Su Qing climbed down the sedan after Feng Yi's announcement that they reached the Jun Palace. Ah Lan and Ah Mei got down after her, and the trio followed the brooding guard as he led the way.
The Seventh Prince's residence was lavish with dense lush orchards and gardens graced with jade statues of the buddha. The servants arranged several wooden chairs in the patio under the canopy of grapevines. While Su Qing admired her peaceful surroundings, Ah Lan and Ah Mei fixed their eyes on the blooming peonies that bordered the pathway on which they were going.
The interior of the palace was as remarkable as the vibrant gardens that circled it on the outside. The intricate furnishings were scanty, but the decked walls displayed rare paintings that stretched from pretty peach blossoms to the bloodstained battlegrounds. Su Qing noticed several porcelain vases that stood proud on the wooden platforms. One particular wall had two swords stuck on to it signifying a noble boast of authority. The palace was in random picturesque order.
Su Qing sensed something odd as they neared the chamber in which the servants said the Seventh Prince would be in. A fragrant, mouth-watering smell assaulted their noses and a piece of soft music greeted them. Servants rushed in with several trays of wine and food, while a few rushed out with empty ones.
Then they heard the sweet laughter which entwined with the musical notes.
While the seductive feminine giggles bewildered Su Qing, Ah Lan and Ah Mei turned beet red in shame.
The prince is engaging himself with other women on his wedding day...
Su Qing halted. No, she wasn't feeling embarrassed. She was more worried if she would end up looking at something impure if she dared barge in. She was a simple maiden and didn't prefer to mar her eyes. Ah Lan cleared her throat, but Ah Mei glared at Feng Yi in annoyance.
On their side, even the detached and emotionless Feng Yi wished that the ground would swallow him. The entire scenario embarrassed him despite his icy facade.
Master is fooling around even on his wedding day! Hadn't he humiliated his bride enough? Should he invite courtesans to home even on his wedding day?!
"Miss, W-where are you going?" Feng Yi's heart flipped when he saw Su Qing walk towards the door. He rushed behind Su Qing to stop her, but he was too late.
Su Qing slid the door open.
Three women garbed in pristine white played the Guzheng, Erhu, and the Flute. The dancers clad in the shimmering silky pink gauge skimmed along the floor like pretty butterflies. The synchrony of the ten women as they spun along was laudable.
"Are you enjoying the wine?"
"It's bitter enough for my taste," He Jian answered as he twirled the liquid in the porcelain cup.
"Haha! Brother Jian, good wine always goes hand-in-hand with beauty, so why don't you choose one dancer?" Fu Han suggested and downed his cup of wine.
"Nothing can give me more pleasure than a jug of wine. The farther we stay away from women, the wiser our hearts are. So, I have to dismiss your absurd suggestion."
"Tsk, Brother Jian, you are boring," Fu Han then jibed at Wang Mo Xie, "Brother Mo Xie, why don't you choose a woman? I've heard that Prime Minister Su's Second daughter is sick, if it's true then you are at a loss..."
"Words are that your bride is so terrible that you can't look at her face! How can you pleasure her without looking at her, ah?" Gao Wen wriggled his eyebrows.
In the music's midst, Fu Han and Gao Ren laughed as they patted Wang Mo Xie on his shoulders. They lazed on the cushioned couch while the servants stood by their side.
Gao Ren did not know that the sick bride he taunted was standing a few feet behind them.
Su Qing did not identify who the man was, but she felt uncomfortable after hearing his crude remarks.
How can he speak of her like that?
Su Qing took a step back and closed the door. She would never walk into a room where a man evaluated her like a sheer item based on its outer appearance. She can find the Seventh Prince later and hoped that he was not as spiteful as his friend.
"Guard Feng Yi, lead us to our courtyard."
Su Qing straightened her back and walked away without reaching for the help of Ah Lan and Ah Mei. The two girls worried about Su Qing's fragile body and hurried behind her like a tail while Feng Yi sighed as he caught on to them.
...
"I only asked if you liked the wine or not." Wang Mo Xie frowned at the drunk men. "When did you turn into gossipmongers? Is there any need to speak of a lady in that way? You need a thorough beating!"
"Brother Mo Xie, you did not escort the bride. It's clear that you are not interested in marrying her. Why are you getting angry now? "
"I'm not interested in marriage," Wang Mo Xie retorted, "Even if the bride is a capital beauty, I would have done the same. It's not the girl's fault. Fu Han quit your nonsense!"
"Gao Wen, stop commenting about her body. I loathe such behavior," Wang Mo Xie placed the wine cup on the table and stood up, "I'll be heading out for a walk, I need to clear my mind."
"Brother Jian, is the prince angry?" Gao Wen slurred, drunk.
"I'll go after Mo Xie. Fu Han, take this cockroach away from here. His words stink," He Jian ignored Gao Wen and narrowed his eyes at Fu Han, "Am I clear?"
"Y-yes, brother."
...
"Young miss, Prince Jun instructed us to prepare Serene Plum Courtyard for you. As you can see, all the servants are busy with their chores. The two maids behind you can clean this abandoned courtyard on their own or with your help, pfft..."
"What did you address me as?" Su Qing asked ignoring the maids' taunts.
"You aren't expecting me to call you Jun wangfei, are you? Even an unwanted miss is aiming to become the prince's consort, how pathetic!"
Su Qing's lips curved into a cold smirk under the bridal veil.
"Ah Mei, slap that insolent girl thrice!"