The palace maids shrieked in fear at what they had witnessed.
Li Shun glared at them. “Consort Li slipped while bathing and died instantly. Remember that?”
The maids knelt and kowtowed immediately. “Yes, sir, we remember.”
“Keep your mouths shut, or you’ll regret it.”
“We dare not!”
After finishing his task, Li Shun returned quietly to court. “Your Majesty, just now Consort Li slipped while bathing. The imperial physician arrived, but it was too late to save her.”
“An accident, then. Bury her properly.”
Yu Hua sighed inwardly: “Evil deeds truly meet their end. We just finished enjoying her scandal, and now her house has collapsed.”
“Since there’s nothing more, court is adjourned!”
The ministers shouted their “Long live the Emperor!”
Yu Hua and Yu Jinghong left the hall together.
Yu Hua noticed something strange and asked softly, “Father, why do the bigwigs seem to avoid us? Look, they don’t dare come near.”
Yu Jinghong thought privately: “If anyone got close, she might spill their melon. No one dares. If she weren’t my daughter, I’d stay far away too.”
But he kept up appearances. “Perhaps you’re still new to being a female court official; they might be unaccustomed.”
Back home, Yu Hua followed her usual routine: sleeping until lunch.
After eating, she wanted to go out, but Shen Yanchu appeared suddenly. Yu Hua froze, afraid her mother would scold her.
“Stop right there, Hua Hua!”
Yu Hua, facing away, replied, “Mother, what is it?”
“Do I look like a tiger to you? Trying to sneak past me?”
“Oh, I just remembered, I hadn’t finished my illustrated scrolls yet.”
“Again with the scrolls?”
“Just passing the time.”
“This afternoon, I’m taking you to the Prefect’s wife’s flower-viewing banquet. You must behave. See the world a bit, and don’t embarrass me.”
“Host, there’s gossip!”
Shen Yanchu regretted her words immediately, but couldn’t retract them.
She started to add: “Of course, I won’t force you. If you…”
Yu Hua anticipated this and cut her off: “Mother, seeing the world sounds wonderful. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Shen Yanchu thought, “Why didn’t I speak sooner? Perhaps Hua Hua wouldn’t go otherwise.”
Though part of her hesitated, the thought of potential gossip excited her. She added, “If you prefer, you can stay home and continue your scrolls.”
“When would I ever not read? Besides, as your daughter, I’ll make you proud.”
“I see. Perhaps more likely, you’ll embarrass me. Oh well, you are my daughter.”
“Go change, then. We’ll leave shortly.”
Yu Hua wore a light yellow silk gown recently bought by Shen Zhenzhen. She looked radiant, though her words would always reveal her true self.
At the Prefect’s residence, the gates were lined with numerous carriages, each signaling status and wealth.
Shen Yanchu guided her and warned subtly which guests were not to be offended.
After an hour, the banquet formally began. Shen Yanchu was pulled away by several noblewomen.
“Hua Hua, just sit quietly. Don’t cause a scandal.”
Yu Hua muttered, “I’m usually very well-behaved… when have I ever caused trouble?”
She moved to a corner table and began enjoying the snacks. Oddly, no one dared sit near her.
Yu Hua thought, “Am I really a tiger? Will I eat anyone who comes close?”
“Host, you’re beautiful and well-mannered. How could you be a tiger?”
“Then why are they avoiding me?”
Gua Gua analyzed: “Two reasons.”
“Spit it out. I have no patience for teasing.”
“First, you are the only female court official in the Great An dynasty. They respect you.”
“That’s nonsense. I don’t even know the extent of my authority. Why would they fear me?”
“Then the second reason: your outfit today is so striking that anyone near you becomes a mere backdrop.”
“That makes sense. I am naturally beautiful—no one can match me.”
The flower-viewing banquet began. Nobles and ladies mingled, sipping wine and sharing gossip.
Much of the chatter, however, revolved around Yu Hua, the first female official in the dynasty.
People kept glancing at her but dared not approach. Yu Hua ignored them, happily eating snacks and fruit.
When boredom struck, she asked Gua Gua: “This banquet is so dull. You promised gossip—tell me who has juicy news!”
“Which gossip do you wish to taste?”
Yu Hua’s gaze settled on a young lady in pink. “Who’s that? Everyone else looks elegant, but she seems… cheap.”
“That’s Xue Zhen, daughter of the Deputy Minister of the Court of Ceremonies.”
“What’s she like? Any gossip?”
Other ladies knew of Yu Hua’s growing reputation. Their husbands warned them not to cross her or provoke the “Anshun Envoy.”
Now, pretending to enjoy the banquet, they strained to listen, hoping Yu Hua would reveal some scandal.
“She does have gossip,” Gua Gua replied, “though it’s not very sweet.”
Xue Zhen, the subject, overheard but remained calm, thinking about how to attract the attention of Yu Hua and the other noble ladies of the capital.