Grand Tutor Shen turned his head away, unwilling to look at Shen Qingzhi, and instead addressed Shen Yazhi:
“Yazhi, keep an eye on Qingzhi and make sure he doesn’t cause any trouble.”
Shen Yazhi nodded, bid farewell to her grandfather, and walked with steady steps, the hairpins and ornaments on her head remaining perfectly still.
When the group finally arrived at the palace gate and alighted from the carriage, many people were already waiting in line.
Beautiful ladies and spirited young men from various households, all dressed meticulously, were entering the palace to attend the banquet.
A hundred fragrances drifted in the air, and the tinkling of jade pendants could be heard.
As Shen Qingzhi and Shen Yazhi helped their grandmother join the queue, they overheard whispers from those ahead, who were privately discussing the princess.
“…Bullying her own cousins, the princess is too domineering and arrogant.”
“Exactly. Just a few days ago, she barged into a minister’s residence…”
“The princess is of marriageable age now, yet she behaves like this…”
The Shen family members listened with grim expressions.
Shen Yazhi frowned and glanced at her grandmother.
Shen Qingzhi, unable to hold back, opened his mouth to argue with them.
“You—”
“Madam Qin, Madam Zhang.” Old Madam Shen spoke first.
Her temples were streaked with gray, and she had a plump figure. Though she usually appeared amiable, when serious, she exuded an imposing dignity without needing to show anger.
The two women whispering ahead turned around and recognized Old Madam Shen of the Shen household, quickly bowing in greeting:
“Greetings, Old Madam Shen.”
Which matriarch in the capital did not respect Old Madam Shen?
She had watched their generation grow up, not to mention she held the title of First-Rank Lady conferred by the late emperor.
Old Madam Shen asked, “Madam Qin, Madam Zhang, have you ever met Princess Rongyang, whom you were just discussing?” The two women exchanged guilty glances.
Old Madam Shen continued, “I have known your grandmothers for many years. Relying on my seniority, I’d like to say something you may not wish to hear.”
Madam Qin and Madam Zhang hurriedly replied, “Please enlighten us, Old Madam Shen.”
“Hearsay is never reliable. As mistresses of our households, we should remain dignified and composed. If we spread rumors recklessly, we risk bringing disaster upon ourselves and implicating our husbands and children.”
“We were wrong to heed such rumors.”
“We thank Old Madam Shen for your wise words.”
Madam Qin and Madam Zhang apologized and, too embarrassed to remain in front of the Shen family, sheepishly moved to the back of the line.
Shen Yazhi rarely voiced criticism but remarked, “How could these two ladies be so thoughtless? How dare they gossip about the princess?”
Shen Qingzhi snorted, “Hmph! If I find out who started these rumors, I’ll make them regret it!”
“Enough, let’s not say any more. Let’s enter the palace first.” Old Madam Shen appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly, she was displeased.
She had met Princess Rongyang many times when the princess was young. Though the princess had a somewhat spoiled temperament, her character was fundamentally good.
Over the years, her own grandchildren had quarreled with the princess countless times, yet no matter how angry the princess became, she had never used her authority to harm her two playmates.
The current emperor was lenient, but it seemed those beneath him had grown bold, daring to gossip about the princess. If the decisive late emperor were still alive, these people would likely have been thrown into prison directly.
The Shen family had arrived relatively early.
But someone else was even earlier.
Su Jingyuan had risen before dawn to bathe and prepare.
His jet-black hair was tied up with an openwork gilded crown. He wore a sapphire-blue robe embroidered with gold cloud patterns, a wide orchid-patterned brocade belt around his waist, and the warm jade pendant given to him by Yun Chaorong.
When he stepped out, Si Shu and Siji stared in awe.
“Young Master, today you look just like a celestial being descended to earth!”
Si Shu and Siji drove the carriage together to send Su Jingyuan to the palace gate, then waited outside.
As it was still early, there weren’t many people, and Su Jingyuan was among the first to enter the palace.
Upon stepping inside, he immediately felt the imposing aura of imperial majesty, which pressed down on everyone, making them speak in hushed tones.
It wasn’t until they passed one crimson palace wall after another and entered the lush, flower-filled imperial garden that the crowd finally relaxed.
The imperial garden was vast, built around a lake.
The lake was filled with blooming lotuses, standing tall and graceful, their white petals tinged with pink at the tips. Besides the lotuses, other varieties of flowers were also in full bloom, filling the garden with vibrant colors.
Banquets were set up on both sides of the lake, separated into areas for male and female guests, some in the open garden and others in pavilions.
Tables were already laid with fruits and pastries. The pastries were also shaped like lotuses, with milky-white flaky layers that bloomed outward.
Imperial Consort Li was indeed someone who put thought into things.
“Might I ask if you are the second young master of the Duke of Yu’s household?” a eunuch approached Su Jingyuan.
“Indeed.”
“Young Master Su, please follow this servant this way. Your seat is over there.”
“Thank you, Eunuch.”
Su Jingyuan followed the eunuch to find his seat, while other guests were also guided and received by palace attendants.
Su Jingyuan was led to a small pavilion by the lake, surrounded by gauze curtains. Lifting the curtains, one side offered a view of the lake, while the other overlooked the garden.
It was a serene spot perfect for enjoying the scenery.
Su Jingyuan admired the view alone in the pavilion, wondering where the princess might be on the opposite shore.
But in reality, Yun Chaorong was neither on the opposite shore nor on this one.
Her seat was in the middle of the water.
There was a small island in the center of the lake, with a rockery built upon it. Stone steps ascended the rockery, leading to a pavilion at the heart of the lake.
Today, Yun Chaorong, unusually, did not sleep in. She got up excitedly to dress up.
Michun selected several dignified and luxurious dresses for her, but Yun Chaorong didn’t wear any of them:
“Pick something more practical for me, something that allows freedom of movement.”
“Yingxia, go have someone bring my bow, arrows, and telescope.”
Nanny Yu hesitated, wanting to advise the princess to behave properly, but she felt that the princess had matured a lot recently and had her own ideas.
Seeing Nanny Yu’s conflicted expression, Yun Chaorong reassured her, “Don’t worry, Nanny. Today, I’ll definitely make a splendid impression!”
Nanny Yu: …Suddenly feeling very worried.
After the entourage from Morning Sun Palace arrived at the lake’s central pavilion, they lowered all the curtains, making it impossible for outsiders to see inside, while those inside could peek through the gaps.
Yun Chaorong held the telescope, looking left and right as more and more people arrived.
The lake’s central pavilion offered an excellent vantage point, providing a full view of both sides of the lake.
Suddenly, she turned the lens and spotted a familiar figure in sapphire blue by the lake—Su Jingyuan.
“Excellent, excellent. Today, Su the Beauty remains as delightful as ever,” Yun Chaorong murmured while adjusting the telescope.
Behind her, Michun and Yingxia pretended not to hear and were relieved that Nanny Yu had stayed at Morning Sun Palace, or she would have been in tears.
The figure in the distance seemed to sense something and suddenly turned to look in Yun Chaorong’s direction.
“Did he notice me?” Yun Chaorong was somewhat surprised.
Yingxia fed a pastry into Yun Chaorong’s open mouth.
The flavors of milk and pineapple burst in her mouth.
Yun Chaorong put down the telescope. “What pastry is this? It’s delicious.”
Yingxia picked up the small pastry plate. “It’s Qiongri Pastry, made by the new chef from Qiongtai. There are only a few portions, and none of the other tables have it.”
“Well done, a reward. Bring two more plates for us to share, and also, send one plate to Young Master Su.”
“Please wait a moment, Princess, this servant will go arrange it,” Yingxia said.
By the lakeside.
Su Jingyuan noticed the pavilion on the artificial hill in the center of the lake, where it seemed someone was present.
His heart stirred slightly as he saw the curtain lift a corner, then fall back into place.
He stood by the lake a while longer, but seeing no further movement from the lakeside pavilion, he returned to his seat.
Just as he returned to his seat, a young palace maid entered carrying a plate of pastries:
“Young Master Su, this is the Qiongrui Pastry bestowed by Princess Rongyang.”
The young palace maid set down the pastries, respectfully bowed, and then departed.
Su Jingyuan looked at the creamy white pastry, his slender fingers picking up a piece and bringing it to his mouth.
He inexplicably recalled that afternoon, the entanglement of their lips and teeth… Indeed, it was very sweet.
“Isn’t this Brother Su? Long time no see!”
“Brother Su? Brother Su! Has your health improved somewhat?”
Two young men lifted the gauze curtain and walked in, their expressions showing surprise as they spoke.
The youth in green robes reminded him, “Brother Su, don’t you remember me? I’m Yin Zihan.”
The youth in brown robes added, “And me, Liu Zeyu.”
Su Jingyuan stood up, cupping his hands in greeting, “Young Master Yin, Young Master Liu, it has been a long time.”
The newcomers were the third son of the Duke of Yin’s household and the second son of the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, both two years younger than Su Jingyuan.
Before Su Jingyuan fell ill, they had known each other since childhood at the academy.
Back then, Su Jingyuan often ranked at the top in academy examinations, frequently praised by their teacher for his intelligence, and Yin Zihan and Liu Zeyu often sought his guidance. Unfortunately, Su Jingyuan later fell gravely ill and they had hardly seen him since.
The three exchanged pleasantries, and during the conversation, the topic of marriage came up.
Yin Zihan said with a smile, “I heard Brother Liu has just become engaged. Which young lady is it?”
“She’s my maternal cousin,” Liu Zeyu replied, somewhat shyly. “Brother Yin got engaged earlier than I did, having long since secured the hand of Minister Li’s daughter.”
Su Jingyuan said, “Congratulations to both of you.”
Yin Zihan and Liu Zeyu stopped smiling, suddenly realizing it might not be appropriate to bring up this topic in front of Su Jingyuan.
Su Jingyuan was clearly older than them and should have been engaged long ago, but his frail health had delayed it.
“Hey, it’s you guys!” Another youth in brocade robes slipped in.
Yin Zihan called out, “Shen Qingzhi!”
“What a coincidence! I was wondering who I’d be sharing a table with. I’m relieved it’s you.”
Shen Qingzhi strode in casually and plopped down in the empty seat to Su Jingyuan’s right.
He reached for a pastry while asking, “This gentleman looks somewhat unfamiliar. May I ask which household’s young master you are?”
Su Jingyuan pushed a plate of walnut cakes toward Shen Qingzhi while subtly moving the Qiongrui Pastry aside with his other hand:
“Young Master Shen, I am Su Jingyuan.”
Liu Zeyu added by way of introduction, “This is the second son of the Duke of Yu’s household. He often rests at home due to illness, so you’ve seen him rarely.”
“So it’s Brother Su! I’ve long heard of you!”
Shen Qingzhi had heard a little about Su Jingyuan’s situation since childhood. Today, seeing Su Jingyuan, he indeed found him exceptionally dignified, though with a hint of illness in his complexion.
His gaze suddenly settled on the waist of Su Jingyuan, finding the small deer-shaped warm jade somewhat familiar:
“Brother Su, where did this warm jade come from?”