting, her eyes gentle with a smile.

Lady Xue was always warm with family and friends, but in public she maintained the dignified bearing of Lord Cheng’en’s wife—neither arrogant nor obsequious.

As expected, Madam Cao’s gaze soon shifted past Xue to fall on Xu Guiyi. “Pray tell, Madam Xu, which young lady have you brought today? I don’t believe we’ve met.” She was familiar with Lady Xue’s daughters, both long married.

Lady Xue smiled and took Xu Guiyi’s hand. “This is the third young lady of our Xu family’s second branch, given name Guiyi. She has lived in Jiangdong for many years and only recently come to the capital.”

At the sight of Xu Guiyi’s beauty, Madam Cao could not hide her astonishment. She had seen many a maiden in her prime—indeed, the two at her side were famed beauties of Guangling—but standing before Xu Guiyi, even they paled in comparison.

“Yi’er, this is the wife of Assistant Minister Cao of the Ministry of Rites. Greet her,” Lady Xue introduced.

“Guiyi greets Madam Cao,” Xu Guiyi said, bowing gracefully, a hint of maidenly shyness on her face.

The Cao family’s foundation also lay in Jiangdong, and its influence rivaled that of the Xu family. Though surely aware of Xu Guiyi’s arrival, Madam Cao feigned surprise and chatted with Lady Xue as if newly acquainted.

“The Xu children are truly blessed with beauty. Madam Xu, how fortunate you are,” Madam Cao praised repeatedly, her gaze inscrutable.

But it was true. The old master of the Xu family had been renowned for both his looks and learning, greatly favored by the late emperor, and had been appointed imperial tutor.

In terms of scholarly lineage, the Xu family was not quite the equal of the Cao family, who produced an imperial tutor nearly every generation—except for the last, when they lost out to Xu Guiyi’s grandfather.

At that time, both patriarchs served in the Hanlin Academy, both learned, both honored by the emperor, yet the post of imperial tutor ultimately went to the Xu family.

It was said that many scholars of the Cao faction privately claimed the Xu family’s victory lay not in learning but in appearance.

Xu Guiyi once asked her grandmother about this, “Wasn’t Grandfather angry?”

The old lady scoffed, “No one knows your grandfather better than I. He always took the greatest pride in his looks. Why would he be angry?”

So, the Cao family had always paid special attention to the looks of the Xu family.

Xu Guiyi took after her father, who in turn resembled his own father—truly, the most beautiful branch of the Xu line, embodied in father and daughter.

At that moment, Madam Cao beckoned to the two beauties behind her. “Come, let me introduce you—this is my maternal niece, Wang Shuixin, and this is Miss Su Lianyi, third daughter of the Princess of Gaoyang. They have accompanied me into the palace today.”

Xu Guiyi smiled and nodded, glancing at them briefly.

Wang Shuixin was a model of delicate grace and gentle refinement, while Su Lianyi possessed a fresh, exquisite charm, lovely but not coquettish. Each was finely wrought, brimming with unique allure—so many beautiful women in the world.

As more guests arrived, a matron from the Empress’s palace finally emerged to announce that the banquet was ready.

“Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress, Her Highness the Noble Consort, and Her Highness the Virtuous Consort. May the Empress enjoy golden peace, the Noble Consort jade serenity, the Virtuous Consort jade serenity,” the noble ladies and young women intoned in two lines.

“Rise, you may stand,” came the elegant, melodious voice of Empress Song.

“Spring in Guangling is truly splendid this year. I was puzzled at first, but now, seeing the array of beauties gathered in this hall, I realize the goddess of flowers must be blessing Dayi. What an auspicious sign!” The Empress surveyed the hall, inwardly and outwardly pleased.

“Be seated, all. There’s no need to stand,” she commanded after a moment.

Xu Guiyi took her seat beside Lady Xue, remaining silent. Palace maids served dish after dish of delicacies, poured fine wine, but seeing that none of the noble ladies moved their chopsticks, Xu Guiyi also sat demurely, listening to the elders’ polite conversation.

Soon, she became aware of envious glances cast her way—no surprise, given her striking appearance. Human nature is such: beauty provokes curiosity, but also resentment.

At that moment, the Empress was questioning a beauty in white.

“Bai Ruohong of the Bai family of Jingnan, greetings to Her Majesty,” the maiden replied, her appearance exquisite, her attire meticulously chosen. Her gown—a white, wide-sleeved celestial dress—was embroidered from collar to hem with white peony petals.

Xu Guiyi immediately recalled what Lady Shen had told her and glanced at the Empress. Indeed, the Empress’s eyes dimmed imperceptibly.

Lady Shen had been right—the Empress truly disliked peonies, especially white ones.

After Bai introduced herself, the Empress asked only a few questions before moving on. Across the table, Lady Xue and Lady Wang exchanged a knowing glance—clearly, Bai had failed to impress the Empress.

Yesterday, as Xu Guiyi was checking her gifts for the Empress, Lady Shen entered, carrying a brocade box.

Xu Guiyi hastened to seat her and pour tea, clearing away the clutter of gift boxes. “Is there something you wish to discuss, Sister-in-law?” Lady Shen was only two years her senior, but as Xu Guiyi had delayed marriage, at nineteen she was still unwed.

“I’ve brought you something, Third Sister,” Lady Shen said kindly.

“You needn’t have, Sister-in-law. Aunt has already prepared so much,” Xu Guiyi replied, glancing at the table laden with gifts—some from Luan Prefecture, some chosen by Lady Xue.

Lady Shen smiled, set down her tea, and opened the brocade box to reveal a delicate sachet embroidered with vivid white peonies.

“Here, Third Sister, keep this with you tomorrow when you enter the palace,” she instructed solemnly.

Xu Guiyi stared at the sachet and blurted, “Ah? Does Her Majesty like white peonies?”

Lady Shen’s eyes widened. “Of course not. I’m not giving it to you to please the Empress.”

Xu Guiyi frowned in confusion. “Then why wear it? For protection? But that would be even more inappropriate in the palace.”

Lady Shen sighed at her naïveté and explained, “Listen to me—the Empress loathes white peonies. I hope that, seeing this sachet, she’ll recall someone she dislikes and, by association, lose interest in you. That way, you might escape this ordeal.”

Xu Guiyi was taken aback. Was this not guilt by association?

Yet, it made a certain sense. Perhaps the Empress’s most detested rival favored white peonies? But palace secrets were not for her to probe. With such thoughtful consideration from Lady Shen, what more could she ask?

“Very well, Sister-in-law. I accept your kindness. Truly, our family is blessed to have you as my brother’s wife,” Xu Guiyi said, making Lady Shen beam with delight.

“You and that sweet tongue of yours—what a good girl,” Lady Shen replied, her spirits instantly lifted.