Youthful Glory

The good mood from admiring her own beauty lasted until she left the mansion and entered the palace.

Outside the second gate, the carriage was already prepared. When Ming Tan appeared leisurely, holding a hand warmer, Madam Pei, the Marquis's wife, and her cousin Shen Hua were already seated inside.

Seeing Ming Tan remove her cloak and lower her head to enter the carriage, a faint smile appeared in Madam Pei's eyes. "A Tan, come up quickly."

Once Ming Tan was settled, she asked gently with concern, "Why did you take off your cloak? It's cold—be careful not to freeze."

"It's warm inside the carriage. If I don’t take it off now, I’ll feel even colder when we get out later." Ming Tan smiled, her eyes curving sweetly, and obediently squeezed Madam Pei’s hand. "I’m sorry to have kept Mother waiting—it’s my fault."

Madam Pei gave her a reproachful glance. "What fault? Today is the Lantern Festival—don’t say such things!"

"Yes, your daughter knows her mistake—" Ming Tan leaned into Madam Pei’s embrace, even dragging out her words in a playful whine.

Madam Pei tapped her forehead helplessly. "You! Always so good at acting cute!"

Shen Hua, sitting across from them, covered her lips with a light laugh. "Aunt and cousin share such a deep mother-daughter bond—it truly makes A Hua envious."

Madam Pei couldn’t help but smile at Shen Hua.

Since ancient times, being a stepmother was never easy. Ming Tan was the legitimate daughter of the late first wife, backed by a powerful maternal family. In the early years after Madam Pei married into the Marquis’s household, she had been terrified of being accused of "mistreating an orphaned girl who lost her mother," so she cared for Ming Tan even more meticulously than she did for the Marquis himself.

Over the years, though she had borne no children of her own—a situation that should have threatened her position as the lady of the household—her close relationship with Ming Tan had earned her a reputation among the noble ladies of the capital as "virtuous and kind," securing her place as the undisputed mistress of the Marquis’s household.

Because of this, and because Madam Pei herself valued her reputation highly, those who knew how to flatter her understood that praising her bond with Ming Tan was the surest way to win her favor.

At this moment, Madam Pei felt extremely pleased by the flattery. Ming Tan, however, felt her mood plummet the moment Shen Hua spoke—

It was nothing personal. In the half-year since Shen Hua had taken up residence in the Marquis’s household, the two had maintained a surface-level peace, but beneath that, they had been subtly competing.

Now, hearing Shen Hua’s sickly sweet voice, Ming Tan couldn’t help but think of her own wretched engagement and the gossip circulating among the maids.

The rumors were utterly ridiculous, but she couldn’t be sure they were entirely impossible.

After all, the man from Changyu Street spent most of his time away on campaigns and had likely seen few true beauties. These uncultured military men were notorious for pretending to appreciate refinement, eager to fill their homes with talented women just to prove they weren’t mere brutes—her own father was the perfect example, never forgetting to bring Consort Liu along on his assignments to compose poetry together.

If Shen Hua managed to climb onto the high branch of Changyu Street while Ming Tan’s engagement fell apart because her fiancé abandoned her, wouldn’t she, the young lady of the Ming family, become the biggest joke in the capital?

Just the thought of it made her blood boil. The maids were already spinning wild tales—if this actually happened, she might as well shave her head and become a nun, because there’d be no place left for Ming Tan in the capital!

The rumbling of the carriage wheels buzzed in her ears. The more Ming Tan thought about it, the angrier she became, her chest tightening with frustration. When the carriage came to a halt with a "whoa" at the Qixuan Gate, she was still trapped in her dark mood—

Noblewomen entering the palace were not permitted to bring their carriages or maids. Madam Pei presented her official credentials, and after the palace matrons inspected them for concealed weapons, eunuchs arrived to escort them to Yong Garden, where the banquet was being held.Since the founding of the Great Xian dynasty, it had been rare for women without official titles to enter the palace outside of the selection process. A banquet inviting so many was truly unprecedented.

The deep palace, with its vermilion walls blanketed in snow, exuded solemn majesty. With each step forward, the oppressive atmosphere seemed to grow heavier, making it difficult to breathe. The journey to Yong Garden was eerily silent, with no other sounds except the faint crunch of boots treading on the thin snow.

The group moved forward attentively, unaware that a window had opened in a nearby high pavilion—

"...Handing over Dongzhou to the Suibei Road is a good thing. You can rest in the capital for a while. By the way, A-Xu, you’re already... twenty-one this year, aren’t you? Why not take this time to settle your marriage? Starting a family and continuing the lineage is a significant matter.

"Coincidentally, today at Yong Garden, the Empress has specifically invited eligible young ladies from official families into the palace. If any catch your eye, just let me know. As long as their background is clean and their conduct virtuous, I’ll arrange the marriage for you."

From the moment he entered the pavilion, Emperor Chengkang had been rambling, shifting from northern military affairs to the great victory in Dongzhou, finally steering the conversation naturally toward the topic of marriage.

Just as he was about to press further, Empress Zhang, standing nearby, coughed lightly behind her sleeve. Glancing out the window, she leaned in and whispered, "Among the group of ladies, the young girl in the silver-white cloak on the left—I find her manners quite impeccable."

Interrupted, Emperor Chengkang instinctively narrowed his eyes and looked out the window.

After a long pause, he nodded, seemingly satisfied. "The Empress’s judgment is indeed sound."

He ordered a eunuch, "Go and find out who that young lady is."

"As you command." The eunuch bowed and retreated.

Emperor Chengkang then turned to the black-clad man beside him. "A-Xu, why don’t you take a look as well? After all, we’re selecting a consort for you—she ought to suit your preferences."

As his words lingered in the air, a cold wind carrying frost and snow swept through the window, lifting the hem of the black brocade robe embroidered with coiled pythons and cloud patterns. The man stood silently by the window, hands clasped behind his back, glancing down briefly before indifferently averting his gaze.

Emperor Chengkang: "......?"

A single glance—literally just one.

For a long moment, Emperor Chengkang was speechless. Fortunately, he was already accustomed to the man’s aloofness and didn’t take it as disrespect. Temporarily giving up on engaging him further, he turned back to Empress Zhang and murmured quietly while waiting for the eunuch’s report.

In that short time, Empress Zhang observed Ming Tan’s retreating figure and grew increasingly pleased.

Most of these young ladies were entering the palace for the first time. Though their families had taught them proper etiquette, few could remain unshaken by the imperial aura. Fear inevitably led to timidity and awkwardness.

After watching so many young ladies along the way, only this one moved with such grace and composure, her every step elegant and pleasing to the eye.

Soon, the eunuch returned to the pavilion and bowed. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the group consists of Madam of Marquis Jing’an, the fourth young lady of the Marquis Jing’an household, and the younger sister of Young General Shen, who is currently residing with them."

"Shen Yu’s sister?" Emperor Chengkang raised an eyebrow.

The eunuch hurriedly clarified, "Young General Shen’s sister is the one in the gold-woven feather satin cloak. The one in the silver fox fur cloak—that is the fourth young lady of the Marquis Jing’an household."

The Marquis Jing’an household—a suitable match in status. Just as Empress Zhang was considering this, the eunuch added, "The fourth young lady of the Marquis Jing’an household is already betrothed to the heir of Duke Lingguo.""Already betrothed?" Empress Zhang paused. "This is truly..."

The Duke Ling's household was an old and prestigious noble family of Daxian, so she couldn't very well voice the word "unfortunate," though her expression showed clear regret.

Emperor Chengkang, noticing this, casually added, "Since she's already betrothed, it wouldn't be right to break the engagement."

His words carried regret, but inwardly he felt differently. The moment he heard "Marquis Jing'an's household," he had already excluded this fourth young miss from consideration.

After a brief pause, he even pointed to a distant, fading figure: "I find Shen Yu's younger sister quite pleasing as well. The Shen family's status is somewhat low, but she would suffice as a consort."

Empress Zhang had no interest in selecting concubines. Lowering her eyes, she adjusted her sleeves without responding.

Emperor Chengkang then turned and asked, "A Xu, what do you think? Didn't you hold Shen Yu in high regard?"

"Not particularly."

"If Your Majesty finds her suitable, why not take her into the imperial harem?"

The voice was neither loud nor soft, tinged with faint impatience.

For some reason, the eunuchs nearby felt their hearts race and legs weaken. Despite the heated floors warming the chamber, they couldn't help but tremble, bowing their heads low—

None of this was known to the officials' families attending the banquet. Upon entering Yong Garden, they were led to Changming Hall and seated in order.

The seats for Marquis Jing'an's household happened to be near the hall's entrance, while those further back had to endure the cold wind outside.

Shen Hua followed Madam Pei to their seats but felt somewhat puzzled.

Having been in the capital for half a year, she knew Marquis Jing'an's household was illustrious and held considerable status. Why, then, were their seats so far back at today's palace banquet?

While Shen Hua was perplexed, Ming Tan understood perfectly.

In the capital, where nobility gathered in abundance, a mere marquisate meant little. The current prominence of Marquis Jing'an's household was largely due to her father, Marquis Jing'an, being a powerful frontier governor with real military authority.

Seating at palace banquets prioritized rank, and above their household were over a dozen ducal households, not to mention the imperial clan. Being seated inside the hall was already a special favor.

The hall was crowded yet quiet. After taking her seat, Ming Tan casually glanced toward the Duke Ling's household's position ahead.

That glance reignited her fury.

Did the Duke Ling's household think no one knew of their disgraceful affair, or did they simply disregard Ming family's A Tan? How dare they openly bring that cousin with whom they'd been involved! What kind of occasion did they think this was? Were they trying to familiarize her with the girl so they could peacefully share a husband in the future?

Madam Pei noticed Ming Tan's odd expression and softly called, "A Tan, what's wrong?"

Unaware of the Duke Ling's household's secret, Ming Tan withdrew her gaze and forced a reply: "It's nothing." She suppressed her anger, sitting properly without another glance.

The Duke Ling's household hadn't noticed Ming Tan's earlier look, but now that they saw Marquis Jing'an's women had arrived, they couldn't resist observing from afar.

The Duchess of Duke Ling was among them, her gaze tinged with self-satisfaction.

Ming family's A Tan had the finest reputation among the capital's young ladies—family status, appearance, etiquette, and musical skills were all exceptional. Her temperament balanced liveliness and composure, capable of pleasing a husband while maintaining dignity in formal settings. It was rare indeed. Fortunately, the engagement had been arranged early; otherwise, she would have been sought after by countless families.

The Duchess was thoroughly pleased with this match—if only her troublesome son would—At this thought, she glanced back and happened to see the young woman timidly adjusting her teacup again. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Though she was her own niece, what was inherently lacking in refinement could never be polished into elegance.

She wondered how much longer this matter could be kept hidden. Marquis Jing'an's term of office had ended, and when he returned to the capital to report on his duties, the marriage between the two families would be put on the agenda. If she wanted to smoothly bring Ming Tan into the family, she needed to make early preparations.

Everyone in the hall harbored their own thoughts, but on the surface, all maintained the same respectful silence.

This silence continued until a eunuch at the front announced in a shrill voice, "Her Majesty the Empress arrives—"

Only then did the crowd suppress their thoughts and rise, kneeling in unison toward the Empress's direction: "We greet Her Majesty the Empress. May the Empress enjoy boundless happiness and peace!"

"Rise." Empress Zhang's voice was quite gentle, even carrying a hint of warmth. "Today is the Lantern Festival. I invited you all to the palace simply to enjoy some lively company. Please be seated and don't stand on ceremony."

Though she said this, no one who dared to sit down without proper decorum had ever lived to enter the Changming Hall. The crowd curtsied in unison and responded with a respectful "Yes" before taking their seats properly.

Palace banquets were always bound by tedious formalities. Though Empress Zhang had waived some unnecessary rituals, by the time all the procedures were completed, the delicacies meant for sharing had long gone cold. The noblewomen and ladies present merely took a symbolic bite or two, maintaining an air of quiet elegance at all times.

The hall was filled with the melodious sounds of strings and pipes, and the dancers moved with graceful charm. The imperial relatives at the front occasionally exchanged lighthearted banter with Empress Zhang about amusing happenings in the capital, and occasional laughter drifted back, creating a suitably relaxed atmosphere.

Midway through the banquet, a eunuch hurried to Empress Zhang's side to deliver a message. Whatever was said, the Empress gave a few instructions, and soon two new seats were swiftly added at the head of the hall.

Though no one looked directly, everyone understood perfectly well—this tasteless palace banquet was finally getting to the main event.

Sure enough, as soon as this thought arose, a eunuch's voice rang out in successive announcements: "His Majesty the Emperor arrives—"

Ming Tan, who had been preoccupied with thoughts of her impending marriage to the Duke of Lingguo's household, quickly pushed aside her distractions and joined the others in bowing toward the front.

The hall erupted in cries of "Long live the Emperor," the echoes reverberating through the vast space. Only when the voices died down did a calm yet authoritative "Rise" come from the front.

As she stood, Ming Tan was surprised: the Emperor's voice sounded much younger than she had imagined. If Prince Dingbei was the Emperor's cousin, wouldn't he be even younger?

Once seated again, Empress Zhang spoke to set the tone: "The great victory in Dongzhou last month is truly a joyous occasion for our Great Xian. Coincidentally, today His Majesty is also hosting a banquet in the Hong'an Hall to celebrate Prince Dingbei's achievements. It occurred to me that though we are women, we too should honor the brave men of Great Xian. Thus, I specially invited His Majesty and Prince Dingbei to join us."

After a brief moment of silence, someone took the lead, and soon waves of praise and admiration rose from the front, one after another.

Ming Tan knew that noblewomen in the capital prized subtlety and indirectness, but she hadn't realized that palace affairs took this to another level—what was clearly a matchmaking event for the Prince was disguised as a celebration of valor.

She was seated far back, and since it was forbidden to gaze upon the Emperor's countenance, the three figures at the head of the hall remained nothing more than indistinct blurs in her peripheral vision.As she was wondering whether Prince Dingbei might be mute, since he hadn't uttered a word despite all the toasts and flattery, a familiar, coquettish female voice suddenly rang out from across the room: "It's long been said that Your Highness led three thousand elite troops to repel thirty thousand northern barbarians at the mere age of fifteen, achieving extraordinary military feats for Daxian. This humble maiden has admired Your Highness for years. To meet you today is the fortune of three lifetimes. May I offer Your Highness a performance of 'Mist and Clouds over Xiao-Xiang River'..."

It was Gu Jiurou, the second legitimate daughter of Marquis Cheng'en.

The Cheng'en Marquisate had never feared public opinion. First, they produced a censor who publicly denounced the seductive Consort Yu for bewitching the emperor, and now they were eyeing the position of Princess Consort in Prince Dingbei's household.

After this lengthy declaration of admiration, the stage was set for music and dance. Gu Jiurou bowed gracefully, concluding modestly: "Though unskilled, I shall now perform."

Ming Tan, having studied the qin since childhood under renowned masters, was naturally curious how someone might showcase their musical talent before her and astonish the entire gathering.

Alas, she was not destined to hear it. No sooner had those coquettish words faded than the black-robed man seated at the head of the room coldly interrupted: "If you know it's unskilled, don't perform."