Moreover, the gardens of these mansions were semi-open, with such a diversity of flowers, ingeniously shaped lake stones, and exquisitely arranged landscapes that passersby were dazzled.
The owners of these mansions certainly weren’t concerned about security issues. Such lavish displays weren’t meant to provide free garden viewing for people, but rather to compete with one another in extravagance.
There was never just “the best”—only “better.” Even a single oddly-shaped lake stone used for scenery had to be transported from a thousand li away, at enormous financial and human costs.
Here, the very air wafted with the scent of extravagance. When Feng Miaojun strolled through this area, she often marveled at how Taiping City’s opulence burned like fierce flames consuming oil—beyond what ordinary people could imagine. It was said that fifty days ago when Minister He’s eldest legitimate grandson celebrated his first full month, besides entertaining distinguished officials and nobles, they also set up banquet tables flowing down three full streets, refusing no one—even beggars and poor farmers could sit down and eat and drink for free.
These flowing banquets lasted a full month.
Now which family was celebrating again?
Fu Lingchuan smiled and said: “That’s General Gao’s family moving into their new residence.”
“Which General Gao?”
“Who else could it be? Noble Consort Gao’s brother, the prominent General Gao.” Fu Lingchuan said leisurely, “He’s moved into Marquis Pingyuan’s mansion, and has widely distributed invitations, including one to you.”
Feng Miaojun was stunned, then coldly smiled: “So we’re now on our way to congratulate his family?”
“Indeed,” Fu Lingchuan shrugged. “The congratulatory gifts have already been prepared.”
This fellow had arranged her schedule without informing her beforehand! Feng Miaojun let out a “heh” and said: “How did you know I wouldn’t refuse?”
“That’s Marquis Pingyuan’s residence,” Fu Lingchuan said. “Do you know who that is?”
“Obviously,” Feng Miaojun replied irritably. “Wasn’t he the spark that ignited the war between Pu and Yan?”
Marquis Pingyuan had originally been a high official of the Yan Kingdom, with a penchant for male companions. Over several years, he had humiliated the hostage prince from Pu Kingdom to the point of suicide. The King of Pu was furious and sent troops to attack Yan, which led to the Pu-Yan war that lasted for more than half a year.
The King of Yan ordered Marquis Pingyuan to redeem himself through meritorious service, but the Marquis died in battle at the front line several months later. Only then did the domestic criticism against him subside. When the King of Pu learned that his son’s tormentor had perished in battle, his anger abated somewhat. This coincided with the Yan army capturing Pu’s secondary capital, determining the war’s outcome, and Pu finally conceded defeat.
“After Marquis Pingyuan’s death, his household suffered a series of misfortunes and lost its former glory. His son urgently needed money, so he sold this mansion at a low price.” Oh, so he died. Feng Miaojun felt a slight stirring in her heart. Had Marquis Pingyuan not died in battle, who knows how the Pu-Yan war would have ended. Yan Kingdom would have had to give Pu an explanation.
Fu Lingchuan filled in the remaining information for her. “Marquis Pingyuan’s mansion is second only to Lord Yangshan’s in terms of its prime location in the northern part of the city, its vast area, and its beautiful courtyards. It encompasses several scenic spots of Taiping City that cannot be seen without the owner’s invitation. Moreover, there’s a spirit spring called the Cow’s Milk Spring, rich in spiritual energy—ordinary people who drink from it never fall ill, and for cultivators like us, regular consumption aids in cultivation.”
Feng Miaojun was somewhat enchanted: “You’re making me want to buy it.”
“That would be an astronomical price,” Fu Lingchuan had lived in Taiping City for a long time and had become a local expert who could explain everything in detail. “Most importantly, vacant mansions rarely come up for sale in the northern part of the city. Residences like Marquis Pingyuan’s haven’t been on the market for at least twenty years.”
Feng Miaojun made a sound of surprise: “Does that mean there have been few promotions in the Yan court?”
“Not exactly!” Fu Lingchuan explained, “These luxurious mansions are controlled by the great aristocratic families—the newly ennobled can’t get their hands on them. That’s why General Gao, having obtained Marquis Pingyuan’s mansion, is making such a grand display and wants a lively celebration.”
“So the Gao family are newly risen nobles?”
“Correct.” Fu Lingchuan appreciated her ability to extrapolate. “By the way, here’s some inside information: Grand Tutor Xing has coveted this mansion for a long time. It’s said that Marquis Pingyuan had once expressed his intention to gift this mansion to him. But after he died in battle, his son quickly sold the mansion to General Gao, which infuriated Grand Tutor Xing.”
Feng Miaojun clicked her tongue in surprise: “Grand Tutor Xing? Isn’t he Empress Xing’s biological father?”
“That’s right. The King of Yan is over a hundred years old, and during his decades of reign, he has only ever named one empress—Empress Xing.” Fu Lingchuan explained eloquently. “The King of Yan was quite protective of the Empress, but unfortunately, Empress Xing was a mortal who passed away before reaching fifty. After that, the King of Yan never established another empress. Even the most favored women were granted, at most, the title of Noble Consort.”
“Deep love like paired mandarin ducks?”
Fu Lingchuan couldn’t help but laugh—why did women always romanticize politics? “Not really. The King of Yan, being a cultivator, lives far longer than ordinary people. If he were to establish new empresses, he would probably have gone through three or four by now. The ceremony is too complicated, and he doesn’t bother with it. Besides, each new empress brings a batch of new nobles to Yan. The position of empress cannot be easily revoked, so for the King of Yan, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.”
This made sense. Mortals live only several decades and cannot accompany the King of Yan until the end of his life. No matter how beautiful an empress is, after spending decades in the deep palace, she would inevitably age and lose her beauty, while the King of Yan would remain perpetually youthful. How could his eyes be pleased when he returned to the palace to face an old woman?
Without establishing an empress, this problem doesn’t exist. Although a Noble Consort holds a significant position, she is ultimately just a minor wife of the sovereign. It’s much easier to reprimand her, demote her, or replace her with someone younger and more beautiful.
“Grand Tutor Xing, as the only father-in-law of the sovereign in this dynasty, is highly respected. Officials customarily visit him before assuming office—this has become a convention in Taiping City. Marquis Pingyuan was also a member of the Empress’s faction while alive, but he triggered the Pu-Yan war, and his reputation was terrible both in court and among the people. Grand Tutor Xing was also implicated and was reprimanded several times by the King of Yan, both openly and subtly, which deeply upset him.” Fu Lingchuan smiled. “His son made a foolish mistake by selling the mansion to the Gao family. Now he can no longer remain in Taiping City—I heard he moved away dejectedly last month.”
Feng Miaojun laughed: “Setting a fire and then running away—that fellow is truly hateful.”
As they talked, they arrived at General Gao’s new residence. The two presented their cards and entered. General Gao’s younger brother came to greet the two visitors upon hearing of their arrival.
Although he greeted them with a smiling face, Feng Miaojun understood that the Gao family did not highly regard her status as “Queen of New Xia”; otherwise, General Gao himself would have come to welcome her.
After all, she was a foreign sovereign coming to offer congratulations, and the Gao household should have accorded her the highest courtesy.
Fu Lingchuan observed her serene smile with no trace of anger, and couldn’t tell whether she hadn’t considered this aspect of the relationship or if her self-restraint was exceptionally good.
This legitimate Princess Changle was indeed skilled at concealing her thoughts. She already met the basic requirement for a monarch—not revealing joy or anger in her expression.
Today, the Gao household was crowded with guests and extraordinarily lively. Fu Lingchuan encountered many court officials here and took the opportunity during conversations to discreetly introduce them one by one to Feng Miaojun.
The mansion truly lived up to its reputation—layered greenery veiled in mist, flying waterfalls, and flowing springs, with ingenuity evident everywhere. It immediately outshone all the other mansions in the surrounding area.