Old friends have never visited my dreams.

Lately, all of Jiangdong has been abuzz with gossip: it’s said that a painter has arrived at Guangling to select brides for the Crown Prince. No one knows which family’s daughter possesses the deep fortune to enjoy the splendor of the royal house. Yet, the royal family is austere; whether this is blessing or calamity remains unknown...

Today marked the third day of Xu Zhuhua’s return to her parental home after marriage, yet Xu Guiyi had not left Luoqing Studio. She could not, however, restrain Xu Luwei’s urge to go to the front courtyard for some air.

“Well now, how is it that Fourth Sister is back today?” In the side hall of the front courtyard, Xu Luwei blocked Xu Zhuhua at the doorway, deliberately raising her voice.

Her maid, Rendong, played along perfectly: “Today is Fourth Miss’s third-day return after marriage, Seventh Miss—have you forgotten?”

Looking at Xu Zhuhua’s strikingly beautiful face, Xu Luwei’s temper flared. “Of course I didn’t forget, but I’m ignorant. I only knew that the principal wife returns on the third day after marriage—not that a concubine does as well. Rendong, have you heard of such a custom? Why didn’t you remind me earlier?”

Rendong immediately replied in a low voice, “It’s my fault, I forgot about it.”

Xu Zhuhua’s expression remained calm. “Seventh Sister, you haven’t even discussed marriage yet. You’d do well to mind your words.” There was a hint of warning in her tone.

Xu Luwei flicked her embroidered handkerchief, displaying the lilies stitched upon it, her slender fingers caressing the fabric. Her cherry lips pressed together. “Fourth Sister, you remind me—among the sisters yet to be married, it’s not just me, is it? Isn’t Sixth Sister also unmarried? She’s older than me; surely her marriage will come before mine. If she’s unconcerned, why should I worry?”

The closeness of the third branch sisters was well-known, and at the mention of Xu Zhuning, Xu Zhuhua’s earlier authority vanished.

“Seventh Sister, have you forgotten we grew up together as close sisters? How much joy we shared in our childhood play? Why must you cling to past grudges now?” Xu Zhuhua questioned helplessly.

Xu Luwei laughed, angered by the words. “Isn’t Third Sister also our close sister? Yet you stole her betrothed. You shamelessly wronged her, and now blame us for being harsh? What logic is that?”

Xu Zhuhua’s face flushed. “Third Sister wasn’t raised with us. She’s not Second Aunt’s own daughter; she’s not the same as us.” Clearly Xu Guiyi was the newcomer, yet she was more favored in the manor—a fact Xu Zhuhua had never accepted. Today, she finally voiced it.

“So you’ve finally spoken your heart. You’ve always envied Third Sister, so you stole her betrothed, didn’t you?” Now that the façade was torn, Xu Luwei no longer held back.

“What do I envy her for?” Xu Zhuhua glared at Xu Luwei.

“For besting you in every way. She’s prettier, more talented, and everyone likes her more.” As soon as Xu Luwei finished, tears welled in Xu Zhuhua’s eyes.

There weren’t many girls in the Xu family’s generation. The two eldest sisters of the main branch had always lived at Guangling with their parents, while those in the Xu manor at Lan Prefecture were of similar ages and grew up together. Before Xu Guiyi entered the manor, Xu Zhuhua was the leader among the sisters, favored by elders and adored by her siblings.

But after Xu Guiyi’s arrival, everything changed. The affection that once belonged solely to her shifted to Xu Guiyi. How could she accept it calmly?

“She grew up in a rural temple, a girl of dubious origin—why do you all side with her?” She was the legitimate daughter, raised in the Xu household from the start.

Xu Luwei erupted, “Xu Zhuhua! I still call you Fourth Sister, so have some self-respect! ‘Dubious origin’? Father consulted the matriarch, and my sister is Father’s legitimate daughter, the proper Third Miss of the Xu Manor. With you so selfish as to discard the family’s honor, you’ll never be accepted among the elite. Don’t think you can be elevated in the Ren family simply because you carry their child—keep dreaming! Father won’t allow it, nor will the matriarch. If you suffer the principal wife’s mistreatment there, don’t come crying to us. For every time you weep, we’ll laugh.”

Xu Zhuhua, both angry and anxious, cried out, “You… ah, it hurts!” Suddenly, she felt discomfort in her abdomen and began to collapse.

“Fourth Miss! Fourth Miss, what’s wrong? Quickly, fetch the physician!” Maid Wuwan rushed to support her, shouting loudly.

Rendong gripped Xu Luwei’s wrist nervously. “Miss?” Had they gone too far? After all, she was pregnant.

Xu Luwei, despite venting her anger, was still young; it was her first time seeing a pregnant woman in pain. Fearing something might happen, she grew anxious. “Rendong, go get the physician—hurry!”

“Yes, I’ll go at once!” Rendong’s voice was urgent, and she bolted off. If something truly happened to Xu Zhuhua, both she and Xu Luwei would not escape blame.

The front courtyard descended into chaos, yet Luoqing Studio remained tranquil as snow.

Because of the incident, Lady Hua forbade Xu Guiyi from appearing in the front courtyard, fearing the third branch might accuse her of instigating Xu Luwei to vent her anger, turning the tables against her.

Xiyue, whose demeanor was delicate and elegant and whose voice pleasant, now stammered nervously, “Madam instructed, to prevent trouble with the third branch, Miss… please remain in Luoqing Studio and refrain from going out.”

After speaking, she saw the young lady still flipping through her book, page after page, with no end in sight. “Miss!” Xiyue couldn’t help calling again.

Xu Guiyi finally looked up, her beautiful eyes drifting to the window, lost in thought.

She was exceedingly beautiful: skin like cream, flawless features, brows like distant mountains, phoenix eyes, a tall nose, thin lips, and hair piled high like clouds. She possessed the gentle, innate charm of southern women—a beauty so pure it seemed to glow like moonlight.

Such a lovely woman easily inspired feelings of inadequacy. Xiyue regretted her interruption, thinking it was rather impertinent.

“I understand. I’ll behave and won’t wander about.” Xu Guiyi muttered, bored.

“Miss, don’t take Fourth Miss’s words to heart.” Xiyue said carefully, watching her mistress’s expression, hoping she’d say something.

Xu Guiyi unexpectedly smiled. “She speaks the truth; I have nothing to resent.” With that, she rose and walked outside, gazing at the azalea tree in the courtyard. The spring breeze had reddened half its blossoms, yet it was far less brilliant than in its prime.

“Xiyue, how many years have you followed me into the Xu manor?” Xu Guiyi asked casually.

Xiyue’s heart tightened; she didn’t know why Xu Guiyi asked, but followed behind. “It’s been nearly six years, Miss.”

Xu Guiyi sighed, “How quickly time flies.” The years slipped by in an instant, and she’d been confined in this tiny corner of the inner residence, playing the role of a gentle lady for six years.

That azalea tree before her was planted in her first year at the Xu manor. It was the same variety as those in her previous courtyard. Most azaleas seen at garden festivals were pale red, but Xu Guiyi preferred deep red. So she transplanted the vivid mountain azaleas into her garden.

At the time, her father warned her that these wild red azaleas rarely took to domestic soil and might not survive.

Ignoring everyone’s advice, she stubbornly kept it in the courtyard. Perhaps she was fated to the azaleas; the tree flourished and bloomed year-round. Even Xu Yan later said that Luoqing Studio had become much warmer with the azalea tree.

Yet, as the azaleas bloomed year after year, why did old friends never visit her dreams?

Xu Yan had just returned from the government office when he heard about the quarrel between Xu Zhuhua and Xu Luwei, and how the former had been upset into distress. He frowned and locked himself in the study.

Guangling had sent a secret order from the Empress to select a bride for the Crown Prince in Jiangdong, dispatching a court painter to sketch portraits of the young women from noble families.

The task entrusted by the Empress was straightforward; Xu Yan could have handled it by the book. But the painter remarked, “I’ve heard that Lord Xu’s eldest daughter is the foremost beauty of Jiangdong. Might I have the fortune to meet her, so I can take back a portrait to Guangling, to hang in Longzhen Pavilion, allowing the nobles there to admire a southern beauty?”

The implication was clear.

Xu Yan’s expression chilled; he didn’t even feign politeness, only clasped his hands and replied solemnly, “You jest, Master Painter. My daughter’s plain appearance is unworthy of the noble gaze of Guangling.”

The painter smiled, but he noticed Xu Yan’s reluctance.

“Lord Xu, your love for your daughter is obvious.”

“You may not know, Master Painter, but my daughter has been frail since childhood, raised in a country temple, and only returned to the manor in recent years. She lacks many of the proper manners and would not be fit for noble company.” If only the painter would abandon the idea, Xu Yan would even claim Xu Guiyi lacked talent and virtue.

Yet court painters were not easily deceived. Xu Yan had to cite numerous instances of Xu Guiyi’s supposed shortcomings, feigning politeness for some time before he managed to escape back home.

Upon returning, he learned Xu Zhuhua had come back for her third-day visit and had quarreled with Xu Luwei, causing distress in pregnancy—yet more exhausting affairs to trouble him.

In Huahua Courtyard, Xu Zhuhua had taken medicine and was now asleep.

Xu Min and Lady Jiang stood in the courtyard, still fuming. “How is it that our Hua’er’s fate is so bitter? She finally married into the Ren family, is pregnant, and yet must suffer the bullying and humiliation from those wild girls of the second branch.”

Xu Min sighed in agreement, “Madam, it’s my incompetence that you and our daughter suffer.”

Lady Jiang continued, “You are incompetent, but what good does it do to scold you? Whenever I see those girls from the second branch, especially the third girl, I feel rage. She’s clearly a wild girl of unknown origin, not raised by the matriarch, yet the old lady treasures her above all, suppressing our Hua’er. Now Hua’er can only be a concubine because of her. How can I not be angry?”

Xu Min, though fearful of his wife, feared his mother even more, and hurried to stop Lady Jiang’s reckless words. “Don’t say any more. The third girl’s background is a taboo for the matriarch and second brother—even I dare not mention it.”

“What’s there to fear? You may be afraid of them, but I am not!” Lady Jiang declared sharply. After all, Huahua Courtyard was far from Ruiju Hall; the matriarch wouldn’t hear her outbursts.