Hua Liuli, enveloped by sympathetic gazes, adapted with grace. From a young age, she had grown accustomed to being regarded in such a manner by countless people.
Before she arrived in the capital, her mother had mentioned certain rumors circulating within the palace. Around twenty-one years ago, three concubines in the palace became pregnant within the same month. At some point, a baseless rumor emerged in the harem, proclaiming that if any of them were to give birth to the Emperor's firstborn son, the Emperor would bestow upon him the title of the Crown Prince.
It remained unclear whether these three concubines believed in such unfounded rumors. After all, Ying Wang and Ning Wang were born on the same day and at the same hour, while the Crown Prince was born seven days later.
Hua Liuli found such rumors highly dubious and anyone with a discerning mind would not believe them. The current Emperor was not a feeble-minded ruler who would hastily declare a newborn infant as the Crown Prince.
In less than five minutes, she could discern that the two brothers did not share a harmonious relationship. Ying Wang, unwilling yet restraining himself, resembled a sparrow yearning to challenge an eagle.
Ambitious but lacking in ability, desiring to strike down the eagle with a single claw.
She stopped reaching for the pastries. Eating too much made her feel a bit stuffed.
In the eyes of others, it seemed as though the Crown Prince's intervention had alleviated Hua Xianzhu's fear, hence her decision not to partake in the pastries.
"Xianzhu, have some water," Yuan Yi anxiously handed a cup of lukewarm water to Hua Liuli. The two of them, master and servant, appeared as pitiful souls being mistreated, daring to be indignant yet unable to voice their grievances.
Ying Wang: "..."
Although he had done nothing, why did he appear to be an irredeemable villain in the presence of these two?
"Xianzhu, please do not misunderstand. Benwang came here today solely to offer my apologies," Ying Wang's inherently bad temper dissipated entirely as he looked at Hua Liuli's timid eyes, "Please take care of yourself. Once the Ministry of Justice punishes the culprit, Benwang shall visit you again."
With that, he turned to the Crown Prince, "Crown Prince, I have urgent matters to attend to. Farewell."
The Crown Prince made no attempt to detain him, "Oh, take your leave."
"Where are you going?" The Empress Dowager said as she entered, accompanied by several palace maids bearing trays, "Since you're already here, stay and partake in a meal with me."
Hua Liuli rose from her seat and supported the Empress Dowager as they walked inward.
"This Grieving One had just instructed someone to summon you to the side hall, yet unexpectedly, here you are," the Empress Dowager grasped Hua Liuli's hand. "Xiuniang has just delivered the clothes I had her make. They are all for you. Go and try one on."
Ying Wang observed the brightly colored garments carried by the palace maids and an inexplicable headache befell him. However, in the presence of the Empress Dowager, he had to be cautious and appeasing, thus he stood by her side with a forced smile, pretending not to be impatient.
"This set in light water pink is splendid. Pair it with a white cape, and Hua Xianzhu shall be the most resplendent young lady in the entire harem," the Crown Prince glanced over the array of clothes, "Imperial Grandmother, why are there none for me this time?"
"What do you lack in your Eastern Palace?" The Empress Dowager held onto Hua Liuli, "Furthermore, you boys are not as endearing as the young girls. Using these fabrics on you is merely a waste."
"Liuli, don't you agree?" After berating her grandson, the Empress Dowager sought an alliance.
"You are correct," Hua Liuli swiftly took her position, joining the Empress Dowager's faction without hesitation.
At this moment, she caught sight of the plate of pastries on the tea table, of which she had devoured more than half.
Suddenly, she covered her stomach, making her smile even paler and her demeanor even weaker. It was crucial to convey an aura of "though I am frail, I will strive to be strong".
Ying Wang noticed Hua Liuli's actions and suddenly felt a pang of regret. If she wasn't Hua Yingting's daughter, it seemed that marrying her wouldn't be such a bad idea.
"Come, choose one to change into first, and this Grieving One will have the maids deliver the others to your chambers," The Empress Dowager was adamant about dressing up Hua Liuli. In Shoukang Palace, she changed her attire twice a day, and the Empress Dowager still felt it wasn't enough.
Hua Liuli gladly accompanied the Empress Dowager in her indulgence and began selecting her garments.
After examining all the clothes, she chose the one mentioned by the Crown Prince. Although she held little hope for a man's taste, at times like this, she still had to preserve the Crown Prince's dignity.
It's probably because she doesn't like Ying Wang very much, and Ying Wang doesn't get along well with the Crown Prince. The mentality of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" doesn't require rational evaluation.
Seeing Hua Liuli carefully go through the clothes over and over, yet finally settling on the one he had mentioned, the Crown Prince felt a subtle sense of accomplishment. This little girl from the Hua family is truly likable.
Ying Wang thought that the ugliest among the pile of clothes was the light water-pink dress. It didn't have beautiful embroidered flowers or embellishments of pearls and jade, and even the color wasn't vibrant enough.
He glanced at the Crown Prince and thought: Why did you suggest if your taste is bad?
However, when Hua Liuli came out after changing her clothes, Ying Wang thought again that the Hua family's daughter was truly beautiful. Even in such an ugly dress, she still looked so good in it.
But if she could change into a dress embroidered with hundreds of flowers, she would definitely look even more beautiful.
In terms of aesthetics, Ying Wang had always had confidence in his own taste.
With the Empress Dowager present, Ying Wang and the Crown Prince managed to maintain a friendly brotherly atmosphere and finished their meal. However, after that day, Hua Liuli never saw the Crown Prince or Ying Wang again.
The princes would visit the Empress Dowager to pay their respects every three to five days before attending court. But at that time, she was still "recuperating" in bed. By the time she got out of bed, the princes had already gone to court.
She felt that the reason the Empress Dowager took a nap every afternoon was because she had to wake up early in the morning every day to receive their respects.
Being an Empress Dowager was not easy. Even as the most respected woman in the palace, she had rules to abide by and couldn't violate them.
In the blink of an eye, Hua Liuli had spent more than ten days in Shoukang Palace. The Empress Dowager was worried that she would be confined to Shoukang Palace every day and might have health issues, so she let her go out for a walk on a sunny day.
"After a meal, take a hundred steps to live to a ripe old age," The Empress Dowager lectured Hua Liuli with a smiling face, then turned around and contentedly lay down on the phoenix bed for a nap.
Hua Liuli: "..."
When the imperial family displays double standards, they are not at all subtle.
The winter sun had little warmth on her body. As Hua Liuli walked on the palace path, she looked up at the tall palace walls and stopped in her tracks.
"Xianzhu, what are you looking at?" Yuan Yi hurriedly approached when Hua Liuli stopped and stood beside her.
"I'm looking at how high the walls are."
"No matter how high the walls are on the inside, they're useless," Yuan Yi whispered in her ear, "I've seen them before. Although these walls look high, they're not thick enough. They can be pierced with heavy crossbows."
"The sturdiest walls are the ones outside the palace. They can't be broken through by external force. To attack, someone inside and outside must collaborate," Yuan Yi explained seriously, "And attacking through the main gate is useless. There's an escape passage on the northwest side. It's risky, and regardless of success or failure, it's bad for reputation."
Hua Liuli pondered with her hand on her chin. After a while, she turned to Yuan Yi, "If someone overhears our conversation, will they think we have ulterior motives against the palace?"
Yuan Yi: "..."
Wasn’t this habit learned from following Xianzhu as they protected the border?
"Ahem," Hua Liuli dry coughed, clutching her chest, and said, "Today is still a weak day for me."
"Xianzhu, you're weak. Let me support you," The master and servant withdrew their gaze from the city wall, pretending that their conversation never happened.
"Hua Xianzhu, stop."
Hua Liuli looked at Yuan Yi: This voice sounds somewhat familiar?
Yuan Yi shook her head: Just by the tone, it doesn't seem friendly.
Both of them turned around simultaneously and looked at Jiamin Junzhu who was walking briskly towards them.
"Greetings, Jiamin Junzhu," Hua Liuli smiled at the other party, "I wonder why Junzhu requested me to stop. What important matter is there?"
Jiamin Junzhu: "..."
When did she "request" her to stop?
Jiamin Junzhu was skilled in archery and had a fiery temperament. She quickly walked up to Hua Liuli, leaving her poor maidservants panting behind, too exhausted to complain even a bit.
"Just how much did we walk?" Jiamin Junzhu heard the maidservants panting and said dissatisfiedly, "Why are you so useless?"
Hua Liuli: Wow, this straightforward Junzhu has learned how to scold someone indirectly. She's making progress!
The little maidservants dared not speak and lowered their heads, letting Jiamin Junzhu scold them.
"Go back and practice horseback archery. It infuriates me to see you all like this," Jiamin Junzhu scolded the maidservants and then turned to Hua Liuli, saying, "Hua Xianzhu, I didn't mean to offend you."
Hua Liuli showed a gentle smile as if saying, "I understand."
"I came to see you today to give you a few words of advice," Jiamin Junzhu got straight to the point, "Empress Dowager will never let you marry Ying Wang. Don't have any illusions."
Hua Liuli's expression froze for a moment, and she asked, "What does Junzhu mean?"
Among the four princes she had met; the Crown Prince was the most handsome of them all; the Fifth Prince had a gentle demeanor. But why did this Junzhu set her sights on the not-so-good-looking Ying Wang?
Even if it's a matter of personal preference, it doesn't concern her much, and she doesn't like to meddle in other people's business. But as for her marriage with Ying Wang, it didn't even pass the discussion stage. Just who was she insulting by saying that she wanted to marry Ying Wang?
She thought the other party came to find her to settle the score for the embarrassing incident at the plum banquet. She didn't expect it to be about stealing a man.
Poor thing. Such a pretty girl, she not only lacks intelligence but also has poor taste. She's really living a difficult life.
"I'm straightforward and don't like hiding things. I'll just say what I have to say," Jiamin Junzhu said, "A delicate and useless woman like you is not worthy of Ying Wang."
"Has Junzhu ever met the Emperor?" Hua Liuli asked in response.
"What do you mean? My mother is Princess Shunan, the Emperor's sister. Naturally, I often meet the Emperor," Jiamin Junzhu said somewhat proudly.
"In that case, the Emperor treats you with great magnanimity," Hua Liuli smiled sweetly, "Junzhu, you speak so bluntly and act without scruples, yet you never offended the Emperor. It's truly rare to see such a wise ruler."
"You're talking nonsense! Our entire family is loyal to the Emperor and would never show any disrespect."
"I've misunderstood then," Hua Liuli smiled, her eyes bending, "So Junzhu is not someone who lacks manners," Saying that she's straightforward was just an excuse for being bossy and bullying the weak.
How can a weak woman like her bear it?
"Are you deliberately mocking me?!" Jiamin Junzhu was enraged.
Hua Liuli widened her eyes in disbelief, "Junzhu, how could you think that?"
"I'm young and have had poor health since I was little. I rarely have a chance to interact with outsiders. If I said something wrong, please don't take it to heart," Hua Liuli covered her mouth and chuckled, "I heard that Ying Wang is straightforward and imposing. He must also like girls who are as straightforward as him, right?"
"Hua Liuli, don't think I won't hit a woman!" Jiamin Junzhu, who never liked weak and fragile women who would fall with a gentle breeze, never expected that there could be someone as annoying as Hua Liuli in the world. Every word, every action, and even a smile could provoke her fiery temper.
She felt like the words "If you have the ability, come and hit me" were written all over the other person's body, making her head buzz with irritation.
"What are you doing?" Ying Wang walked in from a side door of the palace.
Jiamin Junzhu, who didn't have time to conceal her anger, looked at Ying Wang and then looked at Hua Liuli, who had an "I'm innocent, but I won't say it" look on her face. For the first time, she realized what a truly despicable person Hua Xianzhu was.
Krish728
Author's Note:
Hua Liuli: You can scold me, but you can't insult my taste in men. Helpless and fragile as I am, I remain pure and harmless today~
Jiamin Junzhu: Ugh, bleh!
Translator's Note:
I will be using blue color for the pinyin words from now on.
Hua Liuli, enveloped by sympathetic gazes, adapted with grace. From a young age, she had grown accustomed to being regarded in such a manner by countless people.
Before she arrived in the capital, her mother had mentioned certain rumors circulating within the palace. Around twenty-one years ago, three concubines in the palace became pregnant within the same month. At some point, a baseless rumor emerged in the harem, proclaiming that if any of them were to give birth to the Emperor's firstborn son, the Emperor would bestow upon him the title of the Crown Prince.
It remained unclear whether these three concubines believed in such unfounded rumors. After all, Ying Wang and Ning Wang were born on the same day and at the same hour, while the Crown Prince was born seven days later.
Hua Liuli found such rumors highly dubious and anyone with a discerning mind would not believe them. The current Emperor was not a feeble-minded ruler who would hastily declare a newborn infant as the Crown Prince.
In less than five minutes, she could discern that the two brothers did not share a harmonious relationship. Ying Wang, unwilling yet restraining himself, resembled a sparrow yearning to challenge an eagle.
Ambitious but lacking in ability, desiring to strike down the eagle with a single claw.
She stopped reaching for the pastries. Eating too much made her feel a bit stuffed.
In the eyes of others, it seemed as though the Crown Prince's intervention had alleviated Hua Xianzhu's fear, hence her decision not to partake in the pastries.
"Xianzhu, have some water," Yuan Yi anxiously handed a cup of lukewarm water to Hua Liuli. The two of them, master and servant, appeared as pitiful souls being mistreated, daring to be indignant yet unable to voice their grievances.
Ying Wang: "..."
Although he had done nothing, why did he appear to be an irredeemable villain in the presence of these two?
"Xianzhu, please do not misunderstand. Benwang came here today solely to offer my apologies," Ying Wang's inherently bad temper dissipated entirely as he looked at Hua Liuli's timid eyes, "Please take care of yourself. Once the Ministry of Justice punishes the culprit, Benwang shall visit you again."
With that, he turned to the Crown Prince, "Crown Prince, I have urgent matters to attend to. Farewell."
The Crown Prince made no attempt to detain him, "Oh, take your leave."
"Where are you going?" The Empress Dowager said as she entered, accompanied by several palace maids bearing trays, "Since you're already here, stay and partake in a meal with me."
Hua Liuli rose from her seat and supported the Empress Dowager as they walked inward.
"This Grieving One had just instructed someone to summon you to the side hall, yet unexpectedly, here you are," the Empress Dowager grasped Hua Liuli's hand. "Xiuniang has just delivered the clothes I had her make. They are all for you. Go and try one on."
Ying Wang observed the brightly colored garments carried by the palace maids and an inexplicable headache befell him. However, in the presence of the Empress Dowager, he had to be cautious and appeasing, thus he stood by her side with a forced smile, pretending not to be impatient.
"This set in light water pink is splendid. Pair it with a white cape, and Hua Xianzhu shall be the most resplendent young lady in the entire harem," the Crown Prince glanced over the array of clothes, "Imperial Grandmother, why are there none for me this time?"
"What do you lack in your Eastern Palace?" The Empress Dowager held onto Hua Liuli, "Furthermore, you boys are not as endearing as the young girls. Using these fabrics on you is merely a waste."
"Liuli, don't you agree?" After berating her grandson, the Empress Dowager sought an alliance.
"You are correct," Hua Liuli swiftly took her position, joining the Empress Dowager's faction without hesitation.
At this moment, she caught sight of the plate of pastries on the tea table, of which she had devoured more than half.
Suddenly, she covered her stomach, making her smile even paler and her demeanor even weaker. It was crucial to convey an aura of "though I am frail, I will strive to be strong".
Ying Wang noticed Hua Liuli's actions and suddenly felt a pang of regret. If she wasn't Hua Yingting's daughter, it seemed that marrying her wouldn't be such a bad idea.
"Come, choose one to change into first, and this Grieving One will have the maids deliver the others to your chambers," The Empress Dowager was adamant about dressing up Hua Liuli. In Shoukang Palace, she changed her attire twice a day, and the Empress Dowager still felt it wasn't enough.
Hua Liuli gladly accompanied the Empress Dowager in her indulgence and began selecting her garments.
After examining all the clothes, she chose the one mentioned by the Crown Prince. Although she held little hope for a man's taste, at times like this, she still had to preserve the Crown Prince's dignity.
It's probably because she doesn't like Ying Wang very much, and Ying Wang doesn't get along well with the Crown Prince. The mentality of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" doesn't require rational evaluation.
Seeing Hua Liuli carefully go through the clothes over and over, yet finally settling on the one he had mentioned, the Crown Prince felt a subtle sense of accomplishment. This little girl from the Hua family is truly likable.
Ying Wang thought that the ugliest among the pile of clothes was the light water-pink dress. It didn't have beautiful embroidered flowers or embellishments of pearls and jade, and even the color wasn't vibrant enough.
He glanced at the Crown Prince and thought: Why did you suggest if your taste is bad?
However, when Hua Liuli came out after changing her clothes, Ying Wang thought again that the Hua family's daughter was truly beautiful. Even in such an ugly dress, she still looked so good in it.
But if she could change into a dress embroidered with hundreds of flowers, she would definitely look even more beautiful.
In terms of aesthetics, Ying Wang had always had confidence in his own taste.
With the Empress Dowager present, Ying Wang and the Crown Prince managed to maintain a friendly brotherly atmosphere and finished their meal. However, after that day, Hua Liuli never saw the Crown Prince or Ying Wang again.
The princes would visit the Empress Dowager to pay their respects every three to five days before attending court. But at that time, she was still "recuperating" in bed. By the time she got out of bed, the princes had already gone to court.
She felt that the reason the Empress Dowager took a nap every afternoon was because she had to wake up early in the morning every day to receive their respects.
Being an Empress Dowager was not easy. Even as the most respected woman in the palace, she had rules to abide by and couldn't violate them.
In the blink of an eye, Hua Liuli had spent more than ten days in Shoukang Palace. The Empress Dowager was worried that she would be confined to Shoukang Palace every day and might have health issues, so she let her go out for a walk on a sunny day.
"After a meal, take a hundred steps to live to a ripe old age," The Empress Dowager lectured Hua Liuli with a smiling face, then turned around and contentedly lay down on the phoenix bed for a nap.
Hua Liuli: "..."
When the imperial family displays double standards, they are not at all subtle.
The winter sun had little warmth on her body. As Hua Liuli walked on the palace path, she looked up at the tall palace walls and stopped in her tracks.
"Xianzhu, what are you looking at?" Yuan Yi hurriedly approached when Hua Liuli stopped and stood beside her.
"I'm looking at how high the walls are."
"No matter how high the walls are on the inside, they're useless," Yuan Yi whispered in her ear, "I've seen them before. Although these walls look high, they're not thick enough. They can be pierced with heavy crossbows."
"The sturdiest walls are the ones outside the palace. They can't be broken through by external force. To attack, someone inside and outside must collaborate," Yuan Yi explained seriously, "And attacking through the main gate is useless. There's an escape passage on the northwest side. It's risky, and regardless of success or failure, it's bad for reputation."
Hua Liuli pondered with her hand on her chin. After a while, she turned to Yuan Yi, "If someone overhears our conversation, will they think we have ulterior motives against the palace?"
Yuan Yi: "..."
Wasn’t this habit learned from following Xianzhu as they protected the border?
"Ahem," Hua Liuli dry coughed, clutching her chest, and said, "Today is still a weak day for me."
"Xianzhu, you're weak. Let me support you," The master and servant withdrew their gaze from the city wall, pretending that their conversation never happened.
"Hua Xianzhu, stop."
Hua Liuli looked at Yuan Yi: This voice sounds somewhat familiar?
Yuan Yi shook her head: Just by the tone, it doesn't seem friendly.
Both of them turned around simultaneously and looked at Jiamin Junzhu who was walking briskly towards them.
"Greetings, Jiamin Junzhu," Hua Liuli smiled at the other party, "I wonder why Junzhu requested me to stop. What important matter is there?"
Jiamin Junzhu: "..."
When did she "request" her to stop?
Jiamin Junzhu was skilled in archery and had a fiery temperament. She quickly walked up to Hua Liuli, leaving her poor maidservants panting behind, too exhausted to complain even a bit.
"Just how much did we walk?" Jiamin Junzhu heard the maidservants panting and said dissatisfiedly, "Why are you so useless?"
Hua Liuli: Wow, this straightforward Junzhu has learned how to scold someone indirectly. She's making progress!
The little maidservants dared not speak and lowered their heads, letting Jiamin Junzhu scold them.
"Go back and practice horseback archery. It infuriates me to see you all like this," Jiamin Junzhu scolded the maidservants and then turned to Hua Liuli, saying, "Hua Xianzhu, I didn't mean to offend you."
Hua Liuli showed a gentle smile as if saying, "I understand."
"I came to see you today to give you a few words of advice," Jiamin Junzhu got straight to the point, "Empress Dowager will never let you marry Ying Wang. Don't have any illusions."
Hua Liuli's expression froze for a moment, and she asked, "What does Junzhu mean?"
Among the four princes she had met; the Crown Prince was the most handsome of them all; the Fifth Prince had a gentle demeanor. But why did this Junzhu set her sights on the not-so-good-looking Ying Wang?
Even if it's a matter of personal preference, it doesn't concern her much, and she doesn't like to meddle in other people's business. But as for her marriage with Ying Wang, it didn't even pass the discussion stage. Just who was she insulting by saying that she wanted to marry Ying Wang?
She thought the other party came to find her to settle the score for the embarrassing incident at the plum banquet. She didn't expect it to be about stealing a man.
Poor thing. Such a pretty girl, she not only lacks intelligence but also has poor taste. She's really living a difficult life.
"I'm straightforward and don't like hiding things. I'll just say what I have to say," Jiamin Junzhu said, "A delicate and useless woman like you is not worthy of Ying Wang."
"Has Junzhu ever met the Emperor?" Hua Liuli asked in response.
"What do you mean? My mother is Princess Shunan, the Emperor's sister. Naturally, I often meet the Emperor," Jiamin Junzhu said somewhat proudly.
"In that case, the Emperor treats you with great magnanimity," Hua Liuli smiled sweetly, "Junzhu, you speak so bluntly and act without scruples, yet you never offended the Emperor. It's truly rare to see such a wise ruler."
"You're talking nonsense! Our entire family is loyal to the Emperor and would never show any disrespect."
"I've misunderstood then," Hua Liuli smiled, her eyes bending, "So Junzhu is not someone who lacks manners," Saying that she's straightforward was just an excuse for being bossy and bullying the weak.
How can a weak woman like her bear it?
"Are you deliberately mocking me?!" Jiamin Junzhu was enraged.
Hua Liuli widened her eyes in disbelief, "Junzhu, how could you think that?"
"I'm young and have had poor health since I was little. I rarely have a chance to interact with outsiders. If I said something wrong, please don't take it to heart," Hua Liuli covered her mouth and chuckled, "I heard that Ying Wang is straightforward and imposing. He must also like girls who are as straightforward as him, right?"
"Hua Liuli, don't think I won't hit a woman!" Jiamin Junzhu, who never liked weak and fragile women who would fall with a gentle breeze, never expected that there could be someone as annoying as Hua Liuli in the world. Every word, every action, and even a smile could provoke her fiery temper.
She felt like the words "If you have the ability, come and hit me" were written all over the other person's body, making her head buzz with irritation.
"What are you doing?" Ying Wang walked in from a side door of the palace.
Jiamin Junzhu, who didn't have time to conceal her anger, looked at Ying Wang and then looked at Hua Liuli, who had an "I'm innocent, but I won't say it" look on her face. For the first time, she realized what a truly despicable person Hua Xianzhu was.
Krish728
Author's Note:
Hua Liuli: You can scold me, but you can't insult my taste in men. Helpless and fragile as I am, I remain pure and harmless today~
Jiamin Junzhu: Ugh, bleh!
Translator's Note:
I will be using blue color for the pinyin words from now on.
