The aftermath of Ludy's public disgrace rippled far beyond the walls of the Lee estate. Whispers echoed through the streets of the capital, amplified by the Shen and Pei families. Their influence was unmatched, ensuring the story reached the most powerful ears of the empire: the Emperor himself.
By the time the imperial decree was issued, Ludy's once-lofty dreams had been reduced to ashes.
The imperial messenger arrived at the Lee estate at noon, his presence casting a shadow over the household. Every member of the family gathered in the main hall, tension thick in the air. Ludy stood near the back, her face pale but defiant, while Xia Shui lingered awkwardly to the side.
The messenger unrolled the scroll and began reading with a voice of authority:
"By order of His Majesty, Emperor Gaozu, it is decreed that Xia Shui shall take Ludy as his concubine. This union shall uphold the honor of both families and ensure stability within the capital."
Gasps filled the room.
"A concubine?" Ludy's voice trembled with disbelief. She stepped forward, her hands clenching her robes. "This must be a mistake! I am the daughter of the Lee family! I deserve to be his main wife!"
The messenger didn't spare her a glance. "This is the Emperor's decree. To question it is treason."
Xia Shui's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. His humiliation was plain, but his status as a minor noble left him no room to argue. Marrying Ludy—whether as a wife or a concubine—was a fate he couldn't escape now.
I stood at the side, watching the scene unfold. My expression remained calm, but inside, I couldn't help the flicker of satisfaction. Ludy's schemes had not only failed but had ensnared her in a humiliating fate.
When the messenger departed, the room descended into chaos. Ludy burst into tears, screaming accusations at anyone within earshot. Her mother tried to console her, but the truth was unavoidable: she had fallen from grace, and everyone knew it.
Meanwhile, my own endeavors were flourishing.
The small cosmetics brand I had started was beginning to gain traction, thanks in no small part to my modern-world knowledge and the chip's storage capabilities. My products were unlike anything the capital had seen—creams that soothed blemishes overnight, powders that gave skin a radiant glow, and lip stains that lasted for hours without fading.
What started as a whisper among the wealthy elite had grown into a chorus of demand. Ladies from noble families sought my products, eager to set themselves apart from their peers.
Pei Tian, my cousin and the trusted bodyguard of Crown Prince Wei Cheng, had become one of my staunchest supporters. While his duties often kept him occupied, he found time to stop by and check on my progress. His blunt yet honest praise helped refine my products further, and his discreet recommendations to key figures ensured word spread in influential circles.
During one of his visits, he had leaned against the doorframe of my workshop, his imposing figure softened by the faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Your work's impressive, Silla," he had said, examining a jar of cream. "The ladies at court can't stop talking about it. Even the Crown Prince is curious."
I paused, surprised. "Wei Cheng? Curious about cosmetics?"
Pei Tian chuckled, a rare sound from the stoic soldier. "He's not looking to powder his face, if that's what you're thinking. He's curious about you—about how you're managing to disrupt an entire market singlehandedly."
His words stayed with me long after he left.
The Crown Prince's interest became evident during a quiet evening in the royal palace.
Seated in his study, Wei Cheng listened as Pei Tian updated him on matters in the capital. Among the reports of political maneuvering and court intrigue, Pei Tian mentioned my growing success.
"My cousin's cosmetics have taken the city by storm," Pei Tian said, his tone casual but laced with pride. "Her products are unlike anything anyone's seen before, and the quality is unmatched."
Wei Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Your cousin? The one who's been causing a stir in the Lee family?"
Pei Tian smirked. "The same. She's resourceful, I'll give her that. She doesn't just survive—she thrives. If you ask me, she's someone worth keeping an eye on."
Wei Cheng leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Interesting. A woman who can rise above the schemes of the Lee family and capture the attention of the capital… She sounds extraordinary."
"She is," Pei Tian said simply.
The momentum of my cosmetics brand grew steadily, and I could feel the tides beginning to shift. Where once I had been dismissed as a powerless outsider, I was now becoming a name of influence in the capital.
The Crown Prince's subtle interest, coupled with Pei Tian's unwavering support, opened doors I hadn't even known existed. Invitations to exclusive gatherings arrived almost daily, and my products became status symbols among the nobility.
As for Ludy, her humiliation continued to fester. The news of her imperial decree had spread quickly, and the city was abuzz with speculation. The daughter of the Lee family, reduced to a concubine? It was a fall from grace that few could have imagined.
And Xia Shui? He was trapped in a union he couldn't refuse, his bitterness evident in every encounter. The admiration he once held for Ludy had soured into resentment, and I could see the weight of his choices pressing heavily on him.
But I had no sympathy for either of them. They had chosen their paths, and now they had to walk them.
As I stood in my workshop that evening, a sense of quiet satisfaction filled me. The humiliation of Ludy, the rise of my brand, and the growing attention of the Crown Prince—everything was falling into place.
This was only the beginning.