Shi Jianli withdrew her gaze from the Yang family’s servants.
Ten days ago, her aunt had mentioned this matter, but she hadn’t expected the Yang family to come and break off the engagement so soon.
However, it had nothing to do with her, and she wasn’t particularly curious. Having heard about it, she let it pass.
The flower appreciation banquet was held at the residence of Kunyi Grand Princess, with Princess Kangning borrowing her estate to host the gathering.
Kunyi Grand Princess loved flowers and had collected numerous rare and precious varieties in her estate. There were flowers to admire throughout the four seasons, and in spring, the vibrant blossoms announced the arrival of spring in a riot of colors.
Kunyi Grand Princess was the elder sister of the current emperor and had a son and a daughter, both of whom were already married.
Princess Kangning was the fourth daughter of the emperor, born to the empress. At seventeen, she was engaged to Yu Heming, the heir of the Marquis of Jining.
The noble young ladies invited to the banquet were all unmarried. They arrived gracefully, their fragrant sleeves and elegant hairstyles resembling spring flowers vying for beauty.
The servants moving about the garden were maids brought by Princess Kangning from the palace and the attendants from Kunyi Grand Princess’s estate.
Beside the flower beds, small tables and soft rugs were arranged, offering light tea, drinks, pastries, and snacks for the noble ladies to sit, chat, and admire the flowers.
Led into the garden by a maid, Shi Jianli was soon approached by a familiar noble lady who engaged Ming Yuelin in conversation.
Shi Jianli disliked such bustling scenes. After exchanging greetings, she stood at the edge, listening to their conversation while gazing at a cluster of white flowers in the garden—elegant in shape, with multiple layers of petals.
These were white peonies named “Yang Guifei emerging from her bath.” They were bowl-shaped, with large, full blooms and petals tinged with faint red streaks.
As she gazed, Shi Jianli’s thoughts drifted, imagining how these peonies could be embroidered onto dresses and woven into new designs—surely, they would look quite beautiful.
Amid the sounds of curtsies nearby, Shi Jianli turned to see a woman approaching, dressed in a Yaohuang standing-collar jacket with gold-woven cloud collar, her skirt adorned with blooming peonies.
The woman exuded an air of nobility, with striking beauty and proud, elegant features.
“Greetings, Princess,” Shi Jianli said, joining the other noble ladies in a curtsy.
“No need for formalities,” Princess Kangning raised a hand slightly. Seeing the noble ladies gathering around, she said in a charming voice, “I invited you here to appreciate the flowers. There’s no need to accompany me—feel free to stroll around.”
“Yes, Princess.”
After dismissing the noble ladies, Princess Kangning glanced at those who remained and turned to Zhenyi Junzhu and Ming Yuelin. “Sister Zhenyi, Ming Qingqing, accompany me for a walk.”
Hearing this, the noble ladies dispersed in small groups, heading to other areas. Ming Yuesi exchanged a few words with Ming Yuelin before leaving with her close friends.
Zhenyi Junzhu was the posthumous child of Cheng Wang, who had passed away at the young age of nineteen, and she was close to Princess Kangning.
Ming Yuelin stole a glance at Princess Kangning, wondering when they had become so familiar that the princess would address her by her childhood name.
“Of course,” Zhenyi Junzhu replied with a smile. “Why didn’t the Fifth Princess come?”
“Why would I invite that nuisance to my flower appreciation banquet?” Princess Kangning snorted. “Don’t mention her—whether she comes or not is her business.”
In truth, an invitation had been sent, but it was declined, much to Princess Kangning’s annoyance.
She glanced behind Ming Yuelin. “Ming Qingqing, don’t you usually bring your two younger sisters? Why is one missing today?”
Princess Kangning was well aware of who typically accompanied Ming Yuelin.
“Oh, my third sister is unwell, so I didn’t bring her,” Ming Yuelin replied. “Princess, why do you call me by my childhood name?”
Family scandals should not be aired in public.
“I called you that because it sounds pleasant. Your given name is a bit difficult to pronounce.”
“Alright, I’m honored that Her Highness remembers my childhood name.” Ming Yuelin curved her eyes into a smile, radiating brilliance. “May I also address Your Highness by your childhood name?”
“Such impertinence! This princess is older than you—you may not use my childhood name.” Princess Kangning pointed at her with her fan in mock exasperation, though no true displeasure showed on her face.
She had long understood this was someone exceptionally skilled at seizing opportunities, and it was precisely this unconstrained nature that made her willing to befriend her.
“Very well.” Ming Yuelin expressed no regret—it had only been a jest.
After listening for a while, Shi Jianli tugged at Ming Yuelin’s sleeve. “Sister Lin, I shall take my leave to another area.”
When Ming Yuelin turned to her, Shi Jianli bowed to the other two. “Your Highness, Your Ladyship, this commoner takes her leave.”
Her father had long passed, leaving her no choice but to refer to herself as a commoner.
Princess Kangning stopped her. “Don’t go. You and Ming Qingqing are the most beautiful here—what would I admire if you left?”
Any flower could be admired, but beauties outshine blossoms—how regrettable if she departed.
Unable to leave and hearing such words, Shi Jianli was momentarily speechless. “Your Highness flatters me unduly.”
“I recall your surname is Shi, is it not?” The princess seldom accompanied Ming Yuelin outings and had only seen Shi Jianli once—a year prior—yet even from afar, she had noted her striking beauty. She vaguely remembered others mentioning the surname Shi.
“Yes, my given name is Jianli.”
“Which characters compose it?”
Noting her warm demeanor, Shi Jianli softly replied, “‘As the sun slants deep into deserted lanes, I watch pear blossoms drift like fleeting dreams.'”
“I happen to know that verse. It’s quite lovely. Do you know my name?” Princess Kangning tucked her fan behind her back, tilting her head with a playful smile.
“I do not. May Your Highness enlighten me?”
“Zhou Hongjing.”
The Great Zhou dynasty took the imperial family’s surname as its national title.
After a moment’s reflection, Shi Jianli asked, “Might it be ‘a lone leaf boat glides light, twin oars startle swans in flight’?”
“You’re well-read indeed.” Princess Kangning nodded, her fondness growing.
“Your Highness’s name is profoundly elegant.”
Pleased by the beauty’s praise, the princess beamed brighter. “I heard you addressing Ming Qingqing as ‘sister’ earlier—how old are you?”
“Seventeen. I was born in January and recently celebrated my birthday.”
“Ah, this princess is slightly older than you, so I may use your childhood name. What is it?”
“Yaoyao. My aunt chose it for me.” Shi Jianli wondered why this exalted princess showed such interest in her. “Born in January, my aunt said ‘spring approaches distantly, pear petals dance incessantly,’ hence Yaoyao.”
“Exquisite. Well then, Shi Yaoyao, do you know my childhood name?”
Playing along, Shi Jianli shook her head, thinking her like an eager child craving sharing.
“Pianpian—’elegant as a startled swan’ from the poem.”
“It complements both Your Highness’s name and your grace.”
Observing the usually proud princess being so attentive to her “Pear Sister,” Ming Yuelin finally understood why she herself received special regard.
She valued appearances—beautiful faces drew her gaze, and Pear Sister had already captured multiple glances.
“Your words are most pleasing.”
“My gratitude, Your Highness.”
Princess Kangning then turned to Ming Yuelin. “Ming Qingqing, your attire today is splendid.”
“With everyone praising it, including Your Highness, I fear I’ll grow dizzy with vanity.” Ming Yuelin withdrew her fan, which she’d been about to use in chasing butterflies. “It’s from Hua Si Meng—all their garments are exquisite.”
“That’s true. I’ve also sent people to buy a few sets before. They’re much more innovative than what the palace embroiderers make. I’ll invite you to go see them another day.” The embroiderers, afraid of making mistakes, always created clothes that were conventional and safe—she had grown tired of wearing them.
“Sure.”
“Let’s go look at the flowers. I only organized this flower-viewing banquet because the palace is so dull—I just wanted to come out and have fun.” Princess Kangning led Zhenyi Junzhu (Princess) as they walked ahead.
“I also find staying in my residence quite boring,” Zhenyi Junzhu replied.
Shi Jianli and Ming Yuelin remained silent, following behind them.
Shi Jianli admired the rare flowers in the garden, doing her best to ignore the gazes directed at her due to Princess Kangning’s particular favor.
After walking some distance, the flowers grew sparser, and the surroundings became quieter. She glimpsed a crowd in the ornate pavilion by the water not far away, with faint murmurs of conversation drifting over.
Princess Kangning glanced back at them and explained, “Today, my elder brother the Crown Prince has also invited young masters from various families for a gathering. There should be a few from your families as well. When the flower-viewing banquet concludes later, you can return together.”
Spotting the lavishly dressed princes and scions of noble families in the distance, Shi Jianli discreetly positioned herself beside a cluster of tall, dense blue hydrangeas, letting them thoroughly conceal her.