Recently, many hybrid varieties of roses have been sent into the palace and transplanted in the Imperial Garden. The Empress has taken to strolling through the garden every day after breakfast to admire the flowers.
The Office of Music and Dance has arranged for dancers and singers to perform daily in the Imperial Garden for Her Majesty’s entertainnt.
Today, however, was different. Old Marchioness Yunyang had been invited to the palace to escape the sumr heat, bringing her family along from Yunyang County.
The second princess twirled in front of her full-length mirror, dressed in a soft pink gown. Her hair was styled in double buns adorned with pink and white roses, from which hung golden bells that chid lodiously with her every movent.
“Why is there a red bump on my forehead?” she exclaid in dismay.
Of all tis! Today was the day she was supposed to et the grandson of Old Marchioness Yunyang!
How could she have a blemish on her face? What if Fifth Young Master Shi minded it?
The servants attending to the second princess had recently been replaced by the Emperor, and those now serving her in Yanqing Palace were personally selected by Jiang Xinyue.
Fu Liu strained her eyes to see the barely noticeable pimple on the princess’s forehead, barely resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
She offered a practiced smile and said, “You are a princess, and this marriage was requested by Old Marchioness Yunyang herself. You are a noble branch of the imperial family descending to marry into the Shi household. Why should you care what he likes? Just be yourself.”
The second princess was taken aback. “Be myself?”
“Exactly!”
Fu Liu nodded. “A second princess who is lively, bold, and unafraid to express her emotions—isn’t that charming? If Fifth Young Master Shi doesn’t appreciate you, it’s his loss. There are countless fine young n in Great Yan. You don’t have to settle for him. The Empress said it herself: n’s flaws are indulged by us. As long as you don’t indulge him, he won’t dare to cause trouble.”
“The Empress said that?”
A breeze swept through the window, gently ringing the golden bells by her ears. It was as if a sudden clarity had dawned on the second princess.
Her eyes sparkled. “You’re right. I should be myself.”
In the Imperial Garden—
To welco Old Marchioness Yunyang and the won of the Jing and Jiang families, the Emperor had instructed the Imperial Household Departnt to invite the most popular opera troupe in the capital, the Rongsheng Opera Troupe.
On stage, the troupe perford their latest production, a clichéd tale of a wealthy young lady falling in love with a penniless scholar, dreaming of a lifeti of devotion.
However, the star of the troupe, Lan Xiaolou, was truly a sight to behold. A man playing a woman’s role, he possessed an otherworldly beauty, his every gesture exuding natural grace and charm that surpassed many real won.
Even in female attire, one could imagine the striking handsoness he would display in male clothing.
Old Marchioness Yunyang, who had seen much of the world, couldn’t help but praise him. “The capital’s environnt truly nurtures talent. Back in Yunyang County, I’ve never seen such a skilled perforr. When Fifth Young Master Shi gets married, we must invite the Rongsheng Opera Troupe to Yunyang for a few performances.”
This was her subtle way of reminding Jiang Xinyue that it was ti for the two young people to et.
Fifth Young Master Shi was only fifteen, still a child at heart, but he was strikingly handso, with a slim waist, long legs, and a height of over 1.7 ters.
He still had room to grow, and by the ti he married at eighteen, he might well reach 1.8 ters.
The second princess was certainly fortunate!
“Ding-ding-ding…”
The sound of bells chid, and Fifth Young Master Shi looked up, blushing, to see a girl who looked like a fairy descending from the heavens.
She was as lovely as in her portrait, if not more so, her movents bringing her to life with a captivating charm.
The way she smiled and curtsied to the Empress reminded him of the little rabbit he kept, so gentle and endearing that it lted his heart.
Was this… his future princess wife?
Old Marchioness Yunyang, watching her grandson turn as red as a boiled crab, struggled to suppress her laughter. She nudged his sleeve and whispered, “You didn’t want to co, but see? I didn’t lie to you. The little princess is truly adorable.”
Shi Jiarong had initially been resistant when he heard that his future wife might be the second princess.
Consort De’s notorious reputation for madness and cruelty had made him fear that the second princess might inherit her mother’s temperant and bring ruin to his family.
But his grandmother had explained that the imperial family’s affection for her, the old marchioness, had waned. She feared that after her death, the Shi family would decline, and her descendants would face hardship and humiliation.
When she learned that the Empress was seeking a suitable match for the second princess, she seized the opportunity and submitted his portrait to the palace.
He was a gentle soul who couldn’t bear to harm even a chicken or fish. What if the second princess turned out like Consort De?
But when their eyes t and quickly darted away, both felt their hearts racing, flustered and unsure.
Their hearts were beating far too fast!
“What’s the point of young people listening to opera with us?”
Jiang Xinyue, intending to give the two so ti alone, addressed the second princess. “My younger siblings, along with the ladies and gentlen from Old Marchioness Yunyang’s family, aren’t familiar with the palace. Why don’t you take them for a stroll? I’ll keep the marchioness company.”
As the Empress, her youth was often forgotten by others—and sotis even by herself.
Before her transmigration, she had been nearing thirty, so even in Great Yan, she carried a maturity and composure beyond her years.
The second princess, recalling Fu Liu’s words, straightened her back and replied gracefully, “As you wish, Mother.”
Of course, the second princess didn’t need to guide them personally; servants were on hand to lead the young ladies and gentlen.
Jiang Junze, who was about the sa age as the second princess, had attended countless palace banquets with his mother and knew of the princess’s past animosity toward Jiang Xinyue. He couldn’t bring himself to like her.
The two glared at each other, their expressions almost comically confrontational.
Jiang Xinyan kicked Jiang Junze under the table, shaking her head when he looked at her.
Reluctantly, he averted his gaze.
Aside from the Jiang, Jing, and Yunyang families, several other officials’ families were present. The young n, full of vigor and confidence, naturally attracted the attention of the young ladies.
Beautiful girls, in turn, caught the eyes of the young n. While this was ostensibly a eting between the second princess and Fifth Young Master Shi, it felt more like an unofficial matchmaking event.
Third Yan of the Piaoqi General’s family and Jiang Erlang of the Jiang family were undoubtedly the most sought-after bachelors, with every family instructing their daughters to win their favor.
Jiang Junze, being slightly younger, was less popular than Third Yan.
It was June, and the palace was in full bloom, with flowers everywhere, artificial hills, flowing streams, and lush greenery.
Amidst the beauty of the season, the young n and won couldn’t help but feel their hearts stir.
Third Yan, having dodged one admirer after another, made his way to Jiang Xinyan’s side.
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