Chapter 3 — I Will Not Marry the Gu Family in This Life

My footsteps faltered for a heartbeat, yet I did not turn back to offer an explanation. After all, in this lifetime, they had finally achieved exactly what they desired.

Before I departed for the Grand Princess's banquet, Mother brought my younger sister to my chambers. "Your sister is nearing the age for marriage, and it is inevitable that she will soon need to navigate the social circles of the capital," she said. "Take her with you today; it is time for her to see the world and broaden her horizons."

Parents are ever consumed by the long-term prospects of their children. Mother understood precisely what kind of daughter-in-law the Lady of the Gu household sought. In the past, she had been unable to bear the thought of my sister suffering, but now she realized that guidance was no longer optional. My sister’s eyes shone with a mixture of anticipation and nervous excitement. I did not refuse. "Very well," I replied.

Within the carriage, my sister repeatedly insisted that she had no intention of competing with me. "I merely thought… that the things you have achieved, Elder Sister, I am surely capable of as well." Perhaps she truly believed that the reputation I held was easily won, for in her presence, I had never once spoken of the hardships I endured to secure it. Shyly, she asked, "Sister, what is it that the Grand Princess favors?"

The Grand Princess did not harbor many specific hobbies, save for an intense love for music. A flicker of joy ignited in my sister’s eyes. "I am most skilled at the zither. Perhaps I could play a melody for Her Highness today." As she pondered the composition she would perform, she could not help but add, "You really should have brought me along sooner."

I simply closed my eyes, refusing to look at her further. The guests at the Princess’s manor were all young ladies from high-ranking official families of the fourth grade and above. Lady Lin and Lady Xu, the two closest to me, were already there. They greeted me with radiant smiles, taking my hands and completely ignoring my sister standing beside us. It was only when my sister gave a soft, pointed cough that Lady Lin turned and asked, "And who is this?"

I smiled as I introduced her: "This is my younger sister, Shu Qiao. I hope you will forgive her lack of decorum." The two ladies merely offered a polite, distant smile at my sister before turning their attention back to me. My sister bit her lip and trailed behind us, head bowed. Once inside the manor, I was surrounded by a gaggle of noble daughters. Gathering her courage, my sister spoke up, offering a compliment: "Lady Lin, your gown is truly exquisite."

Lady Lin was the daughter of the Prime Minister, a man of the first rank. Once my sister spoke, those with a discerning eye immediately understood her underlying intent. Lady Song, standing opposite us, let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Is that so? Does this mean my own attire is somehow inferior to hers?"

My sister’s face turned deathly pale. She stammered, frantically attempting to rectify her blunder: "This lady’s gown is… is also very beautiful." The crowd erupted in laughter. My sister flushed a deep, burning crimson, her teeth digging into her lower lip. I felt compelled to step in and ease the tension.

"My sister was raised in the seclusion of our home since childhood. Though she has recently arrived in the capital, she remains as innocent and guileless as she was back in Qingzhou," I said smoothly. "All of you ladies are so radiant today; even if she wished to praise you all, there are simply not enough words in her vocabulary to do so."

The laughter finally subsided. Once the Grand Princess’s palanquin arrived, everyone retreated to their designated seats. "I have hosted this banquet today to welcome Yen Chu home," the Princess announced. "Do not let the formalities weigh upon you."

The customs of our dynasty are refreshingly open, and we do not strictly observe the separation of the sexes at banquets. Xie Yen Chu was the Grand Princess’s own nephew, a celebrated hero who had just pacified the rebellions in the Northwest. The Grand Princess held this banquet for one reason: to scout for a future wife for him. Even if a girl were not ultimately chosen, simply catching the Grand Princess’s eye was enough to elevate her prospects for a prestigious marriage. Thus, every young lady present was prepared to exert every ounce of her talent.

"I wonder, which of you would like to be the first to showcase her skills?"

Without waiting for the others to step forward, my sister knelt upon the dais. "I, Shen Shu Qiao, possess a modest knowledge of the zither." A ripple of awkwardness passed through the crowd. After all, a manor belonging to a Grand Princess never lacked for professional musicians.

My sister’s impulsive display immediately made her a target for the other ladies. After all, who among them did not covet the top position? The Grand Princess’s gaze swept over my sister, a faint hint of interest sparking in her eyes. "Very well. Let us hear what you can do."

My sister drew a deep breath, and the notes of the High Mountains and Flowing Waters began to spill from her fingertips. In fairness, the playing was not poor. But compared to the master musicians within the Princess’s retinue, it was woefully amateur. To believe that such a performance could move the Grand Princess was nothing short of a foolish fantasy. Midway through, the Princess furrowed her brow.

"That is enough."

The music cut off abruptly, yet my sister remained oblivious to why. She returned to her seat, brimming with a sense of grievance, and whispered, "Sister..."

I remained silent. I admit it—I had deliberately chosen not to warn her. In my heart, the sister I once knew had already perished in a previous lifetime. Following that, the other ladies performed in turn, each receiving a measure of praise from the Princess. Near the end of the event, the Grand Princess remembered me.

"Shu Ning, what have you prepared to showcase?"

When I had previously declined her matchmaking overtures, the Princess had been somewhat displeased, yet I had always remained one of her favorites. "I am talentless, Your Highness," I replied softly. "I have only prepared a copy of the Lotus Sutra, inscribed by my own hand."