The banquet continued. Father was pulled away by several familiar officials and their families to talk; before leaving, he carefully instructed me to sit obediently, not to wander about, and not to look around.
I was indeed very obedient. I took small bites of the delicate pastries set before me by the palace attendants, listening to the increasingly noisy laughter and chatter around me, doing my best to play the part of a quiet, well-behaved, completely unnoticeable little noble young master.
Until Xiao Yuhuang quietly rose.
Her movement as she left her seat was light, like a feather drifting down, almost unnoticed.
Alone, she walked toward the winding covered corridor outside the pavilion, her figure quickly disappearing behind the carved doors.
I hesitated for a moment. Father was still not far away talking with others, and the wet nurse and maids had their attention captured by the splendid singing and dancing.
As if possessed, I also quietly stood up, lifted my overly long hem, and followed her out.
The covered corridor was deep, leading to a viewing platform that jutted out over the water. Xiao Yuhuang stood by the white-marble railing, her back to me, silently watching several koi swimming lazily in the pond.
The spring breeze lifted the hem of her worn blue-green robes and a few loose strands of hair that had not been carefully arranged.
She stood there for a long time, unmoving, like a lifeless jade statue, completely out of place with the bustling splendor of the banquet behind her.
I hid behind a corridor pillar, holding my breath, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
Just then, a burst of undisguised giggling approached from afar.
"Well, isn't this Third Sister? Why are you hiding out here all alone for some peace and quiet?"
My heart leapt, and I hurriedly shrank further behind the pillar.
I saw Fourth Imperial Princess Xiao Linyun leading the Fifth Imperial Princess and several gorgeously dressed clan girls, laughing as they came over.
Fourth Imperial Princess wore an openly mocking smile, while the Fifth Imperial Princess followed behind her, her smile somewhat strained.
Xiao Yuhuang turned around, her face expressionless, and only gave a slight nod.
"Fourth Imperial Sister, Fifth Imperial Sister."
"The banquet is so lively—why did Third Sister run out here?"
Fourth Imperial Princess stepped closer, sizing her up, her gaze lingering on her half-worn dress. "Don't tell me… you found it dull? Well, I suppose so. With no one to talk to, it must be rather boring." The girls behind her cooperated with low snickers.
Fifth Imperial Princess tugged at Fourth Imperial Princess's sleeve and whispered, "Fourth Sister…"
Fourth Imperial Princess shook her hand off and continued staring at Xiao Yuhuang. "I heard Third Sister submitted another memorial a few days ago, talking about river management? What, you read a few books and now think you can point fingers at the affairs of the Kingdom?"
"Fourth Imperial Sister jokes," Xiao Yuhuang said softly, like wind brushing the water. "It is merely my duty."
"Your duty?" Fourth Imperial Princess snorted. "Your duty is to behave yourself and stop causing trouble for Mother Emperor. Look at what you're wearing—at a palace banquet, so shabby. You're embarrassing the imperial family."
As she spoke, she actually reached out to tug at Xiao Yuhuang's sleeve.
Xiao Yuhuang stepped back half a pace and avoided it.
"And you dare dodge?" Fourth Imperial Princess's expression darkened.
I watched in alarm. This was the inner palace, yet they were so brazen!
Xiao Yuhuang raised her eyes to look at Fourth Imperial Princess. That gaze was calm and unruffled, yet for some reason it made Fourth Imperial Princess's outstretched hand freeze in midair.
"If Fourth Imperial Sister has no other business, Yuhuang will take her leave."
After speaking, she gave a slight bow and turned to go.
"Stop!" Fourth Imperial Princess, feeling she had lost face in front of her younger sister and companions, flew into a rage. She rushed forward and shoved hard!
The change happened in an instant.
Xiao Yuhuang staggered backward from the push. Her heel caught on a slightly loose stone slab at the edge of the viewing platform, and her body instantly lost balance, falling straight backward!
"Ah—" Fifth Imperial Princess let out a short cry of alarm.
Behind Xiao Yuhuang was the icy, bone-chilling pond water of early spring.
Splash!