The noble girl is beautiful. - Chapter 32.

In early spring, a light rain quietly fell on the long palace roads, moistening the ancient bluestone bricks. Concubine Shu traveled along the palace road in a sedan chair, with palace maids and eunuchs kneeling in greeting as she passed.

Arriving at the fourth prince’s palace, she alighted and led her entourage straight into his quarters. The fourth prince, under house arrest, was dressed in a royal blue brocade robe, and he hastily hid some papers in a book upon seeing her.

“Rise,” Concubine Shu said, taking a seat on the main couch. “At the recent palace banquet, the emperor wanted to arrange a marriage for you. Why did you refuse?”

Unperturbed, Ji Chengyao smiled and replied, “I do not get along with the eldest daughter of the Shen family. Even during my year at the Duke of Qi’s mansion, we barely spoke.”

“Foolish boy!” She scolded. “It doesn’t matter whether you get along. Once you’re engaged to her, the Duke of Qi, for the sake of his daughter’s honor, would petition for you to be named crown prince. This is also the emperor’s intention. You must establish a family first before you can become the crown prince!”

Ji Chengyao smiled and dismissed the servants, then sat down leisurely. “Even if I don’t marry, who else would Father appoint as crown prince?”

Concubine Shu was momentarily speechless, then suspected he might be reluctant to marry into the Duke of Qi’s family. “You don’t like the eldest daughter of the Shen family. Do you have someone else in mind?”

After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “I favor the third daughter of the Shen family.”

Concubine Shu recalled vaguely that the family had a third daughter. “But she is a concubine’s daughter. You reject her sister but prefer a concubine’s daughter?”

Ji Chengyao did not argue and simply said, “If I marry, it will only be Shen Qingyan.”

Concubine Shu frowned. At first, she had no favorable impression of Shen Qingyan, a concubine’s daughter competing with her own sister.

These private palace conversations didn’t reach the outside, and even the Duke of Qi’s mansion only knew that the fourth prince had refused the emperor’s marriage proposal and was now under house arrest.

In the Duke of Qi’s mansion, after the fourth prince returned to court in the new year, the family school was dismissed. Shen Yourong spent time with her sisters doing needlework, playing cards, and passing time peacefully.

One day, under the beautiful spring sunshine, Shen Yourong sat in a small pavilion by Peach Blossom Slope. Water flowed through the stone pavilion at her feet, with small fish playing in the current.

Shen Qinghan, sitting beside her and working on embroidery, complained, “Mother went to a banquet at the Duke of An’s mansion a few days ago and came back criticizing my needlework, saying I must have something to show since I’m of marriageable age.”

“Your needlework isn’t bad,” Shen Yourong reassured her.

“Not as good as the daughter of Lord Zheng, the Censorate,” Shen Qinghan said. “Do you remember Miss Zheng? We argued at the Ning’an Princess’s mansion a few years ago. She didn’t win against you then, and now she has become more pretentious.”

Shen Yourong laughed. As they talked, maidservant Hua Mei and other little maids gathered a large bundle of peach blossoms and brought them to Shen Yourong.

“These are lovely,” Shen Yourong said, “I’ll make a peach blossom pillow.”

“I prefer vases; I can’t stand the scent on my bed,” Shen Qinghan said, sending a maid to fetch peach blossoms for her.

She glanced at Shen Yourong’s serene expression and suddenly remarked, “Mother heard some unpleasant rumors during her social call. It seems related to the fourth prince. It’s annoying how people gossip without knowing anything.”

The fourth prince’s refusal of the marriage had indeed sparked many rumors in the capital, damaging the reputation of the woman involved.

Shen Yourong, indifferent to it, joked, “As long as they don’t say it to my face, I can pretend I don’t know.”

Shen Qinghan laughed. Shen Qingyan, wandering aimlessly, saw them in the pavilion and joined them, brushing off a stone bench and sitting by the railing. She picked up some peach blossoms from the table and played with them absentmindedly.

Shen Yourong looked at her. “Why so listless today?”

“Bored,” She replied. “I’ve wandered the garden so many times.”

“Indeed,” Shen Yourong agreed. “With such fine weather, we should go on an outing.”

Shen Qingyan, unusually silent, seemed aware of the unpleasant rumors outside.

Shen Qinghan, not wanting to stay, stood up to pick more peach blossoms, taking a maid with her.

Shen Yourong continued her needlework. Shen Qingyan, after some hesitation, asked, “Sister, what do you think about today’s events?”

Shen Yourong glanced at her. “You mean the matter with the fourth prince?”

She nodded.

Shen Yourong smiled. “Such matters are never within our control. The elders decide these things. Whether I’m angry or not, it makes no difference.”

Shen Qingyan seemed thoughtful. Shen Yourong asked, “Qingyan, did you know about the fourth prince’s refusal in advance?”

“He told me afterward,” She replied.

Shen Yourong raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been in contact with him?”

“Occasionally through letters. He said the emperor didn’t punish him harshly, just house arrest.”

Shen Yourong nodded. “And what are his intentions regarding you?”

“He said he would marry me.”

“Do you believe him?”

Shen Qingyan looked at the flowing water by her feet. “I believe him.”

Shen Yourong observed her, usually lively, now showing a trace of melancholy. This affection seemed profound, changing her noticeably.

Realizing her slip of the tongue, she grew silent. The fourth prince’s refusal had damaged Shen Yourong’s reputation, and now talking about her feelings seemed like rubbing salt in the wound.

A few days later, the sisters paid respects to their grandmother. Shen Ying rarely visited, but this time, she came with news: Concubine Shu had summoned Shen Yourong and Shen Qingyan to the palace.

Shen Yourong often visited the palace, but it was Shen Qingyan’s first time. Surprised, she noticed Shen Ying’s peculiar expression.

Both dressed in light yellow dresses embroidered with flowers, they applied makeup and adorned themselves with jewelry. Lady Yang gave the lead eunuch a pouch of silver and many compliments before sending them off in a sedan chair.

Shen Qingyan, entering the palace for the first time, found the strict palace rules suffocating. Walking the long palace road, they maintained their posture, their steps measured—Shen Qingyan now understood why Shen Yourong advised against too many accessories.

Following Shen Yourong into Concubine Shu’s palace, they were greeted by maid Hui Cui, who smiled and said, “Miss Shen and Miss Shen have arrived. The lady has been waiting.”

“Thank you, Sister Hui Cui,” Shen Yourong said. “My third sister’s first visit, please guide her.”

Shen Qingyan echoed, “Thank you, Sister Hui Cui.”

Hui Cui laughed. “No need for such courtesy.”

She led them into the main hall where Concubine Shu sat, radiant in a bright red palace dress.

Shen Yourong and Shen Qingyan greeted her.

After their formalities, she said, “Rise.”

The two rose, and Concubine Shu said, “Take a seat.”

They thanked her and sat. Palace maids served refreshments.

“Have some,” she said. “No need for formality among ourselves.”

Shen Yourong took a sip of tea. Shen Qingyan imitated her.

After some pleasantries, Concubine Shu said, “I heard the third miss is skilled in painting. I need some new patterns. If convenient, please create some for Hui Cui and the others to admire.”

Shen Qingyan stood up. “Of course. I will comply.”

Concubine Shu had the materials prepared. Shen Qingyan, contemplating, decided to paint the traditional four seasons flowers: peony, lotus, osmanthus, and plum, choosing the safest option.

Shen Yourong, noting the oversight, thought, *Concubine Shu likes crabapple blossoms, but Shen Qingyan didn’t paint any.*

Shen Qingyan finished, and the maid presented the paintings. Concubine Shu praised, “Not bad. Reward her.”

She received a pouch and two pairs of gold and silver rings. Hui Cui then led the sisters to rest in the west wing.

In the main hall, Concubine Shu, now smiling, said, “Your Majesty, please look.”

Presenting the paintings, the emperor glanced at them. “Shen Qingyan is mediocre.”

Concubine Shu served tea, smiling. “But the fourth prince likes her. What can I do as his mother?”

“He likes her? Or does he defy me, rejecting all my choices?” the emperor, his voice hoarse and authoritative, questioned.

Concubine Shu, trembling, said, “The fourth prince deeply respects Your Majesty. He wouldn’t dare have such thoughts.”

The emperor said nothing and left.
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