Volume 4: The Peerless Peony

Chapter 1: Reunion at the Time of Blossoms (1)

Three years later.

In early April, flowers were in full bloom throughout Taiping Prefecture, their delicate fragrance floating on the breeze. It was once again the perfect season for spring outings.

On the very day that news of victory came from the border, it had been exactly three years since Prince Wu Rui’an’s departure.

The sixth son of Empress Chen Zhao, Prince Wu Rui’an, had led his army to defeat the invading Tujue forces, defending the borders and earning fame across kingdoms.

Empress Chen Zhao immediately bestowed upon him the title of Supreme General of Divine Protection, a position equivalent to the vice-commander of the entire Xuanwu Empire, placing under his command an army of one hundred thousand soldiers.

This news sent ripples through Taiping Prefecture once more.

If three years ago, Wu Rui’an was merely a figurehead prince with no real achievements to his name, then now, he was truly a man reborn—someone who deserved to be seen in an entirely new light.

In the past, he was often dismissed as mediocre, neither excelling in literature nor martial arts, and thus never gained the empress’s favor. But now, even Empress Chen Zhao had to admit that among her four legitimate sons, he was the most capable and deserving of her trust.

Overjoyed, Empress Chen Zhao personally bestowed eight characters upon him, praising him as: “Exemplary in both appearance and virtue, possessing both talent and integrity.”

In an instant, Wu Rui’an transformed from an overlooked prince into the most sought-after bachelor of the court. Whoever became his princess might one day ascend to become the crown princess, and eventually, the empress of Great Xuanwu.

Young ladies from noble families across the land eagerly extended their necks, sharpening their claws in anticipation. Prestigious clans scrambled to find the finest painters, hoping to depict their daughters as goddesses of beauty so that when the empress issued an edict to select a bride for Prince Wu Rui’an, they could win his heart with their portraits and secure their place by his side.

Meanwhile, common folk weren’t idle either.

They’d heard that before, Wu Rui’an had been infatuated with a doctor who ran a clinic. Though no one knew where this clinic was located, they did know its name: Jian Su.

And so overnight, countless clinics sprang up throughout Taiping Prefecture.

These clinics shared striking similarities: first, all were run by women; second, their names carried an air of elegance.

Some were called Jian Su Bao Pu (Embracing Simplicity), others Shao Si Gua Yu (Minimizing Desire), or variations like Shou Qi Ben Zhen (Guarding One’s Essence) and Xian Qi Chun Pu (Revealing Simplicity).

All these names stemmed from phrases in Laozi’s Tao Te Ching , particularly inspired by “Jian Su.” Believing that aligning themselves with such philosophy would somehow evoke feelings in Wu Rui’an, they hoped he might fall for them.

Di Jiang hadn’t stepped out of her home in ages, but today, upon seeing the sudden proliferation of clinics along the streets, she exclaimed in astonishment, “What has gotten into people these days? Have they all gone mad?”

“It’s not the world that’s gone crazy—it’s you…” Yao Yao muttered under her breath.

When Di Jiang overheard her, she replied, “What do you mean? Compared to them, I’m perfectly normal.” She pointed to a strikingly beautiful woman diagnosing patients by the roadside and laughed, saying, “Since when do doctors dress themselves up like peacocks?”

“But don’t you spend time primping every day too? Why is it okay for you but not for them?” Yao Yao shot back.

“They’re doing it to seduce men! I do it because I enjoy it,” Di Jiang retorted.

After hearing this, Yao Yao rolled her eyes, clearly wanting to say something but restraining herself.

Seeing her conflicted expression, Di Jiang said, “Go ahead and speak your mind. Today, I absolve you of any offense.”

“Really?”

“Truly.”

“All right! Then I’ll say it straight—you can’t get angry!”

Di Jiang nodded solemnly. “I promise I won’t.”

Yao Yao cleared her throat and began, “As the saying goes, ‘A graceful lady is admired by gentlemen,’ and the reverse holds true too. Shouldn’t virtuous maidens pursue talented and handsome men? Prince Rui’an surpasses Zhong Xu in every way—anyone with eyes can see that. Yet you insist on fancying some old Taoist priest, with his horrid beard… Tell me, isn’t it you who’s gone mad?”

“…” Di Jiang stared at her wide-eyed, speechless for a long moment.

Yao Yao waved her hand in front of Di Jiang’s face, trying to snap her out of her daze, but failed.

After what felt like an eternity, Di Jiang finally let out a barely audible sigh. “You’re right… It’s been so long since I last saw Zhong Xu…” Her voice dripped with sorrow, regret, and heartbreak.

Hearing this, Yao Yao clenched her fists angrily, standing beside her in a fit of frustration. “So after all my ranting, your focus was entirely on that old Taoist?”

“Zhong Xu isn’t old—he’s only in his early twenties.”

“But his appearance certainly is! Compared to Prince Rui’an…”

“Enough!” Di Jiang cut her off sharply. “For days now, all I’ve heard about is Prince Rui’an. Everyone is singing his praises—I’ve grown sick of it and don’t want to hear another word.”

“But…” Yao Yao started to protest again, only to notice Di Jiang’s darkening expression. Realizing she was treading dangerous ground, she reluctantly closed her mouth.

Di Jiang sighed deeply and continued, “We are not human. We shouldn’t dwell on such matters. Prince Rui’an may be remarkable, but he needs a mortal woman worthy of him. That person will never be me.”

Yao Yao didn’t argue further, knowing there was no changing her master’s mind once it was made up. Silence fell between them as they walked along, taking in the vibrant blossoms and lively spring scenery around them.

At one point, Yao Yao suddenly blurted out, “Master, it’s been ages since you last wrote anything in your Flower Deity Chronicles .”

“Yes…” Di Jiang sighed faintly, sitting down on the edge of a bridge. She gazed listlessly at the bustling crowd below, feeling a deep sense of loss.

Over the past three years, she had encountered many poignant stories worth telling, but without Zhong Xu, something always seemed missing. Somehow, those tales required his presence to feel complete—as if they couldn’t exist without him.

Noticing she had inadvertently stirred Di Jiang’s longing once more, Yao Yao quickly changed the subject. “April showers bring May flowers, yet here in the capital, peonies reign supreme. The queen of all blossoms, unmatched in splendor, truly captivates the heart.”

Di Jiang blinked in surprise, then chuckled behind her hand. “Look who’s quoting poetry now, despite rarely cracking open a book. Where did you hear that?”

“Oh, I knew you’d catch me,” Yao Yao sighed, grinning excitedly. “Have you heard about the Peony Gentleman making waves in the capital recently?”

“The Peony Gentleman?” Di Jiang pondered, recalling that she had indeed heard whispers of him before, though she hadn’t paid much attention until now.

Yao Yao cleared her throat dramatically. “The illustrious Jiang Qionglin, known as the Peony Gentleman, is a paragon of refinement. He excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, effortlessly composing poetry and prose. His brilliance rivals even Shen Zimo, the top scholar during the Shengwu era, and his looks are no less dazzling than Prince Rui’an’s…”

“Then why is Wu Rui’an hailed as the most handsome man in the land?” Di Jiang interrupted.

“It’s all about status!” Yao Yao gestured animatedly. “Wu Rui’an is the empress’s legitimate son, born into nobility. Even if someone matches his beauty, their lower social standing makes the title unattainable for them.”

“Oh, go on,” Di Jiang urged.

“So, while he isn’t called the most handsome man, he’s instead crowned the most beautiful person alive. Do you understand what that means?” Yao Yao’s eyes sparkled dreamily.

Before Di Jiang could respond, Yao Yao burst out excitedly, “It means he’s prettier than most women! Though he doesn’t claim the title of most handsome man, being the most beautiful person speaks volumes. Put simply, he’s stunning enough to rival any woman.”

“Is he really that beautiful?”

“Absolutely!” Yao Yao confirmed, then added another detail that left Di Jiang astonished.

“Who exactly is this mysterious figure?”

“Well…” Yao Yao hesitated. “Despite his immense talent, fate dealt him a cruel hand, casting him into the red-light district. He’s currently working at Huanyi Pavilion, exclusively serving female patrons.”

“…” Di Jiang’s lips parted slightly, visibly shocked.

Yao Yao continued, “Rumors about him have circulated for a while, but recently, his popularity skyrocketed. Do you know what happened?”

“Hmm?” Di Jiang leaned in curiously. She hadn’t paid much attention to such affairs in the past, but now, hearing Yao Yao recount the story, she sensed there might be something compelling hidden beneath the surface.

Yao Yao recounted an intriguing incident that had occurred not long ago.

Roughly six months prior, the Peony Gentleman arrived at Huanyi Pavilion, and ever since, the establishment had been flooded with visitors. As his reputation grew, tales of his beauty spread far and wide—even reaching Empress Chen Zhao within the secluded palace walls. One day, after court, she casually asked her ministers, “Is the Peony Gentleman truly as beautiful as they say? How does he compare to my beloved son, Prince Rui’an?”

The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, stammering diplomatically, “Prince Rui’an was born of noble blood and stands unparalleled in the world. How could a mere courtesan compare? Naturally, the prince is far more handsome.”

Empress Chen Zhao understood their subtext but pressed them further, granting immunity before one minister finally admitted, “In terms of appearance, they are evenly matched.”

Far from being offended, the empress smiled, amused by the revelation.

When this anecdote reached the public, the Peony Gentleman’s fame soared to unprecedented heights. His allure became priceless, coveted by all.

“Is he really that beautiful?” Di Jiang asked curiously.

“I want to see for myself… but…” Yao Yao trailed off hesitantly.

“But what?” Di Jiang prodded.

“But the entry fee to Huanyi Pavilion is exorbitant. Without you accompanying me, I…”

Di Jiang’s eyes twinkinkled mischievously. Drawing out the syllable, she teased, “Ah, so you’re trying to trick me into paying your way?”

“No, no! You misunderstand! I’m inviting you to share in the springtime sights!” Yao Yao grinned broadly.

“Very well, I’ll indulge your wish. Let’s take a look.”

“I know the way—I’ll lead you there!” With that, Di Jiang set off, and Yao Yao followed cheerfully, only for rain to suddenly pour down from the skies above.

The drizzle soon turned into a torrential downpour. Neither Di Jiang nor Yao Yao had brought umbrellas, and being in the bustling marketplace, they couldn’t use magic to shield themselves.

“Alas, the heavens are against us,” Di Jiang shrugged resignedly.

With no other choice, they braved the rain and hurried home. By the time they returned to the clinic, soaked to the bone, their makeup had washed away completely, leaving them looking disheveled and bedraggled.

“You didn’t bring an umbrella?” Shuxiang, who greeted them at the door, looked taken aback.

“It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? If we had an umbrella, would we be drenched like this?” Yao Yao rolled her eyes. “Quick, fetch us some dry towels!”

Shuxiang rushed inside, retrieving two towels and preparing hot water for baths. After soaking in steaming baths, the sky had grown completely dark.

Glancing outside the window, Di Jiang felt inexplicably weary and decided to skip dinner, collapsing onto her bed fully clothed.

In the middle of the night, hunger woke her from a restless sleep. Still groggy, she opened her eyes to see a shadowy figure looming over her bedside.

“Ah—” Startled, Di Jiang instinctively screamed.

“Don’t shout! It’s me!” The shadow clamped a hand over her mouth, pulling her close.

Di Jiang trembled, recognizing the familiar voice.

Seeing that she had calmed down, the figure gently released her and lit a match, illuminating their faces.

Only then did Di Jiang realize who stood before her—the hottest topic of conversation, the sixth son of Empress Chen Zhao, Prince Wu Rui’an.