Chapter 2, the fragrance of the jade courtyard once lingered in the sleeves

Only the queen laughed, "What Shen Lang said was Xingping, the emperor misunderstood."

Before the third round of drinks had passed, Consort Ke was already somewhat intoxicated. The Empress, perhaps in a particularly good mood, casually permitted Consort Ke to leave the table with Princess Qingping

In the first year of the Qingjia era, Shen Jue, the second son of the Marquis of Xinping, accompanied his father to the Northern Qi at a young age. He spoke eloquently in the court, intimidating foreign nations, which caused the ruler of Qi to sigh deeply. That night, an envoy from Qi arrived at the post station, offering high positions, rich silk, and beautiful maidens, but Shen Jue drew his sword and drove them away. On the day of his return to court, the Emperor held a banquet in the palace, generously bestowing favors and arranging for the Emperor's daughter to marry him. In the winter of that year, Princess Linchuan married into the Shen family, but shortly after the marriage, she fell ill and passed away in the summer of the second year of Qingjia.

"Oh, is it Xingping?" The Emperor seemed to be speaking to himself, yet his gaze swept towards the Shen father and son below the steps. The Marquis of Xinyuan, Shen En, visibly trembled as he lowered his body, hesitating for only a brief moment before he spoke loudly, "My son dares to ask for Princess Xingping."

The rain falls like threads, densely cascading from the red eaves. It is already the third month of early spring, and outside the eaves, the swallows chirp, scattering the remnants of red blossoms across the ground

The scion of a noble family, riding the dragon to ascend to the heavens.

Such a disgraceful affair, if it were to become public, would undoubtedly provide more fodder for ridicule

Yunhuang suddenly turned her back, leaving without a word

The affairs of the world are like a game of chess, with each situation presenting something new

King Chang was renowned for his charm and elegance. Even in his sixties, he still had numerous concubines. Upon seeing the graceful demeanor of Yun Huang as she bowed, he was momentarily taken aback

Two maids were feeling helpless when they heard a gentle voice from behind, "Mother, come back"

Yunhuang found it interesting and, driven by curiosity, also leaned forward to take a look. She saw the Shen father and son kneeling on the ground, expressing their gratitude repeatedly. The Emperor cast a glance towards the curtain this way, waiting for Shen Jue to speak. ... Everyone in the hall was eagerly speculating which princess Shen Lang would seek to marry, even the usually stern Empress turned her gaze in this direction ... ... Finally, Shen Jue spoke, "Your servant requests the hand of Princess Shang Qingping."

The second son of King An was startled, and in his drunken state, he stumbled backward, inadvertently pulling on Yun Huang's sleeve. Yun Huang hurriedly stepped back, and with a tearing sound, her sleeve was ripped in two, revealing her delicate skin. The person behind her quickly stepped forward to shield her, sternly admonishing, "Shao Kang, do not be rude!" The heir of the Xian Wang hurriedly pulled up Shao Kang, repeatedly apologizing. Yun Huang was extremely embarrassed and angry, and the reprimanding words rushed to her lips but she managed to hold them back.

The flowers have withered and the books are ruined. The noble consort murmured to herself, wandering in a daze towards the courtyard, oblivious to the pouring rain, her trailing silk sash dragging in the mud behind her. Two maidservants rushed after her with umbrellas, trying to shield her from the raindrops, but they could not persuade her to stop. The noble consort spread her wide sleeves, preoccupied with shielding the flowers from the rain, while her own garments became completely soaked.

The Emperor lazily took a sip of wine, not even raising his eyes, and said, "Then let it be Linchuan."

Yunhuang paused, slowly raised her head, and finally saw the person's face clearly

Although the two were feeling guilty, they were not afraid of Yun Huang. Seeing her bow her head in silence, they took the opportunity to put on a smile and slip away. The person behind them coldly reprimanded, "Are you just going to leave like this?" The Crown Prince of the Xian Dynasty turned around and laughed, "Shaokang has had a few more drinks, the princess has already shown great tolerance, so why should Brother Shen be so angry?"

Outside, snowflakes resembling grains of rice fell in a flurry, a delicate layer of snow foam spread across the vermilion eaves and blue railings of the glazed tiles, while the biting cold wind carried with it a hint of chill. Yunhuang tightened the sparrow down cloak for Consort Ke, as two palace attendants held up an umbrella on either side, assisting Consort Ke as she made her way out.

Queen Guo and Consort Chen were not of noble birth; they were merely the daughters of the governor of Pingzhou. Although the Guo family had a prominent lineage, they had never been regarded as a true royal clan. In the fourth year of Tianyou, Crown Prince Huai Jin reported the sorcery practices of the mother of King Luling, Consort Hua, which caused turmoil in the palace. Emperor Jing granted Consort Hua poisoned wine and executed the entire Hua family. In the fifth year of Tianyou, King Luling raised an army in Pingzhou, taking advantage of Crown Prince Huai Jin's absence as he inspected the northern borders on behalf of the emperor, and he killed the Crown Prince and General Guanwei, forcing Emperor Jing to abdicate. King Luling ascended the throne, adopting his mother's surname and changing the national surname to Hua. Guo Congshao, the governor of Pingzhou, was appointed as Grand Marshal for his role in supporting the new regime, his eldest daughter became the Empress, and his second daughter was made a consort, elevating the Guo family to the foremost position among the imperial relatives.

If on that day the Emperor had granted his marriage proposal, what would the current scene be like

Princess Qingping appeared in the courtyard at an unknown time, dressed in plain garments with wide sleeves, her dark hair flowing like clouds, a figure as pure as fine porcelain, and her voice resembling water splashing on porcelain. Upon hearing her voice, Consort Ke immediately turned around, like a child caught in wrongdoing, awkwardly allowing her maid to assist her back.

The day before yesterday, a light carriage brought this mother and daughter into the residence. In the rush, I did not have the opportunity to observe them closely, and to avoid any suspicion, I did not inquire privately. Now, upon seeing them unexpectedly, the child has grown into such beauty, surpassing her mother's elegance in her youth

Prince Chang led Shen Jue through the winding corridors, all the way to the secluded courtyard at the northernmost side of the palace. Along the way, there were few servants to be seen, and the stone path was covered with fallen petals. "In a moment of haste, I could only prepare such a humble place," Prince Chang said with a modest smile, treating Shen Jue with great courtesy. Shen Jue also responded with humility, saying, "I am grateful for your thorough care, Your Highness." Prince Chang stroked his beard and smiled, "With the imperial command in place, it is but a small effort on my part."

On the day of your birth, the Emperor dreamt of a golden phoenix soaring under the sunlight, and thus bestowed upon you the name Yunhuang. Every time the Empress Dowager speaks of the origin of this name, there is always a sparkle in her eyes, as if she is reliving the glory of the past. Her daughter is so extraordinary, the Emperor's most cherished princess, and the celebration held for her birth was extravagantly luxurious, with fireworks illuminating the sky for three whole nights

King Chang felt a sense of melancholy in his heart, yet his demeanor was that of a kind and benevolent elder. He inquired about the health of the ailing Consort Ke and attentively attended to her daily needs before taking his leave under the pretext of other matters. This left Shen Jue and Yun Huang alone together, separated by three steps, yet feeling worlds apart.

Three days later, the newlywed Princess Linchuan and her husband, Duke Shen Jue, returned to the palace for a visit. The Empress hosted a banquet in the Chengguang Hall, and both the mad Consort Ke and Princess Qingping were in attendance. Ten years had passed, yet the Empress had not forgotten the mad Consort Ke. Even though their grievances and victories had been clearly delineated, she still sought to pin the shame of defeat onto her daughter.

Upon hearing the arrival of outsiders, Consort Ke was immediately flustered and panicked, gripping Yunhuang's sleeve and refusing to let go.

The Emperor finally spoke, but it was a detached question, "Who is Qingping?"

As the voice fell, the hall was enveloped in silence; just moments ago, it had been filled with songs and dances, but in the blink of an eye, only cold ice covered the ground. The Emperor behind the imperial desk suddenly fell silent, and within the hall, both on the steps and beyond the curtains, not a single sound remained. Countless gazes from within and outside the curtains were directed towards the last seat occupied by Yun Huang, like silent arrows piercing through the person.

The father and son of the Shen family knelt at the steps, their foreheads touching the ground, not daring to raise their heads

The twelfth daughter of the emperor, Princess Linchuan, is the daughter of the empress's sister, Consort Chen. At the age of fifteen, she possesses a beautiful appearance and is skilled in playing the qin and in calligraphy

On the day of the imperial banquet, the eleventh daughter of the emperor, Princess Qingping Yunhuang, sat in the most remote seat alongside a group of low-ranking palace attendants. The hall was filled with songs and dances, vibrant and splendid, with talented and charming individuals, yet to her, it was merely an external spectacle. Her father was in high spirits and, in a drunken state, pointed at the flamboyant young man in brocade, saying, "I have also heard rumors in the capital that Young Master Shen is charming and is to be matched with a celestial maiden. Today, all my daughters are here; Shen Jue, do you have your eye on anyone?" The emperor, by nature bold and unrestrained, often spoke astonishing words, and to publicly utter such remarks was even more shocking and embarrassing for the princesses behind the curtain. Several eligible princesses blushed deeply, one covering her face with a silk fan while stealing glances at the handsome Young Master Shen.

Princess Xingping is the youngest daughter of the Empress, only thirteen years old, and is deeply cherished by both the Emperor and the Empress

The imperial voice, a single sentence, encapsulates the life of Linchuan—separated by layers of the imperial throne and curtains of pearls, Yunhuang cannot see the expressions of others, nor can others see her expressions. And all of this has become irrelevant to her; the astonishment that thundered in her ears moments ago was merely a minor misunderstanding between Qingping and Xingping.

Yunhuang inappropriately thought of this question, and couldn't help but reveal a faint smile. ... Shen Jue gazed at her intently, finally able to look at her this way, without needing to avoid suspicion, without needing to be humble ... . ... Yet she greeted him with a smile that was deeply cool and penetrating.

It turns out he no longer remembers her

Princess Linchuan married into the Xinyuan Marquisate, uniting the Guo family and the Shen family, one being the most illustrious of the imperial relatives and the other the most esteemed of the noble families, thus forming a bond of marriage between them

Princess Huaying of Linchuan is only three months younger than Princess Qingping. At that time, Consort Ke was favored, and the fireworks set off to celebrate Princess Qingping's birthday illuminated the night sky of the imperial capital more brightly than daylight. Three months later, Princess Linchuan was born, while the palace was busy preparing for Princess Qingping's hundred-day banquet, leaving the Ruilin Palace of Consort Chen cold and desolate, with three inches of snow accumulated at the steps.

Yunhuang performed the junior's greeting, slightly bowing his head towards King Chang.

Yunhuang raised her hand to wipe away the traces of water on her cheek, her movements gentle. However, Ke Fei seemed quite uneasy, lowering her head timidly and saying, "It is the wood hibiscus that your father loves the most..." This remark made the maid feel a pang in her heart, but Yunhuang replied calmly, "The flowers may wither, but they will bloom again; Father will not miss them." Ke Fei turned her head to think for a moment, and a smile appeared on her face.

It is a misunderstanding, a coincidence, or something else; Yunhuang has lost the heart to discern. The gazes around her, whether mocking or probing, have made her break into a cold sweat. The palace ladies and noblewomen cover their sleeves and laugh, watching the madwoman's daughter become yet another subject of ridicule, while the submissive Princess Qingping lowers her head and gazes in a daze at the patterns on her own skirt.

Yunhuang and Consort Ke's seats were deliberately arranged in a subtle position, neither attracting the Emperor's attention nor completely hidden from the view of others. On that day, Consort Ke was very excited, having not witnessed such a lively scene for a long time, and she couldn't help but dance with joy, drawing the attention of those around her. Yunhuang dared not take her eyes off her for a moment, fearing that she might lose her composure upon seeing the Emperor's arrival. She paid no attention to when the newcomers would arrive or how others perceived her. Until the Emperor arrived, and everyone bowed in reverence, Consort Ke also knelt down, gazing foolishly at the figure in the bright yellow dragon robe in the distance, her forehead touching the ground, not daring to raise it for a long time. When Yunhuang helped her up, Consort Ke's eyes were filled with despair, and she did not even dare to glance at the Emperor's direction. Fortunately, the Emperor stayed only for a moment before leaving, and the remaining palace ladies and consorts flattered the Empress in various ways, while the main characters, Princess Linchuan and her husband, became mere background figures.

The new emperor ascended the throne, and in terms of seniority, he is still the nephew of Prince Chang. He treats this old prince with great respect, and Shen Jue is also a favored person in front of the new emperor. At this moment, the two arrived quietly, without a single attendant, and entered the door, only to see Princess Qingping standing alone in the courtyard, dressed in pure white garments.

Suddenly, a maid entered to announce that Prince Chang wished to meet with Master Shen.

After a long gaze, Shen slowly lowered his eyes

The half-drunken second son of Prince An failed to recognize Yun Huang, and, in a tipsy manner, stepped forward and grabbed her sleeve, laughing, "Whose beauty is this?" Yun Huang was greatly angered, pulling away to avoid the overwhelming smell of alcohol, and was about to reprimand him for his rudeness when a clear voice came from behind, "She is Princess Qingping"

"Princess!" The person called her urgently. Yun Huang did not look back and walked even faster, her long sleeves trailing in the snow, stirring up flurries of snowflakes. The person caught up, holding a patch of clear sky above her head, speaking with concern, "Your umbrella"

Two palace maids hurriedly approached, while Yun Huang, with her long skirt trailing, found it difficult to walk alone, standing in the snow holding an umbrella, waiting for a long time without seeing them return. Snowflakes brushed against the thin silk and ink-painted surface of the umbrella, swirling and dancing in the wind, fluttering past Yun Huang's hair. In the distance, there suddenly came the sound of a man's laughter; the well-dressed son of the prominent prince and the second son of the An prince returned, supporting a drunken companion. Upon seeing this scene, they could not help but stop in their tracks—within the jade courtyard, a faint fragrance lingered like threads, beneath the umbrella stood a graceful lady, her sleeves filled with falling snow, her sash fluttering in the wind, the long skirt of white brocade trailing through the snow, resembling a figure sculpted from snow, her beauty akin to凝琼.

The Duke of Xinyuan and his son bowed in gratitude, while the Empress and Princess Linchuan expressed their thanks from behind a curtain. His Highness and the ministers congratulated each other, and the ladies of the inner and outer courts offered their congratulations as well, with the sound of "Long live the Emperor" echoing throughout the palace. The court musicians and dancers appropriately changed to festive tunes, adorned in colorful garments, with feather fans and flying flowers, as the clapping of wooden clappers marked the end of the song, and the cups were exchanged amidst swirling shadows. The royal family has encountered another joyous occasion, which should naturally be celebrated by all under heaven, with congratulations coming from all corners of the world.

As she walked into the courtyard, a sudden gust of wind swept in, sending large clumps of snowflakes swirling and pattering against the surface of her umbrella. The Consort Ke laughed and reached out to catch them, but in her moment of distraction, she slipped free from the support of the palace maid and dashed into the wintersweet grove, chasing after the flying snow.

Princess Qingping, named Yunhuang, is fifteen years old and is the daughter of Consort Ke. Among the seventeen imperial princesses, each has a name consisting of a single character, but only Princess Qingping has been granted the name "Yunhuang" by His Majesty. "Yun" refers to sunlight; among birds, the king is the phoenix, with the male being Feng and the female being Huang—Yunhuang, the king of all birds soaring under the blazing sunlight

Who would have anticipated that the once beautiful and favored Consort Ke, who captivated the world and was cherished above all in the palace, would find herself in such a predicament today

Is his surname Shen? Yun Huang felt a tightness in her heart, as if a cold, icy hand had gripped her heart, turning a warm feeling of gratitude into a shard of ice.

The queen smiled, "Unfortunately, Xingping is still young and has not yet reached the appropriate age, while Linchuan just turned fifteen last month."

Fratricide and usurpation, the alteration of the national surname, reliance on the maternal relatives, had already angered the esteemed elders and nobles in the court. After ascending the throne, the new emperor's actions became increasingly erratic, particularly his penchant for bloodshed. When old ministers attempted to offer advice, they were all beaten to death in the court. At that time, the hearts of the people in the court were scattered, and important ministers continuously resigned and sought to leave, resulting in a lack of officials in the court and generals at the borders, which led to the Northern Qi's restless movements. In the ninth year of Tianyou, Duke of Xinyuan, Shen En, was entrusted with a critical mission and entered the court to take charge of governance. As a senior official of three reigns, Shen En was highly respected and virtuous. During his ten years in power, he practiced benevolence and frugality, and appointed capable ministers, successfully repelling Northern Qi's invasions three times.

In the first year of the Qingjia era, during the month of Mengdong, the wedding of Princess Linchuan caused a sensation in the imperial capital