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The empress and her cousin, Shen Yongjia, stood beside the tranquil fish pond, their reflections shimmering amid the gentle ripples that danced across the surface. The koi fish glided gracefully beneath the water, their vibrant colors a living tapestry of elegance. Shen Yongjia's sharp, discerning eyes followed the fish with quiet contemplation, while Empress Hui Su broke the silence with an unexpected observation. "Lu Hua is good looking," she remarked, her words hanging in the air like a curious thought spoken aloud.

"She is Longlü's daughter; of course she's attractive," Shen Yongjia replied simply, her voice bearing the weight of long-buried memories. She clutched her handkerchief tightly, her mind drifting back to when she was just 22 years old. In those days, she was already married to Chun Weijun and had given him sons. Yet, Chun Weijun's heart had been captured by Longlü, a woman Shen Yongjia had once seen in a dream.

Longlü was tall and undeniably beautiful, and upon their first encounter, Chun Weijun had been utterly smitten, neglecting his wife and children in pursuit of this captivating woman. Meanwhile, Empress Hui Su, then a mere concubine to the Emperor, recalled how fate had entwined Longlü's life with that of the Emperor during a chance meeting at a New Year festival. He, too, had been entranced by Longlü's allure. Though Empress Hui Su had never laid eyes on Longlü, she understood from the Emperor's actions that this woman must possess extraordinary beauty.

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

Empress Hui Su looked at her cousin, perplexed. "What do you mean?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"When we first met, I was stunned. She is indeed breathtaking; that's why my husband was obsessed with her. At that time, my husband had already made her his concubine. But she confided in me that she wasn't meant to be here," Shen Yongjia revealed, her voice tinged with an old, lingering pain.

Empress Hui Su exhaled softly, urging her cousin to continue. "And then?"

"She came from the Golden Mountain," Shen Yongjia stated, watching as Empress Hui Su's eyes widened in astonishment. The empress turned fully toward her cousin, disbelief etched on her features. "Golden Mountain?"

"Yes. She told me she descended to search for her husband. But Weijun forced her to become his concubine," Shen Yongjia explained, her voice steady and unwavering.

"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 a whisper of shock.

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

And while the Emperor had moved on after Longlü's death, Weijun never did, forever haunted by the shadow of the woman he could not truly possess.

---

Elsewhere, Lu Hua reclined lazily on a hammock, her voice carrying a note of exasperation. "Everywhere I go, I keep hearing people talking about the second prince. Can't we just forget what happened and move on?" she lamented, her tone a mix of frustration and weary indifference.

Li Beihe, diligently pouring tea into a delicate porcelain cup, looked up. Hong Fuquan, meanwhile, nibbled on a mooncake, fanning himself with idle elegance.

"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! Saying I'm ugly or whatever—are they blind? I'm beautiful!" Lu Hua defended herself, her voice a blend of indignation and humor.

"That's because you never show your face to anyone except for a select few," 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!"

From a distance, Shen Yongjia watched her stepdaughter. Though Lu Hua was not her biological daughter, a sense of affection and pride stirred within her. Lu Hua hailed from a wealthy family, and expectations had always been for her to display elegance and decorum. Yet here she was, laughing with her companions, treating them not as servants but as cherished friends.

Yongjia allowed herself a final glance at the trio, their camaraderie warming her heart, before she turned to leave the palace and return to the Chun mansion.

---

In the confines of Lu Hua's chamber, Beihe carefully applied face powder to her lady's face, her movements precise and practiced. Beside her, Fuquan observed with a critical eye, arms crossed in judgment. As Beihe finished her work, Fuquan's gaze shifted, and he couldn't help but offer his opinion.

"Tadaaaa!" Beihe exclaimed, beaming with pride at her handiwork.

Fuquan snatched the powder box from her hands with a flourish. "Give me that! She looks like a clown!" he criticized, earning a playful slap on the shoulder from Beihe. "Hey!" she protested.

With deft hands, Fuquan adjusted the makeup, stepping back only when he was satisfied. He nodded approvingly. "Now that's better."

He turned, his eyes sparkling with excitement, "Now it's time for what to wear!"

Beihe and Fuquan shrieked with delight, dashing toward the wardrobe filled with elegant garments.

Lu Hua could only shake her head, a smile playing on her lips as she watched their exuberance. When they finally finished, Lu Hua was adorned in a stunning blue hanfu, her hair styled with exquisite care, and delicate flower hairpins accentuating her look.

Hong Fuquan and Li Beihe hugged each other, gazing at their lady with admiration. "You look marvelous!" they exclaimed in unison.

Lu Hua smiled coyly, spinning around to admire her reflection. "Now let's go out!" she declared with playful enthusiasm.

Li Beihe quickly agreed, her excitement palpable. However, Fuquan paused, raising a gentle hand to stop the pair. "Wait! You're a princess now; you must get permission from the empress, the emperor, or your husband to go out."

Lu Hua's expression shifted to one of rebellious defiance. "Fuck them," she said with a dismissive wave.

Li Beihe looked puzzled, tilting her head in confusion. "Ah? What's 'fuck'?"

Ignoring the question, Lu Hua turned her attention to practical matters. "How do we get their permission?" she asked, determination gleaming in her eyes.