Youthful Glory

The season was deep winter, and in the capital, snow fell like goose feathers. The cold night wind swirled around the lanterns hanging from the eaves of the corridors. By the fifth watch, the outside world had already begun to gleam silver-white.

In the Zhaoshui Courtyard of the Marquis Jing'an's residence, fresh snow dusted the branches of green plum blossoms.

The clappers that had disturbed the peaceful dreams earlier were now fading into the distance, while the hurried footsteps of the maids and servants began to echo through the quiet night.

Soon, two soft knocks sounded at the door of the main chamber, followed by a gentle call: "Young Mistress."

It was Zhang Mama, who served by the side of the marquis's wife.

Suxin was setting up the morning meal. Seeing that Ming Tan remained seated without responding, she exchanged a glance with Lü'e, who stood behind Ming Tan.

Understanding the hint, Lü'e set down the horn comb in her hand and quietly stepped out to the outer chamber to greet the visitors.

The door had likely been opened by the maid on duty, for by the time Lü'e reached the outer chamber, Zhang Mama was already leading in a procession of women from the Jinxiu Workshop, followed by a line of young maids carrying boxes.

Through the dim candlelight, the pale green skirts of the second-rank maids of the Marquis Jing'an's household seemed to sway in perfect unison by the doorway.

"Zhang Mama," Lü'e greeted with a bright smile, her manner both clever and courteous.

Zhang Mama gave her a reproachful look but quickly reached out to steady her, casting a glance toward the screen. That glance alone told her that since Lü'e was here to greet her, the young mistress would not be coming out.

Being somewhat familiar with Lü'e, Zhang Mama exchanged a few pleasantries before introducing the women from the Jinxiu Workshop, presenting the newly made garments and accessories for the upcoming palace banquet.

"...The fur sent by Madam is glossy, smooth, and flawless—a rare and exquisite piece. It's said to be a royal gift from the autumn hunt, and any mishandling would be a grave offense. Our shopkeeper was beside himself with worry!

"After much deliberation, he personally sought out Zhang Niangzi to oversee the embroidery. As you know, Young Lady Lü'e, Zhang Niangzi rarely picks up a needle after her marriage. The shopkeeper went to great lengths to secure her services. Just look at these patterns, these stitches."

As the woman from Jinxiu Workshop spoke, the young maids behind her presented the meticulously pressed silver fox fur cloak for Lü'e's inspection.

Lü'e leaned in, examining it closely before nodding in approval. "Full embroidery, and the silver satin complements it perfectly. This fur hasn't been wasted."

After a thorough check, she confirmed everything was in order and remarked, "This palace banquet came so suddenly, yet you managed to craft such exquisite work even by lamplight. Your shopkeeper has truly gone above and beyond."

The woman hurriedly demurred with a smile, her heart finally at ease.

The young mistress Lü'e served was none other than Ming Tan, the beloved youngest daughter of Marquis Jing'an. Raised in the lap of luxury and accustomed to the finest things, she was notoriously discerning. Even ordinary items rarely earned a nod from Lü'e, let alone her mistress.

Coincidentally, this young mistress had once done their shopkeeper a great favor. Before dawn, the shopkeeper had sent her to deliver the garments to the Marquis's household, specifically instructing her to personally visit the young mistress's quarters.

With Lü'e's praise of their "efforts," she could finally return and report a successful mission, ensuring a peaceful night's rest.

Back in Zhaoshui Courtyard, Lü'e accepted the garments, handed out generous pouches of silver, and courteously escorted Zhang Mama and her entourage out through the festooned gate.

Meanwhile, in Fenghao Courtyard, another group delivering garments and accessories had lagged behind and only just entered the main chamber.

Huang Mama, who also served the marquis's wife, bowed and smiled as she introduced the clothing and jewelry to Shen Hua, the cousin residing in the household.Shen Hua listened, casting a glance at the brocade garments and jeweled hairpins in the lacquered tray, then curtsied gently and said softly, "Thank you for making this trip, Huang Mama. A Hua is grateful to Madam."

She then subtly signaled her personal maid with a glance.

The maid understood and stepped forward, handing Huang Mama an exquisitely embroidered pouch.

The pouch was finely crafted, but inside, the reward was meager.

Once out of Fenghe Courtyard, Huang Mama weighed the pouch in her sleeve and immediately discerned its contents.

She didn’t particularly care about such a paltry reward, but it just so happened that she ran into Zhang Mama and her group emerging from Zhaoshui Courtyard—and as it happened, she and Zhang Mama didn’t get along.

"I’ve long heard that running errands for the young mistress yields generous rewards—seems it’s true. Next time I leave the estate, I can buy that rouge I saw the other day at Lancui Pavilion," chirped a round-faced junior maid behind Zhang Mama, newly promoted to second rank and visiting Zhaoshui Courtyard for the first time, chatting with her companion.

The tall maid behind Huang Mama couldn’t help but scoff. "A common reward, nothing more. When you go to buy that rouge, don’t mention you’re from our marquis’ household, lest people think everyone from Marquis Jing’an’s estate is so easily impressed."

The round-faced maid, having risen from third to second rank in just half a year, was no slouch in verbal sparring. She feigned surprise. "If this is just a common reward… does the cousin young lady’s reward amount to buying an entire rouge shop?"

"You—!"

"Enough, don’t stoop to her level," someone pulled the tall maid back. "We’re all from Madam’s courtyard. When running errands, the only thing that matters is smoothness—nothing else is important."

The tall maid cooled slightly, then seized on this point and smirked instead of staying angry. "Exactly, smoothness is what matters. In this entire estate, there’s probably no errand smoother than those for the cousin young lady."

She didn’t elaborate on how troublesome tasks for the young mistress could be, and the round-faced maid pretended ignorance, staying silent.

The tall maid added, "It’s rare, really. The cousin young lady is gentle, beautiful, talented, and so kind to servants."

"What’s even rarer is having such a good elder brother," another maid behind Huang Mama chimed in.

The tall maid agreed. "Exactly. With Young General Shen around, the cousin young lady’s future is bound to be bright."

The round-faced maid smiled. "What’s this concern of yours, sisters? Madam and the young mistress are our proper masters. The cousin young lady’s future is her own fortune—it has nothing to do with either of you."

Without thinking, the tall maid shot back, "The cousin young lady lives with the marquis’ household—if she prospers, the household shares the glory. Why shouldn’t we care? Who knows, after today, she might soar to new heights and move to Changyu Street."

A sudden cold breeze seemed to sweep through the corridor. The lively eastern garden walkway fell silent at these words—

Everyone in the capital knew there was only one residence on Changyu Street.

And the person who lived there was not someone just anyone in Daxian could speak of lightly.

Both mamas, who had been pretending not to hear the bickering, abruptly stopped and turned, scolding sharply, "What nonsense are you spouting? How dare you gossip about the one on Changyu Street? Who gave you the nerve to wag your tongues like this?"

The maids froze, realizing their mistake, and held their breaths, heads bowed nearly to their toes. The one who had mentioned Changyu Street paled in fright, her sandalwood tray trembling in her hands—"...Someone mentioned Changyu Street, and the two matrons flew into a rage. When they passed the East Garden, I was afraid of being discovered and didn't dare follow further."

In the Breeze Lotus Courtyard, Shen Hua stood by the main chamber window, listening to her personal maid report what she had overheard while tailing them.

After hearing it, the corners of her lips curled slightly as she gazed toward the Reflection Water Courtyard, her eyes revealing a trace of disdain that didn't quite match her usual gentle demeanor—

"So this young lady isn't gentle or beautiful enough, lacks her talent, and isn't as kind to you all. Oh, and my brother isn't as brave and skilled in battle as Young General Shen, nor does he have such promising prospects."

In the Reflection Water Courtyard, Ming Tan sat resting her chin on one hand, leisurely repeating the words.

The soft, delicate fragrance of silver needle tea blended with the aroma of the spread-out breakfast, faint yet discernible. Her face, pale and translucent like fine jade, was partially obscured by the curling steam rising from the boiling tea water, making it somewhat indistinct.

"Pay no mind to those idle gossips, miss. Your beauty and temperament are among the most outstanding of all the young ladies in the capital."

Green Calyx, unable to stop the reporting maid from telling everything, could only try to change the subject: "By the way, miss, I've looked through all the items Madam sent. For today's palace visit, how about wearing this outfit?"

Green Calyx specialized in clothing in the Reflection Water Courtyard and had quite an eye for matching garments and accessories. Soon, she was elaborating on everything from the character "Tan"—her mistress's name—secretly engraved on the jade hairpin to the white fox-fur-lined silver satin embroidered cloak.

Receiving no response after listing everything, Green Calyx couldn't help but steal a glance: "Miss?" Her voice grew more cautious.

Suxin, who was serving the meal, placed a bowl of plain congee before Ming Tan and chimed in: "Miss, would you like to see the clothes?"

Ming Tan glanced at the tray in Green Calyx's hands: "This will do. It makes no difference what I wear."

She then switched the hand supporting her chin, idly stirring the porcelain spoon in the congee bowl with her free hand.

Having just risen at dawn, she wore a pear-white sleeping robe with subtle floral embroidery, draped in a soft fox-fur mantle. Her raven-black hair cascaded down to her waist, save for a stray lock resting against her delicate cheek.

Lost in thought, her dark lashes fluttered occasionally, as if mirroring the flickering candlelight reflected in the bowl, presenting a delicate, jade-like beauty.

Alas, the beauty had little appetite today—the bowl of congee cooled untouched.

Seeing her like this, even the usually reticent Suxin couldn't help but urge: "Plain congee is good for the stomach, miss. You should eat more, especially since you're going to the palace today."

Palace banquets were far more rigid than dining at home, and Suxin meant well. But mentioning the palace visit only made Ming Tan feel more stifled.

Normally, there were no palace banquets during the Lantern Festival. The special arrangement this time—every noble family knew the reason. Yet the palace insisted on keeping up appearances, even summoning those like her who were already betrothed.

Under ordinary circumstances, joining the festivities wouldn't be an issue. But now her mind was consumed by the scandal of her fiancé's affair with his cousin—and their two-year-old illegitimate child who could already call him "Father"!

Though the matter was tightly concealed, unknown even to her personal maids, that living, breathing child was irrefutable proof that the Ming family's young lady had been betrayed by her betrothed, regardless of how the marriage ultimately unfolded.Thinking about this once-envied marriage that she had also been quite proud of, which was now likely to end in a manner devoid of any dignity, Ming Tan felt as though the silver-veined charcoal in the brazier was scorching her insides one moment, and the next, the cooled white porridge sent a chill from her throat all the way down to her heart.

"I'm done eating." Distraught, she set down the porcelain spoon and rose to retreat to her inner chamber.

Suxin sighed as she watched her mistress's retreating figure but refrained from further persuasion, instead directing the maids to clear the barely touched breakfast spread.

"What's been wrong with our young mistress these past few days? If she's upset about those maids gossiping behind her back, she could just report to Madam and have them dismissed. Surely that's no reason to stop caring about her attire?"

Their young mistress had always been meticulous about her appearance, ensuring every detail from her hair to the patterns on her shoes was perfect whenever she stepped out. No wonder Lü'e was puzzled, whispering her suspicions to Suxin.

Suxin didn’t know either. "Last night when I was on duty, I asked, but the young mistress wouldn’t say. Perhaps she just wants some peace. Alright, I’ll go to the kitchen to prepare a bowl of chicken porridge. She’ll need something before heading to the palace, and you’re not to disturb her either."

Suxin, being slightly older and more composed, was Ming Tan’s most trusted maid. Lü'e pouted but didn’t dare argue, merely twisting the silk tassel at her waist as she watched Suxin leave.

Yet as soon as Suxin’s figure disappeared beyond the moon gate, Lü'e turned and tiptoed into the inner chamber.

The inner chamber of Zhaoshui Courtyard was elegantly and luxuriously furnished, from the carved bed to the smallest silver hook, each piece with its own intricate history. Even the incense varied with the seasons and weather.

Today, a faint pear fragrance lingered in the air, subtly sweet and cool. Ming Tan sat before the dressing table, still propping her head up lazily, her spirits seemingly dampened.

"Young Mistress, shall I continue combing your hair?" Lü'e approached cautiously.

Receiving no response, she took it as tacit approval and picked up the horn comb. As she worked, she attempted to console her mistress, "Young Mistress, are you worried about Cousin joining you at the palace today? Don’t fret—what status does that lord have to truly fancy her? Even if he did, given her family background, she’d barely qualify as a Consort. How could she compare to you? You’re destined to be the proper wife of the Duke’s heir."

Ming Tan: "..."

"Besides, our heir is handsome and talented. Who in the capital doesn’t envy the perfect match between you two, like a pair of golden boys and jade girls?"

Lü'e whispered this last part, but her proud tone grated on Ming Tan’s ears like needles.

Who wanted to be a perfect match with that shameless man? He wasn’t worthy!

Fearing another word from the maid might make her blood boil, Ming Tan closed her eyes and raised a hand to stop her. "Bring the mirror."

Lü'e, quick-witted though unsure what she’d said wrong, hastily fetched the small bronze mirror and wisely shifted her tone, lavishing praise on Ming Tan’s breathtaking beauty.

Ming Tan studied her reflection closely without responding, though the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her agreement with Lü'e’s flattery.

—Lü'e might be impulsive and often struck a nerve, but she wasn’t wrong about one thing: with a face like this, even plain rice would taste better.

After admiring herself for a while, her towering anger inexplicably subsided, leaving only one thought: How is it possible that I’m this stunning!