The coming-of-age ceremony for a daughter of a prominent family was lengthy and burdensome. Song Ming invited Princess Consort Jing to perform the hairpinning ritual for his eldest daughter. The hairpin, crafted at great expense, featured golden sparrows with eyes of kingfisher-colored glaze, appearing lifelike under the sunlight and making Song Shuxian shine.
Many young ladies attending the ceremony cast envious glances.
Once the hairpinning was complete, the ritual was considered finished. Guests gathered in small groups, chatting while awaiting the feast.
Suddenly, a clear announcement echoed from the entrance: "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
"Wow, what's happening? The Crown Prince is actually here?"
"He must be here to deliver gifts on behalf of the Emperor. Lord Song is a favored minister of the Emperor."
"Didn't Princess Chengping already arrive?"
"Hey, why don't you look at it from another angle? Perhaps His Highness the Crown Prince is here to find a match for the Crown Princess?"
"Indeed, indeed. His Highness the Crown Prince should be marrying a Crown Princess soon."
Everyone then showered the eldest Miss Song with compliments. Her face flushed, but her eyes turned toward the entrance with anticipation. Unfortunately, after the ceremony, the male guests had moved to the front hall. The rear garden was now filled only with the female attendees, and it seemed unlikely the Crown Prince would come this way.
Meanwhile, Madam Song, née Han, said, "Ladies, please do not speak such words. My humble daughter is but a willow branch, unworthy of His Highness the Crown Prince's attention."
Her words were exceedingly modest, yet her pride was almost overflowing. As she spoke, she cast a contemptuous glance in my direction.
I mused that if my mother were present, that glance would have been directed at her.
Although the Crown Prince did not come to the women's quarters, the young ladies' minds became active. Song Shuxian was not the only one qualified to be the Crown Princess. Moreover, even if the primary consort position was out of reach, gaining the Crown Prince's favor for a secondary consort or a rectified lady position would still be excellent.
Thus, someone proposed a competition.
Zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, and dance, poetry and *touhu* – the Song family's rear garden became incredibly lively. Sui Sui tugged me towards the *touhu* area. Before we could reach it, a melodious zither tune drifted from another direction. It was the eldest Miss Song.
With the Crown Prince absent from the rear garden, the most effective way to attract his attention was a melody that could travel far. Song Shuxian, as the hostess, played the zither first, clearly aiming to seize the initiative. Sui Sui snorted and pulled me along faster.
I found it strange and asked, "Princess, what's wrong?"
"Sister Nannan, I don't want Song Shuxian to be my sister-in-law."
"Why not? You used to get along well with her. And who in the palace doesn't praise her for her virtuous heart and approachable demeanor?"
"People have their favorites, but she treats everyone the same. Such a person is too calculating."
I never expected such a reason. I pondered, "Isn't being calculating a good thing? If the future Empress is a simple-minded fool, how can she help your elder brother stabilize the harem?"
"A smart, capable, and straightforward person would also suffice. It's a pity, why wasn't the one you grew up with my elder brother? Though, you becoming my second brother's consort would also be quite good. Sister Nannan, I heard Aunt Qing has been busy arranging matches for you. Have you found anyone you like? If not, why don't you just settle for my second brother?"
"Ancestor, please shut up. If people hear this, a mere merchant's daughter like me coveting the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, they'd laugh their teeth out."
I had no desire to be labeled a toad.
Sui Sui said, "Why can't you think of it? Father and Mother won't care about such things. Besides, Mother likes you so much. If you could be her daughter-in-law, she'd probably be overjoyed. It's a shame my second brother isn't more capable; he hasn't managed to win your heart all these years."
I was too tired to even roll my eyes and tugged her along, saying, "Ancestor, can we stop these hypotheticals and just focus on playing *touhu* peacefully?"