Chapter 3

Chapter 3

On the eve of Eldest Sister’s entry into the palace, Father led the main branch of the Kong Clan into the ancestral hall to offer prayers to the ancestors and the heavens.

Amidst the flickering candlelight, the former bond of father and daughter had already shifted into that of subject and sovereign.

Father held his jade tablet and knelt, performing the ritual of three prostrations and nine kowtows with meticulous precision.

Eldest Sister moved forward in a hurry to help him up, but Father spoke in a low, heavy voice. “The rites must not be abandoned.”

This bow was a tribute to the majesty of the Heaven’s House, but it was also to make her understand-from this day forward, familial affection must yield to power.

As the hour of the Tiger approached, Mother personally attended to Eldest Sister’s makeup.

Ten thousand taels in banknotes were divided into twelve envelopes. The largest denominations were hidden in a pouch worn close to her body, while loose silver was sewn into the hidden pockets of her maids’ handkerchiefs.

Father presented a red sandalwood box containing a suet-white jade seal.

“There are eighty-six hidden agents within the palace. From now on, they are all at Your Ladyship’s disposal.”

Eldest Brother presented a calling card. “This woman is an expert in gynecological ailments; her name is already registered at the Imperial Medical Bureau.”

Second Older Brother handed over land deeds. “The three most prosperous streets in Chang’an are yours to enjoy, Your Ladyship.”

Since Third Sister and I had not yet reached the age of hair-pinning, we prepared a personal jade pendant and a sachet. The jade was warm to the touch, and the sachet was sewn with precious, soul-soothing incense.

Second Sister was the last to step forward.

She held out a gold-thread peacock fur coat. The feathered garment shimmered with a rainbow radiance under the candlelight, every stitch concealing a hidden thought.

“My handiwork is crude, but I only hope that when Eldest Sister wears it, she will be like a phoenix in flight, with wings whirring in the wind.”

Before she could finish, a single tear fell exactly onto the peacock’s eye.

“I remember when we were young and learning to embroider plum blossoms. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get it right. Eldest Sister would hold my hand and teach me, stitch by stitch.”

Eldest Sister’s smiling lips suddenly froze.

When she looked up again, seventy percent of her gaze was the pain of being calculated against by her kin. The remaining thirty percent, however, was the memory of that year’s Lantern Festival, and the faint scar left on Second Sister’s arm when she blocked a splash of scalding lamp oil for her.

The conflicts of the inner manor always begin in silence and end without a drop of blood being seen.

At this moment, I finally understood that every gold thread on that peacock coat was entangled with emotions that could not be clearly explained.

Thirty percent calculation, seventy percent sincerity.

Just like that year under the wisteria trellis, when she had personally pushed Eldest Sister into the abyss, only to hide behind the rockery and soak her sleeves with tears.

Eldest Sister had been in the palace for a year when, the following year, Second Sister’s marriage was settled.

When the scent of golden osmanthus filled the air, Mother held Second Sister’s hand and spoke gently.

“Though the Feng Family is not prominent, they come from a background of genuine military merit. Their family reputation is upright and clean; they will certainly not mistreat you in the future.”

A Commandant of Light Chariots-it sounded like a noble title of the primary third rank, but in reality, it was nothing more than an honorary title.

The habitual smile vanished from Second Sister’s face.

She actually lost her composure, blurting out, “Is this… the intention of Consort Rong?”

Hearing this, Mother spoke sharply.

“Her Ladyship is serving the Emperor in the depths of the palace! How could she have time for such trivial matters?”

“Then… then has Father’s plan changed? What about Prince Xian’s side…”

Mother’s gaze turned cold instantly.

“What does this have to do with Prince Xian? Since the Kong Clan has produced an Imperial Consort, we must naturally know how to avoid suspicion.”