Qin Shuying followed Han Dan out of the palace hall and looked up at the sun that had already risen to mid-sky.
The sunlight was bright and illuminated all things, yet her heart was ice-cold.
Such low-level tricks, and Lianpin actually had the nerve to use them.
Han Dan led Qin Shuying out through the back door, and indeed there was a large garden. The early spring scenery was refreshing to the eyes. After walking for a while, they arrived at a greenhouse.
There was a palace maid standing guard there. Han Dan quickly walked over, showed her a token, and whispered something to the palace maid, who then let them pass.
Han Dan then led Qin Shuying inside. Upon entering the greenhouse, the temperature suddenly became somewhat warmer, and various flowers competed in their beauty, creating a magnificent sight.
There were also two gardener women tending to the flowers and plants in the greenhouse. Seeing that only a palace maid and an unfamiliar woman had entered, the gardener women didn’t come over and continued with their own work.
The greenhouse was quite large, divided into several rooms with different flowers in different chambers. Han Dan led Qin Shuying to where the peonies were. At this time, most of the peonies were still in the budding stage, but some had already bloomed magnificently with vibrant colors and complex petals, immediately capturing Qin Shuying’s attention.
Han Dan’s voice wasn’t loud as she introduced: “Seventh Miss, these are Yao Huang and Wei Purple. If you like them, you might pick one or two to pin in your hair—they would certainly make you look delicate and radiant.”
Qin Shuying looked closely and indeed saw that they were Yao Huang and Wei Purple, blooming perfectly.
The Yao Huang flowers were golden yellow, full-bodied and radiant, with a refreshing fragrance. The Wei Purple flowers were purplish-red, richly colored with full petals. The large ones were as big as bowls, the small ones like palms. The yellow, purplish-red, and green colors complemented each other beautifully, creating a breathtaking sight that one couldn’t bear to put down. Unfortunately, since it wasn’t the proper season, the quantity was limited.
While admiring them, Qin Shuying also said in a low voice: “Auntie Han Dan, there are only three blooming plants here in total. If I pick from them, Your Highness would have fewer—that doesn’t seem appropriate.”
Han Dan said: “What’s inappropriate about it? Your Highness has given the order—you just pick them. Besides, Seventh Miss, you can see that there are more about to bloom over there. One or two flowers won’t matter.”
Qin Shuying said: “Then I must thank Your Highness for her kind intention. However, I noticed that small flower over there is also blooming quite beautifully. I’d like to go look at it first, and then come back to pick these.”
Han Dan said: “Those lowly flowers—what’s worth looking at? Seventh Miss, you’re so delicate and beautiful, only these precious peonies are worthy of you.”
Qin Shuying couldn’t help but smile at the flattery: “Auntie, with Your Highness here, how could I be worthy of peonies?”
What young lady doesn’t love peonies? What young lady doesn’t love being praised for her beauty?
Han Dan secretly mocked Qin Shuying’s lack of worldliness in her heart, but said aloud: “Seventh Miss, you’re more beautiful than flowers. You’re at the flower-like age—naturally you’re worthy of them.”
Qin Shuying still didn’t dare to pick any, but obviously liked the Yao Huang very much, continuing to bend down and admire it carefully.
Han Dan reached out with her delicate hand and picked a Yao Huang flower, pinning it in Qin Shuying’s hair.
Han Dan exclaimed softly: “Seventh Miss, this Yao Huang makes your skin appear even more fair and white. Your features are like a painting—you’re more beautiful than the flower. Your Highness will surely be delighted when she sees this!”
Qin Shuying touched her hair ornament, rather bashfully asking: “Really?”
“Of course it’s true. This flower seems to have bloomed just for Seventh Miss—it’s so beautiful!”
Qin Shuying smiled and was naturally very pleased.
“If you don’t believe me, this servant will fetch a bronze mirror for you to see.”
Qin Shuying nodded, both shy and excited: “Thank you for the trouble, Auntie.”
Han Dan said: “Seventh Miss, you’re being too much of a stranger. This servant will go and return quickly. Seventh Miss might as well continue looking around.”
“Good.”
Han Dan turned and walked away. Qin Shuying quickly took a few steps forward and called out: “Auntie, please wait a moment.”
Han Dan turned back to look at her. Qin Shuying pointed to her lower skirt and said: “Auntie, your curved hem has gotten muddy. Going into the hall like this might dirty the floor. I noticed that floor was spotlessly clean, not a speck of dust—you could say it could reflect a person’s image.”
Han Dan saw that her skirt hem had indeed gotten a patch of mud with obvious stains. She bent down and patted at it. Qin Shuying also came over, helped pull her skirt open, and helped pat away the mud.
After patting for a while, Qin Shuying saw the mud had been removed and went back to look at the peonies.
Han Dan straightened her skirt, and saw Qin Shuying wearing the Yao Huang flower, bending down to look at the Wei Purple.
There was some regret in Han Dan’s eyes. Speaking of it, this Qin Shuying was charming and lovely. Although somewhat slow-witted, she was innocent and pure, not at all disagreeable.
But who told her to block Your Highness’s path!
Qin Shuying had only been in the greenhouse for a moment when she heard several people’s footsteps approaching from far to near, soon entering the greenhouse.
Qin Shuying wasn’t by the peonies at this time, but had moved to another location where she could clearly see the group that entered. There were three people in total: two palace maids and a beautiful young girl.
The girl wore a goose-yellow dress and was about eleven or twelve years old. She had a peach-blossom complexion, lively eyes, and was very beautiful, dressed in luxurious clothing. She was obviously a frequent visitor to the greenhouse, heading straight for the peony area.
Qin Shuying curved the corners of her lips and lowered her eyelids.
Sure enough, in just a moment, she heard a startled cry: “Yao Huang!”
Then the palace maid called to the gardener women: “Who was here just now and actually picked a Yao Huang flower?”
Needless to say, Qin Shuying was naturally pointed out by the gardener women.
“Who are you? This Yao Huang was reserved by Consort De. Who gave you the audacity to pick it?” The palace maid beside the young girl immediately pinned the crime of flower-picking on Qin Shuying without question.
Qin Shuying recognized the charming and lovely young girl before her. This was Consort De’s daughter, Princess Fuping. Consort De had one son and one daughter—the daughter was Princess Fuping, and the son was the Fifth Prince.
Qin Shuying seemed to be frightened by the angry scolding and didn’t make a sound.
The palace maid understood immediately that this woman actually didn’t recognize the princess, and quickly said: “This is Princess Fuping. Why don’t you pay your respects upon seeing the princess?”
Only then did Qin Shuying seem to come to her senses, saying: “This subject’s daughter greets Princess Fuping.”
Princess Fuping’s expression was calm—she wasn’t angry, but she also didn’t tell this woman who called herself “subject’s daughter” to rise.
Who would have thought that this subject’s daughter wouldn’t wait for permission to rise, and actually stood up on her own.
The palace maid angrily scolded: “What audacity! Her Highness the Princess hasn’t given you permission to rise, yet you dare to stand up!”
But Qin Shuying showed no fear, smiling faintly: “Lianpin said that anyone in this palace who knows I am her sister would give me some courtesy. If Your Highness the Princess makes things difficult for me here, aren’t you afraid that when Lianpin learns of this, it will cause estrangement between her and Consort De? Your Highness, Lianpin and Consort De have always been rivals, and His Highness the Fifth Prince and His Highness the Sixth Prince each have their own plans. But due to Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince, Lianpin and Consort De have always maintained a harmonious facade. Could it be that Your Highness the Princess wants to rapidly intensify this conflict and make the relationship explicit?”