It was the eighth day of the 8th month and everyone knew how auspicious a double date like this was.

It was early summer but the wedding hall was relatively breezy. There were ice fans all over the place and its abundance showed how influential the house owner was to have this many items of controlled goods from the government.

The seats were filled with noble ladies, all covered with kebaya made of silk and brocade. Their accessories range from common pearls and gold to rare emeralds and jade.

Under bright appearance and elegant bearing were harsh taunting words.

"Will Kiu Nyu come?" Someone asked.

"After such a scandal?"

"Even if she doesn't want a face, the royal family still needs a face!"

Someone covered his lips and said with a smile: "If it were me, if I were to commit suicide by drowning, even if I saved my life, I would be ashamed to death."

"She has thick skin. When I went to the Rawa Temple to burn incense for the Dewas, she was there praying for guidance." She mocked, and didn't hide her sarcasm at all. "If you ask me, no matter how compassionate Dewas is, He will not cross the border. She is such a shameless person. It is obvious that His Highness Prince Han despises her and is still clinging to him."

"Don't be like that, Sister." Another voice spoke, as if reprimanding. "After all, she is the high branch that she has always wanted to climb, but she is giving it to others, tsk!" but she laughed gloatingly instead.

There was a lot of chatter in the room, mostly in disdainful tones, with an occasional calm voice saying, "She is also infatuated, and her feelings are too deep..."

However, she was immediately interrupted by someone's retort -

"What kind of infatuation is this? His Highness Prince Han is marrying Sister Xu. Who in the capital doesn't know that the decree has been given? She still goes out to cry and persecute him. That's called stalking and wishful thinking!"

"…"

Voices fell into my ears one after another.

It was lively, just five or six people taking turns laughing.

Separated by the thick curtain, Kiu stood outside the Rose Pavilion, a trace of irritation flashing between her brows.

The accompanying maid Liu Li couldn't hear it and complained bitterly: "That voice belongs to Mila Xu. She must want to ruin the young lady's reputation. My lady managed to survive the disaster but she is trying to force my lady..."

"I know." Kiu interrupted her, lowered her head and flicked her sleeves.

Of course she knew what the Xu family was planning and the reason for today's discussions.

Kiu Nyu's maternal grandfather was the late emperor's study companion and the current emperor's teacher. He only had grandsons from his sons and his only daughter gave birth to a daughter. The only granddaughter was Kiu Nyu and due to his favoritism, Kiu Nyu had entered the palace more times than most senior officials.

Kiu Nyu had long integrated into the noble circle and it was no surprise that she was selected as the princess's study companion. The Noa Empire was relatively open and the royal school didn't separate based on gender. It was exactly why many high ranking officials were eager to send their daughters in, to hopefully form a marriage alliance with the princes and noble son.

The current emperor only had 9 children and only four of them were eligible to compete for the throne - the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the eighth prince.

The eighth prince - Han Ji was the same age as the ninth princess - Ria Ji, therefore they attended the same classes. Creating some opportunity for the two groups to interact.

Nyu family wasn't literati, but Kiu Nyu spent more time in her maternal grandfather's house than her own home. Her talent was evident and her cheerful temperament was likable.. including by the royal children.

Han Ji expressed his serious intention early on and the emperor was satisfied.

Everyone in the capital believed that Han Ji would marry Kiu Nyu, and they were extremely polite to the royal daughter-in-law-to-be.

Kiu Nyu also thought that she was different, and all her thoughts were focused on Han Ji. After being praised for a long time, her temper gradually became higher, and she was occasionally arrogant in her dealings with others, resulting in a reputation as arrogant and willful.

Although these girls in the capital looked friendly, they secretly talked a lot. They were just afraid of royal repercussions so they did not dare to speak before.

Last year, Han Ji, who was seventeen years old, was preparing to propose marriage. Just as everyone was looking at the Nyu family eagerly, the person proposing marriage went to the Xu family. They proposed to the Prime Minister's only granddaughter - Lu Xu.

When the news came out, it was like a thunderbolt out of the blue, severely cutting into Kiu Nyu's heart.

Lu Xu was her closest confidant and she was always inseparable with her and the princess. She never dreamed that Han Ji would marry someone else and that person was actually her best friend!

Before Kiu Nyu could calm down, the gossip in the capital came overwhelming. Overnight, the former envy turned to adding insult to injury, mocking her for failing to realize her dream.

Kiu Nyu went to Han Ji to ask for details, but he avoided seeing her. He didn't show up until she came to the door crying for the third time. He only said that the fate between the two was too shallow after all, and it would be difficult for them to have a good relationship in this life. He only hoped that she could find another spouse.

But the friendship of more than ten years, the passionate and sincere love, how can it be severed by just a simple word of fate?

The one she loved had a change of heart, and her most trusted friend snatched him away from her.

Kiu Nyu was devastated and refused her family's dissuasion. She visited Prince Han's Mansion again and again, hoping that Han Ji could explain clearly and change his mind.

However, Han Ji seemed to be determined and avoided seeing her all the time.

In the dark, all kinds of rumors were growing, pointing fingers at her visit to the house. Adding fuel to the fire and all kinds of unpleasant rumors were there, from saying she threatened to kill herself, using sex to seduce the prince, and even cursing Han Ji and Lu Xu to die a horrible death out of hatred.

The news was reenacted by 'witnesses' and spread far and wide as a nation's scandal.

Over the years Kiu Nyu has been walking among the splendid bushes, she has a reputation of being arrogant and willful, which has aroused a lot of jealousy.

With such rumors circulating, people who originally had some sympathy for her also changed their attitude, accusing her of being shameless and the Wei and Nyu family's incompetence in educating their daughters.

In the seventeen years of Kiu Nyu's splendid life, when did she ever suffer such an injustice?

Her home family, the Nyu family, cleaned their hands from the matter and stated that Kiu Nyu had always been taught by the Weis. Underhandedly stating she was not their problem.

Rumors and dirty water were like sharp arrows piercing the body, leaving people with wounds and bruises.

Han Ji's evasive attitude was like a scimitar gouging out her heart, causing Kiu Nyu's warm heart to bleed. Not a drop will be left. She hid in Wei Mansion and cried all day long, not daring to go out to see anyone.

Finally, in the middle of the cold and windy night in the depth of winter, she left her residence in sadness and despair and jumped into the heart of the icy cold lake.

In the cold lake, scenes from the past emerged clearly, including their childhood play dates, childhood sweet nothings, their childhood outings, and the spring breeze and autumn scenery.

The joy, anxiety, and longing was as suffocating the water filling her nostril.

Kiu Nyu had no idea what happened next, but her maid Liu Li told her that a master scholar was living around the lake. He and his wife fished her out and they knew her identity and discreetly invited people from Wei family.

For months, she never showed up anywhere.

Until today.

"It's so lively here, I wonder what everyone is talking about."

The female guests turned their heads.

Generous smile, rosy cheek, and an elegant kebaya dress they never saw.

"Ki- Kiu Nyu?" One with a lack of self control couldn't help breathing out.

"Em.. Who are you again?" Kiu Nyu crossed her arm to her chest, "I have bad experience making friends, it's better for you to call me Miss Nyu, Miss."

They were caught off guard, they never thought Kiu Nyu would come here.