The various families were all acquainted with each other and had brought their in-laws, so now they were rising from their seats to converse, each person busy in their own way. For instance, Qi Yun brought his wife and daughter to pay respects to his father-in-law and mother-in-law under the Han family’s tree, while Fu Zhuo brought Fu Rong to pay respects to the Qi family elders, thanking the Qi family for their recent care of Fu Rong.
Qi Ning and Qi Le had nothing to do for the moment. Qi Le sat to one side eating pastries, while Qi Ning carefully looked around, trying to find traces of his Wenwen sister.
Ever since Shen Xiling had been expelled from the main family by Old Madam Qi, Qi Ning had originally resolved not to think about her anymore. But this sister had somehow bewitched him, truly haunting his dreams. For so many days he still frequently dreamed of her, especially her gentle and soft call of “Third Brother” that continued to echo in his ears, making it impossible for him to forget.
A few days ago he had heard that Second Brother had taken her with him, and she now lived in Fenghe Courtyard. Though he greatly disliked how Wenwen sister, like others, only knew to cling to Second Brother, he had still been hoping since early on that he could see her again at today’s flower festival. Even though he himself didn’t know what he could do if he saw her today, he still thought of her constantly.
After looking around for a long time without catching even a glimpse of Wenwen sister, he saw Second Brother approaching from the other end of the crowd, with three people beside him—two men and one woman, all imperial offspring: Third Prince Xiao Zihuan, Fourth Prince Xiao Ziheng, and Sixth Princess Xiao Ziyu.
Such a group of four naturally caused onlookers to rise and those who heard to bow in salute. For a moment among the spring mountain’s abundant flowers there was endless liveliness, a scene of universal reverence.
All the princes had fine appearances, but standing next to that Second Young Master of the Qi family, they appeared ordinary in comparison. Fortunately, Second Young Master Qi deliberately concealed his brilliance and yielded, falling slightly behind the princes by a step, which prevented him from completely stealing their thunder. However, most of the young ladies’ hearts throughout the mountain were still devoted to him. When Second Young Master Qi passed by, even the most reserved and well-bred noble ladies couldn’t help but secretly arrange their hair ornaments and smooth their skirts.
Third Prince Xiao Zihuan was the leader of the group. Because this prince had been born with a beauty mark under his right eye, he had appeared somewhat feminine in childhood, but now that he bore great responsibilities at court and was a leading candidate for crown prince, his prestige had grown, making him appear much more martial and dignified. Standing among the crowd, he laughed heartily, saying, “The Qingji Flower Festival is a grand event of our Jiangzuo. Today with flowing cups and floating wine, there are only poetry friends among the seats and nothing else—everyone need not be constrained by ceremony.”
Everyone thanked the Third Prince for his grace, then secretly observed the Fourth Prince beside him.
Given the current situation, these two princes should be like fire and water, completely incompatible. Unexpectedly, this Fourth Prince appeared completely oblivious, his peach blossom eyes entirely focused on admiring the spring scenery throughout the mountain, showing no intention of competing with his third brother. He seemed willingly content to let his brother take the leading role, causing observers to wonder privately: Could it be that the situation was already decided?
People’s calculations remained hidden in their hearts and naturally couldn’t affect the princes’ actions. Led personally by Qi Ying, they walked toward the most tall and flourishing cherry tree at the back of the mountain. However, the princes were quite sensible—halfway there they turned to first pay their respects to the heads of the Qi and Han families, also greeting General Han, and then inquiring about Fu Zhuo’s mother’s recent condition before taking their seats.
This was Jiangzuo where aristocratic families were valued: So what if they were imperial children? Before the heads of great families, they still had to be careful and respectful, not daring to be careless or negligent.
Although the families sat under different cherry trees, they were actually not far apart, making conversation very convenient and elegant.
The Third Prince sat under the flowers and smiled at Qi Ying, saying, “Jiankang’s spring scenery is beautiful, but this back garden of Qingji Mountain is truly unique. With such brocade-like flowers, the later floating wine ceremony should be even more interesting—will Jingchen participate today?”
Floating wine was a tradition started by famous scholars of Jiangzuo, an elegant affair of poetry and wine. Everyone would sit on both sides of a stream, placing wine cups at the water’s source. The cups would flow downstream, and whoever the cup stopped in front of would drink it, then compose impromptu poetry—naturally elegant and refined.
Qi Ying smiled but before he could answer, he heard the Fourth Prince beside him laugh lazily, saying, “Why does Royal Brother want him to participate? Once Second Young Master Qi enters the competition, who else would dare to compose poetry or discuss literature?”
Though spoken in jest, the speaker was unintentional but the listeners were attentive: onlookers immediately noticed the difference in intimacy—this Fourth Prince could speak so casually, clearly having a closer relationship with the aristocratic families than the Third Prince.
Xiao Zihuan also detected this implication and felt displeased, but his face showed nothing as he continued smiling, “Though that may be true, we still can’t let him off easy. Today’s peaceful flower festival exists entirely due to Jingchen’s merit in repelling Wei—he must play today’s leading role.”
Those who didn’t understand couldn’t grasp the Third Prince’s meaning, but the sharp-eyed and clear-minded could detect the barbed intent in his words.
Everyone now knew of Qi Ying’s actions at Stone City, and knew he had executed General Han’s disciple Jiang Yong, receiving punishment from His Majesty for overstepping his authority. Despite accomplishing such a great feat, he received not the slightest reward, ultimately working for nothing.
Not only working for nothing, he even made a losing deal, needlessly offending Han Shouye. Well-informed people in Jiankang City already knew of Han Shouye’s sword-brandishing rampage at Fenghe Courtyard. Now the Third Prince was deliberately bringing up which pot shouldn’t be opened, specifically mentioning Qi Ying’s merit in front of Han Shouye—wasn’t this slapping his face? With the General’s temperament, it wouldn’t be surprising if he overturned this entire flower festival.
The Third Prince was testing the relationship between the Qi and Han families after this incident.
Everyone looked around and saw that after the Third Prince finished speaking, neither the Left Chancellor nor Han family head Han Shousong moved an eyebrow. Though Han Shouye snorted coldly, he made no other moves, making people feel disappointed that a good show had fallen flat, while secretly speculating whether the two families had already privately discussed this matter, wondering what great ability that Qi Jingchen possessed to actually pacify the General.
Seeing that Han Shouye hadn’t erupted in anger as he expected, Xiao Zihuan secretly frowned. Then he heard Qi Ying respond mildly, “Your Highness flatters me. Wei’s retreat was due to fear of His Majesty’s divine authority, not my achievement. I have also passed the age for the imperial examinations. Today’s floating wine ceremony is a rare opportunity—it would be better to let the candidates showcase their talents.”
Advancing and retreating with propriety, behaving appropriately—truly the exemplar of Jiangzuo aristocratic families.
Han Feichi on the other side then laughingly interjected, “Second Brother speaks truly. I’ve already noticed many people eager to try, hoping to compose poetry that moves ghosts and gods, becoming famous throughout Jiangzuo in a single day. If Second Brother participated, wouldn’t they have no role to play?”
His words were contemptuous, delivered with a devil-may-care attitude that made his father Han Shousong’s heart burn with anger, wishing he could drown this rebellious son. Han Feiyu noticed his father’s fury and fulfilled his duty as elder brother, scolding Han Feichi: “All you know is criticizing others! Haven’t you failed the examinations too? Today you should also go compete in poetry!”
Han Feichi pretended not to hear, leaning back against the tree with an attitude that suggested no one could do anything to him—the posture of a complete rogue, making both his father and brother sigh in anger.
With such commotion, the conversational focus shifted away from the Third Prince’s side. The various aristocratic family members continued joking and talking with each other, instead leaving the princes somewhat neglected.
The flower festival wasn’t a formal banquet and wasn’t restrictive—one didn’t have to sit in one place motionless, but could freely rise and walk to any part of the back mountain to drink and chat with anyone. After sitting for a while and growing tired, the aristocratic family members also rose to walk around and chat casually.
The Fu family young masters and Han family brothers had always been close to the two older Qi family young masters, so now the five gathered privately away from the noisy crowds.
Han Feichi said, “This flower festival is beautiful indeed, but unfortunately the elders from each family are also here—how can we truly enjoy ourselves?”
His elder brother was so angry he couldn’t speak for a moment. Qi Yun turned and smiled, “Why isn’t Fourth Prince joining us?”
The aristocratic young masters had always been close to the Fourth Prince, often gathering privately in normal times, but today they hadn’t seen him come to speak with them, which was strange.
Fu Zhuo glanced at Qi Yun and smiled, “You’re confused. Third Prince is also here—how could Fourth Prince come over?”
Qi Yun and Fu Zhuo were of similar age and had been classmates when studying, their relationship quite close. Hearing this, Qi Yun also said he was confused: “Exactly, exactly, it should be so.”
Once the Third Prince was mentioned, everyone inevitably thought of how he had deliberately tried to provoke the Qi and Han families earlier. Han Feiyu naturally knew that his uncle had once stormed Fenghe Courtyard, so looking at Qi Ying now made him feel somewhat guilty and embarrassed. After thinking, he said, “Jingchen…”
Before he could finish speaking, he was stopped by the other raising his hand. Qi Ying’s brow and eyes were gentle as he said peacefully, “Your uncle and I simply had different viewpoints. We’ve already cleared things up—Brother Boheng need not mention it again.”
Since he had said this, if Han Feiyu apologized further it would seem ungracious, so he didn’t persist, only smiling gratefully at Qi Ying, who smiled back.
Fu Zhuo pondered for a moment, then said, “Setting aside Third Prince’s words and actions today, His Majesty’s lack of rewards or honors for Jingchen is indeed unfair, rather…”
Though he didn’t finish his words, everyone understood his meaning.
Rather revealing of intentions, rather disheartening.
No one among the aristocratic families was foolish—all were sharp-eyed and clear-minded, naturally seeing the imperial family’s intent to suppress the great families. The imperial family felt the great families were insatiably greedy, while the great families felt the imperial family was ungratefully treacherous. The southern crossing had been so catastrophic—without the great families’ support, the Xiao Liang dynasty would have perished north of the river long ago. How could they have preserved today’s foundation? It had only been thirty-odd years, yet they were already thinking of destroying the hounds after the hares were caught? Destroying the Shen family wasn’t enough—now they wanted to incite internal strife between the Qi and Han surnames?
Wishful thinking!
This Jiangzuo was no longer the imperial family’s private domain, but governed jointly by the great families. If His Majesty and the Third Prince now wanted to move against the great families, it would be mutual destruction with jade and stone perishing together—the great families would never retreat a single step.
And if Xiao Zihuan truly intended this, the great families would never allow him to ascend to the throne.
For a moment the young masters each had their calculations and fell into silence.
Though they were silent on their end, there was quite a commotion on the other side: Fu Rong, the legitimate daughter of the Fu family, had been struck by Sixth Princess Xiao Ziyu.
Before this incident erupted, Qi Le had been circling around several nearby cherry trees.
His aimless circling annoyed Qi Ning, who couldn’t help grabbing him to sit down, frowning as he asked, “Circling and circling—wandering around like a headless fly for so many rounds, what are you looking for?”
Qi Le, covered in sweat and somewhat breathless, answered, “Looking for Second Brother.”
Qi Ning asked strangely, “Why are you looking for Second Brother?”
Qi Le wiped the sweat from his forehead and said huffily, “I want to ask Second Brother why no invitation was sent to the Zhao family for this flower festival!”
This matter had a background—it was from several days ago.
Though Qingji Mountain was vast, the flower festival’s grand event couldn’t welcome just anyone who wanted to come—one needed to receive an invitation from the Qi family to attend the mountain gathering. Qi Ying naturally didn’t have time to consider whom to invite and whom not to invite, so this matter was left to Yao Shi.
Yao Shi widely distributed invitations but didn’t send one to the Zhao family mansion, which made Zhao Qishi and Zhao Yao red-eyed with anxiety. Mother and daughter both came calling, questioning Yao Shi about this matter.
At that time Yao Shi sat in Jiaxi Hall with the Zhao family mother and daughter seated below. Zhao Qishi couldn’t directly ask her sister-in-law why their family hadn’t received this invitation, so she had to push her daughter Zhao Yao to ask.
Ever since being publicly punished with kneeling by Old Madam Qi and expelled from the academy by Master Wang, Zhao Yao felt she had lost face as a noble lady and had cried at home for many days. Now not receiving an invitation to the flower festival made her feel even more wronged. Seeing her usually doting aunt, tears immediately streamed down as she threw herself into Yao Shi’s embrace, saying, “Doesn’t Aunt love Yao’er anymore? Won’t you even let Yao’er attend the flower festival?”
This flower festival was actually quite important for the Zhao family.
Zhao Run had just been transferred back to serve in Jiankang, and most of his old acquaintances had grown distant while he hadn’t become familiar with many newly risen households. If he could establish connections with the currently prominent officials and nobles of Jiankang City at the flower festival, the Zhao family would be thoroughly established in Jiankang. Otherwise, their social connections would remain unopened.
Just at this crucial moment, Zhao Yao had caused such trouble in the Qi family—how could this not be worth crying over?
Looking at Zhao Yao sobbing against her knees, Yao Shi gently stroked her head, saying, “Good girl, don’t cry anymore. How could Aunt not love you? No matter what, you’re still Aunt’s dear Yao’er.”
Hearing these words, both Zhao Yao and Zhao Qishi felt hope rising in their hearts, thinking they could probably still obtain an invitation from Yao Shi. But before smiles could touch their lips, they heard Yao Shi sigh, saying, “But this year’s flower festival should just be forgotten.”
Zhao Yao’s face immediately fell as she grabbed Yao Shi’s sleeve and asked, “Why, Aunt! Yao’er wants to go, Yao’er must go!”
She wanted to go to Fenghe Courtyard to see Second Brother, she wanted to dress magnificently and become a noble lady famous for beauty in Jiankang City, she wanted everyone to see and praise her—she refused to be barred from Fenghe Courtyard!
Her mother Zhao Qishi also became anxious, forcing a smile as she said to Yao Shi, “Sister-in-law, this… is it because Yao’er made mistakes before, so you’re punishing her by not allowing her to attend this year’s flower festival? She already knows she was wrong. Her father and I have both disciplined her at home, and Mother and Master Wang have also punished her. I think… isn’t that sufficient enough…”
Yao Shi glanced at her with emotionless eyes, saying, “I’ve always loved Yao’er, but this time I also think she was ridiculously wrong. First dragging Wenwen into cheating, implicating her, then later hitting people—where was there any dignity of a noble lady left? I watched Yao’er grow up—what a gentle and lovely child she was in childhood, yet now she’s learned to be so sharp and petty. Could this be the child’s fault? Naturally it’s the adults’ fault.”
Yao Shi had always been gentle as water, amiable to everyone, rarely speaking such harsh words. Especially that phrase “sharp and petty” frightened Zhao Yao so much she couldn’t cry anymore, while Zhao Qishi’s face turned red then pale.
She didn’t dare contradict her sister-in-law, only awkwardly responding, “Yes, yes, we haven’t done well. We’ll certainly discipline her more strictly in the future…”
Before she finished speaking, she was gently interrupted by Yao Shi.
Yao Shi continued stroking Zhao Yao’s head, speaking in gentle tones: “Yao’er is still young—many principles must be taught to her early to prevent her from causing even greater troubles in the future. How many ‘futures’ are there in life? Most of the time a single moment or thought determines a lifetime. Suffering a loss now is also good—not being able to attend this flower festival gives her time for self-reflection behind closed doors. I think this is actually a good thing.”
Hearing these words, both the Zhao family mother and daughter felt completely chilled. But Zhao Yao really wanted to attend that flower festival and unwillingly wanted to plead with her aunt again, but before she could speak, Yao Shi looked down and glanced at her.
She heard her aunt say, “Besides, the matter of invitations—I’m merely helping Jingchen arrange things. The real decisions are still his. Having Yao’er reflect behind closed doors is also Jingchen’s idea. If you can persuade him, then go try.”
Such Tai Chi caught the Zhao family mother and daughter completely off guard. When Zhao Yao heard that this time it was Second Brother who wouldn’t let her go, she felt even more sad and wronged, her heart wounded like a sieve. She went home and cried behind closed doors for several more days.
Author’s Note: Sigh, how could Second Young Master Qi not avenge Wenwen? Next update the Princess and Fu Rong: Fight! Fight!