Chapter 1: A Ran, trust no one but yourself!

Chapter 1 A Ran, Don’t Trust Anyone, Only Rely on Yourself!

"A Ran, don’t trust anyone—rely only on yourself!"

The desperate cry echoed in her ears, the image of her mother’s bloodshot, unblinking eyes lingering relentlessly.

Ruan Hanzhang’s eyes flew open.

A thin, cold sweat coated her forehead; though it was early March, it still left her hands and feet icy.

It had been a long time since she last had a nightmare, yet each time the dream recurred, her heart raced uncontrollably.

Ruan Hanzhang shut her eyes tightly, struggling to steady her breathing, careful not to let Auntie Peilan, who stood guard outside, notice anything amiss.

Just then, a cheerful voice rang out.

"Auntie, great news!"

Peilan scolded sharply, "Hush! Have you no decorum?"

The young maid Qing Dai was startled. She quickly halted her steps and entered the bedchamber softly.

A peony-patterned screen blocked the view, and beaded curtains swayed, through which she could only make out the slender figure in a dark blue jacket behind them.

It was Auntie Peilan, who had accompanied Talent Lady Ruan into the palace as part of her dowry.

Without hesitation, Qing Dai approached Auntie Peilan, unable to contain her joy. "Auntie, His Majesty has picked our mistress’s plaque!"

Peilan showed neither sorrow nor delight. She responded flatly, pondered for a moment, then instructed, "Have the servants prepare the gowns and hairpins immediately. The Talent Lady likes rose-scented bathing water best—prepare it in advance."

"Yes!"

Qing Dai could not help adding cheerfully, "Among the newly selected ladies entering the palace this year, our mistress is the first to be chosen. His Majesty must truly favor her."

This was indeed joyous news.

It was not only a sign of regard for Ruan Hanzhang but also an honor for the Ruan family. Thus, a hint of a smile finally appeared on Auntie Peilan’s face.

"Good, you understand. Prepare well, and ensure our mistress does not seem nervous or inexperienced when the time comes."

Once Qing Dai withdrew, the bedchamber fell silent again.

Peilan rose directly and approached the canopy bed, yanking open the heavy grapevine-embroidered curtains without ceremony.

Harsh sunlight poured in. She paid no heed to the "young lady" in the bed and spoke coldly, "You heard everything?"

Ruan Hanzhang slowly sat up. Through the gap in the curtains, she caught a glimpse of the brilliant spring afternoon outside.

The sun was bright, tree shadows swayed, and a gentle breeze rustled through the bamboo grove beyond the window.

The bedchamber was filled with the rich, sweet, and comforting scent of agarwood, a precious incense imported from distant lands and only recently available in the markets.

The reclining couch beside the bed was made of a single piece of rosewood, carved with flowers of the four seasons, looking dignified and elegant. An enamel Boshan censer smoldered quietly, its smoke curling like fairy mist, adding to the pleasant ambiance.

The entire bedchamber had been decorated and furnished by Peilan herself, embodying the refinement and status of a noble young lady.

Yet it all felt completely foreign to who she truly was.

Ruan Hanzhang seemed as though she had just awoken, still foggy with sleep, her voice hoarse as she asked, "What?"

Her voice was soft and melodious, enchantingly sweet, a rare, sweet voice like a nightingale’s.

Peilan lowered her gaze, her eyes icy and filled with unmistakable disgust.

"Remember your place. Serve His Majesty properly and behave as Talent Lady Ruan should."

Ruan Hanzhang seemed to come to her senses then. A blush spread across her cheeks, and she lowered her head shyly. "Don’t worry, Auntie. I understand."

Her dark, sleek hair cascaded down, veiling the scorn in her eyes.

Peilan found her appearance utterly revolting, as if even a glance was too much to bear.

"Lowborn wretch."

She cursed under her breath, satisfied to see the slender, graceful woman tremble slightly.

Peilan released the curtain, letting it fall back into place. "Talent Lady, rise now. You must have an early dinner tonight. Afterward, you are to attend His Majesty at the Pomegranate Hall."

Ruan Hanzhang looked down at her slender, pale fingers. Suddenly, she clenched them tightly, forming fists.

Let it begin today.

Everyone who had wronged her, betrayed her, or harmed her—she would rely on herself to seek justice, one by one.

Talent Lady Ruan arose.

The entire Warm Jade Pavilion buzzed with activity.

Qing Dai and Hongxiu attended to her washing and dressing, hastily styling her hair into a simple updo before presenting her with a bowl of snow fungus and lotus seed porridge to soothe her throat.

Seated on the reclining couch, Ruan Hanzhang first finished the soup and then quietly took up her embroidery.

Her embroidery skills were neither excellent nor terrible; she could only manage the most basic patterns, nothing compared to the renowned brilliance of the Ruan family’s eldest daughter, celebrated throughout Qingzhou for her scholarly and artistic accomplishments.

Auntie Peilan was busy in and out attending to various tasks. When she returned to the bedchamber and saw the handkerchief in Ruan Hanzhang’s hands, she said flatly, "Put it away once you’re done. Don’t let anyone see it and disgrace the young lady’s name."

Ruan Hanzhang’s hands stilled. Timidly, she lowered her head.

"Yes."

Her cowering, pitiful demeanor was more than Peilan could stand.

If not for a stroke of luck and this wretch’s uncanny resemblance to the young lady—six or seven parts alike—she would never have been used to impersonate the mistress and curry favor in the palace.

She wasn’t fit to hold a candle to the eldest young lady.

Peilan thought of her mistress’s instructions, of the master’s reminders. Finally, she took a deep breath and forced a smile.

"Since you are to attend His Majesty tonight, Talent Lady, avoid such tasks. The hot water is ready—please go bathe."

Then she added, "I will personally assist you."

Ruan Hanzhang stood completely unclothed, her dark hair cascading over her pale neck, slipping past her collarbones and down into the soft swell of her breasts.

Further down was a waist so small it could be spanned by two hands.

With cherry lips and a willow-like waist, Ruan Hanzhang’s narrow midsection resembled the slender neck of a white porcelain vase for plum branches, something that two hands could circle.

The way Peilan looked at her was no different from the madams at the Pleasure Pavilion.

With both disgust and satisfaction.

"Talent Lady, today is your fortune."

Her tone was uncharacteristically gentle, carrying the benevolence of an elder: "If you had remained in the past, how could you have such a life of glory and wealth as you do today?"

The words were veiled, only the two of them could understand.

Yes, if she had stayed at Yixiang Pavilion, Ruan Hanzhang, a Yangzhou "skinny horse," would have eventually been a courtesan serving many. How could she have entered the palace as a concubine, devoted to one man alone?

Moreover, that person was the emperor.

For the Ruan family, choosing her as a substitute was both a favor and a blessing for her.

Ruan Hanzhang lowered her head, somewhat shy and very grateful.

"Thank you to Lord and Lady, and also to you, Aunt, for your care these days," she paused, her tone very sincere, "I will serve His Majesty well and bring even more glory to the Ruan family."

Peilan glanced at her disdainfully, her tone still kind: "As long as you understand. In the future, when the Second Miss enters the palace, you sisters can join forces, and good days will await you all."

This Second Miss was actually the real Ruan Hanzhang.

Ruan Hanzhang thought cynically and said, "I hope the young lady recovers soon."

The bath ended, and the conversation was washed away with the water.

The golden orb, which had shone all day, sank westward, gradually disappearing into the turbulent clouds.

Ruan Hanzhang was very nervous. She had little appetite and could not eat much before attending the emperor, so she simply had a small bowl of red date and millet porridge and one crystal shrimp dumpling before stopping.

In a daze, twilight fell.

The sun set like molten gold, and dusk enveloped everything.

The entire Jade Capital was bathed in warm red twilight. The towering Changxin Palace stood at the boundary between heaven and earth, silently witnessing the spring.

Today was the first evening of royal attendance, so Peilan was also very attentive. Together with the steady Hongxiu, they busied themselves and finally chose a water-red gossamer silk dress for Ruan Hanzhang to change into.

Ruan Hanzhang's skin was fair, like fine alabaster. Paired with the water-red clothing, it enhanced her allure.

Qing Dai was skilled with her hands and styled her hair into a peony-shaped chignon. A hairpin with a magpie perched on a branch was tucked into her hair, and pearl pendants swayed gently by her rounded ears.

She was the epitome of heavenly beauty.

Standing there, she looked like a fairy in a painting.

Peilan was also very satisfied. She surveyed her up and down and finally lightly dabbed rouge on her lips, saying, "With such beauty, who could resist her charm?"

The entire Tangli Pavilion was filled with a joyful atmosphere. Ruan Hanzhang's peerless beauty would surely win her imperial favor, leading to a swift advancement and a life of glory and wealth.

Ruan Hanzhang smiled faintly, with three parts shyness and two parts anticipation, and said, "Let's go, Aunt."

Peilan stepped forward and escorted her as they walked out of the pavilion.

Ruan Hanzhang, the eldest daughter of the Grand Minister of Justice, entered the palace in the second month of Yuanhui 5th Year for the imperial selection. After a month of instruction and training, she was finally named Junior Sixth Rank Talented Lady three days ago and assigned to live in the Tangli Pavilion behind the Tingxue Palace in the Eastern Six Palaces.

The current emperor, Jing Huayan, possessed dragon-like majesty and splendor, vibrant and imposing. Just twenty-three years old, he was the eldest son of the previous emperor, named crown prince at ten and smoothly ascended to the throne. From imperial uncles and aunts down to imperial brothers and princesses, all bowed in submission to him.

In the fifth year of his reign, this was the second palace selection. Originally, Ruan Hanzhang was assigned to the west side hall of the rear hall of Tingxue Palace. However, the chief consort of Tingxue Palace, Consort Murong, suddenly fell seriously ill and needed quiet rest, so Ruan Hanzhang was moved to the Tangli Pavilion in the northeast corner.

Though still within Tingxue Palace, Tangli Pavilion was brighter and more spacious than the west side hall, with well-lit and pristine rooms—elegant and refined. In fact, it was better than the west side hall. In previous years, those who lived here were mostly mid-ranking consorts.

This was already an honor, and the Ruan family had no objections.

Ruan Hanzhang, accompanied by Peilan, passed through the side door and followed the covered corridor toward the Chuihua Gate, preparing to cross the front hall and leave Tingxue Palace.

The royal escort sedan for the Talented Lady was waiting outside the palace gate, ready for her arrival.

Ruan Hanzhang wore a smile, her demeanor elegant, her back straight as she walked, poised and graceful.

Suddenly, Ruan Hanzhang’s nose twitched. She turned to Peilan and said, "Aunt, did you bring the rosewater?"

Peilan, momentarily distracted, recalled and said, "It’s brought, Talent Lady, don’t worry."

As she spoke, Peilan’s attention was diverted, and she failed to notice the ground beneath her.

Just as she stepped over the Chuihua Gate, Peilan took a step forward and suddenly felt her foot give way. She stumbled forward.

"Aunt!"

Ruan Hanzhang instinctively reached out to steady her. As soon as she grabbed her arm, both of them lost balance and fell to the side.

It was a coincidence.

A young palace maid happened to be passing by. Seeing the situation, she rushed forward and tried to steady the two who were about to fall.

Unfortunately, the white jade vial she was carrying was knocked to the ground and shattered with a crack.

A strong scent of roses wafted out, drifting into Ruan Hanzhang’s nostrils.

She frowned slightly.

But there was no time to dwell on it. She hurriedly checked on Aunt Peilan: "Aunt, are you all right?"

Peilan had sprained her ankle, her face pale. Leaning on Ruan Hanzhang, she awkwardly stood up and glared sharply at the palace maid.

At her feet, two stones lay scattered on the ground, hidden by the tall threshold and hard to notice without careful attention.

At this hour, anyone passing by could have tripped.

The young palace maid was terrified and had already knelt on the ground: "This servant admits her fault."

Peilan scolded harshly: "Who is the Palace Cleaner here? How could there be stones on the path? What if it was the Talent Lady who fell and got injured today?"

The young palace maid was so frightened she began to cry.

But she dared not make a sound, only shedding silent tears.

As a Third-class palace maid, how could she know about these matters?

Ruan Hanzhang glanced at the sky outside and caught a glimpse of the waiting royal escort sedan through the palace gate crack. She softly comforted Peilan: "If not for your alertness, it would have been me who fell. Now, it’s not too serious. The royal escort sedan is still waiting; we mustn’t delay."

Consort Murong had been ill for over a month. For the past three days, when Ruan Hanzhang came to pay respects, she had refused to see her. Now, the doors and windows of the front hall were tightly shut, and two palace maids stood quietly at the entrance, not daring to look their way.

Peilan glared hatefully at the front hall, shot Ruan Hanzhang a meaningful look, and whispered: "I suspect it was intentional. After all, everyone in the palace knows His Majesty dislikes rosewater."

"This matter cannot be let go. Do they think the Ruan family is easy to bully?"

How could it be such a coincidence that the vial spilled was precisely rosewater?

Ruan Hanzhang looked worried. "But Auntie, the time for attending the emperor cannot wait."

Peilan gritted her teeth and said, "Let Hongxiu accompany you."

Ruan Hanzhang grew more anxious. "Auntie."

"Talent Lady, do not be afraid. Just be yourself," Peilan said, tightly grasping Ruan Hanzhang's hand, offering rare comfort. "His Majesty will surely like you."

As Ruan Hanzhang stepped into the nuptial palanquin, the curtain gently fell. The shy smile at the corner of her lips suddenly turned into an icy smirk.

"Be myself?"

Ruan Hanzhang murmured in a voice as soft as an oriole's, meant for her ears alone.

"Auntie Peilan, then I shall indeed be myself."