Sister Moon, this is from the Prince for you.

Early Morning, Outside the Gate of the Jun Prince’s Residence

At dawn, a carriage from the palace arrived to fetch Hui Yue’er. According to custom, the old Princess Dowager, accompanied by the three concubines, came to the gate to see her off, as if she were a daughter being married off. Zhao Chengxian was supposed to come too, but Yue’er had not bid farewell to him, and he did not come to see her off either. There was a tacit understanding between them—they both disliked goodbyes.

Yue’er was not dressed as elaborately as the previous day; she wore her usual simple attire, her hair in two braids. The old Princess Dowager looked at her and asked, slightly reproachful, “Siyue, why aren’t you wearing what you had on yesterday?” She was worried that the Emperor might think the Jun Prince’s residence was slighting Hui Yue’er.

Yue’er smiled and replied, “I’m not used to such dress. Besides, even the Prince said it didn’t suit me. Don’t worry, Grandmother. Natural is most beautiful, and any finery only returns to its essence in the end.” In truth, she knew that style suited her, and it was because she knew how beautiful it was that she avoided wearing it—she had no intention of staying in the palace.

Qin Consort felt a bit indignant, though there was nothing she could do. Her father had wanted to send her to the palace, but the Empress Dowager had insisted on sending her to the Jun Prince’s residence instead. Although Zhao Chengxian was a good man, she could never quite let go of the idea of becoming an imperial consort. Hearing that Hui Yue’er, whose background was less distinguished than hers, could enter the palace as imperial consort, she was consumed with jealousy. She spoke with barely concealed barbs, “Siyue, you are truly blessed to go to the palace and serve His Majesty. When you become the phoenix, don’t forget your family here at the Jun Prince’s residence!”

They all knew Yue’er was unwilling to enter the palace. Qin Consort’s words were meant to make her uncomfortable. How strange some people are, as if others’ discomfort brings them joy—could it be a touch of madness?

Yue’er shot Qin Consort a sharp look and sneered, “If I truly become imperial consort, the one I’ll never forget most will be you, Your Grace.” There was a note of warning in her tone, as if to say, “You had best hope I don’t become consort, for if I do, you’ll be the first I deal with.” Qin Consort shivered and said no more. If an imperial consort wished to deal with a prince’s concubine, it would be a trivial matter. In truth, all three concubines knew they were not the one Zhao Chengxian truly cared for, yet in their pursuit of love and power, they still competed among themselves. They were pitiable in their own right.

The eunuch who had come to escort Yue’er said, “Enough, Princess Siyue must be on her way. It would be inauspicious to miss the auspicious hour for entering the palace!” Since Yue’er had been designated as an imperial consort, the Empress had even consulted an astrologer for the proper time. Life in the palace was never simple.

Yue’er and Qiqi boarded the carriage. Qiqi, curious, examined their surroundings. The carriage had a red roof, exuding an air of nobility, and inside were several soft cushions that made the ride exceedingly comfortable. Qiqi exclaimed, “A royal carriage really is different—how grand!” No matter how well Zhao Chengxian had treated her, she had never ridden in a carriage before, for girls generally were not allowed out.

Yue’er smiled, “It’s never as exhilarating as riding horseback!” Thinking back to the previous night’s ride with Zhao Chengxian, a rosy blush crept up her cheeks. She had never experienced such strange feelings before; just recalling her moments with Zhao Chengxian filled her heart with sweetness.

Qiqi noticed Yue’er’s peculiar smile, mystified, and suddenly remembered Zhao Chengxian’s instructions. She took a small square box from her sleeve and handed it to Yue’er, who accepted it in confusion. Opening it, she found a silver bracelet adorned with many tiny stars and a crescent moon at the center, striking and beautiful. Qiqi, seeing Yue’er’s bewildered gaze, explained, “Sister Yue, the Prince asked me to give this to you!” She herself didn’t understand why Zhao Chengxian hadn’t given it to Yue’er directly.

Yue’er’s face blossomed with a sweet smile as she put on the bracelet. She hadn’t seen Zhao Chengxian that morning and had thought his words the night before were merely in jest. Looking at the bracelet, she lifted the carriage’s curtain and gazed at the Jun Prince’s residence fading into the distance, thinking: Farewell, bookworm. Will we ever gallop wildly together or play music in perfect harmony again? Was there still a chance for them? That was unknown. But what was certain was that Zhao Chengxian had already taken root in Yue’er’s heart. Perhaps it was during their race, when each had glimpsed the other in their heart, or perhaps even earlier. They didn’t know when they began to care for this person who quarreled and bickered with them daily, but love had blossomed, and love never announces its arrival.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, and those neither young nor old—hurry and shower me with medals, red envelopes, and gifts! Hold nothing back, let the wild storm rage fiercer still!