Chapter 2

The coachman’s confusion left Qiao Ling speechless. 

In the end, she could only blush, wearing a slightly embarrassed expression, and say, “The Capital truly lives up to its reputation—it’s nothing like the small towns.” 

Seeing this, the coachman tried to console her, “Many of the rules in the Capital were left behind by the sages. If you count them, they’ve only been around for a few centuries. Considering how vast the empire is, it’s no surprise they haven’t spread everywhere.” 

“Don’t let my words fool you into thinking it was easy, though. Back then, when Miss Zhang sued her own father in court, it caused quite a sensation here in the Capital.” 

Qiao Ling nodded knowingly. “It would be strange if it didn’t!” 

The two of them sat inside and outside the carriage, chatting idly while waiting for the traffic clog to ease. 

The branches of the poplar trees along the roadside were lush and full, and the sound of cicadas filled the air. 

Qiao Ling, feeling a bit stifled inside the carriage, glanced at the seemingly distant yet close city walls of the Capital. She asked the coachman, “How long would it take to walk from here?” 

The coachman estimated. “It’ll take at least an hour or so.” 

Sensing her impatience, he added cheerfully, “If you’re getting restless and don’t want to wait here, you could walk over. Just don’t take any detours—go straight ahead, and you’ll get there.” 

With that, he pulled out his coin pouch and offered, “Let me give you a partial refund…” 

Qiao Ling stopped him. “No need! You’ve taken good care of me along the way. Now that I’m right outside the Capital, how could I ask for my money back? Besides, walking around and experiencing the customs here is interesting.” 

She took out a piece of silver and handed it to him. “It’s early summer—buy yourself some tea.” 

The coachman tried to decline with his words, but his hand betrayed him and reached out to accept it. Realizing this, his face turned hot with embarrassment. “Well, this is…” 

“We’ll meet again if fate allows!” 

Qiao Ling swiftly jumped off the carriage, carrying her floral-patterned bundle. She merged into the bustling stream of people entering the city. 

The coachman’s wrinkled face stretched into a smile as he bent slightly toward her retreating figure. “Safe travels, Miss!” 

—

With her bundle on her back, Qiao Ling curiously observed the carriages and crowds stuck on the road to the Capital. 

Some officials’ families inside the city used oxen to pull their carriages for a more comfortable ride. 

Merchants from afar transported goods on horses and camels of various colors. 

An elderly man drove a light goat-drawn cart. 

A long convoy stretched for miles, carrying the families and servants of high-ranking officials who had traveled from distant regions to report for duty in the Capital. 

Qiao Ling even saw someone using a giant bird, taller than a person, to transport goods—yet no one around seemed surprised by the sight. 

It was clear that for those living in the shadow of the Capital, such things were nothing out of the ordinary. 

“People really need to experience big cities!” Qiao Ling exclaimed in wonder. “It’s so lively, so lively!” 

The early summer weather was a bit warm but not too hot. 

Rather than following the crowded main road, Qiao Ling chose to walk along the shaded side path. Surprisingly, her progress was faster than the carriages stuck in the traffic jam. 

After walking for a while, she came to a fork in the road. 

Although the coachman had told her to continue straight to reach the Capital, she hesitated briefly and then chose to turn left. 

Even though they had never met, she felt a desire to meet Miss Zhang in person. 

As she ventured down the left path, the congestion grew even worse. However, without a carriage or horse to manage, Qiao Ling found it easy and enjoyable to navigate on foot.

The news that the most beautiful woman in the Capital was to be publicly auctioned attracted a crowd eager to witness the spectacle. However, only a few could actually get in. 

Because the crowd was so large, the Imperial Tiachang Temple had to send officials to guard the gates, strictly limiting the attendees. Ordinary citizens were denied entry outright; only those of noble birth or high-ranking officials were allowed inside. 

Two young men, faces filled with frustration, were turned away. As they left, they saw a young girl approaching, dressed in a bright red pomegranate skirt with no adornments in her hair. A quick glance at her face made both of their eyes light up. 

Seizing the moment, they stopped Qiao Ling, telling the obviously non-aristocratic girl, “Don’t bother going in. No one below the rank of fourth-class nobility is allowed inside.” 

Qiao Ling looked a little disappointed. “Oh?” 

“I walked all this way to get here!” she added. 

“Walked here?” 

The two young men were surprised. “That’s not exactly a short distance!” 

The taller one offered, “We’re heading back now. Since you don’t have a carriage, would you like to ride with us?” 

Noticing her hesitation, he quickly reassured her, “We’re sharing one carriage, and you can take the other one.” 

Qiao Ling smiled. “Thanks, Shorty.” Suddenly, she remembered something and took out her bundle. “I have something that might help!” 

Then, she turned to the other man. “And thank you too, Short One!” With that, she walked away. 

The tall guy was speechless. 

The shorter man muttered, “Well, that was polite… but not very polite.” 

The tall guy grumbled, “Why call me Shorty? Don’t I deserve a name?” 

The shorter man, clearly annoyed, replied, “What are you complaining about? If anyone should be upset, it’s me!” 

The two stood in awkward silence for a moment. 

Then the tall guy added, “Let’s wait and see if she somehow gets in. What on earth could she have that’d let her inside?” 

The shorter man stood on his toes, trying to see what was happening. 

To their amazement, they saw Qiao Ling take something out of her bundle and show it to the guards. After exchanging a few words, the guards let her in! 

Both young men were stunned. 

The taller one couldn’t help but shout, “Hey, Red Skirt!” 

Qiao Ling, having passed the checkpoint, turned back and called out cheerfully, “I’m not Red Skirt! My name is Qiao Ling!” 

The two men stood there, dumbfounded, as if they wanted to say more. But the crowd inside was thick, and Qiao Ling, having been stepped on several times, could only wave goodbye before disappearing into the throng. 

—

Compared to the noisy commotion outside, the inside of the venue was much quieter. 

It was a three-story building called Yin Yue Tower (Moonlight Tower). The ground floor had all its doors wide open, with a raised platform where attendants in yellow robes walked back and forth, periodically verifying something. 

The second and third floors appeared to house private rooms, reserved for the most powerful aristocrats. The windows were tightly shut to maintain their privacy. 

Opposite the Yin Yue Tower, special seating had been arranged. Although the area was usually open-air, today, perhaps due to the number of important guests, several pillars had been erected to support a canopy of pale silk, providing shade from the blazing sun. 

Due to Miss Zhang’s fame, many high-ranking officials and nobles had gathered. It was said that if you threw a stone from the tower, it was bound to hit someone of at least fourth-class nobility. 

Though official titles in the Capital weren’t particularly rare—after all, even the servants of prime ministers held seventh-rank positions—an event like today, with so many distinguished guests crammed together in the humid summer heat, was a rare sight indeed. 

The Tiachang Temple had only announced that Miss Zhang’s auction would take place today, but they gave no specific time. 

The dignitaries dabbed sweat from their brows with silk handkerchiefs, their minds filled with frustration. Even those who had come purely out of curiosity grew impatient and began murmuring among themselves, “When is this going to start?” 

No one had an answer. 

Those who inquired with the attendants received nothing but vague replies. 

Someone whispered, “Are they waiting for that prince to arrive?” 

Unlike the rumors circulating among commoners, the aristocracy knew exactly which prince had once sought to marry Miss Zhang, only to be publicly humiliated. 

Up on the second floor, someone openly voiced their displeasure. “The Third Prince is far too arrogant, making all of us wait here like this! Who does he think he is?” 

—

What surprised many was that, despite this being just a routine administrative matter handled by the Tiachang Temple’s Bureau of Entertainment, the Shao Qing of the Tiachang Temple himself stood respectfully in a private room on the third floor, waiting like a servant. 

“The guests are getting restless,” the Shao Qing reported, “and they’ve sent several people to ask when the event will start.” 

A middle-aged man by the window gazed into the distance and replied calmly, “We’ll begin once the most important guest arrives.” 

Though the Shao Qing understood the wisdom of not asking too many questions, he couldn’t resist and quietly inquired, “Are you referring to the Third Prince?” 

The middle-aged man gave him an amused glance but said nothing. 

The Shao Qing understood immediately—it wasn’t the Third Prince. 

His curiosity deepened. If it wasn’t the prince, then who was the most important guest they were waiting for? 

—

Qiao Ling continued down a path paved with blue stones. Soon, a guide greeted her politely, bowing slightly. “Miss, do you need someone to show you the way?” 

Qiao Ling glanced around, seeing nothing but unfamiliar faces. 

She smiled politely and shook her head. “I’ll find a seat on my own, thank you.”   

After saying this, Qiao Ling headed toward the seating area directly facing Yin Yue Tower. 

The official guide smiled warmly and said, “You’re too kind,” then bowed and silently stepped aside. 

Qiao Ling carried her floral cloth bundle as she looked around the courtyard, eventually finding an empty seat tucked into a corner. She navigated her way through the crowd with repeated apologies of “Excuse me, sorry about that,” and, after much effort, finally plopped down on the seat. 

The people around her glanced at her unfamiliar face, wondering when another young lady from a noble fourth-rank family had appeared. For now, however, no one initiated a conversation with her. 

It was Qiao Ling’s first time at such an event, and though she felt no discomfort, she found everything around her very new and intriguing. 

Time passed quickly as she curiously took in the surroundings. 

Finally, the clear chime of a bell echoed through the courtyard, causing a ripple of excitement among the audience. 

The curtain slowly parted, and someone appeared on stage. 

The show was about to begin.