Qin Shuying followed Handan out of the pace hall, gncing up at the sun already high in the sky.

  The sunlight was bright and warm, shining over everything, yet her heart remained cold.

  Such a petty trick—only someone like Consort Lian could stoop to this level.

  Handan led Qin Shuying through a back door, and sure enough, they arrived at a rge garden. The early spring scenery was refreshing, and after walking for a while, they reached a greenhouse.

  A pace maid stood guard at the entrance. Handan approached her quickly, showed her a token, and whispered something. The maid immediately allowed them to enter.

  Once inside, the temperature noticeably rose. The greenhouse was filled with a dazzling array of blooming flowers, each competing in beauty, an overwhelming feast for the eyes.

  Two gardeners were tending to the pnts. Seeing that it was just a pace maid and an unfamiliar young woman entering, they continued their work, paying no attention.

  The greenhouse was quite rge, divided into several rooms, each dedicated to different types of flowers. Handan led Qin Shuying to the section housing the peonies. Most of the flowers were still in bud, but a few had already bloomed. Their vibrant colors and intricate petals immediately captured Qin Shuying’s attention.

  Handan, speaking softly, introduced, “Seventh Miss, these are Yao Huang and Wei Zi. If you like, why not pick a couple to adorn your hair? They would look stunning on you.”

  Qin Shuying leaned closer to examine the flowers. Indeed, they were Yao Huang and Wei Zi, both blooming splendidly.

  The Yao Huang peonies were a rich golden yellow, with full, radiant blossoms and a delicate fragrance. The Wei Zi were a deep purplish-red, vibrant and lush, with rge, full petals. Some blooms were as big as a bowl, others the size of a palm. The combination of yellow, purple, and green hues was breathtaking, impossible not to admire. However, given the early season, the number of blossoms was limited.

  While praising the flowers, Qin Shuying hesitated and said softly, “Handan, there are only three blooming peonies here. If I pick one, the Consort will have fewer. Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”

  Handan replied, “What’s inappropriate about it? The Consort specifically instructed me to let you pick. Besides, as you can see, there are more about to bloom. Losing one or two won’t matter.”

  Qin Shuying nodded. “Then I thank the Consort for her generosity. However, I noticed some smaller flowers blooming beautifully earlier. I’d like to take a look at those first, and then I’ll come back to pick.”

  Handan frowned slightly. “Those are lowly flowers—what’s there to see? Someone as radiant as Seventh Miss should only be adorned with noble peonies like these.”

  Qin Shuying smiled at the fttery. “With the Consort around, how could I compare to a peony?”

  Handan silently mocked her in her heart, thinking Qin Shuying naive and inexperienced. Yet outwardly, she said sweetly, “Seventh Miss, you’re more delicate than any flower. At your age, you’re as radiant as the blossoms themselves, perfectly matched for these peonies.”

  Despite the fttery, Qin Shuying hesitated to pick a flower herself. Yet she clearly adored the Yao Huang, leaning in to admire it closely.

  Without waiting, Handan gracefully bent down and picked a Yao Huang, pcing it delicately in Qin Shuying’s hair.

  “Oh, Seventh Miss,” Handan excimed softly, “this Yao Huang makes your complexion look even fairer, your brows like a painting. You’re more dazzling than the flower itself! The Consort will surely be delighted to see this.”

  Qin Shuying touched her hair, her cheeks slightly flushed. “Really?”

  “Of course! This flower seems like it was made just for you—absolutely stunning!”

  Handan’s words brought a pleased smile to Qin Shuying’s face.

  “If you don’t believe me, I’ll fetch a bronze mirror so you can see for yourself.”

  Qin Shuying nodded shyly yet eagerly. “I’ll trouble you, then.”

  Handan smiled and said, “Seventh Miss, there’s no need to be so formal. I’ll be right back. Feel free to continue admiring the flowers.”

  “All right.”

  Handan turned and started walking away, but Qin Shuying quickly stepped forward and called out, “Handan, wait a moment.”

  Handan turned back to look at her. Qin Shuying pointed to her lower skirt and said, “Handan, the hem of your skirt is stained with dirt. If you enter the hall like this, you might dirty the floor. I noticed the floor inside was spotless, so clean it could reflect a person’s image.”

  Looking down, Handan saw that her skirt was indeed stained with a noticeable patch of dirt. She bent down to dust it off, and Qin Shuying came over to help, lifting the hem of her skirt and patting off the dirt.

  After a moment, the dirt was removed, and Qin Shuying returned to admire the peonies.

  Handan tidied her skirt and turned to see Qin Shuying, with the Yao Huang peony still in her hair, bent over admiring the Wei Zi peony.

  Handan’s eyes flickered with a hint of pity. Qin Shuying, with her delicate and charming demeanor, was undeniably likable despite her naivety. However, she had the misfortune of standing in the Consort’s way.

  Qin Shuying had barely spent a few moments in the greenhouse when the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears. Soon, several people entered the greenhouse.

  Qin Shuying had moved away from the peonies to another area, giving her a clear view of the group that had just arrived. There were three of them: two pace maids and a beautiful young girl.

  The girl, around eleven or twelve years old, wore an elegant light yellow dress. Her delicate, rosy face and lively, bright eyes made her strikingly beautiful. Her attire was exquisite and clearly marked her noble status. Familiar with the greenhouse, she headed straight for the peonies.

  Before long, as expected, a startled cry rang out: “Yao Huang!”

  Immediately, one of the pace maids called out to the gardeners, “Who was here just now? Someone has picked a Yao Huang!”

  It didn’t take long before the bme nded squarely on Qin Shuying.

  “And who are you?” one of the pace maids snapped. “This Yao Huang belongs to Consort De. Who gave you the audacity to pick it?”

  Qin Shuying instantly recognized the young girl before her. This was Princess Fuping, the daughter of Consort De. Consort De had two children: Princess Fuping and the Fifth Prince.

  Qin Shuying appeared startled, as if too frightened by the reprimand to respond.

  Noticing her silence, the pace maid quickly expined, “This is Princess Fuping. Don’t you know to pay your respects to the princess?”

  Snapping out of her daze, Qin Shuying replied, “This commoner greets Princess Fuping.”

  Princess Fuping’s expression remained calm. She didn’t seem particurly angry, but neither did she give the woman before her permission to rise.

  However, before the princess could say anything, Qin Shuying stood up straight on her own accord.

  The pace maid angrily scolded, “How dare you! The princess hasn’t permitted you to rise, and yet you stand?”

  Qin Shuying remained composed, smiling faintly. “Consort Lian told me that anyone in this pace who knows I’m her sister would show me some respect. If Princess Fuping makes things difficult for me, are you not concerned that Consort Lian will learn of this and distance herself from Consort De?

  “Your Highness, Consort Lian and Consort De have always been rivals, and the Fifth Prince and Sixth Prince each have their own pns. But out of respect for the Empress and the Crown Prince, Consort Lian and Consort De have maintained an outward appearance of harmony. Are you certain you wish to escate tensions and expose the rift so openly?”

  ___

  Transtor Xiaobai: Consort Lian holds the rank of Pin, while Consort De holds the rank of Fei; therefore, Consort De is of a higher rank.