Xiziqing

Crown Prince Yun Chi chose as his consort the youngest daughter of the Hua Family, Hua Yan, and the news shattered the hearts of countless ladies in the Capital City.
It was said: the Crown Prince could write poetry at three, compose essays at seven, debate with the greatest scholars at ten, shoot arrows with precision at twelve, oversee the examinations of all scholars at fifteen, and was regent by the time he was sixteen. He reached the pinnacle in letters, the extreme in martial arts, his looks were world-shaking, and his presence unrivaled.
Hua Yan felt as though a gigantic pie had fallen from the sky, landing squarely on her head.
From then on, was she to compete with the entire world for this man?
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Yun Chi: Standing at the pinnacle of the Azure Clouds, he learned the art of balance, practiced the strategies of an emperor, envisioned the land and skies in his heart. Within the nine-layered royal palace, he could turn his hands to clouds and his palms to rain, holding sway over the court and the nation, trimming himself into a figure free from desire and henceforth unyielding.
Hua Yan: She viewed herself as beneath the dust, with all her emotions and desires, disliking the Son of Heaven's court, preferring the ordinary alleys, treading on ten feet of soft red and experiencing all facets of life. She believed that nothing was better than green mountains and clear waters. "If you promise me a lifetime, I will accompany you for an eternity."

Schemes Of A Flower

The two arrived at Ninghe Palace where Maid Zhou had been waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing them, she quickly relayed that the Empress Dowager had been waiting for a while and was eager to see the Crown Princess Consort. They did not need to be announced and urged them to hurry in.


Hand in hand with Yun Chi, Hua Yan entered Ninghe Palace with a smile.


Early in the morning, the noblewomen of the court had already come to Ninghe Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. The Princess Consort of Anyang, the Duchess of Jingguo, the eldest young lady of the Mei Residence, and others filled the hall to capacity. They all wore attire befitting their ranks, each with a joyous smile on her face.


As Yun Chi and Hua Yan crossed the threshold, everyone rose to pay respects to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort.


Yun Chi scanned the crowd and waved with a smile, signaling them not to stand on ceremony.


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