Chapter 1, the delicate brows and the spring mountains

It is good news that she has this habit every year, to hang a red silk ribbon on the first cluster of blossoms, wishing that her flowers bloom better than those outside the Wenhua Gate. She found a hairpin adorned with a precious ribbon and hurried to the tree, looking up at the newly sprouted buds, which seemed a bit fragile. She is shorter than Xiao You, and even on tiptoe, she still falls a little short. The sleeves of her costume are too large; when she raises her hands, they smoothly slide down to her shoulders, revealing a pair of delicate arms.

She got up, intending to take off her attire and look at her face in the mirror. Before she could focus, Xiao You entered through the palace gate, standing at the railing and calling out: "My lord, the western crabapple blossoms under the south wall have bloomed. Would you not like to take a look?"

She has always had a good temper, but seeing her angry this time, several palace maids stuck out their tongues and pressed down the row of window frames in front of the Yude Palace. Wanwan, with her heavily made-up face, watched for a long time and felt that they would not be slacking off, and only then did she turn around and enter the hall

She blushed and muttered, "Those with a lisp are making fun of me..."

I do not know why, but this evening is particularly quiet. A few young eunuchs stand around listlessly, unlike in the past when they were full of energy; they seem somewhat dispirited.

Xiao You muttered: "The Empress Dowager is truly something, being biological siblings, yet still avoiding this misfortune!"

Xiao You hurriedly pressed her hand down, looked around, and whispered: "Be careful not to let anyone see, or the old lady will scold us again." She smiled and said, "Let me help the master put it on!"

The small pendant was hung up with the precious belt, and she squinted her eyes to take a closer look. The ribbon was inlaid with golden threads, and in the afterglow, a flash of golden light was occasionally seen, but upon closer inspection, it vanished.

Wanwan extended a pinky finger as if to scratch her scalp, but then retracted it. The issue of marriage is indeed fraught with contradictions. She was only six years old when Consort Xu passed away; it was not that she feared being without someone to look after her. As a dignified princess of Daye, would she really worry about not having enough to eat? However, she needed to find a foster mother to have her name recorded under someone else's care. Girls have many concerns, and one must worry about future matters such as marriage. The trivialities of the inner palace are managed by women, and the emperors of the previous dynasty did not interfere. When her father personally sent her to Kun Ning Palace, from that moment on, she began to recognize others as her mother.

Wanwans looked up, the Empress Dowager was wearing a crane-patterned, round-flower front-opening robe. Due to her proper maintenance, a woman in her forties showed almost no signs of aging on her face. However, perhaps due to poor sleep, a faint shadow of dark circles had appeared under her eyes, making her look slightly more haggard than before

She began to count, one, two... From the age of four, without fail each year, she has now counted eleven. It was her biological mother, Consort Xu, who first taught her to adorn the tree with red silk. Consort Xu was a southerner, a young lady from a scholarly family, and she inherently possessed an enduring poetic charm. She said that the begonia was the eye of the Matchmaker, and by decorating the tree with flowers, it would bless her with a good husband in the future. Although at that time she did not know what a husband was, her mother's words remained etched in her heart. Later, when Consort Xu passed away, she would often come to this begonia tree to look at the red silk whenever she missed her, and she has been doing so for many years.

The chief eunuch beside the princess bowed with his hands at his sides and said: "To the Empress Dowager, Her Highness the Eldest Princess had half a bowl of rice porridge and a milk bun this morning, which was quite fragrant."

This year there was a bout of late spring cold, as a night of north winds with snow in mid-March blew white the bright yellow glazed tiles of the Forbidden City. Everyone's tone carried a hint of melancholy, worrying that this year's flowering season would be delayed. Unexpectedly, in the last few days of the month, a sudden turn brought a significant warmth.

The Empress Dowager listened to her words and smiled slightly. This child has always been well-behaved; although somewhat timid, her heart is sincere. The late Emperor had few offspring, with only two sons and one daughter throughout his life. As the only daughter, Princess Hede was treated very well in her childhood. Unfortunately, she was born with a weak connection to her parents. If it were not for the misfortunes destined in her fate, she would indeed be quite pitiful

"How much do you need to save up to encounter a good marriage?" She turned to Xiao You and asked, "Is twenty enough?"

She hurried to the bottom of the corridor, hands behind her back, ready to enter the hall, when she suddenly stopped and said, "Why hasn't the window been installed yet?"

She sighed, "The Emperor does not know how it is, last year's Mid-Autumn Festival he caught a chill, and his illness has persisted until today. I originally intended to visit, but the Qianqing Palace is more tightly guarded than elsewhere. The Empress Dowager also mentioned those concubines, saying they should not keep changing their ways to appear before him, as His Majesty has a mountain of affairs to attend to, and there is no need to add to his troubles. I know this is not meant for me, but I must also be aware of the situation. " After a pause, she pondered further, "I heard yesterday that he coughed up blood; it was my second brother who secretly told me. I inquired with the Minister of the Palace, but he evaded my questions, fearing it might be true. I also want to take a look; otherwise, I will go to the Cining Palace tomorrow to request the Empress Dowager's decree. If it is granted, I will then go to the Qianqing Palace."

It is truly unfortunate that she did not emerge from someone else's womb, always separated by a layer. How many times has she tried to express closeness, yet the Empress Dowager remains indifferent, and over time, she has grown disheartened. Now, she fears being hastily dismissed; as a precious princess, once she enters another family, it would be just that, and it is better to take her time and choose carefully. However, without a marriage, she will forever remain in the Forbidden City, bound by countless rules and regulations, where every word and action, even the way to eat a segment of orange, is strictly defined. She does not like this kind of life. It feels like a wrong turn in fate; how wonderful it would be if she were a man. She cannot engage in politics like her brothers, and even accompanying the officials from the Ministry of Rites to shop would be better. However, without a marriage, she will forever remain in the Forbidden City, bound by countless rules and regulations, where every word and action, even the way to eat a segment of orange, is strictly defined. She does not like this kind of life. It feels like a wrong turn in fate; how wonderful it would be if she were a man. She cannot engage in politics like her brothers, and even accompanying the officials from the Ministry of Rites to shop would be better.

According to my understanding, it is likely due to a deficiency in vital energy and blood. Mother, you must take care of your health and have the Imperial Medical Department prepare some prescriptions to replenish your energy. She shyly pressed her hand on her knee and said, "Mother has not been sleeping well, and I am very worried. If you agree, I can attend to you at night. Whatever you need, I will be here to serve you."

The attendants who accompanied her were busy kneeling to receive the imperial decree, and Wanwan felt somewhat reassured in her heart. She thought to herself that the Empress Dowager seemed to be in a good mood today, and when she mentioned going to visit the Emperor, it should not be obstructed.

Regarding the greetings, the daily conversations are quite similar. Wanwan presents her respects to the Empress Dowager, receives the tea brought by the palace maid, and offers it to her. The Empress Dowager takes a sip before allowing her to sit down. She then respectfully inquires: "Did Mother have a good rest yesterday?"

The Empress Dowager said it was unnecessary, "You are also weak and cannot endure such turmoil. I have them by my side, so you need not worry about me." She then unprecedentedly inquired about the princess's breakfast, asking what she had eaten in the morning and how it had gone down.

Living in one place for a long time, even if it is adorned with exquisite carvings and paintings, can lead to feelings of weariness. This is true not only for the palace maids who serve, but also for the noble ladies and masters within the palace.

Xiao You teased her, "Is the master thinking of getting married? That's not a problem at all! As the old saying goes, the emperor's sister has no worries about marriage. Once you meet the Emperor, just hint a little, and everything will be taken care of."

The Empress Dowager furrowed her brow slightly, "I have not been feeling well these past two days. The first half of the night was fine, but the second half was always rather restless"

The sunlight danced on the brow of the eaves beast, while the grand doors of the Yude Palace closed halfway. Below the steps, the palace maid, who added fragrance, poured the ashes left from the previous night into a lacquered box, standing quietly as she faintly heard cautious humming coming from within the hall. She shifted her gaze and exchanged a smile with the person standing in the corridor; the young eunuch made a gesture for silence, pointing towards the interior of the hall, and the other half of the hall door slowly closed.

I just remembered that the most formidable Jingqi Granny will be visiting in the afternoon, and she hasn't returned yet. Fortunately, Granny Li is not around; otherwise, she would dare to run around with painted face and in costume, and she would surely scold Consort Xu back to life!

Xiao You fetched water to wash her face, and while washing, she said: "The Emperor has not been well these past two days. Aren't you going to pay a visit? Last time you strained your neck, His Majesty came to see you for two consecutive days!"

While calculating in her heart, she saw the Empress entering through the southern window. The Empress lifted her skirt and quietly retreated to the side of the Empress Dowager. The sound of the eunuchs beating their chests came from the door, and the Empress, dressed in a red phoenix robe and skirt, resembled a large butterfly, leading the concubines to settle on the carpet in front of the throne in the Cining Palace.

On the third day of April, the weather is fine

Wanwan greeted her, while Anran stood by with her hands tucked into her sleeves, the afterglow of the setting sun illuminating her face, her eyes bright like stars

"If Xiao Shaojian doesn't come, I'm still here, so you're just going to leave it?" she said angrily, "Open the window!"

She shrank her neck and walked into the hall, fearing that if she was late, she would run into someone who would scold her, starting from trivial matters and escalating to discussions about the nation and the world, which was truly unbearable. If one were to say who she feared the most, it would probably be the Jingqi wet nurse. In the imperial family, there are strict rules, and they are particularly heavy; each prince and princess is assigned a dedicated caretaker from the moment of their birth. The palace attendants are divided into three categories: Jingqi, Shuishang, and wet nurses, each responsible for different duties. Wet nurses are the ones who breastfeed the children they have raised, and they tend to be more lenient. Shuishang is in charge of boiling water and washing clothes, without concern for the rules. Jingqi, however, is quite formidable; colloquially known as the 'watching mother,' they keep a close eye on you. If you speak too loudly or smile too broadly, it falls within the scope of their admonitions. The princes endure hardships in their studies, having to rise at 2:30 AM; if they cannot get up, the Jingqi wet nurse dares to punish them. As for the princesses, although they do not suffer physical pain, they have to engage in needlework in addition to their studies, and any slight mistake will earn them a reprimand, which is a form of mental torment.

The warm afternoon light streamed in through the window, casting a brilliant diamond shape on the blue bricks, creating a natural stage. Wanwan enjoyed closing the door at this time to perform a Kunqu opera, of course, without her grandmother knowing. Without any lyrics, she hummed melodiously to the rhythm she remembered, her face thickly powdered, her delicate red lips accentuated, elegantly waving her water sleeves, and casting a graceful glance with a smile... At this moment, she was not a princess, but a girl dreaming of being a performer. However, she had no audience; two palace maids assisting her with her skirt tails kept their heads down, and even after she finished singing, there was no applause. She couldn't help but feel disappointed, but not sad. She found a cloud-shaped couch to take a nap, and when she woke up, it was already evening. Rubbing her eyes, she looked at the sunset on the horizon, and there were swallows flying over, diving down, perhaps catching insects to eat? Life in the palace was dull and tedious; if she didn't find joy for herself, she would have suffocated for eight hundred years.

The Empress nodded slightly, "The appetite is still somewhat small; the subordinates should encourage more. A robust master is a blessing for you all"

Because she is the only princess in the Forbidden City, after her brother ascended the throne, she became the Grand Princess. The Ministry of Rites, fearing that the palace maids might become negligent, likely also intended to exert control over her, specifically dispatched someone to manage the affairs of the palace here

Xiao You chuckled for a while before reassuring her: "Do not worry, there is no need for twenty of them. In my opinion, waiting another year or two will suffice. Since you are not the Empress Dowager's biological daughter, it is even more important to present a beautiful facade; we certainly cannot let you remain an old maid!" She stroked her chin and envisioned, "In the future, we must find a noble heir, wealthy, handsome, of good character, and who cherishes his wife; that would be enough."

What is meant by putting up a window, at night adding a layer of paper over the glass window, this is a daily routine. In the Yude Palace, there is a simple-minded maid who does rough work, and she said, "Replying to the master, Xiao Shaojian came by in the afternoon, and he is unlikely to come to check on his duties at eight in the evening."

It is also unavoidable; the doctrines of Daye are such that there is a distinction between men and women. Upon reaching a certain age, one must maintain a distance of several steps when speaking. Therefore, in the imperial family, even if they wish to be close, they cannot truly achieve intimacy.

The next morning, after completing her morning routine, she properly went to Cining Palace to pay her respects. The Empress Dowager is the highest authority in the Forbidden City, and both the Emperor and Empress cannot be exempt from the morning and evening audiences. Wanwan usually arrives quite early, essentially reaching just as the Empress Dowager takes her seat, which the Empress Dowager is quite pleased with.