The twenty-sixth day of the sixth month was an auspicious day for travel.

All the people of the capital came to see off Emperor Delong on his journey.

Emperor Delong was going to Qinghe Palace, accompanied by ministers, imperial concubines, princesses, princes, and others in a grand procession that stretched beyond sight.

The Empress and Crown Prince remained behind to guard the capital. Emperor Delong’s trip would last at least a month, possibly several months. Imperial Consort De, Lianpin, and Kangpin all accompanied him.

As an unmarried lady, Qin Shuying couldn’t travel alone and was assigned to accompany the Xu family. After all, the Xu family was related to the Qin family by marriage.

Xu Minyi held a high official position and was part of the entourage. His wife, Madam Mao, could accompany him, and Madam Mao brought Xu Peiwei along.

This arrangement came from above—neither Qin Shuying nor Madam Mao could refuse.

After the incident at Dongyin Temple, Xu Peiwei had become suicidal and fallen seriously ill. Madam Mao had been busy with her daughter’s affairs and hadn’t had time to trouble Qin Shuying.

Later, she had visited the Qin manor once, but by then Xu Shi had been confined to her quarters. Following Qin Yongtao’s instructions, Dong Shi hadn’t brought the young ladies out to meet her. Therefore, today was the first time Madam Mao had seen Qin Shuying in several months.

After these months apart, in Madam Mao’s eyes, Qin Shuying had grown taller and developed an even more graceful and delicate figure, with smooth, fine skin like a peeled egg.

In any case, Qin Shuying’s beauty made Madam Mao’s eyes turn red with envy.

This was because her own daughter, though recovered from her serious illness and with improved complexion, had lifeless eyes and was perpetually melancholy.

Without comparison, there would be no harm. As soon as Qin Shuying boarded the carriage, Madam Mao couldn’t hold back and snorted: “Seventh Girl certainly has good methods, to receive an imperial marriage from His Majesty!”

Such sarcastic words wouldn’t actually harm anyone. Qin Shuying merely smiled and curtsied: “Madam Xu flatters me.”

Madam Mao noticed that Qin Shuying addressed her as Madam Xu and coldly laughed again. Previously, she had always followed Qin Yunyun in calling her maternal aunt.

“Now that you’ve gained status, you’ve become more formal with etiquette.”

Qin Shuying ignored Madam Mao’s cold mockery and said cheerfully to Xu Peiwei: “Cousin Wei.”

Xu Peiwei looked at her with eyes that could only be described as filled with bone-deep hatred, barely restraining herself from clawing at Qin Shuying’s face. However, remembering her father’s words, Xu Peiwei held herself back.

The Xu family’s womenfolk could only be positioned in the rear section of the procession. Therefore, Emperor Delong’s imperial carriage had departed an hour before the Xu family’s carriages began moving.

The journey remained peaceful throughout, though Madam Mao frequently mocked Qin Shuying, who paid no attention. Xu Peiwei sometimes closed her eyes to rest, sometimes also made snide remarks at Qin Shuying, but these were mostly trivial matters.

Qinghe Palace was two hundred li from the capital. Under normal circumstances, the journey would take just over a day. However, with so many people and the hot weather, it took a full three days to arrive.

Moreover, many maids and servants had to occasionally take turns getting off the carriages to walk alongside them. Without good physical strength, one simply couldn’t endure it. Ziteng, who had always been required by Qin Shuying to exercise regularly, was still exhausted under the scorching sun.

The ladies suffered in the covered carriages. Some couldn’t bear the bumpy journey and suffered from heatstroke or illness—all sorts of conditions arose.

Therefore, some people were sent back halfway through the journey.

Upon reaching Qinghe Palace, they rested for a full half day before the ladies recovered their spirits.

The next morning, the atmosphere in the palace was lively. Everyone had recovered their energy and began visiting each other. Imperial Consort De had given permission, creating an atmosphere of joy and laughter.

Although Emperor Delong would stay at the palace for quite some time, the ladies might not, especially the wives and daughters of ministers. The ministers’ families could come only by imperial grace and would stay at most ten days before returning, unless a particular lady gained the favor of an imperial concubine or princess and could remain as a companion.

Therefore, the ladies particularly treasured this opportunity. This was also why Madam Mao wouldn’t do anything to Qin Shuying—if something happened to Qin Shuying, Madam Mao would also face consequences. Madam Mao and her daughter would certainly be sent back along with Qin Shuying.

Qinghe Palace was extraordinarily vast. Its overall layout cleverly utilized the terrain, following the natural contours of the mountains with clearly defined sections and rich scenery. It also integrated the architectural essence of both northern and southern styles. The buildings within the garden were not large in scale, with halls and walls mostly using blue bricks, gray tiles, and natural wood colors—elegant and dignified, simple and appropriate.

Even if the ladies were to tour it, they couldn’t finish in two days. However, the areas where the ladies resided were sectioned off.

The front palace was where Emperor Delong conducted government affairs and received ministers and envoys. Ladies were absolutely forbidden from entering—even imperial concubines were strictly prohibited.

Only the rear palace was where the ladies could move about.

The rear palace had crystal-clear lake water, exquisitely beautiful pavilions and towers, spacious green riding grounds, forests of towering ancient trees, and gardens with competing flowers in brilliant colors…

Therefore, upon opening the door and seeing the azure sky and magnificent scenery outside, even Xu Peiwei smiled, her melancholy mood of recent days completely swept away: “Mother, how beautiful!”

Soon, palace maids came to relay a message: after the ladies finished breakfast in their quarters, they should go to Yanbo Mountain Pavilion, where Imperial Consort De would host a grand Lotus Fragrance gathering.

The building where Qin Shuying stayed housed not only Madam Mao and her daughter and Qin Shuying, but also other ladies. Everyone was excited. After finishing their preparations, they headed toward Yanbo Mountain Pavilion in small groups.

Before getting off the carriage, Madam Mao had already told Qin Shuying that once they reached the palace, everyone would mind their own business. Therefore, Qin Shuying waited until most of the ladies had left before slowly making her way to Yanbo Mountain Pavilion with Ziteng.

Ziteng was in an unprecedentedly good mood: “Sister, your being able to come along must be thanks to Young Master Liang.”

Qin Shuying smiled silently to herself. If not for him, then it was Princess Yongjia.

Yanbo Mountain Pavilion was built on a clearing by the water—a four-story building made of precious wood. The structure was exquisite, with towering ancient trees nearby, making it an ideal place to escape the summer heat.

Standing before the building, one could see layers upon layers of lotus flowers in the lake—yellow, pink, white, and red, swaying gracefully in breathtaking beauty. “Endless green lotus leaves reaching to the sky, lotus flowers reflecting the sun in their unique red”—these lines were perfectly suited to this scene.

Noble ladies and young ladies stood before the building pointing and commenting. With gentle breezes caressing their faces and subtle lotus fragrance in the air, everyone’s face showed happy smiles.

Most remarkably, the lotus flowers stretched for several li, extending beyond sight.

Such scenery could never be seen in the mansions of the capital.

The clearing in front of the building by the water formed a natural performance stage that required no construction for musical performances. With towering ancient trees nearby, there was no fear of the scorching sun. At this time, it wasn’t yet time for the event, and Imperial Consort De was upstairs with her retinue enjoying the view.

Madam Mao and others of insufficient status waited downstairs while admiring the scenery.

Lin Zilan had also come, but since everyone’s accommodations were somewhat far apart, Qin Shuying searched for Lin Zilan in the crowd.

Suddenly, a palace maid called out to the crowd: “Seventh Miss Qin, who is Seventh Miss Qin?”