Chapter Four: The Story of Zhen Huan, Summer, Winter, and Spring
The belated Xia Dongchun saw everyone as kind-hearted. Seeing how politely the maid treated her, she chattered nonstop along the way, spilling every detail about herself.
She spoke of being the only daughter of a banner officer’s household, the number of family members, how she overslept that day—she might as well have revealed her house number.
Finally, under the maid’s increasingly gentle yet weary expression, Xia Dongchun turned and left.
Of course, Xia Dongchun wasn’t just talking without listening; within the short walk, she felt they had become close across generations, knowing the other’s name, age, and even which palace she belonged to.
“Goodbye, Aunt Zhuhuai,” she said, then turned and ran inside.
Behind her, the maid’s frown deepened. She had once been a close attendant to Empress Chunyuan, unlike Fang Ruo, who served the Empress Dowager. She had been sent by the then Consort De.
She looked on coldly. The famed Empress Chunyuan of the capital was truly a perfect woman—breathtakingly beautiful, unmatched in all arts, with cunning, strategy, and vision rivaling anyone.
More importantly, she was a woman devoted to her family. Under their pressure, she sacrificed her marriage and reputation to secure the position of the primary consort.
In the end, when she learned she could not bear children and never would, she struck a deal with the then Fourth Prince, now the Emperor—trading one life for two, allowing Yixiu to ascend.
After all, Yixiu could still bear sons, and this deepened their subsequent ‘unwavering love.’ By then, the political situation had reached a boiling point. The Fourth Prince still needed to maintain this facade, even using it as an excuse to feign retirement and return to farming.
Of course, the current Emperor was ruthless. On their wedding night, they began unveiling each other’s masks. Later, their schemes and cooperation fooled Emperor Kangxi and his brothers completely, lowering the Crown Prince’s guard against the Fourth Prince entirely.
As Zhuhuai walked back, her mind stirred with memories of that grand drama. That woman was the most formidable young lady she had ever met. And this one today—though more beautiful—so pure, truly unsuited to the Forbidden City.
“Ah!”
~
Meanwhile, Xia Dongchun, unaware of the grand play her presence had recalled in the aunt’s mind, stepped into a courtyard blossoming with fresh buds. She swayed left and right like a proud little peacock.
Having lived under strict control for over a decade, though doted on by her mother, the young lady of the Xia family in the inner chambers had mostly kept to herself. Today, finally stepping out openly, she wanted to spread her fan and show off her dazzling beauty to anyone she met.
In truth, she succeeded. Her beauty astonished nearly everyone present, including the palace tea maids.
Among them stood Zhen Huan, calmly chatting with her close friends. At that moment, she had just said, “I only wish I hadn’t been selected. Yet, to flatter my rival Shen Meizhuang, I said, ‘Sister will surely be chosen.’”
The two exchanged compliments, but when hearing occasional gasps around them, they instinctively looked up.
Suddenly, a hush fell over them.
No one knew who felt more awkward.
Especially Zhen Huan, whose cheeks burned fiercely. Originally, she had come with a mindset that she might or might not be chosen. Of course, this faint hope was based on her secret belief she was exceptional and would be selected.
After all, she thought, what one desires is never truly good. She preferred the forbidden fruit, the things she did not want but was forced to accept.
Especially when that desire was something all women longed for but could never have.
Yet now... she was slapped in the face by reality.
It turned out there were always higher heavens and greater people.
After recovering, Shen Meizhuang grabbed Zhen Huan’s hand and couldn’t help but say, “Whose young lady is this? Truly a celestial being descended—so exquisite and beautiful, unmatched by anyone.”