Though my father's comfort was reassuring, a mother's worry knows no distance. My mother still fretted from time to time. My father, tired of her constant nagging, produced a five-thousand tael silver note. "My dear, why don't you take Nannan out shopping? If you keep worrying like this, how can our son focus on his exam with his ears burning?"
I quickly chimed in, "Exactly! I bet two thousand taels on my elder brother to clinch the top spot. Mother, you can't let my allowance go to waste."
My mother remained listless. "I don't want to go. I need to go pay respects to the God of Literature."
"Mother, you don't usually believe in that. Now that elder brother is in the exam hall, you suddenly remember to pay respects? It's too late to try and secure his success now. It won't work."
My father chimed in too, "Indeed. At this time, every family with a scholar is praying to the God of Literature. He's too busy, he can't possibly attend to everyone."
"That's even more reason to go! Otherwise, the God of Literature will see that everyone else has offered sacrifices but our son hasn't. How can he possibly achieve high honors then?"
Fine.
My mother and I were both helpless against my father's words, so we let her have her way.
Little did we know, my mother's visit not only contributed a substantial sum to the temple's incense fund, but the abbot, a rather unscrupulous man, also advised my mother that sincerity leads to divine favor and suggested the household observe a vegetarian diet until the exams concluded.
While I'm not overly attached to the pleasures of the palate, I do enjoy meat.
My mother is much like me, a lover of fine food. I thought she would firmly reject this suggestion. To my surprise, my mother treated it like a royal decree, chattering about it all the way, until my ears were nearly raw. Finally, I reluctantly agreed.
Alas, I could only attribute it to the strength of a mother's love.
For the sake of her child, what was nine days without meat?
It was just my poor stomach that would have to forgo any oily delights for the next few days. By the time we returned home from the Temple of Literature in the northern suburbs, Sui Sui was already waiting for us at the manor.
She was here to deliver an invitation.
The Imperial Garden was in full bloom, and the Empress was hosting a flower viewing banquet, inviting the daughters of officials to the palace.
The Empress, being a woman who disliked complications, suddenly decided to host a flower viewing banquet for female guests. Everyone immediately thought of the candidates for the position of Crown Princess. Of course, the Crown Prince's status was noble, and one Crown Princess would certainly not suffice. Thus, the legitimate daughters of minor officials likely had a chance to enter the Eastern Palace. If they couldn't become a Crown Princess, being a Crown Prince's consort would be excellent.
Unfortunately, their calculations were mistaken. Sui Sui said with a hint of schadenfreude, "Who would have thought that the position of Crown Princess is already yours, Nannan sister? This flower viewing banquet is actually for my second brother."
Speaking of which, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were only about a year apart, and the Second Prince's marriage should indeed be on the agenda.
However, with the Crown Princess already decided, I felt a bit embarrassed and quickly changed the subject. "Is it too sudden to select consorts for the Second Prince?"
Sui Sui "Ah"-ed. "Aren't there rumors circulating in the capital? The love triangle between the three of you is enough for countless Peking opera performances. Elder brother said if he marries you, he'll gain a reputation for snatching his brother's beloved, so he asked Mother to help him finalize his own consort."
Me: "... Did the Second Prince agree?"
Didn't he always complain that women in the capital were too delicate?
"Elder brother's decisions are usually something Second Brother can't object to. Hehe, Nannan sister, elder brother is definitely doing this on purpose."
"Elder brother wouldn't be so petty... would he?"
"Oh, please. Elder brother has punished Second Brother so many times because of you. I really couldn't tell before, but Second Brother is right, Elder brother is a jealous fool."
"Alright, where is the Second Prince then? I haven't seen him in ages."
"He's busy with state affairs. But even if he has time now, he doesn't dare to come find you, fearing retaliation from Elder brother, hahaha."
I looked at her suspiciously. "Did the Second Prince offend you? You're gloating, aren't you being a bit too unkind?"
"Not at all. It's mainly because Elder brother has given me many benefits, so I have to say good things about him in front of you."
"Are you sure what you just said was good things about your elder brother?"
"He's so jealous because of you that he'd even set up his own brother. Nannan sister, don't you feel his affection?"
Me: ...
The Empress's flower viewing banquet was scheduled for three days later.
The families with aspirations for the Eastern Palace became busy. They bought new clothes, selected jewelry. The streets, which had been quiet due to scholars entering the exams, became lively again. Of course, there were also many waiting in secret to see me make a fool of myself. No matter how often the Crown Prince visited my home, given my status, becoming a Crown Prince's consort would already be a great honor; there was no way I would be chosen as the Crown Princess.
In their eyes, the Empress inviting young women to the palace at this time was no different from slapping me in the face.
For a time, the tale of the deep mistress-servant bond between the Empress and my mother was almost broken.
Axiu, gathering information from all sides, was so angry she was hopping.
"Can't these people stop spreading rumors? Did the Empress say she was selecting a consort for the Crown Prince? They're already overthinking things, but why must they also step on you? Miss, you must become the Crown Princess, and then you can properly shut these people up."
I popped a piece of candied fruit into my mouth. "Even if I were to become the Crown Princess, it shouldn't be for such a reason."
"Then what reason does A Chun think is sufficient?" Situ Yao appeared as if from nowhere, his eyes full of amusement as he looked at me.
How does this man walk without making a sound?
Axiu smirked and retreated, winking at me as she closed the door. I was initially quite composed, but she managed to make me feel rather self-conscious. After a long while, I sat down by the tea table and poured Situ Yao a cup of tea. "Your Highness, why have you come at this hour?"
Normally, didn't he only have free time in the afternoons?
"A new restaurant has opened in the capital, and I wanted to take A Chun to try it."
"Which one?"
"Fu Wang Lou. I heard their roasted duck is exceptionally delicious."
"I don't think so. My mother said elder brother has been working hard on his exams these past few days and instructed the whole family to eat vegetarian for nine days."
Situ Yao disagreed slightly. "A Chun's injuries haven't fully healed yet. How can you eat vegetarian?"
I waved my hand. "Those minor injuries are almost healed. Besides, besides meat, there are also ginseng, bird's nest, reishi mushrooms, and deer antler. It won't hinder my recovery."
Situ Yao appraised me for a moment. "You have indeed gained a bit of weight recently."
The candied fruit in my mouth suddenly lost its flavor. Situ Yao, completely oblivious to having said anything wrong, continued to ask me with great enthusiasm, "A Chun, you still haven't answered. What reason would make you willing to marry me?"
"No reason would ever make me willing. You can remain a bachelor your entire life."
Situ Yao: ...
Although I didn't want to bother with this tactless man, he was thick-skinned enough to stay for a vegetarian meal at my home before leaving.
Because of his visit, my mother finally remembered the Empress's flower viewing banquet and dragged me to the streets to get ready.
I said listlessly, "Mother, can't daughter not go to the flower viewing banquet?"
"Why not?"
"Sui Sui said this flower viewing banquet is to select a consort for the Second Prince. The Empress wouldn't possibly betroth me to the Second Prince, would she?"
"The Empress dotes on you so much usually, haven't you thought about going to the palace to have a chat?" My mother was very displeased, looking at me as if I had lost all conscience.
"But Mother, everyone outside is guessing that this is to select someone for the Crown Prince. You know the young ladies in the capital. They're fine with playing around, but once it comes to marriage, there's bound to be trouble. Moreover, the Crown Prince has been visiting our manor frequently. I'm already their number one love rival in their eyes. If I go to the palace for the flower viewing banquet, who knows how many people will be waiting to cause me trouble."
"The Crown Prince is blind to have taken a liking to you, and the entire royal family is on your side. You're still so timid. How could I have a daughter with such a lack of fighting spirit?" My mother was even more displeased, pulling me. "Get up quickly and go shopping with me. If you can't outshine everyone else that day, I'll skin you when you get back."
I immediately brightened. "Mother, daughter takes after you in appearance. Even if I wear a golden robe to the palace, I won't be able to outshine everyone else."
My mother's expression stiffened. "But that doesn't mean you should be completely outdone by them, especially in terms of attire. We're not short on money at home."
Tsk, this damnable desire to win.
When my mother gets worked up, I can never win against her, so I could only accompany her into the carriage.
It was too late to select fabrics for new clothes. She took me to a ready-to-wear shop and bought two of the most fashionable outfits, then dragged me to Jin Lu Ge.
Most people in the capital don't know that Jin Lu Ge is actually the Empress's private property. Cheng the richest merchant's caravans travel to various overseas countries, and the novel accessories they obtain are basically sent to Jin Lu Ge. Due to their novel designs, even though these items are expensive, they are still very popular among the noblewomen in the capital.
At this moment, Jin Lu Ge was crowded with guests.
The shopkeeper of Jin Lu Ge reports to my father every month and naturally recognizes me and my mother. Seeing us enter, he happily stepped forward to greet us and brought out a set of ruby jewelry.
The bright red jewelry sparkled brilliantly and was very beautiful, but I thought it might make me look a bit old. However, it would be quite suitable for my mother. Just as I was about to have my mother try it on, someone next to me spoke up first. "Shopkeeper, what do you mean? You were entertaining us, and now you're going to attend to others. Do you think this madam can't afford to pay?"
That familiar voice.
My heart sank. Turning around, I indeed saw my mother's nemesis—Madam Song, née Han.
And beside her, looking indignant, was none other than Miss Song, Song Shuxian, whom I had offended not long ago.