Chapter Two
In the blink of an eye, the twelfth day arrived—Empress Dowager Chen’s birthday. Cui Lanyin rose before dawn to wash and dress.
For this celebration, the Emperor had decreed that in addition to court officials of the fifth rank and above, along with titled ladies, families with daughters aged sixteen or older must also attend the palace festivities.
To demonstrate favor, the Emperor had recently taken to arranging marriages for the children of high-ranking ministers. The Li family had two sons of marriageable age, while Princes Ping and Duan were also due to select their consorts.
Prince Wei was out of the question, but the others were enough to stir up a storm.
According to Geng Dayou’s report, fabric shops outside the palace were packed with servants sent by noble families to procure the finest materials.
Though the title of Count Wuan belonged to the second branch of the Cui family, since the two branches had not yet divided the household, Cui Lanyin was permitted to enter the palace with them.
This was, in fact, Cui Lanyin’s first time stepping foot in the palace.
Her selection of formal attire was limited, but she managed to dress in her finest: a water-red skirt and jacket, over which she wore a deep-purple satin overdress embroidered with colorful intertwining branches. Her hair was adorned with a gold filigree hairpin set with jade begonia blossoms, and she wore a pair of gold-inlaid jade gourd earrings—her most presentable ensemble.
Her flawless, porcelain-like complexion needed no embellishment; any makeup would only mar its purity.
"Miss, should we skip the powder for the palace visit?" Sangzhi asked, holding a deliberately darkened cosmetic blend.
"Same as usual," Cui Lanyin replied, never forgetting her late grandmother Lady Tan’s warning—that the Cui family could not afford such striking beauty and that she must always downplay her appearance in public.
Reluctantly, Sangzhi applied the usual powder, darkened her eyebrows, and layered more powder over her already muted lip color. The bangs that were usually tucked back were let loose to cover her forehead, dulling her radiance.
Cui Lanyin further restrained her expressions, diminishing her natural allure by a good measure. Though still beautiful, she no longer held the same breathtaking charm.
The entire household fretted over her. Cui Sheng and Lady Jiang watched as she departed, escorted by steward Geng Shun and his son Geng Dayou, who carried lanterns to light the way. Cui Su and Cui Jian accompanied her to meet the second branch of the family.
The current Count Wuan was Cui Mian, the eldest of the Cui brothers. He had a younger brother, Cui Fang, while the main branch consisted solely of Cui Sheng, the third son, whom outsiders referred to as Third Master Cui.
Cui Mian was married to Lady Chang, and they had two sons and a daughter: Cui Chang, Cui Fu, and Cui Lanting. Cui Mian also had a concubine-born son, Cui Yu.
Cui Fang’s wife, Lady Ding, had borne him two sons: Cui Ran and Cui Zhong.
Cui Chang and his father rode on horseback, while Lady Chang and Cui Chang’s wife, Lady Dong, shared one carriage, and Cui Lanyin rode with Cui Lanting in another.
The procession entered the palace at the fourth watch of the night. From the palace gates onward, the crowds were overwhelming, shoulder-to-shoulder all the way to Funing Palace.
Court officials and titled ladies were guided by ceremonial officers to stand on either side of Funing Gate.
After five drumbeats echoed, everyone straightened their backs, not daring to move.
The Imperial Guards had arranged Empress Dowager Chen’s ceremonial procession at the foot of Funing Palace’s steps. Palace eunuchs set up court music in the courtyard, with a table placed to the east of Funing Gate for the presentation of congratulatory memorials.
Once the Emperor’s tribute and those of the princes and ministers were placed on the table, the Emperor led the princes and officials in greeting Empress Dowager Chen at the foot of the steps. The court music played the "Ode of Yu," and Empress Dowager Chen emerged to take her seat.
Then the ceremonial music shifted to the "Ode of Yi," and the Emperor led the princes and ministers in performing the three kneelings and nine prostrations to offer their birthday felicitations.
Cui Lanyin resisted the urge to rub her eyes as she stared at the figure clad in the nine-symbol princely robes, standing between Princes Kang and An—Prince Wei. He was not what she had imagined.
Prince Wei did not look as old as she had expected, appearing to be in his early twenties instead. Tall and well-built, his features were striking. If not for his perpetually half-lidded eyes and the air of lethargy that made even lifting his eyelids seem like a chore, he could truly be called a jade-like gentleman of peerless grace.
She stole several more glances at him. Prince Wei left a deep impression—she had never seen someone so inclined to doze off at any given moment, even on such a grand occasion.
Even the Emperor, who had been rumored to be unwell for some time, was putting on a spirited display. The other princes and ministers were all exerting themselves to the fullest, yet Prince Wei remained as lackadaisical as if he were merely paying a casual visit to his grandmother. His demeanor stood out starkly from the rest.
She didn’t know if others noticed, but Cui Lanyin certainly did—and she couldn’t help but keep looking.
The "Ode of Yu" snapped her back to attention. The Emperor had already led the princes and officials forward, so she quickly composed herself and followed the procession of consorts and titled ladies, led by Empress Xu, in performing the three kneelings and nine prostrations for Empress Dowager Chen.
Distracted, Cui Lanyin trailed behind Cui Lanting during the presentation of birthday gifts, her mind elsewhere.
It wasn’t until they were seated for the banquet that Cui Lanting leaned over and whispered, "There’s an unfamiliar young lady across from us who’s been glancing at you several times."
Cui Lanyin looked up casually and met the gaze of an exquisitely beautiful young woman. Upon being noticed, the girl smiled gracefully in greeting, her demeanor poised and refined.
Cui Lanyin returned the smile, already understanding.
To be fair, this Seventh Miss Yao was a perfect match for Tan Shao.
As she glanced around, she spotted Lady Xiang and Tan Lian seated not far from the Yao family. Not daring to make any loud gestures in the palace, Cui Lanyin gave a slight bow of greeting, her expression as serene as ever.
Her composure, however, only made Lady Xiang and Tan Lian feel somewhat guilty.
"Mother, what will happen to Cousin Lanyin from now on?"
"I’ll keep an eye out for a suitable match for her."
At the moment, everyone’s attention was fixed on Empress Dowager Chen, Empress Dowager Li, and Prince Wei, so no one noticed their exchange.
Empress Dowager Chen’s birthday saw no appearance from Emperor Xuanning’s birth mother, Empress Dowager Li. Officially, she was said to be bedridden with a chill, but everyone knew it was because Empress Dowager Chen refused to see her, and she had yielded.
During Emperor Gaozong’s reign, the Li family had been subordinate to the Chen family.
The Chens rose through military prowess, commanding formidable armies, and with Empress Dowager Chen in the palace, they were once considered the foremost noble house of the Great Ying dynasty.
Empress Dowager Li had entered the palace only because Empress Dowager Chen was childless. The Li family offered to send her in to bear a son for Empress Dowager Chen, securing favor. The Chens, seeing the Lis’ obedience and noting that Empress Dowager Li was Empress Dowager Chen’s cousin and showed her deference, agreed.
The events of Emperor Xuanning’s early reign still haunted those who had lived through them. Power could sway hearts, but mishandled, it could lead to ruin—many once-glorious families had vanished overnight.
Were it not for the Li family’s gratitude, the Chens would not enjoy the peace they had now. One need only look at Empress Xu’s family to see the alternative.
Yet Empress Dowager Chen had never let go, taking the motherless six-year-old Prince Wei to a distant palace, where they had remained all these years.
Now that Empress Dowager Chen had returned with Prince Wei, few gave it much thought. Given the Li family’s current standing, the throne was destined for Prince Duan, born of Concubine Li Shu—no one else dared even dream of it.
Empress Dowager Chen’s age suggested she would not leave again. And judging by the Emperor’s attitude, as long as his stepmother made no excessive demands, he was content to show her due respect.
By now, the gathered crowd had pieced it together—the reason for summoning the young ladies from various families to the palace was to select a consort for Prince Wei. Since Prince Wei was under Empress Dowager Chen's care, his future princess consort naturally had to win her favor.
The Emperor had gone to great lengths to accommodate Empress Dowager Chen, but alas, his efforts were in vain. From start to finish, she sat rigidly upright, speaking only with a few elderly noblewomen, sparing not a single glance for the young maidens filling the hall.
Prince Wei, at least, had fulfilled his filial duty to his father by attending to Empress Dowager Chen. The Emperor would likely treat him with leniency—his life, though not the most privileged, was assuredly one of wealth and comfort. Yet Empress Dowager Chen's indifference left some families, who had hoped for the position of Prince Wei’s consort, deeply disappointed.
The banquet concluded at three in the afternoon, and the guests were escorted out by the court officials. It wasn’t until they reached the Dismounting Bridge that familiar families began mingling and exchanging greetings.
Lady Chang hesitated, eyeing the Li family’s womenfolk surrounded by several households, debating whether to approach them, when someone called out, “Madam Cui of the Cui household!” Reluctantly, she abandoned her plan and turned with a smile to greet the newcomers.
“Old Madam Meng, Madam Meng, how have you been?”
After exchanging pleasantries, Old Madam Meng (Lady Min) and Madam Meng (Lady Luo) barely acknowledged Cui Lanting, focusing instead on scrutinizing Cui Lanyin from head to toe.
Cui Lanyin was already displeased, subtly retreating a step or two, but Lady Chang caught her by the arm. “Yin’er, you might not know—Old Madam Meng and Madam Meng are from the Loyal and Distant Count’s household. The current Count Meng serves as the Commander-in-Chief of Shanxi. Like father, like son—their heir, not yet twenty-three, already holds the rank of Vice Commander (4th grade). A rare talent in our Great Ying Dynasty, both valiant and handsome.”
Hearing Lady Chang praise her most accomplished grandson, Lady Min’s haughtiness softened slightly. “Your niece is indeed a rare beauty.”
Though phrased as a compliment, it was clear Cui Lanyin’s striking looks did not impress her.
“It’s been years since I’ve seen such a refined young lady—I simply can’t take my eyes off her!” Lady Luo, however, was effusive. She stepped forward to support Lady Min, who seemed to recall something and forced a smile. “Then you ought to invite her over more often to keep Sister Ru company.”
“Mother is right.” Lady Luo slipped a gold bracelet inlaid with rubies from her wrist and offered it to Cui Lanyin. “I hadn’t expected to meet you today—take this for now as a trifle. I’ll have finer gifts for you later.”
The situation was unmistakable—they were sizing her up as a potential match. Accepting the bracelet would imply consent.
Yet, with so many eyes around, outright refusal would brand her as petty and unsuited for grand occasions.
Suddenly, Cui Lanyin swayed, raising a hand to her forehead. “I feel terribly faint—I can hardly catch my breath. Please excuse me while I step aside to recover.” Before anyone could react, she leaned weakly against Cui Lanting.
Cui Lanting, well-practiced in such scenarios, swiftly guided her away. “Military families truly lack decorum.”
Cui Lanyin chuckled faintly. “Don’t drag our own family into it.”
Cui Lanting fell silent. The Cui family, too, was a military lineage, though its members had since turned to scholarly pursuits, gradually forgetting their martial roots.
Meanwhile, Lady Chang and her daughter-in-law stood awkwardly before Lady Min and Lady Luo, at a loss for words.
Lady Min finally snapped, “So frail—good for nothing but decoration.”
Lady Luo discreetly tucked the bracelet back into her sleeve, offering Lady Chang an apologetic smile. “The crowd today must have overwhelmed her. This isn’t the place for conversation—we’ll speak another time.”
“Indeed, I too found it stifling,” Lady Chang replied perfunctorily.
Just then, the Cui family’s carriage arrived. Supported by Cui Lanting, Cui Lanyin managed a proper curtsey in farewell before following Lady Chang and Lady Dong into the carriage, her manners impeccable.
The men waited east of the Dismounting Bridge. Princes Kang, An, and Duan chatted idly while awaiting their carriages.
“Fourth Brother, let us know when you’re free to leave the palace—we’ll gather at my residence,” Prince Kang said to Prince Duan.
But Prince Duan didn’t respond. Following his gaze, Prince Kang spotted the object of his distraction and smiled knowingly, raising his voice slightly. “Fourth Brother, do you know which family that is?”
Prince Duan snapped back to attention, meeting the amused looks of Princes Kang and An. Straightening, he feigned ignorance. “Eldest Brother, what do you mean?”
Prince Kang chuckled warmly. “Those are the ladies of the Marquis of Wu’an’s Cui family. The one in the crimson skirt—I’ve never seen her at social gatherings before. She must be the eldest daughter of the main branch.”
“Was the Meng family considering her earlier?” Prince An interjected.
“Likely for Meng Huaizong. A pity,” Prince Kang sighed.
Prince Duan’s eyes flickered with sympathy. Prince Kang clapped him on the shoulder. “No need to fret—I’ll find you an even better match.”
Prince Duan brushed him off. “The carriages are here—Eldest Sister-in-Law is waiting.”
Two carriages approached simultaneously—one from Prince Kang’s household, the other Prince Wei’s.
Prince Wei, who had been standing with his arms crossed and eyes half-lidded, strode forward first. With a cursory nod to the trio, he vanished into his carriage without a word.
Watching the departing carriage, Prince Kang frowned. “Second Brother wasn’t like this as a child. When did he become so eccentric?”
