Seventh Madam and Qingluo tidied themselves and slowly made their way to the main hall for the meeting. It was likely to discuss the matter of Qinglei becoming Crown Princess.

Walking into the hall, the whole family had already gathered. Qingluo sat beside Seventh Madam, in the last seat on the right side, listening to the head of the household speak. Chancellor Li cleared his throat twice and began: “On the fifteenth of the eighth month, the Empress is summoning the wives and daughters of officials of the third rank and above to admire the moon, and has specifically stated she wants to see the talents of the young ladies of each family. A’Lei, A’Fei, A’Luo — what do you all think?”

A’Luo was startled — what did it matter what they thought, wasn’t it always up to the one in charge to decide? He held the position of Right Chancellor, had no son to inherit the family business, and was eager to marry off each daughter for the best possible advantage, having planned it all out since childhood — he could simply announce it. What was the point of asking? She couldn’t quite work out what Father Li was really getting at.

She heard Qinglei say lightly: “Father surely doesn’t want his daughter to play the zither again? Eight or nine out of ten daughters from good families can play the zither — I myself would say my skill is about equal to Miss Gu’s. These days the Crown Prince has shown me such favor and affection that perhaps I needn’t play the zither at all this time.”

A smile appeared in Chancellor Li’s eyes — it seemed he too had no intention of having Qinglei play the zither. Clearly the Crown Prince’s affections had already settled on Qinglei, and the Empress was simply displeased that her niece Wang Yanhui hadn’t had the chance to make her appearance before being outshone. Chancellor Li smiled: “For this moon-viewing gathering, the Empress intends to give Miss Yanhui a chance to turn the tables. Whatever contest she arranges surely won’t be something as simple as playing the zither.”

Only then did A’Luo understand — Father Li had already thought this far ahead, and had called this meeting hoping to help Qinglei surpass Wang Yanhui once more, so she could rightfully enter the Eastern Palace.

The First Madam spoke slowly: “I met Wang Yanhui when she was young. She grew up for years in the military camp with her father, Grand Marshal Wang, well-versed in military texts and skilled in troop formations. Back when I was young, I once went with my father to the Wang residence, and while walking alone in the garden admiring the flowers, I suddenly couldn’t find my way back out. Just then, a three-year-old girl came laughing out from under a flowering tree, clapping her hands and saying ‘so the Maze Formation from the book really does work like that!’ I asked her, curious, whether she’d set up a formation in this garden. She giggled and said she’d read about it in a book and tried setting one up just to see. I could hardly believe it — she was only three, and already had such ability.”

Chancellor Li added: “Now Wang Yanhui is seventeen — fourteen years have passed since then. It’s said she’s exceptionally strategic and brilliant, and it seems that’s no exaggeration.”

After hearing this, the hall fell silent. If the Empress had Wang Yanhui devise the scheme for the banquet, it truly wouldn’t be an ordinary gathering. Even Prince Ning might wonder whether the future Crown Princess would be all brawn and strategy but no warmth. After all, once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, the Crown Princess would become the mother of the nation. Even if the Crown Prince favored other consorts, that wouldn’t be difficult to arrange — but a mother of the nation who governs the harem needs to have some real skill to manage it.

Chancellor Li continued: “A’Lei, your zither skills are outstanding, and your poetry is not bad either. We don’t yet know what will be arranged at the banquet — Father is simply reminding you all today to stay alert and be careful in everything.” His gaze shifted to Qingfei and A’Luo: “The two of you are going into the palace this time to help your eldest sister’s efforts succeed. Stay close to your eldest sister, and step in when needed — but do it discreetly, without letting anyone notice! Remember, when one flourishes, all flourish; when one falls, all fall. Father is getting old — the Li family’s hopes now rest entirely on your eldest sister. Understand?”

Everyone answered: “Yes, Father.”

Chancellor Li then asked Qingfei: “A’Fei, Vice Minister Cheng has sent someone to propose marriage, but since your eldest sister hasn’t yet married, it wouldn’t look right for you to marry first. Father thinks it best to wait until your eldest sister’s matter is settled.”

The Fourth Madam quickly answered: “Father is absolutely right. Our family has generations of scholarly reputation — we mustn’t allow such an impropriety.”

A’Luo noticed a spark light up in Qingfei’s eyes, then dim again. She understood that Father Li was using this as leverage.

Chancellor Li laughed: “Vice Minister Cheng said through his go-between that marrying into the Li family would be a great honor for him, and he seemed quite excited — becoming brothers-in-law with the Crown Prince would greatly benefit his career.”

A’Luo thought, well, that made it obvious enough. Even if Qinglei married the Crown Prince, whether Qingfei got to marry Cheng Shiyue as she wished still depended on whether their eldest sister remained in favor.

Chancellor Li then turned with a smile to A’Luo: “A’Luo, you’ll turn thirteen next month. You could also start looking for a match. Come along to broaden your horizons — sooner or later you’ll need to marry into a good family too.”

A’Luo was startled: “Your daughter is still young — I’d like to stay with Father and Mother a few more years.”

Chancellor Li smiled: “Father would be reluctant to part with you too. We can settle the engagement first, and you needn’t actually marry until you turn fifteen.”

A’Luo lowered her head and could only agree.

A’Luo stopped playing her flute in the bamboo grove. For several days in a row, she kept hearing the sound of a flute-like instrument drifting over. She thought about it, but still didn’t play her own flute in response. The mournful quality in that sound gradually deepened. One day she couldn’t resist and climbed over the wall to hide and watch. From a distance, she saw Zili’s somewhat forlorn figure beneath a willow tree. A’Luo felt a pang of reluctance, but still didn’t go over.

After some more days passed, the sound stopped. A’Luo, when she went out again, avoided the riverside. The jade pendant Zili had given her was also set aside.

Qingluo’s thirteenth birthday passed by quickly. She still secretly left the residence and bought two adjoining properties in the southeast part of the city, separated only by a wall, and had someone secretly build a connecting hidden door between them. For the larger property, she hired a steward and bought several servant boys, often appearing as the young master of the house, telling them it was a place for out-of-town merchants visiting Fengcheng to stay. For the smaller one, she hired an honest couple to look after it, and had Nanny Zhang act as the front, explaining it was being prepared for a relative from the south who planned to return to their homeland someday.

Another month passed, and the air turned crisp with autumn. The day of the Empress’s Mid-Autumn banquet arrived.

The entire Li household revolved around Qinglei. What clothes to wear, what jewelry to adorn, what makeup to apply. Chancellor Li instructed that this banquet was no ordinary occasion — she must not appear in plain attire, but also mustn’t be overly gaudy. He specially invited the most famous tailor from Yujin Workshop in Fengcheng to come and make her clothes. It was said that most of the other young ladies had also gone to Yujin Workshop, only to abandon their orders afterward. Just as everyone was growing anxious, the Second, Fifth, and Sixth Madams exchanged a smile and brought out a magnificent gown, saying it was a token of their affection, made by the three of them together.

When they unfolded it, it revealed plum blossoms embroidered in silk thread — Qinglei’s favorite flower — with a tiny ruby set at the heart of each blossom. It wasn’t overly dazzling, but under lamplight it shimmered beautifully. Once Qinglei put it on, she looked elegant and dignified, stunningly beautiful. Chancellor Li was so pleased that he visited the Second, Fifth, and Sixth Madams’ courtyards on separate days to show his appreciation.

The First Madam brought out heirloom jewelry. The Fourth Madam, afraid of being left behind, carefully sketched several hairstyle designs for Qinglei to consider. Seventh Madam smiled and asked A’Luo: “Third child, do you want to look more beautiful than your eldest sister?”

A’Luo waved her hands repeatedly: “I’d rather dress as a maid again and carry her train. Mother, we should do something too, or Father and the other Madams will be displeased.”

Seventh Madam smiled: “Naturally. Mother will do what needs to be done.”

So Seventh Madam personally styled Qinglei’s hair according to the chosen design. Under Seventh Madam’s skilled hands, when Qinglei emerged, everyone in the Li household gasped. This was exactly what an ideal Crown Princess should look like — dignified and elegant, yet not lacking in gentle charm. Qinglei’s small, delicate face radiated a certain glow. A’Luo thought that Qinglei, looking like this, could certainly match the Crown Prince’s bearing. She wondered what Gu Tianlin and Wang Yanhui would look like once dressed up — she was quite curious.

To play the supporting role, neither Qingfei nor A’Luo dressed as elaborately, though to match their status, they too got new clothes and had new jewelry made. A’Luo sat before the mirror and said to Seventh Madam: “Mother, don’t pull my bangs up — just leave it as usual.”

Seventh Madam sighed: “Third child, I really would like to properly dress you up for once.”

A’Luo smiled: “There will be plenty of chances later — just not today. I’m curious too what I’d look like all dressed up, though — I imagine with a mother as beautiful as you, A’Luo wouldn’t turn out too badly either.”

Seventh Madam, feeling playful, said: “Let Mother dress you up, and you can change back after — how about we just see?”

A’Luo laughed: “Have Xiao Yu stand guard at the door, so no one wanders in.” The two exchanged a knowing smile.

A’Luo suddenly remembered her first year at university, going to a dance with classmates — the whole dorm in a busy fuss, borrowing clothes from each other, helping each other with makeup, so lively and fun. Now, some had gone abroad, some had married, all probably doing well. She suddenly thought of her parents — seven years now — they must have adjusted to life without her by now. As she thought about it, tears began to fall. She heard Seventh Madam draw a sharp breath: “Third child, are you crying?”

A’Luo quickly wiped away her tears: “It’s nothing, I just don’t want to go to this banquet but have no choice.” She glanced in the mirror and froze. With her bangs swept up, her smooth forehead was fully revealed, a heart-shaped face stunningly lovely, her large eyes shimmering with light. There was still a hint of youthful innocence about her, yet it was captivating all the same — she couldn’t help reaching out to touch the person in the mirror.

Seventh Madam sighed: “Third child, even now people can’t take their eyes off you — in another couple of years, what then? Being too beautiful isn’t always a good thing.”

A’Luo laughed: “That’s exactly why I keep my bangs down to cover half my face — I don’t want to become some ill-fated beauty who brings disaster upon herself.” She stuck out her tongue. The person in the mirror came alive. A’Luo looked once more, then turned to Seventh Madam: “Mother, let’s change it back.”

Seventh Madam redid her hair and asked: “Third child, what kind of husband do you want to find in the future?”

A’Luo thought about it and said: “At the very least, someone who doesn’t fall for me just because of my face. And then — someone who can protect me, who has only me and no one else, and doesn’t have too many rules. Ah, that’s already asking for a lot — I doubt I’ll find anyone like that here. But honestly, I’m not even thinking about that right now. These days, all I want is to not be threatened by anyone. I’m terrified of dying — people get their heads chopped off at the drop of a hat. What a wretched feudal society!”

Seventh Madam asked, puzzled: “Feudal society? What’s that?”

A’Luo laughed: “Just — this country, everything around us. Something like that.” She thought to herself she shouldn’t let modern terms slip out again — too much trouble to explain.

Once she was properly ready again, A’Luo ate quite a few snacks, and seeing the time was about right, she set off with the First Madam, Qinglei, and Qingfei by carriage toward the imperial palace for the banquet.