As Zhai Nianci emptied his cup, Ming Dan found herself at a loss for words.
Throughout the banquet, she couldn’t help but glance at Zhai Nianci from time to time. Yet, even after prolonged observation, he showed no signs of distress. Perhaps she was overthinking things, Ming Dan mused.
The rest of the banquet proceeded without incident. As the meandering stream feast concluded, Zhang Hanmiao, her face beaming, invited everyone to watch the excitement at the polo field.
“For those less interested in the commotion,” she added, “the eastern garden offers scenic views and fine tea. Whether you prefer composing poetry, painting, playing music, or simply enjoying the scenery, feel free to indulge as you please.”
Ming Dan, with low alcohol tolerance, felt her face flush after just two cups of pear wine. The bustling polo field only intensified her lightheadedness. After a brief attempt to watch from the sidelines, she excused herself, joining Bai Minmin for a stroll by the lake to enjoy the lotus blossoms and cool breeze.
The Marquis of Pingguo’s wife had a particular fondness for lotus flowers. Each midsummer, their estate boasted a breathtaking “ten-mile lotus breeze” landscape. Though it was still early in the season and not all the young lotuses had bloomed, a gentle fragrance already wafted across the lake, soothing the mind with its subtle, refreshing scent.
“You visited Jingwan yesterday. How is she faring?” Ming Dan inquired.
Bai Minmin nodded. “She seemed in good spirits. The physician said she should recover after two more doses of medicine. With the unpredictable April weather alternating between cold and hot, it’s easy to catch a chill. She even reminded us both to drink more ginger tea.”
“That’s a relief,” Ming Dan sighed.
As a princess consort, Ming Dan could no longer visit Zhou Jingwan as freely as before during her illness. She could only send servants to the Zhou residence with gifts. Though the returning servants always reported positively, hearing from Bai Minmin provided more reassurance.
Bai Minmin suddenly remembered something. “Oh, and Marshal Lu, upon hearing of Jingwan’s illness, sent quite a few gifts to the Zhou residence. He even wrote her a letter.”
“What kind of letter?” Ming Dan asked curiosity piqued.
“Let me think,” Bai Minmin furrowed her brow in concentration. “I can’t recall the exact wording—his handwriting was truly atrocious. The gist was that the incident by the release pool was a misunderstanding. He didn’t mean to belittle Jingwan with the betrothal gifts and wished her a speedy recovery.”
“And how did Jingwan respond?”
“She said it was improper to send private letters, but I could tell she wasn’t as angry as before. She even took an interest in examining the gifts people sent. Oh, and I overheard from Jingwan’s maid that Master Zhou seems to favor Marshal Lu as a potential son-in-law.”
Before Ming Dan could inquire further, a group of noble ladies approached, curtsying gracefully. “Greetings, Princess Consort.”
The Marquis of Pingguo’s estate was teeming with guests today, and naturally, others had followed the lotus fragrance to the lakeside for a respite. Ming Dan recognized these ladies from her unmarried days. Obliged to set aside her previous conversation, she invited them to join in admiring the lotuses.
As they chatted, someone steered the conversation towards the male guests.
“I heard the Marquis of Jiangyang is here today,” one lady remarked with a smile. “Perhaps he’s hoping to catch a glimpse of his bride-to-be?”
“The Marquis of Jiangyang?” Bai Minmin was unfamiliar with the name.
“Minmin, you don’t know?” The others looked surprised.
Bai Minmin shook her head, glancing at Ming Dan.
Ming Dan vaguely recalled hearing the name mentioned at the Buddha’s Birthday celebration, but preoccupied with Zhou Jingwan’s situation, she hadn’t paid much attention.
The lady who had brought up the topic patiently explained, “The Marquis of Jiangyang has long resided in Sichuan. He’s here in the capital to report on his duties. It’s understandable if you haven’t heard of him. But you might recognize the history of the Jiangyang Marquis’s household.”
“What history?” Bai Minmin pressed.
“The Jiangyang Marquis’s family rose to prominence through the previous emperor’s wet nurse. For her role in protecting the emperor, he always favored her family. He even granted her brother, the old Marquis of Jiangyang, a marquis title.
“The old marquis was talented and fiercely loyal to the previous emperor. When news of the emperor’s passing reached Sichuan, he submitted a letter resigning from his post and requested to guard the emperor’s tomb. However, overcome with grief, his old illness resurfaced, and he passed away en route to the imperial mausoleum, following the emperor’s death.
“His Majesty, moved by the old marquis’s devotion to his father, allowed the Jiangyang household to inherit the title at the same rank. Since then, the family has enjoyed imperial favor. Whenever rewards are bestowed from the palace, a share is always sent to the Jiangyang household in Sichuan.”
Bai Minmin nodded, the story now ringing a bell.
“But what’s this about an unwed bride? If he’s already inherited the title, shouldn’t he be married?” she probed.
“Oh, he even has an heir. Of course, he’s been married before,” the lady clarified.
Bai Minmin understood now—he was seeking a second wife.
“So which young lady has caught his eye? Do we know her?” she asked eagerly.
Having built up to the main point, the lady smiled coyly. “We certainly do know her. It’s none other than the most esteemed Princess Fengzhao from the Prince Yi’s household.”
“Princess Fengzhao?”
Bai Minmin and Ming Dan exchanged surprised glances.
Fengzhao was a princess after all. How could she be marrying into a marquis’s household as a second wife? Surely Prince Yi’s family wouldn’t…
“The Jiangyang Marquis’s family is incredibly wealthy,” the lady continued. “They’re known for their prosperity in Sichuan. The current marquis is quite the hedonist. Since arriving in the capital, he’s already acquired two beautiful maids. When the top courtesan from Baozhu Tower retired recently, he spared no expense to win her. I’ve heard his household is even more extravagant, with over a dozen concubines and countless unnamed favorites.”
Being a second wife was one thing but to such a debauched individual?
Although Ming Dan had significant grievances with Fengzhao, she couldn’t bring herself to feel schadenfreude over such a marriage prospect.
Meanwhile, not far away, Fengzhao, who had been covertly observing Ming Dan, grew impatient. Why hasn’t there been any reaction yet? By her calculations, it should have taken effect by now.
Unable to wait any longer, she signaled to a young maid behind her.
As Ming Dan’s group strolled along the lake, fanning themselves and chatting idly, a small maid suddenly appeared out of nowhere. As if blind to her surroundings, she crashed directly into Ming Dan while carrying a stack of pastries. Ming Dan’s jade-white brocade dress was instantly stained with the oily treats.
The young maid immediately fell to her knees, kowtowing frantically. “This servant didn’t mean to! Please forgive me, Princess Consort! Please forgive me!”
“How can you be so careless, rushing about without watching where you’re going?” someone scolded.
“Indeed, you should be more cautious when walking!” another chimed in, joining the reprimand.
The maid, visibly distressed, stammered, “This servant truly didn’t mean any harm. Please forgive me, Princess Consort, noble ladies…”
“It’s alright. Just be more careful next time,” Ming Dan said, slightly annoyed at her soiled dress but unwilling to make a scene, especially with a servant of the Marquis of Pingguo’s household.
The young maid hurriedly kowtowed in gratitude. “The Princess Consort is most magnanimous. Thank you, Your Highness. This servant has soiled your gown. Please, allow me to guide you to change into clean attire.”
Ming Dan pondered briefly before nodding.
At such banquets, accidents involving spilled soup or overturned wine cups were not uncommon. Hosts typically prepared spare clothing and rooms for such contingencies.
Though the provided attire might not be as exquisite or well-fitted as her own, it would be more appropriate than parading around in stained clothes.
“I’ll return shortly,” she informed her companions before departing with Lüe and Yunyi to change.
Fengzhao, watching from afar, began to smile triumphantly. However, her expression faltered as a trusted maid rushed to her side, urgently whispering some news.
Her smile froze. How could this be? Ming Dan had drunk that cup of wine. Why was Zhai Nianci the one affected?
Momentarily flustered, Fengzhao couldn’t fathom what had gone wrong. But after a moment’s reflection, she composed herself. This could work too; after all, she had no intention of sparing either of them.
She lowered her voice, giving her maid new instructions.
Ming Dan and her maids followed the young servant to the changing room. The servant left with Lüe to fetch water, while Ming Dan, knowing Yunyi’s clumsiness with dressing, asked her to stand guard outside.
Shortly after Ming Dan entered the room, the servant girl returned to Yunyi. “Sister, the other maid has twisted her ankle. Could you help me carry some water? It’s just nearby.”
Yunyi, naive to the intrigues of noble households, saw no malice in the timid girl’s request. Noting the servant’s quick trips, she agreed to help, leaving her post.
Initially, Ming Dan noticed nothing amiss in the room. She sat by the table in the outer chamber, not even touching the tea.
After waiting a while without Lüe’s return, she decided to select suitable attire from the inner chamber.
As she stepped inside, she noticed an unfamiliar, potent fragrance. Despite her expertise with scents, this one was unknown to her. Instinctively, she covered her nose and mouth.
In the next moment, she noticed movement behind the bed curtains. Her heart raced.
“Who’s there?” she called softly.
Muffled female cries, seemingly pleas for help, emanated from within. Ming Dan’s heart tightened. She was about to call for Yunyi when suddenly, someone from behind clasped a hand over her mouth!
Ming Dan’s mind went blank for an instant. As she began to struggle fiercely, a cloth was stuffed into her mouth, and her hands were swiftly bound behind her back. She was then shoved behind the bed curtains.
She couldn’t even glimpse her assailant, only sensing it was a strong-handed maid. Pushed behind the curtains, her eyes widened in shock.
Zhai Nianci?
He too had been bound and left there!
Zhai Nianci’s forehead glistened with sweat, his face unnaturally flushed. Ming Dan immediately recalled the wine cup Yunyi had switched during the meandering stream feast.
Fengzhao. It must be Fengzhao’s doing!
Just as this realization struck, she heard the faint sound of the door closing, followed by a man’s ominous voice: “Princess? This Marquis has arrived.”
Dread filled Ming Dan’s heart.
If a man could enter so brazenly, it meant the foolish Yunyi had surely been lured away!
Panic rising, Ming Dan noticed that despite his condition, Zhai Nianci seemed conscious. She caught his eye, gesturing for him to turn around. She did the same, fumbling behind her to locate the knots in his bindings.
The hemp rope was tightly secured. Closing her eyes, she willed herself to remain calm amidst the approaching footsteps. Finally, she found a weak point in the knot and gradually worked it loose.
As soon as his hands were free, Zhai Nianci yanked out the gag. Having some martial training, he was physically stronger than most women and had managed to maintain his clarity of mind despite the drug’s effects.
Ming Dan urgently signaled him to help untie her.
Zhai Nianci initially moved to remove her gag, but as the outside voice grew clearer, he quickly deduced it was the Marquis of Jiangyang.
Something shifted in his expression. He let out a cold laugh and suddenly changed course. Instead of helping Ming Dan, he withdrew his hand. Stumbling off the bed, he shoved Ming Dan deeper into the alcove before concealing himself behind a folding screen, just as the man entered.
Ming Dan was stunned.
She had saved Zhai Nianci, yet this was how he repaid her?