Chapter 30: The Lantern Festival (2)

Not long after breakfast, the Zhao family arrived.

The carriage stopped at the foot of Qingji Mountain, and Zhao Yao disembarked with her parents. She had specially dressed up today, wearing a light pink jacket that made her look especially charming, with a white jade hairpin tucked into her hair. Her mother said this made her appear older, and she was quite satisfied when she looked in the mirror. She hoped her second brother would take more notice of her.

From the foot of the mountain, the three members of the Zhao family could faintly glimpse the eaves of Fenghe Garden. They couldn’t help but marvel at how this place was truly a serene retreat amidst the bustling city. They also praised the Qi family’s wealth—on such prime real estate in Jiankang, they had managed to build an entire small mountain estate, and it was only a secondary residence, which was astonishing.

Zhao Run noticed his daughter’s unusually excited expression and saw the unusual gleam in his wife’s eyes, prompting him to sigh deeply.

Recently, during their nightly conversations, he had heard from Zhao Qishi that she intended for Yao’er to marry Jingchen, which had startled him.

Leaving aside Yao’er’s young age and whether or not Jingchen had any interest in her, simply considering the status of the two families, they were utterly mismatched.

The Qi family was of what standing? And what position did Jingchen hold? He was the legitimate son of the premier noble family of Jiangnan; either he would be recruited as an imperial son-in-law or marry a daughter from the Fu or Han families. Although the Zhao family was also a renowned clan, it had already declined. Even Zhao Run’s recent transfer back to Jiankang relied on Qi Zhang’s support. Though Zhao Yao was considered a high-born lady, if she were to match with Jingchen, her family background was indeed lacking.

Zhao Run intended to dissuade his wife, but Zhao Qishi had always been headstrong since she was young. Originally from the Qi family, marrying him was considered marrying down. She had always been proud and unwilling to listen to his advice. Now, it seemed she was determined to have Yao’er climb the social ladder by marrying Qi Ying, thus reversing their fortunes. Seeing that both mother and daughter were resolute, Zhao Run felt extremely helpless. Unable to stop them, he could only observe from the sidelines for now.

At the foot of the mountain, Qingzhu and the servants had been waiting for some time. Once the three esteemed guests alighted from the carriage, they led them up the mountain.

The stone steps along the mountain path were winding and secluded. After ascending one hundred and eight stone steps, Qi Ying personally awaited them at the entrance of Fenghe Garden with Qi Ning and Qi Le.

Qi Ying hadn’t seen his uncle in many years, so naturally, they had to greet each other properly. However, just as Qi Ying was about to bow, he was stopped by Zhao Run, who repeatedly said there was no need. Qi Ying insisted, but Zhao Run laughed and said, “Jingchen, there’s no need to be so polite. If you think about it, although I am your elder at home, in the court, you are my superior. Considering both aspects, this courtesy can be omitted.”

After returning to Jiankang from Linchuan, Zhao Run was appointed as the Grand Secretary, a fourth-rank official. Qi Ying held the position of Vice Minister of the Secretariat, a third-rank official, making him indeed Zhao Run’s superior.

This was Zhao Run’s jest, and Qi Ying chuckled, shaking his head and saying, “Etiquette cannot be neglected,” still performing the junior’s bow to Zhao Run. Qi Ning and Qi Le followed suit.

Zhao Yao stood behind her parents, watching her second brother greet her father with such respect. She felt an indescribable joy, thinking they appeared like the most harmonious father-in-law and son-in-law in the world. Her cheeks flushed with happiness, to the point where she didn’t even notice Qi Le secretly greeting her.

The group entered through the main gate of Fenghe Garden and proceeded to the main hall for tea. The servants had already prepared fragrant tea and soft cakes, awaiting the esteemed guests to partake.

Zhao Run was visiting Fenghe Garden for the first time. Although he hadn’t thoroughly toured the estate yet, the sights along the way had already impressed him greatly. The Qi family was a noble household, and while the main house was undoubtedly luxurious, it was too rigid compared to the elegance and refinement of Fenghe Garden. He noticed that the plants in the garden were meticulously chosen—not only were they rare varieties, but their arrangement also adhered to feng shui principles, exuding a sense of mystery everywhere.

Zhao Qishi also took in the magnificent scenery of the garden, but her thoughts differed from Zhao Run’s. She reflected that rumors suggested her brother intended to pass the headship of the Qi family to Qi Yun, but in her view, this was entirely incorrect. Take this private residence, for instance—if the family favored Qi Yun more, why didn’t they allow him to build his own mansion? Qi Yun was already married and even had a daughter. Wouldn’t it be more reasonable for him to build a house than Qi Ying? Clearly, her brother still favored Jingchen more.

After discussing the garden’s artistry with Qi Ying, Zhao Run talked about his recent return to Jiankang and then moved on to political matters in the court, leaving the children present quite bored. Seeing the three youngsters listless, Qi Ying allowed Qi Ning to take his siblings and sister on a tour of the garden. Naturally, the two boys were delighted. Although Zhao Yao wasn’t particularly happy—she would have been content sitting idly in the hall—though she found the conversation between her father and second brother somewhat dull, being able to see her second brother was still a pleasure.

However, since her second brother had already spoken, and her third and fourth brothers were eager to go, she couldn’t refuse further. Thus, the three performed their courtesies to the elders and second brother before leaving the main hall together.

Fenghe Garden was vast, and fearing they might get lost, Qi Ying assigned some servants to guide them. But who were Qi Ning and Qi Le? They certainly didn’t need anyone to show them the way. They weren’t first-timers here, and though they weren’t very familiar with the place, they weren’t strangers either. In no time, they began exploring the garden, introducing the settings and scenery to Zhao Yao as they went.

As they walked, Zhao Yao noticed a round-arched stone gate in the garden with the words “Wang Yuan” inscribed above it. Passing through the stone gate revealed a quaint little world—a small pond with a pavilion by its side, lotuses planted in the water, and bamboo surrounding it. Finding the place beautiful and intriguing, she stepped forward towards the stone gate but was stopped by Qi Le.

Zhao Yao turned to look at Qi Le, asking, “Why are you holding me back, Fourth Brother?”

Qi Le replied, “That place is off-limits. Second Brother doesn’t allow anyone to enter.”

Zhao Yao was puzzled. Qi Ning, standing beside her, added with a laugh, “He’s not lying to you. When he first came here, he tried to sneak into that small garden and was caught by Bai Song, who dragged him out by the collar.”

Seeing that his older brother had revealed this incident, Qi Le felt he had lost face in front of Sister Yao and became rather annoyed. Hearing Sister Yao ask, “Is that true? I don’t see anything special about that garden. Why does Second Brother forbid entry?” Qi Ning shrugged and said, “Who knows?”

Still confused, Zhao Yao glanced again at Wang Yuan. It wasn’t an extraordinary sight, and she didn’t have a particular desire to go there. But once she heard that Second Brother forbade others from entering, she suddenly wanted to go in. She secretly thought that one day she would make Second Brother permit her entry. Others might not be allowed, but she could be.

However, despite her grand aspirations, she knew she wasn’t particularly favored by Second Brother yet. Suppressing her slight dissatisfaction, she continued walking with her two brothers past Wang Yuan and into the plum grove.

The plum grove was filled with white plum blossoms, their fragrance intoxicating, like a fairyland on earth. This was Zhao Yao’s first time seeing such a delicate garden, far surpassing the Zhao family’s estate. She admired it endlessly, happily moving around the plum grove like a butterfly—lively and playful. Wearing her light pink jacket today, she appeared particularly radiant among the flowers. Qi Le chased after her from behind, feeling that the little sister he grew up with had grown into a graceful young lady, completely different from the girl who used to fish and climb trees with him. His heart raced.

At this moment, Qi Le noticed Sister Yao suddenly stopping, staring blankly in another direction. Qi Le nudged her, asking what was wrong, but she didn’t reply. He glanced at Third Brother, who was also staring in the same direction, finding it strange. So, he looked over as well.

Under the white plum tree on the other side stood a young girl, about the same age as Zhao Yao, with a red mole on her forehead, slender and ethereal, so beautiful she didn’t seem real, standing among the flowers like a flower spirit.

That was Shen Xiling.

Seeing her from afar, Zhao Yao felt a sudden tightness in her heart. She had been pampered by her parents since childhood, often praised for her beauty, and her mother had told her that one day, when she grew up, she would become a beauty renowned throughout Jiankang. But upon seeing Shen Xiling, she suddenly felt inferior. She had never felt this way before, but now this uncomfortable feeling was lodged in her heart.

Who was she? Why was she in Second Brother’s secondary residence?

Upon seeing Shen Xiling, Qi Ning also had his own thoughts. Noticing her simple attire, which wasn’t the uniform of the maids in Fenghe Garden, and recalling the mention of Miss Fang during breakfast, he formed a guess. He was both excited and incredulous—this girl was indeed strikingly beautiful, but her age was too young. He never expected that behind Second Brother’s upright facade, he would…

Qi Ning marveled silently, and when he looked at Shen Xiling again, he blushed slightly, thinking that this little sister… was too alluring…

Seeing Zhao Yao walking towards the girl with a troubled expression, Qi Ning found it amusing. Unlike Qi Le, he understood human nature and could see Zhao Yao and Aunt’s intentions to climb socially through Second Brother. On the other hand, his foolish younger brother didn’t perceive their intentions at all, eagerly approaching them—it left him speechless.

Zhao Yao approached Shen Xiling, scrutinizing her from top to bottom, lifting her chin slightly and asked, “Who are you? Why are you here?”

Shen Xiling was surprised to suddenly encounter these people.

She had merely been strolling in the garden and unexpectedly met strangers. She didn’t know who they were, but seeing their fine clothes, she assumed they were of noble birth, perhaps esteemed guests of Second Master Qi.

By nature sensitive, Shen Xiling had already sensed some hostility from the young lady in the light pink jacket. Unsure of the reason, she didn’t want to offend her and intended to avoid her.

Without replying, she nodded to Zhao Yao and prepared to leave, but Zhao Yao, seeing her about to go, wouldn’t have it. Pretending to grab Shen Xiling’s wrist, just then Qi Ning interjected with a smile, “Miss, might you be Miss Fang?”

This remark stunned everyone. Qi Le was surprised to realize that this little sister was the one who made egg custard for Second Brother. Zhao Yao was shocked that Second Brother had someone like her around, and even Qi Ning knew about it, indicating it had been going on for some time. Shen Xiling was especially bewildered, unsure who this unfamiliar gentleman was and how he knew the false name Qi Ying had given her.

Feeling cautious, she discreetly observed the group. Although Qi Ning and Qi Le didn’t resemble Qi Ying much, their facial features bore a faint resemblance. She guessed the two were young masters of the Qi family. Since Qi Ning had pointed out her name, she couldn’t evade further and performed a courtesy to the three, saying, “I am Fang Jun, pleased to meet Miss and the two young masters.”

Though Zhao Yao initially intended to give Shen Xiling a cold reception, hearing Qi Ning call her a miss and observing Shen Xiling’s elegant and cultured demeanor made her speculate that she was from a prominent family. However, after pondering for a moment, she couldn’t recall any distinguished families in Jiankang surnamed Fang and guessed she had only recently arrived in Jiankang. Unable to discern her background, Zhao Yao decided it would be unwise to treat her too harshly. Softening her demeanor slightly, she said, “Miss Fang, a pleasure. I am Zhao Yao, Second Brother’s cousin.”

Qi Ning and Qi Le also greeted Shen Xiling. Qi Le, still young and straightforward, asked with a grin, “Miss Fang, why are you here? How do you know my second brother?”

Qi Le’s directness left Shen Xiling at a loss for words. She was unsure how to respond without causing trouble for Qi Ying, her expression hesitant. Sensing her discomfort, Qi Ning’s eyes darted around as he chuckled and said, “We were just feeling thirsty from our stroll in the garden and were planning to go back for some water. Would Miss Fang care to join us?”

Shen Xiling remembered Qi Ying’s warning from the previous night—”Speak less, act less; the more you say, the more mistakes you’ll make”—and naturally wished to avoid entanglement with these strangers. She shook her head politely to decline, but Zhao Yao wouldn’t have it. She grabbed Shen Xiling’s hand and said, “Why hesitate? I’ve only recently returned to Jiankang with my parents and don’t have many friends yet. Since we’ve met by chance, we might as well chat a little.”

Before Shen Xiling could think of a response, Qi Ning interjected with a smile, making the decision for her. “Then let’s go,” he said cheerfully. “Let’s find Second Brother.”

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Author’s Note:

I want to pat Qi Ning on the shoulder and tell him: That’s your future sister-in-law. If you blush now, you’re in dangerous territory, young man.

Kid, don’t narrow your path like this, alright?