Chapter 1

On the snowy night of New Year’s Eve, during the thirtieth year of Yongfeng, the atmosphere at the Kang family residence on the west outer road of Qin Shizi’s mansion was fraught with tension. The grand banquet held at the palace had drawn all the significant members of the Qin Shizi’s household away, leaving the servants behind to enjoy a rare moment of festivity. The contrast between the lively celebration at the palace and the quiet, somber mood of the mansion was striking.

Kang Yuyi, having just lost a heated argument with her mother Zhou, stormed out into the heavy snowfall. The thick snowflakes swirled around her, muffling the city’s sounds and creating an almost otherworldly silence. The cold was biting, but her anger was hotter as she trudged through the snow-covered streets.

Kang Yuyi, born into servitude and about to turn sixteen in the first month of the year, was known for her remarkable beauty. Her face, with its soft, affectionate eyes, seemed to radiate warmth even in the frigid weather. Her figure, equally stunning, was accentuated by the thick cotton robe she wore. The robe, though necessary for protection against the cold, was cinched tightly at her waist, highlighting her full breasts and shapely hips. Each step she took in the snow made her hips sway gracefully, the motion a testament to her elegant figure.

Her father, Kang Dahai, worked as a steward in charge of purchasing supplies, while her mother, Zhou, had once been a maid serving Qin Wangfei. Now, Zhou was idle due to her advancing age, living through her daughter’s potential. Kang Yuyi was the most beautiful girl in the mansion and was well-regarded as a knowledgeable servant. Qin Wangfei had arranged for her to serve her eldest son, Li Yuanheng, as his personal maid. Li Yuanheng, a man over twenty, had never engaged in intimate relations.

According to Zhou Dynasty customs, it was expected for men to marry and have children by the age of twenty. However, Li Yuanheng was different. Cold-tempered and solely focused on martial arts, he spent his days training rigorously at a camp on the outskirts of Beijing or hunting in the expansive paddocks. He had resisted all attempts at arranged matches by his parents. Qin Wangfei believed that experiencing intimacy would make him more inclined to start a family.

Thus, Kang Yuyi had been assigned the task of enticing him. Despite being stationed in the East Courtyard for over a month, she had not yet served His Highness directly and had never seen his bedroom. Li Yuanheng had only ever had male servants around him, and Kang Yuyi was the first woman to enter the East Courtyard. Qin Wangfei, determined to fulfill her son’s needs, had forced this arrangement upon Kang Yuyi while her son was away.

When Li Yuanheng discovered this setup, he was visibly displeased. He instructed his servants to place Kang Yuyi in the room farthest from him, maintaining a significant distance. He did not dismiss her outright to avoid further conflict with his mother, but kept her at a distance.

Kang Yuyi, not eager to be the personal maid, found the arrangement somewhat acceptable as it provided her with adequate food and clothing. However, her mother Zhou was furious with her apparent lack of ambition. Zhou had once dreamed of elevating her status through her daughter’s beauty but had been married off to a young steward instead. She pinned all her hopes on Kang Yuyi, who was even more beautiful and capable. Seeing her daughter’s lack of progress, despite being the only woman in the East Courtyard, infuriated Zhou.

Kang Yuyi, who resembled her mother in appearance but had inherited her father’s temperament, reached her limit. Overcome with frustration, she fled into the snowy night. The biting cold seeped through her thick clothing, numbing her hands and feet. She made her way back to the East Courtyard with a heavy heart.

The prince, princess, and His Royal Highness were all at the palace banquet and would not return until after midnight. Kang Yuyi entered through the main gate without issue. The gatekeeper, recognizing her, did not stop her. He admired her striking beauty, captivated by her features. Kang Yuyi, accustomed to such attention, walked briskly to avoid lingering stares. Her delicate nature made her prefer to keep a low profile.

The gatekeeper, lost in his thoughts, wished he were in Li Yuanheng’s place to enjoy such a stunning beauty. He murmured to himself with an unsettling passion, “I really want to pull this little slut and give her a good beating…” His words revealed a disturbing desire.

Behind him, Li Yuanheng, the eldest son of Qin Wangfu, observed with visible disgust. His usually impassive face now showed clear displeasure at the gatekeeper’s behavior. He turned to his attendant, Li Ting, with a slight gesture indicating his disapproval. Li Ting, having been with the prince since childhood, understood immediately. He signaled the guards to cover the gatekeeper’s mouth and remove him from the premises, sending him to Zhuangzi to prevent further disturbance.

Returning to her room, Kang Yuyi quickly set up the red charcoal she had been provided, lighting it in a basin. Despite the warmth from the earth dragon, it did little to fend off the pervasive chill. She huddled beside the basin, her hands gradually warming as she thawed her frozen fingers.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the night sky, followed by a brilliant display of fireworks. It was midnight, and the palace was celebrating with an extravagant show. The Qin mansion, situated close to the palace, had a clear view of the fireworks.

Although the fireworks painted the sky with vibrant colors, Kang Yuyi, exhausted from the cold and her earlier frustration, climbed onto her bed. As the continuous bursts of fireworks echoed through the night, she drifted into a deep sleep, the sounds of celebration blending seamlessly into her dreams.

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