Today was a grand occasion at the royal mansion—the Spring Banquet.
Qiao Shuyi sat upright before her dressing mirror, attended by Fuzhi and Qing Yan on either side.
The reflection in the mirror gradually brightened, like a budding flower blooming inch by inch.
Zong Zhengheng stood beside the screen, already dressed in the new clothes she had ordered for him—
A snow-white straight-collared robe, cinched at the waist with a wide moon-white belt adorned with auspicious cloud patterns. Hanging from the belt was a piece of dark jade, its texture warm and smooth, complementing the pristine white attire.
White.
He lowered his gaze to look at himself, a flicker of coldness passing through his eyes.
He detested white.
Not just white—he loathed all light-colored clothing.
During those years in the military, on the southern battlefields, he had seen too much blood.
Dark-colored clothes could hide bloodstains, allowing one to remain composed and unnoticed.
Just like the things in his heart—those dark, unspeakable schemes and murderous intent—only black and ink-like shades were fitting.
Yet this madwoman adored light-colored clothing the most.
She said white was clean, moon-white was elegant, and that when worn by her people, it became a sight to behold.
Her people.
He twitched the corner of his mouth but said nothing.
In the mirror, Qiao Shuyi’s gaze passed through the figures of Fuzhi and Qing Yan and settled on him behind her.
She watched for a moment, then suddenly curved her eyes into a smile:
“Zhi Gui, you look truly handsome in white.”
“A gentleman as flawless as jade, unparalleled in this world—that describes you perfectly. No one suits this attire better than you.”
Zong Zhengheng’s lips twitched slightly.
When this young lady was in a good mood, her words were indeed sweet.
He suddenly recalled the idle gossip he had overheard while moving about Jinglan Garden these past few days.
When the servants spoke of Qiao Shuyi, there was more praise than complaint.
They said she was generous with rewards, had a good memory, and occasionally showed concern for others—as long as you didn’t upset her.
If you provoked her, it was entirely your own fault.
As he thought about it, he suddenly felt a subtle sense of irony.
This way of managing subordinates seemed almost innate.
Was it a coincidence?
He raised his eyes and met the smiling gaze in the mirror.
Those eyes were clear and bright, filled only with joy, admiration, and satisfaction with his white attire.
As if her heart could hold nothing else.
He said, “It’s all thanks to Shushu’s discerning eye.”
The way he called her “Shushu” came naturally and smoothly. In just two or three days, he had already grown accustomed to addressing her this way.
Today was the right time.
It was time to make her relent and allow him to leave Jinglan Garden.
“Shushu, may I accompany you to the Spring Banquet today?”
Qiao Shuyi glanced at him through the mirror:
“You want to go?”
“Such a grand occasion—I’ve never experienced it before. And staying in Jinglan Garden these past few days has indeed been somewhat… boring.”
As his words fell, he noticed a subtle change in the gaze reflected in the mirror.
“You find it boring to stay in Jinglan Garden all the time, to stay by my side?”
Zong Zhengheng’s heart tightened abruptly.
From their interactions these past few days, he knew all too well—
Answering this question incorrectly would mark the beginning of her madness.
At best, she would respond with cold words; at worst, she would torment him again. If that happened, he wouldn’t even think of stepping half a foot out of Jinglan Garden for today’s Spring Banquet.
He steadied himself and replied in a gentle, obedient tone:
“Not at all.”
“It’s just that Shushu will be leaving Jinglan Garden today, leaving me here alone.”
“These past few days, I’ve already explored every corner of Jinglan Garden. If Shushu isn’t here… then it truly would be somewhat boring.”
The pair of eyes in the mirror stared at him for a moment, the scrutiny gradually fading, replaced by a hint of a smile.
Zong Zhengheng was truly worthy of being the Emperor—even his acting was first-rate.
“Alright,” she tilted her head, “but today’s Spring Banquet will be attended by many noble young ladies. If they see you looking so handsome, I might get jealous.”
“Shushu, I can wear a mask.”
“My face is only for Shushu to see.”
The words were obedient, thoughtful, and they made Qiao Shuyi’s eyes curve into crescents.
But only he himself knew how much sincerity was hidden in those words.
He never wanted anyone to see his face in the first place.
In Jinglan Garden, it didn’t matter—
After all, when the day came for the Prince’s Mansion to fall, everyone in this garden—every last one of them—would have to die.
But the Spring Banquet was different.
Nobles from all provinces would gather, and with so many eyes around, it would be chaotic.
He would never let anyone know that the Son of Heaven of Great Zhang had once served as a male concubine to a madwoman in the Prince of Jin’an’s mansion.
If such humiliation were to spread, where would his dignity as Emperor be?
As for Qiao Nanyu—
Qiao Nanyu was a prince of a different surname personally enfeoffed by the late Emperor. Having guarded Jinzhou for over a decade, he had long become a local emperor in his own right.
Yet in these ten years, he had never once entered the capital to pay homage, nor had he ever laid eyes on the imperial countenance.
When the late Emperor passed away, he claimed illness and did not come.
When the new Emperor ascended the throne, he merely sent a subordinate official to deliver a congratulatory memorial.
How could such a subject recognize him, the new Emperor?
With a mask on, he would simply be “Zhi Gui.”
Hah.
Zong Zhengheng truly didn’t let slip a single opportunity.
What attending the Spring Banquet? Clearly, he just wanted to use the chance to go to the accounts office.
But so what?
She liked seeing him like this—clearly harboring countless schemes in his heart, yet putting on a gentle and obedient facade on the surface, going to great lengths to please her.
Qiao Shuyi stood up and walked to the nearby clothing rack.
Two sets of dresses hung there, one on the left and one on the right, both newly made spring attire for this year.
Qiao Shuyi glanced back, her smile radiant:
“Zhi Gui, help me choose—which one should I wear today?”
She tilted her head slightly, the newly inserted hairpin in her dark hair swaying gently, casting scattered glimmers of light.
“Let’s see if our hearts are in sync. If they are, I’ll take you along today. How does that sound?”
Zong Zhengheng’s gaze slowly swept over the two sets of dresses.
The one on the left, adorned with clusters of butterflies and a hundred flowers, was bright and flamboyant, much like her personality—arrogant and domineering, as if she wanted the whole world to see her radiance.
The one on the right, with ancient patterns of twin butterflies, was elegant and graceful, its layered skirt rippling like water, carrying a unique charm of grace and refinement.
He raised his hand and pointed to the right:
“This one.”
Qiao Shuyi raised an eyebrow, her interest growing. “Oh? Why?”
“Spring mountains are faintly adorned with distant meaning; autumn waters serve as spirit, jade as bone.”
“Shushu has eyebrows like distant mountains tinged with azure, eyes that hold a pool of autumn water, and skin like ice and bones like jade. How could gaudy flowers and vulgar brocade ever match you? The left set is too bright—brightness leads to vulgarity, which would only tarnish Shushu’s pure elegance.”
“The right set is elegant and graceful, its skirt flowing like water, perfectly complementing Shushu’s ‘lotus emerging from clear water, natural beauty free of adornment.’ Wearing it would be—”
He leaned in slightly, his voice softening:
“Cloud-like hair, flower-like face, golden hairpin swaying; lotus curtain warm, passing a spring night.”
He spoke the last line very softly and slowly, the tail of his voice rising slightly, carrying an indescribable meaning.
Lotus curtain warm, passing a spring night?
Was he… trying to seduce her?
To leave Jinglan Garden, Zong Zhengheng was truly going all out.
Once again, selecting attire and composing verses to praise someone—the line “Spring mountains hold distant meaning, autumn waters as spirit and jade as bones” truly struck a chord within her.
Today, she had painted distant mountain brows and autumn water eyes.
He had actually noticed.
Not only had he noticed, but he had also transformed it into such a verse, subtly praising her in a way that resonated deeply.
She suddenly found it somewhat amusing.
It turned out there was no man in this world who truly didn’t know how to flatter.
It simply depended on whether he was willing to do so and whether she was worth him lowering his pride to indulge her.
She had originally thought that someone like Zong Zhengheng, whose heart and mind were filled with military strategies and imperial tactics, would have no understanding of romantic sentiments or poetic verses.
But now, it seemed he not only understood but also knew how to use them.
And he used them at just the right moment.
A smile gradually spread in Qiao Shuyi’s eyes.
She gently touched his face:
“Zhi Gui, your words are truly becoming more and more charming.”
“Very well, I’ll follow your suggestion. This set it is.”
“Our hearts are in harmony, so today, you shall accompany me.”