The clothes Madam Luo had delivered yesterday could no longer be worn, and even selling off those two maids wouldn’t change anything.
This morning, she went through all her clothes, but none satisfied her. They were either dresses she had already worn to previous banquets or styles that were already outdated. With time running out, she had no choice but to reluctantly pick one.
Even though she rushed over, she still arrived later than everyone else. Her grandmother scolded her without even asking why. Now, looking at the splendid dresses Chu Muqing and Chu Shuran were wearing and then looking at her own, she felt bitter resentment surge within her.
“My two elder sisters really know how to currying favor over Grandmother,” Chu Sichun said resentfully.
Chu Shuran glanced at her. “Of course, not as well as you do,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Now that it was just the three of them and their maids present, she didn’t even bother pretending anymore.
Chu Muqing didn’t even look at her, instead leaning against the carriage wall, intending to catch up on some sleep.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, Chu Sichun grew even more resentful and hateful, yet there was nothing she could do except glare at them viciously.
Chu Muqing had only been pretending to sleep at first, but perhaps because the carriage grew quiet, she eventually drifted off for real.
In her dream, she returned to that snowy day when she was beaten to death in the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence. Her blood seemed to soak into the ground, dyeing even the snow red.
The servants, thinking it inauspicious, simply wrapped her body in a straw mat, tossed it into a mass grave, and left while cursing.
A noble daughter of an illustrious family, and yet that was how she ended up.
She watched her own body lying there, beside some nameless bone, likely belonging to another wandering, helpless soul.
After the servants left, a man dressed in black emerged and buried her remains on a secluded hillside.
“I promised your brother that I would help you if you were ever in trouble, but when I returned, I found you already dead. This is all I can do now, to fulfill my promise to your second brother.”
With only those few words, he left.
Second Brother?
She hadn’t seen her second brother since they parted years ago. Later, the Duke of Dingguo’s household collapsed. Though her second brother/cousin had been the Duke’s legitimate second son, he hadn’t been in the capital at the time, and she didn’t know what had become of him afterward.
No one knew who that man was, his face had been covered by a veil.
He was likely a friend of her second brother’s. She should at least be grateful to him for preventing her corpse from being devoured by wild dogs.
“Miss, wake up, we’re almost there.”
Bai Zhi gently woke Chu Muqing. They were nearly at the palace gates. Seeing that Chu Muqing was still asleep, she had no choice but to wake her up.
Bai Zhi helped tidy her hair, and Chu Muqing sat upright, clearing her thoughts.
“Did you not sleep well last night, Sister?” Chu Shuran asked with concern.
“I’m just a little nervous about meeting the Imperial Concubine,” Chu Muqing replied. Though she claimed to be nervous, not a hint of it showed on her face.
Chu Sichun looked at them and curled her lips. “So pretentious.”
Just as she finished speaking, the carriage stopped.
They stepped out one after another and saw the Old Madam exchanging pleasantries with a court lady. When the Old Madam noticed them, she introduced her, saying, “This is Lady Qiu, who attends Her Highness the Imperial Concubine.” Then she turned to Lady Qiu and said, “Among my granddaughters, you’ve met the other two before, only the eldest is new to you.”
The girls greeted Lady Qiu one after another.
Lady Qiu secretly admired Chu Muqing’s composure and said aloud, “Ladies, greetings. Her Highness is currently waiting for the Old Madam and the young ladies at Chuxiu Palace.”
They were then led toward Chuxiu Palace. After entering the palace grounds, they walked along a long bluestone path flanked by tall crimson walls. No one knew how many people had once felt trapped within these walls. On the way, they passed several palace maids and eunuchs, all with lowered eyes and unreadable expressions.
After passing through palace after palace, they finally arrived at Chuxiu Palace. Concubine Rong was indeed highly favored. Chuxiu Palace was magnificently decorated, with carved beams and painted pillars. A palace maid was already waiting at the entrance. When she saw them arrive, she bowed, and Lady Qiu led them inside.
Sunlight poured into the grandly furnished hall. Concubine Rong sat on a gilded wooden chair with her eyes half-closed. Dressed in a crimson palace gown, she radiated noble grace. She was stunningly beautiful and looked young, it was hard to imagine she already had a son, the Third Prince. No wonder she had enjoyed the Emperor’s favor for so many years.
Hearing movement, Concubine Rong slowly opened her eyes. When she saw Chu Muqing and the others, she straightened up and addressed the Old Madam, “Mother.”
The Old Madam quickly brought Chu Muqing and the others forward to pay their respects. Although Concubine Rong was her daughter, proper etiquette could not be neglected.
“Mother, please rise quickly, there is no need for such formality,” Concubine Rong said hastily, signaling a maid to help the Old Madam up and seat her in the mahogany chair beside her. “It has been a while since I last saw Mother. How have you been?”
The Old Madam smiled. “Very well. Your Highness need not worry.”
Her greatest pride in life was this daughter, clever since childhood, sharp and capable. Now, she was a Imperial Concubine and mother to the Third Prince. If the Third Prince were to ascend the throne, the Chu family’s honor would rise even higher.
The First Madam watched Concubine Rong and the Old Madam converse, wanting to join in but unsure how. She had hardly known Concubine Rong in her youth, they had only met briefly at banquets and seldom spoke. By the time she married into the Marquis’s household, the eldest daughter had already entered the palace, and their contact became even rarer.
“A few days ago His Majesty bestowed some fine fabrics upon me,” Concubine Rong said with a smile. “But I find the patterns more suitable for young girls. When Mother returns later, I will have them sent back with you.”
The Old Madam nodded happily. “Good, good. Thank you, Your Highness.” Her tone was full of affection and pride.
Concubine Rong smiled, then lifted her hand and beckoned to Chu Muqing and the others. “Come here and let your aunt take a look at you.”
Chu Muqing and her sisters stepped forward and bowed.
Concubine Rong’s gaze settled on Chu Muqing. “I saw you once when you were born. And now, you’ve grown so much.”
When Xiao Yuanrou passed away, she had returned home and seen the child then, frail and thin as a kitten. Now, Chu Muqing had truly grown into a graceful young lady, gentle-smiled and dignified in bearing.
Concubine Rong removed a jade bracelet from her wrist, took Chu Muqing’s hand, and slipped it on. “Don’t refuse. Treat this as a gift from your aunt.”
The jade bracelet was clearly of exceptional quality. Giving it to Chu Muqing showed just how pleased Concubine Rong was with her at first sight.
Since she could not decline, Chu Muqing said respectfully, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
She then stepped aside with proper composure. Concubine Rong nodded inwardly, even more satisfied.