Currently, the peonies were in full bloom throughout the royal palace, creating a stunning display. Nara, a young woman in her prime, was bored with the harsh training regimen for maids overseen by Chen Gugu. Therefore, she found an excuse to accompany Si Zi to collect the monthly stipend for the Yan Qi Palace.

    As they walked from the palace to the treasury, Nara was amazed by the delightful atmosphere of the Forbidden City. Small and large palaces are exquisitely built, the high walls along the pathways were brightly colored, and the roof tiles gleamed like jade, reflecting dazzlingly. A little further, they came upon an artificial mountain garden with a clear stream flowing into a beautiful lake. The vibrant, fresh flowers bloomed, welcoming the rainy season in full splendor, which excited Nara to the point of being unable to contain her amazement.

    "Was all this really built by people alone?"

    Si Zi laughed, "Of course, people built it. What a strange question, sister Ning'er"

    Nara pressed the blue gem to record everything. She collected samples of creatures long extinct in the modern world, such as frogs and oddly shaped insects, storing them in her four-dimensional bag. At least she would have something substantial to show for the budget spent by the government.

    The Forbidden City stood majestically as if it would endure forever, but unfortunately, after World War III, this place was bombed and burned for three days and nights, eventually reducing it to nothing more than a pile of stones and ash. None of the former glory remained.

    For Nara, the most admirable feature was the palace dwellers' hair ornaments, which reflected the Qing dynasty's appreciation for natural beauty, especially the intricate silver and gold accessories adorned with kingfisher feathers, silver and gold floral pins embellished with pearls and various motifs made from sea fan, feathers and pearls. The hairbands, often elongated and rectangular, were decorated with sandalwood, tri-colored stones, and green pearls in bird and floral designs. There were also tortoiseshell settings with gold, swans, and floral pearls, and the green jade pieces are exceptionally beautiful and valuable.

    And then she encountered a divine figure.

    This person was the Third Prince, Yunzhi, whose handsome and gentle appearance contrasted with the annoyingly sinister and temperamental Fourth Prince who liked to scold her!! The Third Prince was utterly breathtaking, capable of making any girl swoon. Unfortunately, he was devoted to academia and served as a tutor to scholars, always accompanied by servants carrying an overload of books, heading to the Royal Library. Modern girls like her were out of luck.

    "Currently, the First and the Second princes are confined for life due to severe offenses, while Third Prince excels in academia, Fourth Prince is actively involved in solving flood problems and suppressing rebellious nobles, Fifth Prince excels in military affairs, and Sixth and Seventh Princes are kind-hearted and impartial. Each prince has his merits, but presently, there are three main contenders for the throne,"

    explained Si Zi, while Nara was thoroughly engrossed in her data collecting. Si Zi’s l voice suddenly faded, which made Nara look up, startled to see someone she did not expect to encounter again

    "Greetings to the Eighth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince."

    "Rise,"

    the two princes commanded, both formidable figures with eyes sparkling like fine jade, their elegance were unmatched. But Nara had no desire to mingle with these men, especially since the infamous incident that she offended the prince with her words remained a hot gossip topic in the palace. So, she grabbed Si Zi's sleeve, urging her to move on quickly. However, just as she tried to pass by the royal prince, a strong hand suddenly grasped her wrist.

    Nara looked at her captured wrist and then up at the prince's face... Why grab me? What did I do wrong? Was my middle finger the other day not enough?

    Si Zi, shocked and unable to react, watched as Fourteenth Prince gestured for her to leave first, but Nara clung tightly to her sleeve. If Eighth Prince had something to command, he might as well speak now.

    "I want you to be mine."

    "What?... Uh, you mean to work for you?"

    "Not exactly, but not incorrect. I want you to marry into my palace as my secondary consort."

    Si Zi was left agape, hardly believing her ears, just staring alternately at the Eighth Prince and Nara. "I have already discussed this matter with De Fei personally, she instructed me to ask for your consent."

    It was indeed a bold move by the Eighth Prince to have rushed into requesting Nara from De Fei. This had greatly irritated Liang Fei because she was worried that this woman might cause a conflict between father and son. The Eighth Prince was well aware of this but was deeply smitten by Nara. Her beauty captivated him profoundly; he admired her graceful stride, the slight lift of her chin as she walked, and her confident demeanor, even more enchanting and effortlessly charismatic. Importantly, her intelligence was fitting for a consort. If Nara agreed to follow him, she would surely be an extraordinary partner.

    He lifted her delicate chin, appreciating her radiant beauty under the sunlight.

    But Nara brushed his hand away.

    "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. The Eighth Prince is a paragon of virtue, blessed with good looks, intelligence, and noble status. If your highness favors me only for my beauty, when that fades, so will your love. Am I correct?"

    "What if I assert that it is your intellect that attracts me? I will give you time to consider... And given your sharp wit, I advise you to make a swift decision to leave Yan Qi Palace."

    Nara was puzzled by his words but could not quite grasp what he was implying.

    "I am but a foolish woman, not adept at cooking, sewing, or caring for a husband, and thus not worthy of your praise, your highness. Besides, my interest lies in studying history, not in marriage. If you seek a worthy woman, please look beyond me."

    The Eighth Prince was not offended by her response; instead, he found her perspective intriguing. The Yijing scripture taught women to be good homemakers and not to meddle in external affairs, while the Sijing advised women to maintain three obediences and four virtues[1]. Yet Nara saw such teachings as diminishing women's values. She was not just disregarding thousand-year-old gender roles, but she was also defining her life boldly. The more she told him to look away, the more he was drawn to her.

    The Fourteenth Prince crossed his arms, standing tall like a warrior. "A woman should focus on needlework and homemaking, bearing and raising children. Why bother studying so much? Good women don't do that."

    "Even if a woman like me is a toxin to the environment, why should you dictate women's lives so broadly, Fourteenth Prince?"

    "Because women are weaker, smaller, less intelligent, and can't compete with men in earning a livelihood. Therefore, they should rightfully stay at home."

    Nara felt a surge of anger but maintained a sweet smile, the more dangerous the sweeter it became. She curtsied gracefully before replying,

    "so you are pained that I refuse to depend on a man, Your Highness? You cannot bear the thought that one day a woman might serve as capably as a man like you. Thus, my being here is to protect women from men with archaic thoughts like yours."

    One fish could not change the river's flow, but so what if she would?!

    "You! How dare you! Just a lowly maid and yet you dare to be so disrespectful!" The Fourteenth Prince shouted. "The Eighth brother is sincere towards you. He is of noble royal descent, exceptionally talented, and holds significant positions and duties. In what way is he not worthy of you!? It is rather you who are unworthy."

    Nara smiled in response, her eyes sparkling brightly. Had she not always been humbly saying she was unworthy! No man in this world or the next would be suitable for her! And what she disliked, she simply disliked. No one should dare to force her. "I prefer to associate with people of good character. My father taught me how to judge a person's character. I remember it well. I wonder if Eighth Prince would care to hear it?"

    "Please speak freely..." 

    Nara gave a soft smile before her words cut sharply through the other party, "My father taught that to see a person's true character, observe how they treat those who are of no use to them... From the first time I met you, your highness, you have proven this to be true. If you intend to win me over, I could only disappoint you... Goodbye."

    She said no more than that before walking away with Si Zi. Fourteenth Prince was stunned, not expecting his brother to be rejected, and Nara had even insinuated that Eighth Prince was duplicitous. The Fourteenth Prince was at a loss for words, while the Eighth Prince laughed, feeling even more favorably towards Nara.

    "I hope she hasn't already agreed to be with fourth brother. If so, not only will I have to compete with him for the throne, but I'll have to vie for her as well. The heavens truly have a sense of humor."

    "Don't be so despondent, Eighth brother. She will surely accept you."

    "Look at how naive she is. A smart person adapts to situations like water takes the shape of its container. She is clever but not wise. She has chosen the wrong side."

    The Fourteenth Prince, Yunti, felt uneasy. The Eighth Prince had the support of many nobles, but his mother came from humble roots, whereas Yinzhen was raised by a former empress, causing him to be estranged from his brother and biological mother. Yunti thought of his mother's sad face and smiled bitterly.

    "I would like to ask something of Eighth brother... If one day you rule the land, promise me... will you let fourth brother go?"

    "Did you ask this of your brother as well?"

    "Yes."

    "And what did he say? I hope it's not that you're trying to persuade me to give up on a behalf of the Fourth brother," the Eighth Prince said bluntly.

    "I..." Yunti was at a loss for words. Though unspoken, the Eighth Prince, Yunsi knew the answer—that this blood feud was a deadly gamble. Those not ruthless enough would not survive. The Fourteenth Prince bowed respectfully. He did not like the Fourth brother, but he did not wish for his death either.

    "Your real brother holds the title of Heshuo Qinwang, while I, with Han blood, work to death only to remain a Beile. If you decide to support your brother, I won't blame you in the slightest."

    "Eighth brother, do not doubt my loyalty. Even though the Fourth brother desires to seize power, he lacks a base of noble support. No one is more suited to be the heir at this time than you. I trust that the Eighth brother will be a good ruler, not harming his siblings like the previous crown prince, and not committing fratricide. Please consider this, Eighth brother."

    "Alright, for the sake of our brotherhood and since you have assisted me for many years, I promise you that I will not seek his life,"

    The Eighth Prince, Yunsi, said with a gentle smile. However, his thoughts were quite the contrary.

[20] "Three Obediences" refers to a woman obeying her father in youth, her husband after marriage, and her sons if widowed. "Four Virtues" refers to morality, appropriate speech, proper behavior, and diligent handwork.