Chapter 1

The Crown Prince chose my elder sister from a collection of portraits.

When I went to congratulate her, she said only, coolly, “You think you're beautiful, yet His Highness chose someone plain like me.”

“Of course you're disappointed. There's no need to put on an act.”

I hurried to explain that I was not, but Mother cut me off.

“Enough. The Crown Princess will one day be the mother of the realm.”

“Virtue matters far more than looks.”

“It's perfectly reasonable that you weren't chosen.”

“Stop making a fuss.”

01

I had said nothing, yet Mother had already decided I was jealous of my sister.

Before we entered the palace to give thanks, she changed my hair ornaments again and again. In the end, she left only one plain silver hairpin.

She looked me up and down.

Then she removed my earrings too. Only then did she nod in satisfaction.

“What do you need so much jewelry for?”

“Trying to outshine your sister again?”

I explained quietly, “I'm only following etiquette. I had just two hairpins. I wasn't trying to outshine her.”

Mother gave me a sidelong look and a thin smile.

“You know very well what you're thinking. Don't argue with me.”

With a single sentence, she had found me guilty again.

If I tried to explain further, I would only be accused of refusing to let the matter drop.

Our carriage passed along the long street.

Several ladies had already arrived outside the palace gates and stood talking in small groups.

A palace matron came over to greet us.

“Which household, please?”

“The Gu family. General Fuyuan's residence.”

My sister stepped forward, speaking before Mother could. She could barely hide the satisfaction at the corners of her mouth.

A lady in dark purple court dress approached Mother.

“Madam Gu, I see. Forgive me for not greeting you sooner.”

Then she smiled at me.

“This must be the eldest Miss Gu. Truly, you look like a fairy.”

“No wonder His Highness chose you at first sight.”

The air froze.

My sister's smile stiffened. She looked coldly at me.

We had only recently returned from the frontier and knew few people in the capital.

Realizing the lady had mistaken us, I hurried to explain.

“You flatter me, Madam. This is my elder sister.”

The lady looked embarrassed and offered an awkward apology.

Mother, however, remained perfectly composed. She merely glanced at me.

“One chooses a wife for virtue and a concubine for beauty.”

“His Highness is choosing the future mother of the realm. How could he judge by looks alone?”

Her voice was neither loud nor soft—just clear enough for all the ladies nearby to hear.

“My eldest daughter has studied etiquette and the Precepts for Women with me since childhood. She's steady and understands propriety. As for this younger girl…”

She stopped, sighed softly, and walked into the palace.

“Mother…”

I could scarcely believe it.

With those words, she had ruined my reputation in the capital.

I knew she was angry that I had embarrassed my sister.

I knew she had always favored her.

Yet being publicly belittled by my own mother still made tears sting my eyes.

The ladies were all looking at me.

There was some pity, but mostly disdain.

I dared not argue with Mother at the palace gates.

I could only hold back my tears, bow my head, and follow her.

02

The first time I realized Mother did not like me much was on my sixth birthday.

Father had ordered two bolts of brocade from Jiangnan to make me new clothes.

Shimmering Light brocade gleamed as though gilded, bright and dazzling. At the frontier, it was a rare luxury.

In my new clothes, I wandered happily among the banquet guests and made everyone laugh.

Mother arrived just then.

“Red and green clothes, painted brows and face. So young, and already preening. What will you become when you grow up?”

The disgust in her eyes made me freeze.

I wanted to say that my sister was dressed just like me.

And that it was Mother who had insisted I give her that fabric.

But something blocked my throat. I could not speak.

That night, I sat before the mirror and wiped my face over and over.

I rubbed until my cheeks were redder than the corners of my eyes.

The next morning, when I went to pay my respects, I had changed into pale clothes. I did not dare wear even a flower in my hair.

Mother was even more displeased.

She hurled her teacup down by my feet.

“Dressed for mourning? Are you wishing me dead?”

I was too young then.

I stood bewildered, unable to understand why everything I did was wrong.

Only later did I begin to see.

Mother did not dislike the things I did.

She disliked me.

More precisely…

She disliked my looks.

I resembled Father.

Tall and slender, with fair skin and a pair of eyes that seemed to hold a hint of affection for whomever they rested on.

My sister, by contrast, was Mother's exact likeness.

Slightly darker skin, ordinary brows and eyes, regular but unremarkable features.

Mother often looked at me unhappily and said that women like her and my sister had the proper appearance of a lawful wife.

Unfortunately, the world was shallow. Everyone liked delicate, dazzling beauties.

Virtuous women like her and my sister went unnoticed.

So when the imperial decree arrived, Mother was delighted.

The Crown Prince and His Majesty truly knew how to judge people, she thought.

Unlike the rest of the world, they did not care only for looks.

03

The banquet was held in Liufang Hall, east of the Imperial Garden.

The empress sat at the head, dignified and noble.

Smiling, she beckoned us forward.

“Which of you is the eldest Miss Gu? Raise your head and let me see.”

“The Crown Prince has long told me that Miss Gu is kind, charitable, and beautiful enough to captivate a kingdom. I've wanted to meet her for some time.”

Under countless gazes, my sister slowly raised her head.

Silence fell.

Even the little palace maid pouring tea stopped.

The empress's smile froze for a moment too.

She recovered quickly, but everyone had seen that brief pause.

After their initial surprise, the guests hurried to smooth things over.

Madam Lu—the lady who had mistaken me for my sister outside the gates—was the first to smile.

“They say a lover sees unmatched beauty in his beloved.”

“The young couple will surely live in perfect harmony.”

“Your Majesty need only wait to enjoy your grandchildren.”

The other officials' wives joined in.

The empress smiled again.

The atmosphere became cheerful once more.

Mother and my sister laughed and talked with everyone, as though nothing had happened.

Standing beside them, I saw my sister's hand hidden in her sleeve, gripping her handkerchief.

Her fingertips had gone white.

She looked dreadful all the way home.

The moment we entered the residence, she quickened her pace, deliberately leaving me behind.

I hurried after her to apologize, but she suddenly stopped.

Turning, she looked at me.

“Everyone praises your beauty. You must be very pleased with yourself.”

I froze.

“I'm not pleased…”

She cut me off before I could finish.

Her voice dripped with mockery. She made no attempt to hide her contempt.

“So what if you're beautiful?”

“His Highness chose me in the end. Not you.”

“From now on, there will be a world of difference between us.”