The Golden Hairpin

The carriage arrived near Guangde Ward, and Huang Zixiang thanked the women once more before getting off.

Not far away was the West Market. Feeling that returning to the prince's residence immediately might not be the best idea, she walked alone into a noodle shop at the corner of the market.

Tangbing, or noodles, were served in the cramped little shop. Sharing her table were a mother and daughter. The daughter, no more than seven or eight years old, sat on a stool with her feet dangling above the floor. The mother used chopsticks to cut the long noodles into short segments, feeding them to her child.

Watching them, Huang Zixiang felt a faint sense of nostalgia. Noticing her gaze, the mother smiled sheepishly and said, "She's still small. Long noodles are hard for her to eat."

"Yes, of course," Huang Zixiang replied, but her eyes burned suddenly with unshed tears. She remembered when she was around ten, her own mother had done the same for her. Her father, sitting across the table, had shaken his head and said, "She's already this old, and you're still spoiling her. At this rate, she'll never learn to do things herself." Her brother, seated to her left, had slurped his noodles loudly while teasing her, "Shame on you! Still needing someone to take care of you at this age. You’d better find a husband who’ll wait on you hand and foot when you marry, to take over Mother’s job."

Back then, she had thrown down her chopsticks in anger and stormed off to her room, refusing to eat. But after a while, her mother had brought her a meal, coaxing her gently to eat. After a few bites, she had looked up to see her father standing outside the window, watching her from afar. When he noticed her gaze, he pretended to be merely passing by, strolling slowly along the pebbled path in the garden before disappearing.

Such a trivial, ordinary moment—yet now, it played out vividly in her mind, every detail clear as day: the patterns of the pebbles beneath her father’s feet, the dappled shadows of the trees falling on her mother’s hands.

The memory stirred the grief and fury coiled deep in her chest, intertwining until she clenched her teeth, trembling as she forced back the anguish and tears, swallowing them down to bury them in the depths of her being.

Father, Mother, Brother...

With tears in her eyes, she ate the noodles bite by bite, swallowing them along with her sorrow.

One day, she would return to Shu and reclaim justice for all the wrongs and bloodshed they had suffered.

Wang Ruo of the Langya Wang family had become the designated consort of Prince Kui.

The news spread quickly through the capital. People marveled at how the Wang family had produced two empresses and a princess consort within just a few years, bringing such glory to their name.

Disguised as the eunuch Yang Chonggu, Huang Zixiang followed the grand betrothal procession through half of Chang’an, half-listening to the chatter around her.

She touched her face. Before leaving, she had noticed her complexion looked unusually healthy—likely from resting too well lately. To avoid standing out, she had tricked some yellow powder from the prince’s maids and applied it to dull her fair skin. After all, today’s destination was the Langya Wang family’s residence in the capital, and there was a good chance she might run into her former—technically still unbroken—betrothed, Wang Yun.

Though they had never formally met, and according to Prince E Li Run, Wang Yun had only glimpsed her profile once in the palace three years ago, it was better to be cautious. She had already decided that yellow powder would be a necessity for all future outings.In marriage, there are six rites to observe. The initial steps of presenting betrothal gifts and exchanging names, as well as the divination for auspiciousness, had already been completed. Today, she was accompanying the procession for the "presentation of betrothal gifts," also known as the formal betrothal.

The Langya Wang family was, after all, one of the most prestigious noble families in the land, and their residence in the capital was nothing short of magnificent. A seven-courtyard compound with two gardens on the east and west sides, surrounded by towering walls—it exuded an extraordinary aura.

Wang Yun, the sole heir of the main branch of the Wang family in this generation, carried himself with the grace befitting a scion of nobility. Though the entire world knew that his fiancée had brought ruin upon her family to avoid marrying him, he remained composed and elegant despite the humiliation. Dressed in a deep crimson silk underrobe, his smiling face was as refreshing as a spring breeze at dawn, his every movement poised and refined. Such refined demeanor could only be cultivated by a family with centuries of heritage.

When the illustrious Prince Kui, one of the most distinguished figures in the court, came to present betrothal gifts for the hand of the daughter of the equally prestigious Langya Wang family, the spectacle was naturally extraordinary. Among the long procession of chests and boxes, the golden combs, jade rulers, and silver dressing cases bestowed by the dowager consorts drew the most attention. Wang Yun had them delivered to the courtyard where Wang Ruo resided, then dispatched attendants to greet the envoys and distribute red envelopes. The grand affair involving hundreds of people was handled with impeccable efficiency.

Huang Zixia, along with a female official from the prince's household, approached Wang Yun and bowed, saying, "We two humble servants have been sent here to instruct the future princess on the rules of the household and court etiquette."

Wang Yun replied, "You may rise," but his gaze lingered on Huang Zixia, studying her as if deep in thought.

Huang Zixia turned to follow the betrothal envoy to the rear garden with the female official Su Qi, but to her surprise, Wang Yun trailed behind her and asked, "May I ask your name, young eunuch?"

Bracing herself, she replied, "This humble servant is Yang Chonggu."

"Could it be the same Yang Chonggu who solved the Four Directions case in the capital? Truly, meeting you in person surpasses mere reputation!" Wang Yun exclaimed with delight. After also inquiring about Su Qi's name, he escorted them to the courtyard gate before stopping.

As Huang Zixia walked beneath the eaves, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Unable to resist, she glanced back and saw him standing at the courtyard entrance, staring at her pensively. When their eyes met, he smiled faintly and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "The Five Blessings cakes will be served shortly. Please do not delay, young eunuch."

She bowed her head in acknowledgment. "Understood. Today, I will only meet with the princess. The formal instruction will begin tomorrow." After all, she hadn't even glanced at the etiquette manuals yet and had nothing to teach at the moment.

Upon entering the corridor, four maidservants greeted them with synchronized bows. Inside, the room was filled with harmonious laughter. Stepping in, they saw an abundance of flowers—branches of plum blossoms arranged before latticed windows, embroidered lotus canopies hanging overhead, and crabapple blossoms filling porcelain vases. A dozen or so elegantly dressed noblewomen, adorned in fine silks and floral hairpins, sat around Wang Ruo, who reclined on a glazed divan.

Wang Ruo's attire today differed from the other day. She wore a short-sleeved jacket in lotus root purple, its lively style accentuated by red peony patterns, exuding a vibrant and flowing elegance. Her hair was styled in a "united hearts" bun, adorned with the single piece of exquisite colored glaze and two jade hairpins, striking a balance between solemnity and her unique charm.

Huang Zixia thought to herself, She truly knows how to dress. She is well aware of her own beauty. When the betrothal envoy arrived, everyone stood up to welcome him. Wang Ruo bowed gracefully as Minister of Rites Xue, serving as the betrothal envoy this time, read out the marriage decree. Huang Zixiang, bored by the lengthy formalities, glanced out the window where swallows chirped among the beams, the spring scenery vibrant and full of life.

Wang Ruo accepted the decree and, upon seeing Huang Zixiang, couldn't help but smile with delight. "I come from humble origins and have never witnessed imperial grandeur, nor do I understand palace etiquette. I must trouble both of you to guide and instruct me."

Su Qi quickly replied, "Not at all, Your Highness. You come from a distinguished family and are naturally well-versed in etiquette. You'll grasp everything effortlessly."

Yet Wang Ruo only smiled at Huang Zixiang like an innocent child unaware of worldly affairs. The accompanying noblewomen, though all smiles, were merely court officials' wives selected by the imperial consorts to assist with the proceedings since few of the Wang family had arrived yet. Among everyone present, aside from Wang Yun and the woman by her side, Huang Zixiang was likely the only familiar face Wang Ruo had seen before.

The excitement of finally encountering someone she knew amidst a room full of strangers radiated from Wang Ruo's expression, making Huang Zixiang feel almost embarrassed standing before her. Could such a beautiful and naive girl truly harbor any schemes? Huang Zixiang wondered silently.

As they prepared to leave, Huang Zixiang felt someone tugging discreetly at her sleeve. Turning, she saw Wang Ruo, looking somewhat uneasy.

Smiling, Huang Zixiang turned and bowed. "How may I serve you, Your Highness?"

Wang Ruo whispered secretly, "I'm so glad to see you. Everyone here... is a stranger to me."

Huang Zixiang gazed at her with a smile. "Didn't you have the lady I met on the carriage earlier? By the way, why isn't she accompanying you today?"

"Oh... Since I was chosen as the princess consort, the nanny hurried back to Langya to fetch my personal belongings," Wang Ruo replied, her expression slightly uneasy. After a pause, she added, "She's old now and might not return, staying in her hometown to enjoy her remaining years."

"Wouldn't you miss her, Your Highness? After all, she raised you since childhood."

"Yes, but there's nothing to be done. One must adapt. I'll manage, but she might struggle at her age," Wang Ruo said with a laugh, revealing shallow dimples on her cheeks. "Besides, now I've met you! This morning, I was trembling with fear, worried that the person sent to instruct me would be some stern, old-fashioned eunuch. I never imagined it would be you."

Huang Zixiang smiled. "It's only because of Your Highness's kindness that I have the honor of sharing the carriage with you."

After exchanging more pleasantries, Su Qi came to summon Huang Zixiang, and the two went to the main hall for refreshments. The Wang family's Five Blessings pastries were naturally different from those found in ordinary teahouses or taverns. Five small pastries made of poria cocos, hawthorn, pine nuts, red dates, and sesame were arranged on a crystal plate. Wang Yun personally presented them to Huang Zixiang and asked, "Which flavor does the young eunuch prefer?"Huang Zixiang glanced at the offerings but before she could speak, he had already taken the poria cocos cake and placed it before her, saying, "The cook in my household has a special talent—her poria cocos cakes never taste medicinal yet retain that fragrant, glutinous flavor. Try it, you'll see. Of course, it's best to sample each variety—that's how you achieve complete fortune."

Huang Zixiang quickly thanked him and picked up a white poria cocos cake to nibble on slowly. Wang Yun sat beside her and asked, "Where is the young eunuch originally from? Are you a native of the capital?"

She nodded. "This servant is from the outskirts of the capital."

He continued, "Your speech carries a slight Shu accent—have you lived in Shu before?"

Huang Zixiang shook her head. "No, but my mother was from Shu."

"I see..."

"This servant was recently... purified and assigned to Prince Kui's residence by the Palace Domestic Service. Because I know some characters, His Highness has tasked me with instructing the princess consort—it's truly an unparalleled honor." She deftly used the Palace Domestic Service and Prince Kui's residence as her cover. As expected, Wang Yun gave a slight smile and changed the subject, asking only, "Are the palace and princely residence regulations particularly cumbersome?"

Naturally, she replied, "Not excessively so. The princess consort is intelligent and perceptive—she'll master them all within days."

"Seems... rather excessive, doesn't it?"

Staring at the twenty-odd thick volumes Li Shubai had tossed before her, Huang Zixiang was dumbfounded: "There are this many rules for the princely residence and palace?"

"No," Li Shubai said leisurely.

She sighed in relief: "So some of these aren't?"

"No, this is just a portion," Li Shubai said flatly. "And only part of the princely residence regulations."

Huang Zixiang felt the urge to spit blood: "You expect me to learn all these in a few days to teach your princess consort?"

"No, you'll learn them all tonight—memorize everything."

"Surely no one could memorize all this?" she asked incredulously.

Li Shubai glanced at her, casually picking up one volume and tossing it her way. "Open to any page, pick a rule."

Huang Zixiang flipped it open: "Thirty-five, Annual Festivals, nineteenth item."

"Thirty-five, Annual Festivals, nineteenth. Spring Equinox: kitchen traditionally provides spring pancakes. Rewards protocol: ladies-in-waiting receive ten bolts of silk, five of cloth; concubines eight of silk, three of cloth; attendants five of silk, three of cloth. First-rank palace servants receive ten taels silver, second-rank five, third-rank three. Miscellaneous staff receive one tael."

The corner of Huang Zixiang's mouth twitched. She grabbed another volume: "Sixteen, Lectures, fourth."

"Sixteen, Lectures, fourth. The court appoints lecturing officials for imperial princes, with lectures every five days, termed royal tutors. Before capping age, tutors select from classics of poetry, history, rites and music for discussion. After capping, princes may choose their own topics, with lectures every ten days—studies must not be neglected."

No wonder this man could recite any random guard's complete dossier from memory. Huang Zixiang was thoroughly impressed. She opened another book: "Twenty-four, Architecture Regulations, ninety-third."

Li Shubai finally paused. She looked at him triumphantly: "Finally stumped you?"

"Naturally. The Architecture Regulations only have ninety items—where would a ninety-third come from?"

Huang Zixiang could only gaze at him with admiration: "To be honest, you're the first person I've ever met with such perfect recall.""As long as you put your heart into it, nothing is impossible to remember." Li Shubai said, pressing his hand lightly on the pile of books on the table, the corners of his lips lifting in an almost imperceptible smile. "So tomorrow I'll test you the same way. You'd better be prepared."

...This was practically a death sentence!

Huang Zixiang watched him leave and couldn't help but let out a despairing groan before collapsing onto the table.

No matter what, memorizing all the rules overnight was impossible. Still, Huang Zixiang mustered her energy and at least skimmed through them, getting a general idea.

The next day, before heading to the Wang residence, she thought she'd face Li Shubai's storm-like interrogation. But when she went to see him in the morning, she was told the prince had already left early to inspect the Left Guard of the capital, leaving only a message: since Yang Chonggu was new to the prince's household and unfamiliar with the rules, she could bring the books to the princess for guidance.

She immediately breathed a sigh of relief, though she also felt a bit annoyed—if that was the case, why had he scared her so much the night before?