Su Jin’s heart gave a slight pause, a sense of alertness rising within her, but unexpectedly Shu Wenlan’s next words were: “It’s the Fourth Miss of the Qi family.”

A palace attendant came over to light the lanterns, and both of them cut off their conversation. Only after the attendant had walked far away did Shu Wenlan continue: “There’s a reason for this. Everyone knows about that jade pendant carved with Miss Qi’s given name that the Thirteenth Prince carries—no need to mention it. But speaking of back then…”

Before he could finish his words, a palace attendant at one end of Qionghua Garden announced: “His Majesty arrives—”

The officials and noble ladies on both sides of Yaoshui Lake stood to one side, bowing down toward the arched bridge. Emperor Jingyuan strode in with great strides, someone beside him holding high an ornate canopy—the imperial procession resplendent and imposing.

Zhu Jingyuan had recovered over several days, and his complexion had improved considerably. He walked to the seat of honor, and after everyone called out in unison “Long live the Emperor,” the banquet began. The complicated protocols were much fewer compared to the morning’s Heaven Worship Ceremony.

The dishes were brought out one course at a time, distributed by various palace attendants and palace maids—portions appropriate, the dishes a dazzling array.

Soon music arose, and several women could be seen approaching across Yaoshui Lake, treading upon the water.

Looking carefully, Su Jin realized there were wooden stakes driven into the water below.

These women wore gauze robes and held silk ribbons of various colors. Dancing to the music, they interwove and wound the silk ribbons in their hands, gradually forming them into an enormous flower ball. One woman, accompanied by the sharp sound of a pipa, tossed the flower ball into the air. The ball landed perfectly on the highest branch of a tree by the shore of Yaoshui Lake.

Like a withered tree blooming with abundant flowers.

A burst of applause erupted from the crowd.

Zhu Minda stepped forward from among the others, raising his cup toward Emperor Jingyuan and saying: “Your son, together with all his imperial brothers, wishes Father Emperor longevity and brightness, enduring as pines and cranes.”

From behind him, the assembled princes also called out in unison: “We wish Father Emperor longevity and brightness, enduring as pines and cranes.”

Emperor Jingyuan valued frugality and had issued an edict several days prior that the princes and officials need not send gifts to celebrate his birthday. However, at this moment, the Third Prince Zhu Jiyou suddenly stepped forward and said softly: “Father Emperor, your son… your son has a birthday gift to present to Father Emperor.”

The smile on Emperor Jingyuan’s face faded somewhat, displeasure evident in his eyes.

Zhu Jiyou hurriedly bowed down saying: “It’s not any material object.” He said timidly: “In Shanxi there is a tradition of sword dancing. Your son’s household has raised several young masters—all trained fighters—who dance with swords most magnificently.”

He looked up at Emperor Jingyuan: “Before coming to the capital, your son sent a letter saying he wanted to bring them to dance with swords for Father Emperor to watch. Does Father Emperor remember?”

Actually, it wasn’t difficult to guess why Zhu Jiyou would do this. Emperor Jingyuan was most protective of his own. He probably wanted to display some filial piety before his father so that when the Denwen Drum case was judged after spring began, his father would spare his life.

However, Zhu Nanxian was stunned upon hearing Zhu Jiyou’s words. Sword dancing? Could it be those young masters from his household with their showy but ineffective martial arts?

Just as he was thinking this, in a moment he heard drums begin to sound. Twelve sword-bearing young masters approached from both sides of Yaoshui Lake, wading through the water. They wielded their swords like flowers—sometimes like Yi shooting down nine suns, sometimes like an emperor with his dragon team soaring.

Actually, such sword dancing had no interest for someone who truly practiced martial arts like Zhu Nanxian, but to others’ eyes, it was artistry with suppleness within strength, combining hardness and softness.

When the performance ended, Emperor Jingyuan said with pleasure: “Excellent! Reward them!”

At this moment, the Twelfth Prince Zhu Qiyue raised his voice: “What’s so good about watching that?” He bowed toward the seat of honor: “Father Emperor, your son wishes to present true swordsmanship for you!”

Emperor Jingyuan laughed heartily: “Good! Come!”

Zhu Qiyue possessed a rare heroic spirit of the martial world. Drawing the sword from his waist and gripping it in his hand, he looked around at the princes and assembled officials, drawing out his words: “However—your son chooses his opponent.”

His gaze fell on Zhu Yushen, who said: “Cannot be done. Third Sister is with child, and this prince promised not to engage in combat before summer.”

Zhu Qiyue made a sound of disdain and frowned: “Fourth Brother is so particular.” His gaze moved to Zhu Nanxian, and he raised his chin: “You then!”

Zhu Nanxian had known early on that he would choose him. Looking at the sword in his hand, he called out loudly “Excellent!” and instructed a nearby palace attendant: “Since Twelfth Brother’s ‘Qingya’ is unsheathed, quickly go to the Eastern Palace to fetch this prince’s ‘Cuiwei.'”

The attendant acknowledged and withdrew, but immediately upon turning bumped squarely into another young servant coming up to pour wine, causing a burst of laughter.

“Long ago when the Sacred Ancestor campaigned in the Central Plains and attacked Ao City, there was a battle at the Huai River. At that time, with enemies many and our forces few, the Sacred Ancestor decided to borrow the east wind, using one fast ship to sail directly into the midst of enemy vessels, then setting his own ship ablaze, causing a great fire that threw the opposing side into chaos before battle even began. This became the ‘Battle of Huai River’ that everyone later praised. Surely you’ve heard of it,” Shu Wenlan said nearby.

Su Jin replied: “Yes. If not for this battle causing the defending general of Ao City to flee in defeat, presumably the heavily guarded Yingtian Prefecture wouldn’t have been conquered in just three short months either.”

Shu Wenlan glanced at her, warming his hands over the brazier, saying casually: “At that time, there were three soldiers on that fast ship. They knew they were going to their deaths yet still willingly sacrificed themselves heroically. Do you know what they were called?”

Su Jin turned her gaze toward him: “What were they called?”

Shu Wenlan smiled faintly: “I don’t know either, but I know that later the Sacred Ancestor ordered people to clean the battlefield and found the weapons of these three soldiers from the fast ship that had been burned down to just its keel—two swords and one saber, burned but not destroyed. Moved by this, the Sacred Ancestor ordered these three weapons to be reforged and given names. Later, when the princes grew up, ‘Shishangying’ was bestowed upon the Fourth Prince, ‘Qingya’ to the Twelfth Prince, and ‘Cuiwei’ was the only saber among them, reserved for the Thirteenth Prince.”

Su Jin said: “Such resolute character—someone should carry on the will of these predecessors.”

Shu Wenlan said: “Unfortunately, only ‘Qingya’ and ‘Cuiwei’ remain now. Several years ago, the Fourth Prince carelessly lost ‘Shishangying.'”

Su Jin said in surprise: “How could that be? The Fourth Prince is steady and prudent, not someone who would be careless.”

Shu Wenlan said: “This I don’t know. I heard it was lost in a river. At the time, many soldiers were ordered to dive down to search for it, but regrettably no one ever saw this ‘Shishangying’ again. The Sacred Ancestor was furious and had the Fourth Prince beaten with fifty strokes.”

Being someone long afflicted with illness, his complexion was even paler than Su Jin’s, yet at this moment his brows and eyes revealed a smile, showing not the slightest trace of sickness, naturally possessing an innate scholarly air: “However, there was later a rumor that the Fourth Prince actually gave this sword to Miss Shen—that is, the current Fourth Princess Consort.”

Su Jin was astonished. Her mind turned briefly before she realized this so-called Miss Shen was the third sister of the Shen family whom Shen Xi rarely mentioned to her.

Shu Wenlan added: “But given the Fourth Princess Consort’s temperament, if ‘Shishangying’ had been given to her, she would surely wear it at her waist every day, showing it off everywhere. So, impossible.”

At this moment, the attendant who had gone to the Eastern Palace to fetch “Cuiwei” had brought the saber.

Zhu Qiyue pointed at the silk flower ball hanging on the high branch and said to Zhu Nanxian: “See that flower—whoever plucks it down first wins!”

Zhu Nanxian gripped the saber in his hand: “Good!”

With that said, the two leaped forward one after another, their toes lightly touching the waterside shore, jumping toward the platform.

Emperor Jingyuan said with pleasure: “My Twelfth and Thirteenth Sons are competing in martial arts. Beloved subjects need not be restrained—you may come closer to watch.”

A palace attendant nearby knew how to read the room. The moment Emperor Jingyuan finished speaking, he called out in a drawn-out voice: “The Twelfth Prince and Thirteenth Prince are competing in martial arts—come watch—”

And the musicians beside the platform, seeing this scene, not only didn’t retreat but followed the sound of swords being unsheathed with a burst of high-pitched flute music.

The joyful music loosened everyone’s spirits. After a short while, people from both sides of Yaoshui Lake truly began to stand and move closer to watch. The crowd that had been somewhat restrained earlier finally gradually relaxed.

Lanterns were lit along the waterside—some hanging from trees, others floating on the river surface. The tree holding the flower ball was fully seven or eight zhang tall, with thick branches growing crosswise.

Flute music accompanied drumbeats. “Qingya” and “Cuiwei” had exchanged blows seven or eight rounds in an instant. Taking advantage of Zhu Qiyue’s unpreparedness, Zhu Nanxian used his toes to borrow force from a nearby short tree, leaping onto a high branch and startling down a shower of snow from the tree. The white snow reflected the lamplight—like treading on fireworks.

At the same time, Minister of War Gong Quan, together with the ministers of the five other ministries and Liu Chaoming, bowed down toward Emperor Jingyuan: “Your Majesty, this subject presumes on his old age to lead the seven ministers in wishing Your Majesty fortune like the Eastern Sea, eternal spring radiance!”

The Tenth Prince Zhu Yiheng raised his cup to toast the Fourth and Seventh Princes from afar: “Fourth Brother guards the northern frontier, Seventh Brother governs Fengyang. These years whenever they return to the capital their visits never overlap with mine, so we haven’t met in a long time. From now on, we must visit each other more often.”

Zhu Zhaowei said with a smile: “Tenth Brother, those words are too formal. We’re all brothers. Though far apart, we’re close at heart. In future, if you wish to gather, just send one letter, and this elder brother will definitely prepare humble wine and hasten to Guangxi to drink with you.”

Zhu Yushen raised his cup, and the three toasted each other from afar, tilting their heads back to drink in one gulp.

Having climbed the tree before Zhu Qiyue, Zhu Nanxian remained half a body ahead of him throughout. Just as he was about to reach out and grasp the flower ball at the top of the branch, he suddenly raised his voice and drew his saber: “Twelfth Brother, be careful!” With that, he brought his saber down on the branch Zhu Qiyue was clinging to.

Zhu Qiyue lost his grip and slid down several steps, barely managing to steady himself on a thick branch. Looking up, he laughed in exasperation: “You rascal, using tricks!”

Zhu Nanxian hooked the flower ball into his embrace with one hand and also laughed: “Precisely—all’s fair in war.”

Zhu Qiyue called out loudly: “Well said!” He suddenly flourished his sword in a circle and leaped down from the treetop: “Thirteenth, you’d better be careful too.”

The sword blade that had tasted blood was plain and dull but could cut through anything. As Zhu Qiyue leaped from the treetop, he placed his sword on a thin branch a zhang below Zhu Nanxian’s feet, shaving the branches beneath him clean.

Zhu Nanxian laughed heartily, stepped on the last remaining branch, and dropped down backward, thrusting “Cuiwei” into the tree trunk to steady himself. Who knew Zhu Qiyue was hanging below with his foot hooked, waiting for him, reaching toward his chest to grab at the flower ball.

On the other side, Vice Minister of Rites Zou Liren looked toward Shen Xi, who was sitting alone drinking, and walked over, saying earnestly: “Young Master Shen?”

Hearing something off in this tone, Shen Xi raised an eyebrow and passed over the cup in his hand with a smile: “Has Lord Zou come to my place to beg for wine?”

Zou Liren hurried to say: “Not begging, not begging.” He hesitated for a moment, then very carefully drew out from his robe a compatibility horoscope card and said with an ingratiating smile: “I’ve heard that Young Master Shen has an excellent private friendship with Censor Su. Could you perhaps…”

The latter half of the sentence went unsaid, but Shen Xi should understand.

This young lady of Vice Minister Zou’s household—firstly, her appearance was plain, and secondly, she had no reputation for talent. Originally he had also thought of approaching Qian San’er, but upon inquiry learned that the threshold of Qian San’er’s household had nearly been trampled through, and he truly felt he couldn’t compete. Only then did he steel himself to approach Shen Xi, hoping that Censor Su might, in consideration of his friendship with Young Master Shen, agree to this marriage proposal.

Zou Liren also knew that Young Master Shen had always disliked meddling in others’ affairs. If not for his daughter’s advanced age leaving him truly without options, he would never resort to this desperate measure.

Who knew that upon glimpsing the compatibility card in his hand, Shen Xi showed not the slightest reserve: “Lord Zou wants to propose marriage to Censor Su?”

Then he set down his wine cup, the smile in his eyes brimming over: “That’s wonderful! Come with me, I’ll help you ask her.”

Zhu Nanxian and Zhu Qiyue were locked in competition for a moment, both exerting force, when suddenly the sound of tearing silk was heard. The flower ball split open from the middle, and plum blossom petals that had been hidden within the silk suddenly scattered down from the treetop—like a rain of flowers falling from the sky.

At the same moment, a “boom” sounded. At the bridge over Yaoshui Lake, several palace attendants ignited fireworks the instant the flower rain descended.

Flames continuously shot up into the heavens, accompanied by flute and drum sounds, bursting into jade trees and precious flowers, then slowly falling like meteors.

Heaven and earth were filled with brilliant colors.

Zhu Nanxian looked up at this splendor, his thoughts stirring slightly, and couldn’t help but look toward the riverbank.

Su Jin was also just then withdrawing her gaze from the fiery colors of the fireworks to look toward him.

Unfortunately, this glance lasted not even an instant.

The next moment, Zhu Nanxian watched helplessly as Shen Xi led Vice Minister of Rites Zou Liren to Su Jin’s side. After the several people exchanged bows, Zou Liren drew from his robe a red compatibility card and, with an embarrassed smile, handed it to Su Jin.