Si Huahuan had not yet grown accustomed to the term “husband”, and it took her a moment to react. “What has it to do with him?”
Qingyang leaned back against the carriage seat. “Shouldn’t you at least inform him?”
“He merely holds the title of my husband in name only. He has no authority to control me.”
Seeing how casually she spoke about the matter, Qingyang could not help but shake her head slightly.
Two days ago, Xie Yun had suddenly paid her a visit. He had stated his terms directly and plainly: as long as she stopped giving her little sister ideas and helping her find men in the future, handsome men would be delivered to her residence every month without fail.
She had been delighted by the proposal right away. She would get to enjoy handsome men without having to do a thing herself. What was there not to like?
Furthermore, she had no wish to get too involved in the affairs between this young couple.
Although Xie Yun always appeared noble, bright, and uncontested, she could tell he was not someone to be trifled with. In truth, he was meticulous in his calculations and the type of person who always sought revenge for any slight.
Qingyang never went looking for trouble for herself, so she agreed without hesitation and struck the deal with him.
Thinking of this, she sipped her tea slowly, a faint smile touching her lips. “Don’t be so impatient, little Kangle. Good things require time to be chosen carefully. And people… must be sought out slowly as well.”
*****
By the end of the third lunar month, new shoots had already sprouted from the grass lining the official roads outside the capital, and willow branches hung low, swaying like green silk ribbons. The roads were becoming crowded with carriages and horses, carrying noble families and their relatives who were on their way to the Spring View Banquet.
Qingyan Garden was vast and expansive. The Imperial Household Department had already assigned separate courtyards to each household according to their rank and status. Once everyone had settled in, there was still half a day before the evening banquet began. People scattered in groups of two or three throughout the garden to amuse themselves.
Whenever they met acquaintances, they exchanged greetings. Those who wished to form connections or seek favor also stopped to pay their respects and exchange pleasantries. Smiles were everywhere, and the atmosphere was lively and bustling.
Si Huahuan strolled leisurely through the grounds. She saw that the polo field was kicking up clouds of dust, as young ladies and gentlemen rode horses and swung their mallets. Nearby, at the archery range, several young women were drawing bows and testing their aim, with cheers and applause breaking out from time to time.
She could neither ride a horse nor shoot an arrow, so she turned away toward the pavilions and waterside terraces.
There, a great number of men and women had gathered, all dressed in exquisite, luxurious, and somewhat flamboyant attire. They competed in flower arranging, composed poems in pairs, and sang songs, creating a romantic and cultured atmosphere.
It was only during these few days of the Spring View Banquet that young men and women were temporarily released from the strict constraints of etiquette and moral teachings. They were permitted to express affection and interact freely with one another.
Therefore, it was quite common for couples to fall in love and pledge their commitment to each other secretly during this event.
Si Huahuan sat for a while on a waterside pavilion, listening to the flowery and overly scholarly verses being recited all around her. Finding it rather dull, she stood up to leave, but was stopped by someone grabbing her arm.
“Huahuan, there you are. I’ve been looking for you for ages.”
The young woman who approached was around seventeen or eighteen years old, tall and slender, wearing a purple silk robe and skirt. Her face was bare of makeup, yet she exuded a spirited and heroic air between her brows.
It was Ye Shuyi — Si Huahuan’s childhood study companion and her dearest friend. She was the eldest granddaughter of General Ye, Duke of Wei, and among his grandchildren, she was the one who most resembled the old general herself — possessing courage and skill that rivaled any man.
Si Huahuan looked at her with surprise and curiosity.
Today, she had not worn her usual riding attire. Instead, she was dressed properly in a formal wide-sleeved gown and skirt. Her customary high ponytail had been replaced by a simple hairstyle worn by other women, and the folding fan she usually carried at her waist had been swapped for a round fan that she waved gently in her hand.
Ye Shuyi noticed her teasing gaze and wrinkled her nose, looking slightly embarrassed. “It is the Spring View Banquet, after all. One must follow the proper customs. Otherwise, it is the reputation of the Duke of Wei’s household that would be lost.”
“Who would dare to laugh at you?” Si Huahuan teased. “Just point them out to me, and I will have them expelled from Qingyan Garden immediately.”
Ye Shuyi smiled and pointed toward a wide open space across the grounds where figures were running about. “I guessed you must be bored sitting here. Would you like to come fly kites with me over there?”
“Alright.” Si Huahuan turned and gave instructions to Yao Huang. “Go and fetch the kite I painted yesterday.”
A short while later, Ye Shuyi stood looking thoughtfully at the kite in her hands, then spoke with some hesitation. “Huahuan… this painting… is it supposed to be… a person?”
She could vaguely see a small mole painted precisely where the bridge of the nose would be — at least, she assumed that was meant to be the bridge of the nose.
Si Huarong, who had just wandered over, also stepped closer to examine it carefully.
Her artistic skills were truly difficult to describe. Viewed up close, the figure could only be described as “vaguely human-shaped”.
“Zhenzhen, who did you paint here?”
Si Huahuan replied, “A dog.”
Si Huarong looked puzzled. “Is there a breed of dog that looks neither human nor canine? Where did you ever see such a creature?”
Ye Shuyi silently sighed to herself. The Crown Prince truly doted on and spoiled his little sister. He could question what kind of dog it was, yet never once doubted her painting ability.
Why didn’t I have such a wonderful older brother?
Ye Shuyi deftly unfurled the silk string and tossed the kite into the air. It caught the wind and soared upward immediately.
Si Huahuan tried several times to copy her movements, yet her kite kept diving straight down to the ground. The young ladies and gentlemen standing nearby wanted to laugh but dared not.
Her dignity as a princess was bruised. She huffed in annoyance and shoved the spool of string into Yao Huang’s hands. “You do it.”
Yao Huang judged the wind direction correctly. She got the kite airborne, then handed the spool back to Si Huahuan.
Si Huahuan rolled her sleeves up twice, revealing her slender, fair wrists. The spool turned slowly in her palm. She tightened and loosened the string from time to time, making the kite rise and dip in accordance with her movements.
Suddenly, noise and excitement rose from the surrounding crowd. “Hey, look over there! It is the Marquis of Ming’an!”
“What? Is the Marquis here too?”
The young women who had been sitting scattered in the pavilions earlier crowded together upon hearing of his arrival. They chattered excitedly and gathered around Xie Yun, keeping a respectful distance yet never taking their eyes off him.
This kind of scene was common and expected. Xie Yun himself acted as if he did not notice the admiring gazes directed at him. He went straight to the seat opposite Si Huarong, sat down calmly, and opened a fan to wave it leisurely.
What a peacock, Si Huahuan thought to herself in disdain.
She let out more string from her hand. The kite shot sharply upward, nearly disappearing into the clouds. At that moment, everyone’s attention returned to the kite.
As the kite flew smaller and smaller against the blue sky, people on the ground gradually began to realize the shape looked somewhat familiar.
Although the painting was not exactly beautiful or refined, looking at the overall impression it gave… somehow, it bore a striking resemblance to…
Silently, in unison, everyone turned their eyes toward Xie Yun.
Si Huarong felt somewhat awkward. He coughed lightly and raised his teacup to hide the smile twitching at the corner of his mouth.
Xie Yun, however, watched the young woman on the lawn pulling the string, laughing openly and triumphantly. He looked completely composed and unbothered, smiling with an air of indifference.
A young man dressed in blue robes stepped closer to him, speaking as if to defend his honor. “Marquis, how can you simply allow the Princess to publicly ridicule and distort your image like this?”
All those around them pricked up their ears, listening closely.
Everyone knew the story — it was said that the Marquis had been forced into this marriage by Emperor Jiaping and had married Princess Kangle against his will. This earned him a great deal of sympathy from the public.
Xie Yun’s eyes never left Si Huahuan’s figure for a single moment. Without even turning his head, he replied, “Are you saying I am a dog?”
“What?” The young man in blue froze in confusion.
Xie Yun said calmly, “The Princess herself has said nothing of the sort.”
The young man in blue finally understood the implication of his words and nearly choked on his own saliva. He waved his hands frantically. “No, no, Marquis! That is absolutely not what I meant!”
Xie Yun said, “But that is exactly what you implied.”
The young man was nearly in tears. He raised his hand and slapped himself lightly on the mouth several times.
Stupid mouth! Why did you have to speak so fast? You were trying to flatter him and ended up kicking him instead!
He forced an awkward smile. “I spoke too hastily and foolishly, without thinking. Please be magnanimous, Marquis, and forgive my clumsy words.”
Xie Yun merely turned his head slightly and glanced at him. He said nothing further. The young man in blue retreated a few steps in embarrassment and slipped back into the crowd.
“Marquis Xie.” A soft and melodious female voice spoke up.
Xie Yun looked toward the speaker. He did not stand, but nodded his head in acknowledgment. “Princess Changning.”
Si Huahuan and Ye Shuyi were currently competing to see whose kite could fly higher. Out of the corner of her eye, Si Huahuan caught sight of a bright pink figure chatting and laughing pleasantly with Xie Yun near the edge of the field. The smile slowly faded from her face.
If there was one person she disliked most in the entire capital, it was Changning — even above Xie Yun himself.
Changning was the eldest daughter of Prince Jin. Relying on her status, she had always behaved arrogantly, ostentatiously, and tyrannically. She loved nothing more than hearing others sing her praises. If anyone flattered her enough to make her feel she was the greatest person under heaven, she became so pleased that she spent money like water and rewarded them generously. This attracted many sycophants who praised her to the skies.
The only exception was Si Huahuan. Spoiled and pampered even more than Changning, she refused to yield or indulge her. The two of them had fought on more than one occasion.
Their last fight had been two years ago. After being thoroughly beaten by Si Huahuan, Changning had hated her with a passion, yet had never found a good opportunity to get her revenge.
Now that Si Huahuan had been criticized by censors and forced into this marriage, Changning had finally found the perfect chance to mock her. Naturally, she would not let it slip by.
Just as expected — she had smelled the scent of trouble and come running.
Si Huahuan tugged impatiently at the string, winding it back onto the spool. Finally, she gave it a hard jerk. The kite floated gently down and landed on the ground.
The side painted with Xie Yun’s likeness lay face down in the dirt. She dragged it along as she walked away from the field.
This is what it means to be humiliated and brought low!
Upon seeing her, Changning opened her lips slightly, feigning an expression of utter surprise. She spoke in a high, affected voice. “Oh my! If it isn’t Princess Kangle — the one who is always seen lingering in houses of pleasure and romantic establishments?”
Always? I went only twice! What nonsense is “always”?!
Si Huahuan sniffed the air lightly and raised her hand to cover her nose. “Ugh… where is this terrible sour smell coming from?”
The crowd watched silently as the two princesses clashed. No one dared utter a word, terrified of being dragged into the conflict or becoming a target themselves.
“I merely spoke the truth. Why are you becoming so defensive, little sister?” Changning laughed, covering her mouth with a handkerchief and swaying exaggeratedly.
“Truly, I feel injustice on behalf of the Marquis. The Marquis is such a gentleman — upright, proper, warm, and noble as jade. Yet you have bullied him for years, and now he is forced to be your husband. Do you think you can just rely on His Majesty’s favor to take advantage of the Marquis, who has no parents left to support him?”
Upon hearing those last words, the expressions of everyone present changed slightly.
Was she trying to belittle Princess Kangle, or was she deliberately rubbing salt into the Marquis’s wounds by bringing up such a painful matter?
Si Huahuan glanced sideways at Xie Yun. He appeared completely detached, as if the matter did not concern him at all. His face revealed no sign of joy or anger.
There was an old saying: never insult someone by bringing up their parents or family. More than that, bringing up such a heartbreaking loss was worse than pouring salt on an open wound. Even Si Huahuan found this intolerable.
And furthermore, she was the type of person who always stood by her own people regardless of right or wrong.
She scoffed coldly. “Changning… are you truly brainless, or were you simply raised without proper manners?”
The arrogant, triumphant smile froze on Changning’s face.
Her father was Emperor Jiaping’s own brother. In terms of status and relation, even the Emperor himself usually treated her father with great courtesy and respect.
For Princess Kangle to publicly accuse her of lacking upbringing… this was not just an insult to her. It was clearly a slap in the face to her father!
“You —”
“You me, what?” Si Huahuan cut her off sharply. “Apologize.”
Changning widened her eyes in disbelief. “What?”
I simply told the truth! Where is the fault in that?
Si Huahuan showed signs of impatience. “I said… you must apologize… to my husband.”