Chapter 4, Qi Wanxin saw Lianhua.

Aware of my sins, I accept them with pleasure, and thus I gladly take up my pen to write "The Lotus Flower Girl"

"Yunhuang is also here." The Emperor seemed to have just noticed and slowly smiled, "You have never liked flowers and plants; could it be that you particularly love the peonies under the moon?" The Princess turned her gaze and smiled, "A beauty admires flowers; I admire the beauty." Upon hearing this, the Emperor smiled gently, his expression becoming even more tender, "The peonies in the Chengshu Palace indeed cannot compare to the beauty of their owner." Pei Zhaoyi's cheeks instantly flushed with joy, her heart filled with indescribable delight

Since entering the palace, Qianyue had never experienced such cold treatment, leaving her momentarily frozen in place. She had served Empress He since her time at the Duke of Chen's residence, and now she was the one in charge at Changxin Palace. Even the concubines from various palaces did not dare to slight her in the slightest.

The crowd knelt down completely, and Empress He stepped forward, seeing that the Emperor had already arrived outside the hall

The moonlight is like water, the bright silk palace lanterns stand tall, illuminating the graceful figure of Chengshu in the palace as she dances gracefully

The Grand Princess and the Empress returned to their seats together, and the music and dance of silk and bamboo began anew in front of the palace. Through the flickering candlelight, Pei Zhaoyi could not help but glance over repeatedly, captivated by the deep crimson, the light red, and the dark gold of the brocade entwined with branches, all exuding an air of elegance and allure, dazzling to the eyes. The Empress introduced the various concubines to the Grand Princess, and when it came to Pei Zhaoyi, the Grand Princess turned her head to look over, her smile fleeting, her gaze profound. The Empress remarked that Pei Zhaoyi was skilled in music, playing the pipa like heavenly sounds, and had heard the Emperor's praises. Pei Zhaoyi did not decline modestly; with grace, she commanded a palace maid to bring the instrument. Just as she was about to play, a long proclamation from outside the palace announced the Emperor's arrival.

If the princess does not mind, I have a bold request." Empress He said softly with a smile, "I believe that the heavenly fragrance should complement the national beauty. I am most afraid of the summer heat, so how about we exchange this golden medal and purple ribbon for the princess's silk fan, which would suit us both.

The palace maid in plain attire carries two palace lanterns in front, illuminating the distant crimson figure. Her wide sleeves float gracefully as if drifting among the clouds, and her garments flutter like the trailing light of the moon.

It is a pity for that lush grove of bamboos; even the Empress, upon her arrival at the palace, once praised the elegance of Xinyi Palace. Who would have thought that the Princess Chang did not favor bamboo, ordering the elegant and fragrant bamboos to be uprooted, leaving only the phoenix trees and creeping vines. Rumors about Princess Chang abound, yet the mistress of Xinyi Palace has always lived in seclusion. Since the Empress took charge of the central palace, she has only seen Princess Chang a handful of times while serving closely by her side.

Pei Zhaoyi smiled as she followed Empress He at a distance of half a step, her hair meticulously styled. In her laughter and conversation, her spirit was vibrant, and her already stunning beauty stood out even more among the crowd. The other concubines, some of whom held higher ranks than her, felt somewhat displeased at her ostentation. However, Empress He showed no signs of concern and continued to treat her with kindness, making it inconvenient for others to speak out.

Before the banquet of blooming flowers, more than ten elegantly adorned ladies stroll through the courtyard with the Empress, enjoying the flowers as the blossoms reflect their beauty, with their red attire competing with the flowers for the essence of spring

The Grand Princess exchanged greetings with Empress He, and the other consorts also greeted her in turn. A few newly conferred consorts were momentarily taken aback upon seeing the Grand Princess, feeling as if the overwhelming beauty could suffocate them. There were also one or two consorts from noble families who seemed to have seen her before, when she was still the unfavored princess in the former emperor's palace, occasionally making a fleeting appearance at ceremonial banquets, faintly recognized as a beauty. ... Months had passed, and after a series of upheavals, the imperial family had changed, and the palace had transformed ... . Seeing this princess again, she was now the Grand Princess, adorned with countless honors, her demeanor and appearance strikingly different from before.

In this instance, the Empress has another intention. Hearing that the Eldest Princess has a fondness for music, and that Lady Pei is adept at playing the pipa, it occurred to her to invite the Princess to enjoy the flowers and appreciate the music, which would surely be a delightful affair. Qianyue spoke with a graceful tone, her words flowing smoothly and appropriately. The Eldest Princess slightly lowered her silk fan, opened her eyes, and with a radiant gaze, asked, 'Which Lady Pei?' She inquired casually. Qianyue replied that it was the daughter of Marquis Wenxiang, the newly appointed Lady of Honor by His Majesty. The Princess fell silent for a moment, then smiled languidly, simply saying she understood, and thereafter said no more.

Qian Yue remembered that outside Xinyi Palace was originally a secluded bamboo grove, filled with violet orchids. Several months ago, the Emperor issued an edict to relocate over three hundred phoenix trees from the southern country, all of which were over a hundred years old, towering several zhang high, with leaves as broad as jade, and were planted throughout Xinyi Palace. It is said that the still-under-construction Qiwugong will have a thousand phoenix trees, requiring three years to complete.

The emerald wutong rests on the old phoenix branch, after all, it is the residence of Princess Ningguo.

The banquet was already halfway through when news arrived that Princess Ningguo had arrived. Everyone was greatly surprised, and Pei Zhaoyi had not anticipated the princess's visit at all; in her astonishment, she felt a sudden sense of pride. Only Empress He maintained her composure, smiling subtly as she gladly led the others out to welcome the princess.

The exquisite silk fan is held in her hand, its delicate fabric complementing her icy complexion, truly a sight of unparalleled beauty

The cicada silk fan features the painting "Lotus Color Woman", characterized by its vibrant brushwork and enchanting colors. The four characters inscribed below, "Lotus Color Woman", exude a sense of purity and transcendence, as if penned by the Emperor himself. Quietly, Qianyue set down the silk fan and silently withdrew.

The daughter is indeed still quite young, sighed Duke Chen, shaking his head, "The Su family has long since fallen apart; a mere princess and a mad empress dowager cannot stir up any waves. On the other hand, the Pei family is currently held in high regard by the Emperor. If that Pei woman were to bear an heir, it would be truly disastrous."

Pei Zhaoyi realized that the Empress's methods were skillful, as they not only gained momentum but also preserved the dignity of the Grand Princess

Empress He's elegant face flushed with embarrassment upon hearing the two words "filthy" uttered by her father

The palace maid led Qianyue into the side hall, saying that the princess was still napping, so Qianyue had no choice but to wait quietly. The hall was filled with a peculiar fragrance, unlike anything found elsewhere, heavy and elusive like a sigh, inexplicably evoking a sense of melancholy.

The Grand Princess smiled and said, "It is rare for the Empress to take a liking to this fan; it indeed has some charm. I wonder if the Empress recognizes the allusion within it"

Upon hearing this, the Emperor turned his gaze slightly and looked deeply at the silk fan.

The sound of jade pendants tinkling, a lively little palace maid lifted the curtain to let Qianyue in. It seemed that the princess had changed her attendants again; none of the people from Xinyi Palace could stay for long. Qianyue held her breath and stepped into the inner chamber, only to find the princess reclining on a soft couch, appearing to be in a state between wakefulness and sleep, leaving her uncertain whether to disturb her or not

Pei Zhaoyi chuckled softly, her voice crisp as she interjected, "Your Majesty may not be aware, but the color of the lotus flower is indeed a reference from Buddhist texts. This woman once shared a husband with her mother and daughter, married her own biological son, and bore a child in defiance of familial ethics, committing grave sins. Later, she encountered the venerable Mogallana, became a bhikkhuni, and dedicated herself to practice, ultimately attaining the fruit of an Arhat, becoming the foremost in supernatural powers among bhikkhunis." She spoke eloquently, her tone melodious, causing the Empress to nod in realization, her face flushed with embarrassment, "So that is the case, Zhaoyi is indeed well-informed and knowledgeable."

Such cold treatment was something Qianyue had anticipated. Previously, the Empress had invited the Eldest Princess to banquets several times, wishing to cultivate a closer relationship with her, and had never ceased to bestow rare treasures from Xinyi Palace. However, this highly favored Eldest Princess seemed to regard the Empress's grace with indifference, treating the women of the harem as if they were nonexistent, spending her days in solitude with the noble Consort Ke in Xinyi Palace, rarely allowing outsiders to see her.

The jade-handled silk fan hung with tassels, though extremely elegant, was not particularly surprising. Pei Zhaoyi looked on with suspicion, her eyes brightening as she recognized the imperial calligraphy on the fan's surface, "Lotus Color Maiden?" The Empress seemed perplexed, momentarily at a loss, "Is this allusion a tale passed down through the ages?"

Peonies are also known by the alternative names of "Jiangli," "Jinke," and "Dianchun." They rank second in terms of nobility among flowers. While it is said that the peony is the king of flowers, the peony is regarded as the prime minister of flowers. In the world, most peonies bloom in April, but the peonies of Chengshugong are extraordinary, blooming only at the end of May.

He had a kind expression and spoke gently, yet Qianyue's face had turned pale, and her legs gave way, causing her to kneel on the ground

The banquet was reopened with music and dance, and the atmosphere among the guests was somewhat more solemn than before, yet it revealed an undercurrent of tension. The various concubines exchanged clever words and charming smiles, each displaying their beauty and talents in an effort to attract the Emperor's attention. In the presence of the Empress, however, the Emperor allowed the Zhaoyi to sit beside the throne and serve wine, and the two exchanged smiles and words from time to time. The concubines secretly ground their silver teeth in frustration, and in their helplessness, they turned their resentment towards the Empress.

Qian Yue hurriedly reported that the peonies in Chengshu Palace had bloomed, and that Lady Pei had hosted a banquet to invite the Empress to appreciate the flowers. The Empress wished to invite the Grand Princess to join her tomorrow evening. The Grand Princess did not even open her eyes and casually replied, "Thank you for the Empress's kind intention, but I have never been fond of flowers and plants, so it would be better for me not to go and spoil the mood."

Qian Yue was brought up by the palace maid, her hair disheveled, her cheeks swollen and bruised, and blood oozing from the corners of her lips. Empress He looked down at her and sighed, "Have you remembered this lesson?" Tears welled up in Qian Yue's eyes as she prostrated herself on the ground, repeatedly knocking her head. Empress He smiled slightly and calmly sat back in her chair, "Alright, tell me the story of the Lotus Flower Color Woman from the beginning."

Not long after His Majesty's ascension to the throne, the imperial harem has yet to be fully established, with only four consorts, six concubines, two ladies-in-waiting, and one noble lady beneath the Empress. Empress He has always been gentle and kind, fostering harmonious relations with the other consorts and concubines. Although today's flower-viewing banquet is held in the Chengshu Palace, everyone has come out of respect for the Empress's reputation.

"What is it, Your Majesty?" The princess spoke lightly, still lazily leaning, with a silk fan half concealing her face.

In May, the air is thick and humid, and it is the height of summer. The afternoon sunlight has become intense. Walking from the central palace, Qianyue's cheeks are slightly flushed, her silk robe damp with sweat, until she steps into the territory of the Magnolia Palace, where she suddenly feels the sunlight dimming. Tall sycamore trees are planted on both sides of the path, their deep green leaves filtering the light into a gentle pattern. Walking beneath them, her garments flutter in the breeze, bringing a refreshing coolness, as if she has entered a secluded realm of deep azure, detached from the world.

However, the Empress remained completely unconcerned about the situation before her, focusing solely on conversing with the Grand Princess. It is unclear what the Empress said, but the Grand Princess lightly waved her silk fan, occasionally covering her face with it and laughing. Pei Zhaoyi discerned the Empress's subtle attempts to win over the Grand Princess and could not help but smirk coldly to herself.

The Queen has been overly praised; the Princess Royal, depicted with the color of lotus flowers, embodies the wisdom of liberation and the tranquility of meditation, reflecting the ultimate realization of the Great Way, which clearly demonstrates the Princess's insightful heart. Pei Zhaoyi's words aptly capture the intention behind the painting, and upon seeing the slight smile on the Princess Royal's face, she could not help but feel quite pleased with herself.

"Zitong has such refined interests." The Emperor, with his hands clasped behind his back and wide sleeves draping like gauze, approached, bathed in the cool light of the moon. Empress He's face turned red, and she lowered her head deeply, not daring to meet his gaze. She noticed that a strand of dark silk ribbon beneath the Nine-Dragon jade pendant was still trembling, as if it were in a hurry. The Empress had originally invited His Majesty, but he had said he was too busy; yet now he had come. Empress He smiled as she conversed with the Emperor, her demeanor gentle and modest, seemingly unintentionally stepping back half a pace to allow the Princess to come forward.

This Princess Ningguo is merely the daughter of the deposed emperor, without any support or power. Yet, the emperor is kind and treats her with affection, to the extent that even the empress must give her some regard. Qianyue felt a sense of frustration in her heart, but there was nothing she could do. Silently, she knocked lightly and was about to take her leave. However, she inadvertently caught sight of the princess's silk fan falling to the ground. Qianyue picked it up and returned it to the side of the couch with both hands, her gaze sweeping across the fan's surface, and she was taken aback.

When the rewards were bestowed, all the concubines received their shares, except for the eldest princess. Everyone was taken aback, and only Pei Zhaoyi spoke up for the eldest princess, reproaching the emperor for being stingy. The emperor smiled without responding, while Empress He, who had been quietly observing, remarked with a smile, "The eldest princess is indeed different." Pei Zhaoyi turned to look at the eldest princess, who appeared to be smiling yet not smiling, gently waving her silk fan, as if watching a play.

"Lotus-colored lady?" Empress He Dan did not believe in Buddhism and was somewhat puzzled for a moment. Just then, Duke Chen entered the palace today to visit the Empress, and was having tea and chatting with his daughter. After listening to Qianyue's report for a long time, he furrowed his brows and remained silent. Empress He turned her head to look at him, "Father, do you know what this alludes to?"

In the midst of the gathering, all fell silent upon hearing the words. Within the six palaces, the Empress undoubtedly held the highest position, and the most beautiful peony was to be bestowed upon her. However, the gazes of the attendees could not help but drift towards the Princess, then back to the Empress. One exuded a relaxed demeanor, while the other was dignified and serene; one enjoyed the Emperor's special favor, while the other ruled over the six palaces. It was hard to determine which was more deserving of the title "the flower among flowers." The Emperor toyed with the deep purple peony between his fingers, idly inhaling its fragrance, and remarked, "The Empress's phoenix crown adorned with golden threads and purple beads complements this flower perfectly."

Empress He bowed to express her gratitude, and the Emperor commanded her to come closer, personally placing the peony hairpin between her cloud-like tresses and black bun

Qian Yue felt anxious and could not decipher her meaning, yet she saw the princess turn her back, seemingly falling asleep again

The lady-in-waiting understands its meaning, the Empress appreciates its charm, as the saying goes, "Those who see the Buddha see the Buddha, and those who are in love see love; it cannot be more so than this." The princess chuckled softly, casting a sidelong glance at the Emperor, "It is a pity that there is only one silk fan; Yunhuang is in a difficult position, and I ask Your Majesty to make the decision on her behalf."

He Jian glanced at the silent Qianyue, who had her head bowed, and smiled at the Empress, saying, "It is merely a Buddhist parable, advising women to be virtuous and to know shame, and not to indulge in wild thoughts." Empress He detected the dismissive tone in her father's words but did not rush to inquire further, instead offering a calm smile to brush it aside. A father knows his daughter well; seeing her expression, Duke Chen understood that she was skeptical. "My dear, although you are now the mistress of the six palaces, you must still be extremely cautious in your words and actions. Listening too much to rumors and slander, which often arise from empty sources, is of no benefit to you." As Duke Chen spoke, he looked at Qianyue with a smile, adding, "Especially those close to you, who speak ill, must not go unpunished."

"The daughter is foolish, and the father is right to discipline her." Empress He is known for her virtue and filial piety; although she is only eighteen years old, her demeanor already reflects the grace of a mother.

This pair of shoes named Jade Hairpin Pearl Shoes is indeed not an ordinary item. When Lady Pei saw the Emperor selecting a branch of heavy-petaled, crystal-clear pink peony, she turned to the Grand Princess with a smile, enunciating the word "also" particularly clearly. Unexpectedly, the Emperor smiled at Consort Shu and said, "This flower is elegant and suits you well." Consort Shu was overjoyed, shyly approaching to express her gratitude, which made everyone else envious.

Qian Yue was immediately dragged out, and the sound of slapping echoed outside the corridor, crisp and chilling. Everyone stepped aside, and only then did Duke Chen suppress his smile, saying, "You foolish child, how can you be so reckless? With formidable enemies still at large, you go and make new ones." Seeing Empress He biting her lip in silence, Duke Chen continued, "Your Majesty's generous treatment of the Grand Princess is merely to honor the loyalty of the Su family, setting an example for the old loyal ministers. The royal family has been slaughtering each other for many years; now, with Your Majesty and the Grand Princess being so close and affectionate, it allows the world to admire and witness the dignity of the royal family... This is a good thing, and it is also a matter of principle. You must not let your thoughts wander into that filth!"

As the banquet was coming to an end, Lady Pei ordered the palace attendants to bring in more than ten magnificent peonies, requesting the Emperor to distribute them among the guests. The Emperor gladly agreed and was about to select the colors of the flowers when Lady Pei pointed to a branch of purple-gold peony and smiled charmingly, saying, "This one is called 'Purple Ribbon and Golden Medal', and it is the rarest, blooming only one in the entire garden."

After sending off Duke Chen of the State of Chen, Empress He stood silently in front of the palace, lost in thought for a long time

Shaohuan's gaze shifted from the silk fan, sweeping over the hand holding it, the drooping sleeves, the smiling lips, and finally resting in those quiet eyes. She smiled gently, yet her eyes were cold and chilling, just as they had been on the day she showed him the beautifully painted fan, with that same self-mocking and abandoned chill in her smiling gaze... Filial piety has long been lost in this family, with sons killing fathers, brothers killing brothers, fathers abandoning daughters, and daughters resenting fathers; there is no longer any human relationship, let alone moral principles. Compared to the slaughter and bloodshed, what sin could there be in the love between siblings? He is the ruler of a revived dynasty, a wise and benevolent monarch, yet he is not the one to save her from her karmic burdens; she is not a flawless white wall, a virtuous lady, but rather the lotus flower that lures him into the depths of desire.