Along the way, Liu Yun kept her sleeves tightly wrapped, returning home in a state of utter distraction.
Instead of heading straight to her own courtyard, she first went to her parents' courtyard, finding her mother, who was busy preparing her birthday feast.
"Oh, Shanshan's back~"
"The pastries are ordered—what kind of treats did you get?"
Zhang Yuhua set down what she was doing, smiling as she looked at her daughter.
Liu Yun dismissed the servants, leaving only Auntie Lutan by her mother's side, then obediently extended both wrists, revealing the pair of brilliantly colored Sese Jade bracelets.
"Mother, look at this."
Zhang Yuhua glanced down and saw a pair of verdant jade bracelets encircling her daughter's fair, snow-white wrists, seeming to flow like the green waters of a spring river.
Zhang Yuhua didn't immediately recognize them as the exquisite Sese Jade bracelets she had seen at Huazhen Tower, only marveling to her daughter: "You bought a pair of bracelets too—such beautiful jade. How much silver did they cost?"
Seeing that her mother hadn't recognized them, Liu Yun brought her wrists closer and prompted: "Mother, take a closer look. What is this?"
Buy them, indeed—fifty thousand taels. Her mother really thought too highly of her.
Hearing this, Zhang Yuhua lifted her daughter's soft little hands, her gaze falling on the pair of verdant jade bracelets, gradually revealing an expression of disbelief.
"This—this is that pair of Sese Jade bracelets from Huazhen Tower?"
Seeing that her mother had finally recognized them, Liu Yun quickly agreed: "Yes, exactly! It's the Sese Jade from Huazhen Tower!"
Having suddenly received such an expensive pair of bracelets from someone for nothing, how could Liu Yun feel at ease? She could only come back first to have her parents handle it.
Dappled sunlight scattered across the windowsill, and occasionally chattering sparrows would alight, their round eyes warily surveying their surroundings—clever and adorable.
Inside the room, after listening to her daughter's full explanation, Zhang Yuhua fell into deep thought, still somewhat incredulous.
"Like this—once your father returns, I'll discuss it with him, and then we'll go probe what Huazhen Tower really means by this."
Liu Yun nodded solemnly, hastily removing the bracelets from her wrists and pressing them into her mother's hands, saying: "I'll leave everything to Mother's judgment."
The cool, emerald jade settled into her hands, and Zhang Yuhua couldn't help but treasure it, giving her daughter a playful glare: "Be more careful—it's fifty thousand taels, after all. If it breaks, that would be a waste."
Liu Yun chuckled sheepishly, watching as her mother had Auntie Lutan bring over a sandalwood box, gently placing the pair of Sese Jade bracelets inside, carefully storing them away.
"Honestly, has the owner of Huazhen Tower not woken up yet?"
"How can something this precious be given away so casually?"
"Surely they can't be up to some mischief?"
The more she thought about it, the more something felt off. Zhang Yuhua's thoughts raced, hoping her husband would return soon so they could discuss it.
As dusk fell, Zhang Yuhua waited for her husband to finish his duties, then hurriedly pulled him into the room to talk.
Regarding Huazhen Tower's treasured centerpiece, Liu Shiwen had heard of it as well. Now seeing it in person, he couldn't help but offer a few words of admiration.
"No wonder it's the Sese Jade worth fifty thousand taels—look at this quality, this color, this water-clarity. Truly one in a million!"
"The craftsmanship is exquisite too. No wonder so many noble ladies in the capital adore it—who could see this and not love it?"
Zhang Yuhua shot her husband a sideways glare, dampening his enthusiasm: "But with something this precious, they insist on giving it to our Shanshan. What do you think the reason could be?"
At this question, Liu Shiwen's smile faded, a troubled look spreading across his face.
"Ah, could it be that seeing I've just taken office, they want to bribe me a bit, to have me help with something less than honorable?"
"That won't do—absolutely not!"
Having already formed his conclusion, Liu Shiwen immediately gave his answer with righteous indignation.
After all, aside from that possibility, he couldn't think of any other reason why Squire Wan of Huazhen Tower would give his daughter such a large sum of money for free.
The couple discussed it and immediately took a carriage to Huazhen Tower, not forgetting to bring the pair of Sese Jade bracelets along.
At the seventh double-hour, the last trace of afterglow faded, and night descended.
The Liu family's carriage returned. Liu Shiwen helped his wife alight, and Zhang Yuhua still held the sandalwood box in her sleeve, her expression unreadable.
After entering, Zhang Yuhua handed the box to Lutan, speaking softly: "Go return this to the young miss. From now on, it is hers."
Lutan acknowledged with a "yes" and hurried toward Wuchun Courtyard.
She had been present at the time, witnessing how earnestly Squire Wan had expressed his gratitude toward their young miss, repeating again and again that filial piety comes first and that mere worldly trinkets were not worth mentioning.
It left the lady of the house at a loss for words.
In the end, it was only after Squire Wan swore he had no intention of bribery that the lady of the house was persuaded to return.
Stepping into the young miss's Wuchun Courtyard, Lutan presented the box, and sure enough, saw the surprised look in the young miss's eyes.
"Father and Mother didn't return it?"
Liu Yun didn't dare accept the pair of Sese Jade bracelets—her intuition told her something was off.
Lutan briefly recounted what had happened at Huazhen Tower, then relayed the lady's words: "The lady said that from now on, this is the young miss's possession, to be handled however she sees fit."
After Lutan left, Liu Yun opened the box, staring blankly at the pair of emerald Sese Jade bracelets—both anxious and delighted.
She was also a young lady who loved pretty things—how could she not be drawn to something so beautiful and precious?
But from childhood to now, she had grown accustomed to being an unremarkable presence among the young ladies of Yanjing.
Her family background was unremarkable, her looks were unremarkable, her talents were unremarkable, and her clothing and adornments were plain and ordinary.
Now that she had obtained this pair of Sese Jade bracelets that even the noble ladies of Yanjing coveted, Liu Yun found it hard to suppress a flicker of unease.
She felt that she and these bracelets were not quite a good match.
It was like if, one day, the Emperor were to bestow upon her all the Floating Light Brocade in his hands.
That would be so unrealistic, so unsettling.
Yet the things had still somehow fallen into her hands, and Liu Yun's feelings were complicated.
"It's fine—I'll just secretly wear them at home by myself."
Having come up with this compromise, Liu Yun beamed with joy and prepared to settle in for sleep.
After all, tomorrow was her birthday banquet, and she needed to save her energy to entertain those young lady friends of hers.
The next day, Liu Yun's birthday banquet went very smoothly.
Thirty-seven invitations had been sent out, but a full forty-six guests arrived, startling both mother and daughter into making additional arrangements.
Even the wife of Vice Censor-in-Chief Fan had come, which surprised and delighted Liu Yun.
Among all the wives of high-ranking officials, the one Liu Yun liked most was Fan Jingyan, the wife of Vice Censor-in-Chief Fan.
She came from the prestigious Fan clan, her father being the Imperial Censor-in-Chief. Her family standing was illustrious, her bearing dignified and noble, her temperament gentle, and her manner approachable.
She lacked the arrogance of most daughters of noble houses, and every conversation with her left Liu Yun feeling as though a spring breeze had washed over her.
The only pity was that her health was somewhat frail—she was bedridden most of the time and rarely went out.
That she could come this time made Liu Yun very happy.
Although the Liu family's cook was no famous chef of Yanjing, he made up for it with ingenious ideas, presenting many novel and interesting dishes. Paired with the fruit wine brewed by her mother and the assorted pastries from Baoyue Studio, this small banquet delighted both host and guests alike.
Before the banquet dispersed, Liu Yun gifted each lady a tube of lip balm she had made herself, each one selected according to the lady's complexion and temperament.
The ladies all smiled and thanked her, except for Lady Fan, who was a bit more greedy and set her sights on her cloth dolls.
"Sister Liu, your hands are so clever—these cloth dolls are truly exquisite and adorable. I wonder if I might be fortunate enough to have one?"
Looking at the various cloth dolls scattered across the bed in Liu Yun's room, Fan Jingyan's eyes went wide with admiration, and she gazed at Liu Yun with bright, sparkling eyes.
This was hardly a big deal, because Liu Yun truly had many of them—what did it matter to give one away?
"Sister Fan, you're too kind. They're just little trinkets I made myself. If Sister Fan doesn't mind, please pick one you like and take it home."
Hearing this, Fan Jingyan broke into a delighted smile, beaming joyfully at Liu Yun. Then, with curved brows and smiling eyes, she hugged a little yellow duck cloth doll, her lips brimming with contentment.
Finally, after seeing off the ladies, Liu Yun brought out the rabbit and kitten cloth dolls she had sewn earlier and let Zhenzhen pick one. This delighted the girl so much that she grinned and teased, "Just now I saw you give one to Lady Fan and thought your feelings for me had changed—turns out you'd prepared new ones for me."
"Best sister!"
With that, Chen Wei happily carried off the kitten cloth doll, her spirits lifted once more.
As the sun set behind the western hills, the Liu family, having been busy all day, finally settled down to rest.
In bed, Liu Yun unwrapped her birthday gifts one by one, grinning from ear to ear.
Even though these gifts were not rare treasures, each one was a token of heartfelt affection, and Liu Yun felt a warm glow in her chest.
Ah, if only she could have a birthday every day…
…
As the storm over the Wanshou Pavilion passed, what followed was a grand event that captured the attention of scholars and literati across the realm.
The palace examination.
It should have begun in early April, but due to the successive delays caused by the Buddha Bathing Festival and the Wanshou Pavilion affair, this year's palace examination came much later than in previous years.
Liu Yun was not a scholar who needed to study for examinations and official rank, so she had not paid much attention to this palace examination. However, the night before it, her mother let slip a hint.
Not only did she want to find a husband for her, but she also said she had her eye on Yang Sanlang from Uncle Yang's family. If he could pass the jinshi examination this year, she would go discuss matters with the Yang family—and she specifically came to ask Liu Yun's thoughts.
Liu Yun was stunned for a long moment before blushing and asking, "Do I really have to get married?"
Before this, Liu Yun had never given such things much thought. Marriage felt like something far too distant for her.
Now, not only was she being confronted with the matter of marriage, but Yang Sanlang had also been put forward as a candidate. Liu Yun suddenly felt at a loss.
Thinking of Yang Sanlang made Liu Yun even more flustered.
Because their fathers had close dealings, the two families had always maintained a good relationship, visiting each other's homes during festivals and holidays. Liu Yun often saw Third Son of the Yang family as well.
But this year, with the spring examination and palace examination to prepare for, his studies were more intense than usual. Liu Yun realized she hadn't seen Yang Sanlang in several months.
Yang Sanlang of the Yang family, given name Cheng, courtesy name Xiuyuan, was twenty-four years old. He had a handsome, refined appearance and a gentle, scholarly temperament.
To be fair, Brother Yang was a decent young man. Though he couldn't rank among the countless talented scholars and nobles in Yanjing at the foot of the Emperor's throne, for the Liu family, he was already considered an excellent match.
And if he could pass the jinshi examination on top of that, he would be an even better husband.
It was only after her mother spoke that Liu Yun realized her father had always favored Yang Sanlang.
Meeting her mother's smiling gaze, Liu Yun replied with an embarrassed look, "Brother Yang is a good man, accomplished in his studies, and a very kind person."
Liu Yun spoke truthfully, but it was hard for her to express how she felt about the prospect of marrying him.
To her, Brother Yang was more like an elder brother—gentle and considerate, always looking after her.
"Then do you hold affection for him in your heart?"
This question turned Liu Yun's face crimson once more. She stammered for a few moments before muttering in a low voice, "I don't know."
Fortunately, her mother did not press further, only telling her to go back and think it over carefully.
Liu Yun breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart did feel heavier with something weighing on it.
Ah, if only she could remain unmarried for the rest of her life.
…
The palace examination lasted two days before concluding, and per custom, the results would not be announced for another three days.
Because of her mother's reminder, Liu Yun found herself paying unprecedented attention to this palace examination.
There was also a contradictory sense of anxiety.
Out of respect for Uncle Yang, Liu Yun naturally hoped that Brother Yang would pass and become a jinshi.
But on the other hand, if Brother Yang did pass, her parents would come pressing her for an answer.
She truly did not want to discuss marriage so soon—in fact, there was a hint of avoidance in her heart.
This feeling drove her to inevitably harbor some very wicked thoughts.
Namely, if Brother Yang failed the examination, would she not have to discuss marriage at all?
But she could not be so malicious; she had to overcome this little by little.
She could not stay in the inner chambers forever—sooner or later she would have to marry. She should try to adapt.
She had only been anxious for half a day when an invitation arrived at the door.
Liu Yun assumed it was from some young lady, but when she opened it, the seal of Princess Changyang's mansion was clearly stamped upon it.
Liu Yun suddenly remembered something.
Every spring, when the peonies were in full bloom, Princess Changyang would host a peony banquet.
First, the princess wanted to show off her garden full of peonies to all of Yanjing.
Second, the princess had a fondness for playing matchmaker.
Every spring, when the peonies bloomed, she would pair up several couples at the banquet.
Thus, her invitations were sent to young unmarried ladies and gentlemen, giving them the chance to size each other up while admiring the flowers.
But the princess also had requirements: ladies must have reached the age of fifteen, and gentlemen must have reached the age of sixteen.
Liu Yun should have attended twice before, but at fifteen she had been ill and could not go.
At sixteen, she had accompanied her mother to visit her ailing grandmother, and had missed it again.
So this year would be her first time attending.
Never having gone before, it was bound to be novel, and what young lady did not love flowers and plants—especially peonies of such national beauty?
The next day, Liu Yun happily dressed herself up with extra care. Just as she finished, her mother arrived.
Taking her hand, her mother gave her a few words of advice.
"This is called a peony banquet, but in truth it is a matchmaking banquet. Although your father and I currently favor the Yang boy, if Shanshan happens to meet a young man she fancies at Princess Changyang's mansion, feel free to come back and tell us. We will make inquiries. If he is of good character and appearance, from a respectable and well-off family, your father and I will go along with your wishes."
Liu Yun blushed again at her mother's words, mumbling, "Mother, what are you saying? I'm only going to look at the flowers."
Liu Yun only wanted to cast all these messy matters to the back of her mind.
Zhang Yuhua chuckled and said, "Alright, alright, just looking at flowers—then be sure to look carefully, and pick a good one."
After being teased by her mother again, Liu Yun stamped her foot in a huff and fled, lifting her skirt as she ran.
Zhang Yuhua could only watch her daughter's slender, pretty figure recede and could not help but sigh.
"Such an unenlightened girl…"
…
Eastern Palace
Early in the morning, Wei Zi, the serving maid by Princess Changyang's side, arrived, sent by the princess to invite her younger brother to the peony banquet.
But the Crown Prince was not appreciative and refused as usual.
"Not going. With all those people around, isn't that enough for my sister?"
"I'm busy. Not in the mood."
As the words fell, three arrows simultaneously cut through the wind and struck dead center in three archery targets, the arrowheads piercing through the bullseyes and causing the targets to tremble for quite a while.
With that, he picked up three more arrows and drew his bow to shoot again.
Wei Zi smiled faintly, as if she had anticipated this scene, but she was neither discouraged nor did she leave. She brought out the words the princess had taught her before she came.
"Your Highness may not know, but the princess said that this year's flower banquet will be lively. From the ninth rank to the first rank, not a single eligible young lady will be absent—quite different from previous years."
Wei Zi's soft words, spoken with a smile, struck the bullseye in Xiao Heng's chest like an arrow, causing the strength in his hands to loosen and all three arrows to go astray.
Tossing the rhinoceros-horn bow carelessly to the guard beside him, Xiao Heng's expression relaxed, and he asked with feigned nonchalance, "Certain that not one will be absent?"
A glimmer of laughter gathered in Wei Zi's eyes as she bowed and replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, not one will be absent."
Wei Zi watched as the Crown Prince, who had been so languid moments before, turned his head and walked toward the bedchamber.
"Go back and report."
Hearing this, Wei Zi knew the Crown Prince had agreed.
"The princess is truly clever!"
With her task complete, Wei Zi returned happily to Princess Changyang's mansion.