In Shen Qingzhi’s memory, Yun Chaorong had once owned a similar piece of warm jade.
Back then, he was still young. When he saw the warm jade at Yun Chaorong’s place, he liked it so much that he couldn’t take his eyes off it.
He took out all his own jade pendants, hoping to trade with Yun Chaorong, but the latter refused, making him cry for nearly half a day.
“A friend gifted it to me. Does Young Master Shen like it?” Su Jingyuan’s tone was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Shen Qingzhi scratched his head. “How could I take something someone treasures? I was just thinking that if you bought it, I could go and buy a similar piece.”
Yin Zihan teased, “Brother Shen, you’re not exactly a jade enthusiast. How many of your jade pendants have you broken already?”
“Who says I don’t love jade? Look at this jade thumb ring of mine.” Shen Qingzhi retorted indignantly, once again waving his finger around.
“It’s lustrous and flawless, truly a fine piece of jade. Where did you get it?”
Shen Qingzhi’s tone unconsciously carried a hint of pride. “Such fine jade isn’t something you can just buy anywhere. This was a gift from the Eldest Princess!”
Su Jingyuan paused as he sipped his tea.
Liu Zeyu and Yin Zihan wore expressions of resignation. “Here we go again…”
“Is Young Master Shen on good terms with the Eldest Princess?” Su Jingyuan set down his teacup, his smile gentle and refined.
Shen Qingzhi said proudly, “My sister and I entered the palace as study companions since childhood and grew up with the Eldest Princess, so our relationship is naturally quite close.”
Su Jingyuan rubbed his fingertips, his lowered eyelashes concealing his gaze. “I see. Young Master Shen is truly fortunate.”
Yin Zihan, not wanting to listen to Shen Qingzhi’s boasting any longer, changed the subject.
“Look across the lake. It seems quite lively over there.”
The group looked toward the opposite shore, where the women’s side was indeed bustling with activity.
On the men’s side, only unmarried young masters were invited, hosted by the ten-year-old Fourth Prince.
The women’s side, however, included ladies and madams from various families, with a larger number of attendees, presided over by Imperial Consort Li.
Imperial Consort Li was dressed in elegant and luxurious attire that day, seated at the head of the eastern side.
“Esteemed ladies and madams, today’s banquet is held in the hope that everyone may enjoy themselves and delight in the pleasure of viewing the lotus flowers. If there are any shortcomings, please do not hesitate to inform me.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” The women all expressed their gratitude in unison.
Imperial Consort Li swept her gaze across the gathering, quite satisfied. To ensure a grand and well-attended event, she had privately spread the word that this Lotus Viewing Banquet was an excellent opportunity for matchmaking.
This had spurred the young ladies from various families to diligently practice their talents recently, all waiting for the chance to showcase their skills.
It didn’t matter if the handsome young men across the lake couldn’t see them—as long as the madams on this side did, since marriages were ultimately arranged by the mothers.
Soon, someone stepped forward.
“Your Highness, this humble wife observes that the lotus flowers across the lake are in full bloom, and the young ladies in the garden are both beautiful and talented. Why not take the Lotus Viewing Banquet as the theme and have everyone compose a poem?”
Imperial Consort Li replied, “That’s an excellent idea. How about this: both the men’s and women’s sides will use this as the theme. After composing their poems, the two sides will exchange and read each other’s works.”
The palace attendants behind her seemed well-prepared, carrying brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones as they filed out in an orderly procession.
On the men’s side, the Fourth Prince also had the items distributed to each table.
The guests, who had been chatting and laughing moments earlier, now held their breath and focused intently, lest they embarrass themselves in front of the opposite shore.
Seated in the lakeside pavilion, Yun Chaorong enjoyed her leisure.
“Here it comes, this kind of scene again. I knew the poetry composition segment was inevitable.”
This wasn’t her first or second time transmigrating into a book. The first few times she encountered this trope, she would recite a couple of short poems. But after so many repetitions, she grew tired of dealing with it and simply escaped every time.
In the lakeside pavilion, the four people at Su Jingyuan’s table also picked up their brushes.
Liu Zeyu had anticipated the need to write poetry and had prepared a poem at home in advance, now simply transcribing it from memory. When he finished, he saw that Yin Zihan and Shen Qingzhi were still writing, while Su Jingyuan had already folded his paper and tucked it into his sleeve.
“Brother Su, what are you doing?”
Su Jingyuan seemed helpless: “I haven’t written poetry in a long time, and what I wrote isn’t good, so I’d rather not submit it.”
Liu Zeyu considered that Su Jingyuan might have neglected his studies due to illness in recent years and said nothing more.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, palace attendants began collecting the completed poems.
Attendants from both sides of the lake shuttled back and forth across the bridge, delivering the newly composed poems.
On the women’s side, they gathered around to view the poems sent over from the men’s side.
“Ah, this one has a rather leisurely charm, look.”
“Lotus leaves and silk skirts share the same hue,
Wind sways emerald waves under the sun’s view.
A summer feast by the pond for honored guests,
Fragrance drifts far, bringing serene rest.”
“Lotus blooms in midsummer reflect the azure sky,
Morning sun’s new light fulfills dreams nearby.
Harmony at home brings radiant glow,
Devoted scholars nurture talents to grow.”
“This one lacks some poetic charm, but it shows a sense of familial and national sentiment.”
“Why should emerald leaves hide beauty’s grace,
When gentle breezes showcase their pure trace?
Beauties like flowers cannot long endure,
Yet lotus fragrance still fills the eastern shore.”
“The person who wrote this likely has a sweetheart and wrote it specifically to send over…”
Meanwhile, the men’s side also received the poems from the women’s side.
“Green canopies droop low, shading the sun’s gleam,
Graceful figures sway like water nymphs in a dream.
The breeze gently unlocks the crimson buds’ hold,
A smile that topples cities, the lotus’s own tale told.”
“Amidst jade leaves, tips peek with care,
Lotus buds await dawn’s fair share.
A faint veil hides a jade-like face,
A beauty emerges from the watery space.”
“These poems seem to capture the shy demeanor of young ladies.”
“Hey, Brother Gu, you’re not yet betrothed and haven’t seen many young ladies. How do you know about their shy demeanor? Hahaha!”
“You… I have a younger sister at home, so of course I know!”
Shen Qingzhi squeezed his head into the crowd: “Make way, let me see.”
He quickly scanned the poems, then his gaze locked onto one, exclaiming: “This one must have been written by my sister!”
“Green canopies of lotus greet the dawn’s breeze,
A general gazes toward clouds beyond the frontiers with ease.
Iron armor gleams coldly, war drums resound,
Lotus fragrance undimmed as the bright moon circles around.”
“This poem… doesn’t seem like it was written by a woman…”
“That’s exactly why I say it’s my sister’s.”
Shen Qingzhi knew perfectly well that his sister had recently taken a keen interest in frontier military affairs, connecting every topic to it.
See, even a perfectly good lotus poem has veered off into talk of iron armor and cold gleams.
After some discussion, the best poem from the men’s side was judged to be the work of Zheng Xianzhe, the eldest son of the Vice Minister of Rites.
The best poem from the women’s side was awarded to Lin Tongyi, the second daughter of the Prime Minister.
As soon as the poetry session ended, someone immediately suggested painting.
Those not skilled in poetry or painting were unwilling to be outdone, so others stepped forward to dance, play the qin, practice calligraphy… The competition among overachievers entered a fever pitch.
Yun Chaorong slept soundly in the lakeside pavilion:
“Ah, they’re still competing? Then I’ll sleep a bit longer.”
It wasn’t until after lunch that everyone finally settled down.
Only then did Yun Chaorong rise from her couch. Michun and Yingxia tidied her attire, and all the surrounding gauze curtains were drawn open.
“Eaten well, drunk well, played well. Now it’s time for the main event.”
Yun Chaorong led her entourage down the rockery and walked toward the wooden bridge in the center of the lake.
She stopped in the middle of the bridge and stood still, gazing from afar toward Imperial Consort Li’s location.
Imperial Consort Li left her seat and, supported by Liu Ye, walked to the bridge to greet Yun Chaorong:
“Princess Rongyang.”
The Fourth Prince, upon seeing Yun Chaorong, approached excitedly to pay his respects: “Eldest Imperial Sister, you’ve arrived!”
Seeing Imperial Consort Li and the Fourth Prince take the lead, the others also rose one after another and followed to bow to Yun Chaorong.
For a moment, crowds surged from both sides of the lake.
“Greetings to Princess Rongyang!”
“Princess Rongyang!”
Su Jingyuan was also among the crowd. He noticed that Yun Chaorong was dressed in martial attire today, looking valiant and spirited, with a unique charm.
Yun Chaorong cleared her throat: “Is everyone satisfied with this Lotus Viewing Banquet?”
“Very much so, very much so!”
“Extremely thoughtful, most elegant…”
Who would dare say otherwise?!
“Since you are all pleased, it is now your turn to satisfy His Majesty.”
The people below the bridge exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of her meaning.
“The war between Da Yu and Northern Qiang is known to all. That we can sit here today, laughing and chatting, is entirely due to the soldiers on the front lines charging forward, fearless of death.”
Everyone fell silent, and the atmosphere grew still.
Yun Chaorong continued: “I presume you have all heard the news of victory that arrived two days ago. Our Da Yu soldiers are brave and valiant, having recaptured three cities in succession. Driving Northern Qiang out is within sight.
However, the national treasury is now depleted, and provisions are tight. How can we in the rear indulge in extravagance and ignore the tens of thousands of troops on the front lines?”
At this point, everyone understood.
This was a call for donations.
The Second Miss of the Lin family, Lin Tongyi, who had earlier won first place in the poetry competition, stepped forward and presented the pearl headpiece she had just received as a reward from Imperial Consort Li:
“This humble girl is not particularly talented but wishes to contribute what little she can.”
This gesture drew praise from those around her.
“Miss Lin is not only quick-witted but also noble-hearted.”
Lin Tongyi blushed slightly at the compliments, but then she heard the princess say leisurely:
“Miss Lin’s intentions are good, but unfortunately, this is far from enough.
At today’s banquet, each family must donate at least ten thousand taels.”
Immediately, someone in the crowd exclaimed:
“Ten thousand taels?!”
“That’s far too much.”
“Isn’t this forcing people into a corner?”