Seeing Chan Zhen’s dejected and lost expression, Qiu Yue felt a pang of pity. Miss Song truly possessed exceptional beauty. Having served in the magistrate’s mansion for so many years, she had never seen such a beautiful woman. Her eyes, filled with both sorrow and resentment, were truly captivating. 

She couldn’t help but speak softly, comforting her, “Miss, don’t worry about them. The magistrate’s mansion has a large garden. If you don’t want to meet them, we can just take a different path.” 

These words moved Chan Zhen. She had finally come out of the house; why lock herself up again? Besides, such opportunities might not come again. 

She nodded gently, “Okay, thank you.” 

Qiu Yue was a home-born servant of the magistrate’s mansion and was very familiar with the garden. She led Chan Zhen through a small path, avoiding others. 

Coming out of the house, smelling the fragrant flowers, Chan Zhen’s mood brightened considerably. The magistrate’s mansion had many precious flowers and plants that she had never seen before, each one fascinating her. Especially one peony, with its layered petals and vibrant colors, she couldn’t help but get closer to examine it. 

“Famous flowers, beautiful women, both delight.” This scene caught Ye Qingtang’s eye, reminding him of this old poem from the previous dynasty. He hesitated several times, unwilling to disturb this beautiful scene, but Qiu Yue saw him first. 

“Young Master,” Qiu Yue quickly bowed to him. 

Chan Zhen was startled. She dropped the peony in her hand, turning around in a panic. Seeing that it was the young master of the magistrate’s mansion, she calmed down slightly and bowed like Qiu Yue. 

“Greetings, Young Master.” 

Ye Qingtang hadn’t expected to startle her, and he chuckled wryly, “It’s alright. I haven’t seen Miss Song for a long time. How have you been lately? If you feel unwell, please don’t hesitate to speak.” 

Despite his gentle tone, Chan Zhen took a slight step back, lowering her head to look at the ground, unwilling to meet his gaze. 

“Thank you for your concern, Young Master. I’m fine.” 

Then she fell silent. 

She regretted being persuaded by Qiu Yue to go out. The young master was a good person and had shown her much care, but their statuses were different, and they shouldn’t have much contact. She remembered a Miss Lin who had entered the mansion on the same day as her.

She had simply gotten closer to the second young master, and rumors spread. After that, Chan Zhen never saw her again. Since then, she had become even more reluctant to go out, fearing that she would suffer the same fate as Miss Lin. 

Seeing her even more wary than when she first entered the mansion, Ye Qingtang’s expression dimmed. Such a timid and delicate girl was about to be sent to that ruthless place by his father; how could he feel at ease? 

“Qingtang heard that the Emperor will be arriving soon,” he looked at her with a complex expression, both reluctant and slightly advising, “If you are unwilling, I will plead with my father on your behalf.” 

Qiu Yue was shocked. Hadn’t the magistrate already decided on this? Why would the young master change his mind? She nervously looked at her young lady, fearing that she would impulsively agree. The incident with Miss Lin was still fresh in her mind. The magistrate had high hopes for Miss Song and would certainly not agree. 

Chan Zhen stared at the grass beneath her feet. The tender leaves couldn’t withstand any force; a light step would break them. 

“Thank you for your kindness, Young Master. I’m prepared.” 

What choice did she have? It had never been up to her. Even if she wasn’t sent to the Emperor’s bed, her father would find a way to marry her off to a powerful figure. Possessing only beauty but lacking a matching status, her future was clear. Serving the Emperor was perhaps the best choice in her life. 

“Chan Zhen…” Ye Qingtang couldn’t help but call her name. 

“Young Master, I’m tired and need to leave,” Chan Zhen interrupted him. She could feel that Young Master Ye might have some affection for her, whether it was admiration for her beauty or something else. She was grateful for his willingness to help her, and therefore, she needed to draw a clear line. 

She was a beauty found by the magistrate to be offered to the Emperor. He was the eldest son of the magistrate’s mansion. That was all. 

Ye Qingtang sensed her rejection, a bitterness in his heart, but a smile remained on his face, “Then I won’t disturb you. Miss Song, rest well.” 

After this incident, Qiu Yue dared not encourage Chan Zhen to go out again, quickly taking her back to her residence. 

Chan Zhen, using the excuse of being tired and wanting to rest, dismissed Qiu Yue. Only after making sure Qiu Yue wouldn’t come back did she confidently throw herself onto the bed, letting the tears she couldn’t hold back flow freely, her eyes red. 

She was still very scared. After all, she had just come of age and had been confined to her home and had never seen any outsiders. Now she was about to be sent to the bed of a stranger, a stranger who was high and mighty, who could decide her life or death with a single word – the Emperor. 

She had heard that the Emperor was over thirty years old, much older than her. The palace had so many concubines, so many beautiful women. What if he didn’t like her? Moreover, the Emperor had fought on the battlefield in his youth.

He must be full of killing intent and unpredictable. What if she didn’t serve him well? Would he directly order her to be dragged out? What escape route would she have then? 

Perhaps she should learn how to cry and beg for mercy. Maybe the Emperor would spare her life if he found her tears beautiful. 

Chan Zhen lay on the bed, lost in thought, and gradually fell asleep. 

… 

The river was calm, the Emperor’s imperial dragon boat sailing down the Yi River. In a few days, they would reach the vicinity of Jiangnan Dao. 

Guo Kai, the chief eunuch, came out of the boat and saw that the Emperor, as the young eunuch had said, had dismissed all the guards and stood alone at the bow of the boat. 

The Emperor had ascended the throne at a young age, nineteen years ago, and had long held absolute power, now at the height of his power.

In recent years, the Emperor had become increasingly autocratic in state affairs. Once he had decided on something, he would not tolerate any dissent. Even Guo Kai, who had served the Emperor for many years, exercised extra caution, fearing to offend the Emperor. 

The previous dynasty was turbulent, and the imperial palace was no different. Though the Emperor wasn’t overly lustful, he never deprived himself of beauty, taking many concubines in his early years. Since the death of Empress Kangxiao, the Emperor had not established another Empress.

Now, besides the Noble Consort, the three other Consort positions were filled, and there were many favored concubines below them.

Among the three Consorts, the Consort Xian had given birth to the Crown Prince, Prince Yu; the Consort Shu had given birth to the second prince, Prince Jin; and the Consort De was raising the third prince, Prince Zhuang, born to the Imperial Concubine Xu.

All three princes had grown up, but the Emperor had not yet decided on a crown prince, so the three Consorts were fiercely competing in the palace.