The noble girl is beautiful.

The sky was still dim, with fine rain falling on the leaves, and on the distant bamboo leaves, the rustling sound disturbing the peaceful dreams.
“Du Juan?” Shen Yourong opened her eyes, the inside of the tent was dim, unable to let in any light.
Du Juan walked lightly into the inner room, and asked through the curtain, “Miss, are you ready to get up?”
Shen Yourong responded with a sound, and Du Juan stepped forward to lift the curtain, hanging it with the jade hook by the bed.
Four maidservants came in carrying hot water and towels. Du Juan and Hua Mei, the two close maidservants, helped her get up. Everyone remained solemn and silent, not daring to be playful or noisy.
“What time is it?” Shen Yourong sat in front of the dressing table, looking out through the window at the misty rain outside.
“It’s just past the hour of the tiger, and it’s raining heavily outside today.”
Du Juan stood behind her, pinning a golden silk and pearl hairpin into her hair, while Hua Mei kneeled beside her, putting on bracelets and rings one by one, looking at the young girl in the mirror, with her snow-white skin, bright eyes, and a demeanor of grace and elegance, despite her young age.
Shen Yourong was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Qi’s mansion, and her aunt was a Concubine Shu in the palace. These past few days, Concubine Shu missed her family and specially ordered her niece Shen Yourong to accompany her in the palace.
After finishing dressing, Shen Yourong got up and walked along the corridor towards Concubine Shu’s sleeping chamber.
At the entrance of the sleeping chamber, Fei Cui, Concubine Shu’s personal palace maid, saw Shen Yourong approaching. She smiled as she drew the curtain, “Miss, up so early?”
Shen Yourong smiled, “I came to see Aunt.”
She entered the chamber, greeted by a wave of warmth. There sat Concubine Shu on the inner couch, wearing a light red thin shirt, her long hair flowing like a waterfall, without makeup, graceful and charming, enough to outshine all others in the palace.
Seeing her, the previously lazy and tired expression on Concubine Shu’s face immediately turned into a smile, “Come here.”
She walked over and sat on the embroidered stool below. Concubine Shu held her hand and smiled, “Have you gotten used to staying in the palace these few days?”
“Everything is fine,” Shen Yourong replied, “Auntie dotes on me, and Fei Cui and the others are willing to accompany me.”
“Have you taken a stroll around?” Concubine Shu asked, “The spring scenery is beautiful, with the flowers in the imperial garden in full bloom. Don’t be afraid to bump into anyone, it’s best to be relaxed.”
Shen Yourong replied, “I went for a stroll a few days ago, but the sun was too intense. I thought I’d wait for a cooler day to go out again, but it’s raining today. The weather isn’t cooperating.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Concubine Shu said. “Strolling in the rain is most leisurely, with its own unique charm.”
She smiled, “I’ve made you a light blue dress using satin with makeup flowers from the south. It’s shimmering and suitable for young girls like you. After eating, you should go to the Imperial Garden and pick a few well-bloomed gardenia flowers.”
Shen Yourong replied, “Yes.”
After the meal, the rain continued unabated. The stone path was damp, but the plants looked even greener after the rain.
With an umbrella, the raindrops pattered on the oiled paper umbrella. Apart from the eunuchs and palace maids sweeping, there was no one else in the Imperial Garden.
Hua Mei muttered softly, “What’s the logic in going out for a walk on a rainy day when our clothes are getting soaked?”
“Hush,” Du Juan said. “Do you even know where we are? Stop talking nonsense.”
Hua Mei dared not speak further and looked at Shen Yourong. The cool rain fell on Shen Yourong, but she stood tall and composed, showing no signs of shrinking.
“Now that we’re here, let’s enjoy the stroll,” Shen Yourong said calmly, “It’s rare to have the place to ourselves.”
As they walked and admired the scenery, She, wearing a light blue dress, stood out in the misty rain, complementing the vibrant colors of the garden.
After a short while, they suddenly saw a large patch of gardenias, with a rock inscribed with “Garden of Gardenias” at the forefront. The snowy white gardenias dotted the lush green leaves, swaying in the drizzle, and the unique fragrance could be smelled from afar.
“These gardenias are blooming beautifully!” Hua Mei said. “Miss, pick a few more to make into hair ornaments when we return.”
Shen Yourong slightly bent down, plucked a gardenia, and held it in her hand to admire.
Du Juan, carrying a flower basket, said, “This is the palace after all; there’s nowhere else like it.”
As they picked flowers, on a nearby artificial hill, amidst the shadows of the trees, stood a small pavilion, where several figures were seen.
“To come out to pick flowers on such a rainy day, how affected,” said a young man, no more than twenty, with long eyebrows and cold star-like eyes, dressed in embroidered clothes and a magnificent crown. He exuded a heroic and handsome aura.
The speaker was the Fourth Prince, Ji Chengyao.
“A true gentleman shouldn’t criticize women,” said the person beside him, slightly older than the Fourth Prince, dressed plainly with only a few ornaments. His features were handsome and solemn, his demeanor calm and courteous.
This person was Ji Zhuo, the younger brother of the Emperor, titled the Prince of Duan.
Ji Chengyao laughed, “Uncle Wang always pays attention to such details.”
As he spoke, a young eunuch from Concubine Shu’s palace came over and said, “Concubine Shu said that her niece, Miss Shen, is playing in the garden. Seeing that the rain is getting heavier, if Your Highness encounters her, please send Miss Shen back to her place.”
Ji Chengyao glanced at the eunuch and said to Ji Zhuo, “Then I’ll go down first, Uncle Wang, take care.”
Ji Chengyao came down from the back path and stood at the end of the road. The eunuch next to him held the umbrella and asked loudly, “Is it Miss Shen from the Shen family?”
Shen Yourong was startled and turned her head to look. Through the rain curtain, she saw a beautiful woman suddenly turning around, her watery eyes not knowing who she was looking at.
Ji Chengyao stood far away and said, “Concubine Shu asked me to send Miss back. The rain is getting heavier.”
She guessed his identity, “Fourth Prince?”
He nodded.
She nodded in gratitude, “Thank you, Fourth Prince.”
Ji Chengyao walked ahead, and she followed slightly behind him.
Heturned to look at her and said, “Niece, no need to be too constrained. The road is slippery in the rain, so be careful.”
She thanked him silently, wondering where he had come from. As she walked, she glanced back quietly and suddenly saw another small pavilion on the artificial hill, with a tall figure inside, watching them leave.
They returned to the Palace of Concubine Shu, who had been waiting.
Ji Chengyao first went to pay his respects to Concubine Shu, while Shen Yourong changed her clothes and came out.
“You haven’t met your sister yet,” Concubine Shu pulled Shen Yourong to her side, while Ji Chengyao sat opposite her.
“This is the eldest daughter of the Qi State Duke’s Mansion, your eldest uncle’s daughter. She just turned fourteen this year, born in the same month as you,” Concubine Shu smiled. “She’s been staying with me for a few days. Originally, you should have met, but somehow it didn’t happen. I thought it was a pity that you didn’t meet, but unexpectedly, you met in the Imperial Garden.”
Shen Yourong didn’t say anything, just smiled modestly.
Ji Chengyao chuckled, “Indeed, it’s fate between the two of us.”
Concubine Shu’s smile deepened, “Your sister should return home today. If you’re free this afternoon, you should accompany her home. It’s good to meet your relatives from your mother’s side.”
“Yes, Mother, I understand.”
Afternoon passed, and Shen Yourong bid farewell to Consort Shu, who reluctantly parted with her and bestowed many gifts before instructing Ji Chengyao to carefully escort her back home.
Exiting the palace gates, the carriage carrying her traversed the bustling streets, while Ji Chengyao rode ahead on a tall horse. Pedestrians along the roadside made way, creating a lively scene.
Observing this, Du Juan couldn’t help but wonder what Shen Yourong was thinking as she sat upright in the carriage.
At the entrance of Duke Qi’s Mansion, preparations were already made. The men from the main and second branches of the Duke’s family stood solemnly in the main hall, awaiting the arrival of the Fourth Prince, Ji Chengyao.
Shen Yourong’s carriage passed through the main gate and stopped outside the second gate. She alighted, wearing a stone-blue cloak adorned with peony flowers, and proceeded to greet her father in the main hall.
Duke Qi, a dignified and seasoned figure, welcomed his daughter back with a simple instruction: “Go and greet your grandmother and mother.”
“Yes,” She replied before heading inside.
Ji Chengyao greeted Duke Qi in the main hall, exchanging pleasantries as expected.
The Qi family was not particularly large. Duke Qi, Shen Ying, had many children from his principal wife, Madam Zhou. After Madam Zhou passed away, Duke Qi married Lady Yang, who bore him a son and a daughter, Shen Qinghe and Shen Qingfeng. He also had a daughter, Shen Qingyan, from a concubine.
The second branch was headed by Shen Mao, who held the position of Minister of the Ministry of Rites. He had two sons and a daughter: the twins Shen Xi and Shen Ran, and a daughter, Shen Sihui.
Afterwards, Shen Yourong went to see her grandmother. As she entered the courtyard, she was greeted by a group of young maidservants who hurriedly announced her arrival.
Upon entering the room, Shen Yourong saw her grandmother, a graceful and dignified figure, sitting on a Buddha bed. Also present were Lady Yang, Duke Qi’s wife, and Lady Li, the wife of the second branch.
Shen Yourong greeted them respectfully before her grandmother pulled her close, asking about her well-being and whether she had seen her aunt and Concubine Shu.
Shen Yourong replied to each question in turn, expressing her concern for her grandmother while she was away in the palace.
Lady Li joked about Shen Yourong’s impeccable manners, remarking that even the maidservants would be scolded if they weren’t as well-behaved.
Shen Yourong smiled and teased that the maids might get angry with her if they heard such comments.
Her grandmother, affectionately patting her hand, instructed her to rest for a while and promised to talk more later in the evening.
Afterwards, she left for her own courtyard, where she was warmly welcomed by her sisters. They sat together and chatted, enjoying tea and snacks brought by the maidservants.
During their conversation, Shen Yourong’s sisters teased her about her encounter with the Fourth Prince and speculated about a potential romantic connection between them.
She laughed off their comments, insisting that such matters were not to be discussed lightly.
After distributing gifts from Concubine Shu to her sisters, she retired to rest. Her maid, Du Juan, offered to massage her legs but couldn’t resist asking about the conversation earlier.
Shen Yourong chuckled and asked for some time to rest, emphasizing that such matters were not urgent.
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