It was indeed a beautiful sight.
A’Wu felt a sense of daze, as if everything that had happened over the past two years was just a dream.
Her family had not been wealthy when she was young, but they lived in peace and harmony.
Since A’Wu was born frail, she was cherished by her parents and older brother, growing up surrounded by their affection.
Who could have imagined that, at the age of fourteen, her life would be turned upside down, bringing her to this point?
Thinking back on everything she had experienced, it all felt like a hazy, muddled dream—one she wished she could forget.
At that moment, A’Wu heard faint laughter and chatter.
She looked up and saw that a pearl-green curtain, suspended from a copper hook above the steps, swayed gently before being lifted.
A maid carefully stepped forward to clear the way.
Stealing a glance, A’Wu noticed that the maids were surrounding two young noblewomen.
With just one look, she could tell that these women were of high status—dressed in lavish, exquisite attire, their hair adorned with dazzling jewels.
Their presence alone was overwhelming, making even the surrounding maids lower their heads in deference.
Still kneeling, A’Wu dared not stand, so she shuffled sideways on her knees to avoid blocking their path.
She was already physically weak, and after kneeling for so long, she felt lightheaded.
The effort of moving left her vision swimming, and she nearly collapsed.
She barely managed to hold herself upright.
Just then, one of the noblewomen stopped beside her.
A wave of fragrant perfume drifted toward A’Wu.
Carefully, she looked up and saw the hem of a deep blue satin gown embroidered with intricate golden floral patterns.
The craftsmanship was exquisite and luxurious—clearly not something ordinary people could afford.
The noblewoman was also studying her, her voice carrying a hint of youthful curiosity.
“Who is this? She’s so pale—almost like a jade sculpture!”
Her voice was slightly childlike, suggesting she was around fourteen or fifteen years old.
A’Wu was surprised.
This girl was likely even younger than herself, though she had no idea who she was.
The other noblewoman spoke affectionately, “Dening, didn’t your mother tell you to return early? If you’re late again, she might not let you come out so easily next time.”
The young girl, called Dening, gasped and clutched her skirt.
“Ah! Sister-in-law is right—I need to hurry!”
Her voice was crisp and playful.
Without further delay, she lifted her skirts and rushed ahead.
The maids quickly followed, and in an instant, the air around A’Wu was filled with hurried footsteps as they passed her by.
Moments later, the courtyard fell silent again.
A’Wu sensed a gaze upon her—the lingering scrutiny of the noblewoman still standing nearby.
By now, she was drained of strength, but she clenched her fists tightly, forcing herself to remain conscious.
She knew that if she fainted now, this noblewoman would see her as delicate and overly dramatic.
She could afford to appear weak before many people—but not before the Crown Princess.
Finally, the noblewoman spoke.
“Lift your head.”
Obediently, A’Wu raised her face.
At that moment, Crown Princess Wu Mingyuan involuntarily drew in a breath.
The woman before her had skin as clear as freshly fallen snow.
Her delicate, pointed chin and frail posture made her look like a fragile blossom swaying in the evening breeze, as if she might collapse at any moment.
It was a pitiful sight—one that stirred an unexpected sense of sympathy.
For a moment, Wu Mingyuan couldn’t look away.
Then, suddenly, she snapped back to her senses, and a surge of sourness and unease welled up within her.
She had always known that the Crown Prince could never belong solely to her.
She had played the role of a virtuous and magnanimous wife, even taking the initiative to arrange concubines for him.
One day, when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, his harem would inevitably be filled with consorts.
She had accepted this reality.
She had never feared the presence of stunning beauties in the palace.
As long as she secured her position as Empress and held the imperial seal, she had nothing to fear.
She could afford to tolerate those women.
But now, as she gazed at this woman with an otherworldly beauty, Wu Mingyuan began to feel that perhaps she could not accept it after all.
She stared at the young woman before her, imagining the Crown Prince’s astonishment when he first laid eyes on her.
She pictured how carefully he had hidden her away in Huancui Courtyard, unwilling to let anyone see her, as if she were a rare treasure meant only for himself.
She even found herself wondering—how did the Crown Prince cherish her at night?
At that thought, a sour, piercing pain spread through her heart, making her entire being tremble.
She continued to fix her gaze on A’Wu.
After a long moment, she finally spoke.
“Come inside to talk.”
With that, she turned and walked into the room.
A’Wu could hear the hostility in her tone, but to her, it sounded like music from heaven.
At the very least, she no longer had to kneel.
Supporting herself with her hands, she struggled to rise.
But as she did, her legs gave way, and she stumbled, falling to the ground.
Pain shot through her body—sharp, searing pain that made her fingertips tremble and her eyes well up with tears.
The old nanny beside her sneered coldly.
“Oh my, such a delicate body. Anyone who didn’t know better might think you were some noble lady from the palace.”
A’Wu’s vision swam, and for a moment, she thought she might actually faint.
But she forced herself to endure it, pressing her hands to the ground and slowly, shakily, climbing back to her feet.
Once she steadied herself, she mustered a small smile and said to Sun Momo, “Please, lead me inside.”
She knew she could not enter on her own—someone had to guide her in.
Seeing her like this only made the old nanny even more annoyed.
A wave of irritation surged within her, especially at A’Wu’s frail, pitiful appearance—what a cunning little seductress.
Scoffing, she said nothing more.
Instead, she stomped up the steps, her heavy footsteps loud against the wooden boards, then lifted the curtain and disappeared inside.
A’Wu was not surprised by the treatment.
Since stepping into the Crown Princess’s courtyard, she had never expected to receive any kindness.
So, she carefully lifted the hem of her skirt and began ascending the steps, one by one.
The maids standing by the side, their hands neatly folded, couldn’t help but sneak glances at her—some were filled with admiration, others with disdain.
A’Wu ignored them.
She reached out, lifted the pearl-green curtain herself, and stepped inside.
The moment she entered, she was greeted by a warm, fragrant scent.
Her eyes took in the opulent embroidered carpets and the maids standing attentively within.
She moved forward, careful and composed, and only when she reached the embroidered carpet did she kneel.
“A’Wu greets Your Highness,” she said softly.
“I pay my respects to Your Highness.”
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