Chapter Five, Beauty and Elegance

When the Northern Desert sent people to seek a marriage alliance, everyone said that the Emperor would choose Princess Danyang, as she was the least favored and marrying into such a place would not cause the Emperor much heartache. Unexpectedly, the outcome was the tragedy of Lan Zi

Of course, he said with a smile, "Everyone who is of no use must die."

That night, Lan Dan slept soundly, feeling so at ease and comfortable that it even made her feel a bit disheartened.

"Why would I kill him!" Shen Tu Rui found it amusing, "He is still quite useful."

That was the Mid-Autumn Festival three years ago... Shentu Rui's gaze momentarily lost focus as he recalled the situation from back then

She has made up her mind; she has endured for too long, forgotten too much, and being pushed to a dead end, she thinks of taking a gamble for herself. After all, she still has the love of Shen Tu Cheng, she still has leverage. When Shen Tu Cheng becomes disheartened and leaves, what will she have left?

Lan Dan's expression darkened, and upon further reflection, she realized he was right. She had no response and could only glance at herself in the mirror again

Her mother passed away early, and she was fostered under the care of the unloving Lin Pin. Within a few years, even Lin Pin had passed away. In many matters, what else could she do but learn to forget and endure? She was too weak and too ordinary, lacking any strength.

Aren't you afraid that when I see Shen Tu Cheng, I will stab him to death without waiting for your so-called opportunity

The Fifth Prince was interrupted during an important matter, filled with unexpressed anger. He let out a cold laugh, straightened his clothes, and left after uttering a dismissive remark.

"Are you still willing to speak a few words of truth? I suppose I must die even if I am no longer of any use, right?" She cast him a mocking glance

The most renowned heir of the noble house in the capital has fallen for an ordinary princess, who, after being overlooked for many years, now shares in his brilliance and has captured the attention of others; to be precise, it is more accurate to say that she has drawn their sidelong glances

At one point, she did not feel that there was anything wrong with it. The court is a place filled with deadly schemes; if one is not careful, the outcome may be worse than simply leading a mundane life.

Because of Shen Tu Cheng's admiration

When he mentioned the name Shen Tu Cheng, his tone was so indifferent, in stark contrast to the cheerful banter just moments ago. Lan Dan turned to glance at him; he still wore a smile, appearing open and candid, yet it was impossible to discern any emotion.

Lan Dan stood up, momentarily stunned, and let out a weak, bitter smile. Wasn't the heavens done mocking her yet

She was disappointed in herself for quite a while before slowly opening her eyes, adjusting to the gentle light in the room, remaining still, and inevitably thinking about the past eighteen years

She frowned, and the person in the mirror also had a slight furrow between her brows, exuding an indescribable charm and melancholy. "This is just too beautiful."

The door was politely knocked on, and before she could respond, it was pushed open. Two maidservants carried in a half-height bronze mirror and placed it steadily in front of the bright western window.

Yuan Yuan later became the concubine of Fifth Brother, and the marriage was arranged in a hurry because Yuan Yuan was pregnant with Fifth Brother's child. If it weren't for her interruption that time, Yuan Yuan might have been able to marry into the royal residence a few months earlier. She blocked someone else's good fortune and still thought she was protecting her friend. After Yuan Yuan became a concubine, she became even colder towards her, even showing a hint of disdain. It was then that Lan Dan realized that she had no friends at all

When a sinner also requires a resolute disposition, no matter how much she despises herself and her past, once she receives careful attention, she still cannot refuse the comfort of such treatment. After all, she is a weak and mediocre person, unable to be harsh even on herself. How can she face those whom she has harmed in this way

He leaned closer, looking at the reflection in the mirror alongside Lan Dan. Lan Dan remained silent, and he did not speak again either

Shentu Rui came to his senses, chuckling softly with a hint of self-mockery. "Come here," he said, raising his chin with a domineering tone, yet there lingered a faint smile in the corners of his eyes and brows. In this manner, he was surprisingly charming, causing Lan Dan's heart to flutter slightly. After a moment of reflection, she too felt the urge to smile. How could someone who had suffered greatly from the charms of handsome men be so easily swayed again?

"You are complaining again," Shen Tu Rui laughed heartily, "I didn't expect it either," he sighed and curled his lips, "You have a good foundation, and you actually managed to reach this level. But then again, if you hadn't become so stunningly beautiful, how could you stand out among the three thousand beauties of Shen Tu Cheng?"

At this moment, the Empress sent the favored concubine to persuade her to accept the imperial decree and marry the second son. The favored concubine, fully aware that this task was a mockery from the Empress, found herself unable to refuse, and thus her pent-up resentment naturally fell upon the more helpless Lan Dan.

In Shen Tu Cheng's eyes, she saw a future that was radiant and brilliant, yet when it came to taking action and poisoning him, she ultimately lacked the courage and ruthlessness, inevitably becoming indecisive and hesitant.

Shentu Rui originally thought she was just a naive girl without much awareness, but unexpectedly, the petite girl reached out to grab the young lady and said with concern: "Yuan Yuan, you must not be deceived by Fifth Brother; once he indulges, he won't take responsibility, and you will suffer for nothing!"

Lan Dan had lived in a thatched cottage by the mass grave, coexisting day and night with an old man who looked down on her and whom she did not know at all. When Shen Tu Rui barged in so brazenly early in the morning, she did not feel particularly awkward.

"You are not clever now either." Shen Tu Rui teased

Lan Dan recalled her second sister's scolding: "Do you really think that Young Master Shentu would like you? Take a look in the mirror!"

She felt pity for the noble consort, and also for herself. In this palace of golden bricks and blue tiles, if one cannot attain the highest and most esteemed position, then one should find a way to leave

The fifth prince, who had a penchant for fishing, secretly brought a beautiful young lady from an unknown family to hide among the flowers at the foot of the mountain wall. They exchanged a few sweet nothings, and were just about to embark on a path towards a private engagement. Suddenly, a slender little girl appeared, holding a rabbit-shaped lantern, walking unsteadily along the winding pebble path. The faint light and her delicate figure floated like a sprite, charmingly adorable. She unwittingly illuminated the flower bushes with her lantern, causing the fifth prince and the young lady to feel quite awkward and embarrassed in the light, while she seemed oblivious to the situation, sweetly calling out to him as 'Fifth Brother'.

Ge Chun's skills are truly impressive, " said Shen Tu Rui with a smile as he sat cross-legged beside Lan Dan. The ground dragon was burning hot, and he elegantly unfastened his brocade cloak, tossing it aside, while the maid quietly picked it up.

As a princess, her greatest enemy is fate. Although she managed to evade the marriage alliance with the Northern Desert, she cannot escape the obligation of a gracious marriage. Her father intends to marry her off to the second son of the Marquis of Wenyue, a man who indulges in a life of debauchery, solely because the eldest son of the Marquis has achieved merit by guarding the South Yue Pass. In addition to promotions and titles, it is only natural to favor a marriage alliance with a family that holds military power. The eldest son has already married the eldest princess, Lanqing, and cannot marry another princess, so the only option is to bestow favor upon the second son, even though it is well known that his character is lacking.

Lan Dan recalled the pain of the process and found this statement to be reasonable

"Then... the elderly couple who were watching the grave..." she continued to try.

That year, Lan Zi's mother gained favor and was promoted to the rank of imperial concubine. Lan Zi became proud and began to compete for favor with Lan Huang. The Emperor rewarded Lan Huang with a red moon steed, and Lan Zi insisted on obtaining a snow-treading black horse from the Emperor. As time went on, the Empress and Lan Huang could no longer tolerate this, and a decree was issued for Lan Zi to marry into the Northern Desert. The imperial concubine and Lan Zi were in a panic, pleading for a long time, but the Emperor remained completely unmoved, and the usual indulgence and affection had vanished. Lan Zi had no choice but to marry far away in tears, and within two years, she died in a remote and isolated barbarian land.

She grew up to the age of eighteen, and the only reward that exceeded the norm was the crimson crystal necklace that her father, the emperor, bestowed upon her on her fifteenth birthday. Apart from that, she had nothing else. She could not even approach her father and mother during greetings or banquets. Even if she could get closer, what difference would it make? Among her sisters, each possessing their own beauty and talents in eloquence, singing, and dancing, she remained inconspicuous and lacked any brilliance.

For a very long time... she was unable to move

She has also experienced many grievances and injustices, but there was nothing she could do. She could only go to sleep with a heart full of resentment, telling herself that tomorrow would be better, that things would pass, and that she would either forget or endure it.

Uncle Ge ... ... '' She remembered the old man, his surname was Ge. Lan Dan said hesitantly, `` Do not kill him. ''

She knows that Shentu Rui will not take her request seriously, but if she does not express it, she will always feel uneasy in her heart

Hmm. Shentu Rui pretended to be serious again, "Isn't it very painful? Since you've suffered like this, of course, you should make it look the best to make it worthwhile"

Lan Dan's eyes did not move away from the mirror, "Is this also your suggestion?"

While Lan Dan secretly rejoiced, she felt even more convinced that her patience and submissiveness were justified, as at least she had not deliberately harmed her enemies.

She sat up, casually gathered her loose long hair, and upon noticing, found Shen Tu Rui staring at her in a daze, his gaze peculiar

The expression of the noble consort left a deep impression on Lan Dan, filled with endless humiliation and helplessness. The empress intended to slap the noble consort harshly. What is wrong with the noble consort? Who told you that you are not the empress? So what if Lan Zi was favored? Who said she could compare to Lan Huang? Even though the events have passed, and Lan Zi is dead, as long as the empress remembers, there are countless ways to continue humiliating the noble consort, ruthlessly tearing open the hidden pain in her heart

Lan Dan ignored him, walked purposefully to the mirror, slowly sat down, and gazed intently into it

What happened? Landan touched her face, did she get something on it?

If she were not of such a temperament, how could she smoothly navigate the years in the imperial city where every detail is vividly apparent

In the palace's night banquet, with countless lanterns hanging, nobles and ministers of rank above Duke were summoned to enter the palace with their families. In an instant, the place was filled with officials in their ceremonial attire, and splendid banners fluttered. As the inconspicuous second son of the Duke of Anguo, few people came to greet or attend to him. He found a secluded high spot, poured himself a drink, and coldly observed the myriad of expressions in the crowd.

Lan Dan did not respond, and there is no need to ask; many people have noticed her for the same reason

She walked slowly, limping awkwardly, which was not a pleasant sight. Shentu Rui merely watched her with a smile, neither urging her on nor offering support.

He almost laughed out loud, refusing to acknowledge the situation...

There is nothing that can be done about this; they are of no use anymore and must die. Shen Tu Rui continued to smile, speaking of the death of the elderly couple and the life of Ge Chun as if there were no difference between them

Shentu Rui laughed and patted his knee, looking genuinely happy, "Danyang, do you know how I noticed you?"

She could only look back at the mirror, unable to resist raising her hand to touch the face of the person in the reflection. How could one describe her beauty? Even she, as a woman, found it hard to tear her eyes away after looking at it.

She thought she had done a good deed, but the young lady did not necessarily appreciate it, responding with a cold, dry smile: "Danyang, thank you."

This is how she grew up, making it difficult for her to have a sharp personality

She looked in the mirror, but love blinded her eyes; she did not realize at all that she did not have the capital to take a gamble.

Shen Tu Rui, draped in a brocade cloak, leisurely followed in, smiling as he beckoned her, "Come here"

The noble consort said to her, what can you do if you do not accept it? Who made you born into the royal family, yet without maternal support? Who made your father not favor you enough?

Lan Dan listened to him finish speaking and said with a faint bitter smile: "At that time, I was really foolish..."

Lan Zi is a living example

She had never ridden in a palanquin in the palace, yet she had to smile and look up to greet the noble ladies seated in the palanquin, including Lan Huang, as well as Lan Cheng, Lan Zi, and those favored sisters-in-law. It is said that the palace is marked by strict hierarchies and rigorous rules, but in reality, this is not the case; favor and honor are manifested through transcending ranks and surpassing regulations. Although they are all princesses, their treatment varies greatly.

Lan Dan watched the figure of the imperial concubine leaving and couldn't help but wonder if, before falling asleep tonight, the concubine would also suppress all the sorrow in her heart and tell herself that everything would pass by tomorrow, that she would endure it, that she would forget

Wasn't Lan Zi initially in the same situation and despair?

If it were not for Shen Tu Cheng, she might have, like the past eighteen years, gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, cried for a few days, and calmly accepted her father's decree. However, she had developed expectations and harbored hopes for the future, which led to a sense of resistance. In the palace, resistance often equates to ambition and intrigue. The person who shone brightly in her life solemnly promised her that as long as the Crown Prince ascended the throne early, the betrothal would naturally be annulled, and he would become a high-ranking official, thus rightfully able to marry her and share a life of happiness together. Resistance, in the palace, often equates to ambition and intrigue. The person who shone brightly in her life solemnly promised her that as long as the Crown Prince ascended the throne early, the betrothal would naturally be annulled, and he would become a high-ranking official, thus rightfully able to marry her and share a life of happiness together.