The Peach Blossom Banquet was the grandest gathering of spring in Wind City. Princess Huguo was the younger sister of Prince Ning, married off to General Chen but widowed not long after. This banquet was a private gathering she held in her leisure, at her country estate, Cuizhui Villa, each spring when the flowers bloomed. Whenever the estate’s blossoms came into full bloom, she would invite the female relatives of the imperial family and the court’s high officials to admire the flowers together. Over time, she also began inviting Wind City’s most refined young men and talented scholars, and the gathering gradually became a high-society matchmaking event.

Wind City had what was known as the “Five Young Lords” — Crown Prince Liu Jian, Fourth Prince Liu Fei, Prince Anqing’s son Liu Jue, the newly crowned top scholar Cheng Shiyue, and Chancellor Gu’s son Gu Tianxiang. All were said to be handsome, elegant young men of about twenty. More than half the young women of Wind City would go starry-eyed at the mere mention of the Five Young Lords.

Chancellor Li looked at his three daughters — Li Qinglei reserved and dignified, Li Qingfei bright and lively, Li Qingluo petite and gentle — each with her own particular charm, spring orchid and autumn chrysanthemum each in her own season. Aside from A’Luo, who had no exceptional talent to show, his other two daughters satisfied him to his very core.

He had heard that all five of Wind City’s young lords would attend this Peach Blossom Banquet, three of them from the royal family, none yet betrothed. Prince Ning had hinted some days earlier that he favored the eldest daughter, Qinglei, and that, barring any surprises, she might well be chosen as the future Crown Princess — Chancellor Li was overwhelmed with gratitude at the prospect. But then he’d also heard that the Empress Dowager favored Chancellor Gu’s daughter, Gu Tianlin, who was known alongside Qinglei as one of the “Two Wonders of Wind City” — and this news left him feeling less than secure.

Later still, he heard that the Empress favored her own niece, Wang Yanhui, daughter of the reigning Grand Marshal — said to possess extraordinary strategic acumen and formidable intelligence. Her looks might not match those of Gu Tianlin or Li Qinglei, but she was still considered a beauty in her own right, and her family’s power and standing were nothing to be underestimated.

With these three factions now entangled together, Princess Huguo had come up with the idea of hosting this Peach Blossom Banquet, deliberately giving all three families’ daughters a chance to be seen publicly — essentially an open contest. Prince Ning, who doted on the Crown Prince, decreed that the Crown Prince’s own preference would decide the matter. And so the true purpose behind the Peach Blossom Banquet became known to everyone, and all eagerly awaited the spectacle of the three beauties competing for a husband.

Chancellor Li turned the matter over in his mind again and again, still uneasy, pacing anxiously in his study. The First Madam smiled gently. “My lord, why not simply let all three daughters attend the banquet? Aren’t all five young lords of Wind City going to be there?”

The First Madam’s suggestion struck Chancellor Li like a bolt of insight. Even if the position of Crown Princess proper wasn’t secured, becoming a secondary consort was still a possibility, and if either of his other two daughters could catch the eye of any one of Wind City’s five young lords, that would hardly be a losing proposition either. He stroked his beard and smiled. “My wife’s foresight is as always superior to mine!”

When Seventh Madam heard that A’Luo would also be attending the Peach Blossom Banquet, her eyes lit up with excitement. Returning to the Crab-Apple Garden, she pulled A’Luo into an embrace. “A’Luo, you’re only twelve, but you’re no less capable than your sisters. At this banquet, nearly all of Wind City’s most eligible young men will be in attendance — look carefully, and think about your future.”

A’Luo’s heart lurched. “Mother, I’m only twelve!”

Seventh Madam smiled. “In Ning Guo, women may marry at thirteen, and consummate the marriage at sixteen. My A’Luo could very well secure a good match now, and marry later once you’re grown!”

A’Luo sighed. “I can’t bear to leave you, Mother. Can’t we wait a little longer before arranging anything?”

Seventh Madam said, “Mother can’t bear to part with you either. But you can’t stay by my side forever. Better to find someone good now than to be married off carelessly to just anyone later. Mother only wants you to look carefully at the banquet — if you see someone who catches your eye, he can be one of your options for the future.”

On the seventh day of the third month, the spring breeze was gentle and the sun warm — a beautifully clear day. The First Madam took the three daughters to attend the Peach Blossom Banquet. This was also the occasion the First Madam looked forward to most — only she could stand proudly alongside Ning Guo’s noblewomen as an equal. Today she had specially styled her hair in a towering “facing heaven” bun, wore a dark gold robe embroidered with the character for “fortune,” and adorned herself with gold peony hair ornaments and dangling pearl hairpins, her jade pendants chiming with every step. Her plump figure, framed by such elaborate hair and finery, radiated the dignity befitting a Chancellor’s wife.

A’Luo studied Li Qinglei — a pale blue bodice beneath a white silk skirt, delicately embroidered in silver thread with twisting plum branches and buds about to bloom, standing tall and graceful, her melon-seed face composed and serene, coolly beautiful beyond compare. Then she looked at Li Qingfei — a jade-colored bodice beneath a pale red gauze robe, its hem and cuffs embroidered with deeper-toned threads forming clusters of blossoms; the tallest of the three at fourteen, already about five foot six, her gauze robe billowing like a startled swan taking flight whenever the wind blew.

Then A’Luo looked at herself — a blue-green short jacket with a darker blue-green silk skirt, her hair still done up in two small buns, with bangs Xiao Yu had just trimmed for her, covering half her small face. Two silver hairpins. Standing next to Qinglei and Qingfei, she was a full head shorter than either of them, looking more like their little maid than their sister. Qinglei and Qingfei glanced at Qingluo and burst out laughing.

The First Madam frowned slightly, then thought better of it, reasoning that Qingluo was still young and today was really about the eldest two, so she didn’t bother having Qingluo redressed.

A’Luo hurried to flatter her with a sweetened voice: “Elder Sister, Second Sister, you both look so beautiful today. Let A’Luo be your little maid — I’ll help pick out the perfect match for each of you.”

Qinglei and Qingfei both flushed red and spat back at her: “You little imp, since when did you get this cheeky!”

A’Luo just giggled without answering.

This was her first time stepping outside the Chancellor’s residence gates since arriving in this strange new world. She couldn’t resist lifting the carriage curtain along the way to peek outside. The First Madam coughed twice. “A’Luo, before your father left this morning he specifically warned that you must remember your status as a daughter of a great household today, and not embarrass him — or else there will be consequences under family law. Look at Qinglei and Qingfei, then look at yourself. Old Seventh really hasn’t changed her ways, and now she’s passed the same habits on to her daughter!”

A’Luo felt a flash of anger and withdrew her curious gaze, sitting up straight and proper. She thought to herself: one day, once I have the ability to protect myself, I will absolutely take my beautiful mother and move out of this Chancellor’s residence!

The carriage traveled east for nearly two hours before finally stopping. Under the First Madam’s stern watch, the three girls sat properly the whole way; Qingluo pretended she was practicing yoga to pass the time. When they got out, her legs still felt a little numb from sitting so long. She had no idea how Qinglei and Qingfei managed such posture — they floated down from the carriage as lightly as butterflies.

Once out of the carriage, having spent so long confined to the four walls of the Chancellor’s estate, A’Luo found the open view before her exhilarating. How wonderful it would be to be free, she thought, to travel and see the world at will someday!

Princess Huguo’s Cuizhui Villa was built into the mountainside; from a distance, one could just make out an upturned eave peeking through the trees on the slope, with a hint of white-washed wall visible. A’Luo couldn’t help but marvel — no matter which world you were in, it seemed the wealthy always lived in mansions.

They passed through the main gate, where soft-carried litters awaited to carry them further in. After about half an hour, a wash of pink blossoms came into view — they had reached a valley where the ground was flat, a stream ran clear and shallow, half-natural, half man-made, winding gently through a peach grove. Flower petals drifted across the water’s surface, carrying an intoxicating fragrance. A’Luo sighed to herself — an unspoiled paradise, untouched by pollution!

Word was sent ahead announcing the arrival of Chancellor Li’s household, and Princess Huguo rose with a smile to greet them. After exchanging courtesies and sitting down, Princess Huguo said to the First Madam: “I’ve long heard that the Li household has two daughters unmatched in talent throughout Wind City, said to be as lovely as immortals descended to earth — come, let me get a good look at them.”

The First Madam quickly called Qinglei and Qingfei forward.

Qingluo quietly studied Princess Huguo — dignified and elegant, around thirty years old, every gesture carrying an air of easy, natural nobility, clearly cultivated since childhood. Looking around, she saw two rows of small canopied pavilions set up across the open ground, their sides draped with gauze curtains — though only the pavilions occupied by women had their curtains lowered. Scattered throughout sat numerous ladies and young women, each dressed elegantly and clearly having put great effort into her appearance for the occasion.

Qingluo smiled inwardly — thankfully, there was a breeze today. Whenever the gauze curtains fluttered up, the women’s faces would be revealed, and she noticed the necks of the young men seated properly nearby slowly craning forward, eyes darting about hopefully.

After a while, the First Madam returned to their pavilion, her face glowing with pride, a daughter on each arm like two little prized tomatoes. Curious, Qingluo pressed Qingfei to tell her what Princess Huguo had said.

Qingfei looked embarrassed and said nothing. The First Madam spoke up instead: “The Princess is very taken with Qinglei and Qingfei. She said she’ll specially ask the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince to come pick flowers and bring them over later.”

She pointed toward a pavilion across the way. “That one there belongs to the Crown Prince. The one beside it belongs to the Fourth Prince.” Then, lowering her voice: “To our left is Chancellor Gu’s pavilion, and to the right is Grand Marshal Wang’s. I hear both Miss Zilin and Miss Yanhui have already arrived.”

At the First Madam’s words, Qinglei and Qingfei couldn’t help glancing toward the pavilion across from them, then to the left and right. But the pavilions appeared empty, and through the gauze curtains they could only make out the vague shapes of a few young women, unable to see their faces clearly — leaving them somewhat disappointed and anxious. Qingluo chuckled. “Big Mother, shall A’Luo go gather some intelligence for us?”

The First Madam hesitated. “What if there’s some unfortunate encounter and a breach of etiquette occurs? You are, after all, a daughter of the Chancellor’s household.”

Qingluo smiled. “Big Mother, no one here knows I’m the Chancellor’s third daughter yet, right? Everyone’s attention is on Elder Sister and Second Sister. I could just say I’m a maid from our household — I mean, look at me, I basically look the part anyway.”

Amusement showed in the First Madam’s eyes. “Not a bad idea, actually. No one today even suspects the Chancellor’s third daughter is here at all — people probably don’t even know the Chancellor has a third daughter. Go on then, take a look — see what those two young ladies are like, and listen in on what people are saying.” She then instructed her attendant maid, Juan’er: “Go with the young lady, and see to it that no trouble comes of this.”

Juan’er nodded quickly in agreement. Qingluo smiled at her two sisters and said softly: “Don’t worry, sisters — A’Luo will be back before you know it.”

She and Juan’er set off into the peach grove, each carrying a basket. Because Princess Huguo’s banquet allowed guests to pick flowers freely as a special touch — if one spotted someone appealing, one could tie a poem to a bouquet and present it as a gift, adding a touch of romantic flair. And for those who found no one to their liking, there were flower arrangements available back at their own pavilions, so no one need feel embarrassed at going home without having received flowers from anyone. It was also common for women to exchange bouquets among themselves as a gesture of friendly courtesy.

Qingluo’s real goal was to use the First Madam’s name as pretext to sneak a look at Chancellor Gu’s daughter, Tianlin, and Grand Marshal Wang’s daughter, Yanhui, under the excuse of gift-giving. And, of course, to get a good look at the young men’s pavilions along the way too, while she was at it.

Walking into the peach grove, Qingluo felt a sense of freedom returning to nature, gazing at the wash of crimson blossoms all around, the green grass soft underfoot, the stream carrying its fragrance. She smiled at Juan’er. “It’s so beautiful here!”

Juan’er, only thirteen or fourteen herself, was just as easily distracted, and the two of them wandered along admiring the scenery and picking flowers, drifting further and further from the resting area without realizing it. After a while, Juan’er turned around and, unable to spot the pavilions anymore, panicked. “Third Miss, have we gotten lost?”

Qingluo, who had been enjoying herself, froze and looked back — the peach trees all looked alike, and she couldn’t tell which direction led back to the pavilions. She grew anxious too. “Oh no, Juan’er, if we’re late getting back, Big Mother will surely scold us. Which direction did we come from?”

Juan’er, distressed, couldn’t answer. Qingluo studied the angle of the sunlight and thought back to how things had looked from the pavilion earlier, then led Juan’er off toward the northwest. After walking a while, Qingluo brightened. “Juan’er, look — that’s the resting area over there!”

The two of them hurried toward the drifting white gauze curtains, thinking they’d be back in no time. But the stream ahead of them had widened. Qingluo picked up a stick and tested the water’s depth — it would come up to nearly her thigh. She looked around for another path, but worried about the time. Looking around and seeing it quiet, with only faint laughter drifting over from the pavilions in the distance, she made a decision and began taking off her shoes and stockings, hiking up her skirt hem. “Quick, Juan’er, while no one’s around — it’ll be trouble if anyone sees.”

Juan’er, close to tears, watched Qingluo already stepping into the water and reached out a hand to be led across. Steeling herself, she took off her own shoes and stockings, balanced the basket of shoes and flowers on her head, and gripped Qingluo’s hand as they waded step by step across. They were nearly at the far bank when Juan’er’s foot caught on a stone underfoot; her body lurched, and the basket holding the shoes and flowers tumbled into the water. She cried out: “The basket!”

Qingluo let go of Juan’er’s hand to grab for it, caught hold of the basket, but lost her own balance. Just as she was about to fall face-first into the water, a figure came flying from somewhere and caught her, pulling her clear of the water’s surface.

Qingluo let out a startled cry, and in the next instant found her feet planted firmly on the bank. Still shaken, she looked up wide-eyed at the person before her — a tall, elegantly built young man, smiling as he watched her. Qingluo’s face flushed red, and lowering her eyes she saw him looking straight at her bare legs and feet, and her temper flared: “Turn around! I need to put my shoes on.”

Only then did the man realize his breach of manners and turned away. Qingluo saw his back shaking slightly and knew he was trying to hold back laughter, muttering silent curses at him. Juan’er had already climbed onto the bank, and the two of them hurriedly straightened themselves up. Qingluo then said slowly to the man: “Thank you for just now. You can’t look yet, we’re not finished dressing. I really should thank you properly, but—” Her tone shifted abruptly: “who told you to let your eyes wander like that?!”

The moment the words left her mouth, Qingluo struck out — the man clearly hadn’t expected that this girl who’d nearly fallen into the water would know martial arts, let alone strike with such skillful force. He staggered, tilting backward toward the stream, but in midair he twisted his body several times and, pressing one palm flat against the water’s surface, used the momentum to flip himself around instead of falling in — half his sleeve soaked through — and landed safely on the opposite bank.

Qingluo was startled — this man had real martial skill, just like the ones in legends! She grabbed Juan’er’s hand and fled in a panic.

Once the man had steadied himself, he turned to watch the two of them stumbling away, baskets in hand, and couldn’t help but laugh. Straightening his soaked sleeve, he thought to himself: what a mischievous little maid, kept by someone’s household! As long as you’re at this banquet, do you really think I won’t be able to find you?