Everything unfolded as Wushuang predicted. After Yang Jiurong took refuge for a day or two, Yang Gong relented and sent for her immediate return. Similarly, Wushuang and Jiiaojiao were summoned by their mother to hastily do the measurement for new dresses. This was due to the emperor's upcoming banquet honoring meritorious officials. Although not a grand affair, both families hastened to seize the chance to align their offspring with royalty swiftly. Sima Lan was keen to join this competitive endeavor.

    "I will take care of Jiaojiao’s attire myself. Sister-in-law can just look after Wushuang. Before purchasing any orders, remember to pass the list to me first, will you?"

    "I understand."

    Shen Niangzi, as daughter-in-law of the family, constantly had tensions with Sima Lan. Though they never escalated into serious conflicts and maintained necessary civility, Shen Niangzi, the eldest daughter-in-law, was dissatisfied with the fact that she had to be so submissive to her husband’s younger sister, as if she was her mother-in-law. Shen Niangzi often shared her grievances with Wushuang.

    "From now on, don't invite Jiurong to our house again." Shen Niangzi advised while mixing a talisman ash into the tea and handing it to her daughter.[1]

    "Why so, mother?"

    "She's your competitor. Be cautious and avoid getting too close. And..." Shen Niangzi frowned, annoyed. "I detest her as much as your treasure possessive aunt."

    "But why... just because she is from the Yang clan?"

    "The two clans can never be allies; expect them to be enemies eventually. You've told her everything, planning to nurture a viper by your side?"

    "Enemies? What kind of enemies? She is your cousin, and Aunt Xiang is your aunt."

    "Don't let me hear that name again! And drink your tea now. I've had Xiao Jing burn talismans from the Wangye Shen temple[2] to ward off bad luck."

    "Are you still angry with Aunt Xiang, mother...?"

    "Stop asking and do as I say."

    "Yes, mother." Wushuang sighed, feeling stifled. Though her mother never clarified her disdain for Sima Xiang, leading to her animosity toward Yang Jiurong, Wushuang promised not to engage with her cousin further.

    "You must shine at this banquet and not disappoint me, Jiu Rong. Do you understand?" Sima Xiang emphasized as she brought her daughter down the carriage then escorted her to the grandest jewelry store in Gaoshan. The store owner lady personally greeted them, eager to impress. Yang Jiurong seemed indifferent but complied to avoid her mother's nagging.

    Sima Xiang had the servants bring a chest from the carriage, unveiling its contents to the owner.

    "This is the dress my daughter will wear to the banquet. I need accessories that match."

    "The attire is exquisitely beautiful, a delicate blue silk embroidered with silver and gold threads. I was dazzled by its beauty. Your daughter will certainly be as beautiful as a doll." the owner lady flattered while presenting a tray of jewelry, including a pin shaped like a cluster of peach blossoms, the petals crafted from delicate glass, so realistic. Yet, Sima Xiang remained unsatisfied.

    "This exquisite blue silk gown, luxuriously tailored, cannot be paired with mere peach blossom pins; it would diminish its value. I demand the finest and most expensive adornments."

    Her gaze swept the shop until spotting a desired item.

    "I want that piece. Name your price." Sima Xiang admired a hairpin mimicking peony intertwined motifs, its body adorned with cut diamonds, symbolizing the supremacy as a king of all flowers, perfectly befitting Yang Jiurong. But the shopkeeper hesitated, revealing it was reserved for another customer.

    "Who is it?"

    "Err..."

    "It's me, Sister Xiang." Sima Lan spoke with ease, waving her silk fan nonchalantly as she arrived with her beloved niece, Jiaojiao. Both were dressed in luxurious attire and had intentionally chosen to visit the store at the same time as the Yang family. Though Sima Xiang was her older sister, she wasn't the favored child of their father. Ever since childhood, she had to be cautious and deferential around Sima Lan.

    "Greetings, Aunt Xiang. What a coincidence," Jiaojiao smirked slightly while adorning her hair with a peony-shaped pin before circling around Yang Jiurong's blue outfit.

    "Aunt, is this the dress Sister Jiurong plans to wear to the banquet? The tailor's taste is exquisite. It's no different from the dresses I wear when lounging at home."

    "Indeed, even your nightgowns are more beautiful. Sister Xiang, I think you should prepare a new dress. Oh... the other day, Prince Zhao Lu came to visit and listen to music at our peach garden. The prince admired Jiaojiao's peach-color dress so much he couldn't stop praising it. I suggest switching to a lovely pink might be better."

    "Thanks for the suggestion," Sima Xiang replied stiffly, struggling to contain her emotions, while the two ladies giggled together.

    "Jiaojiao has her dress ready, but still has some that she does not wear. If Sister Xiang can't find a dress for Jiu Rong in time, just send someone to tell me. Sigh, the jewelry too is ready, all heirlooms passed down through generations, far surpassing any new ones, reserved solely for Sima descendants. Yet, the mischievous Jiaojiao still wants more. I don't like to spoil her too much. If Sister Xiang wants it for Jiu Rong, I can give it to you, considering we’re family."

    "No need, thanks."

    "Please feel free. Jiaojiao, why don’t you quickly take that pin off and give it to Aunt Xiang?"

    "No need! Keep your stuff. I'm leaving now. Jiu Rong, go home... The Yang clan has its own beautiful jewels and gold too." Sima Xiang, overwhelmed by humiliation, couldn't stand it any longer. She ordered the maids to pack up and signaled for Yang Jiurong to get back into the carriage, but the girl had disappeared. Sima Lan and Jiaojiao laughed even harder.

    "With such unrefined manners, are you sure she's fit to enter the palace?"

    Fuming, Sima Xiang swore to smack her daughter, ensuring she would learn her lesson.

[4] Chinese people who believe in occult practices will burn talisman papers and soak the ashes in water to drink, believing it maintains longevity or wards off misfortune.

[5] It is believed that Wang Ye Shen (王爷神) is a representative of Jade Emperor, known as a celestial envoy roaming the earth, 代天巡狩, traveling across various lands to eliminate evil and misfortune.