The atmosphere in the flower hall came to a sudden halt. No one dared to delve into political matters further, especially with Jiang Xuening's formidable demeanor discouraging any peacemaking attempts.
Many wondered silently: How can a girl, raised on a farm for fourteen years with only four years in Beijing, exudes such an intimidating presence?
Thankfully, at that very moment, the servants outside joyfully interrupted, rushing to announce, "Miss Jin, His Royal Highness Linzi Wang and Prince Yan have arrived."
The previous dispute between You Yue and Jiang Xuening was instantly pushed to the back of everyone's minds. Even You Yue herself momentarily ceased to care.
The young women in the flower hall engaged in excited chatter, each exhibiting an expression of yearning or bashfulness. Some bold souls even ventured to the window by the door for a glimpse.
Only Jiang Xuening experienced a momentary surprise at the mention of Yan Lin. However, it swiftly evolved into a headache. No wonder the Qingyuan uncle's mansion was hosting a grand banquet today; it wasn't due to a resurgence of power but because Yan Lin and Shen Jie were attending!
This is just great—
On the day she declined Yan's casual invitation, expressing her intention to rest at home for a couple of days, little did she anticipate attending a banquet at someone else's house during the Double Ninth Festival on September 9. Now, she feared the pot of jealousy might be stirred.
Chrysanthemum viewing at Qingyuan Bofu typically takes place in the garden. Although male and female guests are segregated, with one group in the flower hall and the other in the water pavilion, the distance between them isn't considerable. Both groups have to traverse a long corridor in the garden when entering.
When the servant arrived to announce the guests, Yan Lin and Shen Jie had already entered from the outside, making their way up the corridor shortly afterward.
Needless to say, Shen Jie exuded the grace and elegance befitting his noble status.
Surprisingly, Yan Lin today chose not to wear a sword, instead opting for the attire of a noble son. Adorned in a sky-water blue brocade gown that flowed down to his waist, a piece of white jade casually hung from his leather belt. The young man, tall and upright, with features akin to carved jade, and eyes reminiscent of morning stars, advanced through the long corridor from a distance. He resembled a scorching sun, leaving onlookers momentarily blinded.
The young ladies in the flower hall, no longer in the age of innocence, were captivated by the sight of such an outstanding young man. A subtle sense of spring love began to sprout in their hearts.
You Yue, at eighteen this year, believed her complexion surpassed that of her elder sister. Being about the same age as Yan Lin, the news of his arrival, combined with the prospect of encountering him, kept her restless through the night. As Yan Lin approached, her heart pounded.
"Oops!"
A young lady leaning against the door suddenly exclaimed, her hand covering her mouth in surprise.
"Why did Yan Shizi come here?"
The entire room was immediately filled with astonishment, and even those attempting to feign calmness stood up, craning their necks to get a better look.
Sure enough, Yan Lin stood on the porch, exchanged a few words with Shen Jie beside him, and then led the servant in green toward the direction of the flower hall.
Speculations buzzed among the attendees.
"What could Yan Shizi be up to?"
"Who is he looking for?"
"Oh, did he come to visit Miss You's family?"
The table where You Yue, Jiang Xuening, and others were seated happened to be by the window, offering the best view in the entire flower hall. They could clearly observe the outside scene.
Conversely, those outside could also catch a glimpse.
You Yue heard the jokes circulating around, and while inwardly delighted, she wore an expression of embarrassment and annoyance. Playfully, she pretended to admonish those making comments, saying, "Don't talk nonsense. Our mansion didn't send an invitation to Yan Shizi. We received his message yesterday, stating his visit for today. The people in the mansion are still puzzled. Who knows why the prince is here?"
Her words, unintentionally, sparked speculation: "Then, it seems the Qingyuan uncle's house holds quite some sway to attract attention."
Seated in a corner by the window, Jiang Xuening remained silent, her face revealing none of the secret excitement and shyness displayed by others.
Everyone's attention was elsewhere, except for You Shuang, who cast a thoughtful glance in Jiang Xuening's direction.
Before long, Yan Lin approached and reached the window.
Today is the banquet at Uncle's mansion in Qingyuan. If Shizi Yan lingers only among the male guests, it's acceptable, but mingling with the female guests could lead people to speculate. If he's at Uncle's mansion and is also seen at the female guest's side, then he's likely here for Miss You's sake. All eyes were on You Yue for a while—filled with doubt, envy, and perhaps a touch of jealousy.
In the eyes of others, You Yue felt an unprecedented nervousness. She almost knocked over the teacup in her trembling hands. Yet, this nervousness soon transformed into pride and vanity. As the host, she needed to entertain the guests. She took a deep breath, composed herself, and displayed a gracious and elegant posture as she stood up slowly, smiling at Yan Lin: "Sir Yan—"
Yan Lin, having grown up in high circles, had been subjected to countless flatteries from women throughout his life. Unimpressed, he barely spared You Yue a glance.
Jiang Xuening, on the other hand, remained seated with a natural and quiet demeanor, her clear eyes revealing a hint of distress, as if she believed she was a burden, stirring a sense of empathy.
Yan Lin, dissatisfied with the perfunctory welcome, had visited the troublesome Qingyuan uncle's mansion reluctantly. He pursed his lips, donned a stern expression, and asked, "Didn't expect me to come today, did you?"
All eyes turned in anticipation.
You Yue's face turned pale, her earlier smile almost distorting into disbelief as she turned her gaze towards Jiang Xuening.
Yan Lin continued, "Step outside."
Gasps filled the room.
Jiang Xuening, understanding his temper, hesitated to offend him publicly. She rose to her feet and exited the flower hall with her front foot, leaving a bombshell behind.
The ladies, who had eagerly anticipated Yan Shizi's arrival, were now in disbelief, casting strange looks at You Yue.
As the host, You Yue stood up to greet the guest but was utterly ignored. Instead, the distinguished guest engaged in conversation with the second girl, Jiang. The abrupt turn of events left the spectators agape.
They initially believed that Prince Yan and His Royal Highness Linzi attended the banquet due to some exceptional quality of the Qingyuan uncle's mansion. However, Prince Yan's recent actions did not align with their assumptions.
You Yue remained in her place, her expression shifting from shock to bewilderment. Prince Yan walked ahead, and Jiang Xuening followed half a step behind. Qing Feng and Tang Er trailed further behind, maintaining a discreet distance.
Once they reached a secluded corner of the garden, Yan Lin halted, gazing at her with a half-smile. "You said you would rest at home for two days, yet here you are at someone else's chrysanthemum appreciation banquet. Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?"
Jiang Xuening, aware that the expected jar of vinegar was about to spill, looked up at him with clear eyes and a gentle smile. "I also saw the invitation from Youfu when I returned home. It was a last-minute decision. Besides, you're here now."
The implication was that she knew Yan Lin would also attend.
Yan Lin couldn't immediately get angry. Instead, he felt a tinge of sweetness. Unable to suppress a genuine smile, he remarked, "I may not have mastered seriousness, but I'm certainly skilled at being coaxed!"
Jiang Xuening pondered in her heart: Isn't he just following my script?
Yet, she said, "Your Highness is quite daring. Just now, with ladies from other mansions present, you dared to come here. The situation today, if seen by others, could lead to various rumors. It's like weaving a woolen cloth."
"Then let them weave it," Yan Lin responded with a hint of dominance, paying little attention to potential gossip.
"In the past, I had two years before being crowned, and it wasn't suitable for everyone to know. There was fear that unexpected incidents might lead to you being entangled in rumors. But now, with only two months left, I wish the whole world knew," he added.
Jiang Xuening fell silent for a moment. What crossed her mind was the calamitous crowning ceremony of Yan Lin in her previous life, where the Yan clan faced destruction and exile. The once-mighty Yan family collapsed like the scorching sun sinking into a valley, shrouded in darkness.
Observing the young man's yearning for adulthood, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.
Yan Lin, sensing her uneasy expression, initially thought she was upset. Awkwardly, he reconsidered and said, "If you're not pleased with this, I won't do it again in the future."
Jiang Xuening's heart grew heavier.
However, Yan Lin took a step closer, gently taking her hand. "Your Highness is still waiting for me. Since you ventured out today, there's no hurry to return. After the afternoon banquet, wait for me on the floor. I'll come out later to take you to see the Lantern Festival."
Yan Lin's hand, used to wielding a sword, had developed some calluses on the fingertips. When he clasped her palm, a warmth permeated her skin.
Witnessing his smile, Jiang Xuening found herself unable to refuse.
After all, she had rejected him initially but came to Qingyuan uncle's mansion afterward. To reject him again might lead to an immediate fallout. Hence, she reluctantly agreed, saying, "Alright."
Yan Lin, not wanting to linger, misconstrued her apparent displeasure with his ostentatious behavior. He exchanged a few words with her, mentioning that Wanmo might become inebriated, akin to a drunk cat, before leading Qing Feng back to the water pavilion.
Jiang Xuening retraced her steps, heading back to the Flower Hall.
Yet, as she passed through a cluster of flowering trees, she suddenly heard a series of curses emanating from the other side. The words seeped through the overlapping branches and leaves,
"You little wretch, trying to escape!"
"Having raised you in the mansion for so many years, you dare to rebel!"
"Gag her and restrain her until she sobers up!"
Intermingled with these were the desperate whimpering of a woman, but it remained indistinct.
Jiang Xuening's feet halted on the scarcely populated path. She suddenly realized what transpired on the other side of the flowering tree. Rationality urged her to depart swiftly, yet her feet refused to comply.
Unbeknownst to herself, she gently raised her hand, parting the branches to peer through the gap.
There lay a small lotus pond.
However, in late autumn, the once-vibrant lotus and leaves had withered, leaving behind a pool of decay yet to be cleared.
At that moment, three coarse envoys were gathered by the pond.
One of them had a stern expression, wiping his sweaty brow with a handkerchief. The other two women grasped You Fangyin—one holding her hand and the other supporting her head—and unceremoniously tossed her into the water.
Jiang Xuening, who had heard about You Fangyin's change in temperament after falling into the water in her previous life, was witnessing this cruel "plunge" for the first time.
Behind her, Tang'er was horrified.
A chill ran down Jiang Xuening's spine. The voice that had echoed in her mind earlier became sharper and more insistent than ever before:
Don't go.
Don't go.
Everyone has their own destiny. The original You Fangyin was timid and foolish, destined to be a target of bullying. Can you only save her for a while, not forever?
And do you truly wish to see a different fate for You Fangyin?
Don't go, don't go.
You didn't kill anyone; you just stood by and watched!
The rough envoys were furious at You Fangyin's escape from the woodshed, blaming her for her lack of flattery as a concubine's daughter of unknown origin. They wanted to torment her to ensure she remembered the lesson and wouldn't dare to repeat her mistakes.
This was brutal.
Pressing someone's head into the water, preventing them from getting up while they thrash and struggle—that was the punishment.
You Fangyin, having endured days of confinement in the woodshed, not eating much, and being subjected to beatings, had little strength left.
After a few futile struggles, she could no longer resist.
The pool water was icy, invading her mouth and nose, making it hard to breathe. Her initial fierce resistance gradually waned, and her delicate neck slowly descended into the water…
What kind of desperate spectacle was this?
Jiang Xuening was abruptly struck by the horror of it all.
No one understood the fear of death better than her, having experienced it once.
Now, witnessing You Fangyin cease her struggles, a thunderous realization struck her: witnessing the murder of an innocent girl right before her eyes and meeting the "You Fangyin" she had longed for, could she form an honest friendship as she had in her previous life?
In that moment, Jiang Xuening's rationality crumbled. When she shouted "Stop," she knew that all the self-warnings she had given herself in the past few days were in vain!
She was a selfish person.
But it was not too late.
The three women by the pool were startled by the sound and turned to see an unfamiliar lady from a noble family emerging from the flowers and trees. Quickly releasing their grip, they watched as You Fangyin, already devoid of strength, tumbled from the pool's edge.
With a muffled "plop," she sank to the pool's bottom.
Seeing this, the two women who had initiated the act turned pale.
Jiang Xuening's face remained expressionless, her voice cold and composed. She simply said, "Retrieve her."
The two rough envoys had only intended to punish You Fangyin, never anticipating the situation to escalate to this extent.
Regardless of her lowly status, she was still a concubine's daughter in the mansion.
If a real tragedy occurred, they wouldn't be able to bear the consequences and would face serious repercussions.
After Jiang Xuening gave the order, the attendants snapped back to reality. They hastily pulled You Fangyin out of the water, and by the time they dragged her onto the shore, she was drenched, her face turned blue, and her eyes were tightly shut.
The woman who had initially ordered the act was now in a state of panic, urging, "Quick, administer a few slaps!"
Jiang Xuening stood at a distance, observing the rescue effort with cold eyes. As she gazed upon the familiar face, an unprecedented sense of disorientation washed over her. For a moment, she couldn't distinguish whether she yearned for this or feared it more.
She accused herself of hypocrisy.
She could have stepped forward earlier to reprimand them, but she chose to intervene only when a life hung in the balance.
Maybe, this self-justification could bring her comfort: it wasn't that she was unwilling to save her, nor was she intentionally dragging You Fangyin into a world she despised. She did her best, but she couldn't prevent it.
"Cough!"
Despite two pats yielding no response, the rough envoy, in a state of panic, delivered a powerful slap on the back, followed by another pinch. Eventually, You Fangyin coughed violently, expelling the water that had choked her.
Her eyes opened slowly and wearily.
At that moment, Jiang Xuening's legs gave way, and she staggered backward.
Those eyes lacked their usual intelligence and clarity.
The sobriety and indifference she was accustomed to, which allowed her to view the world with a detached gaze, were absent.
Instead, there was only panic and a bewildered dullness.
It wasn't her.
Within Jiang Xuening, something crashed to the ground, as if she had been granted redemption. Yet, almost immediately, an overwhelming sense of loneliness surged, threatening to drown her.