Chapter 33: How Dare You Follow Me!

The mountain path was rugged, but the Dowager Consort, in her piety, refused to be carried in a palanquin, so the group accompanied her on a slow, steady climb.

Passing a detached villa halfway up the mountain, they heard bursts of laughter from within, punctuated by the spirited sounds of scholarly debates and clever repartee.

"What is happening inside? It sounds so lively," the Dowager Consort Shu remarked, pausing in her steps.

The abbot replied respectfully, "It is a 'winding stream' banquet. Since it began today, the male guests are likely in high spirits."

Dowager Consort Shu’s eyes flickered, softening slightly. Nanny Wei, ever the perceptive one, immediately chimed in with a smile, "It reminds this servant of the past. You were always such a spirited person, delighting in admiring flowers, drinking wine, and sharing jokes. The Late Emperor always praised your playfulness."

"I was young then, and fond of fun." Seeing the Dowager Consort smile, those around her naturally echoed the sentiment, and the air grew harmonious.

"Now that the Late Emperor is gone, I have not been here for a long time." The Dowager Consort swept a gaze over the villa, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I recall there was an apricot tree in this courtyard; when it bloomed, it looked like scattered clouds. I wonder if it still remains?"

"Replying to the Dowager Consort, it is still there," the abbot said. "Though the blooming season has passed, the flowers return every year."

The flowers bloom, the sentiment remains—as if the Late Emperor were still here.

Dowager Consort Shu seemed touched. She fell silent for a moment, then patted Nanny Wei’s hand, her voice warm, "Let us go offer incense first. Later, we shall join the fun and see these young people."

"As you command," Nanny Wei said.

As the Dowager Consort was attending the banquet, all the members and servants of the Ling family naturally accompanied her, along with several other ladies who had come to offer prayers.

—

By noon, the banquet tables were set. The male guests were busy with drinking games; in particular, the scholars from the Imperial Academy had gathered to engage in the elegant "flying flower" poetry game.

"My, how lively!" came the Dowager Consort Shu’s benevolent voice.

The crowd froze, seeing a grand procession enter, led by an elderly woman of noble bearing. Han Yi, the eldest son of the Duke of Korea, was the first to recognize her and quickly rose to stand in respectful silence. "This junior greets Dowager Consort Shu."

At these words, everyone was startled and scrambled to rise and pay their respects. Several young noblemen, who had been drinking with their robes loosened, hastily turned away to tidy their attire.

"Good children, why are you all standing? Please, sit, sit, do as you please," Dowager Consort Shu said with a smile. "I heard the commotion from outside and found myself wandering over here."

"Seeing you all so constrained, I fear this old woman has disturbed your pleasure."

"Not at all, Dowager Consort Shu. Your presence is an honor we could only hope for."

Dowager Consort Shu chuckled. "Then sit, continue your games, and enjoy yourselves. I shall stroll through the garden." Turning to the Ling family, she added, "Since I am here, do not be so stiff; relax."

"Sister Xiao, did you notice? Those young gentlemen are all stealing glances at you," Huaining whispered, her eyes sparkling with an excitement that surpassed even that of the noble youths.

"Loose-tongued girl," Xiao Ming chided, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

In truth, it would have been impossible not to notice. She was simply too striking; even without the Dowager Consort’s presence, the banquet had already gone quiet because of her.

Dressed in a jade-colored gown that cinched her slender waist, she wore only a small, fan-shaped pearl hairpin in her hair. Her porcelain-white face, with a natural flush of rouge, made her eyes appear like shimmering water. It was a simple, flawless attire, yet it made her look exceptionally radiant.

Xiao Ming let her gaze drift, scanning the crowd unnoticeably. She pulled Huaining along, bowed gracefully to the noblemen with a faint smile, and then departed. These royal scions were not her target.

When she left, the guests remained stunned. After a long silence, someone sighed, "Alas, now that the beauty has departed, the garden feels empty..."

Only then did a curious nobleman ask Han Yi, "Wenjing, do you know that young lady? Is she from the Ling family?"

Han Yi shook his head. "I do not."

The scholars from the Imperial Academy had also noticed Xiao Ming. Although they were all dazzled, they possessed a certain pride and dared not ask openly, yet each of them became distracted thereafter.

Huaining led Xiao Ming to a flower grove where a small, narrow pavilion stood, surrounded by a sea of blossoms. The two girls stepped inside and peered out the window. They could see the Imperial Academy scholars perfectly, yet the wall of flowers shielded them from view.

"The one standing there in the gauze cap is Li Zongfang, the second-place finisher from the last examination. He is from a humble background, very upright, and possesses a scholarly air," Huaining winked. "He has just finished his mourning period and is not yet betrothed. As an academician of the Imperial Academy, he is highly regarded by the Emperor."

"In what way is Master Yan inferior to him? Why was he only the third-place finisher?" Xiao Ming asked casually.

"Yan Jing is the second son of the Marquis of Fu’an. By law, noble sons cannot be the top scholar, and the third-place finisher must be selected for his looks. Compared to Li Zongfang, the Emperor said he was better-looking, which suited the title of 'Third-Place Talent' perfectly," Huaining said with pride. "So the Emperor chose my brother-in-law as the third-place talent, which really benefited that bookworm Li Zongfang."

As soon as she said this, Huaining realized she had made a mistake.

Sure enough, Xiao Ming asked, "Brother-in-law? Yan Jing is your brother-in-law? He is married to Huaixi? Then why do they act as if they are strangers?"

"Oh... the entire household avoids speaking of this. Actually, they have not officially married yet," Huaining explained in a panic. "I only know that my sister broke off the engagement, but I truly know nothing else. Sister Xiao, please pretend you heard nothing; you must not let it slip!"

Xiao Ming nodded solemnly.

No wonder Huaixi never discussed marriage. So that was the nature of their relationship.

Xiao Ming looked back at the banquet. This Li Zongfang suited her tastes—an academician, valued by the Emperor, with no parents, and a character that was honest and upright. He was an ideal match.

More importantly, despite his overly pedantic and rigid nature, he had been unable to stop himself from glancing at her just moments ago.

Although he had quickly looked away, that single glance gave Xiao Ming a fifty-percent certainty of success.

"Sister Xiao, the banquet is too boring. I’m going to the lakeside to take a look; you should plan your next move well." With that, Huaining scurried away.

Seeing her leave, Xiao Ming also stood up to go; after all, it was improper for her to be alone while men and women were dining together. However, as soon as she stepped out of the pavilion and entered the flower grove, she collided head-on with a strange man.

"Who are you!" Xiao Ming was startled. "How dare you follow me!"

The man burst into laughter.

Xiao Ming froze, and in a flash, she saw him clearly.

The man before her was extremely handsome and dashing, dressed in a bluestone-colored silk robe. He was tall and elegant, and even the way he bowed in apology was a pleasing sight.

"Han Yi, of the Duke’s estate."

This man was the heir of the Duke? If nothing went wrong, he would be the future Duke.

Seeing the stern, surprised, and suspicious look on her face, Han Yi laughed again.

"It was my fault for acting on a whim to enjoy the flowers, only to wander into my own garden. I did not realize this was a place I should not have come. I have offended you, Miss; I deserve death for my clumsiness."