Chapter 1, Smile

fallen princess

There was a low sound of laughter as several women emerged from the Cining Palace, personally escorted by the Grand Dowager Empress's elder aunt, Yu An, indicating her extraordinary status

The few exquisite flowerpot bases paused beside her, and as they passed by, Meili heard a young, sweet voice softly ask: "Is she the fallen noble lady who trampled someone to death while riding?"

A moment of chaotic heartache, just that fleeting instant

She has not looked up, nor does she dare to look up

She took two steps back, preparing to turn around

She stood up straight after listening and said without hesitation: "No"

It was very accurate. Meili curled the corner of her mouth; she was indeed in a state of decline, not because of the incident of riding a horse in the street that led to a death, but because after her father and mother passed away, the family fortune fell entirely into her uncle's hands, and she had already tasted the bitterness of decline. However, in her youthful ignorance, she once believed that by fiercely emphasizing her status and her lineage, she could erase the impression of decline in people's hearts. It was truly self-deception. She suppressed a self-mocking smile because she heard Aunt Yu'an say that she should go meet the ancestors.

Beautiful? Meili lightly pursed her lips. ... It must be the ancestors comforting her ... . ... She and beauty have long been unrelated. Not to mention the rough life over the past two years, she unconsciously glanced at her left arm—an unfamiliar elder had sent her a set of clothing for the audience with the ancestors—underneath the relatively luxurious fabric, there was an ugly scar less than two inches above her left wrist. If the ancestors were to see it, would they still praise her like this? Even she found it disgusting and repulsive upon closer inspection.

Meili hurriedly knelt down to perform a grand salute, but was impatiently stopped by Kangxi

"Zha." Meili Fu sighed, thinking that hearing his name again would no longer cause her heartache, but it seems that is not the case. How amusing, the delusion of infatuation had long since faded, yet her heart remains so dull.

Ah! Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang exclaimed as she wiped away the tears that had welled up with her handkerchief. The mischievous Meili from back then had made her feel a mix of love and hate, while the now obedient Meili made her heart ache. "My light beauty Meili has grown up, and she has become so beautiful."

Meili knelt on the white marble surface outside the Cining Palace, not raising her head. The sky was overcast, seemingly about to rain, and in the slightly humid air, the flowers in the courtyard appeared particularly vibrant.

"Forget it." He walked over and sat down by the kang. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang reproached him for not having the palace servants announce his arrival. Kangxi smiled at her, then turned his serious gaze to Meili, "If you can truly think this way, then the more than two years spent in the cold palace will not have been in vain"

"Go back, and from now on... take care of yourself."

"Yes." She obediently responded, slowly lifting her face.

She is a fallen member of the royal family, with her maternal family lacking any power. Coupled with her proud and indulgent nature, how could her husband cherish and love her, and how could her in-laws and sisters-in-law tolerate and pamper her? A severe illness requires strong medicine; although forcing a mischievous and naive young girl into her current state may seem harsh, it may ultimately be beneficial for her future

Xiao Zhuang fell silent again, is this really the same reckless and unrestrained young girl who was once so unaware of the heights of heaven and the depths of the earth? "Lift your head up."

She stood gracefully and bowed to him; now he is a prince, and she is of the lowest rank among the princesses, according to the rules, she should kneel and pay her respects.

The twenty-third year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty

She took a light breath, so fragrant... For more than two whole years, she had not smelled the scent of flowers. In the desolate and bleak Peace Hall, there were only weeds and scentless dandelions. She enjoyed collecting the fluffy balls of dandelions in the warm spring sunlight, then sitting on the crumbling stone steps in front of the hall, blowing them one by one, watching those little umbrellas float away with the gentle breeze... Free. Then sitting on the crumbling stone steps in front of the hall, blowing them one by one, watching those little umbrellas float away with the gentle breeze... Free.

It can be considered a blessing in disguise; the Emperor has already issued an edict. Since the Anning Palace has been burned down and reconstruction will take time, you are allowed to return home early

"No need for that," he said coldly. After two years of absence, his words carried an air of nobility and authority, befitting one who commands a formidable military force as a member of the royal family.

As she stepped out the door, she had not considered that there was still someone standing in the corridor. He was backlit, his features indistinct. She quickly lowered her head; she did not need to look, she knew who it was

"Your carriage is outside the Xihua Gate." For the past two years, he had rarely thought of her, and even when he did, he felt a sense of relief for having ended her unwarranted entanglement. Upon hearing that she had been released from the palace early, he briefly contemplated various scenarios of meeting her, mostly filled with anger, cursing her for being heartless and ungrateful, recalling how he had insisted on the Emperor imposing severe punishment on her... Or perhaps her persistent and annoying temperament still lingered, shamelessly clinging to him... Yet, he never imagined she would be so indifferent. When he began to regret saying too much to her, fearing it might rekindle her infatuation, she merely smiled faintly at his words. Or perhaps her persistent and annoying temperament still lingered, shamelessly clinging to him... Yet, he never imagined she would be so indifferent. When he began to regret saying too much to her, fearing it might rekindle her infatuation, she merely smiled faintly at his words.

Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace, and thank you, Ancestor, for your benevolence. Meili replied cautiously

Yes. Meili lowered her head

The elderly woman sitting on the kang, with a kind demeanor, was both unfamiliar and awe-inspiring to her. She could repeatedly claim to like her very much and dote on her, yet she could also confine her in a cold palace for years, ignoring her completely, allowing her, who thought she had a strong backing, to experience the harsh realities of the world.

Hmm. The one who should respond is her mother, after all, being more mature. After a rough reply, she lightly scolded, "Let's talk outside."

As she withdrew her gaze, she inadvertently noticed the four palace maids standing at the gate, all looking at her with strange expressions. She offered them a slight smile, and indeed, they each averted their eyes. Over the past two years, she had grown accustomed to it; she had become used to being looked at with disdain and had also learned to appreciate the sympathy of others. ... Accepting sympathy ... . ... In fact, it is a very difficult thing; when she could respond to the sympathetic gazes of others with a smile, it was no longer she who felt uncomfortable.

Just as she took a few steps back and prepared to turn away, Xiaozhuang called out to her again, "Meili, do you blame the Emperor and the ancestors?"

Meili... ..." Xiaozhuang was silent for a moment, and when she called her, her voice was somewhat choked.

The fire... The Anning Hall is surrounded by the "Widow's Quarters" of the Forbidden City, where many childless and powerless former imperial concubines are confined to live in groups. One elderly concubine got up in the middle of the night to burn incense before the Buddha. With her dim eyesight and the dry, windy spring weather, she accidentally ignited the banners, causing a great fire that spread to several adjacent palaces. She remembers the head of the guards who came to extinguish the fire angrily reprimanding the eunuch for allowing someone to light incense in the middle of the night. That guard leader must be new; in this dead city of the Forbidden City, there is no day or night, only solitude and despair, only pain and helplessness. There is not even a person to confide in, a heart full of words... She remembers the head of the guards who came to extinguish the fire angrily reprimanding the eunuch for allowing someone to light incense in the middle of the night. That guard leader must be new; in this dead city of the Forbidden City, there is no day or night, only solitude and despair, only pain and helplessness. There is not even a person to confide in, a heart full of words... Only to speak to the Buddha.

"The servant is here," she replied in a charming voice, adhering to the rules and regulations

"That fire must have frightened you, right?" Xiao Zhuang felt a wave of sadness; it was not that she was heartless towards her, but as a condition for not reducing her to a commoner, she had promised the emperor that during this period of confinement, she must remain uninformed and indifferent to her. The emperor despised Meili's arrogance and wanted her to truly experience hardship and repent for her past misdeeds. In fact, as long as she wished, there was no need for her to personally intervene; she could simply have a prominent servant nearby send a message to the Anning Palace, and Meili would not have to suffer so greatly. However, she also wanted to use this opportunity to help the child understand the ways of the world, to smooth out her sharp edges, so that in the future, she could find a stable and happy life.

His heart suddenly tightened without warning, and she was actually able to smile at him

Esteemed Ancestor, in these past two years, I have been alone in the deep palace, taking the time to read scriptures and practice Buddhism, and I have come to understand many truths that I did not grasp in my childhood. I am truly grateful to the Emperor and to you, Esteemed Ancestor. The suffering that Meili has endured is, in comparison to the old woman who lost her life because of Meili, and the family of the old woman who lost their loved ones because of Meili, truly insignificant. Even if the Emperor had demanded Meili's life in return, it would have been entirely justified; I am already very grateful for the grace of being reborn as a human bestowed upon me by the Emperor and you, Esteemed Ancestor.

Meili respectfully withdrew, wishing herself well, wishing herself well; this was the phrase she had heard the most throughout her life.

Oh? Xiaozhuang looked at her slightly lowered face, with long and curled eyelashes hanging down, sincere and composed

I hope you are speaking from the heart. " The cold and calm voice of Kangxi came from outside the door, and before the words had finished, the person had already entered.

She could not help but turn her gaze to the vibrant colors; such beautiful things made her feel unfamiliar, as if she had seen them in a past life, just like the magnificent and towering Cining Palace before her

"Do not worry, my ancestors, Meili is fine," she said calmly

Her manners were overly considerate, which instead caused Xiaozhuang to lower her gaze. "Get up. You haven't been home for more than two years, and the land in your Qian Wangfu has all been reclaimed..." Seeing Meili's eyes slightly flicker and shrink, Xiaozhuang regrettably paused, sighed, and said, "You should go back and take a look. Rest for a few days before coming to see me in the palace."