Fragrant scent of flowers, colorful and beautiful (above)

  September 1726

  Yunzhu brought Guo and Suwen to the main courtyard, entering her mother's quarters, and after paying respects, asked: "Mother, why did you call me here?"

  Guaerjiashi picked up an elegant invitation on the desk and handed it to her: "This is an invitation from Zhuang's royal mansion, you will take Guo Nainai and Su Wenling to go three days later."

  Yunzhu took the invitation and saw that on the front right corner of the invitation, a chrysanthemum was faintly painted with water ink, and in the middle, two characters "Jin Ying" were written in small script. She slightly wondered: "Jin Ying?" Isn't Jin Ying another name for chrysanthemum?

  Although she had only returned to Beijing from Chaha'er for less than two years, as a Manchu noblewoman, Yunzhu knew all the things that a noblewoman in Beijing should know, and what she didn't know, she also understood in her heart.

  Every year, the invitation cards named after flowers issued by the noble ladies of the imperial family are highly sought after by the eight banner noblewomen in Beijing. This is because it is a gathering that combines appreciation, literature, interest and entertainment for women, and the host is the high-ranking imperial noblewoman, Madame Fu. Whether it is to add some entertainment color to the dull and monotonous life of the eight banner ladies or to increase their fame for future selection, it is welcome. However, less than half of the number of eight banner ladies in Beijing can receive the invitation card every year, which makes it even more precious. Receiving it means that your family background or talent is higher than others.

  The timing and theme of this gathering are determined by the host, so its name is also different. This year's "Golden Chrysanthemum" is probably because Princess Consort Guo Luoluo likes chrysanthemums and wants to use them as a theme, setting the gathering time in September. Like last year, when Princess Consort Yi held a plum blossom-themed gathering in the first month, it was called "Spring Head Gathering", taking the meaning of "plum blossoms falling on spring branches".

  "Ah, then you must dress up properly." Guwalgiya smiled as she admired her eldest daughter who had grown even more beautiful over the past two years. "This year's new autumn clothes have been made in several styles," she said with a smile, "but as for accessories..." She paused, "your mother has many that you can wear here, but they're not the latest fashion. So, go back and get ready, we'll head to Zhenbao Pavilion this afternoon."

  "Mother, I already have many accessories."

  This is not a joke, she was the legitimate daughter born to Li Rongbao after he had eight sons and was nearly 40 years old. She was treasured beyond measure, although later on, his concubine Liu gave birth to another daughter, he and his sons also doted on Yunzhu more. This was not only because of the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children but also because Yunzhu had been exceptionally quiet and well-behaved since childhood. Of course, as she grew older, her intelligence, kindness, and thoughtfulness became apparent. In short, in Li Rongbao's and his wife's eyes, this daughter was perfect in every way; to her many brothers, their younger sister (older sister) was also extremely rare and lovely.

  Only Yunzhu knew in her heart that all of this was the result of her careful planning and management.

  No one would suspect that a young girl's body contained the soul of an adult, with such cautious and meticulous temperament. Although she didn't try to please everyone, she made an effort to maintain good relationships with them, after all, these people were one of her future pillars of stability.

  "There's no daughter-in-law who dislikes having too many clothes and accessories," Guanjia smiled disapprovingly, tapping her nose tip, then pulled her hand and said, "You know what, these clothes and accessories represent the family's face. If they're old-fashioned and outdated, wearing them out will only invite ridicule. It's not that I'm being petty, but most people are like this. Although we don't follow the crowd, we also can't be too proud to avoid arousing jealousy... Besides, next year is the triennial imperial selection of concubines, which is a good opportunity for people to get to know you."

  Compared to those noble-born ladies who have lived in the capital for years, Yunzhu's fame in the aristocratic circles seems a bit shallow after her parents' decade-long stay in Chahar. The Guaerjia family has been worried about this and has been trying to find opportunities for their daughter to make appearances at home and through acquaintances, although it's not often, but what matters is making a good impression. Fortunately, Yunzhu has always been tactful and gracious, with a gentle and reserved demeanor, yet intelligent and principled inside. She has received many genuine compliments from the people she has interacted with, but after all, it's still a small circle, and she hasn't attended high-level gatherings like this before. Last year's "Spring Gathering" was missed, and this year's "Golden Petal Gathering" cannot be neglected.

  Yunzhu didn't decline again.

  Since she found out that she had crossed into the Qing dynasty as the Empress Xiaoxian who was repeatedly missed by Emperor Qianlong, she tried her best to recall the information about Empress Xiaoxian that she had read in modern times. Fortunately, before the end of the world, she was a netizen and also read some historical materials about the Qing dynasty due to the popularity of Qing穿文 (Qing dynasty rebirth novels). The historical Empress Xiaoxian seemed like a perfect woman from various descriptions - family background, temperament, appearance, handling affairs... She was simply a model for women. There was only one thing, it was said that she was frugal by nature and didn't love jewelry, only wearing Tongcao Ronghua (a type of flower), which made Yunzhu feel very fake.

  Even if Li Rongbao was highly appreciated by Yongzheng in history, even if the Fuca family is good at teaching their children, would it be possible for a noble lady from a generation of official families to have the habit of only wearing Tongcao Ronghua? It's a good thing that someone doesn't indulge in luxury, but doing so too obviously makes people feel intentional...

  Why did she do this? To make it difficult for the favored Gao clan? To help her husband win over Yongzheng? To show off to the world, to demonstrate her virtuous achievements and establish her reputation as a virtuous woman?

  Anyway, in Yunzhu's mind, competing with the Gao family is just looking for trouble and it's impossible to fulfill her wishes. Although Hui Xian, the imperial noble consort of history, was born as a package servant, she couldn't resist that her father was the emperor's confidant. In the first year of Yongzheng, he was appointed as the head of the Imperial Household Department, then transferred to Langzhong, and managed the Suzhou weaving factory. Later, it seemed like he had been the governor of several provinces (estimated to be Yongzheng's ears and eyes), served as the salt policy of Lianghuai and Jiangning weaving factory, and later concurrently served as the river governor of Jiangnan. Not only that, she also had a sister who became Oertai's wife...

  It is said that the two great ministers of the Qianlong period, Zhang Tingyu and Ortai, had enormous power in the court and were almost in a state of confrontation. However, in her view, the influence of the Gao family during the Yongzheng period and even the Qianlong period (before Madame Gao's death) was not small either. Even if Qianlong did not love Madame Gao, he could not have ignored her, and had to pretend to be affectionate towards her.

  Let's put it this way, considering the Fuca family's influence in the three dynasties of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong, it is indeed a family of talented people. However, being too capable is also not good. You are already the legitimate Fu Jin, and you will be the empress in the future. If your family's power in the court becomes too great, isn't that intentionally obstructing the emperor's vision? So, it would be better to have someone else receive favor or cultivate a rival in the court. At least the emperor feels that there is someone who can balance things out and won't let one person dominate... A prosperous family is not bad, but if it threatens imperial power, then that's not good.

  According to the various conspiracy theories of Yunzhu, this situation where the concubine replaces the wife is probably deliberately created by Qianlong. From the governance of young Qianlong in his early years, he was still very wise. On the contrary, the deeds of Xiaoxian in history would not have been favored by Yongzheng, because although Yongzheng did not advocate luxury, he also did not practice frugality to the extent of losing the dignity and demeanor that a prince or emperor should have. His thriftiness always involved some minor details that should not be wasted, such as food or useless jewelry decorations.

  Anyway, she won't deliberately do something for the sake of what Hsiao-hsien looked like in history, she is herself, Guan Yunzhu from before and now Fu Cha Yunzhu, how history will turn out has never been on her mind, if in the end humans are destined to become extinct.

  She thought indifferently, recalling the moment that triggered the nuclear explosion in her previous life. Her heart ached slightly. She didn't regret executing the mission that led to the extinction of the zombies and mutated beasts along with herself. Her loved ones had already died out in the post-apocalyptic world. Being able to fight for humanity's survival was also not bad. She wasn't a saint; she just felt that living like that had no meaning anymore, even though she had endured all sorts of humiliation, hardship, and killing people for the sake of survival.

  "Yunzhu, are you feeling unwell?" Guwalgiya gently stroked her forehead with a slightly cool hand as she sat in the carriage.

  "Mother, I'm fine." Yunzhu's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, "I just felt a bit dizzy this morning, probably because I didn't sleep well last night."

  "How come you didn't tell your mother earlier? We can go to Zhenbao Pavilion tomorrow and it will be the same." Guwalgiya scolded, "It's the most unbearable thing to show off with one's own body. Have you forgotten what your mother said?" She was not well-cared for when she was a girl, so after marrying, she had no children, and her husband had to take in several concubines and maidservants. She watched as they gave birth to illegitimate children and were promoted to secondary wives... And she herself did not give birth to her first legitimate son, Fu Wen, until she was 27 years old, and he was already the fourth child. Later, although she successfully gave birth to three more children, Fu Yu, Yunzhu, and Fu Heng, and firmly established her position in the family, she had to raise all the illegitimate children in front of her to show that they were treated equally. Sometimes thinking about it made her feel so suffocated that her heart ached.

  Yunzhu knew her heart condition, held her hand and gently swayed, softly saying: "The daughter hasn't forgotten, it's just that she's afraid of sleeping in the afternoon and not being able to sleep well at night... I really don't have anything wrong with me, my head is just a bit dizzy, plus the car is shaking..."

  Look at her making excuses everywhere, Guajia couldn't help but calm down: "Alright, I believe you this time. But when you get back, have Dr. Huang take a look, headaches aren't a small matter..."

  "Good." Anyway, every now and then, her mother would have Old Lady Huang take her pulse. Yunzhu responded accordingly, knowing it was Guwalgiya's concern for her own well-being, and felt a warmth in her heart. To be honest, she treated the people at home well, partly because it allowed her to live a good life and also helped her cultivate relationships for the future. Partly also because the people in this household truly unconditionally doted on and cared for her, even those brothers of hers who were born out of wedlock.