Dusk settled over the Shen estate, and candlelight flickered in the embroidery tower of the rear courtyard.
Shen Qingci sat by the window, her needle dancing across a silk handkerchief, weaving the image of twin lotus blossoms. Outside, a soft rain was falling, slicking the stone pathways and dampening the faint embers of hope in her heart.
"Miss, it's time for dinner," her maid, Chuntao, said as she entered with a food box. Seeing her still engrossed in her embroidery, she sighed. "You pour so much of your heart into this. I wonder if he will even appreciate it."
Qingci's fingers paused, and a tiny bead of blood blossomed on a lotus petal. She discreetly brought the pricked finger to her lips. "It is merely a way to pass the time."
The dinner was, once again, a simple affair of congee and plain vegetables, even more meager than before. Since the day of the flower-viewing banquet, her stepmother's suppression had become increasingly overt, cutting her allowances and daily provisions.
"I heard we have a distinguished guest today," Chuntao whispered. "It's the young heir of Marquis Yongning. He's in the main hall with the Master right now."
Qingci's hand, holding the spoon, froze for a fraction of a second. Lu Yunzhi, the heir of Yongning, was the same young man in the elegant blue robes who had given her a subtle nod of acknowledgment at the banquet.
"It has nothing to do with us," she said, lowering her gaze to hide the flicker of emotion in her eyes.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. The head matron burst in with two coarse-mannered maids and, without a word, began to ransack the room.
"Matron, what is the meaning of this?" Qingci stood up, shielding Chuntao behind her.
The matron gave a humorless smile. "Third Miss, the Mistress has lost a valuable phoenix hairpin made of gold and kingfisher feathers. The Master has ordered a search of all quarters."
The hairpin was a priceless part of her stepmother's dowry. Qingci's heart sank. She knew this was aimed at her.
As expected, it took only a moment for one of the maids to pull a glittering hairpin from the bottom of her jewelry box and exclaim, "I've found it!"
"Well, Third Miss, what do you have to say for yourself?" the matron said, her voice dripping with triumph. "Caught red-handed. Now, come with me to see the Mistress."
Qingci stared at the hairpin and then, to the matron's surprise, she smiled. "Are you certain this is the Mistress's hairpin?"
"Of course, I'm certain!"
"How strange," she said, stepping forward and gently touching the delicate feather inlay. "The Mistress's pin is adorned with malachite, which has a greenish hue. This one is decorated with powdered sapphire, giving it an indigo color. Has your eyesight failed you, Matron, that you cannot tell the difference?"
The matron's face paled. She snatched the pin and examined it closely. It was true.
"But… how can this be…"
"Furthermore," Qingci's voice turned sharp, "I saw the Mistress wearing her phoenix hairpin when I paid my respects to her just yesterday. Are you suggesting that I managed to steal it from her head in plain sight of everyone?"
"You… you must have swapped it!"
"Then by all means, search thoroughly," Qingci said, opening her arms in a gesture of surrender. "But if you find nothing, Matron, how will you account for this intrusion?"
Just as the standoff reached its peak, a clear, masculine voice came from the doorway. "What is all this commotion about?"
Everyone turned to see Lu Yunzhi standing in the courtyard, accompanied by her father. Dressed in a moon-white robe with his hair tied up in a jade crown, he looked even more distinguished than he had at the banquet.
The matron fell to her knees, stammering, unable to speak.
Shen Qingci curtsied and, with quiet dignity, explained the situation.
After listening, Lu Yunzhi turned to her father. "Your household is certainly lively, Uncle Shen."
Her father's face was livid. He shot a furious glare at the matron. "Get out of my sight!"
Once the servants had scurried away, Lu Yunzhi looked at Qingci. "I hope you were not too alarmed, Third Miss."
His gaze fell on her bleeding fingertip. He frowned slightly and produced a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve. "This is a healing balm from the palace. If you would not mind accepting it…"
"Your Lordship is too kind. I am not worthy," she said, lowering her eyes to avoid his gaze.
Her father, seeing this, interjected, "It is a great honor that His Lordship offers you this gift. Thank him at once!"
Qingci had no choice but to accept. As their fingertips brushed, she felt the intensity of his gaze, a look of deep inquiry.
After Lu Yunzhi had departed, her father's tone softened, a rare occurrence. "You were wronged today. Tomorrow, there is a banquet at the palace. You will accompany your mother and sisters."
This sudden favor set off alarm bells in Qingci's mind.
Her suspicions were confirmed when she returned to her room. Chuntao rushed to her, whispering, "Miss, I found out! The heir of Yongning came today specifically to propose a marriage… to you!"
Qingci clutched the porcelain bottle, its cold surface a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her.
"But…" Chuntao hesitated. "It seems the Marquis's wife does not approve. She says… she says your status is too low for you to be his official wife…"
The rain grew heavier, blurring the world outside her window. Qingci thought of her own mother's dying words: "Qingci, this household is a place that devours people whole. You must… you must live well."
She traced the patterns on the small bottle, a cold, determined smile forming on her lips.
Live well? No, she wanted far more than that.
The next day at the palace banquet, Shen Qingci, dressed in a simple, worn gown, followed meekly behind her stepmother and sisters, easily overlooked.
As they passed through the Imperial Garden, a commotion arose. The Fifth Princess's kite was caught in a tall tree, and the servants were at a loss.
"Let me try." Qingci stepped out from the crowd. To everyone's astonishment, she deftly climbed the rockery, reaching for the kite.
She knew it was a breach of etiquette, but it was her only chance.
Just as her fingers were about to grasp the kite, her foot slipped.
As she had anticipated, a strong arm caught her just in time.
"Be careful, Miss." Lu Yunzhi had appeared at the base of the rockery, his hands securely supporting her waist.
Their eyes met. In his, she saw not only concern but also… a flicker of knowing admiration.
He had seen through her act.
"Thank you, Your Lordship," she said softly. Using the support of his arm, she retrieved the kite and presented it to the delighted Fifth Princess.
"Who are you?" the princess asked, looking at her with interest. "You are quite amusing."
From a distance, the wife of Marquis Yongning watched with a displeased expression. Qingci knew her risky maneuver had succeeded.
During the feast, she sat quietly at the lowest-ranking table, yet she could feel gazes from all directions—curiosity, disdain, and the unwavering attention of Lu Yunzhi.
After several rounds of wine, the Emperor suddenly asked, "The heir of Yongning is of age. Has a marriage been arranged for him?"
The Marquis rose. "Your Majesty, not yet."
The Emperor smiled. "I find the third daughter of Minister Shen to be quite remarkable. Her courage in helping the Fifth Princess was admirable. She seems a fine match for the young heir."
The hall fell into a stunned silence. Qingci lowered her head, feeling the heat of her stepmother's furious glare.
The Marquis's wife quickly stood. "Your Majesty, this… while the Third Miss Shen is a fine girl, she is, after all, born of a concubine…"
"And what of it?" the Emperor said dismissively. "I see in her a grace and composure that is rare. Besides, since when has the great house of Yongning concerned itself with such trivial matters?"
The implication was clear. The Marquis immediately knelt to express his gratitude for the Emperor's decree.
Qingci's fingers were cold as ice. She knew she had just become a pawn in a game of power.
After the banquet, as she waited for her carriage, Lu Yunzhi approached her.
"Third Miss," he said, handing her a brocade box. "A gift of thanks."
Inside was a phoenix hairpin of gold and kingfisher feathers, identical to the one from the day before, but this one was inlaid with sapphire.
"What is the meaning of this, Your Lordship?" she asked, looking up at him.
He smiled. "A clever woman like you surely understands."
He stepped closer, his voice low. "If we are to put on a show, we might as well make it convincing."
She clutched the box, suddenly realizing that he had not only seen through her plan but had actively helped it along.
On the carriage ride back, her stepmother finally dropped all pretense. "Well played, Shen Qingci. I have certainly underestimated you!"
Qingci remained silent, the brocade box feeling like a hot coal in her hands.
Later that night, as she was preparing for bed, she heard three soft knocks on her window.
She opened it to find Lu Yunzhi standing in the moonlight, his expression grave. "Miss, today's events may have unforeseen consequences. If anyone asks about the hairpin tomorrow, you must deny ever having seen it."
"Why?"
He seemed to hesitate, then said only, "Be wary of those closest to you."
With that, he vanished into the night.
Qingci stood, puzzled, when a piercing scream shattered the silence from the adjacent courtyard.
It was her stepsister Shen Qingyue's residence.
She threw open her door to see the courtyard ablaze with lanterns and servants running in a panic. Shen Qingyue lay in a pool of blood, and protruding from her chest was the sapphire-adorned phoenix hairpin.
"Murder! The Third Miss is a murderer!" someone shrieked, and all eyes turned to her.
Shen Qingci stood frozen as her father and stepmother rushed to the scene. In that horrifying moment, she understood Lu Yunzhi's warning.
This was a trap, a carefully laid plot to seal her doom.
And in her hands, she still held the brocade box containing the matching hairpin.