At the grand palace gates, the air was thick with anticipation. Thirty young maidens stood silently in their identical pale blue dresses, heads bowed in respect as sunlight glinted off their uniform hairpins and modest jewelry. The muted murmurs of attendants and the shuffling of royal guards added to the tension. Each maiden carried her own thoughts, but none dared to speak as they waited to be summoned inside.

Qin Yufei, standing near the back of the group, felt the weight of the moment pressing against her chest. The grandeur of the palace, with its towering red gates and golden carvings, loomed above her, a stark reminder of the daunting process that awaited. She kept her eyes fixed downward, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Blend in, stay quiet, don't stand out. Her mantra echoed in her head as she forced herself to take slow, steady breaths.

The royal guards moved into formation, their swords on their waist. With a loud command, the gates creaked open, revealing a long stone pathway that led to an opulent hall. The maidens followed in perfect formation, their footsteps silent on the polished floor. As they entered the hall, their eyes were met with grandeur beyond imagination-golden pillars adorned with dragon motifs, jade carvings on the walls, and silk banners fluttering gently from above.

At the center of the hall, thirty small silk cushions were arranged in neat rows. A stern-looking attendant in deep maroon robes gestured for the girls to sit.

"Take your places," she commanded, her voice carrying an air of authority.

Yufei moved cautiously, finding a cushion near the edge of the room. She knelt gracefully, folding her hands over her lap, her back straight but not rigid. Around her, the other maidens did the same, their movements a mirror of one another.

As silence enveloped the hall, the attendant stepped forward, her sharp gaze sweeping over the group.

"You are now under the watchful eyes of the palace. Every word, every gesture, and every action will be observed and judged. The crown prince seeks a woman of grace, intelligence, and discipline. Should you falter, you will bring shame not only to yourselves but to your families."

Her words hung in the air like a warning, and Yufei felt her pulse quicken. She stole a glance at her sister, Qin Yuli, who knelt several rows ahead, her posture flawless and her expression serene. Yuli's confidence radiated from her like an aura, her every movement screaming of her ambition to seize the crown princess title.

Yufei averted her gaze, focusing instead on the intricate pattern of the silk cushion beneath her. Lose gracefully, stay unnoticed. She reminded herself once more.

The attendant continued, "You will now be escorted to the Quiet Pond Courtyard, where you will reside for the duration of the selection. There, you will be tested on your poise, intellect, and character. Remember, every action you take reflects upon your family name."

With that, a second wave of maids entered, their footsteps synchronized as they approached the maidens.

Xiao Tong soon followed.

"This way, My Lady," Xiao Tong whispered gently, leading her out of the hall and toward the Quiet Pond Courtyard.

As the procession of maidens moved through the palace grounds, Yufei couldn't help but marvel at the beauty surrounding her. Blooming trees lined the pathways, their petals drifting in the breeze like soft pink snow. It was a stark contrast to the tension bubbling beneath the surface.

Once at the courtyard, Yufei was directed to a modest room with a single window overlooking a small pond. Xiao Tong helped her settle in, placing her luggage neatly to the side.

"My Lady, the first evaluation begins tomorrow," Xiao Tong said softly. "You should rest well tonight."

Yufei nodded, offering a faint smile. "Thank you, Tong'er."

After she sat on the edge of her bed, Yufei gazed out the window, her reflection mingling with the serene view of the pond. Her fingers lightly touched the jade bracelet on her wrist-a gift from her late nanny.

"Tomorrow, I'll find a way to leave without bringing shame," she murmured to herself.

✤

Qin Yufei had barely slept, her mind racing with anxiety and the weight of the upcoming selection. She had woken up earlier than usual, as Xiao Tong came to assist her in preparing for the day. Yufei took her time dressing in a simple yet elegant pale blue robe, her hair tied neatly in a modest bun adorned with a few small flowers, keeping her appearance as subdued as possible. She could feel the tension in her limbs as she tried to steady her breath. There was no room for failure today-not with the queen herself watching.

Once ready, Xiao Tong escorted her to the queen's pavilion, where the other maidens had already gathered. The hall was bathed in soft golden light, the air heavy with the scent of jasmine and sandalwood. There, the queen awaited them, seated gracefully at a low table behind a curtain, her posture dignified. The atmosphere was heavy with silence as the maidens kneeled before her in perfect unison.

Yufei took her place among the others, her eyes cast downward, her heart fluttering in her chest. She had never seen the queen, but from a distance, her beauty and power seemed undeniable. Today, the queen's sharp gaze would be scrutinizing every detail-how they knelt, how they greeted her, how they presented themselves. It would be the first test.

A quiet murmur ran through the maidens as an attendant brought in a tray with a teapot and delicate porcelain cups. The tea ceremony was a critical part of the first selection-one misstep, one wrong gesture, and it could cost them their chance. Yufei could already feel the pressure building, but she focused on the moment, reminding herself that she could handle this.

The queen's voice broke the silence, smooth and commanding. "We shall begin with the tea ceremony. It is an art of patience, grace, and mindfulness. Show me that you possess these qualities, and you shall stay."

The first girl in line was invited to prepare the tea. Her hands shook slightly as she poured the hot water into the teapot. Then, it was Qin Yuli's turn. Yufei watched closely, knowing that the queen would be paying attention to every small detail-the steadiness of her hand, the precision of her movements.

When it was her turn, Yufei stepped forward with measured grace, her palms slightly damp but her mind clear. She bowed low before the queen and then approached the tea set.

With delicate fingers, she poured the water into the teapot, the steam rising in gentle swirls. Her movements were deliberate, slow, as she took care to follow the correct process. She could hear the soft whispers of the other maidens behind her, the occasional sigh of impatience, but she focused only on the task before her.

She poured the tea into a small porcelain cup, lifting it with a smooth, fluid motion, and then presented it to the queen. Her posture remained perfect, her eyes lowered respectfully as she awaited the queen's judgment.

The queen's maid took the cup with a measured gesture and gave it to the queen, her gaze briefly meeting Yufei's. She sipped the tea, and the entire room seemed to hold its breath.

Yufei's heart raced, but she kept her composure. This was only the beginning-one small test, one moment that could shift the balance.

Finally, the queen placed the cup back on the tray and nodded. "The tea was well prepared."

Yufei exhaled softly, relief flooding her chest. It wasn't much, but it was enough to silence the storm of nerves she had been battling.

As the other maidens took their turns, Yufei stayed quietly in her position, hands resting calmly in her lap, eyes cast downward. She had passed the first hurdle, but there were many more to come.

In the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder what would happen if she truly failed just now. Would her sister, Qin Yuli, take it out on her again?

The queen finished her last tea, setting the cup aside and rising to her feet. "Now, we shall proceed," she announced, her voice commanding the attention of every young woman in the room. "From this group, only ten shall remain. Nanny Pei will call your name in a moment."

Yufei's heart skipped a beat. Only ten... She hopped her sister could stay. If not...

The room was silent, save for the faint rustle of Nanny Pei's robes as she stepped forward, holding a scroll tightly in her hands. The tension in the room was palpable, as if everyone knew this moment would change everything. Qin Yufei stood with her back straight and her gaze fixed firmly ahead.

Nanny Pei unrolled the scroll with a deliberate motion and cleared her throat. Her voice was calm, as always, but the weight of the words she was about to speak was unmistakable.

"The Crown Princess selection has concluded its first test," she began, her eyes scanning the list before her. "Only a few have passed, and I am here to announce the names of those who will stay."

A hush fell over the room. The quiet was broken only by the soft rustle of fabric as the other ladies present held their breath in anticipation. Yufei's pulse quickened, though she did her best to remain composed. She knew her sister's name had to be on the list - after all, she had done her best to please the queen. She also seemed the most confident.

Nanny Pei's gaze shifted to the parchment, and she began to read aloud.

"Then, Qin Yufei, Second Young Lady of the Qin familly. And finally, Qin Yuli, First young lady of the Qin family."

Yufei's heart skipped a beat. Her name had been called. She wasn't certain whether to feel relief or dread. Her sister's name followed her own, and the knot of tension in Yufei's chest tightened. The list was short, only ten names in total, and now both sisters had made the cut.

Would her sister be angry? Would she see this as an opportunity to humiliate her even further? The thought of what Qin Yuli might do once they were alone made Yufei's stomach turn. Of course she would be angry.

Nanny Pei continued speaking, her voice steady. "These young ladies will remain for the next test. The Crown Prince's future bride and one concubine will be chosen from among you."

She couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety form in her chest. She did not waste time and headed then straight to her room.

Not even two minutes after, Qin Yuli stormed inside, her eyes bloodshot with fury. Her face twisted with anger as she locked eyes with Qin Yufei, who was sitting on her bed. Yufei didn't even need to ask. She could feel the storm brewing in her sister's gaze.

"How dare you! How dare you!" Qin Yuli spat, her voice venomous as she stormed across the room. "You think you're clever? Think you can outshine me in front of the queen?"

Before Yufei could respond she was thrown on the ground, Qin Yuli raising her hand, holding a thick leather belt. Her movements were swift, and before Yufei could even brace herself, the first strike hit her across the back. The sting was sharp, but she didn't flinch. She didn't cry out. She never did. Her sister's rage was nothing new, and in this moment, Yufei resigned herself to the inevitable.

Another strike followed, and then another. Each blow was a reminder of just how little Qin Yufei had ever meant to her sister. Her back burned, the pain intensifying with each strike. But Yufei held her breath, her fingers clenching into fists in her lap. She wouldn't give her sister the satisfaction of seeing her weakness.

The leather belt came down again, and blood began to stain the fine fabric of Yufei's pale blue robes. The hot sting of the leather against her skin felt like it was ripping something from her, but she endured it in silence. When Qin Yuli finally paused, breathless and seething, Yufei's back was covered in crimson welts.

Qin Yuli stood over her, glaring down with wild eyes. "Don't even think about going further," she hissed, the venom in her voice unmistakable. "I should've been the only one to get the spot! You'll never be the crown princess! Don't you dare defy me."

With that, Qin Yuli left the room.

Yufei remained where she sat, her hands trembling ever so slightly. The silence in the room was deafening, and for a moment, all she could do was stare at the blood dripping to her hands.

Xiao Tong approached soon after, her eyes wide with concern as she saw the damage. Without a word, she rushed to Yufei's side, gently helping her rise and supporting her as she walked to the bed.

"My Lady, you must let me clean your wounds," Xiao Tong whispered, her voice full of sadness.

Xiao Tong's soft hands were gentle as she worked, cleaning the blood and dressing the wounds.

Her voice broke through the heavy silence, her words laced with urgency. "My Lady, we need to hurry. The class on imperial etiquette begins soon. You must change quickly."

Yufei blinked, momentarily disoriented by the sudden shift. With a sigh, she nodded, allowing Xiao Tong to quickly help her change into a more formal attire, a simple yet elegant gown in muted shades of green. She wanted to remain unnoticed, just another face among the other noble ladies, hence she hopped wearing the same attire would help her. Especially with her sister's glaring presence looming over her.

Once dressed, they hurried out of the room and down the hall toward the classroom where the imperial etiquette lessons were held. As they neared the door, Yufei overheard a conversation between two young ladies walking ahead of them. Their voices, though soft, carried the unmistakable tone of gossip.

"I heard the Crown Prince himself will be attending the class today to observe the final selection," one of the young ladies whispered, her voice full of excitement.

"The Crown Prince? I doubt he'll notice any of us," the other lady replied with a scoff, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But did you hear? Qin Yuli made it. I don't think we should be her enemy. She seemed... so fierce! In comparison, her sister making the cut was such a surprise. She's fore sure pretty but has nothing impressive when you look at her."

Yufei's heart sank, but she kept her face impassive, unwilling to let the other ladies see. Her sister's reputation was always favored over hers, and these whispers were hardly a surprise. Yet, hearing it aloud still stung.

"I heard that Qin Yuli is set on becoming the Crown Princess," the young lady continued, almost with reverence. "She's suited to be a queen. Everyone knows it."

"For sure. But I wonder if Qin Yufei will get in her way. After all, she made it through the first trial... though I'm not sure how," the second lady added, her tone filled with a hint of disdain.

"Ah, sister, have you heard?" the lady continued, "Today's class is not only in presence of the Crown Prince. The Imperial Preceptor Shen Wei is also coming!"

"Wait... You mean Shen Wei the black ghost? The one who killed his own father?"

"Yes, that's him."

__________

Nanny Péi, 裴妈妈