Chapter 1

My mother was a Fox Spirit born into a scholarly family-a Prostitute, through and through.

On the day she died, I was born. Naturally, I am a Fox Spirit as well.

But while my mother became a Fox Spirit to survive, I am not the same. I was born lowly, it is simply my nature.

I know I possess a voice as sweet as a yellow oriole emerging from the valley, as melodious as flowing water, so I make the most of it. Whenever my legitimate elder sister Zhang Jincan smiles at a man, I coyly and timidly call that man “Brother,” just to infuriate her.

Zhang Jincan likes the Crown Prince best, so I also sweetly call Yin Jiuqing, “Crown Prince Brother~”

After Yin Jiuqing leaves, Zhang Jincan bares her fangs, gathers her strength, and slaps me with all her might. Her sharp nails scratch my cheek: “You’re a Prostitute’s daughter, how dare you call the Crown Prince Brother?”

“Sister, the Empress is also my Aunt. Why shouldn’t I call him that?” I touch my scratched cheek, stick out my tongue at Zhang Jincan in defiance, and can’t help but think to myself: a spoiled noble lady is even more vulgar than a country woman.

Sometimes, when I gaze at the high-hanging moon, I can’t help but wonder-how can fate be so different?

Zhang Jincan’s mother is the legitimate daughter of the illustrious Wuan Marquis Mansion, while my mother was a Prostitute from a brothel.

So, though we are both daughters of the Grand Tutor, she is as noble as Mingzhu, while I am as humble as a blade of grass.

Even her name is better than mine-Jincan, brilliant and radiant like brocade.

My name, on the other hand, was given on the day I was born, when my father saw a withered lotus in the pond and was moved to name me.

Qiuhe-just hearing it evokes endless loneliness and sorrow. Qiuhe, Qiuhe.

Withered branches and fallen leaves, autumn waters and a dying lotus-how desolate it sounds.