Chapter 2 She Is a Calamity

Chapter 2: She’s Trouble

Nanny Sun fell silent. The windows had been newly papered, and from inside the room, A Wu could see the gauze covering the bedchamber window. Sunlight filtered through the gauze, dappling the carved door panels where grasshoppers, fish, shrimp, pomegranates, and persimmons were depicted with lifelike detail.

She had a good idea what Nanny Sun was thinking but couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it.

The meals in the Crown Prince’s residence were excellent, and the prince spoiled her rotten, so naturally, she lived comfortably. She’d gladly stay here forever, enjoying each day to the fullest.

But—

She knew all too well that her status was shameful—no name, no standing, relying solely on the whims of his favor. Moreover, she had now angered the Emperor.

The Emperor was the one who ruled the realm. One cold look from him could be her death warrant.

Besides, the prince’s encounter with her at the manor hadn’t been accidental. When A Wu reflected on the schemes behind it all, her stomach twisted with unease. If this matter were uncovered, she had no idea how it would end.

Just as she was lost in thought, footsteps sounded outside.

Nanny Sun perked up and peered through the half-open window, spotting the approaching figures.

A Wu saw them too—two elegantly dressed maidservants with stern, disdainful looks. She guessed they were the Crown Princess’s attendants.

Nanny Sun hurriedly rose and trotted out, greeting them with a fawning smile. After a whispered exchange, she nodded repeatedly.

The two maidservants turned and left, and only then did Nanny Sun return inside.

A Wu listened to the sound of Nanny Sun’s footsteps ascending the steps and waited patiently.

Sure enough, Nanny Sun entered, her back rigid, face stern as she announced to A Wu, “Get yourself ready, quick. You’re to accompany me to pay respects to Her Highness.”

A Wu remained calm. “Understood.”

A Wu, frail and reclusive, had let her looks slide these past few days.

Now that she was to meet the Crown Princess, she couldn’t afford to slack. She had to carefully arrange her hair and apply makeup with care.

Yet she didn’t want to appear overly adorned, so she instructed the maidservant, “Make it plain.”

Meanwhile, Nanny Sun leaned against the windowsill, cracking open melon seeds and occasionally narrowing her eyes at A Wu.

The longer she stared, the sourer she felt.

A Wu was truly bewitchingly graceful.

She appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen, yet she carried herself with an alluring elegance. Her silver-threaded blouse paired with a gold-embroidered gauze skirt, cinched at the waist with a jade belt, accentuated her slender, alluring figure.

Her skin was snow-white—every exposed inch, from her wrists to the nape of her neck and her cheeks, was flawless, like carved jade. Her eyes shimmered like autumn water, as if brimming with unshed tears, enough to melt hearts.

By now, A Wu was fully dressed. Though she had aimed for simplicity, she had still adorned her raven-black hair with two small hairpins and a delicate velvet flower.

Yet even so, she was impossibly striking, a sight to behold.

Nanny Sun spat a husk with a “Tch!” and took several gulps of cardamom-infused water before finally saying, “Let’s go.”

A Wu paid her no mind, preoccupied with thoughts of her impending meeting with the Crown Princess.

Now properly dressed, she followed Nanny Sun out of Huancui Garden, heading east down the corridor. After passing through a breezeway and two more courtyards, they arrived at another residence.

She looked around and saw a spacious courtyard with scattered rockeries and a winding gallery leading up to a pavilion. The gallery extended to the rear garden, where bamboo, trees, flowers, and stones were arranged in picturesque harmony.

Before entering the Crown Prince’s service, A Wu had also enjoyed a life of silks and delicacies, so she wasn’t entirely inexperienced. Yet now, looking at this courtyard, she understood that while it appeared modest, its craftsmanship was exquisite, with meticulous attention to detail everywhere.

Following Nanny Sun, she stepped inside. The courtyard had three rooms each to the north and south, with a gently curved roof with gabled ends. On the steps stood seven or eight young maidservants, all dressed in identical pale green skirts, standing with heads bowed. Though the courtyard was crowded, it was eerily silent.

Nanny Sun halted, and A Wu stopped as well.

Nanny Sun glanced at A Wu. "You’re new here. Mind your manners before Her Highness. Kneel first."

A Wu knew it was unwise to resist in such a situation, so she obediently replied, "Yes."

With that, she knelt before the steps.

The lozenge-patterned bricks beneath her were finely laid but slightly uneven. A Wu's thin clothing offered little cushion, and her knees dug into the uneven surface, sharp pain flaring.

She frowned but endured it.

Nanny Sun gestured to a maidservant at the foot of the steps, moving her lips soundlessly.

The maidservant understood, gesturing silently for them to wait while she went inside to announce their arrival.

The entire exchange was conducted in complete silence—a proof of the servants’ drilled discipline.

Though A Wu had yet to meet the Crown Princess, she already sensed the noblewoman's prestige and her own insignificance.

Silently, she lowered her eyelids and waited submissively for the noble lady’s judgment.

The courtyard was utterly quiet, though faint sounds occasionally drifted from inside—laughter and chatter, suggesting there were guests within.

A Wu's knees throbbed from kneeling, the discomfort gnawing at her. But with so many eyes watching, she dared not fidget, only shifting slightly to ease the pain.

In the midst of this tedious torment, she noticed the main hall's window lattice gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was inlaid with *mingwa*—translucent shell tiles.

Having grown up by the sea, she knew what *mingwa* was. In her childhood, a neighbor's son had made them.

*Mingwa* were crafted from clam shells through a painstaking process, requiring great effort to grind them into thin, smooth, and translucent tiles. They were far too expensive for ordinary households, so in A Wu’s mind, they were made solely to sell for a livelihood.

Only now did she see someone inlaying *mingwa* into window lattices.

It was truly beautiful.

The sight left A Wu dazed, as if the events of the past two years were nothing but a dream.

Her childhood had been modest but peaceful and harmonious. Born frail, she had been doted on by her parents and elder brother, growing up cherished.

Who could have imagined that at sixteen, her life would be turned upside down, reduced to this state?

Looking back now, it all felt like a bewildering nightmare—one she wished she could forget.

Just then, A Wu heard faint laughter. Glancing up, she saw a beaded blue curtain hanging from a copper hook on the steps. The curtain swayed slightly as it was lifted, and maidservants hurried to clear the way.

She stole a glance and saw two young noblewomen surrounded by attendants.

Their status was unmistakable—regal and refined, adorned with lavish jewels, their splendor so dazzling one hardly dared look directly at them. The maidservants all lowered their heads in deference.

Unable to rise, A Wu shifted aside on her knees to avoid blocking the path.

Already weakened from kneeling so long, the effort left her lightheaded, nearly collapsing. She barely managed to steady herself.

Then, the noblewoman stopped right beside her.

A fragrant aroma drifted over, and A Wu peeked cautiously to see a blue satin skirt adorned with elaborate golden embroidery of seasonal flowers. The craftsmanship was obviously no ordinary garment, its opulence evident at a glance.

At that moment, the noblewoman was also studying her, remarking curiously, "Who is this? She’s so pale—like a jade statue!"

Her voice was girlish and a little naive, probably no older than fourteen or fifteen.

A Wu was taken aback—this girl seemed even younger than her but she had no clue who she was.

The other noblewoman chimed in kindly, "De Ning, didn’t you say Her Majesty wants you home soon? If you’re late, she might ground you next time."

Upon hearing this, the young lady named De Ning grabbed her skirt in a panic and chirped, "Ah, you’re right, Sister-in-law! I must hurry!"

Her voice was chirpy and sweet, and without a second thought, she lifted her hem and rushed off. Several maids quickly followed, their rushed steps brushing past A Wu.

After a moment, the courtyard quieted. A Wu felt eyes upon her—the noblewoman’s sharp, assessing stare from above.

By now, A Wu was on the verge of collapse, but she clenched her fists tightly, fighting to stay conscious.

She knew that fainting now would only make the noblewoman think her too weak or putting on airs.

She could afford to appear frail in front of others—but not before the Crown Princess.

Then, the noblewoman finally spoke: "Look up."

A Wu obeyed, lifting her head.

The moment her face came into view, Crown Princess Wu Mingyuan drew a sharp breath.

Before her knelt a woman with skin as pure as freshly fallen snow, a delicate chin, and a fragile posture—like a delicate blossom trembling in the wind, as if she might topple at any moment. It was a sight that stirred pity.

The Crown Princess found herself unable to look away. Then, abruptly, a pang of jealousy and dread shot through her.

She had always understood that the Crown Prince would never belong to her alone. She’d even taken pride in her tolerance, willingly accepting concubines into his household.

When he ascended the throne, there would naturally be consorts and concubines—this much she knew.

She had never feared any stunning beauty capturing his favor, so long as she retained her position as Empress and held the seal of authority. She could tolerate those women.

But now, faced with this woman’s breathtaking beauty, she began to doubt whether she could.

She stared at her, imagining the Crown Prince’s awe upon first seeing her, how he might hide her away in Huan Cui Garden, hoarding her like a prized secret.

She even found herself picturing how he might dote on her at night.

The idea twisted her heart with such pain it shook.

After a long silence, she finally said coldly, "Come inside."

With that, she turned and entered the room.

Though her tone was harsh, to A Wu, it sounded like mercy.

At least she no longer had to kneel.

Pressing her hands against the ground, she struggled to rise, only to stumble and fall back down.

The pain shot through her, making her fingers tremble and tears well in her eyes.

Nanny Sun sneered coldly from the side, "What a precious little flower! One might mistake her for some palace noblewoman!"

A Wu's vision swam with darkness; she felt she might truly faint now.

Yet she still fought to rise from the ground, trembling as she steadied herself on her feet.

Once standing, she managed a smile and said to Nanny Sun, "Would you kindly show me in?"

She knew she couldn’t enter uninvited—someone had to guide her in.

Nanny Sun found her even more irritating, a surge of irritation bubbling up inside. That frail, simpering look—what a scheming little fox!

With a derisive snort, she said nothing more, clomped up the steps, then lifted the curtain and went inside.

A Wu wasn’t surprised. From the moment she stepped into the Crown Princess’s courtyard, she had expected no kindness.

Now, she lifted her skirts with one hand and ascended the steps one by one.

The maids standing silently around couldn’t hide their curiosity, stealing glances at her—some awed, others disdainful.

A Wu lifted the blue curtain herself and stepped inside. A wave of warm, perfumed air enveloped her, along with the sight of an exquisitely embroidered carpet and rows of waiting attendants.

She stood meekly for a moment before advancing, stopping only at the edge of the carpet to kneel. "A Wu pays her respects to Your Highness. I wish Your Highness good health."