The people of Jin had planted flower trees and fields all over the island, carefully nurturing them. Every year from spring to autumn, it was exclusively open for nobles to visit and enjoy.

The only way to reach the river island, of course, was by boat.

Feng Miao Jun, accompanied by Chen Da Chang and two guards assigned by Mo Ti Zhun, boarded a vessel provided by the hosts. After crossing the vast misty waters, they arrived on the island.

Despite having seen countless artificial landscapes in her previous life, she still felt refreshed and delighted at this moment. Birds chirped and darted along the water’s edge, while pavilions and towers were nestled among red flowers and green trees. Passing through a dense grove that blocked the sunlight, they suddenly emerged into an open area:

Before her eyes stretched a sea of purple blossoms—lavender higher than her thighs extended from here to the distant lakeshore.

Passionate, intense, exuberant.

Feng Miao Jun took a light breath, feeling her chest filled with a special, tranquil fragrance that even cleared her mind.

Contemporary landscaping art emphasized partial concealment and partial revelation, yet here the flower fields were planted so openly—the person in charge must be quite extraordinary.

By the lake in the center of the island, beauties were already moving about, their colorful clothes and cloud-like hair more expressive than the flowers. Several scholars gathered in small groups, and their laughter carried to Feng Miao Jun’s ears on the wind.

As the servant led her in, a greeter announced: “The Imperial Mentor’s distinguished disciple, Feng Miao Jun, has arrived.”

A hush fell around them as countless eyes turned toward her. Feng Miao Jun felt a slight stinging on her face but still held her head high, maintaining her unwavering smile while following the servant toward the gallery walkway.

The weather had already grown warm. The gallery by the lake is connected to pavilions and ice rooms, making it the coolest place. From an octagonal pavilion emerged a voluptuous, beautiful matron who approached gracefully, saying: “So this is Miss Feng. Half of Cai Xing City has been waiting to meet you.”

Without being told, this was the hostess of the gathering. Feng Miao Jun also smiled brightly: “Greetings, Lady Mian Hua.”

Lady Mian Hua took her hand affectionately and introduced the noble ladies sitting in the pavilion: “This is Princess Han Yue. The gathering is finally honored with the Princess’s calligraphy.”

Feng Miao Jun looked down and indeed saw the character “Observing Waves” written on white paper on the table, the ink still wet. The calligraphy showed delicate yet sturdy brushwork, apparently by Princess Han Yue. Having been in Jin for ten days, Feng Miao Jun had some understanding of local affairs. She knew Princess Han Yue was third in line, thirteen years old, born to the Queen, and of noble status. With her two older sisters already married, the King of Jin regarded her as his pearl in the palm, especially cherishing her.

At thirteen, a girl’s features were gradually maturing. Princess Han Yue truly lived up to her name, which meant “cold moon,” possessing flower-like beauty and a moon-like face. Her skin had a slight apricot tint, and her large eyes appeared even more bright and lively when she glanced around.

Feng Miao Jun certainly wouldn’t neglect proper etiquette. Afterward, Lady Mian Hua introduced her to several other noble ladies.

Everyone knew she had no formidable background and was merely suddenly chosen by the Imperial Mentor as a disciple and brought back to Jin Capital, which made them all the more curious. Mo Ti Zhun knew that news of his disciple’s betrayal wouldn’t sound good if it spread, so he only announced externally that his third disciple had died of sudden illness while accompanying him on official business. However, people had eyes to see and ears to hear—the great Imperial Mentor’s third disciple had just died, and he swiftly took in a young girl as a replacement. Who would believe there wasn’t something fishy about this?

Looking at this new disciple of the Imperial Mentor, standing among so many noble ladies while remaining composed in conversation and demeanor, where was the timidity characteristic of commoners?

Bearing and cultivation—these were not inborn qualities.

With her snow-white skin, black hair, and red lips, she was the very picture of a budding beauty, the kind of flower bud that could only be nurtured in a greenhouse. Lady Mian Hua sized her up several times before smiling lightly: “The Imperial Mentor has finally taken a pretty disciple. The young gentlemen will certainly have a feast for their eyes from now on.”

At the outermost edge of the crowd, two young women couldn’t help but bend their heads together and whisper: “How did the Imperial Mentor suddenly take such a delicate female disciple? She doesn’t look like material for cultivating divine powers.”

“The Imperial Mentor is also a man, perhaps he’s finally come to his senses…”

As they spoke, they giggled. Feng Miao Jun, having diligently practiced “Path to Immortality” these past few days, hadn’t achieved proficiency yet, but her hearing and vision had somewhat improved. Now, vaguely hearing the gist of their conversation, her bright eyes fixed on the two of them—neither angrily glaring nor dismissively casual. Yet there was an inscrutable pressure in her gaze that made the two gradually suppress their smiles and lower their heads in silence before she looked away.

Standing in the outermost row indicated low status—how dare they laugh at others?

At this moment, servant girls presented freshly picked and washed cherries. The jewel-like fruits were almost as large as copper coins, still adorned with crystal-clear droplets of water, their appearance extraordinarily tempting. Double Fish Island also grew dozens of cherry trees producing exceptionally delicious fruit. Each year they were specially supplied to the royal palace, and ordinary nobles who visited the island might not necessarily get to taste them.

Just as the fruit was served, laughter sounded from not far away: “Well now, cherry-eating going on here without inviting us?”

A group of scholars approached, including dashing young men in their teens as well as elders with long beards and wide robes, all bearing an air of refinement. The one who had spoken was a young man in blue garments with deep, spirited eyes. Feng Miao Jun found him strangely familiar.

Lady Mian Hua pointed to a distance and jokingly scolded: “You’re further away over there, but haven’t they been delivered to you as well? You won’t eat your own but want to take advantage of the young ladies.”

Two hundred years after the Hao Li Kingdom was established, etiquette gradually became strict. Unmarried young men and women were not allowed to frolic or travel together except on specific festivals. However, after three hundred years of war, when people lived in precarious times, rules were less observed. Thus, social customs in various Kingdoms became liberal again, with no taboo against jesting.

The distant servant girls hurriedly brought cherries over to serve these many people.

“The cherries here are redder, surely they taste better. Let me try one.” The young man in blue casually picked one and put it in his mouth. “Did we interrupt the ladies’ pleasant conversation earlier?”

“Not at all,” Princess Han Yue glanced at Feng Miao Jun. “We were just chatting with the Imperial Mentor’s esteemed disciple.”

“And this would be?” The young man seemed enthusiastic, but Feng Miao Jun saw focus and inquiry in his eyes.

Lady Mian Hua took the opportunity to introduce her: “This is the fourth son of Prime Minister Li’s family, Li Yuan Pei.”

The fourth son of Li Shi Long, Li Yuan Fa’s younger brother!

Feng Miao Jun’s heart tightened slightly as she thought to herself: “Finally, he’s here!”

Li Yuan Fa had been in Mo Ti Zhun’s hands for nearly ten days, and there had been no news from the Li family, who must be as anxious as ants on a hot pan. But since Prime Minister Li couldn’t directly question Mo Ti Zhun, he had turned his attention to her.

So she smiled sweetly at Li Yuan Pei: “I’ve long admired you.”

Li Yuan Pei indeed followed up: “Oh, long admired? Where has Miss Feng heard of me?”

Everyone understood that Feng Miao Jun was merely being polite, but he was pressing his advantage. Feng Miao Jun’s smile didn’t diminish in the slightest, her small white teeth flashing: “Though I haven’t been in Jin Capital long, I’ve heard that the Fourth Young Master of the Li family is exceptionally knowledgeable. My master also says the Prime Minister’s family is full of talent.”