Jade branches and a flawless moon shine within the painted hall.

“Crown Princess, why are you crying?” Madam Wu exclaimed in alarm, her anxiety spreading to Xiyue as well. Xu Guiyi was taken aback—she had not expected tears herself. She touched the corner of her eye and found it indeed damp.

“I grew up in Jiangdong and knew nothing of life in the palace. To hear suddenly that His Highness Prince Chu lost his mother in childhood, I could not help but feel sorrowful.”

Madam Wu gently dabbed the tears from Xu Guiyi’s eyes with a handkerchief, her tone full of affection. “Your Highness has a kind heart.”

Xu Guiyi clutched the handkerchief, her fingers caressing its fabric, her voice as fragile as duckweed: “Consort Virtue has cared for Prince Chu all these years, hasn’t she? I see he is close to her.”

Madam Wu, an old hand in the palace, knew a thing or two about the hidden corners of the court. She lowered her eyes and replied calmly, “Of course, she has been very good to him. Consort Virtue entered the palace many years ago but has never been particularly favored and has no children of her own. Now, raising Prince Chu, she has found some solace in her loneliness.”

Letting go of the handkerchief, Xu Guiyi suddenly smiled, her eyes bright. She caught Madam Wu’s wrist and asked, “Madam Wu, do you think my eyes truly resemble those of Consort Grace?”

Madam Wu was instantly flustered, as if caught in a dead end, and forgot her melancholy. “Who has been gossiping? Your Highness mustn’t believe idle words.”

But Xu Guiyi would not let her go, tightening her grip, her smile tinged with a cold edge. “So, do they or don’t they?”

Madam Wu turned away, unable to meet Xu Guiyi’s gaze.

At last, Xu Guiyi released her, smoothing her brow as she murmured, “If you won’t say, then it must be true.”

Madam Wu, fearing Xu Guiyi was distressed, tried to comfort her. “There are so many similar faces in this world, let alone a pair of eyes. You needn’t take it to heart.”

Xu Guiyi smiled self-mockingly. “Madam, you know well—it’s not me who cannot let go…”

The eighteenth day of the ninth month marked the seventieth birthday of Grand Princess Qingyan.

Though Xu Guiyi had stayed up late for three nights in anticipation, she still rose early that morning. She was a light sleeper by nature, and with such an important event, found rest impossible.

Within the Chunhui Hall, after bathing and changing, Xu Guiyi tasted a few pastries made by Xiyue, then submitted to the hands of several palace maids who attended to her toilette.

The dressing table of huanghuali wood with twin lotus patterns, the round white-bronze mirror with sea-beast and grape motifs, the jewel box adorned with precious blooms, the gold hairpin with ruyi designs, the incense burner carved with auspicious elephants—everything exuded elegance. The faint fragrance of agarwood, curling in the air, lent the room a dreamlike haze.

“Your Highness is blessed with natural beauty; it makes our work so much easier,” the maids chirped, their words fluent and flattering, for painting the face of a beauty was indeed a delightful task.

Xu Guiyi half-opened her eyes, about to speak, when Xiyue, standing by, broke into laughter.

“What are you giggling about?” Xu Guiyi feigned annoyance.

Xiyue covered her mouth, grinning. “I just remembered, back in Lanzhou, whenever Your Highness went out for a stroll, you’d always make yourself look plain—or simply wear a veil—so as not to attract attention.”

At this, the other maids were amazed. “Most women strive to make their makeup as beautiful as possible. Our lady does the opposite? Is that the trouble of being too beautiful?”

“Cough, cough!” Xu Guiyi’s cheeks flushed, and she coughed hastily.

“Oh, stop it now! Our lady is easily embarrassed,” Xiyue teased, drawing out the last few words with playful emphasis.

Xu Guiyi lazily reached out as if to strike her, but Xiyue didn’t flinch, merely pursed her lips, her eyes brimming with laughter.

After their bout of jesting, any trace of drowsiness was gone. Xu Guiyi recalled her duties. “Go and check—are the Ladies of Virtue and the Noble Lady prepared?”

Today, they were all to proceed together to the Grand Princess’s mansion. As Crown Princess, she ought to be attentive.

Qingyu, a palace maid waiting by, replied respectfully, “Your Highness, Lady Cheng, Lady Lu, and Noble Lady An are all ready and waiting for you in the front hall.”

“What! They’re already waiting for me?” Xu Guiyi sprang to her feet, her gaze sharp with confusion. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Without a thought for the unfinished touch of lip rouge, she strode toward the front hall.

“Your Highness, please slow down!” Qingyu hurried after her, and Xiyue followed. “There’s still plenty of time; no need to rush, Your Highness.”

Xu Guiyi, restrained by her maids, fumed, “Then why are they so early?”

Qingyu and Xiyue exchanged helpless glances, unsure how to reply. Traditionally, it was always the concubines who waited for the mistress, never the other way around. Ladies of Virtue and Noble Lady all hailed from illustrious families, and surely understood this well.

Xiyue was about to say as much but, seeing Qingyu present, changed her words. “Perhaps the weather is fine today, and they simply rose early.”

“Ah?” Xu Guiyi, who had been walking briskly, halted at her clever maid’s explanation.

Xiyue’s face was utterly composed. “Just a guess, Your Highness.”

Xu Guiyi raised her fist and waved it in front of Xiyue, but in the end did not strike.

She sighed heavily, then gathered up the many-layered palace robes and continued forward.

The Grand Princess’s birthday was a major imperial event. Since her daughters-in-law were newly arrived in the Eastern Palace, the Empress, their mother-in-law, was especially thoughtful. She had the Imperial Household prepare over a dozen palace dresses in various styles and colors and sent them to the Eastern Palace well in advance for the new brides to choose from.

The dresses were sent directly to Chunhui Hall, making it clear that the Crown Princess was to preside. But Xu Guiyi was not one for dominance, and at Madam Wu’s suggestion, she let the Ladies of Virtue and Noble Lady choose first.

When the Empress heard of this, her regard for the Crown Princess’s virtue deepened.

This was the first time the Crown Princess attended such an aristocratic gathering—there could be no misstep. Xu Guiyi understood the gravity of the day and dressed with particular care: an elegant robe of pale lotus double-layered gauze with ancient cloud patterns, a soft silver lily skirt underneath, her hair in a simple high cloud bun adorned with a gold-and-jade lily coronet, a multicolored jeweled hairpin that swayed as she moved, rainbow gemstone earrings, a golden filigree necklace in the shape of willow leaves, a gold and jade bracelet, all combining to create a look both dignified and graceful.

She was, all in all, quite satisfied.

When she entered the front hall, three beauties were already waiting.

“We pay our respects to Your Highness. May you enjoy peace and health.” The three women bowed in unison, a lovely sight.

“Rise, all of you,” Xu Guiyi said, taking her seat as mistress and surveying the room. Everything was in order.

She was not one to find fault for its own sake, but, seeing it was still early, she felt she ought to say something.

“You three entered the Eastern Palace on the same day, and it’s been over a month. As I’ve been busy, we haven’t had much opportunity to spend time together, and so things may still feel unfamiliar. But there’s no rush. We all serve His Highness under one roof, and with time, we’ll become well acquainted.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Lady Cheng and Noble Lady An dropped to their knees.

“Though Your Highness is generous, we are truly at fault,” said Lady Cheng with impressive speed.

Xu Guiyi had no wish to make things difficult, but as Xu Zhouyan had warned her, the authority of the mistress must be established from the very first day, lest things grow troublesome later.

So, with a firm and commanding tone, she replied, “I have heard of the affairs of the Duke of Cheng’s family from the Empress, and I know Lady Cheng acted out of filial piety. Both Her Majesty and I understand, so you need not worry over it.”

A tremor passed through Lady Cheng’s heart—this was not what she expected. She had thought the Crown Princess would find fault and had prepared her counterarguments. Yet not only did the Crown Princess refrain from making things hard, she invoked the Empress, making clear their alliance and hinting at the proper order.

Lady Cheng bowed again, ever more respectful. “Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Highness, for your understanding. I will serve His Highness and Your Highness with all my heart.”

Xu Guiyi did not reply at once, but sipped her tea before speaking languidly, “Xiyue, help Lady Cheng to her feet.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Xiyue responded.

Lady Cheng rose slowly, offering thanks. Xu Guiyi only nodded slightly.

Madam Wu, silent at one side, observed all with admiration. Who had claimed that girls from the gentle southern lands were meek and easily bullied? This Crown Princess from the south was gentle, yet resilient, serene, yet sharp—truly worthy of her title.

Once Lady Cheng stood, Xu Guiyi noticed the graceful arch of her eyes and smiled. “Lady Cheng, your eyes are truly beautiful.”

Lu Zhirou, standing by, covered her mouth with a laugh. “Your Highness may not know, but Sister Cheng’s phoenix eyes are famed throughout Guangling.”

With Lu Zhirou’s words, Xu Guiyi regarded Lady Cheng more openly. They said a girl changed greatly in her teens, and in six short years, the bright, flawless girl of the past had become a beauty who outshone all of the capital.

Today she wore a gown of pale yellow, overlaid with a sheer misty veil, her slender figure evident. She wore little jewelry, only a flawless jade pendant at her waist, which made her all the more striking. The simple attire, seemingly casual, only heightened her elegance and grace.

What always surprised Xu Guiyi was that beneath such proud, fine brows lay a pair of enchanting phoenix eyes—eyes whose brilliance outshone even the blossom-pink rouge upon her lips.

Yet Lady Cheng seemed unmoved by Lu Zhirou’s praise. “You flatter me, Sister Lu. I am not the equal of Her Highness.”

So be it. The second daughter of the Duke of Cheng, Cheng Hewei, had always been admired for her beauty, but today she faced Xu Guiyi—a woman who, since her coming of age at fifteen, had been lauded as the greatest beauty of Jiangdong.

The pride of youth will not so easily accept being outshone.

Xu Guiyi did not dwell on Lady Cheng’s surprise, for there was still another kneeling on the floor...