The speaker was a young maiden dressed in a golden brocade butterfly skirt, perched atop a snow-white horse with an air of haughtiness. The noble ladies who had been chatting and laughing in small groups immediately fell silent and turned their gazes toward her.
Chu Ruolan instinctively stepped forward, but Chu Ruoyan stopped her. "Princess Jiahui, my younger sister isn’t feeling well today, so she’s only here to observe, not to participate."
"Not participating?" Princess Jiahui curled her lip, looking thoroughly unimpressed. Then she narrowed her eyes at Chu Ruoyan. "You recognize me?"
Chu Ruoyan replied calmly, "Your Highness enjoys His Majesty’s deepest favor. Even if I didn’t recognize you, I could hardly fail to recognize the ‘Moonlit Jade Lion’ beneath you—a gift from the Emperor himself."
The steed was a warhorse tribute from the Northern Rong, the only one of its kind in the capital. Because the young princess adored it, the Emperor had bestowed it upon her.
Princess Jiahui preened at the reminder. Lifting her chin, she said, "You’ve a silver tongue, I see. Since Chu Ruolan won’t compete, I’ve no reason to bother with her. Giddy up!"
With a flick of her whip, the Moonlit Jade Lion shot forward like an arrow, nearly trampling a few stable hands leading other horses. Palace servants scolded the panicked attendants before rushing after the princess.
Chu Ruoxi whispered, "That princess is so domineering..."
Chu Ruoyan thought of the Empress Dowager and Princess Qingping. In the palace, which woman wasn’t domineering in her own way?
Chu Ruoyin fretted, "Thank goodness Eldest Sister managed to send her away. Princess Jiahui clearly had her sights set on Third Sister."
"Let her come! I’m not afraid of her!" Chu Ruolan retorted indignantly.
Just then, Xie Yaozhi and Jiang Yi approached.
"Sister Chu, you must be careful. Before you arrived, Princess Jiahui was challenging everyone to matches. Look—the second daughter of Censor Shi ‘accidentally’ sprained her ankle during their bout and had to leave."
Following their pointed fingers, they saw the young lady from the Shi family lying pale-faced on a stretcher, seething silently.
Chu Ruoyan understood immediately—this was a purge of rivals. Soon, the polo tournament would belong to Princess Jiahui alone.
Chu Ruolan fumed, "And they just let her get away with it?"
Xie Yaozhi sighed. "What else can they do? Haven’t you heard? In two months, Princess Jiahui will be selecting her ladies-in-waiting."
The girls exchanged knowing glances. When a princess chose her attendants, it was merely a matter of her whim. If anyone offended her today, she could summon them into the palace with a single decree. Who could endure daily torment under her thumb?
No wonder so few had come dressed for riding today.
Just then, a matron from the Empress’s palace approached. "Eldest Miss Chu, Her Majesty awaits you inside. Please follow me."
Chu Ruoyan tensed slightly and glanced at Chu Ruoyin, who nodded reassuringly. "Don’t worry, Eldest Sister. I’ll look after the others."
Inside the pavilion by the field, the room was empty save for Empress Pei, seated in full court regalia. She smiled as Chu Ruoyan entered. "Eldest Miss Chu, we meet again."
Chu Ruoyan began to curtsey, but the Empress stopped her. "No need for formalities. Tell me, have you taken a liking to any of the horses? Just name it, and it’s yours."
Chu Ruoyan replied evenly, "Your Majesty is too kind, but I’ve been frail since childhood and am unskilled in riding. I must regretfully decline your generosity."
Empress Pei’s expression darkened instantly. "So you still refuse to aid me?"
Chu Ruoyan knelt. "Your Majesty, it’s not refusal—I simply lack the capability..."
"Chu Ruoyan!"
The Empress’s sharp tone made her attendant gasp, "Your Majesty!"
She seemed to rein in her temper, though her face remained stormy. "Let me speak plainly. If you assist me, any noble son in the capital—save my tenth brother—is yours to choose. For a divorced woman, this is an unparalleled boon."
Yet the kneeling woman remained unmoved.
Empress Pei’s frustration mounted. "If not for yourself, think of your family! Your third sister is of marriageable age, isn’t she? The young Duke, the Marquis’s heir—name one, and I’ll arrange the match myself! And your second sister—doesn’t she wish to join the imperial selection? Promise me your help, and I swear she’ll rise no lower than an Honored Consort. Well?"
Chu Ruoyan’s heart stirred.
In her dreams, her second sister had entered the palace only to cross paths with Prince Qin, entangled in scandal and labeled a seductress.
If the Empress intervened...
After a pause, she said, "Your Majesty, I cannot pledge the Duke of Chu’s Mansion’s allegiance. My promise extends only to myself."
Far from displeased, Empress Pei’s admiration grew.
In the struggle for succession, entire families were at stake. Had Chu Ruoyan boasted of swaying the Duke’s mansion, the Empress would have doubted her sincerity.
"Good! If you could clear the Yan Family’s name, I trust you can aid the Second Prince too." With a glance, she dismissed her last attendant.
Helping Chu Ruoyan rise, she pressed, "Now, tell me—how can we regain His Majesty’s favor? Lately, he summons Marquis Xue and his faction daily. Even when Qingping complained yesterday that Marquis Xue stormed into her estate, the Emperor merely soothed her without punishment. This is a dire sign!"
Indeed, it was.
Marquis Xue was Consort Xue’s brother, a pillar of the Fifth Prince’s faction. The Emperor’s leniency signaled his intent to elevate the Fifth Prince—no wonder Empress Pei was desperate.
After a moment’s thought, Chu Ruoyan asked, "Has Your Majesty considered... toppling Marquis Xue?"
"Of course! But after he and his protégé committed those outrages, the Emperor still shielded him for the sake of royal dignity. How can I oppose such favor?"
A faint smile touched Chu Ruoyan’s lips. "The Yan Family."
"The Yan Family? Marquis Anning?"
Empress Pei blinked as Chu Ruoyan continued, "Rumors say the Yan army’s demise was no accident—it involved embezzled arms, with Marquis Chengen implicated..."
The Empress’s eyes blazed. "If true, the Xue clan is doomed!"
Chu Ruoyan lowered her gaze demurely as Empress Pei’s voice softened. "Rest assured—once this succeeds, your sisters’ futures are guaranteed."
"Your Majesty is too kind, but my second sister—"
Before she could finish, a palace maid hurried in and whispered to the Empress.
Empress Pei chuckled. "Speak of the devil. Your second sister is here, demanding to see you."
Chu Ruoyan paled.
Chu Ruoyin was no fool—if she’d braved interrupting an audience with the Empress, disaster must have struck.
Sure enough, outside, Chu Ruoyin’s face was ashen. "Eldest Sister! Third Sister has challenged Princess Jiahui to a match!"
