The carriage jolted violently as it rumbled down the uneven, stony road toward Yangcheng, the capital of Yongan. Although Tang Ruyan wasn't bound or gagged, she might as well have been- trapped inside, surrounded by twelve soldiers who didn't care whether she bumped her head or not.
"These people are outrageous!" she gritted through her teeth, clutching the seat as another bump nearly sent her flying. There was no use trying to fight a dozen bulky guards; better to wait and act once the carriage stopped.
She exhaled sharply.
---
Earlier that day, she had been wiping tables and helping Xiao Lan set up the tea stall. The wooden signboard creaked above her: Tang's Tea Stall, a humble name hiding the fact that its owner was none other than the famed Miss Tang Ruyan, mistress of the Jade Tea Pavilion.
Yet here she was, disguised as a serving lady, her sleeves rolled up and hair tied high.
Ruyan loved these mornings, greeting villagers, gossiping with merchants, watching travelers sip her tea in delight. Who knew which of them might one day become a customer at her pavilion?
---
"Young miss! Young miss!"
A loud panting voice broke through her thoughts. Da Bao, the huge, round-faced man who handled deliveries for her, came thundering down the street, waving a crumpled slip of paper.
"Da Bao?" Ruyan frowned, tossing aside the wet cloth. "Why are you running around like a mad bull this early?"
Xiao Lan peeked out from behind her, wiping her hands on her apron.
Da Bao stumbled to a stop, breathless. "Miss… you need to run! Now!"
Ruyan blinked. "Run? From what?"
Before he could speak, she snatched the paper from his hand- only to find the ink smeared and the words illegible.
"Tsk, look at this mess!" Xiao Lan clicked her tongue, giving Da Bao's shoulder a mock slap. "Couldn't you at least not sweat on the evidence?"
Da Bao finally caught his breath and stood upright. "Miss, please... you must hide! He started narrating his entire story while the other two listened.
He didn't finish before Xiao Lan gasped. "You mean...?"
"Yes. Our young miss has to marry the Crown Prince!" Da Bao confirmed grimly.
---
Ruyan's brows rose. "Hmph. These officials are unbelievable. Yangcheng is full of young beauties from rich households and, and yet they come all the way to our small town?"
Her hands found her hips as she paced. "There must be another reason behind this."
Xiao Lan looked confused. "Miss, what do you mean?"
She snapped her fingers as she said "they want to use me to get the Tang Family in their grip," Ruyan muttered, her eyes narrowing. "In their dreams!"
She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "But if this were truly a marriage, wouldn't there be an imperial edict sent first?"
Da Bao scratched his head. "The information can't be wrong…"
"I didn't say it's wrong," she said, smirking. "I said I won't be the onlyone."
Xiao Lan blinked. "Not the only one??"
Da Bao's jaw dropped. "How many wives does the Crown Prince want!?"
Their bewildered faces made Ruyan laugh. "There'll be a selection, you two. Before they pick the unfortunate 'perfectmatch.'"
Xiao Lan clasped her hands dramatically. "Even with danger near, Miss still stays so brave!"
Da Bao frowned. 'Danger? Being married to a prince sounds more like fortune to me.'
Ruyan chuckled and shook her head. "Let's open the stall as usual. I'll think of something when they come."
As she arranged bowls and chopsticks, Xiao Lan whispered, "But what if you get chosen, Miss?"
Ruyan turned slowly, mischief gleaming in her eyes. "Do you really think your young miss would allow that?"
Back to the carriage…
"Well, that's what I said," she muttered, raising her hands dramatically, "but how in heaven's name do I actually escape now?"
The carriage slowed, and the rhythmic clatter of wheels faded into a distant hum. She peeked through the curtain, and her lips curled in half-disdain, half-amusement.
"Yangcheng… the heart of Yongan."
The capital stretched endlessly beneath a haze of golden sunlight. The streets overflowed with merchants, nobles, beggars, and sedan chairs- a city bursting with color, noise, and arrogance.
Ruyan's gaze swept over the bustling crowd, the scent of roasted chestnuts mingling with horse dung and expensive perfume.
"How charming," she muttered sarcastically.
---
With a final jolt, the carriage stopped. Before she could brace herself, the curtain was yanked open, and a soldier's rough hand pulled her out. She stumbled, catching herself just before she crashed into a stern-faced woman in a maid's uniform.
The woman's expression was tight, unreadable, though Ruyan thought she caught a flicker of disgust.
"All right," the woman said curtly. "I'll take it from here. You've done your duty."
Then, turning to Ruyan, she gave a shallow bow. "Please follow me, Miss."
Ruyan's eyes darted to the surrounding guards stone-faced, armed, and glaring. Her plan to dash off dissolved instantly. She swallowed hard.
"Fine," she muttered under her breath, straightening her sleeves and feigning calm. "Lead the way..."
'Let's see what this ridiculous capital has in store for me.'
...
Inside… was another world.
The roar of the capital faded into silence. Within the palace walls stretched manicured gardens- jade pavilions glistening among winding streams, marble ponds, plum blossoms scattering like pink snow across stone pathways. Eunuchs and maids glided about, their whispers too soft to disturb the air.
The wealth here wasn't loud...it breathed.
Ruyan followed the palace maid quietly, her gaze sweeping over the vast garden that seemed to stretch endlessly. At its heart stood an elegant, majestic building, glimmering under the morning light.
Is this… heaven? Her eyes widened with reluctant awe. 'No wonder those young noblewomen dream of marrying into the palace.'
The maid stopped before the entrance and bowed slightly. "Miss, you may enter now."
Ruyan looked up. Above the doorway hung a wooden plaque brushed in gold: Graceful Harmony. Though not as grand as the main court hall, the luxury was unmistakable.
She lifted her skirt slightly, climbed the marble steps, and entered. The air inside was cool and faintly perfumed with sandalwood.
---
The hall was spacious, its pale marble floor reflecting the light that streamed through tall windows. Polished pillars lined either side, their bases carved with curling motifs. At the far end stood a raised seat- like a throne. Low tables and cushioned chairs flanked the room.
Maids stood silently beside the pillars, heads bowed seeming invisible.
Ruyan walked past them, taking in the glittering sight of three young women already waiting inside. By their embroidered silk robes and delicately painted faces, it was clear they hailed from noble families.
She smiled faintly. So there is a selection after all, she thought. Good. That means I'll still have time to escape.
But as her gaze lingered, she noticed something strange. Beneath their jewels and flawless makeup, the girls' faces were drawn tight with unease- eyes darting, fingers fidgeting, lips pressed white.
Fear? Anxiety? Sadness?
Ruyan frowned. Aren't these the very women who dream of marrying princes? Why do they all look like they've just been sentenced to death?
When she approached, their eyes turned to her, assessing, judging. One girl openly curled her lip in disdain.
Ruyan met the glare with a cool smile, then turned her head away.
Her attention fell on the young lady standing quietly beside her. She was unlike the others: round-faced, shorter, her skin fair and soft. She wore a light pink skirt and a matching jade hairpin adorned with tiny stones of the same hue. Aside from those, she wore no excessive jewelry, yet the fine silk of her garments spoke of wealth.
The girl gave Ruyan a polite, somewhat blank nod before turning away.
Ruyan tilted her head slightly. Interesting…
Not every day did one see such a delicate, plump young woman among palace marriage candidates. Yongan's circles usually favored those with flirtatious smiles and slender waists. Women like herself...indifferent to men, or this sweet-faced girl rarely found space in such games.
Then a thought struck her. Could she be the Chen family's only daughter?
Rumor had it that the Chen family, among the wealthiest in Yangcheng, had a single daughter- pampered since birth, loved too much, and often whispered about for her plump figure and lack of suitors.
Looking at her now, Ruyan thought the rumor fit perfectly.
But her musings were cut short by a sharp announcement:
"Noble Lady Zhi is here!"
From the far end, a train of maids swept in, their pale sleeves fluttering. Leading them came a woman draped in layers of scarlet gauze that shimmered like fire.
She entered with slow, measured steps, hips swaying, a fan half-hiding her painted smile. Her golden hairpins chimed faintly with every movement, pearls glinting. A soft, intoxicating fragrance of plum and musk followed her, filling the hall.
Concubine Zhi.
At once, every young lady dropped into a bow. Maids and attendants bent even lower, their foreheads nearly touching the ground.
Tang Ruyan blinked. Oh—right, bow!
She stumbled into an awkward curtsy, peeking up from beneath her lashes- only to meet the sharp gaze of a stern attendant. She quickly dropped her eyes again, biting her lip.
Concubine Zhi paused, letting her presence soak through the silence.
At last, after what felt like an eternity, she spoke- her voice smooth and lazy, her word carrying a confident aura of a royal lady.
"Rise."