Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I left the palace to find Luo Chen.

I recounted everything that had happened, my voice thick with grievance.

Luo Chen was fuming. He insisted on going to ask her about it himself, swearing he would make Zhao Duanhua apologize to me.

My heart warmed at his words, but I quickly told him it wasn’t necessary. I would simply ignore her from now on.

I didn’t want to stir up more conflict and drag Luo Chen into that mess.

Perhaps, subconsciously, I didn’t want Luo Chen to have any contact with Zhao Duanhua at all.

Luo Chen praised my kindness. “Nanping, you’re just too soft-hearted. You need to change that, or I’m really afraid you’ll be bullied in the future.”

“I won’t be. As long as you stay the same as always, I won’t feel sad.”

At fifteen, Li Nanping was far too considerate of others, to the point of neglecting her own joys and sorrows.

My sixteenth birthday coincided with Zhao Duanhua’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Imperial Mother decided to merge the two celebrations into one banquet.

Even though Zhao Duanhua and I were supposed to be the dual stars of the event, everyone flocked to her side.

Imperial Mother gave her a set of priceless jewelry; Brother Crown Prince sent her robes made of cloud brocade; and Li Cheng’en gifted her an ancient zither.

He said boastfully, “This zither is named Jiuxiao Huanpei. It was once used by Su Shi himself. Look, Sister, do you like it?”

I don’t know when it started, but Li Cheng’en had begun calling me by my name while addressing Zhao Duanhua as “Sister.”

Zhao Duanhua’s long, fair fingers lightly plucked the strings, a look of innocent, pure joy on her face.

In that moment, I finally understood the meaning of the classic lines describing a beauty’s captivating smile and starlit eyes.

At only fourteen, she was already beginning to show a breathtaking grace.

She was radiant and glowing.

I was a picture of solitude.

Though my heart was a sea of bitterness, I maintained an expression as indifferent as mist.

It didn’t matter. I had Luo Chen.

I waited for Luo Chen’s birthday gift.

He gave me a jade hairpin. The quality of the jade was excellent, a lush, dripping emerald green.

I tucked the pin into my hair, feeling a sense of quiet contentment.

Zhao Duanhua stared at my hairpin, her eyes shimmering as if she wanted to say something but held herself back.

I felt a surge of irritation. As soon as the ceremonies were over, I couldn’t wait to leave the palace to find Luo Chen.

Unexpectedly, he was nowhere to be found.

Filled with regret, I returned to the palace and fell into a deep sleep early on.

In the middle of the night, however, I was startled awake.

There was a commotion outside.

I asked Lü’e what was happening.

Lü’e said crossly, “Who else could it be but that one? She went out drinking and didn’t come back until now. She’s throwing up and crying, making sure nobody gets any peace. She can sleep until noon, but the servants are the ones who suffer, having to deal with a master like her.”

So, Zhao Duanhua had returned late.

I couldn’t help but ask, “Does Imperial Mother not discipline her?”

“Today was her coming-of-age ceremony. Her Majesty said she should enjoy herself to the fullest, and that Her Majesty would take responsibility for everything.”

A secret ache bloomed in my heart.

No.

It wasn’t like this for me.

When I was fourteen, Imperial Mother told me that I was an adult and must not make a single mistake, lest I disgrace the dignity of the Royal Family.

Today, on my birthday, Imperial Mother told me even more sternly that I must follow the rules and not be willful or rowdy.

I had missed Luo Chen so much, yet I didn’t even dare wait for him into the evening, fearing I would miss the palace curfew and put Imperial Mother in a difficult position.

Yet, to Zhao Duanhua, Imperial Mother said: enjoy yourself to the fullest, I will take responsibility for everything.

Why was it so different?

The weather must be turning.

I felt so cold.