This month, someone in the Imperial City entered the warm cave to scent flowers. The young Marquis Li of the Anxin Marquis Residence is a flower lover, especially fond of peonies. This year, he held a peony gathering at his residence, inviting talented youths and elegant guests to admire the flowers.
On the day of the event, the flowers were in full bloom, and the guests filled the place, making it extremely lively.
“You three—”
The three people squatting by the flowerbed, arguing over which of the ten or so peonies was the most beautiful, turned their heads in unison to see the young Marquis Li approaching with large strides.
“The princes are in the garden over there, I have to go entertain them, so I won’t be hosting you. Feel free to wander around, and if you need anything, just ask. Come to the hall later for a meal; I’ve prepared peony wine from Luocheng for you to try.” With that, Li Shuyang quickly walked along the bluestone flower path.
The three of them pulled each other along, like waves, and continued deeper into the garden.
The garden wasn’t lavishly decorated, but it had rugged rocks, winding ponds, and lush phoenix tails, giving it a wild and natural charm.
The three of them walked and stopped, played and joked, chasing a dog around until they heard the distant sound of bells, then they let the dog go and headed to the banquet hall.
Li Shuyang had set up a small courtyard for the banquet, with round stone tables under the corridor that could seat four or five people each. In the courtyard, there was a winding stream with floating cups, and the place was bustling with people. The three of them entered the flower hall, and He Bao helped Yan Dong take off his cloak, while Dang Wu followed him up the side stairs. The second floor of the flower hall had a square peony platform, with carved railings and low-hanging curtains. During the day, the flowers looked like embroidery, and at night, they were illuminated by candlelight, exuding a warm and fragrant atmosphere.
Some people were already seated at the long rectangular wine table, listening to Wu Ying show off his newly acquired flute. The Third Prince, facing this direction, was the first to notice them and smiled, saying, “The birthday star is here.”
Yan Dong greeted the princes and was called to sit next to the Third Prince.
The Third Prince was He Shen’s cousin. As soon as Yan Dong sat down, he stated, “I won’t make peace with fools.”
“The fool didn’t come today, so let’s not talk about him,” the Third Prince said. “How’s the hand warmer working?”
“It’s great, the hollow peach blossom design is beautiful, and it’s light to hold.” Yan Dong shook his sleeve and took out the copper hand warmer to show the Third Prince. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
The Third Prince flicked the hand warmer with his finger. “As long as you like it. By the way, have you stopped taking medicine? Can you drink?”
“I’ve stopped,” Yan Dong said, holding the hand warmer with both hands, looking relaxed. “I’ll have a few drinks.”
The Third Prince picked up a green-glazed bowl and poured Yan Dong a cup of peony wine. The Fifth Prince, sitting opposite, smiled and said, “Third Brother, you’re so considerate. Why don’t you treat your brother like this?”
The Third Prince pretended not to hear.
The peony wine was refreshing and not too sweet. Yan Dong took a sip and nodded approvingly. He looked at the Fifth Prince and said, “Seeing how considerate the Third Prince is, Fifth Prince, why don’t you learn from him?”
The Fifth Prince didn’t say anything, got up, walked over to Yan Dong, picked up the remaining half cup on the table with one hand, and held the back of Yan Dong’s head with the other. “Come, let me feed you.”
Yan Dong didn’t resist, resting on the Fifth Prince’s hand as he drank the wine. The Fifth Prince smiled and said, “Am I considerate?”
“Considerate,” Yan Dong said. “Then don’t leave, stay and serve me.”
“Why not?” The Fifth Prince sat down on the other side of Yan Dong, clapped his hands, and said, “Hey, look, the fruits and vegetables are gone, bring on the main dishes, I’m eager to serve our little master.”
Li Shuyang glanced at the other two princes, and seeing no objections, he ordered, “Let the banquet begin.”
With the sound of jade and music, the singing and dancing began. The maids, dressed in silver-embroidered blue jackets, entered in a line, serving fifteen main dishes with thirty courses, accompanied by fruits and snacks.
Yan Dong took a liking to a dish of roasted chicken and started eating.
The three princes sat at one table, inevitably engaging in verbal sparring and mutual disparagement. Today, the Second and Fifth Princes were particularly intense, using the recently deceased Chen Zhen as a weapon.
The Second Prince smiled warmly, “Fifth Brother, I heard Chen Zhen was a filial person, but unfortunately, all his wealth was ill-gotten, and taking it would taint you.”
“Second Brother, don’t worry. If I really can’t make ends meet, you’ll be the first I turn to for help. If you’re heartless and refuse, I’ll just hang myself at your mansion’s gate for fun. But speaking of Luzhou, I can’t help but think of the rumors about our late Fourth Brother.” The Fifth Prince sighed, “I truly hope Fourth Brother ‘comes back to life’ and reunites with us brothers. Second Brother, don’t you hope so too?”
The Fifth Prince’s words were light-hearted, but they hit the Second Prince hard. The Fourth Prince’s status was still uncertain, and the Second Prince was visibly shaken.
As Yan Dong sipped his wine, he glanced at the Second Prince opposite him. The Second Prince’s smile was slightly stiff, clearly struck by the comment. Yan Dong looked away, exchanging glances with Yu Zhaoying and Hou Yi, silently agreeing to focus on their meal.
But someone was determined not to let him eat in peace.
“Isn’t Young Master Yan back from Luzhou? He should know if the rumors are true or not.”
Yan Dong slowly ate a piece of honey-glazed kumquat, looking at the speaker, Wang Zhi’s brother, Wang Zhang. He said amiably and straightforwardly, “Did you hear that, Your Highnesses? Young Master Wang is kindly pointing the way for you.”
“Fengchun is joking,” the Third Prince said. “The source of the rumors is unknown, how could Xuming know the truth? Besides, Xuming handled Chen Zhen’s case, which is well-known in the court. Even if he knew something, he would have reported it to His Majesty for judgment.”
But the court was calm, so no one dared to ask Yan Song directly. Otherwise, they might as well go to the court and ask, “Your Majesty, who is your fourth son?”
Wang Zhang realized he had misspoken, and his face flushed with embarrassment.
“His Highness is right… wait,” Yan Dong looked at Wang Zhang, as if suddenly remembering something. “I heard someone at the court tried to make trouble with the Anxin Marquis’s wife being attacked, trying to pin it on my brother. Isn’t the Wang Prefect investigating this? You’re brothers with the Wang Prefect, have you heard anything from him? Tell me and Young Marquis Li.”
The Wang family is a prominent family in Jiangzhou. The Wang family’s old master was once an imperial tutor, but the younger generation failed to live up to expectations, with no one to carry on the literary tradition, and no successors in the officialdom. Wang Zhang is the legitimate son of the Wang family, but when people mention the Wang family of Jiangzhou, they first think of the young and promising Wang Prefect. This illegitimate son was not valued at home before his rise, often neglected. Now that he’s successful, it highlights the Wang family’s failure to recognize talent, making them seem short-sighted and deserving of their decline.
Wang Zhang used to look down on Wang Zhi and even spoke ill of him. Now, under the pretext of preparing for the spring exams next year, he lives in Wang Zhi’s residence. Outsiders see it as brotherly harmony, which earns him some face, like being allowed at the table today. But he knows he’s uneasy, both ashamed and envious.
Yan Dong’s words seemed to Wang Zhang like a deliberate jab at his spine, but he couldn’t show any dissatisfaction. His presence here was due to Li Shuyang and the princes giving Wang Zhi face, but he knew he didn’t fit in with anyone at the table.
Wang Zhang forced a stiff smile and said, “Young Master Yan, please forgive me. My brother is busy with official duties, and I don’t dare disturb him at home.”
“Oh, I see.” Yan Dong sighed regretfully and clinked glasses with Hou Yi.
Yan Dong never lets anyone off easily. When he’s in a good mood, he’ll poke you; when he’s not, he’ll flip the table. But as the host, Li Shuyang couldn’t pretend to be deaf, as it wouldn’t sound good if it reached Wang Zhi.
The atmosphere was slightly awkward, so Li Shuyang cleared his throat and said, “Zhifang Tower has a new play, ‘Plum Immortal,’ using Ruochong’s new tune. Please enjoy it.”
He clapped twice, and a white gauze curtain fell on the open space in front. The curtain revealed the shape of plum blossoms as the flute music approached. The sound of the zither joined in, and the “plum blossoms” moved, revealing dozens of graceful women.
The Third Prince watched for a moment, then his gaze returned and stopped on Yan Dong’s profile. Young Master Yan didn’t have anyone serving him, and he was focused on peeling a crab, looking serious, as if he were facing a difficult article rather than a delicious crab—this expression was exactly the same as when he was a child. Only now, his finely chiseled face had lost its childishness, showing the handsome features of a young man.
Suddenly, Yan Dong looked up, “What are you looking at me for? I can’t be used as a drink.”
The Third Prince said, “I just think you’ve grown up.”
Yan Dong immediately became wary, “Don’t try to arrange a marriage for me!”
The Third Prince was taken aback, then laughed, “Why would you think that?”
“Kids grow up, right? Have they been betrothed yet? No? Well, I have a great marriage proposal here—I’ve seen through these evil clichés.” Yan Dong shook his head, imitating the tone, with a cold expression.
The Third Prince looked at Yan Dong for a few moments, couldn’t help but laugh, and while laughing, he rubbed Yan Dong’s head, saying, “I was wrong, you haven’t grown up yet.”
“What are you looking at? Eat.” Hou Yi nudged Yu Zhaoying’s arm.
The Third Prince withdrew his hand, and Yu Zhaoying also looked away, shaking his head, “Nothing, maybe I’m just too sensitive.”
Hou Yi cluelessly gnawed on a pig’s trotter.
As the flute music faded, Yan Dong finished enjoying the crab on his plate. Suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder, and Wu Ying squeezed him from behind, “Sweetheart, do me a favor.”
“Disgusting, don’t use the same flirting tricks you use on girls with me.” Yan Dong glanced at the face resting on his shoulder, coldly saying, “If you want something from me, bow first.”
“My grandfather is determined to discipline me, and he wants to ask Young Master Yan to teach me—”
Wu Ying hadn’t finished lamenting his fear and trembling respect for the King of Hell, and his desire to stay far away, when Yan Dong suddenly changed his expression, sternly saying, “Why? Who are you? My brother is busy enough, and now he has to teach you? Do you deserve it?”
“I don’t deserve it!” Wu Ying clasped his hands together, knocking his head on Yan Dong’s shoulder, “So please, you must tell your kind, benevolent, and respectable brother not to agree!”
Yan Dong assured him, promising not to agree!
Wu Ying relaxed, instantly reverting to a charming young gentleman. He clinked glasses with Yan Dong, then embraced two girls who had just come out from behind the stage, holding them skillfully.
The fragrance of rouge filled the air, making Yan Dong uncomfortable as he shooed them away, “Don’t you have your own seat?”
“Oh, shy?” Wu Ying teased, “I say, Dong’er, you’re eighteen now, you can’t keep acting like a kid. Come, Dieyan, Yuxian, offer a drink to our young master Yan!”
Wu Ying loved music and often frequented Zhifang Tower. Today, the best of the tower were present, and he could name the girls at a glance.
The girl on Wu Ying’s left offered a drink first, her eyes sparkling, her words playful and coquettish, each sentence carrying eighteen little waves. Yan Dong drank her wine, and the other girl followed suit.
This girl was particularly gentle and beautiful, but her heavy makeup masked her good looks. She gazed at Yan Dong, unable to look away.
Wu Ying noticed and looked at Yan Dong. Young Master Yan was a treasure, both in life and appearance, clean, bright, and beautiful, a rare gem. If he were a playboy, he’d surely be a charming, flirtatious guest. Seeing Yan Dong glance at Yuxian, he gave Dieyan a knowing smile and returned to his seat with the girls.
Yuxian understood she was to stay and serve. She offered wine, but Yan Dong raised his hand to stop her, crossing his arms, “If I drink more, I’ll get drunk, and if my brother finds out, he won’t be happy.”
“Xuming is too strict,” the Third Prince said.
“No, he’s not,” Yan Dong immediately retorted, “My brother is very lenient with me.”
Many eighteen-year-olds are already engaged, some even married, but Yan Dong still seems like a child under his brother’s guidance. Yet he shows no dissatisfaction with this, his words and demeanor full of contentment with the arrangement.
The Third Prince knew that saying more would upset Yan Dong, so he just smiled.
Upstairs, the atmosphere was harmonious, with light songs and dances below. He Bao sat on the red railing behind the flower hall, watching the students painting in the pavilion, occasionally shaking his head in disapproval, sometimes nodding in approval.
“Who is that? A servant, daring to critique students from the National Academy?” someone sneered, glancing at He Bao.
“Keep your voice down!” the person next to him whispered, “That’s Young Master Yan’s attendant, said to have followed him since childhood.”
The Yan family is a noble military family, even the servants who sweep and feed the horses know a move or two. Those serving the master naturally have some skills. For example, the Yan family’s steward is skilled in wood carving and once carved a small red bean tree for His Majesty, who loved it so much that it’s still displayed in the sleeping quarters.
The person felt embarrassed and quickly avoided He Bao’s gaze, suddenly finding great interest in the flower bed at his feet.
He Bao withdrew his gaze, uninterested in others, took out a candy from his pocket, and continued watching the painting. He’s not a master, but these students aren’t that profound, so he can understand.
“He Bao, Young Master is coming downstairs,” a servant called from the hall.
He Bao responded, got down, and quickly entered the hall. He took a cloak from the wardrobe and helped Yan Dong put it on, “Leaving so early today?”
“Need to go home early to rest, so I can get up tomorrow,” Yan Dong said.
His master was determined to show filial piety to the heir, He Bao smiled, finished adjusting the cloak, and noticed a girl coming down the stairs, her steps not very light.
The girl happened to look up, and their eyes met. She was momentarily stunned, then quickly came forward to greet, “Young Master.”
“This is the girl Doctor Yuan wanted to help,” He Bao whispered to Yan Dong, then said to Yuxian, “Greetings, this is my master.”
Yuxian looked at Yan Dong, about to bow in thanks, but Yan Dong gestured for He Bao to stop her, “I was just helping Doctor Yuan with a small favor, no need to dwell on it. If you’re not feeling well, go home early. If anyone asks, say it’s my idea.”
With that, he turned and left, He Bao following.
Yuxian also prepared to leave, following them out. Once outside the gate, she bowed to Yan Dong, “Thank you for your kindness, Young Master.”
Yan Dong crossed his arms, nodding slightly, “Go on.”
Yuxian stepped back three paces, turned, and left.
Yan Dong was about to descend the steps when he felt a familiar gaze. He turned his head towards it, seeing a carriage parked by the western wall, its window half-open. The person inside had already looked away, their profile obscured by the window and the evening light, making it hard to discern their mood.
Yan Dong immediately ran over.
Chang Chun threw away the twig he was playing with, stood up, and raised his arm to help Yan Dong climb into the carriage.
Yan Dong jumped in, nearly bumping into the tea table. Yan Song said calmly, “Slow down.”
Yan Dong squeezed in next to Yan Song, “Have you eaten?”
Yan Song turned a page of his document, “I have.”
“Why are you here?” Yan Dong asked, “Did you come to pick me up?”
“Finished work early today,” Yan Song said, which was an acknowledgment. He glanced at the smiling person, suddenly closed the document, and asked, “Did you eat well?”
“Not bad,” Yan Dong said, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
Yan Song said calmly, “Didn’t want to disturb your enjoyment.”
“How could it?” Yan Dong retorted naturally, “If I knew you were here, I’d have come out to meet you right away, or come out earlier to go home with you.”
Yan Song reopened the document, the annoying blurry black blobs finally turning back into neat little characters. He temporarily gave up asking about the girl who had spoken to Yan Dong earlier, smiled faintly, and said, “Yes, let’s go home.”