The one who saves him has arrived.
Those invited into the Phoenix Parasol Palace to view the flowers were naturally all imperial relatives and noble ministers of high status. They only needed to offer standard bows to the Empress, without any need for such cumbersome prostrations as kneeling.
The Empress possessed a graceful and dignified countenance. Perhaps due to her advancing years, her gaze toward the crowd was exceptionally gentle and benevolent, resembling a Bodhisattva holding a purifying vase.
She instructed everyone to rise in a soft voice. “It has troubled you all to enter the palace to view the flowers, but the flowers in my palace bloom rather well. If any of you find ones you like, you may take a few pots back with you.”
“Many thanks, Your Majesty.”
Whether flowers were involved or not didn’t really matter; what mattered was the origin of the flowers, which were being bestowed by the Empress of the Middle Palace.
Following the Empress’s words, the madams and young ladies scattered. Those who knew one another gathered again to chat idly, while naturally, some remained clustered around the Empress throughout.
He Zhile harbored a deep sense of dread toward the Empress. Others might not know, but he knew just how ruthless and vicious this woman, who appeared like a benevolent mother, truly was.
Previously, what shattered in the Phoenix Parasol Palace were merely cups and teaware, but within his heart, what shattered was himself.
Such unfounded accusations had been pinned upon him; even if he were foolish, he would have known that the Empress was targeting the Pei family. She simply lacked a suitable opportunity and intended to use him as her opening wedge.
He followed closely behind Qin Yurong, terrified of accidentally giving someone something to exploit, lest he drag his mother-in-law down into suffering alongside him.
Qin Yurong led him around for a full circle. By the time it was complete, he had recognized everyone present and mentally categorized their closeness and distance based on what Pei Ji had previously told him, making future interactions easier.
“Aunt, we want to go rest over there. Can you let Brother Ah Zhi come with us?” Song Shiyu asked in a coy voice. While hugging Song Mu’s arm, she acted coquettishly toward Qin Yurong.
She didn’t forget to glance at Yan Jingchun after saying this. Before coming, both of them had been repeatedly lectured that at the flower-viewing banquet, they must play nicely with Pei Ji’s Zhengjun. Even for no other reason, based simply on the relations between their families, they ought to get along well.
He Zhile instantly grew nervous. He had known before coming that he would be interacting with the daughters and sons of these two households, but now that it was actually proposed, he still felt afraid.
It wasn’t that he wanted to measure gentlemen’s bellies with a petty person’s yardstick, but he was genuinely afraid they might bully him behind closed doors when no one was watching.
Qin Yurong gave him a reassuring nod. “Ah Zhi should spend time with those of his own age as well. Listen more, observe more.”
[Ah, yes.]
Having received permission, Song Shiyu and Yan Jingchun immediately walked up to his sides, looped their arms through his, and swiftly whisked him away from the crowd of madams.
Song Shiyu’s personality was the complete opposite of her name; she was extremely lively and playful. The two of them steered him away from the crowd toward a stone table in a secluded corner, cheerfully inviting him to sip tea and admire the blossoms.
Within the Phoenix Parasol Palace, the peony varieties were the most numerous and dazzling, featuring yellows, greens, flesh pinks, deep reds, and silver reds. Looking out across the gardens, the massive blooms swayed in the breeze, shaking their bodies as if telling everyone just how favored they were.
“Suspected to be the handiwork of the Luo River goddess, a thousand charms and poses break the morning glow.” Yan Jingchun recited softly. “This thousandfold seductive peony truly wins enough face for its master.”
He Zhile’s clear, bright eyes widened instantly.
Song Shiyu couldn’t help letting out a low chuckle either. “You certainly have the nerve to utter such words. If others overheard you, they would blame you for being disrespectful.”
“What words?” Yan Jingchun’s expression was one of utmost innocence. “Weren’t we praising how the peonies sway gracefully? Who would dare use unfounded matters to sow discord like that?”
The three exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
At that exact moment, a group of brightly dressed young men and women came striding toward them, clustered around someone in the center.
It was the Seventh Prince again.
If it were said that because of He Zhile’s previous suicide attempts, the entire capital had come to know he would marry no one but Pei Ji, then the Seventh Prince An Jin’s fondness for Pei Ji was an even worse-kept secret.
Yet despite being such common knowledge, An Jin had pleaded with Emperor An for years without ever getting his wish, only for He Zhile to snatch the prize first. If anyone claimed An Jin harbored no resentment, probably not a single soul would believe it.
They arrived in a grand formation, and one could tell at a glance that they meant trouble.
Song Shiyu and Yan Jingchun rose to their feet, blocking He Zhile behind them. Even if the Seventh Prince wanted to cause a scene, he would have to get past them first.
“Seventh Prince.”
“Lady Song, Young Master Yan.” An Jin raised an eyebrow, his tone feigning confusion. “When did the two of you become He Zhile’s attendants? The moment this prince arrived, the two of you immediately stepped up to protect him. Truly loyal.”
He Zhile frowned and hastily bowed, adopting a humble and submissive posture. He didn’t want others to suffer undeserved disaster on his account.
Besides, the other party was an imperial prince; no matter what, it was best to be respectful.
Song Shiyu gave him a supportive pull. Facing An Jin, she felt not a shred of fear. He was merely an out-of-favor male consort; in days to come, the imperial power would never allow him to touch even a fraction of authority, leaving him capable of nothing more than bringing these male consorts and noble daughters together to pull bullying stunts like this.
She had been unwilling to come to this flower-viewing banquet earlier, but her brother had insisted she attend. As expected, there was a place for her to use her skills.
“The Song and Yan families only hold loyalty toward His Majesty. What intent does the Seventh Prince have to utter such words of discord?” Song Shiyu scoffed, confronting An Jin directly.
“Song Shiyu! How dare you speak to this prince like that! I will definitely ask His Majesty to punish you severely! It would be best to assign you to some disgusting marriage so you see how you still dare to act arrogant in front of me!” An Jin said in exasperation.
Song Shiyu remained completely unfazed. “If that truly happens, this subject’s daughter will leave the matter entirely to His Majesty’s discretion.”
The Song family held immense power, and His Majesty would never bestow a marriage arbitrarily. But if the day of such a bestowal truly arrived, since she was raised by the Song family, she ought to pave a path forward for her clan.
Knowing he could not best Song Shiyu in verbal sparring, An Jin had no choice but to shift his target to He Zhile. He sneered contemptuously, “Listening to her protect you like this, do you feel quite pleased with yourself? Figures. You’re nothing more than a mute, unable to speak a word, so naturally you can only rely on others to step forward and protect you. Useless things are always like that, only knowing how to bring disgust to others!”
He Zhile’s complexion instantly turned pale, his breathing growing hurried. He bit down hard on the tender flesh of his lower lip, terrified he might fail to hold back his tears.
He knew he was no good, and he had heard plenty of harsh words before, but no one could truly remain indifferent in the face of malice.
“Seventh Prince.” Yan Jingchun’s tone was light and detached. “As a prince born of the imperial lineage, you ought to share a single heart with His Majesty, cherishing his sons and the common people. Yet today, for the sake of selfish desires, the prince utters vicious words. If word of this gets out, not only will it damage the prince’s reputation, but it will also incur His Majesty’s displeasure.”
These words struck directly at the Seventh Prince’s soft underbelly.
He never quite managed to win the Emperor’s favor anyway, and these past two years he had deliberately acted docile just to improve his standing.
If today’s affair leaked out, he would likely face scolding once again, and his birth mother would surely blame him too.
“He Zhile, I’ll let you off today.” With a cold snort, the Seventh Prince turned to leave with his followers, but someone stepped out from the crowd to block his path.
“I noticed everyone gathered here, so I came uninvited. I hope the Seventh Prince will not take offense.” Xu Xinran’s voice was soft and gentle, an approachable smile gracing her tender and pretty face.
Xu Xinran was someone even the Seventh Prince had to afford three points of respect.
After all, she was the Empress’s niece.
An Jin looked her up and down, the corners of his lips twitching. “This flower-viewing banquet was hosted by Empress Niangniang. Since Miss Xu was invited, naturally you may come.”
“The peonies in Aunt’s palace bloom exceptionally well. One must appreciate them quietly to discover their unique beauty. It would be rather poor of us to disturb these flowers,” Xu Xinran said softly. “Furthermore, constantly keeping matters of marriage upon one’s lips is truly too embarrassing.”
The Seventh Prince’s expression changed abruptly, and even Song Shiyu’s look turned subtle.
Indeed, she was not an easy person to deal with.
He Zhile took in every single person’s expression. This Miss Xu was truly a ruthless character; a single remark was enough to offend both factions completely, yet she still managed to preserve her reputation for being talented and virtuous.
“Miss Xu, this is the imperial palace after all. The rules that must be observed still apply, and you ought to address her respectfully as Empress Niangniang. Otherwise, if word spreads, wouldn’t it make the common folk think our imperial house lacks propriety and order?”
For the person who had just been spouting malicious words to lecture others on such matters was truly laughable.
Yet, he was an imperial prince after all.
Xu Xinran maintained her composure, offering a slight smile. “The Seventh Prince’s reminder is well-taken. Lest people overhear and think I am deliberately flaunting this connection, I suppose my thoughts simply strayed.”
With their verbal sparring cutting short, He Zhile and the others managed to slip away.
The three found an empty spot and sat down, all three letting out simultaneous sighs of relief.
Song Shiyu took a sip of cold tea and clicked her tongue. “You saw how it was today. Not a single one of these people is easy to get along with. You must remain vigilant and avoid falling into their traps!”
He Zhile nodded anxiously, his palms already slick with icy sweat. He hadn’t expected things to turn this chaotic once a crowd gathered.
Song Shiyu ate as she spoke, and the pastries on the table quickly vanished into their bellies. The maidservant beside her immediately went off sensibly to fetch more from the long table, ensuring their young lady wouldn’t go hungry.
“Eat a bit more. Look how thin you are; you need a full stomach to have the strength to match wits with these people!” Song Shiyu pushed the last remaining pastry toward him.
He Zhile reached out to take it, but the moment his fingers brushed the plate, a sudden force lunged into him, knocking him off balance.
At the critical moment, Yuanhua and Xixin grabbed and pulled him together, steadying his footing, but the plate of pastries crashed to the ground.
The sound of shattering porcelain rang out simultaneously with a palace maid’s sobbing plea for mercy, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.
And He Zhile was utterly petrified.
Although it had nothing to do with him, the plate had shattered because of him. Last time, through no intentional fault of his own, he had nearly lost half his life to a whipping. If he committed another infraction now, what kind of punishment would he face.
“Spare my life, Empress Niangniang! Spare my life, Zhengjun!” The maid was still weeping and wailing.
He Zhile was trembling all over, panic and dread spilling out from the depths of his eyes. Who would spare him?
What should he do, what should he do?
“Such small-town breeding.”
“So fond of making a spectacle, truly disgraceful!”
“How could the Pei family let such a person sulk their family’s reputation!”
Those thorn-like gazes seemed to be declaring just how shameful he was.
“Pei Yunzhou requests an audience with Empress Niangniang!”
The resonant voice echoed into the Phoenix Parasol Palace. The Empress instantly felt a headache coming on. With a formal announcement delivered with such strict adherence to protocol, she had no choice but to invite him into the outer courtyard.
Pei Ji strode in with great strides, instantly catching sight of the panicked and helpless little mute. He Zhile looked toward him as if seeking salvation, the bridge of his nose stinging with sour tears.
The one who saves him has arrived.