No matter what kind of storms arose in the capital of Dingjing, or what undercurrents surged beneath, the surface always appeared peaceful and prosperous. The annual Chrysanthemum Banquet was approaching, and since the validation at Guangwen Hall happened to be scheduled not long after the Chrysanthemum Banquet, this year they were simply held together.

Unlike previous years, this arrangement transformed the validation into a grand feast in public view, attended by noble families.

Early in the morning, Old Madam Shen sent her senior maid Xi’er to the west courtyard, saying she had invited tailors to make clothes for the Chrysanthemum Banquet and asked Shen Miao to come select fabrics.

Shen Miao nodded in agreement.

In previous validations, Shen Miao would wear whatever was convenient, as she was always at the bottom of the list. Wearing something too eye-catching would only invite ridicule. But now that the validation and Chrysanthemum Banquet were combined, it would be inappropriate not to have new clothes made.

At the Chrysanthemum Banquet, the wives of various officials would be present, most of them coming to look for potential daughters-in-law. Therefore, every family with daughters would attend in full finery, hoping their daughters would look as beautiful as possible. Although Old Madam Shen disliked the first branch of the family, she still needed to maintain appearances. Moreover, Old Madam Shen was a person who only cared about her interests. If she could exchange Shen Miao for a marriage alliance that would support her, she wouldn’t hesitate to sell her off.

Bailu seemed somewhat excited as she accompanied Shen Miao toward Rongjing Hall, saying, “I didn’t expect the Chrysanthemum Banquet to arrive so quickly. Miss loves the Chrysanthemum Banquet the most, don’t you? There will be flowers to appreciate.”

Shen Miao did enjoy the Chrysanthemum Banquet, but not for the flowers. At such banquets, she was always subtly isolated. While this was partly due to Shen Yue and Shen Qing’s instigation, her own foolish and dull personality contributed as well. She often dressed inappropriately and was mocked behind her back without realizing it.

She loved the Chrysanthemum Banquet only because of Fu Xiuyi.

At the Chrysanthemum Banquet a year ago, Fu Xiuyi had been present. That day, she had again been mocked and isolated. The chrysanthemum garden was full of brilliant colors, with everyone looking for the reddest and most gorgeous blooms. She had walked to a corner by herself and spotted a white chrysanthemum in the distance.

White chrysanthemums were typically used for funerals and were naturally unpopular. Moreover, this chrysanthemum looked particularly miserable. Some of its petals had fallen, perhaps beaten by rain or blown by wind. It bloomed lonelily in a corner, unnoticed by anyone.

Perhaps feeling a sense of kindred spirits, Shen Miao felt that she and the flower were very much alike—lonely and unnoticed, a pitiful little thing. Just as she was sighing with these thoughts, she saw a well-dressed man approach the chrysanthemum.

He reached out to lift the flower stem, gently caressing the petals with his hand. Someone beside him asked, “Ninth Brother, this flower looks so miserable, what’s there to admire?”

The well-dressed man smiled and said, “I pity its fragile and helpless state.”

It was this single phrase, “I pity its fragile and helpless state,” that sparked Shen Miao’s affection for the man. When he turned around, she was further captivated by his handsome and elegant appearance.

Later, Shen Miao learned from the ladies that the man was the Ninth Prince, Prince Ding Fu Xiuyi, son of the current Emperor.

Perhaps youthful infatuation is always irrational. Fu Xiuyi’s words were clearly about the chrysanthemum, but she felt they resonated with her. She thought that such a gentle person would surely cherish her as he cherished the lonely flower if she married him.

Unfortunately, she had been mistaken. Fu Xiuyi cherished delicate flowers, cherished the world, cherished Madam Mei, but he had never cherished her. Everything she had done for him, in his eyes, was merely a “duty” expected of a wife. Those days of mutual respect were just an act that Fu Xiuyi performed while suppressing his disgust.

He hadn’t cherished that chrysanthemum either; it was just a casual remark that she had taken to heart.

“Miss?” Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed that they had arrived at the entrance of Rongjing Hall. Bailu quickly reminded her, and Shen Miao then followed Xi’er inside.

Shen Yuanbai was not present today. Old Madam Shen wore a long blue-white brocade coat. Despite her advanced age, she still chose to wear such a fresh blue color, which made her face look ghostly pale. Yet she remained oblivious to this effect.

Shen Yue and Shen Qing stood beside their respective mothers. The second branch originally had two concubine-born daughters, but Ren Wanyun was too dominant and overbearing. For such banquets, she never allowed concubine-born daughters to attend and steal the spotlight. As for the third branch, Shen Wan had only one official wife, Chen Ruoqiu, and one chamber concubine, so there was no question of concubine-born sons or daughters.

Thus, only the legitimate daughters from each branch received invitations to the Flower Banquet.

Shen Miao paid her respects to Old Madam Shen. Ren Wanyun looked at Shen Miao and smiled, “Little Fifth has arrived. Come quickly to choose your fabric. Limniang will take your measurements shortly.”

Shen Qing said with a grin, “My sister and I have already made our selections. We’ve been waiting for you.”

It was Xi’er who had arrived late, but somehow it seemed like her fault, leaving everyone waiting in Rongjing Hall. Shen Miao couldn’t be bothered to argue and simply walked to the couch where the fabrics were displayed.

Limniang was a middle-aged woman in her thirties. All the new clothes for the Shen household, from top to bottom, were tailored from her shop every year. In her youth, she had learned embroidery skills from palace female officials and was excellent at making beautiful clothes.

Five or six bolts of fabric were spread out before her. A begonia-colored piece and a smoky pink piece had already been selected and set aside, having been chosen by Shen Qing and Shen Yue.

The scene from her previous life was vivid in her memory. At that Chrysanthemum Banquet, Shen Qing had worn a begonia-colored scattered flower cloud skirt, appearing warm and gracious, more beautiful than the flowers themselves. Shen Yue had worn a bright pink dress embroidered with white pear blossoms, looking delicate and pure. She had worn a tender yellow outfit, paired with golden necklaces and jewelry given by Old Madam Shen, making herself look like a joke without realizing it.

That tender yellow fabric was what she had chosen under the persuasion of her aunts and sisters.

Shen Yue spoke up with a smile, “Fifth Sister has fair skin, why not choose that tender yellow fabric? It will make you look lively and adorable, which suits you well.”

Shen Qing also nodded repeatedly, “Indeed, looking at the remaining fabrics, the tender yellow seems to suit Fifth Sister best.”

Chen Ruoqiu smiled silently. Ren Wanyun’s gaze revealed a hint of mockery.

Shen Miao was not skilled at choosing clothes.

With Lady Shen rarely at home, a child without a mother inevitably lacked many advantages. The others in the Shen household all had their ulterior motives, so who would sincerely teach a young girl how to match colors and styles? As a result, Shen Miao would only follow Shen Qing and Shen Yue, choosing whatever they suggested.

For instance, the tender yellow fabric did complement her complexion, but it made her appear too childish and cheap. Combined with those gaudy golden ornaments, she looked like a country landlord’s daughter.

Guyu and the others had tried to persuade her to discard those ornaments, but she had stubbornly refused, eagerly rushing to embarrass herself.

How ridiculous.