f i v e
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The empress and her cousin, Shen Yongjia, stood beside the calm fish pond. Their reflections glimmered in the gentle ripples that moved across the water. The koi fish swam gracefully below, their bright colors creating a beautiful display. Shen Yongjia watched the fish thoughtfully, while Empress Hui Su broke the quiet by saying, "Lu Hua is quite good looking," her words lingering in the peaceful scene.

"She is Longlü's daughter; it's no surprise she's attractive," Shen Yongjia replied simply, her voice tinged with the weight of old memories. Clutching her handkerchief tightly, she found her thoughts drifting back to when she was just 22 years old. During those days, she was already married to Chun Weijun and had borne him sons. Yet, Chun Weijun's heart had been captured by Longlü, a woman Shen Yongjia had once seen in a dream.

Longlü stood tall and undeniably beautiful, and from their first meeting, Chun Weijun had been completely captivated, neglecting his wife and children in his pursuit of this enchanting woman. On the other hand, Empress Hui Su, at that time a mere concubine to the Emperor, remembered how fate had intertwined Longlü's path with that of the Emperor's during a chance encounter at a New Year festival. The Emperor himself had also been enchanted by Longlü's charm. While Empress Hui Su had never seen Longlü in person, she could deduce from the Emperor's actions that this woman must possess extraordinary beauty.

Shen Yongjia turned to her cousin, her voice tinged with introspection and a hint of sadness. "I would have despised her if I didn't know the truth."

Empress Hui Su looked at her cousin, puzzled. "What do you mean?" she asked, intrigued by Shen Yongjia's words.

"When we first met, I was amazed. She truly is stunning; that's why my husband was so infatuated with her. By then, my husband had already taken her as his concubine. But she shared with me that she never intended to be in that position," Shen Yongjia disclosed, her voice carrying a trace of old, lingering sorrow.

Empress Hui Su let out a small breath, encouraging her cousin to reveal more. "And then?"

"She hails from the Golden Mountain," Shen Yongjia disclosed, observing as Empress Hui Su's eyes widened in shock. The empress turned completely towards Shen Yongjia, her disbelief evident. "The Golden Mountain?"

"Yes. She explained that she descended in search of her husband. However, Weijun compelled her to become his concubine," Shen Yongjia elaborated, her voice firm and resolute.

"She was already married?"

"Indeed, and she was pregnant at the time."

"So you mean... Lu Hua is not Weijun's daughter?" Empress Hui Su asked, her voice barely above a whisper of shock.

Shen Yongjia simply nodded, her expression firm. "Yes. I'm relieved she's not his real daughter. That man never acted like a father; not enough to be called one."

And even though the Emperor had moved forward after Longlü's passing, Weijun remained stuck in the past, forever tormented by the memory of the woman he could never truly claim.

★

Lu Hua was seen reclining lazily on a hammock, expressing her frustration. "Everywhere I go, all I hear about is the second prince. Can't we just move past what happened?" she sighed, conveying a mix of annoyance and fatigue.

Li Beihe paused in pouring tea into a delicate porcelain cup, glancing up at Lu Hua. On the other hand, Hong Fuquan leisurely nibbled on a mooncake, fanning himself with a sense of refinement.

"Lady Lu Hua, how can people just forget what happened? He left you on the wedding night. That's very embarrassing!" Li Beihe reasoned, her tone earnest and sincere.

"Yeah, it is, but they're also talking about me! They say I'm ugly or something, are they blind? I'm beautiful!" Lu Hua defended herself, her voice a mix of indignation and humor.

"That's because you never show your face to anyone except for a few select people," Li Beihe pointed out, her voice pragmatic.

"Hah! Men are all the same, greedy and lustful," Hong Fuquan interjected, his voice dripping with disdain. Lu Hua and Beihe scrutinized him, their gazes curious. He returned their looks with one of his own. "What are you looking at?"

Li Beihe shook her head thoughtfully before an idea sparked. "Oh, I know! Why doesn't Lady Lu Hua stop using a veil? Then people will stop gossiping!"

Lu Hua's face lit up with a grin. "Yes! Good idea! Then people will stop calling me ugly, and the second prince will regret his stupid actions once he finds out I've married the sixth prince!"

Hong Fuquan clapped his hands in delight. "Yes! I support!"

Watching from afar, Shen Yongjia observed her stepdaughter, Lu Hua, with a mixture of affection and pride. Despite not being related by blood, she couldn't help but feel a bond with the young woman. Lu Hua came from a privileged background, where expectations of elegance and propriety were high. Yet, here she was, sharing genuine laughter with her servants, treating them as equals rather than servants.

As she lingered for a moment longer, taking in the heartwarming scene, Shen Yongjia felt a sense of contentment before turning away to make her way back to the Chun mansion.

In Lu Hua's chamber, Beihe carefully applied face powder to her lady's complexion with practiced precision. Across from her, Fuquan watched intently, his arms folded in a judgmental stance. As Beihe completed her task, Fuquan's scrutiny turned into commentary.

"Ta-da!" Beihe announced proudly, showcasing her finished work.

Fuquan snatched the powder box from her grasp dramatically. "Give me that! She looks like a clown!" he critiqued, prompting a playful slap on the shoulder from Beihe. "Hey!" Fuquan protested in mock offense.

With skilled hands, Fuquan adjusted the makeup, stepping back once satisfied. He nodded in approval. "Now that's better."

Turning excitedly, he exclaimed, "Now it's time to choose what to wear!"

Beihe and Fuquan squealed with joy, rushing towards the wardrobe filled with elegant garments.

Lu Hua could only shake her head, a smile dancing on her lips as she observed their enthusiasm. Eventually, when they were finished, Lu Hua was dressed in a stunning blue hanfu, her hair styled meticulously, and delicate flower hairpins adding the finishing touch to her appearance.

Hong Fuquan and Li Beihe embraced each other, looking at their lady with admiration. "You look wonderful!" they exclaimed together.

Lu Hua smiled shyly, twirling around to admire her reflection. "Let's go out now!" she announced playfully.

Li Beihe eagerly agreed, her excitement evident. However, Fuquan hesitated, raising a gentle hand to halt the pair. "Wait! You're a princess now; you need permission from the empress, the emperor, or your husband before going out."

Lu Hua's expression suddenly turned rebellious as she exclaimed, "Fuck them," signaling her dismissive attitude with a wave of her hand.

Li Beihe, looking puzzled, tilted her head in confusion. "What does 'fuck' mean?"

Not addressing the question directly, Lu Hua shifted her focus to practical matters. "How can we obtain their approval?" she inquired, her determination clearly visible in her eyes.