Volume One, Chapter Three: The Seven Apertures of the Exquisite Heart

The next day, Lu Changqing accompanied Xu Miaoyan into the palace and returned with a generous amount of rewards. It was said that Xu Miaoyan regarded wealth as worthless and generously distributed all the gifts the Empress had bestowed to the maids and attendants around the Old Madam.

Madam Lu, Chen, and Lu Wanrou, the younger aunt, also received quite a bit. Everyone in the household praised Miss Xu for her gentle nature and indifference to fame and fortune.

As Fang Qianxue entered the Pine Sound Residence, she heard laughter and cheerful voices coming from the flower hall.

“Miaoyan, can you really understand what the silkworms are saying?” Old Madam Chen held Xu Miaoyan’s fair hand, beaming with delight.

“Of course, it’s true. The Empress herself tested it today. Miaoyan truly can make the silkworms obey,” Lu Changqing said proudly, eyes gleaming. “Soon will be the Silkworm Ceremony, and the Empress has even appointed Miaoyan as a sixth-rank female officer, inviting her to attend!”

“Sixth rank? That’s the same rank as our Changqing!” Chen exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. “The Silkworm Ceremony is only for wives of officials ranked fifth or higher.”

“Old Madam, you flatter us,” the woman in white raised her brows at Chen and spoke timidly, “such occasions are noisy, and Miaoyan doesn’t wish to go.”

“Mother, the Empress has graciously allowed all the Lu family women to attend this year’s Silkworm Ceremony,” Lu Changqing glanced secretly at Xu Miaoyan, blushing. “Thanks to Miaoyan.”

“Really?” Chen and Lu Wanrou were both surprised and delighted.

The Lu family was a minor household, and Chen had long wished to bring her daughters into the circle of noble ladies in the capital, but had never found the opportunity.

Before, Fang Qianxue’s high status had given them hope she could help them enter that world. But after Fang Qianxue joined the Lu household, she stopped associating with those noble ladies. Later, when the Fang family fell from grace, any chance vanished.

Thinking it over, it was all Fang Qianxue’s fault. She claimed that Master Fang wanted her to stay away from the powerful elite, but it was clearly disdain for the Lu family that kept her from introducing them.

If they could attend the Silkworm Ceremony, perhaps Lu Wanrou might marry into a prestigious family in the future.

“Mother, brother,” Fang Qianxue entered and bowed to Chen.

“Qianxue, you’re here, come join us!” At the family dinner, Chen gestured for Fang Qianxue to sit beside her, though her smile was somewhat awkward. “We were just talking about this year’s Silkworm Ceremony. The Empress has allowed us all to attend!”

“Have you not thanked Miaoyan yet? This favor is thanks to her petitioning the Empress,” Lu Changqing said disdainfully, glancing at Fang Qianxue.

“But sister-in-law is the daughter of a disgraced official. I wonder if she will be allowed to go,” Lu Wanrou suddenly interjected, her gaze shifting. “What if the Empress asks questions and implicates us?”

The room fell silent for a moment.

“I’ve been to the Silkworm Ceremony with Mother before; it’s not much fun,” Fang Qianxue glanced coldly at the beloved Xu Miaoyan, who was being fawned over. “This is a family gathering. How can Mother allow outsiders at the table?”

“Fang Qianxue!” Lu Changqing clenched his fists. “You have no shame! Miaoyan is my eldest brother’s fiancée. Why can’t she sit at the table?”

“Fiancée?” Fang Qianxue turned her head away, touching the cheek bruised from his blow last night, and sneered coldly. “In our dynasty, engagements require exchanging betrothal letters and divination, notifying clan heads, and sending formal documents. Pray tell, how far have the Lu and Xu families gone in this process?”

“You!” Lu Changqing gritted his teeth but had no argument.

Xu Miaoyan and Lu Changli were only verbally betrothed—there were no letters or divinations exchanged.

“Our family is humble and doesn’t observe such formalities,” Xu Miaoyan bowed her head, choking back tears. “But Brother Lu and I are sincere in our feelings…”

Fang Qianxue frowned.

At present, Xu Miaoyan seemed unwilling to accept Lu Changqing, still clinging to an old lover. Yet later, under Lu Changqing’s aggressive pursuit, she fell deeply in love with him, even demanding that he boil the bones of their own children to prove his love.

What kind of depraved story was this?

Just thinking about it made her want to vomit.

“We are all one family; we must live in harmony,” Chen took Fang Qianxue’s hand, seating her beside her. “There is no need for hostility that invites ridicule from outsiders.”

“Exactly, second sister-in-law. Eldest sister-in-law is favored by the Empress, which is good for the Lu family. In the future, Yuan’er and Yao’er will also benefit,” Lu Wanrou said as she offered a piece of braised pork to Xu Miaoyan. “Sister-in-law, eat more!”

“Ugh!” Xu Miaoyan’s face turned pale, and she turned away to vomit.

“Wanrou! Didn’t you know Miaoyan is vegetarian?” Lu Changqing quickly pushed the bowl aside and patted her back with concern. “She has a pure and delicate heart and cannot bear the impurity of meat!”

Fang Qianxue rolled her eyes.

Can’t eat meat yet can drink her blood and eat her children’s bones? What nonsense is this?

“Ah, I didn’t know,” Lu Wanrou looked apologetic. “I thought Sister-in-law was so thin, so I wanted her to eat more…”

“No harm done; ignorance is no crime,” Xu Miaoyan forced a faint smile on her pale face. “I usually treat little animals as friends, so I cannot eat the flesh of my friends.”

“So pigs are your friends!” Fang Qianxue feigned realization and shook her head gently. “What a sin, what a sin.”