Chapter 65: The Flower-Viewing Gathering (1)

After that day, Shen Xiqing began studying under Qi Ying.

To be fair, Qi Ying was an excellent teacher.

Although he was taciturn and rarely had time to critique her essays, when he did, his explanations were clear and easy to understand. He would also show her the writings of Qi San and Qi Si—his younger brothers. Though their skills weren’t yet fully developed, they were still better than hers. Their work wasn’t so far beyond her reach that she felt overwhelmed; instead, it helped her learn more effectively.

After reading their essays, Qi Ying would then show her the revised versions he had personally corrected for them. Gradually, Shen Xiqing began to grasp the subtleties of improvement through these edits. In just a few days, she gained a great deal.

The only downside was how busy he was. He often returned to Fenghe Garden very late, so the time he spent checking her lessons was usually even later. She frequently stayed up waiting for him, sometimes managing to stay awake until he returned, other times dozing off unintentionally. As a result, she ended up sleeping in the inner chamber of the Forgetfulness Room several more times.

Moreover, since she started studying with Qi Ying, she was allowed free access to the Forgetfulness Room. When he wasn’t there, she would roam around freely, picking out books to read. Sometimes, when he was present, she would quietly slip in to retrieve something to read. At first, he would glance up at her when she entered, but over time, it became such a common occurrence that he no longer bothered to look up.

As they spent more time together, Shen Xiqing increasingly realized that Qi Ying wasn’t someone who nitpicked over trivial matters or imposed many rules. As long as she didn’t overstep boundaries, he wouldn’t interfere, which made her feel at ease.

This sense of freedom emboldened her to make her first request since meeting him: she hoped to have her own small desk in the Forgetfulness Room, where she could study.

Although Qi Ying had previously told her to speak up if she needed anything, Shen Xiqing still felt some apprehension after voicing her request, fearing she might be overstepping. To her surprise, Qi Ying readily agreed and had Qingzhu arrange a small desk for her the very next day.

Naturally, Shen Xiqing was delighted. She also discovered that a shift in her attitude and perspective could change how she perceived and experienced things. Take Qingzhu, for example. She had initially thought he disliked her and was therefore hesitant to speak with him. But since she started studying in the Forgetfulness Room, their interactions became more frequent.

Though Qingzhu appeared mature for his age, he was essentially just a boy not much older than her. Occasionally, he made mistakes too. During her free time, Shen Xiqing would help him boil water for Qi Ying’s tea, and sometimes, when she encountered him looking lost, she would subtly guide him without drawing attention. Although Qingzhu never explicitly thanked her, his attitude toward her softened considerably compared to before.

Shen Xiqing grew even happier, feeling that life was truly improving.

Another noteworthy development was that Qi Ying began giving her pocket money.

At first, this made Shen Xiqing feel deeply honored.

She already lived in his estate, with all her daily needs provided for. Accepting pocket money on top of that seemed presumptuous, so she naturally declined.

Qi Ying, however, saw no issue with it. He reassured her not to worry and explained, “I can’t attend to every detail of your life. You’ll surely want things from time to time, and having some silver on hand will allow you to buy them yourself without needing to go through me, making things more convenient.”

Still, Shen Xiqing shook her head.

Her life at Fenghe Garden was comfortable, and she lacked nothing. Having grown up in poverty, she now had everything she needed and desired nothing more.

After pondering for a moment, Qi Ying relented. “In that case… let’s try this…”

He gave her ownership of a small fabric shop.

It was one of his many private properties, located within Jiankang City. The shop wasn’t large, and its monthly profits were reportedly meager, making it insignificant to him. He handed the shop over to her, instructing her to continue depositing seven-tenths of the profits into his private account while keeping the remaining three-tenths as her pocket money.

Hearing this, Shen Xiqing felt intrigued.

Truthfully, she wasn’t indifferent to wealth. Having grown up in poverty, she understood the value of money well. Her refusal of Qi Ying’s earlier offer of pocket money stemmed from her dislike of receiving unearned benefits. However, this arrangement was different. She could try her hand at managing the shop, and the three-tenths profit wouldn’t feel like charity—it would be her hard-earned money. Though she would still be indebted to him, it was better than doing nothing.

If she managed the shop successfully and the profits grew, not only would she gain more, but she could also contribute more to his account. While he likely cared little about such modest earnings, for her, it was a goal worth striving for.

Qi Ying could see that the girl liked the idea, so the matter was settled. As he was preoccupied with official duties, he didn’t personally manage these private assets. Most of the accounts were handled by Lady Yao, while a small portion was overseen by a bookkeeper named Ding at Fenghe Garden. Currently, Ding was away collecting accounts and wouldn’t return to Jiankang for a few more days. Qi Ying suggested that Shen Xiqing learn the ropes from Ding once he returned.

Shen Xiqing was thrilled and thanked Qi Ying for his kindness.

Qi Ying, however, considered the matter more deeply than Shen Xiqing did.

Before her father passed away to ensure her safety, he had entrusted Qi Ying with two staggering fortunes. Though Qi Ying had accepted them at the time, he had no intention of keeping them for himself. Ultimately, he planned to return the money to the girl. However, as Chancellor Shen had rightly pointed out, wealth without power to protect it was meaningless. Such a vast fortune would be a hazard rather than a blessing for Shen Xiqing in her current state. Until she grew up, it was best for Qi Ying to hold onto it for her.

He hoped she would develop a skill, and if she learned to manage wealth, he wouldn’t need to worry about her in the future. For now, he intended to let her practice with this small fabric shop. If she succeeded, all the better; if not, he wouldn’t force her. Worst-case scenario, he could think of another path for her later.

Such days passed quickly, and the annual Qingji Mountain flower-viewing gathering arrived.

Given Shen Xiqing’s ambiguous status, it wasn’t appropriate for her to appear openly among others, so Qi Ying didn’t invite her to attend. Shen Xiqing understood the reasoning and, being naturally disinclined to draw attention to herself, readily agreed to stay behind in her Woyu Courtyard to drink tea and read books.

However, her maidservants weren’t as carefree as she was. Zi Jun, resting her chin on the table while munching on boiled soybeans, complained morosely, “Can’t we really go? Can’t we ask Master Qi? The flowers in the rear garden are blooming all over the mountain—they’re so vibrant and beautiful. Today, many noble guests have arrived. It would be nice for us to tag along and get a glimpse of the world.”

Before Shen Xiqing could respond, Shui Pei interjected, tapping Zi Jun lightly on the forehead and teasingly scolding her, “You can admire the flowers in the rear garden any other day. Why insist on today? And since when do you have the nerve to join the festivities of the nobility? Master Qi said we can’t go, so sit tight and eat your soybeans.”

Zi Jun pouted. Meanwhile, Feng Chang chimed in, “But I heard today is especially lively. Several princes are here too. Wouldn’t it be a shame not to take a peek?”

Shui Pei naturally reprimanded Feng Chang as well, all the while covertly glancing at Shen Xiqing, worried that their young mistress might be swayed by Zi Jun and Feng Chang’s words. To her relief, Shen Xiqing remained calm and showed no signs of discontent, allowing Shui Pei to breathe a sigh of relief. Fearing further trouble from Zi Jun and Feng Chang’s chatter, she shooed them out of the room. “Miss wants to study. You two stop making noise indoors. Go outside if you want to eat or talk.”

Shui Pei’s authority among the three maidservants was undisputed. Though Zi Jun and Feng Chang were roughly the same age as her, they somehow always obeyed her commands. Once she dismissed them, they dutifully exited the room.

However, as soon as they were out of Shui Pei’s sight, the mischievous ideas resurfaced. While sharing the soybeans, they gazed longingly at the cherry blossoms covering the rear garden, occasionally hearing snippets of laughter and conversation from the noble guests’ feast. It was as though they had caught a glimpse of a celestial paradise, leaving them utterly captivated.

Zi Jun swallowed hard, finding the soybeans suddenly tasteless. Glancing at Feng Chang, she tentatively suggested, “Why don’t we sneak over and take a look?”

Feng Chang hesitated, wavering. She was more timid than Zi Jun and hesitated, saying, “Ah? But… isn’t Master Qi forbidding our young mistress from going?”

Zi Jun nudged her, replying, “He only said our young mistress couldn’t go—he didn’t say we couldn’t! Yesterday, I overheard Jade Sister mention that they were short-handed for the flower-viewing gathering. We can offer to help and sneak a peek while we’re at it.”

Feng Chang wavered further. Sensing her hesitation, Zi Jun pressed on, “If we miss this chance, we’ll have to wait another year. Didn’t you say you wanted to see what Princess Six looked like? She’s here today! If not now, when?”

Seeing Feng Chang still hesitating, Zi Jun added the final push, saying, “Besides, even if Master Qi catches us, he adores our young mistress so much that he didn’t blame her even after the incident at the main house. If our young mistress pleads for us, do you think Master Qi would refuse her request?”

Convinced, Feng Chang finally relented. The two mischievous maids encouraged each other and set off toward the rear garden of Fenghe Garden.

That day, the scenery in the rear garden of Qingji Mountain was breathtakingly beautiful, brimming with endless charm.

The spring mountains were lush and green, bathed in the warm sunlight and gentle breeze of early spring. The cherry trees were in full bloom, their blossoms clustering densely on the branches. Occasionally, a light breeze would sweep through, creating the scene of falling petals often described in books—a sight that evoked tender affection.

Beneath the clouds of pink blossoms sat distinguished guests, nobles and scholars of Jiangzuo gathered together. Seated on plush cushions, the guests mingled while servants moved gracefully among the flowers. It was a harmonious and prosperous scene, akin to a grand celebration.

Lady Yao had personally overseen the arrangements for this gathering. Though she came from a family of minor officials, she had managed household affairs for over twenty years in the Qi family, making her a true expert in orchestrating such events. Today, despite the seemingly casual seating arrangements, every detail was meticulously planned. Which family sat beneath which cherry tree, which families should sit near each other, and which families should avoid proximity—all these considerations required careful thought. Even the size of the cherry trees above each family’s seating area had been carefully evaluated. It was a profound art form.

Thanks to Lady Yao’s meticulous planning, the gathering proceeded smoothly, with guests appearing content and no hint of discord.

As the hosts, the Qi family naturally occupied the prime spot beneath a particularly lush cherry tree, close to the mountain stream at the rear. Besides Qi Zhang and Lady Yao, the children of the household were also present: Qi Yun and his wife, along with their only daughter Hui’er, as well as Qi San and Qi Si. Qi Ying, however, was absent, having gone somewhere else.

The seats of the three great families were arranged closely together. The Han and Fu families occupied the spaces on either side.

The Fu family delegation was small, consisting of only Fu Zhuo, Fu Rong, and their half-brother Fu Ran. The elders of the Fu family were absent, save for a few members of the collateral branches. It was said that Madam Fu had recently fallen ill, so Fu Zhuo’s father, Fu Bi, had stayed home to care for her, regretfully missing the event. In contrast, the Han family had sent more representatives. Not only did Han Shousong personally accompany his wife, but even Han Shouye and his spouse were present. Han Feiyu and Han Feichi, the two brothers, had also arrived, along with several other children from the family’s secondary branches.

The families gathered beneath the trees, exchanging laughter and conversation, raising their cups in celebration and reveling in harmony. Observers could not help but marvel at the opulence of the scene. Beneath just three cherry trees sat the three most powerful families in Jiangzuo, wielding immense wealth and influence over the region. Their power rivaled even that of the Emperor of Liang, and with a mere thought or decision, they could sway the fate of the entire realm.

________________________________________

While the flower-viewing gathering unfolded in the rear garden, Shen Xiqing remained in her Woyu Courtyard, sipping tea and reading quietly. Though she hadn’t been invited to join the festivities, she felt no resentment. She had long since grown accustomed to staying out of the limelight and preferred the tranquility of her books and solitude.

Her maidservants, however, were less content with their exclusion. Zi Jun and Feng Chang had managed to slip away to catch a glimpse of the grand gathering, leaving Shui Pei behind to ensure their young mistress didn’t feel neglected. But Shen Xiqing showed no signs of disappointment. On the contrary, she seemed entirely at peace, her focus absorbed in the pages before her.

As she read, her thoughts occasionally drifted to Qi Ying. She wondered where he might be and what he was doing. Was he among the guests, exchanging pleasantries and discussing matters of state? Or had he retreated to some quiet corner, perhaps seeking respite from the crowd? She imagined him standing beneath the cherry blossoms, his figure tall and composed, exuding an air of effortless grace. Yet, as quickly as these thoughts surfaced, she dismissed them, chiding herself for indulging in such idle musings.

Instead, she turned her attention back to her book. It was one of Qi Ying’s recommendations—a collection of essays by a renowned scholar who wrote on governance and philosophy. Though some passages were challenging, she found herself captivated by the author’s insights. Each sentence seemed to reveal a new layer of understanding, and she made careful notes in the margins, jotting down questions and reflections for later discussion with Qi Ying.

Time passed unnoticed as she immersed herself in her studies. When she finally set the book aside, the afternoon sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the courtyard. She rose from her desk and stretched, feeling a sense of accomplishment mixed with quiet satisfaction. For the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of purpose—a small but meaningful step toward independence.

________________________________________

Meanwhile, Zi Jun and Feng Chang had successfully infiltrated the edges of the gathering. They lingered near the periphery, trying to blend in with the bustling servants while stealing glances at the nobles seated beneath the cherry trees.

“Look!” Zi Jun whispered excitedly, tugging at Feng Chang’s sleeve. “That’s Princess Six—the one everyone talks about!”

Feng Chang followed her gaze and saw a young woman seated among the guests. Her beauty was striking, enhanced by the delicate peach blossom ornament adorning her hair. Her laughter carried softly through the air, melodic and enchanting.

“She’s even prettier than I imagined,” Feng Chang murmured, her eyes wide with admiration.

Zi Jun nodded fervently. “And look over there—those are the princes! They say Prince Xiao Zihan is the cleverest of them all. See how he’s talking to Master Qi?”

Sure enough, Qi Ying had joined the gathering. He stood beside Xiao Zihan, exchanging words with an air of calm authority. His presence commanded attention, yet he remained unassuming, blending seamlessly into the scene.

“He doesn’t seem like someone who’d lose his temper easily,” Zi Jun remarked thoughtfully. “But then again, he must be very strict when it comes to serious matters.”

Feng Chang giggled softly. “You’re just saying that because you’re scared of him!”

Before Zi Jun could retort, a servant approached them, carrying a tray laden with fragrant tea. Recognizing an opportunity to ingratiate themselves, the two girls quickly stepped forward to assist. They moved discreetly, ensuring they didn’t draw too much attention, but their curiosity kept them close enough to observe the unfolding spectacle.

________________________________________

Amidst the lively atmosphere of the gathering, Qi Ying maintained a composed demeanor. He exchanged polite greetings with the guests, offering well-timed compliments and engaging in light conversation. Yet, beneath his serene exterior, his mind was occupied with weighty matters.

He observed the interactions between the families, noting subtle shifts in alliances and undercurrents of tension. The flower-viewing gathering was more than just a social event—it was a stage where power dynamics were subtly negotiated and alliances reaffirmed.

His gaze occasionally drifted toward the Fu family’s seating area, where Fu Rong sat quietly beside her brother. She rarely spoke, but her presence was noted by many. Qi Ying knew that her family’s ambitions were tied to her future, and he couldn’t help but reflect on the implications of his grandmother’s intentions.

“Master Qi,” a voice interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Xiao Ziyu approaching, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I heard you’ve been neglecting your duties as a host. Is that true?”

Qi Ying smiled faintly. “Princess, your words wound me. I assure you, I’ve been attending to my responsibilities diligently.”

Xiao Ziyu laughed, clearly enjoying their banter. “Diligence? Is that what you call disappearing for half the day? Come now, admit it—you’ve been avoiding us.”

Though her tone was playful, Qi Ying detected a hint of genuine curiosity beneath her teasing. He chose his words carefully. “If I’ve given that impression, I apologize. There were matters that required my attention.”

Xiao Ziyu tilted her head, studying him intently. “Matters? Or perhaps someone?”

Qi Ying raised an eyebrow, amused by her persistence. “Someone, Princess? You flatter yourself.”

She pouted theatrically. “Oh, so now I’m reduced to flattery? Very well, I’ll leave you to your mysterious ‘matters.’ But don’t think I won’t find out eventually.”

With a mischievous wink, she turned and rejoined her companions, leaving Qi Ying to ponder her parting words. Xiao Ziyu was perceptive, and he knew better than to underestimate her intuition.

________________________________________

As the gathering drew to a close, Qi Ying found himself reflecting on the events of the day. The display of wealth and influence had been impressive, yet it underscored the precarious nature of power. Families vied for dominance, alliances shifted, and fortunes rose and fell—all beneath the seemingly serene canopy of cherry blossoms.

He thought of Shen Xiqing and the fabric shop he had entrusted to her. It was a modest beginning, but he hoped it would teach her valuable lessons about responsibility and self-reliance. Wealth, when wielded wisely, could be a tool for empowerment. But without prudence, it could become a burden—or worse, a liability.

For now, she was safe within the confines of Fenghe Garden, shielded from the complexities of the outside world. But he knew that wouldn’t last forever. One day, she would have to navigate the treacherous waters of Jiangzuo society on her own. And when that day came, he wanted her to be prepared.

________________________________________

Author’s Note: Only three chapters left until Wenwen grows up! Our little heiress takes her first step toward financial independence.