chapter 4

At that point, it seemed all but settled that I was nothing more than Zhen Yuting’s substitute.

For days, the noble madams and young ladies had nothing better to do over tea than laugh at me-at my “Dongshi imitating Xishi” act, at the foolish girl dreaming above her station.

The Marquis of Dingguo and I sat in the courtyard drinking tea while the steward reported just how wildly the rumors were spreading.

“Release a few more deer into the woods. It’s almost time for the hunt,” the Marquis of Dingguo ordered.

Every year on the first day of summer, the military officials brought their families to the hunting grounds for a grand hunt.

While other young ladies sat under the canopies sipping tea and admiring the scenery, I rode with bow in hand, chasing hares and deer alongside the noble sons of the great clans.

“She prefers quiet. She usually spends her time reading and painting,” the Crown Prince said from atop his sweating stallion.

I smiled faintly. “I was raised in the countryside. I like open skies and broad earth. I’m not like the usual noble ladies, pampered and delicate.”

The Crown Prince paused for a moment. “Some idle gossip isn’t worth taking to heart.”

I did not answer. I tightened the reins, drew my bow to a full arc, and charged after a deer. The arrow struck true.

That day, the Crown Prince stared at my departing back for a long, long time.

The second time I met Zhen Yuting was at a poetry gathering hosted by the Empress’s elder sister, Lady Boyang.

It was my first time attending such an event, and I ended up breaking Zhen Yuting’s long‑standing undefeated record to take first place.

Lady Boyang praised me, saying that I could compose poetry with my brush and hunt on horseback with my bow, the foremost among the noble young ladies of my generation.

“But your attire is rather plain,” she added with a smile. “You don’t quite look like the legitimate daughter of a Marquis Mansion.”

Still smiling, I replied, “Nothing is more precious than the gifts bestowed by the Emperor and the Crown Prince. His Highness took pity on me for being frail and sickly as a child and gave me these Magnolia Earrings to bless me with peace. I ought to cherish them. Magnolia flowers are elegant and refined-plain clothes suit them best.”

Lady Boyang had, of course, heard the story behind these earrings. She laughed softly. “Very good. Simple and pure, they suit you well. Someone, bring my Jade Hairpin.”

Lady Boyang called me to her side and pinned the hair ornament into my hair. The Jade Hairpin was made of creamy white jade, understated and elegant, with a piece of clear green jade as pure as spring water. The paired purple jade was like a ribbon of blue smoke, and a few tiny gold leaves accented it with a touch of noble splendor.

“This was bestowed on me by the Empress Dowager,” she said. “There is only this one piece in all under heaven. Today it happens to match your earrings quite nicely, so I shall give it to you.”

When the poetry gathering dispersed and I happened to pass by Zhen Yuting, I lowered my voice and said, “Magnolia doesn’t just stand for purity-it also welcomes blessings.”