The imperial palace was resplendent.
All the wealth of the empire sustained this single residence.
Every treasure imaginable could be found piled within.
Precious gems paved the paths, gold adorned the ceilings, silk draped the walls, coral formed the chopsticks, and pearls and jade made up the dishes.
Its magnificence exceeded human imagination.
That's why countless people desperately schemed to enter this place.
Some even sacrificed parts of themselves to squeeze their way in.
Differentiated competition.
Made things somewhat easier.
Today, Eunuch Yan wore black attire.
His everyday work uniform.
Though understated, it was still elegantly luxurious.
As the emperor's chief eunuch, during the height of eunuch power, they could control access to the emperor in every way. Officials and consorts had to bribe the eunuchs just to see the emperor.
Though not as extreme now, their position remained quite special.
They were the legitimate whispers in the emperor's ear.
A eunuch's word could sometimes save a life, or take one.
Seventh Princess Consort Jiang Yuluan, seated nearby, watched Eunuch Yan with curiosity.
For some reason, looking at the immaculately dressed Eunuch Yan felt oddly familiar.
She suddenly thought of Heir Apparent Han.
Jiang Yuluan had only met him once, and perhaps due to their limited interaction afterward, they weren't close.
Moreover, it was awkward because Heir Apparent Han had married her sister-in-law as a secondary wife.
Her mother had once written to her saying that Jiang Er had improper intentions toward her sister-in-law. She had been disgusted then, never doubting her mother would make up such things. This wasn't just about a woman's reputation; her elder brother would be humiliated too, especially since he and his wife were childhood sweethearts.
As it turned out, Jiang Er had no relationship with her sister-in-law, but instead, her own brother Heir Apparent Han directly married her sister-in-law, even bringing along their child.
Han was no longer a prince consort, as the princess had divorced him. Though dramatic, it wasn't surprising, as Princess Huiyun had always been willful.
Most people felt the prince consort was wronged and had shown true love and loyalty.
Among the gossip-mongers, most didn't know the specific circumstances, but they still took sides, expressing sympathy or condemnation...
Jiang Yuluan curiously glanced at Eunuch Yan a few more times before averting her gaze.
The Ninth Prince's Consort drew her into casual conversation.
"How is that secondary wife in your household? I hear she's an exceptional beauty."
Jiang Yuluan: ...her expression darkened.
Bringing up the sorest subject.
At home, the seventh prince had placated her, but she was still upset.
Now it was unavoidable, but what about the future?
If you truly ascend to the throne someday, won't there be more unavoidable situations, all given by others, that you can't refuse...
Each unavoidable retreat was actually just an excuse.
"Sister-in-law has several secondary wives, which one are you referring to as beautiful?" Jiang Yuluan asked unhappily.
The Ninth Prince's Consort covered her mouth and laughed, "Each beauty has her own charm. My prince has good taste, and those sisters are both beautiful and obedient. When we play cards together, it's such fun. Sister, you're just too solitary, but now that your niece will become your daughter-in-law, you surely won't be lonely anymore."
After these words, Jiang Yuluan's expression grew even darker.
She hated two things: first, her husband taking concubines - having grown up with Princess Huiyun, she believed in one life, one world, one partner. Second, marrying relatives - she looked down on arranging marriages between family members, finding it unnecessary and foolish.
Yet now she was doing both these things she despised.
Her face hurt with embarrassment and depression.
The Ninth Prince's Consort covered her mouth in a slight smile, disliking Jiang Yuluan's proud demeanor - who was she to act so noble?
Nearby, Jiang Wan calmly interjected: "My aunt couldn't bear to have me marry far away. I'm helpless and dependent on her. Unlike you, Ninth Princess Consort - I heard it was your prince who couldn't bear to let your niece marry elsewhere, keeping her close. You turned from aunt and niece to sisters - quite the touching tale."
The Ninth Prince's Consort's face darkened immediately. How could a young girl like Jiang Wan know such inner palace dirt?
But remembering that she and the Immortal Liu were the same person, the Ninth Prince's Consort held her tongue.
People were always cautious about matters of spirits and gods.
Jiang Wan sat quietly.
Neither humble nor arrogant.
If she had feathers at this moment, they would surely be standing on end.
Jiang Wan's beauty was among the finest present. Several people who saw her assumed she must be the Princess of Colored Garments, sitting there radiating light, naturally drawing all eyes.
Princess Huiyun arrived with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter.
They sat nearby.
Everyone's eyes first went to Princess Huiyun, then to the young girl beside her. Some elderly observers immediately recalled Princess Huiyun's younger appearance.
Today, it seemed all the beauties in the world had gathered here.
Yet few gazes fell on Qin Luoxia.
Miss Dong was also present, speaking naturally with Mianmian.
Princess Huiyun took an immediate liking to Miss Dong, who had the sort of appearance that naturally endeared her to elders.
The crowd gathered.
To stand out, beauty clearly had the advantage at first glance.
Inner qualities would only be discovered gradually.
Among so many people at once, even Qin Luoxia felt somewhat nervous.
She always felt shallow and feared others would discover this about her.
She tried hard to do what she was good at, hoping this would prevent others from noticing her perceived shallowness and ignorance.
In today's gathering, she saw Elder Sister Yu, who could now hold her own in conversation, and little Mianmian, who remained as she always was - more princess-like than actual princesses. Miss Dong was as lovely as ever; none of them needed looking after.
Rather, it was herself she worried about.
Her mind wandered unconsciously to her days in Kan'er Village.
Back then, she was the capable Luoxia everyone spoke of.
Here, everyone was someone.
Her palms grew damp inside her formal robes.
Qin Luoxia remained nervous.
Turning her head unconsciously, she saw her husband in the men's gathering area, seriously discussing something with others, his expression grave and focused.
Qin Luoxia couldn't help but look a few more times.
Jiang Changtian looked up, meeting her gaze.
Across the crowd.
The serious Jiang Changtian broke into a smile for his dear Xia.
Then turned back to his conversation.
Looking up again to find her still watching, he couldn't help but smile once more.
Perhaps seeing her continued gaze, he summoned a young eunuch.
Moments later, the young eunuch came running over with a plate of small kumquats.
"Master Jiang says these are for madam, they're very sweet."
All the ladies turned to look.
Qin Luoxia nodded slightly, her face reddening.
Her clenched fist slowly relaxed.
