On this spring day at the imperial villa, sunlight poured down like molten gold. Young masters and ladies from every official household in the capital had gathered for the Spring Banquet, filling the grounds with lively bustle.
The women were all dressed in their finest, clustering together to whisper excitedly about the most distinguished young gentlemen in the capital.
Yet among the crowd stood a young man holding a folding fan, glancing restlessly around with a hint of impatience in his brow. He let out a soft sigh—it was Shen Mo, young master of the Grand General’s household.
Shen Mo muttered to himself: Everyone’s here already—why hasn’t Shen Xi arrived? When she gets here, I’ll definitely give her an earful.
Speak of the devil and she shall appear. In the distance, a vivid crimson figure galloped toward them on a fine steed. She then nimbly dismounted with a fluid side leap, teasing him as she approached: “Brother—I’m late. Won’t you punish me?”
Shen Xi wore a crimson brocade dress; though its cut was simple, it lent her an air of crisp elegance quite unlike the soft delicacy of most young ladies. Her dark hair swirled with her movements, a few stray strands escaping their ties to dance gently against her fair cheeks—adding a touch of playful charm.
Shen Mo shook his head with an affectionate smile and went to meet her: “Why so late? Don’t tell me it’s because I took Treading Snow?”
“Have the nerve to say that!” Shen Xi shot him a mock-glare. “Riding this ‘White Colt’ took me half an hour longer than Treading Snow would have!”
Having arrived late, dressed in such striking colors, and with Shen Mo himself there to greet her, she could hardly avoid becoming the center of attention.
“Is that the General’s daughter?”
“Of course—who else would have the Grand General’s young master greeting them personally?”
“The entire General’s household is extraordinary! The young master is handsome, and the young lady is beautiful too.”
Hearing the surrounding murmurs, Shen Xi tilted her chin up at Shen Mo: “Aren’t you going to take me inside? If we stand here much longer, people will stare at me like I’m some rare ginseng fruit!”
(Note: “Ginseng fruit” refers to a mythical fruit in Chinese folklore said to grant immortality, often used to describe something highly coveted or admired.)
Shen Mo laughed, placing a protective hand lightly behind her as they headed for the banquet hall. “Can’t you learn from other young ladies? Coming in a proper carriage instead of riding a horse, and dressing so conspicuously…”
“Is that my fault?” Shen Xi raised an eyebrow, tugging at his sleeve and shaking it slightly with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Would you rather I came wrapped up like a dull gray rice dumpling?”
Shen Mo was left speechless, shaking his head in resignation. Though he complained, he slowed his pace deliberately to shield her from the jostling crowd.
Just as they reached the banquet hall entrance, a young man in rich sapphire-blue brocade came forward with a bright smile: “Shen brother! At last—we were just saying we wanted to challenge you to a game of weiqi!” His eyes lit up as they fell on Shen Xi. “This must be your younger sister, then? I’ve heard so much about you—seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved indeed.”
Shen Xi recognized him as Wen Jingyu, the notorious playboy son of the Minister of Personnel. Maintaining proper decorum, she performed a respectful curtsy: “You’re too kind, Master Wen.”
Wen Jingyu waved a dismissive hand with a smile, though his gaze lingered on her a moment longer… This combination of vibrancy and sharp spirit was far more interesting than the delicate, meek young ladies of the capital.
His look did not go unnoticed—several young ladies who had previously been vying for his attention pursed their lips in displeasure.
Shen Mo cleared his throat softly, subtly stepping to block Wen Jingyu’s gaze. “Your eye for beauty is much sharper than your aim was when we practiced archery last year.”
Wen Jingyu laughed heartily, finally pulling his eyes away. He ran his fingertips over his sleeve cuff: “Defending your sister already, Shen brother? I’m merely speaking the truth—Miss Shen’s bearing… there’s truly no one else like her in the capital.”
Seeing this, Shen Mo said to him: “Enough of your smooth talk. You wanted a game of weiqi? Come on then—no backing out if you lose.”
Wen Jingyu raised an eyebrow: “We’ll see who loses and who wins!” He then looked at Shen Xi again, his tone carrying a hint of challenge. “Miss Shen—won’t you join us? I hear you’re quite skilled at weiqi too—I’d love to learn from you.”
“No need,” Shen Xi finally met his gaze, her voice calm and clear. “I have little interest in weiqi. But if Master Wen is keen for a contest, why not head to the polo field instead? We could see who has better aim with a bow.”
This struck directly at Wen Jingyu’s weakness—he had always feared riding and archery, and had even fallen off his horse during a hunt last time, becoming the laughingstock of the capital. His smile faltered slightly as he replied awkwardly: “Miss Shen is certainly straightforward.”
At this, several of the young ladies nearby could not help but titter softly. One of them—the daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, whom Wen Jingyu had ignored earlier—called out cheerfully: “Master Wen can’t even accept Miss Shen’s challenge?”
Wen Jingyu’s face flushed with embarrassment. “What would a young lady know? Polo and archery are no match for the elegance of music, chess, calligraphy and painting!”
“Elegance is in the eye of the beholder,” Shen Xi replied lightly, turning to Shen Mo. “Brother—let’s go inside.”
Shen Mo nodded, adjusting the strands of hair that had been blown loose by the wind before guiding her into the hall.
As they passed the group of young ladies, Shen Xi turned back to give the one who had spoken up a warm smile of thanks.
The young lady was momentarily dazzled by the smile, pausing before recovering herself—and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
Behind them, Wen Jingyu watched their retreating figures, his face alternating between red and white. Someone stepped forward to smooth things over: “Don’t take it to heart, Master Wen—Miss Shen is still young, she speaks her mind.”
“Speaks her mind? I’d say she’s just wild!” Wen Jingyu huffed, catching sight of the amusement in the onlookers’ eyes. With a sharp flick of his sleeves, he declared: “Come on—I’m going to have a drink!” He looked truly put out.
The villa was warm and inviting. After greeting a few familiar elders with Shen Mo, Shen Xi was pulled aside to a corner of the flower hall by some young ladies she knew, while Shen Mo was drawn away by a group of young masters to catch up.
“So you’re Miss Shen!” Lin Wan’er, daughter of the Minister of Rites, took her hand with a grin. “You should have seen Wen Jingyu’s face out there—like a cat whose tail was stepped on! Finally, someone’s put him in his place!”
Shen Xi raised an eyebrow: “I only spoke the truth.”
“True enough—but only you would dare say it,” another young lady sighed. “Wen Jingyu thinks he can do as he pleases because of his family’s power—how many young ladies has he harassed in the capital? Only you would dare to embarrass him so openly.”
Shen Xi picked up the rose syrup offered by a maid and took a small sip, a faint smile playing at her lips: “If he behaved properly, I’d be polite to him. But his eyes cling to people like dusty spider webs—should I leave them there to be an eyesore?”
Lin Wan’er burst out laughing: “Just a few days ago, the third Miss Du was cornered by him on a painted boat and pestered for half the night—she cried for days after!”
Gu Qianqian, daughter of the Imperial Censor, glanced over at Wen Jingyu before lowering her voice: “It’s not just Miss Du. Last month I went to Xiangguo Temple with my mother to offer incense—I saw him with two thugs, blocking the daughter of the Ministry of Personnel’s Selection Director at the temple gate. He insisted on giving her a ‘betrothal jade pendant’—the poor girl was so frightened she turned pale!”
(Note: Xiangguo Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in ancient China, often a place for people to offer prayers and make offerings.)
“Behaving like a spoiled brat who’s still nursing at his mother’s breast,” Shen Xi’s voice was light but carried a hint of coldness. “Raising such a son—don’t they fear staining their family’s reputation?”
Lin Wan’er quickly tugged at her sleeve, gesturing for her to keep her voice down: “Hush! If he hears you, he’ll come pestering again. The Wen family is related to the Empress!”
Gu Qianqian nodded in agreement: “Exactly—they rely on the Empress’s power. Last time, the son of the Deputy Chief Judge of the Dali Temple couldn’t stand by and said something for the Selection Director’s daughter. The very next day, Minister Wen found an excuse to punish him with sorting through old case files—he’s still stuck with it!”
Shen Xi set down her cup, her fingertips tracing circles along its rim: “Bullying others with their power… someone will put a stop to it eventually.”
She had always hated such lecherous scoundrels most of all.