Volume One, Chapter Four: She Calls the Shots

Page 1/3

Hua Zhiyu changed into a lotus-colored yunjian (cloud shoulder) and mamen skirt. Around the yunjian was a circle of dark sea purple beads entwined with silver thread, complementing her smile that blossomed like a flower, gentle and jade-like.

Many people gathered in the courtyard, their praises endless.

Soon, someone from the front yard came to inform them. Amidst the chorus of admiration, Qi Feirou took Hua Zhiyu’s hand and said, “Quick, the imperial edict has arrived at the gate. Your father has sent someone to summon you to receive it.”

Everyone knew this edict was to grant Hua Zhiyu the title of County Lady, so the crowd eagerly followed her outside.

Hua Zhiyu was surrounded and led to the very front center, finally seeing the eunuch who came to deliver the decree. She stepped forward with graceful lotus-like steps and knelt behind the Marquis of Chang’an. The eunuch began to announce the edict, which echoed what everyone had already heard: after the emperor’s praise of Hua Zhiyu, she was bestowed the title of County Lady.

Though she received no fief or income, it was still an immense honor.

Amid the admiring and envious gazes, Hua Zhiyu accepted the decree and offered thanks. After sending off the eunuch, the onlookers immediately stepped forward to congratulate her, their mouths full of auspicious words.

Qi Feirou led Hua Zhiyu, showing great dignity as they courteously responded to the well-wishers, exchanging mutual compliments.

Qi Feirou was radiant with joy, pride shining in her eyes and honor lighting her face. Zhiyu truly brought her great prestige.

Unlike Changle, who only angered or troubled her, just the thought of her was infuriating.

Changle stood beneath the corridor, holding a plate of melon seeds, watching the spectacle like a spectator.

“Changle, finally found you,” Feng Linlang said, dressed in a narrow-sleeved red robe. Leaning on the railing of the corridor, she didn’t take the stairs but gracefully flipped herself into the corridor, casually reaching out to grab a handful of melon seeds from Changle’s plate.

“I went to your place to look for you. Rin Dong said you returned to the Marquis’s residence; that’s when I learned your mother went after you again yesterday, bringing bad luck.”

“Look at how proud Hua Zhiyu is. It’s just a title of County Lady—no fief, no income. I don’t see what she’s so proud about.”

Changle spit out a melon seed shell. “Weren’t you out riding before? How come you’re here now?”

“Today is your birthday; of course I have to come back and celebrate with you,” Feng Linlang said matter-of-factly.

Indeed.

Every year on her birthday, Linlang never failed to be present.

In recent years, Linlang was the only one who remembered her birthday, always taking a whole day to accompany her for food, drink, and merriment.

Changle thought this over and smiled faintly.

Page 2/3

Feng Linlang looked at her, lowering her voice to ask, “Changle, are you still having trouble with the Third Prince?”

“I’m telling you, he’s already changed his heart. He’s a scoundrel, not worthy of you at all. Don’t hang yourself on his crooked neck anymore.”

Changle said nothing.

She knew very well that Wei Shuye had changed his feelings.

Wei Shuye was straightforward and passionate; his likes and dislikes were always clear and never concealed.

When he once liked and cared for her, he would have gladly held her on the tip of his heart and proclaimed it to the world. Now that he liked Lin Xinyan, it was the same.

Changle knew Wei Shuye well and naturally understood this, yet she remained unwilling.

Unwilling to see her feelings so trampled upon.

Even if she no longer loved Wei Shuye now, she wanted to be the one to end their relationship—not him.

“Eh? Who is that woman standing next to Hua Zhiyu? I’ve never seen her before.”

Following Linlang’s words, Changle saw Lin Xinyan standing beside Hua Zhiyu, speaking quietly with her, though she hadn’t noticed when she arrived.

Naturally, Lin Xinyan had no right to attend the Marquis of Chang’an’s banquet in her current status.

So how did she get in?

Did Wei Shuye bring her?

“Zhiyu, she’s looking over here,” Lin Xinyan pinched her fingertips, a flicker of nervousness and panic crossing her eyes.

Hua Changle’s arrogant and overbearing reputation was well known throughout Shengdu. Anyone who offended her—whether commoner or noble—could expect to be whipped without mercy.

Lin Xinyan was no longer like when she first came into this world, believing she was a modern woman with unique ideas destined to shine.

She had gradually come to understand the hierarchical nature of the world’s elite class. To survive well and rise above others, she had to grasp certain things.

Hua Zhiyu whispered a few words with her close confidante nearby, covering her mouth as she smiled softly, then flicked her eyes toward Changle. In a gentle voice, she said to Lin Xinyan, “Xinyan, you are my friend, and Changle is my sister. You should apologize properly to her. I’m sure she will forgive you.”

“Zhiyu, does Miss Lin have a grievance with Hua Changle?” a noblewoman nearby interjected.

Page 3/3

Hua Zhiyu sighed lightly, “It’s not really a grievance. It’s just that Xinyan accidentally bumped into Changle’s carriage on the road. You all know Changle’s temper…”

“Well, Changle is still young. It’s natural to be a little temperamental. Xinyan just needs to apologize properly and it will be fine.”

“Why should she? Hua Changle is willful, arrogant, and overbearing. She never respects anyone. No matter how tolerant and humble you are toward her, she never shows you a kind face.”

“If you ask me, if it weren’t for her betrothal to the Third Prince, would she dare to be so arrogant?”

“She has neither talent nor virtue. If it weren’t for that face, why would the Third Prince even look at her?”

“Ayuan, Changle is my sister. If you speak of her like that, it puts me in a difficult position,” Hua Zhiyu said with a troubled expression.

“Zhiyu, you are just too kind. If you ask me, you deserve to be the Third Prince’s consort as well.”

“Ayuan, the Third Prince is Changle’s fiancé, and Changle is my sister. You must never say such things again, or I will never speak to you again,” Hua Zhiyu’s expression turned serious instantly.

“All right, all right. I said the wrong thing. Our Zhiyu is so outstanding; she deserves an even more exceptional man. Someone like Prince Xuan—a man of divine grace.”

“How annoying, you’re talking nonsense again. I’m not talking to you anymore,” Hua Zhiyu blushed, thinking of the man she once glimpsed in passing, a look of longing flashing in her eyes.

A man worthy of Hua Zhiyu must naturally be the most noble and breathtaking in the world.

Hua Zhiyu concealed the expression in her eyes and spoke softly, “Xinyan, come on, I’ll take you over to apologize to Changle.”

Lin Xinyan nodded, nervously fiddling with her fingers as she followed Hua Zhiyu.

Hua Zhiyu glanced at Xinyan’s tightly clenched fingers and whispered, “You don’t need to be too nervous. This is the front courtyard. The Third Prince is watching you from under the corridor over there. If anything happens, he will surely protect you.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Xinyan turned to look toward the corridor on her right. Sure enough, Wei Shuye was watching them closely. She breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Feng Linlang, seeing Hua Zhiyu walk this way, immediately darkened her face. “That annoying pest is coming over to cause trouble again.”

Changle paid little attention and handed Feng Linlang the fruit plate with melon seeds. “Linlang, did you bring a dagger today?”